The New Alex Box Stadium

Man, that new stadium looks sweet! I wish I could have attended that game Friday night. I remember going to the old Box with my family at the time when the entire stadium was general admission. Skip had taken over about 2 years before. Little did I know at the time, but we were in for a great ride. During this time in LSU Baseball, they sold 'Family' season tickets. A family of 4 could attend the Friday night game and the Saturday double headers for one price. My dad purchased these tickets for quite a few years, until they made the grandstand at the Box reserved. It priced my dad out of the tickets because he was still buyin season tickets for football.

I have so many memories of the old Box. From Will Clark tagging a home run across Nicholson to Lyle Mouton slamming one on top of the married housing behind left field. It made me sad that I couldn't afford season tickets to LSU Baseball, and I couldn't get tickets to the games this weekend. I will take my family to a game this year somehow. I look forward to watching this team this year.

Please Read This Post From an Eloquent Veteran

If you want to read the entire post with comments please click on the title of this post. It is amazing what some people out there will say to these guys that have served us all.

You may not know that I served 12 years in the Louisiana Air National Guard, but I have witnessed examples of what Alex writes about during my tenure in the Guard. I, by no means, have the experiences or the struggles that this guy has gone through. He has done his duty and should be rewarded for this service. I truly feel for these people who have the added stress, along with this shaky economy, of worrying if they will be recalled after their discharge. Truly a disturbing policy.

Alex Horton writes:




Monday, February 09, 2009

Keeping the Faith: A Letter to President Obama
Dear President Obama,
This letter comes to you from an unlikely supporter: a young Iraq War vet from the blood-red state of Texas. As an Army recruit in basic training, I cast my vote for George W. Bush in 2004 because I felt he was the best choice for a responsible prosecution of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Five years and a combat tour later, I have come to understand the consequences of that decision. Last November I pulled the lever for you after hearing about the refreshing notion of a new era of government accountability that never existed in my adult life. I was sold when you promised to end the practice of involuntary mobilization, a program that reactivates veterans out of the service and sends them back to war. Given the new era of responsibility ushered in by your administration, it is imperative that you keep a promise made to the tens of thousands of veterans across the country.

I am writing to you on behalf of Steve Lewey, one of Illinois' bravest sons. Steve grew up in a working class family not too far from your old stomping grounds of Chicago. He did well in high school and went on to college to study architectural design. After realizing he and his parents could not afford to continue his education, Steve enlisted in the United States Army at the age of nineteen. He did so not only for education benefits but to satisfy the intense need to serve his country in a time of war. As an infantryman, Steve completed a fifteen month tour in 2007, distinguishing himself in the Battle of Baqubah, the deadliest battle of the surge. In one instance, after an insurgent attack claimed the life of our comrade, Steve completely exposed himself to enemy fighters by climbing on top of a Stryker vehicle and firing at three insurgents, killing them instantly. On a dirty and blood-soaked street in Iraq, no one seemed to notice the kid from Chicago in an act of remarkable gallantry. Many of my fellow soldiers are walking examples of his bravery - without his incredibly selfless act, more American soldiers would have surely fallen in that battle.

With his GI Bill in hand, Steve left the service after an extended combat deployment and headed back home to Chicago in the winter of 2007. Filled with the fire of discipline and motivation he found in the Army, he settled into a job and waited patiently for the new GI Bill to become law. He wanted to finish the schooling he started so many years ago. That dream came to an abrupt end late last month when he came home to find a thick brown envelope on his doorstep. Inside were instructions on where to report for medical screening for a deployment back to Iraq.

The IRR has been used in the past as an emergency pool of trained soldiers to augment forces overseas, but recently history has shown it has been badly abused following 9/11. The link between Iraq and the Global War on Terror is tenuous at best, yet the Presidential Reserve Call Up Authority still exists to mobilize and deploy inactive soldiers even in cases of non-emergencies, Iraq being a clear example. Though repeated and lengthy deployments are causing a terrible strain on active duty soldiers, there was no concern on the part of your colleagues to expand the size of the military to meet the rigorous demand of two wars. Instead, the Department of Defense has overindulged on inactive soldiers meant to fix temporary problems, not become long term solutions. Though you seek to draw down forces in Iraq, Mr. President, the recalls continue in the twilight of a six year war.

