Odd

Man, Facebook is weird...it keeps suggesting people as friends who I haven't been in touch with for years. I don't think they're still in my email contacts list. Hmmm. Very strange. Interesting to see what people are up to, though! I think we're all Nosy McNosertons at heart. It's like I tell my friends, I *like* to know what's going on with people, but not in a mean, gossipy way. It's just good to know...and often very interesting!

I friggin' love the elliptical trainer. Did about 35 minutes today, almost three miles and more than 400 calories! Crazy. I am sort of sweaty and gross right now. Probably going over to D's soon so will de-grossify sooner rather than later, but kind of nice to have cold, leftover pasta and a delicious Boulevard Brewing Co. Pale Ale whilst grossing it up.

Ohhhh man, went out for sushi with D last night and I was reminded of why I like him...we got six different kinds of sushi and this amazing, hot, plum sake. Dude puts crazy amounts of wasabi on his sushi, though. They also had GREEN iced tea and it was so good! I sucked that stuff down like it was going out of style. Mmmm.

And! and! Killary was here for a few days from VA and so so good to see her! Randy Mac ladies, unite! We did all the touristy stuff and had an awesome time. A sampling:

1. Live Irish music at Jack Quinn's
2. Quiz night at McCabe's
   
3. Cog Railway from Manitou Springs to the top of Pikes Peak
4. Miramont Castle
5. The new Night at the Museum at the IMAX!
6. Hike through Garden of the Gods
7. Beer and delicious food at Phantom Canyon Brewing Company.
8. Torchwood!
9. etc.

It was a good time.

Crikey

After assertions from friends that my writing is, actually, missed...ta da! I don't know, it seems that when things get crazy and insane and I'm running in fourteen directions at once, the things that go first are the things that bring me the most joy. Reading voraciously, writing randomly, photographing the odd and beautiful...which is really quite backward, when you think about it. Why should I be doing these things when I am at my most relaxed and quiet minded-est? It would make more sense to do it when things are crazy and stressful because what better time to give your brain a pleasant thing to do?

I've decided that last-minute trips are pretty fabulous. Maria had been telling me for a month or two that I should come visit, for sure I should come down and we would have a splendid time and she would show the best that San Antonio has to offer. Things kept coming up, weekends were inevitably scheduled to the brim, but then, a week before last Saturday, I realized that I had that weekend off. And tickets were barely $200. And I hadn't seen Maria (or some of my other favorite people, like Carrie and Seven) in months and months. So I bought my tickets, packed my bag, and went to Texas for the weekend. Flew in Friday night, flew out Monday morning. Quite frankly, dahhhhhling, I think I'm meant to be a jetsetter. I Alamo'd and River Walk'd and zoo'd it up and it was all rather awesome. Carrie and Seven drove over on Sunday so we could all spend the day at the zoo, which we wrapped up by eating lots of ice cream and talking about people and things and everything that was on our minds.

Life in Colorado Springs is so much more than I ever thought it would be. I was actually not super-excited about moving to this town because with growing up in Colorado, the only thing I ever really associated with it was, "Egads, crazy neo-conservative Christians!" Turns out they mostly roost in the northern part of town, and the southern part is just a good ol' time. Lots of college students, Soldiers, families, and a great mix of people in general. One of the great things about the military is that it really is almost as egalitarian as you can get, so you get a very interesting mix of people. I'm a regular at a few places, I've met some damn interesting people, and I've learned so much about something I never thought I'd be interested in. And now I'm thinking that when I'm done with this job, I want to use my MSW-JD degree (which I'll start working on soon) to work with vets. I've known for a long time that I wanted to work toward that MSW-JD, and now I actually have a group to focus on. I know that with the experience I gain from this job, I'll be a helluva lot better at relating to those vets.

Ughhhh, my nails are driving me crazy and I can't do anything about them because my nail stuff is at home and I'm hanging out and having a lazy Sunday elsewhere. (Lazy weekends = awesome...I haven't had one in awhile, I've either had parents around, or have been at conferences or teaching CPR and First Aid, or traveling to Texas, or gawd knows what else...and the next few will be crazy, too.)

