Book Burning...

If you haven't heard about the church in Gainesville, Florida burning
fifteen hundred Korans...CNN is mad. So are Fox News and Reuters. All of
them are furious. They've grabbed on to a story that deserves no attention
and made it a national debate. They'll have reporters on site and there
will be commercial breaks to sell you car insurance and hygiene products.

If any of us wanted to we could burn every copy of the Koran, Bible and Book
of Mormom we could find, steal or buy. What makes this a story is the media
attention. What could possibly make this dangerous to our people serving in
Muslim countries is not the act of burning the Koran, but the media
attention it has gotten. The act itself is a ignorant one and will do
nothing to draw people away from the Koran or it's teachings.

This is a story because CNN wants you to think it is. It is dangerous
because our media has publicized it and we have tweeted it, posted it,
linked it and fed it.

I post this in hopes that you will join me in refusing to publicize
something that is only dangerous if it is publicized.

Quitting Soft Drinks...

I am going to attempt to quit drinking soft drinks. In practice I refer to soft drinks, of all brands and flavors, as "coke"...but I thought the title of "Quitting Coke" would perhaps imply a different subject matter. I had a coke Sunday afternoon and then one again today (Thursday in Japan). So now I can't have one any sooner than 5 days from today. If I make it longer than 5 days, that becomes my new standard and so on and so on.

If anyone wishes to join me in "quitting coke" let me know and we can partner up!

My New Assignment

A few weeks ago, I received orders to AIMD Atsugi. I had been working at Aviation Medicine at the hospital which was a pretty decent job, but out of my area of training.

AIMD is an intermediate repair center for parts and support equipment. My job will now be in transferring engines and prop assemblies. Loads of fun eh? My orders here are until January, but I will likely extend until August when I will be separating from the Navy.

Just thought I should fill everyone in on what is going on.

It's a girl!

We are thrilled to announce that we will be having a girl! Alaina Grace should be here around the first week of December! We thank you all for your thoughts and well wishing. The love of our friends and family sustain us while we are in a far off place.

Awa Dori (Yamato)

Jenny recently participated in a local festival by dancing in traditional Japanese dress. She enjoyed it despite the heat. I enjoyed taking her picture despite running up and down the parade route trying to get in good position. I suppose I cannot complain as I was not 20 weeks pregnant at the time. Jenny will again be doing the traditional dances at an upcoming festival on base.

We are both anxiously awaiting tomorrow's ultrasound for another attempt to learn if our baby is a boy or a girl. :) It is going to be a busy fall and winter and Jenny and I are excited. Visits from both sets of parents and the arrival of our first born on or around December 8.

Stay tuned.

And baby makes 3...

Jenny and I are expecting our first child on December 8. Looking forward to meeting either Kenneth Aiden or Alaina Grace!

Calming Night Scene

Tress around Mt Oyama

 

Tokyo at Night

 

Bugler in Perth