Good morning.
Going to nominate Horseonatreadmill to follow me. If he doesn't take it I have a couple backups.
I am a 99 grad in political science with several minors including history and leadership.
I was an Army brat and moved 7 times by the time I was in the 5th grade. It made it easy to talk to new people but hard to get close to anyone. I came to Tech by way of Morgantown, WV as my dad finished his career responsible for all of ROTC in West Virginia, western Maryland and parts of Ohio. I had a full ride to WVU available but knew that I would probably be drunk more than sober (we were drinking in the frat houses at lunch by 11th grade, probably why the county moved the high school about 5 miles out of town) and likely not graduate so I chose Tech over West Point to give me a military discipline while in school while still having ladies around to pursue.
While at Tech I was a brother of Alpha Phi Omega , the co-ed service fraternity. I also worked downtown as a bouncer, barback and bartender at Mike's, Sharkeys, The Library and TOTS. I started in Charlie Company and moved to Hotel Company. The flaming VT is one of my favorite events at Tech since getting to help do it my last two years.
After graduation, I commissioned as a 2LT in the Army Engineers. I was sent to Fort Leonard (Lostinthe) Wood in Missouri. I learned how to handle explosives and create combat obstacles while also learning socially what a redneck yacht club is (if you ever get a chance, go to Lake of the Ozarks and find party cove on a boat.)
After that I went to Fort Stewart, GA and lived in Savannah. That was a great party town for the limited time we were home. I was deployed or in the field for nearly three of my four years there. I unfortunately buried quite a few friends and Soldiers which has had a dramatic impact on what I have done professionally.
I got out after my initial four year stint as the pace of deployment wore on me mentally. My family had returned to NOVA so I came home. I built houses that first year out of the Army using my construction experience from the Army. I saw the housing crash coming so moved over to an Army contractor job at Fort Belvoir.
After a year in that job, I was approached by Home Depot to become a store manager. I did that for about 18 months before figuring out combat retail was not for me. I returned to a different Army contractor role at Program Executive Office Soldier in 2007 and have been in this organization ever since.
I completed my MBA in 2013 from George Mason which led to a move to be a Department of the Army Civilian in 2014.
I am now the Director of Business Management, Operations and Logistics for the APEO internal to PEO Soldier. PEO Soldier website. My office is responsible for future planning of combat equipment, digital engineering of the PEO Soldier portfolio, technical scouting for new equipment and providing a test and integration platform to ensure Soldier equipment works together to ensure Soldiers have the best equipment possible to survive in combat situations. The improvements we have made since I wore the uniform are pretty incredible.
I have two kids, daughter 9 going on 21 and a son 7 who can't seem to go three days without an email or call home from the school. My wife is an angel in disguise for putting up with us.
I cherish my family more than anything especially after surviving a 35 day coma as an impact of Covid combined with other factors, which has left me partially disabled. I have recovered the majority of the use of left arm and legs although I am still unable to drive.
Covid did help me in that it completely changed the view on teleworking which has allowed me to continue working without putting too heavy a burden on friends and family that help me get around. Not being able to drive is something that frustrates me daily as it's something you take for granted.
Ok enough babbling, on to your questions....
Comments
Your career intrigues me, did you have any involvement of the adoption of the NGSW? What's the coolest thing you've helped develop or gotten to see (that you can talk about)
My office is still testing configurations and add ons to NGSW. The coolest stuff is the technology/communication equipment improvements. My personal favorite is the Black Hornet Nano drones that give squad leaders on dismounted patrol the ability to reach into their hip pocket, pull out what looks like a glasses case, reach inside and pull out a drone. They can use that drone to show them what's over a ridgeline without putting a Soldier in harms way.
The most impactful work I have done though is helping on several generation improvements on body armor and helmets. When it comes to the priorities of making a Soldier more lethal, mobile and better able to survive, I lean to the survivability pillar of our work as most important.
That is probably linked to losing my last platoon sergeant in Iraq. I had changed units by the time it happened but losing him has been a driving factor for me throughout my career.
