Striving for gratefulness August 18, 2009
Posted by gretchenarchangel in Uncategorized.Tags: blogging, military, Other Nifty Blogs
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“Adopting” a soldier has changed me a little. I think about the guy frequently, although I hardly know anything about him. I don’t even know where he’s stationed. What I do know is that he wants snacks and Axe body wash. This, and a few letters a month, I can provide. This is very little for what I feel like I am getting in return.
Can I get a… July 7, 2009
Posted by gretchenarchangel in Hot Guy Pic, Ranting, Sports, baseball, hockey.Tags: Andy Roddick, Baseball, Detroit Red Wings, Hockey, Hot Guy Pic, military, Random, Ranting, Sports, Work
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Ah, so much has happened since I have last posted. Mostly, I’ve either been busy or lazy, so the writing thing hasn’t happened. So, now, it’s catch-up time. I’m always trying to do this in fun and somewhat interesting ways, so here’s a new one. In line with the Jay-Z and Ja Rule song “Can I get a…”, I’m going to line out some random thoughts. Hold on to your lunchbox…
Tidbits July 1, 2009
Posted by gretchenarchangel in Hot Guy Pic, Ranting, Sports, baseball.Tags: Baseball, Chicago White Sox, Hot Guy Pic, Indianapolis, Indianapolis Indians, military, Rich Harden, Sports
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I couldn’t decide if I wanted to do a whole bunch of posts since I have a few subjects to go over or if I just wanted to cram it all into one. I determined that this may keep me from rambling too much. Maybe.
I am going to “adopt” a soldier to send stuff to. I have a total soft spot for military personnel, and have been mulling this over in my head for a while. I am still a little nervous. What if “my” soldier finds my letters really freaking annoying? Will the care packages make up for it? I guess, overall, it doesn’t matter. He or she doesn’t have to write back. But, I could be lucky and get someone who appreciates my obnoxious sense of humor…here’s hoping.
Next subject: I should probably move before I go insane. The State of Indiana passed a budget yesterday. It only took 9,273 days to do it. Kidding – it only felt like that long. The worst part is that the state budget includes a component to bail out the worst government department ever - the fucking CIB. That’s the Capital Improvement Board for the City of Indianapolis, and this little group is responsible for the operation/maintenance(!)/whatever of two of the city’s four sports venues – Conseco Fieldhouse and the blasted behemoth that is Lucas Oil Stadium. Why does the CIB need a bailout you ask? It’s because they’re a group of idiots that a) don’t know shit about how much it costs to build and/or operate anything and b)like to kneel at the throne of Irsay. Truly, it is an extension of the overwhelming dislike I have for the Colts and their ownership, but it has it’s own twist. I’m now paying for it in multiple ways. It’s not enough to bump up the sales tax and food/beverage tax and tourism taxes (hotels and rental cars), no, now I have to pay for it out of my State income taxes. MOTHERFUCKERS.
Moving on before I blow a gasket somewhere: The White Sox have now won 4 in a row, defeating Cliff Lee and his Indians last night in a weather-shortened game. Yeah, bishes, 11-4 brings us above the .500 mark. That would be nice to hang onto. I do have to say that Michigan alumni Clayton Richard didn’t do half bad last night in his start. I’ll not complain about it, at least. We’re set to rumble again tonight – let’s go for the sweep!
The DH and I went to the Indianapolis Indians’ game last night and had a good time. We had great seats on the third base line (my preference), and watched a crazy one. Indians’ infielder Chris Barnwell now has a new nickname – Barney – from us for his, um, antics last night. I still think Mike Koplove has a weird approach and he earned the loss, gaining two strikes from this fan. Sorta-hottie Garrett Jones and his big bat have been called up to PGH, and Jeff Salazar got the same deal. Once again, we’re trying to groom the kiddies for an upward move…at least we’re not in last place this year.
Super Hottie Matt Kata is still surviving on the Astros’ roster, occasionally making big enough plays to stay alive in the Majors. That’s good enough for me; they keep video highlights involving his hotness coming on the Astros’ website. At last night’s Indians’ game, there was an announcement about a Fantasy Night at Victory Field…the DH says “nope, that was last year for my wife. One season too late.” He’s a good man for taking my drooling in stride.
In closing: Welcome back to the bigs, Rich!
Photo: AP via tsn.com
180 May 22, 2009
Posted by gretchenarchangel in Ranting, Sports, baseball.Tags: Baseball, Chicago White Sox, Joe Mauer, military, Ranting, Sports
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I feel so much better today. I think everyone has to go through those days of total shit to get to and to appreciate the good ones. So, this is like a 180-degree difference…
…which is a whole fucking lot like the damned Chicago White Sox did yesterday! WHAT THE FUCK? 20-1? Yeah, it’s freaking hilarious when it happens to the Spankees, but it ain’t funny when it happens to the South Siders. Oh, yes, I know – Hottie Deluxe Joe Mauer killed us with his big bat (pausing a moment to think of the really dirty images and thoughts on that line…okay, I’m good) what with his grand slam, 872 doubles and perfect dazzling grin, but it is well-documented that I can love individuals while hating the team. Even my good friend N sends me an email with the subject line “Oh for the love”. Anyway, that bit of bile out the way…
I would like to post my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for our military personnel, the police officers, the firefighters (more dirty thoughts…), and those that we have loved and lost. It is a brave and wonderful thing that you do/have done, and for that, I am extremely grateful.
