November is here, along with Election Day, so I can add a couple of things to the list of things I DO NOT miss.
I do not miss election campaigning in the good ‘ol US of A. I catch glimpses of the madness on TV while eating in the dining facility and it is just a sad state of affairs. If these knuckleheads spent as much time ruminating on real problems as they spend on digging up dirt on their opponents they might actually come across as marginally enlightened.
The parallels to the political situation at home and in Iraq are alarming, though at least here a lot of it can be attributed to a lack of experience with self-government. The national elections here were in early March of this year and, while the government still has yet to form, all of the elected officials are drawing obscene paychecks and doing absolutely nothing. In the US, that also appears to be the endgame but within the construct of a fully formed government. It’s all about the paycheck and re-election, so safest to not do anything useful for the long-term good of the country because it probably will make the constituency angry.
Next on my list of things I don’t miss: I have not seen a single advertisement or store display, nor have I heard a single song or note, that suggests to me that Christmas is only 53 shopping days away! It is strangely refreshing.
Halloween has come and gone, but not unnoticed. We had a little gathering in CHUville, where we could suspend uniform requirements otherwise enforced, and did up the occasion as best we could. It was a good break in the routine and generated more excitement than I thought possible in terms of costumes. We had some tunes blasting, burned a lot of beef on the BBQ, and chugged a few NA Lowenbraus. Weather was awesome, as was the company.
I am remiss in my duties of recognizing departing guild members. One month ago we said farewell to Air Force LtCol Laura Garrett. She was an invaluable deputy for the organization, a brilliant analyst, and a superb ambassador for all of J-9. She returns to Albuquerque, NM, and her husband, squad of greyhounds, cat, horse, and nuclear munitions. I don’t believe she ever admitted which she missed the most. Thanks, Laura, and good luck in whatever comes next for you.
I alluded a few times to the pleasant change in weather conditions here. A few nights ago we had a nice little thunder storm and some accompanying rain. I got up early the next morning for a brisk walk and it was just plain gorgeous. Nothing like cooler temperatures and the smell of fresh rain to adjust your attitude upwards. I’ll bust out of here for R&R in about six weeks and the vastly improved climate should help ease the passage of that time.
I do not miss election campaigning in the good ‘ol US of A. I catch glimpses of the madness on TV while eating in the dining facility and it is just a sad state of affairs. If these knuckleheads spent as much time ruminating on real problems as they spend on digging up dirt on their opponents they might actually come across as marginally enlightened.
The parallels to the political situation at home and in Iraq are alarming, though at least here a lot of it can be attributed to a lack of experience with self-government. The national elections here were in early March of this year and, while the government still has yet to form, all of the elected officials are drawing obscene paychecks and doing absolutely nothing. In the US, that also appears to be the endgame but within the construct of a fully formed government. It’s all about the paycheck and re-election, so safest to not do anything useful for the long-term good of the country because it probably will make the constituency angry.
Next on my list of things I don’t miss: I have not seen a single advertisement or store display, nor have I heard a single song or note, that suggests to me that Christmas is only 53 shopping days away! It is strangely refreshing.
Halloween has come and gone, but not unnoticed. We had a little gathering in CHUville, where we could suspend uniform requirements otherwise enforced, and did up the occasion as best we could. It was a good break in the routine and generated more excitement than I thought possible in terms of costumes. We had some tunes blasting, burned a lot of beef on the BBQ, and chugged a few NA Lowenbraus. Weather was awesome, as was the company.
I am remiss in my duties of recognizing departing guild members. One month ago we said farewell to Air Force LtCol Laura Garrett. She was an invaluable deputy for the organization, a brilliant analyst, and a superb ambassador for all of J-9. She returns to Albuquerque, NM, and her husband, squad of greyhounds, cat, horse, and nuclear munitions. I don’t believe she ever admitted which she missed the most. Thanks, Laura, and good luck in whatever comes next for you.
I alluded a few times to the pleasant change in weather conditions here. A few nights ago we had a nice little thunder storm and some accompanying rain. I got up early the next morning for a brisk walk and it was just plain gorgeous. Nothing like cooler temperatures and the smell of fresh rain to adjust your attitude upwards. I’ll bust out of here for R&R in about six weeks and the vastly improved climate should help ease the passage of that time.
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