Final Word

I'm sitting here about to take my computer off of the internet for good and I thought it would be a good thing to write one last post. I'm picturing this coming across like one of Jerry Springer's "Final Thoughts" that he gives at the end of each show.
It's been a long year, full of both good and bad times. Everyone here gives some to the cause and some give all to the cause. Either way I think we're all leaving here a different person. I have a greater understanding and appreciation for how some parts of the world are forced to live. Being in the states you don't think much about it and realize how bad it can be for these people. Many of you are probably questioning if we made any improvements in our year here. I know the news mostly reports the bad stuff so it may not seem like we're making any headway. I'd have to argue that though. I think we've done an incredible amount of work and accomplished more then any mathematician can add up. The things we've done here won't be read in the history books in numbers, or in statistics. In 20 or 30 years when tourists are traveling here to see places spoke about in the bible, it is then they you'll see what we've accomplished. You'll see a free country and a country in which the leader doesn't keep all of the money for himself. The people will not be living in poverty and sickness but will be prospering and happy.
Ok, I don't want to sound like a preacher. Most of all I wanted to let you all know that I am thankfully for the people who have read this blogger. It has been a great way for me to put some thoughts down and to get info out to my friends and family. I will be on the internet here and there, but not with any consistency. I love you all, and I miss you all. Also now I can say it and mean it, I will see you all soon.

Scottie

Spades

Ok if you haven't ever played spades then you're missing out. It's a card game that is very common amongst people in the military and it can be a lot of fun. I'm not as good as many of the people who have been playing it for a while but I'm ok. Regardless of my skills I decided the other day that we would teach your Iraqi workers how to play. We really tried to teach them the bare minium but even that was hard. There isn't a great point to this story just don't have much else to talk about and thought I should write because soon I will not have the internet access I've enjoyed for the last 11 month. Soon I will be completely packed up and on my way back to the US. I hope this finds you all well.

Love you all, miss you all

Scott

CPT Eddy

I hope this finds you all well. It is Sep 1st here and today I got promoted to Captain. I've been waiting on this for a little bit. The list came out in March and since then it's been a waiting game for my month to get promoted. There isn't a change in my job or anything like that, but I am getting paid a little more and have a little more rank to try to throw around. I just wanted to take a second to write because I really haven't been good about it lately. I have to run but hopefully I'll have a good story soon.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Road Trip

Ok, as it stands now I am planning a big road trip from WA back to RI. It would be till late Nov or early Dec but I'm trying to put some thought into it. I thought I'd see what you all though. If you could stop anywhere in the US where would it be?

Been a While

Ok, I know it's been a while since I've written. Sorry for scaring some of you but I've just been a little busy with all the prep for coming home. Nothing new to report really, our counterparts are slowly arriving and people are getting excited about going home. I will write again soon, for now everyone take care of themselves.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Mail

Ok, if you haven't sent it yet then stop. If you send anything now it will get redirected back to WA and I will probably not see it. Life is good, just busy. Hope this finds you all well.

Love you all, miss you all
Scott

No luck

Ok well I wish I had a story to tell about my life but infact I am boring as hell. I do however have a story that was told to me from a soldier that deserves repeating. So here it goes..........

So no Sh#% there (we'll call him Tom to hide is true identity) "Tom" is, it's 0230 and he realizes that he has a message he's got to pass on to his XO (me). He knows that I just took the two new people down to Pad 3 to get them into their rooms and asleep. So he walks down the hill and starts searching around the first part of the pad. Now as he decides to go to the other part of the pad he starts walking in between to bathroom trailers. It's really dark out to begin with and it is even darker between the two trailers. Well as "Tom" is walking he all of s sudden falls almost face first, it seems his leg has fallen in a whole. Now he starts to feel it getting a little wet and thinks he may be bleeding because it didn't feel the greatest falling that way. He's all pissed off, jumps up as fast as he can and goes back to his room on pad 3. He gets to his room opens the door and in a fit of rage throws his bag down and half glimpses his wet leg, no big deal, he is still worried that there might be bleeding so he goes to the latrine to clean up, when he walks in there is someone standing there brushing their teeth and they take one look at him and of course ask the question "what the Fu#% happened to you?" Of course the reply is "don't ask" so at this point "Tom" takes a really good look at his leg and realizes that it's covered in brown, think, sticky (you guessed it) sh#$! Now "Tom" is even more angry realizeing that you just fell into a sewer hole can do that to you. The guy that is already in the latrine leaves in disgust and "Tom" grabs someone's shampoo and mouth wash that has been left there and starts to pour it into his boot in an attempt to save it and not have to throw it away. At the same time he turns on the shower and then throws the boot in the shower and lets the water run into it. He then in a small fet of rage jumps partially into the shower to wash off his leg. The instant the water hits his leg it burns the hell out of him and he jumps back out. So now here is "Tom" with the back of his leg scraped up badly, the front of his leg burned and he still has shit on over 90% of his leg.

