Randomn3ss

Yesterday Elizabeth wrote 10 Things men should always do. There are some insightful things in there that, at least for me, should be common knowledge, but I’m sure someone will find them useful. There is always a flip side to the coin. Like Elizabeth, I’m in my 20’s, OK late 20’s, single and get some attention from women. I am grown up enough to admit that I am far from perfect and am aware of changes I need to make to myself, however women also need to pay attention to. In direct rebuttal to Elizabeth’s top 10, my 10 are:

1. Give us an honest hug. Elizabeth and a commenter complained about a limp handshake from men. The women version is the bend at waist, keeping feet two feet from a man while giving them a hug hello or a hug goodbye. That is a fine thing to do if it’s a family member or friend, but if it’s a date, lean in and hug us we actually do like it.
2. Tell us what you like. I’ll happily bring you something but I need to know what you are interested in. Flowers are nice, but it’s also an easy out. Going out on a limb here, us men are kind of dumb, don’t always hint around to what you like and don’t like, sometimes you need to creatively tell us outright. If we are too stupid to listen and remember, shame on us.
3. Be OK with a lunch date. I have no problem paying for a meal when we go out, but be open to the idea of a lunch date as a first or second date, not the five star restaurants you have been dying to go to. Why? Because if we don’t gel well, not only am I not going to be excited to spend a few hundred on dinner, I’m stuck with you throughout the whole two or more hours that we will be there. Lunch dates are great because they have virtually no impact on a wallet and if things don’t go well, you can bounce in 45 minutes. If the date does go well, sit and drink coffee with me and let the discussions flow.
4. Say thank you when I open the door. My Mother who not only taught me how to open doors for others but to also say please and thank you raised me. If I open the door for you, please have the courtesy to look me in the eyes as you walk past, say thank you or at least nod your head in acknowledgment of my gesture towards you.
5. Reach over and unlock my door. This doesn’t apply to everyone, but my car doesn’t have power locks. If I unlock your door and open it for you, by the time I get around to my side I’d at least expect you to lean over and unlock my door for me. This was called the girlfriend test in a movie I think it still applies.
6. Don’t hide in the bathroom for 20 minutes. As much as I understand that a phone should not be answered during dinner, movie, first dozen dates, don’t disappear to the bathroom for twenty minutes to call your girlfriend and give them updates as the date is progressing. If you are not having a good time, skip dessert and go home, it’s that simple.
7. Have condoms. Everyone should have them, not just me.
8. Have something non-alcoholic to drink at your house. I don’t drink alcohol and don’t assume that I do. Don’t get bombed either, very unattractive.
9. My dog will love you regardless; don’t forget to pay attention to me. Like Elizabeth, I have a small dog that is really sweet and sleeps in bed with me. She will love you no matter what and will want to play with you all day, everyday. I’m fine with that, but don’t spend so much time on her that you forget I’m there too. We come as a package, lol.
10. Pickup the phone and call. I’m a self-admitted texting fiend however I do enjoy the sound of a woman’s voice. Certain tones, sarcasm and jokes don’t get translated well through texting, so call me. If for some reason I can’t answer, leave a message.

I just want to get along, like Elizabeth, some of this is a wish list and some is advice, not all of it is applicable to all women and not everything about dating is clear cut black and white, right or wrong. But if you go an extra step to find out a few things about me and share some things about you, we will be much happier together.

You may think what I’m about to write here is asking a lot, but I don’t think so. Let me preface this by saying that I’m 25 and while having had a good number of fulfilling and healthy relationships in my life, I’m currently single. However I’m not lacking the attention of men by any means. I think that at this point in my life that it has a little more to do with quality versus quantity. Maybe I’m picky, maybe I’m fickle, but the following are just a few things that I think EVERY man should pay attention to:

