Not Yet

Today, I think about John Chapman.

The song and it’s image listed at the end of this blog reminds me of a close brother in arms.  Don’t look at the image below of a Gladiator and think of the actor.  Instead, as you read this post, for a second of your time, look at the images and see a true American warrior.

The title of the song…”Not yet” means one warrior to another…I will see you on the other side, just not yet.  There is more work to do and we will care for your daughters.  From there, we will continue the good fight.  So long brother, but, never good bye.  To read John Chapman’s Air Force Cross Citation, please go to this link: Not Yet.

 

Not Yet, posted with vodpod

Fulva Drive

One simple dance be shared.  Gracefully time slows.

In these eyes dreamt, genuine…beauty captured.

Back and forth, held close rhythmic breaths, where else be in awe.

No matter what becomes. Here, I will be.

Prepare To Cross Over

Hold on

“And this land, means less and less to me without you, breathing through it’s trees.”

Mumford & Son’s

To get you meant, only one thing stood between…life.

Failing Little Man, meant we would have failed.

Failure in this life, was, is and will never be an option.

What once a possibility can still be….  Everything else follows simply remains …life.

Prepare to Crossover

My reason

Simple, complex and unique.  Attractive.  Intelligent.  Silent, fragile yet strong.  Mysterious.  Independent.

Touch and feel of softness, the smell of spring.  Sight of something new, yearned for when alone.

 

Warmth when cold, close when afar.  Alive day or night, bright when our world is dark.

 Gracefully balanced, peace of mind.  Without a word, the very sound leading home.

Enduringly beautiful.

She’s my reason to wake.

Prepare to Cross Over

Gentleman…Warrior

To Little Man,

Remember this advice

It’s best to win without fighting.

When near, appear far.  When far, appear near.  Sun Tzu

A gentleman, a true gentleman isn’t only one who is well-groomed and dresses well. A true gentleman doesn’t only enjoy Johnny Walker Blue Label or poker with good friends.  A true gentleman leads his household.  A true gentleman loves and respects his woman…

Through hard work and discipline comes children, a house, perhaps a new car or kitchen of her dreams. Communicate, communicate, communicate your way through conflict, all will be well.  Surprise flowers here, a kiss there, everywhere are smiles even tears.

While at home, it’s dinner for two or more. Away with your boys, she gives the space. All day away at the stores, whether it’s purses or shoes, she too gets her space. While at home, your time is shared

While on the town, date as if it’s the first time together. If ever she is physically disrespected, or hit on in unwanted ways even treated less than kind, in no way over react.  Separate her from the conflict..address the individual and move on. If bad enough, send her home, soon enough you will both be together.

Returning to the scene…with patience, simply wait. In silence, observe for other signs and focus.

Perhaps, it was only immaturity…return home.    If any other way, be aware.

If he is far, draw near.  If near, drag behind far. When the moment is right, swiftly seize your opportunity…

When returning home, she is well, safe and near.

  Just like your grandfather, are ways of a gentleman. Through your Dad’s good friends, are ways of a warrior.    A true gentleman loves and respects…while a true warrior defends.

Mumford & Sons – White Blank Page (Bookshop Sessions)

“Tell me where was my fault…in loving you with my whole heart?”

“Lead me to the truth, and I will follow you with my whole life.”

On course

What is one supposed to do?  Found her smiling, eager to spend more time with you.  Everyday riding your motorcycle, nine months together swiftly passes by.  You do it wrong.  Time and responsibilities force you to leave.  She stopped smiling.  Was it because you approached her, or because you chose to leave?  You won’t know that answer.

Without saying it face to face, you would soon return.  At 16, she is too young, messages written in code encouraging her not to quit on you leaves you in limbo.  On with her life she goes, yet not once did thoughts of her leave your mind.  Still wanting to find her, you move on, plotting the course of a new life to intersect with hers.  Obstacles soon force you off course far greater than yourself beyond your control.  Sometimes six months at a time, you’re taken away farther from her.  No matter what is, failing to navigate close enough showing how serious you’ve become disrupts the efforts.  Months go by, years pass by no closer have you become.

Silence. For almost a year her silence is deafening. What motivates is loud and clear, the experiences of her, images play and replay reminding how good her presence is, leaving you to want more. Instantly, naming off a hundred details why you love her. Her eyes, her laughter, tears of joy and sorrow, intelligence, boundless energy, radiating attractiveness…
Memories are all you have…you drive on.

Yet to be married…she pushes you further.   No matter how many storms on the horizon, still on course.

Even if alone, I move forward.

What would you do?