The morale of this story is, if you were complaining about your day at work or anything of that nature realize it could be worse. You could be covered in sh@#.


Love you all, miss you all

Scott

Rain Storms

I just got an email from a friend of mine (Pammy D) and she was talking about a thunderstorm that is going on in RI. It made me remember something from when I was a kid that made me smile. If you don't know I have an older brother (Shannon), we didn't always get along but right now he's one of my best friends, and biggest supporters. I'm not sure if he'll even remember this but I have a very vivid memory of sitting in the back of a hatch back with the hatch up. In our drive way on Hayden Ave, we couldn't of been more then 10 and 12. We were lieing in the back looking out at the rain storm and throwing rocks, and talking. I think that is why I love New England thunderstorms. The sky changes a odd color, actually makes everything seem a different color, somehow more alive. It comes and goes, and when it's done you can go run through a puddle, do anything at all and it will be fun. I guess that will be my random thought for today, just wanted to write something and let you all know I am still here. Getting a little short on time, in fact my replacement will get here soon and that will just make it seem even more like time to go home.


Love you all, miss you all.
Scottie

Skyline

It's weird how a place that can be so unwelcomeing can also be so much like home. I was on my way back to my FOB tonight and we were on what we call route Saab. There is a bridge, I'm sure it has a name but I don't know it. It was the funniest thing, as I was driving over the bridge I really took a good look at Mosul's skyline. I hadn't really ever taken a second to look at it. Normally when we're driving through the city I'm so focused on allyways and things like that that I don't take the time to enjoy the view. Not that there is a terrible amount to look at but the skyline reminded me of something. It reminded me of the ride from Narragansett to Newport and coming over the bridge and being able to see all the lights of Newport. It was a good memory to have and it definately a moment of looking at the city and enjoying what I saw.
I know I haven't been writing to much lately but I've been busy with preparations for leaving this place and some other work stuff. I'll try to get on every few days but I'm making no promises. I will say that things here have been really good and quiet (knock on wood) compared to the first a few months ago. Still some bad stuff but I don't know if that will ever stop in this part of the world. To many years of pain and problems to be solved overnight.
Ok, well I'm off to bed. I love you all and miss you all.

Scott

This or That

I haven't written in a few days and I'm sitting hear trying to decide what to write about. Do I talk about the fact that the city has been pretty quiet, how it's been hotter then I've ever imagined, how a good man who I worked with for 9 months is hurting really badly back at Walter Reed Hospital, do I talk about my parents coming to visit me in WA when I return. I don't know what to talk about but I do know I'm ready to head out of this country. I haven't had as bad of an experience as it could of been, or as many of my friends have. My job kept me pretty shelterred and safe from danger. At least most of the time it did anyway. Now after 10 months have gone by I've hit a wall. My mind is just burnt out and all I can think of is going home. I should be back in WA around Oct 1 and I expect to stay there till around 15 Nov, maybe a little longer but not much. I'll head back to RI and we'll see where I end up from there. I have a plan but it still needs some work so for now I'm not counting anything until it happens. When I get back to RI I'm going to get an apartment somewhere with Matty. So if you're wondering where I'll be, so am I, you'll have to ask Matty where the apartment will be. As you can tell I don't have much to say about anything really but a whole lot of little bits about different things. If that even made sense. I hope everyone is doing well where ever this finds them.

