American Express Fidelity

I just got the American Express Fidelity card to my credit card arsenal. It's 2% back on points which can be deposited into cash into my Fidelity cash account:

http://personal.fidelity.com/products/checking/content/amex_rewards_card.shtml.cvsr?showcard=all

So now I have a general card that I use for everything and get 2% cash back.

In combination with my Chase Amazon.com Visa Signature card (3% back on Amazon.com, 2% Restaurants, plus doubling the warranty up to a year of anything I buy) and American Express True Earnings Card (3% back at restaurants), I'm feeling fairly confident I have the best cards out there for cash back for my typical spending habits.

Here's a nice little grid I worked out:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AucDQtOT6qJIdC1uSmZOUVE2RXNUdHBfQ3Q5cUdkZ1E&hl=en

Pay off 2% APR loan or keep it?

I have a 2% APR, unsecured loan in the amount of $5,955.28 through my bank, USAA. The original purpose of the loan was for my 2006 BMW 325i, but they didn't put my car as collateral for some reason.

It'll be paid off on Dec 2, 2010. Monthly payments are $440.37.


I have a savings account through Capital One, and they're giving me 1.64% APR due to an account I have opened up through Costco.

Analysts are predicting that negative job growth will continue until the end of 2010, when it'll bottom and possibly begin recovering. I don't imagine that the Fed will be raising interest rates within the next 12 months.


Would you pay off the 2% APR loan entirely? Or continue and let the money accrue interest and pay the monthly payments as required.


UPDATE (20:07, 20091021):

I did the amortization tables, and realized that the true cost to maintain liquidity is only $13.53. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it too much and keep it in

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AucDQtOT6qJIdDRSWEg1Sm1CbWZNd0RtcTI1LWR5N3c&hl=en

Keesler Blog Posting

I copied and pasted from here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1510894/posts

I figured it may disappear with time, so I wanted to back it up.

Kessler AFB Shelter Commander Story
333d Training Squadron/CC ^ | post Katrina | Lt Col (USAF) Randy Coats

Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:15:35 by RileyD, nwJ

Command: Category 4
Lt Col Randy Coats, 333d Training Squadron/CC

Command. There's no better job in the world. After seven years in jobs with “command authority” and two squadron commands, I figured I had a good idea what command was all about. I was wrong. What changed my mind? Four words--"Shelter Commander" and "Hurricane Katrina."

From 28 Aug - 2 Sep, I lived with 730 of my "closest friends" in 50-year old Bryan Hall at Keesler AFB, MS. It was my third stint as a shelter commander, but it was unlike anything I had experienced before. As life slowly returns to normal on the Gulf Coast and I reflect on the experience, I've come to appreciate the unpredictability of command and how much an event like Katrina can change people and communities.

First, you have to understand some basics. My shelter is a unique animal on Keesler. Most shelters here are dedicated primarily to one unit. Mine is not. I have all the active duty and family members from a wide variety of units--two training squadrons, CE and Security Forces (and prisoners), 100+ Marines, communications students (NCOs and roughly 60 Lt's), 150 NCO Academy students and their faculty, and 50 international officers and their families. The building is an old nuclear fallout shelter, with no windows and no shower facilities. With that setting in mind, I offer the following memories and thoughts on Hurricane Katrina.

25 Aug (Thu): One of my sharpest young MSgt points out Katrina "may grow into something over the weekend" and suggests we update our shelter/evacuation data sheets. I admire his enthusiasm, tell him “that's not a bad idea", then promptly forget to do anything because Katrina's not headed our way at all and I've got other things to do besides worry about a piddly Category 1 storm.

27 Aug (Sat): Two CAT (Command Action Team) meetings. Katrina has strengthened and is headed our way, due to arrive Monday afternoon. Tentatively plan to open shelters Monday morning. I remember the MSgt's words and begin repeating every officer’s golden rule--"Never ignore a SNCO…Never ignore a SNCO."

28 Aug (Sun): Turn on CNN before heading to 0800 CAT. Radar picture shows Katrina is Category 5, taking up the whole Gulf of Mexico and headed straight for us, due to arrive before dawn Monday. "Never ignore a SNCO…Never ignore a SNCO."
- 1000: Initiate full recall and order all personnel to evacuate or shelter NLT 2100. Many people out of town for the weekend. Accountability is a nightmare.
- 1700: Open the shelter. People/families begin arriving. Have to stop two refrigerators, one 21" TV set, and three mattresses at the door. Students (of all ranks) drafted to help carry bags into the shelter. People told to bring food and water for three days. Most bring food for two days; smokers bring cigarettes for twenty days. Have to break the news--no smoking inside the shelter and once you're checked in you can't go outside (Hotel California rules).
- 2200: Doors locked and boarded up from the outside by CE (one door in an alcove left uncovered).

