Let's Go For It

Hello, again, to the Requiem's readers. :) This is Spyder/John's wife, Wisp/Christine writing to let his friends and family know how he's doing.
John was able to fly out to Fort Bragg on Dec. 10 (a day later than had been scheduled). But, it allowed the storms to finish passing through so he had a nice flight out of Salt Lake City. He spent from the time he arrived until today doing in-processing (paperwork and getting put into the system, basically). Today John joined his unit. He will be with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. He has a buddy out there he knew threw all of Basic and AIT and now they will even be in the same unit! However, this buddy deployed to Afghanistan the day before John got there so they won't actually get to see each other until April. :S But they're both glad, just the same.
We were able to get on the housing list, and we will most likely have a place to live in 2-3 weeks. We are glad that the wait will not be very long. We won't have Christmas together, though, but we'll talk together on the phone and once we're together we'll celebrate the holiday in full force. :)
Also, for anyone that doesn't know through facebook or my blog, John was promoted to Private First Class a few days before shipping out. It helped him to be more confident about joining a new unit at such a big base.
John is suffering a bit with a cold, though. It isn't a surprise, though. He has changed elevation, humidity, climate, time zone, sleeping schedule (he's been working graveyards for several months), and he got a swine flu vaccine the day after he landed. His body's going through a lot. He's tough, though - practically untouchable - and he will be fine.
We're really looking forward to this new part of our lives. It's going to be scary and exciting and full of changes. But, if you've seen his eyes when he's talking about the military, it's definitely worth it. :)

A Boat Is Safest In The Harbor. (But That's Not What Boats Are For!)

Well, I think that was hiatus enough for any. I'm back, after much chiding, mostly by my own conscience. A few friendly reminders from Wisp didn't hurt, either. In any case, the current situation in which I find myself is thus: Life have become exponentially difficult, of late. What with the scam situation, (See Wisp's blog for much clearer details than I could give) the various job applications, trying to make things work when the box only had half the puzzle. So, after much painstaking assembly of what puzzle pieces were contained therein, onlookers yet demand the rest of the puzzle be brought together. With pieces that I don't have. I don't know where to acquire them. It seems like all of the wealthy and successful people in the world all have this book, this manual, of what to do to be that way. Was there some college fraternity that I wasn't aware of that teaches you all the right things? Introduces you into all the right social circles? It almost smacks of aristocracy, the way it's treated by some of it's members.
I'll tell you one thing I know for sure. We're all US until money hits the table. Then suddenly there's a THEM. I don't understand the division. At the heart of my life, though, is my strength. My rock. My stability throughout the storm. My wife. The strongest, most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on. And she's OK with the fact that the boat that is my life is small. It's easy to turn, maneuverable. It can survive the harshest waves. And after all, the Titanic tanked on it's maiden voyage...

No More Lessons: Time For Action

Woo! So here I sit, 12:09 am Wednesday morning in the Daniels Academy basement, where I am currently working the first day of my new job. Graveyard shift = Happy Spyder. I'm not even half-way into my first energy drink, yet. This is a very good sign. There is a certain amount of freedom in this job, that I didn't think could exist in the workforce. That said, I will now proceed to the ranting portion of the blog: except there isn't one. That's right, folks! I have nothing to complain about, really. Well, I do....I just don't feel like complaining. So there.

I typically try to steer clear of the word "blessed". But nothing else fits. Hopefully this job will act as a doorstop while I raid as much as I possibly can out of this storage shed of opportunities. (wow, that sounded cliche.) But hey: You've all dealt with my negativity long enough.

Lesson Number...whatever. The next one.

Ok, I know I gave a huge post warning, and then...fththththth. Nothing until now. The truth is, the events which have transpired in my life recently, I don't feel ready to share with everyone. I will, soon, when all the details are either solidified or dissolved. (I try to stay positive...) Anyway. When you're unemployed, not a whole lot happens. My wife's birthday recently happened, so now we are the same age. (For another week.)

Also, I've been loving the movie WALL-E more and more. I think it has become my current fave. Something about the way that Wall-e and Eve communicate, it illicits a rather emotional tone between them, proving that the way you say something can be just as important as what you say.
I'm a sucker for higher understanding. Ah, heck. I'll just say it:

I may have accidentally started my own business. It all started a while back when I was delivering for DHL. I had a letter going to a travel agency whose owner I had befriended. I commented on her nice car, and she responded with how much she hates driving anywhere. I told her I LOVE driving. I suggested that if she should ever need a lift to Salt Lake for those meetings she has to attend, to let me know.

