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prev home archive next Momentary Thought How the hell did I end up with this career? I wanted to be an Oceanographer or Archaeologist when I grew up! Not this. High/Low High: Michael called us last night! It's the first time we've heard his voice since he left! Low: Tired, lethargic, and depressed today. Current Obsession Successfully kicking off a major project at work. Grin Source My two hour conversation with Dawn last night. The story about the mortician her friend is dating. Ask her to tell you about it sometime. Singing Haven't heard any songs yet this morning. Storyteller Bio Dramatis Personnae Who I Read Recipes |
Calvin and I were just finishing up dinner last night when the phone rang. Since Marie was at friend's house, we expected that it would be her, asking to be picked up. Calvin answered, and he cried out a surprised "Baby!" It took me a minute to realize that he must be talking to Michael, as he exclaimed how wonderful it was to hear his voice. Calvin gestured for me to pick up the extension in the bedroom. The first thing I noticed was how gravelly Michael's voice sounded. He said it's to be expected, since he hollers at the top of his lungs for sixteen hours a day. Heh. The next thing I noticed was how upbeat and enthusiastic he sounded - he's really adjusting well to the military life. To be sure, his day is gruelling, he has to bunk with 85 other young men, and he's got a chest cold that's preventing him from performing at 100%. But he said he can tell that life will be very cool once he gets out of that "hell hole". Michael filled us in on his graduation details, wanting to make sure that we would be there in good time to spend some time with him before his actual graduation day on September 7th. He has some free time on the 6th during which he can show us around the base, so instead of driving out on Thursday night like we planned, we're going to drive out on Wednesday night so we can spend time with him on Thursday. Then he'll graduate on Friday, drive home with us and spend his 10 days of leave with us, then go to Florida (Pensacola) for 26 weeks of training. Then he'll either be stationed in Japan, or Yuma (AZ). Of course, we're hoping he'll be stationed in Yuma, but Japan would be such a wonderful opportunity for him. That's the one he's hoping for, and Calvin and I are relieved to see that his fear has been replaced with anticipation and enthusiasm for trying new things. And, like Dawn said on the phone last night, he'll be able to send us some cool presents from Japan. ~grin~ In typical Michael style, much of the conversation was devoted to what cool cars he'll be able to afford if he went to Japan - he apparently knows a guy who picked up some hot rod (I didn't catch what) for $1,000. He's not allowed to own a personal vehicle while he's in training, which surprised me. So all the time he's in Florida he'll be getting his military paycheck with pretty much no expenses - he'll be able to save up for something really nice, and I'm glad for him. He said our letters were greatly appreciated and give him something to look forward to. He's heard from his aunt, his great-grandparents, and his cousin, as well as us. However, Michael mentioned that he hasn't received any letters from his mother at all, so he dropped a letter to her in the mail a couple of days ago. Now, I hesitate to badmouth X(f) under most circumstances, whether it be in these pages or at home with Calvin and the kids. However, we gave her the address as soon as we learned what it was. She was even complaining to Marie recently that Michael hasn't written her, and was actively pissed off that we've received so many letters from him. This is just another one of those typical games that she plays - he has to write first, then she'll write. What a bitch. Yes, I said it. Anyway, he only had five minutes to talk - he apparently won some competition that awarded him a call home. He said he'd try to call again in a couple of days. Marie was understandably disappointed that she'd missed Michael's call. But she was more relieved that Michael sounded so happy - she'd been worried that he wouldn't adjust well. We're all relieved - letters just aren't as reassuring as his actual voice. We've got eight more weeks to go before we see him. We'll make sure to take him to all his favorite places and feed him all his favorite foods, allow him to play all of his favorite music as loud as he wants and spoil him rotten for the ten short days we have with him. Then he's off again, even more miles away from us than he already is now. But ready for it, as we will be. We're just so damned proud of him. |