SFC Paul Ray Smith, gone but not forgotten.
Thanks for the insight, that stuff is just super fascinating and is often not shared publicly sometimes for good reason.
I read his MoH write up, sounds like quite the man, and is a good lead into MDW
Yeah he was. Kept my ass out of the fire several times. Died doing what he loved second most, protecting his guys.
And feel free to reach out if you have other questions. And yes there are limits to what I can say.
Last question I'll ask here, if I want to go deeper I'll reach out privately
How hard is that industry to get into without being prior mil, and likely a completely non-related degree. Is a degree just a box to check? I've got purchasing/project management experience but don't know how exactly it aligns. Lastly is a career to get in to and manage to avoid DC at all costs?
The variety and breadth of work means we have people from all walks of life. Is it easier with prior military background, for some jobs yes but I would say most of our engineers, computer science and business personnel do not have a military background. There is a sort of language emersion/acronym soup that comes with any job. Degrees may or may not be specific. It all comes down to how the organization wrote the labor category and even then if a company thinks you have the skill set they can request a waiver on the degree requirement.
There are hubs of this industry all over the US so while a significant portion is here in DC, places like Norfolk, San Diego, Fort Benning and many more all have support personnel requirements to fill. Purchasing experience, especially if you worked in requirement development (the why you need this) is a critical part of success for any acquisition shop.
What other sports/leagues/teams do you follow/support?
If you drink bourbon, what are your top three favorites?
What are you reading at the moment?
If you could erase one other school from existence, which one and why?
For non-copy paste questions, how difficult was that transition from active duty to contracting? Did you already have the job lined up or did you use a headhunter? I'm at 9 years right now, don't know how long I'll stay, but I have absolutely no idea what I'd do on the other side.
Other sports teams are mainly DC based. Run the gamut on Nationals, Commanders, Wizards, Capitals, DC United, DC Defenders, and Mystics. Peripherally follow the Chiefs, Royals and Orioles as I lived at Fort Leavenworth on return to the US from Germany which was my first chance to see pro sports live as a kid in Kansas City. O's were the team here in Nova as a kid so still cheer for them. Follow Kansas basketball because I went to a few home games there as a kid and the atmosphere is amazing.
I rarely drink but Bourbon is my preference. Top three are Blantons, Kirkland Signature (Costco brand that is Barton 1792 disguised), and a recent add was Dragon's Milk Origin after its win at American Distilling Institute. Another drink I seek out every few years is Sam Adam's Utopias.
Reading a book called Stone Cold (spy/murder fiction) by David Baldacci. This summer the boss is giving us a military leadership reading list so those will be next.
Pitt....eat S*** Pitt would go first for me, probably spending three years of high school at Mountaineers games influences that.
Transition job wise wasn't hard. Transition life wise was and is probably still the hardest thing to ever do. Not sure of your branch of service but if Army and you are at 9 years, you are at the prime time to explore a branch transfer to Acquisition. Post company command Captains are where you start in the Acquisition branch. It will give you a chance to build a business network whether you plan to get out soon or ride it out to full career.
Acquisition officers also enjoy a much higher promotion rate than most branches. There are so many General officers in the Acq world its pretty unbelievable. Only downside is you lose that day to day with Soldiers as it's very officer top heavy.
You might also be able to swing them into getting you an MBA as part of your career path. Many of our Majors go do that after their first stint as an Assistant Product Manager. Let me know if you want to discuss more or need more feedback on the companies to look at if you get out and are looking to be in NOVA.
Nice tip on the Kirkland brand. My father in law is a Costco Stan and 1792 is my go to bourbon. It'll be good to have something to agree on when we're together.
Yeah a group here in Loudoun usually go into the DC Costco twice a year to pick up a couple cases of it and then distribute it on return.
VA laws...ABC.... Costco can't sell here...PITA.
DC's lack of ABC intermediaries almost make it worth the drive.
I'm Navy, and acquisitions is kinda the same. High promotion rates, relatively cushy conditions, and a ready made off ramp into industry when you get out. I've got two out of three as an intel o, but being a PowerPoint monkey doesn't seem like it sets up well for post-Navy life. I've avoided DC so far, and hope that continues, but I think you're right that it's the best bet for vets.
