"May no fears affect you.
May no illnesses afflict you.
May no dangers come your way.
May you enjoy good health and long life."
The impetus for this site was the ever-changing environment offered by ISPs... most recently MSN, and AOL before that. I don't mind paying an ISP so much as I object to having no say in what I'm paying for.
As for me, I'm just a guy. I'm a grandfather now from my daughter. She and her brother live in Texas with their mother, bless her heart. My grandson was three last July, and I'm here to tell you that being a grandfather... or Grandpa, as he calls me... is absolutely and totally cool.
I spent 20 years and a month or two in the Navy, retiring as a Chief Hospital Corpsman. In one way that was just one period of my life, but it was easily the most rewarding work I have done to this point and it does seem to define me. I worked as an OR Tech in Yokosuka, Japan, during the late 60's, was with the Air Wing in USS Ranger at the end of the war, spent three years on independent duty in USS Roark, and retired off USS Cleveland. There were a couple of other deployments and some shore duty in there, too.
Among my heroes I include Admiral James B. Stockdale whom I had the privilege of meeting, Senator Lloyd Bentsen, President John Adams, Dag Hammarskjold, and Jack and Mary Lee (Douglas) Gresham, my foster parents.
I'd like to meet Elizabeth Edwards, President Jimmy Carter, Rev. Billy Graham, and His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.
A few years ago I started thinking about why I'm working in a cubicle in California, and it occurred to me that it's primarily so I can afford to live in California... and I'm not from California.
In the autumn of 2007, I began working as a volunteer with the American Red Cross. I'm a Disaster Assistance Team leader, qualified to drive the Emergency Response Vehicle and trained as a government liaison. I went out to Indiana on my first national disaster response this summer doing client casework, and did my second in Southern California in November as an ERV driver. They're even letting me train other volunteers in Disaster Services. I also recently completed CERT training with LA County Fire. I had been hoping to do some more good (meaningful) work during this fourth quarter of my life, and this is working for me.
Your e-mail comments to Harold at hmbabb.net are invited and encouraged.
| You Are 40% Left Brained, 60% Right Brained |
 Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports. |