Thanks!!

I'm probably over-reacting anyway.
(Disclaimer: I don't know how much may have changed, or when)
As I understand, "The Crucible", is THE big test near the end of marine bootcamp. (something like 2.5 days long!) When they complete it, (before any real rest) they are awarded the Eagle Globe and Anchor - making them official US Marines (no longer recruits!). From what I've heard, even THEY shed tears...

I'm just getting caught up on all this myself.
They actually have about another week before Graduation, Family day, etc. (maybe time for other companies to finish?) I should stop gushing by then. I think you did fine, Dad. I think a handshake and hug is probably good when they're going from boys to men. (They can see all the rest of the pride and excitement on our faces, in our postures - they know we love 'em)

Just broke out the scale, and crunched the numbers. I'm 41 yrs old. I don't work out at all. I don't eat particularly healthy, and I smoke a pack a day. However....
My job requires that I carry a pretty heavy load everywhere the projects require. That's usually across slippery ass wood docks, up and down gangways that are sometimes 30 ft elevated. Through limited space corridors, up and down steeply pitched stairwells, and constantly ducking through hatches that are much shorter than I am. (6'4)
My current minimum tool load weighs 2lbs more than my first wife when we got married. I think I'm doing alright for my age. Now where did I hide that damn box of twinkies.

Good appreciative friends ..... probably lifetime.

That wouldn't have been found if not for this forum.

Around age 50 is when all of that gene level damage you are doing (with smoking and twinkies) will start to manifest and the body won't be able to accommodate.

Saw both my parents succumb to the effects of smoking and it wasn't pretty.

My 3 year old daughter told me that she'd rather go to Sears with me, rather than go to the mall with her mom. Nothing makes a dad more proud than that.

Gotta be the smell. Hardware stores are like

Watched a YouTube video of a kid smoking squirrels with .22 tracers. So awesome

Box of late 19th century/early 20th century porcelain telephone and telegraph insulators worth more than a mid level AR...

My Vietnamese buddy called me today, while talking he said I sounded like shit. Tells me not to make dinner tonight. That little fuckers wife made me homemade pho. Tendon, tripe... the works. Best pho I've ever had. Sure when he drinks he sounds like a duck attacking a chainsaw, but half his body weight is his heart.

Haha nice!!! I had Vietnamese food the other day. From the looks of it, it may have been someones cat at a point in time, but it was good as hell, but the hot sauce I tossed on top.... Goddamned, I had heart burn all fucking afternoon/evening

On our way back from Raymond today, we stopped at the Triangle Pit in Capitol Forest. The 6 year old didn't want to stay, as there was a lot of people banging away with some large caliber rifles. BUT.....

The pit looked clean (excluding the usual shell casings and shattered pigeons) and there is now some large logs in place that designate a clear firing line! No more "Oh shit, those guys just set up their lawn chairs 100 feet down range". Maybe I'm behind the times (I don't get down to Mexico very often) but this makes me happy.

End of next month.... Going to Maui for a week for work!!! Hell to the yea!!!!

AWWW YHEA! Where in Maui?

Job for the state at one of the treatment facilities. I'm not sure where exactly we are staying hotel wise but I think he's trying to get us a place in Kahului.

Sweet!
My favorite place to be.