1. Have a good handshake. There’s not much worse than your first impression of a guy being that of a limp fish. There’s just not.
2. Bring me something. I don’t need you to have a dozen roses for me every time you see me. I don’t really even like roses. But the first time we meet for a date or the first time I make you dinner at my house, bring something. It doesn’t have to be expensive, girls like little things that don’t cost a lot of money because it shows you are thinking of them.
3. Pay for dinner. This one generally applies to first dates. I will fight you for the bill a little because I am an adult, I make my own money and I generally try to be kind and thoughtful. This does not mean, however, that if you allow me to go dutch with you that I think any better of you. Quite the contrary. Any guy that immediately gives in to my “Can I help you pay for that?” on a first date, I will think twice about.
4. Hold the door. I’m a lady. Always hold the door for a lady. Just do it.
5. Don’t always open the car door. It’s cute for say, the beginning of the first date. Maybe if I was pregnant (hopefully we aren’t on our first date at the time) or if my hands are full… but I would do the same for you. Other than that, I’d rather you get in, start the car and ask me if I’m hot or cold.
6. Don’t answer your phone during dinner (and/or during any other intimate situations). This also means no texting as well. Being on your phone during dinner is just rude. It tells a woman that you aren’t interested at her, you’re more interested in looking at what time it is or whatever. Wear a watch. It’s understandable to be more easy going when you’ve been seeing someone for a while, but not during a nice dinner and especially not on a first date. And don’t try to hide it under the table either.
7. Have condoms. No, this doesn’t mean I’m sleeping with you on our first date. Or third, or tenth. However, if you are lucky enough to get a girl into the sack, you had better be prepared.
8. Know how to open a bottle of wine. Please see #7. Just kidding. I can go for a beer every once in a while, but I also love a glass of wine after work. Its nice to come home to a man that can open the bottle while I take my shoes off. Plus I’m a grown up. Kegs just aren’t as much of a turn on as they used to be.
9. Be nice to my dog. You know, it says a lot about a person when they are nice to animals. My dog is very sweet and small, he isn’t going to bite you if you don’t act like an ass. Be nice to him. Especially when he is sleeping in my bed and you’re not.
10. Keep in touch. It’s nice to hear from you every once in a while. I don’t need someone up my ass but please don’t play games with me. I don’t think you are any cooler because you wait an extra day to call me back.

Maybe it’s a wish list, a little advice to the guys out there who are wondering what they are doing wrong… or what they’re not doing. I’m as much an independent and self-reliant woman as the next, but I like men that act like men. No, I’m not going to stop talking to you because you don’t bring me flowers on our first date. I’m simply saying that a little chivalry can go a long way. It’s surprising how these small things make a difference, and I guarantee that you will get it back tenfold.

Got anything to add?

I’ve recently had the pleasure of pursuit of several wonderful young men who have eschewed all logic and decided that maybe they would like to get to know me better.  On an intimate level.  Learn my hopes and dreams and maybe see my boobs.  Basically, I’ve been asked out on some dates.  Yes - me.  Despite my first reaction, which is “if they want to date me, they must be insane, say no,” I’ve allowed my ego and lust to get the better of me and I’ve said yes.  Things go well for about 2.5 seconds and then…

Clusterfuck.

I think I’ve pinpointed some reasons for why my dating life lasts about 2 dinners and a makeout session then ends abruptly.  Here’s my genius interpretation:

My first problem is that I don’t have time for anything.  I work pretty much all the time.  I spend 40 hrs a week schilling sporting goods in the city, bartend, and get paid to recap TV shows (so that’s an hour to watch the episode and an hour to write the recap).  On my days off, I trek home to Allentown to see my family (who, incidentally, will always come first), do laundry, run… basically, I get all the shit done that my normal work day doesn’t allow me to do.  I’m always down to hang out, but not necessarily at the expense of getting shit done. 

This leads to my next issue, which has something to do with my priorities.  I’ve always said that if you want to do something badly enough, you make time.  I guess I don’t want to date because I’m not making the time, but my friends, family, and work are coming first right now.  With this impending move to Colorado in August, I’m even more attuned to the fact that Philly will no longer be my home.  I mean, until last night, I hadn’t seen my friend Jackie in almost a year and she lives 45 goddamn minutes away.  So once I’m nestled in the mountains across the country, I’m pretty much never going to see her.  Making up for lost time in these 5 months is more important than sharing awkward silence and playing kissyface with someone who might decide that my lack of a filter is unattractive after 4 dates. 

So does the failure to make time and re-prioritize the position of my romantic life signal to some underlying self-destructive desire to be single?  Yeah, I don’t know about that so much.  I think I’ve been single for so long that it’s comfortable.  I have a routine that doesn’t revolve around anyone else’s satisfaction other than my own.  I’ve become selfish in this time, but it’s served to provide success to some extent.  I finally got into grad school, am fit and running, have amazing friends and a bangin’ social life.  Maybe I’m also not ready to share this with someone else because it’s something that’s ultimately mine.

