This is Maryana. She's on her way from the Ukraine right now. After buying the house I had a bit of spare cash left over, so I thought..."What else do I really need? New TV? New pipes on the Ducati? New optics on my rifle? Hmmmm, why not a wife?" I called this company in New Jersey and ordered up Maryana.

Apparently we've got to get married within 30 days of her arrival or they ship her back, so we'll be heading to the courthouse probably a day or two after she arrives.

We're regsitered at Macy's, Wal-Mart, and Dollar General!

St Patty's Day in Nebraska?

Nebraska is a great place. There's a work ethic, a respect for learning, and a sense of family that when combined build a capable, resilient populace.

Southeast Nebraska, where I live, was settled primarily by Germans and Czechs. They're a hard working, hard drinking people. I'm mostly of Irish descent, with a bit of German and Dutch thrown in to make things confusing. I mostly fit in here, but I suppose I identify most with my Irish heritage. The Germans had Hitler, and the Dutch had William of Orange, while the Irish have James Joyce, Patrick O'Brien, and lots of novels by Leon Uris celebrating their heritage.

This is all preamble to describing my first St. Patrick's Day back in Nebraska after a two year hiatus. Two years ago we were in New Orleans with too much money in our pockets, and too much time in the field in our psyches. Last year we were in Iraq.

Now, I'm moving into my new house this coming weekend, so I decided not to travel anywhere and instead enjoyed a quiet St Patty's Day in Lincoln, Nebraska.

After work I boxed up a couple of book cases, and washed two loads of towels (they fold quickly), then headed up the road to my local sports bar. It's not a bad place, but outside of Nebraska football Saturdays it has nothing particular to recommend it besides Guinness on tap.

The atmosphere just wasn't that festive. A rueben (no corned beef and cabbage available), some french fries, and Guinness. Of course I'm surrounded by yuppy wannabes drinking green beer and listening to Metallica on the jukebox. No Dropkick Murphys, no drunken singing, no beads, not much fun at all.

Next year I'm traveling. Chicago, Boston, or New Orleans. Just not here. Not until Lincoln gets a real Irish pub, anyway.

Home Construction

Today was supposed to be the day I closed on my new house. No foreshadowing here, everything's fine, my loan processed painlessly with a happy-making interest rate, and the house is in good shape, just a week behind schedule.

It looks awesome, so far. My friend Scott and I went and checked it out tonight after work. It's painted, the hardwood floor and tile is in on the first floor, still no carpet on the 2nd. They finally poured the garage floor, but haven't drywalled the garage yet.

I'm taking off five days around next weekend to finish packing, close on the house, and move. With any luck in ten days I'll be sleeping happily in my brand new home! How cool is that?

More from the bowels of the 'Nice Guy'

I'm a frequent poster on a dating website/forum. One of the constantly reoccurring laments is that of the 'nice guy'. "Why don't girls like nice guys?" the shout into the wind, "The always go for the bad boys instead!"

It gets old fast. Here's my latest reply to a whiny 'nice guy'.


Another nice guy thread? Seriously?

I'm beginning to believe the true 'nice guy' is as mythical as the mothman or sasquatch.

If you are truly a 'nice guy' then you would offer a woman friendship with no expectations of anything in return, and therefor wouldn't be angry or disappointed by any lack of success in this area. If you're a 'nice guy' who's pissed that he's not getting any action then I submit that you actually are NOT a nice guy, but are instead a passive/aggressive player wannabe who doesn't have to confidence to actually play the game.

The 'bad boy' is often the true nice guy. He's out there being his own person with no expectations or demands. He enjoys the company of the woman that he's with for her own worth. He's not playing a game.

Have confidence in yourself, go out in the world and be who you are with a smile and no expectations. You might be very surprised how women respond.

Day 2? Ugh

Day 2? Ugh

Did a bit more last night, started with some light calesthenics, then 20 minutes on the eliptical machine. It hurt, way more than this kind of stuff did when I was in my 20's or even early 30's. I still refuse to admit that I'm fast approaching 40 though.

And what did I receive as a reward for my effort when I stepped on the scale this morning? 205...that's right, I gained four pounds in one day. WTF?

Working out again, Day 1

Last night I started hitting the gym again. I pretty much gave up back in September and I've been pretty static since then.

No point in bragging on my results, but just like we train in the Army...crawl, walk, run. Last night was day 1 of crawl. We'll see how tonight goes.

The scale said 201 this morning. 31 pounds to go!

Sorry so non-prolific

Almost a month since I've written anything here.

I'm ensconced in Springfield, MO taking full advantage of my father and his wife Joy's considerable hospitality. I'll never understand people who resent or don't get along with their families. Mine is wonderful, and I'm both proud and pleased to be descended from them. If that sounds a bit too Eddie Haskell, well tough shit.

I'm enjoying putting on a few (or ten) holiday pounds, but working them off after the new year is likely to be challenging to say the least. I'll be Mr. Self-Help fitness guy again at that point, and probably insufferable in my certainty that I'm always right, and I'm working harder than anyone else in here. No, I still don't intend to go to Ranger School this summer, or ever, but I might as well get back into the kind of shape where such a thing isn't just a cruel joke.

Lots of full weekends with work stuff, Army stuff, family stuff, and more Army stuff. My Guitar Hero controller sits woefully underused by my TV, and as you can see my blog suffers from lack of attention as well.

I need to sit still for a bit and think of something good, something important to write. It was a six hour drive down here (which I did in five hours fifteen minutes thank you very much) and I was full of ideas which flew right out of my head as soon as I turned off the engine and stepped out of the little green truck.

Zombies, Soldiers, interstellar princes and pirates beware. My imagination will once more flow with dangers and trials to quell the heart of any Cimmerian or Jedi.

Happy Thanksgiving too all my friends and family.

Thanks Tosca, you rule.