Spitting Teeth

Growing old without Jojo and Little Man is disturbing.  Time doesn’t seem the same and life isn’t the best without them.  The sun does not set or rise.  What was beautiful before is a passing thought today.  What I valued before has little to no meaning.  Without them, the day doesn’t arrive new and the night doesn’t come soon enough.  Watching how fast these past eight years have passed concerns me.  Why do lessons learned have to be so costly?  Are all these challenges meant for a purpose where so many losses and failures happen for a reason?  I ask these questions because from the very start, when forced to make a choice eight years ago, I chose to pursue a good life with Little Man and Jojo, finally new warrior responsibilities. After all that I failed at, I’ve come to believe that the unhealthy thinking I may have been pursuing the next warrior life.  Fact is how I couldn’t have all three.  Little Man, Jojo and that life.

Today, I seriously look at life different, but I don’t.  To read more, please click this link: Spitting Teeth

The Only Exception

I did everything I could to sleep with her.

She looked over the records where her notes collected over time from our weekly meetings.  Dark brunette cut shoulder length, glasses, with tattoos hidden under her blouse.  The artwork spread all over her shoulders, and down her back wrapped around her thin frame.  She was strong-willed with a mind like a steel trap. It was the details she craved.  With severe back problems from childhood, she pushed through her hidden pain.  Every month she took injections to cut the pain, only once a month would she be forced to rely on a cane.  Younger than myself, I could never understand how something so irritating could happen so soon to a woman.

Posted on the walls behind her were diplomas for a Bachelors and Masters degree in social work and medical policy, a Molly Pitcher award for leading military wives at Ft. Bliss, Texas.  It wasn’t only how cute she was; some of it was her intelligence, most of it was how she rebelled against the mainstream.  She was a pistol, and no one fucked with her.  Being the lowest pay grade on the scale, she didn’t have high-profile responsibilities.

To read more, click on this link….The Only Exception.

For her, here is Paramore’s “The only exception.”  Enjoy.

Brilliance

Certain there is nothing in me, she is sure I am not the one. What she won’t understand is what I possess.  Ability to endure.

Never a hero, an angel, I’m only a man.  Someone simple, one with something most do not have.  A love far consistent, resilient, even brilliant like no other. Where she looks is not where I stand.  What I want is to be that man.  The man she thinks about, dreams about and wakes to ponder about.

In the end I’ll stand to move forward.  Redefining my own life where it is what it is.  She will arrive.  It may not be her, but she will come.

Let me fall

Our family was no different from any other family in America.  Hard work, success, loss here, a failure there.  Bills, vacations, cars, vans and trucks.  Houses, garages, back yards with neighbors, the beach,  Halloween, Christmas, Grand parents and cousins.  A sporting event here. concert there.  9/11 and war.  Report cards, bonuses, overtime and loss of work.  High school graduation and college bills.  Worse, death in a family and divorce, the failure of the family.  Life moves on.  Not so easy.

Adults can manage what life throws at us and will.  Children new to the experiences of extreme losses, deal real-time.  Few things if any overwhelm parents more than the children.  One repeated lesson I’ve learned is how our children are resilient.  What was daunting as a child is forgotten as a teenager, yet it never fails to stay seared deep in the minds of the parents.

My son, waited for me to leave the military and return home.  He was seven years old the day I arrived.  He jumped in my arms shrieking with joy and shared all the plans he had for us.  To read more, please click this link:  Let me fall

Forever Young

Bear with me, there is a point somewhere in this post.   Rarely do I play a musician’s videos twice in a row.  For some reason, Jay Z‘s video “Young forever” has me thinking about growing old and dreams.   Because I’m right in the middle of being young and being an older generation, go with me on this.

What do you expect out of people?  They could be family, friends or people you’ve never met before.  Respect comes to mind, respect for people’s boundaries, privacy, property, feelings, their past and most importantly, their dreams.  No matter if you are young or old, they both demand respect from each other.  Those who have walked their own path’s much longer, demand respect.  Meanwhile, younger generations feel there will be no time for tomorrow may not come; their dreams are just as important.

To read more, go to this link: Forever Young.

Fuck time.  I’m still going for what I wanted years ago.  There is no doubt in my mind I will win it.

Forever young.

2011 Triumph Daytona 675r

I feel a change coming on, something new at new times.  Since I’ve recovered health and a new life, most disagree that a sport bike is called for.  For over two years, in the back of my mind has developed thoughts of switching from a cruiser like my old Harley to a new refined sport bike.   This bike, avoided in the past because from the beginning I’m made for the Harley experience, camaraderie and lifestyle.  I feel right riding alone or with a few friends.  To read more…click here:  2011 Triumph Daytona 675r

Jay-Z – “Empire State of Mind” Ft Alicia Keys

125 million views on YouTube. Amazing. A simply straight forward kicked back song to end the night.

Your morning wake up call! Beastie Boys – Sabotage

Sabotage

Image by abyssalmissile via Flickr

Sabotage, the greatest Beastie Boys video of all times. If only all of us could play out our alter egos the way The Beastie Boys do. While I have to resort to Halloween, or theme parties, if you’re as Fab and famous as these guys, you can do it via music videos. Playing both the heroes and the villains, the boys do ’70s cop like no one’s business. They covered it all: chops, ‘staches , donuts,…(Author unknown).

