My plan was to weigh in today and use that as my start weight. I have not been on a scale in months and surprisingly it was not as bad as I would have thought. Mind you it still was nothing to be proud of, but I am more than confident I can lose every bit of it before I return.
Also, this weight was following an evening of mexican food and many beers. so a good 10 lbs of it will be gone in 5 days as my body normalizes and I get more water into my system.
Friday, February 24, 2012
379...
It seems like most everything I hate will all be taking place at the same fucking time. I leave today and I am required to travel in uniform. I hate going anywhere in uniform. In fact, on most days I will drive home to change and then step out to get the mail. I always feel like going anywhere in uniform lets people know just a little too much about me.
Another evil about going out in public in uniform are those fucking people who blurt out,"thank you for your service". How the hell am I to respond to that? I want to tell them, "I ain't doing this for you" but normally I give some craved stupid grin and get away as quick as I can.
So I drag all my extremely heave and difficult to carry luggage to the air port and fly to Atlanta. Another place I'd rather avoid! There I have enough of a layover to grab a bite to eat and a cold adult beverage. Then off to Norfolk and what I do there is all hazy. I catch a shuttle and either go here or there, but I am there til sunday so I will get to the hotel and figure it all out the next day.
Come the end of the day when I lay my head down on a pillow I will be thankful the first leg of my journey is done with...
Another evil about going out in public in uniform are those fucking people who blurt out,"thank you for your service". How the hell am I to respond to that? I want to tell them, "I ain't doing this for you" but normally I give some craved stupid grin and get away as quick as I can.
So I drag all my extremely heave and difficult to carry luggage to the air port and fly to Atlanta. Another place I'd rather avoid! There I have enough of a layover to grab a bite to eat and a cold adult beverage. Then off to Norfolk and what I do there is all hazy. I catch a shuttle and either go here or there, but I am there til sunday so I will get to the hotel and figure it all out the next day.
Come the end of the day when I lay my head down on a pillow I will be thankful the first leg of my journey is done with...
Thursday, February 23, 2012
378....
I have been told that I have been on edge lately. This may be true as I am a bit antsy to leave, but I dont mean to be that way.
Were on the home stretch. the bags are mostly packed, I mailed a box to the base to greet me and I have most of the loose ends secured. Now comes the waiting and the evil wicked traveling.
I have been eating like a fat pig as of late with the idea that all this weight will drop after being deployed a few months. I am gonna weigh tomorrow morning and use that as my starting point so I will compare for when I return.
Ihave been using a countdown app to keep track of when I leave. Yikes!! i also programmed it for my 20 year mark (retirement) and I have 6,895 days until I can retire. Yikes!
Were on the home stretch. the bags are mostly packed, I mailed a box to the base to greet me and I have most of the loose ends secured. Now comes the waiting and the evil wicked traveling.
I have been eating like a fat pig as of late with the idea that all this weight will drop after being deployed a few months. I am gonna weigh tomorrow morning and use that as my starting point so I will compare for when I return.
Ihave been using a countdown app to keep track of when I leave. Yikes!! i also programmed it for my 20 year mark (retirement) and I have 6,895 days until I can retire. Yikes!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
377...
About six or so months ago I decided that I was over my Iphone. I was over the fact that everyone had an Iphone and really over the fact than ATT did not get hardly any reception where I worked. Since I spend so damn much time at work it was pointless to even take my phone with me.
So when my frustration reached its peak I decided to go with Sprint. Sprint gets excellent coverage at work and I thought this would solve all my problems. I also decided to switch to an Android phone. I loved the bigger screen and the fact that I would not be one of the many sheep toting around an Iphone.
For the first month or so I was adjusting to the android. There were many apps that I really enjoyed and it seemed like most of them were free, but then the newness of the phone wore off and some of the problems seem to mount.
The Android has many issues that bug the shit out of me. The first one is the freaking keyboard. I make a hundred times more typos on the Android keyboard than I have on any other phone especially with the "." it just seems to be very sensitive and if i am anywhere near it my test is like, "ha.e" instead of "have".
