The First World War: A Complete History
Martin Gilbert
RosettaBooks
June 5, 2014
631
Amazon Digital Services LLC
I really enjoyed this book, but oh my goodness it took me almost a whole year to get it read! It not that it wasn't interesting, but it was so detailed and I had a hard time with most of the names of places and people.
So many thing, books, documentaries, what ever are on WWII but not so much on WWI. I would say that if you are at all interested in the subject you should certainly read this book!!!
The numbers around these battles is unbelievable. It really shows how destructive war is. I can't imagine war on our soil, war like this. It is very insane to think what the civilians had to deal with. Destroying whole villages, starving, just all around bad.
Can't forget the bad things that happened because we certainly don't want a repeat of this type of behavior.
I am so very happy to be home and have a rest day I spent most of the day in bed and half of that time sleeping!! ha ha ha
Right now I am eating me some icecream and watching my favorite YouTub-er Casey Neistat. I think I have linked to him before, but if you are into the daily blog / vlog kind of thing, he has an amazingly happy and fantastic person who puts out great content.
I just got done playing tennis with the dogs and they decided they had enough, for the first time while I was playing with them. It was a hot one today – even inside the house – I had to get out from under my covers a couple times ha ha – I am on a roll tonight
Today my dad was talking about not ever flying in a helicopter, goes to the restroom, and proceeds to remember SEVERAL times that he was on a helicopter He had mentioned that he flew in on around the Pisa, Italy and my mom mentioned that she had actually walked up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. For some reason I think they no longer let people walk up it, but I can’t confirm it. That is pretty cool on both parts.
So I got my first Barkbox while I was gone and promptly opened it and Nickel LOVED the toy that came with it. Believe it or not, he has not completely destroyed it yet!!! Amazing!
I have finally finished my book,The First World War: A Complete History, I have been reading it for so many months. It was very good and super informative, but just took me forever to finish it.
I just had to go back outside and play tennis with the puppies again. Nickel was just staring at me talking while I am sitting here trying to get my blog done – I love him so very much but sometimes he is a pain I got bit up by ants while I was out there, guess it’s time to put some stuff down to kill them.
Could I have more links in this page I just want to point people in the right direction if they are interested. OK, gonna clean up and get ready for bed – goodnight all
Today is the last day for this Nashville Division trip. We went to 7 different places I think and it was like a tornado ripping through this week. My job was much more relaxed compared to the others who I tagged along with. I just had to answer questions, demo features, and cleanup some issues. The other group was swapping out laptops. Also, I being the tagalong I didn’t have to drive or really worry about anything! What time are we leaving – DONE
In all honesty thought, as usual everyone was great and I really enjoyed the interactions. I won’t be with them next week because I had seem them a week ago. I will pick back up on these trips in two weeks with the Atlanta Division – closer to home
My flight tonight gets me home at 23:00 but I know I am not leaving that airport until at least midnight. At least that’s when I told Carlos to come get me
I am at the Huntsville Airport and there was a fuel spill at our gate. Seems like they are doing a good job cleaning it up, like all hands on deck. I think we will just move gates and hopefully this will not have an impact on our flight.
I am very ready to be home! I picked me up a cool magnet from here, but, dang, I was in 4 states this week!! I am not sure what to do Real life problems here!!
I am now in Atlanta and at my gait and waiting for my last flight tonight. We had to grab some quick food at TGIF and it was pretty good – for an airport
Alright, gotta go now, hope everyone has a great night!!
Barbie – “Bobby Taylor” is good to his kid :)Rockets – Huntsville, ALRockets – Huntsville, ALDepot – Tullahoma, TNTrain – Tullahoma, TNOakworth Yard :)Ceiling tiles at the airport.Fuel spill…Impressive cleanup in action.Fuel spill…New swag!!
Had another great work day today and it didn’t really feel like a work day so that is the best. When work is enjoyable it is smooth We had a couple hours in the car I think, both ways, and it was pretty scenery. It was raining this morning but it cleared up pretty quick so that was nice.
I am sitting in the hotel eating the Panera I just walked over to get. It is good when food is close, would have been better if it was Panda Express – AM I RIGHT?! Ha ha ha ha
I think something is a little bit off with my medications I am taking. In the afternoons I start to have a very strange feeling, almost like I am getting a little bit dizzy – it is hard to explain, but I go see my doctor on Monday so that is good. Dialing in on this stuff has been very hard, but I am sure it is helping me so it’s all good.
