Clay "Dirt" Thurston

Father & Sons Camp Out

2009-06-30T18:47:00.007-06:00

Two Wild and Crazy Guys!

2009-03-15T21:52:00.003-06:00

These guys must have been the two most popular guys in school...

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T23:18:00.001-07:00

The Bathroom Read Posts Before Deciding to View -Viewer Discretion is Advised

2008-11-30T12:36:00.010-07:00

In 1998 I made a short film entitled, "The Bathroom". This was the first installment in the "Trilogy of Terror" screenplay I wrote (I still have to make "The Closet" and "The Window").

“The Bathroom” was filmed in the fall of 1998 for a video production course I took at BMCC. It was shot on a single VHS camcorder and was edited using two VCR's. In order to have a "soundtrack" I played a cassette tape on a boom box in the background while filming. It was very cheesy.

I recently found the master tapes while cleaning out my garage and decided to convert them to digital video and then re-edited the film with sound-effects and an entirely new soundtrack.

So here it is… the 10-Year Anniversary Edition of "The Bathroom"*.

Viewer discretion is advised.

*("Add It Up" by Violent Femmes, "Preface to a Hole" and "The Diggin' Song" by Hillfolk Noir used without permission)

Scary Halloween!

2008-11-03T15:26:00.003-07:00

Rock Band

2008-10-06T21:21:00.004-06:00

I HAVE NO SHAME!

Swimming Like Dolphins

2008-10-06T10:06:00.005-06:00

Kres kept saying we were "swimming like a dolphin"

The Road

2008-09-30T15:36:00.004-06:00

Last night I finished reading one of the most poignant and emotionally stirring books I have ever read...

Cormac McCarthy's The Road.

The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which a father and his son, "each the other's world entire," are sustained by love.

Some unnamed catastrophe has scourged the world to a burnt-out cinder, inhabited by the last remnants of mankind and a very few surviving dogs and fungi. The sky is perpetually shrouded by dust and toxic particulates; the seasons are merely varied intensities of cold and dampness. Bands of cannibals roam the roads and inhabit what few dwellings remain intact in the woods.

Through this nightmarish residue of America a haggard father and his young son attempt to flee the oncoming Appalachian winter and head towards the southern coast along carefully chosen back roads. Mummified corpses are their only benign companions, sitting in doorways and automobiles, variously impaled or displayed on pikes and tables and in cake bells, or they rise in frozen poses of horror and agony out of congealed asphalt.

The boy and his father hope to avoid the marauders, reach a milder climate, and perhaps locate some remnants of civilization still worthy of that name. They possess only what they can scavenge to eat, and the rags they wear and the heat of their own bodies are all the shelter they have. A pistol with only a few bullets is their only defense besides flight. Before them the father pushes a shopping cart filled with blankets, cans of food and a few other assets, like jars of lamp oil or gasoline siphoned from the tanks of abandoned vehicles—the cart is equipped with a bicycle mirror so that they will not be surprised from behind.

Through encounters with other survivors brutal, desperate or pathetic, the father and son are both hardened and sustained by their will, their hard-won survivalist savvy, and most of all by their love for each other. They struggle over mountains, navigate perilous roads and forests reduced to ash and cinders, endure killing cold and freezing rainfall. Passing through charred ghost towns and ransacking abandoned markets for meager provisions, the pair battle to remain hopeful. They seek the most rudimentary sort of salvation.

However, in The Road, such redemption as might be permitted by their circumstances depends on the boy’s ability to sustain his own instincts for compassion and empathy in opposition to his father’s insistence upon their mutual self-interest and survival at all physical and moral costs.

Fight, Fight, BSU!

2008-09-28T19:46:00.003-06:00

Ky got us season tickets to Boise State Football as a "welcome-home-from-the-war" present!

She's a keeper.

Ben 10

2008-04-22T18:31:00.004-06:00

I have become obsessed with a cartoon on the Cartoon Network called, "Ben 10". It follows 10 year old Ben Tennyson, his cousin Gwen, and his grandfather Max. During the start of their summer camping trip, Ben goes stomping off into the woods after another fight with Gwen, whom he is not happy to have along on the trip, and finds an alien pod on the ground.

