Quick Update for You and You and You and You

Greetings, my fellow blog persons.  I cannot express the mere excitement of blogging once again.  I really don't have time to blog, but it is just sitting out here in cyberspace, and since things that sit in cyberspace must eventually be either deleted or updated, I thought perhaps I would sign on and update my life's current position. 

But first.............

It is agreeable to see you once again, my friends.  May your evenings be free of ill will.

Ahhhh, yes, I most definitely had to get the daily Spock out of the way so I could focus on what to put in this post.  Let's see, the last time I updated was over a year ago when I worked at STG at Vint Hill.  I have since moved on to a position with Northrop Grumman at Quantico and have become a super-duper network analyst for the Marine Corps.  Is the mere fact that we have the lowest budget and therefore the dumpiest equipment but yet still are considered the top net ops center among the four branches an indication of how fabulous we are?

But of course!

So I just want to say that it is great having a wonderful family.  I have been blessed beyond measure with my three children and my wife.  This year was the best year yet, and I believe it will keep getting better as we anticipate what God has in store for us.  We started going to Triumph Baptist in Vint Hill, VA a few years ago, and it is a joy to be part of the church choir and just being around others who feel the same way I do.  I think it is a great thing when you find a good church and stay in it.  It really makes a difference in your life and in your family. 

I have so much going on right now that I really don't have much time, but I will update every now and then to keep the blog rolling and people informed of all my progress.  More to come this weekend...

I promptly leave you with the following thought......

LIVE LONG AND PROSPERRRRRRRR.

......Actual MUSIC.

I have much to do today because it's Saturday and my house looks like a couple of children ran through it and got all of their toys out and slung them everywhere and both mommy and daddy work or something.  I don't know why it looks like that.......but that means this post may be shorter than usual.

Since this Blog is titled "Life and MUSIC", I figured I would elaborate on some actual music today.

On that note, I would first like to express my sympathies for the recent passing of Jani Lane, lead singer of the 80's hair group WARRANT.

Somebody please...cut....his.....hair.

I am most definitely the last one to judge, so I hope Mr. Lane got his act together in the last days of his life and looked to the Lord for salvation.  I know that seems far fetched, but who knows what the Holy Spirit can do to reach somebody.  I think God is more powerful, more patient and merciful that we can all imagine.  If His standards are so high that the very thoughts of a person is the same to Him as actually doing something, then can you really fathom how deep His love and mercy goes?

Sometimes I think we have it all wrong.  We interpret the Bible a certain way because that's the way we have been brought up to interpret it.  We may all be totally surprised one day when we die and see that things...may not be the same way that we imagined.  I'm not talking about the basics.  I'm just saying that God is a unique and powerful being, and we will not ever understand everything that He is.

I don't know why I got off track with that, but back to Mr. Lane:

Much Better!

I remember Warrant's song "Heaven".  It was in the top charts for I don't know how long back in the late 80's.  I pretty much remember the whole song right now.  Isn't that sad?  Back before the secular music world was corrupted with the influence of Africa, we actually had some music that was......music.

(On a side note, if you ever have any need to find some no-talent butt clowns, please feel free to google the words "Rap Artists".)

The music industry has changed so much in the past twenty years.  It went from that "metal hair band" thing to "bling-bling put a cap in yo mom cuz youz a pimp" thing.  Kids today would laugh at the absurdity of the hair from the bands that we used to listen to.

Let's compare and contrast, shall we?

THEN......haha, I know, bad example to start with.

 

NOW......he's just happy cuz YO' MOMMA!  WHAT?

 

THEN...and is that guy actually touching that other guy????

YYYEEEAAAAYYYAAAHHHH!!!!!

You get the drift.  Are we ready to switch on over to some Christian music that's pleasing to the Lord yet? Next post!

Oh well, at least I know many more hymns than those type of songs.  The way I see it, if you sing one song for the Dark Side, then you should sing a thousand songs for God.  I hope Mr. Lane is up in Heaven.  I fear the worst for him, but you never know until you know.

I will PRAISE the LORD with music.  May HIS name be glorified!

Study Time.  Cleaning Time.  Keep the children entertained while THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY is at work time.  And, most certainly..........YOUUUUUUUUU:

Live long and prospa, live long and prospa, wiki wiki wiki wiki live long and PROSPA!!!!!

WORD.