I got a strawberry smoothie from Panera, while they are great and I like them a lot, I was thinking I could drink it like a dessert, but the thing with smoothie’s is that they don’t really last long. Oh, and they are not that great with pasta… Oh well, live and learn
The folks I have been traveling with went to a Crossfit class tonight. I really do wish I could have gone, but I have fallen so far this year I would have never been able to do any of it. I told my trainer that I would be signing up for sessions with her soon. I have to get this weight off and I think it might come off a bit quicker in the beginning since it went on so fast. Here’s hoping anyway!
I got upgraded on my flights home tomorrow – LOVE IT
I miss the folks and the puppies, as usual, but I just can’t help it
I got a couple pictures today, nothing great just something. I wish I was a little bit better at describing things, but it’s hard right now. We went to a yard office and those are pretty much the noisiest places you can be and not just loud, ear piercing screeching. I think it is about the worst place to be on the RR. The next place was an old depot. I was going to get more pictures of the little town and the building, but there were some cars in the way and when the train went by I was right in the middle of helping someone so I couldn’t get that pic.
OK, well we have an early morning tomorrow. We are in the central time zone but we always work on RR time which is eastern so I need to get to sleep Good night and sweet dreams!!
Going to Radnor Yard – Trains :)The town hotel – Dickson, TN
I am just going to come right out and say it, I have a backpack problem! I have 5 already in my possession and I just got another one today! This and luggage – OUT OF CONTROL….
We made out way down to Nashville, Tennessee tonight and will be staying here until Thursday. We stopped at the outlet stores here and I got a couple little things, but I never realized that the Limited has such cute clothes! I got a couple shirts, nothing major – but Mrs Taylor may have some competition
The travel partners / coworkers are so freakin funny. They work close together and have for a bit of time and it is just hilarious to hear some of their interactions. I remember those times with coworkers and I laughed a lot. It helps that these are good travel people, I have experienced bad travel people and that is no fun!
Oh, I got upgraded in my hotel tonight! This is the first time this has happened on my own. I have been upgraded as part of like a large group, but I just feel so cool ha ha ha
Today was another good work day with people. Helped a couple out at both locations. I think that we can do a bit better, so I will work a little harder to get that done tomorrow. I kinda have to push myself on them to get any participation, but then they like realize all kinds of little things I can help with. It’s good.
Alright, I am about to watch my YouTube and go to bed Goodnight and sleep tight
With this trip we are visiting 2 location per day until Thursday. Pretty strenuous schedule even though the work isn’t hard, it just all the travel.
Today we had Starbucks breakfast, can’t go wrong there and then we had Steak and Shake for lunch. That was my first time going to steak and shake!!! Wanna take a guess at what I got, that’s right HOT DOG
We were in Terra Haute this morning and now we are almost to Evansville, Indiana. Luckily I am sitting in the back seat which I think is what is allowing me to type and I even read some. Normally I can not do either in a vehicle. I am also trying my best to look for things to take pictures of, but so far nothing great.
Denise is driving which is nice not to have to worry about that since I just got back from 8 hours of driving last week. This rental car is pretty great too. It is a Ford Explorer but like fully loaded. Very nice.
Alright, enough for now and I will check back later
Well the session this morning went well and the session this afternoon went even better. The people I am traveling with are basically 3 different groups, including myself. There are the IT folks, the awesome do all C&S folks, and me. So when I say like the session was good, really I am talking about mine since we all have different functions and goals Tomorrow I am going to try something a little different to get the people a bit more engaged, basically force them to listen to me and that should make it a real success.
We just got back from dinner and I am very tired. We went to a Logan’s which was pretty good tonight. I got some kind of burger, with no buns. Not for any reason except I wasn’t super hungry and I figured it would be very messy
I just wanted to wrap this up since I didn’t get to finish yesterdays until today – gotta keep on schedule!!
Mother’s Day, the day for mom! We treat my mom really well and we got her taco pizza from Papa Murphy’s! It was pretty good. My brother Paul got her some chocolate from Peterbrook so that was nice. Carlos also came out again, so awesome!
I tried to be loving all over the puppies today since I leave this afternoon. Nickel accidentally bit be a little too hard on my finger, kinda hurts a bit.
Carlos took me to the airport so I don’t have to pay so much to park. He is going to pick me up too so YEAH.
Flights were uneventful, except I did talk with someone on the first flight who was all interested in my books and stuff so that was cool, made that flight go a little quicker.
The next flight both my coworkers were on the flight, but we were all over the plane. I got a lot of my book finished. I have been reading it forever!
