I couldn’t help it.  I swear I had the song “I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus” in my head from 330 AM through the rest of my shift last night.  EEEERRRRGGGGHHH.  Great song for the holidaze.... It wouldn’t stop.  I had people trying to block it with Jingles from TV and Britney... nothing worked.

So I came home and intentionally chose to listen to an artist I respect and whom always ‘causes me to shed a tear.  My idealism wants so badly to see the dream she’s put herself out there for become reality for all of us.

Started with Swim and an old favorite 32 flavors. 

Then on to the last song I sat down and learned to cover & play myself about 5 years ago... Your Next Bold Move.  

Wishing the Arrival Gate was out there on youtube.  Course you can’t meet loved one’s there anymore – security and all.  Self Evident and Not Angry Anymore will have to fill for it.

Found a new interview I hadn’t seen before – recent too.  And it all ends with Little Plastic Castles.

As a person who loves poetic words set to music I love Ani.  As an idealist who wants the world to be better I love Ani.  As a human and an individual working my way through life I love Ani.   Hmmm...  did I mention I love Ani.  There’s a small chance I might get to see her here in MPLS before I deploy.  Working on it.

Pick and choose as you wish and enjoy:

Hey, hey while other ZNG folks are gallivanting together in real time I’m finally doing something Ambassordial.

Been sending “hello’s” to newbies (that’s what we call new folk in the military).  Anyway... as usual there are so many cool pics, ideas, folks, etc out there.

Like this Icon being sported here by Shereen – is this on a T-shirt ...  I want one if it is.  No matter what it rocks - IMO!

Hello all friends.  Since my last posting I've done a lot and nothing at all.  Isn't that great?

Couple weeks of train up for deployment - the excitement of the action and also the sobering of the reality.  Am motivated and learning so much I feel I'm in a crash graduate degree program on Middle Eastern culture, history, and politics.  The more I learn the more shades of gray the situation presents.

Here's a tease from an article on how cultural differences can make some the changes expected in Iraq more difficult than expected.

So lots of reading and thinking and talking.  Flip flopping back and forth to regular life and times with friends.  In just a few short days I'll be looking at the view above for 7 days with Julia and a bunch of other friends.  Getting out of the Twin Cities when the circus of the RNC comes to town.  Some peace on the shores of Gitche Gumee is just what I need.