31 July 2004

At work and not in the mood to write much

NNatural
AAmorous
VVigorous
YYummy
DDelicate
OOverwhelming
CCheerful

Name / Username:


Name Acronym Generator
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WARNING
Navy Doc is radioactive. Wear protective clothing at all times.

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From Go-Quiz.com


How to make a Marc
Ingredients:

5 parts friendliness

5 parts silliness

5 parts leadership
Method:
Combine in a tall glass half filled with crushed ice. Add a little cocktail umbrella and a dash of sadness


Username:


Personality cocktail
From Go-Quiz.com


Your Icecream Flavour is...Chocolate!
You are the all time favorite, chocolate! Turning white kids black since the 1800s. Staining carpets, car seats, and bed sheets for centuries. One thing is for sure, you will never go out of style. You can't go wrong with chocolate!
What is your Icecream Flavour?

Find out at Go Quiz

30 July 2004

In that mood...

To everyone out there fighting for freedom and democracy:  

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

 
My Dear Son, it is almost June,
I hope this letter catches up to you, and finds you well.
Its been dry but they’re calling for rain,
And everything's the same ol’ same in Johnsonville.
Your stubborn 'ol Daddy ain’t said too much,
But I’m sure you know he sends his love,
And she goes on,
In a letter from home.
 
I hold it up and show my buddies,
Like we ain’t scared and our boots ain’t muddy, and they all laugh,
Like there’s something funny bout’ the way I talk,
When I say: "Mama sends her best y’all."
I fold it up an' put it in my shirt,
Pick up my gun an' get back to work.
An' it keeps me driving me on,
Waiting on letters from home.
 
My Dearest Love, its almost dawn.
I’ve been lying here all night long wondering where you might be.
I saw your Mama and I showed her the ring.
Man on the television said something so I couldn’t sleep.
But I’ll be all right, I’m just missing you.
An' this is me kissing you:
XX’s and OO’s,
In a letter from home.
 
I hold it up and show my buddies,
Like we ain’t scared and our boots ain’t muddy, and they all laugh,
'Cause she calls me "Honey", but they take it hard,
'Cause I don’t read the good parts.
I fold it up an' put it in my shirt,
Pick up my gun an' get back to work.
An' it keeps me driving me on,
Waiting on letters from home.
 
Dear Son, I know I ain’t written,
But sittin' here tonight, alone in the kitchen, it occurs to me,
I might not have said, so I’ll say it now:
Son, you make me proud.
 
I hold it up and show my buddies,
Like we ain’t scared and our boots ain’t muddy, but no one laughs,
'Cause there ain’t nothing funny when a soldier cries.
An' I just wipe me eyes.
I fold it up an' put it in my shirt,
Pick up my gun an' get back to work.
An' it keeps me driving me on,
Waiting on letters from home.
-Letters from Home,
 John Michael Montgomery

 

I encourage everyone to go to CMT.com and check out the Military Version of this song with sound clips of soldiers reading parts of letters inbetween the verses, very powerful.

Not much going on tonight.  We got paid tonight so I cant wait to blow my money, hehehe.  Anyways, been reading, watching movies, and playing video games.  Typical night off.  Anyways, I want to give a shout out to vadergrrrl, that Bremelo out there living it up back home.  Hang in there, we all love ya.  To Doc Arthur, You're my boy and you shall suceed! Other than that, thats it from my world tonight.  Take care everyone and be cool!




My life is rated R.
What is your life rated?


28 July 2004

More Corpsman stuff



They always talk about the Marines in this picture, but did you know there was a Corpsman here too?  His name was John Bradley, who a few days before had braved enemy mortar and machine-gun fire to administer first aid to a wounded Marine and then drag him to safety. For this act of heroism Bradley would receive the Navy Cross, an award second only to the Medal of Honor. In the picture you can just barely see the tip of his helmet by the pole.

