Google Chrome

As much as I like to see competition, the underdog win, etc. I can't help but succumb to things Google invents. I just like all of their stuff. I use Google e-mail. Blogger. YouTube. Now I use their web browser Google Chrome. I want their phone OS "Android" to one day be available for my phone (or buy a phone that will run it). I anticipate their cloud-based computer OS "Chrome OS."

I hate things that must be arrogant about their success like the NY Yankees, NE Patriots, WalMart, etc. But long live Google!

RP

Change You Can... Wish Was Happening

I distinctly remember talking to Ted back when Obama was running for President, and the conversation going something like this:

Ted: People are really excited for him. I think he can do a lot of good.
Me: No doubt. But I am skeptical. I just think he's promising a lot.
Ted: Yeah, but if he does half of what he says, he's still doing some great things.
Me: What if he doesn't do half?

Take a moment to consider what Mr. Obama has done. Write it down even.

Had enough time?

What have you come up with? Because my list just has... more promises. No actions.

I called it back then that people are going to turn on him just like they turned on Bush if he doesn't do what he promised. The American voter is uneducated, fickle, and has a very short memory (should they even vote at all). Well, almost a year into Obama's administration (mind you, with Democratic control over both House and Senate) and he has failed to accomplish much of anything. Now the backlash begins.




Let's see if he can get anything done. Hopefully he does not do anything with gays in the military. What he does not fully grasp is the reasoning behind "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." It is to protect homosexual service members from hate crimes, bigotry, and harm. He wants to open that door, and make it fully disclosed from the outset. Bad idea. You're just going to be opening up the headaches of homosexual tolerance briefs, affirmative action in the military regarding homosexuals, and all sorts of mess that we just don't need to deal with as part of our daily routine to be the world's best. But go ahead and push your democratic/liberal policies to appease your party.


RP

DYANMO

I am extremely bored and at the moment sobering from margaritas and beer pong at "El Guapo Gato's" (aka Sanchez's place).

I had a lot of personal time to think the other night when I stood the perimeter checkpoint watch all by myself for 6 hours. With a light rain coming down, I didn't feel it was necessary to huddle in the small guard shack where my radio and log book was. So in the rain I stood, with a chance to finally contemplate things. I was thinking about what I am trying to do in life, like what my ultimate goal was for all my actions. I realized that I wish to achieve greatness, and not in the vain sense that first comes to mind. You see, I don't really care if you or anyone else thinks that I am great. I just want to be great.

Let me explain:

I like to do a lot of things. I can't just do one thing. I've tried everything under the sun. Not just try, but try and excel at everything that I do try. I take a lot of pride in doing a lot of things well. It's not to boast though. It's because I like to know my own ability. It sounds really vain, I know, but my vanity is not forced on anyone else. I just like doing a lot of things well. What motivates me is that I live a diverse life. I like to see that our limits, especially my own, are never set where we think they are. Why be static? Why be the same, day in and day out, never changing? We are dynamic, made to change, grow, learn, and adapt. That is why I can't stand people who seem cookie cutter. Looking back at all of my favorite people in life, they are anything but ordinary. They are extraordinary.

That's why I try to do everything. That's why I try to be great at everything. I want to be extraordinary. I want to look back on my life, viewing all of my accomplishments, failures, experiences, and regrets and say with a sigh: "That was great." Not necessarily a success, not necessarily noteworthy, but at least dynamic.

So here's to all you interesting people that have the dynamic personality. Here's to leading worthwhile lives.

Cheers.

EDIT: No girl in the Charleston, SC area is worth my time. I have reached that conclusion within 4 months of being here.

Yo Fools

Anyone read this anymore? Just curious.

Check out Twitter. I really like it a lot now. I'm following some Mavs stuff, plus some actors that are pretty funny actually. It makes for a good daily read, plus I get news and sports info when I check it. A convenient one-stop shop for everything when I'm in a hurry.

Follow me (parkerrm) today!

RP

Soulpancake

GO TO THIS WEBSITE RIGHT NOW AND EAT UP ALL OF THE AMAZINGNESS.

