Monday, March 28, 2011
The Other Side..
I think I am starting to get a tiny bit of a taste of what life in the military will be like. I am still early in the game and still have so much to learn about rules and expectations, but every day and with each person I speak with the clouds are lifting. I am learning that the military has better staffing than any other facility on the planet. There is usually helping hands all around. The work is not that difficult and it is very relaxed. I hear about almost endless opportunities to advance and seek education. The negative that keeps creeping up is the political side of things. The endless networking and schmoozing that needs to take place if you want a particular path. There are some opportunities in the military that are highly competetive and if you don't have the right people backing you then you are screwed. This is where I have big time concerns!! I have always come from the school that the work should speak for your worth. However, I am told that the real swing vote in the military comes from the right person backing you. I fear this may be my ultimate hurdle with the organization. Don't get me wrong - I will not let the political nature deter me from going for anything. It just means I need to work on being seen in a more positive light and speaking up a little more. It is all about finding out how I can fit what they are looking for and hoping I can use my skills to help balance my obvious weakness in networking.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
What was I thinking???
Went way outside the box when picking a color for the bathrooms. I thought I would make life easy and use the same color in both bathrooms. I thought I would go with a very non-manly ultra light lavender. My belief was that it would be subtle and non offensive for the early mornings and for some reason it seemed like a good idea.
The paint is on the wall in the master bathroom and me no like! It is horrible and no parts of the color make me feel like I made a wise decision. Ugghhh! This means I must repaint the damn room and more appropriate color. I should have stopped after one wall, but I wanted to get the full effect and keep it for a day or two to make sure I hated it. Turns out after two days i hate it much more than I did on day one.
Plan 'B' is a tan or boring beige, but a very light one. My colors in the joint are earth tones and I need to stick to the theme. No more outside the box thinking for me. Oh well, live and learn!
The paint is on the wall in the master bathroom and me no like! It is horrible and no parts of the color make me feel like I made a wise decision. Ugghhh! This means I must repaint the damn room and more appropriate color. I should have stopped after one wall, but I wanted to get the full effect and keep it for a day or two to make sure I hated it. Turns out after two days i hate it much more than I did on day one.
Plan 'B' is a tan or boring beige, but a very light one. My colors in the joint are earth tones and I need to stick to the theme. No more outside the box thinking for me. Oh well, live and learn!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Blue??
The Air Show was this weekend and it was a really cool event. Never having been to an air show i was not quite what to experience.
There were all sorts of planes on display and the public was allowed to enter some of the really big ones. THE Clydesdale's were there and some other things on display. There were air performances topped off by the Blue angles. Overall it was a fun experience.
A few thing I noticed:
There were all sorts of planes on display and the public was allowed to enter some of the really big ones. THE Clydesdale's were there and some other things on display. There were air performances topped off by the Blue angles. Overall it was a fun experience.
A few thing I noticed:
- Planes are loud.
- People dress really badly
- People eat anything on a stick
- White folk burn easy
Another head scratcher was the Blue Angles. Sure there show was fun, but after a few passes it was boring. As I was leaving I saw the real jaw dropper. People were lined up to get autographs!! That is right autographs from these pilots. I don't get it! They are pilots. They operate a machine. Would you ask the bus driver for an autograph?
Granted what they do is kinda cool, but nothing that anyone else could not do (with the same amount of training). I just don't get it. I am way more impressed by the infantry guys who manage to stay alive while getting shot at everyday. Those are the guys who I admire.
Anyway, it was a god experience!!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Run bad..run no good..
Running! Such an evil word and an even worse activity. An activity that is making my life miserable. See I have been lax in my training and it reflects in my recent attempts at running.
When I am running regularly I can run a mile in about 08:25. Not blazing speed, but respectable enough to allow me to pass my PFT. However, since I have been a lazy slug since finishing COT I am now running around 09:30 mil/min. Not a respectable time. The evil truth is that the only way to improve run times is to run more! I do not care for that crazy logic.
So, I run! I gasp for air! I curse all those Sam Adams I have been sucking down over the past 6 weeks and I run some more. It is frustrating that improvements come so very slowly and takes so much effort. It also frustrates me that others seems to run with ease and can blow my times out of the water.
I have come to the acceptance that i will never enter a marathon. Never even run a half marathon. I just don't have an inner runner screaming to get out. The most I will ever do in about 5 miles and I am okay with that. I mean I have been running for two years and there are days I can't finish a mile without stopping to walk. so i can never imaging 20-something - forget that!
For now I run mile one mile at a time and hope that I can improve enough to pass my test.
When I am running regularly I can run a mile in about 08:25. Not blazing speed, but respectable enough to allow me to pass my PFT. However, since I have been a lazy slug since finishing COT I am now running around 09:30 mil/min. Not a respectable time. The evil truth is that the only way to improve run times is to run more! I do not care for that crazy logic.
So, I run! I gasp for air! I curse all those Sam Adams I have been sucking down over the past 6 weeks and I run some more. It is frustrating that improvements come so very slowly and takes so much effort. It also frustrates me that others seems to run with ease and can blow my times out of the water.
I have come to the acceptance that i will never enter a marathon. Never even run a half marathon. I just don't have an inner runner screaming to get out. The most I will ever do in about 5 miles and I am okay with that. I mean I have been running for two years and there are days I can't finish a mile without stopping to walk. so i can never imaging 20-something - forget that!
