Demobilized

Since 19 March when I landed in North Carolina, I have been heavily involved with gear return and acclimation. Last night I landed in Alameda and was greeted by Richard at the airport. We had a late night bite to eat at La Pinata, the only late night restaurant here. We picked up a few items at the Safeway for breakfast the next day. It is so funny how things have not really changed much between us: the same one-liners, same habits ( I hate shopping with a basket or cart. I shop like a bachelor who just needs a couple of things, and Richard always calls me on this). I think that this deployment was harder for the person you left behind. They are the ones that need to fill in the gaps, while the deployed one has no time to think outside of the present. Perhaps we are a bit more grey than we were 365 days ago. We decided on oatmeal with raisins for our first breakfast.

Here at the Reserve Center in Alameda, I have been filling out forms and keeping my fingers crossed that my car will start.

It certainly is nice to be back.

The big pack

It has taken me an alarmingly long time to pack. When I pulled my bodybag-sized duffel from beneath my bed, it was sprinkled with rodent droppings. Nice touch. I gave my GEO guy friend Steve my boonie covers for his kids, and my Navy brother Bill received a nifty artifact from my adventures: a 2.5" paper clip that I found on a German base, that had been driven over quite a bit. Bill is convinced it is from a concentration camp, but that's Bill.

Nice ceremony

A noctural promotion to Lieutenant (junior grade), (LTjg), out by the flagpole, a gracious gathering. The Navy was represented well out there, a few cool table pilots, the GEO-guys, and a gracious Colonel who loved calling me Ensign so much, that I thought that he, among all others, should be the one to promote me. And so it was.

Moondust, good riddance

The experience on the Pink Tactical Girl Bike (PTGB) was particulate, thanks to the blasted dust. Then there was the landfill/incinerator rideby (twice). Visibility has been very good, though, despite these factors. The mountains that surround this valley are snow capped. It was warm enough this afternoon to wear a sweatshirt and shorts.

A visit from a familar face

Today I was surprised to see a friendly face from my days in Balad, Iraq. What fun we had discussing our beloved mutual friend, and swapping stories. He even tried calling our friend (with his handy cell phone) multiple times, but he was probably flying. What a morale boost spending time with this fine, decent person.

Nothing came close to the Balad cool table. Along those lines, I received a wonderful email from Jay, the cool table founder. He's jetting here and there, it doesn't look like I will see him in the near future. But I will definitely check on Connecticut Z, I think he is game.

The home schooled asset

This is what I call one of the mail males who is a product of home schooling. This young man turned 21 today. A pretty bright, wise-ass of a kid, really, but smart enough to know he needs to get moving on the life plan. I encouraged him to pursue his interest as a warrant officer in the Army flight program. Now is the time to do it. Once these active duty soldiers and sailors return to their regular units, they will be more prone to the group-think in their respective worlds. Plan now while you are in loner status. It's your life.

We all have our price

I picked up new rank insignia valid for a uniform I will only wear for a few more months, at best. I am such a cheap skate. As I was leaving the Exchange, I saw one of the contractor-cool table pilots there, standing off to the side, then he offered it up like street smack: "You want another pilot joke?" I guiltily slinked in his direction.

Q. How do you know you are on a date with a pilot?
A. In the middle of the date he'll say "Enough about flying, let's talk about me."