Lots of changes, time will tell how that works out.

It's been a few weeks since I posted, but there has been a lot of things going on. I'm cautiously optimistic how things will turn out.

On top of that, I've caught the bug for "Star Wars The Old Republic" MMO/RPG and have spent a bit too much time wielding lightsabers, blasters and completing space battles recently. :-)

A full blog update will be up soon, along with progress updates for one of the stories I'm writing. I also bought the latest release from Michael G. Thomas "Black Legion: Gates Of Cilicia", which I hope is as good as his other works.

Hope everyone is well!

Do your own personal "SitRep" ...

So 2011 is now in the books, the world looks even less friendly than it did at the end of 2010 and if you believe the Mayans, civilization as we know it will come to and end before the new year is out. Far fetched? Yes, but who's to say anymore?!

So I enter 2012 with a full plate of things to do, goals (some left over from 2011) and hope for the future. Rather than talk about resolutions, I'd like to take some time to take stock, or do a "SitRep" as we used to say in the Marines. Without getting too personal take stock of the bad, the good and the reality of where your at.

For me, I can look at personal fitness, lack of health insurance, a stressful, crappy job and the lack of financial stability that comes with that as my main negatives. However, when I assess my overall happiness... I find myself in the best place I've been in my adult life, great girlfriend... check, happy, relaxing home environment...check, family and friends...check, the means and motivation to lose 20lbs this year...check.

A few years removed from the 60k a year job and financial stability... how is it that the past few years have been among the happiest of my life you might ask?

More than ever I've taken time to enjoy the things I "DO" have, the camping trips, the backyard projects, our tiny flock of laying hens, cycling, jogging, working on my writing more frequently, yes...playing video games with my GF. You get the picture I hope. My girlfriend has been the biggest part of it all though. Finding that right person for you, that person that makes you happy to come home to, to just be around is really the ultimate gift of happiness. If you had told the me of ten years ago where I'd be today...I might have responded that I probably wasn't that happy, but younger me would be wrong!

I'm not saying my life is ideal, or that I don't want to find ways to improve certain areas of my life, what I am saying for anyone who reads this blog is that when you do your own "SitRep" you might find that you have a lot more to be thankful for than you might realize. I heard one of my fellow Marines say to me once, "These aren't real bullets." What he meant was, we weren't in combat, are lives were not in immediate danger (that would come sometime later!) and that the everyday problems we faced at that moment were small compared to combat, battling cancer or losing someone close to you.

So do your own "SitRep" and unless you're one of our fine service men and women, remember.... "These aren't real bullets!"  

A "Shout Out" to one of my favorite newly discovered authors!

As I've stated here several times, the Kindle has re-ignited my love for reading again, and it's got me writing again even if it's only been a few pages a week. Imagine my surprise though when looking at the profile of one of my favorite new authors Michael G. Thomas to find that he follows my blog!

So I'd like to give a little shout out to him and his books, maybe my friends and blog followers will take a look inside some of his works. The Star Crusader Series, starting with the first book "Siege of Titan" is an epic five book series that is well written sci-fi with lots of intense action and combat woven around clever plot lines. I also just finished reading "Champions of The Apocalypse" which was a very interesting take on one possible future for mankind.

So Michael, if your reading this.... "Thanks for taking the time..." and get to work on your next book soldier!

Cerebral Warrior...Defined

As I move through life I find that I'm forced to deal with changes. Changes to the world we live in, changes to my body, changes in the way I view things, feel about things and of course my mortality. How short life can be in all its phases.  Perhaps one of the greatest ironies is that at the height of our knowledge and wisdom, we are the least capable "physically" of putting it all together to accomplish things. Each year, each decade that passes in my life I've become more "cerebral", more of a thinker, reflecting on my past and looking ahead to the future. I find more happiness within, and in all the small things everyday that as a younger person you often overlook. Time has been both good and bad to me in the physical realm... I'm still active and enjoy cycling and jogging, but heredity, time in the Marines and a few sports injuries and accidents have left me with a back that is passable some days and severely restrictive on others.  Thus, I find myself ever more a thinker, a reader, an observer who marks the mental notes of life and finds the joy in small moments with my girlfriend, my tiny flock of chickens, the warm breeze of a sunny NorCal day in early winter or the taste of a good cup of coffee or wine.

There are many more battles to be fought, wars to be won and victories to savor. Some are in the physical form and some are of the Cerebral kind.  ;-)

Cause and Effect

Though I've only had this blog a short time, I've found several positives from it already. It's helped me to get my mind moving and be more creative in my thought process, while also getting me to write a few times a week about something, anything! I've already put down two new story ideas and done at least some work on one of my unfinished works. My family and friends read this blog, so that keeps them in touch. Perhaps the most rewarding and unexpected thing that's happened is that an old friend from back home who I've always thought very highly of began working on his writing again as well. He's actually very talented, but suffers from the same disease as myself and many others..."Lazy Writer Sydrome" LOL  Seriously though... I'm glad my writing this blog has had a positive influence on myself, but even happier that it's made any kind of impact in someone else's life. "K" I want the rough draft of a completed story when it's done buddy!  Have A Good One.

To All My Fellow Veterans Past and Present

On this special day I'm taking a few moments to remember the past and present veterans who served our country honorably throughout its history. During the many wars and in times of relative peace, our military personnel are ALWAYS there.

As a Marine I was young and bright eyed, not truly soaking in what it all meant. Now as the years pass by I look back and feel a sense of pride to have been one of many. Every veteran serves knowing that he or she gives whatever it takes to get the job done, including the ultimate sacrifice.

So to all my fellow veterans I say "Thank You" and "I'm proud to count myself among you".

Please take a moment to give thanks on Veteran's Day.

Three Stories, None Are finished... What To Do?

I know the answer to this question...Write! I've written a few things in the past, and currently have three stories in various stages of completion. Like most people the whole stories are in my head, but only partially down on paper. The Amazon Kindle has renewed my love for reading, it has changed the way I look at books, which are nothing but "clutter" and make my hands cramp up. The Kindle is a blessing for me, as is my Droid (but that's another post). E-publishing is something that I could imagine if I ever finish some of my works. So why do I lack the determination to finish them?! Is it fear? Is it rejection? or is it just that I might surprise myself with the outcome. I've been rolling this over in my mind for some time now and a decision needs to be made before the end of 2011 I've decided. It's strange because most people who know me know that once I get on a task...I'm on it until I complete it, until I reach that goal. But the writing thing...I've always had a hard time putting it all together.  I'll come back to this in January and let you know how it turned out. :-)