For now I run mile one mile at a time and hope that I can improve enough to pass my test.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
My Thursday...
Hmm, I'll think about it
not so great close up
My jars. I heart them.
Sorting
That is a lot of crock
My precious
Little creepy??
Ends..loose..
The apartment is starting to take shape. Most of the rooms are set up with some finishing details still needed. Clothes still need to be sorted and stored somewhere. And a bit more painting remains, but overall the place is starting to look less like a dump and more like a crowded apartment.
I had to go to the dentist yesterday. Not my favorite place in the world. I get extremely anxious in the dentist office. Fear and panic take over and I pray for the moment I can leave.
They did xrays, a cleaning and an exam. They started with a bloop pressure an surprise it was high! Every time I see any provider my BP elevates. To be honest the event was not near as bad as I expected. I do have a return appointment for some work that needs to be done, but I survived!
I had to go to the dentist yesterday. Not my favorite place in the world. I get extremely anxious in the dentist office. Fear and panic take over and I pray for the moment I can leave.
They did xrays, a cleaning and an exam. They started with a bloop pressure an surprise it was high! Every time I see any provider my BP elevates. To be honest the event was not near as bad as I expected. I do have a return appointment for some work that needs to be done, but I survived!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
All this crap...
My stuff is here and now what? Now i must unbox, make room for and arrange everything. i know, most military folks allow the movers to unbox and set up, but I have to do it myself. it is a process of getting everything just right - I mean I have to live with it!!
Yesterday, was about clearing some space an unboxing the dining room and kitchen - and attempting to put some semblance of a living room into place.
So far not so bad. However, the more I unpack the more there seems to be to do!! Yikes!! And where the hell is the closet space?? I, for the life of me, have no idea where all my shoes and clothes are going to go!! I have 3 wardrobe boxes of coats and at last count 28 boxes of clothes. I know that seems like a lot, but I keep everything until I am forced to part with it! Plus, my weight is always up and down so my clothes range in sizes from skinny to big fat. So it is not that many clothes at each given size.
Shoes - wow! I love tennis shoes and cannot own enough of them and refuse to toss them until they are shabby and torn. I rationalize that the old ones can be yard shoes, but eventually they have to go.
Funny thing is - I purged about half of my clothes about a year ago!!
Now, I need to pack away all coats, sweaters, scarves, gloves, woolly things and anything that is snow or extreme cold related. It will be a very long time until I need those things again! To be honest, I am really going to miss the snow! I loved it and cannot wait to return to some snow covered place in the future!
Oh well, gotta make a plan and get to making this dump a home!
Yesterday, was about clearing some space an unboxing the dining room and kitchen - and attempting to put some semblance of a living room into place.
So far not so bad. However, the more I unpack the more there seems to be to do!! Yikes!! And where the hell is the closet space?? I, for the life of me, have no idea where all my shoes and clothes are going to go!! I have 3 wardrobe boxes of coats and at last count 28 boxes of clothes. I know that seems like a lot, but I keep everything until I am forced to part with it! Plus, my weight is always up and down so my clothes range in sizes from skinny to big fat. So it is not that many clothes at each given size.
Shoes - wow! I love tennis shoes and cannot own enough of them and refuse to toss them until they are shabby and torn. I rationalize that the old ones can be yard shoes, but eventually they have to go.
Funny thing is - I purged about half of my clothes about a year ago!!
Now, I need to pack away all coats, sweaters, scarves, gloves, woolly things and anything that is snow or extreme cold related. It will be a very long time until I need those things again! To be honest, I am really going to miss the snow! I loved it and cannot wait to return to some snow covered place in the future!
Oh well, gotta make a plan and get to making this dump a home!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Perspective
I went to work yesterday feeling sort of down. I had several things weighing heavily on me and I was stressed about it all. I was trying to suck it up and be an adult and having a difficult time with it.
However, I was a ble to speak to a few people during my day. These were people with many years in the military and just hearing what they told me actually allowed me to feel better. I am also able to refocus on what is REALLY important and that is not just how things impact me directly - that is now why I am here.
A reality check was a good thing for me and now with a new perspective I can focus on what i need to do to be the best i can be. I am actually excited for the many challenges that are ahead of me. It just amazes me how much a day can change your total perspective.
However, I was a ble to speak to a few people during my day. These were people with many years in the military and just hearing what they told me actually allowed me to feel better. I am also able to refocus on what is REALLY important and that is not just how things impact me directly - that is now why I am here.
A reality check was a good thing for me and now with a new perspective I can focus on what i need to do to be the best i can be. I am actually excited for the many challenges that are ahead of me. It just amazes me how much a day can change your total perspective.
Unpacking!!
Monday! I never thought it would ever get here and i never thought it would ever end. All the household belongings were delivered! Last night I slept on an actual bed! With sheets - 1000tc sheets! Oh I feel human again!!
I woke up to make coffee and then reality hit me smack dab in the face. Boxes everywhere and no time for me to dig into it. Thankfully, I have someone here to help or I would go crazy.
I will get two days leave to unpack but that will need to wait a day or two as I have some meetings scheduled this week. once those are done I will ask for the time and by the weekend this ghetto apartment will take shape and look like what it should.
I woke up to make coffee and then reality hit me smack dab in the face. Boxes everywhere and no time for me to dig into it. Thankfully, I have someone here to help or I would go crazy.
