SGI-USA online Haul with Photos

We all know, it is not about stuff, but stuff is fun! 😈 This is my first order from SGI-USA's online bookstore. Overall I was pleased with my shopping experience. The order arrived USPS which for me is the most convenient method of shipment. I ripped into the box as soon as it arrived, which is uncharacteristic for me.

Everything was packaged very well, but the box was a bit beat-up. Sometimes that just happens on the conveyor belts. Here is everything, cannot wait to open that brown paper package, and the black tee-shirt.

First up, prayer beads and a bead case. I wanted an extra set on hand for when I have guests that want to chant with me, or just listen. The beads are actually a "youth" sized set, which is a bit smaller, therefore cheaper and nice to travel with. I tried to pick something neutral, but I admit the bunnies on the bead case are kinda cute.

I got a 50,000 Lions of Justice tee-shirt. Which commemorates the 2018 gathering of 50,000 youth in 9 cities across America. This is my first SGI shirt, I hope it sparks some conversations.

In the brown paper package was a copy of the Liturgy (chanting and prayers) for a guest. Also I got a copy of President Ikeada's "Victorious Teen." While I am no longer a teen, I am in the middle of going back to school and transitioning my career. I've only dug in a few pages but so far the book enforces self-esteem and character from within, to create an unshakable self.

Lastly a flag. I love flags in general, pomp, circumstance. This is just one more for my collection.

Waterfall Engineering, Legacy Hardware/Software, and the impact on Innovation.

Once apon a time, Waterfall Engineering began with an idea, then over the last 100 years it became  the continual refinement of that initial idea, while maintaining the maximum amount of proven hardware and/or software.

The most important thing to remember during Waterfall Engineering is that initial idea. Without that you and your team are:

          01. Polishing a turd.
          02. Putting extraneous features and functions onto a dedicated item. Which is not where they belong.
          03. Ruining something that is functional.

What's good about the waterfall approach?
     
          01. It can save money if you avoid #02 above.
          02. It can result in insanely reliable equipment.

Whats bad?
     
          01. It can hamper innovation at the start by neglecting new ideas as a conceptual start.
          02. It can result in dinosaur gear.

So you want to join the Armed Forces... Part 1

First talk to everyone in your network who has served, especially volunteers. Draftees sometimes have a very different experience and perspective.

Keep an open mind about what Branch, MOS, and Unit you join. You are offering your services to Uncle Sam, he will decide where you go.

Take a personal inventory of what you want out of your terms of service. You will want to do this before visiting a recruiter. Otherwise they can convince you of just about anything.

Keep your nose clean. Maintain your grades, graduate high school, or finish the semester of collage.

Keep your credit report clean. Check your 3 credit reports for suspicious entries and write these down. A good recruiter will help you clear any suspicious entries up.

Are you already part of the work-force, but have no credit? Then get a store credit card with a modest limit you can pay-on-time. This is the easiest way to start your credit.

Make sure family member's, that are not your legal spouse, are not using your credit. Having a non-spouse with a card in your name is a big, huge, no-no.

Pay or settle all debts that legitimately belong to you. You want this all done before background checks.

Purge/Declutter your belongings and possessions. Consider where you will store your civilian property during training, and your present level of commitment to join. Less stuff means, less headache.

Note, do not have no legal residence and put your stuff into cold storage for training. This royaly screws things up.

Read up on grooming and appearance Reqs while you declutter. it will give you a clue about things you might not need.  Always try to donate, sell, or gift goods rather than trash them. If you cannot declutter your goods, you will not survive the lifestyle.

Have an initial visit with a branch specific recruiter. While in the recruitment office, listen to everyone there. Listen to the enlisted more than civilian contractors. Don't get brainwashed yet. Keep your personal inventory in mind, gather information, make your decisions at home.

NYX Sample Programm - August 2018

Worth the Hype Waterproof Mascara in "Black"
A very long-wearing, smudge-free, waterproof mascara. It is also very black. Perfect for a natural look, or with falsies. I like that it is not tubing. Washes off easily by massaging a bit of face oil on the lashes. I wore this for 17 hours straight and have no complaints.

Suede Matte Lipstick in "Brunch Me"
Seriously office appropriate shade. I would even wear this in court. "Brunch Me" is matte, mid-tone, nudy-pink, but not too pink. The feel on the lips is velvety. It does not go on to thick so it is not artificial or "made-up" looking.

Epic Ink Liner in "Black"
I am horrid with pen liners, my proficiencies lie in liquid or pencil, so I am not the best person to review this Ink Liner. It is very black, but I find it a bit thin-liquidy and hard to control. It does, however, go on without tugging in the least.

Bio of a Vietnam Vet by A.E. Roberts

...written 01 Sept 2018

My Father
Jack Dale Roberts
by A.E. Roberts

My father was born in 1944, THE war was still on. Francis E. Roberts was his mother. I am not completely sure how he grew up, but I have a few tales to tell. :)

First off if you had to hire an actor to play him, it would of course be Charlie Sheen. His band of friends; Dave Hammerick, Ronnie Cubit, and Sean Penn. That gets us started into our journey.

