Braves, Outkast, Digital Images and the Marimba...say whaaaat?

I haven't updated this blog in a few weeks, but frankly I haven't had much new to say. I mean, I could tell you about my latest butt-chewin' or project-gone-wrong, but what's the fun in that?


This week, however, has been more interesting than the norm. On Wednesday and Thursday Lee and I went to Atlanta to visit with FORSCOM and get some additional training on the Digital Visual Information Distribution System (DVIDS) http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php.


We left post after my regular Wednesday briefing and got into Atlanta by late afternoon. We were able to visit with the PAO sergeant major, SGM Webster, and get some vital information we needed before deployment. The best part, though, was seeing Webster. He was the 101st PAO NCOIC my last deployment and a great NCO. Plus, he has become a good, good friend over the years. I grew to rely on his abilities and expertise in the past, and I don't know if I would have made it through Iraq last time without him.

After the meeting we went to see the Braves vs.Padres. Hey, why not? We were in Atlanta, we got some great seats from a contact we knew, so it made for a good way to spend the evening.

The funny thing is, I just saw the Padres beat the Reds when I was in Cincinnati (which you already know because you're an avid reader of this blog, right?). The Braves lost...got whipped, really. But, in all it was a good game.

Plus, Andre of "Outkast" was in the stands right behind us (seated to the far right in the picture). What? You don't know Andre? Well, all I can say is, ask your teenager or Google him.

I was trying to get a picture with my cellphone without looking like I took a picture. Was I successful?

The next morning we went to Crawford Communications for the one-day executive course on DVIDS. It was a great training session since DVIDS has changed so much since I last deployed. We gained several new tips on how to make the system work for us while we deploy.

The problem with the trip is I missed my oldest son's first cross country meet. He's a senior and just decided to join the cross country team for the first time this year. He's a good athlete and I think he'll improve mightily over the season, but he started out very well for a first-timer. He ran the 5K trail in about 26 minutes, so I think that's pretty good. I'm very proud of his gumption to go out and join the team like this.

Friday, after we returned, Katie and I went to Jake's first half-time show at the local HS football game. He plays trumpet but due to several factors, is playing marimba this year. Actually I think he prefers it. And, he seems to do pretty well for a trumpeteer.

In all, a good week.

UFC 101

As you may have figured out by now, I like to comment on the UFC fights after I see them. Last night's fight was a major disappointment for me since a) there were no really "good" fights, and b) the two people I wanted to win got beat.

First, Forrest Griffin looked silly in his loss against Anderson Silva. He went in there looking bigger and stronger than the Brazilian, but the fight ended with a beat-down Griffin begging, "No mas!" Unfortunately, the only clip anyone will see from the fight is the portion where Griffin is floored by Silva's right jab, as Silva backpedaled away from Griffin's reckless assault. Up to that point, the real damage was done when Silva clocked Griffin to the floor twice with clubbing shots to his cranium. The jab was just icing on the cake, but because the shot was not that impressive to look at, it will make people think that Griffin was TKO'd by a simple jab. Unfortunate, indeed.

The other fight where I was disappointed in the outcome was BJ Penn v. Kenny Florian. Truth in advertising alert: I do not really like Penn. He's just...I don't know...cocky? irritating? But, that's not the point, is it? He is a very good fighter--I have to give him that. And last night, he proved it again. I really thought that Florian was winning the fight through the third round, although the strategy he employed made for a humdrum affair. Florian's smothering of Penn against the fence served to tire the champ, but it also made for a lackluster first three rounds. In the fourth round, Penn finally decided to get offensive with his BJJ and took the attacking Florian to the mat. He quickly dominated the position and forced Florian into giving up his back. It wasn't long after that when Penn found the rear-naked choke to end the match.

My question is: what took you so long? I believe ego forces fighters into a striking attack when the ground game may be their stronger asset. That's what I detect was happening here. Penn could have ended the fight earlier if he had just taken Florian to the mat earlier in the bout. But, no, he had to come out with a stand-up attack first, thinking that was the best chance.

It resulted in a win, regardless, but I think it could have been just as decisive earlier if Penn had applied a different strategy.

The post-fight octagon interview with Joe Rogan, however, revealed the real weakness in Penn's game. He said, "I woke up this morning and asked myself, 'why the heck do I put myself through this'?" Penn's mind is weak. He is losing heart. The toil and strain that being a professional fighter requires is dulling his will. I question whether or not Penn will be able to push himself into too many more fights, let alone title defenses.

At a Ballgame in Cincinnati

The game was over a week ago, but this is the first chance I've had to get it posted. The new ballpark in Cincy is pretty nice...it's new, clean, and has an intimate atmosphere. I like the view we had of the field with our ability to look outside the walls to see the Ohio River.

It rained a bit during the game causing us to abandon our seats for the cheap seats higher up in the stands. It was the only place on our level where we could get overhead cover and still watch the game.

Katie's brother, John and our sister-in-law Lisa joined us for the game (thanks for the tickets,John!). Kyle was there, of course, and he was a good sport the whole time. I can tell he is accustomed to spending some time in the stands!

In all, it was a good day with the family spending time watching America's pastime.