The net goes up in the south

That's right my avid readers and dear friends.

The net's finally connect at my South Australian abode and with it the chance to post once more.

There was a small slew of stories and verse that built up in these days as I set up shop and home here but I think I will leave those for another time.

It was 4 days here before I spied a glimpse of the moon,

a tired Cheshire Cat bearly peeking through the darkness, the wisps of clouds clinging to it like swamp vines.

I felt both revived and drained, I can't tell which won that night.

But enough melancholy.

I have settled down well, my initial hesitation about my new house have disappeared on initial inspection of the insides and moving in.

At least the insides are nice, I jokingly told a friend that it resembles an ikea show room.

So strange a knight in his Ikea Palace.

You call me sir and rightly so...

to whom would i ever speak those words to now?

Anyhow, more updates.

My new office is huge, we have 3 cruise missiles, 2 torpedoes and 2 surface to air missiles on display at all times.

I walk into work every day feeling like Maxwell Smart as I go through the 4 sets of security doors and the guards (can you hear the theme going?).

I freak out slightly most times as the sequential locks have a fixed delay and they have to seal each chamber before the next opens.

More in the next episode...

I feel like i should write

Just to let you all know I'm still alive.

yes I am.

Caravaggio lands!

Dear all,

Much as I dislike posts that simply inform people about how the day went (I woke up , I had OJ and eggs for breakfast, I went to work etc etc... )

I feel that my usual prose would not do at this time.

So was my first night in Adelaide.


---
I arrived in Adelaide after a 2 hr delay sitting on the tarmac.

During my wait the business man I sat next to and I played a little game of who had the better toys.

I pulled out my ipod to get music, he pulls out his.
I pull out my B&O earphones, he pulls out his bose ones.
I get my pda out to check my notes, he pulls his out to tap on randomly.
I got sick of the game and pulled out my laptop to watch movies instead.
He looked across from his seat to enjoy the latest episode of Gandam Wing with me.

When i did arrive and Adelaide and made it to my temporary place of residence (The Adelaide Regent, Grand Apts! Well, they were a little bit grand at least)

I simply plonked myself on the sofa and chilled out watching Heroes (whoo!)

After which I went for a short walk, hoping to catch a glimmer of moon light.

I found none.

The bed was comfortable and I was exhausted, but I could not sleep till 4am (Actually I don't remember falling asleep, I just remember being constantly awake)

At least the car's arrived today.

I've found the local library (Thank the lord for those!) with 1 hr a day internet.

Whoo hoo!

But I don't anticipate being able get online again anytime soon.

Its time

erg... I have a headache and a strange crick in my neck.

I'm tired and feel really worn out. It must be a cold creeping on...

I fly tomorrow, i'm packed, i'm trying to get psyched up.

I REALLY don't need to fall sick right now.

Hope Reigns

Words that fly in the mindscape right now:

Darkness fears not those who cower.

A memory of my own words from my own lecture

Steps on how to take the hill:

1) Call for neutralization and pound them to the ground.
2) Establish a firebase and pound them with the MGs to keep them surpressed
3) Bayonets on and take that ground.

Lord help me, I'm sick of this purgatory,
I'm going to take that promised land.


I will get there - Boyz II Men

Ohohah
Hey
Yeah
I've been wanderin' 'round in the dark
Been lost somewhere where no light could shine on my heart
I have known a pain so deep
But I know my faith will free me
[Get there] And I'll get through this
[Get there] I'll find my way again
So don't tell me that it's over
'Cause each step just gets me closer
(I will get there) I will get there
(I will get there) I will get there somehow
Cross that river (Cross that river)
Nothing's stoppin' me now
I will get through the night (Oh, yes, I will)
And make it through to the other side
(Get there) Get there
(Get there) Get there
I've been in these chains for so long
I'll break free and I'll be there where I belong
Hold my head up high, I'll stand tall
And I swear this time I won't fall
[Get there] I will do this
[Get there] No matter what it takes
'Cause I know no limitations
And I'll reach my destination, I will get there
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there (Ooh) somehow (Somehow)
Cross that river (Cross that river)
Nothing's stoppin' me now
I will get through the night
And make it through to the other side
(Ooh, get there) Get there
(Get there) Get there
Well, the night is cold and dark
But somewhere the sun is shining
And I'll feel it shine on me
I'll keep on tryin', I'll keep on tryin'
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there somehow
Cross that river (Cross that river)
Nothing's stoppin' me now
I will get through the night
And make it through to the other side
Get there, get there
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there somehow (Somehow)
Cross that river (I'll cross that river for you)
Nothing's stoppin' me now (OhwhoaI)
I will get through (Through) the night
And make it through to the other side (Ohhoohho)
(Get there) Get there
(Ooh, get there) Get there (Whoaoh)
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there somehow (Somehow)
Cross that river (I'll cross it for your love)
Nothing's stoppin' me now (No matter what)
I will get through the night (I will get through the night)
And make it through to the other side
(Get there) Get there
(Ooh, get there) Get there
Get there
Ohhooh
I'll get there