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: Mississippi
KEYWORDS: airforce; command; humor; katrina; keesler; keeslerafb; leadership; usaf

29 Aug (Mon):
0500: Winds howling; can hear them best through vents in bathrooms at the end of the hallway (It didn’t sound like this during Hurricane Ivan)
0800: Shelterees (hereafter referred to as "the Natives") start moving around 0800. Smokers looking for nicotine fix, but remain calm.
1000: Local news reports indicate rising waters, violent winds. Plywood ripped from external doorways (I start getting uneasy; plywood has never moved in previous storms, much less flown away).
1200: News reports 20+ feet of water in local mall. Natives getting anxious. Smokers getting jittery.
Afternoon:
- Power goes out; generators kick in. Not good. CE told us power can only go out if high-tension cables that survived 200-mph winds during Hurricane Camille go down. A/C stops working; ventilation fans stop working. No windows, no open doors, 731 nervous people…in Mississippi…in August. Ask for generator fuel status and burn rate. Have enough fuel for two days.
- Natives who smoke starting to visibly shake; many look physically ill.
- Cable TV goes out. Natives get creative with antennas. Spotted the bottom half of an NCO sticking out from ceiling tiles. Apparently reception is better if you connect a stripped copper comm cable from the TV to pipes in the ceiling. I appoint a safety observer and hope for the best.
- CE reports primary generator has flames coming out of it, so shut it off. Lost internet connectivity. Down to one generator; power only in hallways and a few rooms.
- Water stops running. Toilets overflowing. With medical advice, I brief the Natives on how to use plastic bags for toilet facilities (someone used this method within 10 minutes). Disposal of plastic bags in a sealed building is a concern. Adventurous major goes into the basement and finds 1961-vintage Civil Defense Survival Sanitation Kits. Basically, a 3-foot tall cardboard porta-potty with a hole cut in the top. This does not look fun. However, 44-year old toilet paper (it was dated) is surprisingly soft.
- One hour later: Water comes back thanks to CE heroes going out in the storm to repair pumping station. I hug the first CE troop I can find. Sanitation Kits thankfully not used, but kept on standby.
- CE troops coming off shift report half of flight-line underwater; BX and Commissary 6 feet deep and rising; trees down all over base; CE building collapsed. Natives begin to get the picture--this is worse than Hurricanes Ivan or Dennis.
Evening:
1800: Winds still dangerous so cannot open doors. It's hot…it's humid…Natives are getting cranky. Smokers showing signs of extreme duress. One is carrying two unlit cigarettes around. I suggest he tear one open and put it behind his lip for a nicotine fix. He informs me he's already eaten an entire pack and it didn't help. Can't think of anything to say in response, so I pat him on the back and wish him luck.
- Babies and young kids getting grumpy; too hot to nap.
- Barely-visible news reports (on very fuzzy TV picture) report massive devastation in the area. Dead silence in hallway as Natives crowd around the lone TV with a discernible picture. Tension rising.
2000: Too hot to breathe. 731 nervous people generate a lot of sweat and a variety of smells. Command Post says stay locked down, don't open doors. Natives make strange noises when I walk by. Not sure the "Shelter Commander" badge is a good thing to be wearing right now. First Sergeant reports Natives consider me the embodiment of evil.
- Cops go on shift. The best NCO in the AF is assigned to patrol base housing; he offers to try to check on my cat during his shift (we left her in the hallway of my house).
2100: Even hotter. Poked my head outside--it's ugly but winds have died down. Command Post says stay buttoned up. Natives mumbling in small groups about how to eliminate a commander. Survival instincts tell me to get some air in here. Posted Marines at every exit and opened all the doors. I'm a hero; Natives love me. Haven't heard "thank you" this much since I put my shirt back on at the squadron pool party.
2200: Smokers running out of cigarettes to eat. Open a side door and rope off a 10' x 10' smoking area. No more than five people at a time; no more than five minutes. Sucking cigarettes look like blow-torches in reverse. Everyone loves me.
- Nobody sleeps much. Tough to sleep in pools of sweat.