When he examines it, he finds a mysterious, watch-like device, called the Omnitrix, stored inside. The device attaches permanently to his wrist and gives him the ability to transform into a variety of alien lifeforms, each with their own unique powers. Although Ben realizes that he has a responsibility to help others with these new abilities at his disposal, he is not above a little superpowered mischief now and then.

Even though it is a kid's cartoon it has quite a mature feel to it and can be quite dark at times (much like the Harry Potter series). I have decided I would like to get all 4 seasons on DVD so I can watch the story line in its entirety.

This Is My Subway Hero Shot

2008-04-18T20:07:00.002-06:00

This is how my dad sees the world...

2008-04-12T09:59:00.007-06:00

You can view all of his photos at www.dennythurston.com

Zion Canyon/Death Valley Trip 2008

2008-03-30T12:00:00.033-06:00

THE SUBWAY, UT

The Subway is the second most popular hike in Zion Canyon, the Narrows is the first. They National Park Service only allows 30 people a day into the Subway and a permit is required. We stopped by the park office early in the morning and were actually able to get permits, usually there is a line waiting and a lottery given to hand out the permits, we got lucky.

The technical way to hike the Subway is from the top down. That requires canyoneering knowledge and skill as well as gear (ropes, harnesses, pro, wetsuits, etc.) you will get wet. The non-technical way is from the bottom up only allowing you to go so far into the actual "subway" portion of the canyon and then hiking back out the way you came in. We opted for this route as I didn't bring any of my climbing gear.

The hike starts out with an 800 foot decent down the canyon cliff face (a climb that must be re-accomplished on the way out after 11 hours of brutal hiking). There is no established trail just following the river along the canyon floor. Most of the hike is route finding that will bring about a lot of back-tracking if you don't know the canyon well. Dad and Brook got caught in a thicket that took them about 20 minutes to get out of. I was the primary route finder hiking different stretches three or four times in order to find the safest route possible. If you get hurt in the Subway you will most likely be spending the night until rescue teams are able to find you the next day(s).

Dad slipped on a very technical part of the canyon while trying to negotiate his way along the side of the river. His 60 pound pack shifted and pulled him into the river. Brook and I were taking a different route that followed a sketchy trail straight up the cliff face when he went in. He fell into a hole about five-to-six feet deep and was engulfed by the river. His pack pulled him to the bottom and the only thing I could see for a terrifying few seconds was river. I jumped down and arrived at the river about the same time he exploded out, gasping for air. We pulled him out of the river and quickly accessed he was not injured but were now facing the real threat of hypothermia. I am not an Eagle Scout, I am only a Star, but I do follow the motto, "Be prepared" and one of my mentors is Les Stroud of Survivorman fame, so I was able to produce from my pack an extra pair of dry clothes that we quickly got Dad into. Another plus is my Dad and I have spent the extra money on good equipment including quick-drying hiking clothes, waterproof hiking boots and waterproof backpacks. So after about 20 minutes in the sun all of my dad's wet clothes were dry. ***the worst thing you can wear when hiking are levi-style jeans. Cotton absorbs water and does not dry when wet*** Once warm and dry we checked over the camera equipment and continued on our way.

It is essential you are in good shape for this hike. It is extremely arduous. It took us 12 hours round trip with minimal rest stops, about an hour of actual photography and carrying 60 pounds worth of camera gear in my dad's pack (I carried it on the way out). With normal gear and a fast pace you could do it about 10 hours. A lot of the guide books say 6-7 hours round trip, don't believe them.

This is where Dad fell in.

It is important to drink lots of water and stay hydrated when hiking. Even with full Camelbaks we ran out of water. You can either carry more water which equals more weight, start out carrying more water and stash it along the route in and drink it on the way out, or do what we did and bring along a water filter and filter drinkable water from the river.

ANTELOPE CANYON, AZ

Probably the most photographed slot canyon in the world but by no means is it technical. In 2005 a flash flood hit the slot canyon and killed 11 of the 12 tourists who were there. The only person to survive was the guide. He stripped naked which allowed him to pass through the canyon without getting snagged up. The bodies of the other 11 were eventually found in pieces at Lake Powell. Make sure you check the weather reports. A storm that occurs 40 miles away can flash flood the canyon even though it is bright and sunny.

