Follow-up

Wow - appreciate all the replies folks, and it amazes me the variety of folks who drop by to read here.

For which I will say thanks - for taking the time to read my various scribbles, to comment on my thoughts and to hopefully get a bit of a glimpse into at least one cops life. I'm certainly not the most prolific writer and far from the best, but I'm glad to know some folks seem to like it.

Back to movie-night with my lovely wife, regular drivel to resume manana.

Question for the readers

Since I'm working on school stuff, and have no real content to post I will ask a question of my readers.

Drop me a comment - I'm curious as to how people found me and what brought them here. Also, if there is anyone who I've neglected on the blogroll please let me know & I'll fix it.

Late night

Just got home from a late bomb call - some old ordnance someone had brought home from overseas, which still had some explosives in it. And yet somehow the family was upset that we wouldn't let them keep it...

Truism

Having spent the past hour fixing the factory edge on a blade whilst I read schoolwork, I was reminded of the following:

Sharp beats pretty.

Just sharing the thought.

ugh

Today ended up being six hours longer than planned, thanks to the efforts of a pair of overly drunk individuals who I stopped before they killed anyone, then continued to deal with throughout the drama...

More blog later, after I get some time with my family and school.

A Sort of Homecoming

And you know it's time to go
Through the sleet and driving snow
Across the fields of mourning
Light in the distance

And you hunger for the time
Time to heal, desire, time
And your earth moves beneath
Your own dream landscape

As I've discussed, I recently took a trip out west for some training. Back to the part of the country I grew up in, where my roots and family come from.

Oh, oh, oh...
On borderland we run...

I'll be there
I'll be there...
Tonight
A high road
A high road out from here

The last time I was even in this part of the country was ten years ago - career, family & life have led me to where I am now, and I just don't make it back to a place where all my acquaintances have moved on. Still, I was very interested in visiting - both for a chance to see things again - my mountains, the landscape and all - as well as for the fact that it's a place that my wife and I have discussed as a possible "someday."

The city walls are all pulled down
The dust, a smoke screen all around
See faces ploughed like fields that once
Gave no resistance

And we live by the side of the road
On the side of a hill
As the valley explode
Dislocated, suffocated
The land grows weary of its own

This was the view out my window every morning for the first week - mountains in the high desert, a scattering of snow and just that bit of altitude. For those not familiar with the southwest it's like that - clear skies horizon to horizon, with mountains rising straight from the land below. It honestly took a bit to get used to again; very much different from the rolling hills and green trees of Virginia where I am now, from the urban sprawl and interstates where I work most of the time. But, as the tropics call to my lovely wife, the mountains call to me...



I was lucky enough to have the weekend to myself - no classes, no obligations, and a free rental car. So, I had two goals in mind. For the first part I went up to visit Albuquerque and Santa Fe for a bit. I haven't been to either town since about 1987, but had fond memories of visiting both - and I wasn't disappointed this time either. Santa Fe was by far my favorite of the two -

Oh, oh, oh...on borderland we run...
And still we run
We run and don't look back
I'll be there
I'll be there
Tonight
Tonight

I'll be there tonight...I believe
I'll be there...somehow
I'll be there...tonight
Tonight

I love the architecture, the diverse cultures which have blended together, and the shops and plazas and everything. All of it nestled in the mountains, winter or summer both surrounding the town with a feel I have always associated with growing up in places like this. I spent the day just wandering around, poking my head into anyplace that seemed interesting, and soaking it all in. Had a good lunch and a great dinner, bought souvenirs for myself and my family, and did the whole "tourist coming home" thing.



The second part of the weekend was going to be the more important for me.

