Day 66: 1 April 08

Well every time I see that number I think of my sports idol Mario Lemieux. I have to say I think I performed like him today! Although I wish he would come back and play on the power play and help the Pens with the Cup this season. Anyway I announced the promotion and awards ceremony for the Air Force personnel here on base. I did a pretty good job even though I messed a few things up (This one guy had a crazy African name that the General made me redo!). I had a couple good jokes too. One guy in our shop got promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-5) and we joked before we went to the ceremony that he could not be promoted because it was April fools day. Anyway during the ceremony the 1 star General on base handed out the certificates and saluted those being promoted. Well when Steve came up they, for whatever reason, did not have his certificate. So as he shook hands and saluted and walked back to his seat I said ‘April Fools’ and it got a good laugh from the crowd of about 400. Then at the end all of the people lined up to shake hands and the General said something when I was suppose to end the ceremony from the script so instead I paused and then adlibbed ‘ Thank you for attending today’s ceremony now do whatever the General said” That got a real good laugh as things ended. I got a coin from the Command Chief which makes it my third coin since deploying here. Tomorrow I will post pictures of the event if I can get some. Also today I discovered (on the post gazette’s website which I read daily) that there is a website that you can find teachers in PA and NJ’s salaries. It took me about 2 minutes to find out how much my Uncle Joe and Mother in law make. Its funny too because my Dad just made a comment about how I dry my underwear on the front porch. Well two things here: 1. I believe anyone being paid by the government should have their salary advertised. We are all public servants on different levels and should never earn more than we would be embarrassed for good or bad to have as public knowledge. You can look and see how much I make any day as military pay is public knowledge. 2. I live life so that I do not have dirty laundry to dry on the front porch. (Although Michelle will tell you I hang onto some boxers beyond their rightful life span!) Now that is not to say I am perfect or will not have something bad happen to me in the future. But I look at life as if God knows all and if he knows then we better do our best to live right. Therefore if you ask me something I am going to admit it. I get very upset when people make excuses for their sins or wrong doings. If you did something wrong just admit it, ask forgiveness and try not to do it again. You can thank my parents for that installation of values even though they sometimes come to light in what my Dad would label as ‘laundry on the front porch’. LOL Anyway I love you and miss you all. The funny part is my Dad and Mom are now commenting in the same area. This is the first step of civil communication in the 12 step program! LOL You guys need to understand I am half of each of you so I will continue to bother you both about this nonsense. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow which is why we have to remain positive and love each other no matter how much we feel hurt or offended. So I guess that’s it for now. I got another trip coming up next week to Kabul. I am slated to interview a 4 Star General! That makes my first as the highest before that was a 3 Star. Then in May I am taking my 4 day pass and going to Qatar! Beer, pool, civilian clothes, and 4 days off… I cannot wait. O I won a raffle for the opportunity to buy a Nintendo Wii. They are hard to get and I got one. A guy at work really wanted it so he bought it from me but its cool as it is in our office and we play daily. Golf and bowling. For those who do not know it is the one with the controller that is motion sensitive. You control the guy on the screen. I think I will get another one for Christmas as Michelle loves Mario Cart and it is coming out soon. Nintendo reminds me of my days with my Dad in the basement playing Blades of Steel on Connie Drive (circa 1990). I got a ton of homework to do now so I best be going. Look for some pictures tomorrow and less underwear on my front porch! One last thing though. As you all can see my Dad has yet to discover spell checker but he is still a brilliant and intelligent man. I will never forget his quotes. One of the funniest ones was when I was 19 years old the summer of 2002 we would work together each Friday on his building in Beaver Falls and boy was it fun. Anyway I think we had a great summer but one Friday morning I was having trouble getting out of bed to go to BF with him. (I was most likely out hooping it up the night before) Well when it comes to work there is no half assing it with my Dad. He said son: “You cannot hang with the Night Owls and expect to soar with the Eagles in the morning.” So Dad because I love you and Mom I will try to not hang my underwear on the front porch anymore and will now do my homework and get to bed at a decent hour so I am not late to work! Good night all Rob
PS: Happy belated Birthday to my best friend Kurt who turned the ripe old age of 28 yesterday!