Hot Minute

It's been awhile since I've updated anything on here. I'm currently in Baghdad, working on month 2 of my tour. Things are finally starting to ramp up, but I still have no idea where ill be in a few months. I've knocked out two books and have started chipping away at Ayn Rand's epic Atlas Shrugged. I won't have internet for at least the next 3 months if not longer. I'm already well used to not having my phone on me 24/7. And I'm looking forward to withdrawing even more from technology for a bit. Don't worry my little gadgets I shall return to ye. I can't wait for r&r to roll around. In the mean time I made a Tumblr. I know, i know ANOTHER blog thingy. But I've just been posting quotes I come across and enjoy. Feel free to check it out at fromthiscliffside.tumblr.com

Take care everyone. I'll see you in a few months.

Night Crawlers

Late night adventures with friends. I'll miss it.

True

Skeleton Boy

I caught this video for Friendly Fires 'Skeleton Boy' over at Kitsune Noir this afternoon and it made a shitty day a little better. Thanks Bobby. Make sure you check him out and show some love.

also: myspace.com/friendlyfires

I also want to take this time to tell those few of you who do check my blog, thank you. I know I've been posting a lot of music videos lately and really haven't posted anything with personal commentary in awhile. I've been trying to enjoy my weekends for the past few months because in early to mid February I will be flying out to Kuwait in preparation to go somewhere in Iraq. We don't know specifics yet but I'll be out there for at least 12 months, maybe more if they extend our tour. If there is any way I could update from there on a relatively regular basis I may. I'll update before I leave I'm sure. I'm going to miss my friends and family so much but I'm looking forward to it. Take care

Ross

Happy Holidays To All

Thanksgivin'

Charlie Brown: We've got ANOTHER holiday to worry about. It seems Thanksgiving Day is upon us.
Sally Brown: I haven't even finished eating all of my Halloween candy.

Am I actually watching Click with my sister? Thanksgiving dinner in PA with family. Overhauled my desktop + icons. Did the Zoey Deschanel + M. Ward co-lab "She & Him" put me to sleep on the plane flight? Short and fragmented sentences are in. Happy Thanksgivin' y'all.

Wrath

I've slain dragons, hordes of orcs, beasts the like you have never witnessed, approximately 30,000 other players in fierce one on one combat and yet my life has all led up to this point... Northrend holds many secrets yet one truth. The son who betrayed a father, his land and his people shall die by my hand. As soon as I get ahold of a copy of Wrath of the Lich King on the 13th :(

Escape

I've been away for awhile now, and ill be away for at least a few more days. I've been in the Mojave desert training for the past month. Updates will continue soon.

God Bless Ciao

Full Tuck

Just waiting for the new pearl white ones to arrive in the states and it's mine. The entire country of Italy takes the month of August off? Why did it take so long for me to discover Cat Power? Metallica's new cd isn't nearly as horrible as the last few? You need to be a resident of TX to buy a gun here, who thought? Is that me that smells right now or this cold cut sub that hasn't been refrigerated i'm eating?

I Call Bullshit

Finally a long weekend off after 3 weeks without one. As soon as I get another off I'm going to get internet installed into my barracks room. I miss updating, I miss the internet and all the drama that goes with it.

Speaking of which, Sarah Palin. I'd write a thesis on said person and subject (prego daughter coverup?) but it's been done already on millions of other blogs. And I'm about to get dinner with my dad.

I will however bring up something that I really didn't care about until the other day. Now I use the word 'care' lightly here. I really don't care, but it does give me something to write about. Is alcoholism a disease? And in the same realm is addiction a disease?

al·co·hol·ism noun
a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally.

Don't get me wrong, alcoholism aka "a lack of self control" can be a problem and it can be heartbreaking when someone we love can't stop drinking in turn harming themselves; and only to that extent can it really be likened to being a disease. The American Heritage Dictionary defines 'Disease' partly as "2. A condition or tendency, as of society, regarded as abnormal and harmful." Beyond this parallel there is nothing that goes along with alcoholism or addiction that can label it as a disease.

Alcoholism is a choice. You make that choice to pick up that bottle or to take 'one more' shot.

In a recent Gallup poll, 90% of people surveyed believe that alcoholism is a disease. Most argue that because the American Medical Association (AMA) has proclaimed alcoholism a disease, the idea is without reproach.

But, the fact is that the AMA made this determination in the absence of empirical evidence. After reviewing the history of the decision, it would not be unreasonable to suggest that the AMA has been pursuing its own agenda in the face of evidence negating the validity of alcoholism.

Alcoholism Is Not A Disease

Quick Update

It's been a long week. Made it home for one night before I have to be back in on a Sunday. I'll leave you with this Lakai Fully Flared intro; gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.

Hopefully sometime this coming week I'll have internet in my barracks room and I can update this thing on a regular basis.

Bon voyage

This will probably be my last post for a long long time now. I leave for basic training in about 3 days, and ill be there for 14 weeks. After which I will be going onto Airborne school to learn how to jump out of a perfectly sound plane. Then onto multiple prep and training courses for a total of about 2 years of training if I don't let my self give up or fall behind too much in them. To Kierstan, I love you with all my heart, I will be thinking about you every day and I'll come back to you soon. To my friends I love all of you and ill miss every one of you; don't forget about me because ill be back. To my family, thank you for everything you've done for me. De Oppresso Liber.

Brb

Taking the next week or so off while I visit my totally awesome girlfriend and my rad friends.

*

Im shipping off for training March 19th.

Armoured Lions

Armoured Lions. Photography, illustrations, fashion, art. Close to daily updates with new photos, artists, fashion designers, etc. with links to their personal sites. Enjoy.

There's always money in the banana stand.

DE OPPRESSO LIBER

"To Free The Oppressed". I take the test and am sworn in on monday. I haven't wanted something this much in a long time. I want to be the best for myself, for Kierstan, for my family and for all my friends who I love. Nothing will stop me.

Gimmie

Sleep, and some wacarnolds or something please. Philly to Chicago, Chicago shut down. Diverted to Louisville. Louisville to Bmore to Houston then Austin the next morning? Nope, Louisville to Bmore, Houston plane leaves. Microtel = -$80. Bmore to Austin in the morning and I'm finally home. Kind of wishing Kierstan was here. Or everyone I know from philly/de. Paperwork and calls to schools for transcripts. Recruiter tomorrow. And packing and moving out until the 13th. Busy busy busy. Time to buy another Xbox game. Bioshock? I'm rambling. I'll leave you with this (if you don't know what 2girls1cup is, just leave it at that. don't try to search it).

Oh hai

I know there are at least 4 people that read this blog. But if there is anyone else, let your friends know. Everyone is welcome to comment and voice their opinions as well.

Back

God, it's been too long. Ive been busy doing absolutely nothing with my life. Ive decided to take a new direction with my life, and so far so good. Ill write more about that later. But for now I found this mildly interesting.

What side of the brain do you use?

I saw both, does that make me a fucking wizard already?