Soulpancake.com, the brainchild of actor Rainn Wilson (of Dwight Schrute/Office fame), offers up morsels of thought to chew on daily.

I plan on spending time on some of their questions on here. Expect more posts.

RP

Chasing Pavements

EDIT: I removed what I previously wrote for like an hour. Who wants to read through all that crap?

Interesting points of my life right now:
+ My d-bag SLPO is becoming a Chief tomorrow, and I cannot think of anyone less deserving. Our class is going to be there to watch/support him. He's going to be in San Diego for our graduation. Asshole.

+ Got my crows (Perched Eagle and one chevron) sewn on my dress uniforms. Next Friday, you can call me Petty Officer Parker. Too bad the pay raise doesn't go in effect until mid October.

+ I am on a remix downloading binge. I think my next step is to go out and buy a USB mixer for my computer and begin laying down tracks like I did back in high school and college. T-Track is going to be pretty boring.

+ Excited about Texas. October 30th-November 9th, now official as I have bought my plane tickets.

+ Baylor will crack the top 25 this season, you heard it here first.

+ I really wish I had all my movies here.

+ Comp is going to suck next week, then after that I'm worry free.

+ I think most dance clubs are really gay unless I have quite a bit to drink and feel like dancing. No girl you meet in a club/bar is going to be quality. No DJ is really that good (at least in South Carolina). No bartender really knows what they're doing (I'm still waiting for one that knows what a damn Cuba Libre is, even for how simple it is).

+ I miss the evenings where me and the boys would sit out back and smoke a cigar. Too bad no one here is down for that. Or ice cream/Monopoly parties (easily the best staying out of trouble but still having a good time idea we ever had).

+ Tagging along with that, I miss the good old days of random adventures with P-Dub, TK, B-Reg (Greg), Arminho, Mike, and whoever else would join.

Drink It Up:

3G (More fun than your iPhone)

2 oz of Gin
Filled to top with Ginger Ale
Stir
Splash Grenadine

Cheers

Guess Who's Back?

Back to the blog world. I decided to check up on Ted, and I see that he has been continuing his blog with some regularity. I'll try to keep pace.

I've been in Charleston for near 3 months now. It's nice here. The "Low Country," as they call it, has a little bit of it all. The beach, the harbor, the food, the nightlife, the history. That's why it's a huge tourist destination. Sailors have a bad rep down here, just like we have a bad rep in foreign countries. Get enough young guys with a lot of money and the prospect of drinking a lot, then havoc will be wrecked.

I'm 21 now. It's nice to be able to have a drink with dinner or go out without having the shame of being underage. I don't think I like clubs. I mean, it's nice to be able to go out and hear some good tunes while dancing with the beautiful ladies of the southeast (still no comparison to the ladies of Texas). But a lot of times I really just feel like going into one of Charleston's many wine and cheese places like Social and having a relaxing evening down by the water. There is a place called the Charlestowne Tobacco & Wine, which if you know me, you know that it fits my style just nicely. What seems like a small cigar selection has more than meets the eye. Had a really good Rocky Patel the other night. The wine room, adjacent to the entrance, is wall to wall with wines. I'll have to inspect their collection, but I have few doubts that they have a good selection. Complete with couches and a small patio, smoking and sipping is not only allowed but encouraged. Now to find people to join me.

The Navy has been nice. I enjoy it. It's a tough lifestyle at times, but it's also nice to realize I made that sacrifice to serve my country. There are some assholes in the Navy, and some good people. Finding the ones to stick to is essential for private life. As far as work, ONE TEAM ONE FIGHT always comes to mind when you want to punch your boss.

Ted: I've been meaning to catch up with you, but our time differences make it difficult. That, and the fact that I am not authorized to have any electronics in the Rickover Center (where I spend about 85% of my time during the week). But if it's any consolation, I have downloaded almost every single song you put on your blog the past few weeks.

