====== Mark's Blog ======

My <del>daily</del> <del>weekly</del> //whenever// rantings about whatever comes to mind!

:!: This is the old blog that I created without using the blog plugin.  I plan to go back and break these down into individual post and try to get them imported into the current blog structure.

====== Archives ======
[[2004]] - Including a lot of the "Broadcasting From Baghdad" series when I was deployed to Iraq

====== Current ======

===== August =====

==== 26 August ====

=== Why does MTV have VMA's anymore? ===

I mean, really.  There aren't any videos on MTV or VH1 anymore, only crappy reality shows and "I Love The 70/80/90's".  They are even starting to put more "shows" on MTV2, which I never really watched anyway.  Can't they just stick to the "Do one thing and do it well" principle?

==== 25 August ====

=== A whole lot of nothing ===

Wow, I //really// haven't posted in a long time!  A lot of nothing has happened since I left the Army.  There is no real reason for me not to post!

Let's see, I am currently looking for a job.  You can see my [[:mark:resume]] and contact me at <mark@mccoyfam.net> for more information.

I took and passed the Red Hat Certified Engineer exam at the beginning of the month.  I am now certifiably a computer geek!  The exam was pretty hard, since it convers some things that I haven't worked with very much.  I just read through a copy of Michael Jang's RHCE Prep book and the prep guide from www.redhat.com which really helped.


==== 8 August ====
=== Got the cert! ===

I am RHCE cert number 804005377616305.  Check it out at www.redhat.com/training/certification/verify.

==== 5 August ====
=== RHCE Exam ===
I would tell you about the exam, but I'm under an NDA.  Which means that I //could// tell you about it, but I would lose my cert if I get it and wouldn't be allowed to take it again.

===== June =====

==== 22 June ====
=== Finally free ===
I officially separated from the Army today, even though I've been on terminal leave for 3 weeks already.

===== May =====

==== May 27 ====
=== 4 day weekend ===
Hanging out with the family on Memorial day Weekend.  I have to go back on Tuesday to do the last little bit of paperwork. Then I'm outta the Army for good.

==== May 25 ====
=== Sad about the paper monster ===
The Army paper monster swallowed me up.  I can't "final out" tomorrow like I was expecting to.  I have to come back after Memorial Day to do the last bit of outprocessing and then I'm out.

==== May 11 ====
=== ETS paperwork ===
Well, I turned in my paperwork to get my ETS orders cut.  I also got a memo from the CO so I can start clearing tomorrow.  If things go well, I will be out of the Army by the end of the month! 

===== March =====

==== 22 March ====
=== Triumphant Return ===
We landed back in the states today.  It was a long flight and a long layover in Germany.  The plane had a problem, so we were there for several hours instead of only an hour or so.

I can't believe how happy I was to see my family.  Elsie and I both tried not to cry when we saw each other.  She and the kids were the most beautiful things that I had ever seen.

My mom and my Aunt Ruthie and Uncle Hector came as well.  I'll post up a picture of all of us at the redeployment ceremony.