An Issue Of Burning Importance
I looked back using my home page (useful damn tool, that homepage) and noted that I’ve been at this blogging thing since the third day of June last year. Soon after, on the 29th of July I started an unbroken string of daily posts. According to my Dashboard, I’ve posted 350 blog posts, all told. This will be 351.
In these last two weeks leading up to this Friday, I’ve put in a lot of effort to get this site ticking along in a semi-autonomous way. Naturally, my posts have reflected a lot of preparation and reflection on my pending deployment to Afghanistan.
One thing I’ve gotten back is a huge amount of emotion ranging from shock to dispair to outrage and to sadness that I’m leaving. Which is pretty amazing, considering I have never met one of you fine people in person. Funny how this all works, I suppose. Before I go on, I want to clear up some timeline issues so that I don’t sound like a stupid douchenozzle later on:
- I leave Friday, the 20th, and head down to Georgia for some training and some issue of way too much fucking useless equipment.
- After doing the Georgia thing, I get to cool my ranty heels in Kuwait. I have nothing good to say about Kuwait, sorry about that any Kuwaitis.
- Finally, I’ll get scheduled on a military flight into Afghanistan, and my asspain party commences.
So being an old hand at this Army shit that I do, I have to assume that virtually everything will come unglued at the seams on Friday. At least in terms of blogging. Always expect the worst. Having said that, what is of clear and vital importance to you all based on your feedback to me, is this statement:
I PLAN ON BLOGGING ALONG THE WAY AND ONCE I AM THERE
No guarantees to you Rant Junkies who need your daily fix. Sorry, that the way it be’s. However, to conclude this update, I’d like to express thanks to everyone who has made this almost-year so much fun. Yes, even you, John Erickson – blogless wonder that you are.
More than one of you have asked me one way or another what aspect about blogging is best to me. My answer has been pretty steady all this time. My answer is that as much fun as it is creating something – writing – it is not as much fun without the feedback on that creation. To me that makes this whole site a two-part effort, and I’ve only done one half of that work.
Thanks to everyone out there who’s done the other heavy lifting. Be patient, I’m still going to be here.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
On a similar note, the wild roses growing up the back of my house bloomed today, apparently to say, “Thank you for all that delicious pee you gave us all year! We’ll miss you!”
April 18, 2012 at 17:14
Stay safe over there.
April 18, 2012 at 21:02
I will, Sandy. Thanks!
April 18, 2012 at 18:13
next time try pooping on the rose bushes. they’ll like that even better.
April 18, 2012 at 20:47
wow. if this is supposed to be your last post before you go I’m going to feel like a real jack ass.
seriously dude, I know I haven’t been around much lately, but it’s been good times. I hope you do get to post often while you’re there. I for one can’t wait to hear your middle east rantiness.
April 18, 2012 at 21:11
Savor, don’t worry. I’ll be here from time to time. Thanks for still reading… hope your situation turns out well.
April 18, 2012 at 21:03
I’d say no, but then I know what you’d ask me.
April 18, 2012 at 18:39
Definitely the interaction in teh comments.
You’re a class act, BR. Keep on rockin.
April 18, 2012 at 21:03
You are too Guapo, as shown by your own awesome site. I’ll keep rockin’ if you do.
April 18, 2012 at 19:26
Mrs John here, John was wondering if you got his note earlier? Our intertubes are broken, and mine is the only computer working right now. You can email me at sylumalliegator@gmail.com and I can deliever any message. For about 30 more minutes. Then am going to bed.
April 18, 2012 at 21:05
Yes, Ma’m I did, and answered. Sorry your connectivity is down. I don’t fly until Friday morning, but I’ll still have my email. Tell John not to worry, and I’ll be back. You’re a very wonderful person for worrying about this, ma’m.
April 18, 2012 at 19:44
Stay safe.
I’ll be looking forward to all your future posts!
April 18, 2012 at 21:06
And safe behind my administrivial desk I shall be!! Spooooon! Or something like that.
April 18, 2012 at 19:46
Sweet post..and who are you calling a junkie? hhmmm…okay – I admit I may be addicted. You are a very good writer! (and wickedly funny)
April 18, 2012 at 21:07
I’m glad you find me somewhat amusing. I appreciate your comments and followership. I’ve always liked your posts, too.
April 18, 2012 at 20:14
Great post dude. Thanks for everything that you and your fellow soldiers do for us and come back home safe.
April 18, 2012 at 21:07
Rock on, dude! I appreciate the thought, it really does mean a lot to hear it.
April 18, 2012 at 20:16
I wish you the best of luck man. You’ve done a great job on the blog and I look forward to seeing more from you when you have time. (After the 20th that is.)
April 18, 2012 at 21:08
Thanks Rufus – and Katherine (you goddamn better pass that on, dude). I will follow your epic recipes this next year and collect them as I have this past one. No, dude, I really do.
April 18, 2012 at 20:36
So that’s the secret! Our roses are out front…guess I’ll have to wait till the lights go out in the neighbors’ houses at night. You’re our hero, Rants. I mean about the Army stuff, not pissing on the roses. Well, roses too…aw, shucks, I’m tongue-tied.
