A journal

graylantern @ 2006-09-20T08:41:00

2006-09-20T13:41:51Z

</center>Good Things to Know</center>

Here are some good things to know when shipping things to the troops over seas:

All items must be in new and in the original sealed package (except recreation items as noted). Homemade food items cannot be accepted.

Food items shipped with toiletry items will taste like deodorant, foot powder and toothpaste. To avoid this, please deliver all food items packaged separately from all toiletry items.

Pork and pork by-products are not allowed to be shipped to most Middle East combat locations. Please send non-perishable foods only. Single-serving package sizes are preferred, large packages will not stay fresh and are harder to ship. If you can stuff it in your pocket and it's not going to spoil or melt during the summer season, it's a good thing to send!

Do not ship liquids. However, the soldiers do need flavors to add to the drinking water provided to them. Please send pre-sweetened or sugar-free flavoring mixes in small or single-serving packages. During the colder months, hot beverages are in great demand. Please do not send glass jars.

Color of under clothing and socks is not as important as 100% cotton. Send fingerless gloves and stocking caps during winter months only.

Foot care is critical and the demand for quality products is very high. Be sure that all items are in the original, sealed packages.

Lip balm is in high demand in desert areas. The lipstick-style tubes that you apply directly to your lips are preferred over the "tub"style. Eyedrops are to relieve dry eyes; please avoid sending drops designed to remove redness as those will increase dryness and irritation caused by sand and storms in a desert climate.

When the soldiers are out in the field, facilities for showering and taking care of personal hygiene are infrequent and in many locations non-existent. Portable-sized packages of non-alcohol based baby wipes are in high demand for our military.

Please purchase Small travel-size items for personal care. Toothpaste tubes get messy; the plastic bottles of toothpaste stand up better to the conditions of combat zones. The new "Brush Ups" are very popular and useful for the soldiers.

graylantern @ 2006-09-17T18:01:00

2006-09-17T23:01:54Z

There are a lot of worth while easy to do things that can help keep up the moral of our men and women in uniform. One of the easiest is from our friends at XEROX and their program: Let’s Say Thanks:

www.LetsSayThanks.com.

Xerox will create and send over a series of Postcards to our men and women in uniform letting them know they are not forgotten.

The mission statement of : Let’s Say Thanks –
“The mission of Let's Say Thanks is to provide a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women.
The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country.
All you have to do is click on your favorite design and either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or draft a personal note. The postcards are then printed on the Xerox iGen3® Digital Production Press and mailed in care packages by military support organization Give2TheTroops®.
Xerox is committed to helping people across the nation express their gratitude to our troops overseas. The launch of this program is aimed at reminding them how much Americans appreciate their service.”

graylantern @ 2006-09-17T17:17:00

2006-09-17T22:17:06Z

The ‘Click a Day’ really does work and is slowly changing the world for the better, one click at a time. It only takes a few seconds out of our day to make a noticeable good in this world.

Save The World - One Click At A Time!

On each of these websites, you can click a button to support the cause -- each click creates funding, and costs you nothing! Bookmark these sites, and click once a day!

Click here to post this on your page or 'blog

graylantern @ 2006-09-16T00:51:00

2006-09-16T05:51:30Z

Create your own! Originally Written By ga_woo, Hosted and ReWritten by darkman424

graylantern @ 2006-09-09T11:57:00

2006-09-09T16:57:59Z

Consumerism as Activism – BOXTOP$ FOR EDUCATION

Today we’re bombarded by images on TV, noise on radio, pop ups on the internet trying to force us to spend another five dollars on something we don’t need or in our heart of hearts don’t want. We have to buy stuff. That’s the innate sin of living in an industrial class world. But some good can come of it. There are small things that people don’t notice, that we toss aside and don’t think about. There are some redeeming programs out there that make use of everyday things everyone buys and returns a little something to the community.

BOXTOP$ for Education, a great program to give money to local schools and generate funding they might not other wise have. In the past ten years BOXTOP$ for Educations has generated over one hundred and seventy-five million dollars for schools, funding new books, better learning equipment and making a better learning environment.