Now that I am unemployed, I was searching online job sites when I remembered that conversation. So, I went to go see her. She not only said that she still hates to drive, but she knows others who share her distaste for the road. She put my name on file and we agreed on a price. Now, she considers herself my first client. She also mentioned that because she runs a travel agency, I could make little fliers and she would slip them into the travel packets. Anyone needing a lift to the airport to go on a cruise who doesn't want to leave their car at the airport for a week could call me to run them up there.

It's a lot to knock around my head for a while, but I'll let you know developments as they come. Also, any feedback, questions, suggestions, let me know.

The other thing I've been hoping is that maybe I can get a full time military job. They pay well, and you can't beat the insurance. It's something for me to think about. Anyway, I could really use all of your thoughts on this one...

Lesson 19: "As it turns out, machines can transform into other machines, and it's not a slight against God."

So I'm home, finally. And as it's been a while since my last lengthy and seriously-toned post, I figure it's long overdue. It seems that I have a full plate of issues currently. Job loss in such a way that my military status means positively squat, searching for a job that will pay decently for which I am qualified while trying to convince already-skittish employers that while yes, you could survive just fine without someone filling this position, I would be worth that extra risk and expense. Simple task. Also, there is the seeming dissatisfaction with my recent performance as a son and brother. Frustrations have made themselves evident that I can keep a blog, so why not emails, calls, letters? It's because with blogging, the things I write don't have to have a valid and substantial point. I can write about the Hot Wheels I played with as a kid, or my recent appreciation for Leo's ever-sharpening skills as an actor. Some one reads what I wrote, and they can either comment or not. I can get a "that's weird" from someone, or a "Yeah, Leo's come a long way" or I may even get a "*squeeeeeeeeeeeeeee* LEO'S MY FAVORITE TOO LOL ZOMGWTFBBQ ROFFLECOPTER!!!1!1!!!" (Not at all what I said. Just that he's a good actor.) See, everyone I know for some reason or another seeks definition. A reason not just to exist, but to exist the way they are. No one likes to be told that the way they've chosen to live their life is disagreeable, let alone wrong. Especially if their way of life was a conscious choice. If they've made changes within themselves and their habits to accomodate a new way. As an attempt to combat this before a threat even arises, people will make a profound effort to get others around them to feel the same way about the same things. For instance, while at Ft Rucker, we were allowed to wear civilian clothing on the weekends. For most, this consisted of Nike Air Force Ones (shoes), Fubu or Rocawear or American Eagle Brand Brand Brand crap. So I show up to formation in a plain grey t-shirt, blue jeans, and some decent looking shoes whose brand I can't remember. So I was a little thrown when this kid that was branded to the nines (He had a grill even!) walks up to me, looks me up and down and asks, "Seriously?" I simply said that brand doesn't matter much to me. He then tried his hardest to convince me that I should dress like him. I thought individuality was the name of the game, here? "We need to rebel! Let's ALL wear My Chemical Romance shirts! THAT'll make us unique!" I just don't understand it.
The reason for all this diatribe is simple. I like to avoid people whose mission in life is to convince either me or themselves that everyone needs to be a certain way. When I'm told, "no pressure! Be who you are!" so I do, and I'm resented for it.
I enjoy the military. You report to who you need to when you're supposed to. You do what you're asked and you're done. My free time is mine. They don't give a half-a-damn what I do with my time, or if I've socialized with my fellow soldiers enough. They don't care what video games I play, or what movies I watch. They don't need me to need them. I don't have to pretend my past was rainbows, unicorns and Sunday school. I don't have to pretend that I was abused, kept chained up in the basement and regularly beaten with a truck, either. This is the thing that I have accepted about myself that hopefully everyone else will understand: I'm normal. I'm average. I get just as many breaks as anybody else. Sure, I had a learning disability! Look how much time and energy my mother devoted to ME because of it! Did I ACTUALLY have ADD? Maybe. Doesn't matter much now. In AIT I was third in my class! I can focus just fine! The difference? I choose to. I make no excuses for myself. It's hard, yes! But why does the main driving force behind everything humanity does have to be making things as easy as possible? For those striving for the Celestial Kingdom, guess what? There is no autopilot. You will not get to just lay around and make worlds with your mind. It's going to be more difficult than this life could ever be. It's a state of constant sacrifice. Your entire existence will be based on others. (Yeah you say that's what you want now, but how many of you are doing that currently?)
Wow, I went off for a while there. I've had a lot stored up, I guess. *sigh* It's good to be back.