Navy acquisitions would keep you far away from DC but still cushy. Intel guys are typically in high demand because they come with clearances others don't that many times are required even for the PowerPoint monkeys. Operations Analysts are critical to most DOD offices.
What got you interested in developing the basketball game day posts?
How do you source your info? Is it a pretty typical source, or do you scour based on the opponent?
I have always been a basketball strategy guy. It jives with my military background to look at the court as a battlefield. I saw a need for it and it's what I would have done to some extent without writing it.
Sourcing info really has depended on the quality of opponent. Finding material on ACC schools is pretty simple but I do try to get more details than just the fluff stories so I usually seek out info on the coach to start with. I then try to watch recent video clips to see if it's consistent strategy wise. Early on I spent much more time diving into opponent players but family time has limited that the last few years. I do like Basketball Reference for finding most of my stat information.
After that I basically approach it as if I was making the game plan to address both sides strengths and weaknesses to try to determine where the game will turn. I do sometimes get O&M blinders but try to keep it realistic.
Thank you for your service, and also for your Basketball intel/previews.
What's the dumbest thing you have ever done?
Whats the nicest thing you have ever done?
What's your favorite sound?
Whats the oddest/strangest thing you have ever seen happen, where you literally said to yourself: 'I cant believe that just happened right in front of me?
If you could remove one thing from existence in the world, what would be? It could be a person past or present, a thing, an emotion, .....anything.
Wish you the best in your continued rehab, brother!
Dumbest...oh the list. Holding myself accountable, it's honestly not taking care of myself. Being stubborn about getting the medical help needed early on would likely have made a huge difference over the last fifteen years or so.
Nicest...tough. Going to go with most impactful. I had a Sergeant squad leader that was about to be kicked out of the Army for failing to make Staff Sergeant. He was about a month out when I sat him down and we figured out the last few things he needed to get promoted. We made a plan, got them done, and I went to the mat for him with my Battalion and Brigade commander's. He made SSG and stayed in. Why is this the most impactful? He stayed in and in Iraq as a squad leader was credited with heroic action that directly saved the lives of four Soldiers. Having helped him be where he needed to be for that moment still carries with me.
Favorite sound....rushing water. Goose Creek near my house has a small rapids run that I love to fish by. Helps mute my tinnitus.
My first thought on strangest was actually that I survived a near crash on Fairfax County Parkway without a scratch. I was in the right lane at 55mph while traffic in left was backed up at at a turn. Car in front of me slammed on the brakes for no apparent reason. I was too close to brake but managed to slip by between that car and guardrail on side of the road with inches between both. Still not sure how I managed. Second would be I once saw a man ride a few barrels over Niagra Falls as a kid and he survived it.
Remove one thing.....torn between money and oil. Too many lives impacted by the effects of both. Do I have some grand alternative? No. But those are the first to jump to mind.
And Thanks
Thanks for all that you have done and currently do.
What is your parenting philosophy?
Somewhere between letting them find what makes them happy and hey knuckleheads these are the basics you have to be good at. I think the biggest struggle is screens. I have to check myself on the reality that if I had grown up with all these screens and info overload I would probably be as challenged at finding balance as they are. Throw in the Covid experience and I am not sure how I would turn out either so I try (sometimes fail) to be cognizant that they are growing up in a much different environment than I did.
thanks for the reply - screens and screentime are certainly things that my wife and I are concerned about handling. It's relatively new (as in, neither of us grew up in an environment where screens are so prevalent). For now, our kiddo is still too young for it to be an issue but we're bracing for it
What is the best sandwich? Please, show your work.
Sandwiches...wow so many favorites. Mine though is probably marble rye bread, shredded buffalo-chipotle chicken, with Muenster cheese, pickled jalapeños and a mayo/stone mustard spread. Wish I had a photo to show.
A true Italian hoagie from a New York deli or a Shrimp Po'Boy from Johnny's Po-Boys in New Orleans are right up there.
