Today's The Day

I've calmed my complaints and accepted the situation. For now. Because it's only the first day, and I haven't been without him long enough to start whining yet.

We left before 4:00am this morning to drive the boy to the armory. We got there early and had some time to snuggle in the car before he had to meet his squad. We kissed goodbye, and then he disappeared into the sea of uniforms.

On my way out, I saw a uniform on a motorcycle being pulled over by the same cop we saw patrolling the area earlier. I snickered at his misfortune. That cop must have been looking specifically for speeding soldiers. Why else would he hang out right in front the armory? Good thing I wasn't speeding when I came in...

The sun came up while I was driving home. The gray dew and mist gradually turned into full color beauty. I saw Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and a tiny glimpse of Mt. St. Helens. Jupiter was in the sky, and Mars was hanging just above the horizon. It was a lovely drive, but about half way home I started getting drowsy. Who the hell gets up at 3:30am anyway?

I slept for a couple more hours after I got home, then went out to return some DVDs and get coffee and donuts. Vista Roth's makes the best maple bar in town!

It's so amazing outside today. It's sunny and warm, the birds are chirping, the flowers are in bloom... it's really spring! Almost makes me wish I was on the mountain or at the coast, except all I really feel like doing is being a hermit indoors. I couldn't get home from my errands fast enough. I opened a few windows so the cats and I can enjoy the weather from the comfort of our little cave. I am so ready for a lazy day at home. (Currently watching the Mythbusters Jaws special.)

The boy will stay at the armory tonight then fly out to California early tomorrow morning. He'll be gone for about 3 and a half weeks. He'll have his phone the whole time, and he's got internet service on it now, so I expect we'll be able to keep in touch fairly easily.

After that, he'll be home on leave for 4 days before he flies out to Georgia in May. That will be the last time I see him for the next year, except possibly for 2 weeks leave sometime during his deployment, if/when he gets it. We're still not sure about that.

We went to a town hall meeting last night where we got all kinds of useful information about living conditions in Kuwait and Iraq, the type of work the boy will be doing while he's there, and what to expect when he comes home. One of Oregon's senators even spoke, faithfully towing the party line using the latest media-friendly buzzwords and phrases.

"... which is why I didn't vote for the big bank bailout!"

*massive applause*

(Um... did that person's question have anything at all to do with the bailout??? Hrm...)

Here's a few interesting factoids about American food in the middle east.

There's a Starbucks in Kuwait.

Several fast food chains follow the military in Iraq, including Subway, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut, but apparently they don't quite taste the same as they do at home.

None of these places will serve pork of any kind. Evidently Muslims are not supposed to eat or handle pork products. I did not know this. The boy said I can't even send pork jerky in the mail.

Pizza Hut without pepperoni, sausage, or ham? What do they put on pizza over there? Must be all cheese and veggie. And Subway? No BMT or Spicy Italian? I hope turkey and chicken are still options.

Fortunately the boy isn't a huge fan of bacon like I am. If someone told me I couldn't eat bacon for an entire year, I think I'd cry.

Anyway, I'm pretty well prepared for the next 3+ weeks. My plan is to work, play Warcraft, sleep, and possibly hit the occasional happy hour with my coworkers. I might also see some movies. This time will go by fast. It's the time after that that worries me, although my best course of action is to deal with that when it gets here, and then just take it one day at a time. For now, I'm going to focus on what's in front of me.

Um... please pass the bacon. Is there chocolate for dessert?