Day 831: Toys for Tots

So, I’ve been close friends with a number of former-Marines throughout the years, well before I ever joined the Service.  However, it wasn’t until joining the Foreign Service that I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside the fine young men and women of the United States Marine Corp.


Although I flirted with the idea of joining the Army after college (I was interested in gaining some on-air radio and television experience and thought Armed Forces Network would be a good fit for me), I never serviced in the military… which is a life experience I have mixed feelings about missing. 


But life goes on… and now I’m here… and even though I am serving in a completely different capacity there is something very special about working in such close proximity of our Marines.  


For those of you who aren’t on the ‘inside’ of this whole Foreign Service thing, there is a Marine Detachment assigned to most of our overseas missions.  So, the last couple years working alongside Marines has been part of my everyday life.  And as this relationship has progressed, I have begun to adopt certain aspects of Marine culture into my own life… namely ‘Toys for Tots’.


I’d like to think we are all generous people at heart and I think it’s important for everyone to have a charity they champion and support.  Some people are Habitat for Humanity people… some people are MUST Ministries people… I’m a Toys for Tots person.  And I would like to encourage everyone to get involved!


Beyond the amazing work our Marines do bringing a little bit of Christmas to under privileged kids domestically; a lot of people don’t realize our Marine Detachments overseas have built relationships with orphanages within the countries they serve, and they are actively collecting toys for those children too.  Even in Pakistan.  Toys for Tots is an amazing program that transcends religion.  


As you can imagine, collecting Toys for Tots overseas is a lot more difficult than collecting them domestically.  Overseas, the pool of possible donors is limited to the families serving at the particular posts.  And it’s not like we have a Toys R Us readily available. 


So, please support Toys for Tots domestically, and if you’re interested in supporting Toys for Tots in Serbian and/or Pakistan, email me for more information (schutzhappens@gmail.com).


Also, I’m kind of interested in knowing what kind of impact the SchutzHappens readership has on Toys for Tots, so if you donate, it doesn’t matter where, email me and let me know how many toys you gave.  I’m going to keep a running total on the Blog!


How many toys do you think we can give during SchutzHappens very first Toys for Tots Drive!?!

Day 830: Serious Issues

There is just too much going on in the world… I’m overwhelmed by all the issues and mudslinging… but I need to take a minute and address one very important issue.  


What the heck does a man have to do around here to get a box of Girl Scout Cookies?


Don’t laugh!  I’m serious.  


For years I was an avid supporter of the Girl Scout Cookie program.  I bought from about four or five of my friends daughters and usually stocked up on enough Thin Mints, Tagalongs, and Samoas to last the year.


However, when I join the Foreign Service all of my Girl Scout Cookie dealers forgot I existed.  Nothing!  I’ve been left out in the cold.  And you can’t tell me you’re not holding… I know you’re holding.  I’m jonzing for a fix over here!  Hook a brother up!

Day 829: Is That You Fall? I Miss You… We Should Talk… Call Me.

It probably goes without saying… but it’s pretty darn hot here.  Now, I’m from the South… but I’m going to say it again… it’s pretty darn hot here.

On October 1^st, the observed high in Atlanta was 79F with a low of 58… in Islamabad; it was 91F with a low of 66F.

A week later on the 8^th, Atlanta warmed up a bit with a high of 81F and a low of 59F.  However, Islamabad remained steadfast at 91F and a low of 70F.

Another week later on the 15^th, Atlanta dropped down to a high of 77F and a low of 46F… and well… In Islamabad it was same old, same old: 91F with a low of 70F.

Now today.  October  22 (When I wrote this post).  While Atlanta is expected to observe a high of 78F and a low of 46F… Islamabad dropped to 57F!!!!!  Seriously!  As I was leaving to go to work I was like… “FINALLY!  Time to break out my Members Only jacket!”  It’s almost noon and we’re sitting at 64F outside.  I’m ecstatic.  The forecast predicts a high of 74F today, but we have a lot of cloud cover so it will probably stay pretty cool.

The trees are going to be naked before you know it!

Day 828: God Hates Shrimp

Lol!

Well… it’s official.  I’m going to hell.

http://www.godhatesshrimp.com/

I just love them so much!  And oysters… calamari… oh man… and crawfish!  CRABS!  I LORD!  The entire state of Maryland is doomed!

What is it about me and seafood… we just don’t have much luck together.

Day 827: Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear

You know?  I hate to say it… oh okay, I don’t hate saying it.  Jon Stewart and Steve Colbert are totally onto something here.  We have a two party system for a reason.  We need both sides to instill balance to the force… and this balance can only be achieved if we all work together.  Drawing such deep party lines only breeds resentment and hypocrisies. 

Yes, we may be a nation of divided ideals… but I think we could all use a day to take a step back and laugh at ourselves.  Laughter truly is the best medicine and before discussing politics we should all embrace these three ideas:

1.       Being a member of a party doesn’t mean you have to agree with 100% of the platform.

2.       A person you disagree with can still be your friend… not your enemy.

3.       Above everything else, we all want the same thing: a safe and prosperous country for our grandchildren’s grandchildren.

So, no matter which side of the spectrum you lean, please take a day to laugh and hug it out.  Let’s be able to walk away from November 2^nd with a clear head and a fresh start.

SchutzHappens officially endorses the ‘Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear’.

PS: If anyone is going please let me know!  I want pictures and a debriefing!

Day 826: Admiral Ackbar at Ole Miss? AWESOME!

  

Day 825: Oral Rehydration Salts?

Seriously… I’d like to take a moment and nominate Oral Rehydration Salts for the ‘Greatest Invention of Mankind Award’.  They’re amazing!


No matter how bad I feel… drinking a liter of Oral Rehydration Salt infused water always lifts my spirits and gives me that missing spring in my step.


Why has it taken me so long to discover the miracle that is Oral Rehydration Salts?  I don’t know!  Why have they eluded me until my time in Pakistan?  I don’t know!


Lord knows… I could have used these bad boys in college.  I may have made it to more of my 8am classes… or 11am classes for that matter, as well.