Summertime and this Blogger has been busy ( just not blogging)

Apologies all around for my lengthy absence...Guess after getting off my deployment in late May, the last thing I have wanted to do is sit down at my laptop....Blogspot & IE were not talking either so that didn't help. Got a new roof done in July with a lot of sweat equity by yours truly....sorely needed and glad to have it done. Further projects in the offing ( vinyl siding, new windows, etc) so no rest for the wicked ( or the weary) - Much work needed to the homestead after three years absence overseas Still posting on Twitter as often as possible - my handle is @Leadership_One - Check it out in Twitter-ville Still working on my manuscript for book about my experiences in Afghanistan....We'll see if cooler weather gets me back behind the laptop as I want to epublish it soon as possible Hope all are enjoying Summer as much as I am..... I'll be back.....

Blogspot not working well with IE

My apologies for not posting more often.....

Seems as Blogspot & IE are not on speaking terms....so posting is down to IPad. Benn busy making up for lost time including a new roof on the old homestead.....Big job as on many places, there were 5 layers of roof shingles....I've been loading them onto my pick-up truck & taking them to the dump....talk about your workout plan....

 Hope that Blogspot gets its issues worked out as this is NOT how I want to post..... Thanks for being patient.

Happy 4th of July from Boston.... 1st time in 4 years

Time waits for no man.....  

A year ago, I was in Kandahar City on the 4th of July - Now, I am home, and this time for good. No more trips to Afghanistan as three missions there has been quite enough. this is the first 4th of July I've been home since 2009.  
Just wanted to make sure while you are having your holiday and time off for the the 4th, all remember that your military are out there in 120+ degree heat of Afghanistan ( and other places around the world) keeping you safe.   Here were my thoughts from a year ago..... Happy 4th of July to all !!

 4th of July in Kandahar City 2012

 It is the 4th of July here in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.  
The day arrived earlier than stateside due to we are 8 1/2 hours ahead of the US. Most back home are preparing for a night's rest along with some going out on the night before a day off.  
Here in Afghanistan, it is just another day.  

On military bases here, there will be a bit of celebration and some good food at the DFACs ( Dining Facilities). At the same time, many will carry out their normal work of going in harm's way, working to guard the freedom of the people here. All will go about the normal business of the work that occurs here in the war zone.  
Likewise, the work here will go on for me also.

It is another work day and one that has become a bit of a habit for me. This is the 3rd year in a row that I have been here for the 4th of July. I have been working contract work for the past three years and that means being here for most of the year including the summer.  
There will be no BBQs to attend or fireworks ( as the fireworks here are usually a bad thing). The holiday passes quietly here and that is understandable. It is what we have agreed to as part of the deal of working overseas, away from home and family.  
Back home in the USA, things are not all "beer & skittles" either. 1.4 million people in the Mid-Atlantic area are still w/o power due to the thunderstorms that came through earlier this week, 14 million people are unemployed or underemployed ( leaving them w/o work or the type of work they usually would perform) and the majority of our citizens are unhappy with the direction our government has taken over the last 4 years.  
Being away from home is tough at times like this, but so is being at home without work. I have had to deal with that and it is a terrible place to be. Like many others, I have spent a significant number of years working as a manager in HR and now face the new reality that what was of value to employers in the past is undervalued now. The degree and experience I have is treated in the same manner as some look upon an older car.  
Employers are hiring younger workers and paying them 1/2 of what someone like me should earn. This is not just happening to HR professionals, but professionals from all different professions. The recession has given businesses the ability to shed older workers, who carry larger wage & benefit costs and hire younger workers who seek less.  
This trend will wind up hurting companies as they will spend more in training and loss of customer satisfaction. They are acting shortsighted and it is only making things worse economically.  
Don Henley is on my IPAD with the song “The Heart of the Matter” and sings, " These times are so uncertain, there's yearning undefined and people filled with rage..." - very true and accurate even after the 20 years since he wrote the song.  
America finds itself in perilous straits - The economy is sluggish and that is partly due to the 14 million people who are effectively unemployed. They don't have the income they need and that means they are not purchasing goods and services. That in turn holds the economy back. We have a President who acts like an insolent teenager and thinks that it is cool to hang out with Hollywood types. Instead of seeking maturity and competance, his supporters want to act like eternal high schoolers on a spending spree with their parent's credit card. The Middle class is struggling more than ever and all we get from the President is "Party on..." as he parties on the taxpayer's dime.  
We deserve better leadership and the people sitting in the White House & Congress ain't it.....  
The 4th of July is one of the days that makes me think more about the country I love and how difficult it was back in 1776. The signers of the Declaration of Independence faced tough times including the risk of their lives for opposing the King.  
My family has been in America since 1635 so many of my ancestors were there when the Revolutionary War freed our nation.  
The key is that as Americans, we will continue to make our country and the world a better place by our actions. Though we will disagree with each other and argue about what is needed, the outcome will still be an example to others about what can be accomplished if we set our minds to doing something.  
That is essentially what I am doing here in Kandahar City - working to help the people of Afghanistan by leading them to create a better country for themselves and their children. That is the lesson we learned back in 1776 and one we still honor and celebrate today.  
Happy 4th of July to all our military serving abroad, our colleagues working to support them and all back home in the USA.

