Well here I sit, in one of new favorite places, notice I said ONE of my new favorite places, the Trident Grill (Trident Grill is named after the special warfare insignia worn by all Navy SEALs), near the U of A campus, being served a pint of Newcastle by Ashley, my attentive server. List of reasons why I like the Trident so much: 1) Free Wireless Internet, 2) Friendly staff and patrons, 3) Many great beers on tap and the 4th & Top Reason) Owned and operated by Nelson Miller, retired US Navy SEAL and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is one of the Naval Special Warfare guys who personally carried prisoner of war, Private Jessica Lynch, US Army, from the building where she was being held, during her rescue from her Iraqi captors. In Webster's Dictionary next to the word "Bad Ass" I am sure there is a picture of Nelson! I usually come here to do some online banking, check my webmail, grab some food, and oh yeah, to have a few beers. The only way it could be any better is if I had a one of my bestest LA buddies here to share a beer and some fish and chips with... bro, you know who you are!
So, the reason for this posting, my first ever, is to lay the some of the background which caused my to move to Arizona. The posting and probably all of the future postings will be a bit "Momento" or "BABEL" style, which means it will look back over time, but may (read = will) jump around a bit chronologically too, which may not surprise you, if you know me and my detailed story telling style.
After watching "Stranger Than Fiction" a few weeks back, I realized that for about the last 4 years I have been living in a "Tragedy" as in Tragedy vs. Comedy as Dustin Hoffman's character talks about in the movie. I mean that half jokingly, which of course means, I'm half serious too. The gist of it is, that it seems that nearly everything I have pursued or tried over the last 4 years, has fallen at my feet/been denied me/didn't work out/didn't happen or as I have since realized, were all my plans for me, but clearly not God's plans for me. As I was relating to a good friend recently, I was really beginning to wonder if I had lost all ability to discern what God had for me and my future. The relational piece is a part of it but the bigger part is the vocational thing, that has been the hardest part for me, to not feel a sense of connection in.....
The list of things that didn't work out is long and painful, but not so much now, but very much so as I was going thru it. Thankfully now I have learned to look at it more like a true prophet of our generation once said "Sometimes I Thank God For Unanswered Prayers".
Well, back to the list from last 4 years:
Applied for FBI (2 month process) - "You're too old"
Accepted to Border Patrol (3 month process) - "Failed oral interview"
Met/Dated/Engaged (1-1/2 yrs process) - "Not the right thing"
Job change for "opportunity" in escrow (2 yrs process) - "Opportunity..... NOT!!!!"
Applied for Naval OCS/Naval Intel (grueling 5 month process) - "Sorry, you weren't selected"
AAAHHHHHHGGGGGGG
This is the point where I ran out of ideas.....
But, alas, things have started to turn around!
Stay tuned for more story and pictures to come....
So, the reason for this posting, my first ever, is to lay the some of the background which caused my to move to Arizona. The posting and probably all of the future postings will be a bit "Momento" or "BABEL" style, which means it will look back over time, but may (read = will) jump around a bit chronologically too, which may not surprise you, if you know me and my detailed story telling style.
After watching "Stranger Than Fiction" a few weeks back, I realized that for about the last 4 years I have been living in a "Tragedy" as in Tragedy vs. Comedy as Dustin Hoffman's character talks about in the movie. I mean that half jokingly, which of course means, I'm half serious too. The gist of it is, that it seems that nearly everything I have pursued or tried over the last 4 years, has fallen at my feet/been denied me/didn't work out/didn't happen or as I have since realized, were all my plans for me, but clearly not God's plans for me. As I was relating to a good friend recently, I was really beginning to wonder if I had lost all ability to discern what God had for me and my future. The relational piece is a part of it but the bigger part is the vocational thing, that has been the hardest part for me, to not feel a sense of connection in.....
The list of things that didn't work out is long and painful, but not so much now, but very much so as I was going thru it. Thankfully now I have learned to look at it more like a true prophet of our generation once said "Sometimes I Thank God For Unanswered Prayers".
Well, back to the list from last 4 years:
Applied for FBI (2 month process) - "You're too old"
Accepted to Border Patrol (3 month process) - "Failed oral interview"
Met/Dated/Engaged (1-1/2 yrs process) - "Not the right thing"
Job change for "opportunity" in escrow (2 yrs process) - "Opportunity..... NOT!!!!"
Applied for Naval OCS/Naval Intel (grueling 5 month process) - "Sorry, you weren't selected"
AAAHHHHHHGGGGGGG
This is the point where I ran out of ideas.....
But, alas, things have started to turn around!
Stay tuned for more story and pictures to come....
4 comments:
Glad to hear you found good beer. Although someone I know drinks several BitBurgers a day (NA beer available at any chow hall in Afghanistan), I have yet to make myself try it. Maybe I'll pop one open for Easter.
Your story has a familiar tone to it. Besides the fact that I can relate, it also reminds me of a favorite Rich Mullins song:
"I can't see how You're leading me
unless You've led me here
to where I'm lost enough
to let myself be led."
(Hard to Get)
Hang in there, brother. I look forward to seeing you when I get home. Until then, take care.
Blakah, Blakah.. hope all is well. I got a new bike and going to start cycling, running again in hopes of doing my first triath. Thought of you... peace,
Bill Coats
I will be out there in May,on the weekend of the 19th, for a wedding. Love to see you DUDE. Ahh and your set backs ... Great success is not achieved with out set backs
Hacksaw, congrats on yer first tri, but alas youve already done it, cause I am answering an email from nearly a year ago, I'm a dork! Great seeing you on Sunday at CA, miss you guys. Long Live Sierra The Bruce!
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