I will get two days leave to unpack but that will need to wait a day or two as I have some meetings scheduled this week. once those are done I will ask for the time and by the weekend this ghetto apartment will take shape and look like what it should.
Monday in review
whew..didn't think it would fit..
Da babies had to see what was up
Been so long since I seen the dining room
It is coming together
No to the rest of the boxesMonday, March 14, 2011
It Comes..
My furniture arrives today!! What a wonderful piece of news! I can live like a grown up once again. I can study at a real table. Sleep on a real bed. patio furniture returns to the outdoors and I can eat on real plates and use real silverware.
Wow! I had not realised how living like a refugee was impacting me, but it really has taken a toll on my morale. All my clothes arrive also - there are clothes and shoes I have lot seen for about right months!! Glorious day!
Yikes, now comes the sorting and putting away of things. Small price to pay for the journey to normalcy. Plus, I am not required to do any of the heavy lifting! I am not even going to be here today! My POA has the task of directing the movers. I will get two days to sort my items, but I have to work around my schedule.
Wow! I had not realised how living like a refugee was impacting me, but it really has taken a toll on my morale. All my clothes arrive also - there are clothes and shoes I have lot seen for about right months!! Glorious day!
Yikes, now comes the sorting and putting away of things. Small price to pay for the journey to normalcy. Plus, I am not required to do any of the heavy lifting! I am not even going to be here today! My POA has the task of directing the movers. I will get two days to sort my items, but I have to work around my schedule.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Gut Don't Lie!
First impressions. How much weight should they hold when meeting someone? How good are we at making correct interpretations of others during the first impression period?
I had a situation where i was introduced to someone at work and my instincts immediately flagged the person as a fake. I tried to look beyond that and attempt to see the person as more than what my gut said, but it was such a strong impression.
So what bugged me about the person? They spoke like a preschool teacher. You know, someone pouring on the sugar and continued to speak in a condescending tone - even is only slightly. I have me this type of person hundreds of time in the past and they are most always an evil bitter person playing nice.
I tried to shake my gut feeling and give the person the benefit of the doubt. i really tried! However, I later accidentally heard this person speaking badly of another and it was like my instincts telling my brain, "I told you so!"
Now I must play nice and use the techniques I have learned over the years to deal with this person. That means lots of smiles and only small talk and to basically avoid the person, because nothing good comes from befriending that type of personality.
Sad, I did not think I would run into that type in the military - lesson learned.
I had a situation where i was introduced to someone at work and my instincts immediately flagged the person as a fake. I tried to look beyond that and attempt to see the person as more than what my gut said, but it was such a strong impression.
So what bugged me about the person? They spoke like a preschool teacher. You know, someone pouring on the sugar and continued to speak in a condescending tone - even is only slightly. I have me this type of person hundreds of time in the past and they are most always an evil bitter person playing nice.
I tried to shake my gut feeling and give the person the benefit of the doubt. i really tried! However, I later accidentally heard this person speaking badly of another and it was like my instincts telling my brain, "I told you so!"
Now I must play nice and use the techniques I have learned over the years to deal with this person. That means lots of smiles and only small talk and to basically avoid the person, because nothing good comes from befriending that type of personality.
Sad, I did not think I would run into that type in the military - lesson learned.
Tolerate thy neighbors...
Apartment living is just not my thing! Mind you, the interior of the apartment is okay, but the people around me are not making this a pleasant experience.
I have an upstairs apartment and the people all around downstairs have children. Not just children,but young children and many of them. They play all around the front of the building and they are loud screaming crying evil little brats.
A typical day finds bicycles, shoes and toys littering the walkway. It is like I have been planted smack dab in the middle of a bunch of poor people. Well, that is exactly what has happened. Lord help me!
I signed a year lease and will probably be stationed here for at least 3-4 years. I was toying with the thought of moving, but that is such a hassle and expense- so I may just gut it out!
This experience will be considered a sort of life lesson and will teach me what to look for on my next assignment. I have had many little surprise lessons already and I am way early in my career.
I have an upstairs apartment and the people all around downstairs have children. Not just children,but young children and many of them. They play all around the front of the building and they are loud screaming crying evil little brats.
A typical day finds bicycles, shoes and toys littering the walkway. It is like I have been planted smack dab in the middle of a bunch of poor people. Well, that is exactly what has happened. Lord help me!
I signed a year lease and will probably be stationed here for at least 3-4 years. I was toying with the thought of moving, but that is such a hassle and expense- so I may just gut it out!
This experience will be considered a sort of life lesson and will teach me what to look for on my next assignment. I have had many little surprise lessons already and I am way early in my career.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Skills? Huh?
Yesterday marked a month of being out of COT. I sort of miss it! Funny, right? I found myself walking down a hall yesterday and the thought of marching came to mind. I have not marched in a month and most likely will never march again and that makes me a little sad. Not that I was particularly good at marching, but I miss it just the same.
When I was absolutely sure no one was looking I did an about face movement. Okay, I did it several times. It was a movement that gave me problems learning , but now i can do it with the best of them. Sadly, a skill not really appreciated in a hospital. I also don't believe any future employers will care much on my skills of facing a completely different direction. Pity!
So,what was the point of all that marching if I never get the chance of showing off my bad ass skills? i don't get to corner, no columns from the left or right, and no more "forward harch". I guess I will mark it up to useless knowledge that is filling my brain and preventing usable information from gaining entrance.
