We have created an online photo album for the families back at home to enjoy while we are deployed. http://picasaweb.google.com/pccrewjuliet

You know what I hate about the middle east? Guess! You may think it’s the instability in the region. You may think it’s being on the other side of the world from my life, you may think it’s just so hot, or you may think it’s adapting to a different environment. And while all of these things do make me ill to my stomach, I don’t truly hate them. No, what I really hate is that the internet is SO FUCKING SLOW! I can’t download a song off iTunes in less than two hours. Someone call Cox and get these people some freakin’ internet already!

I, right now, am at an internet cafe in Kuwait, so I wanted to drop in on my oh-so-glorious blog and update my readers (all 2 of you) on my status. I’m good. I miss my wife, dog, family and friends an unimagniable amount, but I am coping. The mission I’m working with is enjoyable and worthwhile, at least from my perspective. I don’t know that I am allowed to go into much detail about it though. I am learning a lot. A lot about my boat, my shipmates, my navy, and in a small way, my country. As much as I complain about who I work with and about the war, I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better group of people to serve with. It’s a challenging role I’m filling, but I think I’m filling it well. I’m currently pursing my ESWS qualification as well. I think I should be completely qualified by the end of September, if not before then. Other than that, I’m just pressing on.

Well I’ve been on deployment now for just over a week, so I wanted to give a bit of an update on how things are going. It’s starting off rocky, which I suppose is to be expected. We are all trying to find our niche and get everything the way it needs to be, make the boat “our’s” and get used to being on deployment. One in-deniable factor (which is a real drag on morale): it’s fucking hot. OH MY GOD IT’S SO HOT. You can’t even walk outside without getting soaked in sweat. Talk about having to adapt to your environment. But that is making me want to drink more water instead of Pepsi or Fanta, so there is a positive side. We’re preparing for our first patrol and everyone is nervous. At least I’ll get to wear desert cami’s. Overall I would say this: things probably couldn’t be worse right now, but they are starting to look better. That’s all I can say thus far without breaking operational security.

Oh yeah one more thing: I blew out my power adapter for my X-Box because the adapter only takes 100V and over here the voltage is 240V. DOH!

Alright. I know I’ve been purposely avoiding the topic for some time now with just about everyone from my wife to my family to my best friends, but fuck it. I need to get this off my chest. Last night the wife and I were talking about going to church today since it would be our last chance to go till I get back from deployment. We eventually agreed we should go and decided we would go to the same church Glenn & I used to sometimes go to (East Coast Baptist). Well this morning we didn’t go because I didn’t want to. The truth is, I have no desire to go to church. There are a number of reasons for this. Some are too personal to mention on an open forum such as my blog, but I’ll express a few reasons for your entertainment.

For one, most people that go to church act no differently than anyone else outside of church. They just put their fake-ass “everything’s okay” mask on when they’re in that building, then right outside you can find that same person cursing their child out for slamming the car door too hard. I know this is probably a broad generalized accusation but it seems more and more accurate the more I observe.

For two, there are too many differences in denominations that just piss me off because they are so petty, but because their members insist that their way is the only way, they make a big fucking deal about it. Two examples of theses: styles of music (a cappella vs. instrumental, traditional vs. modern) and baptism (which style is the right one, and is it required for entry in heaven). There are a thousand and one more I could mention, but this is already long enough a blog as it is.

Three, which goes with number two, is that all these people are so stuck in their ways, to the point that they can’t accept anyone who sees even one fucking thing differently than them, whether that topic be religious, political, social, or anything else. Mainly though, I’m referring to interpretation of the Bible.

These are a few (not all by far) of the reasons I decided to put a hault on my desire to become a youth minister. At one point I thought it was my calling. Now I am not so sure. I’d hate to get stuck in a field such as religion where everyone is constantly judging your every action. Buster, if you’re reading this, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do believe in most general Christian principals, but I believe most Christians read to much into it and are way too judgmental of each other, especially when they themselves are completely incapable of fulfilling their roles and responsibilities. So I don’t see the need or have the desire to attend church and associate with these people. It just seems like it’s more trouble and drama than it’s worth.

In closing, I have nothing against the Christian faith itself, because I do follow it to a certain degree, I just have a huge problem with the two-faced assholes who claim they follow it the the “T” and turn around and will stab you in the back at the first sign of hardship, trial, or conflict.

Was that fun or what?!