Da Goddess

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December 30, 2007

Memory Lane: The Old Vet & Da Goddess

One of my favorite posts from, uh, a while back, I wanted to give it another shot at daylight because I've been thinking about Murray a lot lately. Just before I moved, I went looking for him and couldn't find him anywhere. I feared the worst, prayed for the best, and found out (through one of his many local merchant pals) he'd been in the hospital for a while. His trips around the neighborhood are less frequent, but he's still going. Yay, Murray!

As this year comes to an end, I wanted to remind myself why every year -- good or bad -- matters in the long run.

There's an older gentleman that I see almost every time I head out during the day. His name is Murray. And he's quite a character.

Murray is "86 years young this year," he says. "I'm a Marine. Retired, of course. Still a Marine. I'll be one til the day I die. Next to marrying my lovely Jeanne, it was the best decision I ever made in my life."

We've spoken on many occasions. I see him in restaurants and grocery stores. He always stops to say hello. He knows everyone in every shop in the three strip malls that run together in our neck of the woods. He walks from store to store, greeting each employee, every single day. He catches a couple shifts on his rounds. You see, he starts right after breakfast and continues on past dinner.

"These folks are like family. I know who's happy or sad. I know what who'll give me the first smile most days. This is what I do. I'm a people person. It's what keeps me from getting old. Well, that and knowing that at least one of my neighbors will need something from the store."

I asked him once about his wife.

He smiles and chuckles a bit. "She has her activities. She doesn't mind me being out and about as long as I don't bring another lady home with me."

I know about his children and his grandchildren. He's so proud of them all. Murray's pride and joy, though, is his son - a Marine Corps chaplain.

We sat and talked about his son's service in the Marine Corps. I asked him if he worried about his son being deployed and possibly injured or killed.

Looking me straight in the eye, he said, "I'm proud of that boy! He didn't have to become a Marine. Hell, he didn't have to become a chaplain either. He was called to it. He told me that. I believe it was his decision and I respect that. There's no finer calling than serving your fellow man, whether it be in the fight for Freedom or against the evils that man does. Sometimes those two things are one, sometimes they're not. Either way, I know my boy is out there helping those in need of guidance or comfort. He knows the risks and prays that his Lord might need him to help someone. He has faith that God will lead him where he's needed most. I can't argue with that. It's his calling."

Watching Murray speak, I could see his eyes light up. I asked if he missed the Corps.

"It's in my heart, young lady. It always will be." He smiled broadly and nodded his head. "I was part of history, you know. Just like our men and women who are out there today. We fought with the hope that we could make the world safer for our loved ones back at home. Keep the evil off our front porch. That's what those kids are doing now. The difference is, with all this new-fangled technology, danger creeps closer to our doors without us even knowing it. It happens while we sleep. It happens even though we're vigilant.

"Another thing that's different is that we used to think that getting rid of Hitler would keep evil away forever. I guess we didn't so much think that as much as we hoped that would be the case. Nowadays we know that there will always be people who don't play by our rules. You know, the rules of respecting other people even if they're different.

"My oldest daughter, she's one of those different ones. That's sort of another story though."

I asked him what he meant.

"She's gay," he replied. "In some countries that's a serious crime. She could be killed because of it. It's not what I would have chosen for her, but that's what was in the cards for her. Some people here don't like that. I don't pay them much attention. I just say a prayer each morning and every night that folks let her be. She's happy. She has a family. She has someone who loves her. Someone she loves right back. They've been together longer than my other daughter and son have been with their spouses. My other girl, well, she's been married three times. It's not what I would have chosen for her either. It's not my choice though. All my kids have the right to live as they choose. I fought for that, you know."

He sat there quietly for a few minutes, looking like he was about to say something else. Finally he sighed and shrugged. "That's how it is."

"I know what you mean," I replied.

Murray looked up at me and said, "you know what gets me? They're trying to ban flag burning again. That's silly. I fought for people to be able to do that, as crazy as it seems that anyone would want to do it. It's their right. I think it's horrible, but I know we can handle some charred scraps of cloth. We're strong! We can survive. As a country we can withstand the ashes. What we can't survive is buildings crumbling to the ground because of some crazy men halfway around the world thinking our way of life is wrong. We can't survive with all those people dying in burning buildings."

"What about the people who say that we're sending our children off to die in other countries in battles we have no business fighting?" I asked.

"Pure rubbish!" He practically yelled. "We've lost fewer people in this war than in any other. Some of these damn folks who yell and carry on about all the dead don't seem to get it. They don't understand that people will die no matter what we do. It's better to fight and die than to sit around twiddling our thumbs while the world goes to hell all around us.