When I was absolutely sure no one was looking I did an about face movement. Okay, I did it several times. It was a movement that gave me problems learning , but now i can do it with the best of them. Sadly, a skill not really appreciated in a hospital. I also don't believe any future employers will care much on my skills of facing a completely different direction. Pity!
So,what was the point of all that marching if I never get the chance of showing off my bad ass skills? i don't get to corner, no columns from the left or right, and no more "forward harch". I guess I will mark it up to useless knowledge that is filling my brain and preventing usable information from gaining entrance.
Bump..Bump..Bump?
I got a bit of news yesterday that is not settling too well with me. I don't want to get into details about it but it has an enormous impact on my foreseeable future with the military. It all boils down to not getting everything spelled out from the very beginning.
I am finding out with the military the people you are forced to deal with on most everything is not the person who has most of the answers. An example, you go to personnel to ask a specific question that has come up. You speak to an airman who really has very little experience with anything. They attempt to answer - sometimes they are wrong and sometimes they just look at you with some sort of glazed look, but that is the only person you have to find out the information.
My recruiter told me some things and at no real fault of his own it became an error down the road. Now I must pay big time for that little error.
So, last evening I pondered on my particular situation with several adult beverages and this morning I have had a full 24 hours to take in the situation. I guess I have two choices in front of me. I can bitch and moan about it and maybe throw a bit of a temper tantrum (I am pretty good at this one). The second option is to swallow hard and get on with my life and do the absolute best job that i can.
The gut instinct is to be a total bitch, but I am attempting to grow and become a better person. It is so damn to be a better person and what is in it for me in the end?
It physically makes me hurt that i am subjected to something I believe to be totally unfair. However, I got to suck it up and look for opportunities that will benefit me more in the long run.
I am glad this did not happen on Monday and that I have an entire weekend to vent, bitch and moan before I turn up on Monday morning. I tell you it sucks to grow up!
I am finding out with the military the people you are forced to deal with on most everything is not the person who has most of the answers. An example, you go to personnel to ask a specific question that has come up. You speak to an airman who really has very little experience with anything. They attempt to answer - sometimes they are wrong and sometimes they just look at you with some sort of glazed look, but that is the only person you have to find out the information.
My recruiter told me some things and at no real fault of his own it became an error down the road. Now I must pay big time for that little error.
So, last evening I pondered on my particular situation with several adult beverages and this morning I have had a full 24 hours to take in the situation. I guess I have two choices in front of me. I can bitch and moan about it and maybe throw a bit of a temper tantrum (I am pretty good at this one). The second option is to swallow hard and get on with my life and do the absolute best job that i can.
The gut instinct is to be a total bitch, but I am attempting to grow and become a better person. It is so damn to be a better person and what is in it for me in the end?
It physically makes me hurt that i am subjected to something I believe to be totally unfair. However, I got to suck it up and look for opportunities that will benefit me more in the long run.
I am glad this did not happen on Monday and that I have an entire weekend to vent, bitch and moan before I turn up on Monday morning. I tell you it sucks to grow up!
My Friday
The drive home - stuck in traffic
Target - for a frame
Sam Adams - Me Likie!!
Dinner Salad..yumm
I wanna be outside
Too damn nice to work
My morning Commute
Friday, March 11, 2011
A Pad Day...
So the alarm goes off at 0505. I will not allow myself to wake at even hours so it is always 0505, 0423,0457, or 0503. It is a weird habit I entered into ages ago, but anywho. I wake up usually 2-3 hours before I need to be at work so I can ease myself into the day. It is the one part of the day that belongs totally to ME.
This morning had special significance. It is March 11th, and today I can place my order for the new Ipad 2! Yup, I am that guy who has been eagerly awaiting the release of the second generation before plopping down my hard earned money for the latest greatest Apple invention.
I avoided the first generation because i knew the second would be around the corner in a matter of time and I would want it too. Buying the second generation means i will not buy again until the fourth generation. mainly because I cannot afford to buy a new tech device as often as Apple rolls one out. Hell, i waited til the fourth generation to purchase an Iphone.
Well, I woke up and whipped my PC (not apple laptop here) and placed my order. Bummer! They charged tax!! I ordered one of the covers as well. Then I see the summary. The cover will arrive a full week before the Ipad and the Ipad may not get here until the 29th of march!!! The evil bastards.
This is why Apple sucks!! They should have provided a pre-order so we could receive the Ipad around the same time as the store release. Se I live in a place where there is no - NONE - Apple stores and I work for a living. Sot the thought of gassing at $3.58/gal and driving 100 miles to stand in line for an Ipad after working a full day was not a fucking option. C'mon Apple get with the program!!
I know why they are being suck douche bags this time around. A 1700 release will garner local and national media attention so they can show the losers standing in line for yet another product. Is it really necessary? The ba-zillions you will make off the selling of the product is not enough??
Oh well, whenever my new gadget comes in I will be giddy with girl-like enthusiasm!!
This morning had special significance. It is March 11th, and today I can place my order for the new Ipad 2! Yup, I am that guy who has been eagerly awaiting the release of the second generation before plopping down my hard earned money for the latest greatest Apple invention.