A Work In Progress

Been busy At home and that has made less time for being online.  When I was in Afghanistan, I had some extra time on my hands and that allowed for time to work on the web.

Now that I am home, there are a multitude of items that need my attention.  This keeps me from spending more time online but that is fine.  I will make time to keep this blog updated one way or the other.

One off shoot of the time overseas in Afghanistan is that I will be e-publishing a book on my travels through Afghanistan.  I have quite a few stories to tell ( or retell) as the case may be.  I am working on a title as that will be one of the keys to marketing it online.

More info to come but for now, I am trying to make time to balance home, web, work and other tasks.

As with many other things in my life, it is a "work in progress"

To be continued.....

Being Home is the best & working with The Home Base Program

Been home for a month now and things are just starting to feel normal again. By normal I mean that I am starting to feel like I will be home and stay home. The first few weeks felt like a R&R as most time at home while deployed is 2-3 weeks.


Now, with Summer in place, I am looking forward to the things I missed over the last few years - 4th of July, Barnstable County Fair, Cape League Baseball and some time at the beach.
I am also working with the Home Base Program out of Massachusetts General Hospital. The VA has proven to be pretty useless as they don't listen and don't want to see things as they are. The VA seems dedicated to downplaying the issues that you have as if they validate them, it will be a "cost" to them. When it comes to the VA, it comes down to $$, not what is best for the Veteran.

The Home Base Program has been put together by MGH and the Red Sox foundation. If you are a Veteran of Iraq and/or Afghanistan and need help, they will assist you free of charge. The staff is attentive and focuses on what is needed, not what it costs.

I highly recommend you look into this great program. Click on the link below.

http://www.homebaseprogram.org/general-information.aspx

Chicago Teacher Union Boss/BS Artist - "It's everyone else's fault...."

BullSh-t Artists abound in our society.....You can spot them easily as they have been on the government payroll their entire lives, have not done a thing to help others ( only worked on fattening their wallets) and still want to blame everyone else for their failures.

Case in point - The Head of the Chicago Teacher's Union. While I am no fan of the Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emmanuel, this woman is a total BS artist.  She'll be living off the taxpayers for the rest of her life, but still thinks taxpayers need to impoverish themselves to make things right....in her warped world.


What a bunch of BS.  There ought a be a law against ths type of outright stupidity.


Chicago teachers union chief faults ‘rich white people’ for city’s education mess

The Daily Caller

In a scathing speech on Wednesday, the president of the Chicago Teachers Union charged that racism and “rich white people” are to blame for the immense financial crisis facing the Chicago Public Schools.

In her remarks to an audience at the upscale City Club of Chicago, union boss Karen Lewis strongly criticized Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. She also urged the city schools to follow the strategic blueprint of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.

“Members of the status quo — the people who are running the schools and advising the mayor on how to best run our district — know what good education looks like because they have secured it for their own children in well-resourced public and private institutions,” the Dartmouth graduate charged.

