Brent’s Thoughts

This is a picture of the first atomic bomb. In this picture there is a lot going on, but I can’t focus on most of it because all I see is the striped shirted guy lounging around.

Just to be clear, that is a 14 kila-ton bomb. The tower that he is leaning on was effectively gone and the sand under it was glass when this went off. You have to be pretty comfortable around something as powerful as that to just be hanging out like that.

Last night I was watching an episode of 1 vs 100 that MythTV had recorded and was greeted by famed “psychic” Allison Dubois on the show. Many people know her as the supposed inspiration for the TV show “Medium”.

She was in the mob and given her “abilities” I expected to have to wait for a long time for her to miss a question. She was out on the second question. She did last one question longer than Dr. Ruth though.

They allowed her to come back in so she could win some more money for her “charity” when the next contestant came out. This time she was a little better and lasted until the 5th or 6th question. Still not that great of a showing in my opinion for someone that can supposedly see the future, read minds or whatever the hell she claims to do.

Pauline tried to cop out for her and say that she probably didn’t want to use the gift on the show. Why not? She was playing for some charity. What better reason than to win money to help a charity? Is her psychic gift limited to only a few usages? If so it doesn’t seem like she would be wasting it on one-on-one phone readings for money, when she could use it once and win tons on the show.

This isn’t the only time that 1 vs. 100 has had psychics on. Another time they had like six of them in the mob. They were all out within 3 questions, if I remember correctly. Not a very good showing for these supposed psychics. I guess it is hard to cold read a multiple choice question that you have to answer without being able to see anyones thoughts on it.

Caught again being a fraud. I really wonder if she thinks the Montel Show is a good thing after all these.

This time not only was she wrong about every aspect of the disappearance that she was talking about, she also failed to spot the killer in the very room with her.

Perhaps “Francine” her spirit guide didn’t undestand the question or something. Wouldn’t it be great if she had to go on the show and explain exactly how what she said could be interpreted when faced with reality.

Sylvia Browne is a fraud.

and so is every other psychic on the planet.

I have had the opportunity to correspond over email with an old high school friend who is currently serving in Iraq. Since I am interested in the conditions over there, I have asked him lots of questions. I thought that others might also be interested in getting some info so I have posted the questions and answers here

His email
I am in Iraq now, in the suburbs of B-dad. Right now it is the rainy season so there is alot of water collecting everywhere and the mud is horrid. You end up being 5 inches taller when you finally make it to y our location and it takes 10 minutes to clean the stuff off

me
Sorry that you are over in Iraq. I didn’t know they had suburbs over there. From the news you get the impression that everyone is just living in horrible squalor and that once we bring stability to the region, their lives will be sooooo much better. I really don’t know what to think of all of it. I don’t really trust the news and I definately don’t trust what the president says. I can’t imagine it being boring though???

him
Other then when getting attacked Iraq is boring, there is not alot to do here. We are in a area called Taji. You can look it up on google earth. Iraq is a dirty country but its not the shit hole alot of people think it is. The northern parts of Iraq in Kurdishstan are nice and clean but the other parts are not so nice. Southern Iraq is horrid. The live in mud huts.

me
Do they let you guys watch the news over there? they did a special the other day about how they are trying to increase the number of facilies they have dedicated to Tramatic Brain Injury (apparently from bombs) and they are supposed to be increasing funds for veteran health care and are moving any veteran disability claims to the front of the line so that they can get their needs taken care of first. what kind of entertainment do they have for you guys over there you are not looking in mud huts for osama? I know alot of entertainers supposedly go over there and put on shows for you all. Have you seen anybody interesting?

him
I can not speculate on the health benefits because I have not had a reason to try yet. We have MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recriation) areas were they have everything from movies to gyms as well as internet and libraries for the Soldiers to use. Normally I go work out, watch a movie or read a book at night. I do not get the greatest amount of free time but I still have enough time to do some things. Working 7 days a week 12 hours a day does not afford alot of time for fun stuff. The first time I came over I saw Robin Williams, John Elway, Leanne Tweeden and had a chance to see Toby Kieth and the band Adema. This time so far I saw one of the comedians from In Living Color ( name escapes me but I remember seeing him on the show).

questions and responses

do you guys form good friendships,

Well like a family there are some you like and others you can not stand. While I am frieldly with some of the people here I would only call a small few actual friends. I would guess the number around 5 or so and maybe another 5 that I could form a friendship with. When I say friends I mean like our old click in High School.

