Friday, March 9, 2012

Joseph Kony and the LRA

So, there's a YouTube video making the rounds these days. "Went viral" as the youngsters say. It's about the Lord's Resistance Army and their leader, Joseph Kony.



The video is about 30 minutes long, and if you really want to get technical about it, I haven't actually, you know, watched it. That being said, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Kony is probably not portrayed as someone you'd want to have over for dinner.

I've worked Africa issues from a number of different perspectives since late 2005, and not to sound too much like a hipster douchebag, but I was aware of this particular issue before it was hip to be.

So my question is this... Why now?

Thursday, March 8, 2012

9 Years

9 years ago today, I married the woman of my dreams.

I don't think we've changed all that much. Sure, I have a little less hair and more ribbons, but all in all, we're looking pretty good.

And we have these...Yeah, the little one is new since you were here last. I have lost more to share. Don't worry. I'll be back. In the meantime, I have to start looking for the perfect gift for the big 1-0 next year. Wikipedia says I should get her this...

What say you?

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Huge Loss

Been a while, hasn't it? I wish I could come back to blogging for a better reason. Lost a friend yesterday. A whole community lost a friend today.

Carroll LeFon (aka Neptunus Lex) was killed yesterday in a mishap aboard NAS Fallon. He was flying an F-21 Kfir as a contract pilot working with the U.S. Navy.

At first, I couldn't put words to my thoughts about this. The only thing I could come up with was a string of shouted expletives that did not befit a man of such eloquence and dignity. No, that wouldn't do. Not for Lex.

The regulars at his site were a family, albeit one where most of the member had never actually met. Some of them were even regular readers here, back when I was posting more often.

His talent for the written word was boundless, and his intellect razor sharp. He made all of us readers laugh, cry, get mad, and most importantly, think. I had the honor of chatting with him a few times via email, and always promised myself that we'd meet up in person next time he was in town. Next time. Sometimes, there isn't a next time.

His loss may be devastating to the milblogging community, but it is nothing compared to that being felt by his family. If you've ever read what he wrote about them, you'd know that he loved his family more than anything.

Over at his place, the "regulars" are searching for answers and dealing with the loss. Praise and sorrow abound in the comments. Join them, won't you? Read some of his archived posts. Say a prayer for his family. Leave a comment.

When your life has been enriched by someone like Lex, its almost a compulsion to do something meaningful when they're gone. Since he got me into this blogging thing, maybe that's how I can honor his memory. Start blogging again.

Tomorrow.

Today, I mourn the passing of an officer, gentleman, husband, father, and friend.