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The 1791 Thinkshop

Front door for the second half of my life using my time while disabled to study theology, dabble in my shop, and advocate for Liberty and Veterans who suffer with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Severe Memory Impairment, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumas, and those with Crohn's Disease and Seizure Disorder. Of course too I may muster the courage to begin my Scale Models again but fight tremor so bad that it maybe something best to just hang up and sell off. I've lost nearly every enjoyable skill and struggle with the idea of "doing it at all if I can't do so to the ability I once had". I'm most busy with doctors appointments and maintaining my 125 Year Old Home, but also pursue working in my shop and have unreasonable thoughts about once again building quality scale models. Basically its My Shop, Ranting, Retirement, and More… This blog was begun right before my health, career, and entire life's direction was wildly changed, so though the page is 6+ years old, it is bare boned.

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Marine Corps

Summer Days and Vitamin D

Oh so happy that the summer is here… Have a new billet starting soon and hoping to reverse some of the negative the last two years has done to me. For two years I’ve worked lights to lights in a building with no windows. This has robbed my body of both rest and the sunshine I have enjoyed all of my life. I have noticed that anytime I can get 4+ hours of direct sunlight on a Sunday, my energy level rises by boat loads and helps me Monday through Wednesday… By Thursday I’m dragging again. I wasn’t surprised at all with a diagnosis of chronic fatigue, nor that my Vitamin D was in the tank. With summer here, there are far less sit down dinners, but a whole lot more time out on the porch. Time very well spent and good times to build memories. Having a good time balancing work and home better while rediscovering that the sun actually has risen and set 730 times while I’ve holed up behind that desk.

Truth be told, I’d rather be outside and can’t wait to have some normal hours for the first time in 13+ years. My family, my health, and our spirits deserve it.

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Raw Video: Marines in gunbattle with Taliban

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lIbX6TkRog&hd=1

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines have been fighting the Taliban throughout Afghanistan’s Sangin Valley for three months. They experience enemy contact almost daily and have gained tremendous ground. In a recent operation, Marines and Afghan soldiers fought through an enemy ambush and built a new patrol base. Marines continue to work with Afghan security forces and Afghan government authorities in the area. Video by Cpl. Daniel Blatter

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Marines lose EFV during DoD spending cuts

Too bad, got to see these tested at TBS, would have been a great piece of gear…….

Marines lose EFV during DoD spending cuts.

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20,000 Marines could be victim of drawdown

20,000 Marines could be victim of drawdown http://bit.ly/ehB458

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Sad to see, Marine Corps EFV Program is scrapped….

Sad… see pic here http://on.fb.me/gXlbvt

The Commandant of the Marine Corps reacts to the cancelation of the EFV http://bit.ly/CMCEFV

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Marines expand operations in Afganistan

RT @USMC: #Marines expand operations in parts of #Afghanistan. http://cot.ag/f5kIav

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Long week with an inspection

  You know, after 18+ years in the Corps and 12+ years in this field, you can still learn a whole lot.  I am considered to be a subject matter expert in my field, but I’m still learning this new aspect of the field in my now 18th month.  Many equate an inspection to just another “haze exercise” and this week couldn’t have been any further from one.  In my world, there aren’t too many people who know it better than I do, but I had the fortune this week to get some sage advice, understanding, and training from a ‘Jedi Master’ if you will. CWO4 Hank Cooke is a long time friend going back to when we were both enlisted and though he crossed over long before I did I have always respected his knowledge, leadership, and poise.

  I was pretty obstinate during day one because almost everything anyone said we should be doing, we were already doing. I wasn’t until Hank broke a couple of things down to me in a way I probably couldn’t have taken from anyone else on the planet that it made sense and I dropped my guard a bit.  It’s not always what you do that’s important….. Just because you ‘know it all’ doesn’t mean you can do things in any order you want to.  Even if you know exactly what and why you are doing something, you must ensure that you demonstrate that you are only willing to focus on what’s important at that moment or you risk allowing less important and cloudy issues to obstruct the process.  My Marines deserve a clear and consise message without all of the other long range thoughts clouding the moment.  Let others do their part and don’t overwhelm the process.

  I am extremely thankful to you Hank for coming and spending the time with my team and I; also too for the talk at the end.  I know we’ve come a long way and I really think we can get this to the next level.  Don’t forget where you came from and know I respect the hell outta you…

Semper Fidelis, Shannon

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