It's a bird, it's a plane......It's CAPTAIN MEEHL.
If you couldn't tell Rob has now been promoted to Captain. He might try to be modest (although that would be a first) but he really deserved it. There are some pictures below of his promotion ceremony. Niki
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Saturday, May 28, 2005
For Niki
I could not have made a better choice. At the time I was unaware of exactly what I was doing. When I think back on what I was looking for when I found you, it is amazing what I ended up with. My list of what you had that I wanted looked like this:
Hot, funny, friend of my friends, enjoyed life, loved to laugh, hot, and most importantly was willing to be with me.
This is all I was looking for; little did I know I would end up with so much more than that. For way too long I continued to look only at my own list. Only recently have I really learned what love is all about. Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians. He puts it this way:
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
This is God’s list, and it is so different from my own. His list describes real love. The kind of love you gave to me. You were patient when I was not. You were kind when I raged. You forgave when I let you down. You never gave up on me and you were always hopeful. You love was focused on me. You gave up your life and attached your future to mine. Often times, you put more in than you got back.
On your birthday, as I sit separated by thousands of miles, I have thought a great deal about what I can do to make your birthday special. I would love to be able to just take you to the mall, and buy you a shirt, but that is not going to happen. So I am writing you to tell you just how much you mean to me.
You have gone from being that attractive young woman I kissed for the first time, while watching “As Good as it Gets,” to the most beautiful woman I know. In you God gave me everything on my list, but also everything on His list. You are everything I want and need, and I want to thank you for being my wife. Did I mention that you are hot?
Happy Birthday
Hot, funny, friend of my friends, enjoyed life, loved to laugh, hot, and most importantly was willing to be with me.
This is all I was looking for; little did I know I would end up with so much more than that. For way too long I continued to look only at my own list. Only recently have I really learned what love is all about. Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians. He puts it this way:
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
This is God’s list, and it is so different from my own. His list describes real love. The kind of love you gave to me. You were patient when I was not. You were kind when I raged. You forgave when I let you down. You never gave up on me and you were always hopeful. You love was focused on me. You gave up your life and attached your future to mine. Often times, you put more in than you got back.
On your birthday, as I sit separated by thousands of miles, I have thought a great deal about what I can do to make your birthday special. I would love to be able to just take you to the mall, and buy you a shirt, but that is not going to happen. So I am writing you to tell you just how much you mean to me.
You have gone from being that attractive young woman I kissed for the first time, while watching “As Good as it Gets,” to the most beautiful woman I know. In you God gave me everything on my list, but also everything on His list. You are everything I want and need, and I want to thank you for being my wife. Did I mention that you are hot?
Happy Birthday
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Possibly the Greatest News Story of All Time
This story was on BBC.com on May 2, 2005.
Lion Mutilates 42 Midgets in Cambodian Ring-Fight
An African Lion much like this is responsible for the death of 28 Cambodian Midgets
Spectators cheered as entire Cambodian Midget Fighting League squared off against African Lion
Tickets had been sold-out three weeks before the much anticipated fight, which took place in the city of Kâmpóng Chhnãng.
The fight was slated when an angry fan contested Yang Sihamoni, President of the CMFL, claiming that one lion could defeat his entire league of 42 fighters.
Sihamoni takes great pride in the league he helped create, as was conveyed in his recent advertising campaign for the CMFL that stated his midgets will "... take on anything; man, beast, or machine."
This campaign is believed to be what sparked the undisclosed fan to challenge the entire league to fight a lion; a challenge that Sihamoni readily accepted.
An African Lion (Panthera Leo) was shipped to centrally located Kâmpóng Chhnãng especially for the event, which took place last Saturday, April 30, 2005 in the city’s coliseum.
The Cambodian Government allowed the fight to take place, under the condition that they receive a 50% commission on each ticket sold, and that no cameras would be allowed in the arena.
The fight was called in only 12 minutes, after which 28 fighters were declared dead, while the other 14 suffered severe injuries including broken bones and lost limbs, rendering them unable to fight back.
Sihamoni was quoted before the fight stating that he felt since his fighters out-numbered the lion 42 to 1, that they “… could out-wit and out-muscle [it].”
