From the Captain

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080204/united_baggage_surcharge.html

Changes to United Airlines service this spring. Plan to shell out $25 more dollars to get that second bag to your domestic travel location.

These guys are nickel and diming us. Security fees, fuel surcharges, charging for meals and headsets, now charging for a 2nd bag to be checked. Maybe next will be the restroom fee!!

SS

http://www.glennmillerorchestra.com/

Folks,

One of my favorite bands when I want to relax in Hawaii with a cold Mai Tai while enjoying the sunset! From an era gone by, but not forgotten!

SS

http://www.linkinn.com/_Scary_Airports_to_Land_on

ss

Sidejacking prevention
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/251.7/popup/index.php?cl=6247859


Interesting video on how you can have your information stolen in a public wi-fi spot and how to prevent it.

http://www.anchorfree.com/downloads/hotspot-shield/

ss

Just wrapped up my first sale on Ebay, making money now! Fairly easy and I got paid within 5 minutes of the end of my auction. Sent to item to NY and my estimate to ship was on the money. Hope to sell more items next time.

SS

I endorse Mitt Romney for President and I approved this message!

http://www.mittromney.com/

I will never vote for John McCain who wants to sell out the American people by giving amnesty to 12-20 million illegal aliens. Fact of the matter is we have been invaded by these people and they all need to return to where they came from. Apply to come here legally and I have no problem, with LEGAL immigration.

In particular, we are not the dumping grounds for Mexico (largest group of abusers, not to say there are not some excellent people from there and some of them are my friends). But the failure of the Mexican government to provide for its people is not the American People's responsibility to educate or employ them. In fact, it is not our responsibility to educate, employ, or defend people of any country but our own.

I know someone will make the argument that these people do the work Americans won't do or if they did not do the work, prices would be higher on things I buy. This is a great argument for me to explain, why they are wrong. For the work Americans won't do argument, okay, maybe some validity; however there are legal mechanisms in place to allow temporary migrant works to work in agriculture sector. So there is a legal way to come here and work. If we expand it a little great, but let the American people choose.

Second is the prices would go up on everything we buy. Okay, but if the price goes up, I do not have to buy the item. That gives me the power of choice and I control how I spend my dollars (not the government). What is happening now is that you have to pay for all the illegal's kids in your schools (paid for by your taxes). Not to mention, a large segment of these people using the hospital emergency room for their primary care, which increases your taxes, your insurance premiums, limits access to care. So you see, we end up with the bill and have no choice about it. I can control my spending better than the government can for me. Having illegal aliens cooking in fast food joints does not benefit me, because I don't eat that. But I am saddled with tax burden. It is so simple.

Then there is the group of folks that says well my husband is there so I am entitled to enter the USA and live with him. Wrong!! You have to apply like everyone else. Some folks will say you are so insensitive, really? We think about this, I am waiting in line (like everyone else) to bring my fiancée here from Thailand. So this issue affects me too. But at no point, do I think or have I thought about the fact that my fiancée is entitled to walk right into the USA. I am not insensitive, but want to be a good American and adhere to rules.

Real Americans know we have been invaded by these people. It is sad that others here want to give free pass to these folks to move into your communities. With their logical (and to bad not their money too), we should open to door for anyone and everyone. Our nation would cease to exist if we let every person in from around the globe. Bottom line, if you listen to them you is going to be broke and be left wondering what language we are speaking at the moment.

So back to my main point, vote for Romney and say no to McCain.

SS

Folks:

I am selling my first ebay item! I have selling Two Hynix 512MB DDR 333MHz (PC 2700) SDRAM Memory Chips for laptop (200 pin). Pulled from a Dell Inspiron 8600 I owned. Chips are used, but in working order. Any interest, let me know or visit my ad at www.ebay.com item number Item number: 150208638956


Cheers!
ss

GO HAWAII BEAT GEORGIA!! COLT IS THE REAL DEAL AND TODAY YOU WILL SEE WHY!!













Image source: Yahoo.com

Illinois does not deserve to be in the Rose Bowl, as they are weak!! GO USC!!!!!!












Image source: Yahoo.com

Wishing everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I have just returned from 20 days of vacation in Thailand! I traveled to my friends house in Bangkok, then to Bang Saen, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin, Ko Samui, Phuket. Great trip as this is my second visit this year! The people and food are wonderful in Thailand! You can spend a fortune or a little and have great trip. Some of the best food was from the cheap little noodle shops all over Thailand. The nightclubs are amazing and so is the shopping in Bangkok, all world class.

