Blades of Glory

[ehowton]

A couple of weekends ago I met a couple of USAF Academy grads. Both were still in Active Duty. One was an F-16 pilot trainer who had turned down flying F-22's because his Active Duty wife was pregnant with their first child. One of the first things he asked me upon finding I had separated was, "Do you miss it?"

"It permeates my subconscious." I told him.

I dream about it. Often. Sometime more often than others. And I haven't had one of those dreams for a very long time.

Perhaps it was the glimpse of North Korea during the video-preview execution of the fatal "Iron Lotus" maneuver in Blades of Glory I stayed up late to watch with my wife. Perhaps it was a guy trying to sell me military duffel bags at a garage sale yesterday. Perhaps it was the gentleman Friday who, after it had somehow come up, asked me, "What were you doing in Korea?" I responded, "Combating communism."
"You don't look old enough." He said.
"I wasn't in the war!" I exclaimed.

I don't know. What I do know, is that I had one of my famous dreams - the ones where even though I may awake in the night (as I did twice last night) the moment I fall back asleep, I pick right back up where I was in the dream. Seamless.

I was in Korea again. For my third tour. And three tours of Korea gets old...

Unlike when I was 25 and had volunteered for Korea to complete my worldwide tour, this time I was 38. And tired of moving and traveling. I was back at the dormitory - everyone there was much younger than I was, and all I wanted to do was sleep. As has been a recent recurrence, I was busy unpacking my 1968 Dodge Coronet 440 which was loaded from top-to-bottom, left-to-right, front-to-back with my kit. I made many trips back and forth. Those of you familiar with my dreams will recognize instantly that the dormitory was maze-like, taking hours to traverse the inner hallways, dead-ends, stairs and in the case of last night, an elevator which actually didn't stop at the floor you needed to be on. And it moved fast. I threw my bag and leapt up to the landing as it flew past my floor. As I hang there struggling, hoping I make it up before the elevator comes screaming back up, I'm thinking, "I'm too old for this." I finally make it to my room, and discover that drax0r is my roommate. That's cool. There was only one bed, so he left that for me (probably because I'm 8 years older than he is) and set up his cot for himself. Very sweet of him. The other door in the room leads to a common room, where a group of people are lounging around watching television loudly, and I can't get the door to close properly. This also, is no surprise.

Later, a group of us (including drax0r) are walking around East Dallas where I grew up (except its Korea) taking in the shops and activities. Korea is where I started chewing, and I haven't chewed in three weeks or so and I'm thinking it sure would be easy to start again now that I was here - but what would I tell the wife? I mean, she'd understand, but aren't I stronger than that now? I'm thinking I'll pick up a bunch of stuff that I'd like since Korea is fantastic for shopping. I chose a ballcap which read "Korea -07" and had my name embroidered on it, but it looked more like a NASCAR hat than the one I currently have. This one had red and orange flames on a black background. Mine felt...old. Outdated. Then I thought I'd get one with each of my tour dates on them. I think that's when I realized that I didn't actually already serve two tours. I knew that I'd really only been there once, and that it must've been a previous dream in which was so lifelike and real I thought it was my second tour. Still and all - this one felt like three. I was exhausted.

We get back to the dorm and drax0r helps me unload the rest of my car. There was a girl we'd met online that came over to go out with us - it was the first time we'd met her in r/l and how much fun is that? Of course it seemed like we already knew each other.

At that point, and in a surprising twist, we were all in Saudi Arabia. Now I think I know how this happened (the pictures I recently took while wearing my keffiyeh notwithstanding). My son spent twenty minutes on the phone last night with his best friend in Saint Louis, Sami - the youngest son of our Palestinian neighbors, and yes, they were there. We're at a a gigantic square structure (which honestly resembled their malls) and there were men and women sitting outside under umbrellaed tables dining and drinking. As we wait to get in, a 1967 Pontiac Tempest GTO pulled in. I couldn't believe it. Someone said, "Look, a '67 GTO!" As I studied it, I realized it was a 1965 Buick Riviera. But as I said this, we noticed it was actually a low-slung watercraft, which had just pulled up to the docks. It was the arrival of a Saud princess. We all looked down and averted our eyes as she disembarked, but I snuck a peek anyway, and she was gorgeous! Very royal. They party continued on, and we were next. We were there to eat Pizza Hut (isn't globalization a scary thing?) but we'd lost Sami! So...We all split-up trying to find him. drax0r and I kept running into each other, but couldn't find Sami anywhere in the giant complex. Deciding to regroup outside, I find Sami outside, sitting at one of the outdoor tables, with a Pizza Hut to-go box, eating. I helped myself to a slice.

Gae Ma Go Won Memorial Tower - Unification Park:
This memorial tower was built for the memory of about 200 anti-communist resistance fighters who were either captured or killed in the bloody battle around Gae Ma Go Won during the Korea War.