The best sports drink of all time:

THE LEBOMB JAMES

1. Pour splenda packets on your hands, as much as you think will do.
2. Pour a shot of crown and pour a can of redbull into a glass.
3. Drop the crown into the redbull.
4. Chug.
5. Throw the splenda into the air (like Lebron does in his pregame ritual) and clap your hands a few times.


Cheers.

Becoming One With Sailor Bear

At the time of this post (naturally after midnight), I have 5 days until I ship out. 5. Whole. Days. The time has finally come, after waiting since August 26. It makes me realize the whirlwind of major changes that have shaken my life the past 3 years. Makes me realize how little our plans for the future mean when stacked up against reality. In all honesty, through good and bad, I've lived somewhat of a charmed life. God just reminds me everyday how feeble I am for thinking I had it all figured out. Oh the absurdity of life. Pardon me, that was my existentialist inner self talking.

I don't get surprised often, but I was dropped last Thursday when Ted flew in from France for the weekend. Props to Greg for the setup and to Phillip for semi-orchestrating (despite being unable to fly in). If Phillip had come in, I would've been overwhelmed. Good weekend though. Thanks, Ted, for suffering through the plane rides and the weird feeling to see me. It means a lot, probably more than I could describe.

So the Navy: I realize I never gave and specifics as far as what is going down for my career, what my plans for the future are, and how this will all work. Here's a good shot at that right now.

I will leave Sunday to be at my Waco recruiting station by around 11 (yes the military is still open for Easter). I will then board the MEPS charter as it starts in Waco and heads all the way down to San Antonio, stopping at various recruiting stations picking up kids from all branches. That night I'll stay in the MEPS hotel (a very nice La Quinta on the south side of town). After getting out into the city, I have to be back and in bed by 10. Waking up at 4 the next morning, I board a bus with all 100 or so kids to head to Fort Sam Houston for MEPS.

What is MEPS you ask? It is simply Military Entrance Processing Station. It's where I went back in August to have a thorough physical and to select my job. This time around, I won't be waiting around. I'll be bumped to the front of the line as part of the shippers. After redoing all of those physicals and swearing into the service of my country for real, I am given a plane ticket and put on another bus going to the airport in San Antonio. I then fly to O'Hare in Chicago that very Monday afternoon, at this point about 4 hours from bootcamp.

After landing at O'Hare, I'll have to immediately find the USO. Once I do, and everyone else that's supposed to be with me makes their way there, we board yet another bus, only this one is heading for Naval Station Great Lakes, home of Recruit Training Command (RTC). Once I step off the bus and onto land at RTC, my adventure begins. Neato.

I will be going into boot camp at E-3, which is a higher rank than the usual starting rank (E-1) and therefore higher pay. This is simply because I had a high ASVAB score (98th percentile on the AFQT composite) and selected the Nuclear Field as my job. There are a lot of advancement opportunities in this job, and since I have 2 years of college under my belt already, the plan is to do whatever can make me an officer. This is my goal. Whether that is being picked up for Annapolis (Naval Academy), going back to school as part of STA-21, using my Baylor credits and whatever credits I can get from the nuke pipeline to automatically graduate from somewhere and apply for OCS, anything. If not, I'll serve my enlisted time then head back to school with my GI Bill or become a Plant Operator for one of 14 new nuclear power plants scheduled for construction in the US.

At any rate, after boot camp is over I will report to Charleston, SC immediately. From there I will know if I have any liberty as far as being home for a week or so over the summer. If not, I'll be home for just a day to grab the jeep and get it to Charleston. I'll start what's known as Nuclear Field A School (NFAS) first. By then I'll know if I am a Machinist Mate (MM), Electrician Mate (EM), or Electrician Technician (ET). They are all different types of specifications (known as rates in the Navy), but the point is that if I am an MM, NFAS is only 3 months, but the others have a 6 month NFAS. NFAS is all about the basics as far as algebra, calculus, physics, chemistry, etc. are concerned. Classes are held all day M-F, but the fun doesn't end there. Based on your grades, you are mandated study hours from your instructors (read: superior officers). Problem is that the material is confidential, meaning you have to do all homework and studying in the class/lab, where they actively monitor whether or not you're actually studying. Basically, if you're failing and they see that you're not trying, you get booted the program and spend the rest of your Navy career painting new coats of grey on battleships. Life will suck at this point.

