Update!
I just got my official orders today! There's a bunch of mumbo-jumbo that I don't understand at all, but I do know my report date isn't until July 7th! What I don't know is if I'm really going to take 2 months of leave, and what I'm going to do during whatever leave I do take. I'm obviously going to go to Austin's little get-together in May, and probably spend some time in Raleigh. And I suspect my parents will be wanting to go up to their cabin for a bit (And I'm sure wouldn't mind if anyone else would like to come too). Other than that, I'm up in the air. Does anyone have time off in the June time-frame? I was thinking it would be fun if someone would like to do something awesome. Ideas?
Also of note, I will have to reenlist to get these orders. Well, I could extend for 1 year and 3 months, not get advanced to E-5, have to live in the barracks, and not get a reenlistment bonus. Or I could reenlist for 2 years, get a cool $90k, E-5 pay, and get money to live out in town. So I think I'll be reenlisting for the extra 9 months.
And on a completely unrelated topic, I talked to Rachel (yes, that Rachel that caused all the grief like 4 years ago). We've talked since then, but we actually talked about what happened between us for the first time ever. It was actually kind of nice. I mean, obviously painful memories, but it felt good to see things from her point of view. And since other people's perception of me is far more important than it should be, it was also a relief to find out she didn't think I was as awful as I thought she thought I was. She is, however, nuts. But hey, at least I don't feel as weird trying to help her figure out her life.
And I think that's about it. I'm going to lunch tomorrow with my friend who is still here because she's preggers. And I'm going to honest and say I really hope nothing pops out on my watch. She's due real soon, so I'm pretty nervous about it. I mean, on the one hand, I would prefer that someone she knows is around when she has her kid. But my staff adviser described the birth of his children, and it sounds like quite possibly the most horrific experience known to man. And I wasn't even part of the fun bit of pregnancy. But, her baby's daddy is underwater right now, and I think it would probably be pretty terrible to go through that alone. So anyway... crossing fingers on not having anything come up, just a quick lunch and send her safely on her merry way.
Related to kids and staff advisers... my staff adviser's kids are so damn cute. I went over there to watch some hockey last week, and oh my god! Dylan's almost 5, and as kids are prone to do, took an instant liking to me. Asking me if I'd like to watch his new DVD (Land Before Time) with him, if I could guess what was in his pocket making a clicking sound when he messed with it (his toy pistol) and why I didn't have any hair (much to his mother's distress). Then Sadie, who is almost 3, was really just there. But she did climb up on the couch and stand on it, contrary to the rules of the house. Just watching them interact with made me kind of rethink my position on reproduction. I think ultimately though, kids are great so long as you can give them back to their parents when you're done with them. Also, I got a hug good night from each kid when bedtime rolled around, which was kind of weird. *cough* and his wife's hot *cough* Too bad the old North Dakota Fighting Souix dropped the ball, and lost 6-1. Dylan was still pretty cute wearing his dad's ND hat and jersey (which obviously were huge on him).
Civilization has come to Malta, NY. I went to get dinner earlier, and when I drove by the McDonalds, I saw a sign for the southern style chicken sandwich (you know the one that tastes like Chik-fil-a) and I thought to myself "Self, that's new and exciting, I haven't seen those up here before, and I could really go for a chicken sandwich right now." So I stopped. And when I went inside, I knew I made the best decision of the weekend. Because not only was there the chicken sandwich, but there was a giant sign from God. On it, proclaimed from the heavens in red letters, it said "32oz Sweet Tea $1" The implications were astounding. Sweetened Iced Tea. In New York. Not Iced Tea with little sugar packets, but honest to god Sweet Tea. Feeling my heart fluttering in my chest, I waited in line. Slowly I inched forward, the seconds passing as hours. Finally I came to the counter, and an angel spoke unto me. She wore a burgundy shirt, with a name tag and the letters M-A-G-G-I-E carved in it. Her voiced seemed to come from a great distance, yet somehow still carried over the trumpets. She said "Can I take your order?"