30 August (Tuesday):
0145: One of my NCOs wakes me up because "Cops want to talk to you, Sir". SFS NCO is direct. "The good news is your cat is fine." Next question obvious. As he hands back my house key he adds, "The bad news is I didn't need this to get into your house." Doesn't quite register…"How'd you get in?" He looked me straight in the eye and said, "I walked through your back wall." That can't be good at all. Looks like a total loss. My wife was on a cot in the hallway. I woke her up to give her the news. Her response? "I guess it'll be easy to pack when we move next year." (She's getting anything she wants for Christmas, forever). Spend the rest of the night thinking of how to stay focused and project a positive attitude given that all my worldly possessions will probably fit in a gym bag. (note: we were eventually able to save most things above 4 feet)
0700: Bad news spreads like wildfire. Entire shelter knows about my house. Lots of supportive comments as I wander the halls but I see the struggle behind the words--they're sorry for my loss but worry about their own. Their concern for my family despite fears for their own touches me deeply. First time in 19 years I've really had to fight back tears, but I've got to do the commander thing and project a positive attitude. As I walk the hallways I truly feel "the burden of command." My family is safe; I have to push my losses aside for now. These 730 people have no access to information other than what I tell them. I am their link to the outside world. I see them watching me, watching how I react and looking for cues as they try to figure out how they should feel--is the commander scared? Depressed? Worried? Confident? I realize that their mood over the next few days will be a direct reflection of what they perceive as my mood. I've been tested in command before, but never like this.
0800: Drive to CAT meeting across base. Devastation is shocking. Trees down everywhere. Cars trashed everywhere. Windows out. Walls out. Buildings collapsed. Roofs ripped apart.
0930: Mass briefing to the Natives. Most uncomfortable briefing I've ever given. Reports indicate widespread devastation. Death toll probably in the hundreds. Power out for at least three weeks. Must begin water conservation. Minimum three months to resume base mission. Will not leave shelter for at least three days. 730 stunned and scared faces focused on me. All are easy to read. (1) realization of how bad it is, (2) fear of what it did to their homes. Worst possible situation for a commander--troops need reassurance I can't give. Struggle to keep my voice steady. Not sure how well I did.
Afternoon:
- Natives' supplies running out. Most critical shortfalls: food, diapers, baby food, and feminine hygiene products. Issue MREs for adults. Assign "Baby POC" to track baby supplies. Develop new metric for morning/evening briefings--diaper burn rate. 17 infants in shelter x 5 diapers/day & 4 jars of baby food/day. Have one day supply of diapers, two days of baby food, but at least three more days in the shelter. Submit urgent supply request to Command Post. Luckily, Sanitation Kits include 44-year old feminine products.
- Still no cable TV and no internet. Information is life. I average (I counted) no more than 10 steps before someone stops me to ask what's going on outside.
- Lieutenant students offer to take over operation of the Children's Recreation Room. One has been to Clown College; several brought coloring books. First Sergeant asks me later (a) "How come the officers have coloring books?" and (b) "How come some of the pictures were colored in before the children started using them?" Honor of the officer corps is at stake; I quickly assign the Shirt to a meaningless task to distract her. Hope it worked. Best not to ask. (Note: to be perfectly honest, that actually happened during Hurricane Dennis in July, but it's 100% true and was too good a story not to include here)
- Pregnant Native goes into premature labor. Ambulance evacuates her to hospital.
- Another uncomfortable night. All Natives (and myself) report profuse sweating in lieu of sleep. Set up special room with lots of fans for children to sleep in. Authorized Chaplain to take a small raiding party to Chapel next door to get rocking chairs for parents with small children.

