Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Yes, I'm Back in Black
They say a deployment changes your perspective on life, love, and everything else in between. Whoever 'they' are, they're right. Over the last three months I've done everything imaginable to focus on my family, my daughters, my life, and everything else in between. At the same time I've been dealing with one of the most difficult situations the Air Force can put you in. On top of all of that, knowing the friends I left behind in Baghdad have had hell raining down on them over the last few months makes your daily existence even harder because deep down inside you want to be there with them, working along side of them to keep the mission moving forward (and to flip every Mahdi Army A-Hole off from a roof top every time they launched a barrage of crap at you).
Yet I'm not over there, I'm here now, and I've had to focus on the battle here at home.
There's a lot to talk about, and I can't wait to sit down and put it all down here on the blog. I started this up in 2004 to talk about life, the Air Force, and everything on my mind, and I have no reason to let up.
So, my apologies for the pause. I'm done regrouping, re-arming, and I'm back in the fight. And thank you to those of you who have kept in touch (and smacked me upside the head every now and then for not staying in contact).
The next two months will be crazy, and I plan to take you all along for the ride. The Air Force Personnel Center tucked me away into a worthless hole over the last 3 months while they figured out what to do with me. I just received word last night that I will be moving to Omaha Nebraska, doing God knows what. After struggling with the assignment center for over a year, this is either a blessing or it will be the ruin of me. Either way it's going to be interesting.
Between now and then I'll be moving my Step-Son Matt to Australia. He decided to spend a year in Australia on a work/holiday visa, so we fly him out at the end of this month. I promise to actually post photos along the way this time. That place is too beautiful not to share it with everyone.
At the same time we'll be dealing with everything else we deal with out here.
As they say in Sarkozy Land, 'Se La Vi'.
It all starts today when I walk into my bosses office and let them know I'm done working on the crap projects they've been spoon-feeding me. I'm done spinning around in this worthless holding pattern. It's time to get down from the dusty shelf the Air Force hid me away on when I came back to the U.S. (Thanks Cad!)
As I said, lots to write about. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I plan on doing. After all, it doesn't matter how crappy the ride may be, it's your ride, so you better make the most of it.
Cheers!
EC
And for all of my friends still out there working the Iraqi Air Force helicopter programs, out there training the newest Iraqi pilots, or busy flying around Iraq at rooftop level with the most bad ass US Army helicopter pilots....
Here's to you!
posted by El Capitan at 7:12 AM
6 Comments:
said...
Hey - great to see you're back! Sorry I wasn't one of those kicking your butt but I just check my sharpreader to see if you've posted. I'm glad to see you're out of limbo, that would seriously suck, I've been there before.
If it's Omaha you should get in touch with Vinnie ( poster at The Jawa Report). He's a hoot but best of all he's a great "go to" guy. Met him last year and I think you'd appreciate Vinnie (btw - Vinnie isn't his real name but I've called him Vinnie for so long I don't remember his real name).
Good luck and don't forget to post!
Southern (in)Sanity said...
I have checked here every day for updates, but I didn't want to be too "pushy" with constant comments.
I can't begin to know or even imagine what it's been like for you - especially thinking about your friends who are still over there in Iraq.
I hope everything in Omaha turns out to be a "blessing," and I look forward to hearing more about what's been going on with you.
Take care.
Lindsay said...
Good to see a post from you, Tony, and a great one at that. I have been wondering what you've been up to and figured you were pretty busy with work and spending time with your family at home.
Have fun in Australia...looking forward to the photos.
said...
There you are - really & truly this time. I know we get what we pay for but like rwa, I've checked daily & I'm not nearly as polite as he is, so I've nagged a bit. I've missed you, and am anxious to hear more. I hope your new job is one you can sink your teeth into and where you'll feel useful.
Btw, the helo vid ROCKS!
said...
Yay! Glad you're really back...looking forward to your perspective on the world. And I agree with Miss B...the helo video does rock!
9:39 PM Only $19.95 said...
YAY!
I'm still trying to get my blog shittat together, too. Not knowing how much I want to do it, but missing it so much when I don't. It's kind of like having a great weekend but having to go back to work even if it's a job that you love....
Missed you!