Unfortunately, he was wrong.
Monday, 2 May, 2005, 07:46 GMT 08:46 UK
Now, this story is apparently a fake, but I don't care. The concept is so rad, I had to put it on the site. Personally, I think the midgets would win. Years ago I had an argument like this with my friend Eric. Only I was arguing that no man could pin a chimpanzee in a wrestling match. I still stand by that.
Lion Mutilates 42 Midgets in Cambodian Ring-Fight
An African Lion much like this is responsible for the death of 28 Cambodian Midgets
Spectators cheered as entire Cambodian Midget Fighting League squared off against African Lion
Tickets had been sold-out three weeks before the much anticipated fight, which took place in the city of Kâmpóng Chhnãng.
The fight was slated when an angry fan contested Yang Sihamoni, President of the CMFL, claiming that one lion could defeat his entire league of 42 fighters.
Sihamoni takes great pride in the league he helped create, as was conveyed in his recent advertising campaign for the CMFL that stated his midgets will "... take on anything; man, beast, or machine."
This campaign is believed to be what sparked the undisclosed fan to challenge the entire league to fight a lion; a challenge that Sihamoni readily accepted.
An African Lion (Panthera Leo) was shipped to centrally located Kâmpóng Chhnãng especially for the event, which took place last Saturday, April 30, 2005 in the city’s coliseum.
The Cambodian Government allowed the fight to take place, under the condition that they receive a 50% commission on each ticket sold, and that no cameras would be allowed in the arena.
The fight was called in only 12 minutes, after which 28 fighters were declared dead, while the other 14 suffered severe injuries including broken bones and lost limbs, rendering them unable to fight back.
Sihamoni was quoted before the fight stating that he felt since his fighters out-numbered the lion 42 to 1, that they “… could out-wit and out-muscle [it].”
Unfortunately, he was wrong.
Monday, 2 May, 2005, 07:46 GMT 08:46 UK
Now, this story is apparently a fake, but I don't care. The concept is so rad, I had to put it on the site. Personally, I think the midgets would win. Years ago I had an argument like this with my friend Eric. Only I was arguing that no man could pin a chimpanzee in a wrestling match. I still stand by that.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Friday, May 20, 2005
The War within a War.
There are two wars going on here in Iraq. One is the war that you see in the newspapers and on TV. The other is one that most people are not willing to speak about. For this second, little known and very seldom acknowledged, war is not the thing the American Government wants you to know about. This war is one that exists here inside the walls of this highly fortified and well protected compound. This secret war is one that divides the people who call this place home. This secret war is something that has the potential to break apart the coalition that exists here inside these walls. This war causes many Americans to lose heart, and is beginning to break us all. This war is volleyball.
There are several, very small men from Nepal here on the compound. These men although very small in stature, are virtual giants on the volleyball court. I think volleyball is the national sport of Nepal, and if it isn’t then they need to rethink their national sport, because they are freakin’ good at it. Watching them play is like watching Jordan shoot a fall-away jumper. These men have formed a team. That team of rag-tag volleyball warriors average 5’5” in height. They play against the Americans here almost nightly, and manage to wipe the court with us. We Americans, who as a team average 6’0”, don’t stand a chance. It has become an obsession, of sorts, for many here. But alas, we continue to lose. Spirits are high, and so is morale, but we can sense to defeat as soon as the first spike is unleashed from the side of those tiny volleyball gods. Average scores look like this: Nepal 15, America 6. Man we suck. Occasionally we sneak in a victory, but usually when they are kind enough not to destroy us, we overdo the celebration. We proceed to chant, parade and dance, like any good American would, we rub it in. This celebration is always short lived, for they tire of our gloating very quickly and then defeat so overwhelmingly that all we can do is stand there and watch. It is very humbling.
However, being the good Americans that we are, we always ensure to end every game with the traditional little league inspired, “Good Game” hand-shake line. And then, just like the true Americans we are, we start to blame each other. Volleyball is the most depressing sport God ever put on planet.