What is your current stance on freshman cadets having a side hustle at gentlemen's clubs.
Mmmm....not sure working a side hustle as a freshman really makes sense, cadet or not but work is work and if there is a legitimate need for a job than I am not going to get on a high horse about it. A new Major in the Army ROTC department my senior year forced me to quit working downtown so I ended up working at the Burger King at the student center for about two weeks before I got the Colonel to green light me back downtown. I wouldn't wish BK on anyone. Being covered in grease is not pleasant. There are alot of cadets that are not on scholarship so I understand the need for work. Only thing I will say is that the Corps leadership should identify the issue and establish viable alternatives if they don't want them doing that job.
Many thanks for your service and sorry for the friends you lost. Their sacrifices they and their families made are a debt we can never repay but we CAN honor them by remembering them. May all of us have a MEANINGFUL Memorial Day weekend. If you haven't seen it before. I highly recommend watching the National Memorial Day concert from DC on Sunday evening 8pm on PBS. Emceed by Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna, they honor our vet especially those who paid the ultimate price by telling the stories of a few voiced y actors then usually show the actual folks or their family in the audience attending.. Never make it through with dry eyes!
This is a tough weekend every year. I tend to avoid anything Memorial Day themed as it just rips me up. I instead try to focus on family time or even alone time so I don't have to be reminded. I put my Memorial into daily work so that this weekend doesn't have to be my focus.
Oh and actually met Gary when he and his band did a USO visit in Kuwait a long time ago. He has always been a staunch supporter of our military.
What's the soundtrack to your life?
Knowing how everything has turned out would you go back and do it all again, or would you do a choose your own adventure to see what the other outcomes would be?
Soundtrack would be a Mashup of the Lion King soundtrack, Pat McGee Band and MotownPhilly by BoyzIIMen. Throw in a Jimmy's Chicken Shack (saw him live in Blacksburg working at The Library before his one hit wonder). Finish it out with some Garth Brooks/Lee Greenwood.
Doing it again, one change would be to have bought property more along the way and instead of just the MBA, wish I had known about their dual MBA/Law program at Mason before I was done. Wouldn't change anything constructive that might not get me my two kids.
Only big what if for me is what if I hadn't changed units before some of my Soldiers were killed but I try to limit that as it's really not helpful to anyone.
Holy shit I feel like we have so much in common. I don't even know where to start asking questions. Have you been back to morgantown? I feel like star city is completely different than it was in '99. If you've been back what is the biggest change that you've noticed.
Also it's always great to meet a brother, we probably know a lot of the same people. We may have even met I'd you ever came back over thr next few years (fall 01 pledge class)
Also what is the best place to eat near where you now live that I've probably never been? basically what are the hidden gems.
EDIT: I forgot one question, what was your favorite service project?
I have been back to Morgantown a few times. Last was the twenty year celebration of my Senior Year football team as we lost the state championship but were the first to beat Morgantown High in 35 years.
Biggest change is the revitalization of much of downtown and the growth of the medical research side of the campus near the stadium. Star City definitely has undergone a massive change although I am surprised it's still stayed relatively small people wise but expect that will change as Morgantown continues to spiral out. We lived way up a mountain east of Cheat Lake. Bus ride into town was brutal. Hour every time one way. Thank goodness I went in with my dad to PT/sports practices before school.
Around Sterling, I like Bungalow Lakehouse, Velocity Wings, Buffalo Wing Factory, Sushi Queen and Santinis. They also have pretty great Farmers Markets that give you a chance to dabble with alot of small businesses/food trucks. Bilstads Beignets
does good Cajun food.
The biggest hidden gems in Loudoun are the breweries/vineyards/distilleries. There are too many to list but I would guess there are 40 breweries, as many or more vineyards and a handful of distilleries. A good family option is Great Country Farms. They have Henway Hard Cidery, Bluemont Vineyard, and Dirt Farm Brewing along with the farm stuff to entertain the kids. Animals, rides, fruit picking (strawberries, apples, peaches, Pumpkins and a variety of others.
