Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A Heavy Heart
As I have written before the world is alot smaller and word gets around.
So it is with a heavy heart that I write that two of my friends from highschool are gone.
I found out today that Kris Zale one of my first friends after I moved to, Kennesaw, Ga., died in 2002 after batteling a illness. Details are still sketchy.
Kris was in my Biology class. She laughed at my jokes and used to say that talking to me made her day better. Kris had a smile that would melt my heart and I enjoyed goofing around with her.
Looking back I probably had a half decent chance with Kris but I was too dumb to notice or think such a pretty girl would want anything to do with me.
Ashli Fisher-Holley was probably the prettiest girl in North Cobb. Like every guy at North Cobb I thought she was gorgeous. In my final term in high school I had a class with Ashli, it was speech. In this class I got to know her and found out that she wasent only a pretty face but a warm hearted person, with a great mind to boot. She cared about her friends and actually took the time to talk to the geeky awkward kid that I was.
On my final day of school(I only did half a year that year) she gave me a ride home from school. I remember her smile as she said bye to me and we wished each other good luck.
I ran into her at the 10 year reunion, in 2000, and we excahanged pleasentries.
She had done well with her life and was married. This last month we had gotten reaquantied through Facebook. She was now the proud parent of a son.
We lost her this past week in a auto accident.
I know as we get older it is expected that we will lose old friends we havent thought of in years. However, I wanted to take a minute and remember two friends of mine from long ago that I remember fondly.
Goodbye Ashli and Kris...you are remembered fondly.
So it is with a heavy heart that I write that two of my friends from highschool are gone.
I found out today that Kris Zale one of my first friends after I moved to, Kennesaw, Ga., died in 2002 after batteling a illness. Details are still sketchy.
Kris was in my Biology class. She laughed at my jokes and used to say that talking to me made her day better. Kris had a smile that would melt my heart and I enjoyed goofing around with her.
Looking back I probably had a half decent chance with Kris but I was too dumb to notice or think such a pretty girl would want anything to do with me.
Ashli Fisher-Holley was probably the prettiest girl in North Cobb. Like every guy at North Cobb I thought she was gorgeous. In my final term in high school I had a class with Ashli, it was speech. In this class I got to know her and found out that she wasent only a pretty face but a warm hearted person, with a great mind to boot. She cared about her friends and actually took the time to talk to the geeky awkward kid that I was.
On my final day of school(I only did half a year that year) she gave me a ride home from school. I remember her smile as she said bye to me and we wished each other good luck.
I ran into her at the 10 year reunion, in 2000, and we excahanged pleasentries.
She had done well with her life and was married. This last month we had gotten reaquantied through Facebook. She was now the proud parent of a son.
We lost her this past week in a auto accident.
I know as we get older it is expected that we will lose old friends we havent thought of in years. However, I wanted to take a minute and remember two friends of mine from long ago that I remember fondly.
Goodbye Ashli and Kris...you are remembered fondly.
Labels: 1990, friends, North Cobb, North Cobb Class of 1990
Sunday, January 18, 2009
If You Have a Freind Going to Iraq
I have been meaning to write this blog for quite sometime but I keep forgetting or something more pressing pops into my mind and I blog on that.
However, there is one thing I think every family member should know who has a loved one heading to Iraq or if you are just wanting to send stuff to the troops.
Now I cannot speak for Afghanistan but I am here to tell you...
That Iraq is set in its fair share of romance novels. Every book shelf over there is stocked with Danielle Steele, Mary Higgins Clark and Harlequin Novels. Every time I went to any book shelf it was stocked with romance novels that people are sending over.
What I can't understand is why? Other than wanting to clean off their shelves would they want to send all those romance novels over? Yes, there are females over there but there is enough of those types of books for each chick in Iraq to be issued one a piece. Looking at those book shelves over there it is like someone sampled my grandmother's book collection and decided at that is what the troops want to read.
So when you decide to send some stuff to your friends and loved ones...don't send your wifes old copies of trashy romance novels.
Quite frankly...they are out of room
However, there is one thing I think every family member should know who has a loved one heading to Iraq or if you are just wanting to send stuff to the troops.
Now I cannot speak for Afghanistan but I am here to tell you...
That Iraq is set in its fair share of romance novels. Every book shelf over there is stocked with Danielle Steele, Mary Higgins Clark and Harlequin Novels. Every time I went to any book shelf it was stocked with romance novels that people are sending over.
What I can't understand is why? Other than wanting to clean off their shelves would they want to send all those romance novels over? Yes, there are females over there but there is enough of those types of books for each chick in Iraq to be issued one a piece. Looking at those book shelves over there it is like someone sampled my grandmother's book collection and decided at that is what the troops want to read.
So when you decide to send some stuff to your friends and loved ones...don't send your wifes old copies of trashy romance novels.
