Putting on the Ritz

Notre Dame

Jardin de Tuileries of Paris

Hello Kindle, Goodbye Borders

"Books no longer, get lost on the shelf. They can be accessed even in the remote parts of the world, even that clunky textbook.  With the Kindle, once you buy a book, it's forever yours."

Reminiscing

I used to love Borders and Barnes and Nobles.  I would spend countless hours, flipping away at shelves,  relaxing in the comfy chairs, eating away at books and sipping Seattle's Best.

Those were the days. Long, and lazy with nothing in store but a good book and an open mind.  Now those long, lazy days are long gone....

Planning for my European Backpacking Trip

When I was planning my trip to Europe, I knew I would spend countless hours waiting for a plane, for a train or riding on one.  Since I was backpacking, I had to travel light.  I was convinced then that I needed to purchase a Kindle.  And since Amazon had just reduced the price on the Kindle 2 by 20%, I was off running to Target to make that storied purchase.

Operation Welcome Home

Relationship

I flew in with approximately 200 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for up to one year.

A flight that I barely made (Space-A), and one that I didn't expect to make turned out to be the highlight of my trip.

Understanding

It was an honor flying with my brothers and sisters back home. And it was a great honor being in the receiving line of the best, most heart-felt welcoming I've ever witnessed in my 20 years of service.

What a wonderful way to come home after the whirlwind tour of Europe and a fantastic way to end my Navy career.

I start school on Sunday and go on terminal leave until the end of October.

Thank you sincerely to everyone especially Operation Welcome Home for giving our Heroes the welcome that they truly deserve.

Bastille Day 2010, Paris

Spectacular Greek Islands

I was just on my way back to Souda Bay, Crete to catch the Patriot Express back to the States. I decided to arrive a day early, so that I would hopefully be ensured a seat back in what I consider the "Navy's best kept secret in the Mediterranean".

Hania is so attractive, it's surprisingly beautiful and warm.  Not just the blisfull Mediterranean climate but the people, their hospitality, the beautiful, crumbling Venetian harbor, the character of the sea town with the rhythm of the Aegian Sea, warm and frisky.  My heart skips a beat everytime the balmy summer waves pound against the shore and the harbor wall.

Hania is just not your average Mediterranean seaport adjacent to a US Naval Base.  It is a location, a destination, a place to prop up your feet and to declare Crete as one of the best, under-rated vacation spots in the cultural, eclectic Greek island chains.