I love you all, miss you all

Scottie

"See you on the high ground"

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:
'Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.
'Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Before the Battle of Agincourt
25 October 1415

Bloggers

Ok, well I hadn't realized how big Blogs were at first but I have been learning more and more about this new craze and I think I've even encouraged and ex to do one. Well anyway there is a young reporter named Michael Yon who has been doing an excellent job of reporting events here in Mosul. In fact I'd argue that he has done far better reporting then any of the major networks. The difference is all of his reporting has been documented on his Blog. I wanted to pass along this link. It has a ton of entries and goes back months. I hesitated to point everyone in the direction of this link because Michael doesn't hold back on what has been going on. Don't get my wrong he doesn't describe anything gory he just talks about what has happened. I tend to not mention a lot of the stuff around here in an attempt to calm some nerves. I would like everyone to take a few seconds and check out Michael's blog though. I think he deserves some good attention and I hope we see his name attached to news for a long time.

http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Temperature

Ok so this place has been getting hot. I try to stay in my AC as much as possible but of course that isn't possible all day long. A couple of days ago we hit a new high of 123. I had never heard of that as a temperature outside, I thought that was how hot you cooked a turkey at. Ok, a little bit of exaggeration but you get my point. Other then the temp nothing much up here. Just doing the same stuff, working out a little, when I can tear myself away from my Xbox. Thank god I don't own one back in the US, I wouldn't ever get anything done. I know I haven't been doing the best job keeping in touch with everyone but I promise if you send an email I'll write back. Might not be the same day but I will write back. I'm going to go work on yet another spreadsheet tracking one of the aspects of my job. Bye for now.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Fatherly

Ok, not that it's a big shock but I'm a fan of kids and of babies. My friend Pam sent me a link to her daughter Isabel's pictures and I happen to be in one so I thought I'd share the link. This baby is adorable and her mom is a good friend so if you have a free second check it out.
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/3/319

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Not Smart

So no Sh#$ there I am playing Halo with a few buddies when we get a radio call to come see the boss. Ends up that there are 2 older gentleman from Souther California that have made the trip to Mosul to preach the word of god. Lets think about that for a second. 2 older, white, american men travelled to one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Is this smart? I think not. Either way it is good that we found these gentleman before someone not so nice did. For example, I don't know if you all remember the woman that had travelled to baghdad to support the Iraqis and show her support against the US. She got blown up in a car bombing, they didn't care what she had to say. I write about this for 2 reasons, 1 There is nothing else going on at all , 2 if anyone who reads this has ever thought about doing something similar you need to realize that it is a dumb idea. Ok that being said I'm off to another meeting, because that is what I do.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Nothing to Report

I wish I had a story to tell or something to write about but there really hasn't been much going on here. Just a lot of thought and planning going into the plan for going home. I can't really say on line the date but a lot of people know and I'm sure they will spread the word. Regardless of the date I'll be heading back to WA for a little bit and then hoefully back to the greatest state in our fine nation, Rhode Island. If you are reading this and you haven't ever made a trip to RI you should take a weekend and head out. I've lived in AZ, GA, WA, driven across the country (once in the N. and once in the S), up and down the east coast around 6 times, and to a number of other states to visit friends. After all that traveling I have to say RI is still the greatest state. Sorry if I'm breaking the heart of all of our Texas readers. Ok, well I guess I should digress and get back to work. I hope this finds you all well and safe.

Love you all, Miss you all
Scott

The Tigris River

If you haven't heard of it the Tigris river is one of the two most historic rivers in history. The area between the Tigris (in the east) and the Euphates (in the west) has long been thought to be the place where civilization began. It because of these two rivers that a great civilization grew, it was possibly the birth place of a number of mathematical concepts. People used to travel this area to be educated. Unfortunately times have changed and this area is not the great place it used to be. It is in the process of rebuilding but that will take a long, long time to complete. I've had the lucky opportunity to walk the bank of the Tigris and it is easy to see that is was once a great river but like this country it has gone down hill for a while and now is in a sad state. Made me think of the power of nature, the idea of Karma, and things like that. It seemed to me that the river's fate and the fate of this land have always been and will always be connected. By looking at the river I realized that it is in these people to be great. It is in these people to rebuild and strive for greatness. Maybe once again joining the other great civilizations that exist today. Ok, enough of my corny writing, I only wish I had the skills of some people I know and was able to articulate my thoughts better.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

FOBbit

This cartoon appeared in a recent edition of "The Army Times". I hope I'm not breaking copy write laws but posting it but I had to because it is so funny. Many people don't ever get to leave the FOB. These people have been given the nickname of Fobbits. Like anywhere else in life we in the army like to bust people chops. Obviously the word FOBbit is a cross between 'hobbit' and 'FOB'. In all actuality not leaving the FOB is a good thing. Many of the people who do get to leave wish they didn't. Either way I thought some of you would appreciate this.