31 August (Wed):
- Still hot. Two cases of dehydration evacuated to hospital. I'm dehydrated, nauseous, and weak despite drinking constantly. Can't believe I let this happen. Check with medics, but saline solution is in short supply and if I'm still walking I don't need it bad enough. They give me some good drugs to control symptoms. Eight hours, 240 ounces of water (I had to keep track), and 9,000 bathroom breaks later I feel much better.
- Lots of debris around the building. Still dangerous for people to go outside, but Natives are getting stir-crazy. Assigned a team to clear and rope off an area near the building. Post guards to ensure nobody wanders off, then allow small groups outside for fresh air for short periods of time. They love me again.
- Wing/CC reads off list of inbound aid at CAT meeting. Not the same as hearing it on TV. I never imagined that it would mean so much to know that so many people are focused on helping you.
- Baby supplies critical. Wing/CC orders a raid on what's left of Commissary and BX. Deliveries to shelters save the day.
- Another bad briefing to the Natives. Only one way to explain why they can't leave the shelter--tell them the truth as I know it. Looting rampant off-base. Looters in base housing. AF member car-jacked right outside the gate. No gas in local area; $5/gallon three hours away. Chaos in New Orleans is moving our way. Extra Security Forces with .50 cals on HMMWVs en route to help secure the base.
- Natives frantic about their homes. They fear anything that survived the storm won't survive the looters. Try to focus them on aid headed our way. Emotions running high. One woman goes into shock; evacuated to hospital.
- Another sweaty, sleepless night. Natives apparently locate world's largest stock of extension cords. Conservative estimates indicate we're running 500 fans off 5 power outlets and 2,000 extension cords. Confiscated the most impressive daisy chains as a safety hazard. Briefed Shelter Management Team to increase fire checks of the building.

01 Sep (Thu):
- Cannot release people to return to homes overnight due to security concerns. However, must let Natives assess their homes or risk bodily harm trying to keep them here. Strict guidelines for home assessments--provide written route of travel; must have a wingman; no dependents can go; max of one hour to save what you can and return to shelter; must be decontaminated before reentering shelter because many houses (mine included) have sludge/sewage inches deep. Lieutenants do great job controlling departure and decon lines.
- Natives return to shelter. Many are homeless. Commander School never taught me how to respond to "I have nothing left," or how to comfort women and men crying uncontrollably in my arms. Some cried for what they lost, some for what they saw. News reports didn't prepare them for seeing not just their home but their entire neighborhood destroyed, or for the cops telling them the bad smell they noticed was probably neighbors who tried to ride out the storm and were buried in the rubble. My only consolation is that I know how they feel. The stink in the house made me gag; the mud was gooey, sticky, and got on everything. My wife spent years building a beautiful collection of Amish figurines. Seeing the trail of broken figures across two yards (I never found the curio cabinet) was painful to endure. Crabs running across my feet in the bedroom (which scared the bee-geezus out of me) was a comical twist to a non-comical situation.
- In an attempt to improve morale, the chow hall (excuse me, “Dining Facility”) next to the shelter opens for one hot meal of whatever was available. Natives happily wait in line 2+ hours for rice with spaghetti sauce and a piece of bread. After the week we’ve had, it’s like Grandma’s Thanksgiving dinner.
- Third straight day of gorgeous weather. Security still a big concern. My DO reports her neighbors shot a looter (it may not be politically correct, but I applaud their initiative). Natives don't care, they just want out. Shelter Commanders compare notes at CAT—we’re all seriously concerned about tempers rising in the shelters. Believe the Natives are just about at the breaking point.
- Still no a/c. Lots of sweat and little sleep.

02 Sep (Fri):
- Security situation better. Natives' are about worn out. Wing/CC authorizes release from shelters. Six days and five nights we will never forget, and the recovery efforts have only just begun.

To say that Hurricane Katrina has been a "life event" would be an understatement. During my time running the Bryan Hall shelter I saw the best and the worst of people first-hand. Some sat in their little piece of floor space and watched others work to make the situation better. Most looked for every opportunity to help others and to make our little slice of hell a little more comfortable. I was amazed at how easy it was to read their faces. I could see clearly as fear changed to shock, disbelief, then anger. I watched in amazement as the anger was replaced with a calm sense of resolve and focus to simply move forward and do what needed to be done. From the little boy I found wandering the halls at midnight (obviously looking for a bathroom) to the lieutenants who stepped up, took charge when I asked, and showed all of us what "officership" is all about, every person in that shelter taught me their own unique and valuable lesson about command.
The CE troops and the Cops in my shelter taught me the meaning of dedication. I watched them tramp in and out on shift work throughout the storm and its aftermath. They were wet, muddy, sweaty, and tired. But every time they came through those doors they took time to find someone whose house they checked on and they always stopped by to give me an update on what they saw. To quote a favorite TV show of mine, "They were…magnificent."

