What a Day!

Today started with me staying up last night, as I am (was) supposed to eval on my position over mids tonight. So, at 3:30, I’m closing up the vents after mangling the filters I was trying to change. I step down from the ladder (not a rolling or folding chair, but an honest-to-goodness ladder) and manage to step wrongly. I feel pain and hear a familiar “pop.”

Dammit, I managed to roll my ankle…wait, that pain is from further down. How do you roll your foot? After sending my wife and son back to sleep, I retire downstairs for ice and elevation.

Later this morning, I throw on jeans and a t-shirt so I can go in with Saundra and visit the Urgent Care Center. After telling my story a few times and being x-rayed, I’m laying on a table listening to the doc say “Well, it’s broken.” I am told that I’ll be getting a cast and an appointment to see Ortho for a cast. Don’t put any weight on it, don’t get it wet, and don’t feed it after midnight. (I’m pretty sure that’s what he said.) So, I can’t drive to work for my eval tonight. (Not to mention it screwed up her sitting for currency today.)

So, we’re heading back home for me to get a “shower” and changed to go into work, since I won’t be working tonight. And there, on the side of the interstate, facing the wrong way, is a car in the guardrail – occupied, lights on, and alone. So we stop for Saundra to help out while we wait for the fire trucks to arrive.

And all of this by 9:30 AM the day after my birthday.

Welcome back...

Guess I should mention that I made it back from Beale. It's an interesting base, but the trip reinforced my decision to return to Langley after going to Korea so I could leave Langley. There are some beautiful vistas and gorgeous views, but you have to drive a long way to get anywhere and many of the roads out are narrow, winding things through hills and blind curves.

And I couldn't find a German restaurant.

Travel

Next week, I'm going to Beale AFB, CA. I fly in on Monday the 31st and fly back out on Friday the 4th. It ought to be interesting. If anyone is going to be nearby, let me know and we'll try to meet up.

It's all brand new

I've neglected my blog. It's been an eventful few weeks. I started my new job at the Wing (2 levels above the normal "Squadron level").

I am in an office that supervises other offices on 3 continents. And none of them seem to like to do what they're told. It's a very different office than I've ever worked in before. We have 3-5 impromptu meetings a day. Just "did you get that e-mail?" and we all spin around to discuss what the instruction says, what the ramifications are, what waivers are reasonable. It's really quite eye-opening to see things from this level.

Add to that the need to visit each of these subordinate units at least once a year, and it looks like I'll be racking up some frequent flyer miles this assignment.

Hmm?

My wife brought up an excellent question the other day:

Given the proliferation of mobile phones, wi-fi access, bluetooth, and the like, shouldn't the editors of this magazine change its name?

I'm back!

It's good to be back in the States.

There are many things and people to miss in Osan AB, South Korea, and I do miss them. However, getting to see and touch and kiss and hug my family kinda takes priority. It is comforting, though not as adventurous, to go for dinner or shopping and find that everyone understands me.

Life is good.

"Lieutenant Dan, what are you doing here?"

Last night, I waited in a line at the theatre. After waiting for a time, we were let in, and despite being somewhere around 50th in line, I got an excellent seat. Some time later, the lights dimmed and someone's commander came to the stage to introduce the Lt. Dan Band. Gary Sinise plays bass in a 12-person ensemble that does shows for the USO. They play an eclectic selection of Soul, Country, Rock, Jazz, whatever. It was a great show.

So my seat was, in fact, front row. I was close enough to see the sweat on their brows. To cap it off, I was able to coin Kimo Williams (a Vietnam Vet who plays guitar) and I got a set list from the stage.

Yeah. It's pretty cool.