So Long, Farewell...

In exactly one week I will kiss the civilian world "goodbye" for at least the next nine years. It's funny, in a strange sort of way, to think how my point of view will be different from the one I have held for the past eighteen years. When I look at myself and try to see what I have done in order to prepare for what is to come, the temptation to flounder and get those nasty butterflies in my un-worked lower abdomen is strong. But when I look back at my past and the events surrounding me, I can see little things that point to God's sovereignty and His method of preparing me for what He knows I am going to struggle through. I see family, friends, organizations, camps, schoolwork, etc. Even the seemingly inane events, such as assisting in a car accident scene before the emergency crews arrived, stand out in my mind. Those individuals present in my life, whether they be complete stooges or upright persons, have all played a part in this and I thank God for that (whether I thank those persons is another story...). Even while I write this my anticipation has grown. I am excited about the opportunity to work with fellow Navy folks through academics, physical activities (Competitive spirits will abound! Huzzah!), and moral development.

My time this summer will be spent in seven weeks of the equivalent of Navy basic training. This means three phone calls and practically no internet, which I think will be good for me. Please (please) write letters, for it is the third highest form of human communication. I promise that I will seek opportunities to write back, even if my handwriting cannot be read.


Let it rise about the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this...

It's all God's children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns!


Hooyah.

USNA Address

This will be my address for the summer:

MIDN BENJAMIN O'NEILL
Class of 2013
M Company 24 Platoon
Annapolis, MD 21412

Hooyah. If you want to send something for my eyes only, send it in a regular envelope and not a package. No porn, muscle magazines, drugs, weapons, junk food, or anything that recognizes the existence of the other branches of the military, for they do not exist at Annapolis. Not that any of my good friends are into that kind of stuff...


:P

True Love Waits...

Mom gave me a handout from the pregnancy center that contains a list of witty responses to "pressure lines". Their candor/wit makes some worth posting.


"It's only natural." - "So is death, but I don't want to practice that either."

"I can't stop now!" - "Could you if my dad walked in?" (With a baseball bat...)

"I lost the keys to my chastity belt and all my zippers are locked." (My favorite...)

"I'd hate to lose my virginity, I've heard it's hard to find."

"I look much better with clothes on."

In A Tree By The Brook, There's A Songbird Who Sings...

There's a lady who's sure
All that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh, ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven.

There's a sign on the wall
But she wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings.
In a tree by the brook
There's a songbird who sings,
"Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven."
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it makes me wonder.

There's a feeling I get
When I look to the west,
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
In my thoughts I have seen
Rings of smoke through the trees,
And the voices of those who standing looking.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it really makes me wonder.

And it's whispered that soon
If we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason.
And a new day will dawn
For those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter.

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow
Don't be alarmed now,
It's just a spring clean for the may queen.
Yes, there are two paths you can go by
But in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on.
And it makes me wonder.

Your head is humming and it won't go
In case you don't know,
The piper's calling you to join him.
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow,
And did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadow's taller than our soul.
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold.
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.


And she's buying a Stairway to Heaven...

It Brings Home the Memories

I am on a 90's music binge. I am so glad I did not grow up with 80's music.


You'll say, "We've got nothing in common
No common ground to start from
And were falling apart."
You'll say, "The world has come between us
Our lives have come between us
So I know you just don't care."


And I said, "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film"
And as I recall laughing we both kinda liked it
And I said, "Well that's one thing we've got"

I see you, the only one who knew me
Now your eyes see through me
I guess I was wrong
So what now? It's plain to see we're over
And I hate when things are over
When so much is left undone

And I said, "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film"
And as I recall laughing we both kinda liked it
And I said, "Well that's one thing we've got"

Don't say that we've got nothing in common
No common ground to start from
And we're falling apart
You'll say the world has come between us
Our lives have come between us
Still I know you just don't care

And I said, "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film"
And as I recall laughing we both kinda liked it
And I said, "Well thats one thing we've got"

Life Comes at You Fast

I actually have Allstate, not Nationwide.


I just signed three pieces of paper that obligated the next nine years of my life to the Naval service.




Jeez.

My Thoughts Exactly

Shed a tear cause I'm missin' you
I'm still alright to smile
Girl, I think bout you every day now
Was a time when I wasn't sure
But you set my mind at ease
There is no doubt you're in my heart now

Said, "Woman, take it slow
It'll work itself out fine
All we need is just a little patience"

I sit here on the stairs Cause I'd rather be alone
If I can't have you right now I'll wait dear
Sometimes I get so tense but I can't speed up the time
But you know love there's one more thing to consider

Said, "Woman take it slow and things will be just fine
You and I'll just use a little patience"
Said, "Sugar take the time cause the lights are shining bright
You and I've got what it takes to make it
We won't fake it, I'll never break it
Cause I can't take it"

I've been walkin' the streets at night
Just tryin' to get it right
It's hard to see with so many around
You know I don't like being stuck in the crowd
And the streets don't change
But maybe the names
I ain't got time for the game 'cause I need you
Yeah, 'cause I need you
All this time...