Basketball Blues
One of the perks of Air Force life is that you're literally ordered to go to the gym 2-3 times a week. What happens once you get there varies from unit to unit, but where I work, we have one day a week where we show up for "mandatory" PT. At some bases, this means doing stretches and calisthenics together and then running in formation (boo!) Here, it means we show up, do our jumping jacks (or as the Army likes to call them...side-straddle-hops), sit-ups and push-ups, and then we're free to go do our own thing (yay!)
Normally I run a couple of miles on the treadmill, punish myself on the elliptical for 15-20 minutes, and if I have time, slack off on the bike for a bit before hitting the showers.
Today, I decided to be "social" and play basketball. Two observations.
1) I suck at basketball.
2) I really, really hurt after playing.
Labels: Back in Blues
Ready, Aim, Fire
Tomorrow is the big day - I’m finally going back to work. I know it’s weird to start a job on a Friday, but I picked the 1st of December without looking at a calendar, so there it is. At any rate, it gives me a chance to meet everyone and get an idea of where I’ll be sitting so I can show up bright eyed and bushy tailed on Monday.
I’m pretty sure I won’t really be doing much other than setting up computer accounts and filling out paperwork, but somehow I feel like I’ll finally “be” a lawyer.
I’ve spent hojillions of dollars on uniform items over the past couple of weeks. And many hours obsessing about the tailoring and appearance of said items. To the point where EC can readily identify the smell of boot polish as it wafts throughout the house.
I have to admit to being a bit nervous too. This job is the whole reason I even went to law school What if they hate me??? I’m trying to prevent that by bringing cookies.
Everybody likes the girl who brings treats, right? Right???
Labels: Back in Blues
First Day of School! First Day of School!
Ok, not really.
But I did go into my new office a few days ago just to say hello and get an idea of some of the basics (duty hours, where to report, office phone numbers, etc.) I was a little disappointed, but not totally surprised, that they had no idea I was coming. At any rate, met some of my future co-workers and my future boss. Everyone seems nice.
I think I stumbled on an Air Force lawyer urban legend when I asked what uniform to report in. I only asked because when I first came in, the rule was to report in
service dress. For my non-military friends, this is equivalent of showing up in a suit on your first day. Anyway, I say this used to be the rule because I came in 1) as a 2nd Lieutenant and you make 2Lt's do lots of things you'd never make anyone else do, 2) during peace time. Things have changed a bit since 9/11 and the new rule is that pretty much everyone wears the camouflage Battle Dress Uniforms (BDU's) all the time unless you have a good reason to be in blues. So, when I asked whether BDU's were ok, the captain I was talking to said that was fine and added "just don't let anyone tell you to show up in Mess Dress. Ha-ha."
Right.
Mess dress, for the uninitiated, is the military equivalent of a tux.
I chuckled politely and went on my merry way. Then yesterday, a different captain called me to let me know that they now OFFICIALLY knew I was coming and that he was going to be my sponsor. We chitchatted for a while and I confirmed a couple of details - including the uniform bit. And he again said BDU's were fine, paused, and added "just don't let anyone tell you to show up in Mess Dress. Ha-ha." EXACTLY THE SAME THING the other captain had said.
Is someone out there teaching that "somewhere" in the Air Force "someone" thought it would be a great joke to tell someone to show up for work in a tux? And that "some poor schmuck" actually fell for it?
Labels: Back in Blues