This is what I do while my dad sets up his shots.

PAHREAH CEMETERY, PARIA CANYON, AZ

DEATH VALLEY, THE RACETRACK, CA

The Racetrack is a dry lake bed in Death Valley, CA that has a strange phenomena that doesn't occur any where else in the world...

The rocks move by themselves leaving long trails behind them on the lake bed. Science does not know how this happens. I think it has to do with the close proximity of Area 51.

Rehearsing for a lighting effect we were trying to produce for the photograph.

The dark hike out. I was afraid to look back because I was sure I would turn around and see 40 rocks following right behind me. That would be creepy.

Instead I only saw this wild man following me.

C-130H Ride

2008-03-15T20:30:00.003-06:00

This week I tagged along on a C-130H aircraft while it was performing combat maneuvers. I like to think I'm a hardcore, tactical warrior but after three hours of puking my guts out I have to realize I can be kind of a weenie some times. The pilots loved it. They were trying to set the record for most dry heaves. I think I separated a rib too...

This was taken right before the combat maneuvers began. If only that Clay knew what this Clay knows...

Grandpa and Grandma's House

2008-02-25T15:57:00.004-07:00

Growing up in Boise offered some great childhood experiences for me but one of the cons to living in the City of Trees was the separation from my extended family in Jerome. Most of the friends I talk to don’t seem to have had the same family relationships I did growing up. Cousins to them are distant relatives that are only seen once every few years. Cousins to me are some of the best friends, mates for life, and fellow adventurers I’ll ever have. And what great adventures we had! All set against the backdrop called Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

Summer vacations, weekend trips and especially Thanksgiving holidays were always filled with as much anticipation about going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house as I had while trying to sleep during Christmas Eve night.

Going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house is probably the single most cherished childhood memory(ies) I have. It was a place of love, a refuse from the storm, and no matter how complicated my life became or how far I strayed from the straight and narrow path, I always felt welcome there. I almost couldn’t wait for the moment I first opened the front door and walked into their home. Grandpa would yell out from his chair, “It’s Clay!” and then roar into his contagious laughter. Grandma would sit quietly in her chair; smiling and waiting for me to walk over and give her a kiss on the cheek. I would then walk over to give Grandpa a hug and, as if on cue, get caught in his rat trap. I always felt like I was their favorite grandchild and I know that is how every one of the grandkids felt when they were there.

It was hard living in Boise and watching the dynamics and relationships of the “Jerome” cousins. I always felt like an outsider, never a part of the clique, not really “knowing” all the inside jokes. But I never felt that way with Grandma and Grandpa. They loved me unconditionally and I knew it.

But their house did forge two of the greatest relationships I have ever had, Cory and Nick. As soon as Grandpa would let me out of his rat trap I would be on the phone asking how fast they could get there. Once together we would see how much mischief we could cram into a single day.

The house itself was a collage of adventure. Hide-and-go-seek was the game of choice. Usually taking place in the basement. The basement. One long room divided down its length by a single wall. There was the “good side” filled with light and movies, and books, and horseshoes, and pool. Then there was the “dark side”. You know the side. Dark. Physically. Psychologically. A single light bulb hung in the center with a pull-chain that was always a little too short. You would run at full speed into the darkness, praying as you leaped into the air, “Please let me grab the chain on the first try!” Even then it would only emit enough light to feed the ever present shadows that lived there. Revealing a storage room filled with boxes, chests, old photographs and mysteries. At one end lay a single bare mattress that made it look more dungeon than storage room. Still we explored its realm fearlessly. Never afraid to be there by ourselves. Well… there was one room. Its name alone would strike fear in the hearts of even the bravest of the cousins. The Fruit Cellar! Even today my heart races at the thought of stepping into its pitch black void. I dare not speak of it any further for fear of awaking the nightmares that slumber there.

Oh, how we loved the basement!

