Strange Feelings
Posted on: May 2, 2005 5:13 AM
Does this feel strange to anyone else? I've never guest-blogged before, and I'm so used to my own little blogging habits that I find it hard to write without analyzing every little thing that I say here.
I'm pretty excited to be a part of this even if the only thing I gain will be a few more readers of my site. Anyway, since Mimi was nice enough to kick this off, I figured I'd go ahead and introduce myself a little more as well.
I'm a conservative 25-year old high school physics teacher from the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. The last nine months of my life have been spent in Afghanistan, though, as my National Guard unit was activated for a year. In that year, I've been fortunate enough to work with a strange mix of people, reduce my commute to work, and get close to a 100% pay raise. Not bad, huh?
I'll keep this short though. I look forward to meeting the rest of the contestants.
I'm in Afghanistan right now, but we run off of Zulu time or GMT over here. For the most part, it's EST + 8.5 hours. I will be leaving here in a day or two to go on leave, though, and I will be wandering the streets of France for a few weeks before returning. Hopefully, I'll still be in the contest by the time I get back.
Posted by: Sonny at May 2, 2005 2:49 AM
Hello again Sonny,
Lovely - a nice conservative. We can have some great arguments. Where in France? I used to work on a boat down there babysitting a Thai whore for a rich English businessman. There's a story about it on my blog.
Stay safe in Afghanistan sweetie,
mimix
Posted by: mimi at May 2, 2005 5:57 AM
so, when you say "conservative," does that mean "intelligent, caring person who is just maybe pro-life or something" or does it mean "bush supporter?" Because there is a remarkably vast gulf between the two. Just like to know what I'm up against. What's the weather like over there?
Posted by: ritchey at May 2, 2005 11:38 AM
Ritchey,
I'm very glad you asked because my sister sent me an e-mail after reading that and she felt like I might've misrepresented myself. To begin with, I'll keep all of my thoughts on Bush to myself as he is my Commander-in-Chief.
With that said, I wouldn't consider myself politically conservative at all. I am very much pro-choice and the issue that swayed me the most on the last election was the topic of gay marriages. I am very much against creating "civil unions" because I think that just shows that we haven't learned our lesson from all of the "separate but equal" attempts of our past. Being from Virginia myself, a state that played a large role in bringing interracial marriages to the forefront, it's hard for me to understand why certain groups are taking the stand they are. But hey, I'm going to try to stay away from politics as much as I can. I think I've said enough already.
Let me explain what I mean by conservative then. When I think of myself and the life that I want to lead, scenes of Leave it to Beaver come to mind. When I say conservative, it means wearing a shirt and tie to school every day, coming to a complete stop at every stop sign, and not kissing on a first date. I hope that helps.
Posted by: Sonny at May 2, 2005 12:13 PM
Sonny,
I am very glad you posted this, as it means that I can now be free to like you--nay, to LOVE you--as much as I wish. What a lovely statement you have made. And seriously--what's the weather like over there?
Posted by: ritchey at May 2, 2005 12:17 PM
Hehe...the weather has been great with lows in the 40s and 50s and highs in the 70s and 80s. You know, just your typical desert/mountain weather here in Afghanistan. Today was pretty overcast, though, so not too much to cheer about. Usually, I love the weather here, but it'll probably hit the high 90s and low hundreds in a month or so. I'm just glad I'll be going home soon.
What's the weather like back in the States?
Oh, and does anyone know what the weather in Paris is like this time of year? That's where I'm starting my own personal tour de France. No plans as of right now...just plan on loitering until I find something to do.
Posted by: Sonny at May 2, 2005 12:52 PM
nice to meet you Sonny, my names james.
i share your anxiety on 'guest-blogging'. it is odd to be blogging in a atmosphere where writing about your trials and tribulations in potty training a puppy might not be well appreciated. my biggest concern is learning more about this version of moveable type. it has been so easy to ignore some of its features on my own website. i didn't realize how little i actually know.
anyhow... may i ask what time zone you are in?
Posted by: james at May 2, 2005 2:18 AM