Love you all,
Miss you all

Scott

Away Message

First off I have to take a second to tell you all something that I wasn't going to tell you. I'm once again single and not by choice. Other than that you're getting no info because it's really non of your business. I had to tell you though, or else this post would of made me look like a di#$.

Ok, no sh#$ there I am sitting at my computer and I decide to write to Matty's girl friend and say hi. Kate is a sweet girl who has been nice as hell to me. I wanted to write her and ask her to pass my blog address along to a friend of her's. In an attempt to spark some interest before I get back to the states. Now I know she has an away message up but I figured I'd just leave the message and she could read it later. So when I write it automatically send her away message which to my surprise is a portion of a conversation we had yesterday:

"Scott13112: I need to meet new women. I was directed to your pictures and I saw one I liked...
Scott13112: what is her deal
kissmekate1104: well shes 18 lol [he's 27]
Scott13112: it's legal

love that dirty old man!"

"now I don't care who you are, that's funny."

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Pool

I thought I'd include a picture of one of our soldiers in the pool which recently opened. I wasn't going to tell anyone about it because I dont want people to think that it is a resort over here because it is nothing like that. The contractors here who are in charge of the Morale Wealthfair and Recreation (MWR) center put in a lot of time to get this pool operational and it deserves a little attention. It is good to see that even with the amount of work we've been doing lately, because it has been that busy, some of the soldiers still get a few seconds to hop in the pool and relax. Also I wanted to test this new way of putting a picture into a blog. It seems to work pretty well so I'm happy. you'll probably get more pictures now.

Love you all, miss you all
scottie

Interactive blog

Ok, I'm going to try something new. I'm going to try my first interactive blog. Here is the question and I expect a few replies, at least.

IF YOU COULD SEE THE FUTURE, WOULD YOU TAKE A LOOK?...................AND WHY OR WHY NOT?

Ok, start replying.


Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Of all the things my soldiers could of taught the Iraqi guys that work for me they chose to teach them to throw up gang signs. From left to right: Ahmed, Ahmed (2), Rafa, Mahmut(2). There are multiple Ahmeds and Mahmuts, almost like Johns and Joes in the states. These 4 are good men and I am glad to call them friends. Love you all, miss you all. Scottie 

SERKA

SERKA is a Turkish corporation that provides a huge number of personnel for jobs on US bases throughout the world. They are hired through Kellogg Brown and Route (KBR) which is a subsidiary of Haliburton. Which most people have heard of because of the vice president and other politicians that own stock but that is a different story for a different conversation. Ok, so basically there are a large number of Turkish people here on FOB Courage and on other FOBs in the area. I've become a big fan of the Turkish food especially the cheesy Bread. That might be surprising to some of you because I hate cheese for the most part but the Turkish bread has always been really good.

So no SH#% there I was, down at the SERKA site manager's office for tea. He breaks out some bread and tells me I have to eat some. I happily break a piece off and start to chew on it. Well I don't know what kind of cheese this bread was made with but it was not the same kind I was used to. In fact I almost puked at the first taste of it. The good thing was I had some tea so I through a bunch of sugar in it and used it to chase the bread. I got through about half the piece they had given to me and I just couldn't take anymore. So we went on talking and I finished my tea. Which isn't hard because they always give it to you in what is basically a glass dixie cup. I could knock back like a shot if I wanted to. But anyway, I finish the tea and I start to try to say good bye when he tells me I have to finish my bread. I tried to tell him I wasn't hungry, that I had just ate lunch but he didn't care. In their culture like most of Europe and the middle east, it is rude to not finish food. So I requested another glass of tea, suped it up with a ton of sugar and started again to chase the bread with the tea. I know it's not the greatest story but I thought I'd make an attempt to get one of you too laugh. Ok, well that is all I have for the good of the group today.


