I found this app via Tumblr recently and just shared this with my couples counseling class tonight, as we covered domestic violence. However, I'd like to correct and elaborate on some of what was written on Tumblr.

Aspire News appears to be a regular news app; however, the Help section of the app directs the user to domestic violence, crime, and sexual abuse resources (websites and phone numbers).  The help resources all seem to be national organizations, so users would most likely have to call the national organizations in order to find local assistance.

While on any of the pages, the user can triple-tap the top of the page to notify "trusted contacts" if the user is in danger (or perhaps suspects danger). The trusted contacts are notified via text message, so users would have to keep that in mind when choosing which phone numbers to input as trusted contacts (landlines would probably not be useful). To test the app, I used my own phone number as a trusted contact and received three text messages:

• the first (which can be personalized) said, "SOS: Your friend is requesting your assistance";
• the second included a 7 second audio clip; and,
• the third included a link to my approximate location (however, it was not my exact location, which could be problematic if the recipient does not know exactly where the sender is).

Furthermore, while on any of the Help pages, the user can click the "X" and be directed to an arbitrary news page, which could be helpful if the abuser is nearby while the user is using the app. The website functions similarly--if you press "esc" or the orange bar at the bottom of the page, an arbitrary website pops up (The Weather Channel, in my case) and the Aspire website changes (Google, in my case).

the d-word: deployment thoughts [month 2]

So it has been nearly two months since I jumped the pond to an undisclosed location. It has been crazy busy with everything you can dream of and some things you can't even make up. When we  finally got here I had to meet people and learn what they have been doing during their year away from home. This "right seat, left seat" ride was pretty painless on the outside but we couldn't really stand each other on the inside. But the two weeks went by like two days and we finally finished with them. Now they get to go home and I feel sad again cause I really miss my better half, the half that completes me and makes me whole and is the reason I love to wake up in the morning (even when I am usually falling asleep on her).

So I moped and finally got over myself (mainly because she can text me throughout the day) and went to work. Initially I had to take care of the protection for the FOB and daily dealings of what it takes to run a maintenance company. Afterward, there were so many issues with attitudes and a small disruption in the "good order and discipline" that I then had to move after four weeks on ground to take over maintenance. So as I usually do, I took two days and did a quick assessment and then started the corrections needed to make this maintenance program move forward.

The first problem was that the leaving unit left so much junk in the work area you literally had to maneuver around it to get anything done. Through networking and meeting all of the people I thought were necessary to be successful here, we found a place to dispose of all junk without having to do any paper work--just drop it off and they go through it for you. So two days of 14 hrs. each and finally it was all cleaned up and much room was granted to the maintenance areas.

Now things are running smoothly and we are almost caught up and can relax. I would literally spend any time my wonderful amazing wife was available texting. She got me through those times and the times now more than she knows.

Now that we are caught up I thought it would be fun to use time after a normal work day to hang out, watch a movie, or just relax with coffee. But to be honest all I want to do when not occupied with chaotic work is think of how I love her, miss her, and want to rub her feet after her long day. So I relax with coffee and scroll through all the photos I have of her and us till I fall asleep. I really miss my true friend and the love of my life.