Me and the wife have been trying to find time to get some beignets, but have yet, glad to hear it's good. Also we do love the farmers markets around here.
Yeah, east of cheat lake is a hike. Funny story on that hill going east out of cheat lake is when I learned my brand new 6 speed couldn't pull the hill in 6th. I had had a 5 speed for years and never had any problem pulling hills, never really needed to downshift so i was in cruise control the whole time, and then oh shit what's going on, did I just buy a lemon ... oh yeah, down shifting is a thing.
I absolutely get it on shifting down. That area is definitely a grind. Hill to my house was on a 35-40 degree slope. So fun in Winter riding sleds but many times we had to sled down to the cars because they couldn't get up the hill when it iced.
Just saw this on Mo-Town. Pretty awesome they are doing a full restore. The inside architecture on this is classic.
Warner Theater Restoration plan
Service project for me was
1) Designated Driving (working downtown made this something I could do after work to keep a few people safe)
2) Habitat for Humanity builds
3) Adopt a Highway
4) Foodbank distribution in Pulaski County.
Always loved the food bank, it was one of the few project where you could see a difference.
Do you have a favorite VT basketball moment?
Player?
Coach?
Any interesting experiences with VT basketball over the years?
Honestly my favorite moments are when coaches can get the end of the bench in. Those few moments for guys that do the hard work every day without acknowledgement rings for me.
Winning the ACC championship, getting to watch Ace Custis live, watching Malcolm Delaney, beating Duke at home sitting with my brothers. Hanging around the pep band on gamedays was always good.
Favorite coach...wish I could have seen Charlie Moir or Branch Bocock (57-13 as coach in early 1900s) coach but probably Seth or Buzz. I love what Mike Young represents in that Beameresque way but Buzz on a sideline is pure entertainment and Greenberg was able to get the most out of his talent.
Favorite player....Malcolm Delaney. Erick Green, Ace Custis and Justin Robinson would follow. Didn't see Dell or Bimbo play at Tech.
I have been fortunate to see some big wins but I think the more satisfying for me is seeing kids I watched at High School/AAU tournaments develop and occasionally come to the Hokies. Erick Green at Milbrook/Paul the VI was someone I watched grow over several years.
One Hokie Basketball experience I am working on details for is a thought to build a scale model of Cassell out of Legos. Just figured out the blueprints for Cassell are held at the library on campus so trying to talk the wife into a trip down to gather the specs to design it.
I'm from Ace's neck of the woods, sort of. And being down there at the same time was something. We had front row seats behind the basket on the baseline for the semi-final NIT win. Then painted the town afterwards. Used to run into him here and there when he was on the bench at UMES. He would say he called Buzz every day to ask if there was a seat open for him. He's a gamer and still has great knowledge of the game. Of course I'm biased, but I feel like he was a great asset to Mike's arsenal for recruiting. Having a guy sit in the stands to scout for the team where his jersey hangs in the banner is a great feat.
Watching Ace play was like art in motion. It seemed effortless even though it wasnt.
This pic will always be a fav of mine!!!!!!
I know this is a hot take, but he reminded me of a not as sleek or refined Bias. (I got to see him play in person quite a bit growing up.)
Wow hadn't seen that picture in a long time. Definitely deserves being blown up to poster size and framed out.
The means streets of ESVA
Got to do this as student from 1983-88
Fortunate to see both play! Dell was amazing-shot from outside with opponents draped all over him (Steph got that from him); Always wondered- Dell had 2400+ points at VT all in the "pre-three-pointer-era"; how many would he have had if the shots that were three point range (especially the ludicrous 17'9" three point line they had for a bit) counted as three points? I'm guessing at least 3000 and likely more as the coaches would likely have him shooting even more from long range if they were 3's. (At the time Dell retired he was the (then) 10th all-time NBA three point shooter).
Bimbo- I thought of him and Wally Lancaster as the "Steph-Klay" of their day; Bimbo-like Steph- was the better shooter for contested shots; Wally-like Klay- was more the "straight up catch and shoot jump shooter" (but not as good at defene as Klay is/was)
Pretty accurate comparison from the video clips I have seen.