Quite frankly...they are out of room
Labels: Baghdad, I/A, Iraq, Iraqi Freedom, OIF, rob Kerns, troops
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Money I dont mind spending
I hate spending money on things. Don't get me wrong I have a DVD collection that is down right obscene and I upgraded to Blu-ray. So I spend my share of $$$ every month.
I have also saved some money this last year as well.
Every time I open my wallet I silently cringe as I fork over money.
This week however, I spent some money I didn't mind one bit.
My oldest daughter is starting her second term in college and she asked if I could help buy her books.
To this I said sure. Of course she waited her own sweet time to get me the list of required texts, but immediately upon receiving the list I hit Amazon and found the books she needed. Bless her heart, she spelled some of the authors names wrong and did not tell me what editions to get but I figured it all out and got her the books mailed out to her.
Did I mind dropping about $150 for her books?
Not at all...
MY LITTLE GIRL IS IN COLLEGE!
I have also saved some money this last year as well.
Every time I open my wallet I silently cringe as I fork over money.
This week however, I spent some money I didn't mind one bit.
My oldest daughter is starting her second term in college and she asked if I could help buy her books.
To this I said sure. Of course she waited her own sweet time to get me the list of required texts, but immediately upon receiving the list I hit Amazon and found the books she needed. Bless her heart, she spelled some of the authors names wrong and did not tell me what editions to get but I figured it all out and got her the books mailed out to her.
Did I mind dropping about $150 for her books?
Not at all...
MY LITTLE GIRL IS IN COLLEGE!
The Worm does Turn
Some of you know that I am half breed of sorts. My mom was from New Jersey and my dad from Georgia. For the most part this means I can feel just as comfortable rooting for the Phillies or the Braves.
When my dad got out of the Navy we moved to Lakehurst, N.J. Back then I was a bit of an odd child, not to mention very skinny so I took alot of beatings from a few bullies.
We moved away from New Jersey after my freshman year of school and moved to Ga. where my life got better over time.
Now the 20 year reunion for the school I went to in New Jersey is coming up on its 20 year reunion.
Since I have been in touch with a few of my old friends from up there via Facebook and Myspace I am part of the e-mail chains for the reunion.
What I have found surprising is that some of these jerks that use to pick on me weren't just bullies but turned out to be rather bad people and have done real "time" in jail now.
One of my Uncle Ed's favorite sayings is that success is the best victory and to this I can agree quite a bit.
However, knowing that I have done well and these people who thought they were so much cooler by picking on a little guy ended up behind bars for their continued dastardly deeds brings a certain quiet sense of satisfaction as well...
Does that make me petty??
When my dad got out of the Navy we moved to Lakehurst, N.J. Back then I was a bit of an odd child, not to mention very skinny so I took alot of beatings from a few bullies.
We moved away from New Jersey after my freshman year of school and moved to Ga. where my life got better over time.
Now the 20 year reunion for the school I went to in New Jersey is coming up on its 20 year reunion.
Since I have been in touch with a few of my old friends from up there via Facebook and Myspace I am part of the e-mail chains for the reunion.
What I have found surprising is that some of these jerks that use to pick on me weren't just bullies but turned out to be rather bad people and have done real "time" in jail now.
One of my Uncle Ed's favorite sayings is that success is the best victory and to this I can agree quite a bit.
However, knowing that I have done well and these people who thought they were so much cooler by picking on a little guy ended up behind bars for their continued dastardly deeds brings a certain quiet sense of satisfaction as well...
Does that make me petty??
Labels: Lakehurst, Manchester, New Jersey
Saturday, January 03, 2009
As I am going to be a civilian soon I have had to make a resume for the first time in my life. When I joined the Navy the only things I really had to put on a resume were, numbers of pizzas made and delivered, number of groceries scanned and number of Whoppers made.
So now I am having to look for a job. I have posted my resume on Monster, hotjobs and careerbuilder. So just for giggles I thought I would post it here as well...
So here is Rob Kerns in a nutshell!!
..TR style="HEIGHT: 0.2in; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-height-rule: exactly"> ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />69 West View Court, Hiram, Ga., 30141·(757) 831-3126·robkerns2000@yahoo.com..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Robert E. Kerns
Objective
To work on a public affairs team helping to share the message of the company. Help to continue to develop a message and make sure the company is always presented in the best light.
Experience
February 1991 to Present
U.S. Navy
New Orleans, La.
Navy Journalist/Public Affairs Specialist
§ Leading Journalist at Freedom Radio, Baghdad, Iraq. As program director supervised the daily running of the American voice throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
§ Developed the U.S. Government's first podcast. Pioneering a new way for the U.S. Armed Forces to deliver their message to military and civilian alike.
§ A Leading Journalist in the Navy with a Associated Press mastery. Several stories written have not only been used for U.S. Navy publication(www.news.navy.mil) but have been picked up various news sites throughout the globe.