From now on, you can call me…Cochese.  For now, enjoy your morning wake up call.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/beastie-boys/biography#ixzz1joYJgGNe

20 something, Zen and a woman

Standby for a hundred questions.

What makes a relationship with a man or woman so important? Why can’t we go alone and explore living a good life alone? There are plenty of women out there. Date one here, sleep with another there, hide from the others. No, if men stayed alone, not only would we lose our mind, we wouldn’t only be unhappy. Your average man would become immature, fat, dumb, poor and out of shape. Or does that happen after you get married? Do the same things happen with women?

What I do know about men and women is when they are in their 20′s, life is proof how both men and women turn into…well, they are complicated.   To read more, please click here: 20 Something, Zen and a woman.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under The Bridge (Video)

When you cannot pull up the new music of Red Hot Chili Peppers, go back to the basics where you will find their finest work. In this case, their 1991 classic “Under the Bridge.”  A song I found with old friends when we were only 19, the Chili Peppers came out with “Under the Bridge” when Grunge (Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Sound Garden) exploded.  A song that brings back good and bad memories, it’s a tune that will last a life time.

What is the finest work of Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea plus drummer Chad Smith and guitarists John Frusciante, “Under the Bridge” proved to break Red Hot Chili Peppers into mainstream.One of the most successful acts in rock history, Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold more than 60 million albums, including five multi-platinum LPs, and won six Grammy Awards, including “Best Rock Album” for Stadium Arcadium, “Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group” for “Dani California,” “Best Rock Song” for “Scar Tissue,” and “Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal” for “Give It Away.” The band holds the record for the most No. 1 singles of all time at Alternative radio, a total of 11, and a combined 81 weeks at No. 1.

Al Qaeda Lapis and Tarnak Farms (Stones of war)

Lazurite-Pyrite-Marble-26290

Lapis lazuli (sometimes abbreviated to lapis) is a relatively rare semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense blue color. Lapis lazuli is mined in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan as early as the 3rd millennium BC and there are sources that are found as far east as in the region around Lake Baikal in Siberia.

Why do I bring up the subject of Lapis Lazuli? Because I came across this semi-precious stone in my journeys through Afghanistan. Found within boxes piled high in an Al Qaeda training camp outside of Kandahar, Afghanistan known as Tarnak Farms. Location of some of the main planning and training for the 9/11 hijackings, Tarnak Farms housed boxes and boxes of Lapis lazuli stones. We came across these stones after our team took over Kandahar. We were the first twelve Americans and less than 100 Americans to step foot in Tarnak, we were able to recover many of these Lapis rocks and bring them home to our families.  To read more, please click here: Al Qaeda and Lapis War Stones.

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Where is my mind?

Pay attention to the video when you listen to the song.  It slowly unfolds.  Thanks to XD Photography Blog for recommending this song.

I’m no longer trying to figure out why things happened.  Moving forward with my son’s hand in mine, in search of a bike and a woman like Jojo.

Wrong Timing

I can’t do the talk. I can’t do a love song like the way it was meant to be. I can’t do everything but I’ll do anything for you.  All I do is miss you and the way we used to be.   All I do is kiss you through the bars of a rhyme. (Dire Straits)

Jojo was a good strong woman then, she’s only better now. Only once did I watch her cry. Then a second time. A third time too many. The first was not because of me. The others were. I just don’t understand why. Was it when I approached her? Did I do it wrong or was I wrong? Where did I fuck it all up? We didn’t have an argument or yell at each other. It was time pulling us apart from each other. To the point we didn’t say a word.

This is the way I understand things. Just tell me I’m not off in my own mind creating this sense of drive for each other. I felt it. I felt all of it and more and wanted more of it.

On the final night I spent all night writing my last words to Jojo.  I left her behind a message telling her not to give up on me.   What I couldn’t say to her face, I was forced to write in that letter.  It was everything I simply couldn’t say.  Telling her that no matter how long it takes to not once ever quit.  As I wrote that note, I saw that approaching storm on the damned horizon.  I was fucked from the beginning.  No matter what happened, I wanted her to know that I had to leave.  When I did, when the timing was better, I would find her again. What I could not tell her was how I had to first end the failed marriage I had with her good friend. Little Man’s mother.   At no time did Jojo ask me to do anything like that.  It was me.  All me.  At the time of that note, I made my choice to find Jojo again. The pursuit just wasn’t the right time.

The pursuit for Jojo continued through emails after emails  month after month.   It appeared after each email, I only got worse.  Then it became a year, and another year. Jail, hospital after another, six months here, a few there. Before I knew it six, seven and now eight years have passed me by. My son grew older, so did Jojo and myself. However we all grew years apart. The two most important things in my life could not be brought together with me.

After experiencing Jojo the way I did, I wanted to give the same thing back to her. I wanted and still want to share things with her where life is mutual.  Where we both give and take from each other without saying a word.

Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dream

Not a “woah be me” song. Just a great song by a band that broke punk into mainstream music.  I think you will relate to the lyrics and enjoy this song.  When I say they broke punk into popular music, I’m not referring to punk who stayed punk or punk who started punk. By no means is this considered a punk song.  Green Day just originated as punk.  Regardless, Green Day, just like Metallica went viral if you would and took their genre to the public making it big leaving a great impact on music.

This song reminds me of what it’s like to have friends and family drop like flies while you pursue what you are after. Failing throws curve balls at you, yet, just before the dawn is the darkest hour. When life is so damned frustrating, just when it is about to expire, that is when it starts and the good comes around. Simply put, no matter what you never fucking quit.

Defiance

To love is defiance. Go against the grain, opposite of the world around you. Call it being stuck or too focused, I don’t care. It is what it is. She’s on my mind everyday all day. These thoughts are motivating one moment, down right upsetting the next. Meaning I find myself wanting to talk to her again sharing with her the good things in life. Next, I’m realizing how far removed we are from each other, there appears no chance we will reconnect. Regardless, I choose to take this path. It is my decision to want to have feelings for Jojo. More than once I’ve tried to give up, naturally within myself is something that refuses to quit.

Knowing she is not married yet is nothing less than inspiring. There is a chance. A chance for anything in this world. Why so many people have gone off and pursued things in this world that were impossible to others. I knew from the beginning it would be next to impossible to retrieve a new relationship with Jojo. The odds were stacked against me. Had I chosen to stay with her, she would have witnessed me as a married man try to start a life with her. Later, in the worst of times with Jojo, she would have seen me as less of a man lacking loyalty. The effort would have failed.

Tell me not to want her. Tell me to go away, to return to my home and start a new life. I will tell you in return to piss off and take the high road. My intent was to recover remnants of a past life with a purpose to recover my son and build a better life with someone new. Someone who earned my trust and respect. Someone, at the end of the day, I simply fell for.

Had I…ah, the past doesn’t matter much. Only for the lessons learned will the past matter. That’s exactly what I’m trying to convey, is how if I had done anything different, I would have compromised myself and everything I believed in. Going after my son first is, was and will always be the right thing. Had I not done that, I would not be here typing. Instead, I would be dust dissolved in some far off waters or found crumbling in mud within some hidden dump. If a pistol to the temple or dextromethrophane to the kidney did not take me, the great man above would have found a way.

All I can relate her to is … beauty. Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When you experience Jojo, you will certainly feel the same way. You want to be a part of her and share something with her. She is dynamic, alive and a giving woman who carries herself with confidence. Being so attractive, she’s confidently able to walk everywhere with her head held high.

This woman is that impressive…she would endure rides on the bike for over 12 hours. Not complaining or whining wanting to go home or stop. She wanted to live life to the fullest. To the point, I taught her how to ride the Harley on her own. Watching her learn was amusing and fun. She took control of the bike, let out a shriek scream and went with it. On that abandoned runway, she commanded that 600lb bike and took off pushing through the gears where the transmission begged to be shifted higher and higher.

For now, rarely when I look up do I see women who capture my attention and set off the internal fire of attraction. If they are attractive, then they lack personality, even intelligence and humor. Or, too dramatic, whine even judge others.

I don’t know, they simply are not this woman. The woman I”ve chosen to love, respect and pursue.

Can’t You See?

Allow me time to collect thoughts. This way I won’t publish less than the best in posts. For now, I’m doing what I said I would do. Let things go and move on.Well I’m here to tell you how that is easier said than done.I’m just going to sit back and enjoy this classic tune from a great 70′s band called Marshall Tucker Band with their song “Can’t you see.”

Listen to the lyrics and try to understand how this is going to be harder then it appears. I will kick back tonight and relax thinking until I sleep.

 

Allow a man time!

Peace

Prepare to Crossover

Warrior Reality – Family

No different from you, yet very different.  It’s the way of warrior life, the community and the mission that is different.  Everything else is the same as you.

Letting Go

A life I used to live included Jojo. Today, I’m working hard to start all over in a new and improved life. What I’ve written so far is nothing more than me discarding unhealthy thoughts that no longer work. If a woman is that important AND cares anything about you, she will be there. She will return on her own time. After consideration of what I’ve written, I’m experiencing healing faster where I’m moving forward by the day. Maybe I whined like a kid, I don’t care. Point is I had to write what I wrote to move on. From now on, I’m hoping to post more positive posts.

For now, I want to talk about things like my son, motorcycles, music, and share my experiences.  I believe all of them will entertain and help others.
Thanks
Prepare to Crossover

Lauryn Hill- Killing Me Softly

Memory has me sitting at the dinner table late at night doing college homework. She stood in the living room with Little Man in her arms. Rocking him to sleep, Little man’s mother would stand there alone with Little Man listening to this song in repeat until he fell asleep. Every night, same routine, same song. Consistency when our world outside of our home was chaos and unpredictable. His mom did a great job keeping things sane.

