Looking at the beginning of a fourth decade...

I've dreaded the thought of turning 30 years old... well, I guess since I turned 29. I remember turning 21 and having a squad leader who was 30 and thinking, "Man, that dude is OLD." Now that I've nearly reached that milestone, I can look back on that moment (and many more like it) and laugh. You're only as old as you feel, I guess, although I've had many an intern in my office make me feel Methuselahian (did I just make up a word?!?).

Well, the milemarkers have all passed -- the first being my bride's 30th birthday this past June. It didn't seem to bother her too much -- but that could have been because she was completely numb to it after having two babies in 2 years. The second was my brother's 33rd yesterday. Now, since our birthdays are only 6 days apart, I really have to start counting them down 'til Thursday, when it finally arrives.

30 years old. I actually said it today to someone when they asked me how old I was. Tested it out to see how it'd sound.

Didn't like it one bit.

So, I've decided to work it the same way I did when I was 8. Remember when your age was a single digit and you were in such a hurry to get to the next one? Like if someone asked you your age a week after you turned 8, you'd respond "I'm almost 9?" I'm going to work it the opposite way. If someone asks me my age from now on -- I'm going to say "almost 29."

Why the hell not?

So I think the primary reason I've decided to start this little mama is because of a Specialist serving in Iraq right now. SPC Colby Buzzell is a troop with the Stryker Brigade, and his blog started a whole shitstorm of trouble. One of my coworkers at SRTV turned me on to this guy's site, and I was really blown away by the raw descriptions of life and death in Iraq. While he wasn't exactly the most polished mofo out there -- he could use some spelling lessons -- he spoke in the Soldier's language, and didn't filter his opinions with any bullshit political considerations. Of course this meant the Army had to muzzle him.

His chain of command called it "operational security," and told him he had to have his posts reviewed prior to putting them out. I guess he's taken the safest road and just decided not to post any more original narratives. He still puts up articles and odds and ends, like a long letter from his battalion commander. As a public affairs guy, I think the American public needs to hear these voices and read his story. The press isn't telling it that way -- and unfortunately, as the guy who gets a lot of the stories the military broadcasters produce over there -- we ain't telling it any better.

It's actually almost comical to see. If you turn on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, you'll see the same "2 soldiers killed in a helicopter crash," or "16 villagers killed in airstrike on Fallujah." Then, switch over to AFN or my show and see the side the military wants you to see -- the schools being built, the medical assistance missions, feeding hungry people. I mean, that's all fine and well, but we're not seeing the day-to-day life of the American Soldier. From a fairly limited scope, we got to see that through Colby Buzzell. As narrow of a focus as it was, it was still a slice of life noticeably absent from mainstream and internal media.

I close with an open message to any Soldier or other servicemember serving in harm's way: God bless you for where you are and what you're doing -- stay safe, and watch your 6. But please -- if you have the opportunity or the desire -- take the time to document your experiences there. Keep a journal -- take notes -- talk it out into a tape recorder or something -- but don't let your story be told by someone with an agenda, be it the New York Times or AFN.

Just testing this bad boy out

I'm sitting in an audio tank at XM Radio in DC, thinking about doing this blog. I've had friends who say "you have a choice -- write about life or enjoy living it." Dunno if I necesarily agree with that -- although it takes time to do the former while you could be enjoying more of the latter... but whatever. I like to write a little, so here goes. Stay tuned for little updates on life, liberty, and the pursuit of more air time.