Friday night and I am home watching Megan enjoy her 15th Birthday party with some friends from school. Sunday she will 15 officially and I will be old... officially.
The funny thing is that I still try to lie to myself. I tell myself I did 38 pull ups and chin ups today and that I can still run three miles, easy. But then I look in the mirror and I see the bags under my eyes and the crows feet. I am blessed with good genes, though. The ones that let me keep my hair. Even so, I can feel it in my bones and see it in my skin.
That's okay. The flip side of the coin is I get to see my daughter grow into a beautiful and smart young lady. She has started to take notice of her body and now she works out every day. I like to see that because I know how good it feels to feel good about yourself.
Just a couple of more years and she will be out of the house... away to college. At least that is my hope. I want her to be better than I am and I want her to have more opportunities than I made for myself. Honestly, I probably under-achieved. Not in the, bum-throwing-up-in-the-gutter way, but in a never-reaching-my-full-potential sort of way. I could just be crying in my beer (not literally, though I am drinking beer right now).
It wouldn't such a bad thing if the best thing I ever did was grow my daughter up right.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Frustration and Fallujah
So after my long trip to Hue and other places, I got back to Hanoi without the family. I saw this as a great opportunity to try to fix my HP 6640F Desktop Computer (which is a giant piece of shit).
Since the system crashed right out of the box and the restore partition didn't work as advertised, I thought I would just reload the OS with an OEM version of Windows 7. I know people out there are wondering why I just didn't return it, but that is a super long story that entails dozens of frustrating email posts to HP Customer Service and ends with the fact that HP doesn't receive computers for repair via USPS (which is the only method of shipping for me here in Hanoi)... Actually it ends with me owning a twenty pound black box of hardware that isn't worth a shit.
Anyway, after I reloaded the OS, everything was going great for the first day and then it just locked up, never to reboot correctly again. Even if I were to ever get it running for more than a day, I would never trust it to store important pictures of documents ever again. I believe the issue is hardware, and trying to isolate the problem (hard drive, memory, motherboard) just takes too long and could get expensive (spending good money after bad).
I seriously considered the Fallujah method of retaliation. I had some spare cord, gasoline, and the Pajero and driver from work picking me up yesterday morning, and I thought I would tie the worthless block of shit to the back of the Pajero, light it on fire and scream through the streets of Hanoi until I got to the Long Bien Bridge where I would remove it from the Pajero and hang it from one of the bridge spans. I could get thousands of Hanoians with sticks to start chanting "Da Dao HP!" (tranlsated: down with HP!)
I wrote a review on NewEgg where I bought the computer (unfortunately, I was TDY when the box came in and by the time I opened it and discovered it was a lemon, the 30 day return policy for NewEgg had expired), but they wouldn't post it. Something about language and criticism of NewEgg. So, this is my review of the HP6640F for anyone to see, and no one to stifle my language or criticism. And, in fact, I like NewEgg a lot, I just wish they had a little more flexibility in their return policy because HP sucks, Sucks, SUCKS!
I am strongly considering just building my own computer now. At least I can blame myself for any issues and it could be a good project that I can work on with Megan. As a matter of fact, maybe HP sucks because God made them suck so my "free will" would lead me to spend more time with my daughter in meaningful projects... right!
Since the system crashed right out of the box and the restore partition didn't work as advertised, I thought I would just reload the OS with an OEM version of Windows 7. I know people out there are wondering why I just didn't return it, but that is a super long story that entails dozens of frustrating email posts to HP Customer Service and ends with the fact that HP doesn't receive computers for repair via USPS (which is the only method of shipping for me here in Hanoi)... Actually it ends with me owning a twenty pound black box of hardware that isn't worth a shit.
Anyway, after I reloaded the OS, everything was going great for the first day and then it just locked up, never to reboot correctly again. Even if I were to ever get it running for more than a day, I would never trust it to store important pictures of documents ever again. I believe the issue is hardware, and trying to isolate the problem (hard drive, memory, motherboard) just takes too long and could get expensive (spending good money after bad).
I seriously considered the Fallujah method of retaliation. I had some spare cord, gasoline, and the Pajero and driver from work picking me up yesterday morning, and I thought I would tie the worthless block of shit to the back of the Pajero, light it on fire and scream through the streets of Hanoi until I got to the Long Bien Bridge where I would remove it from the Pajero and hang it from one of the bridge spans. I could get thousands of Hanoians with sticks to start chanting "Da Dao HP!" (tranlsated: down with HP!)
I wrote a review on NewEgg where I bought the computer (unfortunately, I was TDY when the box came in and by the time I opened it and discovered it was a lemon, the 30 day return policy for NewEgg had expired), but they wouldn't post it. Something about language and criticism of NewEgg. So, this is my review of the HP6640F for anyone to see, and no one to stifle my language or criticism. And, in fact, I like NewEgg a lot, I just wish they had a little more flexibility in their return policy because HP sucks, Sucks, SUCKS!