For combat veterans, the task of integrating back into society has been a difficult journey as old as war itself. From Odysseus to eighteen year old soldiers coming from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, the path to normalcy is wrought with post traumatic stress and a disconnect between soldiers and their civilian counterparts. The added weight of a potential involuntary recall is more undue pressure on the fragile mind of combat veterans. Army career counselors exacerbate the duress with threatening phone calls and ominous visits to the homes of veterans, suggesting recall is a certainty if they don't join the Guard or Reserves. For Steve and over 20,000 inactive soldiers across the country, their worst fears have been realized in the form of mobilization orders. For them it's another crushing defeat in an already burdensome mission to find peace after war.

For years, you have spoken extensively about the need for a more robust civil service program in the country. I cannot think of a greater civil service than serving in the military, especially in a time of war. For eight years, soldiers have sacrificed their bodies, minds, and in the most tragic of cases, their lives, to complete the mission. We have stared into the black abyss of war to see an inner reflection of triumph and tragedy. There are pieces of us, physical and otherwise, that are left on the battlefield forever. That is what we gave up for this nation. Now that the war in Iraq is coming to a close, it's time to end the recalls immediately. Every soldier in the military stands ready to report, mobilize and deploy in any corner of the world in 96 hours or less. The abrupt cancellation of the Presidential Reserve Call Up Authority and subsequent orders would seem effortless in comparison to what soldiers stand ready for each and every day.


"Keeping faith with those who serve must always be a core American value and a cornerstone of American patriotism. Because America's commitment to its servicemen and women begins at enlistment, and it must never end."


The words above should look familiar. You said them on the presidential campaign trail as my unit conducted combat patrols in the fifteenth month of our tour in Iraq. It must be realized that above all else, the American soldier is the most valuable thing this country has to offer. The bodies, minds and lives of our fighting men and women cannot be taken for granted. There is too much at stake. Ending the involuntary recalls is a step in the right direction to repair the ties that bind the military to the citizens they stand to protect. You were Steve Lewey's senator in the great state of Illinois, and you are now his President. You must keep the faith with him and the many thousands of veterans that hold recall orders in their hand and uncertainty in their hearts. For more than two hundred years, soldiers have fought to protect this land. Now it is time to ask you, Mr. President, to fulfill your commitment to end recalls and put veterans back onto their long journey to peace and prosperity.

Very Respectfully,

Alex Horton

This letter off of his blog Army of Dude, is truly heartwrenching. Please, if you ever read this blog, please contact your representative or senator so we can get this executive order repealed.

Thank you so much for reading.

I am around

For all. . .well for the one person who continues to visit and see if I get off of my lazy ass to write, thank you very much. In the time that has passed a lot has happened on the home front. No, I didn't win the lottery. BTW, I still think it is rigged against me. One would believe that as much as I have played I would have won at least a couple of dollars, huh? I just can't get past the 'You can't win if you don't play' argument. I can dream though. If I did win the lottery, I'd track down the one reader to this blog and probably give them some money for sticking with this nonsense.

Anyway, I have a new celebrity crush. My wife and I have been religiously watching Top Chef on Bravo for the last few years. Man, is that Padma Lakshmi hot or what? Yes, my wife knows about how I think Padma is hot. She also knows that I am completely and utterly devoted to her. She has her Wolverine, and I switch mine. This month it's Padma.

What the . . .

Believe it or not, it has snowed in south Louisiana. These are pictures from around the house last week. BTW, I missed all of it because I was stuck at work while the kids and wifey got to play all day.

Shadow's Edge

I've read the second book in Brent Weeks' new trilogy and I am excited that I have found a new author to read. The first two installments of Weeks' Night Angel trilogy are great reads. The characters are dynamic and complex. Their motivations fuel the movement of the story and oh, what a story it is! For those who enjoy action as well as well defined characters, please pick up the first book in the trilogy. You may see a picture of the cover in a previous post. Also, Weeks and his publishers are using the last three months of the year in order to complete the trilogy. What an inspired concept. A complete new trilogy may be read from first book to conclusion within a three month time frame. I will tell you, If you are a fan of fantasy/SF just take a chance on Brent Weeks. You will not be disappointed.

This is my card and New Author I Found

You are The Emperor

Stability, power, protection, realization; a great person.

The Emperor is the great authority figure of the Tarot, so it represents
fathers, father-figures and employers. There is a lot of aggression and violence
too.

The Emperor naturally follows the Empress. Like an infant, he is filled with enthuiasm, energy, aggression. He is direct, guileless and all too often irresistible. Unfortunately, like a baby he can also be a tyrant. Impatient, demanding, controlling. In the best of circumstances, he signifies the leader that everyone wants to follow, sitting on a throne that indicates the solid foundation of an Empire he created, loves and rules with intelligence and enthusiasm. But that throne can also be a trap, a responsibility that has the Emperor feeling restless, bored and discontent.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

How cool was that? I didn't even have to pay Sister Chloe to tell me my tarot card was the emperor.