My Wing/CC described it perfectly a few days after the storm. Some puffed-up colonel called him up in the CAT and said "General so-and-so is coming down there. I want to know who the most important person on that base is and I want their name right now." The boss' response was classic. "Well, colonel, the most important person on this base is a Staff Sergeant with a chainsaw and if you'll give me ten minutes I'll get that name for you." CE and Cops. If you're looking for the heroes of Keesler, I'll be happy to escort you to their buildings.

As for the rest of the folks in the shelter, they were just as amazing in a different way. For all but the first 16 hours of our 6-day adventure they lived in a hot, poorly-ventilated building with virtually no amenities but running water. Most slept on tile floors. All slept in puddles of their own sweat. All spent 5 days not knowing whether or not they had a home to go home to. Yet through all of it, they kept a sense of humor and worked together to make the best of a bad situation. Even in the darkest moments I never walked down the hall without hearing a constant stream of "Morning, Colonel!" "How's it going, Sir?" or "Hey, Sir! When's the beer truck getting here?" I was only chewed out once by a shelteree. I would argue that in a "typical" group of 731 people, I would've been chewed out several times a day at least.
In my 19 years of service I have never seen a better demonstration of the military "family", or a better demonstration of true professionalism. I have to add, though, that what I've seen in the 12 days since has been just as impressive. The base and its leadership have been amazing. In addition to bringing our mission back on-line in less than 3 weeks, we've provided critical support to local communities. At last count, we'd sent nearly 50 missions out the gates to deliver food, water, and medical support. I was the CAT Director when a local cop showed up and said the shelter down the street had an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting. The boss had medical teams, food, and water on site within 30 minutes. The list goes on and on.
The same is true for my own unit. With more than one-third of my squadron homeless, my troops (military and civilian) have done things that will bring a tear to anyone's eye. Not one single person in my unit has cleaned out a storm-damaged home alone. We've had teams out every day helping squadron members and retirees (and sometimes people we didn't even know) cut trees and clean out flooded homes. They have made me proud to be part of their team and proud to be part of the US military. They have taught me when it comes right down to it they don't need leadership. They are, each and every one of them, leaders in their own right. Leaders with the willingness, the desire, and the compassion to do the right thing without being told. In truth, they don't need a commander, they only need a cheerleader who will give them the support and the freedom they need to do what needs to be done. When I look back in years to come and ponder what Hurricane Katrina taught me about command that may just be the most important lesson of all.

PERSONAL COMMENT:
The message/email above is exactly as it came to me in a widely distributed email - except for the few sentences I separated and made blue plus the few sentences at the beginning I boldfaced about listening to SNCOs.

When I read this I laughed and I laughed and I laughed and tears ran down my face.

RileyD, nwJ
"Only the humble are sane." anon

1 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:15:35 by RileyD, nwJ

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To: RileyD, nwj

It is Keesler, not Kessler AFB

2 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:17:01 by lmavk

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To: RileyD, nwj; SandRat

Hey Sand - here's that Keesler AFB story!

3 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:21:29 by StarCMC (Old Sarge is my hero...doing it right in Iraq! Vaya con Dios, Sarge.)

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To: RileyD, nwj

Wow!

I moved to the Gulf are in 1974 with my family, the remnants of Camille (1969)were visible but not too dramatic, I think this storm is leagues beyond Camille.

My family rode out Katrina in Ocean Springs (4 miles East) of Keesler, they wound up climbing into the attic to avoid the five feet of rising water inside the house. Talking on the phone does not give justice to what it was like. Thanks for the very vivid and descriptive email summary... it will be awhile before things are anywhere near normal.

4 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:31:23 by Cliff Dweller ("get thar fustest with the mostest." GEN Nathan Bedford Forrest)

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To: RileyD, nwj

First Sergeant asks me later (a) "How come the officers have coloring books?"

Ok - I know it's a fake now - no NCO - First Shirt or otherwise - has to ask why an officer has a coloring book!

5 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:34:57 by Tennessee_Bob ("You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.")

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To: RileyD, nwj

Moderator:
Please fix the title ... It should read Keesler not Kessler.
Thanks!
RileyD,nwJ

6 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:35:56 by RileyD, nwJ ("Only the humble are sane." anon)

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To: RileyD, nwj

Excellent post

Should be required reading in every high school civics course.

7 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:36:44 by BenLurkin (O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)

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To: Cliff Dweller

My brother in law lives in Ocean Springs. He also is in the Air Force, stationed at Keesler. He lives on the east side of Ocean Springs, near a road that runs out to the Gulf and there is a marina along this road. You may know where it is. I've only been there once so I don't know the name or address. He was very lucky and din't have any damage, except fro a fence blown down. Other homes in the neighborhood were destroyed.