>>> is it mostly guys or are there some women over there too?

We have some female Soldiers over here with us, not as many as last time though. This FOB (Foward Operating Base) has a large number of female Soldiers on it from what I have observed.

>>>when you get to come back home do you get back together and hang out,

Some of us hang out, as I said above here are about 5 or so that I call friends and we hang out and go drink together or just go out and have fun or they come over to the house and have dinner (bringing their families if they have one).

>>>when you ship back to Iraq do you usually get to go out with pretty much the same
> group or do you have to get to know all new people?

We always get new people before we deploy but I can”t really talk number here, OPSEC (Operational Security) risk.

Do any of the Iraqs know english? do you speak to them at all? Are you part of the group that is supposed to be training the Iraq police to take over?

I know a little arabic and they know a little english so we can normally comuniate one way or another. Can’t answer the question about our mission here, once again OPSEC.

Since last october, I have been working on a double wedding ring quilt for a friend whose brother is getting married. Apparently, they have alot of sage green and cream in their living room and the idea is to make a throw that they could use when cuddling on the couch. Almost done really. tried to put the picture up, but couldn’t figure out how. If anyone has any ideas????

Quilt

Quilt Hearts

Well, as some of you know I am teaching my chinese work collegues an english class. I am trying very hard but there are a few things that are making it difficult/irritating.
1. they keep speaking chinese during class. If it is something that they can say easily like “your turn” they will speak english, but if it is a challenge and they aren’t sure how to say it, they just say it in Chinese. I figure this is what they need to work through so that they can learn. I spoke to Dr. Pan about this problem and suggested instituting a quarter jar – anytime they speak chinese, during class, they have to put a quarter in the jar. Dr. Pan actually came in during class today and mentioned to the chinese that it is important that they practice english. It is nice that he is getting behind me on this one.

2. poor attendance. not really much to be done about this one, but about 1/2 the class or more sometimes have to go to the power plants. I started the class when it was full, then we had a project and alot of the class was gone for two weeks then they came back. it is difficult to teach them when they are only spuratically present.

3. one of the guys has told the others twice now that it is not necessary to learn english really well. I think Dr. Pan may have asked the guy to stop saying that because he hasn’t said it for a week or more now. Also, this one guy doesn’t always do the work that I have them do in class. he just sits there. I get on him about it usually until he does something

Well, Brent says that everyone keeps asking him how my pregnancy is going so I guess I will write about the experience thus far.
So far everything has been going really well. When we first decided to start trying to have a baby, I really didn’t know what to expect. I had heard alot of terrible stories about how some people try for years and can’t get pregnant and I had a cousin that once she got pregnant had alot of problems during the pregnancy. Fortunately, we had no trouble getting pregnant (I guess practice makes perfect) and so far no big pregnancy troubles. I didn’t get morning sickness really. My skin hasn’t broken out, the doctor is always happy with the weight and heart readings they take etc.
I really can’t complain. I am having trouble sleeping due to the whole laying on your side thing. I used to sleep either on my back or my stomach most of the time with my legs straight out. Laying on my side, they are usually bent and it is bothering my knees. putting a pillow between them helps. I am also having breathing trouble. I just went out tonight a bought another bra with an extention. I am hoping that will help. I just feel like I can’t really breathe deeply. I also bought another pair of pants and a few more tops. I also saw a breast pump that I think I would like to try. it is supposed to be hospital quality and has dual positions so you can do both breasts at the same time. I guess I will have 3 months maternity leave to decide on what I need before going back to work.
Pam and are talking about baby showers. We have just about decided on a date of Apr 22nd for the one that she is giving me. my cousin in indiana said that she wanted to throw one for family up there so I will have to get back with her on the date.