First off he grew up in the Mid-Atlantic, America, Home of the Free, between D.C. and Fairfax. Looks like a great place for a youth to me.

He had great friends by age 5, and he managed to hold onto them throughout his Life. (I am a bit jealous of that.)

Despite having a loving mother, and a compassionate, hardworking father, he had no TV. Absolutely no TV in the house. That was probably for the best. They don't call it an idiot box for nothing.

Despite growing up in a presbyterian nuclear family. He went to Catholic school. Sometimes it's about the quality of an education, other times the cards just land that way.

He did pretty good in school, maybe even straight A's. The Teachers had a lot of trust in him. But he kept trying to un-button their blouses with his mind. Oh well that is how young boys are.

For his high school years 7th-12th, he went to an other private catholic school. I learnt most of what I learnt about that from his school year books. by those years mostly male monks taught, and experience I've never had personally.

He tried to work, his way through collage at Bechtel and George Washington University. But he only completed a year or two before joining to Family Company. That is when he started calling the "old man," they OLD MAN. with a presbyterian boss, I do not blame him.

Then he went to Vietnam, which I know tons about, thanks to all his sharing of experiences, perspectives, and photo-slides.

Then sometimes, I believe 1964 my Dad was drafted by the Selective Services. Not to bad for a 20 year old to get out of the house and go to Basic Training. Then a Tour of Duty OVERSEAS in the Vietnam JUNGLE, which is something I've wanted to experience myself.

Originally my Father was selected as an 88D, Combat Driver. He was too smart for that, they die a lot. So he went to the Signal-Shack and knocked on the door. He was then accepted, as a 25U, Signal Corps. That was more to his talents. Then he was attached to the Air Force.

The Bonus of being detached to the Chair Farce is you get to live near and Improvisational Base. His life in Vietnam included very few work days, 2-3 days per month. Only worked when the radios went out. Not a bad gig.

He spent most of his off time lounging in the creek on a floatie, or playing house in his 10' by 10' tent. That is the Life.

He had a lot of fun on the Government's Dime. He did spend sometime avoiding CHARLIE, and trying to comprehend the Buddhist. But I am sure he Mistranslated a word once in a while.

His one combat mission went as follows:

FIRST OFF HE WAS CALLED TO THE RADIO TOWER. UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY FOR ONE USED TO LOUNGING IN THE RIVER OR, FLYING AROUND IN CIRCLES.

THE MARINES WHERE OUT TO LUNCH, SO THE PROTECTIVE FORCES WHERE DOWN. HE WAS IN THE TOWER WITH A FEW OTHER MATES.

WHEN THE VIET-CONG ATTACKED ALL THE OTHER CORPS MEN (SIGNAL CORPS) SCRAMBLED FOR THEIR CAMERAS. BUT THE TOWER WAS UNDER SIEGE AND ATTACK. JACK WAS THE ONLY ONE SMART ENOUGH TO GRAB AN M1A RIFLE. THE REST I KNOW, EVERYONE SURVIVED, EVEN THE ENEMY. AFTER-ALL THEY ARE JUST PEOPLE TOO.

END COMBAT SEQUENCE


Jjinpang Mandu

Elf Look with NYX mascara...

I'd like to introduce my Elf look with NYX mascara. The Mascara is called "Worth the Hype" I recieved it in a Makeup Crew Box. It is not bad Mascara. Everything else is Elf, including the brushes. Oh and I almost forgot Skin79 BB cream which I am almost out of. I use it as sunscreen so it is an everyday necessity.

Here is the final look. Simple Everyday look. Sorry I did not have a model to show it on.

Sincerely,
Jjinpang Mandu

My Return to a Goth Look - Elf Nyx Skin79

Here is an image of my Yaheetech Makeup Case all opened up. Don't worry its all affordable stuff.

And here is an image of my look all ready to go. It's not the easiest look but it is fun to do.

It includes:
     Neutrogena Night Repair (Retinol) as a Primer.
     Skin79 Super+ BB cream from Korea.
     Elf Foundation Adjuster in Light.
     Elf Mixing Palette.
     Elf HD powder in Sheer.
     Elf Undereye powder.
     Elf Eye Primer (Shadow Lock).
     LAC 6-pan eyeshadow in Lucky.
     Nyx Eye Jumbo in Cottage Cheese.
     Nyx Eye Jumbo in French Fries.
     Nyx Eye Jumbo in Pure Gold.
     Vanilla Lip Balm.
     Elf Lipstick in Blackout.

I sincerely wish I could post a video or pictures of the look in progress. However, I do not have much of a support crew for those sort of things. See its possible to do Goth Looks even without eyeliner or Mascara. Enjoy Life, and have fun with Makeup.

Jjinpang Mandu