Anyway, you guys and girls need to check out a new author that I found last week. His name is Brent Weeks. Even though some of you all may not be into that sort of novel, give him a try. He's a very good writer with a clever story. BTW, he even admits in an interview he likes to keep the reader guessing, a la George R. R. Martin, whether this character or that one will be eliminated or seriously hurt next. Several times during the novel, I was nervous about characters that I liked kicking the bucket. He keeps you guessing. The name of the book is The Way of Shadows available now in stores. BTW, the second and third books will be released within one month of each other. Unlike other authors out there who may take years to publish several books in a series. Great read Mr. Weeks. I'll keep on reading your stuff! I'm going to link his web page to the blog, if you're interested.

Denied

I've written about my search to get out of shift work before. Well, I've received the my company's reply to my application:

Thank you for your interest and time in seeking employment with Purple Tiger Chemical Corporation. We have carefully reviewed your qualifications. While your credentials are impressive, we have made an offer to an individual whose past experience more closely meets our needs at this time.

Again, thank you for your interest in employment with Purple Tiger Chemical Corporation and wish you success in your employment search.

Well, that was nice of them to reply wasn't it? Just don't bullshit me. If this candidate has no previous plant experience, I'm going to be pissed!

Hurricane Season

I recently went through hurricane Gustav and I can honestly tell you, 'It sucks a bunch!' I've grown up with the threat of these storms for years. Until recently, I did not take them too seriously. That asshole, Gustav, scared the shit out of me.

I live in a small subdivision out in Ascension Parish. My power went out around 7AM the morning of the storm and did not come back on for about 9 1/2 days. I know that is not nearly as long as some other hurricane victims, but the old adage is spot-on, 'you don't know what ya got till it's gone.' Man, do I rely on electricity or what? My youngest daughter had a mild asthma attack the night of the storm while trying to sleep next to us. That scared me almost as much as the storm. You see, if the medicine doesn't work, where do you bring them? The hospital was probably overwhelmed (sp?) so we were on our own. Thankfully, Mrs. Purple Tiger was on the ball pre-Gustav to get refills on all the medication. So, everything turned out OK that night.

I quickly decided that my wife and kids did not need to face the days without any electricity. I packed them up on Tuesday evening and brought them to my mother-in-law's house in Houston. I left the next morning so I could come back to work. I can honestly tell you that leaving them in Houston was the most difficult thing I had to do. I really did not want to leave, but I thought there were guys at the plant who needed to be relieved and go home themselves.

I do have some pictures from Gustav and it's aftermath locally, and I'll post them as soon as I get off my lazy butt to put them on my computer.

BTW, thanks for coming to visit Colleen. It's nice to see someone comes over once and awhile.

Some Information. . .maybe

Look, for the one or two people who come back here, whether to torture yourself or to actually see if I got off my ass and write something worthwhile, there is a website you need to check out. (Whew, runon sentence over!) I haven't been posting lately due to the classwork for my masters degree, my job and my new part-time job. BTW, I don't really have time for all of the tomfoolery that I partake in, it's just pretty cool to have someplace neat to write my thoughts. Anyhoo, check out And The Valley Shook. Click on the title of the post to jump.

OHHHHHH Scarlett

This is one of my wife's female crushes. I don't think she could have picked a more attractive woman to get 'hot and bothered' over.

BTW, she is one of my favorites as well. Not on the level of Kate, but she has potential to move up!!

April Sock Puppet

One of the funniest moments in Big Brother 10 this season, so far

TDK

I went to see the new Batman flick today with my wife and let me say without any hyperbole, "This is probably the best movie I've ever seen!"

I know you are saying, "C'mon Purple, isn't that a little extreme?"

In a word. . . NO!

Heath Ledger's performance is one that I'll remember for a long time. That character was one of the most twisted individuals that I have ever seen on screen. Before you go see this movie, know one thing. This movie is NOT for kids. This film has a message and sub-text oozes from the screen. If you liked Batman Begins, please do yourself a favor and pay the money to see this on the big screen.

I think I am going to see it again with my wife and stepdaughter, who is 15 next week. I'll let you know if I feel the same way after seeing it the second time.

New Direction. . .Possibly

If any of you have read my past postings, you know about my decision to return to school and get a masters degree. I have finally started my second course in my curriculum.

After accounting finally got my reimbursement information correct.