Outside the cherry trees became a dark and sinister forest. Each one of us had our own special area of the trees marked off as “our forts”. We defended them fiercely. The grove of trees about half-way between Grandma and Grandpa’s house and Kathy and Stan’s house held a deep and forgotten magic. We would spend hours there contemplating the mysterious of life like, “Exactly how are we going to scare Amber, Kelsey and Kara today?”

We also had the Rough Road. The Rough Road was as much a part of our family as any single person was. A dusty, dirt road that was only passable by foot most the time. A half a mile long yet once you set out on it you never knew where you’d end up. The Rough Road was our “Yellow Brick Road”.

Then there was the canal, known simply as, “The Canal”. The canal was a living, breathing creature that methodically snaked its way through the fields beckoning, yea, even daring us to enter. We would arm ourselves with whatever weapons we could find; a tree branch; a bar of rebar; even bailing twine and then we would step foot into that cool, dark water and instantly be transported to a world of imagination where danger lurked around every bend. And we would risk life and limb to discover her secrets! Countless times we would allow ourselves to be sucked into the tunnels that went under the roads hoping, even praying, we would actually pop out on the other side. Cory would always go first. He was the bravest of us. And if he did go, Nick and I knew there would be no backing out. If one went… we all went. It was unspoken but it was law. How we didn’t drown I will never know.

As we grew older and life began to happen my time in Jerome slowly faded away. Soon I would only see my extended family once every year or so. I had become like my friends. And when a couple of choices I made in my life seemed to further alienate me from my family I thought there was no going back. It wasn’t until I had a son of my own and finally brought him to meet his great-grandparents that it all made sense. Kresimir had just learned to walk and when I set him down in front of his great-grandparents for the first time he walked straight into Grandma’s outstretched hands and the same with Grandpa. He laughed with them and instantly felt comfortable in their arms. The loved him unconditionally and he knew it.

The City of Trees Music Scene

2008-02-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a (working) list of the most influential bands who have come from the Boise area...

Treepeople
Built to Spill
Caustic Resin
The Halo Benders
Dirt Fishermen
Blackhappy
Graveltruck
Narcissus Isthmus
Psychic Knot
El Dopamine
Hill Folk Noir
Belle of Les Bois

Here's a quick run down on a few of the more well known bands... Treepeople was formed by Doug Martsch, who later formed a band with Caustic Resin frontman, Brett Netson, called Built to Spill.

Built to Spill has been cited as an important influence for fellow indie rockers Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie; Isaac Brock and Ben Gibbard have both cited Built to Spill and Treepeople as major influences, and all three bands have had a lengthy association with the indie rock movement known as the Northwest sound.

Brett Netson is currently working on a project with Dirt Fishermen guitarist, Dave Grapp (a good friend of mine), which is, as-of-now, un-titled.

The Halo Benders is another collaboration featuring Doug Martsch but with a completely different feel and sound than Built to Spill.

Staff Picks

2008-02-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

If anyone still checks this blog... I am adding a new feature on the right column, the STAFF PICKS. This will be updated regularly with my recommendations of MUSIC, MOVIES/TV, and BOOKS.

I am always trying to stay current in the music scene and thought this might be a good way of introducing people to bands they've never heard of or might not consider in the first place. I figured I might as well add movies and books while I'm at it.

I am also brainstorming with a few friends of mine and we are trying to come up with a definitive list of "must-have-in-your-record-collection" Boise bands. This list will be posted in the next few days. So check back soon!

Juliette and the Licks

2007-11-29T00:14:00.000-07:00

Those who know me well know that one of my passions in life is music... of course, I have very particular tastes in music... Ska, Funk, Rasta, Punk... often bands no one has ever heard of.

And with my love of music goes my love of watching it performed live... where you can feel it penetrating deep into your soul... where you leave the show feeling like you've changed somehow... for the better.

One of the bands I have grown to love over the past few years, JULIETTE AND THE LICKS, happens to fronted by an Academy Award Nominated Actress who was once engaged to Brad Pitt... Juliette Lewis. All that "hoop-la" aside she writes and sings very good music. Kylene was with me when I bought their debut EP years ago and I have never looked back.

