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As it happens sometimes, I got caught up in various projects, so that I never seemed to have time to make the not-quite-a-mile walk to the liberty center to use the internet terminals. Today will be a quick wrap-up of recent events.
First Cut - Miscellaneous personal
The last time I was shopping at the Navy Exchange, I happened to see some diet green tea. I picked some up on a whim (supposed to be good for you, probably less caffeine than the Diet Pepsi that’s been my staple) … but found to my delight that I love the stuff. Seriously, my biggest problem is to refrain from drinking it so fast that it becomes an expensive habit instead of an occasional luxury.
I saw Live Free or Die Hard; now there’s a father-daughter dynamic that’s fun to watch. I’d love to believe I had anything in common with John McClane (in another universe, maybe), but my own daughter is nothing at all like Lucy, so I’ll be happy - and I am - with what I have.
Close First Cut
Second Cut - Fanfic-related
After declining twice (once upon initial sign-up, once when there was a general call for volunteers after the posting date had passed), I agreed to pinch-hit on one of the tardy entries for gen_remix. Seriously, I had already looked over the situation and apologetically opted out - just too many things going on right now, no time for another project - but then one of the stories I’d skimmed began to whisper in the back of my brain, and within three days I knew pretty much exactly what I would be writing. I’m almost done, too; this one will be much shorter than my other remixes - less than 5,000 words, possibly not much over 3,000 - and I should have it completed by the weekend.
That makes a nice break from my work on “Queen’s Gambit”, but doesn’t excuse me from it. That one will take some time. If I’m not careful, it’ll grow into a monster.
Close Second Cut
Third Cut - Military issues
For weeks I’ve been using the gym treadmill to build up my steadiness and stamina, and this morning I went out on the track to test my current fitness. The teammate who’s a former Marine came out with me … and I outran him. (He was having trouble with his shins, but still.) I finished more than a minute faster than the APFT passing time, and only three seconds short of meeting SOF (special operations forces) qualification. I run a minimum of twenty miles a week, I’ve lost almost twenty pounds since arriving here and hope to drop another fifteen, and right now I’m feeling pretty good about myself.
Sometime this week, one of the officers in my home unit is supposed to send me a more precise schedule for the return deployment to Iraq. I truly am torn about that; there are things I want to do, I’m not eager to fall back under orders the moment I return home … and yet, this might be my last opportunity to contribute something worthwhile before a Democratic Congress - or worse, a Democratic President - creates the defeat in Iraq that our enemies never could. I’ve volunteered for every other deployment, plus interim assignments; this would be the first one I missed, and if I don’t decide soon, and get the necessary volunteer statement signed and submitted, the roster could be filled regardless of my wishes. If they would just wait even one more month …
Close Third Cut
I’m now past the halfway mark (assuming I don’t elect to extend my tour here). Currently, I feel as if I could keep it up forever. Wonder if I’ll start getting short-timer’s fever as we near departure time?
Only one way to find out.
As it happens sometimes, I got caught up in various projects, so that I never seemed to have time to make the not-quite-a-mile walk to the liberty center to use the internet terminals. Today will be a quick wrap-up of recent events.
First Cut - Miscellaneous personal
The last time I was shopping at the Navy Exchange, I happened to see some diet green tea. I picked some up on a whim (supposed to be good for you, probably less caffeine than the Diet Pepsi that’s been my staple) … but found to my delight that I love the stuff. Seriously, my biggest problem is to refrain from drinking it so fast that it becomes an expensive habit instead of an occasional luxury.
I saw Live Free or Die Hard; now there’s a father-daughter dynamic that’s fun to watch. I’d love to believe I had anything in common with John McClane (in another universe, maybe), but my own daughter is nothing at all like Lucy, so I’ll be happy - and I am - with what I have.
Close First Cut
Second Cut - Fanfic-related
After declining twice (once upon initial sign-up, once when there was a general call for volunteers after the posting date had passed), I agreed to pinch-hit on one of the tardy entries for gen_remix. Seriously, I had already looked over the situation and apologetically opted out - just too many things going on right now, no time for another project - but then one of the stories I’d skimmed began to whisper in the back of my brain, and within three days I knew pretty much exactly what I would be writing. I’m almost done, too; this one will be much shorter than my other remixes - less than 5,000 words, possibly not much over 3,000 - and I should have it completed by the weekend.
That makes a nice break from my work on “Queen’s Gambit”, but doesn’t excuse me from it. That one will take some time. If I’m not careful, it’ll grow into a monster.
Close Second Cut
Third Cut - Military issues
For weeks I’ve been using the gym treadmill to build up my steadiness and stamina, and this morning I went out on the track to test my current fitness. The teammate who’s a former Marine came out with me … and I outran him. (He was having trouble with his shins, but still.) I finished more than a minute faster than the APFT passing time, and only three seconds short of meeting SOF (special operations forces) qualification. I run a minimum of twenty miles a week, I’ve lost almost twenty pounds since arriving here and hope to drop another fifteen, and right now I’m feeling pretty good about myself.
Sometime this week, one of the officers in my home unit is supposed to send me a more precise schedule for the return deployment to Iraq. I truly am torn about that; there are things I want to do, I’m not eager to fall back under orders the moment I return home … and yet, this might be my last opportunity to contribute something worthwhile before a Democratic Congress - or worse, a Democratic President - creates the defeat in Iraq that our enemies never could. I’ve volunteered for every other deployment, plus interim assignments; this would be the first one I missed, and if I don’t decide soon, and get the necessary volunteer statement signed and submitted, the roster could be filled regardless of my wishes. If they would just wait even one more month …
Close Third Cut
I’m now past the halfway mark (assuming I don’t elect to extend my tour here). Currently, I feel as if I could keep it up forever. Wonder if I’ll start getting short-timer’s fever as we near departure time?
Only one way to find out.