New Years 2008-2009

New years was a blast. A group of us met at the VFW to ring in 2009. We had a table of food, a DJ and plenty of booze. It was great to get together with all of our friends for this celebration. This year will bring many new challenges and this is apparent as I have found that I will be going on my third tour of Iraq. I only signed up for three years in the army, but apparently I am obligated for eight. First of all, I served three years in the army and one tour of Iraq. Then I was notified that I would be extended 14 months in order to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in a second tour of Iraq. So I reluctantly served, totaling 27 months in the combat zone upon my return. I was badgered and harassed on a daily basis by my chain of command and support channel to reenlist. I myself provoked my entire squad to reenlist for $22,500 dollars tax free. This helped ease the pressure to reenlist, thankfully. I turned down the money because I truly was not happy living the military life, money just cant buy happiness. In fact, I was miserable. I felt I had indeed lost my freedom. It was like being in prison. I finally discharged the army honorably in 2007 and have been living happily ever since. It is so disheartening to know now that I must return to this life of misery in the military. Upon my first tour of Iraq, I was convinced that the mission was purely humanitarian. But now, after a second tour, I'm not so sure. I know there is a impending shortage in the world's natural resources and this war was a way for the US to capitalize the Iraqi oil market, for the sake of our future. We are indeed addicted to oil. But I hope this is not the case. As our economy crumbles, along with our educational system and manufacturing, we pour billions into this country called Iraq. I don't understand it. So as I plan to serve my third and final tour in Iraq. I will not submit to the badgering and harassment of reenlistment that I will again be subjected to on a daily basis. I will get out of the military once and for all and I will get out honorably. A guy cant just serve and get out anymore. They want everyone to spend their life in the military. Bah Humbug!!

This year indeed brings many challenges in which I plan to overcome. Upon return from Iraq, God willing; Holly and I plan to get married, settle down in our home, I hopefully will return to my job and live a peaceful and prosperous life. We want to ride the motorcycle and enjoy God's country first hand. We just want to live free and I want to be free from the prisoner type life in the military. One more year, one more lucky year...

Winter Blahs

With winter right around the corner, I get a little depressed this time of year. I hate to see the summer fade and the temperature plummet. Its a good thing that this is the holiday season or I would be darn near suicidal (just kidding). Thanksgiving was a lot of fun at my parents, sorry I didnt take any pictures, forgot the camera. We ate lots of good food, turkey (smoked & oven roasted), stuffing (Terrys sage stuffing too), sweet potatoes (thanks GAC!), green beans & ham (from the garden- thanks mom!), pumpkin pie, lemon merange pie, carrot cake (Thanks Bec!) and much more which I'm forgetting. After dinner we played some friendly family poker which I ended up losing money...oh well. Just want to say thanks Mom & Dad for another wonderful meal!

Holly and I haven't been up to much lately. We finally got the garage torn down and hauled away from the storm that destroyed it (see other post). So we've been spending time at home as you see I had a wild hair one day, put on the cowboy hat and cracked a few beers. Dollar beer night (Tuesday) at the VFW has become popular. Too bad I have to work on that night, but Holly keeps me informed of whats going on up there. I'm still active at the VFW and still hold a position on the board as judge advocate. I used to be the youngest member at 36, but someone else joined who is five years younger, so I'm not the baby anymore! ha!

As most of you may know, Holly and I are now engaged. Yes, I asked her to marry me! We have not set a date for the wedding yet, but we have decided to wait until 2010. That way its easier for me to keep track of our 10, 20, 30 year anniversaries, lol. She was so excited and tears ran down her face when I asked her. We shopped for a ring together and picked out a lovely princess cut diamond in a cathedral setting, a lot to pay for a rock, but its the commitment behind it thats of true importance. So, we look forward to planning for the wedding and so do both of our mothers ;) Its funny how life works. One minute your single without a care in the world, the next your planning the rest of your life! Whew! No wonder I was drinking that beer! HA! Until next time, keep looking forward...

Halloween

Halloween isn't really considered an American holiday, but it sure is a favorite time for many of us. Holly and I had a Halloween costume party this weekend bringing over a hundred people to our house, half of which were dressed in costumes. We had lots of good food, which my cuzin Drew helped me to cook up on the grill, THANKS DREW!! At 11pm we had a costume contest finding four lucky people winners. Elvis won funniest, Tina Turner sexiest, A Mad Doctor scariest and the humble hunch back won best overall costume. Everyone had a great time, including my Mom and my Aunie Janny, who played cornhole, a bean bag tossing game. Thanks Mom and Janny for coming out, I'm really glad you did!! OK, see you all on Thanksgiving at Mom's house and don't forget your poker money! haha!