Another HUGE issue I have with the android is the effen camera. It can not be silenced and not only that it is loud as well when taking a photo. On the Iphone I could silence the camera and take a discrete photo. No chance in hell of doing that on the Android. I did buy a silent camera app, but the photos are total shit! yes, I googled a way to silence the camera but it is way too complicated a process for me. It basically has to do with reprogramming the phone...Really Android! You did not think to make a silence for the phone!
Screen capture is another feature a really really miss. I used it all the time on my Iphone and no my samsung android cannot do that either. Every day I wish I could just have maybe two features on the android that the Iphone had and each day I am frustrated that I dont.
Also, sending videos sucks on the android and some photos seem to vanish into the unknown.
So, I have decided to dump this phone when the next generation of Iphones comes out. I am hoping for a slightly bigger screen on the new Iphone, but either way I am over Android. Granted I will probably need to pay an cancellation fee but I will gladly do that so I can take a hammer to this piece of shit samsung phone.
So when my frustration reached its peak I decided to go with Sprint. Sprint gets excellent coverage at work and I thought this would solve all my problems. I also decided to switch to an Android phone. I loved the bigger screen and the fact that I would not be one of the many sheep toting around an Iphone.
For the first month or so I was adjusting to the android. There were many apps that I really enjoyed and it seemed like most of them were free, but then the newness of the phone wore off and some of the problems seem to mount.
The Android has many issues that bug the shit out of me. The first one is the freaking keyboard. I make a hundred times more typos on the Android keyboard than I have on any other phone especially with the "." it just seems to be very sensitive and if i am anywhere near it my test is like, "ha.e" instead of "have".
Another HUGE issue I have with the android is the effen camera. It can not be silenced and not only that it is loud as well when taking a photo. On the Iphone I could silence the camera and take a discrete photo. No chance in hell of doing that on the Android. I did buy a silent camera app, but the photos are total shit! yes, I googled a way to silence the camera but it is way too complicated a process for me. It basically has to do with reprogramming the phone...Really Android! You did not think to make a silence for the phone!
Screen capture is another feature a really really miss. I used it all the time on my Iphone and no my samsung android cannot do that either. Every day I wish I could just have maybe two features on the android that the Iphone had and each day I am frustrated that I dont.
Also, sending videos sucks on the android and some photos seem to vanish into the unknown.
So, I have decided to dump this phone when the next generation of Iphones comes out. I am hoping for a slightly bigger screen on the new Iphone, but either way I am over Android. Granted I will probably need to pay an cancellation fee but I will gladly do that so I can take a hammer to this piece of shit samsung phone.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
374...
Got drunk yesterday. Yup, I know I was suppose to be doing one of a million things. I actually did my reading for class and even started my paper - then the skies opened up and the power went out. I took that as a sign I should do something else.
So, i got dressed and went to the mall. I was on a mission to find sunglasses and along the way I discovered some huge sales...like 75-85% off. Well, who can pass up that kind of clearance? I shopped and bought only a few things, mostly gifts for Christmas. I did find a wicked cool green t-shire for like $4! Score! I also found a pair of sunglasses that I really like and they were only $55. That is the least I ever remember paying for name brand shades.
I went for lunch at the nearby Mexican restaurant. I am really digging that place. It continued to rain like hell and the lights flickered on and off in the restaurant. I took that as a sign to have another beer and then another and before long I was plastered. Thankfully, the restaurant is very close and by the time I got home it was only 5pm....I think I was in bed by 8pm.
Maybe today will be more productive/
So, i got dressed and went to the mall. I was on a mission to find sunglasses and along the way I discovered some huge sales...like 75-85% off. Well, who can pass up that kind of clearance? I shopped and bought only a few things, mostly gifts for Christmas. I did find a wicked cool green t-shire for like $4! Score! I also found a pair of sunglasses that I really like and they were only $55. That is the least I ever remember paying for name brand shades.