It just goes to show that wherever the marines go, his "doc" isn't far behind.

Anyways, tonights going good.  Not too much action to speak of at work.  The good crew again, with a few others.  We all do our job and go home at night.  My bud let me borrow Robert A. Heinleins "Starship Troopers."  Waaaaayyy different than the movie, toooootally different view.  Well, I'm bored and theres not much to talk about right now, which I see as a good thing.  So everyone take care and dont do anything I wouldn't do.

"The hero is commonly the simplest and obscurest of men."  --Henry David Thoreau




27 July 2004

I got the Fool too...must be a Corpsman thing

The Fool Card
You are the Fool card. The Fool fearlessly begins
the journey into the unknown. To do this, he
does not regard the world he knows as firm and
fixed. He has a seemingly reckless disregard
for obstacles. In the Ryder-Waite deck, he is
seen stepping off a cliff with his gaze on the
sky, and a rainbow is there to catch him. In
order to explore and expand, one must disregard
convention and conformity. Those in the throes
of convention look at the unconventional,
non-conformist personality and think What a
fool. They lack the point of view to understand
The Fool's actions. But The Fool has roots in
tradition as one who is closest to the spirit
world. In many tribal cultures, those born with
strange and unusual character traits were held
in awe. Shamans were people who could see
visions and go on journeys that we now label
hallucinations and schizophrenia. Those with
physical differences had experience and
knowledge that the average person could not
understand. The Fool is God. The number of the
card is zero, which when drawn is a perfect
circle. This circle represents both emptiness
and infinity. The Fool is not shackled by
mountains and valleys or by his physical body.
He does not accept the appearance of cliff and
air as being distinct or real. Image from: Mary
DeLave http://www.marydelave.com/

Which Tarot Card Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I got the same thing as Sean.  Thats weird.  But I look at the description and nod my head in agreement.  It suits me.  Well I'm off for the night so I'm gonna watch some movies or something.  Oh Yeah, and my congrats to my hero, Lance Armstrong for his 6th tour win.  You go dood!

Back to the Basics

Well, my fun in the sun was short lived, as I am here back in good ol Maryland to return to work tomorrow night.  As I was flying back I thought to myself that 3 days getting smashed in a row was gonna wear me down.  When I got back my buddy, Doc Arthur was sitting on the smoke deck and says to me "In the mood to drink beer?"  I was like, "Sure, always in the mood to do that."  So we head back to his room and he has a fucking case of "Blue" sitting there.  I was like "Hell frickin Yeah!"  So I ran upstairs and grabbed my XBOX and we drank some beer and played games.  This is what I live for, Good Brew, Good Friends and Good times.  I would be lying if I said that I'm not gonna miss him when he goes to Oki.  He's been nothing be a good friend to me and I wish him the best when he goes to the Marines.  Doc, It's been a pleasure knowing you and your presence has been a blessing in my life.

The things I love most in the world are my parents, and my friends.  My friends are so important to me that I hold them as family.  They are what help shape and mold my life, point me away from wrong, and show me the way, and constantly are there for me.  I love you all...

24 July 2004

Some long awaited R&R

Well, I'm here in Florida, whilling with my friend and his buds down here in the good ol' Sunshine State.  It's hot as fuck, not to mention humid.  Anyways the days trip wasn't exactly perfect.

I missed my flight by like 10 mins, because after I got to the airport they changed gates.  I had worked the night before and I was tired.  So naturally I was sleeping.  Well I woke up and looked around and there were loads of people around.  I think to myself, "Alright, this is weird since the flight supposedly started boarding like 15 mins ago."  So I walk up to the dude behind he desk, and he was like, "Yeah, the gate changed like a half hour ago." Fuck me, right?  I book it, like I mean hauled ass down the airport and I get to the correct gate with 10 mins to spare according to my watch.  The guy was like, "Sorry Dude"  and I could see the plane taxing away.  I go to customer service and get seen after waiting in the line forever, about an hour or so(I wasn't going to sleep again).  I was able to get standby on a flight that lef tin an hour.  So of course I'm bummed that I don't really know if I'm going to make it or not, so I wait.  Turns out I get on it, in an exit aisle no less.  Cool beans, I can stretch my legs, and get some shut eye.  Good thing the pilot landed hard because thats the only thing that woke me up.

