I'm a Mutli-blogger

So I am now a writer on another blog. I feel the need to share this with you guys because I won't be double posting my stuff. So to check on my new blog, The Game, a sports related feed where I dissect happenings in the wide world of athletics, go to Hustler of the Weak and check it out.

The site also contains blogs by several other people and if you enjoy my work, you'll enjoy theirs as well. For other stuff related to HOTW and its creator, check out BkJaxon and enjoy the content!

~Ian

Tale of Two People

I had a unique childhood. Even though I had siblings, I grew up by myself. Now I don't want you to think that I was neglected by them, or that we were estranged... more that I didn't know my sister, and my brother was more like a cousin.

My brother is my mother's son. For that reason alone... he and I always had a gap between us. He was her golden boy. I love my brother, don't get me wrong. He and I have always had a pretty good relationship, but we were never that close. I really never went to him for advice, and besides the mutual interests we shared, he and I really didn't have a lot in common. We also had a big age gap, so that didn't really help much.

My sister lived with her mom in South Carolina. I never really knew her in any capacity until my teens, and at that point, we also had a pretty narrow relationship. We got along pretty well, but we never spent much time together, so we never got a big chance to let our relationship grow.

So as you can see... I pretty much grew up as an only child. That changed for me when our father separated from my mother. He and my sister began reconciling their relationship, and in that time, I became part of that process. I started to realize what I had... and what I had missed my whole life.

The day I consider the turning point for the Townsend family was April 23, 2005. My sister and father came to see my conference track meet in Austin. I wasn't able to run because of a lingering hamstring injury, and I felt bad, because it was the first and only sporting event my sister ever made it to. But the day was not lost. We had the best time just bonding. Our father told us about the amazing date he went on the night before, and my sister and I thought he was like a high school kid with a crush. (the crush is now his wife and our step mom! she rocks.) We laughed, we talked, we told stories. We wandered around downtown Austin, and ended up in a bar drinking Harps, and sharing tear-filled and touching moments.

Since then... I have found that one of the most amazing people on the planet is my sister. She and I have become incredibly close, and share so many things on so many levels that it is like we did grow up together. Sure we still find out new things about each other, and we are constantly making up for lost time, but for the most part it is like we aren't on our 4 year of being true siblings.

The difference my sister has made on my life is huge. She has guided me into who I am, and without her influence, I would be a different person. She always says "I spent the first 21 years of Zachary's life (Zachary is her brother from another father) and I would spend the next 21 of mine raising you".

Not many people fully realize the impact that a sibling can have on you. After growing up with no true sibling relationship, and finding the best one 4 years ago, I see it. I know what it's like on both sides, and I have to say I prefer what I have now. I love having someone who I can go to any time I need advice, someone to have fun with, and someone who gets me so completely that there is no doubt that we are related.

So to my sister... whom I can never thank you enough for what you have done for me, and for what you are to me. You make me a much better person, and I hope that I have had as much of a profound effect in your life as you do in mine.

Love you sis.

~Ian

The Navy and my life as I know it...

You don't realize how attached you get to the stuff you have until you're faced with not having it. When I leave for the Navy, I have to leave behind... well EVERYTHING.

No computer, no ipod, no phone. No tv, no movies, no music. None of the comforts I have grown to "depend" upon. No more junk food, beer, lazy days spent watching football. I will get to enjoy these things again, just not during Basic Training. It's just when you live your whole life with it, you tend to find it hard to change.

I know it's simply the price I have to pay. Every decision requires sacrifice, and my life as I know it will be my sacrifice. I can't say that I am totally disappointed by what I have to give up.

I have to move out of Oklahoma, stop living on the verge or poverty, give up my job that doesn't give me enough hours or pay, move out of an apartment that has a bug/noise/idiot neighbor problem.

What do I get in return for my sacrifices? I get a great job with great pay and benefits. I get to travel the world. I get a month of paid vacation. When I get out of the Navy, I have a great resume.