I am thoroughly loving 2009. Twenty-six is the best year yet, and things only look better from here. It's nice when things go uphill instead of otherwise. There are times when I feel I don't deserve half of what I've got, but I appreciate every second, every iota, every gift that comes my way. Working your ass off so often seems to lead to just more work and less appreciation, but my years of working toward the (admittedly vague) goal of 'helping people' seem to have paid off in spades. It's not always easy, and there will always be days when I want to cry from frustration or heartache. It is 100% worth it, though, and every pint I drink at Jack Quinn's and every glass of Los Dos I have at Il Vicino is drunk partly in celebration of that.

Happy June, everybody.

Family time and other things

Life has been...absolutely amazing. I really don't know what to think about what's happened in the past week and a half, but I'm fairly sure it's wonderful.

Pink and yellow roses and a giant game of Scrabble...lovely.

geekzzzzz

I got the hilariousest present yesterday.  One of my favorite volunteers, a WTU Soldier, brought me pretty much the best t-shirt ever.  He had it made -- the World of Warcraft Horde symbol on the back, 'The Horde Supports Red Cross' on the front, '1337' on one sleeve, and 'MEH' on the other.  It is the geekiest thing I own, and I love it.

Back story: he is convinced that I am actually a geek, I refute this.  We were talking last week and I was playing with his phone and asked him what the hell the picture was.  Apparently, it is the Horde symbol.  Somehow this morphed into him saying, "OH MAN!  I am going to have a t-shirt made that says 'The Horde supports Red Cross!'  And I'm going to make one for [our friend, another WTU Soldier] and we're going to wear them to the Red Cross volunteer lunch thing!  And you'll have to wear yours, too!"  I thought it was hilarious but there were two caveats: one, he couldn't actually use the Red Cross symbol (they're picky about that) and two, I couldn't wear it to the luncheon because I'm supposed to be all, "oh hai, I'm representin' the Red Cross."  I'll post pictures once I take some.

I still deny the geekiness, but every time we talk he insists that I am.  Whateva.  I didn't know what the Horde symbol was AND I'm not the one who's been building computers since I was eight.

This is especially cool because of the BACK back story.  We've been doing this WTU volunteer program for less than a year, and I myself have been involved with it for less than six months.  In that time, I've gotten to know a couple of the guys especially well, and the changes I've seen have been nothing less than incredible.  Soldiers are in the WTU because they're grievously injured: physically, mentally, or emotionally.  Most of them have significant PTSD issues, which cause things like paranoia in large groups or the inability to talk to people or any number of issues.  To see how open and happy these guys are when I talk to them is amazing.  I realize that every one of these Soldiers still has a long road ahead of them.  But to have played a part in even a short stretch of that road is pretty frigging awesome.  A few months ago, they never would've taken a packet of pepper, wrapped it in napkins and straw wrappers, and presented it to me on my birthday while saying (and laughing), "Happy birthday, you really...SPICE UP OUR LIVES!"  Dorky but hilarious.

It'll be a busy weekend.  The local Red Cross chapter is having their volunteer appreciation breakfast tomorrow, I have to go into work at 1730 to take some pictures of our dog therapy folks in action with patients, Sarah's coming in from Iowa, and I feel that there's something going on on Sunday but it escapes me now just what that is.

Scarlet Harlot

Lent's over tomorrow.  I can drink beer again!  However, I think I'm being punished for something because a lovely cold hit me a day or so ago which will make enjoyment of beer a smidge more difficult.  I can wait and in the meantime drown my sorrows in Russian spice tea and food with a tablespoon or two of red pepper flakes added.