There are several, very small men from Nepal here on the compound. These men although very small in stature, are virtual giants on the volleyball court. I think volleyball is the national sport of Nepal, and if it isn’t then they need to rethink their national sport, because they are freakin’ good at it. Watching them play is like watching Jordan shoot a fall-away jumper. These men have formed a team. That team of rag-tag volleyball warriors average 5’5” in height. They play against the Americans here almost nightly, and manage to wipe the court with us. We Americans, who as a team average 6’0”, don’t stand a chance. It has become an obsession, of sorts, for many here. But alas, we continue to lose. Spirits are high, and so is morale, but we can sense to defeat as soon as the first spike is unleashed from the side of those tiny volleyball gods. Average scores look like this: Nepal 15, America 6. Man we suck. Occasionally we sneak in a victory, but usually when they are kind enough not to destroy us, we overdo the celebration. We proceed to chant, parade and dance, like any good American would, we rub it in. This celebration is always short lived, for they tire of our gloating very quickly and then defeat so overwhelmingly that all we can do is stand there and watch. It is very humbling.
However, being the good Americans that we are, we always ensure to end every game with the traditional little league inspired, “Good Game” hand-shake line. And then, just like the true Americans we are, we start to blame each other. Volleyball is the most depressing sport God ever put on planet.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Update on Rob
Hello all,
So I have been in Iraq for 3 months now. It has been a strange couple of months so far. We first showed up and things were beginning to calm down. The elections took place and everything seemed to be looking up. Then suddenly the terrorists decided that the Government in Iraq might be for real, so they are now doing everything they can to destroy this country. The vast majority of Iraqis are very optimistic about the future of this country. They have watched the last 3 months as the government was voted in and is now finally beginning to take shape. There are a lot of influences here, all trying to get something, all trying to push the leaders of this new country in 1000 different directions. The pressure being placed on men like Jafari and Talabani is extreme. Being in Iraq at this time is like being a part of history. Watching as these men and others like them, work for freedom for their entire country. It makes me think of the founding fathers of our own country. Men like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and the rest of the men who made America great.
Being in Iraq at this time is probably a lot like being with General George Washington, as he and his men quietly got into their boats and sneaked across the Delaware River, out into the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal, and eventually discovered the state of Washington. How cool that must have been to land in a place that has the same name as you.
Maybe it is like being with Thomas Jefferson on his apple farm. Being there that cold night in late March 1821, when he invented freedom.
Or, how about being there when Benjamin Franklin stole the key to Louisiana, from the Dutch, then lured them into Wounded Knee, where he and the rest of the Mexican Army surrounded them and finally defeated Hitler’s Nazis.
Being here is like watching Abraham Lincoln bring his country back from the brink of destruction. Abe Lincoln was also known as “The Rail Splitter” for his ability to crush the skull of a fully grown wolverine with his bare hands. Back in 1902, when Lincoln was the President, wolverines were commonly referred to as “rails”.
How about being there when Hammerin’ Hank Aaron delivered on his promise to defeat the Indianapolis Colt in Super Bowl XXMCIIXVCMMI, I think that means 2, but I have never been good at Italian.
You don’t have to go to the other side of the world to experience history. You can make history in your own backyard. It is easy to make, all you need is a ¼ cup of margarine, 3 tlbs. of mayonnaise, a pinch of asparagus, 3 coffee beans, and voila you have History.
Sadly there are people in the world who have very little knowledge of the rich history of America. America is oldest country on the planet, yet sadly there are some people in the world who know virtually nothing about our past. Did you that over half of the world’s 500 trillion people are not American? It is true. There are a whole lot of non-Americans in this world. It is our job as Americans to ensure that those people have every chance to experience what America is really about: Freedom, Democracy, Equality, 7-11 Slurpees and BBQ Potato Chips. These are the things that have made America the greatest country on the planet for the last 831 years. With hard work and determination, Iraq will one day be great. With some work and a few more bad teeth, Iraq will be as good as England. With no work, a great influx of prostitutes and a serious attitude problem, Iraq will be equal with France. No matter what, Iraq is already better than Canada.
