Life As We Know IT
This blog is designed to discuss ideas between the Shirley Family and friends. Ideas dealing with all aspects of Life are welcome.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
The US is missing out!
When we were in Mexico, I was able to watch the Mexico vs Argentina the last day when I was to get on a plane to come back to Germany. EVERYONE was watching the game! Flags out of cars, kids with faces painted, everyone with green shirts on. I watched the first half at a local eatery in a mall and everyone in the mall was watching the game. Every store had it on the radio or some sort of portable tv. It was great!
Then I got a taxi and headed to the airport. No one was on the roads...no one. The taxi man said that everyone was watching the game. Then at the airport, guards, bar tenders, EVERYONE was crowded around the television set. The closest the US comes to this type of unity in our country is perhaps the Olympics or the Superbowl. But even then there is no comparison. Check this out: The Fan Zone!
I am headed to the downtown Schloss Platz to watch France vs Spain tonight. We are rooting for Spain. Pictures to follow! The guy I am going with said he ran into Drew Carrey on Sunday nights game when England played. Anyway, it should be a good time. -- a new soccer fan.
The BIG Fish!

Acapulco, Mexico -- Wow! What an experience. Sean and I set out to sea on Tuesday last. You can see from the slide show that it was a perfect morning with a beautiful sunrise to boot. We were ready for "da big fishies"!
So, as we were headed out to sea...our captain kept taking a nap. It was pretty cool. We figured as long as we kept an eye on things, that we would just keep letting him doze off. Once we were out there (just us two, the captain and one baiter), we were ready.
It turned out that no boats were getting any bites. The captain said that the sailfish mostly bite in the morning. Hour upon hour and no bites anywhere. Then just as we were zoning out at around 1215 in the afternoon...SNAP! The reel was a buzzing! "Down" the captain yelled. I hopped down into the chair and began to try to handle the rod. Amazing feeling! But the best was yet to come.
I was concentrating on reeling when I hear Sean yell at the top of his lungs, "It's out of the water!". I look up and it was jumping sky high out of the water just like on the commercials! It did that about 3 times and then had a few small ones.
I didn't make much progress for about the first 15 minutes and then it worked. I started to actually reel in the line. I became easier and easier the latter 15 minutes. We worked the sailfish up to the side of the boat and the baiter was trying to get that bad boy on the boat. I was so excited I hopped out of my chair and tried to help him. We got it on the boat and that was when the smiles and pictures were aplenty.
I cannot describe or portray the excitement we felt. It was a rush like no other. Anytime I have the opportunity to do this again...I will! I recommend that all of you try it as well. Even if you don't catch anything (I went once before in Florida and didn't get anything), you eventually will. And all will be joy-joy after that. It was an amazing day and an amazing sailfish!
Goin' for a run...or swim?
Friday, June 16, 2006
Quote of the Day
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Debt Free!!

Hello All--I just made my last payment for my college loan. So, Katrina and I are debt free, own two cars, and have no rent or house payment. Man does that feel good. Kaleb is doing great! He is back on track for his weight and is doing lots better with breast feeding. He and Katrina have another appointment tomorrow with the lactation consultant. He also has an ultrasound scheduled for a possible hernia. I don't think it is a big deal; they say it is not uncommon when comming down the birth canel to get one. I will be starting up his 529A plan this month with Uncle Danny. I have completed my training and joined the Ceremonial Flight today. I also performed OIC duties at two funerals on Monday. I got to hand off the flag on my first funeral. I thought it was very awesome. It is hard to explain, but it has never been easier to hold a salute while the firing party and taps is playing. I will be OIC at four funerals on Friday. It should be a great day in Arlington. In my opinion, there is no way to honor fallen soldiers more than by performing final honors with family and close friends. John
P.S. I added a picture of Kaleb and I catching a quick nap on lunch break.
World Cup in your back yard?

Stuttgart, Germany -- Well, I know most of you don't care about soccer and to tell you the truth...I really don't care either. However, when the World Cup is basically in your back yard...it's hard not to be apart of it. Germany won their open rounder. The US got spanked (3-0!) in their open rounder two days ago. Everywhere you go around here, there are crazy soccer fans! It is an amazing atmosphere everyday.
I plan to go downtown to the public viewing area for the soccer games on Friday night. They have it downtown at the Schloss Platz area. HUGE movie-like big screen tv's. It is an October-fest type environment with food and beer booths everywhere. I will be watching the game on Friday night with a guy here at work between Mexico and Angola. It should be fun and I guess I will be a soccer fan for one day anyway! Then...I'll be getting on a plane the next morning (Saturday) to fly to Mexico. So, if Mexico wins, then it should be pretty crazy down there in Acapulco with all the soccer fans.
Scrubs
ESPN is great on TV, but sucks on the web. So, I deleted the ESPN link (link section) and added the Fox Sports link. It may not be the best, but is better than ESPN. ESPN just had too much going on and made it difficult to get to the answer to your questions (schedules, etc).
I also got rid of the Ezteam links because our baseball season is over here. We had our last baseball banquet last night for the team, parents and coaches. Speeches were made. Awards were given. It was a really nice event.
Lastly, I have added one of the coolest blogs to the blogroll. It is Mark Cuban's blog. He is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks. It has been fun reading his blog during the recent basketball playoffs and he is pretty funny for a zillionare owner. He also takes shots at TV announcers and the media. He even taunts the other team on there. So, as many of you may watch the NBA basketball finals, read this blog and get some inside scoop and laughter.
Enjoy the changes. Oh ya, I will be making a new slide show tonight that will have some baseball pics from our season on there. To be continued...
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Hypocrites or...
Monday, June 05, 2006
Oil reaches 80$ and beyond?
Sunday, June 04, 2006
HUGE WIN!..and LOSS!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Warning: Adult Material!
I have loved music for as long as I can remember, but only one band makes me crazy beyond control. Makes me say: "They fucking rock!" Metallica. Since I was fifteen years old, only one band has had the capability to jamn and mean it. I saw them in concert twice and I don't know where they are now, but I must see them. You all must! They gotta be somewhere close. When I think of the best--all-time rock-heavy metal band, only one word comes to mind...actually two words: Fucking Metallica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no substitute!