So beautiful, I almost want to cry... Dammit

I attended a wedding this weekend, there seemed to be a few of them this weekend, having heard of at least 3 others going on.

This however, is about the beautiful union between Coffeeman and Dr Gal.

I could go on and describe the ceremony in detail, but I won't, or rather, can't.

Because all I can picture is the huge and awesome power of the single colour that nearly overwhelmed me in that church.

A creamish blast of radiance, that carried with it every warm thing that could be imagined.

And even as the colour faded, confining itself to a simple glow about the happy couple.

In that moment, I believed again,

Amor Vincit Omnia.

Congrats Coffeeman and Dr Gal. May you have every blessing possible, and may we all who still seek, one day find that peace that you now possess.

With a Twist.

Dancing, with no actual dancing.

And a concert...with no music... well maybe except the Dixie Chicks (So not well recorded...)

pizza that turns into mussels and parma.

insults both given and taken (Just like two big old rusty battleships blasting away at each other)

Words with feints, parrys and wounds.

Ice cream with pouts

and songs that finally manage to hammer out of my mind.

Just remember.

If you look really closely,

you'll all see 2 Rs.


Wandering the King's Highway - L. Coward

(this is such an ancient song that even google can't help me find proper lyrics for it. if you do know where i can find the lyrics please help!)

I've always been a wanderer,
summer and winter too.
Traveling the whole world over,
tramping my whole life through.

But when I start my journey,
at the dawn of another day.

I give a health to comrades.
Friends of the great highway.

Chorus:

So, so long to you!
got to be on the road again.

So long to you!
got to hitch up my load again.

Its been great to meet you here.
right good company and right good cheer.

So now then my lads,
would anyone like to come with me?
A wanderer's life is free.
As I go, rain or snow.
Wandering the King's highway.

Parting is filled with sorrow.
But as I roam this land.
I shall meet again tomorrow.
Friends who will clasp my hand.

And when i start my journey
at the dawn of a brand new day.
I and my friendly memories.
Will get up and on our way.

Chorus:


So, so long to you!
got to be on the road again.

So long to you!
got to hitch up my load again.

Its been great to meet you here.
right good company and right good cheer.

So now then my lads,
would anyone like to come with me?
A wanderer's life is free.
As I go, rain or snow.
Wandering the King's highway.

All packed!

Thats right folks.

All my stuff is right now sitting in boxes ready to take the train to Adelaide.

After packing till 4 in the morning and waking to THE BIGGEST headache i have ever had.

And waiting for 2 hours more than i should have

A cheerful man (Ex air force defense, i think he was an 84 mm gunner, a tough breed they are) from King and Wilson's removalists came and took all my stuff away.

Go West! my possessions seemed to sing as the truck drove away,

Go West indeed, I've always thought some of those objects were a little too cheerful for their own good...

(Go West) Sun in wintertime
(Go West) We will do just fine
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West) this is what we're gonna do

There where the air is free
We'll be (We'll be) what we want to be (Aah aah aah aah)
Now if we make a stand (Aah)
We'll find (We'll find) our promised land (Aah)

(I know that) There are many ways
(To live there) In the sun or shade
(Together) We will find a place
(To settle) Where there's so much space

(Without rush) And the pace back east
(The hustling) Rustling just to feed
(I know I'm) Ready to leave too
(So that's what) We are gonna do

(What we're gonna do is
Go West) Life is peaceful there
(Go West) There in the open air
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West) This is what we're gonna do

War wounds... a story part 1

Op 1: Sensors locked on... datastream stabilizing... telemetry looks good sir, we're getting good data.

