Dan: Man. Hero. Legend.

I really like the idea of guest writers. Hopefully we shall have another very soon.

My younger brother Dan is in Iraq now. Not really sure how to feel about it. He has been down at Fort Hood in Texas since he graduated from AIT, and had always been available. He could txt message, email, talk on the phone, etc. Now he's just gone. It really sucks. A lot. Like an immeasurable amount of suck.

At various times in my life Dan has beaten me, inspired me, infuriated me, thanked me, hugged me, embarrassed me, impressed me, made me laugh so hard my face hurts, and thrown me through a door (not a doorway mind you, through a door; plexi-glass and wood flew in all directions).

When he first joined the Army I remember people telling me that basic would change him. I tried to explain the ridiculous phenomenon that is The Dan. But words, for once in my existence, failed me. The idea that this truck surfing, Ta-Da-shouting, bear-hugging hooligan of a human being could have his essence in any way altered by a few weeks of hellish training was ridiculous.

I'll admit, I was skeptical of Dan's decision to join the Army, but his uncrushable core (which is equal parts puppies, badass, and RedBull) has helped him begin a military career that his entire family is proud of.

To sum up: Anyone who knows how to operate a rocket launcher and make a damn good cheesecake is doing something right. He's a good brother, a good man, and I can't wait till he's home again.

And that's all I have to say about that.