Day 3

Biggest Loser workout was slightly....slightly easier today. My knees and thighs still feel like they are made of lead, but today it's refined lead, which I guess is a good sign. Still eating like a bird and not losing much weight...even after working out morning and evening! Frustrating. But I'm feeling my muscle tone coming back.

Looking forward to playing CC:P again soon. The next scenario is a Banzai attack across a river into the teeth of a Marine defense. Sounds like fun.

You can see it in my face, can't you?

I have completed Day 2 of a self-imposed torture regime that is designed to last six weeks. In the morning, I do my Biggest Loser workout video. It was designed by communists who are trying to destroy the capitalist West one fat guy at a time. I hate everyone who had anything to do with producing this demonic thing. But I'm going to stick with it. Maybe.

Then, during the day, I've been a model eater. (I've eaten two model cars and an airplane.) Actually, I've been eating very little for breakfast--like one piece of sausage today, along with a V8. Then, I had a turkey sandwich and a salad for lunch. For dinner, I made everyone some Coconut Chicken Curry. It was yum-yumness, and I had two helpings. But sheesh...I'm only human.

Finally, I did my evening workout with Suzanne. I did my back (pull-ups mainly), and then 40 minutes on the stair-stepper. Seriously not sure whether I can keep this up. Haven't worked this hard since French Commando School.

Party Central

So we had Evan and Joanne, Emily, Tanisha, the LeMays, the Bixlers, and the Duffies over for a Christmas/New Year's party. The werewolves had a particularly good night. We played "Who am I?", and I got to be Queen Elizabeth (a lifelong dream of mine), and George Bush. Then we played Dirty Santa (white elephant gift exchange), and two lucky winners scored a Chinese translation of Suzanne's Destiny in Disguise and a Chinese translation of my Principles of War for the Information Age.

I also got a face-full of whipped cream, and I proved that I can walk with a grapefruit in my thighs, a pie plate on my head, and a quarter in my eye all at once. It's the years of Army training.

Then everyone Wii'd a lot in my family room.

Yesterday we just chilled and recovered. I'm enjoying reading my new book on wine, and last night Peter came over, and we played Combat Commander: Pacific. My Americans lost. Kind of frustrating scenario (Mindanao). I had a platoon of riflemen trying to maneuver against a dug-in Japanese squad. Twice I managed to close to melee range--once with Philippine guerillas and once with my platoon, and both times I lost! I'm going to Peter's house tonight to have another go.

Merry Christmas!

Have been having a wonderful holiday. On Christmas Day, we piled into the car and drove to Nana's house. There was NO traffic, and we made the trip pretty quick. John and Marcia, Donny, Peggy, Brady, Cory, and Nana were there, and we had a great time. Joe tried out his new paintball set, and the boys and I had fun shooting each other and the hapless trees.

After a superb supper, we said good-bye and headed back home to rescue the dogs. That evening, we opened our gifts. I got a beautiful book on wine, and I'm looking forward to learning! I also got COMBAT COMMANDER: PACIFIC!! The second in the series that I would rate probably the best wargame ever. Peter and I have such a good time playing this series, and now we get to take the war into the Pacific. Really looking forward to my wargame buddy returning so I can annihilate him.

Also got a workout video from Biggest Loser. Okay, so this morning I tried it. I was exhausted after the five minute warm-up. But I persisted and completed the level 1 training (20 minutes). I hope to be out of the hospital by summer. Seriously--great workout, and I'm going to try to stick with it, so I can recover my little girl figure.

Today I'm cooking a turkey, and Matt, Sarah, Rosie, and Trey are coming over. Tomorrow is the big party with our home group, and Nana, John, and Marcia are coming, too!

Finally Did It!

Well for years I've wanted to create a solitaire wargame on the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. But I fell into the trap of creating a game that was way too complicated. Finally, just on the heals of the publication of my latest APL booklet on the China Relief Expedition, I put together a great little design.

I've been play-testing it, and it looks good so far. I'm going to try to get it published through Victory Point Games. Hooah!

Great Day Full of Doctrine!

Had a great day teaching and learning Bible doctrine. First, I taught Revelation 10 and 11 today at Sunday School. The class is full of really sincere Christians that are hungry for the Word and full of great insights and questions. Really love that class.

