Our Nation's Capitol

Rob Gulliver and I did a number on the streets of Washington D.C. Totally painted the town red. We hit all of the monuments plus the Smithsonian museums of American History and Air & Space. The american history museum had a bunch of really cool old cars that were really fun to look at. Air and space had alot of old planes which was nice. Being in the air force I am aware of cutting edge air and space technology and to see how far we have come was really something.

Alot of stuff happened during the day too - like getting locked out of the parking garage and then getting locked into the same parking garage and then almost running out of gas inside the locked parking garage. Yes it was a long ordeal and you should call me to hear the whole story.



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One thing is for sure though. After seeing our nations capitol I understand why I work the twelve hour shifts, sacrafice relationships with friends and lovers, distance, beat myself everytime I exercise to go faster and lift more. I have told this to some but when I run my long runs I don't think of finishing the run, I think of how I am running for my grandmother, mother, the schwinn twins, the daycare kids, Dad and everyone else. That is what gets me through. After seeing a veteran look at a man's grave at Arlington that he knew I know have one more person to run for.

One Posh TDY

Reasons for this TDY being ridiculously awesome:

1. The first day of class we were released at 1300 since more than half the class had jet lag.
2. Rob Gulliver and I are driving around a brand new Ford Mustang
3. We got a $10 lawn ticket to see Huey Lewis & the News + Chicago. (Plus w/ the $10 ticket came a free Hardees' 1/3lb burger) So $10 bucks for a great show + a burger which usually costs 3.50!!
4. Nice weather
5. We are in Virginia Beach
6. I am getting a sweet Per Diem rate.
7. I sewed on A1C (Airman First Class aka 2 stripes on my arm)

Huey Lewis & the News are awesome live!!! They definitely jam out but not to the point where it is a self indulgent rock ego solo, they keep the crowd on their feet the whole time. Huey Lewis still sounds like he did in the 80s and the News was right on cue the whole night. Chicago came on and they sounded real good too, if I new more Chicago songs I would have enjoyed them more but with a career spanning as long as theirs, you would have to be a hardcore fan to know all of the songs in their repetoire.

Exercising is going well, I am feeling good about myself.

I have been in the Air Force for 15 months - hence the A1C. It has been a long time coming because now not only might I actually outrank someone but I will get more respect among upperranking individuals. The solo stripe of an airman yells "I'm new" but the 2 stripes of an Airman First Class usher in responsibilities as well as subtly saying "I know how things work around here." However when people look at my two stripes I hope to demonstrate to them that "I certainly don't know everything about how things work around here but I am on my way."

Scatter Brained in Virginia

Yes it has been a while since my last post. However after a recent conversation with a special person I was reminded that people still read my blog.

Virginia is nice, so far my Temporary Duty Yonder is working out pretty damn well. Langley AFB located in Norfolk is a sweet locale. A hell of a lot of traffic all the time but other than that there is everything that one would want to do. I am glad that Rob Gulliver is with me, there is really no one else that I would want to go TDY with other than him. He neither dishes out bullshit or puts up with it and that is admirable.

I got to see my buddy Brad Price formerly of the 338 TRS in Keesler AFB Mississippi now stationed at Langley AFB. It was nice to see him especially since I had not really seen him since Nov. 22 of last year. He looks good. It just goes to show how a regimented, secluded training environment like Keesler can really affect a person. Whereas an environment of freedom and respect & in Brad's case a better availability of beer can allow for a person to spread their wings and take off as he has.

Although it is hard not to notice but I am fat, weighing in at a plumb of 184lbs, which I am thoroughly upset about. It is called nightshift and late night snacks and it sux. My plan is to mutate into a gym rat.

One thing I am thankful in my life for is understanding people, specifically the understanding women. You know who you are. To have the ability to know where someone close to you is coming from when the two of you are so geographically separated...is amazing. Sometimes I wonder why some people put up with my antics but I have been taught to not question a good thing.

the Older Young

Recovery for my wisdom teeth has gone well. My mouth hurt like hell on Sunday though, it was throbbing throughout the whole day and there were times when I didn't even want a mouth. However I have came through it despite there still being holes in my mouth plus the feeling of absent teeth.