After graduating from NFAS, I'll stay in Charleston for the second leg of training known as Navy Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC). This is approximately 6 months and covers reactor principles/theory. At this point I will have been promoted to E-4 (Petty Officer 3rd Class). The class schedule is just like in NFAS.

Once graduated from NNPTC, I will then be stationed in either Charleston or Balston Spa, NY for the final leg of training known as Prototype (Proto for short). Here I will practice all that theory on an actual reactor with my classmates under supervision of Navy instructors. My work shifts will be like those in the fleet, and life will therefore continue to suck.

After that it's to my first deployment (a naval station that is the home port for whatever carrier or sub I am assigned to). Hopefully I will have hit my officer track by this time.

So that's the long of it. I know it's a hefty read. Sorry for the inconvenience. Now for the payoff:

The Tidal Wave
(Note: Not for the faint of heart... or liver)

1 ounce light rum
.5 ounces dark rum
.5 ounces gin
.5 ounces vodka
.5 ounces tequila
2 ounces pineapple juice
1 ounce orange juice
1 teaspoon grenadine
1 cup crushed ice

Pour into a blender, blend well, pour, and drink. No that's not brain freeze you're experiencing. That's alcohol poisoning.

RP

Time Killing

To Ted: Sorry for not posting with any regularity. I've really gone from someone consistently on my laptop doing something to someone who... is not? My Mom's computer was a fast processor about 5 years ago, so I really avoid using it whenever possible. Also, not having my laptop means no more Skype for me. Unless I can use Greg's setup some day.

Unto all:

Nothing much to report. Everything remains status quo. Which is why I am really ready to go. The most exciting thing for me in the past few months was going to Colorado, hanging out with my Dad and Sister, then taking the Jeep. I have no real excitement in my daily life. Work, home. The only kinks in that schedule are when I travel to Waco or hang out with the few friends I have in Dallas (I mostly hang out with just Greg).

You have to understand something about me. I am conservative and usually play things on the safe side. But that's why my friends are typically not like that. I need people to push me out of my comfort zone. Once I get to the Navy, I can see that comfort zone getting rocked a few times. Which is good. I just want to be intrigued and engaged in something again. That's what I miss about school/college life. There were things there that sparked me.

I buzzed my head down to a 1 the other day and I love it. I think the almost bald look (Vin Deisel style) is awesome, not to mention the easiest hair style on the planet (double bonus).

As for a drink, since it fits with my sentiment of late, here is:

The Time Killer

1.5 ounces Tequila
5 ounces cerveza (Mexican beer)
.5 teaspoon salt
1 lemon wedge

Pour and stir. Ice optional. Sprinkle salt on top and garnish with lemon. Drink until your time has elapsed.

RP

6 Weeks

Ok so I realize that this isn't going to be a blog that people read for my insights on drinks and bartending, but I'll continue to post about them because it gives me something to talk about other than myself. Which I hate talking about myself.

I have around 6 weeks to go. I've lost 5 pounds in the last week, and I am expecting more in the coming weeks. The plan is to have some semblance of a six pack once I am out of boot camp. That'll be in mid June, so having a good pool body by then would be sick. I am really getting into eating healthy and running every day. It's kind of an old school system. Run, pushups, situps, jump rope, eat fruits and vegetables, no fast food, etc. I definitely feel healthier. I think once I got out of football I was so burnt out on being physically tired that I just stopped working out. Which happens to a lot of Texas high school football players once they go to college. But now I've gotten my second wind and at the ripe age of 20, and I am dedicated to being healthy.

I also have decided to start acting my age. For the last 3 years, I've been pretending that I am 25. So much so that I even convinced myself that I am an old man. But once I go to the Navy, I will be an old man amongst the 17 and 18 year olds. In August, they'll be staying on base playing video games or something while I can go out in Charleston. I'm exicted for that. I'm going to bag a nice Southern Girl.