However, I was talking to the chaplains a couple days ago and found out some Fun Facts! about religious holidays.  Lent is technically 46 days, but only FORTY of those days count because Sundays don't count toward the total because every Sunday is "like a little Easter."  The 40 days being representive of the time Jesus was out in the desert being tempted by Satan.  And then Pentecost is 50 days AFTER Easter, and it is basically the Church's birthday, the day that you talk to God (a la the Pentecostal Church -- talking in tongues and all that).

Cecille came for my birthday weekend and oh man did we have a good time.  I rode a Belgian horse through the Garden of the Gods, watched the Harlem Globetrotters, won a dance-off by doing The Sprinkler in high heels and a skirt, got my ass kicked at Yahtzee, and ate far more falafel than was probably good for me.  It was a good time.  And it was so so glorious to have time off.  I could get used to four and a half day weekends.  AND apparently at 5 in the morning, I can get to and from the airport in about half an hour!  I had enough time to go back to sleep for an hour before work.  That was pretty rad.

This not breathing thing is getting old.  Sinuses schminuses.  I go from not being able to breathe to having it hurt to breathe because the damn air is so dry.  Life is difficult, what can I say.

My across-the-hall neighbor invited me over to drink beer anytime I wanted.  I ran into him in the parking lot and I think he was rather toasted already.  I did, however, see a box of Michelob Light in the seat next to him, so should I ever take him up on his offer, I may bring my own beer.  (All right all right, I am snobby about one or two things and one of those things is beer.  WHATEVER it could be worse.)

Fun fact: my Fiesta placemats aren't color safe!  Whoops.  Now I have a couple pairs of socks that are teal-er than before and a towel or two with some attractive teal accents.  Rock.

Oh God, a cough.  I refuse to let this cold go past my nose.  Through sheer force of will and/or pigheadedness, I will not let it go any farther.

(Shut up, this will work.)

Returning from a hiatus

So a friend mentioned yesterday that I should update my blog. She's pretty damn right, it's been almost a month, somehow the muse has not struck. (Or bitten me in the ass, or kicked me in the shin -- sometimes I need a little persuasion.)

Today was kind of lovely. Met up with a friend for coffee (and pumpkin scones! Delish) and then over to Borders because I am becoming my mother and not only have a Borders card, but also get their coupons in my email. I got one for "40% Off Anything." Hellooooooo, how can Barb's daughter and Thelma's granddaughter resist something like that? Turns out they were having an awesome sale on a lot of things, so I got Bedknobs and Broomsticks (love love love the old school live action/animation) for 30% off, Amy Sedaris' I Like You for $4.99, and Hiking Colorado for 40% off, which is pretty rad. If the weather's nice tomorrow, I want to go for a hike. I've not been hiking in ages; growing up in the boonies of Colorado, I heard so many horror stories about people going hiking in the winter and dying of hypothermia or getting eaten by mountain lions that I didn't think I wanted to risk that during my first winter back in Colorado. Then we went for a drive in the mountains and oh! it is beautiful here. When I think of where I could be (Fort Polk and Fort Drum come to mind), I am doubly triply bajilliontly grateful.

This week I went to my second memorial service. Those are one of those things that I think everyone should experience. The reality of war becomes much starker and more rooted in reality. A few words from the chaplain, a memorial by the commander, then one or two of the Soldier's friends speak. "Big, happy, dirty mechanic," "always there to make someone else's day better," "I saw this giant guy lumbering toward me that first day and wondered what the hell was going to happen -- he ended up being one of my best friends." Seeing a Soldier in full dress uniform fighting to hold back tears as they speak about one of their best friends, someone they considered their brother...it's not easy. The First Sergeant does the final roll call. First the names of the surviving members of the unit. "Here, First S'arnt!" "Here, First S'arnt!" Then the fallen's last name...no answer. They call him by his first and last name...no answer. Finally, and for the last time, they call out their full name...still no answer. The strains of "Amazing Grace" begin from just outside the chapel, and a piper in full regalia emerges to walk slowly past the boots and dog tags. He marches past the sea of green, a hundred Soldiers in dress greens or Class A's, and after interminable seconds, walks through the front doors of the chapel with the doors clicking shut behind him. The music fades away as you hear the shots ring out through the last, dying notes of the piper. A lone bugler plays "Taps" while everyone in the chapel stands at attention. Finally, the family is escorted to the front to say their last good-byes, and row by row, the chapel pays their respects. Two by two, the Soldiers salute their fallen brother for the last time. Everyone walks out in silence with that reminder of the true cost of war foremost in their thoughts.