Alright, I’m getting harassed by my family to rejoin in the Easter festivities.  Yeah, it’s Easter, what better day to be concerned about my sex life.  In the meantime, I think I’m going to stick to what I know best, and that’s me.  And if Mr. Baseball, Bboy, and Band-aid can’t deal with that, then it’s not meant to be.  And I’m also going to Jack Daniels the Carrie Bradshaw out of me.  Ugh.

Valentine’s Day is a week and a half away. Some people hate Valentine’s Day. They hate the expectations, and hate the cultural and marketing demand to buy stuff. Of course, some people hate it because they don’t have a special someone, which bothers them, and it’s a big fat reminder of that.

I don’t hate it. I don’t love it. The history has its good points and bad points. I don’t like how contrived it is in the U.S. culture, and how it seems the majority defaults to the general plot and gifts of the day. The red heart boxes of candy show up on the shelves Dec. 26th in some places. The number of diamond jewelry ads are growing by the day. The price of roses and other flowers goes up dramatically as February 14th approaches. I do like doing something special for my sweetheart, and am generally okay with Valentine’s being a reminder. My sweetheart does think it’s a contrived holiday, but does nice things for me anyway. (Tip: That’s the correct response, you Valentine’s Day haters you!)

Here’s my opinion on how to blow it on Valentine’s Day:

1. Buy cheap flowers, wilted (or otherwise not in good shape) flowers, and/or buy flowers without putting any thought into it
2. Leave the price tag on the wrap around the flowers, cheap or not, or tell how much they cost. That’s cheap.
3. Don’t make a reservation at a restaurant ahead of time, so you end up waiting until 11:30 p.m. and sitting by the kitchen doors.
4. Buy cheap chocolate at a discount store.
5. Buy lingerie (or any clothing) in a size too small for your sweetheart (unless, of course, you’re both into that kind of thing).
6. Buy a Valentine’s card with a sentiment that you would never say and makes you uncomfortable, and that your sweetheart would just laugh at (and I don’t mean the joke cards).
7. Do nothing as your stand against commercialism without finding out if your sweetheart shares your views.
8. Forget, then when it’s pointed out to you, make like that was your plan, then scramble up a really lame plan they see through.
9. Forget, and make excuses, and don’t really apologize.
10. Purposely do nothing, as you hate Valentine’s Day and you really aren’t that crazy about your sweetheart, who loves Valentine’s Day, so you decide it’s a great way to end the relationship.

Depending on what your sweetheart was hoping for, you may be sleeping on the couch, or get voice mail for days, or get the boot. I’m not saying any of that behavior is right or wrong, but some people have unrealistic expectations, and some couples have poor communication, so for some it’s a deal breaker.

Here’s my suggestions for having a great Valentine’s (and I’m suggesting them now, as again, Valentine’s Day is a week and a half away):

1. Wish your sweetheart a Happy Valentine’s Day as the first thing you say to him or her in the morning.
2. Do some legwork and buy their favorite flower(s) and get a really cool vase they will like.
3. Make them a great meal, or get a reservation at their favorite restaurant or at a new restaurant you both have wanted to go to.
4. Work with the restaurant on a surprise for your sweetheart like a special dessert, or the delivery of a gift after you arrive.
5. Make your own Valentine’s Day card using your own sentiments. Even if it’s kind of ugly, they will melt. (Great sex may ensue.)
6. Give them a massage. (Great sex will ensue.)
7. If you have kids, get a babysitter who will take them out so you have the place to yourselves for a few hours. (Greater sex will absolutely ensue.)
8. Buy them something fabulous. Get them something you know they want, or surprise them with something they would never imagine.
9. Take them somewhere fun or special, somewhere you can enjoy time together instead of giving gifts.
10. Look them square in the face, and tell them everything you love and admire about them. Reminisce about your history and why you love them. Tell them your hopes and dreams for your life together. You could actually skip everything above and just do this (if you’re pressed for cash or it just fits you better): If it’s said with the utmost sincerity and honesty, and without expecting anything in return for it, there is no better gift, Valentine’s or not. (There may be some tears with the smiles, and yes, the most wonderful sex will ensue.)

P.S. It’s not just about the sex, but it’s not called lovemaking for nothing.