Palms sweating with anticipation, I asked "May I please have a southern style chicken sandwich, and a sweet tea?" She smiled radiantly and said "Sure, that will be $4.17, swipe your card whenever you're ready." Then she bustled off, floating effortlessly to the sandwich trough to retrieve my food. She returned, placing the box carefully off center on my tray, and then stooped to retrieve a large cup from under the counter. She placed it, empty and upside down, also off-center on the tray. A fleeting sensation of betrayal passed through me, and must have been evident on my face, because at that moment she pointed behind me and whispered seductively, "The tea is on the other side of the ketchup and napkins." Rendered speechless, I could only nod my thanks as I reached to pick up my tray with shaking hands. With a nervous half smile, I turned toward the tea, knowing that the moment was almost upon me. Like an unsteady virgin, I filled the cup with ice, knowing the tea would likely be warm and require extra cooling capacity. Then I placed my cup under the valve, and gently lifted the handle. I watched, transfixed by the sweet brown nectar spewing from the stop-cock, melting the ice as it touched, and gradually raising level in the cup. Fascinated, I filled the cup to the brim, then selected the appropriate sized lid and fastened it to the rim of the vessel. I then removed a straw from the holder, tore the paper off one end and then blew on it to expel the paper from the other end into the trash. Alas, a droplet of liquid somehow got on the straw, and foiled my plans. Mildly agitated, I quickly used my other hand to remove the paper, including the obnoxious clingy bits that had been wetted. Then I inserted the straw through the straw-hole in the lid, and took my tray to find a seat.
I chose a table for two next to the large window overlooking NY route 67. I sat down and looked out the window at the world outside. My keenly calibrated eye estimated that it was about 79 degrees F, with clear skies and a gentle breeze of about 10 mph from the Northwest. I rearranged my tray such that my sandwich was directly in front of me, with the drink slightly to the left and further away. Knowing that I could not delay any longer, I reached for my tea. Fearing the worst, that the tea had perhaps steeped too long and become acidic, or that insufficient sugar had been added, I put my lips to the straw. Instinctively applying just the right amount of suction to draw the liquid into my mouth, I took my first sip. The earth's rotation slowed, cars were motionless in the street, and a humming bird hung in air outside the window as the cool elixir touched my tongue for the first time. I allowed it to sit there, tasting it, testing it. The complex mixture of flavors plated out in my mouth, the sweetness of sugar, the bitter bite of tea. With an intense burst of joy, the world started back up. The cars sped by, the humming bird went about it's business. I swallowed, and couldn't help but grin as if I had won the Stanley Cup. It was perfect, the pH was right on, not too sour nor too bitter. It was sweet like a kiss, not overpowering, but just right.
Then I noticed the couple sitting at the table next to me were looking at me weird, so I ate my sandwich and finished my drink and left. But you better believe I got a refill on the way out.
Anyway, I think I'm going to head to bed here. Hope you guys have a festive night!
Also of note, I will have to reenlist to get these orders. Well, I could extend for 1 year and 3 months, not get advanced to E-5, have to live in the barracks, and not get a reenlistment bonus. Or I could reenlist for 2 years, get a cool $90k, E-5 pay, and get money to live out in town. So I think I'll be reenlisting for the extra 9 months.
And on a completely unrelated topic, I talked to Rachel (yes, that Rachel that caused all the grief like 4 years ago). We've talked since then, but we actually talked about what happened between us for the first time ever. It was actually kind of nice. I mean, obviously painful memories, but it felt good to see things from her point of view. And since other people's perception of me is far more important than it should be, it was also a relief to find out she didn't think I was as awful as I thought she thought I was. She is, however, nuts. But hey, at least I don't feel as weird trying to help her figure out her life.
And I think that's about it. I'm going to lunch tomorrow with my friend who is still here because she's preggers. And I'm going to honest and say I really hope nothing pops out on my watch. She's due real soon, so I'm pretty nervous about it. I mean, on the one hand, I would prefer that someone she knows is around when she has her kid. But my staff adviser described the birth of his children, and it sounds like quite possibly the most horrific experience known to man. And I wasn't even part of the fun bit of pregnancy. But, her baby's daddy is underwater right now, and I think it would probably be pretty terrible to go through that alone. So anyway... crossing fingers on not having anything come up, just a quick lunch and send her safely on her merry way.
Related to kids and staff advisers... my staff adviser's kids are so damn cute. I went over there to watch some hockey last week, and oh my god! Dylan's almost 5, and as kids are prone to do, took an instant liking to me. Asking me if I'd like to watch his new DVD (Land Before Time) with him, if I could guess what was in his pocket making a clicking sound when he messed with it (his toy pistol) and why I didn't have any hair (much to his mother's distress). Then Sadie, who is almost 3, was really just there. But she did climb up on the couch and stand on it, contrary to the rules of the house. Just watching them interact with made me kind of rethink my position on reproduction. I think ultimately though, kids are great so long as you can give them back to their parents when you're done with them. Also, I got a hug good night from each kid when bedtime rolled around, which was kind of weird. *cough* and his wife's hot *cough* Too bad the old North Dakota Fighting Souix dropped the ball, and lost 6-1. Dylan was still pretty cute wearing his dad's ND hat and jersey (which obviously were huge on him).
