hdsqrl: (BikerSquirrel)
[personal profile] hdsqrl

So...the latest on me, seeing as how I've been negligent in my posting as of late, heh.

I met with a counselor at Baker University yesterday, and we discussed the Master of Liberal Arts program.  I really like the way it's set up, and I'm thinking I may start in the Spring.  There's one little piece of me that thinks maybe I can start in October, but that may be pushing things, I think.  They have a big handful of concentrations I can choose from, and the one that's speaking to me the most right now is Dispute Resolution.  I don't know if I'd also need to get a Law degree (eek) in order to make any money with that, but if I don't, then heck yeah, that'll be my concentration.  I've requested my transcript to be sent to them from UMKC (and let's hear it for the fact that I don't have to request transcripts from all SEVEN colleges I've attended, hah!...I was one of those college-hoppers, back in the day, ick), and am waiting to get official word on my acceptance before I start down the student loan path again.  Please think good thoughts for me that all of this goes on without a hitch. :)

Tonight I'm volunteering at Oktoberfest from 4-8, serving beer, I think.  It'll be my 4th year that I've helped out there, and am looking forward to it again.  I talked one of my ex-coworkers into working with me, so we're going to have a BLAST together.  :D  I so cannot wait.

Work's going okay...I"m not hating it as much today.  I think that's largely due to the fact that now I have a path in mind to get out.  It'll take a few years, but eventually I'll be doing something more challenging, yay!

Umm...*thinks*...I finished the little pirate costume I was making for my friend's son, so w00t woot for that.  Now to finish my beer wench bodice in the dreaded BLACK, hah.  (breakin' the law...breakin' the law...)

OH! I almost forgot about Chris's adventure yesterday!  We recently learned about an organization called the Patriot Guard.  It's a group of mostly (but not all) motorcyclists that get together and attend/help out at the funerals or comings-home of our soldiers from overseas.  The group got started as a way to combat the crazy Fred Phelps over in Kansas, and it's grown across the nation and now has over 5,000 members, I think.  Well, anyway, so Chris gets to the church where the funeral is being held, and he parks his bike alongside of a bunch of other bikes, most decorated with American and military flags.  The funeral was for a Staff Sergeant who died over in Afghanistan.  There were about 40-50 members of the Patriot Guard there, and they all grabbed huge American flags from the back of a truck and stood at attention alongside the driveway.  And then...the crazies showed up.  Chris said that they reminded him of the pictures of the Vietnam protesters.  One woman had an American flag stuffed into her waistband and it was trailing out behind her, dragging on the ground, and everyone was stepping all over it.  They had picket signs with all kinds of horrible, hateful messages on them, like "God hates your son and that's why he's dead!"  *cries*  I can only imagine how horrible it must have been to witness that.  I would have gone mad. 

So the leader of the guard gathered up some men (including Chris) with their flags and positioned them in a line that surrounded the picketers.  Now the protesters couldn't be seen by the family members coming to the funeral, and that was good.  But then the protesters started chanting, and singing songs they'd made up to the tunes of "When the Saints go Marching In" and the Marines Hymn. Awful, hateful songs, Chris said.  He said all he could do was just stand there, eyes blurring from rage...just stand there.  There were police there, but because the protesters weren't being violent, there was nothing they could do.  But they did give the leader of the guard the permission to do "whatever it takes outside of violence" to make the protesters go away.  So as the protesters got louder and louder, Chris and a few other men pulled their bikes (with loud, typical Harley pipes) over to the protesters, backed their bikes right up to them, and revved the engines, over and over again.  So not only were the protesters drowned out, but they also got faces full of exhaust.  Hah!

So, thinking they were being smart, the protesters went down to the end of the block.  The guys were like, "Hey, we're on BIKES, what do we care?"  So they followed the crazies down to the end of the block and did the same thing to them.  After about 15 minutes, the protesters gave up and went home.  YES!!!!

The rest of the Patriot Guard mission was uneventful.  They helped escort the funeral procession to the cemetery, they stood at attention with the giant flags as the soldier was laid to rest, and they kept an eye out for any other bad people.  I'm so wanting to go on the next mission.  Chris said he could see in my eyes that I wanted to go on this one when he told me about it, but he wanted to do the first one on his own so he could see how things went down.  Time to practice my group-riding skills...I need to be prepared.  But then also, if I happen to mow one of the protesters down by accident...well...oopsie!  I'm a new rider!  Hee!  *evil grin*

Some people just don't deserve to live under our Constitution.

<3

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-29 06:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] purpledumbass.livejournal.com
As I've heard of the Patriot Guard, I'm glad that Chris is enjoying the time he spent helping out with that group. Asshats like the Phelps congregation need to just keep to themselves.

The Oktoberfest thing sounds like fun though. Enjoy, and I'll probably see you both at Faire...

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-29 07:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ladyniniane.livejournal.com
I, too, enjoyed reading about Chris' efforts with the Patriot group. Megan, if you are going to join them, yes, please work on the group riding skills - you will need them and we don't want either of you getting hurt in the process.

If it weren't for karma, I'd wish for something a bit stronger for the Phelps crowd, but, as I think they are building their own karma there, it shouldn't be necessary. To quote a Book with a bit of knowledge about the subject, "God is not mocked."

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-29 09:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magpieweaver.livejournal.com
I really admire Chris's self restraint and the way they handled the situation. I'm sure the family was greatful.
I just can't understand why these people aren't hasseling our leaders rather then bereived familys.
You be very careful when you join them, Chris too. Proud of you both.

Really great news that you see a path before you. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-29 09:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magpieweaver.livejournal.com
I forgot to say I Really like your little biking squirrel icon.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-29 10:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mljm.livejournal.com
I'm thrilled to hear that you have decided on a path. Even though you don't know where it ends yet, you at least have a plan.

I love the way the Guard handled the protesters. I am happy to hear that Chris is involved with them. I come from a long line of military/law enforcement enlisted men and officers. I truly can not comprehend what Phelps and his crew believe. But that's for another time and place.

Have a good weekend!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-29 11:51 pm (UTC)
ext_167746: Slice of the City (Default)
From: [identity profile] theslice.livejournal.com
I'm not religious in any way, but God Bless those Patriot Riders and Chris for joining up.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-10-02 01:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hdsqrl.livejournal.com
Oh, agreed. On both counts. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2006-10-02 01:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hdsqrl.livejournal.com
Thank you so much! I can use all the good thoughts I can get!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-10-02 01:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hdsqrl.livejournal.com
I wikipedia'ed Fred Phelps and got a rough idea of what path of logic he's following. Very very flawed logic, of course, but whatever. He'll get what's coming to him eventually. Ugh.

Thank you for the good thoughts!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-10-02 01:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hdsqrl.livejournal.com
Thanks, Jesse!