Readjusting Expectations

It's probably about time that I updated everyone on the Great Orders Saga of 2009.

I'm afraid that I have no good news. And if I wrote about the detailer and this whole mess the way I really want to, full of expletives and curses, I'm afraid I'd shock a few of my more gentle readers...

December is definitely not looking like it will happen for us. The first week has passed and we felt optimistic...after all, we had yet another Admiral gunning for Hans. But the detailer just seems to be impervious to higher-ranking officials. He doesn't care. He wants Hans to take a job that Hans has told him multiple times that he does. Not. Want.

It's as if the detailer is not keeping track of any of their conversations. His job is to make sure that Hans is in the right place and doing the right job to advance his career.

The detailer is never there...I mean NEVER. I'll bet Hans has called him 500+ times. OK, maybe I exaggerate just a little, but seriously, Hans will call him from work, starting at 2:30 p.m. our time (7:30 a.m. in Millington, TN, home of BUPERS). No answer. Hans will come home and continue to call. And call. And call. I've gotten to the point where I'm pretty sure that the detailer has caller I.D. and is avoiding him. It's no use to leave voice mails. E-mail is only a slightly better bet.

And Hans has been nothing but courteous to this guy...why? Because this s#$%head (sorry, Gramma) holds the key to his future. We are helpless...because to complain to his superior means that this guy holds a (even bigger) grudge against Hans. And chances are good that this guy will sit on the XO/CO Fleetup board in April. You know, the one that Hans is doing for the second and final lap?

Oh, I just want to swear. And kick, and scream and write my congressman. But I feel like nothing would make a difference. This is bureaucracy at its best, my friends. This is life in the military. Hello--sign up to serve your country, perhaps sacrifice your life in the process. Spend months away from your family. Drag your family away from their family and friends. Uproot your family every 1.5 years. Go and serve in a war zone, where you could get blown up by an IED. Sacrifice your youth to the military. Give your heart, mind and body over to the career that you love. Never cause a moment of trouble for anyone...never have a blemish on your record. Love the traditions and follow every rule with slavish devotion. Be the best at what you do...love your country...love even the worst day in the Navy.

And get treated like this.

Bottom line: December is a no go. We're not even sure at this point if we'll be going to Norfolk. It's all a toss-up right now. January is more likely, but I would plan on February. And God help us if it's later than that...

Glitter!

Glitter! They actually did a very good job of keeping it on the mats...we let the ornaments dry overnight and hung them on the tree this morning.

For Comparison: Josiah

Yeah, there "might" be a small resemblance there...!

Josiah in June/July 2004

How About Now?

Tired of Videos Yet?

Flip

Yes, to answer Sarah's question: I got the Flip as an anniversary present. It is so amazingly small, lightweight, cute (pink!) and EASY to use! It came in the mail yesterday from our friends at Amazon (bless you O Amazon!). I opened it up, popped in two AA batteries, easily set the date and time, and pushed the red button to record. Pushed the red button to stop recording. This thing literally has seven different buttons: on/off, red record, zoom in, zoom out, play, skip and delete. That is it. And when you're ready to download the videos, it has a built-in USB--you just pop it out and plug it directly into the computer.

It comes preloaded with Flip software that I guess allows you to edit, etc. I haven't tried that yet. I'm just thrilled to finally have a camera that is this easy to use after years of struggling with our Sony HandyCam.

Anyhoo--it shoots two hours of video which is plenty. The best things happen in little increments, anyway, right?

And did I mention that it measures about 3"x2" and weighs about a pound? I got my Flip a cute little pink quilted sleeping bag. It's all small enough to throw in my purse or clip to my belt. OK, I'm not that nerdy that I'd clip it to my belt....

But be prepared for more video!

Flip Test I