New profile photo

My new profile photo came about because I was bored and decided to try and figure out some of the odd features on my camera. This shot of me was while I was learning about the timer function. I thought it was funny so I put it up on the BLOG.

Those little moments

Last night I was out taking some photos of stuff around our tent when I saw the most amazing rays of sunlight coming through the clouds. I took a few shots (some came out better than others) and I sat and watched the sun set. Watching the sun set kind of made me ponder the last eight years of my life. You see, I went off to Boot Camp in December 1997. Since then, I have been SO fortunate to visit incredible places around the world and work with some of the best people in the Armed Forces (not just the Navy). I will not be so naive as to say that the last eight years have been without difficulty. But they sure have been interesting. These little moments of introspection have major influence on people’s lives. I usually have these moments while sitting in the ocean surfing with my buddies. Unfortunately, the ocean (the Persian Gulf really has no good waves) is nowhere near the base I am on and the water is always fully of jellyfish.
Life is all about those little moments. Occasionally, I will see a movie, read a book or smell a scent that will remind me of something from my past. In my case, I tend to forget the bad stuff, so those flash backs are usually of fond memories. For example, I was watching a great movie called “Usual Suspects”. In this movie, the characters are up in San Pedro California at the Korean Peace Bell. As these images passed along the screen I remembered an early date with my lovely wife. I took her up to the Korean Bell. It is really cool. There is this giant pagoda that sits on a peninsula dividing San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes. It was a little windy and the sun was getting low in the sky. We were both a little nervous (at least I was) because we were still getting to know each other. That is one of my favorite memories. That was back in 1999. As time goes by, we all continue collect these little memories. Some of them we hold on to, some of them unconsciously slip through or fingers. But, sometimes we are brought right back to those memories with just a little influence from a dream, book, smell or even a movie.

Some Marines are tougher than others.

Dopamine Clothing in Iraq

HM2 Fallon & CDR Sepulveda

Iraqi Voting

Today was the BIG day. The Iraqi people had an opportunity to go out to the polls and prove to themselves, the insurgents and the world that they truly want peace and some form of democratic government. Fortunately, there were very few violent outbreaks. Throughout the country Iraqis (not quite sure how many yet) went out and voted on a constitution that will affect their lives forever. I am proud of those that risked everything they own and their very lives to stand up for what they believe is right and what is best for their country. Sitting here tonight I think of how very few Americans go out every four years and participate in their GOD given right of voting. I have found that a majority of the people that do all the bitching about what is wrong with America never even take the time to vote. SAD. If we don't exercise this right every opportunity we have, one day it might just go away. The Iraqi people I talked to want to vote not only for themselves, but also for their children. They vote so that their children won't have to live in a society like the one they grew up in, a society of extreme poverty, genocide, murder, and tyrannical dictatorship.

I can only hope that the people were not too afraid to make it to the polls. There were many threats by the opposition against the people who wanted to vote. Luckily, there were Americans out there to help.

Joe at the gate

Joe the Diplomat

Joe the Warrior

WOW This blog thing is cool

Many of my friends back home are pretty internet/computer savvy. However, I am not. I can get by but my skills are limited. Anyway....many of them have been talking about setting up a blog or some form of internet communication platform. I was always under the impression that it took extensive computer knowledge to maintain these contraptions, but to my pleasant suprise, it is very easy. Thus....I am here.

Well, here I am.......I never thought I would take a giant leap into the abyss of technology. I am a pretty simple guy with simple pleasures. Running a blog seemed like it would be way too much work. Thanks to one of my buddies, I am able to admit that I was wrong. This entire process is remarkably simple. I look forward to keeping all my friends and family up to date with what is going on in my life via this site.