First thing my buddy does on the drive home is get a 20-pack of Bud.  In about 2-3 hours I had downed six, still exhausted, haven't eaten anything since breakfast(it's about 7pm).  I'm done.  Of course I'm a lightweight, only been drinking sine I was 18(2 1/2 years, see what the military does to ya!)  Anyways, I crash on his couch. and the rest is history.  My head still hurts.  Time for some high quality H2O. 

22 July 2004

You are not forgotten....

That phrase means more to me than any other saying. 

I was in a patients room just now taking his vitals, and he looks at my wrist and asks, "Is that a POW/MIA bracelet?," and I said "Yes sir."  He told me "Thanks" and I felt the tears well in my eyes.  The words "You Are Not Forgotten" are just that, words.  But the meaning and presence behind them is so powerful that it touches you to the core, or me at least.  To think that someone would endure the hardships of being a POW for over 40 years, or for a family of a member who is missing in action.  It just overwhelms me and thats why I wear this bracelet.  To remember my fallen or missing comrades, who paid the ultimate price, so that people can do the things they do. 

"HMC Michael L. LaPorte, USN, 1st Recon Div. 1st Mar Div.  Missing: Sept. 5, 1967"

Thats the name on my bracelet.  To me it's more than a name, its a symbol of what a true hero is.  I can't honestly say whether or not I'd be able to endure in thse situations.  I'd like to think I would, however without truly being there I cannot really say for sure.   All I know is that I just do my job and am able to go home at night and sleep restfully, because someone out there stands on a wall for me.  When I came home from being on the USNS Comfort, people were calling me a hero.  I had to whole heartedly disagree to their face with them.  I said "I'm not a hero, I just did my job.  The guys who are still over there are the ones who are heroes.  The guys who'll never see their wives again, the ones who will never hold their newborn child, those are the real heroes."  And you could see the expression change on their face instantaneously.  I am proud of what I do, helping others and providing medical aid.  But in what way does that make me a hero?  Thats my question to everybody....

So I dedicate this to all my fallen and missing brothers...You will NEVER be forgotten!

Chilling after work

Wow!  This is grabbing more attention than I thought it ever would....cool!

Anyways, work was good last night, even though we got slammed with admits.  The long and short of it is that I had a good crew working with me and for me last night.   The best crew on the floor in my opinion.  Everything worked so smoothly and timely to get things done on time.  And we even had time to sit around and chill out for about an hour.  The nurses were the best, helping us out with the morning routine and stuff.  It was great.

And how about Lance Armstrong?  That man is my hero if I ever had one.  Beating Testicular Cancer that mastastisied to his Brain and Lungs and going on to win 5 Tours and Threatening to win his 6th.  This guy is awesome! 

Well, its about that time.  Sorry I couldn't write more, but I'm really tired and shleepy.  I'll see all of you in the blogsphere later. 

Peace!

21 July 2004

Hanging with my pals

Well, It's 0900 and I'm bushed.  After cruising around the web last night my roommate came back from standing Medevac watch at 2300.  I thought I'd let him have some peace and quiet, so I hauled my XBOX downstairs to my pals room.  I was there until about 0400 playing Splinter Cell:Pandora Tomorrow.  He kicked me out so he could clean, which he doesn't do but once a week for room inspections.  Anyways, I cruised back up to my room to get another pack of smokes and locked my keys in my room....*sigh*.  So I carried my shiz-nit to the lounge and hooked it up to the big screen.  I was rocking down there till about 0700.  So I had to jaunt over to the BPO's office to get a new key.....  So I get the normal lecture on how I should make sure I have my keys on me before I shut the door all the way.  About that time, Doc Arthur comes rolling up the walk in his coveralls, for he just got off work.  I says "How about some chow?," and he says, "Sure, what were you thinking?"  "D's"(our slang for McDonalds).  So we rolled out and ate and came back....(sounds exciting huh?).  And now here I am....