§ Navy Reserve Force Leading Journalist. Assisting and disseminating the Message of the U.S. Navy Reserve Force. Highlight of this was developing the Navy Base Realignment and Closure(BRAC) for Navy Reserve Base New Orleans.
§ Editor of the Navy Reservist Magazine. Voice of the Navy Reserve Force. Took the magazine from a 15 page newspaper publication to a 36 page tabloid monthly publication. Received the 2004 CHINFO Merit award for outstanding military publication.
§ Senior editor of Navy Reserve website(www.navyreserve.navy.mil).
§ Coordinated 600 media escorts aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71) during its historic deployments during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
§ Coordinated over 900 radio interviews with radio stations across the United States.
Education
1997-2000
Chaminade University
Honolulu, Hawaii
History/Political Science
§ Concentration in American History.
References
References are available on request.
..TABLE>
So now I am having to look for a job. I have posted my resume on Monster, hotjobs and careerbuilder. So just for giggles I thought I would post it here as well...
So here is Rob Kerns in a nutshell!!
..TR style="HEIGHT: 0.2in; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-height-rule: exactly"> ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />69 West View Court, Hiram, Ga., 30141·(757) 831-3126·robkerns2000@yahoo.com..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Robert E. Kerns
Objective
To work on a public affairs team helping to share the message of the company. Help to continue to develop a message and make sure the company is always presented in the best light.
Experience
February 1991 to Present
U.S. Navy
New Orleans, La.
Navy Journalist/Public Affairs Specialist
§ Leading Journalist at Freedom Radio, Baghdad, Iraq. As program director supervised the daily running of the American voice throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
§ Developed the U.S. Government's first podcast. Pioneering a new way for the U.S. Armed Forces to deliver their message to military and civilian alike.
§ A Leading Journalist in the Navy with a Associated Press mastery. Several stories written have not only been used for U.S. Navy publication(www.news.navy.mil) but have been picked up various news sites throughout the globe.
§ Navy Reserve Force Leading Journalist. Assisting and disseminating the Message of the U.S. Navy Reserve Force. Highlight of this was developing the Navy Base Realignment and Closure(BRAC) for Navy Reserve Base New Orleans.
§ Editor of the Navy Reservist Magazine. Voice of the Navy Reserve Force. Took the magazine from a 15 page newspaper publication to a 36 page tabloid monthly publication. Received the 2004 CHINFO Merit award for outstanding military publication.
§ Senior editor of Navy Reserve website(www.navyreserve.navy.mil).
§ Coordinated 600 media escorts aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71) during its historic deployments during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
§ Coordinated over 900 radio interviews with radio stations across the United States.
Education
1997-2000
Chaminade University
Honolulu, Hawaii
History/Political Science
§ Concentration in American History.
References
References are available on request.
..TABLE>
Labels: atlanta, jobs, Public Relations, rob Kerns
The other day while driving around Kennesaw, Ga., I was listening to WSB-AM and the bottom of the hour news report that a recent survey found 60 percent of those polled found George W. Bush to be the worst President of all time.
Now if you read this you know I am conservative for the most part. And many of you also know I have very little faith in the human race as a whole. So let me tell you why this poll is full of crap.
First off most Americans are not qualified to answer this question as most Americans don't know who the Secretary of State is or who the Vice President is.
So with that said they are able to be asked such a question?
I have a bachelor's degree in history and poli sci and I barely think I am able to make such a call.
I do know this. Few Presidents have had to deal with a war on their plate during their administration and had to clean up the mess left behind by the previous administration when it came to national security like W has.
I am in the military I can say that Clinton drew down our military so much that we were so not ready for what we had to deal with. My five months without a port call off of Pakistan is proof of that.
Anyway, back to the point. How many Americans are really able to "make the call," about W. Really? Joe the Plumber is he?
I think instead of asking Joe Shmoe off the street lets ask some people who really may know, soe learned men. Then I will be intrested.
Until then it is the liberal left trying to get some last digs as W walks out the door.
Now if you read this you know I am conservative for the most part. And many of you also know I have very little faith in the human race as a whole. So let me tell you why this poll is full of crap.
First off most Americans are not qualified to answer this question as most Americans don't know who the Secretary of State is or who the Vice President is.
So with that said they are able to be asked such a question?
I have a bachelor's degree in history and poli sci and I barely think I am able to make such a call.
I do know this. Few Presidents have had to deal with a war on their plate during their administration and had to clean up the mess left behind by the previous administration when it came to national security like W has.
I am in the military I can say that Clinton drew down our military so much that we were so not ready for what we had to deal with. My five months without a port call off of Pakistan is proof of that.
Anyway, back to the point. How many Americans are really able to "make the call," about W. Really? Joe the Plumber is he?
I think instead of asking Joe Shmoe off the street lets ask some people who really may know, soe learned men. Then I will be intrested.
Until then it is the liberal left trying to get some last digs as W walks out the door.
Labels: Bush. Politics. Atlanta, W, WSB
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