I am strongly considering just building my own computer now. At least I can blame myself for any issues and it could be a good project that I can work on with Megan. As a matter of fact, maybe HP sucks because God made them suck so my "free will" would lead me to spend more time with my daughter in meaningful projects... right!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Back in Hanoi
I got to Hanoi yesterday afternoon, a Sunday. The two days before that were good because Diep and Megan had traveled to Danang and stayed with me for the last two nights I was out of town. Unfortunately, they were on their way to Saigon as I headed back to Hanoi. It only makes sense because Megan is out for a week on Spring break. We made the best of those two days, though, eating seafood, swimming and taking pictures with Megan.
When I got to the apartment, I saw Diep had bought about eight tropical fish while I was away. I guess she didn't worry about them without food for the two days that she was gone and I wasn't back yet. When I looked in on them they looked like they were starving. That is to say, they were wagging their tails and pressing their little noses against the glass. Of course their lack of food didn't stop them from crapping in the bowl until the water was all clouded up. As much as I wish I did, I don't have too much compassion for mindless tropical fish. I did feed them, but only enough to keep them alive, not enough to turn them into aqua-pooping machines.
I enjoyed no days off before going into work. I got right to it today with all kinds of catch up work. Tomorrow will be more of the same, even though it is a local holiday - In honor of the Anniversary of the First Hung King's Death Day. The locally hired staff and embassy workers get local holidays off. We at Det 2, on the other hand, get federal holidays only. No biggie, I have about three weeks of use or lose coming up at the end of this year and I can't see any period of time in the near future that I can afford to take off. I have some big events coming up in the very near future, to include a ten day trip to Laos. Not the good Laos, but the Xepon Laos type of trip. Good Laos would get me to Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Because of the type of work, I will really have to think about whether I want to take my DSLR with me, or not.
I started to file my taxes today and realized I left me check book at the office. I needed the routing number on the check to file electronically. This isn't a show stopper since I still have a couple more days. I almost didn't even bother getting started this afternoon, considering how pooped I was after work, but I am glad I did now. It is all over but the sending now, and though I won't get rich on my return, it could make Diep pretty happy.
In the meantime, I have some Budweiser Budvar imported dark lager from the Czech Republic that Diep had left in the fridge to keep me satisfied.
When I got to the apartment, I saw Diep had bought about eight tropical fish while I was away. I guess she didn't worry about them without food for the two days that she was gone and I wasn't back yet. When I looked in on them they looked like they were starving. That is to say, they were wagging their tails and pressing their little noses against the glass. Of course their lack of food didn't stop them from crapping in the bowl until the water was all clouded up. As much as I wish I did, I don't have too much compassion for mindless tropical fish. I did feed them, but only enough to keep them alive, not enough to turn them into aqua-pooping machines.
I enjoyed no days off before going into work. I got right to it today with all kinds of catch up work. Tomorrow will be more of the same, even though it is a local holiday - In honor of the Anniversary of the First Hung King's Death Day. The locally hired staff and embassy workers get local holidays off. We at Det 2, on the other hand, get federal holidays only. No biggie, I have about three weeks of use or lose coming up at the end of this year and I can't see any period of time in the near future that I can afford to take off. I have some big events coming up in the very near future, to include a ten day trip to Laos. Not the good Laos, but the Xepon Laos type of trip. Good Laos would get me to Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Because of the type of work, I will really have to think about whether I want to take my DSLR with me, or not.
I started to file my taxes today and realized I left me check book at the office. I needed the routing number on the check to file electronically. This isn't a show stopper since I still have a couple more days. I almost didn't even bother getting started this afternoon, considering how pooped I was after work, but I am glad I did now. It is all over but the sending now, and though I won't get rich on my return, it could make Diep pretty happy.
In the meantime, I have some Budweiser Budvar imported dark lager from the Czech Republic that Diep had left in the fridge to keep me satisfied.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Life on Hold
For the past 30 days, my real life has been on hold. All those things I had ordered in the mail, and all of those tasks that I had on my plate before I left on this mission 30 days ago have been put to one side, waiting for me when I get back to Hanoi.
Diep and Megan should be down here in Danang in a couple of hours, even though their flight continues to get delayed... a little at a time. First it was just a one hour delay and then it went to a two hour delay. Not a big deal if we had a few days together, but as it is we just have two nights and some change. We will roll with the punches for now.
On Sunday I go back to Hanoi and Diep and Megan head to Saigon. Diep needs the break. She has been holding things together at home while I have been on the road. I am not sure if I will try to get to Saigon before they get back up the following Sunday, but if I get furloughed with the rest of the government employees, I think it might be just the thing I need to do.
This threat of a furlough is laughable. I think we should give the Congress an ultimatum: sign a budget or resign your seat at the end of the fiscal year. I imagine the whole U.S. population is pretty sick of it. The amount of money we have spent getting ready for a government shutdown is much more than we could ever save with such an action! Think about the salaries of those individuals who hold leadership positions of our units and organization and the amount of time they have spent, along with their staffs, determining courses of action in case of a shutdown. Not to mention the amount of money that will be lost in cancelled/delayed contracts during the shutdown. The amount of money will likely soar into the billions. Me? Well, I will enjoy some well deserved time off... pay or not!