And yet, every single Soldier you thank will say simply, "I'm just doing my job," and they mean every word. They accept the job knowing those risks, and do it anyway. They attend that memorial service fully aware that could have been them, knowing that when they deploy to Afghanistan or Kuwait or some other war-torn country, they could be KIA. Knowing that they're leaving behind their loved ones, knowing that their loved ones may never see them alive again, knowing that they're going to fight a war with no real end in sight. And they do it anyway, because it's their job and they know that's what they need to do.

Sometimes I think how I could get so involved in my job so quickly and how my priorities could be rearranged so absolutely. Any sacrifice I make is nothing compared to theirs, and I feel like I've been granted a rare opportunity to really make a direct difference in the lives of people who deserve it so much.

And yes, I know there's a lot that needs to be improved in our modern military. I don't have rose-colored glasses on about that. But I'm working with what's here now, and trying to make that part a little bit better. Someday I'll figure out the perfect work/life balance. Right now I'm so glad I get to do what I do, and experience these memorial services and firsthand accounts of hand-to-hand fighting and talk to a Soldier when they're experiencing the terror of their friend with terrible TBI losing a parent. He's your buddy. You're there for him.

Working with and for such incredible, resilient people makes every day something to remember. I still can't quite believe I stumbled into such an amazing job, but every day I can't put into words how grateful I am.

Wooooooo (hoo)

I figured March was going to be crazy, but what I didn't predict was how it was also going to be damn awesome.  In visitor news: my favorite uncle and his lovely wife are coming to visit this weekend, it looks like Kaitlyn will be flying in from Indianapolis with enough leeway to spend St. Patrick's Day here, Cecille's flying in from San Francisco on April 2nd (so almost March) for a long weekend, and Killary's going to get tickets to come for a long weekend in April or May!  Hahaha, oh man, I can't wait. 

Mmm, cold, cooked chicken is friggin' delicious dipped in Tony Chachere's Cajun seasoning.  I must be not eating enough fat again because I have been craving protein like crazy.  (Fun fact I discovered last time I spent my waking hours dreaming about beef jerky: when you crave protein and aren't weightlifting or whatever, it probably means that you're not getting enough fat in your diet and your body craves protein -- kind of weird, but delicious!)

We had our station inspection today, and I feel friggin' awesome about it.  All of our files were ace, they loved our Pet Therapy program, things were up-to-date, I had a nice chat with the Regional Manager, and yay! it's amazing how much stress lifted off my shoulders when that was over.  I had actually gone into work yesterday for about four hours to make sure that everything was up to snuff.  Updating our physical and computer volunteer files, organizing the office, etc.  Nothing was very outdated or anything, but I wanted to make sure it was juuuuuuuuust right.

Dropkick Murphys just came on the radio!  Even better, it's their pro-labor cover, "Which Side Are You On?"  This song is amazing live.  I love these guys, they make me so damn happy! 

Will you be a lousy scab or will you be a man?

Pub quiz tonight!  Jeff's and my team has yet to break into the top 5...or 10...but damn do we have a good time.  We call ourselves Lady's Man.  Should it be Ladies' Man?   Depends on the usage, I guess.

Secrets

Today, two cards from PostSecret made me cry.  The first because the thought made me so happy, the second because while I never did anything like that, the thought of those wonderful nurses understanding and knowing enough to let that girl be comforted by them...well, I think the reason it makes me cry is pretty self-explanatory.