8 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:52:12 by freedom4ever

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To: Cliff Dweller

CW,

Really hit home for my family as well. My bride of 34 years trained there, I trained there as a SSGT and as a civil servant, and our son trained there in 2002 - plus we all vacationed there for a few weeks one summer.

RileyD, nwJ

9 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:58:12 by RileyD, nwJ ("Only the humble are sane." anon)

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To: RileyD, nwj

Thanks for posting this.

10 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 07:59:26 by Gritty ("Eight more Clarence Thomases is the only form of human cloning I would ever support" - Ann Coulter)

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To: RileyD, nwj

I was a "diddy-bop" pinger at Keesler in spring of '73. We would launch a bottle rocket barrage on the classes marching across the old flight line at night. Ah...the memories.

11 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 08:03:16 by W.Lee

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To: W.Lee

Yup, I trained in Bryan Hall back in 78. Glad I missed this event!

12 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 08:34:19 by awelliott

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To: RileyD, nwj

"Never ignore a SNCO…Never ignore a SNCO."


The junior officers I worked for at the Pentagon knew this rule...

13 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 08:36:20 by dakine

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To: Tennessee_Bob

That's right...it's to keep them busy while the real work gets done by their subordinates....

14 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 08:42:17 by Gaffer

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To: awelliott

I left Keesler for overseas in late 1969? (one month before Camille hit) Can't say I ever miss much of Biloxi, it REALLY sucked back then (before the casinos). Went back a few years ago, and it had really improved...didn't see any of the barracks where I stayed....since then, I Google-Earth'd Keesler and saw the demolished 'foot print' of where I'd stayed while there.... My guess is the old WWII barracks had survived....

15 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 08:46:19 by Gaffer

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To: Tennessee_Bob

Ha Ha Ha......damned NCOs :)

16 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 08:54:22 by armydawg1 (" America must win this war..." PVT Martin Treptow, KIA, WW1)

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To: armydawg1

Here sir - have some crayons and go sit in the corner. We'll let you know when we need something signed.

17 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 09:01:25 by Tennessee_Bob ("You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.")

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To: RileyD, nwj

Thanks for the post. BTTT for further reading.

Carolyn

18 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 09:08:25 by CDHart (The world has become a lunatic asylum and the lunatics are in charge.)

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To: W.Lee

If I remember a "diddy-bop" was a morse code reader/radio operator...."TWs" were "male admin specialists", "tape apes" were communications center specialists.....and the list went on and on......

19 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 09:58:41 by Gaffer

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To: Gaffer

I agree completely. I spent two months there in 1978, then spent 10 months there in 1980 when I cross-trained. It was awful - the beach was nasty because of the effects of Camille (IIRC it created a huge sandbar that they never got around to dredging for many years). The facilities were horrible as it was post-Vietnam and during the lean Carter military budget years.

But the worst aspect was the relationship between the USAF and the neighboring community. I still recall the "Beautify Biloxi - kill an airman" bumper stickers. I can't say that I blame the locals as we brought much of it upon ourselves. Keesler was full of fresh-out-of-basic airmen, many experiencing freedom and responsibility for the first time, and many of us made a less than smooth transition to adulthood.

20 posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 12:59:57 by awelliott

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Kidnapped - Written in 1996

I just woke up from a dream where I talked to "Susy" (Actual name different) in this story about this incident that happened. I never really talked to her about what happened in things from her point of view after the incident. I didn't really take much effort to go out of my way to talk to her, and our paths never really crossed through high school.

They had some kind of award ceremony after school for me one day after Susy was recovered that my whole family went to, but I totally forgot and ended up riding the school bus home.

I wrote this piece for my 8th grade English class in 1996:

“Caw! Caw!” an annoying crow called. I picked up a rock and chucked it at that dirty little pest. The stone was on its way to hitting the bird, but the crow flew off before impact occured.

It was the morning of a typical school day and I was sleepy from staying up late the night before. After I finished tying my shoelaces and checked for any other unexpecting crows I walked to my bus stop.

When I reached the bus-stop there wasn’t anyone except this little blue car occupied by a few people, so I fiddled with my fingers and took a big breath of the refreshing mornig air.