Diep and Megan should be down here in Danang in a couple of hours, even though their flight continues to get delayed... a little at a time. First it was just a one hour delay and then it went to a two hour delay. Not a big deal if we had a few days together, but as it is we just have two nights and some change. We will roll with the punches for now.
On Sunday I go back to Hanoi and Diep and Megan head to Saigon. Diep needs the break. She has been holding things together at home while I have been on the road. I am not sure if I will try to get to Saigon before they get back up the following Sunday, but if I get furloughed with the rest of the government employees, I think it might be just the thing I need to do.
This threat of a furlough is laughable. I think we should give the Congress an ultimatum: sign a budget or resign your seat at the end of the fiscal year. I imagine the whole U.S. population is pretty sick of it. The amount of money we have spent getting ready for a government shutdown is much more than we could ever save with such an action! Think about the salaries of those individuals who hold leadership positions of our units and organization and the amount of time they have spent, along with their staffs, determining courses of action in case of a shutdown. Not to mention the amount of money that will be lost in cancelled/delayed contracts during the shutdown. The amount of money will likely soar into the billions. Me? Well, I will enjoy some well deserved time off... pay or not!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Ten Year Anniversary
On 7 April 2001, seven American and nine Vietnamese died in a helicopter crash in Quang Binh Province while conducting advance work in preparation for one of our field activities. I knew two of the Americans and one of the Vietnamese personally and I miss their presence here on this earth.
Obviously, the loss of life for those who died is the greatest tragedy. But, many still here were also greatly affected by the loss. Family members, friends, and co-workers remember this event with great sadness. And on 7 April 2011, in this remembrance, members of Det 2, the Vietnamese MIA team and JPAC will travel back to Quang Binh Province to the foot of the mountain where the crash occured to remember this great tragedy in a simple and solemn ceremony.
The event occured several years after I had already left the detachment, so I didn't experience any "it could have been me" moments like some may have. I didn't even share such a relationship with any of the ones who died that I corresponded with them. This was, afterall, before Facebook, and the massive proliferation of digital contacts that we now enjoy. But I still find myself missing these people to some degree or another at any given time; not just on the anniversary that comes and goes.
The emotion of missing someone, whether a friend or family member, is very easy to identify but difficult to describe... like an emptiness that I feel in my stomach, I suppose I would say if forced to come up with a description.
I guess it is just good for me from time to time to sit quietly and think of those times I spent with these people and others I have lost in my lifetime. The conversations that I had and the good times that I shared. It doesn't make the emotion go away, but it does somehow make me feel better.
Obviously, the loss of life for those who died is the greatest tragedy. But, many still here were also greatly affected by the loss. Family members, friends, and co-workers remember this event with great sadness. And on 7 April 2011, in this remembrance, members of Det 2, the Vietnamese MIA team and JPAC will travel back to Quang Binh Province to the foot of the mountain where the crash occured to remember this great tragedy in a simple and solemn ceremony.
The event occured several years after I had already left the detachment, so I didn't experience any "it could have been me" moments like some may have. I didn't even share such a relationship with any of the ones who died that I corresponded with them. This was, afterall, before Facebook, and the massive proliferation of digital contacts that we now enjoy. But I still find myself missing these people to some degree or another at any given time; not just on the anniversary that comes and goes.
The emotion of missing someone, whether a friend or family member, is very easy to identify but difficult to describe... like an emptiness that I feel in my stomach, I suppose I would say if forced to come up with a description.
I guess it is just good for me from time to time to sit quietly and think of those times I spent with these people and others I have lost in my lifetime. The conversations that I had and the good times that I shared. It doesn't make the emotion go away, but it does somehow make me feel better.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Leaving Saigon
I am here in Saigon after two nights at the Sheraton, waiting for time to tick by so I can check out and head to the airport. All in all, it was a good trip. We did what we came here to do, and though the outcome wasn't what we may have wanted, at least it was definitive and the work is off the books. I ate at three restaurants while I was here and took a quick walking tour of the city with my camera. I also saw two movies here: Faster with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and The Green Hornet. Both of these movies were entertaining, but The Green Hornet was a little disappointing since it started out great and got bogged down towards the end.
The walk and photography was fine, I just wish the air quality had been better. We were under this permanent haze that just took the color out of everything I tried to shoot. I paid the equivalent of ten dollars to go up to an observation deck of a new building here in Saigon and was disappointed by the haziness of all of my photos... also, that I was completely surrounded by glass on the observation deck. In retrospect, I think I would have foregone the ticket to the deck had I known I couldn't walk outside.
Now I am headed to Danang. Everything should get easier from here. I will see Diep and Megan at the end of the week, and I am looking forward to that!
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