Well, here it is, Sunday morning, staring down the barrel of another long week. But that's okay, do what needs to be done, I guess. I'm realizing how little time I actually have left here, though I know I'll be coming back home again. That, however, won't be useful information in the year I'll be overseas. Tomorrow is a long day of paperwork, all of which needs to be done before I deploy. Getting out of the lease isn't a big issue, and I can probably set up something for the car. I may end up just putting it in storage, assuming it'll be okay there. At this point, due to the volume of stuff I have to move, (admittedly not much, maybe a room full) I decided to go with a mover, if anyone will move that small an amount of stuff up to CT. Some of it gets FedExed, the rest seems either too heavy or too bulky to send that way. But things will get done, and at some point I'll need to get packed for leave as well- that part I'm actually looking forwards to! I'm noticing a couple gray patches in my hair when I look into the mirror, which isn't a big deal, I usually keep it shaved for the sake of convenience. It's also convenient, I suppose, that it covers gray hair, but I don't really care too much about that. Who do I have to impress, anyway? Besides, evidently I still look like I belong working the gate in a nightclub every time I put on a black t-shirt, at least that's what I'm told. I'm still quite the gym rat, not that I'm self-absorbed, just that there's really not much else to do around here! Except read books and watch movies, also both a good way to pass the time. I've been plodding through a couple uneventful novels, kind of journey-of-self-discovery type of things. Not bad by any measure, but not really that epic. Maybe my literary sensibilities are jaded, I don't know.
I did catch a very good movie this weekend, Insidious. It has shades of The Exorcist, except in a different vein. It was a good one, very psychological and creepy, not relying so much on blood and gore as it did genuinely weird stuff going on. A kid learns to astral project at an early age, not even aware that he's doing it since he does it in his sleep. He picks up a handful of astral nasties along the way, and a good movie ensues. Highly recommended, but very creepy.
There are more pressing matters in my life at present, though. There are boxes to move, and a trip down to Fort Bliss soon to get issued equipment- new armor, all that good stuff. Why are we traveling there, instead of sending the equipment we need here? Good question. There's probably some (unknown to us) rationale for it. Why do we need all this equipment? Well, first off it's a new, more effective camouflage, and more effective armor. Second, because it helps keep everyone on the same page as to what was issued and what was not. I for one need a first aid kit (that hopefully I'll never need to use), as well as various other pieces of equipment. I hear we're being issued M4 rifles rather than the longer, heavier M16s. With long arms, I find the M16 to be a little more comfortable to use, but I suppose by and large that's a matter of opinion. I'm not sure of the range on the M4, though a shorter body and shorter barrel do mean marginally reduced range- the M4 is better designed for close combat, not the sniper shots you can get off with an M16. There are also M9 9mm pistols, though I don't think these are issued to anyone but officers. Why that is, I don't know. Curiously, the pistol does not have the same long-range capabilities of either the M4 or 16. Like most things in the Army, there's probably a reason for it. I've never fired one, and friends of mine who are much more knowledgeable about handguns than I am recommend a larger caliber, however. I don't own a gun, and seeing as the only time I actually use one is training or combat, I guess it doesn't matter. For home defense, I guess a large enough kitchen knife would do, or a tactical knife, perhaps even a Kabar. Call me old-fashioned, I think the psychological effect of a well- wielded knife cannot be overrated.
But anyway, it looks like in the world of politics, it's the same old story. What's going on with this? I found myself thinking, if we displayed that type of incompetence at our jobs, we'd be court-martialed. We draw salaries from the taxes people pay to do a job- are we not expected to perform that job? Yet our elected 'representatives' draw a salary in largely the same way- and have continuously and consistently failed to accomplish their jobs! I can't speak sedition due to my position, but can disagree with the President's decisions. I do, however, have to follow them. I think Capitol Hill has become little more than a circus- nothing gets done except wasting our time and money. These people are behaving like a bunch of fools, while nothing changes. What is it that the government provides us to warrant us continuing to support them? At the risk of getting in real trouble, I'll put out something a former drill sergeant once told me- words to the effect of that we have the weapons and the training- if there's going to be a revolution, we'll be in a pretty good spot to negotiate. We to a one have sworn allegiance to this country, and to the Constitution, and to obey the orders of the President. Our loyalty does not lie with a corrupt and useless government- rather it lies with the people we are sworn to fight for and defend, and the leader of those people. However, said leader needs to get it in gear and start doing what he too took an oath to do- lead, support and watch out for the people of this nation. Oath-breakers are not looked upon kindly in any walk of life. But at any rate, that's about all the news from this corner of the continent. I'm looking forward to somewhat cooler temperatures and down time in Connecticut very soon. Stay well, and be sure to beat the heat! Stay hydrated, don't get sunburned, and don't drink the Tenafly Viper! I'd avoid the Thunderbird too, but that's something of a matter of opinion.
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