Finally, after waiting a few more lonesome minutes, one of my bus-mates, Susy, came out and waited beside me with her Keropi pencil pouch in her right hand. I wanted to say something like a polite “Hello,” but my soft embarrased voice was drowned out by the little blue car that drove into our neiberhood street. I just stood their with my hands in my pocket and looked down at my shoes that kept blinking on and off.

Some awkward moments passed by and that little blue car didn’t seem as little. It pulled up besides the bus-stop and two gangster teenagers came out of the car, grabbed Susy’s shoulders and started pulling her toward the inside of the car. Crying out in terror, “Help! Help! Jeff! Please help me!” she hit her captors with her Keropi pencil box, but the captors barely felt the pain and kept pulling her in. My face turned blank. I’ve seen TV shows that has a hero that saves someone from being kidnapped by karate moves or with fists of fury, but I was too caught off guard to do anything brave. I was still in one of my morning stupors. She was being kidnapped before my eyes, but yet I couldn’t do a single thing. Each time I tried to think of something to help her, she just kept getting closer and closer toward the inside of the car until, finally, she was swept into the not so little car with an incredible force. She gave a last cry for help and then it was cut off by the car door. The car zoomed off at a high speed and through all that excitment I managed to get a glance at the car’s license plate number.

At the other end of the street, two of my other bus-mates, Randy and Christina, came out had a look of astonishment and surprise on their faces. “Did you just see that?!” Randy said with and exasperated voice.

“Yeah, I was right ther and I saw the license number. It’s KIDNPR.” I replied.

“Cool, it’s a good thing you saw that. You’d better write the number on some paper and tell the bus driver about this when she gets here.”

“Okay.” I pulled some paper out from my Jansport backpack and I wrote down the number

When I finished writing the number down as the bus drove in. “You’d never believe what just happened,” I told the bus driver as I walked in, “A girl at this bus-stop just got kidnapped,” I paused to see her facial expression turn terrifyed, “by a couple of teenagers in a car. I have the license number right here.” I handed her the license plate number and she took it from my hand.

“I’ll call up the school,” she responded.

She called up the school on her radio, told the office what happened, and the school called up the police. The bus driver said to me, “Wow, that was really smart for writing that license number.”

“Well, thank you.”

When some of the other bus passengers heard about what happened they started to go into an excited hysteria about the whole situation. There was a, “Maybe we’ll skip school today,” a, “This is so cool!” and a “A kidnapping?” but there was one girl, Susy’s best friend, that came out and asked what was happening.

The bus driver tried to explain to her gently, “You’re friend, Susy, got kidnapped. We’re trying the best we can do for the moment and we got the car’s license number, so don’t worry to much.”

Unfourtanatley, her friend did worry and she sat down crying between her hands.

When I took a seat on the crowded bus next to my friend he asked, “Did you see what happened?”

“Uh-huh. Someone just got kidnapped.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you think they’ll cancel school today?”

“Maybe, who knows?”

Before the kid could reply, the bus driver said to everyone on the bus, “Okay, everyone sit in your seat and keep your voices down. A police car will be coming soon to bring us to school. Remember to follow the bus rules.”

I had a few minutes while I sat down to collect my thoughts and sort out what happened. There was no remorse, anger, happiness, or cowardnice. I was... numb. I should had felt something, but what? I didn’t feel sad because I wasn’t a close friend of susy, and I didn’t get angry because there wasn’t nothing to get angry about.

By the time I got my bearings a police car parked in front of the bus. The officer stepped inside and said, “Everyone stay calm, we have received the car’s license number and we have several patrol cars searching this area for the car.” He said something to the bus driver then continued, “I’ll be in my car driving with you to your school.”

The police officer got into his car and we arrived at school. When we reached school grounds, the principal and security guard at our school came onto the bus and the principal said, “I want all of you to go to your classrooms. Your teachers will know where you have been, so you won’t need a note. For those who saw the actual kidnapping. You’ll be talking to us later in the day to give us information on this incident.”

I gulped down my anxiety. . I decided not to say anything and I walked off toward my class. Before I stepped off the bus, the bus driver said, “You’re going to be a real hero.”

“Yeah. I guess I will.”

Later that day, I was called into the office for a description of the events on that day. I told them everything to the best of my knowledge. They also questioned Susy’s sister and the two other people that witnessed the kidnapping. Susy was found a few hours later where she was returned to her family after a routine checkup at the local hospital. I got a hero’s thanks and received a certificate of accomplishment from Susy’s dad and the police department.