Cmdr: Very good, take readings up to 20 clicks and send the data to the CP asap. Standard burst transmission, they're counting on us for this information.

Op 1: Will do sir, data looks good to 3 ks now and still coming in strong.

Cmdr: Op 2, prep a 2nd probe in case the telemetry fails, we can't afford any mistakes.

*picking up the radio handset*

Cmdr: [radio] Sarg 1, parameter update over

Sarg 1: [radio] Looks quiet out here boss, if I didn't know better I'd say we were out strolling with the girls by the beach again. over

Cmdr: [radio] Well, if we do this right we'll all be home soon, then you all can come over for dinner sometime, I've been hankering to make my seafood stew again. over

Sarg 2: [radio] *Groan* Sir, why can't you make that korean beef thing again? I really liked that one. over

Cmdr: *Long pause*[radio] Well i suppose I could give that dish a shot. over

Sarg 1: [radio] Dude, don't you remember? Sir doesn't make that dish... over

Sarg 2: [radio] Oh yeah...it was his... erm... sorry bout that sir. over

An operator runs into the command vehicle with a new report.


Cmdr: [radio] Guys, I just got an urgent report on the CP , looks like we have reports of enemy airbourne in our ops area, send out the prowlers. over

Sarg 1: [radio] Roger sir...

The conversation is interrupted as silver star blooms in the sky.

Sarg 2: [radio] Sir, trip wires gone off, whoever they are will be in firing range in 8 mikes, confirm clearance to engage? over

Cmdr: [radio]Sarg 2, Dig the boys in and confirm engage foxtrot, clear to break on engagement. over

*Turning to the 3 operators behind him*

Cmdr:

Ops 2, report back to the CP we have parameter breach and are operating trigger open and ask them to confirm friendlies in the area now.

Ops 3, comms for a UAV flyby, I believe that delta 9 is covering this ops area. Use this command freq 119.36 with this scramble *scribbles codes on a piece of paper*.

Ops 1 how much longer for that data?

Ops 1: at least 10 mikes sir.

the sharp snare of gun fire rips into the night, punctuated by the dull thud of a claymore being detonated.

The commander snatches up the radio whilst gesturing furiously at his men in the command vehicle to get their weapons.

Cmdr: [radio] Sitrep people, what the hell's going on?

The radio crackles to life bringing sounds of the battle into the command vehicle.

Sarg 2: [radio] Sir we got infantry contact on our front, looks to be at least a couple of sections strength. We've got them held for the moment but they'll be trying to flank right soon.

The commander looks at his watch, 3 mins before the telemetry would complete, the pulse transmission would take another 30 seconds on top of that... There wasn't going to be enough time... unless...

Cmdr: [radio] Sarg 1, pull back all heavy weapons to the east side of acorn hill, and bring suppressing fire bearing 299 mils. over

Sarg 2, I want you to hold until suppressing fire commences and pull back to the command vehicle. Over

Sarg 1 & 2: [Radio] Roger out sir.

The commander's plan was in action, sarg 1 would swing his troops around and trek to a higher point of elevation where they would cover the withdrawal of the other troops back to the command vehicle, the heavier weaponry in his group should hold the enemy back and the new front of attack would foil any attempts at a flanking maneuver, buying valuable time.

Cmdr: Ops 1, send the telemetry through once we have it and prep the convoy for departure, Sarg 2 will assume command when he gets back. Tell him to take route 32 back to CP lines, we should be safe there.

Ops 1: What about you sir?

Cmdr: Who do you think is going to cover Sarg 1 and his boys as they run back from their hill?

------

Tired...

Inspired by Godwin's message tonight at encounter.

Encounter... it was indeed, a call out from my Lord King to his wayward knight.

Return to the alter I will, for you Lord are my goal, my path, my strength.


Be with me lord as I walk this path.

give me strength lord, to fight the darkness both without and within.

Help me radiate from the inside out, your glory.

Let me always remember, that in all I do, I do for you, with you and by you.

Amen

Dining with Deek

An old place,

a portal if you will.

Through the doors and Paris awaits.

The ever changing board of promises.

A companion full of old and new surprises.

The food comes and goes and with it joy and excitement joins the party.

Stories are exchanged, queries answered, laughter with good food, now all that is needed is the Tuscan sun.

A toast then, to all things quirky. May they always fly free.