Generation Kill

In case you haven't read the book, "Generation Kill," HBO has a mini-series out based on the book.  I have not read the book yet, but it is number 1 on my short list of books to read.  As for the mini-series -- currently in part 2 -- WOW!  I served from 1990-2000, and I can't speak for Marines that came before me, but as far as my time in, the movie is really nailing the essence of the Corps.  It isn't all about the glamor depicted in other movies.  "Generation Kill" truly shows the complexity of Marines -- how sometimes you love the Corps, but other times you curse it.  Most Marines live for the Corps, but some are just counting days until they get out.  You have the good leaders that kick but, and then there is the occasional leader that is all style and no substance.  Marines will know who I'm talking about -- there's always the Captain or Major that follows around the Colonel like a puppy.  I think every Battalion has one or two.

Anyway, check it out if you haven't yet.

Shocking turn of events

About a year ago, at the apartment building I rent out, I was showing the apartment to a man about my age, who was interested in the apartments.  I turned around to see him pointing a gun at my face.  Nothing I had was worth my life, and wanting to go home to see my toddler son and pregnant wife, I gave him my wallet, new iphone, and everything else I had.  He took off with no incident.  A week later, the same guy, armed with my info, tried to break into my house.  Luckily I have an alarm.

Now today, I get a call from one of my tenants, that a man walking in the alley right behind my building was held up by two men, whom after getting what they wanted, shot the man and killed him.  The two men that did it meet the description of the guy who robbed me, and his set up man (who had inquired about my apartment about 30 minutes before I showed it to the guy who held me up).

It's quite sobering to see that the man who held me up, and his buddy, were/are willing to kill.  That could have easily been me that was killed.  Yet, as a landlord in WI, I cannot carry a concealed weapon with me.  Police and other "officials" are always talking about statistics, and how, statistically, once they get what they want, they won't hurt you, they'll just flee the scene.  Right, just like they'll leave me alone after robbing me, and won't try to break into my home.

I guess it's time to sell the investment.

Bowhunting

I have been DYING to get out bowhunting.  I haven't gone in a couple of years, but I've been really stoked about going this year.  I've even been practicing -- about 3-4 times per week at the range.  I've been asking myself what has changed that makes me want to get out so bad -- and realize it's because last year gun hunting I shot my first buck.  And it was a really nice 8 pointer.  So now I have a little bit of buck fever.  I really feel like this is the year I arrow something.

Best yet I got drawn to hunt one of the most exclusive spots around -- in a Huge, densely wooded park located in the middle of one of Milwaukee's suburbs (to go unnamed).  Only 35 get drawn to hunt there per year.  I hear tale of many large bucks in there.  Being my first one with bow, I'd even be happy with something less antler-having-like.  I guess we'll see what stumbles my way.

Only in Milwaukee

On a lighter note -- yesterday my wife and I were driving from SummerFest towards our house, when we heard police sirens.  From out of nowhere, a young 20-ish man on a mope head came flying through an intersection and across our road right in front of us.  If not for my wife hitting the brakes in her mini-van, we would have hit him.  Following close behind him were 3 cop cars in pursuit.  Up ahead at the next intersection, I saw another police car try to head him off at the next road.

The whole scene was actually quite funny... a kid on a mope head being chased by 4 cop cars. 

Since he was kind of hard to see on that small mope head, he'll be lucky if the cops get him and he isn't killed by another car.