This Weeks Posts.

22 Saturday 2006 0325 Baghdad

This is the first of my 360 blog journal that will be coming from ongoing writings as my days and weeks progress. I do not know how often, I will be updating my 360 and my artsphotoart pages, but I will endeavor to continue as time permits. It is my intention to continue both sites and my webpage when I get it up and running after I return from this place to my real world.
I wrote in an earlier entry in the previous version of this blog that, “not all soldiers are warriors and not all warriors are soldiers”. One of my friends responded that I would have to explain that statement one day. So I will begin the meaning behind that statement, with the understanding that this is only the surface of the reality of a Warriors origin.

Warrior.

What makes a soldier? What makes a warrior? Is there a difference between the two? Soldiers usually are professional persons that work as soldiers. Not all soldiers are warriors and not all warriors are soldiers. Warrior is a state of being almost spiritual in nature. Many will argue that, that is not true, and that all soldiers are warriors and being a warrior has no spiritual bearing whatsoever. Warriors not only have codes to live by but those codes are a part of the breath of life within them. Some soldiers know the codes in their head and are often made to memorize the codes for the purposes of their masters. But knowing the knowledge and having that knowledge as a part of what makes you real are two different things. A soldier that is a warrior never stops being a warrior even after he/she retires the weapons, armor, and shield of their profession.
There are many who do not realize they are Warriors, but are. I do not wish to offend anyone by this, but some who serve God are Spiritual Warriors first, but not everyone falls into that category. Warriors have a driving purpose for good. They will seek good for the weak oppressed and the abused. They will sacrifice for someone who they do not know. Family, friends, and anyone who needs them in times of trouble they will be there to help. Remember I said not all soldiers are Warriors. Take away the title and take them from being a soldier will they remain a Warrior? Some will many won't because they will see only good for themselves and not for others. Warriors may never have even touched a weapon in their entire life, nor ever have shed blood and they will still be Warriors.
There is much more to the Way of the Warrior than this and other writings will follow on the subject.
AAE tm


22 Saturday 2006 1700 Baghdad

Untitled thoughts of an old soldier.

In quiet solitude, sitting all alone, contemplating who I am, were I’ve been, and what I have done. Looking inside a heart and mind divided: sometimes light and other times much darker. What is the good of this being, not really pure but having purity, not really evil but having evil?
Humanity is not always humane to its kind, and often it is cruel. Why not good overshadowing evil, instead of evil overshadowing good?
He sits alone and struggles in himself to find that better part he once had. It tears at his heart and mind making him very sad. What has happened to me that made me change, or have I changed at all? Could it be that I have always been this person, but have been blinded from the start? What truth is in my heart? Contemplate hard perhaps the light in times of need, uses the darkness as its tool of justice?
AAE tm

Sorrow to Joy

In times of sorrow
Deep within my soul crying
Joy will find its time

AAE tm

World of Friends

Some things in life are objectionable, some are not. There are a lot of lonely people in this world, who need friendship and love. Time stands still in their lives in anticipation of some form of friendly interaction with someone who cares. This world would be a prettier place if everyone would just reach out and take notice of the ones who are hurting. We all are part of this planet and it really isn’t as big as it seems, but for someone who needs a friend it can be a large and lonely place.

AAE tm 21 APR 06

More Images from the Palace

This is the chandelier above the foyer as viewed from the third floor. This thing is huge and to walk into the foyer you cannot help but be compelled to look up to see the brightness and sparkle. This Photograph only begins to do the real thing justice.

AAE tm 20 APR 06












This is a view looking down at the main entrance of the Palace. This was taken from an outside balcony Just opposite of the one you see in the center top of the Photograph.

Now for a little history the palace was built just after the Gulf War of 1991, in remembrance of those who defended Faw.

AAE tm 20 APR 06









This is a view from the same balcony above facing toward the East.

AAE tm 20 APR 06










The wall opposite the above arches.

AAE tm 20 APR 06
















A typical example of one of the hallways in the palace.

AAE tm 20 APR 06

















This Balcony is on the West side of the palace. This is a sunset.

AAE tm 20 APR 06

My Angel with Brown Eyes.

An eternity shall my desire be, to hold again my brown eyed Angel in my arms.
Gently cradled in arms long un-held, once again rejoicing in loves warmth.

AAE tm 19 APR 06

Architectural Details

The Image on the bottom is a detail from a column in front of a building. The two other images are details from a wooden door panel.

Cool Haiku site check it out.

http://raysweb.net/haiku/

Haiku by Basho

Neither to Evening

Nor to morning does it belong:

The melon blossom

--Basho

Spiral Up Spiral Down Buying my Stairway to Heaven

This is one of two spiral staircases in the palace main foyer. Both are done in marble with ornate ceiling work and chandeliers.

The Ceiling work.

The Chandelier. Looking down from the top floor.

View looking up from the bottom.

Just Another Day at the Office.

This is a Photo I posted on the former version of this blog site. This is Al Faw Palace. This is where I work at seven days a week.

This is the Rotunda, everything is done in marble. There are two storys above the main floor and the ceilings are quite ornate.

Both Photographs were taken with a Fuji Finepix A210 3.2 megapixel camera.