Products
Cheerios
Honey Nut Cheerios
Cookie Crisp
Frosted Cheerios
Reese’s Puffs
Multi-Grain Cheerios
Count Chocula Cereal
Team Cheerios
Franken Berry Cereal
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Rice Chex
Raisin Bran
Lucky Charms
Pillsbury products
Select Yoplait products
Most Hamburger Helper products
Tuna Helper products
Slow Cook Helper products
Chicken Helper products
Select Betty Crocker products
Select Old El Paso products
Tino’s Pizza Snacks
Select Nature Farms products
Select Cascadian Farms products
Pop Secret Popcorn
Gardetto’s Snack Mixes
Bisquick Baking Mix
Most Ziploc Bag products
Saran Wrap
Cottenelle Brand Tissues
Kleenex Brand tissues
Scott’s Brand toilet paper
Hefty Garbage bags

To break it down to the large conglomerate companies to keep an eye out for their products:

Pactiv Corporation
S. C. Johnson and Son Inc.
Kellogg’s Cereal
Kimberly-Clark World Wide Inc.

And some of you think, “I’ll never have children so why should I?” I can break it down two ways: Good Karma, and no matter who you are you know or care about someone who has a child and how would you feel knowing you didn’t do everything in your power to make sure they had every chance?

www.boxtopsforeducation.com

graylantern @ 2006-09-07T20:55:00

2006-09-08T01:58:29Z

Today has been most awesome folks. Back at work, making money, enjoying life and talking to people. Also got the awesomeness of finally getting my own Thumb Drive today. Bud of mine Josh, gave me his extra one, so I now no longer have to reley on diskettes and Gmail to make sure my things get from point A to point B.

graylantern @ 2006-09-06T12:44:00

2006-09-06T17:45:20Z

It’s been a good long while since I’ve wrote on this thing. Mostly because of my lack of internet at home and at work I’m way to busy to get anything done. (Being the first part of the year and all.)

Me and some buds have been doing the table top role playing game thing and also gotten back into Magic The Gathering, which is a lot more fun then I seem to remember being (I burnt all my spare old cards making them each a deck so they’d have one to goof around with.). Also gotten back in to DDR and actual videogames, which turns out to be the awesome.

Star Wars wise I am one movie away from owning all of the Star Wars series. And actually thinking of popping down the twenty bucks for the Clone Wars Series on DVD.

On the big news front I’m going to go on a Christmas Time Road Trip with my buds and we’re going up to Cody (Well the Yellow Stone State Park Area) to see what Christmas is like in the True West. Then for Graduation / My Birthday we’re going to go on a Beach Runner Road Trip. I’m thinking San Marcos or maybe actually somewhere in Florida.

graylantern @ 2006-08-13T23:41:00

2006-08-14T04:42:27Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFyMKIJ6gwc

graylantern @ 2006-08-11T07:07:00

2006-08-11T12:07:38Z

· May 4: Spider-Man 3
· May 18: Shrek the Third
· May 25: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
· June 8: Ocean's Thirteen
· June 15: Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer
· June 22: Evan Almighty
· June 29: Live Free or Die Hard, Ratatouille
· July 4: Transformers
· July 13: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
· July 27: The Simpsons Movie
· August 3: The Bourne Ultimatum
· August 10: Rush Hour 3
Movies of ’07, next year looks like it’s going to rock in the Summertime for the movies! I for one am excited about Spiderman 3 and Transformers.

graylantern @ 2006-08-07T11:27:00

2006-08-07T16:28:27Z

The past week or so has been pretty awesome. Hanging out with my buds, having fun, living life. Same old same old over all.

LAST WEEK: Did game with the dudes a couple of times, had a bunch of fun with that and much woot was to be had by all. Also decided to make the best ever mix tape of Beach Music. (Speak of which I need to go to the beach… I haven’t been in so long.)

This week I hope to continue the good times and adventures! :D

graylantern @ 2006-07-30T21:23:00

2006-07-31T02:23:20Z

Yesterday was pretty awesome. Got up and did some yard work for the family, got some of my recycling crushed, and then went out to eat with Billy. Over all fun was had by all. We didn’t go to HaVoK since no one really got together with the idea and no one had wheels that would transport us all there safely, so we ditched and I managed to drag up one or two people to come play Hunter The Reckoning: Redeemer till two in the morning. I wanted to ask Miguel to come but he didn’t have a ride and I couldn’t go get him since I’m sans wheels myself at the moment.