Rebuilding Iraq will take time and effort, I mean the great Amish war was nearly 500 years ago, and those people are still struggling to get electricity to their country. We must remember the past and focus on the future. We should look to Japan as a model of reconstruction. Godzilla destroys that country about once every three years, and they continue to rebuild and make things that are really tiny.
In summary, pay attention to the world around you, and learn your history. Learning history is what has taken me to places I never imagined.
V/R,
S. Robert Meehl
Matthew 16:15
So I have been in Iraq for 3 months now. It has been a strange couple of months so far. We first showed up and things were beginning to calm down. The elections took place and everything seemed to be looking up. Then suddenly the terrorists decided that the Government in Iraq might be for real, so they are now doing everything they can to destroy this country. The vast majority of Iraqis are very optimistic about the future of this country. They have watched the last 3 months as the government was voted in and is now finally beginning to take shape. There are a lot of influences here, all trying to get something, all trying to push the leaders of this new country in 1000 different directions. The pressure being placed on men like Jafari and Talabani is extreme. Being in Iraq at this time is like being a part of history. Watching as these men and others like them, work for freedom for their entire country. It makes me think of the founding fathers of our own country. Men like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and the rest of the men who made America great.
Being in Iraq at this time is probably a lot like being with General George Washington, as he and his men quietly got into their boats and sneaked across the Delaware River, out into the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal, and eventually discovered the state of Washington. How cool that must have been to land in a place that has the same name as you.
Maybe it is like being with Thomas Jefferson on his apple farm. Being there that cold night in late March 1821, when he invented freedom.
Or, how about being there when Benjamin Franklin stole the key to Louisiana, from the Dutch, then lured them into Wounded Knee, where he and the rest of the Mexican Army surrounded them and finally defeated Hitler’s Nazis.
Being here is like watching Abraham Lincoln bring his country back from the brink of destruction. Abe Lincoln was also known as “The Rail Splitter” for his ability to crush the skull of a fully grown wolverine with his bare hands. Back in 1902, when Lincoln was the President, wolverines were commonly referred to as “rails”.
How about being there when Hammerin’ Hank Aaron delivered on his promise to defeat the Indianapolis Colt in Super Bowl XXMCIIXVCMMI, I think that means 2, but I have never been good at Italian.
You don’t have to go to the other side of the world to experience history. You can make history in your own backyard. It is easy to make, all you need is a ¼ cup of margarine, 3 tlbs. of mayonnaise, a pinch of asparagus, 3 coffee beans, and voila you have History.
Sadly there are people in the world who have very little knowledge of the rich history of America. America is oldest country on the planet, yet sadly there are some people in the world who know virtually nothing about our past. Did you that over half of the world’s 500 trillion people are not American? It is true. There are a whole lot of non-Americans in this world. It is our job as Americans to ensure that those people have every chance to experience what America is really about: Freedom, Democracy, Equality, 7-11 Slurpees and BBQ Potato Chips. These are the things that have made America the greatest country on the planet for the last 831 years. With hard work and determination, Iraq will one day be great. With some work and a few more bad teeth, Iraq will be as good as England. With no work, a great influx of prostitutes and a serious attitude problem, Iraq will be equal with France. No matter what, Iraq is already better than Canada.
Rebuilding Iraq will take time and effort, I mean the great Amish war was nearly 500 years ago, and those people are still struggling to get electricity to their country. We must remember the past and focus on the future. We should look to Japan as a model of reconstruction. Godzilla destroys that country about once every three years, and they continue to rebuild and make things that are really tiny.
In summary, pay attention to the world around you, and learn your history. Learning history is what has taken me to places I never imagined.
V/R,
S. Robert Meehl
Matthew 16:15
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Iraqi Businessman Says His Country Appreciates Americans' Sacrifices
By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2005 - Rubar S. Sandi, an Iraqi businessman, wants the
American public to know U.S. troops killed in Iraq have not died in vain.
"Your sons, your husband," he said to the wife of Army Capt. Bill Jacobsen who died in a suicide-bomb attack in Mosul Iraq "I don't call them dead; they live in every one of us.
"You all need to be proud of your sons and daughters" he said. "They are doing
a terrific job. Their lives have definitely not been wasted. They are there
because of you."