While I'm here I want to shift gears a little bit and give someone some recognition.  Spending some time out in the gulf last year at the "Spearhead of Navy Medicine"(thats what our CO called it) opened my eyes to many things.  And I just wanted to tell someone thanks for doing what you do.  Your support, although not known to many, is important.  If your health didn't exclude you from serving, I would be honored to be "your Corpsman."  Keep doing what you do.  If there were more people like you here in America, I wouldn't be afraid to walk off bas ein my whites in fear of being spit on.  Yes it happens.  And whats worse is that I got accused of being a baby killer.  Me of all people.  You know what I did?  I pointed to my caduceus(the medical symbol I am proud to wear on my uniform) and I said. "Excuse me? While you were here smoking weed and eating your cheeseburger and fries, I was out there holding a dying Iraqi 4 yr old in my arms, comforting her in her last moments.  I was treating 4th degree burned Iraqi civilians, POWs that under the Geneva convention we are required to treat."  She just gave me a blank stare and walked away.  Hopefully I changed her mind about a few things.  Anyways, Josh, thanks for what you do.  It means a lot to me and a whole lot of other service members out there.  You may no be standing a wall over there where you'd like, but your're standing on a wall thats just as important.  Semper Fi! brother
 
I urge everyone to take a look at his blog.  And with that I bid everyone a fond adieu and good evening(or morning, or whatever the fuck time of day it is!)

19 July 2004

A day off to do.......nothing at all

I'm sitting here in my small cramped barracks room, thinking of something to do.  I've watched the Butterfly Effect three times in the past week.  Pretty good movie, but I don't like the alternate ending that came on the DVD.  Too weird for me.  Anyways I bought two new XBOX games today, True Crime and Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow.  Played TC for awhile, pretty fun to drive around LA and kick some punks ass.  Haven't played Splinter Cell yet.  I liked the first one so I hope this one delivers.
 
Anyways, not much happening today.  I have room inspection on Wednesday so I know tomorrow I'm gonna be field day'ing my room.  
 
I think I'll talk about what I was doing last year at this time.  It was about April to June last year, when the war first broke out when we were doing that 'Shock and Awe' bombing campaign.  Well, I wasn't here thats for sure.  I was floating somewhere in a 10 x 10 mile box 10 miles off the coast of Kuwait on the USNS Comfort.  Oh yes, how I wish I was out there right now.  Treating trauma patients is what I was meant to do.  Burn patients, GSW's to heads, legs, arms etc., shrapnel taking on heels.  Cool stuff.  Instead now I'm here taking care of old retired wives that are 500 lbs and wonder why their in heart failure.  Hmmmm...sounds exciting huh?  I cant wait till I get outta here and get to my ship.  Real, practical, Navy Medicine.
 
Well thats about it for now...Take care all my blogging friends and keep it real!

18 July 2004

That's why god created Corpsman!

Once upon a time, a very long time ago(106 years to be exact), God looked down at this big round ball he called Earth.  And as he gazed, he saw the forces of good he had created. The army whose job it was to defend from land attack; the Navy, to protect our shores and sea lanes of commerce; and finally the Marines, who played with the army, rode with the navy, and enforced freedom and democracy overseas.   Soon God's eyes fell upon a wounded Marine, and saddened to see him in so much pain, and to see him bear that pain alone.  He wanted to create someone to care for and love this Marine.  So...He took the flesh and blood of this man, mixed it with the salt of the sea, and he poured into it the compassion and love that we all know our heavenly father for.  And from this emerged a man, with a grit in his teeth, and a pack on his back.  This man is what we call a Corpsman, something that I am honored to share a name with.  And every Corpsman is my brother(or sister) and I am proud beyond words or thoughts to be apart of this grand family. 
 
