An Unannounced Visitor

One of the Marines had a guest in his living area. He made some girl noises.... I am definately shaking my boots before I put them on from now on.

Vector control came out and got him. They said it was a venomous snake. A Persian Sand Viper.


I love it out here!!!

Guy Tours DC

Guy got to see all the cool stuff up in DC. The Smithsonian, the monuments and Washington's house. He also got to lay a wreath on Washington's tomb. Very cool!!

The heat is getting rough out here. It is at least 100 degrees every day. Unfortunately for the Marines around me, my deodorent is not doing the greatest job. I can't wait to be home where I won't smell like a foot all the time. The heat has driven the gnats away though. So that's good.

Speaking of feet...mine is all better. I am going to try running tomorrow.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Ava's Birthday

Stephanie said Ava's favorite present was a little broom. I am not sure what that is all about.

I really miss my beautiful Family.

I Hate Basketball

My first injury in a combat zone comes from……..drum roll please…….basketball. It looks a lot worse than it is. It is a shame that bruising and swelling should embellish the famously beautiful Beatty foot. I am quite sure that the gorgeous Beatty feet played heavily in the decisions of Sheila, Colleen, and Stephanie to marry a Beatty in the first place.

I have never been injured during boxing, ju-jitsu, or during a live fire exercise. This is however the third time I have rolled my ankle playing basketball. I think that I am done playing basketball.

The reason I am sharing this picture is a ploy for sympathy. I am hoping to milk this ankle for potato salad (Grandma), brownies (Mom), key lime pie (Jeff), Beatty belly buster burgers (Shawn), lasagna (Auntie Eileen), tarts (Stephanie), chili(Dad), shrimp (Rick B), cinnamon rolls topped with butter (Colleen), the chocolate fountain (Casey), or whatever other goodies I can get my hands on when I get home. I am hoping it works.

The heat and the gnats are starting to ratchet up over here. I can deal with the heat but the gnats are stifling. They constantly buzz around your face and you inevitably end up eating a couple if you are outside for longer that 10 minutes. That may be part of the reason that home food is on my mind.

Just in case anyone was wondering I am no where near the “stress clinic” that was on the news recently. Morale here is fine. Marines are pretty good at watching each other and asking questions if people seem bummed out. When you live and work closely with people it is fairly obvious when someone is acting differently. We make an effort to practice “intrusive leadership”. Plus when everyone has a full belly of gnats……what is there to be upset about?

Am I the only one that was impressed with Shawn’s “play” about Sage and Tavaris? I read that thing over and over again and was really impressed that I had a brother with such literary talent…..then he admitted he plagiarized it. Then I was less impressed.

Go Phoenix !!!

I love and miss everyone,

Tony

My Iraqi Friend

I met my first Iraqi. He somehow infiltrated the base. There had been reports of him all over but no one know what to do with him. The Sergeant Major is not amused with his presense at our headquarters....but what are you going to do? I figured it was a photo op.

I hope everyone had a great Mothers Day! Particularly Colleen.....it has to be tough raising two daughters and a 40 year old adolecent.

Guy got accepted to go to a camp in Indiana this summer. It is called Operation Purple and he gets to go for a week for free since I am deployed. He is really excited about it. I am sure that he will have a great time.

I won't talk about football since my last post only got three comments. If there is anything that you want to see or hear let me know. I have plenty of time.

I love and miss everyone,

Tony

Make Him Stop

If I have to hear about the middle aged gentlemen pictured above and his possible connection to my beloved Vikings all summer long........I can't be held responsible for my actions.

If we get him fine....if we don't fine....but having to hear that we might get him is going to make me nuts.

I feel like Kirk in that scene in Wrath of Kahn....FAAAAAAAAAAVRE!!!!!!!

http://www.crossfitalasad.com/

The website is the journal that we keep for crossfit. There is a couple of pictures of me in there with my toungue hangin' out. If you want to see some of the stuff that I have been doing click on comments and mine are under the name Top. Top is an acceptable nickname for Master Sergeants in the Corps. Going to these workouts are the absolute highlight of my day. They are challenging and most importantly they are different. It is the one thing in my day that has variety so I really relish it. I was extremely pleased to find thatthere is crossfit in Cherry Point so I can continue when I get home.

A little bit of bad news. Guy's X-box broke. This is the second one that has broke in three years. It sucks because we have so much money in games that we it would be a waste not to get another one. DAMN YOU BILL GATES!!!!!!

Another bit of bad news....I am ashamed to say that I have become hoplessly addicted to Celebrity Apprentice.......Pity me.

I Love and Miss Everyone!