Up to this point seven others have been awarded, all posthumously. This is the first one to awarded to a soldier who survived.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100911/NEWS/9110333/1001/Iowa-soldier-to-receive-Medal-of-Honor

I love making a list and then ignoring half of the things I put on it. I am building up my stamina, however, or maybe it’s matching expectations with reality, although I don’t like the sound of that because it sounds a bit like giving in. Most times I’d rather shoot for the stars and come up short than shoot for the moon and hit it. But what I am learning, after a lot of bumps and bruises, is to also plan for some way stations along the way. So now when I make a list if I do hit the moon I’m more apt to see that as a stepping stone rather than a failure. And what didn’t get accomplished today gets put on tomorrow’s list…unless I change my mind about it or events overtake me and the task is rendered moot, like watering a plant that is no longer capable of photosynthesis, sigh.

Instead of talking about the weather I thought I’d complain about some aches and pains from running. The current diagnosis for the pain in both my lower legs is something called Exertional Compartment Syndrome which means the muscle bundles are swelling/expanding more than the fascia (the tough, thin membrane that keeps the bundles together) can handle. This increased pressure creates pain, numbness, and a really pissed off demeanor which comes and goes with rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, and chocolate ice cream. I’ll be starting more physical therapy which I really hope works because if it doesn’t the next stop is surgery.

It’s very frustrating. All I want to do is run. I have a feeling Konowa is about to take the heads off a few rakkes tonight. Possibly using only his teeth.

For me, my new year starts with the first leaves falling. I enjoy summer, but it’s really just the opening act for the season that has it all. It is going to hit the mid 90s today here in New York City, but I don’t care, I can feel autumn approaching. Despite the heat, the humidity level is much lower than earlier in the summer, but even if it was a sauna here I wouldn’t care because we’re about to say goodbye to August and usher in cold winds, gray skies, sweaters and hot chocolate and squirrels scampering like mad collecting their nuts. Add to that Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the build up to the holidays (fill in your belief system here) culminating in the “official” celebration of new year and it’s just about perfect.

I just tried coconut milk for the first time and based on that if I’m ever stranded on the proverbial desert island I’ll swim for it. You can keep my top five books and CDs and definitely the pile of coconuts, but if I make it to civilization I’ll be back for the super model.