Random Dozen - 20100922

Poor Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee.  She had a set of questions all ready to do to celebrate the 1st day of Fall, but she misplaced them.  Doh!  So, she has promised that these questions are really, really random!  Enjoy, and you really should go check out her blog.

1. Have you, or has someone close to you, ever won an award for anything?

I have a few trinkets here and there.  Over the years i have come to learn that some are only worth the paper they are printed on, while others only mean something to the recipient/organization that receives/gives it.  I am not sure where the one that means the most to me falls, but the award that means the most to me was the Honorable Order of St. Barbara.  "The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara is awarded to those individuals who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence, served the Artillery with selflessness; and contributed to the promotion of the Artillery branch."  That is a lot of military-ees for thank you for serving faithfully in the Artillery (perhaps), but the Artillery was by far my favorite time of service, and this award means more to me than all of the ribbons and other awards i earned sans the Humanitarian Service Medal.

2. Who is the nearest relative to you who has served in the US Military?

Myself, actually, but stepping aside i would like to honor my brother.  He studied his butt off to graduate High School a semester early so that he could go off and join the Army Airborne Rangers.  While that did not work out immediately for him (long story), he served on active duty for 15 years, being deployed to combat zones multiple times.  He took a break, but is within 90 days of being eligible to retire from the Army National Guard having re-volunteered (and subsequently redeployed to combat zones) to serve.  His brother has never had to deploy into a "bad area", but he has done it several times.  In the end he achieved his dream of becoming an Airborne Ranger, AND an Air Assault Pathfinder (which to me, the latter is a better thing ).

3. Share something that stirs the patriotic spirit in you.

For me it is things like the Pat Tillman story, the one before the friendly fire incident.  Men and women who set aside their personal goals to serve their country, be it in the Armed Services or even the Uniformed Health Services.  From the earliest onset of this country our history is rife with such examples.  What America is most fondly known for is how she comes to the aide of others.  While we should always try and do that in less than heavy handed methods, it may not always be possible.  In any event... when other people set aside their own ambitions and welfare for others... i find that pretty moving.  Even when

4. Where are you in the birth order in your family? Do you think your "placement" made a difference in your personality?

I have never really studied this.  Growing up my brother and i really didn't live a "normal" childhood, so it is hard to tell, and my sister was born 10 years after i was and we only lived together in brief increments on two different occasions.  So... i am not sure.

5. Name one trait you hope you carry that was evidenced in your parents or grandparents.

Well, my beloved has noticed many that i seem to share with my father... but these are not considered "good" things... so... i would rather not stir up the memories... even if she never reads this post.

6. If female, do you prefer wearing a skirt or pants? If male, shirt and tie or polo?

POLO!  I have a "thick" neck in my opinion and i have never been comfortable wearing a tie.  I will, on occasion, wear one... but they are not my preference.  Polo shirts on the other hand...  i have a closet full of them, as well as a dresser drawer.  I wear them year round, even in the winter time.  If it's cold enough i will wear a t-shirt underneath.  One must dress in layers.

7. Approximately how many times do you wake during the night? What do you do to go back to sleep?

I find that i will wake up usually twice a night, and almost always at least once.  Rarely less than that.  Usually i roll over, get re-situated, and close my eyes.  On the more difficult times i will pray.  If that doesn't work, and it almost always does, i will get a half a juice glass of milk and stretch (picture runner's stretches) my legs some.

8. Share a favorite movie quote.

That really depends on my mood and the situation... but being put on the spot... um...

"When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."  ~ Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China.

9. What is your favorite Fall candle scent?

I absolutely love the smell of a distant fire on a crisp cold evening.  The promise of warmth, the possibility of fellowship with a few friends, maybe a nice meal.  That my idea of a little slice of Heaven.

10. What is one Fall activity you're looking forward to?

Not sure really.  Watching Football is always good.  We have a Saturday planned where several families are going to meet up at one of our houses and spend the day cutting firewood and maybe some chili.  That seems really nice.  My beloved and i will also be celebrating an anniversary.  We won't be doing much just the two of us, but... maybe we can get a nice evening out somewhere in there.

11. Tell us about a pleasant surprise that happened to you recently.

Maybe it's just the late hour and/or the hectic schedule i've been running of late... but i cannot honestly think of anything.  Don't get me wrong... i am blessed with a home, a family and a good job.  We are not in want.  It blends all together, and right now no one thing really jumps off the page of my memory.  Although... my beloved giving her blessing to my upgrading my phone to an Android powered phone was pretty cool.

12. What was it like when you first met your in-laws-to-be?

I still remember meeting my then future father-in-law.  My beloved had brought me home so i could take her to one of her High School reunions.  We came in the front door, and i walked through the kitchen where her father was on the phone.  I was VERY grateful that he was on the phone because he has a presence about him.  Not menacing, but authoritative, if you know what i mean.I was shown into the family room while my beloved went and found her mother.  While i was there alone i had time to compose myself and catch my breath so to speak.  Both my future in-laws were very nice and gracious hosts.

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