Through all of the events that would and should make any child cringe with fear. I didn’t feel any fear nor any feeling of accomplishment. I don’t know whether I was so scared that I blocked out all emotions or the fact that I didn’t think that writing a license number was so heroic. I just did what was needed and I thank God that nothing bad happened to Susy.

My First Flash Animation

I ended up making my first flash advertisement to be shown at Krikorian Movie Theatre in Buena Park, CA.

The link to it is below.

http://sites.google.com/site/orangecountylan/files/MovieAd.swf?attredirects=0

1999 BMW 528i Wagon, 109,063 miles - $5,000

I'm selling this car for my mom. If you're interested in purchasing it, you can schedule an appointment with me by emailing contact at jeffersonkim dot com or calling me at 714.733.6777.

I'm usually available M-F 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Any other times will need to be done by appointment.

The car is currently located in Buena Park, CA.

Here are some commonly requested facts:

- This car was bought used about three years ago.
- It is unknown if this car had its transmission fluid changed.
- There is no service report for the car.
- There have been no accidents with the car since ownership and it is unknown if the car had major accidents before.
- My mom owns the title outright and would be able to sign it over on the spot.



Some comparisons of what this car model is selling for:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___Beautiful-5-Series-Wagon-Low-Miles-Extra-Clean_W0QQitemZ160321003139QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item160321003139&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___BMW-e39-5-series-wagon-99-528i-528iT-M-green-tan-17s_W0QQitemZ220374607144QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item220374607144&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ctd/1072969729.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1071843528.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1065171800.html

Useful Programs and Productivity Tools I Use

This is a list of very useful programs I use on my home and work computer to make life easier for minimal to no cost. It's just a pain every time I reformat my hard drive. . . another reason why I prefer Web applications. It's just that often times, you just have to install the programs.

Feel free to list your most useful productivity tools in the comments section:

Category	Program
Audio	Audacity (audio editing freeware)
Audio	MP3Gain
Audio	Stealth Recorder (to record the front desk constantly)
Entertainment	BitTorrent
Entertainment	iTunes
Entertainment	VLC Media Player
Entertainment	OpenPandora
Graphics	Paint.net
Graphics	Inkscape (For editing .eps and PDF documents)
Internet Admin	DynDNS Updater
Internet Admin	LogMeIn.com
Internet Admin	GoDaddy.com
Internet Admin	IPView Pro (View my IP Security Cameras)
Internet Admin	Google Calendar Sync
Internet Admin	WinSCP (to remote and get GUI into linux)
Internet Admin	PuTTY (remote command line into programs)
Office Productivity	Microsoft Money
Office Productivity	Hardware keyboard shortcuts to various programs and folders
Office Productivity	Firefox Preloader
Office Productivity	Vista Search
Office Productivity	UltraMon (Thumb wheel on Revolution MX switches monitors)
Office Productivity	Three monitors
Office Productivity	X-lite (SIP Softphone connected to bluetooth headset)
Office Productivity	Microsoft Outlook and Suite
Office Productivity	Open Office
Office Productivity	Google Apps
Office Productivity	Google Desktop /w Gmail Gadget
Office Productivity	CutePDF
Office Productivity	ADF Paper Scanner
Office Productivity	Adobe Reader (Only this program makes thumbnails visible in Vista)
Office Productivity	Yodlee.com
Office Productivity	Multimon (the Ultramon Freeware)
Office Productivity	Bug Shooting (great screen shot tool)
Office Productivity	Firefox
Office Productivity	TimeTrex (Payroll)
Office Productivity	JasperSoft (Makes reports from the payroll machine and .csv files)
Office Productivity	Moffsoft FreeCalc
Other	Yawcam (Home security)
Other	Asterisk in a Flash (PBX)
Utilities	AVG Anti-Virus Free
Utilities	Syncback (Free backup software)
Utilities	EASEUS Partition Manager
Utilities	Live Mesh (Keeps documents synchronized and automatically backed up)
Utilities	7-Zip
Utilities	Alcohol 52% (DVD Ripping software)
Utilities	CDBurnerXP (Burning software)
Utilities	RealWorld Cursor Editor
Utilities	MyMobiler (remote into Windows Mobile device)

Here's the link to my most updated list on Google Docs:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rSPevyEx7a2T8Dca8FOa19w&single=true&gid=0&output=html