USO yeah!

To most a 3 hour layover in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX airport might be something to dread. True it seems a waste of time and you would rather just get on to where you are going but new advantages and opportunities have openned up for me as I swore in yesterday as an active member of the United States Army. I have discovered this happy little place called the USO that makes layovers worth laying over. The United Sevices Organization (USO) is an organization that "represent[s] the American people by extending a touch of home to the military," according to there website http://www.uso.org/. They are wonderful places and I think they do a good job at providing that touch of home. At the same time they also provide a networking opportunity where if you will put down the X-box controls and listen, or ask the right question you can learn a whole lot about the military, about war time efforts, the different branches, and about different bases around the world. I have been to two so far today. I was first introduced to the USO at Denver Int. Airport. It was a nice little facility with a very friendly and leisurely atmosphere. They had a quiet room with comfy recliners and dim lights where you can lay and rest your head for a moment and can even set an alarm clock in the room to wake you if you need. They have food for and beverages, computers, games, books, tv, and as mentioned- friendly people, all of which are free of charge to the active service men and women of the United States armed forces and their families. I am now sitting typing this in the DFW airport USO which is a little more compact yet busier but offers a few more accommadations like a portable phone to use for long distant calls to family and loved ones.

Thank you to the USO for doing such a grand job at serving. I am a big fan.

no shoes, no shirt, no cameras

When did it become "against the rules" to take pictures in a grocery store? Darren envited me along to go grocery shopping with he and his wife as this evening is my last night before going in to the army. Mother advised against us taking his Nerf guns into the store so instead we I took the camera and figured I would document our adventure. I like photograph and might even say I have an eye for unique and artistic shots. Grocery stores have many possibilities for artistry in my digital stills. I was going around taking a bunch of pictures of random things and as usual being a little rambunctious with my brother at 9:30 at night in a grocery store. As I was throwing this roll of Bounty paper towels at my bro and taking a picture of it this lady cleaning the deli counter said I wasn't aloud to talk pictures in the store. I assumed she was upset at me for throwing the paper towel so I put the paper towel back on the shelf and Dars and I ran off to another part of the store as I continued to look for good shots. As I found them I took a picture or two. Later while in the produce section a different lady, whom I shortly found out was the store manager, told me that she could not allow me to take pictures in the store. "You are serious. I can't take pictures in the store?" I can be a little more outspoken when around my evil twin. I asked her if it was posted anywhere and asked to see documentation supporting her statement. She said that I could continue my shopping and she would return in a moment. I did so and as I had yet to see documentation I took a few more pictures (I got this great one of some bananas).

I can understand the "No shoes, No shirt..." policy, but "No cameras!" What is wrong with that? Lady Ann (my sister-in-law) was about done shopping now and after a few more moments she headed toward the checkout. I caught up to her a moment later as the teller was ringing her items through. I snapped a picture. The lady had still not returned with documentation. Moments after I took the picture the teller had a phone call- it was the manager asking him if he knew where the paper was that said I could not take pictures in the store. It was apparent from the half of the conversation that I heard. And after he hung up the phone he told me that she still could not find the paper. It was slightly amusing. I am a horrible person but now she will be better prepared for the next camera wielding victim that walks through the doors of her store. I never did see that paper and I am sure that as we left she was still looking for it. And because of that my team lost.

Before we even walked in the store the proposition was placed before us; whether it would take longer for Lady Ann to complete the shopping or for Dars and me to be kicked out of the store. It is an art to be kicked out of a store for not doing anything rash but doing just enough to be not welcome.

hope

It is my opinion that every single person that breathes has to possess faith.

Everyone dreams. Dreams are a byproduct of thought, an enthusiasm for the future- those that don’t have it stop living. Equating Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection the humans that evolve to possess dreams produce offspring that too possess and nurture dreams. Dreams require hope. As I have mentioned dreams emit an enthusiasm for the future. An enthusiasm sprung from hope; hope for a brighter, happier future. James E Faust of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught that “hope is the anchor of our souls.” It truly is. It gives us something to hold on to, some constant in a sea of uncertainty. No one, try as he might, can remove from a person his hope. If you have the ability to think you have the ability to think positively, which radiates hope. In my gospel studies I have come to understand that hope and faith are interconnected, I have heard them referred to as the double-helix attribute of the gospel. As faith increases so does hope which in return produces more faith and thus it perpetuates. The reverse also being true, hope is diminished as faith withers and this perpetual circle is held together with the fragile strings of a principle called work. Faith requires action. There is no point in hoping for a brighter tomorrow if you don’t possess any inkling of faith that you will be around to participate in it. That is faith. Faith is possessed by all. However in order for faith to lead to salvation it must be centered in Jesus Christ (TF pg.54). That is a different story and is left to each individual to eventually strive for. Do my dreams get in the way or go against what I should be doing? I have asked this many times. Do my dreams overpower the promptings the Lord is willing to send me? Is it a trial of faith and patience, or a warning to divert from unseen harm? I can only know as sure as I know my heart and at times I feel to say that I don’t know me that well. As I review my surroundings and my friends and family, and their direction I feel to answer no; and thus I press onward. I love my parents and am most grateful for loving parents. The world can use a loving parent (preferably two) for every person out there, but unfortunately that is not the case.
There is never nothing to write about you just have to be willing to put forth a little effort. Before writing this evening several different thoughts popped in and out of mind. I have no idea now what they were and may never know. What maters is what is written, that is what caught my attention and what I have chosen to share.