Civilization has come to Malta, NY. I went to get dinner earlier, and when I drove by the McDonalds, I saw a sign for the southern style chicken sandwich (you know the one that tastes like Chik-fil-a) and I thought to myself "Self, that's new and exciting, I haven't seen those up here before, and I could really go for a chicken sandwich right now." So I stopped. And when I went inside, I knew I made the best decision of the weekend. Because not only was there the chicken sandwich, but there was a giant sign from God. On it, proclaimed from the heavens in red letters, it said "32oz Sweet Tea $1" The implications were astounding. Sweetened Iced Tea. In New York. Not Iced Tea with little sugar packets, but honest to god Sweet Tea. Feeling my heart fluttering in my chest, I waited in line. Slowly I inched forward, the seconds passing as hours. Finally I came to the counter, and an angel spoke unto me. She wore a burgundy shirt, with a name tag and the letters M-A-G-G-I-E carved in it. Her voiced seemed to come from a great distance, yet somehow still carried over the trumpets. She said "Can I take your order?"
Palms sweating with anticipation, I asked "May I please have a southern style chicken sandwich, and a sweet tea?" She smiled radiantly and said "Sure, that will be $4.17, swipe your card whenever you're ready." Then she bustled off, floating effortlessly to the sandwich trough to retrieve my food. She returned, placing the box carefully off center on my tray, and then stooped to retrieve a large cup from under the counter. She placed it, empty and upside down, also off-center on the tray. A fleeting sensation of betrayal passed through me, and must have been evident on my face, because at that moment she pointed behind me and whispered seductively, "The tea is on the other side of the ketchup and napkins." Rendered speechless, I could only nod my thanks as I reached to pick up my tray with shaking hands. With a nervous half smile, I turned toward the tea, knowing that the moment was almost upon me. Like an unsteady virgin, I filled the cup with ice, knowing the tea would likely be warm and require extra cooling capacity. Then I placed my cup under the valve, and gently lifted the handle. I watched, transfixed by the sweet brown nectar spewing from the stop-cock, melting the ice as it touched, and gradually raising level in the cup. Fascinated, I filled the cup to the brim, then selected the appropriate sized lid and fastened it to the rim of the vessel. I then removed a straw from the holder, tore the paper off one end and then blew on it to expel the paper from the other end into the trash. Alas, a droplet of liquid somehow got on the straw, and foiled my plans. Mildly agitated, I quickly used my other hand to remove the paper, including the obnoxious clingy bits that had been wetted. Then I inserted the straw through the straw-hole in the lid, and took my tray to find a seat.
I chose a table for two next to the large window overlooking NY route 67. I sat down and looked out the window at the world outside. My keenly calibrated eye estimated that it was about 79 degrees F, with clear skies and a gentle breeze of about 10 mph from the Northwest. I rearranged my tray such that my sandwich was directly in front of me, with the drink slightly to the left and further away. Knowing that I could not delay any longer, I reached for my tea. Fearing the worst, that the tea had perhaps steeped too long and become acidic, or that insufficient sugar had been added, I put my lips to the straw. Instinctively applying just the right amount of suction to draw the liquid into my mouth, I took my first sip. The earth's rotation slowed, cars were motionless in the street, and a humming bird hung in air outside the window as the cool elixir touched my tongue for the first time. I allowed it to sit there, tasting it, testing it. The complex mixture of flavors plated out in my mouth, the sweetness of sugar, the bitter bite of tea. With an intense burst of joy, the world started back up. The cars sped by, the humming bird went about it's business. I swallowed, and couldn't help but grin as if I had won the Stanley Cup. It was perfect, the pH was right on, not too sour nor too bitter. It was sweet like a kiss, not overpowering, but just right.
Then I noticed the couple sitting at the table next to me were looking at me weird, so I ate my sandwich and finished my drink and left. But you better believe I got a refill on the way out.
Anyway, I think I'm going to head to bed here. Hope you guys have a festive night!