La Nuit et Le Jour

Night - Claude Joseph Vernet
(Source)

As many of you may know, I have been working an odd shift over the past month or so. I was reporting on station at 1130 and then departing the pattern at approximately 2100. I say approximately because if the computer equipment (with its installed combat system software) in the lab was functioning well, we might stay a bit later just to "get 'er done." (So the line goes, I think. One of the guys I'm working with is named Larry, though he's not a cable guy...)

But in general I was there from lunchtime to nighttime. I called the shift "noon to nine," pithy, to the point, and "close enough for government work." (Which it is.) While some nights pushed the 2200 boundary (not that often), I was generally back at Chez Sarge by 2130. (9:30 PM for you civvies.)

So Monday, after a relaxing weekend, I went in at 1130. Now at 1430 we have our daily stand up meeting (where we don't actually stand up). When I strolled into the meeting, I discovered that noon to nine was over, at least for the nonce.

I was pleased, at first, the night time thing was wearing thin on this aging carcass of mine and I was keen to see the daylight after work once again. Then it struck me.

Damn, I have to get up early on Tuesday. While I did have the option of staying on noon to nine for the remainder of this week, I opted out. The lab is no fun when you are by yourself. Both for safety and security reasons.

So up I was yesterday morning, well before the crack of dawn, into the shower and off to work.

Where my aging butt was dragging for most of the day. It takes a bit to re-acclimatize oneself, the older you get, the longer it takes. But as I "ain't that old," I'll be fine. But while casting about for a subject to post about, I discovered this Vernet fellow.

Morning - Claude Joseph Vernet
(Source)

I'm sure I've seen his work before, just not in recent memory. But I am familiar with the work of his son -

Napoleon at the Battle of Borodino - Carle Vernet
(Source)

And his grandson!

The Battle of Valmy - Horace Vernet
(Source)

A talented family!

Midday - Claude Joseph Vernet
(Source)

Evening - Claude Joseph Vernet
(Source)

The Shipwreck - Claude Joseph Vernet
(Source)

That last one, yup, that's how I felt Tuesday at the close of business.

Night and day, if the line between them seems blurry, get thee to bed earlier!