Red Shirt Friday

(No, I do not endorse Communism in any way, shape, or form, except for the fact that its very existence has given me potential hope for higher paying jobs as I fight against it)

Today is Friday, which can only mean that if you didn't wear your red shirt to work today, you are either a no good Communist heathen (irony) or you don't support our American troops, since apparently the color red is supposed to symbolize support for them............somehow.

(Or possibly, you just might have forgotten about it or don't own one...but that's probably a far fetched scenario).

Anyway, I don't know who came up with the concept of Red Shirt Friday, but I have to wonder if they spent any time serving in our Armed Forces at all.  Snopes.com says it was started as a Canadian demonstration showing support for Canadian troops.  See it here: Red Shirt Friday

I mean, I don't feel as if I need to really wear a red shirt to prove that I support our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, and Fly boys (this means you, Air Force).  Seeing as I spent nine crazy years as a US Marine, I don't need to prove ANYTHING.

Nevertheless, I suppose it doesn't hurt to be a bit supportive, so here I am with my red work shirt on.  I only hope that we don't have a warp core breach at work today and the transporters don't malfunction.  Needless to say there would be a lot of casualties if this were indeed an episode of Star Trek TOS. 

Now that I've stated my opinion on normal operations on Red Shirt Friday, allow me to follow up with a bit of support for the families of the recently deceased SEALS that were killed in Afghanistan.  Thanks for giving the ultimate sacrifice in being the best of all of us.  You are our big Brothers, or comrades who we can all look up to as role models.  The rest of us who served in less important roles are not worthy of your gift of remaining freedom that most of us take for granted.

 
Now, on to the economy:

So I do believe I have never in my lifetime seen our economy in such bad shape.  Of course, I was too small to remember the 80's recession and most of my memories are from the booming expansion of the 90's.  I don't really know what's in store, but I get a bad feeling when I see stuff like this:

And this is just the BEGINNING!

 

 

 

The current economy is a constant reminder that if you make the wrong decisions in life, you truly face and pay the consequences.  I decided to stay in the military and not go to college until later, and now I am struggling so hard just to pay bills.  It is very hard to keep afloat in this economy when your skill level is not competitive.  I'm on my way, but I and my family have to suffer for now due to my earlier stupidity.

On the other hand, I am extremely blessed to be employed PERIOD.  God has been very good to us.  There is no question!

Gotta get some work done. 

You know what to do....

Fireproof, Spankings, and Certifications

Now, where was I?

First I would like to give a big shout out to my beautiful wife Stacey (aka THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY) who is keepin' it real over in Warrenton, VA while she types up a few reports and works on various projects that keep her happily employed.  Also, a brief shout out to my homie Big Brian P. out in wherever he is today and also his wife Jan, who is dealing with trauma issues because she had a drive by near her house and somebody sprayed her shower stall with bullets.  Thank God for the wise decision to have bullet proof glass installed.

Now seeing as I haven't updated this blog since January should give you some indication of how busy I have been.  Allow me to illuminate the path of progress:

• Acquired Security+ Certification in February
• Acquired new position at my company troubleshooting LAN's in an IT position
• Started Network Security Certification from NOVA and have only two classes to go
• Acquired Network+ Certification in July
• Began studying CCNA Certification last month

Okay, so that may not seem a whole lot to some of those IT studs out there, but that is a WHOLE lot for a peon such as myself.  And I did all of this in 2011 with a wife that works full time and two children that are 5 and 3 years old.  Tell me I'm not dedicated.

So yeah, I still have a loooooong way to go before I get a Masters in Information Assurance (my goal) but I will get there.  I don't think my goal of getting it by age 40 is going to be feasible, but perhaps 43 if all goes well.  I would love to have my bachelors by age 40.  In all reality, I can get my two associates by end of summer semester next year and maybe get into Mason next year.  It's a long shot, but possible.  The CCNA will be conquered fully by January 2012 (in 6 months), or even sooner.

Let me just ask everybody a question before I elaborate on other things:  HOW'S IT GOING?  DID ANYBODY MISS ME? (I say this as if anybody else is actually reading this...haha)  I hope all is well in everybody's life. Just to let everybody know, I WILL become an awesome Network Administrator/Security Analyst.

What?  Don't believe me???  Well, then............

Darth Vader finds your lack of faith DISTURBING.

So last week THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY and I watched the movie "Fireproof" for the first time.  I noted to myself that it was not the best acting in the world but the movie was terrific.  It has really changed my outlook on a lot of things in marriage.  It was well worth the 90 minutes of viewing time.  My only regret is that we have had the movie for over a year and this was the first time we have watched it.