Arrrrrrrchetypal

Wheee date last night. I generally don't chit chat about that stuff on here, but it was a pretty good one, so y'know...why not? We went to a cool and/or funky restaurant and I got a smoked gouda BLT, which holy crapsticks, Batman, it was friggin' delicious. Annnnnd they had amazing sangria and delicious hot cocktails (my second drink was a 'Honey Pot').

I had one of those lovely moments, too. The waiter came to our table to get our drink order, and he looked at me closely and said, "Hey, have I seen you in here before?" "No, no, this is my first time..." Chit chat for a moment, he wanders off to put in our order. My date and I are laughing about this and he commented that I looked like I fit in because apparently my style is cool and (/or) funky. HaHA! Why am I so pleased about this comment? I don't know. I think it's my inner middle school nerd who still wears giant Snoopy t-shirts and tapered Wal-Mart jeans, giggling gleefully that she's somehow pulled the wool over peoples' eyes. Suckers!

We were going to go ice skating. This plan failed because we ended up talking for a few hours instead. It was nice, and my ass didn't get cold and wet (which is what inevitably happens every time I go ice skating). That wasn't QUITE my whole point and purpose of staying and chatting, but admittedly it was roughly 4.79% of the reason. Can one be ladylike with an ass that is not only wet but also cold? The universe awaits an answer.

Now I am watching Titanic and eating a coconut popsicle. Long ass week, February was a crazy month and March promises to be even more so. Yeeeeeeehaw.

In other news....

...I have decided that the endearment 'cutie' is really freaking irritating. 

Hummity hmmmm

I've been feeling disjointed from current events.  I hear and read about how terrible things are, and a few of my friends have been affected by the economic downturn, but working with the military -- with a job that only becomes more relevant the worse things get -- it's hard for me to really comprehend how bad things are for so many.  (Knock on wood.)  I rent, so don't have to worry about mortgages...I'm not stupid with money, I have family members who are always more than happy to help out should I ever need it, my job is working with the military, and the worse things get over there...the more important what I do becomes.  It's a strange conundrum.  Not that I'm making crazy amounts o' dollahs, but I do enjoy my job and it keeps beef jerky and string cheese on the table.  (OMNOM.)

Last week I met the woman who founded Soldiers' Angels (as well as one of the guys who starred in this documentary).  There was a leadership conference at the Air Force Academy and so Susanne and I went with the express purpose of meeting that amazing woman.  It's incredible what one person can do, and she's already promised to keep my and my Soldiers well-supplied when I deploy! 

I'm getting so many photos framed and looking around at my walls makes me so happy because I think of all these happy memories and think of how many more there are to come. 

A little sushi with my wine

'ello.  It's been awhile.  (For at least part of the reason why, read previous posts.)  I've been journaling a lot recently and have been struck at the difference between my private journal and what I write here.  I can be Mopey or Bitchy McGee in my private journal, but once I jump on the keyboard and start writing here?  Ho ho ho, it's a jolly old time!  Plus, I actually have to worry about being interesting or at least kinda readable.  When I write for myself, I can beat the damn horse to death, resuscitate it, whack it a few more times, rinse and repeat...but hey, that clears my mind and probably makes me a much more pleasant person.

Tonight I went to Sam's Club to pick up some necessities: goat's cheese, jerky, dried cherries, Hot Pockets, orange juice, and California rolls (yum dinner).  Also wine.  Lots of wine.  I'm giving up beer for Lent, so I wanted to stock up on my other alcoholic options.  There was a lady in an electric wheelchair who was, I swear, following me around and nearly running me over numerous times in her quest to get to all the free sample tables.  What is this country coming to if we can't even peruse the aisles of an enormous warehouse club without worrying about our toes being cut off?  Tragic, really.  Annnd Kohl's was having a sale, so haha! I bought a bunch of frames.  It's amazing what a difference having framed pictures on the wall makes.  Eye em klasseeeeeee.  I guess it's better than the Periodic Table of Mixed Drinks or pictures of mostly nekkid ladies?