I am not complaining. I am willingly giving this stuff up (for the time being) so that I can raise my quality of life, and not be stuck in the same rut I have been in for a while. I just don't see any downsides to the adventure on which I am about to embark.

I am lucky to have the friends and family I have, who support me in my decisions, whether they totally agree with them or not. I am privileged to be able to go to them, and have them give me their opinions straight up with no bullshit.

My sister did not agree with my joining the Navy in the beginning, but over time, she is slowing coming to embrace the idea, and not because she totally agrees, but because she loves me, wants to see me happy and successful, and if this path is my chosen one, she will be behind me. My best friends support me as always in everything I do, and that's more than I could ever ask for. My Dad and my Stepmom also support me in the same way as my sister, not totally agreeing, but standing behind me regardless.

For those of you who don't know, on March 3, 2008 I am shipping off to Navy Basic Training in Great Lakes, Ill. There I will spend two months becoming a U.S. Navy Sailor.

After that I will be off to my Training School in Pensacola, Fla. for training in Avionics. I will be there 14-26 weeks to learn all there is to know about planes and helicopters, and possibly becoming part of the Aircrew.

From there I will go on assignment, and when it comes open, try to shift into Mass Communication when a spot opens up. I was not able to get a spot initially due to the program being fully staffed. So I will learn Avionics until then.

Also, after a few assignments, or at the end of my 5 year enlistment, I will be joining Officer Training to learn how to be either a Public Affairs Officer or a Naval Pilot.

Everything after my initial training school is just speculation, but at least I have a plan going in. I want to serve enlisted for a few years on assignment so I can see the world and enjoy my time in the Navy before becoming too "responsible", or as the enlisted say... "I want to work for a living, and earn my pay".

So anyways thats whats going on in my life. 9 days 'til I leave Muskogee, 19 days 'til I get to hang out with my sister, and 26 days until I ship off. I want to thank everyone who has supported me through all the thick and thin, and to all my readers for checking out a view into my world. You have 26 more days to enjoy my insights until I go on hiatus!

Seaman Recruit Townsend, Division 302 signing off.

I have the best sister.

She made a public blog, because I talked her into it.

Saucy Wench Words

As I told her, I think her words are to good to hide from the world.

Plus, I wanted her to have a public blog so that I could become famous by relation/association.

My logic is this: They see she has amazing words. They see she has a brother. They figure that I am just as amazing, and read my stuff, tell their friends, and I now have a large following.

Seriously, I didn't do it for me though. I did it because she can amaze you with the things she says, and make you laugh so hard your sides hurt. I didn't think it was fair that so few people got to see those words, and so many people are deprived of her wisdom, humor, and wit.

I missed out on many many years with her, and I know what it feels like to not have her in my life. IT AIN'T COOL. So now she is world-wide again, and it's all my fault.

You can send thank you emails to number32tx@gmail.com

Loves you sis.

~Ian

My Newest of Friends...

So not too long ago, I happened upon a very interesting person. Someone who I enjoy spending time with, talking to, laughing with, and have a generally good time with. She's rather cool. We have alot in common, share alot of the same things, and are also different in ways that interest us even more in each other. To say there is a connection is an understatement.

This brings me to the broken bridge.

As is my way, I've found the person I cannot have. Why I can't will remain between myself and her, but besides that little mis-step, I cannot say one bad thing about the relationship she and I have.

So anyways, let me tell you about the woman that is Baily. She is a belly dancer... yes you read that right. She's also a really free spirited person... laid back, chilled out, and does not give a FUCK. She is who she is, and if you don't like it... Sorry 'bout ya. That's one reason I really like her. She is the way I am... she is her own person and wont let anyone tell her different. She's crazy, bitchy, funny, cool, happy, stressed out, relaxed, fun, etc. Shes totally down to earth but still has her head in the clouds.... but isn't that the way to be? She also is becoming my muse. The girl inspires me, but that also seems to simply be her way. She is everything I look for in a friend and companion on my path in this life.

So to Baily... welcome to the elite club that is my best of friends. Its a small small group and I let few in. And thanks for letting me into your world too.