***THE OPINIONS IN THIS BLOG DO NOT REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, OR THE UNITED STATE MARINE CORPS.***
I live in Tacoma Washington.
Judson, 22 years of living on this gravity well, spiraling around this nuclear fireball that somehow keeps us warm. Words of description: single, 'out to lunch', Malformed Public duty gland, and a deficiency in moral fiber precluding me from saving Universes. Possibly a dreamer (jury is still out). A bit rude, a bit crude, a bit into myself.
Nothing of importance: Don't listen to me, because I am mostly out to lunch, and Mostly harmless.
My Photography Blog if you are interested:
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
You’d think I’m the Big Joker-
Ask any Marine- any infantry Marine, and he’ll tell you; “mortar-men are good for two things- the mortar-men’s prone [aka rack-ops] and the game of spades.”
In 2009, we played this game so much I used to dream about it. I’d go up on post at 2200 or 0200 and spend the next four hours thinking about how I’d play a certain hand. I’d stand there, looking through the makeshift RPG proof hesco grate, staring at the corn fields. I’d see the all green world provided by our high speed night vision- praying for my next Boston. A Boston is what happens when you and your partner take every single book in a game of Spades. It causes so much pain and humiliation in the other team that they’re likely to never play together again. I’ve only been lucky enough to run it three times in the past four years.
But, the bigger dream- walking Little Willy.
In our game of Spades, the highest card is the big joker. Since you include both jokers in the deck, you take out the two of hearts and the two of diamonds. The two of Spades is a Spade, therefor it stands with its suit’s power and glory. This makes the weakest card in the game- the two of clubs; Little Willy.
The only way to make Little Willy walk is by holding it and leading the last hand of the game- if nobody else saved a club for that hand- Little Willy walks: 50 points.
And I know what you’re thinking- 50 points is no big deal, it’s not like you win the game.
But I’ve never thought about it like that. See, I’ve ran Bostons before- but Little Willy never walks.
And to me, it’s kind of a metaphor for life. Anyone can be successful in a firefight with a full combat load, but what really matters is what you can do with those last ten remaining rounds. Just like anyone can take a book with an Ace or a King-
But in life- you don’t need to be the Big Joker; all you need to be is a well played Two of Clubs.
Only a Marine can make a Game of Spades eloquent. and connect it to life. completely Agree.