There was this girl that I went on a date with where both she and I had a real good time, atleast the impression she gave out was that she had a real good time. Then she cancelled on me the next day that we were supposed to hang out, then we got together with some other people where we went to the mall and had a grand ol' time. She said she enjoyed herself however this did not prohibit her from canceling on me again the next time we were supposed to spend time together. My point being this: if she tells her friends that I am 'cute' + she tells me & others that she enjoyed herself with me yet she cancels on me what the hell is going on. A serious mixed message.

Dating...That is just how it goes right? After conversing with the Gullivers(Rob & Johanna) it has been decided that women my age(or perhaps woman period) are into subliminally finding out who I am and my reactions to certain stimuli. Whereas I am not really subliminal at all, [perhaps it is my maturity level(whether it be low/mid/high for my age), me having a penis and all, or just Maxx] I find no point in beating around the bush. Straight forward like a good shot of liquor, it will burn your throat and make you choose your words carefully/recklessly but they will be the words you really want to say nonetheless.

People keep telling me "you are young, be single." However my point being to them: "I have no desire to get married and settle down, but my youth stage right now is calling for a progression in the relationship department. To me, that is what being young is. Plus I have been young, my psyche is ready to be an older young, which I feel I have always been but now prepared for a greater depth. I am ready to be a 20 year old Maxx Hackett."

Sacramento River Valley

I lived while the Moon crossed the blanket
My days were the night without grief
Never had I thought to thank it
Until the sunrise stole my nighttime like a thief

Halfway between San Francisco
And the Sierra Nevada too
I never knew the sun was this slow
Until I watched it rise with you

the World can't be read as it turns so,
fast - you learn how to abide
As you help me look to the inferno
I feel I'm being reforged inside

I thought I knew my being
Night sky covered my flaws
As my twilight is fleeing
I love the luminance you've caused

Halfway between San Francisco
And the Sierra Nevada too
I never knew the sun was this slow
Until I watched it rise with you




This is a work in progress so don't distress
My mind was wandering so I began pondering
I was humming a song by Dylan & Van letting a phrase fall into my hand
Night shift is slow at work so to keep the perk
My emotions become hysterical in order to be lyrical
Until my next transcription
Let us tell our friends of www.maxxhackett.blogspot.com and make it their addiction.

3.5 Teeth, An Unbroken Heart, Mind Altering Drugs & I have been put onto the Market

Audrey is definitely one of the better people I know. Just so every one knows, she and I are no longer officially boyfriend and girlfriend. Things had been on my mind for a few days, bothering me, and I knew that I could talk to her about anything, so we talked and we mutually decided that for where we are in our lives it is best not to be in a long distance relationship right now. Don't get me wrong, Audrey and I were doing real well, we were happy with each other, just I think we realized that under different circumstances we would be able to be together. Just yesterday I called her after the few days away time and we had a nice conversation like we were just bestfriends again. I am glad we were able to talk the way we did and hopefully it will continue.

3.5 teeth, yes .5 of a tooth. I am going under the knife Thursday morning to have both bottom wisdom teeth, my left side molar, and possibly half of my right side molar. Thus the 3.5 . It will be painful but I will be riding the lightning for most of the weekend with the hardcore painkillers. It sux cuz I won't be able to attend the Counting Crows/Goo Goo Dolls concert or go white water rafting on Sunday but oh well. For the sake of my health I guess.

Painkillers yes!!!!

Its hot here, I'm tired. Some of my friends are on missions to find me a date since I am officially 'available' despite me telling them that I am not ready to plunge into something else just yet. Personally I think they are crazy to put me on the market during the week I have a surgery and are on mind altering drugs. Not the best time for my industries to go public.

My Momma Came & Visited Me

She's my bestfriend.


Life has been exhausting. Totally exhausting. I have a little bit before my Honor Guard detail for a post so I guess I have to hurry along.

There has not been a free day since before Memorial day. We had atleast 2 details in honor guard every day and if we only had 1 than the detail was a marathon of a drive away. Driving 200+ miles every day for about 1 week straight tires you out real quick. House sitting isn't that bad, its when there are two dogs that shit on the floor when you try to be nice to them and you have to pick it up that it sucks. My hatred & lack of patience for animals has been seriously augmented after watching two dogs for 10 days. Plus not sleeping in your own bed and being away from all of your stuff just offsets your routine you know?