That's another thing. I have settled on what I want in a girl. The only thing is that it really weeds a lot of girls out. Sorry, no blondes. Must be intelligent and at least try for higher education. I prefer taller, skinner girls. Must be able to be quiet with me, because I firmly believe you have found someone if you can share a silence together. She must be independent, just like the song. I could go on. Yeah my standards are high, and no I won't compromise. I also hate the concept of "hard to get." Pretending to not like me will only make me... not like you. Isn't that what you wanted? Oh it's not? Sorry I thought you were just saying that you basically didn't enjoy my company. Whatever.

Today's drink is actually just a liquor, and that liquor is Bailey's. Drink it in coffee, have it on the rocks. Stuff is smooth. Perfect for sipping.

RP

Creativity

Ted has prodded me into another update. I suppose keeping busy has kept me from updating this in quite some time. That and the untimely death of my laptop. At any rate, my phone has essentially become my portal to all things on the interweb as well as communication. I now manage my e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger accounts via this phone. Data plans are rad.

Work has been work. I will have been with the Olive Garden for one year come March 10th, marking my longest stint with one employer (among 5). I am making good enough money to pay my bills and enjoy a moderate amount of leisure time. However, after going over my monthly schedules and budgets, it has become alarmingly clear how short of time I have until I leave for boot camp.

At the time of this writing, I have 49 days until Easter, on which day I will leave for the San Antonio MEPS. From there, I will embark for boot camp the next morning on my ship date (April 13th). 49 days seems like a lot. It's actually 7 weeks. One week with my dad and sister in Colorado puts that at 6. Go ahead and subtract the final week for last second preparation and other miscellaneous Navy business, and I'm at 5 weeks of civilian life before I give up the next 6 to 35 years. Compared to my one year with the OG, those numbers seem daunting.

The title of this post, though, deals more with alcohol and less with all of that. The last quality time I had to play with fire water of various types, we had not stocked up on mixers as well as we should have. One bottle of lime juice will only last about 10-15 cocktails before being exhausted, and with that many thirsty college aged people around, the task seemed daunting. So my mind begin to search for a solution. Playing by the recipe books only meant a recipe for disaster in the form of straight shots due to no more mixers. Reducing the quantity in each drink would either hurt the quality or postpone the inevitable. What to do, what to do?

It's elementary, my dear Watson. You must think creatively.

I surveyed the ingredients. Gin, rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey, bourbon whiskey, and scotch. Half a bottle of Rose's lime juice, a full bottle of Rose's grenadine, lots of lemon juoce, a bag of sugar, and about 3/4 liter of triple sec mixer.

Then my mind began to work. Gin, although dry, is based from the junniper berry, and would require a good dosage of sweet mixer or a dry compliment. Rum is already fairly sweet, so small dosages of several mixers could dull the sting for a pleasant concoction. Vodka mixes with anything. Whiskey needs a sidekick for most people. Etc.

Thus the night was saved without anyone braving cops and injury for a bottle of lime juice. The key is to know the liquors. Know what tastes well with what, know how they are made to get a good sense of what flavors would combine well. In the end, you can make a good drink. Like this one:

Carrie's Last Stand
1.5 ounces of nasty $5 vodka
1 ounce of triple sec
.5 ounce of lime juice
.5 ounce of lemon juice

Shaken, strained into a reused red plastic cup, and chugged mercilessly. Named after Carrie, a girl who typically forgets her weekends and who attempts at good bartending are wasted upon.

Cheers

Barkis Is Willing

There's a passage from Charles Dickens's novel "David Copperfield" (said to be an autobiography of sorts) involving a character named Barkis.

'So she makes,' said Mr. Barkis, after a long interval of
reflection, 'all the apple parsties, and doos all the cooking, do
she?'

I replied that such was the fact.

'Well. I'll tell you what,' said Mr. Barkis. 'P'raps you might be
writin' to her?'

'I shall certainly write to her,' I rejoined.

'Ah!' he said, slowly turning his eyes towards me. 'Well! If you
was writin' to her, p'raps you'd recollect to say that Barkis was
willin'; would you?'

