Civi-Life
It's been a long while since my last post, but I am now fully indoctrinated into civi-life. (Or you might call it de-institutionalized, if that's a word) It has been difficult at times, but am I really happy with my decision to leave active duty. Here is a list a the differences that I have noticed upon becoming a civi:
1. The work hours: I don't have to work as many nights, but I get up an hour earlier than I use to. Also, they expect you to stay at work, even if you have nothing to do!
2. Not everyone sees the world the same as me. For instance, my solution of "whacking" someone is not viewed as an acceptable solution to a diplomatic crisis or a domestic crime problem. (This is unfortunate because "whacking" the opposition almost always makes your side win. And we all know the last man standing is right!)
3. Kind of along the same lines as number 2, people don't normally get my dark sense of humor. Example: Lockheed Martin and NASA personnel, associated with the Space Shuttle program, generally don't find jokes funny, if they involve "blowing shit up".
4. You can't smack anyone in the head, throw stuff at people, or even threaten to stab someone in the neck with a pencil or plastic cafeteria knife, just because they are being stupid. For that matter, you can't even call them stupid. (Like number 2, this is also unfortunate, because people tend to get smart real fast when you do any of the above to them.)
5. In the civilian world, some people seriously think Hillary "Stupid-head" Clinton or Barack "Osama-bin" Obama would make a good President. (See rule 4, if you are one of these)
Tangent: To my lovely, though politically schewed, sister-in-law....point number five is only written in jest, and is admittedly a feeble attempt at being a creative blogger. Though we will most likely never greet each other on the same side of the political fence, we now agree on at least one thing. It is time for a new president!
6. There are definitely things I will miss about the military. But, the time with the family and the regularity of schedule is worth the transition. (Besides, I'm in the reserves, so I get to revert at least once a month!)
Finally, I should add that for those of you who assume more time at home means more frequent blogging....right! Commander, Naval Forces Home (Angie) still writes my orders on the weekend. And they usually involve a time-consuming project or two. (I think she is recovering lost time and services from our time in the Navy.)
3 comments:
I totally understand what you mean - it took people here in Vegas a while to get used to my humor, too! The people I work with are one of two kinds: they were born and raised here, so they somehow see themselves as better than the rest of us, or they are transients who are counting down the days until they can move somewhere else, so they don't bother to make any lasting friendships. It was hard to figure out how to act around these people, but it didn't take long for my natural (opinionated) personality to come out (big shocker!!). I just figured, screw them, I'm a transient, too (hopefully), and they can take it or leave it!!
P.S. That's twice in one week I've been called schewed - one of the "born and raised here" said my temperature guage was "schewed" because I was always hot. Maybe it's true.....
Thanks for the great Thursday morning pick me up!! Belly laughing here : )
You are cracking me up. I sometimes think you Mr. Dean and my daddy have waaaay too many of the same opinions. My fasha, too, would prefer to threaten whacking someone to simply firing them...although in the natural gas business the idea of "blowing shit up" is not a pleasant one. ha. You amuse me. Have a great week.
Nat
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