I recall someone in the athletic department had Dell's shot maps and figured an extra 800-900 or so points from 3 pt range. He had a low arching shot that was amazingly accurate. He would go for stretchs dominating the court.
So 3200-3300 minimum. Then you gotta think they woulda had him take even more if they were worth three points (scheme him for more)- likely coulda gotten to 4000!
I once got drunk with Bimbo at a house party splitting a bottle of Yukon Jack..
My family used to use that stuff as cough medicine. You didn't cough anymore because you didn't want to drink anymore.
That's pretty funny!
Rumpleminz (100 proof peppermint schnapps -is fantastic cough medicine; tastes like drinking toothpaste but very effective!
Watched him play quarters for shots of MD2020!!
Any favorite non-Hokie basketball memories?
Being passed around in the air by Kansas fans at Allen Fieldhouse after beating Oklahoma State at Danny Manning's Senior Night. They went on to win the title that year. It was my first college basketball game and what a show.
Got to see Bob Knight and Indiana in the 90s at Assembly Hall play Ohio State. Buzz is entertaining but doesn't hold a candle to Knight on the sideline.
Went to basketball camp at the Naval Academy several years and got to play ball with David Robinson each time.
Not specifically basketball but drove for the first time in the parking lot at the Clamshell at WVU.
Ah, Robinson. Got to see him play nearly 10 times in his time at the Naval Academy. They used to throw donuts holes up in the stands when he would dunk later in his career. They'd run out by halftime.
His ability to know exactly where he was and take the least motion required to dunk is a clinic that all big men should try to emulate. Not sure how the Spurs do it but they are about to get the third franchise changing big in Wemby. Duncan and Robinson. Just incredibly convenient that he fell to them. Really wish the NBA would broadcast the draft lottery.
Hobbies:
If I hadn't gone the path I did another option would have been to become a Lego designer. I am still learning how to use their design software but once I am comfortable may start putting out some large scale builds.
I enjoy freshwater aquariums. The filter noise and the fish swimming help with stress.
I collect both physical and digital sportscards. Digital is mainly Topps Skate app. Physical I tend to focus on Hokies signatures and then the Washington teams up in this thread.
Once healthy I hope to get back to playing goalie in indoor soccer.
I coach an Odyssey of the Mind team for my kids school. It's a cross of engineering, problem solving and drama for grades 2-5.
What's the favorite place you've lived other than your current location, why?
What's one thing I should eat, see, and do if I ever visit?
Savannah. Combination of the weather, people and cost of living. River Street....walk it all. It's crazy on St Pat's but a good place regardless. Eating has so many options. Parm bowl is an experience. Circa 1875 steaks. Shrimp and grits at Repeal. Mrs Wlkes Dining Room. The Pirate House.
Go on a dusk ghost tour of the local cemeteries. Hit Tybee Island for the beach. Water goes way out at low tide. Take a day to go down to St Simon's Island to explore that as well. Good pier and shops plus beaches.
SC tide differential is surprisingly typically in the 5 ft range.
Central FL is in the 3 ft range.
SC tidal areas move some water!
And with the sand they have dredged in that moves the waters edge about a 1/3rd of a mile or more.
Did freshman year spring break at St. Simon's Island; there was a sandbar island only accessible at 30 min each side of low tide where the water in the channel between it and the rest was about a foot or less; even then you had to aim 20 degrees "up-current" from where you wanted to go, Once the tide changed direction, the current lowed opposite. Pretty much a 2-3 knot current and the water would come up to thighs and nd eventually chest deep. Anything over the knees and you were gonna get swept into the ocean or the sound
One more tip on Savannah, if you go during baseball season and the Savannah Bananas are home you have to check them out. Honestly you might want to schedule your trip specifically to see them.
If you don't plan to go at least check them out on YouTube or Tiktok. The antics are awesome.
I will second this.
I see you are team ice cream- what's your favorite type (i.e. hard, soft serve, etc.) And flavor? If you are having pie....what kind are you having?