Anyhoo, my company is searching for an Environmetal Engineer for our facility. Even though the position is not actually a safety position, I have submitted my name for consideration for this job. I really do not think I'll get any serious consideration for the job, but I felt that I had to give it a shot. After searching the 'safety' jobs on monster and careerbuilder, I have noticed that if one does not have supervisory experience or environmental experience, it will be difficult for me to receive the pay that will keep me and my family on the same standard of living we are accustomed to.

If you don't know, process technicians in the petro-chemical industry make very good money. On the other hand, safety professionals and environmental technicians also make decent salaries. Not to mention that they do not have to work shift work like I currently do.

If you have never worked shift-work in your career, try not to, if you can help it. I have noticed that my overall health is not nearly as good as it was when I hired on here. I do realize that, over the years, my lack of exercise has contributed greatly to my 'lack of wellness.' Recently, I have begun to exercise more often, and I am eating better. It is so hard to eat well, when my control tech is such a good cook. Awesome Louisiana food, man. There is nothing like it. This man is the bane of my existence here at the plant.

Fatigue is a factor that shift workers have to deal with constantly. Working three straight 12 hour nights, then getting a 1/2 day off, then returning to work on a Tuesday morning at 430AM is really tough. On the body as well as the home life. I really don't know how some of these guys will drive for 1 1/2 hours to get to work every day. Can you imagine, getting up at 3 AM in the morning to get to work at 430 AM. Then, turning around and leaving around 445 in the afternoon and not getting home until around 615. That has to take a toll.

I'm trying to get out of this shift work life any way possible. I don't know if the environmental field is worth the shot, but I've already submitted my name. I'm just hoping that I can keep sane until I finish my masters. I can't wait until the day that I will have that degree and seriously search for a job with my new career in mind. Here's to early 2010, my goal for graduation.

Sorry about the rant, I'm done now. Have a great one. I hope to have some pictures of the purpletiger family vacation to Disneyworld in July. Please come back and visit.

Spencer Hall's Article About Mascots

This article is very funny. I found this article through Every Day Should Be Saturday web page. Click on the title of the post to jump to the Sporting News article.

A Movie I am looking forward to this summer

fieldset style="padding: 10px; width: 100%; background: #fff;">Boost my Fantasy Moguls score!

Go see The Dark Knight!

Opens Fri Jul 18

Thanks for Coming Over

I just wanted to thank all of you who come here to read my nonsense. If anyone has a blog or a website out there please let me know so that I may come by and visit.

If you read my profile, you know that I am a chemical plant operator who is sometimes up at 2:30 AM browsing around the internet in order to keep from falling asleep at work. So any interesting SFW websites are always welcome. They allow the time to pass more pleasantly.

Thanks for visiting.

BTW, the reason the picture of Kate Bekinsale is on the previous post is that I needed a place for my avatar on Bigbrotherupdates.com to be located.

She is uber-hot though!

My Favorite

Ohhhh Kate!

Jambalaya Festival

I wasn't able to go to the Jambalaya Festival this year, but it looks like they had enough for everyone. Click on the title to jump to the article by The Advocate in Baton Rouge.

Freakin' Accounting Department

My employer offers a tuition reimbursement program for employees who wish to continue their education. I decided to go back to school to get a Masters of Science in Occupational Safety and Health. In other words, I want to become a 'safety man.'

Well, what is supposed to transpire, is that I submit my grades and an invoice for the payment for the class. When I attended Southeastern Louisiana University, I would send in the invoice printed off of the student access site. I always was paid within a week. Evidently, there is some chick in Dallas who seems to have a bug up her ass. I sent a pdf copy of my invoice, which I received fro CSU, to the Accounting Department in Dallas. I get an email from her stating that she needs an original receipt or invoice. WTF? I sent the lady what CSU sent me. That wasn't good enough. Anyway, I called CSU for an original invoice and the nice lady said she had it on the way to my house. A couple of days later, I get an envelope in the mail from CSU. It is the wrong invoice! Now, I have to call them again and get them to send me another invoice, so some Trick in Dallas can get an original. This process has gone on for over two weeks. All the while, I can't register for another class until I get reimbursed. Freakin' Skank.

By the way, there is a great blog out there that I began reading a few months ago and it is great. It is called 'Cajun Boy in the City.' The url is: www.cajunboyinthecity.blogspot.com


BTW, Cajun Boy every time I read one of your posts on guidos I think about that youtube video called 'My New Haircut.' If you haven't seen it, please check it out.

Freestyle Moment

Dude,

This video has all the hallmarks of a kick ass video. Of course, minus really hot chicks gyrating in tight outfits. But hey, these guys had cool hair. This is another tune that hit my prom.



The dancing skills defy all imagining!