Then, our pastor taught an awesome message on how the angelic host are watching human history with awe and joy. He is such an inspiring teacher. I felt like I had just had a refreshing swim after listening to him divide the Word to us. This is by far the best church I have ever been in.

At home group, we studied Mark 6--specifically the incident in which Jesus walks on water. Our home group is also something very very special. Every person in the group--the adults, the teens, and the children--are such wonderful people. We are so blessed to be associated with such a loving, dedicated group of friends and fellow believers.

What a fun day!

Twice in One Day!!?!?!?!!

Okay, this was a first for me, and hopefully a last!

So...we went horseback riding. Suzanne, Kadey, Joe, and I, and, of course, I ended up on the short, fat one. The others were all Tennessee walkers, and I wanted to trot. Plus, "Mystique" was a really nice looking paint. Anyways, a good time was had by all.

Then, I was driving home on Route 50, and a cop pulled me over and ticketed me for doing 59 in a 35! What 35?!?!? It was a Virginia speed trap that goes from 55 to 35 real suddenly. Ugh. Okay, I was polite and respectful.

I proceeded across the border to West Virginia and was about a mile from home when ANOTHER cop pulled me over!!!!!!!!! This time I got a warning that my tail light was out. Yikes! Now I never want to drive again.

A Christmas Carol

I had a productive Saturday. I fought the first two days of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of 1918. Then I fixed our interior Christmas lights and only shocked myself once (as opposed to three times on the outside lights). Note to self: do not bit electric wire when it's plugged in.

This evening we went to see A Christmas Carol at Martinsburg's Apollo Theater. It's a very old theater, and we were on the balcony where our view was blocked by a hand-rail and a fat lady and her annoying kids. The musical was okay. Kadey sang and danced, and that was the best part.

Working on the next game...

Happy to stay home today. I'm working several projects, but today I focused on collecting contact info for the next policy game I'm putting together.

Peter came over tonight, and we played Combat Commander. We played a scenario in which the Germans hold a ridge against Brazilian attackers. OMG, how frustrating! I did my best to press the attack. At one point, he (the Germans) had a hero who led a squad in an attempt to ambush one of my squads. As he attacked, he proudly announced that he was ambushing my squad. I replied that I ambushed his entire attack team! In the end, though, his minions beat me. Ugh.

The holidays loom. Hey, Christmas is a lot of work! I don't care WHO you are!

Riding the Red Serpent

Riding the Red Serpent
Demands ahead, love behind
As we snake through the cold, dark hills.
A pleasant voice casts and spins
To help me keep astride.

All at once the Serpent pauses,
Considering its course, I suppose.
I gaze at the wooded rise beside me;
Dendritic guardians bar the way.
Beyond them--over the hill, unseen
Lies community
Where names matter.

The Red Serpent slithers on,
Approaching the Important Place
Respectfully, wistfully.
We riders hang on as best we can.

Lots of Driving

Ugh. Drove to the Pentagon today for a meeting. Had to leave at 0530, and it normally takes me 2 hours to drive. Today, the traffic was bad, and it took me an extra half hour. I was late for the meeting...only to find out upon arrival that the meeting was scheduled for TOMORROW! My colleague from the Lab was there, too, and fit to be tied. Oh well. What's five hours on the road for nothing?

I cooked a marvelous meal tonight--chicken with stuffing, potatoes, gravy, corn, and salad. Peter came over for supper, and then we played Twilight Struggle. I played the Soviets (again). About the middle of the Cold War, he conceded. I kicked his sorry capitalist butt out of Europe and was dominating him in the Middle East and Central America. Plus, I was scoring big time in Asia. The highlight of the game was when the Soviets blockaded Berlin, and the Americans did nothing in response. West Germany fell to Soviet control, followed quickly by France and Italy. By the end of the game, communists also controlled Mexico, Cuba, and most of the Middle East. Ha! Take that, you American pig-dog!

Back to the Pentagon tomorrow morning. Ugh.

The Greatest Christmas Movie Ever

It has it all: drama, romance (well, not really, but there is a kiss), action, humor. Hollywood's hottest stars. A plot line that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Special effects that leave you gaping.

Yes, it's Ernest Saves Christmas.

