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Posted by Erik Rupard on April 9th, 2008
I’ve got nothing tonight. Nothing.
Not to say that there aren’t new stories here (there are), nor that I don’t have some interesting stuff in my back pocket to share with you (I do—an actual list of topics to eventually hit on, enough material there for the next few months).
It’s just that it ain’t flowing tonight, for some reason, evidenced by the fact that this is my fifth try at getting something, anything onto this web page. So, what you get instead, is a bit of a travelogue (just prepping you for Fast Sunday, kids), and some brain droppings of an even more random nature than usual.
By 7 AM today, I woke up and turned on the heater. It is surprisingly cold here still, with temps down in the low 60s early this morning, with a brisk wind making it feel colder than that. Usually when it is windy here, that equals a lot of orange-brown dust floating around, but today the air was crisp and clean. I hopped on the trusty bike, and pedalled to the clinic.
Our little clinic has been pretty chilled out lately, after a frenzy of activity the first week I was here. I think that a lot of our “frequent fliers” left town with a big wave of departures at the end of March. Some things I have seen recently:
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a severe reaction to the smallpox vaccine, in which the soldier had itchy sores all over his body; steroids’ll fix that…
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two kidney infections in young women
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a couple of smokers with a tendency to respiratory problems, pushed over the edge by the recent dustiness; one of these is heading home early sometime this week
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a lot of fingers slammed into Humvee doors (which are REALLY heavy now that they are armored); none of these were broken
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about a half-dozen people with rashes that I could not see, but they could
When I am in between patients, I spend my time checking e-mail (two work accounts and my trusty g-mail), and checking out my favorite sites:
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wsj.com – Wall Street Journal. There is at least one good article a day here, and always some primo editorials
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jewishworldreview.com – Puts all of my favorite political columnists in one place
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nytimes.com – Know thine enemy. Actually, there is a ton of great writing in the New York Times (David Brooks, Paul Krugman whom I love to hate), some hilariously bad writing (Thomas Friedman—how in the world did this metaphor mangler become an instapundit on Iraq?), and some that just makes me groan in delightful misery and horror, like reading a Harry Potter book (Maureen Dowd).
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ejectejecteject.com – Bill Whittle’s absolutely brilliant essays on Honor, Trust, Courage, Empire, War, etc. Start here. If you like Reagan, you’ll end up reading all of them, and you’ll be a better person for it.
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bosox.com – Of course.
Lunch today was forgettable, but I did sneak out some relish packets for my chicken salad kits I keep in my trailer.
The afternoon was especially dead, so we were out of there by 4:00 sharp, which is rare. I went to a dinner meeting with some doctors and administrators, and guess what we had for dinner?
C’mon, guess!
WRONG!
We had king crab legs.
I kid you not, we had king crab legs for dinner. Pretty sure they weren’t Alaskan king crab legs, but they definitely were legs, they were kingly, and it was crab. I could tell that they had been frozen, but they still tasted really good, and just the fact that we had them, in the middle of the dust bowl, was remarkable. They also served a “near beer,” which I have noticed that they do on some weekend nights, and on special occasions like Easter; the presence of the near beer reminds me that there is absolutely no alcohol served on this base, nor can you buy it at the PX, or anywhere else. No pornography, either, as it is illegal in these parts. Not that I’m keeping score, but it seems to me that we are ahead of Utah on both counts there.
But I digress; back to the meal. To all of the evil, military-industrial complex warmongers at the no-bid contract-awarded KBR corporation, who are only in it for the quick buck and who could care less about me and my soldier colleagues (read all about it; just search “KBR” on the New York Times or Washington Post web pages): thanks for the crab legs. Nice touch. Of all of the heartless, cold, faceless mega-corps out there, you are my current favorite.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I can’t believe I’m the first to comment on your blog! This is exciting to me, its a big thing! (Watch me hit the “submit comment” button and someone’s beaten me by a few seconds =])
Dad. I can’t believe its cold there! It was a beautiful day today here in Augusta. Traffic was terrible, due to the masters. Apparently Will Ferrel is here. Me and Stephanie went downtown and had mellow mushroom salads for lunch, and we were on the radio for an hour. Mom told me you got to hear it! I’m so thrilled! Mom also told me you’ve been doing a lot of biking lately. Do you like it or is it hard on that sand?