Finally, with the release of a new album they stopped by Boise to play a few songs. Kylene and our friends, Aaron and Emily picked up some tickets and caught the show. It was amazing... both opening bands were great... Sufrajet and Scissors for Lefty.

When the Licks came out I ditched Ky and our friends and watched the show from the front row with my arms leaning on the stage. I did the whole fan thing and grabbed her hand and screamed a few "woo-hoos" now and again... She even asked me to help her down from the stage during one of her songs so she could sing while walking around in the crowd. Plus it was fun being one of the only ones singing along every word to the playlist! Good times!

H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N spells Halloween!!!

2007-10-30T20:27:00.000-06:00

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year... Kres loves it too!

Of course, Ky just rolls her eyes at our costume choice...

...but seriously...

...isn't that's one good looking family!

Animal Sounds

2007-10-27T20:31:00.000-06:00

How I Spent My Summer Vacation...

2007-10-26T16:09:00.000-06:00

I spent the summer rafting on the Payette River. This trip I got together with a few high school buddies and we ran the Cabarton stretch on the north fork. Class III-IV.

This particular sequence is us hitting "Howard's Plunge" a notorious little rapid known to swamp inexperienced rafters. Of course with me guiding... it was a piece of cake!

I love the look of intensity everyone has right before we go in!

This is my "Hero" shot

Now we're having fun!

We ended the day with some wicked-scary cliff jumping!

It took me about 20 minutes to work up the ole' "What the heck..." courage

There's no going back now!

Oh yeah!

The old man's still got it... just don't tell Ky!

"He's a real heartbreaker, that one!"

2007-08-01T23:19:00.000-06:00

Life Accomplishments

2007-07-23T22:08:00.000-06:00

I think I am the only one who reads my blog anymore so this is mainly for me.

As I was sitting down to blog my "101 Things I Want To Do" (as is the theme in my family) and after I had just spent the weekend white water rafting in class IV rapids, I realized I have already done some amazing things in my life.

I posted a few quick photos that I could find of some of my achievements. they don't seem like much but they are pretty cool to me.

Anyways, without further adieu.... here is my list:

Read Moby Dick cover to cover
Run with the bulls in Pamplona
Climb Mt. Everest (or at least visit base camp)
Hike Ireland coast to coast (Brook stole this one from me)
Be an extra in a Major Motion Picture
Become a black belt in Jiu Jitsu
Climb a 5.12
Visit Antarctica
Base Jump
Bungee jump off of the Twin Falls bridge
Visit Machu Picchu
Find a Class IV ruin
Attend the Summer Olympics
Swim with a dolphin (I know it's cliche)
Ride a camel in the Sahara
Have dinner at the White House
Ride the Trans-Siberian Express across Asia
Spend the night in a haunted house... by myself
Drive from NY to LA
Drive on the Autobahn
Make a hole-in-one
Run a marathon
Be on a television news program as an "expert"
Visit all 56 National Parks
Get a Master's Degree
Land a giant marlin
Beat Guitar Hero II on expert
Visit all of the sites from the Da Vinci Code
Learn to sew on a sewing machine
Hike the Subway
Be rescued from a deserted island
Help the FBI solve a crime (DONE)
Capture a wanted Felon (DONE)
Be a sniper on a SWAT team (DONE)
Save a life (DONE)
Go to a combat zone
Watch a live autopsy (DONE)
Ride in a UH-60 Blackhawk (DONE)
Hike Angel's Landing (DONE)
Hike the Narrows (DONE)
Follow a favorite band across their US tour
Get Married in the temple (DONE)
Have kids (DONE)
Climb El Capitain
Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Visit Dracula's Castle
Go the World Cup (Soccer)
Read the Bible cover to cover
Visit the Holy Land
Visit Nauvoo
Brief a 3 Star General (DONE)
Learn Spanish
Write a screenplay
Meet my favorite band (DONE)
Fly to Alaska and land on a lake in a pontoon plane
Race in an Adventure Race
Visit Easter Island
Take a year off
Visit the Pyramids
Swim in the ocean with a great white shark
Help solve a murder (DONE)
Solve a Rubik's Cube
Walk barefoot across hot coals
Attend General Conference (DONE)
See a Broadway play on Broadway
Walk down a red carpet event
Visit Hong Kong
Backpack in Patigonia
Visit the Base camps of all 7 summits
Wear a tuxedo in a Vegas casino
Explore the catacombs under Paris
Discover a shipwreck
Be my son's hero
Ride a "Century" (100 miles) on my bicycle
Fly an airplane (DONE)
Get (re)married (to Ky) in a cheap Las Vegas Chapel
Become debt free
Have my portrait painted
Serve my Country (DONE)
Shower in a waterfall (DONE)
Fly First Class (DONE)
Walk off of a plane and have a driver hold a sign with my name on it
Send a first ascent on a climb
Build an igloo
Summit Mt Borah
Throw a dart at a map and then go there
Become published
Catch a fish with my bare hands (DONE)
Celebrate 50 years of marriage with Kylene
Walk barefoot in Central Park
Stand at the South Pole
Invent something
Have Lasic Eye Surgery
Leave a $100 tip
Shoot a target at 1000 yards (DONE)
Whitewater raft a class V
Learn to Kayak
Teach my son to rock climb
Fly a kite on a beach
Learn to slackline
Complete this list

