Controlled Chaos
The struggle is real.29 total reviews
Comment from damommy
What an interesting if dangerous life you led. It has to be rewarding to have put away the bad guys. So many injuries, it's surprising you survived long enough to retire.
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2023
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What an interesting if dangerous life you led. It has to be rewarding to have put away the bad guys. So many injuries, it's surprising you survived long enough to retire.
Comment Written 18-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2023
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i pushed the envelope. but, i believe God has always had my back.
Comment from Paul Manton
You, Sir, are a very brave man. If they awarded you the Medal of Honor, I would not be surprised!
My life of service took an academic route, but, in my opinion, the end of your piece shows as much courage as the military and federal action listed at the beginning.
Many of us are living with physical problems - some gained in violent action, some through disease or simply old age - and some mental disturbances are even more debilitating, as they rob us of our dignity, and even our identity. I have friends with PTSD - some from wartime experience - others encountering 'the blackboard jungle' - not in Vietnam but from the tougher parts of London and Liverpool. Others are sad cases of dementia - and I have put up with agoraphobia all my life. It robbed me of some success at the very highest levels.
So, Douglas, like you, I did not become rich - but I had a huge life in sport, music and academia. I would like a magic wand to rid me of a few problems - but I have no regrets about what was achieved.
Still, I stand in awe of the extraordinary heroism which you listed here.
Best wishes, Paul
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2023
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You, Sir, are a very brave man. If they awarded you the Medal of Honor, I would not be surprised!
My life of service took an academic route, but, in my opinion, the end of your piece shows as much courage as the military and federal action listed at the beginning.
Many of us are living with physical problems - some gained in violent action, some through disease or simply old age - and some mental disturbances are even more debilitating, as they rob us of our dignity, and even our identity. I have friends with PTSD - some from wartime experience - others encountering 'the blackboard jungle' - not in Vietnam but from the tougher parts of London and Liverpool. Others are sad cases of dementia - and I have put up with agoraphobia all my life. It robbed me of some success at the very highest levels.
So, Douglas, like you, I did not become rich - but I had a huge life in sport, music and academia. I would like a magic wand to rid me of a few problems - but I have no regrets about what was achieved.
Still, I stand in awe of the extraordinary heroism which you listed here.
Best wishes, Paul
Comment Written 17-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2023
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Thank you, Paul. We old law dogs don?t do it for medals, but I appreciate the sentiment.
I rarely write about my career and just wanted to pen it to see if it helped as writing has been therapeutic in other arenas of my life. Thanks for tasking the time. We do all have our struggles.
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Good luck, my friend.
Best, Paul
Comment from JT traveller
Another fantastic write Douglas. Sounds like my life as an emergency physician and disaster management international volunteer. Interesting but stressful work. A lot to summarise in a few words so congratulations. Jacqueline
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2023
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Another fantastic write Douglas. Sounds like my life as an emergency physician and disaster management international volunteer. Interesting but stressful work. A lot to summarise in a few words so congratulations. Jacqueline
Comment Written 16-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2023
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Thank you, my friend. We travel similar paths. I work for REGIUS an immediate hurricane and national disaster response team. Kindred Spirits!
D
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Love it. I knew we must share a common bond. J
Comment from karenina
I read it, I voted for it, I made a note to come back and deliver six stars...and you won before I got back here! Woo hoo! Better late than never I hear. Thanks for your service. My dad taught me he was never an "EX" Marine ~~ there is no such thing! *smile...
I'd set aside these six stars for you and darn it, you're getting them, even after the voting results ~~ which were quite decisive I must say!
(And yes, the nature of the topic kind of lends a big hint to who the author is...but meh, who cares?)
Quality won out -- nobody can scream "friends and family" conspired to make make this a winner. YOU earned it!
Congratulations, again~
Karenina
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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I read it, I voted for it, I made a note to come back and deliver six stars...and you won before I got back here! Woo hoo! Better late than never I hear. Thanks for your service. My dad taught me he was never an "EX" Marine ~~ there is no such thing! *smile...
I'd set aside these six stars for you and darn it, you're getting them, even after the voting results ~~ which were quite decisive I must say!
(And yes, the nature of the topic kind of lends a big hint to who the author is...but meh, who cares?)
Quality won out -- nobody can scream "friends and family" conspired to make make this a winner. YOU earned it!
Congratulations, again~
Karenina
Comment Written 10-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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Thank you for the extra effort, Karenina! I really appreciate all of the support that you have provided to me for my writing over the past year. You are inspirational!
