We're Moving - Update

Okay, yes, we moved; however, there is a little snafu with the domain name stuff...so in the meantime re-bookmark here and update your readers!

Moving to WordPress

Yup,

I'm going to take that plunge and move over to wordpress. If you have any tips, idea's, how to, and any suggestions to get my mind working on it, let me know. I can't wait to see what works out...

thestoutsonline.com

See you there!

In Thailand!

Well, we're here in Thailand starting to head east! it is a great feeling. I'm sitting at an American Sports Bar that is very classy and relaxing. Kris is the manager and when he was in the Navy he was my bosses (sp) boss back in the day. I think you can check them out at http://www.moorebar.com.th or something like that. Sorry, i'm blogging using my phone so I can't hyperlink it normally.

the count down has begun to our return. I can't wait! Alex is going to join me for a few days right before we get home so you'll get a full report frm the two of us when we get back.

Not much else going on. Advancement (promotion) results are possibly coming out mid month. We'll see what happens there. Keep your fingers crossed.

well, that's all for now. See you all soon!

Places I've Been

create your own visited country map
or write about it on the open travel guide



create your own personalized map of the USA
or write about it on the open travel guide

What to do?

So,

I've had a lot of time to think lately and unfortulantly not enough time to talk to my wife or family. Thankfully I've been able to call them recently but due to the time difference and cost of the call, I never really feel like I've been able to talk to anyone. Sure, Stephie talks about Ryan and I listen intently and I laugh, cry, feel proud, etc. It's just not the same.

I was getting off track. So, what do I want to do in life? Do you remember elementary school? I remember in 5th grade, we were asked to write down what we wanted to do in life and what the world would be like in ten years. I remember thinking, "I want to marry Allyson Sawyer..." I had a huge crush on her in 5th and 6th grade. We went to different schools later and of course I was always too scared to even talk to her. Good thing, cuz I love my wife! Anyway...I wrote that cars would be flying and I would be old. Ha ha...

I sit here and remember when Mr. Vangelder would say that we could be the President of the United States, or an astronaut. I wish I could remember what I was thinking? I think President crossed my mind, but I was just a kid.

I have roughly 3.75 years left on my current contract with the Navy. I will have 11 years in the Navy at that point and only 9 left till I could retire. There are some nice benni's to retiring from the Military. I'll only be 40, lifetime Medical/Dental Insurance, lifetime Commissary and Exchange benefits, lifetime access to MWR Resorts around the world and Military Flights for free. Is that something I really want to hang in another 9 years for? I'd have 9 more years of having to pass a physical fitness test twice a year, I'd have to work people who I possibly just cant stand, be a professional babysitter, be a professional janitor, have to deploy several more times an possibly a year at a time, miss more of my families life.

So, do the benni's out weight the costs? I mean, I can understand the physical fitness test, I just hate running. Well, I'm a slow runner thanks to my knees and the fact I'm out of shape. When I get on the Elliptical I can run up to 4.75 miles now, but I wouldn't say I really enjoy doing it that much. Also, I'm pretty slow. I can't run a 1.5 mile in less then 13 minutes. Yeah, people think they can walk it that fast, I can't. Push-ups and sit-ups who cares? I always do well.

What about politics? Could I be the President some day? I don't know. I feel that I'm too independent on issues. This whole thing going on right now sometimes just angers me. I like some of the plans of the Democrats, and I like some of the Republican plans. I'm registered non-partisan before someone gets on my band wagon. The think I like about Republican's is I feel much safer at home. Democrats can save some money. Then everything is situational and not really one particular person's legacy or fault. I don't know. Maybe local? Could I do that? Then I remember how my parents being in a newspaper industry always told me never to draw attention to myself. It's better to be known as a quiet, cool, collected, well mannored, humbled person. If I entered into pollitics, the private life would be gone.

I've always wanted to work on boats! ALWAYS! I love boats! Sail, power, outboard, inboard, cruising, racing, you name it. I want my own sailboat and eventually power boat some day. I'd love to have a Melges 24 to start, and maybe someday move on to a J-Boat. Anyway, should I get my liscense and be a day captain or something? I could do that. I thought in Middle School that being a captain of a San Francisco Ferry might be fun.

What about the church? Service? I like to serve? I love God, I love worship, I love Jesus and the Bible. Is it really cut out for me? I'm a sinner just like anyone else in this world. Could I clean up my act and come around? I don't know. It has crossed my mind though. I don't know if I could really be a pastor, but staff or a leader might fit. I don't know.

What about teaching? I guess I can tell you more about that after I transfer to be an instructor. We'll see. What about continuing in the electronic field? Maybe as a business owner and part time tech vs. a worker bee. I don't know...I'll have to see. In High School I wanted to be a Sound & Lighting Production Company. Maybe...Hmmm

Well, I don't know where I was going to end this with. I had a plan, then I was distracted by software updates and google. I don't know, I just want to come home to my wife and talk to her about it. I've got plenty of time...