“When will there be an honest conversation about the poverty, racism and inequality that hinders the delivery of a quality education product in our school system?” Lewis also asked in the speech. “When will we address the fact that rich, white people think they know what’s in the best interest of children of African Americans and Latinos—no matter what the parent’s income or education level.”

The union leader then questioned the motives of “venture capitalists” who have expressed a desire to improve the quality of education for poor and minority students.

“There is something about these folks who love the kids but hate the parents,” Lewis inveighed. “There’s something about these folks who use little black and brown children as stage props at one press conference while announcing they want to fire, layoff or lock up their parents at another press conference.”

Lewis called for “an end to corporate subsidies and loopholes.” She demanded “progressive taxation” to close the $1 billion budget deficit currently facing the Second City and its public schools.(RELATED: It’s official: Chicago Public Schools will close 49 elementary schools for good)

Higher income tax rates on wealthy residents would generate billions in necessary revenue, the union chief suggested. She also proposed new taxes for commuters and for financial transfers.

In her closing remarks, Lewis, a self-professed Chicago White Sox fan, suggested that the Chicago Public Schools would be wise to emulate the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise.

“When the Cubs lose a game they don’t call for Wrigley Field to close down. They don’t want the entire team dismantled. Despite empty seats, the stadium isn’t accused of being underutilized,” she said.

Lewis, who obviously spends little time listening to Chicago’s two main sports radio stations, also suggested that “no one questions” the salaries of Chicago baseball players.

Year after year — despite individual player performance, despite game losses and near wins — the fans show continue to show up. We keep cheering for our Cubbies. We know they are winners. We dream. We believe,” Lewis said.

“Do the same for our children,” she implored. “Cheer them on. Invest in them. Love them. Support their parents. Support their teachers. Support their schools. Let’s work together. Let’s win, Chicago. Let’s win.”

The Chicago Cubs famously have not won a World Series since 1908 (or a National League pennant since 1945). The team is currently in next-to-last place in Major League Baseball’s National League Central division — 16 games out of first place.

Best laid plans of mice and men

Well I hoped to be home by Saturday but the bus needed another repair.  Right rear CV joint and axle was NFG so that cost me a day in Madison, WI.  Found a great group of guys at Kelly Moss Motorsports who were able get me up & running, even coming in on Saturday morning to finish the job as the parts weren't there until then.

Ran into some great people along the way at the KOA Campgrounds I stayed at and had a good time but like anything else, the trip was longer than I wanted.  Time to be home and start working on the next adventure.....Had enough of being away from home. Really.

On the road.....

As previously mentioned, I am on an adventure of sorts.  Bought a 1974 VW Bus in Seattle and I'm taking her cross country back to Boston.  Something I have always wanted to do (Drive Cross the USA) and part of getting the right vehicle.

Have had a few hiccups - Fuel Pump went in Spokane, WA - That delayed me a day but found a shop with great mechanics.  Had to replace 2 front tires after road damage on Rt 16 leaving Mt. Rushmore ....These things happen on a 3000 mile drive in 40 yr old vehicle.

Every where I go, she's the "Rock Star" as all anyone wants to talk about is her, I'm just the entourage.  This VW Bus attracts attention everywhere we go.....

I'll post pics later once I get home .  Trying to get there sometime Saturday......Inshalla
 As my Afghan friends would say.

Lay Offs at NUWC at Newport, RI Navy Base

We have plenty of $$$$ for the lack wit in the White House to waste on numerous vacations & other BS but we'll shut down NAVY research into better systems of defense for our fleet??? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ??? 

 2400 more furlough notices go out at NUWC 

Jun. 7, 2013 The Associated Press 

NEWPORT, R.I. — The second round of furlough notices for civilian employees of Newport’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center is being sent out. 

 WLNE-TV reports the letters were going out on Friday. A spokesman at the center tells The Associated Press that about 2,400 notices are being delivered. That’s in addition to 300 that went out last month.

 The furloughs are a result of automatic federal budget cuts at the U.S. Defense Department. Employees are required to take 16 hours of unpaid time off every two weeks through the end of September. Furloughs start the week of July 8. 

