Klow's Kollection

Sharpening the blog focus

When I first started this on Lisa's suggestion, it was to keep my mind sharp while looking for work. Now I realize I need to further tighten the blog's focus so I can use it to get work as a history researcher, perhaps an author. So most of the posts will focus on military history and military studies. Nothing really will change; there will be posts on gaming and current events with some microposts on my Facebook page. I do want to majority of the posts to center around my first love: military history.

I am not saying the blog was a failure, far from it. I just needed to take a step back an look at my life and career choices critically. The blog's focus became scattered as had my professional life.

See folks. No big production. No long self-examinations. The posts will speak for themselves.

On Facebook for microposts

That's why I've updated Klow's Kollection less frequently. :)

Same blog, new look for the New Year

Lisa changed the title and look of her blog. I'm keeping the title and theme but changed the look. Looks more organized I think.

On that note, Happy New Year! :D

More temp work...and the world's the same as always

Well I am going back to a previous assignment tomorrow and could go for up to three weeks.

In any event, there's accusations of Afghan election corruption, more talk of theoretical military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, more health care town hall muck-ups, and a reality so-called-star meets a despicable end.

All in all, a normal week in the world...

Until later space cadets

Oh! And Lisa destroyed that Klingon starbase.

Bah!!!! >:-O

So what's been happening so far...

Well I went to an event at Center for American Progress to attend an interesting event on U.S./Ukrainian relations and the nation's dealings with Russia. Being from Ukrainian ancestry from my grandmother (Nanny God bless you), I have a great interest in Russian history and affairs though I'm far from an expert. In a nutshell, Russia views Ukraine as the black sheep independent brother no one in the family talks to and only sees him at family reunions. Russia still sees Ukraine still under its influence; Ukraine not so much. This issue came into a brighter light after Russia and Georgia had their brief and stupid war last year.

So what to do? Well it's tricky. The U.S. during the last administration had some role in this by intimidating Russia with it's Cold War-ish tough talk. Yet the Obama Administration may try to compromise too much to heal U.S./Russian relations with Ukraine as usual in the middle. This issue is number 34 on Obama's to do list of several hundred things.

Friday I had a job interview over the phone for a government position (I'd rather not say just yet what it is specifically). It's a long shot but better than not hearing anything.

And we had our gaming friend Corey over for a day of gaming and hanging around. We played Twilight Imperium 3rd edition and later the Starcraft boardgame. He also o sent me an invite for a trial session of EvE Online, a space based MMO game. I initially gave up on MMOs but he played it and sounded intriguing if complicated. It does cost a monthly fee, but looks very impressive. Even Lisa was curious about it and wants to observe my playing.

So that was my week in a nutshell. On to job hunting and finding my place in the online galaxy.

Live long and prosper ;-)

Oh by the way...

I'm on a temporary job assignment finally. (Took them long enough) So needless to say I'll be busy for a bit. Later today I'll post more gaming stuff including an awesome Starcraft boardgame play-by-play.

On vacation until July 5

We're going to visit Lisa's family and best friend near Athens, GA. Take care and have a Happy and safe 4th of July.

It's Lisa's Birthday!!!!

Not much planned. Just going to spend time with her since she has today off. That's important, yes?

Busy read

I attended a seminar on the changing role of diplomacy in U.S. strategy. I am currently digesting the full report which is on the following link, as well as the policy brief.

Full report: http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/090310_lennon_democracy_web.pdf

Policy brief: http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/090310_policy_brief.pdf

Though informative, most of the points should have been followed from the beginning.

Ode to Nanny

I was saddened when Barack Obama's grandmother passed away today on the eve of hopefully seeing her grandson make history and fulfill Dr. King's dream. I made me think of my grandmother, Sara (whom I called Nanny) who passed away years ago at 86. Of all my family, she was my cornerstone. In her own way, she taught me modesty and honesty in life. Never be pretentious or selfish but be proud of every accomplishment no matter how trivial. She told me once I was her favorite grandson of all. I was always there for her when my father couldn't help her (he was often ill from his weight and heart trouble). Nanny adored my wife Lisa seeing her a her own granddaughter from the moment the two met. In the late 90s, she had become unable to live in her apartment and was taken to a nursing home. A few months later, she took a turn for the worse. Lisa and I visited her one last time. A hollow shell of the one strong woman I loved and admired lay there. I kissed her forehead and said good bye and we loved her. Her eyes closed and tears followed down.

She went to Heaven the next day.

I knew little of her life while raising my father and aunt. She was seven years old when she and her family escape the Ukraine in 1920 during the Russian Civil War. Her Jewish faith was at odds with both the Czarists and the Communists. The family did not go to Ellis Island like most immigrants but went to Illinois through the St. Lawrence River. The rest of the history is spotty at best. Despite repeatedly asking her, she refused to talk about her family history. Understandable as her sister was raped by the Communist Police. She like many from her generation simply suppressed such strong events. This began my interest in Russian history and initially studying Russian affairs before going to Middle East studies. 

Nanny was a part of me and to this day I fell empty without her.