I avoided the first generation because i knew the second would be around the corner in a matter of time and I would want it too. Buying the second generation means i will not buy again until the fourth generation. mainly because I cannot afford to buy a new tech device as often as Apple rolls one out. Hell, i waited til the fourth generation to purchase an Iphone.
Well, I woke up and whipped my PC (not apple laptop here) and placed my order. Bummer! They charged tax!! I ordered one of the covers as well. Then I see the summary. The cover will arrive a full week before the Ipad and the Ipad may not get here until the 29th of march!!! The evil bastards.
This is why Apple sucks!! They should have provided a pre-order so we could receive the Ipad around the same time as the store release. Se I live in a place where there is no - NONE - Apple stores and I work for a living. Sot the thought of gassing at $3.58/gal and driving 100 miles to stand in line for an Ipad after working a full day was not a fucking option. C'mon Apple get with the program!!
I know why they are being suck douche bags this time around. A 1700 release will garner local and national media attention so they can show the losers standing in line for yet another product. Is it really necessary? The ba-zillions you will make off the selling of the product is not enough??
Oh well, whenever my new gadget comes in I will be giddy with girl-like enthusiasm!!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Idol crap..
American Idol is back and yes I am once again hooked - somewhat!
I was curious as to how I would feel about a Simon-less Idol and I am adjusting. I do believe that Steven Tyler an JLo are a bit soft on the contestants. And you notice how little interaction there is between the judges. I am guessing that they don't like each other all that much. And I am sick and tired of all the commercials that feature JLo - Enough of that fame whore!!
As far as the contestants I agree they are better this year. That Pia chick is amazing and thia is my favorite and I believe she will get better as the weeks go on. I am dumbstruck at all the fuss with Scotty whatever his name is. He did a Garth Brooks song and it was painful to listen to and the judges raved about it - WTF.
The last one Naimia or whatever sang Umbrella - OMG that was bad and then to hear her speak afterwards. She "overstands" what the hell sort of word is that. Goodness, she no speak no good! Yikes!!
I know what will happen. My favorites will get the boot and these horrid talentless few will hang around and in the finale the worst possible person will win (aka Lee Deweeze, Rubin Studdard and Taylor Hicks) and I will cuss and rant about it.
Same old, Same old!
I was curious as to how I would feel about a Simon-less Idol and I am adjusting. I do believe that Steven Tyler an JLo are a bit soft on the contestants. And you notice how little interaction there is between the judges. I am guessing that they don't like each other all that much. And I am sick and tired of all the commercials that feature JLo - Enough of that fame whore!!
As far as the contestants I agree they are better this year. That Pia chick is amazing and thia is my favorite and I believe she will get better as the weeks go on. I am dumbstruck at all the fuss with Scotty whatever his name is. He did a Garth Brooks song and it was painful to listen to and the judges raved about it - WTF.
The last one Naimia or whatever sang Umbrella - OMG that was bad and then to hear her speak afterwards. She "overstands" what the hell sort of word is that. Goodness, she no speak no good! Yikes!!
I know what will happen. My favorites will get the boot and these horrid talentless few will hang around and in the finale the worst possible person will win (aka Lee Deweeze, Rubin Studdard and Taylor Hicks) and I will cuss and rant about it.
Same old, Same old!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Not So Good Eats...
Trying to get my feel for my new city and the best way I know how to do such a thing is finding where the good restaurants are. I surf online and read reviews and visit one here and there, but yesterday I went to a long-time local and got the skinny. The local gave me a list of about 10 eateries to check out, so I visited one last night.
I had been craving Italian food and was delighted to find out there was a "good" one just a few miles from where I am currently living. So I forced a buddy to come along and we headed to get some eggplant parm (I have been craving for ages).
We get to the place and first impressions are pretty good. The place looks a lot nicer than all the other places I have been to in the area. We enter the building and find the young hostess. We confirm that there are just two of us and she leads us to a table. I am not a big fan of tables in a mostly empty restaurant so I as for a booth.
The look this girl gave me when I asked for a different seat was priceless. She grabbed the menu's and silverware walked around the corner and literally tossed the items on the table without ever looking back at us or even inquiring if the seating was acceptable. I guess asking for a different seat was equivalent to pissing in her cornflakes.
Instead of getting all angry at this bobble-head we burst out into uncontrollable laughter. It lasted far too long, but thankfully the angry miss would not be handling our food or we would have most definitely been out of there in a hurry!
Our waitress or server or whatever the PC term is came round and she was delightful. We had some beers and ordered calamari. Now, I am a calamari bitch! I have had it in hundreds of places and it is either acceptable or wrong. It was wrong here. The portion was great, but the calamari was greasy and the coating did not stick and it was a bit chewy - lesson learned.
The eggplant also suffered from being a bit greasy. I did love how thinly the slices were but could not get over all the saturation of the grease. The pasta was good, but overall I was not impressed by the joint.
To date I have still not found a go to eatery. You know the place you eat at on a regular basis and the food is always to your satisfaction. In every other city I have stayed in I found one or two within a couple weeks, but not having such luck here. Also, this city is big into deep frying most things and good veggies are hard to come by. Oh well, the search continues!
I had been craving Italian food and was delighted to find out there was a "good" one just a few miles from where I am currently living. So I forced a buddy to come along and we headed to get some eggplant parm (I have been craving for ages).
We get to the place and first impressions are pretty good. The place looks a lot nicer than all the other places I have been to in the area. We enter the building and find the young hostess. We confirm that there are just two of us and she leads us to a table. I am not a big fan of tables in a mostly empty restaurant so I as for a booth.