April 18, 2012 at 21:10
Muse, thank you. Chill out, and here’s your solution: make your husband pee on the roses. So much easier for you.
April 18, 2012 at 21:39
Either that, or I could strap on the jetpack with my back to the neighbors and have at it… π
April 18, 2012 at 22:49
Hmm…
April 18, 2012 at 20:58
Great. I finally bump into a fun blog and you split for Disneyland East. To quote you, “shit”. Actually, that’s an original statement. I wish you a safe tour. Watch yer six.
April 18, 2012 at 21:12
Shit.
Keep in contact here, as I said, I’ll generate something entertaining in then next year.
April 18, 2012 at 21:11
I find it so eery that you started blogging on my daughter’s birthday and then started blogging daily on my anniversary. Coincedence? I think not!
April 18, 2012 at 21:14
Tell that one guy in DC about it… the one with the pointy-out ears you’ve been trying to call. Thanks for today, Jamie, that was really awesome. I am as big a fan of your special brand of rantiness as you are of mine. Just less expressive. Y chromosome… yeah.
April 18, 2012 at 21:13
Rants! Do be safe on the other side.. We’ll be here when you decide to pop your head in…
Thanks for serving our country and putting up with tons of bullshit that I cannot possibly fathom.
You rock.
April 18, 2012 at 21:15
It’s my honor to serve you all and keep you safe. No joke. I will pop in, so stand the fuck by, as the Marine drill sergeants say. Not a Marine, but I love those guys. Darlene, you rock too, really.
April 18, 2012 at 21:36
All good things come to those Kuwait. (Sorry, couldn’t resist). Semper Fi and many thanks for your service, my friend.
April 18, 2012 at 21:39
Very good one! Not a Marine, but I love Marines too. Thanks, Heather, I appreciate the sentiment from you.
April 18, 2012 at 23:50
Rant. you have no idea how many people will miss your observations and humor. This is an example.
Funny ha ha and funny strange. xo
April 19, 2012 at 07:19
Not gone, just less frequent!
April 19, 2012 at 00:39
I echo the others. I love reading your stuff so you make sure you pop in as you can. Be safe and thank you so much for your service!
April 19, 2012 at 07:20
Thank you, and I will!
April 19, 2012 at 03:58
Thanks for being you and doing what you do. Stay safe man … and preferably with no new holes. π
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
(an old Irish blessing … just for you)
April 19, 2012 at 07:22
Fae, that is awesome! Being mainly Scots/Irish, quite appropriate too.
April 19, 2012 at 10:19
Thought it might be. I remember you mentioning having some Irish in the mix and I’ve always loved this one. π
April 19, 2012 at 11:18
I appreciate it!
April 19, 2012 at 06:02
I’m late to the party, as usual. Take care, Rants and if you be bloggin’ I be readin’. π
April 19, 2012 at 07:22
There is no ‘late’ here, and thanks Kayjai.
April 19, 2012 at 06:16
You’re still going to be here? I want my going away gift back.
Seriously, keep low and out of harms way. We all look forward to your continued rantiness!
April 19, 2012 at 07:23
Gift? Where? Thanks John, I will.
April 19, 2012 at 07:47
I’ll be thinking of you, wishing you the best and looking forward to your posts. Stay safe!
April 19, 2012 at 07:54
I will!
April 19, 2012 at 08:30
Travel safely!
April 19, 2012 at 08:36
I plan to do that. Thank you!
April 19, 2012 at 10:19
Internet is the weirdest place. Friends all over the world… but you’ve never met them.
If there’s one thing I’m good in, then it’s mental support, so take this with you if you’d like to *mental support, carefully packed, airplaneproof* and use it when you need it.
(Mental support can be used for almost everything, for mental support, as a comfort, to cheer you up, to throw at others, etc. No prescription needed. Very tasty when dipped in tea.)
April 19, 2012 at 11:19
That’s going into the duffle for sure!
April 19, 2012 at 14:06
Rants, I’m really gonna miss you! Stay safe as you can and I’ll be praying for a very uneventful tour. Glad you’ll do your best to keep up on the blog for us rants junkies. Hoping for safe travels!
April 19, 2012 at 14:50
Thanks, Audrey. I’ll be safe.
April 19, 2012 at 14:33
What else can I add, with all the wonderful posts preceding mine? You just behave yourself, ’cause if I have to come to the sandbox to bail your butt out, there’s gonna be BIGTIME trouble! π
Keep yer head down and yer powder dry, and watch out fer them Spam MREs! π
April 19, 2012 at 14:54
I appreciate your thought too, John, as always.
April 20, 2012 at 07:20
[…] More than once. Morezennow unlocked one of the mysteries of Jesus, and BrainRants got ready to head off to Afghanistan. Be safe, […]
April 20, 2012 at 07:37
Stay safe. Don’t make us wait too long between rants. Because it’s all about us, you know.