I went Ice cream because these days basically any type of pie or cake can be made into an ice cream flavor. I lean chocolate base versus vanilla. Chocolate Peanut Butter especially wth Reeses chopped in is a staple but Moose Tracks, Caramel Swirl, Rocky Road or Chocolate cookies and Creme are good alternatives.
Pies ....Boston Creme, Cherry, and peach cobbler.
I also make a mean Magic Cookie Bar.
Ingredients
Graham Crackers (Chocolate or Regular) – half box
Chocolate Chips – one bag
Butterscotch Chips – one bag
Pretzels – one bag (as many as needed to cover pan)
M&Ms – one bag
Sweetened Condensed Milk – two cans (one may be sufficient)
Butter – half stick
Marshmallows – one bag
Any items can be substituted except the sweetened condensed milk (Other items to be considered Peanut butter chips, Peanuts, Coconut, Leftover Halloween Candy)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Place Graham Crackers in a Ziploc bag
Crush Graham Crackers with rolling pin
Place Graham Crackers in a cake pan evenly across the bottom
Melt half stick of butter in small bowl
Mix butter into Graham Crackers
Place Chocolate chips evenly across Graham Cracker base
Place Butterscotch chips across Chocolate chips
Place layer of pretzels across chips
Place layer of M&Ms across pretzels
Pour sweetened condensed milk over entire pan
Place pan in oven for 15 minutes
Open oven and add marshmallow layer
Close oven and wait until marshmallows begin to rise
Remove and let cool
Turn off oven
Also soft serve is very underrated on a really hot summer night.
I don't eat much ice cream, but on a hot summer night I might go for a vanilla soft serve cone with cherry hard shell dip. The local place by me used to have black raspberry hard shell then one day they never had it anymore. I was crushed- that stuff was amazing.....
You haven't lived until you have a Dairy Queen crunch cone. Most DQ's don't carry it, but all the stores where I grew up in southwest Pennsylvania do. It's a must get item every summer trip back to PA.
Now I want to make some....
I also want some Phish Food
That recipie is very similar to 7-layer bars that we make.
As someone who works with cybersecurity these types of threads are troubling to me. I am concerned that some bad actors will use this personal information to target someone. This information is going out to the entire internet. Our adversaries use this information to target and gain access to military members and networks. It's not fantasy. Someone out to steal your identity can use your past history to impersonate you or pretend to know you. Those little known facts are just the thing that can tip the balance in their favor. Think twice about what you share. There are no privacy settings on this platform.
If Horseonatreadmill doesn't pick up, VTNerf is my next choice.
Paging HOAT or VtNerf! (Nerf is probably ⛳️).
Thanks for participating Lieutenant! Please keep answering any straggling questions!
May want to pick this up on Tuesday after the holiday. Been a pleasure and will do.
I could potentially start one Tuesday...
Ok- you'll be up Brent unless HOAT responds before then. Hit em straight!.
Best vacation destination you've ever taken?
Destination that you haven't been to that you really want to go to?
Funniest vacation anecdote?
Forgot to answer where I want to go but havent...if I can get healthy enough I would like to hike the Appalachian Trail tied in to fund raising for a Veteran's charity. Arrange to do a vblog as part of the trip.
Outside the US, have thought exploring Bali or Guyana. Guyana is mainly English speaking so that has an appeal.
Best would probably be either the Alps in the fall or Guam(Army assignment with R&R mixed in.) Sophia, Bulgaria was fun too on R&R from Kosovo.
Went to the Alps often as a kid and went back once after the Army. So much history, beauty and great food.
Guam I got to lay on a green beach. There is an Olivine deposit off shore there that mixes in to turn the sand green.