Comments

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

This wasn't quite the post I was hoping for, but I've been anxious for someone on my FL to post. Speaking of, did you see princessleia2's most recent post? I commented her saying that I thought you would be proud of her.

Also, I may have to get on the email horn soon.

Thanks for sharing.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

This wasn't quite the post I was hoping for...
What exactly were you hoping for? Because this wasn't my first choice for a post this weekend. I had another one started. My dream last night, however, superseded the other.

Speaking of, did you see princessleia2's most recent post?
It took me 9 minutes to write my comment to princessleia2. In between the first comment, and mine, you commented. Yes, I saw it. Oddly enough, I just put ubuntu-server-sparc on mine, and followed up with XFCE. It may have taken me three months to build-out a workstation, but I love it.

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

What exactly were you hoping for?
I was anticipating you posting about the cigars per our conversation.

Because this wasn't my first choice for a post this weekend. I had another one started. My dream last night, however, superseded the other.
I figured that was the case. Still, I can be disappointed that I didn't get the post I was expecting, right?

It took me 9 minutes to write my comment to princessleia2
Is that including the time that it took you to read her entry, or were you highly distracted?

I saw your comment on her site.

Oddly enough, I just put ubuntu-server-sparc on mine, and followed up with XFCE.
So you mean after all that time, you didn't go with Solaris 10? Addendum: Discuss how you feel about Ubuntu as an OS, both as a server and as a desktop OS.

It may have taken me three months to build-out a workstation, but I love it.
What took so long--busy schedule?

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I was anticipating you posting about the cigars per our conversation.
Everything in its due time.

Is that including the time that it took you to read her entry, or were you highly distracted?
I don't think as linearly as you do. I did more in that nine-minutes than you did all weekend.

Addendum: Discuss how you feel about Ubuntu as an OS, both as a server and as a desktop OS.
I don't think that's really applicable to this conversation. SPARC makes a poor platform to run anything other than Solaris on.

What took so long--busy schedule?
Yes. But only after all my hardware problems were finished. (http://ehowton.livejournal.com/147196.html)

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

I did more in that nine-minutes than you did all weekend.
Prove it.

I don't think that's really applicable to this conversation.
I'll give you that point. I know you've blogged about Ubuntu on and off, but it would be interesting to hear what you think about after you've played with it for a while.

SPARC makes a poor platform to run anything other than Solaris on.
So why are you bragging that you just put ubuntu-server-sparc on mine, and followed up with XFCE. It may have taken me three months to build-out a workstation, but I love it.?

Yes. But only after all my hardware problems were finished.
This is what happens when you work with bu$ted a$$ $hit.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Prove it.
http://schpydurx.livejournal.com/8782.html

I'll give you that point.
Its not applicable because an Ultra 10 is a poor choice for a desktop platform. Sure you could make movies with your Kodak EasyShare built-in .MOV function, but would you choose to do so?

So why are you bragging that you just put ubuntu-server-sparc on mine, and followed up with XFCE
Because its cool, and I can.

This is what happens when you work with bu$ted a$$ $hit.
This is funny because you have no idea what you're saying. It's like a monkey mimicking human behavior. We laugh at the monkey.

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

http://schpydurx.livejournal.com/8782.html
You haven't proved a damned thing, and if you read that entry you'll realize I was busy all that weekend. Ass.

Its not applicable because an Ultra 10 is a poor choice for a desktop platform.
So Solarias 10 is strictly a server OS?

Because its cool, and I can.
But yet . SPARC makes a poor platform to run anything other than Solaris on. Please, make stick to one viewpoint on this issue.

This is funny because you have no idea what you're saying.
Um, you're shit didn't work until you replaced it, ergo it's bu$ted a$$ $hit.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

...and if you read that entry you'll realize I was busy all that weekend.
You watched movies all weekend. Busy, busy.

So Solarias 10 is strictly a server OS?
Nope.

Please, make stick to one viewpoint on this issue.
And you will please be making one thread from which I can make stick my viewpoint. You are bringing up two discrete items and asking me to make stick a single view to traverse both. That makes you be looking retarded, stick-boy. Many of the binaries in today's linux are writen for x86 architecture so SPARC misses the boat. But if you want a good desktop, I would look away from a 10-year old scientific workstation. Go stick that in your pipe, viewpoint boy!

...ergo it's bu$ted a$$ $hit.
Are you going to throw your own feces next?

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

What are you going to say when I get paid thousands of dollars to watch a single move and you have to pay $10?

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Why would someone pay you thousands of dollars to watch a movie? Why would I pay $10 to watch a single movie? Who are you?

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

I'm a ring-tailed roarer. I can draw faster, shoot straighter, ride harder and drink longer than any man alive. I ride cyclones and I wrestle bulls by the horns. I'm the rip-snortinest cowboy that ever rode north, south, east or west of the Rio Grande. I'm Pecos Bill.

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

A maze and someone lost make alot of appearances in your dreams!

And of course you'd find Sami eating a pizza! Let me quess, it was a cheese pizza, right?