Big news shortly, as I will be holding a virtual meeting in the near future. Stay tuned!

Cheers,
SS

Last night I waited for 3 hours to have Duane "The Dog" Chapman, from the hit TV show Dog the Bounty Hunter, autograph his new book at a Borders store in Kanehoe, Hawaii. They were up to a thousand folks in the store and it was utter madness. You had to buy the book in order to get his autograph and you could not take photos with him. There was an area available to take photos and you will see my photos on my webpage. Dog, Beth, and Baby Lisa where there last night. Dog was very nice and so was his wife. Now, I got the book signed for my mother who loves his show! I know she will love it!

SS

Well, I finally have found sometime to update my site and blog! Unfortunately, it is we I am sick. I caught a sinus infection in Hawaii (where I am currently living) in July. Awful, as I missed the fireworks last night.

Looks like Benilde St Margaret’s Class of 1987 is holding our class reunion in SEP 07. Not sure if I will make it or frankly want to....some good folks up there, but last time I went up there it sucked, as everyone didn't have time to hang out..busy with crap. Not sure I want to waste my time and money flying to MN.....will see....

I am still pending a decision if the Army is going extend me one more year in Hawaii as the BDE S4 500th MI BDE. I hope so, as I have enjoyed my time here. Next thing I have to tackle is getting promoted as I am due to be promoted to Major...just need to have the CAARNG move me into a slot. Keeping my fingers crossed. Starting ILE now.

In late May, I made it down to Hermosillo; MX for an old friend of mine's wedding. What a blast! Great people, not at all what I had expected. Some of those ladies were HOT! Great to catch up with some old friends and few new ones. Also, I got to spend a few days in San Diego and had dinner with another old friend, Doug Bania from BSM. We live about 4-5 miles from each other and have not seen each other for 10+ yrs. Good trip.

Now, I have 47+ days of vacation to use and I am thinking of going to Thailand. I have a friend in San Diego who is from there and has introduced me to a few of her friends. I figure that I am in the Pacific; I might as well make the jump across the pond as I am closer than I would be in CA. I will keep you posted.

2006 was kind of a rough year, as I divorced my wife (who is a good and loving person), my mom struggled with Cancer, i moved across the globe (again!!), started a new assignment, yada, yada, yada.......halfway through 2007 and I think overall things are good. Miss my stepdaughter, but other than that...doing well.

From the Captain.

Well, it has been awhile since my last entry. Things have been crazy. I left San Antonio, TX and headed home to San Diego, CA. While in San Diego, CA, I made two trips to Portland, OR and one to Las Vegas, NV. Then I was recalled back to the Army and sent to Hawaii. I am working as a Brigade Logistical Officer (S4) for the 500th MI BDE. So far so good; the staff and soldiers seem very nice.

Besides going to the beach on the weekends, I have been trying to get out and explore around the Island. Last night I attended the University of Hawaii vs. University of Nevada-Reno football game at Aloha Stadium. Ticket prices were a little step at $38 for upper level sideline, but as it was Military Night, i got two tickets for the price of one. I sold the spare I had for $19 to some guy, effectively cutting my cost to $19. The guy I sold the ticket to never showed up to the seat; my guess was that there were about 30,000 in attendance for the game, not a full house.

Lots of fireworks on the offensive side of the ball for both teams. The Wolfpack of Nevada have been a reasonable good team the last few years and came to play. The Warriors appear to have a good quarterback in Colt Brennan (passed for 419 yards in this game) and a big running back in Nate Iiaoa (219 all purpose yards). Hot and humid in the stands with a 6:05 pm kickoff (not sure if the game was on the mainland); as the sun went down a full moon arose over the stadium. Could this foreshadow the crazy finish we had, as the Wolfpack were howling at the moon. With just minutes in the game, Nevada was inside the 10 yard line and had four chances to score, but Hawaii held on for the win. Hawaii 41-34 over Nevada.

Great experience while watching WAC football, two good teams with quality players. I am hoping to go to the rest of the Warriors home games while in Hawaii.

How Fast Can You Go?

Well, If you are looking to determine if your home or work internet connection has speed, then this link will prove it. Neat little test to see how good or bad your connection is. Hope it helps....