A Cartoonish Life of Quiet Desperation

Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb.

http://garfieldminusgarfield.tumblr.com/

Sacrifice


KIA Soldier Took Wife's Place in Iraq
April 16, 2008Richmond Times - Dispatch


A Virginia National Guardsman who re-enlisted so his wife, also a member of the National Guard, wouldn't have to go back to Iraq was killed April 16 when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb south of Baghdad.

Staff Sgt. Jesse Ault of Dublin in Pulaski County was 28. He was serving with E Company in the 429th Brigade Support Battalion out of Roanoke.

A native of Wheeling, W.Va., who grew up in Middlebourne, W.Va., Ault joined the U.S. Army while still in high school and joined the National Guard after moving to Virginia.

Yesterday, his wife, Betsy Ault, said she and her husband were dating in 2004 when their unit was deployed to Balad, Iraq. They returned to Virginia and married, she said, and her husband was "100 percent family," relishing time spent playing with her son, Nathan, 10, and their toddler, Adam, 1. He was so devoted to the family, she said, that he decided to take her place after her unit was told it was being sent to Iraq.

"Jesse separated from the Guard after the deployment [to Iraq], but I was still serving when my unit was alerted early 2007," she said. "Jesse loved our family so much and saw how important it was for me to stay with my sons, he joined the National Guard again to take my place on the deployment.

"The day he landed in Kuwait, I found out we were pregnant. He was allowed emergency leave to come home to see the birth of our daughter, Rachel." Rachel is now 4 months old.
Mrs. Ault is still a member of the Guard but is in the process of being discharged, according to Guard Maj. Alfred Puryear.

Ault was killed just three days after another Virginia National Guardsman, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah McNeal of Norfolk, was killed near Baghdad.

"There should be no doubt that the Virginia National Guard has an important role in the global war on terrorism," said Maj. Gen. Robert B. Newman Jr., adjutant general of Virginia, in a written statement yesterday. "Now more than ever, we all need to strengthen our resolve and continue to stand behind our men and women serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Mrs. Ault said her husband "was a loving and dedicated father and husband and a brave and loyal soldier."

"Jesse loved all things University of West Virginia and Jeff Gordon," she added. "He cheered for the Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Braves. He liked fishing and golf and loved to ride sleds down the hill with Nathan."

Check it Out

Dear IAVA Supporter,

Thanks to your continued support, the new GI Bill has made some amazing progress in Congress in the last 48 hours. The Bill now has over 50 co-sponsors in the Senate and 188 in the House of Representatives. We are working hard to get it passed this year so our troops can start getting the benefits they deserve as soon as possible.

Today, IAVA ran ads in newspapers across the country, targeting influential Congressmen- both Democrats and Republicans- who haven't yet signed on. We've also launched a new website that will make it even easier for you to get involved in supporting the new GI Bill, at www.GIBill2008.org

At www.GIBill2008.org, you can get the latest updates on the progress of the Bill, see if your representatives have signed on and visit the Action Center. With a single click, you can submit a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper, write your Senator or Congressman and tell your friends that you support the new GI Bill.

Forward this email on to your friends and let them know just how easy it is to support the new GI Bill. Be sure to check back at www.GIBill2008.org for updates.
Thank you for your support.


Sincerely,

Paul Rieckhoff
Iraq Veteran
Executive Director

Tales of Douchebaggery #2

Scenes from a Courthouse

I had the pleasure of sitting on a jury pool two weeks ago. Now..in the 21 years since I turned 18 I have been called to jury duty five times. This past time was the first since 2002. I was still under the impression that people were supposed to dress up somewhat. I can recall my earliest jury summons notices stating that jurors should dress appropriately for a serious civic duty.

I can remember wearing a suit to my first two times...and most of the men wearing at least shirts and ties. The people in "street" wear were so few that they stood out.

Oh lordy how the times have changed in a small span of time.

I was only one of two men in a suit this latest time. A few were in business casual...sweaters and such...but most were in jeans and t-shirts...or worse. A few of the younger kids looked like they were on call as extras in a 50 Cent video....complete with ballcaps, shades and and way too fucking much bling. The women were even worse. One lady was in pajama bottoms.

I thought it was odd and sad that the defendants in the halls were dressed better than the prospective jurors.

Anyway...the real douchebaggery comes not from the slovenly dress of my fellow jurors (and my crotchety complaining about it)...but from their behavior.

I really, really, really hope I never have to face a jury. Because these people sure ain't my peers.

I say a conservative estimate of the percentage of people who slept in the jury pool room was 40%...slept through the head judge's speech....the intro of a visiting Japanese judicial official (Japan is adding the jury system to it's legal system)...the instructional video...the talk from the bailiff...etc, etc, etc. The snoring was so loud at times people were laughing. People couldn't stay off their cell phones even when explicitly told to...and at least three dummies took off their shoes (one with some serious foot stink) and used chairs as footrests so they could recline and sleep. At least two people got into arguments with the court officers...one shouting...when they were told they couldn't bring food back into the room.

Ach. Maybe the Japanese legal official will go home and declare the jury system is not a good idea. Then again...the Japanese are better behaved as a people.

Tales of Douchebaggery #1

The first in a series of recountings of douchebag behavior. This one comes from the restaurant world...where many will come from.

My Russian manages a restaurant and is rich with these tales. We are both convinced people are socially devolving...becoming more rude, self-centered and stupid.

A tale of Two Douchebags.

Last week...two women came into Russian's restaurant...loaded down with shopping bags. And when the server came to their table...they demanded to know what they could get for free. They became so rude that the young, female server was reduced to tears and went to get Russian for help. They two ladies wound up getting bread and water. And demanded refills.

Yep...these two went into a business establishment...in the business of selling food...and demanded to be given something for free. And sat for 90 minutes...during the busy lunch rush taking up a booth that could have been filled with paying customers.

Oh yes, they also complained about the service on their way out. And didn't leave a tip.

==================

I can't even get into the mindset of a person who goes into a business and demands freebies. Aggressively demands freebies. And expects the staff to be happy about it and to cater to them.

My Latest Obsession

Lemur Kingdom.

It's like Meerkat Manor but better...because it's about lemurs. And lemurs rule.

http://animal.discovery.com/tv/lemur-kingdom/lemur-kingdom.html

Urge Surge

Just when I think I can get by just fine without the whole BDSM thingie in my life...

Someone on Alt has to go and write something so painfully sexy that my lust and my trousers swell in equal amounts.

Damn them.

Attention Lurking Visitors

Yes you...and you...and even you. All the people from Alt to whom I gave the addy of this blog. There are a half dozen or so of you (I know you visit because I track the locations of visitors) who don't have blogs here but come visit.

I'm all about the interactivity. So I'd like to ask you to become interactive here. I appreciate that you take the time to read what I write...but how about a little acknowledgement? Make a profile here and give me your thoughts.

Stop lurking! No wallflowers here, folks.

Thanks.