Sandi an outspoken critic of Saddam Hussein was a guest speaker at an April 27
luncheon sponsored by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors which aims
to help families through the grief process.
Sandi, president and CEO of The Sandi Group, a security and logistics firm with
headquarters in Washington and Baghdad and one of the largest employers in
Iraq said that despite the violence in Iraq the majority of Iraqis appreciate
the sacrifice U.S. servicemembers have made for their country.
"The message (Iraqis) have for America is to please stay" he said.
Sandi explained that Iraqis see violence against Americans as a "horrible
thing."
"If you ask the Iraqi people the majority -- 95 percent -- will say they are
happier" he said. "If you go through the streets of Baghdad you see restaurants
and tea shops open until (2 or 3 a.m.). "'If you asked them 'Are you happy?' They will say 'Absolutely'" he said.
However, Sandi said it is the stories of servicemembers dying in violent
car-bomb attacks that grab media headlines. Such violence overshadows how happy
Iraqis are about the tremendous progress being made "from health to education to
electricity to clean water" he said.
"People have hope that's the biggest progress that you can imagine" he
explained. "During Saddam, people were dying for nothing their lives were
worthless."
Sandi told the group he understands the pain of Americans who have lost loved
ones fighting for Iraq's freedom. He said several of his security personnel have
been "killed and executed" by terrorists, and others have died defending against
insurgent attacks on U.S. servicemembers.
"We are fighting side by side with your sons and daughters" he said. "We are
fighting for the same cause.
"I do pray for President Bush the Americans and specifically for the U.S. armed
forces for their dedication and for them sacrificing their lives to defend
freedom" he added. "Even if you don't believe in Iraq you must believe in
America."
Sandi also told the group that he believes peace will one day come to Iraq but
it will be a "long journey."
"We have to take it step by step" he said. "Things will get better."
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2005 - Rubar S. Sandi, an Iraqi businessman, wants the
American public to know U.S. troops killed in Iraq have not died in vain.
"Your sons, your husband," he said to the wife of Army Capt. Bill Jacobsen who died in a suicide-bomb attack in Mosul Iraq "I don't call them dead; they live in every one of us.
"You all need to be proud of your sons and daughters" he said. "They are doing
a terrific job. Their lives have definitely not been wasted. They are there
because of you."
Sandi an outspoken critic of Saddam Hussein was a guest speaker at an April 27
luncheon sponsored by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors which aims
to help families through the grief process.
Sandi, president and CEO of The Sandi Group, a security and logistics firm with
headquarters in Washington and Baghdad and one of the largest employers in
Iraq said that despite the violence in Iraq the majority of Iraqis appreciate
the sacrifice U.S. servicemembers have made for their country.
"The message (Iraqis) have for America is to please stay" he said.
Sandi explained that Iraqis see violence against Americans as a "horrible
thing."
"If you ask the Iraqi people the majority -- 95 percent -- will say they are
happier" he said. "If you go through the streets of Baghdad you see restaurants
and tea shops open until (2 or 3 a.m.). "'If you asked them 'Are you happy?' They will say 'Absolutely'" he said.
However, Sandi said it is the stories of servicemembers dying in violent
car-bomb attacks that grab media headlines. Such violence overshadows how happy
Iraqis are about the tremendous progress being made "from health to education to
electricity to clean water" he said.
"People have hope that's the biggest progress that you can imagine" he
explained. "During Saddam, people were dying for nothing their lives were
worthless."
Sandi told the group he understands the pain of Americans who have lost loved
ones fighting for Iraq's freedom. He said several of his security personnel have
been "killed and executed" by terrorists, and others have died defending against
insurgent attacks on U.S. servicemembers.
"We are fighting side by side with your sons and daughters" he said. "We are
fighting for the same cause.
"I do pray for President Bush the Americans and specifically for the U.S. armed
forces for their dedication and for them sacrificing their lives to defend
freedom" he added. "Even if you don't believe in Iraq you must believe in
America."
Sandi also told the group that he believes peace will one day come to Iraq but
it will be a "long journey."
"We have to take it step by step" he said. "Things will get better."
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