Almost Home

Well, Private Spyder has almost completed his training. He's finished with his classes. Tomorrow he will undergo surgery to remove a root that was overlooked by the shoddy surgeon that removed his wisdom teeth. He'll be on recovery for that for a couple of days, then he graduates from AIT on the 12th and will receive his wings. He should be flying home on Friday, if everything goes according to plan. Once home, he'll begin hunting for a new job. We're hoping he finds one soon. The economy is pretty scary right now. And then we'll be back to "normal" life. I might also find a job to supplement our income and keep taking lighter class loads to work toward my Bachelor's degree. It's an exciting time of life for us because we're getting closer to more and more changes.
We're both very excited for Spydey to come home, and we are grateful to everyone for being so supportive of our boy while he's been at training. I'm sorry that I neglected to send out his new mailing address for Fort Rucker. I actually thought that I had and now have realized my mistake. I've given too much of my brain power to school, and I apologize for my failure to pay attention.
So, soon our boy will be back, posting his life's lessons and funny anecdotes. Thanks for reading my little updates.
~Wisp

Update on AIT

Well, Private Spyder has been back at AIT for 2 weeks now. His classes have been going well and he likes the specialty he's chosen. He's excited about it. He's learning maps and how to track how much fuel has been used and so on. He'll be the one that checks through everything and gives the Apache pilot the go-ahead to fly. Sadly, though, some of the other guys have not been taking the military very seriously. Sneaking out after curfew, pulling the fire alarms, hiding alcohol (and getting drunk), and other stupidity that shows complete lack of respect for their authorities. So, last weekend, they spent all day Saturday packing their things and putting everything outside. Then they had to move everything back in and unpack it all according to regulations. Sunday they attended a finances class (not as punishment) which took up most of his day, but he actually enjoyed it a lot. He loves learning. Today, because of more and more pushing of boundaries by a few, everyone was punished. They spent the day thusly: meeting in formation in their uniforms, having roll call, then being told they have half an hour to be back in formation in their physical training clothes. They go change, come back, get into formation, have roll call, are told they have half an hour to be back in formation in the uniforms... Needless to say, it's been a hard couple of weeks. He's had little phone time, but we've used up what we could. He's keeping a positive attitude and refusing to complain. He's such a good man. He nevers gives up, he just keeps going (like the real Spidey). No news yet of what tomorrow will hold for him, but it will probably be more hard lessons the stubborn ones make everyone learn together. So, I might still be the one updating his blog for a while. I'm sure you'll miss his wit and clever writing style. :) He is doing very well in class and he has few class sessions left. Then they'll be taking care of his mouth surgery (removing the root left by the sloppy surgeon that removed his wisdom teeth years ago), he'll have a campout-thing (I don't know all the words) similar to the one he'd had during Basic Training, and then he'll be done. He graduates February 12th. It will take some processing time, though, but he'll be home soon after that. He's finding out he was even stronger than he thought. He'll start job hunting when he gets home, so keep us in your prayers. Maybe he'll be able to find a job doing what he just finished his training in! :) I'll keep you guys updated on the details as much as I can. 2 weeks have already gone by fast and there are just a few more to go!

Lesson 18: Bob Ross Is Awesome.

Seriously. Happy Trees aside, the man was an inspiration. I say this because of how ridiculously easy he made painting seem. Ever known people like that? They can pick up on something enormously difficult, and make it look simple. I love and hate those people all at the same time. I wish I was that way. My brother understands things of a mechanical nature whose inner workings I can't even begin to fathom. For me, the only thing I've got like that is being a soldier.

For the sake of explanation, I am not yet back for good. I got to come home for Christmas from the 20th to Jan 2nd. As of one hour and 38 minutes ago, it is the 1st. (Oh yeah, Happy New Year. Try to make resolutions that are feasible, yet challenging.) Anyway, my time here is already over. The good news is that I was granted internet access at AIT just before leaving Ft Rucker. That said, I only have definite access on weekends. Updates by yours truly may still be far and few between. Anyway, 2009 awaits!