My two children Pooka and Princess decided to act like special agents for Satan yesterday at WalMart while I was forced to wait in the prescription line for medication.  I was highly embarrassed because I had to tell them about 5 times each to get over here and stand beside me.  This isn't typical behavior for them, so I wonder if I have softened up in my disciplinary actions somewhat.  They both received the blunt end of the dreaded SPOON (aka "the rod of correction") when we got home, but I don't know if that is working so well.  The Bible says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him".  So therefore I believe in spanking but at the same time, I think we have implemented a rather successful (so far) system in which to guide their behavior habits.

What THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY and I have done is implement what can only be known as "The Star System":

We take two Posters sized charts with different rows and columns and label each row with whatever chore we want them to have:  Clean Room, Put Shoes Away, Make Beds, Put Away Shoes, etc.  Every night we sit down with them and calculate their work that day and what they did and didn't do.  If they completed that chore, they get one star sticker.  If they do something that requires discipline, we cross a star out! This includes any spankings with the SPOON that they receive.  After BOTH of them get 50 stickers a piece, we go to Chuck-E-Cheese.  It's that simple...but it works!  If they start acting up and we say that we are going to take away stars from their chart, they freak out like the world is ending and do what they are told.  This works almost if not better than the SPOON.

I guess you have to use all sort of methods sometimes.  But trust me, TIME-OUT does NOT work and undermines the dire consequences of disobedience.

Okay, so.....I will get on here from time to time instead of waiting whole months.  So everybody feel free to check in.  And please, leave a comment if you feel so inclined.

Gotta go.  There is work and studying to be done!

As always.......

 

Soreness. Agony. Despair. Me.

Not really, but I am sore from helping my Aunt and Uncle move their office yesterday. It was a nice start but they still have a ton of stuff to move. Normally whenever somebody asks me to help them move I usually have something better going on where I can't help them, such as my sock drawer needs organized or my belly button lint needs knitted into a sweater, but Phyllis and Ron have been wonderful relatives and I will do anything in my power to assist them. So therefore, I helped them move a ton of furniture yesterday, and the best part about it is that whatever we moved that they didn't want they said we could have it. So now I have to figure out what older furniture I'm going to throw out to make room for the newer. I love free stuff that is in fairly decent condition. I must say we have been rather blessed with an abundance of it this year.

 

Work was great this week. Spreadsheets, invoicing, supply orders, front desk security, bagels and donuts, coffee, papers, papers, and papers...not exciting but employment. Thank you Lord for the wonderful company known as STG who put up with me on a weekly basis and have given me the opportunity to improve myself and learn about how federal contracting works. And I even have to say there is not a co-worker that I dislike. And no, I am not being sarcastic but sincere for a change.

 

On another note, my sister-in-law informed THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY (aka Stacey) that since their Nintendo Wii is not the latest and greatest item to hit the market and the Xbox Konnect is, they have decided to rid themselves of the Wii monstrosity and therefore offered it to us. So now, we have a Wii system with the Fit game incorporated, and Stacey is excited beyond words can describe about it. Already Pooka and Princess are fighting over playing the thing, so I guess we will have to incorporate some rules. Hopefully no controllers go flying at the screen anytime soon. 

 

Okay, so I realized this morning that I am 34 years old. Yeah, I finally realized that, and now I think I am having midlife crisis 16 years early. I feel as if I haven't accomplished a thing that I wanted to at this point. I guess I just need to drink some more coffee, stop whining, and get busy studying and living life. Fo' real.

 

On a more positive subject, I have set up my Security + test for the 24th! I am so motivated about it. The day after I take the test, I am starting the A+ certification course. I am unstoppable!!! (unless something stops me) Back to that midlife crisis thing....   

Lately I have been thinking of how I am now into my fourth decade of life and since I am a Dad and need to be more of a serious person and focus on my three imminent family members and their happiness, I must not forget about the humorous events in life that inspire me. while I was bussing the children around the other day, Pooka gets this big grin on his face and says to me, "Daddy, Claire wants to go home and watch Star Trek." Claire quickly denies such nonsense and whines that she doesn't want to watch Star Trek. Pooka says it repeatedly for 5 minutes and Claire respectively yells at him, "No Nicholas! I don't want to watch Star Trek!" The potential for this to go on for another half hour was great but I stopped them both and told them that we were not watching Star Trek when we got home. When we did indeed arrive at our annual rental I put both of their little whiny butts in bed since apparently they just wanted to pick on each other and were tired. 