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OH...well YOU are inspirational! (Lucky for us, huh?)
Smile...
Comment from John Ciarmello
Congratulations on your win here, Douglas!
You've had quite the life. Your near-death experiences and your career accomplishments make it that much more interesting.
Thank you for your service from beginning to end! You are all one of a kind, my friend and thank God we have our protectors. I can't tell you the respect and admiration I have for you all. Best, JohnC
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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Congratulations on your win here, Douglas!
You've had quite the life. Your near-death experiences and your career accomplishments make it that much more interesting.
Thank you for your service from beginning to end! You are all one of a kind, my friend and thank God we have our protectors. I can't tell you the respect and admiration I have for you all. Best, JohnC
Comment Written 09-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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Thank you, John. Your kind words mean a lot, my friend! Thanks for the awesome rating.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Ok. I take what I said earlier today back. We are not two of a kind. I could never have been a Marine, not a peace-keeping sort-of guy as I would have left the corrupt where they were shot, and scooted away.
Thakns for being what I couldn't be. Any suggestions what to do with the influx of who knows what from South of our border?
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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Ok. I take what I said earlier today back. We are not two of a kind. I could never have been a Marine, not a peace-keeping sort-of guy as I would have left the corrupt where they were shot, and scooted away.
Thakns for being what I couldn't be. Any suggestions what to do with the influx of who knows what from South of our border?
Comment Written 09-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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Maybe we are twins . . . you know good and bad? HA! I Arnold and you Danny Devito.
For the border we could . . . merely follow the laws on the books?
Comment from WalkerMan
When I read the entries in the contest, this one's focus on a career of service to our country -- five years as a marine and the rest as a federal agent hunting down "the worst of the worst felons" -- had to receive my vote. What you endured in the latter job took its toll on you, especially the last fight before you retired. Yet, despite both physical injury and emotional trauma, you "wouldn't change a damn thing" because you know that what you accomplished during your service is more important than wealth or fame. I commend your valor and unwavering willingness to face the known and unknown risks each of your services required. Thank you both for those services and for the concise way you informed us of it in this post. Superb, and aptly illustrated. -- Mike
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2023
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When I read the entries in the contest, this one's focus on a career of service to our country -- five years as a marine and the rest as a federal agent hunting down "the worst of the worst felons" -- had to receive my vote. What you endured in the latter job took its toll on you, especially the last fight before you retired. Yet, despite both physical injury and emotional trauma, you "wouldn't change a damn thing" because you know that what you accomplished during your service is more important than wealth or fame. I commend your valor and unwavering willingness to face the known and unknown risks each of your services required. Thank you both for those services and for the concise way you informed us of it in this post. Superb, and aptly illustrated. -- Mike
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2023
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Thank you, Sir! I'm glad you got what I was saying. Everything has a price. Some are worth paying. I appreciate the great rating!
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You are most welcome. Our nation would benefit from more people of your mettle as examples youngsters could look up to. You earned the sixth star through your life of dangerous service plus how effectively you told us about it. -- Mike
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You did a great job with your contest entry, Douglas.
I enjoyed reading it, though it was tough going. Through
it all you persevered as your training and dedication
carried you through dangerous times.
Congratulations on your win.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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You did a great job with your contest entry, Douglas.
I enjoyed reading it, though it was tough going. Through
it all you persevered as your training and dedication
carried you through dangerous times.
Congratulations on your win.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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Thanks Jan. You kindness is appreciated.
Comment from royowen
I didn't know this about you Douglas. It seems that the so called fictional things we see serialised on TV could actually be true, although there was no room to be more expansive, you filled this is in well, well done Douglas, blessings Roy
Typo : One city(,) my team
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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I didn't know this about you Douglas. It seems that the so called fictional things we see serialised on TV could actually be true, although there was no room to be more expansive, you filled this is in well, well done Douglas, blessings Roy
Typo : One city(,) my team
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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I lived it. My point was that these things come with a price. Thank you, Roy,
Comment from Faith Williams
Congratulations, Douglas, on winning the contest! You're right. If I had read this one before the winner was announced, I would have known it was you. To put it all into 150 words is an amazing feat.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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Congratulations, Douglas, on winning the contest! You're right. If I had read this one before the winner was announced, I would have known it was you. To put it all into 150 words is an amazing feat.
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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I recognized Raul?s and Reese?s pieces right away from their writing styles. (Maybe I?ve been reviewing too much? Ha!)
Thanks for your kind words. I wasn?t trying to brag, just wanted to point out the costs. As always, you are a dear friend.