And if you don't get it, then you are just...well....I'm not gonna even say it.

Best line from the movie:

"Bobby, there is something really significant going on here!"

Back Home

Got back Wednesday night, and it was good to see the kids. Went to the Lab today and got some good news from the boss.

Also got a blackberry from work today. When I finally got it registered and working, I got three calls in a row demanding to speak with "Mrs. Santiago". Ugh.

Played "Twilight Struggle" with Peter last night. First game I walloped him, mainly because he was just learning the game. Second game we played through almost to the end, but it got to be midnight. I conceded as the Russians, because he was pretty far ahead in points. Great game, and I'm sure we'll play again.

John 11

I've been reading through the Gospel of John lately, and although I've read it many times before, I'm just now realizing how different it is from the other gospels. It's like the other three writers were intent on writing the biographical facts of Jesus' life, but then John wrote an essay to expound upon the meaning of Jesus' life. Picture it this way. We read Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Then, we come to John and plead with him: "John, what does it all mean?!!?"

John takes up his pen to respond and starts with these words. He doesn't begin with the details of Christ's birth or with the events that inaugurated his public ministry. Instead, he interprets the entire meaning of who and what Jesus is:

"In the beginning, there was the Word. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory--the glory as of the only begotten of the Father--full of grace and truth."

What an awesome and profound explanation!

Anyway, I read Chapter 11 today, concerning the death and resuscitation of Lazarus. I've been taken by how John's description of Jesus is so different from the others' in that John has more insight into what Jesus was thinking and feeling. He also describes with much greater detail the arguments between the Pharisees and Jesus. In the account of Lazarus, we find a rare description of the heart of our Lord.

Notice that in verse 3, we find that Jesus "loved" Lazarus. The Greek word for love here is PHILEO, indicating brotherly, friendship love. In verse 5, we find that Jesus "loved" Martha and Mary, but here the word is AGAPE, which describes what some call "virtue love". AGAPE is love of the will; it does not depend upon emotion or the attractiveness of the object, but rather upon the virtue of the subject.

It's interesting that Jesus deliberately waits long enough for Lazarus to die. This is another demonstration of God's way of dealing with us. He allows us to experience impossible situations in which no solutions are available. Then, in the middle of the impossible crisis, He moves. Pretty cool, and a real test of faith.

In verses 23 through 26, Jesus advises Martha that her brother will live again through faith in Christ. I believe that this teaching has nothing to do with the fact that He was about to revive Lazarus. Rather, He was teaching her the doctrine of resurrection. What He said would have been true whether He raised Lazarus or not. The fact that He did simply indicated that He had the authority to expostulate on death and life.

The resuscitation (not resurrection!) of Lazarus caused an intensification of the religious opposition to Jesus. At this dramatic moment, the high priest Caiaphas prophetically proclaims that "It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." What an awesome and ironic thing to say! From the mouth of a devilish man comes a beautiful, divine truth.

I also think it's cool when Jesus told the people standing there as Lazarus staggers out of the cave in grave clothes, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." What a perfect description of salvation in Christ!

Ready, Set, Go!

Off and running with my new blog. My goal is to (1) keep a diary so that I can foil the ravages of my inevitable senility; (2) keep a diary of my Bible studies, because I love reading, learning, and connecting the awesome truths found therein; and (3) keep a diary of my wargaming adventures, complete with pictures. This last proves beyond a doubt that I am a total dork. There. I said it.

Today I am in Spokane concluding my visit with my in-laws. We've been here for a week, and I love this town. There is something about the way this city is laid out that really appeals to me. It's wide open and surrounded by pine forests and mountains. Very beautiful, even when overcast, which it has been all week.

We had fun eating at all the great restaurants here and playing games with Suzanne's family. After playing Werewolf with Zanne's parents, uncles, aunts, and various hangers-on, I've realized that they are a delightful family of man-eating liars.

Also got to visit my very own Mecca: Townshend Cellar, where some overlooked genius makes Vortex Red and its cousin, T3. T3 is another blended wine--merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc (like the Vortex), and the T3 label stands for Townshend, Three vintages, Three grapes. Yumness.

Tomorrow we fly home to West Virginia--land of wargames, cigars, and mediocre, needy dogs.