 

Then I went downstairs and watched Star Trek.

 

That's it for now since I have that test coming up and I need to study (tremendously). You have a wonderful Sunday afternoon. Take it easy today since it is indeed the Lord's day. You have to say that He has been good to all of us.  

 

Live long, and Prosper.

,

Dysfunctionality. Tis' Bliss.

Okay, so it has been like, a quatrillion years since I've been on here. I've even decided to rename my blog and re-design. Much has changed since I was going through the whole "Unemployed Stay-at-Home Dad" stage in my life. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am wonderfully employed, and although it is not my dream job, it most definitely is a step toward it.

The place where I work is wonderful. They have an employee breakfest every Friday morning and we get to stuff ourselves with donuts and bagels and various fruit types. There is free Keurig coffee...all...day...long, and if you really, really want to, you can actually do some training/school work if you have any down time, which is a great thing for self-improvement. This is my first federal contracting job, so I just know that I'm going to get spoiled and I'll expect way too much for my next one. That is, if I actually have to leave this company or get canned. Hopefully none of that foolishness is happening anytime soon.


So, I have to tell you about last Saturday morning (week before Christmas). I drove down to Waynesboro to see the parents and grandparents. Pooka and Princess were already there (since Wednesday) and acted as if they might have potential for being spoiled (surely not). THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY (yes, I still call her that) had to work...at Borders, which she simply loves...so I decided to go down and spend Christmas-a-week-Early Day with them. I was in a huge hurry and so I decided that when the gas light in my car came on in Charlottesville to simply ignore it and to risk running out of gas and being stranded on the middle of Afton Mountain. Not a great way to start your Saturday....fortunately, my vehicle is embraced by Al Gore and is energy efficient, and therefore I made it all the way to Waynesboro and drifted into the local yokel gas station on fumes.


When I got to my parents house we had the Christmas bash. Nothing exciting went on there, so I won't elaborate with all the children running around acting crazy and receiving gifts. The real reason I am writing about all of this is so I can include the contents of Sunday afternoon's dinner conversation.


Before I begin this, let me just say that I love my family very much and I do not believe them to be dysfuctional. Hilarious would be a better word. We all have those people that we love but we believe to be out of date with reality. We often find, however, that their reality is probably better than ours and their way is the way things should be. But anyway, to give you a taste of my W-boro trips, I gotta include this story.


My family and myself were all sitting down at the table eating dinner: Me, Dad, Mom (Jaynie), my grandmother Pat(NaNa), and my grandfather Emerson (Paw). Paw, who has extensive hearing loss and couldn't hear a grenade go off within 5 yards distance, initiates conversation. I'm not going to divulge the whole thing because I can't remember everything. I will try to re-live the moment, but I'm quite sure most of this will be slightly exaggerated in order for you to feel me. Fo' real.


(Warning: Don't read this if you were on on the Axis side during WWII, love communism and the Chinese, believe in Global Warming, or embrace the current US Govt. Administration that is ruining everything they can get their hands on. You will be offended.)


Paw: (Really loud 'cuz he can't hear) SO I HEAR THE NEIGHBOR DOWN THE STREET BOUGHT A KIA. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? WHAT IS THIS NATION COMING TO? DON'T THEY KNOW WE FOUGHT THOSE PEOPLE IN WWII?


Me: Paw, that was like 60 years ago and isn't the KIA a Korean car? It's not Japanese.


Paw: WELL EVEN SO THOSE PEOPLE ARE COMMUNIST AND HATE US.


Me: Yeah Paw, but that's North Korea...I'm pretty sure the KIA is from South Kor.....


Paw: HUH? WHAT'S THAT?


NaNa: EMERSON, HE SAIIIID THE KIIIIIA WAS FROM SOOUTH KOORREEAA (slowly, so he can hear it).


Dad: Speaking of that area of the world, did you know that a majority of your emails got routed through China last year?


Me: Huh?


Dad: Yeah. The Chinese were just messing with us as usual.


Me: Yeah, the Chinese have a whole cyberwarfare division trying to take down our agencies in case we ever go to war...


RING RING! (cell phone)

Jaynie: Hello? Oh she did???? Hey, let me call you back.....


