Tuesday, November 29, 2005

I’m a going to Disney World!

It’s been a long year with some difficult stretches. I booked a trip to Disney World for myself, my children and my sister almost a year ago and I’ve been looking forward to it for months. In addition, I’m lucky enough to be spending next week with one of my best childhood friends, Dave, and his family.

We’re staying at The Beach Club Villas which is a 5 minute walk to the gates of Epcot. It’s also surrounded by The Boardwalk area which is usually bustling with activity late into the evening. I’m really looking forward to spending an evening at Jellyrolls and enjoying the incredibly talented dueling piano players.

I also managed to book some really fun things for the kids to do, such as the Princess Tea Party for my sister and daughter and the Pirate Adventure for my son. While it’s never inexpensive for these events, they are always top notch and are a guaranteed happy memory for my kids, which is really what it’s all about anyway.

I’ve visited Disney World approximately ten times before, but this will be the first time I’ve been there during the holidays and I’m really looking forward to all of the decorations. I fully expect to return home in a holiday mood! See you when I return from the World!

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Happy 230th Birthday Marines!

In honor of the Marine Corps 230th birthday, I thought I'd share one of my favorite stories. I performed the colors ceremony at Camp Pendleton more times than I could possibly remember, so I'm always touched by this story whenever I read it.

A foreign diplomat who often criticized American policy once observed a United States Marine perform the evening colors ceremony. The diplomat wrote about this simple but solemn ceremony in a letter to his home ministry:

During one of the past few days, I had occasion to visit the U.S. Embassy in our capital after official working hours. I arrived at a quarter to six and was met by the Marine on guard at the entrance of the Chancery. He asked if I wouldn't mind waiting while he lowered the two American flags at the Embassy. What I witnessed over the next 10 minutes so impressed me that I am now led to make this occurrence part of my ongoing record of this distressing era.

The Marine was dressed in a uniform which was spotless and neat; he walked with a measured tread from the entrance of the Chancery to the stainless steel flagpole before the Embassy and, almost reverently, lowered the flag to the level of his reach where he began to fold it in military fashion. He then released the flag from the clasps attaching it to the rope, stepped back from the pole, made an about face, and carried the flag between his hands--one above, one below--and placed it securely on a stand before the Chancery. He then marched over to the second flagpole and repeated the same lonesome ceremony. On the way between poles, he mentioned to me very briefly that he would soon be finished. After completing his task, he apologized for the delay out of pure courtesy, as nothing less than incapacity would have prevented him from fulfilling his goal, and said to me, “Thank you for waiting, Sir. I had to pay honor to my country.”

I have had to tell this story because there was something impressive about a lone Marine carrying out a ceremonial task which obviously meant very much to him and which, in its simplicity made the might, the power, and the glory of the United States of America stand forth in a way that a mighty wave of military aircraft, or the passage of a super-carrier, or a parade of 10,000 men could never have made manifest. In spite of all the many things that I can say negatively about the United States, I do not think there is a soldier, nay, even a private citizen, who could feel as proud about our country today as the Marine does for his country.

One day it is my hope to visit one of our embassies in a faraway place and to see a soldier fold our flag and turn to a stranger and say, "I am sorry for the delay, Sir. I had to honor my country."

Wednesday, November 02, 2005


iPod Video

Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time at the gym on the elliptical machine. I really enjoy running outside, but I’ve found that the wear and tear on my knees after I run about 5 miles keeps me from exercising for several days afterward. That’s been self defeating. So, the elliptical machine has been my best friend and I spend time with it for an hour each day, six days a week.


The huge downside of this is that it’s boring. And I mean boring as in “I’d rather be watching
Gigli” boring. Luckily, I have found the solution!

A few weeks ago, I decided to buy an iPod because I have a new stereo system and I thought it would be cool to hook up all of my songs to the system. My buddy Marc has this setup at his house and it’s absolutely fantastic. The only iPod’s that are now available are the 5th generation where they play video. Cool feature, I thought, but not required for my needs.




I really love the form factor on the new iPod. I had purchased a 2nd generation iPod for my ex-girlfriend, and while it was cool, it was fairly thick. This one seems to be the perfect size to easily fit in your hand without being too bulky.

Until now. I have downloaded the entire 1st season of Lost and the 5 episodes from the 2nd season and they are happily awaiting my viewing while exercising myself into the ground. I tried this out yesterday, and while the screen is small, it still works great. The hour flew by, and that is worth any amount in my book.

Now, if they would just release Alias for the iPod, I would be in heaven! :)

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Undead Starbucks Employees

Now this is funny. Employees of an independent coffee house in San Francisco dressed up as Starbucks Employee Zombies for Halloween. Classic!