Love you all, miss you all

Scottie

Correction

I want to thank my friend Pammy D for taking the time to look up this correct version of the quote I made a couple of days ago. For those who don't know Pammy D she is a Prov. girl with just enough attitude. In a good way, she is also the mother of a beautiful baby girl named Isabell. So thank you Pammy D and I hope I talk to you soon.

Says Polonius to Laertes. Act 1 Scene III a room of Polonius' house. "There; my blessing with thee!And these few precepts in thy memorySee thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,Nor any unproportioned thought his act.Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;But do not dull thy palm with entertainmentOf each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. BewareOf entrance to a quarrel, but being in,Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;For the apparel oft proclaims the man,And they in France of the best rank and stationAre of a most select and generous chief in that.Neither a borrower nor a lender be;For loan oft loses both itself and friend,And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.This above all: to thine ownself be true, And it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man.Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!

long day.....................

"....above all else, to thy own self be true....."

So we had some visitors last night. It was really great to have a group come out to see all the soldiers and to try to make it a good night for the. The girls from the Arizona Cardinal's Cheerleaders put on a great show. They performed for almost 2 yours and the boys definately enjoyed it. I just want to thank them once again for coming out, it was great to have them. 

Visitors: 

Squita Net

So here in Iraq there is a little mysquito problem. I mentioned it about a week ago well some nights are good and some nights are bad but last night and tonight deserve a little attention.
So no Sh#$% there I was getting into bed, which involves crawling under a mysquito net to stop me from getting bit. Yeah that didn't work. So I get in bed role over and I'm not there a min when I feel a mysquito bite my arm. I then pull my sheet up to my ears and try to go back to sleep when I'm bit again, well needless to say this little guy was pissing me off. He bit me about 5 times before I killed the son of a bi#$%. Well tonight I'm not taking any chances. For whatever reason there is an abnormally large amount of mysquitos in my room. So I've gone and got 'OFF' from my supply room and I've covered myself in it. The funniest part is it's working. I'm not getting bit at all. So maybe there is a good night's sleep in store for me. I'll have to let you all know tomorrow.


Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Daddy's gone

When daddy is gone the kids will play. Well the boss is gone and oh are the kids playing. In fact I can't handle them at all. I've lost a Humvee, had a kid shoot himself and no one is listening to a word I say. In fact I have been getting my butt chewed daily for all kinds of stuff. I really don't know how I'm going to make it till my boss gets back. Ok, so no sh@#$ not a bit of that is true. Sir, if you are reading this I hope you have started the beer count and I hope I get a few "ok, so no Sh#@$ there I was" stories. We're managing fine here and making stuff happen. You left some big shoes for me to fill and I'm doing my best but I can't wait for you to get back. Not because stuff is going wrong but because you have to many meetings on your schedule. Well sorry for everyone that reads this and doesn't find the humor I think my boss man will. For everyone else life is good and I will be home before you know it. Oh and I want to thank Nicole. She helps me keep sain and I don't think she ever realizes it.


Love you all, miss you all

Scott

Ok, after many requests here is a picture of Nicole and I before my Fraternity's Alumni Formal. This was taken on 29 April, During my block leave. 

Birthday Wishes

WARNING: If you are not prepared to read a sappy blog please turn back now.

Nicole,

I wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. I wish I could be there but you know I can't. I miss you very much and I next year we'll do something special to make up for it. You mean the world to me and I love you very much. Have a fun time going out tonight, I'm sure Eddie has some big plans. Write me when you can.

Love you Harder.

Yours

Working hard.

I just thought I'd take a second to explain to you all how hard somepeople are working here. Now I will never claim that work hard, most of my tim is spend right here behind my computer. There are some people that are working their asses off. For example I have a sergeant that is working 0600-0900 building overhead cover that will prevent mortors from destroying the living containers that people stay in. Then he works from 0900-1700 doing his normal daily job then goes back from 1800-2100 and does more work on the overhead cover. That is pretty much a 15 hour work day. It is soldiers like that make me proud to be in the US Army.

Love you all, miss you all

Scott

Public Service Announcement

Please take the time to listen to this announcement. Thank you.

http://www.softlab.ece.ntua.gr/~sivann/pub/swf/may02-smilepop-soapbox4.swf

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

"where's he going?"