 The facility serves as a research, testing and support center for Navy submarines and ships. All 439 civilian employees at the U.S. Naval War College are also being furloughed.

Apologies and updates / On the road again.......

I apologize to anyone who has wondered why I have been lax in posting anything for a bit. Getting off deployment to Afghanistan is not as easy as it sounds.

I have been home for just under 2 1/2 weeks and it takes getting used to being back on home footing. I have visited with most friends and family, gotten caught up with some home stuff and also got busy on some work related items.  Then an opportunity comes along that changes the schedule.....

 I'm on a road trip of sorts and it involves a cross country drive. Landed in Seattle on Saturday and made my way across Washngton State. Pretty country and some serious peaks.....now, spending the day in Spokane. The Eastern part of Washington State is wide open farmland as far as the eye can see....It was breathtaking and eiree as there were places out there without people/towns/etc. as far as the eye could see. Lots of large wind farms near Yakima.....A great place for wind energy.

 More info to follow....Just wanted to let you know that Middleboro Jones is out exploring a little of the USA for a change instead of the wilds of Afghanistan.  Hope to be able to share some pictures soon.

On the Cape today

Took a ride to the Cape today....

Visiting with Dad and making sure the woods don't take over his yard.

 As always, a stop at the beach is required....A few people were sunning themselves. Looks like the start of a nice summer.

Sailing on the Charles with the staff of MGH Home Base Program

Spent Sunday sailing on the Charles River with the staff of Mass General's HOME BASE Program, the RED SOX Foundation and the staff of Boston Community Boating.

Colleagues back in Kandahar are dealing with heat, dust and the ongoing issues in Afghanistan but I was able to spend the day with my daughter on the water. A great day and a great time was had by all.

The Next Mission

Spent the first week home getting used to life in these United States again.  It takes a little while to get off the deployment express and get back to being part of the homefront.

Part of this is also looking at what options are available to me for the next mission.

I have been told by multiple friends and family that my days of traveling to Afghanistan are at an end. I've made enough trips there ( 7 trips in and out of country in total).

Working on the next plan and have been looking toward self employment.  There are resources available to help Veterans like me with setting up a business.  I have become somewhat disolusioned with work in corporate America as they are solely focused on $$$.  People have become a disposable resource to companies and for a HR professional who values workers, it has become disheartening.

More to follow as the next mission progresses.  Like other challenges I have faced, this one will be an adventure I am sure.

A Dull Tour is a Good Tour.....Remembering our fallen warriors

Getting used to being back home.....Helped out with breakfast at ALL ARE WELCOME Saturday morning which was nice.  Got to see my daughter perform the annual " That's Entertainment" show which I had missed for the past few years....also nice.

Having no major issues occur while deployed constitutes the "Dull Tour" side of things, but the time spent in Afghanistan was not without issues and challenges.

I've got the start of a book on my time in Afghanistan and will look to get it into format for e-publishing in the near future.  I like the idea of not having to deal with the publishing houses and all that related BS.  I wonder how many writers could have gone forward but were frustrated by the "system".

Getting used to being back home is a process and making sure all goes as expected takes time and effort.  I'll take it one step at a time and look to get myself back to normal here one day at at time.  Doing so will also be part of what I put in the book.

In the meantime, make sure to honor our fallen Warriors and show them that their sacrifice matters.  Yeah, holiday weekend and a break from work, etc.,etc. but take time for those who gave their all so you can have this break for work.

ALL gave some, but some gave ALL.  Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti of Raynham, MA is an example in point.  He gave his life in Afghanistan trying to save his battle buddies.

We remember him and all others who gave the last full measure for their battle buddies and all of us.

Thank you to them and all who serve our great land.

Memorial Day 2013.... Nice to be Home

Getting used to being home in the good old US of A....quite a haul over last 36 hrs to get here from Afghanistan.

Memorial Day this weekend.....Please take time to honor our military who gave the last full measure of devotion to duty, honor and country.

It takes a small bit of your time but it means a lot to all who served.