The look this girl gave me when I asked for a different seat was priceless. She grabbed the menu's and silverware walked around the corner and literally tossed the items on the table without ever looking back at us or even inquiring if the seating was acceptable. I guess asking for a different seat was equivalent to pissing in her cornflakes.
Instead of getting all angry at this bobble-head we burst out into uncontrollable laughter. It lasted far too long, but thankfully the angry miss would not be handling our food or we would have most definitely been out of there in a hurry!
Our waitress or server or whatever the PC term is came round and she was delightful. We had some beers and ordered calamari. Now, I am a calamari bitch! I have had it in hundreds of places and it is either acceptable or wrong. It was wrong here. The portion was great, but the calamari was greasy and the coating did not stick and it was a bit chewy - lesson learned.
The eggplant also suffered from being a bit greasy. I did love how thinly the slices were but could not get over all the saturation of the grease. The pasta was good, but overall I was not impressed by the joint.
To date I have still not found a go to eatery. You know the place you eat at on a regular basis and the food is always to your satisfaction. In every other city I have stayed in I found one or two within a couple weeks, but not having such luck here. Also, this city is big into deep frying most things and good veggies are hard to come by. Oh well, the search continues!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
yuck..
Sunday night I was robbed of my rightful sleep by two very figity dogs. I think I was able to get twenty minutes here and there. So yesterday I was in bed by 1930 and slep thru until 0440. It feels so dang good to be well rested. So I missed a whole day to study - I will make it up during the week! I needed the sleep very much!
I left work a little early to run some errands. Hit the post office, Walgreen's, office depot and then grabbed a bit of lunch. I ordered a Po Boy and it was not the best - after it was done my body started to reject it. I usually eat salads and tons of fruits and vegs. However, since I have been here without my kitchen wares Ihave been eating out just about every day and fruits and vegs are not easily found in the local eateries.
Feeling sick of nasty food I headed to the commissary to buy as many fruits and vegs as I could fit into my trolley. I now have a good supply to get me through until I can receive my full complement of cooking wares.
I left work a little early to run some errands. Hit the post office, Walgreen's, office depot and then grabbed a bit of lunch. I ordered a Po Boy and it was not the best - after it was done my body started to reject it. I usually eat salads and tons of fruits and vegs. However, since I have been here without my kitchen wares Ihave been eating out just about every day and fruits and vegs are not easily found in the local eateries.
Feeling sick of nasty food I headed to the commissary to buy as many fruits and vegs as I could fit into my trolley. I now have a good supply to get me through until I can receive my full complement of cooking wares.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Bills bills bills...
March, the month I have been dreading for a long time. Well, for six months. That is the length of time I have had my student loans suspended and now I must resume the payments. The enormous payments that crippled me in the past. But things are different now - I have no credit card bills, housing fees are less and in theory I should easily be able to make the payments.
The thing is - I am making less money and my pay is still not right. I have yet to be paid housing allowance and I was due a little sign on bonus that is nowhere in sight. I was going to use the bonus to redo the student loans and make the payments more budget friendly.
I have two sets of student loans. One is only a few grand and the payment is only $100 a month. The next is a whopping $660 a month and these are the newbies that I will be paying on for 10 long years! Yikes. I thought if I could cut that in half and make double payments I may be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We will see.
I also need to file taxes for 2010 and have not a clue where all my forms are - moving sucks! Something else to add to the long to do list!
The thing is - I am making less money and my pay is still not right. I have yet to be paid housing allowance and I was due a little sign on bonus that is nowhere in sight. I was going to use the bonus to redo the student loans and make the payments more budget friendly.
I have two sets of student loans. One is only a few grand and the payment is only $100 a month. The next is a whopping $660 a month and these are the newbies that I will be paying on for 10 long years! Yikes. I thought if I could cut that in half and make double payments I may be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We will see.
I also need to file taxes for 2010 and have not a clue where all my forms are - moving sucks! Something else to add to the long to do list!
Mental Break
With much to do I took a mental holiday yesterday. There I was attempting to read/study and nothing was sinking in and I grew frustrated. So I did what anyone would do with little time and shit-loads to review. I put my books away and headed to the store to buy beer.
Yup, I downed an entire 12-pack of Sam Adams and watched movies and flirted online. You think I would learn to stay away from the PC and Phone while drinking - but I never learn that lesson. The key issue for me is I flirt and maybe get a tad bit raunchy, but I never invite people over and never attempt to meet them. It is the thought of it - the danger maybe that keeps me coming back.
Yes, I should make better decisions now that I am active duty, but to be honest I do not act on anything. I am miles away from those I flirt with. However, these military rules on fraternization give me cause to rethink things. I know where I am coming from, but then again I dont want to put anyone at risk of trouble. I am over thinking things right!
No hangover today. I rehydrated well last night and am enjoying some wonderfully strong coffee this morning! Gotta love it!
Today, with recharged batteries and renewed focus I will return to my studies. I was encouraged by words a friend gave me and now feel determined to get 'er done - yes I know it does not sound good!!
Yup, I downed an entire 12-pack of Sam Adams and watched movies and flirted online. You think I would learn to stay away from the PC and Phone while drinking - but I never learn that lesson. The key issue for me is I flirt and maybe get a tad bit raunchy, but I never invite people over and never attempt to meet them. It is the thought of it - the danger maybe that keeps me coming back.