I went for lunch at the nearby Mexican restaurant. I am really digging that place. It continued to rain like hell and the lights flickered on and off in the restaurant. I took that as a sign to have another beer and then another and before long I was plastered. Thankfully, the restaurant is very close and by the time I got home it was only 5pm....I think I was in bed by 8pm.
Maybe today will be more productive/
Saturday, February 18, 2012
373....
Ever been in a situation where you are overwhelmed by the amount of things due all at once? That is where I am coming from.
I set a plan to have cetrain things done during this weekend with Monday being a fail safe extra weekend day.
I keep thinking one thing at a time, but all my tasks are swimming around in my noggin.
First, some coffee and maybe egg and toast...then dive in!
I set a plan to have cetrain things done during this weekend with Monday being a fail safe extra weekend day.
I keep thinking one thing at a time, but all my tasks are swimming around in my noggin.
First, some coffee and maybe egg and toast...then dive in!
Friday, February 17, 2012
372...Next
Okay, so a year of service has passed. My first year of service has passed to be more exact. I came in with very modest goals for the first year. I wanted to learn about the military, get proficient at my job and not go all nuts trying to impress. Year one was basically used to acclimate myself for what was to come.
Starting year two I have a few more goals as I need to start building up my position to face promotion boards that loom in the not too distant future. This year I am deploying and there is much to be gained from a deployment. Deployment looks great on a military resume and there are opportunities to shine away from you current leadership and of course there are ribbons and medals to be gathered. So my focus will be full steam for the deployment.
The deployment will actually take the majority of my year. The time I get back and tack on additional leave it will leave very little time to do much else. However, the end of this year will allow me to jam my foot into another area I need for my reviews. There are particular volunteer positions that look exceptionally good on a packet submitted to the boards and 2013 has an event happening that I fully plan to be in on. I have spoken to someone about it and even though I probably won't get the opportunity to run the thing I can still use it as a stepping stone for the next event.
The problem I face is that i work shift work and the majority of the base does not. So all these choice events I cannot participate in as I am required to do shift work and everyone else can do their volunteer during normal business hours - it makes things a bit more difficult for us, but I wil just need to try harder.
Starting year two I have a few more goals as I need to start building up my position to face promotion boards that loom in the not too distant future. This year I am deploying and there is much to be gained from a deployment. Deployment looks great on a military resume and there are opportunities to shine away from you current leadership and of course there are ribbons and medals to be gathered. So my focus will be full steam for the deployment.
The deployment will actually take the majority of my year. The time I get back and tack on additional leave it will leave very little time to do much else. However, the end of this year will allow me to jam my foot into another area I need for my reviews. There are particular volunteer positions that look exceptionally good on a packet submitted to the boards and 2013 has an event happening that I fully plan to be in on. I have spoken to someone about it and even though I probably won't get the opportunity to run the thing I can still use it as a stepping stone for the next event.
The problem I face is that i work shift work and the majority of the base does not. So all these choice events I cannot participate in as I am required to do shift work and everyone else can do their volunteer during normal business hours - it makes things a bit more difficult for us, but I wil just need to try harder.
372,,,,
Its still hard to believe that I have been living in this dull ass city for a year. I was thinking back about all the places I have worked and the total time and I discovered that one year is the longest I have worked for one single employer since 2006.
How can this be??
Well, I did a lot of travel/contract gigs and that kept me moving, kept me learning new routines and meeting new people. The contract and moving had its good points and its bad. The good is that by the time I got bored somewhere I was on the move. The bad was that I was just a warm body and had people "in charge" who were total idiots.
Now, I work in a position that is not so taxing and the people around me definately are not that skilled, but I blend - so as not to stand out so much.
How can this be??
Well, I did a lot of travel/contract gigs and that kept me moving, kept me learning new routines and meeting new people. The contract and moving had its good points and its bad. The good is that by the time I got bored somewhere I was on the move. The bad was that I was just a warm body and had people "in charge" who were total idiots.