My Mom came and visited me though and that was awesome!!! My brother bugs me, he is way too materialistic and snotty for my liking. My Mom and I had an awesome time though. We went to old Sacramento, the Beale AFB Air Show and Lake Tahoe. Being able to have her see the life I have made for myself out here, on my own. It makes me proud to know that she is proud of me. When we parted ways on Tuesday night my eyes only watered up a little bit when I was driving off. She said that her eyes only watered up a little bit too.

It was Audrey & Sophie's birthday on Tuesday. I sent Sophie the Barenaked Ladies album 'Rock Spectacle' and Audrey Huey Lewis & the News' Greatest Hits. Hopefully they like the albums, each gift somewhat reminded me of each birthday girl. For the record I am totally in love with Audrey Schwinn especially when she blushes.

Isn't it nice knowing that you aren't turning out half bad?

Wedding at the General's House

Honor Guard did a very nice job at the wedding this past Sunday. Definitely the prettiest wedding I have ever been to even though I have not been to many. A full military wedding, even the slap on the Bride's ass with the sword with a "Welcome to the Air Force!"

Another post will be coming up soon.

Sportulae Mittebat

Mom, Ira & Louise are coming on Friday and I am little stressed. It turns out there is a honor guard detail Friday afternoon that is about 2.5 hours away. I am going to ask if I can get out of it so as to be able to actually greet my family Friday afternoon/evening. Then there is a wedding detail on Sunday and they want us to be there literally all day. So I am going to suggest that my family go to Napa Valley on Sunday then Monday we will hopefully check out Lake Tahoe. There is not too much of a reason for me to get tense about this but of course I am because...well...I am me and that is what I am doing.

Since I know Sophie & Audrey read this - Sportulae mittebat.

WooooooWeeeee!!!!! Stuff has been exciting!!!

Synopsis:

Audrey & Sophie went to prom so I called Karen Lewis and had her drop off some flowers to them since the florist that has saved me numerous times was closed on Sundays which I can not believe since it was prom and all.

Memorial day was kind of long on Honor guard. I had to do my first firing party however I psyched myself out and forgot to take the safety off on my M14 so there was no shot from my rifle. Definitely not my shining moment.

Two things in my life that I despise: Dogs (animals in general) & my Stomach(yes capitol 'S' because sometimes I feel like it has an aura of it's own)

Mom, Ira and his significant other Louise will be at Beale on Friday for the Air Show where we are expecting over 100,000 people. It will be real nice to show my mother the life I have made for myself out here.

Everyone should definitely try and see the movie "Highschool Musical." Yes, you all laugh however it is a wonderful movie with some good semi-simplistic pop songs.

Any of you who are familiar with the 1968 album "Live at Folsom" by Johnny Cash where he played at Folsom prison. I totally drove by there for an honor guard detail which I thought was pretty cool.

Question to leave you all with...How hard is it to get the person you are in love with across the country to be right next to you? In the words of Aretha..."Ya'll better Think!"

Resonating From the Mist that is the Deep Night Sleep

So it's been a while since my last post and we will leave it at that.

Things are better, a whole lot better. Work was real tough for a little bit. A friend and I were not on the best of terms which added to the stress at work a whole lot. The UCI inspection of the entire base was in conduction so the stress level of the entire base was high. Finally the inspection ended, my shop met 100% compliance with all orders(A++) and my friend called me to work things out so that was all good.

It seems like in the past week all I have been helping people do is move their stuff. First Byrd & Stokes moved into a new place which is soon to become a new home of mine seeing as how they are probably my two closest friends here. Then I helped Rob Gulliver's sister move out of his house which was an 8 hour ordeal in itself. So I hope I don't have to move any of my stuff anytime soon cause that would suck big time. Sorting through your own baggage is tough enough, let alone another person's baggage and have to move it all.

No way around it. I am fat, husky, whatever. It is not fun. Must run faster & longer.

Lately my dreams have been quite articulate in who they have in them. I have had two dreams in the last 3 days with women i.e. friends & crushes & women who had crushes on me & women who I have just dealt with in the past. Audrey and I have analyzed them with her dream dictionary and from what we have gathered I think they are telling me that I have some relationships that I should perhaps rekindle.