So what? I feel a little melancholy tonight... Whatcha gonna do about it?  Maybe you should read this then if you still don't understand:
 

I shall not walk in your footsteps,
but I will walk by your side.
I shall not walk in your image,
I've earned my own title of pride.
 
We've answered the call together,
on sea and foreign land.
When the cry for help was given,
I've been there right at hand.
 
Whether I am on the ocean,
or in the jungle wearing greens,
giving aid to my fellow man,
be it sailors or marines.
 
So the next time you see a corpsman
and you think of calling him "squid",
think of the job he's doing
as those before him did.
 
And if you ever have to go out there
and your life is on the block,
Look at the one right next to you....
I'm the one called "Doc."
 
So maybe now you know why I love my job.  Maybe now you know why I tolerate fat-headed military nurses and stubborn civilian bitches.  Maybe now you know why I am the best at my job, even though I hate this fucking place.  Well later for now, duty calls......
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

King Arthur Rules!!!

I saw King Arthur the other day.... I think I have a new favorite Dark Ages movie!!!  Just the whole atmosphere of the movie was awesome.  It was a new and refreshing take on the old legend of King Arthur and his Knights.  It had very little special effects and what the effects there were, enhanced the telling of the story.  The fact that Merlin was a regular shaman, or tribal leader instead of a powerful wizard was fascinating to me.
 
Anyways I'm back at work again at 0215 in the morning and the mundacity is killing me.  My thoughts seem to always float to my brothers and sisters in Iraq, healing my fallen comrades.  What I wouldn't give to be out there with them right now!
 
I can't wait till I report to my next duty station in December.  Just to get away from this shithole of a hospital.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I hate Nurses.  Where I'm going I wont have anyone second guessing my opinions on patients that I've taken care of for 5 consecutive working days and this is their first day taking care of that patient.  No doctors to ask me why things weren't done while my hands were tied with a coding patient.  Officers in the medical field need to take that big shiny metal rod out of their ass and throw it away.  I wish the Assault on a Superior Officer rule didn't apply in these situations.  Sorry, Just felt the need to vent.  Not like anyone is really reading this yet.
 
I do seem to like the younger patients though.  Their positive outlook on life is always a breath of fresh air, especially since they just had a hole cut in them from their chest to their groin.  I find that very uplifting sometimes.
 
Well, my patients need me....Off to save some lives!!  I'm outie....

14 July 2004

Killing Time at Work

The one thing I hate about working night shift is the intense boredom from 2300-0300. I also figured that starting this would help curb some of the frustrations that have come about with my staff and people appointed over me.

Just a little about myself at first. I am a US Navy Corpsman stationed at the worst possible place on the face of the planet, National Naval Medical in Bethesda, MD. My name is Marc and I'm 20 years old. I joined the Navy with the pretenses of being a Aviation Air Crewman, and going to sea. When I arrived at Boot Camp in May of 2002 I started my Career in the worlds finest navy. On day 4 on our inprocessing, during our medical exams, it was found that I was color deficient( a mild case of Color Blindness) which immediately cancelled my appplication to NACCS(Naval Air Crew Candidate School). I had to rush to find a new job which I was interested in or void my contract and go home. I had always wanted to be in the medical field, so I signed to be a Corpsman. What a blessing it has turned out to be, except for the fact that I am stationed in the ass crack of Navy Medicine. Anyways, 2 years later and I'm a third class and awaiting my transfer to Pearl Harbor in December.

I have met several people including some of my best friends, HN Haines, HN Arthur, HN Fitzpatrick, and some others. Joining the Navy has been one of the most gratifying decisions I could have made.

Well have to run for now.....