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

Buster Bronco and the A-10

2007-05-24T16:56:00.000-06:00

Training for Our Upcoming Deployment to Iraq

2007-04-16T20:15:00.000-06:00

Rough Day At The Office

2007-02-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

And the best part is... I get paid to do this!!!

Ice, Ice, Baby!

2007-02-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

We took Kres to his first hockey game... he fell asleep at home and woke up at the game. I'm sure he thought he was in a whole new world.

He loved watching the people and the game but he got scared by the loud roars of the crowd. We won and it was a high scoring game so there was lots of roaring. I spent most of the game walking around the floor level to help calm Kreshie down. Hopefully he will grow to love the sport like we have.

Go Steelies!!!

Grandpa Waite

Bonk was the Steelheads mascot and McConvey is there captain. Ky's jersey is Hornby, we loved him because he's a fighter. We both got our jersey's autographed last season and Bonk retired and Blue the "lame-o" bear is the new mascot.

We are going to launch a "Bring Back Bonk" campaign!!!

Crashing out after the game

Fun with Photoshop!

2007-01-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

DECEMBER 10th at Goodfellow AFB

2006-12-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

Chillin' on a Sunday evening

Jumping off the second floor
(I'm too old to jump)

My good mate, Adolfo Sanchez

This is our Anchorman pose...

...and our Resevoir Dogs pose

KYLENE,

2006-11-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

Veterens Day

2006-11-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

Lt. Col. Chesley

There is a missionary couple here in San Angelo whom I have become good friends with, the Chesley's. Elder Chesley was an F-4 pilot during the Viet-Nam war. He was shot down and captured and became a POW for SEVEN years at the Hanoi Prison Camp.

He is the coolest guy ever and has spent many hours relating his experiences to me. I feel very honored to know a true American Hero.

To help honor veterens I participated in the church's float for the parade. It was great fun!

We made the float out of colored napkins and a chicken wire fence!

Military members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints

Like Father, Like Son

2006-10-21T08:47:00.000-06:00

Did I mention my son ROCKS!!!

Ky and Kres were able to come down and hang out for a week. It was super awesome, I love my family.

I play on the base soccer team so I was able to introduce Kres to the beautiful game

Other than that we just chilled . . .

. . . and slept . . .

. . . it was rad!

What Tattoos?

2006-10-01T19:41:00.000-06:00

So I was at the mall looking for a pair of comfy sweat pants with pockets when I passed a Halloween costume shop. Inside I found something awesome!!! Tattoo sleeves.

Of course, with my devious mind I decided to play a practical joke and publish a few photos of myself, with tattoos, on my blog but NOT mention a thing about them. Then Just sit back and see what happens.

WITHIN THE HOUR my mother-in-law called me (with some help from my devious wife who was in on the gag) and my sister, Kylee, who called everyone else in our family. So I would say, mission accomplished!

As you can see, life is full of excitement in the Air Force!