We got to the hotel at like 23:00 and checking in was a whole production. “Bobby Taylor” and I were walking down the same hallway and he was like, what room are you going to, I said 475 – where is your room – 475! So then he had to go back down to the desk and he missed the lady coming up with the right keys for him – CRAZY!!! Just a perfect end to this day
Update – I meant to add some pics of mom since it was mothers day, so here are some with her new children
Mom trying to eat ice cream with Nickel around.Mom and Penny sharing the chair!
I have finally cleaned up my bathroom – sorta… I got the floor cleaned and the toilet closet cleaned, but I did not clean off my vanities. I still need to do that and I may do that tomorrow, but it is already so much better. I also cleaned all my room, swept and vacuumed
I am all packed for tomorrow, at least I think I am. I will double check tomorrow.
Oh yeah, Paul, Carlos, Samantha, and Becky came by. Paul and Carlos helped out so much as usual We played with the puppies so much today I hope they sleep good. It seems like they recover so quickly really. It kinda kills me.
Carlos got a new truck last night. It is very nice, but I swear that Nissan NEVER changes their stuff.
We went to Firehouse for dinner, brought it back to the house. Good stuff.
Tomorrow I should be able to finish the bathroom and maybe take a pic since I got new little rugs and they are super cute
Alright, sorry it was short and not amazing, but was just trying not to stress before I am out again
Right now I am sitting in the Chicago Midway Airport waiting on my first flight to Atlanta. I do like people watching at the airport, it is a very diverse group of people traveling all over
I have not had anything to eat yet this morning and I think that is a mistake. I may go ahead and put this up and go find something I can take on the plane.
I feel like I have been to this airport so many times, but really I guess it hasn’t been that many. Maybe it is just rememberable – some are just kinda generic. Alright, I know this is riveting content, so I am gonna check back in later 😉
Ok, made it to Atlanta and grabbed me some food since I have a little bit of time until my flight home. I am flying out of an area that I have not been to before and I think I might go back to these sculptures and take a picture because they were very cool. I had my hands full when I went by then the first time.
I am not people watching here, I am facing a window looking at our plane and watching them land and take off. It is pretty nice because it is bright and looks very nice out. Probably hotter than anything, but looks lovely
I think my mom has had just about her fill of the puppies She is gonna have to be strong for another week and then there will be a break in travel until it picks back up again I told her I needed to get Nickel certified as a therapy dog so I could just bring him. I tell you I would LOVE to do that, but I am afraid it just wouldn’t work well. People would love him, but I am not sure how he could get his exercise in.
I just saw on Facebook that they have a thing called BarkBox. Basically it is a box that you get monthly with random dog stuff in it – like treats and toys. I get this same sort of thing myself called LootCrate. I subscribed for the year, I hope it has some fun stuff in it
Finally home!!!!! Played with the puppies so much and they loved it. Tomorrow I am going to take two of them for a walk and they should love that too!! I was playing with Dime and I could smell mom’s coffee on her head – someone has been sticking their head in mom’s mug – AND SOMEONE HAS BEEN LETTER HER!!! She is so bad – and I mean mom
I got lots to unpack, un-package, and get ready to head out again on Sunday. Alright, everyone have a great night and see you tomorrow
Today was another day of training, this time in a city called Perrysburg, Ohio. I didn’t do anything but stay at the hotel on this one. I got there last night, ate at their restaurant, AMAZING quesadillas – wow, and went to bed. The meeting was there today and we had lunch there so no exploring at all. After the meeting was over I made my long trip back to Chicago. With the guidance that I should take the toll rode this time. I don’t normally bother with toll roads – it goes against my something, I don’t know I just don’t like them
Got to the hotel and checked in, then went to get food and drop off the rental car. Now I just finished up eating and watched my YouTube episodes and I am about to change into my PJs and get in the bed and turn on some Netflix
I really miss home and can’t wait to be back tomorrow even though it is for a short time. Missing the puppies like I would be missing a child – ugh
I did get a pic this morning of the executive lounge at the hotel – so fancy
Something strange that is bothering me from the long drive. I have noticed that I am clenching my teeth more than normal. My teeth actually hurt right now. I don’t know what it is. I might have to wear my retainer just to treat it like a grinding guard in hopes that will help. Luckily I will be going to the dentist next month for a check up and I can let her know. Also, a couple seem to be very sensitive. More than normal. The only reason I am concerned about either of these things is that the dogs have hit me in the mouth a couple times and really hurt me. I hope it hasn’t damaged anything.
Alright, I am going to wrap it up and I hope everyone had a good day and I will talk atcha tomorrow