I made it back to the US today. I am sitting in the Houston airport waiting for one more flight. I have a few more days in Gulfport and then home for good. Hopefully, I can get done before the weekend but that may not happen. The flight from Kuwait took 12 and half hours. It feels good to be back in the US.
Books
Past Time, Past Place: GIS for History
This is an interesting book on the convergence of History and GIS. A sampling of the chapters include: The Salem Witch Trials, Dust Bowl Analysis and Mapping the Ancient World.Placing History: How Maps, Spatial Data, and GIS Are Changing Historical Scholarship
This is a hybrid of two my favorite subjects; GIS and History.George R.R. Martin: A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 3)
I need a break every so often and this series is fnatastic. Martin has complex characters and plots. This fantasy series has a limited magic and closely resembles the War of Roses in English history. HBO is working on a series to bring the books to the screen.Jennifer Greene: Head First Pmp: A Brain-Friendly Guide to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam
I am a huge fan of this series of books. This book complements the relatively dry PMBOK Guide. The publisher has a PM focused website and sample online test.A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: (Pmbok Guide)
This is the main source of information for anyone working to earn a PMP. It is a bit dry and could use more real world examples. The lack of applicable examples is by design since the book is more of an overview/survey of Project Management.Seth Godin: The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
This is a great book. I discovered it on another blog site. I am planning to read more of Godin's book. It is a short book, but sometimes short is good. I believe that the succinctness of his book is appropriate and allows him to pound one point home....when to quit. Not only is important to know when to quit but why it is vital TO QUIT. Godin writes that people cannot achieve their potential unless they discard the unproductive and unfruitful areas of their lives. Some of the best decisions I have made involved quitting dead end jobs, hopeless activities and destructive relationships. Highly recommended.Michael Lewis: Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
A great, but controversial, book about how Billy Beane reinvented the art of scouting baseball players. A good example of "thinking outside the box"Neal Thompson: Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR
Living in Iraq means that you don't always want to read about Iraq in your leisure time. I am reading this book to remind me of home. The book is about the birth of NASCAR in the prohibition era...an era I can relate to while serving in Iraq.Douglas Coupland: Shampoo Planet
This is the best book I have read concerning Generation X.Rajiv Chandrasekaran: Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone (Vintage)
I have been reading to prepare for life in Iraq.
Blogs
- One American's History
This my personal blog focusing on one of my hobbies. Most of my vacations include a historical side trip. - Gen X in Iraq
This is my blog I maintained while I was in Iraq. - Leadership Now
I have been reading and studying the concept of emotional intelligence for some time. This blog promotes a leadership style based on relationships and emotional intelligence. - Kaat's Korner
This is a baseball blog. Be warned it does belong to a Yankee's fan, but it is an interesting read. - Sandbox Chad: Should Have Read the Fine Print
This is a friend of mine from the same reserve unit. He went through Narmy training but did not have to go to Kuwait for additional training. He will be serving with CENTCOM. - Salam Pax: The Baghdad Blogger
For a view outside the wire in the "red zone", I recommend Salam's blog. He has achieved celebrity status for his blogging...and he demonstrates a great Gen X style sense of humor. - Adam: From DC to Afgahnistan
This blog is another Navy Reservist IA who is a Public Affairs Officer assigned to Afghanistan. - Jenx67
This is a great blog with information on Gen X.
« Things to Do When I Get Back | Main | First Month Back Home »
January 13, 2010
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YYYYYYYYYAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
Welcome home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kim P | January 14, 2010 at 08:10 AM
Well Mark tomorrow is my birthday and I can't think of a better birthday present then to hear you are in the US. Will go out tomorrow and have a drink not just to celebrate the Birthday but your welcome home.
Well lets make that two adult drinks!!!!
love ya
Posted by: Fran Robbins | January 14, 2010 at 08:20 AM
Welcome back to the good Ole' USA. Bet Gulfport looks pretty good. 12 and 1/2 hours--long flight. Any stops along the way?
Hope to see you soon.
Ann
Posted by: Ann | January 15, 2010 at 11:32 AM
i'm so glad you made it home.
Posted by: jen | January 15, 2010 at 01:14 PM
Good morning -- I came across your blog while doing some personal research about USNR deployments. See, I'm considering applying for an officer commission in the USNR and I'd like to hear "the real truth" about the chances of being mobilized, where Id' most likely go and do if/when I was mobilized...
I'm applying to be an Intel Officer (won't go in unless it's set in stone) -- possibly a Supply Officer.
Anyway, I'd be very grateful for any advice/thoughts you have on the matter. You can reach me at Abram Jackson on facebook. Thanks, and congratulations :)
Posted by: Abram Jackson | March 25, 2010 at 09:35 AM
Yes, I believe you will be mobilized based on the field you are going into. But for some people, that is a good thing. I would like to share more thoughts with you via e-mail. I noticed that there are several Abram Jackson's on Facebook. Can you give me some more information. I am also on Facebook, Mark Taylor from Sachse TX.
Posted by: MidnightMustang | March 25, 2010 at 03:32 PM