I went on a fun date last night.  How could you not appreciate someone who suggests Mexican food and an 80s cover band?  Plus he has a totally fun car.  It's nice going out with dudes post-college because hey! they generally have real jobs and are all suave and awesome about paying for stuff.  I'll still offer, but generally they're all manly about it, in which case I just offer my very sincere thanks.  Free is an awesome price.

I'm taking a class in April to learn computer crap, and in order to prepare for said class, I have to take a shit-ton of online classes.  How many acronyms does the Army really need?  Seriously.  Wouldn't it just be easier for all involved to write out the damn thing?  Unless you're in a situation where seconds means saving lives, what's the point?  And I don't really think that people in a life-threatening situation are going to be spouting out acronyms.  Just sayin'.

tomorrow

I'm flying out to Michigan tomorrow.  My grandma passed early this morning, funeral's on Monday.  It was inevitable, and I knew it was going to happen soon, but when it does actually happen, there's always a bit of a sense of unreality.  She was so calm and at peace and happy about it, though.  I think that made it easier for everyone.  It's odd to think that I don't have any grandparents left.

Anyway...lots to think about, eh?

Interesting times

I found out last night that my grandma's taken a turn for the worst, and if she makes it past the weekend, it'll be kind of miraculous.  It's taken me until this afternoon to really have that knowledge filter all the way down.  My brother and I are looking at ticket prices (the weather is too horrible to drive, I think), and it's just such a strange sensation.  I didn't want to talk about it today because you don't want people to do things for you because they feel sorry for you, plus, I can't BE sad at my job.  The Red Cross ain't allowed, haha.  I was all right until after lunch, and then it hit me.  I left at 1530, had to gather my thoughts and get ready for possibly leaving for Michigan.

It would've been a great day if not for that.  Met some awesome people I can liaise with, got some great possibilities for where we can hold our 'Babysitter's Boot Camp' (March 28th, held on Fort Carson, 48 spots to be trained for free babysitters' certifications), talked up the Pet Therapy program, continued my streak of charming older Hispanic gentlemen, and finished a few more spreadsheets. 

I hope you're all warm and happy on this cold January day.  Love love to you all.

hahahahahha

Holy crap!  What a great day.

Drinkin' and spreadsheets

All hail the Excel Queen.  For a program that I sincerely dislike, I have a disturbing affinity for said program.  I've now learned how to do pivot tables.  What the hell, yo?  WHY MUST YOU INSIST ON MAKING MY LOVELY SPREADSHEETS ALL WEIRD-STYLE?  HR requested said pivot tables especially, dammit.  I'd spent hours on a kick-ass, color-coded, multiple worksheet'd spreadsheet, too!  Arrrrrrrrrse.

Geekity geek geek geek.  The other night I spent hours on my damn computer because it would start and be working fine, and then about a minute into working, it'd stop.  I mean, the screen would still be there, but that damn circle would keep spinning.  So tra la, start it up in safe mode with networking, search the web trying to figure out what the hell happened, download the Vista recovery disk (because Microsoft is too cheap to package it with the actual computer), discover that sometimes Skype reacts poorly with Vista and causes this self-same problem!  Remove Skype, restart computer, watch it analyze the hard drive for awhile, and poof! my geek-tenacity pays off.  This damn thing has never worked better.  Stupid Skype.

So we've decided on the two nights a week to go out (plus one on the weekend, perhaps).  We're working on the alliteration for Monday (something along the lines of 'Magical' perhaps, because we never know how much we'll have taken off our tab!) and Thursdays are 'T'irsty T'ursdays' since we spend 'em at Jack Quinn's listening to an Irish band and drinking snakebites and black 'n' tans. 

Brrrr, it's actually been winter-like today.