Yes, I should make better decisions now that I am active duty, but to be honest I do not act on anything. I am miles away from those I flirt with. However, these military rules on fraternization give me cause to rethink things. I know where I am coming from, but then again I dont want to put anyone at risk of trouble. I am over thinking things right!
No hangover today. I rehydrated well last night and am enjoying some wonderfully strong coffee this morning! Gotta love it!
Today, with recharged batteries and renewed focus I will return to my studies. I was encouraged by words a friend gave me and now feel determined to get 'er done - yes I know it does not sound good!!
Friday, March 4, 2011
If first you don't succeed.....
okay, today did not seem like the right to start. Tomorrow, yea that sounds like a much better plan.
It is on..
OMG!! I unpackaged the new bathroom scale yesterday and placed it in the guest bathroom. My thinking was that I would not see it in there and maybe forget about it - FAT CHANCE!
So, after another night of stuffing my face with peanut butter and crappy food along with many beers I wake up this morning feeling bloated and not very healthy. My gut makes me look 6 month pregnant and I have finally had enough.
I go to the guest bathroom and man up to step on the scale (GASP)!!! WOW!! I have gained 20 lbs in like a month. Who does that? I can understand if I were fattening up for a movie role where I would earn 10 million, but no such role exists for me. I am just out of control and need the shock of reality to bring me back to reality.
After I left COT I felt free to eat and drink whatever I wanted and not even think about exercising. well,those chickens have come home to roost. Those fat, heavy-breathing, out of shape, lazy chickens!!!
So,today I begin!
I am drinking coffee now, but will drink up three glasses of water and throw out the rest of the peanut butter. I am going to focus on one meal at a time. Running will take place this weekend.
So, after another night of stuffing my face with peanut butter and crappy food along with many beers I wake up this morning feeling bloated and not very healthy. My gut makes me look 6 month pregnant and I have finally had enough.
I go to the guest bathroom and man up to step on the scale (GASP)!!! WOW!! I have gained 20 lbs in like a month. Who does that? I can understand if I were fattening up for a movie role where I would earn 10 million, but no such role exists for me. I am just out of control and need the shock of reality to bring me back to reality.
After I left COT I felt free to eat and drink whatever I wanted and not even think about exercising. well,those chickens have come home to roost. Those fat, heavy-breathing, out of shape, lazy chickens!!!
So,today I begin!
I am drinking coffee now, but will drink up three glasses of water and throw out the rest of the peanut butter. I am going to focus on one meal at a time. Running will take place this weekend.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Evil Little Scale with Its beedy little eyes..
I ordered a scale this week. I had a super nice digital one prior to COT but it got misplaced after the many mini moves. So the new one arrived at my doorstep yesterday. i took it out of the amazon boxing and that is as far as I have gone. It sits in the product boxing leaning up against a wall in my empty dining room.
Too scared to open it and actually step on the bloody thing, because i know it is going to be a very bad number, very bad! How do I know these things - trust me I know!
Yesterday,I dropped cousin off at the airport to go and supervise the TMO pack up from my storage unit. On the way back I stopped by the grocery because I needed some topical steroid cream however I thought I could pick up a few things. $94 later I leave and only three things in my cart were really bad. Two jars of peanut butter (creamy and chunky) and a package of turtle cookies from the bakery. Yes,I ate every damn one of those cookies while I stared suspiciously at the new scale leaning against the wall.
Did I mention I bought the peanut butter? Not small jars, but family drum sizes. Oh and some beer to help wash all that crap down with. Not the poster child for a healthy diet these days. And did I mention you can get kicked out of the military for being too fat or failing the PT test. well ya can!!
I was so set to run yesterday, but chickened out in the end. I have so much to do and getting fat is not on the list. So I begin again! Day one starts now! I am considering throwing out the peanut butter. A costly lesson in will power...I have to think on that on and for Christ sake I need to put that scale somewhere else.
Too scared to open it and actually step on the bloody thing, because i know it is going to be a very bad number, very bad! How do I know these things - trust me I know!
Yesterday,I dropped cousin off at the airport to go and supervise the TMO pack up from my storage unit. On the way back I stopped by the grocery because I needed some topical steroid cream however I thought I could pick up a few things. $94 later I leave and only three things in my cart were really bad. Two jars of peanut butter (creamy and chunky) and a package of turtle cookies from the bakery. Yes,I ate every damn one of those cookies while I stared suspiciously at the new scale leaning against the wall.
Did I mention I bought the peanut butter? Not small jars, but family drum sizes. Oh and some beer to help wash all that crap down with. Not the poster child for a healthy diet these days. And did I mention you can get kicked out of the military for being too fat or failing the PT test. well ya can!!
I was so set to run yesterday, but chickened out in the end. I have so much to do and getting fat is not on the list. So I begin again! Day one starts now! I am considering throwing out the peanut butter. A costly lesson in will power...I have to think on that on and for Christ sake I need to put that scale somewhere else.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
My Precious Spoon..
I am at my first military assignment and due to some poor planning and entrusting the wrong family member to handle TMO I sit here without my household belongings. I did buy one of those inflatable mattresses and it sits way tall. I also bought a few plastic chairs at Kmart - so i would not be sitting on the floor. Still a long way from the lap of luxury.
