Awwww, my husband is back in Illinois for a Corvette show.  The Navy gave him his precious few days off, and I am happily using the opportunity to clean the house.  No, I didn't go with him.


Here's another little interesting tidbit of military habits: Husbands and wives don't have to go on vacation together. 
Last year, I went home to Iowa (where my family is) for Christmas.  He didn't.  He couldn't get leave.  Now, I know some of you are saying, "Oh, what a heartless bitch, leaving him alone on Christmas!"  Gasp, Shock.  He spent the two years before that out to sea for Christmas.

So, besides cleaning, what am I doing with my time?  A blush is stealing over my cheeks as I type this....I've been playing "Vampires."  (see the pic at the bottom).  I have made fun of my husband and his friends for years, I will fully admit, for playing video games.  I've brought a book to the parties where everyone is playing "Rock Band" or whatever they call it.  But the other day, I decided to find out what all the fuss was about.  Well, it's four days later, and I'm on level 66.  And now, I really have to go, my "rage" meter just filled up and I have to go attack some vampires!

Oh, yeah, question of the day for ya'll:  Do you play any video games?   (maybe if I get some 'yes' answers I won't feel like such a geek!)

I was talking with the brother the other day, and he expressed a bit of annoyance at the fact his college was playing the Army.  His main reason was that it wouldn't "feel right" yelling "F*** Army".  I found this amusing. 

So, one reason not to go is that you can't properly insult the army/navy/whatever team.

A second- these guys are counted as active duty in the military.  I'm not real sure if they have to do real work later or not, but I do know that tax payer dollars are paying for them to play football.

Third reason- exactly how in the h*ll does a bunch of guys catching a football help with national security?!  Am I missing something here?  Is Al Queda going to show up tomorrow with some jersey's and say "first team to fifty wins?"

Please post your own reasons & complaints about the military having sports teams....I'll round them all up and do a blog with your answers!!

Ummm, I had a couple of reviews done, and apparently that fact that the horoscopes were a joke didn't quite, uh, 'sink in' to a few people. 
I know explaining the joke takes the fun out it...but, notice that all the military horoscopes are "bad days"
The civilian ones predict "good days"....

Aries:
     Military: You will be blamed for something at work and will be expected to work overtime.
     Civilian: You will unexpectedly come into some money today.  Spend it wisely!

Taurus:
     Military: One task will turn into six...don't expect to leave early. 
     Civilian: A wonderful day to start a new exercise program and healthy eating. 

Gemini:
     Military: A pay raise or promotion are NOT in the cards.  Don't get your hopes up. 
     Civilian: A normal day at work could turn into something great.  Keep your eyes open for a new opportunity. 

Cancer:
     Military: You will be blamed for something at work and will be expected to work overtime.
     Civilian: A meeting with an old friend could warm your heart with happy memories. 

Leo:
     Military: One task will turn into six...don't expect to leave early. 
     Civilian: Watch out for danger while traveling!  A good trip could turn unhappy during a moment of inattention. 

Virgo:
     Military: A pay raise or promotion are NOT in the cards.  Don't get your hopes up. 
     Civilian: Don't commit to any contracts today.  However, you could come into some money. 

Libra:
     Military: You will be blamed for something at work and will be expected to work overtime.
     Civilian: A romantic encounter will be even more exciting than expected.

Scorpio:
     Military: One task will turn into six...don't expect to leave early. 
     Civilian: A great day to network.  Check out online networks for old friends and new business opportunities. 

Sagittarius:
     Military: A pay raise or promotion are NOT in the cards.  Don't get your hopes up. 
     Civilian: A prior obligation you were dreading will disappear.  No more worrying!

Aquarius:
     Military: You will be blamed for something at work and will be expected to work overtime.
     Civilian: An extended talk with a family member will provide a new solution to an old problem. 

Pisces:
     Military: One task will turn into six...don't expect to leave early. 
     Civilian: An old flame will reappear in your life.  Smile, they still love you!

Husband was late home from work today.  Not an unusual occurrence.

But the reason was a new one.  He had to sit outside of a room for an hour waiting to be told nothing.
Yep, you read that correctly.  Apparently, six students were behind on qualifications.  So, the six people in charge of them had to wait outside of the training meeting.  It turns out that nothing that was discussed in the meeting was relevant to them, so when the meeting was over, they were sent home.  For the hour they waited, they read magazines.

Wouldn't it have made more sense to use that hour to help the students who were behind?
Or, even assuming that something had been discussed that was important, couldn't they have told them when they came to work for next shift?


Here's a joke that is fairly popular (It is NOT a true story...just an urban legend):
A U.S. Navy ship was off the coast of Canada when they spotted something in their path.  The following is the radio transmissions:

Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.

Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid collision.

Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship.  Say again, divert your course.

Canadians: No, I say again, divert your course.

Americans: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET.  WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS, AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS.  I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH.  THAT'S ONE-FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP."

Canadians: This is a lighthouse.  Your call.

All I'm going to say is: it's taken eight years to make this much progress on the memorial.
8 years.
They could have completely rebuilt the buildings and opened them for business in that amount of time.

Are these the people we trust?

I had an adventure today (visiting any Naval facility turns into an adventure).  There were four people standing in line to check-in at the doctor's office.  There was a large counter with three computers for check-ins.  A civilian was sitting at one computer checking people in.  The other two computers weren't being used.....but, there were three active-duty military members SO busy that I'm surprised they had time to breath.

One of them was sitting in a chair twirling in circles.  The other two were showing each Blackberry (or I-phone, or whatever they're called) aps.  The third one would lean forward to check out the aps and comment on them.  Like I said, so busy.  

I, being a bit of a...well, sounds kind of like witch...just stood there staring at the three of them.  Didn't break eye contact...just stared.  After the first minute, they avoided looking in my direction.  It only took five minutes, but one of them finally stepped forward and said, "Can I help you?"  I answered, very dryly, if I might add, "Yes."  And all of the sudden, they found something to do!

As of the time I post this (4:05 a.m. eastern U.S. time), our national debt is at 11.804 trillion.  That doesn't count the unfunded liabilities (aka- medicare, social security, & Plan D), which adds another 59 Trillion.  Yes, you read that right.  Our REAL national debt is at over 70 trillion dollars.  
But, I, being a genius, have a plan.  Let's fire all the government employees (military included), who spend more than an hour of their day either sitting or standing around.  It would cut our future debt by 75% (aka- keep the civilian who was actually working, and fire the three Navy guys who were screwing around)!!

Share your story of a government or military experience that shows YOUR TAX DOLLARS hard at work!

I was perusing the Navy News on the web earlier, and came across an article.  (I'll put the link at the bottom in case anyone is bored enough to read the whole article).

The big point of interest is this:
Women in the navy are now allowed to get certain types of permanent make-up.Huh?
I mean, who in the hell would want to get permanent make-up in the first place....what about when you get older...those nice, perfect eyebrows are going to droop and sag.

But, here's the catch for those military women who just need it: It has to be subtle and compliment your skin tone.  Uh, I hate to ask the obvious question- but who is going to pay $1,000 to have permanent lipstick put on that looks natural? 

Other "big" changes involve which boots can be worn, proper wearing of warfare pins, and the hot topic that everyone has been dying to learn about, the new Africom badge approval.

Any guesses on exactly how much money the government spent/will spend on discussing, deciding on regulations, and updating all of the manuals just for the make-up issue alone?


(Article link: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/09/navy_uniforms_090609w/