Today was awesome too. Managed to make it to church, took pictures of my church family and friends. Went home and did more yard work for the family, crushed more recycling. Swam for a bit, and then busted out with the Halo2 and fun was had by all.

Tomorrow is probably going to be more of the same awesomeness.

graylantern @ 2006-07-28T21:09:00

2006-07-29T02:09:42Z

Tonight is pretty awesome. Having a lot of fun just hanging with the guys. Did some swimming earlier and had awesome hamburgers thanks to Mom. (As I write this she’s cooking a pizza for us to enjoy.)

Game last night went pretty well, the group is having fun. We’re going to have to find out when we can do it again, since the game is dependant on when Josh can get off.

Tomorrow day me and Big Red are going out to eat for his birthday at Han’s Mongolia BBQ, and then come the night me and The Dudes might be going to HaVok. I hope we can, I have a need to dance! But we’re probably going to have to call it a night early since I have to make my way to Church come Sunday morning.

Thursday me and Chris are going to go back to the Museum, which gives me a chance to take more illegal pictures of master pieces!

graylantern @ 2006-07-26T21:55:00

2006-07-27T02:55:06Z

Well we played Hunter The Reckoning on Jame's Xbox since I think my may have burned out. Had a good night over all, Josh brought Pizza - which I think has given me a light case of heart burn.

graylantern @ 2006-07-26T17:04:00

2006-07-26T22:03:58Z

The past two days have been rainy but I haven’t let that shake me. (With the exception of sleeping all day today for some reason.) On the up swing the rain’s slowed down a lot, it’s barely sprinkling out there and The Dudes are coming over tonight to get the Hunter The Reckoning on.

graylantern @ 2006-07-24T12:35:00

2006-07-24T17:34:57Z

Man it’s been an action packed week:

Monday Last week: Massive yard make over. Finally got around to making mom that Rock garden she wanted out front. Took till the better part of Tuesday to get it finished. Which I didn’t mind. I like working with my hands. Hand table top game Monday and Tuesday nights.

Wednesday did more stuff around the house, goofed around had a blast of course.
Thursday, spent time with the family goofed off of course.
Friday, had fun around the house then went to hang out with my friends Bob and Emily. Got slightly buzzed stumbled around and had a good time, watched Stargates (Both of them and was kind of disappointed how the plots seem to be going this season already.)

Saturday went to the MFA. Museum of Fine Arts, with my bud Chris, he went to study for some class (Art appreciation I think.) and I went to have a fun and raise some hell with the Art Elite. (I also took several photographs which I hope I can post shortly.) Then we went out to China Dragon, the new all you can eat Chinese / Sushi place (Yeah I know what you’re thinking but it’s good and clean food, Cali rolls and stuff that can’t go bad.) and then retired to his home to play Hunter The Reckoning: Redeemer on the big screen of his TV, that was till his Pop returned home and we decided to it was time for me to beat a retreat home.

Sunday, I woke up thinking it was Saturday for some reason so I sadly missed church. But that afternoon made up for it since I had the guys over to eat bad hot dogs and cold french-fries and play the original Hunter The Reckoning on my old questionable Xbox. We called it an early night since everyone had to be up at an early hour.

Today: I was planning on doing more yard stuff but sudden and unexpected storms put the kibosh on that idea. So just waiting for the guys to come over around 7:30 so we can get our game on. Today is the birthday of a bud but we’re not able to do anything till next Saturday. (I’m planning on making him a nifty Hawaiian themed Cake. A nice beach scene painted into the frosting with food coloring. – Something special since he’s been a bit blue lately.) Also probably going to start a new book today. Just haven’t decided which one.

Tomorrow: I’m going to help my bud Mike move. Him and his family’s house was damaged in the bad storms a few weeks ago and they’re moving into an apartment complex, so I figured that I would lend some back power. And its’ a great work out that helps someone! And when I get home I might help mom paint the bath and the rest of the hallway. Sometime this week I’m going to have to clean and paint the sun room if it’s sunny and warm out.

graylantern @ 2006-07-19T08:34:00

2006-07-19T13:36:40Z

Okay, gamed again last night. Taking a break tonight and then doing it again tomorrow but with one less player. More or less everything is going okay, the group just needs to focus a bit in learning rolling. (Mostly I created a bunch of piss ant challanges to keep them rolling once every five minutes so the basic system would sink in.)