I can’t believe you just get to read and read. That would be heaven to me right now. But unfortunately I can’t get past a certain series. Unfortunately the one you mentioned in this very blog….Yes, dad I am reading and rereading harry potter. Again. I’ve had a relapse (makes it sound like a horrible methamphetamine or something, hah) but its truly addicting. I know Im a nerd for Harry Potter, but I just am so interested by the characters J.K. Rowling created, especially Dumbledore and Snape. They’re so complex and now that I’ve learned so well during AP Lit aobut pathos, logos, themes, motifs, hyperboles, yadayada…I’ve learned how to read and get more out of it. And its bittersweet because its not a new adventure everytime I open the book, its the same. All good things must come to an end, I guess. I think and hope thats what you meant by the “delightful misery and horror.”
Anyways Im rereading the deathly hallows while watching American Idols’ Idol Gives Back. It features Bono in Africa with people who are diseased and living in poverty. He seems like a decent guy, this Bono. But I can’t help but get annoyed at how staged the show is. Either way, though, Its good that they are donating all the money to the right cause. I probably will be answered with a laugh, but have you been able to watch Idol at all there? Via internet or tv? I’ve had oppurtunities, but Im just not that interested. Oh well. Anyways, Im going to bed. Its 10:46 over here, but I hope to see you on the computer soon, I haven’t talked to ya for a while. Okay? Alright….Goodnight dad.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
We also agreed upon the degree to which Tony and Bono resemble each other. Uncanny.(Hi Tony!)
Today’s entry was pretty cool E, especially considering you hadn’t much to say. Thanks for making me smile (out loud).
So we were sucked into watching AI Gives Back and I started thinking about charities hence via stream of consciousness, eventually trickled toward the LDS church (NO, not the FLDS-entirely different entity-for those who are new, confused or who care). The one thing that struck me is how inspired the leadership and programs are, particularly the Home Teaching program which is absolutely brilliant in design and charitable purpose (and since it creates only more work for the male membership, couldn’t possibly have been drummed up by any natural man–that I know of..ha ha…except Maybe Barry Sr.)
What a comfort to know there are two priesthood holders looking out for our well being in your absence; your local band of brothers,(in kind), who are happy to do small tree removal without whining and more importantly stop by on a Saturday night–when there are a million things they could (by rights)rather be doing. But they do come out of their own volition to bless our child during her recent illness, (and check her ears with an otoscope) but not for PR sake and not because of any pay or publicity or to satisfy a job description. Only because there is a need and on the flip side to it, a real, sincere concern and desire to help and quite frankly because they love you as a friend and a comrade in the struggle.
It’s amazing that through one simple gesture you can see it all; the gospel in entirety, the true acts of Christ.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Hi, Erik,
You blog is really very much like talking to you. I am grateful for the time you take to keep the entries coming. Thank you for trying to call today on my birthday. Even though the connection was bad, I knew that you were thinking of me. It’s fun to be 69, almost like being 68…well, exactly like being 68. We are going to Olive Garden tonight because we have a gift card, thanks to the Barry Rupard Family. The day is warm and beautiful, and I am inspired that spring will really come. We stopped by a nursery today to look at plants. Since I am tired of feeding deer, I am really just looking. I am going to do a rock garden under my kitchen window…something the deer won’t eat. I love you, Erik, and I am thankful every day that Heavenly Father gave you to me to mother. Mom
April 10th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Grandma! Happy Birthday! We’re sending you a hilarious card, I hope you love it and relate to it (you’ll know what I mean when you see it…hehehe) Love ya!
April 11th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Erik, you should add one more website to your lengthening list: The American Enterprise Institute (www.aei.org). This is a website full of thoughtful, provocative, conservative thinkers. How are you getting along with Rush? dad