الارض الحرة و وطن شعب الشجاع

I have most recently been intrigued by the developments relating to the national anthem that some artists recently recorded in Spanish. It seems to have generated some controversy, not least of all in the White House. President Bush agrees that the anthem ought to only be sung in English. I imagine much of America agrees.

But I don't agree. An opponent to a Spanish version anthem argued that allowing it would pave the way to a Swahili anthem; or even an Arabic one. But when I heard his e-mail read on CNN, I realized what a damn good idea it was to have a Swahili or Arabic anthem. What better way to show the world how wrong they are about America being a protectionist, "Zionist" hypocrite; what better way to champion a solidarity with diversity that symbolizes "freedom and liberty for all"?

The fact that such a thing would be blocked with furor is a symptom of the greater problem I'm at odds with in our country. I've been complaining around it for some time, and I know it has something to do with the way America appears to be resisting a trend towards globalization. That despite our nation's history and diverse citizenry, which seem to suggest the opposite should be true. We ought to be pioneers of the twenty-first century, leading the rest of the world - by the rockets' red glare - out from the darkness of ignorance and bigotry.

I know this post won't get the comments "King's Horses" used to when it had this URL, but I hope some of you leave your thoughts. (By the way, the post's title reads, "Land of the free and home of the brave"; idiomatic corrections welcome).

Guinness

I want to have Guinness on-tap at home. It looks like I need to invest around $300 in hosiery and nitrogen and other miscellaneousery. That on top of at least $400 for a good "kegerator". Price is not an object, but reliability and ease-of-installation is paramount. I'm just dangling this out there in case someone has any expertise in at-home Guinness dispensing.

Ten Days Hence...

I only have ten days left "officially" in the army. Two weeks ago, I wrote about my last day in uniform. I've since moved to a new state and begun a new job in which I am surrounded - once again - by servicemembers. It is strange but liberating at the same time. I work among (not "for") people who far outrank those who made my life absolute hell over the last six years. Some have already begun calling me "Danny". I haven't been called that in well over two decades, but it is so much more preferable than the You-Are-Not-A-Real-Human-Being-To-Me, "GO-TEZ!!!".

Even though they are all at least a decade my senior, I've been asked many times, "what is it like to adapt to civilian life?" It is a simple enough question, and I am enamored by their genuine curiosity. I've crossed a bridge that none of them have. No matter how much they love the uniform, everyone wants to know what it's like to get out. I think they want so badly to hear the same things I wanted to hear when I was in their "boots".

The truth is that I haven't yet adapted, and I'm not shy to say so. Until a month ago, I was still having Iraq dreams. Until a couple weeks ago, I was still having army dreams. And I am still having "out-processing" nightmares (out-processing is a series of nonsensical bureaucratic procedures with the single purpose of overwhelmingly daunting the soldier into reenlistment).

It seems that my subconscious trails my cognizance by at least a month. I hope to write - in twenty days' time - a similar entry to this called "Ten Days Thence...". By then I expect to be caught-up to the present. I hope so very much because my new reality is an unbelievable improvement on the one prior (thus the importance that I come to realize implicity that which is so easy for me to see explicitly).

After the things I've dealt with so far, I feel confident I can live my life as the person I am; not the person I think I should be. I know that confidence will be challenged time and again in the coming year(s). This will be my next challenge, but I am far more willing to deal with it than the unspeakable nightmare from which I hope to have finally emerged. And at my back, thankfully, I no longer hear time's wing'd chariot hurrying near.

More pics of our new place

Our new place

Daniel started his new job on Tuesday! We moved a lot last weekend but this coming up saturday we have to get the rest of my stuff. The place is already feeling like home and the doggies have adjusted nicely. I'm swamped with work (at work AND with USF) so I'm barely keeping my head above water. Only 2 more weekends of hell (USF work)!

More to come soon and more pictures too! (As soon as I finsih with my classes)

A Last "Hooah"

349 days later than it should have been, I am finally done with the army. Technically, I'm still "in" until the end of April, but today was my last day since I have a month of leave. It is a fantastic day for Holly & I, but there is little time to celebrate. I start a new job in less than a week & need to move to Tampa between then and now. It's going to be a stressful couple of weeks, but the reward will be ample.

We will post pictures of our new house as soon as we get around to moving in. It is a massive three bedroom, two bathroom house in the heart of Tampa. Very adequate for our needs, and those of any house guests we may have (hint, hint). The wrap-around porch around the front adds a nice touch, as does the huge back yard with patio area for the grill. Before the end of next month, we will have a 42-inch plasma television for the XBox 360. So, if you find yourself in the Tampa area, be sure to look us up.

Coming soon to this site will be a link to our wedding registry. If you did not receive an e-mail from Holly about updated addresses and would like an invitation to our wedding, please let us know. Rest assured the ostentatiousness of our registry will reciprocate the lavishness of our wedding and reception. December 16th at the Casa Monica in St. Augustine, Florida is the confirmed venue. We will be mailing out pre-invitations this month so attendees can make travel plans. More on that later, though so stay tuned...