This came at a time when our marriage was rocking up and down from bad to good back to turmoil. A fact of life for most families. However his mom and I took it to another level. We didn’t physically hurt each other, however, we beat the hell out of each other verbally.

Meanwhile, at one point it appeared she was simply putting him to sleep. While I concentrated on the work, the more I listened to the song, I couldn’t help but wonder if she was trying to communicate a message to me. As she played this song every night, it was as if she was quietly telling me I was the one …killing her softly.

Conflict of Interest / EXIT

“Surrounded where choices fly like bullets.  Darkness falls. The commander and others are not listening. No one is listening. Repeatedly tell them more than once we need aircraft and we need them now! He’s not paying attention…distracted by the Afghans. Like a mental sprint searching for solutions I’m feeling threatened…thinking about enemy. About getting hurt. About hurting others. We, no, I haven’t seen them yet, just feel they are near. I feel we are not prepared. I fucking hate not being ready. I need my radio. Fuck him. I know what we need, if he’s not going to do it. I will”…..to read further, click on this link: Conflict of Interest. watch U2 EXIT video after reading.

U2 “Exit”, posted with vodpod

Warrior no more

This article is from 1927.  Spending time in hospitals, here is a note about the experiences.

Being in that hospital was one thing, being away from my family tore at me where the anxiety ripped my brain apart. It was the reality that pulled into a mental ward, it was all over with.  I entered a place I feared worse than warfare. We all fear mental wards.  Its forced on us by culture. In this case, I was a special operation’s warrior still in the community about to experience termination of my livelihood.

People were not only labeling me as insane, they treated me like I was crazy and a threat to the world I loved and defended. What hurt the most was how mental health issues are unacceptable where I had come from. Because of this fact, in a matter of minutes my warrior life would come to an end. A purpose in life I believed I was born and raised to do. Something I had wanted as far back as my memory takes me

To learn more, read Warrior no more

Eminem – Space Bound

Recovery (Eminem album)

There is a reason Eminem’s video “Space Bound”  has over 42 million views on YouTube. Caution: If you do not support strong language, violence and the “F” word. Do not listen to this video.

Despite what he writes, I’m still putting Jojo’s name as a tag.  What he captures in terms of pain and a sense of urgency about his love of a woman put’s Jojo in a personal category.  How intense Eminem gets in this song can describe what it feels like with Jojos.  A fact of reality of spending time with Jojo.  She’s that impressive and important.

Listen carefully to this song “Space bound” to see what Eminem really means.  Keep in mind, where Eminem leads you, does he mean it, or is he communicating something else?  Verbally, he spins off words and phrases that many will squirm in discomfort.  The strong language in his songs are meant for adults, not kids.  However, is he speaking the truth?   Don’t let the language stop you.  I suggest if you challenge yourself to explore and analyze this video.  Take time to see Eminem’s meaning.  Ask yourself, “what is he trying to say?”

Space Bound

Eminem, from my family’s home town, represents our city and state of Michigan.  Eminem is the Ambassador of Michigan’s “Motown” music community.  For almost 20 years, he’s become Motown‘s leader of their new generation.  What’s important about Eminem is how he’s a dedicated father of a daughter.  He’s passionate about being a father.  Eminem has also struggled with being raised in an abusive household, finally, his marriage with his ex-wife was explosive.  Explaining the source of his lyrics.

Whatever the reason, he struggled with a serious drug abuse problem (Prescription drugs).  No different than most of America these days, he has since cleaned himself up recovering to produce his finest work to date.  Hence, the title “Recovery” of this album.  This MP3 is by far, Eminem’s finest work.

Dr. Dre and Eminem have created a splinter genre almost on their own.  As a result of their joint work, Eminem has sold over 77 million records leading every band and singer in all genres.  If I’m correct, I believe this is a record of all time.  Even surpassing people and bands like Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones, etc.  This record sets Eminem apart from any other artist cementing his credibility raising his work to a whole other level.  This burst in performance is evident when listening to his lyrics.  I don’t care how old or young you are (+16) people from all generations can relate to lost love.  They may not admit it, but it comes down to one word.  Passion.

In this video “Space bound“Eminem grabs a hold of the English language firing out words showing the resentment he feels from loving a woman and losing her. Dealing with lost love and infidelity.  Listen to Space Bound and see if he captures human nature.  To understand where he is coming from, see if you can relate and understand his point.  After listening to Space Bound, ask yourself, did Eminem stir anything within you?  Are you stunned, confused or even enlightened?  Could you do what Eminem did with music and make listeners get emotional?  Do you have those skills?  I know I don’t.

Regardless, in Space Bound, his lyrics are meant to grab your attention, “verbally” shaking your skull leaving his point seared deep in your mind where you are like …”Oh, I get it, yeah, I know what he means, I’ve been there.”

