CrossFit?

14/365

Well, I tried today. Here on Ft. Hood we have a crossfit gym but in order to attend you have to take a Crossfit Foundations class where they teach you all the exercises. So, my buddy and I finally had time to try it out. We went to the gym to just to find out that the foundations class has been canceled until further notice, which means they don't have a clue when they are gonna start it back up. Great. That's the problem with programs that are run by the Army. They're undependable. They also picked the worst time to have this class. Mondays and Fridays at 11:00-1:00. Also you have to show up early in order to attend because they only accept 30 people at a time. Sorry, but some of us have work to do and those times are completely in convenient for soldiers that work and want to get involved in this fitness program.  If there is one thing you can count on with the Army is that you can't count on anything.

13/365

LightRoom 3

13/365

Le' wife got Adobe LightRoom 3 in the mail today from her school. Since she had already bought it, not knowing she would be receiving it for free, I get to reap the benefits. It's about to get installed.

Party's Over

12 of 365

Back to work :( The good times are over. I had a good time on vacation and now it's back the grind. It was nice not having to worry about keeping track of peoples whereabouts, appointments, work schedules, marital status ( divorce in progress, domestic issues...etc) whether their insurance/registration for their vehicle is current, and their lack of problem solving for their own every day issues. It's ridiculous. For those of you who don't know what it's like to be in a leadership position in the Army: Welcome to my world. If that stuff sounds ridiculous to you, don't worry. I feel the same way. I really don't see how it's my responsibility to make sure that another grown adults auto insurance or registration is my responsibility but that's how the Army works. Accountability is everything in the Army. In certain situations it's understandable. But for the most part it's a pain. If a soldier has an appointment I have to know what time that troop is supposed to be there. Understandable. But for some reason it's my responsibility to make sure they remember what time to be there, make sure they make it on time, have them report when they are done and tell them what to do after that. Now if this soldier fails to make it to their appointment on time, it's my fault and I have to go see our supervisor and his supervisor and I get reprimanded for their actions. That soldier gets punished as well but the point being, I'm to blame for another persons actions. That's my life in the Army. So, after reading this you might come to the conclusion that I don't like my job. I don't just "not like it". I hate it. If this seems petty to you....cool. Its just a small sample of the BS I deal with day in and day out. There is a lot more that goes with it. Its not just that.

I'm in the process of trying to change my job in the Army in hopes that it's better in that field of work. If I don't get this job change, I'm counting down the days. As it stands, as of today, I have 1 year, 9 weeks, 4 days, 15 hours, 26 minutes, 33, 32, 31 31.......seconds left until I am a free man and get to enjoy my freedom as a civilian. There is nothing more liberating than doing a job that you enjoy. I've been doing family portraits on the side. I have spent entire weekends working with clients and their portraits. To me that wasn't work. I enjoyed it and i love doing it. My goal, once I'm done with the Army is to be a full time photographer. As the saying goes, Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life. I can't wait to never work again.

11/365

Packaged

11 of 365.

Packed up the 35mm lens and shipped it back today. It was supposed to go back yesterday but I didn't get a chance to drop it off. I liked it a lot and I might have to add it to the collection of lenses.

Check Please

Ten of Three Six Five

Waiting for the waitress to come by and pick up the check so we could hurry up and get out of there. While we were eating we got a phone call from a friend of ours who got stranded at the airport. Her scheduled ride failed to show up and she was stuck without a way home after a 12 hour flight with her 4 year old daughter.

Sihlouette

Silhouette

A La' Camel.

Nine of Three Six Five

These are painting that I bought during my first tour in Iraq. I went to a Bazaar at Camp Liberty. I spotted these paintings and thought they were really cool. I know I payed too much for them but i really liked the artwork. I liked the fact that it was a black velvet canvas painted in shades of orange and yellow.

8 of 365

Gettin' Tail

Yellow Tail that is.

8 of 365

Sittin' at home drinkin' a little Shiraz and watchin' movies with the wifey.