Chillin Like a Villian

2006-09-30T20:41:00.000-06:00

So I played soccer today against the army, we won by the way, but it's only been an hour and I can hardly move. I learned today that playing soccer uses different running muscles than running in a straight line. Plus I'm old.

Here's just a couple of photos of typical dorm life. Eating pizza and watching college football.

This is my roommate, Grant Stephens. He's cool.

I Love My Dad This Much...

2006-09-29T22:09:00.000-06:00

It's 2300 hours and I have been up since 0300 and won't get to bet until 0200. It's been a crazy day. We are in a wartime simulation at school that has lasted all week. It is way stressful but way fun. I have a hour break before I have to head back to the frontlines and see how many men we have lost and how much ground we have gained.

Did I mention I am "night-of-the-living-dead" tired right now. I can barley think straight and my eyes hurt so bad. I figured I'd better do something active or I will fall asleep and not get up again.

Here's my kid with a wicked rad mohawk. He's such a cool punker! I love him lots

Air Power!

2006-09-28T16:47:00.000-06:00

Well, they went and made me a "Student Leader"! I am now in command of Charlie Flight (roughly 50 airmen) and oversee such things as open ranks (uniform inspections), accountability, discipline issues, etc. I am basically an extension of the MTLs (Military Training Leaders).

I had to do about three weeks OJT (on-the-job-training) and then attend Airman Leader school. At ALS I had to pass the written test and properly march a flight (giving commands, "Right Face, Forward March, About Face" etc. I have now earned my "green rope" which signifies I am a student leader. The degrees of student leaders are green, yellow and red with more responsibility respectively. Even with completing all of the requirements it is still up to the MTLs if you get a rope or not. They actually have a "rope up" ceremony at morning formations. It's kind of cool.

Other than that, school is my main focus. It is very difficult and the stress level is tremendous. But at the same time I am learning amazing things and actually enjoy class in those rare stress free moments.

Basically my job is to travel to exotic locations, meet interesting people, kill those interesting people and break their stuff. Not a bad job!

Greetings from San Antonio, Texas

2006-09-12T20:41:00.000-06:00

As you can see Amber has suckered me into the world of blogging (a thing I have been trying to avoid for some time). But being isolated from friends and family has been something of an influence.

Basic training has been, by far, one of the most difficult things I have ever endured. I was pushed well past what I believed were my physical and mental limits. Looking back though, it has been one of my greatest accomplishments and I know I only made it through because of the Lord.

Every single morning I awoke on my knees praying to make it through the day. And every single evening I ended on my knees thanking God I actually did. I feel my testimony and my reliance on the Lord grew stronger than it did when I was on my mission or during any part of my life. I witnessed miracles, in direct answers to prayers, while I was there. I suppose if I wasn't a 31 year old, highly out of shape man, with a struggling testimony when I joined I might have had an easier time. Lets just say I wasn't given any special treatment or the special treatment I did get wasn't the fun kind.

Having said that, I have never once doubted my decision to join the military. I love the Air Force, I love my country and I am proud to serve under her name. I really feel like I am part of a greater thing.

I like to think about the great leaders of the church within the Book of Mormon and how often the Lord chose men of military to fill those roles. I fully believe the Lord has a special love for the men and women of the Armed Forces. I suppose I feel the most complete in my life when I am serving my fellow men in the role of protection.

“Citizens sleep peacefully at night knowing that rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf”

-George Orwell

The biggest change of my life has been becoming a father. I went three weeks without meeting my son and didn't really feel any different. I was blessed with leave to go home last week and held my son for the first time. My whole life changed. I had an epiphany. I was a father. All I wanted to do the entire weekend was hold my son. I truly felt a bond I didn't know existed.

My heart breaks every day when I think of Ky trying to be a mom by herself. I look forward to the day when we can be a complete family.

I know this has been a very somber blog and I apologize for that. But isn't that what a blog is, a journal of my thoughts? This is where I am right now. In San Angelo, Texas, wishing I was in Boise, Idaho. Being a husband and a father.

I'm sure in future blogs you will see the same old goof-off Clay that you know and love so well. But as for tonight, sleep peacefully, knowing I stand ready to do violence on your behalf.

C