I find that rather than wasting time getting to know someone over continuous awkward dates, it’s far easier to figure out compatability by inspecting one’s iPod.  Seriously - my last boyfriend had Paris Hilton and Feist on his.  Analyzing this immediately could have helped me avoid a painful breakup (he was also in the armed forces… can’t you get kicked out for having Paris on your iPod?).  Below are my snap judgements on music that might be on your man’s pod and what this says about him.  And don’t worry ladies - you’ll get your shot at judgment!

Paramore

This guy watches a lot of MTV and is easily influenced by the media.  He’s going to be sensitive and might be a ”crier.”  He’s not gay, so you’re good on that front; he really likes girls and has no problem with empowered ones (since he’s obviously drooling over their singer).  Oh - you might want to check his ID though because he’s also definitely 16.

Tool

Okay, this one is tough because you could be dealing with several types of guy.  You’re either dealing with a dude with superior taste in music, a meathead who likes to get drunk and fight, or a goth.  Use your sense of sight first - if he’s wearing a full-length black trench, eyeliner, wide-legged pants with chains and you’re in a polo and it’s summer - he’s a goth.  If he also listens to Bauhaus and calls himself “Raven,” he’s definitely goth.  Now, if your fingernails are painted black, you don’t look anyone in the eye because they ”just don’t understand you,” and you resent your father, this is the guy for you.  We move on to the meatstick - if you see the guy at a Tool concert and he’s got a shaved head and is wearing the band’s tshirt, he’s a meatstick.  He also listens to classic rock and wishes The Howard Stern Show was still on E!.  This dude isn’t a bad choice if you’re from Jersey and don’t mind getting elbowed in the face in the pit.  Onto the third and most preferably option - he’s just a guy with killer taste in music.  Awesome.  He also listens to Alice in Chains, Nine Inch Nails, outgrew Dave Matthews but still appreciates the old stuff, and suggests you make an iTunes playlist of Tool for when you guys go running.  If he has the Puscifer CD and brings a bottle of wine from Caduceus Vineyards, he’s definitely a true fan and a keeper. 

Fall Out Boy

Oh man.  Let me warn you now - your breakup is going to suuuuuuuuuuck.  At first, he’s going to be really into you and seem normal, albeit a little sensitive.  Sensitive seems good, though, right?  No - he’s actually just going to be really indecisive and kind of a manwhore.  About three weeks into it, he’s either going to a) lose interest or b) develop 900 complexes about your relationship and get weird.  He’s then going to flaunt other girls in front of your face, but still flirt with you on MySpace.  In fact, he’ll probably move you from first on his top friends to, like, 7th just to annoy you. 

Kanye West

Is he black?  Keep him.  Is he white and wearing a baggy white tee fives sizes too large?  Dump him.

DJ Tiesto

You’re going to have amazing, drugged up sex.  A lot.  Buy lube.

Amy Winehouse

He refuses to get coffee anywhere other than Starbucks and even then, it’s only non-fat lattes.  He owns at least one Burberry scarf and isn’t afraid to pair it with a turtleneck.  The hair is probably longish and he only shaves every three days, if that.  He’s also only a year through his PhD in Philosophy, so unless you’re financially stable, this is not the guy for you.  He also probably looks better in skinny jeans than you do - a fact you will come to resent which will ultimately lead to your break up.

Nick Lachey/98 Degrees

Spends most of his free time at the gym or the bar.  Will rarely spend the night after hooking up.  When he finally does, he’s going to bring his own hair gel because he uses more expensive product than you do.  In fact, he might also have bigger tits than you too - that’s the downside to massive pecs.  He has at least one meaningless tribal sun tattoo on his shoulder blade.  Owns lots of collared shirts and “vintage” tees from Urban Outfitters.  Not great with commitment, unless you are under 5′9″ with no body hair or cellulite and fake boobs.  Judging by recent naked pics of Nick’s girlfriend Vanessa Manillo, you’re probably not going to have to waste money on Brazilians anymore.

This is all I’m going to write for now, but I have a few more artist-related generalizations in my head that I can’t wait to expound upon.  One final word of advice - if you come across a NKOTB song - run.  Just run.

Breaking up sucks.  Period.  However, my last one was especially traumatic because the whole thing really ended before it had a chance to begin.  And because I was generally shocked (man, that is the worst - when you don’t really see it coming).  Anyway, the backstory is unimportant, it’s one sentence of the conversation that sticks in my head despite getting dumped a month ago.  Here it is:

“So, what does the next phone call sound like?”

