Saint Louis and the History Channel

Watching the History Channel tonight regarding the I64 project and the sad conditions regarding our city’s sewers. Basically the last couple of shows involves the dire need for more funding needed to upgrade America’s infrastructure.

Instead of spending so much money on needless issues (and I am not talking about the Health care system here)…..imagine the bridges, dams, roads, sewers, levees that could be saved and kept up to date if local, state, and federal governments would get their act together. Imagine if a dam broke and not to mention the levees of New Orleans and the fiasco with Ameren UE regarding Taum Sauk reservoir spilt over December 14, 2005.

Don’t fool with Mother Nature because she fights back.

Not only was Taum Sauk a major issue, but over FOUR THOUSAND dams are unsafe and according to the History Channel the number of unsafe dams have quadrupled since 2001.

Average age of US dams are over 50 years old! States have cut inspections to the bone. Texas had seven inspectors for over 7400 dams and could only see over 230 dams….I am like wow.

???????????

Ok, off my soapbox…….for the moment.

Dating and the military

My first exposure to military dating was during AIT.

Well, in basic one of the drills expressed an interest in me despite the fact the senior drill told him he needed to “behave” though I personally did not do anything to direct such attention towards myself. What with getting up at oh god thirty hours in the morning along with the fierce training, PT, marches, learning, getting all bruised up, losing my voice HOW could anyone find this then 17 year old attractive?

Anyway, he persisted and I kept him at arm’s length and when he was stationed at Fort Gordon (where I also went) he still wanted to go out and I still said no.

Through the years I have seen men and women hook up through the military, some relationships lasting, allot going to the wayside.

In Korea my mouth about dropped to the ground (can you imagine that?) seeing the kind of “in-discretionary” behavior coming from unit members. Mind you, I never dated in high school so everything I was experiencing was a shock to the senses.

Now of course there are some honorable men and women out there who are faithful to their spouses, who really want to see things work out. I have seen both men and women cry over broken hearts.

Now, what really gets me going….are people who cheat on their military partner when they are deployed or away for additional schooling. I am not talking about those men and women who cheat on their spouses/boyfriends/girlfriends while deployed but those who stay true to the honor of the uniform, to the code. Those who sacrifice themselves for the greater good, for our country and get shafted because their partner couldn’t “wait” for them to come home.

How lame is that?

Anyway, I just had to vent and wonder at times where people’s heads or at…especially those who find out you serve in the military and find it “distasteful” to go out because there is always the chance that you might get deployed.

‘nough said.

Not a Goodbye Party

The team threw me a party for my impending departure to Team B. I had tears in my eyes reading the stuff written on the erasable chalkboard in the conference room. The food was delicious…meatballs, salad, all kinds of deserts, pasta, my chicken fried rice (received compliments…bought the mix at Aldi’s—LOVE that store)…soda etc…and of course good company…laughed and laughed.

I know it’s greener pa$tures as far as where I am headed however one cannot put a pricetag on good company and wonderful co-workers.

They will be sorely missed.