Military Reunion
I went to Southern California to attend the retirement ceremony of two ol’ military buddies: Steve-O Rodriguez and Diana Perez. I flew missions with them in the 729th airlift Squadron between the years of 1998 to 2003. Those were special years we traveled the world together in the C-141 cargo aircraft. While overseas we worked together and after work partied together and ate together. This was a unique relationship that many people never have. And it made us all very close. I hadn’t seen them nor anyone else in that squadron for 16 years. This reunion was a very big moment of my life. Not only was it fun it was like chicken soup for the soul.
Why I left the Military
I miss them a lot but it was correct for me to leave the Air Force in the first place. I was in my late twenties and early thirties and I wanted to do so much more in my life, not just the military, no matter how much I enjoyed it. Since then I’ve traveled throughout Central and South America for 2 and a half years. Taught English in China. Went to film school, where I wrote, acted, directed, and edited short films and documentaries and got a Bachelor’s Degree, worked in the Miami Beach service industry, and taught High School English in Madagascar for 2 plus years. All that I couldn’t have done if I stayed in the Military for all this time.
My Present Employment
I’ve been working 4 to 5 days a week at the Sylvester Bar in Midtown. The first two days I, like a mad chemist, mix spirits, fruit, sugar, salt, nuts, milk, gram crackers and other ingredients in various ways to make concoctions that the bartenders will later mix with other things to make and sell drinks. It’s tough. The 3rd and 4th days I work as a barback. It’s a constantly moving job. Constantly lifting things up, moving stuff, and cleaning and whatever the job calls for. That’s what I like and prefer, but the pay isn’t great. I will continue because the cats I work with are awesome.
Post Peace Corps Reflection
Oh well. After 2+ years in Madagascar I’m back barbacking. Didn’t the 2 years in Madagascar change me? I wanted it to. I wanted to come back a different person. Someone better. But I’m the same. Or at least I feel the same and can’t dectect the differences.
Girlfriend Status
I still don’t have a girlfriend. I want one. But I’m really hesistant to approach or broach a conversation with a girl about romantic adventures. I keep telling myself that success is right around the corner but that never arrives. How long am I going to be this optimist and wrong and instead just go out and start a relationship for better or worst. Just do it and even it turns out bad, the results will be so adventuous and that’s living!
YouTube
Started a new Youtube channel. It’s all drone shots. I’m filming so much drone shots that I want to do something with them. Maybe other people or me in the future will have a need for them.
Grandma Passing Away
My Grandmother past away, the one who started it all. In Chicago, her descendants did her funeral with pomp and military glory. Then to a restaurant for the wake. Then I dragged them out into to a parking lot in the rain, troopers all of them, to allow me to film them with the drone. I programmed it to fly around in a circle maintaining the camera’s gaze on my huddled family. Blessed my Grandmother, Elizabeth Jane Labbe Bliss. She joined the navy during World War II. She was rather stoic, responsible, and had a glass of wine every night. She loved sports and was a big Cubs fan. When I was young boy she and my Aunt Lucille taught us kids card games and we gambled with real money. Maybe she let us win from time to time. She was 97.
Laboring Away
I’ve been working a lot. Lot’s of long hours during which I bust my ass non-stop. It’s labor times ten. But I enjoy it. Don’t know if I’ll be working here, The Sylvester, for a long time, but steady as she goes. I’m the best they have at my position and they like and value me. They hired a couple of other people but they won’t make the cut. Either they’re too lazy or they don’t have the math skills (executed quickly) to do the job appropriately. Or, and this is important, the don’t have the personality.
Hurricanes and Handgranades
Hurricane Dorian was on it’s way here but it never arrived. People got ready and were preparing for the worst. Boarding up windows and buying water and gas and making a scene. I’m a little disappointed. I heard it hit around the Carolinas. When I was in Madagascar a hurricane hit Miami. Not a direct hit but it did damage. People lost power and hung out with their neighbors. I still haven’t experienced a hurricane here, but years ago a hurricane passed near Miami and we took a raft to the beach. The lifeguards wouldn’t let us take it in. But we swam anyway. Man, I got hit so hard by waves that it may have reptured an eardrum. I was toast after that swim.
Cyclone Eva
Fortunately in Madagascar a Cyclone passed over a town I was in. First my friends and I were on an island off the east coast when we caught wind that a major storm was bearing down on us and we had to fee fantasy island. We got to a safe town and the eye passed right over us. I remember it clearly. I thought the storm was over but the 2nd round was just around the corner. And it was stronger.
Wander and Ponder 