Warrior’s Purpose

This is the reason we do what we do…or have done.

Little Man in overalls at age 2.  I was away for six months at US Army Ranger School.  A school that was only supposed to take 70 days.  Being the only Air Force guy in a class of 150 posed for some pretty strange behavior on the part of the Army…my rebelling didn’t help.
Regardless, all the time in the Benning phase throughout the mountains of North Georgia and swamps of Florida, I carried this photo inside a zip lock bag.  This was the first of many long trips away from Little Man.  He is and always will be my motivation.

2 x Photos with both Little Man and I were taken when he was 3 yrs old.  My second long (six months) trip away from Little Man.  This trip was the first time on an official “combat” tour.  Simply put, this photo is me saying good bye to Little Man enroute to my first experience of war.  Within an hour of this photo, I boarded the C-5 Galaxy aircraft in the background.  In conclusion, he is the reason I did and still do what I do.

Prepare to Cross over

All For a Woman

What would you do in this situation? Forced to become creative while trying to communicate to a woman you are … head over heels over. What she did to you is like no other woman. Everything from this point, your choices and behavior are based on the notion one day you will both cross paths again. All in hopes the second time around will be longer and just like the last time…we go with it.

What she doesn’t realize is how I’m the same man, only carry subtle changes. Personally, I think those slight differences have made me a better man. Problem is how Jojo doesn’t know this. Through this blog, I hope to prove what I’ve accomplished and how I’ve changed since last seeing Jojo. Wish me luck trying to stop her from running away. My hope is she will stop and turn around to see what is right in front of her. Prepare to Crossover

All For a Woman, posted with vodpod

Warriors, unspoken truth, silent code

From the start, I wanted to find these people. People I knew would be there for me and my family when we are most challenged even threatened. For us, a code of silence protected our community and still does. The purpose is to protect national security, for us, most importantly, this silence defends our families and preserves our way of life. Would these individuals be there for my family when they need help. As far back as I can remember, I knew I would do the same for those people.

The very dedication and loyalty I hold for my own family, I would give to them as well. To the point, if one of our family become threatened or worse, hurt, in the worst case scenarios, we would go as far as finding those responsible and bring them …justice. No matter if it took a day, weeks, months and yes, even years. We are that focused and patient. Taught in selection and training, we are capable of setting a task, goal or objective in our minds and not let go until it is completed.

What I mean is we wouldn’t carelessly go out and kill an individual. We would find them and everyone associated with them bringing them back to authorities. I repeat, we wouldn’t kill first. Instead, we would put the fear of God in them where they wished they were dead. Proof of this is how we are part of the groups who have hunted down Al Qaeda capturing or killing 80% of their leaders and people.

To understand more, please go to Warriors…unspoken truth, silent code..

Dog Days are over

Song tells me all this conflict and losses are for a purpose. One day my failures will be over. One day, Jojo will respond. Faith is what I have. Faith we will kick in the door through all this conflict and reconnect to some how move forward.

Keep in mind, Florence and the Machine sometimes come across strange.  It’s just their way of creativity.  Their way of communicating a message.  Also, this video only shows one image.  Simply listen to the lyrics and see what I imagine.  All this resistance and conflict will one day be over.

Dog Days, posted with vodpod

Home away from home

Not afraid of the past, after ten stays at VA mental hospitals, I’m driving forward.  Today, I’m going to share some experiences.

Combat mental illness or PTSD is a difficult subject, embarrassing, complicated even too difficult to explain.

As you read this blog, not only do you need to understand Jojo and Little Man, you must understand the path taken since 9/11.  A personal journey.

Allow me some time to put thoughts on paper.  This post will be a page, not a long post.  I’ve learned my lesson in posting.  For now, I’ll leave you with another song and brief note.  Keep this in mind.  When I post songs from women, they make me think of Jojo.  I’ll post only songs that I believe feed into this post.  If they only show one image and not a video, the purpose is to listen to the lyrics describe Prepare to Cross over.

Thank you.

Prepare to cross over

Free Fall

A United States Air Force Lockheed MC-130 usin...

Image via Wikipedia

The whining piercing sound of hydraulics introduce you to the sounds of a military MC-130 cargo aircraft. Inside the aircraft, a red light illuminates leaving you to squint to get acclimated to the darkness. A highly skilled team of aviators flies this plane into a predetermined mission somewhere classified.

As a member of the US Special Operations Command I had the privilege to work with this aircraft.  This account is what it is like to jump from this plane at 30,000 or six miles above the earth.

Read about this account at Airborne Insanity.

All I ever wanted

How is one supposed to get a woman like this out of your mind. It’s impossible to walk away from Jojo. Let it go and move on in your life.  You are 14 years older than her, she’s too young.  Going after her will take you backwards. That’s what they all say.  All I can do is raise my hand and flip the finger.

