Seeing how I've been referenced a couple times over the past week here at the Chant, and our esteemed Chant CEO seems to be a bit worn out, I figured I would take a stab.
First we had Juvat talking about how I am not quite elderly, although I really feel like it some days. I wouldn't quite call myself an old soul, but I think I take on more than I should sometimes both in my family life and what I do with the Knights of Columbus. There always seems to be something going on with the KofC or our parish, and either as a requirement of my position, or out of a sense of obligation, I often say yes and participate. Fortunately my wife is all supportive, and it's not like I have kids at home that I would be taking time away from family, but it does seem to be a lot. I only wish that more of our many many members would step up and take a bit off of my plate.
For instance, we just held a youth activity at the parish school, a soccer challenge where students kick penalty shots into the corners of the goal for different scores. The 6th 7th and 8th graders participated and it took almost the entire afternoon. I put it out to our membership, yet not a single man showed up. The PE teacher and principal were quite grateful, and the kids loved it, which is the reason we do it, but I get tired of the "we" being only "me."
It's not just the KofC, but at home I have a heavy load of the chores, seeing how my wife doesn't like to cook. She also tends to get lost and overwhelmed in the grocery store so she hates shopping for food, which is my job, along with all the bills. But, I also can't risk another expensive silk Tommy Bahama shirt going through the wash so I tend to do more of the laundry. This gets to me sometimes, but it's not worth an argument so I put up with it.*
56, going on 66.
Somebody here told me to bring back the 'stache so here you go.
I realize I'm airing a bit of dirty laundry there, but those tiny stressors do build up and you can see it on my face, which looks maybe 10 years older than it really is. Since getting a CPAP machine though I'm getting far better sleep than I was for many years. And that has reduced the sagginess under my eyes. While I should have got that device years ago, I am definitely grateful for my Tricare and VA healthcare, probably the best benefit coming from being retired. I don't know how people afford their huge premiums and massive deductibles, barely able to afford their insurance, yet can't afford to use it either.
Speaking a bit of those struggling, let us pray for those victims of hurricane Helene, which is shaping up to be Katrina's bigger meaner younger sister. Not to get too political here but I have seen a few videos with people lamenting the amount of aid going to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and others, while red blooded Americans there are getting $750. I know it's far more complex than that, but when we have wiped out (or used any of ) our FEMA accounts to pay for all those illegal aliens that have been brought here or shown an open door, there's definitely something wrong.
Kadena AFB Burger King! Source
Sarge referenced Okinawa a couple times recently, which is one of the things we have in common. While I wasn't stationed in that part of Japan, we operated in that region several times a year and Okinawa was always a favored divert. Why you ask? Because it had a Burger King and a chicken place I can't remember, Popeyes maybe? We didn't have that up in Atsugi, only a weird McDonald's that served some strange Japanese variants of U.S. fare. I also spent some time in Okinawa at the Navy hospital, where my son and wife were after he was born premature. Then at the end of my career, my Admiral was at White Beach on the southern end so I went there a couple times.
While I wouldn't trade my Naval Aviation career for anything, I do get a tad jealous of the Air Force guys, not just for their fast food, but the daily pleasures that they probably took for granted. It's been many many years since the US Navy allowed drinking on board, so it wasn't like when we got off work we could throw one back. But those beer days are fondly remembered, Steel Beach picnics after being at sea for 45 days straight without a port visit, three total in my career. On that day the Chiefs would barbecue something, and each sailor and officer would get two beers each. However, it never was just two beers each! They really didn't want to keep leftovers down below at the end of the day, so that end of the day, if you stuck around, was quite a happy one. Six I think was my total on one of those days. Fortunately, I had no duty or flights until the next day. Ahh, to be young again!
I may have already written about this in the past, but if I had to do it over again I probably wouldn't have requested to go to Japan. I had just married my 23-year-old wife 6 months before, and she was quite close to her family. Taking her to Japan she had no one, save the other wives, so it was a bit tough on her. This may have been a factor in my son being born so early. During that time, my mother-in-law actually got a nice little letter and certificate from AT&T acknowledging her being in the top 5% of all residential customers! This is because of the astronomic phone bills she racked up during that 3 years.
Sarge also mentioned a video link I had shared regarding Honest Abe. While it made for a good discussion on his post, that wasn't necessarily the type of attention I would normally want brought to myself on here. The link was quite critical of President Lincoln and in hindsight I was rather embarrassed for sharing it. Two lessons learned from that- don't try to out-history a historian, and I need to not get sucked into some of these stupid videos on Tube-U.