Bahrain x 4

Do I really need to say more?

Bahrain x 3

Yeah, we're here again. Today sucks weather wise. Thankfully this will be a rather short visit. I have duty tomorrow. Going to a birthday party tonight at Trader Vic's...

In the mean time, I'm just sitting here with my buddy Chris and cruising the net. Woo hoo!

Steve Gray @ The Desert Dome

So,

I say so a lot. Just noticed that. Anyway, on base at the Desert Dome there is the Steve Gray Band which will be out here for two months. A mix of artists from a recording drummer, Steve Gray obviously, experienced lead guitarist. They do covers and some originals of everything from Rock, Rap to Country. I didn't get to stay and listen much, but they seemed pretty good. The Dome set them up with a Allen & Heath GL3300. That's funny since we (Life Church) just sold a GL3200. Anyway, it wasn't their board (The Bands) so they were at a slight disadvantage. On top of this their sound guy was actually their Roadie and Manager. More of a light guy then anything.

So anyway, I chit chatted with themfor a little bit (the area is kind of dead right now) and looked over the equipment for a bit. Looks like they started out with good intentions. When I came back later after they had started, the sliders were all maxed out, meters were barely moving and everything but the bass guitar sounded good. I was thinking about offering my help, but I thought that might be a little bit rude especially since that's what those guys do for a living.

Anyway, I would say check Steve Gray Band out. They looked like a pretty good band and the did sound good for what I did hear.

My Addictions - INTERNET

So,

Here I am in Bahrain again. I had duty on Tuesday, so I rushed off the ship as soon as I could to go to the exchange and get on the internet. Stephanie is up at my parents house and I wanted to get on either iChat or Yahoo Instant Messenger and SEE my family. Well, apparently Batelco who I guess is the primary and possibly only internet provider for at leasts Manama, which is where I am, was having internet problems. We walked everywhere! Finally around noon my time someone had come back from the mall, where I am now, saying they even went out here trying to get on. NOTHING...So I was very dissapointed that I didn't get to see my family yesterday.

Today I brought ye ole lappie along just in case it worked. We got here at the mall about 6:15'ish and I didn't want to get my hopes up. So I went and browsed for a moment. Took a pit stop at the Sony store, then walked over to Starbucks. Expecting to not get anything, I sat down and reluctantly pulled out my laptop. Sure enough, it works!! So now I'm waiting to see if Stephanie will wake up and talk to me. I don't have a ton of time, but I'll work with it.

Can you believe how important the internet is to me now? Wow...

In Bahrain - still

So, the american dollar doesn't go very far here. For every Bahraini Dinar, it's $2.64'ish. When taking a five minute taxi cab ride, we've been able to barter down to 4 BD. Small electronics are super expensive here. Also, PS3 games go for well over $100 American.

Alas I sit at Starbucks again. This time with James and Rachel. We're going to see National Treasure Two in about an hour. I'l hang out here in the meantime.

One thing that is kind of irking me is that I tried to comment on Alex's and Billy's Blog. For some reason, I can't leave comments on the Wordpress blogs. :-( <--Makes me sad.

I'm in Bahrain - Happy New Year!

So..Here I am, sitting at Starbucks of all places drinking the water. Hey Karl, I agree it's pretty good. I never have liked coffee, but I just wanted to get on the internet and this seem to be the best place. At least according to my friends HT1 Lee and Grant who are addicted to World of Warcraft. I just wanted to blog, get updates, and check my e-mail.

So here are some pictures from Saipan, followed by our oh so joyous Christmas Day Det Photo...

So, as you can tell we were really happy. I don't have any pics of me since those were just off of my camera. The ones that are of me are back on the ship.

Well, other then that, I'm going to say bye for now and do some updates. I will update you more later!

-Chris

Hey All, an update!

Well all,

I'm in Saipan which is part of the Marianas Islands. I'm at one of the local hangout bars. I've had a few drinks, which is probably too many. There isn't much here to do so it's usually just end up at the same place every night. Last night they had this kickin' cover band and they totally rocked! Gave me total inspiration to learn the guitar and songs and maybe get back into the vocal realm. Well, tonight a different band is playing. I really can't drink enough to make them sound better, hence the reason I'm blogging.

On the technical side of the house, they are running a Cerwin-Vega combination which has got way too may watts for this Small place, but it seems to work if you enjoy permanent hearing damage. Using a Berringer board. I'm not sure what kind of amps, but that is okay. Bass is killer! Last night and tonight the bass players were playing 5 string bass's. They are pretty good. Last nights band covered Nickleback, Brittney Spears, 3 Doors Down, and such. This band has slaughtered way to many to even claim they tried. I figured if I had a few more, they'd sound better. Well, nope. I guess I shouldn't talk because I still suck, but I'm trying to learn. It's okay, everyone has got to start somewhere.

