Am I really that old?

I am 40 years old. I don’t feel that I am old. I know that nearly all the kids in my math class were not even born the last time I had a math class. Yes I have strange aches and pains and can count on being sore the day after any extra physical exertion. I have no where near the same amount of hair that I once had. Often I wish I could take a nap in the middle of the afternoon or really want to go to bed early. I just don’t feel like I am old.

If I am not old why am I constantly thinking the old person mantra “What is wrong with kids today?” Kids walk into class ten minutes late and I think it. Kids get up from a table and leave their trash and I think it. Kids keep talking during lecture and I think it. Every time I turn around I am thinking it. Am I really that old?

Drive Bys

First let me tell you that gunfire is not involved in any way.

While I was overseas our squad started to receive what we would call drive bys. For months and months when we first were in country we would have platoon meetings. Informal gatherings where MSG Chiles would put out information that we needed. Nothing exciting nothing formal just a gathering where we would find out what was going on. Eventually these meetings stopped and we would receive a “drive by”. Continue reading Drive Bys

First windows machine

I am writing this on my first “windows computer”. I decided I needed a new laptop and of course I would have much rather have bought a MacBook but my current financial situation does not allow me to buy one. I settled for a Dell laptop. It seems to be an ok machine. Windows is driving me a little bit crazy though. Some things that my Mac did on it’s own or with just a couple of mouse clicks I am now spending several minutes trying to figure out what I am doing. Over all I am sure I will be fine and because one of my first classes is windows it is probably  better that I at least have used a windows machine a little bit. Oh well, I will sell my old PowerBook and start a MacBook fund. Hopefully sooner or later I will be able to sell this machine.

Retired Army

I spent a little over twenty years playing army. Not quite six years in the Nebraska National Guard and over fourteen in the Army Reserve. I was deployed only once, serving on active duty for 18 months with 13 of those overseas in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I do not go out of my way to draw attention to my service. In fact I don’t really enjoy talking about myself with people I don’t know (I even have trouble writing here even though no one knows this blog exists). I have met several people though that have no problem drawing attention to themselves regardless of their service. Continue reading Retired Army

Thats my dad

My son, Zachary, was about 18 months old when I was called to active duty in January of 2003. Although I saw him several times over the next three and a half months, I was not a daily part of his life for over a year. While I was overseas Veronica talked about me and showed him pictures. When asked about me Zach would say “Daddy is driving his big truck.” And drive that big truck I did. I finally came home on leave in January of 2004. Although Veronica talked about me I was worried about Zach remembering me. The greeting at the airport was awesome. I picked up Zach and was hugging him along with everyone else. Zach seemed a little unsure about me holding him so I put him down and continued to hug and greet the rest of my family. Later my sister tells me that after I put him down Zach stood there and watched what was going on. He sees her watching him and he whispers to her “that is my dad.”

My return is a very special memory. The story of my son making sure Beth knew who I has a very special place in my heart.