Best quote in a newspaper article EVAH.

This week's NY Times had an article about growing up with a strange name. It's worth a read, if only for this quote:

“I can’t tell you,” Mr. Sherrod said, “how often I’ve heard guys who wanted their kid to be able to say truthfully, ‘Danger is my middle name.’ But their wives absolutely refused.”

It's all the more funny to me because we know one wife who actually acquiesced to that particular husbandly request and now gets the eye every time she registers Thomas Danger _________ for any activity.

How you know that too many soldiers are being bad boys.

This morning, after a series of phone calls about all manner of soldier related fuck-ups (if you didn't know, whenever a guy gets arrested, gets drunk and disorderly or just generally fucks up, both the company First Sergeant, aka Top, and Commander get calls -- no matter the time), my speech-delayed son picked up my husband's cellular telephone. He likes to play telephone and just babble on but we were amazed this morning when we heard the following:

"Hello, Top. WHAT?! NO! (insert stern random babble)...You're kidding me. ...(more angry babble)...No way. See you later. Bye, Top."

A devastating loss.

No, no, CPT Dick is just fine. Even though I think I might have to kill him for accidentally washing and drying my new cashmere sweater after I told him ten times TO NOT PUT THE BLUE SWEATER ON TOP OF THE HAMPER IN THE WASH. But apparently, I'm not supposed to be mad because he was helping out. If I don't like the way he does it, then don't ask for help.

(I need to pass on that logic to some of his soldiers, me thinks).

Anyway, I suffered a devastating and crushing loss last weekend. Not the sweater either (though it was expensive and made my boobs look great). My laptop died.

I took it straightaway to the computer fix-it guy. And when he booted it and said, "this is odd," in a strained voice I knew that everything was gone. I'd have to rely on my back-up drive.

But when I took it down off the shelf to keep handy for later use, Munchkin decided it would make a great hockey puck. By the time I found the main piece under the couch and the USB bit broken off and behind the TV, I had a mild panic attack. So, bye-bye back-up.

I'm not ashamed to say I cried a little. Okay, maybe I sobbed like a grade school girl who has learned that her new kitten has to be put to sleep.

I've spent the last week going through my sent box, trying to retrieve what I can from attachments. But it's been slow going and more than a little depressing. I had three years of work on that laptop. God knows how many half-finished essays that might have one day been finished and sold. A lot of photos. And all the new Lost episodes I haven't gotten a chance to watch yet.

Technology should not merit so much heartache.

An interesting read.

I just finished Judith Warner's book, "Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety," and I have to say, a lot of resonated.

I think it's a must-read for some of us Moms who always wonder if we are short changing our child. If anything else, it will make you feel better (and yes, a bit worse, too) to know that you are not alone in that feeling.

Go Army, Beat Navy.

"Did you bring home those photos for the slideshow?"

"Shit. I forgot."

"Babe, we're only a few days away and I've asked you every day this week. Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

"I'm sorry. I forgot."

"How do you think it's all going to get done if you don't help out a little? Do you think I can just magically do my job, raise the boy and do this FRG crap without you at least doing a little?"

"Oh, come on now. You know you won't be happy unless you're going mach 10 with your hair on fire."

"Are you serious? You did not just quote 'Top Gun' at me."

"I did."

"'Top Gun' is a Navy movie. If you aren't careful they are going to take away your commission."

The countdown begins.

Harassed my husband until he gave in and let me get a full body photo? Check.
Ordered Daddy Doll? Check.
Put up homemade 15 month calendar? Check.
Given CPT Dick a dog tag with Munchkin's picture? Check.
TA 50 starting to show up in random parts of the house? Check.
Crazy spouse phone calls increasing exponentially? Check.
Starting to cry when random songs play on the radio? Check.

Oh yeah. He's leaving soon.

Read this now.

This Sunday's NY Times Magazine's Lives Essay: Frances Richey's "Inventory," a poem for her son in Iraq.

Read the comments.

Thanks to Lee Anne and Bette for pointing out The Military vs. Marriages.

The column made me a little sick to my stomach. I could all too well relate. And then I read the comments. Yuck.

Oh vey.

And so it begins.

Our FRG (family readiness group for you, Just Laura -- the new Army-official version of the family support group) has a new member. Well, sort of.

A new guy has joined the unit. He's kind of high up. His wife, after a few days in country, decided it was time for a new world order. She held a coffee for all of the wives whose husbands work for her husband and told them that they should come to her with all issues and problems. They should not, under any circumstance, contact the FRG, attend meetings or keep up with their FRG point of contact. The FRG could not help them. She could. Basically, she informed them that there is a new sheriff and people better get used to it or get the fuck out of town.

Honestly, where do people come up with this shit? How can they think for a second that it is a good idea?

So I spent my day calling a lot of really upset ladies to inform them that, no, we didn't kick them out of the FRG. No, there isn't a new pecking order. And yes, this new woman is off her fucking rocker. And since she won't take my calls, I now have to go visit Mrs. Newbie this weekend or get my husband, the guy in charge of the FRG, to ask her husband to straighten her out. Not a fun prospect either way, really.

Why exactly did I sign up for this shit?

Just a silly old love song.

As part of our unit's farewell ceremony, I've been asked to create a slideshow complete with photos from the past year and personal messages. It's to be set to music. Only problem is, I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out what music to use.

We have a very diverse unit. Lots of different ages, races, religions and preferences. There's no way to please everyone. But I would like to stay moderately hip. But honestly, do you know how hard it is to find songs that aren't too happy, aren't too sad, don't talk about drugs, drinking, adultery or breaking up or God? It ain't easy, I tell you. It ain't easy at all.

But I came up with a couple choices (the slideshow will take about 15 minutes -- so 3-4 songs). I thought Rihanna's "Umbrella," though played out, would fit. Foo Fighters' "Next Year" is always a popular choice. And that country dude who sings "That's what it's all about."

But I don't know. The choices feel lame. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery? I'm taking anything but Toby Keith requests.