For those unaware, I'm half Native - through my father's side. Due to an early divorce, plenty of moving around when I was growing up, and my own travels, I have unfortunately not been able to spend as much time with that side of my family as I would wish. Sure, I know the culture, bits of language, etc. - but I've never gotten the prolonged time around certain parts that I would like. In fact, the last time I'd been anywhere near had been 15 years go, to say goodbye to the father I hadn't seen in longer than that. So, part of the plan was to drive the extra few hours up to the reservation and visit. See the cultural center, talk with some people maybe, just look around. While I certainly couldn't fit years into a day, it would be something.

Unfortunately, reality conspired against me.

I called to make some plans and contacts pre-arrival. A wonderfully nice young lady answered the phone, listened to my questions and answered with a mixture of sorrow and almost shame.

"No, the museum is closed - it's in a two-year renovation, and we don't have anything taking it's place. No, all the tribal offices are closed because of weather and the weekend. Yes, we'd love to help you track down some relatives, but unfortunately the folks who could do that won't be around."

"But, um, we've opened a really nice casino with a spa, if you'd like to come see that. No? Well, I understand, I'm sorry."

It embarrassed me too - there's something wrong with the fact that across this country those who have been here longest have nothing to offer a prodigal son on his return but a trip to a blackjack table, and maybe a floor show... A people who once ruled the mountains of five states are reduced to yet another entertainment in order to make ends meet - where once we were allowed our rodeos and sideshows we now can entertain the conquerors with billboards for the best house odds around...

The wind will crack in winter time
This bomb-blast lightning waltz
No spoken words, just a scream...

Tonight we'll build a bridge
Across the sea and land
See the sky, the burning rain
She will die and live again
Tonight

So... instead of a cultural trip with people, I took one on my own. I spent about 9 hours driving through Indian country - deep in the reservations of several tribes, highways and back roads. Past the pueblos and the trailer parks, the small communities and the lonely ranches. Routes full of travelers, and others where I saw no cars but plenty of elk and coyote. Alone with the wind, my thoughts, and maybe the whispers of the past...

There is plenty more I could say in this post - judging my people and others, discussing the paths that history and the world have taken, or just my musings in general.

But I won't.

I am home now - because where the family and life I have made IS my home. The west still calls to me, as Africa does to her. And, someday, we will be in a position for one or the other, or someplace new - a whole lot can happen between now and then.

I'm glad I went though - for, while the trip wasn't all that was planned, it was still something I needed.

And your heart beats so slow
Through the rain and fallen snow
Across the fields of mourning
Light's in the distance

Oh don't sorrow, no don't weep
For tonight, at last
I am coming home
I am coming home

*Lyrics from U2, back when they were cool and before Bono's ego needed a separate tour bus.
Crappy photography by the author.*

Homeward Bound

After a long two weeks I am headed home. One last night in a hotel (of course, they choose the really nice hotel for the last one - when I can't enjoy it,) an early day of flying and then time with my family at last.

I've enjoyed the trip for the chance to be back around my home for a bit - but it's time to be with the ones I love.

Some longer posts coming soon, once things have returned to abnormal.

New guys

Sitting here the past two days tabletopping scenarios - I have been reminded that I have been doing some of this stuff for 20 years. Very frustrating to watch some of the mistakes folks are making, but doing my best to keep my mouth shut.

A bit of follow-up

I wrote last month about the death of the author Robert B. Parker.

Well, if the measure of a man is in his children, than Mr. Parker is looking down with great pride upon his son.

Here is the eulogy that was read.

I can only hope that someday my children will think as much of me and my wife.

Fatwa news

One interesting thing about some of the training I've been able to attend lately is that it has been very open about the dangers of radical Islam and terrorism. Avoiding the politically correct stuff and all that, just discussing the groups involved worldwide and the connections.

It has also been good about recognizing and discussing that the actions of these fanatics are not the beliefs of all Muslims; and of the growing dissatisfaction with such things in the Muslim world.

A great example of this was shown this week with a Fatwa issued by one of the Pakistani clerics - who completely condemned terrorism in all forms, and stating publicly that those preaching such were themselves evil.

Let us hope the rest of the world eagerly supports men like this in these troubling times.