The Edge is shown on stage and on the big screen above.
I went to my second U2 concert last night. This time I saw them in Dublin at Croke park. I can’t even describe how awesome it was. Although I thought the stage design was a bit weird, but once the show starts and the sun goes down - this things is great. Had a wonderful time in Dublin with Stef and our friends Rodney and Beth. Hope to see them again soon (yep, both U2 and Rodney/Beth). For some great videos check out this link on YouTube.
Still trying to crack the code on transferring benefits on the Post 9/11 GI Bill? I’ve been reading it over and think I figured a few things out…here is a synopsis of transferring to the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Lets start with the memo that explains the policy. It is a bit confusing, but when you get to Attachment 2 it starts to make sense.
Skim through it, then go to attachment 2, page 14 - it lists ADSO info.
-From what I read, there is NO ADSO if you are retirement eligible (which means more than 20 years service) on or after 1 AUG 09.
-If you hit 20 after 1 AUG 09 but before 30 SEP 13 then there is a fuzzy ADSO.
-If you accept the transfer and are less than 20 years service, you can incur an ADSO…you have to read more info to figure that out.
Go to attachment 2, page 16/17 (around there) to read the modification/revocation/transfer procedures…
You have to specify a period for which the transfer will be effective. Still working on the definition of that…I guess I would just make it for as long as the site will allow - 10 to 15 years (anyone know).
You can only TRANSFER while you are a member of the Armed services (do this before you retire).
An individual may add new dependents, modify the number of months of the transferred entitlement for existing dependants or revoke transfer of entitlement WHILE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES.
An individual may NOT add dependents after retirement or separation but MAY MODIFY the number of months of the transferred benefit or revoke transferred benefits after retirement of separation for those dependents who had received transferred benefits prior to separation or retirement. So, like R. Pais suggested - transfer at least one month of benefit to each dependent PRIOR to separation. You can sort it out later.
Att2/pg 16 states than an eligible spouse cannot use the stipend and book stipend if the sponsor is still on active duty; an eligible child can.
READY TO TRANSFER?
Call the VA Dept of Education 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to find out how many months you have available.
Now, here is the website to transfer benefits.
You check a bunch of boxes and assign a certain number of months to each family member.
Good luck and feel free to post updates/info to this page.
I love technology but usually wait too long to get anything new. I also seem to rely on the charity of good friends who pass me their hand-me-downs when they have moved on to the next step. Fortunately, they usually upgrade pretty fast so I am not that far behind the technology curve.
A week agao I received an iPhone - after using it for the awesome applications (Facebook, Shazam, ShowTell and PilotWizz are my most used) for a week now, I have concluded that this is the best thing in the past 25 years. It’s absolutely amazing. I highly recommend this product to anyone!
I have used it for picking up open wireless networks in Heidelberg, Germany; Vilnius, Lithuania and Riga, Latvia.
Happy fathers day to all you Dad’s
The clues and my reward.
Just because Stef and the kids are in the States visiting family doesn’t mean that I was forgotten about on Fathers Day. Quite the contrary actually. I was given instructions to be sure to check my email first thing in the morning when I wake up on Sunday (Father’s Day). So, dutifully, I did as instructed. The email led me to a card that led me on a scavenger hunt around my house that lasted for 3.5 hours! After a series of about 15 clues I finally figured them all out and I was rewarded…so, what did I get?
- Two tubes of aftershave conditioner - guess that is so I am not such a stinky warrior and don’t smell funky when I get home from work? (hopefully it works)
- A light weight polar fleece which I will wear today since it is pouring rain and cold.
We just returned from visiting Normandy, France for the celebration of D-Day +65. While there we visited: Pegasus bridge; Longues sur Mer; Arromanche; Ste Mere Eglise; Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches…and got to talk to many returning veterans.
June 6, 2009 - 65 years to the day after the invasion of Normandy.
June 5, 1944: The airborne assault into Normandy as part of the D-Day Allied invasion of Europe was the largest use of airborne troops up to that time. Paratroopers of the U.S. 82d and 101st Airborne divisions, the British 6th Airborne Division, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, and other attached Allied units took part in the assault. Numbering more than 13,000 men, the paratroopers were flown from bases in southern England to the Cotentin Peninsula in approximately 925 C-47 airplanes. An additional 4,000 men, consisting of glider infantry with supporting weapons and medical and signal units, were to arrive in 500 gliders later on D-Day to reinforce the paratroopers.
The parachute troops were assigned what was probably the most difficult task of the initial operation — a night jump behind enemy lines five hours before the coastal landings.
Allied drop zones preceeding the D-Day beach landings
A few weeks ago, the Wiesbaden Chaplains hosted a series of Father/Son and Father/Daughter weekends.
For the father/daughter event, they hosted a parent training seminar and brought in two guest speakers from the States. Rick Warren’s (author, “Purpose Driven Life”) brother-in-law Tom Holladay and his wife spoke to us about the challenges and opportunities of being parents. It was a great seminar and a time for Stef and I to take some time to learn something together and focus on our own thoughts and strategies.