Pearls and sons

He waited for his mom and dad patiently being the warrior son he is. The anxiety of …separation of the family and how young he was. A symbol of innocence from a boy who never whined, complained or pleaded for his parents.  Just like every other kid in America, at 5 yrs old our boy knew what his mom and dad and their friends were doing and why.  Eventually, being in the arms of his grand parents (Both sets) we were able to focus on the mission. His mother eventually made it back to America. The day she arrived she dumped her gear in our empty house. Fueling the truck, she departed that day driving 12 hours to recover her son.

During the first Afghanistan trip (Oct 2001-March 2002) I chose not to take pictures of Little Man or my ex-wife. Also, I chose not to bring “moleskin” journals.  Concerned if we were caught, I chose to go into Afghanistan stripped of memories.  For fear, what we carried would enable people to track down our families.

This first trip to Afghanistan was different from any other deployment I had been on.  One difference was the immediate loss of American warriors.  While overseas, Daniel Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was in Pakistan working on a story/mission about Pakistani extremism and the source of the “Shoe Bomber.” On his own, Mr. Pearl finally started to crack the code of Al Qaeda. With his work, researching alone, he was hot on their trail.

The pen is mightier than the sword. Mr. Pearl’s pen had active impact against Al Qaeda. Soon enough, when they caught on, his mission came to a halt January 23, 2002 after being kidnapped by the very terrorists he hunted. The kidnapping occurred within 150 miles of our site, making the event more sickening. While ground zero in New York City and the Pentagon still burned and smoldered, over international TV, Al Qaeda took Mr. Pearl, dressed him in an orange jump suit. In front of the world, they slit his throat killing him.

Within weeks of his death, Daniel Pearl’s wife Mariane would later leave a legacy of Daniel Pearl through their first-born baby warrior son. Giving the world a gift, a new symbol representing what Daniel Pearl and his mission meant to this world.  For his son, he will always be in good hands.

Daniel Pearl

Image via Wikipedia

Wicked Me

Falling in love with Jojo came slow yet fast and unexpected. Six months with her on the motorcycle made me regain sanity and peace of mind. Compensating for loss, I chose to overlook how wrong it was. To this day, despite all the shame and despair, I don’t care. She was and is genuine never meaning harm against my failed marriage. She was real. Ever since I look at no women the same, yet waiting for Jojo.”What a wicked thing you say, you never felt this way. What a wicked thing to do, make me fall in love with you.”

Choices of loyalty

A song about my journey. The choice to walk away from his mother, falling in love with Jojo.  The choice of my son.

Not once did I ever compromise loyalty. Without his mom, I’m ok. Without Jojo, I’m less of a man. With my son, I am the man

Highway 20 Ride, posted with vodpod

War, PTSD and Metallica Unforgiven 3

 

Returning to America alone from war in Kandahar, Afghanistan and Iraq found me home without a house and family welcoming me home. Six months remaining in the military. throughout the days and nights, I became resentful of everyone I had worked for.  Angry for failing to take care of my family, both accepting responsibility yet blaming others, I became furious at my ex-wife for choosing to leave and putting me in a position I would have to decide on the mission or my family.  Angry at her because our marriage was about to fall apart anyway.  She took my son with her.

Choosing to get away, I spent my days and nights purposely avoiding work, riding my motorcycle for up to 12-16 hours at a time. I didn’t care, no one else cared.

Riding along the gulf coast of Florida, I met the new Jojo. By accident, unexpectedly, at 16, the new Jojo grew and matured while I was away to welcome me home. To be brief, over those six months we rode together everyday and night…

To read more, please click here: War, PTSD and Metallica Unforgiven 3.

Enya and Al Qaeda – Christmas 2001 – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Yes, I agree.  Enya mixed with the War on Terror, or, Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) is strange.  Just shut up and go with me on this.  There are reasons to my madness.

Imagine having the honor of being one of the first to go forward and defend this country.  There are so few, you find the little things to be a luxury.  Like toilet paper, cigarettes, coffee, magazines and newspapers and most importantly, letters from home.

Imagine you took over a city, it’s airport and the surrounding area.  Your team secured everything now waiting for replacements.  One night, just before Christmas, you wait for the Marines to arrive.  Over the horizon from the surrounding desert, you see the rise of dust as the oncoming armada of “Devil Dogs” approach the city. Leading them into your area, you release this group of warriors to take over.  It’s here you finally find a break to catch your breath and rearm/refit.

Christmas 2001, weeks following 9/11 at Kandahar, Afghanistan.  On the brink of divorce, my son’s mother and I overcame many infidelities, barely holding on to our marriage.  That year we left our son Little Man (Age 5) behind in America with relatives and separately made our way to Oman and Kandahar, Afghanistan.  As a surprise for both of us, other warriors set up a trip where my ex-wife met me in Kandahar.  We shared Christmas where she brought with her this Enya song.  A bizarre mixture of Irish music with scenery of war in Afghanistan.  I will never forget this song.  It rings over and over seared in my mind.  Memories of war seem frozen in time forever carried in your brain.

