Hmm. This isn't like me at all...
So sitting around thinking about stuff is TOTALLY like me. Most of what I do is sit. But what I'm thinking about? Totally different. So I want to get my welding certifications. Glazier changed up their pay rates and now I'm getting about 1/3rd more than I was making... which believe me is so sweet it almost hurts. But it's still not enough. I don't want to be a driver for the rest of my life even though I love it. And I want to know how to weld. School seems like the most likely scenario, yeah?
How about the military?
The reserves to be exact. Once I actually started to think about it the only thing that's ever -really- kept me from thinking of it as a viable path was the fear of boot camp and my youth-fueled hatred of 'the man'. The Air Force (The chair force?) Seems pretty relaxed out of all the branches. I'm not out for honor or glory. I'm not going to turn into a robot like most of the people I know did (more on that in a sec) So I thought about it a good while and had a little help too. I've got a pre-qualifying exam on the 16th after I get back from NY.
I can do 8 weeks of hell. Besides, I've already been through basic brainwashing and breaking techniques... so I have a better idea what to expect. No really, I have. My CHURCH. I went to a youth conference and you start late, you're up all night, nothing to eat or drink, too much to do and not enough time, pushing us harder, barely any sleep, the same thing all day for three days and by the third day everyone just started crying and giving up. Then we got a full night's sleep and a big ass breakfast, lots of positive stuff and treats with a heavy 'love god' message slathered over everything. And I was a jesus freak for about a week... then I woke up was sort of horrified at myself. So I know what's up. I'm not 16 anymore. I'm not going to turn into some quiet, reserved shell that LOOKS like someone I knew talking about honor and dedication... or has such a problem with authority I'd try to shoot my drill instructor. (Talking about you, Holmburg.)
I would also be moving. Because if this all pans out it's time to move on. It doesn't really matter how much I work on the garage, it gets re-buried by the time I get back home. Laundry ends up all over the floor again, and for every armful of stuff taken out it seems two more come back in. Bill was even fighting me over throwing away a half ruined el cheapo shelf thing of mine. I'm not used to living like this and I can deal with it because I'm not here too often. My room is my fortress of solitude. And my dog loves my bed too. So does one of the cats for some reason... but anyway. I've got a lot of hobbies I want to get back into again. And I've got someone encouraging me with very little to gain except a good cook and company. My car hobby will probably have to be put on hold for awhile though... but it's not like cars are going anywhere.
Some part of me thinks I'm making a mistake but it's more just fear of the unknown. I'm getting old. Change is coming harder. And I'm still distrustful, I'm wary of recruiters. I've already been told that since their cutting back I might not be able to be placed at the base I want... which isn't going to work for me. I'll hold that distrust of recruiters until I have everything laid out on paper. It should be alright.
It's sort of like skydiving. You only get one try to do it right before you can go back. So do it right the first time.
How about the military?
The reserves to be exact. Once I actually started to think about it the only thing that's ever -really- kept me from thinking of it as a viable path was the fear of boot camp and my youth-fueled hatred of 'the man'. The Air Force (The chair force?) Seems pretty relaxed out of all the branches. I'm not out for honor or glory. I'm not going to turn into a robot like most of the people I know did (more on that in a sec) So I thought about it a good while and had a little help too. I've got a pre-qualifying exam on the 16th after I get back from NY.
I can do 8 weeks of hell. Besides, I've already been through basic brainwashing and breaking techniques... so I have a better idea what to expect. No really, I have. My CHURCH. I went to a youth conference and you start late, you're up all night, nothing to eat or drink, too much to do and not enough time, pushing us harder, barely any sleep, the same thing all day for three days and by the third day everyone just started crying and giving up. Then we got a full night's sleep and a big ass breakfast, lots of positive stuff and treats with a heavy 'love god' message slathered over everything. And I was a jesus freak for about a week... then I woke up was sort of horrified at myself. So I know what's up. I'm not 16 anymore. I'm not going to turn into some quiet, reserved shell that LOOKS like someone I knew talking about honor and dedication... or has such a problem with authority I'd try to shoot my drill instructor. (Talking about you, Holmburg.)
I would also be moving. Because if this all pans out it's time to move on. It doesn't really matter how much I work on the garage, it gets re-buried by the time I get back home. Laundry ends up all over the floor again, and for every armful of stuff taken out it seems two more come back in. Bill was even fighting me over throwing away a half ruined el cheapo shelf thing of mine. I'm not used to living like this and I can deal with it because I'm not here too often. My room is my fortress of solitude. And my dog loves my bed too. So does one of the cats for some reason... but anyway. I've got a lot of hobbies I want to get back into again. And I've got someone encouraging me with very little to gain except a good cook and company. My car hobby will probably have to be put on hold for awhile though... but it's not like cars are going anywhere.
Some part of me thinks I'm making a mistake but it's more just fear of the unknown. I'm getting old. Change is coming harder. And I'm still distrustful, I'm wary of recruiters. I've already been told that since their cutting back I might not be able to be placed at the base I want... which isn't going to work for me. I'll hold that distrust of recruiters until I have everything laid out on paper. It should be alright.
It's sort of like skydiving. You only get one try to do it right before you can go back. So do it right the first time.