A big ol' hoopty-hoop

My muse has been in hiding lately.  Birthday cards have gone unsent, emails languish in my inbox, letters remain unwritten, journals have remained resolutely free of the stains of my pencils and pens, and this poor old blog cries itself to sleep every night.  It's easy to blame the busy-ness of work.  And this job that I have -- this job that I love and adore -- it does have the tendency to take over a bit.  There's just SO MUCH, and what I'm doing, I can actually SEE what kind of difference I'm making in someone's life...it is, admittedly, intoxicating.  And as I involve myself more with these projects and amazing things, my interests branch out and I find five more things that I want to learn about or do. 

Tis the month for homecomings -- well, next month (which is nearly here).  Troops galore are coming back from their tours and it is fabulously exciting and wonderful.  Last week, Susanne and I went to the Welcome Home ceremony for the torch party (the very first group to come back from any deployment).  The best moment, voyeuristic as it may have been, was watching a Soldier meet his two-week-old baby for the very first time.  Can you imagine?  This tiny little person that yo helped make, and that was the very first time that little person had any reality for you.  I grinned like an idiot with tears in my eyes for the majority of the ceremony (which was thankfully very, very short on the speechifying). 

AND and and! two of my friends are joining the Navy and Air Force as officers!  I mostly work with enlisted, but I am very excited to be able to have these (built in! haha) up-close-and-personal relationships because I can share the importance of not being one of those officers who doesn't care about their Soldiers/Marines/Airmen/Sailors.  There is still a very distinct hierarchy in the military, and to an extent I do think that's necessary, but officers need to be able to earn the respect of the enlisted and not just get lip service because they happen to have bars or birds instead of chevrons.  There needs to be respect on both sides.

Other exciting news that I'll share soon.  Just gotta wait on a few things.

I've almost finished the Little House series I got from my lovely seestur.  Again, the lack of the muse means I haven't been reading as much as usual, but I absolutely love those books.  I'm taking a bit more time on The First Four Years because really? I want to rail at Fate for serving Laura and Almanzo such a heaping pile o' awfulness.  Diphtheria, droughts, hail, death of a baby son -- how do you like them apples?  Plus, reading stories like that gives me the thought in the back of my mind of, "Hey, when is my turn coming up?"  It doesn't really seem quite fair that some people get kicked when they're down -- repeatedly -- and others, while of course they have hardships, don't seem to end up with quite such a series of unfortunate events. 

I keep distracting myself with chores, which probably means that it's time for me to buckle down and finish the cleaning I started last week.  Sparkly clean!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow we make history.

No matter what political party you belong to, January 20, 2009 will be a momentous day.  Fifty-four years ago, public schools in the South officially became desegregated.  Forty-four years ago, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law.  During the lifetime of our parents, in the entire world's living memory, the United States has made unbelievable strides and tomorrow the hard work and sacrifice of millions of people will be physically manifested in the swearing in of our very first African-American President, a man who exemplifies the best things about this country.

It's a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dreary social and political climate.  I wish I could be in D.C. to watch it all.

So so proud and incredibly happy.  "May your children live in interesting times" is more a mixed blessing than a curse, and what's happening tomorrow balances out so much of the bad.

Odd

My hair is getting wavier.  I'm not exactly sure what's up with that, most of the websites I found dealt with hair changes due to pregnancy hormones, and I am definitely not experiencing any of those.  I mean, it's not really a BAD thing (I have always wanted wavy or curly hair), it's just weird.  I guess it goes along with the whole New Year/changes idea.

I've been working out a little bit and my arms are sore.  But ooooh you just wait for the gun show!  (And NOT the Small Arms Division, har har)

Work has been crazy, and I'm still looking forward to the day when I actually know what the hell I'm doing -- but I'm having an awfully good time getting there.  I'm becoming a fount of military knowledge, which continually strikes me as funny and kind of unbelievable.  When I first started, my boss then made it sound like it would be such a hard thing to learn what I needed to learn.  I've discovered that there is a lot to learn, and I will never be an expert, but the longer I'm around it, the easier it becomes and the things that didn't make sense before become a helluva lot clearer.

2009

Happy 2009, everybody. 

It's going to be an interesting year, I can't wait to see what it brings.