I am eating out most every evening as my kitchen things are not here and it is pointless to attempt cooking without pots and pans or my good knives.
I have one spoon. I saved it from an MRE and I use it for everything. It is a sturdy plastic and when I wake up I scoop my coffee, eat my cereal and spread peanut butter on my bread all with the one spoon. before I leave in the morning i wash the spoon and put it away in the cabinet where it waits for my return later in the day.
My belongings may or may not arrive by mid March, but I will not let that get me down. i will focus on what I do have control over and that is well whatever the military tells me I have control over.
There really is no reason or benefit from complaining or becoming frustrated. The situation is what it is and if nothing else I have learned from mistakes I have made and from the process in general. My next PCS will bee so much smoother because of this experience.
I am eating out most every evening as my kitchen things are not here and it is pointless to attempt cooking without pots and pans or my good knives.
I have one spoon. I saved it from an MRE and I use it for everything. It is a sturdy plastic and when I wake up I scoop my coffee, eat my cereal and spread peanut butter on my bread all with the one spoon. before I leave in the morning i wash the spoon and put it away in the cabinet where it waits for my return later in the day.
My belongings may or may not arrive by mid March, but I will not let that get me down. i will focus on what I do have control over and that is well whatever the military tells me I have control over.
There really is no reason or benefit from complaining or becoming frustrated. The situation is what it is and if nothing else I have learned from mistakes I have made and from the process in general. My next PCS will bee so much smoother because of this experience.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The learning curve...
To salute. Sounds simple enough, right? Well,that is what I thought also but somewhere along the way I have found many ways to flub it up.
In officer training they correct our incorrect salutes and some actually provide some minor instruction on the proper way one should salute. So you practice and have other priors let you know when you have it right or wrong. Then you see the instructors do it different and lets not even get into how the TIs salute - no one ever explains that one!!
So, after a week or so you think you can handle a basic salute then comes doing it on your own while walking. You also couple this with the greeting of the day. Here is where I manage to take a simple task and put way too much into it. I think I can salute - even though i always think I am doing it wrong and use it while offering the greeting. In COT it was always good morning, good afternoon or good evening. I messed these up on a daily basis. If someone saluted me and said good afternoon I would reply good evening- I don't know why!! Or better yet I would say good morning at 1400.
Still to this day I get it all wrong, but now I am in the "real" world and they throw other things at you. "How you doing sir?" I heard this one a few days ago and I saluted and shot back "good Morning" and it was 1300. Less than 50 yards later another enlisted saluted and said, "Hello" so I returned the salute and replied, "Good Morning". why am I doing this!!!???
The rest of the way to my car I am chastising myself and so angry that I cannot get a handle on a simple little task. I am spending way too much time on a simple task that i will be repeating a million times over, but each day that is my one goal - to get it right!!
The other salute comes when driving through the gate. Usually an enlisted is manning the gate and when they review your ID they come to attention and render the salute. Now you must return the salute while sitting behind the wheel of a car! We never covered this in COT. However, i think I have a basic handle on this, but my problem comes with the reply. Usually, the guard will say have a good day sir or thank you sir or something along that line. was returning thank you sir or you too sir.
I was doing this until I had a friend ride along with me on base. A former enlisted Army person who acted like I just flipped off the guard by calling him sir. He told me you never call an enlisted sir. Well who knew!!! i am southern and we call everyone sir and mam as a means of respect and now I am not to respect those with lower rank?? Oh well, add that to the list of things I still have to learn.
In officer training they correct our incorrect salutes and some actually provide some minor instruction on the proper way one should salute. So you practice and have other priors let you know when you have it right or wrong. Then you see the instructors do it different and lets not even get into how the TIs salute - no one ever explains that one!!
So, after a week or so you think you can handle a basic salute then comes doing it on your own while walking. You also couple this with the greeting of the day. Here is where I manage to take a simple task and put way too much into it. I think I can salute - even though i always think I am doing it wrong and use it while offering the greeting. In COT it was always good morning, good afternoon or good evening. I messed these up on a daily basis. If someone saluted me and said good afternoon I would reply good evening- I don't know why!! Or better yet I would say good morning at 1400.
Still to this day I get it all wrong, but now I am in the "real" world and they throw other things at you. "How you doing sir?" I heard this one a few days ago and I saluted and shot back "good Morning" and it was 1300. Less than 50 yards later another enlisted saluted and said, "Hello" so I returned the salute and replied, "Good Morning". why am I doing this!!!???
The rest of the way to my car I am chastising myself and so angry that I cannot get a handle on a simple little task. I am spending way too much time on a simple task that i will be repeating a million times over, but each day that is my one goal - to get it right!!
The other salute comes when driving through the gate. Usually an enlisted is manning the gate and when they review your ID they come to attention and render the salute. Now you must return the salute while sitting behind the wheel of a car! We never covered this in COT. However, i think I have a basic handle on this, but my problem comes with the reply. Usually, the guard will say have a good day sir or thank you sir or something along that line. was returning thank you sir or you too sir.
I was doing this until I had a friend ride along with me on base. A former enlisted Army person who acted like I just flipped off the guard by calling him sir. He told me you never call an enlisted sir. Well who knew!!! i am southern and we call everyone sir and mam as a means of respect and now I am not to respect those with lower rank?? Oh well, add that to the list of things I still have to learn.
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