I found a Nagle project!!!!!

Okay, this is something we really need to try!!!!!

Perspective Part 2...

Perspective Part 2...

“Debt is dumb, cash is king, and the containerized housing unit with a 1.5 meter satellite dish has taken the place of the BMW as the new status symbol of choice.”

Perspective

There has been a lot of talk lately about the haves and have-nots.  This is most commonly spoken in terms of the 1% having most of everything and the 99% fighting for what is left.  I personally believe that there is a different side to this argument and it became really clear when I saw the following quote:

"There are two kinds of people in this world. The ninety-nines and the ones.  The Ninety-Nines...that’s what I call 'em. Ninety-nine out of a hundred people can't fathom what I do. They scratch their heads, can't believe my dedication to this great sport. Many don't even think this a sport or that I have a life. Never let others define your 'life' for you. This is what I have chosen. This is the road I've taken, with all the potholes, bumps, and turns. The Ninety-nines, they can't commit 100% to being their best, to step up one day and stand tall among the giants."

We look at the people that put hours and hours in to working out and taking care of their bodies and we are jealous.  We are jealous that they have something that we all want, but that few of us have the dedication and drive to obtain.  Lets be real.  We all could have great bodies if we were willing to put the work in to exercise and to sacrifice when it come time to having desert.  Where we rank in the 1% or 99% or the have or have nots is no different.  I do not kid myself and think that I stand tall among giants, but I get it.  I am dedicated and willing to do WHATEVER it takes to have a better life for myself and my family.  And yet, I realize that there are people who are more driven and willing to sacrifice even more than I am to succeed and get ahead.  Telling someone to give me something I didn't earn makes no more sense than telling someone they need to eat a box of donuts because their six pack makes me feel bad.

That's What Right Looks Like!

One of the things the military likes to do is to develop programs and slogans to influence the behavior of their soldiers.  They package them up in short, often cheesy commercials that are routinely disparaged in public forums.  Unfortunately, not a lot of these programs seem to work and others actually seem to cause the behavior they are trying to stop.  Luckily, every once and a while, they come up with something that actually makes sense.  One of these programs is entitled “That’s what right looks like”.  It shows soldiers doing something really stupid or thoughtless and then it shows them what the right thing to do would look like.  It really makes sense to me.  How great would life be if everyone you ever dealt with just stopped for a second and thought, “What would right look like?”  As a parent, you always hope that you will do a good enough job with your kids that they will know what right is and, more importantly, that they will actually do what is right when the time comes. 

A few days ago, I was the proud recipient of one of those “That’s what right looks like” moments.  I was on the phone with the love of my life as she left the house by herself at dark o’clock to get to the gym.  (Okay, it was like 7 AM or so, but dark o’clock sounds better.)  After stopping to get some much needed caffeine, she pulled in to the gym parking lot and guess what?  Our boy Valiant had gotten up and followed his mom to the gym!  Do you know how damn proud I am of that boy?  I could hear it in his mom’s voice as well.  (Maybe even a little teary?)  So, this is for Valiant, “That’s what right looks like!”

P.S. 98 Days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lego conundrum...

Okay, this is really, really cool!  I am not sure what is really more cool.  The title of professional lego builder or that they built a jet engine out of legos!  The only thing that I really don't like is that they used lego pieces that I have never seen before!  Do they make special blocks just for "professional lego builders" to use?  I wonder if they have a computer program that "legoizes" an object by breaking it in to block size pieces that can be manufactured.  There is a trick to this somewhere!  (or maybe it is the jealousy over the professional lego builder thing)

 

Link to story 

Setting the record straight.....

There seems to be a lot of misinformation about the Nagle men using knives while camping.  The general story is that if a Nagle man uses a knife while camping, a trip to the emergency room is all but assured.  I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight.  The incident where I ended up with four stitches was NOT my fault.  I was using all of the proper safety procedures and was  injured after Mr. R acted in an immature and reckless manner.  However, I am a big enough man to admit that Valiant was TOTALLY at fault when he sliced his leg open.  (Yes, that is the sound of the bus running him over) Below is an overview of everything he did wrong that contributed to his injury.

Power Rangers Anybody?

I saw this piece on the release of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on a special DVD set.

Link to Article 

You know, this was a really campy series, but it was always kind of fun.  I know we didn't watch all of them, but I think that I was partial to the "Time Force" Rangers.  That is why I bought me, I mean Jared the Quantasaurus Rex for Xmas!  LOL!

109 Days and Counting!!!

Gosh Darnnit!

Okay, I guess I am going to have to give up on the whole cat thing in Minecraft.  Once again I am responsible for the untimely death of one of my cats.  I was walking through the jungle looking for another ocelot when my darn cat jumped in front of the axe as I was chopping a path.  This makes like the 10th cat I have lost!!!  Cats need armor or something!  Please say a few nice words for number 10....

A little slice of heaven....

Today was a really good day!  Why was it such a good day you ask?  Three simple words....

NO BAKE COOKIES!

I received the care package from home today that contained the no bake cookies that you so graciously sent.  Believe it or not, they taste just as good after traveling 12,000 miles as they do right out of the store.  I devoured a whole one by myself right after lunch.  Kind of piggy, right?  I know it was hard to send them all to me, but you guys really rocked my world.

Love you!

Only 112 more days!

Embracing the Pink Side!

I don't think this post needs much explanation.....

Building Blocks

I saw an article entitled "Data Center Legos" and I had to go see.  I think that most people would see this and think, "Wow!  They have too much time on their hands!"  For me, I was like, "I want to do that!"  

I am not sure if it has to be a computer case like the one above, but why couldn't we make something out of Legos like that?  Any ideas as to what we could make?  Here is the link to the original article:

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/07/essential-lego-gear/

Only 115 more days!

Woot!  118 and a wake up!  Okay, for today's post I decided to take the opportunity to illustrate how things we take for granted are not so common in the rest of the world.  I have found it amazing how often I have encountered the following "warning" sign in my travels:

Encountering stuff like this always gives me pause to not be so quick to judge people for their behaviors.  They look at this sign in horror at the thought of having their backside coming in to contact with the seat.  It really is a matter of perspective.

Okay, it has been a few days since I last posted! After talking to you guys I determined that it is in fact 119 days until I am home for good. Isn't that awesome? Everyday that passes is awesome in my book. I saw this piece in an online magazine I read. I think this is one of the coolest things ever. What do you think?

Super Cool!!!

Well, we are down to 123 and a wake up! The last 24 hours have been spent sitting on airplanes and walking through airports. Nothing really exciting, but line up here, let me see your passport, and is this a 3 oz bottle? So, far the only cool thing I have encountered (but didn't get picture of)is the lay out of the Airbus A340. It has a huge economy class sitting area. (I am cheap) When I walked back to use the restroom, I couldn't find it! I was quickly shown that you have to walk down stairs to the bathrooms! How weird is that? A bathroom deck! Overall, I have to say that traveling has been harder this time because the end is close. It was really hard to leave this time as everyone has the understanding that this is it. I think we all would have preferred for me not to go back, but we are so close to wrapping things up it would be like stopping 3 feet from the finish line. And, if anyone wants to know, I had a fantastic leave and got to do a lot of fun stuff with the family. I think my high point was watching Buttercup and Valiant blasting away targets at the range.