What does it sound like?  Really?  You want to know now what the next call’s going to sound like?  Perceptive though I may be, you want me to hypothesize on my reaction the next time you call me?  First, it’s going to be you calling me because I’ve deleted your number from my cell phone.  Second, there’s no guarentee that I would even pick up (although then I run the risk of you leaving some assinine message that I’ll inevitably have to suffer through to delete).  Third… ugh, there is no third… what was going to be a blog about hypothetical phone call conversations between two former friends and lovers is slowly devolving because that Alicia Keys song came on my iTunes and now I’m just sad.

The next call sounds like silence. 

Today is Blog Action Day! A day where fourteen thousand blogs will discuss one issue by trying to make an impact on 15 million readers. The topic? Environmentalism.

I feel that a lot of people don’t know what “going green” means. According to Wikipedia it means

…a concern for the preservation, restoration, or improvement of the natural enviroment, such as the conservation of natural resources, prevention of pollution, and certain land use actions.

The concern I feel most people have is where to begin. There are plenty of simple tips to get yourself started. Every little bit counts whether its taking less time in the shower or changing your light bulbs. A few examples can be found right here on Randomn3ss, “Going More Green“, by Lauren. Or rent the infamous movie by Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth.

However, I digress. My topic is about sex. Now I can imagine the puzzled looks on everyone’s faces. Yes, I wondered myself how anyone can green up their sex life. Well, it can be done. Let’s explore it further.

I got these tips from Treehugger, a website that has a plethora of environmental topics.

1. Sex Toys - Most sex toys contain chemicals called phthalates, a threatening chemical that’s been banned in children’s toys since 2004. It is especially said to be dangerous in sex toys because of the warm and moist places they are deposited in. So, instead of purchasing a unsafe toy it’s suggested to buy a more natural companion. Trying out a toy made of glass, metal, silicone, hard plastics, or elastomers is a safe bet. Instead of wasting batteries look for a rechargeable toy. Fun Factory is a neat place where you’ll find Lily, Lelo & Acuvibe.
2. Lubricant - Looking at the labels helps choosing a more natural lubricant. Avoid using any petroleum (save the fossil fuels), artificial scents, flavors and colors. A good choice is Babeland’s water based lubricant.
3. Condoms - The phrase, “reduce, reuse and recycle” is an angelic symphony to any environmentalists ears. However, this does not apply to condoms. We all know that a baby free environment means using a safe and reliable form of protection. Nothing beats the good ol’ latex condom. However, they are still determining whether or not a latex condom is biodegradable. For a biodegradable option lambskin is an option to protect against conception not STDs. For vegetarians (like me) and vegans a good source is Glyde condoms. Any condom that is polyurethane is not biodegradable so try and stay away from them. Another excellent tip is not to dispose condoms down the toilet, it will clog the pipes, treatment plants and rivers.
4. Green Date - Homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual and asexual are terms we’ve heard of to describe one’s orientation or style. What about ecosexual? They exist and in large numbers. If you’re looking for a companion that doesn’t chomp on animals, recycles and uses organic toothpaste you can find a match on Green Singles, Green Passions and Human 2 Human.
5. Dress Eco Sexy - Looking and feeling sexy can make for some naughty antics. Why not save the environment while you’re at it? There are products for men and women. Peau Ethique has some cute and comfortable undergarments along with Bueno Style, Butta and Green Knickers. My ultimate favorite is Enamore which has gorgeous, sexy clothes and lingerie.

Now, I know that humans invented shit like Craig’s List for stuff like this… and I also know that’s it’s stupid to spend $2400 just because you have a 30-second crush on someone, but I had an experience today that defies the logic of both of these things.  Today after work I stopped into the Apple Store across the street from the retail store where I work to see if a Mac would be compatible with my Windows OX Treo (that I can, like, barely operate). I wandered around for a bit and was going to approach one of the guys I had seen in my store before, but…

I saw him.

A vision in a black Apple Store t-shirt… unkempt brown hair, unwashed for about 36 hours, scruff, and needy brown eyes.

“Can I help you?”

Um, yes.  You can help me by tailgating for the Phillies game on Wednesday, by cuddling and watching Star Trek: The Next Generation marathons on G4, by letting me play Halo 3 on easy without laughing (do you think he has an Xbox even though he works at the Apple Store???)… or, you could just tell me if my Treo will work with a Mac.

