So the government shut down...is not good for anyone. I am thankful that my job is intact, but we certainly haven't been spared the insanity. Two days ago, we were sent home in the middle of our training course, just to be called back a day later. We will likely be sent home in the next coming days, over a month early, only to have to return again later in 2014 or beyond. This is frustrating, and yes, will end up costing our government even more, but it's all about timing and flavors of money and other things I understand only well enough to know that one ought not mix them up!
It's a mess- yes- a lot of important folks are furloughed, and that frustrates me on their behalf. But I still feel that we have it really good in this country, which you know if you've traveled anywhere else. We aren't living under an oppressive regime (though you may have thoughts otherwise!) and we live in relative safety and security. I learned from others earlier this summer during the furlough, that you've got to keep more in your savings account than you think and that no job or retirement plan or anything is guaranteed. I made some changes in these lean times, too-- I cut out going to Starbucks, foremost because it's way too pricey and I don't need it, and second of all because of their rumored idea not to allow firearms, carried concealed with a permit, in stores. I'm a little confused, though, since at some point in the past, they were on the other side of the firearms story. I just feel like if people are carrying gun, I want them caffeinated and alert to their surroundings. Oh yeah and I also think we should endorse our Constitution.
This morning, we (well, 4,000 of my closest friends and I) met up at 0445 for a unique concept...the Brigade Run. So despite being broke and shutdown, we are still running! What a metaphor! What is this nonsense, you ask? A celebratory event? Sometimes. A way to bring local festivities to the post, albeit very early in the morning? Oh yes. A commemoration of the retirement of a distinguished individual? Occasionally. Super annoying to all those involved? Always. The good news is that in these broke times, this is a free event, powered only by tired Soldiers, too tired in fact to gripe much about it.
If you like to stand around for 45 minutes, then sprint madly down a dark street, followed by walking and bumping into the lines of people in front of you for periods of time, then more sprinting, walking, stumbling, over a course of about 3 miles, then this is an event for you. For the rest of us sane people, it's tolerable and amusing. The best part is when you smell the bacon, because that means you're near the chow hall, and there physically isn't much road left at that point. It also means that you can quickly replace both the calories burned, and then some.
Next up...the Transmountain Challenge 2013 in El Paso. I signed up! Hope you are there...here's how it went for me last year. I'm looking forward to a weekend home. D promises to run this year too. He is such a trooper and responds fairly well to my "guess what I signed us up for?" announcements. Fairly.
Who's doing more running now that the government's shutdown? I sorta am!
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