'That Barkis is willing,' I repeated, innocently. 'Is that all the
message?'

Odd passage. I've never read David Copperfield, so I honestly cannot put this into context. However, I must say that it is a fine tasting drink, and the hit at a party I recently bartended. Check it out:

BARKIS IS WILLING
1.5 ounces light rum
1 ounce lime juice
1 teaspoon grenadine
.5 teaspoons sugar
2 ounces club soda
2 ounces ginger ale
1 orange slice

Shake the rum, lime juice, grenadine, and sugar in a shaker with ice. Strain it into a collins glass filled almost with ice. Top with the club soda and ginger ale, then stir. Garnish with the orange slice, then enjoy.

Absolutely amazing. So much preparation, but so good. Gotta say, this tops my list of favorite mixed-non-cocktail-drinks. Needs a new name though. How about the Dickens? Under consideration.

I've been into blues music lately. John Lee Hooker's music is fantastic. So soulful, so emotional, it reminds me of what music was meant to do: convey emotion.

I will be bartending my good friend Royce's birthday party this Saturday. Looking forward to that.

See you cats around town.

Cheers

RP

The Parkerita - Official Release to the World

It is now 3 months until I am fully employed by the US Navy. Exciting, and sobering all at once. I better start practicing my math and science now. Transitioning from a very liberal arts concentration (economics and philosophy) to a purely engineering one (nuclear propulsion) might be difficult all at once.

I was thinking of a drink to share, and the only one I can think of is my Waco-famous concoction known as the Parkerita by its adoring fans, because of it's margarita simulating flavor. The best part is that there is a lot more liquor, and really no need for salt. The weak that drink it call it Death. The strong call it Delicious. Anyway, here is the recipe:

2 Ounces Bourbon Whiskey (Jack Daniel's, Jim Bean, etc)
1 Ounce Vodka (Absolut, Smirnoff, etc)
1 Ounce Light Rum (Captain Morgan, Bacardi, etc)
1 Ounce Sour (Either lemon juice+1/2teaspoon of sugar, or a store bought sour mix)

Preparation: Pour contents into shaker half filled with ice. Shake well. Pour (don't strain) contents into a highball glass. For shots, strain contents into shot glasses (should make about 4 shots). For large quantities, the ratio is key 2:1:1:1, with whiskey being the predominant ingredient. For a variation, try other dark liquors such as amaretto, dark rum, or bourbon. If you use amaretto, you should call it the Sweet Parkerita. With dark rum, call it the Tropical Parkerita. With bourbon, call it the Kentucky Parkerita. If you want, float an ounce of 151-proof rum (Bacardi 151) at the end and don't use any light rum in your mixing. Light the 151 on fire, then down the Flaming Parkerita quickly (do so at your own risk)!

Cheers

RP

Cigarettes By Ted Krause

Here is a post by my friend and fellow blogger Ted Krause of the TK Daily. He wanted to add to the appreciation with a few quick blurbs/reviews on various smokes he has tried.

Enjoy.



So I can't post this on my blog cause my dad reads it and he does not condone smoking...so thanks to Ryan for being my outlet.

This is just a little info/keywords about all the different types of cigs i have tried:

Drum rolling tobacco: a consistent mix of tobacco. it looks cool when you can roll your own. better taste than every other rolling tobacco i.m.o.

Marlboro Reds: Do you think you're a smoker? if you can get through these you probably are. the closest thing to fuel i have ever smoked.

American Spirits: strong and natural, like i like my men

American Spirit Lights: no draw, good taste

Camel Naturals: "hey bill, we're low on dirt for the south wing construction." "yeah...it's that damn camel factory that's taking it."

Parlaments: your lungs don't like you anymore

Marlboro Menthol: do you like mint? do you like tobacco? hum.

Phillip Morris: hey what's that stuff they use to keep the dissected animals fresh? oh yeah...formaldehyde

Galois: eh...no thanks

Camel Turkish Golds: gold? how about brass.

Thanks to Ryan for his continuing interest in high quality drink and smoke.