Who Am I?

If as a newborn, one had asked "who shall I become?" (assuming such a question can be conceived without the learning to put it into words)... And he resolved to become that person.  How far from reality he would be?  But whos reality?  What is reality?  From my perspective, my young self would have been completely blind and uninformed in his conclusions.  But he was not me and I am not him.  So then, who am I?  If not my past self who am I?  It stands to reason that neither is my future self me.  So who am I, if I only exist in the ever fleeting now?

Insomniac Ramblings

  I have only two months left in Texas.  I've just gotten through a grueling 8-day exercise.  That's about all I can say about that.  I'm excited to be going back to night shift, mainly because I think I'll be able to catch up on some sleep.  Ever since I found out my assignment to California, which coincidentally was not long before the switch to day shift occurred, falling asleep at night has been painstakingly tedious.  I feel as if my subconscious has been sorting out all of the implications of the present and upcoming life transitions.  Of course, when I say I, I am referring to my Freudian ego who wants desperately to be invited to the subconscious tea party.  Alan Watts portends that there is no ego.  This gives me the comfort of knowing that "I" am not merely trapped in a body which is victim to a fleeting heartbeat.  Rather I am you, and you are the world.  While this wisdom comforts me, I am frustrated about not having the time to work out and sort out and organize all of the ideas and possibilities that my new path implies.

A-typical Wednesday in Tampa

Yesterday was the first day working in the new building.  My feigned excitement is overflowing.  Afterall we have new state of the art cubicles and computer systems... After work I picked up a DVD that I had a guy make from Uncle Bradley's home video VHS tape.  Cost me $30!!  Then decided to head to Ybor City for a drink and to watch the Rays play the Yankees.  I ended up visiting Christian at Carmine's for a drink before heading home.  I had one more beer at the monthly music thing they do in Hyde Park.  Andy McMillon can play a mean [enter wind instrument here].  Then I went to my room and watched the Rays make an amazing comeback and make the playoffs after midnight!  Not a bad day in the name of spontaneity!  Tomorrow evening is Bikram Yoga! 

Guster was Amazing!

Talk about bad timing... When I got to the concert to see Guster and Jack's Mannequin on Tuesday I was pretty excited.  Just as we found the right spot in the center of the room to wait for the first band to come on, I got a call on my cell phone.  Apparently, my water bill (in Phoenix) had a past due amount.  The guy on the other line told me I was scheduled to have my water shut off tomorrow but that if I could get payment in by 6PM (I assumed AZ time since it was about 8PM Eastern when I got the call)... If I paid within the hour, basically, they could cancel the shutoff.  But of course the guy couldn't take payment, I had to call an automated system.  BUT I didn't have my account number (hi i'm at a concert) so I sat on hold through while missing the first 4 songs of the show trying to get ahold of the guy again to get my account number.  Luckily, I was able to get ahold of Philip (roommate) who was able to get the bill paid on time for me.  It took another song and a half for me to kick my frustration and stress to start soaking up some positive music vibes.  Thanks APS, for ruining 5.5 live Jack's Mannequin songs.  Good thing you didn't make me miss Guster...  I would have REALLY been upset.

On a side note I should probably pay my bills on time.  I still blame APS for not having a modern online bill pay system.  I'm all about making that shit automatic!

Tampa To Do List

• Salvador Dali Museum
• Buccs Game
• Cinebistro @ Hyde Park Village
• Bayshore Blvd
• Ybor City Nightlife
• Bern's Steakhouse
• SoHo Nightlife
• Boating/Fishing/Clamming
• Busch Gardens
• Adventure Island
• Last Damn Show 13 @ St Pete Times Forum (Sep 24)
• Guster/Jack's Mannequin @ The Ritz, Ybor City
• Lettuce Lake Park
• Tampa Theatre
• Yuengling Brewery
• Musical at Performing Arts Center
• Channelside
• Tampa Museum of Art
• Seminole Hard Rock Casino
• Ybor Segway Tour
• Ybor Art Studio
• Tough Mudder Tampa (Dec 4)
• THRILL THE WORLD
• Scuba Dive

This list grows faster than I can do things!

Get back to the blog!

So, its been about six months since my last post.  I'm working a temporary job in Tampa, Florida for the next five or six months.  I absolutely love the area!  Maybe I'll try to find a job down here.  I am staying in the SoHo District of South Tampa.  My drive to work  runs along the length of Bayshore Drive which happens to be the longest continuous sidewalk in the world!  Its a great place to work out.  I have an extra bedroom here if anyone wants to come visit!  Guster/Jack's Mannequin concert next week! 

AF Guidance on Religion in Light of Repeal of DADT

Excerpt from the critical analysis position paper that I wrote:

1. In this paper, I plan to introduce key events which have shaped the current climate surrounding religion and religious expression in the US military.  I will also analyze the tools and guidance currently available to Air Force commanders and leaders in dealing with religious needs and grievances of Airmen.  The primary concern I will address is that mandatory military ceremonies and events are usually accompanied by an invocation or a benediction serving the Christian majority but trampling the rights of followers of minority religions, atheists and those of non-tradition sexual orientations.  I will illustrate how the recent congressional decision, to repeal the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy has exacerbated a very specific but unacceptable incompatibility with current guidelines concerning public prayer at official functions.  Finally, I will propose how an alteration to the above mentioned guidelines might mitigate the issue and suggest implementation at the appropriate decision level.  

Click here for full paper:

AF Guidance on Religion in Light of Repeal of DADT