"No where, he's going no where!" For those of you who don't know that is a quote from the movie Boondock Saints. So what is the reason for the quote? I never thought you'd ask. I had mentioned to some people and briefly in a post that I might be getting a new job. Well that has been figured out and the answer is NO. I will not be heading anywhere execpt back to work. On the work note, things are going well here for the company right now. Starting to get busy with reports and what not so time is starting to fly. Also today is the June 1st and that is an important day because it is exactly 1 week till Nicole's birthday. So if you have your number be sure to call next week and wish my angel a happy birthday. Ok well I think that is all for today. I'll try to find something funny for tomorrow.

Love you all, miss you all

Scottie

Can't wait to get Lasec surgery. 

This is my artistic attempt at showing my rank and uniform, plus my tool (the computer) and the "phish". Gaby said I should show some picturs of the "phish" so here they are. I miss you all and I love you all. Things are going well here. I'll have some new pictures soon. 

Update

Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd put out a little email and let everyone know I'm doing ok. Back to playing basketball a few days a week, that helps to make the time go by and to keep stress down. Even though with the way I've been shooting I should be stressed. Other then basketball not much going on. Rumors of a new job are floating about but there is no solid answer on that yet. I'll keep you all informed as I find out anything. What else do you all want to hear about?........the it's getting hotter everyday. Not looking forward to Jul or Aug, sh$% I'm not looking forward to leaving my AC tomorrow. Ok, well I guess I'm done for today. I hope everyone back in the states has a great long weekend. Justin keep her safe on the bike. Mom and dad hope you get some yard work done.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

10 years

10 years isn't much in the grand sceem of things but in a person's life 10 years is huge. I got out of bed today and almost fell over. It's funny 10 years ago I could play basketball for hours. We'd go to "the Rec" and be there all day, or at least it seemed that way. I know it was hours though, we'd play 4 or 5 hours of basketball and never be sore the next day. Now I play two hours of basketball and I'm dead the next day. Limping around whining like a baby. Not much to talk about today and no random tangents, just wanted to let everyone know I'm still around. I do have a quote for today, not sure who originally said it or wrote it but I like it.

"The difference between men and boys is the lessons they've learned."


Love you all, miss you all

Change

WARNING

The following Blog might hurt your head. It is full of rambling and thoughts that probably can't be understood at all. Not even by the person writing them.

I'm not sure if I can touch on this suject and even come close to making any sense on my feelings. I think it is a good idea to start with a definition:

"Change =
To cause to be different: change the spelling of a word.
To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform: changed the yard into a garden.
To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch: change methods; change sides. "

It has been decided that I will be switching jobs soon. Not sure how I feel about it. There is a lot to the story of how it happened, sort of what I would consider a messed up situation but that doesn't matter anymore. "What's done can not be undone." I'm not sure where that quote if from but its a quote from a movie or something.
Ok, now for my random thoughts, actually I think it is more of a conversation that I've had with myself, or at least that is how it is playing out in my head.
Q: Is change good?
A: Inherently, yes

Q: But is it always good?
A: No. It can definately be bad.

Q: But does that lead to good in the long term?
A: "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger"

I'm a huge fan of saying "everything happens for a reason and things always work out best" and I believe it full heartedly.

Q: So why do I fear change?
A: Uncertainty?/hardship?/things getting worst?
A: I guess I'm not sure why I fear it.

Q: But if I really believe in "everything happens.......out best" then why fear anything at all?
A: Human nature, the human psychy (not how you spell it I'm sure)

Q: Do I even believe in all these saying?
A: ?????????????????????????????????


There is no end to this random blog, none that makes sense really. I'll put some closer on it but it really isn't closed at all. If you took the time to read this I'm sorry. Had to put thoughts on paper, well not really paper but you know what I mean. To make it even more confusing I'm going to end with something a college Prof. Said to me. He was a Management 410 teacher but to listen to him teach you would of thought he was teaching psychology or phylosophy.

"When you hear someone speaking about someone else, you are learning nothing about the person they are speaking of. In reality you are learning about what the person speaking believe, what they think, or how they feel."

Prof. Sanjiv Duggal

University of Rhode Island

As always:

I love you all, I miss you all

Scottie

PS Nicole, you'll never guess what it is. It will be there in a day or two.