Now, I work in a position that is not so taxing and the people around me definately are not that skilled, but I blend - so as not to stand out so much.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
370...One Down
A whole year has passed in THIS place. Sitting here I am trying to remember my mindset a whole year ago. Everything was new and unknown and I needed to find my bearing.
In the past year I have gone fro the newbie to one of the more senior people in my shop. The old guard has all gone away and a whole new batch has come to take their place. Still many more on their way who I will not meet until I return from deployment.
I can also say that I am at a point where I am comfortable and somewhat bored. It is so much easier here than on the outside and I think I have gotten fat and lazy with this change.
So, starting year two I have many things I am trying to accomplish. However, the deployment will be the theme that dominates this year and again I am sitting here (much like a year ago) with this big unknown adventure ahead of me. I am nervous, anxious and excited all at the same time and am ready to get on with it......
In the past year I have gone fro the newbie to one of the more senior people in my shop. The old guard has all gone away and a whole new batch has come to take their place. Still many more on their way who I will not meet until I return from deployment.
I can also say that I am at a point where I am comfortable and somewhat bored. It is so much easier here than on the outside and I think I have gotten fat and lazy with this change.
So, starting year two I have many things I am trying to accomplish. However, the deployment will be the theme that dominates this year and again I am sitting here (much like a year ago) with this big unknown adventure ahead of me. I am nervous, anxious and excited all at the same time and am ready to get on with it......
Saturday, February 4, 2012
359....
i a wrapping up my deployment preparations. I have a few more appointments to conclude and some things to tie up on the home front and then I will be on my way.
One issue that is giving me considerable angst is a situation at work. I have about three issues to cover with my boss and I feel I am getting a bit of the run around when I attempt to schedule a meeting. I have approached this person four separate times and explained that I really need to cover a few things and each time I am promised I will have the opportunity as the clock continues to tick.
One burning question I must ask before I leave and the response will provide some light on my plans when I return. I can do my time and get out or I can decide to opt on going overseas early. If I am deciding to leave early it means I have zero confidence in the leadership that is in place and I need to move on to have any chance to progress.
My first meeting I had with my commander I was told that the politics in the military are what drives most people mad. I didn't know what she meant at the time, but now I do. It simply means that no matter how good your resume or how much education you bring to the job or how great your performance/outcomes are you will ultimately be judged on who likes who best. Many higher ups love to have their asses smooched and reward suck ups. If you are not a suck up and see those under performers around you given cherry assignments it makes you a bit wary of the process.
To counter the negative of the politics I have tried to focus on one very obtainable goal. Everyone around me is handed cake assignments and I get passed over left and right - but I project a positive attitude and keep focused on my one goal. If I get screwed over on that - then all hell will break loose and I will move on to greener pastures.
Okay enough venting for one day!
One issue that is giving me considerable angst is a situation at work. I have about three issues to cover with my boss and I feel I am getting a bit of the run around when I attempt to schedule a meeting. I have approached this person four separate times and explained that I really need to cover a few things and each time I am promised I will have the opportunity as the clock continues to tick.
One burning question I must ask before I leave and the response will provide some light on my plans when I return. I can do my time and get out or I can decide to opt on going overseas early. If I am deciding to leave early it means I have zero confidence in the leadership that is in place and I need to move on to have any chance to progress.
My first meeting I had with my commander I was told that the politics in the military are what drives most people mad. I didn't know what she meant at the time, but now I do. It simply means that no matter how good your resume or how much education you bring to the job or how great your performance/outcomes are you will ultimately be judged on who likes who best. Many higher ups love to have their asses smooched and reward suck ups. If you are not a suck up and see those under performers around you given cherry assignments it makes you a bit wary of the process.
To counter the negative of the politics I have tried to focus on one very obtainable goal. Everyone around me is handed cake assignments and I get passed over left and right - but I project a positive attitude and keep focused on my one goal. If I get screwed over on that - then all hell will break loose and I will move on to greener pastures.
Okay enough venting for one day!
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