So since tomorrow is Friday and hopefully most of you who are reading this will go out with friends after work perhaps for a drink, I hope you all raise your glasses to this - the rekindling of relationships that resonate in the mist that is the deep night sleep.

Mind Searching

Work was tough today. Just one of those days, well the past few days of work actually. My head just hasn't been in the game or something. Things that I was able to do no problem I am now having trouble with and fucking up on. Of course there was a lapse of 1 month that I was absent due to honor guard and leave but still that is no excuse. When the mind is searching for the answer when you know the answer is close - talk about frustrating.

I am listening to Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey hoping the aroma of his voice and the scent of the band will sedate me into serenity.

Beale Falls Expedition

Josh Yennie, Patrick Clendenning, Heather whatever & I took a little hike out to Beale Falls. It was a nice little hike on a beautiful day. California is finally the sunny california that we new englanders see on TV. Everyday is beautiful and there is really no reason to even check the weather report because you know what the weather is going to be.

After 1 month of not going into the shop I finally returned to work. It was so awesome. There were a few times where I was losing my mind because I could not remember how to do things that I had done numerous times before but it had been so long you know? Work is real nice, I forgot how nice it was to work where I do. There is bullshit, complainers and so on but we can't ask for everything in this world can we people?

Off to buckle down and do CDCs!!!!

Everyone should go invest in the live album Rock Spectacle by the Barenaked Ladies. It is dynamite.

Y'all Know What I'a Mean!

On a beautiful sunday morning I decide to procrastinate from doing my CDCs thus the blog post. For some reason since I have returned home I just can not get myself into a motivational routine. I'm unsure what the deal is.

Yesterday was a draining day. It was the first time I had the opportunity to go skiing when it was 82 degrees & sunny. You would sweat in a long sleeve shirt up the chair lift but then you would fly down the mountain and get the breeze to cool you off, rinse and repeat. It was awesome. Plus it was due to my military stanind it was free. Then we went to the Silverada Casino in Reno to have lunch. All three of us were in our service dress so we looked sharp and got a lot of attention which was nice. I still feel that the whole "a woman loves a man in uniform" is complete bullshit. I know I have never gotten a second look or a smile from women when I have been in my blues. I think that rumour was created by military men who thought they were God's gift to women or something.(I know that I know alot of men like that) We had a good lunch at the casino and then we went to the wrong funeral home so we barely made our funeral (or should I say the funeral that we had to do) @ 3:00. Then we visited this ultra nice house of family that was friends of one of the guys I was with. They were real good people. Finally we departed Reno NV to go on some exploration detours on the way back. It was a good day but a long day.

After a day like that all one would want to do is go home and crash you know? But Audrey ended up calling - need I say more!!!???!!! - just kidding. She was exactly what I needed to round off my day. We had a real nice conversation like we usually do but this was a little extra. Most people want to be embraced by their loved one after a day like I had but such a thing can not happen do to the geographical situation Audrey and I are currently in. However last night reaffirmed that with the way she treats me and I treat her that we can still give each other the sense of comfort that we are side by side.

So off to force myself to do my CDCs a.k.a. HOMEWORK!!!! So in the words of my friend Bri Wilson the Texan "Y'all know what I'a mean!"

Roots

Lake Auburn, this picture definitely doesn't do it justice

Typical Sophie Schwinn smile; bold & dazzling

I look at this picture & it reminds me why I crossed the continent!

To me this house has alot of character

Chestnut Feild, the house is up in the back.

A doctor wouldn't diagnose me with straight homesickness but more with roots digestion. Yeah that is really cryptic and doesn't make much sense but it will if you let me explain it to you.

After going home as I did and seeing what was there in exemplum Audrey, Mom, Dad, people, peeps, Easter bunnies, 58 Winter St, the Old Port, Tabers et cetera I now have a greater sense of what home is. A connection has been made. Before the visit home to the 04210 zip code, Beale AFB was the only home my mind could come to. The two locations are so different that I could not make any sort of comparison or connection. However now that I have revisited my roots it is hard to come to terms with the fact that Auburn ME & Beale AFB CA can coexist in the same reality. I am happy to be back & sad to leave but it is how life needs to be since it is how life is.