Paw: HOW ABOUT THIS WEATHER, HUH? IT'S COLD AND WE AREN'T EVEN THROUGH HALF OF THE WINTER YET!


Dad: Yeah, it must be global warming! (with smile on face)


Paw: WE NEED SOMEBODY IN OFFICE THAT WON'T MESS AROUND WITH THESE COUNTRIES AND WILL STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS.


Me: Yeah, but you don't get voted into office these days unless you play the saxaphone or like cigars (rather chumly). Ain't that right, Nana? (patting her on back)


NaNa: AND I STILL LIKE HIM AND WOULD VOTE FOR HIM AGAIN!!! (defiance)


Me: To tell you the truth, it's a sad day when I wish Clinton was still in office...


Paw: WE GOTTA STOP THESE FOREIGNERS FROM TAKING OVER EVERYTHING. THE CHINESE ARE BUYING UP THE WHOLE NATION!


Dad: Hopefully we can get somebody in the Tea Party to be President! (motions proudly toward Tea Party sticker on truck)


Me: Those people are Godless. True Communists have no sense of morality. You should read about the stuff they do to persecute churc....


Paw: DID YOU EVER GET YOUR CAR INSPECTED?


Me: Uh, no I didn't Paw. I think I need new brakes so I haven't even bothered to take it in.


Paw: DID YOU TRY LOOSENING THE GAS CAP?


Me:......................Yeah, I already did that. I need new brakes, pretty sure.


NaNa: EMERSON, THE CAAARRR NEEEEDDS BRAAAKKEES.


Me: Yeah, so as soon as I get the cash, I will get it inspected. I mean, what's the rush? The sticker's only been dead since September.


End.


So that's just a taste of what the usual conversation amounts to when I go down and visit. It may seems dysfunctional, but I love every minute of it.


In other news, I am still planning on taking my Security + exam...when...I...can...afford...to. I have studied and now I just need a short review, and then I'm ready. I've also applied for a job at my current location that would consist of a little basic web design and some networking skills. I know it is a longshot for me, but the last person they hired had zero skills with quality assurance, and if that's how they roll, maybe I have a shot.


Well, I hope to update at least twice a week from here on out. There, I said it. That's my goal anyway. You have a wonderful New Year blog people!


All 2 of you. :)


And as Always: Live long, and Prosper.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOOOOOWWWW

Hey all you crazy Christians!

It's time to get on our knees and thank God for His wonderful blessing of snow! I'm talking about the 2.5 feet that is on the ground still and the other amount that is falling down from the sky as I type!

Stop whining everybody! God is good! Let's thank Him for the snow! It may be the last time we see it. Jesus may come and we may never see the snow again. I doubt there will be any in Heaven. I could be wrong, though. I know, it's hard to believe, me being wrong and all. It has happened before, I assure you.

Anyway, the snow is awesome! I know it is hard to dig your cars out and you get tired shoveling your driveways. I wish I had a garage so I could park my car in the snow. I would still have to clean the driveway. That's just the way it is for now. One day we won't have to worry about it anymore, but until then, embrace it and thank the Lord that you got to see it and be a part of it.

Just think of all those Israelites back in ancient Israel that probably never saw snow. Speaking of which, no wonder everybody hates everybody over in the Middle East. When your brain is frying at 150 degrees outside, you just want to pick up a rock and throw it at somebody. It is so stinking hot over there sometimes that you can fry an egg on the street, I hear. Who in their right mind would rather have that than the wonderful white snowfall surrounding their house and car?

The only drawback to the snow is that I can't get to church sometimes because it gets cancelled. When we do have service and it's snowing, we are one of like five families that actually shows up. A missionary friend of mine told me of his eldest member (74 years old!!!) that walked for an HOUR in 20 degrees with 6 inches of snowfall all day long just to go to church. I should mention that this happened in Ukraine, but the point is that we should go to church whenever we can!! Rain or snow, sleet or hail, dogs and cats falling out of the sky and dinosaurs munching on our car tires, we should still go.

Is it obvious yet that I love the snow? Snow is useful in so many ways. You can eat it, roll in it, slide down it, pelt your Pastor with snowballs (he likes it, honest), make a snowman, snow angel, go skiing, go snowboarding, and just be crazy with it. It is meant for us as a gift, the way I see it.

So stop WHINING AND GRUMBLING and being the little non-hackers that dislike God's wonderful creation. He might just make it snow a few more feet because you keep complaining.

Live long, and prosper.