That night, Emily, Anabelle and I dressed up and attended a formal banquet where we played some games, talked and listened to the guest speakers again. We even got to dance to a song before the night was out.
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Jerry and Rachel; Emily, Annie and Gordon
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Eric Christenson, Ben and Bryan Hickerson
The following weekend, for the Father/Son event, they flew in two baseball players from California. Bryan Hickerson & Eric Christoferson took the boys out to learn some baseball skills while Dr. John LaNoue (Texas Baptist Men) gave us a heart felt lecture on his amazing life and for finding a purpose to yours.
The following day we headed to the Kletterwald ropes course - which is an obstacle/confidence course that is built high in the Taunus Mountains and designed to challenge you both physically and mentally. Overall, both of these events served as a unique way to communicate with our children in a different way. Thank you!
The new single is Magnificent and it’s now released on video along with a series of genius remixes. Take a listen. Shot in Morocco, and starring Adam, Larry, Edge and Bono…this is another great song off their newest album, “No Line on the Horizon.” Enjoy.
The following has been transcribed directly from the journal that I kept while hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT).
AT PACKING LIST (for trip on 27 July 2000)
IN / ON MY PACK
-Backpack cover (came with the pack)
-Backpack (REI Wonderland copy www.royalbag.com)
-Thermarest Classic-drew a chessboard on it with marker
-Mosquito net to use when sleeping
-Poncho Liner
-Poncho to use as overhead shelter (no tent this time)
-Small pillow (Camoflagued too)
-Army Survival Hat-need something to catch sweat
-Campmor Pack light Jacket (rain coat)
-sewing kit-could have been smaller
-REI convertible Sahara pants/shorts-the BEST investment
-Canvas shorts-used once
-3 pair Thorlo Coolmax light hiker socks
-2x Duofold Hydrid Coolmax Lightweight Men’s Short Sleeve Tee
-Hydrid Coolmax® Lightweight Long Sleeve Training Shirt
-3 pr. Boxer briefs
-towel
-Tevas for camp shoes -Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters-AWESOME
-33 oz fuel bottle-Half full
-MSR Multi fuel expedition stove-love it
-Stainless steel drinking cup
-MSR pot 1,600ml capacity-perfect for Mac-n-cheese
-hard plastic utensils-non-melting
-MSR Waterworks II filter
-Dromolite 2.5 L water bag-water filter attaches to it
-Dromolite hands free hydration system-like camel bak-awesome
-32oz Nalgene wide mouth bottle-water filter attaches to this also
-Petzel Micro headlamp w/ halogen lamp-lightweight, must have
-Castile Soap-need tiny amount(brush teeth, wash clothes, dishes etc)
-toothbrush
-mini compass/thermometer for zipper on pack
-1 disposable camera-take lots of pictures
-waterproof bag (for food)
-Book to read, “In a Sunburned Country” by Bill Bryson
-pen
-small journal (5″x8″ army green notebook)
-id/credit card, cash, emergency contacts
-1st aid: aspirin, Imodium, Band-Aids, moleskin, chap stick
-550 cord
-Gerber multi tool
-Toilette paper/baby wipes
-Garden trowel
FOOD (In waterproof bag, middle of pack)
-6 packs of instant Cream of Wheat -1 bag of Pemmican Beef Jerky
-1 bag of Trisquits -1 bag of Melba Rounds -3 Power Bars for snacks
-4 Mac-n-cheese
-Trail mix-homemade: Salted nuts, coconut, m&m’s and rice chex-heavy but good stuff
-Dried Apricots-heavy but nice
-Multi vitamins and garlic pills
-Ziploc labeled “trash”
-Extra Ziplocs
-All food in Ziplocs and in waterproof bag
-lighter / matches
-Salt and Sugar
-small green scrub pad-to clean pot and water filter
-2 Oral Rehydration salts-just in case
-Sugar free Tang- for 100% vitamin C
*Stored sugar, salt, bullion and tang in plastic film cases.
IDEAS
-MSR Waterworks II filter worked well. Pumps like a bee bee rifle and has a bit less throughput than the Pur model. Really like how it screws directly to the Dromolite and Nalgene bottles. Do need to get an extra piece of tubing to hook to the clean end of the filter if you are filling something that it will not screw onto.
-Pur brand water purifier worked nice. Pump up and down and have fast throughput. They are purifiers: clean water really well.
-Put coffee filter over the end of water filter to keep sand out.
-Would be nice to carry the other piece of the blue Wal-mart ground cloth that I cut up to use as an overhead shelter in case of much rain. Lightweight and easy to pack.
-I tied everything off to my pack so I wouldn’t lose it (knife, filter, water bottle)
-Stovetop, minute rice, bullion and dehydrated chicken makes fast, easy meal and very filling!
-Leave a camera along the way with instructions for finder to take it with them, take some shots then drop if for next person. Leave your address so you can get it back.
-Take a notebook to leave at shelter for the register. Again, put address in it so you get it back.