Toys for tots ride

Sunday was a beautiful day for a ride. We started off at the VFW that morning in support of the Toys for Tots program. We donated to the cause and decided to go on our own ride with our friends. It turns out that St. Andrews church of Milford was holding an Oktoberfest in Miamiville on the Little Miami River. We had a couple of Bratwurst and a pint of German Dunkel Beir. What a beautiful day it was and everyone had a good time.

As fall takes shape and summer fades, we scramble to find our leathers we packed away. Comfortable days and cold chilly nights, we'll need a windshield for the front of the bike. Oh what a summer this has been, no better way to wrap it up than a party on Halloween!! Our house, adults only, Halloween night, costume contest @ 11pm, BYOB, see ya there!!

PS. Oct. 12 is the AMA Professional Hill Climbs in Oregonia OH.

If a tree falls.....

If a tree falls in the woods and nobody is around to hear it, does it make a noise?? WHO CARES! A tree fell in our back yard and I heard it before it fell! I was in the back yard, securing some last minute things as a wind storm was winding up. This wind storm was from remnants of Hurricane Ike. As I was standing on the sidewalk in our backyard I heard a cracking sound behind me. I knew right away what it was and I didn't waste any time. I took two or three steps, twisting my ankle, and dove toward the corner of the house covering my head. As I landed I felt the tips of a four foot round tree fall on the backs of my legs. I managed to get out of the way just in time as the tree crashed to the ground just behind me from 20 feet in the air....whew!

As I realized what just happened, I saw my new grill, picnic table, even the garage, and sorrowfully, my motorcycle crushed under a tangled mess of branches. I heard Holly screaming for me in horror that I may be under the tree and I let her know I was fine. I thank God for allowing me to be aware enough to scramble without even seeing the danger, only sensing it from the sound of cracking timbers. The house was resilient. The brand new gutter on the back side of the house needs replaced and the shingles were gouged, but the roof or structure did not break!! Wow, a lot to say about the materials used to build houses in the 1940's huh!

I called the insurance company to make a claim on my bike and they will be out this week to look at it. Holly called her dad and he came by with a couple of friends and chainsaws! We got to work on her right away, Randy sawing away for 30 minutes before I could even get my bike out of the mess. My tank took a direct hit, denting it on both sides. My handle bars too took a hit, bending them crooked and breaking off the mirror as you see in my hand in the picture. There was so much weight from the tree that it bent the kick stand straight out!! This concerns me that my frame or forks may now be bent. As I stated before, I'm just glad to be ok. We'll be back on the bike before you know it and we'll keep on, keepin on.....

Oktoberfest, Main Strasse Covington KY

Covington Oktoberfest was this weekend and a pack of us rode down to join the festivities. I had a big ole bratwurst topped with saurkraut accompanied by a Hofbrau and a Dunkel Weisen (German Beer). Holly had some frozen lemonade and picked up some hematite jewelry. There were a few different musical acts going on, several vendors selling arts and crafts, and a few different food vendors as well. It was a beautiful day, a high of 77 degrees and sunny. We only spent about an hour or so there until we had to leave, besides if we had stayed, we would have been broke at ten bucks a beer!!! OUCH! The Bengals were playing the Ravens and we kept peeking in the bars to catch the score on TV. Every year we get our hopes up that our beloved Bengals will have a winning season only to have them dashed out a quarter of the way through the season. C'mon Bengals! Give us something to talk about besides players being arrested!! LOL They lost 17-10. Next week, the Titans come to the Jungle at Paul Brown Stadium, got my fingers crossed for a win! Keep hangin on to the handlebars until next time....

Reds win on my birthday!!

REDS beat the GIANTS 9-3 on my birthday, a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Great American Ballpark. It was a typical hot August day, perfect for baseball. Sisters, my Mother and Auntie Jan, smile together for a picture. Becky brought the twins and they had a blast, getting plenty of attention from everyone, Gretchen and Dan too! Holly and I brought her son, Guy along to enjoy the rare win by the Reds. Parking was also scarce as Riverfest was beginning to get started and Moeller was playing at Paul Brown Stadium. What a memorable day, I turned 37 and enjoyed it!! Thanks Mom for the tickets!