I remember Christmas night she and I shared a dinner of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) of Spaghetti and hot chocolate/coffee.  We found ourselves talking all night long about our Little Man.

That night at the Kandahar, Afghanistan Airport, we cleaned out a bombed out building at one point laying in the middle of the night on top of broken glass from a window.  Despite the crunching and crushing glass, we found ourselves alone for the first time in almost six months.  That night we stayed together making love all night.  After weeks of fighting, that night was our first source of peace in months.

The following morning, as she lay asleep, I remember having head phones on listening to this song.  Staring at my ex, I had hints of falling back in love with her.  It appeared from our view point, the experience of 9/11 and our work brought the two of us back together.  Despite all the conflict, arguments and hatred for each other, we always loved each other.  Watching her sleep, I was alone to contemplate what the future was bringing our family.

What was supposed to be an overnight visit turned out to be six days together.  For just a year afterwards, we enjoyed a return to a strong family.  However, follow on deployments led us to barely hold on until two years later we eventually divorced.  The final straw, our marriage ultimately collapsed under the strain of war.  We screwed ourselves going into battle, yet we worked hard to make it work.  Due to our choices we became a casualty of war.

Ride of my own

In time, my search and hunt for Jojo may come to an end.  What I must do is take care of myself.  Next to Jojo, the bike was that source of peace of mind.  Parked to sit alone, the bike is alive no matter day or night.  Waiting and ridden full throttle cruising and relaxed.  The hum of the engine sets the tone and pattern of the moment.  A continuous rhythm felt throughout your entire body.  Putting one at ease.

It’s time to find my bike again.  Sold eight years ago soon after the last ride with Jojo, I’m now feeling the bike call me.  Brilliant black with shiny silver like chrome threaded throughout the  bike, once in my possession I’m ready.  Until my son grows enough released and moved out on his own, on my motorcycle I take a journey or ride of my own.  It’s here that I’m ready and willing to ride across the entire country.  The bike leading me back to this woman until one day I return to my final home.

Diamond in the rough

A man pursues his woman of choice until satisfied.  Sometimes going through multiple partners, a hunter by trade, a man searches until he captures what he wants. Water, food, shelter and a woman. Not all in that order. He hunts for it all. Everything.

When it comes to a woman, any good man will look for a woman capturing one’s attention. For some it’s any woman. For others, searching for a specific woman. Much like a diamond, he looks for specifics like “cut, color, clarity and Carat weight.”  In a woman he searches for standards. Criteria. Values. Lessons learned from the past decide who they will pursue and capture for the future.

Any good man raised well searches for what is most important in a woman.  He searches for an attractive woman.  That means a clean and healthy woman. Intelligent. Outgoing. Independent. Knows how to cook. Athletic maybe active with a thin to average frame. Humorous. Educated or skilled. Traits of a good mother (For my future children). Most importantly, determine whether she is a good lover. That, of all things is the most private most difficult trait to discover.

The standards are a blue print for what works best for this man.  To get it right, he looks for something mutual lasting a lifetime.  Ultimately, as with Jojo, the search for her takes so long, she gets better with time.  She becomes a diamond in the rough.

My conflict is how Jojo once wanted me, yet now wants nothing to do with me. She introduced herself to me revealing who she is setting inside my mind a deep wish to want her in my life. Wanting to one day start a new life with her growing old together. Jojo met every standard and criteria I had set in my mind for women.

Due to my choices, forced to leave Jojo, I’ve carried hopes one day our paths would intersect again. Making all the right choices, I shouldn’t have saw this refusal of hers to communicate. Somewhere something went wrong, just don’t know where or what. Ever since, my criteria, values and standards haven’t been met yet. Without Jojo in my life, I care about no other woman. From this point on, to the end, I’m ready to never see her again and ride out this life alone.

Sail Away

How does Jojo have this impact on me?  Watch this music video listen to lyrics.  I want to switch the word “Sail” with “Ride” as if the two of us “riding” the Harley again.  Listening to this song, you will see and agree I’m appearing pathetic, trying to get Jojo back to where we once were.  All in hopes she will stop running away to turn around and open her eyes.  I want her to see I’m in front of her.  She refuses to respond.  Can’t hang on begging longer, will ride life out alone no longer wanting love.  Listen to lyrics…click on link David Gray – Sail Away.

Pursuit of a lifetime

I find myself day dreaming about the bike and Jojo. If I could have one moment with her and talk to Jojo, what I would say to her is…

“Not once have I quit on you. What felt like a lifetime…You are the one woman I cannot live without.”

“Jojo…I love you.”

Leaning forward-looking at her with her eyes still closed, placing my hands on either sides of her face. Looking more closely at her staring at her beauty the attraction fuels growing stronger as I approach her. With her lips partially closed, I feel her peaceful breath against my face as I lean into kiss her even embracing her.