"Look at those people in Afghanistan or Iraqistan who go out to greet our military folks with tears of joy and flowers and hugs! Those are people who understand that freedom is better than waiting for death to show up on their doorsteps. They know! They know. They know better than anyone sitting here in their comfortable houses with their air conditioning and refrigerated food. We pay more for food and vet bills for our pets than some of those folks overseas ever see in a year. They're the ones who get it. Not these people who have king size beds, the ones who shop at Ikea and Sears. Anyone who says otherwise just doesn't know."

I offer to buy Murray a cup of coffee and he declines. "These people around here make sure I never go thirsty. I told you, they're like family."

I had to laugh. You can't argue with that.

We sat and talked a bit longer about his children and his life in the service, but he was getting fidgety.

He reached out for my hand and gave it a squeeze. "I enjoyed talking with you today, but I have to finish my rounds now before the next shift comes in. I'll see you again real soon, you know."

I know, Murray. I know. I look forward to it.

"Keep that little man of yours busy, okay?" he called as he walked off. "Tell him I said 'Semper Fi!'"

Of course, I will.

Posted by Da Goddess at 05:56 PM | Comments (2)

The Big "O"s Are Another Reason

I don't much go on about my football viewing. In fact, I don't believe I've mentioned it more than once or twice at all in the 5+ years I've been blogging. Still, I do love me some Chargers.

I could go on and on about LT, but I'd only sound like I was parroting all the other fans out there. Instead, let me say how much I dig AntoniO Cromartie and AntoniO Gates. Every game they give and give and give to fans and take and take and take away from their opponents. It's a thing of beauty. And they're another reason to enjoy this (football) season.

Actually, the entire team has really done a fantastic job of proving how much the game means to them. They started the year with a new head coach, which meant there was a world of possibilities open to them. Would a change in leadership bring out the best or the worst, we wondered. The answer has been more than a little obvious in their 10-5 11-5 record.

Big O Gates has continued to be a force. Everywhere you look, there he is. Big O Cromartie (Cromartie Man...who says Cro Magnons had a lock on physical strength and tenacity?) blew everyone out of the water with his 109 yard return and just kept going. And going and going. That seems to be a theme for all the Bolts this year. Apparently being down never meant being out for anyone on the team.

Even Philip Rivers has shown his mettle after bouncing back from injuries that would have kept most others out of the game. Nope. "He's a fiesty one", as we've heard ad nauseum during today's game.

Sadly, Shawne Merriman didn't have the same luck. Prior to his injuries, he was having a great freakin' year. Here's hoping he's back in the game sooner rather than later.

We also have one of the best names in all the NFL playing for us: Brandon Manumaleuna. Say that one real fast 5 times. And many people can, not just San Diegans.

Oh to list each and every player and all their yummy stats. That'd be silly, though. I'm no sports writer. Hell, this entire post is rank amateur. But I don't care. I only wanted to share my love for the Big Os and their teammates.

A girl can only write about bras and children so much. Thus there's the sum of my thought on sports for the next 5 years. (maybe)

Go Bolts!

Now it's time for me to go back to my Deadliest Catch marathon.

Posted by Da Goddess at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)

Portroid

It's not as painful as it sounds, so don't go reaching for the Preparation-H just yet!

My latest guilty online pleasure. Or would that be online guilty pleasure? Whatever. You know what I mean.

Favorite pics are of Nick Arrojo and Peter Dinklage. (Go to the celeb page to find out who they are if you don't already know.)

Special notes to friends: See? I'm not the only person who takes pictures of everyone and everything!

Posted by Da Goddess at 03:51 AM | Comments (2)

December 29, 2007

What Is It And Why Do I Want It?

This was one item I was seriously hoping to get for Christmas. Santa failed to deliver. (No, I'm not hinting.)

It's not a major catastrophe that I didn't get it. Not even close. Yet...it's one of those items that would make life so much better.

Any clue as to what it is and exactly why I would be lusting for it?

Posted by Da Goddess at 02:59 AM | Comments (4)

December 28, 2007

Lunch Was A Smash

Had lunch yesterday with our favorite Blogger-in-Exile. Yes, he managed to escape the Blogger Protection Program long enough for a nosh, much to Little Dude's delight.

The blogger in question is still quite among the living and doing very well. He says "hi!"

Among those who gathered for this occasion, Mikey. We'd hoped Sean would be able to join us, but he was at work and couldn't get away. Oh well, we'll get him when he returns from his jaunt out to Arizona to see his son.