It's nice out right now, I hope it stays like that.

Okay Folks! I return!

2006-07-17T23:21:30Z

Hey Guys!

I'm back! I'm just waiting for my buds to come over so we can do good old fashion table top role playing gaming. Huzzah! Since I have the next six weeks off from work it looks like we might have a great chance to actually game a lot. (Which is what I am hoping.)

The Hammer Shatters

2006-06-26T23:06:52Z

The Hammer steps down:
Thomas Dale “The Hammer” Delay, former House Majority leader stepped down officially and totally after facing Criminal indictments and accusations of political corruption.
Some of the highlights of his career are:
• Promised a role in drafting legislation to a corporate donor
• Tried to coerce a Congressman for a vote on Medicare
• Allegedly used corporate money given to his PAC to finance Texas campaigns in violation of state law
• Used Homeland Security resources in a dispute with Democrats in Texas
• Diverted funds from a children's charity for lavish celebrations at the Republican convention
• Threatened retaliation against interest groups that don't support Republicans
• Stacked the House Ethics committee with representatives who have contributed to his legal defense fund
• Accepted trips from corporations and later helped kill legislation they opposed
• Accepted trips from the lobbyist for a foreign government in violation of House rules
• Crippled the effectiveness of the House Ethics Committee by purging members who had rebuked him
• Pushed for a rules change for the House Ethics process that paralyzed the panel
• Sought a rule change that would have no longer "required leaders to step aside temporarily if indicted"
• Paid family members more than $500,000 out of campaign contributions
With this corrupt political menace gone Texas and America has a chance to move forward to a more just and prosperous future.
Public Campaign Dot Org

graylantern @ 2006-06-26T16:35:00

2006-06-26T21:36:35Z

At work a bit early. Thought I'd drop in and say Hello to everyone. It's been so busy lately, but I'm going to miss it in a couple of weeks when I get down time. (I start again once the normal fall semester resumes.)

graylantern @ 2006-06-20T13:32:00

2006-06-20T18:33:21Z

Project Respect:

R – Righteousness
E – Eager
S – Self-reliance
P – Priorities
E – Education
C – Covenant
T – Truth

Righteousness, with all things to be done do them in good faith and only for the reasons that they should be done, to be pleasing to our Lord The Living God, The One Above.

Eager to learn and to share what you have learned with others, to witness

Self-Reliance in the fact that it is the duty of every man woman and child to learn The Word for themselves to study the will of The Living God as it moves upon this earth.

Priorities, to take five minutes out of the common day and put aside common things for the Holy such as common elements are set aside for the communion.

Education, learn of the Holy Lord and teach others of his greatness.

Covenant the Holy bond between the children of God and his infinite love, never able to be broken, never able to be shattered or cast aside. For our Father is our Father.

Truth, that our God the Father loves us all more then we could ever imagine.

(Xposted Elsewhere)

graylantern @ 2006-06-12T20:25:00

2006-06-13T01:27:41Z

Had an awesome mini-vacation with my bestfriend. :) Now back at work watching the great and odd wonders of our school's computer system which has effectively locked us in the building till the campus police show up and unlock the doors. (Laugh out loud!)

Other then that, not a lot going on. Had fun, feeling a bit blah right now but that'll pass once I get a nice night of sleep.

graylantern @ 2006-06-08T20:13:00

2006-06-09T01:14:47Z

Started a new book today: Clive Barkers, "The Damnation Game" and found out about PANDORA www.pandora.com, pretty awesome. Otherwise slower then hell here.

graylantern @ 2006-06-06T18:41:00

2006-06-06T23:42:09Z

I'm a very lucky man. I have a good boss that likes to help and actually wants to teach me things which is awesome.

graylantern @ 2006-06-06T17:11:00

2006-06-06T22:13:21Z

I'm having a good go of everything.
Life is good. Getting plenty of warm sun, and wet water. It also feels good to be back at work and have something to keep me from being bored at night since it looks like I won't have any classes of any kind for at least another 8 weeks given that I might not take Summer Semester 2.

Hey My Christian peeps

2006-06-06T02:12:08Z

Brother Doug, Peacefulraven, Spammy

Quick question:
What book of the Bible should I read next? Finished John. :)