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

A maze and someone lost make alot of appearances in your dreams!
Don't I know it! This time, I was just so exhausted with the idea of doing another tour of Korea. I don't know why that is.

And of course you'd find Sami eating a pizza!
That's hysterical - I didn't even think of that when I wrote it.

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

I bet it was a Friday night in your dream too! ;)

[photogoot.livejournal.com]

You were so handsome in your Blues.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And I know I appear troubled there, possibly contemplating both the courage, and the fate of those who fought in the Korean War. Honestly though, it was freaking hot that day! Later, on the tour bus, our Staff Sergeant gave us all a...sanitary napkin on which to mop our brow.

[snapper521.livejournal.com]

Hi Eric --
:-) Some dream you had...

My cousin has me on a homeopathic remedy... and this really has no bearing on you, aside from the fact that I also have been having very strange dreams.

Unlike you, I can not remember enough of them to tell anyone in my "awake times".

Just... odd dreams though. Dreams about friends who haven't seen for years... dreams about going and doing things that I would love to do but know I won't until after my family is not so "numerous"... Meh. *shakes my head* Odd how our brains play with the things in our reality to make it interesting for our dreaming state...

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I didn't know peyote was considered a 'homeopathic remedy.' No wonder your dreams are whack - you're all strung out!

[snapper521.livejournal.com]

Whats Peyote??

I'm on Phosphorus. :-) Not getting into it, but it's amazing how well the remedy "fits" my personality. One of the requirements is that the person who takes it have an adrenaline junky complex... uh yeah. Totally got that.

[snapper521.livejournal.com]

FYI... blades of glory is stupid. :-P I watched it on the plane heading for Orlando, FL... stupid movie. Funny in places, but stupid.

I'm not a fan of either of the actors who play in that one... so it didn't come as a big surprise.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

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<I.FYI... blades of glory is stupid.</I>
I found it Will Ferrell's funniest movie since <I>Old Skool.</I> I've never seen the other guy in anything, but he was a riot.

[snapper521.livejournal.com]

Meh. If I hadn't been with the church group, I suppose I could have enjoyed the movie in a general sense. However... I've seen the other guy in 2 other movies... and he is just as stupid as Will Farrel. :-P Perhaps stupider...

Anyway *shrug* to each his own I guess.

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

FYI...the other guy was "Napoleon Dynamite".

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I would have never guessed! He was so...funny! I tried watching Napoleon Dynamite once. I caught it about a third of the way in maybe. It melted my brain. When I awoke, I felt like an emo teenager for a month.

Blades of Glory however, was hysterical. Have you seen it?

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen Blades of Glory yet. Like you I tried watching Napoleon Dynamite but couldn't finish it - I didn't get all the hype!

[leonardii.livejournal.com]

In our barracks in Germany, there were vending machines with beer. Beer in a can, but nonetheless it was a good mix of German and other international beers. It made barracks life somewhat more bearable. :)

I don't dream about my time overseas. Too many painful memories. Actually - I carry that memory everyday in my lower back.

I'm so glad that I don't dream of Germany. Oh, as you can imagine there were good times. But somehow pain completely overshadows all those thoughts.

I would visit again though. Just for the sake of Lena and Jessica. They have never seen Germany. Though my wife does have a lifelong actress friend who is German and speaks fluent Russian.

Perhaps when the time comes for us to visit that part of Europe, I shall meet this friend of hers. I've seen pictures - she's quite lovely.

That was something truly missing from my tour. My particular favorite kind of feminine women who simply radiate with beauty.

But they were simply ubiquitous when I visited Russia. I know I've said this before somewhere... but it was like walking down the street surrounded with nothing but the unimaginably beautiful kind of models you find on the cover of fashion magazines. Except these women were not on in magazines... they were standing and sitting next to me on the subway, tram, and next table in a restaurant.

That would make for a wonderful dream...

My wife, who then when we first met, kept asking me why I was literally just staring at her. I told her I felt like I was in some kind of dream world. Well, what woman doesn't fancy it when her man just simply adores her? She did... and still does. :)

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I totally want to cut off your skin and wear it to my birthday.

[leonardii.livejournal.com]

I will admit... I do have nice skin. I keep it soft and clean with wonderful and expensive lotions and men's hygiene products.

My wife says my face has not aged in years. I tell her it's because I'm happy. Oh... and I eat well. And it does help that we live in a neighborhood with good clean air and water.

But besides taking my skin... may I just suggest you simply take a trip to Russia? You of all people would highly enjoy their culture

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I will admit... I do have nice skin. I keep it soft and clean with wonderful and expensive lotions and men's hygiene products.

My wife says my face has not aged in <i>years</i>. I tell her it's because I'm happy. Oh... and I eat well. And it does help that we live in a neighborhood with good clean air and water.

But besides taking my skin... may I just suggest you simply take a trip to Russia? You of all people would highly enjoy their culture <speaking softly... almost whispering> and their beautiful women.