Happy Birthday Ryan!

Ryan seems very competent. I have the impression that I could ask him just about anything and I'd get a good answer.

Boycott Kyrgyzstani everything! (if you can find something from there)

Why? Because for one its just wrong to have so many consonants in a name, and two they have buckled under Russian pressure to close one of our bases used to supply the mission in Afghanistan. In all fairness a boycott would probably hurt innocent people, its their parliament that has sold the country's soul to Russia for a 2 billion dollar loan. So I dedicate a moment of quiet fuming to the Kyrgyzstani government for being a minor speed bump.

Another peaceful day

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia (its a lot bigger than this)

Arabian Nights

They are definitely an acquired taste.

Photo spree!

Ann went crazy with the camera and captured some phenomenal images. The problem is that I promised I wouldn't 'scoop' them until she had a chance to use them. So here is the first of a great collection.

Party time

We are in dire need of a weekend. At work I am going to try a different schedule. I work an extra hour every day and every two weeks I get a day off. A three-day weekend every two weeks.

Logarska Dolina, Slovenia

The (Iraqi) future is bright

I'll tell you what the title means when the time is right

One of my favorite Iraq pictures

This is one of my favorite pictures because it captures a lot of the powerful and confusing emotions of Iraq. The US soldiers see themselves, at least I do, as soteriological figures (savior, with a small s) from an oppressive regime. We deliver light and freedom. Many Iraqis, especially as time goes on, see only an occupation force that imposes values and lifestyles that they don't like. The Americans abuse and damage. Both viewpoints are present in this picture. I still believe in America, although our light on a hill doesn't always shine as brightly as it should sometimes.

Slovenia pic

Slovenia pics will be a running series on my blog.

Getting bigger

She almost rolled onto her stomach as I walked in the door today. She is also frothing at the mouth and making bubbles. Ann says its normal development, but just for comfort, can you get rabies if the biter doesn't bite but gums you?

First adventures

We are making sure we enjoy this area. Last week we went to Alexandria and saw Old Town. This week we conquered the Metro and went to the Zoo. We're trying to do as much as we can before tourist season. We didn't get to the zoo until 430pm, and only saw about 10 animals. It was colder than we thought it would be, and apparently the animals thought so too, so we didn't last too long. It was a good dress rehearsal though.

Pirates of the Gulf of Aden

Here is an interview of a Somali claiming to be part of the Somali Coast Guard:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=151437

The basic idea is that foreign fishermen have moved in on Somali waters and put all the natives out of a job. So they've become pirates, or coast guard depending on who you ask. The crazy thing is that they take these huge ships with these little boats. They've been really successful and made a lot of money. As far as I know the emphasis is on ransoms so they try not to kill the crew or passengers. Other countries are sending protection so we'll see how long the pirates can keep it up. I think they're tough to pin down too because they'll throw their weapons overboard if anyone gets too close.

Model

Ann went to make a haircut appointment and they wanted her to be a model. They were going to give her a free haircut and coloring, get her a new outfit and some other things. They do the shoots on Sunday however and Ann had to pass.

Real life is better than fiction

Happy

We finally went to Costco and got some pictures for me to put up at work. This is one of my favorites.

This made me nostalgic for the Army again

CLICK HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xAml6JTVQA

This did not

I was going to try and say something funny but I think this picture says it all

Thanks Dad for babysitting, it was fun to be with you.

Happy Birthday Ann

This is one of the first pictures I ever took of Ann, and one of my favorites, I think we took them because at the rate we went we would have been married before my family could even see what she looked like. A lot of you see Ann as a sister, daughter or friend. I know a wife and a mother and I think it is in these roles that she flourishes. I told her this week, she is a quiet force of nature. She lives her life and I am constantly moved by her. Thanks again for teaching me how to live Ann. Love you.

A belated happy anniversary!

Congratulations, I hope the next 33 are even better. You are a great example for all of us.