On the military note, I have to bring up the kid in this story I read. Here’s a photo of a kid, 19 no less, fighting in Afghanistan in his pink boxers and flip-flops. Turns out he ran out of sleeping quarters to help when they came under fire, and he was worried that he’d be in trouble for not being in full uniform. I say to give this lad a medal for bravery. I’d probably sleep in full riot gear in such a place. I’ve included a link to the story in the pic, so click to read the AP story on Yahoo!.
Spc. Zachery Boyd of Fort Worth, TX, far left, wearing 'I love NY' boxer shorts. From far right is Spc. Cecil Montgomery of Many, LA and Jordan Custer of Spokan, WA, center. (photo: AP via Yahoo!)
And the award goes to… November 12, 2008
Posted by gretchenarchangel in Ranting, Stupid people.Tags: Football, Good Bad Ugly and Funny, military, Ranting, Sports, Stupid people, Work
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I have such a bad attitude about work today. I think it’s because I had yesterday off, so I had the equivalent of two Mondays. I know, I know – stop bitching about having Veterans’ Day off. I’m not whining about having the day off, nor would I in any way downplay the significance of the reason for the Federal Holiday, but coming in today was like pulling teeth. I left from the house 15 minutes late, but I got here on time. I’ve been harassed and harangued to go to this stupid awards ceremony that work is holding…
Let’s break this down. First: Veterans’ Day. I am a staunch supporter of our troops – deployed, stationed overseas in peaceful countries, stationed here at home, training, at rest, on leave, and – most importantly – home to stay. My heart breaks for each report of troops we’ve lost. If not for these exceptionally brave people, I couldn’t get on here and piss and moan about all the stuff I have/don’t have. In fact, I would probably have a lot more to bitch about if not for them. My deepest gratitude to our military personnel and their families. We wouldn’t be who we are (good, bad, or otherwise) without you. Thank you for doing what I couldn’t.
Now, work. We have these “employee awards” once a year. They’re supposed to recognize our peers. In fact, the premise is solid: coworkers nominate each other for jobs well done, major accomplishments, and great ideas. That’s where the good stuff ends. After the nomination forms are completed, they’re sent to a committee – not of peers, mind you – but of high-ranking people who a) don’t know shit about what they’re reading and b) bend to political pressures. So, it’s a favorites game not necessarily based on accomplishments or exceedingly good work, but on who jumps higher when told. It might be obvious, but I am not one of those folks. Thus, I’m still here at my desk – working, actually, while I write this little post.
And, speaking of work, I should get right back to that. (cough, cough)
Good: Amazingly enough, Mike Singletary decided to try and punch in the game-winning score with a run play at the goal line. The Cardinals held up and kept the 49ers from a win. So, something in football worked out the way I wanted it to.
Bad: It’s too early to freak out about Minor League Baseball, but I checked the website for the Indianapolis Indians on Monday, and Super Hottie Matt Kata is not listed on the roster for 2009. True, a whole lot of guys aren’t on there (we currently have no manager, no hitting coach, 6 pitchers, 3 1B, no 2B, 1 3B, no catcher, and no RF), but…who am I going to ogle if he’s not there??
Ugly: This post at MGoBlog. This totally fucks with my Christmas shopping, I swear. Consider this some preemptive negative publicity for RichRobots…bastards. Boo!!
Funny: The Stupid Idiot Guy from Monday’s post (re: Ben Roethlisberger) is an even bigger moron than advertised. This morning, he said that he was all confused with his bank account balance – it was quite a bit larger than it should have been – until he saw that his paycheck was pending and his balance already included it. He’s been here for a while now – that shit doesn’t just change; it happens every two weeks. And, he was wearing a Mr. Rogers-grade cardigan and a white belt. I nearly blew coffee out my nose when I saw his outfit.
I am so mean. 
Those that serve July 22, 2008
Posted by gretchenarchangel in Uncategorized.Tags: military, movies
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You can see that I’m getting a lot of work done today.
Anyway, I was surfing around, and landed on a page about “wierd” ads. There was an article about how odd the writer found one of the previews/commercials before the start of the Sex and the City movie. Read the article here. The commercial was an “ad” for the Marines…in fact, it’s a beautiful message to the citizens of the US FROM the Marine Corps.
See the video at this link.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and this author got some serious comments regarding her opinion. Here’s mine:
This video made tears come to my eyes. I get that way when I talk about or see the extrordinarily brave men and women who are willing to leave all they have behind to go “do their jobs” to (probably) make the world better. Hell, I know I couldn’t do it. Sorry, but I don’t deal well with people yelling at me, and that’s a reality in the military (at least in boot camp). My heart goes out to these folks. I loved the video. How moving and impressive.
So, is the wierd part that it was shown at the beginning of Sex and the City? I say not so much. The probable target market for that movie is women 16 to 60, to go for a wide base. These women are sisters, girlfriends, wives, mothers, even grandmothers of the soldiers represented in that video. How proud they must feel that their loved ones can make that much of a difference in the world, and, in my case, move people to tears of appreciation. How impressive that these women live in a “free” country, where going to see a movie such as Sex and the City is never given a second thought, let alone that the movie was allowed to be made in the first place. What keeps us that way? Those very same people in that video, and many, many more.
My utmost respect and appreciation to all the members of the military and their families. Thank you for doing what I couldn’t. If I see that ad in the movie theatre, I’m going to give it a standing ovation.
With tears in my eyes.