Best story was Sophia. Went on R&R middle of a Kosovo deployment with my roommate. The town is beautiful. It's a great mix of historic architecture with modern mixed in. The market there had amazing deal. I bought a whole new wardrobe of suits and other dress clothes for a pittance that I shipped home. The food was great and was dirt cheap so a few of us bought about one of everything on the menu and I think we paid like $100 total. First place I ever drank Raquia and oof it was potent and tasted terrible(black licorice in a bottle.) When we arrived in country we were required to attend a briefing that gave us detailed statistics on the std rates of the large prostitute population in the city. My roommate and I on first night out find a bar where we see some Russian gangsters getting bottle service so naturally we arranged for the same for ourselves. Surrounded by ladies, my roommate ordered a round of Flaming Dr Peppers. He brought his up to his face, freaked out at the flame, dropped it which splashed on the woman next too him and her sequin dress caught fire. We put it out quickly with just a few melted sequins. He went to the bathroom after that and never came back. Turns out security put him out on his butt.
I get back to the hotel on my own later. I didn't have a room key as my roommate had that so I had to see the sentry on duty to let me in. It was a female MP, she walks me up with the master key and tries to open the door. It wouldn't budge. Light was turning green but door wouldn't move. I ask her if I can try. I swiped it and put my shoulder in it and it opens but barely. That's when I realize my roommate is passed out up against the door. He comes to, hops up and door swings open to him butt naked and the MP turned all kinds of red. I thanked her and sent her on her way. My roommate had puked several times but fortunately missed my bed. I had him sleep in the bathtub and went to bed. Next morning, he doesn't remember anything. Last thing he remembered was going to the strip club at the top of our hotel. Everything else was blank. It was a good trip.
I do tell people that the Army showed me a few fun places but definitely gave me my Top Ten places not to go back to. Top of that list was Djibouti, Africa.
My brother can confirm that Djibouti is no bueno.
First morning there...looked out towards Sunrise and there was like an 8 foot high black band at ground level....it was mosquitos.
I missed the green beach in Guam. Didn't know it existed.
Talofofo Beach if you ever go back. We went over several days and the beach color changes significantly based on weather and temperature. It's popular with the surfers because of the cliffs on each side forcing rollers in to a more narrow area.
Cool.
I spent the time diving in the lagoon and on the side with the coral shelf in '87 or so.
I didn't learn how to surf until '91.
That Sophia story is awesome!!
You're 25 years old and you're single with no kids . Aliens land in your backyard. They come up to you and invite you to go with them on the spot to travel throughout our galaxy. They tell you if you join them you will never ever return to Earth again, and will never see anyone you know again. You will see the wonders of the Galaxy beyond the things you can imagine. You will never get sick and you will live a long and meaningful life of at least 200 years as part of their community. You will have everything you ever need to survive with them. You cannot wait to make your decision, you cannot leave a note, and no one will ever know what happened to you. It will be like you disappeared Without a trace.
Do you go? Why or why not?
If you're 45 with a wife and kids does your answer change? How about if you're 80 and widowed, but your kids and grandkids are still alive?
Woof...25 is a go. 45 is a no. 80 is an easy go. At 25 I wasn't attached and unfortunately probably wouldn't have been missed by many and my mental state at that time I probably wouldn't have thought too deeply into it.
45 a no as I am sort of attached to seeing my kids grow up right and my disappearing wouldn't just be a mental toll but also a financial one that could effect them more than the mental side.
By 80 I figure I will be a grumpy old man that's a quasi daily burden on everyone. Better to just go and relieve that burden.
I'm totally in alignment with you. I assume most people would answer the same way, but I've learned to never be surprised by how people feel about something!
You can only go to one next year, and you do not know who will win......
VT Lady Hoops playing for a Natty.
VT Man's Hoops ACC finals.
VT Football in a Bowl Game
Which do you go to and why.....
VT Lady Hoops. They play the best team ball of the three and the 50-50 chance of seeing our first team National Championship makes it a slam dunk.
10% chance according to ESPN because
LsU iS sTaCkEd AnD hAs AlL tHe SuPeRsTaRs AnD wIlL rUnAwAy WiTh It
And they will win not two, not three, not four....
"makes it a slam dunk"
I like me some SLAM DUNKS!!!
Don't understand this thread. What is AMA?
Ask Me Anything. We are doing a series of Key Play members to keep the discussion flowing in the offseason.