I miss Audrey when it comes down to it though. It seems that my relationship with the Schwinn twins (Audrey & Sophie) is one where issues can not be resolved until after I have exited the same region of the country they are in. When I ventured west to Beale in December it was not until I was out here that Audrey and I were able to figure out our feelings for each other. Then Sophie and I had not spoken much with each other as much as I would have liked to and then when I returned east we worked things out a little bit but we didn't come full circle until she called me lastnight when I came back here. Those girls...sending me back forth.

P.S. If you knew how awesome the two of them are you would most definitely travel transcontinental numerous times just to have a cool conversation with them. Now those are some Roots.

Aren't You Jealous?

My Mother's awesome kitchen & daycare room.

Ain't She Somethin'?

58 Winter St. Auburn ME...from the backyard of course

Our downstairs living room. Beers cracked open, Red Sox on the TV, pretty girls smiling at you...aaahhh Easter Sunday

Audrey & I on our first of many dates!!! We went to the theater.

So I Didn't Lose My Luggage but I Did Find Some Love that I Knew was There

I knew I loved her before I went to her. There had been times that it had almost slipped out over the phone but I held it back like a good Jockey restrains it's horse that thirsts to run wild and natural. My mother was a jockey in her younger days and she instilled in me the concept of timing. Timing can be crucial to every great story; if the plot's turning point is too sudden than the story will seem heartless whereas if the turning point is long coming the story seems more drawn out. In the Kentucky Derby-isk race that is love & life it is a definitive fact that I held back my mustang until the pivotal moment of execution and when I did allow it to burst forth, it's confession of love was of course honest but most importantly natural. In the race that is love & life there can be no hesitation nor pressure. For if hesitation exists or there is unnatural pressure to advance than one will in fact fall behind allowing the spoils to go to another victor. There existed no unnatural pressure, no hesitation in my voice and no wavering in the tone of my face.

The overhanging New England stars, covered by the threshold of her garage with the gleam off of the lake in our eyes I proclaimed my love for her and what'd ya know- she loves me too!

P.S. My time with her has been the water shed off my life up to this point. Call me if you want more details.

P.S.S. I didn't lose my luggage I just thought that it was cool in the airport and all.

I Lost My Luggage...

...and they told me to search for it with the rest of these people!

Good Will Hunting

I'm off to see about a girl

the Prize that Fuels the Thirst

Adventures? Many of us feel that adventures are for the rugged six packed individuals born into great timing, natural fist fighting skills and intellectual smarts to outwit any Hollywood based plot to take over the world. Some mild mannered citizens go out and buy a hat fashioning after Indiana Jones(some buy the whip fashioning after Indiana Jones too...kinky but hey at least they are adventurous) just so they can mentally place their self esteem in a Hollywood action scene.

Okay...Okay...Issue people!!!!

We earn the money to buy the hats, study to get the smarts, train to get the fighting skills, and if we are really blessed we get the six pack abs. Why is it that we overlook what really makes an adventure. The word itself spawns ideas of childish quests and epic tales that all can relate to. However we must disregard the adventures that have populated throughout our psyches. Adventure is exploration; when we explore a new way to work, have a conversation with someone who is new & different, play hide and go seek and scope out a room with a lion some witchcraft and a wardrobe that is when you go on an adventure. A lot of times, one does not end up with the girl in the end or with the nemesis behind bars or with the adventure ending in perfect timing thus allowing you to walk off into the sunset. Shit just doesn't work out that way.

Few have been able to venture from their new home returning to an old home to explore that which is the ultimate adventure; the relationship. Screw the fountain of youth, walking on the moon, journeying to the center of the earth, the holy grail, goblet of fire whatever, it is love that warrants the thrill seekers and no one else. Whether it be love between a man & a woman, parent & child, friend & friend, friend & foe this is the prize that fuels our thirsts.

I have recognized what an adventure truly is. In less than 24 hours I am off an an adventure of a lifetime. Although I lack the six pack abs and have flab, I need to get a watch for my timing, I bruise easily, and I am not the smartest guy on the block atleast in my adventure I get the pretty girl in the end.

Oh & just for clarification - (I have been doing so much of this lately) that pretty girl that I get in the end of my adventure is Audrey Schwinn. Just wanted to make sure every one was on the same page here.