After our all-too-short time together -- he (the BIQ) had family to see -- LD and I made a loop through the parking lot to take a photo of the Ikea car and then hit Price Club (it's still not Costco to us) to pick up juice, beef jerky (a staple in our house), water filters, and a little gratuitous drooling over the camera I so desperately covet. (Ooooh! I did get an offer this Christmas for help on the camera! Get this, if I can raise the money for HALF of the cost, it will be matched. Watch this site for details.)

Once we'd completed our errands following lunch, we headed back home to dig into our holiday gifts. One of LD's favorites was the Erector set. He assembled the entire buggy on his own. He played with it all evening and would have likely taken it to bed if only I'd let him. (After I get my case settled, I'm buying him one of the "designer" sets. Maybe two.) He also got a Star Wars Lego set he'd wanted for oh so long. And a Star Wars DVD. And an action figure. And a Nerf dart tag thing. And and and. Thank God for family! They really chose great things for him, exactly what he wanted. I got him a couple small toys (all under $5) and clothes. Plus, I'd won some CDs in a trivia contest that fell within his wonderful range of interest. Yay! The big surprise for him, thanks to a kind benefactor (you know who you are), was Space Shuttle memorabilia. Oh my God! The look on his face! I'm hoping my brother-in-law got a good shot of it. The kid was practically beside himself.

Back to the building of things aspect of my progeny, I think he and Mikey'd have a blast sitting down with some models. While Mikey thinks it may be a "stupid" hobby, I don't think so. There's something to be said about creating or recreating a piece of history. Along with the physical act of "doing", most people engaging in model building actually like the history behind whatever they might be working on. For a parent, seeing your kid embracing the past in this way, what more could you want? As an adult, you have greater appreciation for the overall impact of the item (you're building) had on shaping the world in which we live. It's a win-win. Mikey, don't ever call it stupid again or I'll kick your sorry ass!

Today LD's off visiting with his dad's family at their annual holiday party, which means I got online to pay bills, grabbed something quick to eat, and then curled up on the sofa and went back to sleep once he left.

Christmas was wonderfully quiet and happy this year (except for the happy sound of kids playing), but it was still exhausting. Family and friends...y'all just rock!

P.S. I've achieved nothing impossible today and very little that is possible. It's Friday. I'm tired. Carry on!

Posted by Da Goddess at 02:55 PM | Comments (8)

December 27, 2007

Achieving the Impossible and Other Tales

If I were to tell you what impossible event happened yesterday, you'd never believe me. You'd just think I was making things up out of (as Little Dude calls it) boreditism. But, you'd be totally wrong. So wrong. So very wrong. Way wrong. Wrongest.

You don't believe me, do you? You think I'm just baiting you. I know you. I know your type. I hear that derisive snort followed by a curt chortle. Hmmm...Curt Chortle. There's a good name for a comedian if I ever heard one.

I bet Mr. Chortle would be the sort of guy who lives in the basement of his parents' house. Of course, he has his own entrance, so it's like a completely separate realm and all that rationalized crap. He'd also wear flannel shirts, have football helmets on his bedspread, and be proudly displaying his massive collection of dusty shot glasses he's had since he was 19. As well, he'd be one of those guys who jumps right into Whiskerino and then ends up in the hall of shame within a week and a half. No staying power (and another reason why he doesn't have a girlfriend at the moment...or ever). Go figure.

Anyhow, Curt Chortle aside, I burned my eyelid while doing laundry last night. My pants are responsible. My hands just aided and abetted.

I dare you to find anyone else who can say they've done the same thing. I'm unique if nothing else.

Posted by Da Goddess at 05:34 PM | Comments (3)

December 23, 2007

Happy Holidays!

For all of you, here's my favorite Christmas song by one of the few people to do it justice.

Posted by Da Goddess at 05:08 PM | Comments (1)

December 18, 2007

Dustman Down

Sean Dustman, our favorite Doc in the Box, is currently in the hospital. He was coughing up significant amounts of blood and generally not feeling so well.

He's been poked, prodded, scanned, scoped, and auscultated nine ways to Sunday and is currently resting comfortably, thanks to some morphine. He sounds in great spirits, despite watching quality programming like America's Most Smartest Model. Morphine can make anything seem interesting. Anyhow, I told him AMSM was good for a laugh or two (yes, I will admit to watching the last have of the series) but he should really watch The Shot, which is total photo geek fun. He'll like that.

Go on over to his site and wish him well, okay?

Update - December 19: Back in San Diego, Sean's sounding much better and getting ready for the holidays.

Posted by Da Goddess at 05:09 PM | Comments (3)