Well, so far we've been to Guam and Saipan. Guam was on base liberty only which was okay. Saipan I golfed and spent way too much at the bar. Went to a Vegas like Copperfield show. Wasn't worth the money, but I can say I did it at the Hyatt Regency in Saipan.

My chain of command has proven to be exactly what the rumors have been. You have to be very careful of who you select as friends and trust. I think I've found a select group, most have transferred in with the same opinion. Hopefully we'll be home soon. Man, I pray that is the case.

Life Church seems to be moving along. I got a e-mail from Alex the other day. He said that they are in the new building now, but tithe has been way down. I'm praying that it comes up and that they are growing and glorifying more then I could even imagine. Keep them in your prayers!

Well, I'm going to go now. I'll talk to you all later!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I just wanted to say, that today was my mother's birthday! Happy Birthday Mom! Wish we were with you!

What a handsome guy...

Need I say more?

Evacuation?

So today I was talking to some of my co-workers and the subject of what to take and do during an evacuation came up.

#1: I'd load my truck up with my Guitar, Drums, Sitar, Computer, mixing boards, and my Motorcycle.

#2: I just bought my big screen TV, so that'd be the first thing I pack up.

#3: My dog.

#4: My babies (in reference to her two cats).

#5: Let it all burn. I've got insurance.

Well, answer #1 might be okay if you're Karl Verkade, but what about the rest? I could buy #3 since I consider my dogs my children and I suppose even #4 even though Cats and I don't get along all that well. I feel that answers 1, 2, and 5 would be the most dissapointed in the long run. I'll tell you what we prepared with today:

1. Pictures of our family
2. Cody's ashes (we had to put down our 9 month old puppy a while back and still haven't been able to let him go fully)
3. An external hard-drive with all of our video's and pictures since we don't have many photo albums anymore.
   
4. Important documents (either take with or put in our fire proof box that lives inside our fire proof safe).
5. Combo/keys to sed safe.
6. Medications
7. Address book with Contact information for family and friends. (A laptop would be considered okay in this instance)
8. Diapers, clothes and toys for Ryan (our 3 month old son).
9. Food/Treats/Leashes/Beds for our dogs.
10. A few days worth of clothes/toiletries/water/snacks f0r ourselves.

What would you take?

What do you mean you're back?

So yeah, I'M BACK! I apologize for the two weeks of nothing. I was embarked aboard USS Germantown (LSD-42) with no internet, telephone, or TV. Unfortunately, expect more of the same, at least no updates. Blogging is kind of a no no. I'm finding ways to work around it; however, it means that I have to make sure I don't disclose current operations and such.

Well, I'm at Tahoe right now with my parents. I'm going to head to bed, but wanted to update you all!

What to blog about?

You know, I have the urge to blog about something...but I don't know what! Any ideas?

I guess one really cool thing to check out is Karls Rant over at betterthanblank! It was a totally awesome e-mail!

Check it out. You might want to read it in parts! LOL

Tech Confessional Delay

Alright guys, sorry for the delay in the tech confessional. Stephanie's best friend, Michelle and her boys, Caleb and Seth, are visiting and I've been kinda busy. PLUS...Stephanie had a 102 degree temperature on Sunday, so I had to leave before the first service.

All accounts have been said that it went okay. Jon has been fantabulus in taking initiative. It is nice to have fresh blood on the team that is motivated!

So I promise I'll throw a generic Tech Confessional up here before next Sunday!

2 Hip for Me????

So, a couple of days ago, I was driving down California Oaks going towards Guitar Center trying to find some short cheap XLR cables (a bust) when I came across this car. It was a beautiful Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG. Now, let me fill you in on it's specs:



Engine: AMG hand-built 6,208-cc DOHC 32-valve V-8. High-pressure die-cast aluminum alloy cylinder block

Net Power: 518 hp @ 6,800 rpm

Net Torque: 465 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm

MSRP: $127,775



Now, that's one hell of a car! (Yes I said Hell.) It was so icredibly beautiful, sounded like a Mercedes, moved like a Mercedes, etc. I fell in love with it...until I saw the license plate, 2HIP4U. What kind of statement was that person trying to say? I immediately wondered, "Is this person too hip for Jesus? Too hip for God? Do they go to church?" It just seemed like a bold over the top statement to me. I mean, just look at the car! I would love to be able to own that sleek little black number with the limo tinted windows someday, but does that mean that I would have to be "2 Hip" for even that person? I don't know...

Ryan's Bed

Ryan was fussin' a little bit and we tried a few things to calm down. Well I finally picked him up and just walked around a little bit and eventually sat down on the couch. Apparently he found that my chest made a real good bed.