Apple Store Guy helped me by looking on the internet and slightly mocking my lack of technological know-how.  He asked a bunch of questions about my phone, throwing around fancy terms like “USB cord” and “shareware program.”  Psssssssssh, that is a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, I am certain.  Then he asked me why my screen was so dim (damned if I know, because it came like that?) and proceeded to pull out his iPhone with it’s super-bright screen.  This was obviously the Apple Store Guy version of “peacocking”; this should have given me the courage to give him my number, because showing off the iPhone was pretty much just like whipping out his penis and waving it in my face (Freud would soooooooo agree).  However, I just pointed out his fabulous taste in Reef sandals because we were both wearing the Sultans (hey, I work in a sporting goods store, I get paid to know this shit).  He laughed, but I groaned inwardly as my attempt to be flirty also resulted in his knowing that I can only fit my ginormous feet into man-dals.  Fuck.

We chatted some more until I saw an older couple start to approach (fucking cock block!) and he asked if I had any further questions.  I could sense the longing in his eyes, him waiting, yearning for me to have one more question about Macintosh and everything they (nee, HE!) had to offer.  And I couldn’t do it… I froze.  I said I was good, then basically turned and ran out the door, which I summarily pulled into my chest before realizing that you push the door out.  We shared one last glance and he was gone, off to help tech-savvy geriatrics talk to their grandkids in Arizona via webcam.

Clearly, I’m going in there tomorrow after work.  If anyone has some shit I can make up to ask him about Macs, please let me know.  Until then, I adore you, my raven-haired, Bassethound-eyed, probably Shins-loving, Reef-and-board-short-wearing Apple Store Guy.  If you ever need a backrub, someone to share your Wii with (the VIDEO GAME SYSTEM… Freudian slip much?) or moderately-priced sporting goods, I’m your girl…

The US has been experiencing a steady growth in population for the entirety of its existence. Not quite a year ago, America welcomed its 300 millionth citizen, something I personally view as a blessing and a curse. Not all countries however are growing like the US, example #1: Russia. Those kooky Russkies have come up with a plan to tackle their low birth rate because, according to the Associated Press, a la the Washington Times, Russia’s population has been declining since the 1990’s and is expected to fall below 100 million by 2050. Their solution? The declaration of September 12th the “Day of Conception,” where everyone gets the day off to go home and hump.

The hope is for a brood of babies exactly nine months later, on Russia’s national day. Couples who “give birth to a patriot” during the June 12 festivities win money, cars, refrigerators and other prizes.

One couple won 250,000 rubles, or about $10,000 US. I’d live with that much snow if it meant I got paid to have babies!

I will probably get my man friend in trouble for writing this. However, I haven’t learned my lesson from getting fired and I’m going to write it anyway.

I am PISSED OFF at the United States Army. Let me tell you why.

My former boyfriend, John, has been in the shithole known as Tikrit, Iraq for over a year. He was supposed to come home in July after 12 months, but because we’ve allowed our government to run rampant because we hate Arabs, his tour got extended to 15 months. And let me tell you something about Tikrit… no one goes there. Politicians visit the Green Zone in Baghdad and all that shit, but they don’t take the road north because… well, because odds are good that they’ll get blown up. I have a friend who works for Senator Bob Casey, who just visited Iraq and Jordan. I asked if the Senator ended up going to Tikrit, to which my friend responded in the negative. I commented that it was probably too dangerous a place for a US Senator, to which his girlfriend replied “Oh, well, they always have lots of security when they travel over there, so he would have been fine.” She’s sweet and means well, but is naive… if bodyguards were enough to ensure safety, why have we lost over 3000 men to this endless war? An IED is an IED, and it will blow the shit out of you.

The kicker to all of this is that I recently found out that the grand homecoming party John’s family and I have been looking forward to will not be happening. This is because the US Army doesn’t allow its soldiers to, you know, take a fucking break after they return. John’s family gets 72 hours to visit with him at Fort Bragg when he gets home, then has to wait until Christmas when he gets a two-week leave. Now, I understand that the Army is concerned for its soldiers’ mental health and wellbeing (as they should be), but… 72 hours? Can’t they hang at the base for a while, under observation, then maybe get a couple weeks off at home? I mean… I realize the guys sign up for this… I’m not disputing that fact… but don’t they deserve to see their families… and former girlfriends… after 15 months in hell?

I thought they did.

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