Joseph Smith says, “If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action in them; that without it both mind and body would be in a state of inactivity, and all their exertions would cease, both physical and mental.”

2:00 a.m.

Seriously, what better thing to do at 2 or 3 in the morning than to drive around town and hang out with your two older brothers? Some might say Sleep, but that is arguable. I was finishing up some studying and a little reading earlier this evening when my brother who lives next door shoots me a message, "hey, you up?" in Google Talk. Of course, so he and I chatyed for a bit. We were having such a good conversation and I haven't spent much time with him lately, and we have until 8:00a.m. to do anything before he leaves and then I leave not seeing each other until Christmas and it was just his birthday, I ask him if he wants to do breakfast. Great idea! Let's see if Dars is up for it. "Yep he's in."

Three Pinnegar's, two-o-clock in the morning, a car, a Nerf gun, and endless possibilities. Yep, it was that good! So it turns out that at 2am your possibilities are not so endless as far as dining establishments go. We went to Denny's; we made the best of it though trying there selection of mixed drinks, munching on some seasoned fries, saying/doing what ever came to mind, which (if you know a Pinnegar) is quite a lot for that hour. After we were done at the restaurant (in other words, after our waitress was done with us at the restaurant) we had an exciting trip back to Darren's where we played a thrilling game of Pass the Pigs. It was great. I haven't played pass the pigs since before Darren went on his mission. That may or may not be true but it has been a long time. Pass the Pigs is one of the greatest games. And it is even better at 3 in the morning. It was definately a worthwhile activity and I don't think a single one of us did anything illegal...except for that part when one of us was hanging out the window trying to retreive a Nerf dart.

Happy Birthday David, I hope you had a great day.

why fly? why the army?

September brings new adventures and possibilities to my life. I now have two weeks remaining before I swear in as an active member of the United States Army. It has been a long and at times challenging road to get to this point, but I am here and am excited to begin this new adventure. Part of my application process for the army's flight program required I write a short essay on why I want to be an Army Aviator. This is that essay:

"Why I want to be an Army Aviator.

"Helicopters and the freedom of flying has been a passion of mine since I was a young boy. I have always looked upon the helicopter as the most boundless, controllable form of flight. As I have grown and matured I have become more acquainted with this type of aircraft and the dedication and responsibilities associated with becoming a pilot. My desire to become an aviator for the United States Army is threefold. It stems from a passion for the craft, the opportunity to serve, and from the thrill of adventure.

"Passion for the craft- Since I can remember I have always admired and sought to learn about helicopters and the gift of flight they offer. I have recently more earnestly desired a career as a helicopter pilot and have started taking flight school to become an aviator. The base of my desire to become and aviator for the army comes from my intense desire to understand and master the control of this fascinating piece of machinery.

"Opportunity to Serve- I pride myself in coming from a family in which service is an honored tradition. My parents have taught me by word and example the value of hard work and service to others. I have not always been interested in joining the United States Armed Services but as I have investigated my career options and contemplated the possibilities I have found that the best option for me is to become a proud soldier of the United States Army. I love serving others and the U.S. Army is a wonderful way to serve the country which has blessed me with my personal freedom, and to serve those who stand in need or who perhaps do not yet enjoy the freedoms you and I do.

"Thrill of Adventure-I love adventure and doing new things. Adventure to me is something new, something bold. It fortifies courage and provokes thought. Adventure motivates me and recharges enthusiasm. I believe that becoming an aviator for the army will satisfy and support this craving with new perspectives, new sights, new comrades, and new challenges.

"I appreciate challenges, both large and small. I enjoy the satisfaction that comes from working through and solving challenges. I know that becoming an aviator for the Army will bring many new challenges into my life, however I am confident that these challenges will strengthen me and my abilities will strengthen those whom I serve."