Well, that's enough storytelling for today. Our big Mustangs By the Bay car show** is this weekend (today as you read this) and as the club president, yes I know I take on too much, I have some duties to attend to before during and after. The opening photo is my favorite Mustang and I may have the opportunity to buy one just like it next year. A friend of mine in Vegas is selling his, and is giving me first dibs. We'll see if I can afford what will surely be a discounted price as he's promised, but I'm excited about the opportunity. I thought against it at first, seeing how it's not really practical- no extra garage space, no mechanical know-how, and I already have a Mustang, but my wife said that at this point in our lives, we don't need to be practical. Isn't she great? Maybe I should change my tune on those household chores!
*In her defense, she does all the cleaning, some of the cooking, running errands, she's a fabulous baker (which she loves), and I have learned to keep my special shirts far away from her when it's laundry day.
** Did you notice the little easter egg in the sky on that poster? One of the perks of being President, and having an F-4 / F-14 driver running the show.
Oh my, KofC member and a club president? Yah.......good thing you got the CPAP Tuna, a good nights sleep can really make a difference all right. Is that someone's favorite aircraft there? ............ :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, yeah, busy busy busy. Hoovers forever!
ReplyDeleteI like the colors you're sporting. GO FRIARS!!! Best colors in the MLB I think. Although the D-backs come close (love the red they use)
ReplyDelete" or out of a sense of obligation," the wife and I call that "insufficient reluctance." And the more you do the more will be asked of you. Sound familiar? Any organization has, in general, three types of people, based on Biblical principles. You have a very small percentages of priests (leaders), then a larger, but still small, percentage of levites (attendants, the hewers of water and drawers of wood, the ones who get it done), then the vast majority of the congregation (who supply most of the cash and maybe moral support).
I know what you mean about the home life. For decades I did all the shopping, most of the cooking and cleaning, she did tech support and managed our finances. She had depression, which neither of us had really noticed, it was just The Way Things Were. About 5 or 6 years ago her doctor put her on anti-depressants which helped a little, but she was still somewhat disconnected. Weird thing is, after she had COVID something changed, but somehow it hit a reset button in her. Depression went away, she became connected with the world again, has taken over the laundry, puts dishes away, is doing some of the cooking,. even paying attention the the news.
Similar stuff, inability to focus, scattered, easily distracted, and some deep seated stuff (before me) that will always be there.
DeleteI forgot to make mention of the $750 for disaster relief. As I understand it, that $750 isn't, as presented in the (forced) outrage posts,, the total package. It's a cash (or prepaid card) in hand, right the hell now, grant to get people food, clothing, etc. It's not the total package. The bigger package will be dealt with through reams of burrocratic (sic) paperwork and red, yellow, and blue tape, along with much jumping through hoops.
DeleteI do think that with the way our gubberment (alt. gubmint), doles out billions and billions to other countries for any reason or none that our own citizens should be given grants, not loans for rebuilding back better after the loss of everything. Although the (false) "Not Yours To Give" speech by one. Rep. D. Crockett comes to mind. See https://alamostudies.proboards.com/thread/908 for a summary of the refutation of that fable.
That $750 FEMA money? You have to fill out an on-line application to get it. And it's listed as income. And it's a max of $750, so it could be less. And comes with more fine print than you'd get for signing up to 4 different phone plans. So a lot of people are telling the FedGov to shove it.
DeleteTo add to Beans comment. The web site is also very difficult to navigate and will dump you back to a previous menu to re-accomplish things you have already filled out. The FEMA money is also on a graded scale depending on your past year's income.
DeleteAfter our F4 tornado came through it took fema forever to get set up. House in that F4 and a prior F2 damaged my home. Nobody gave me a dime. My insurance company paid for all the work. Samaritan's Purse came in and stayed for 2+ years. Built 60+ homes and was on site within 48 hours. I was out picking up limbs and debris and man stopped, filled out a form and 20 men appeared the next day and my yard was spotless that afternoon. Wonderful people. All the other sent in workers for 10 to 14 day's and left.
DeleteMaybe it is forced outrage, but you would have hard time convincing me that this administration really cares. They are too busy with other problems, like bringing in voters. Free rent utilities and food for 2 years? Come on, that's just criminal.
DeleteBtw, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAtw6L5S_IN/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
ReplyDeleteThe politicians need to pay.
DeleteI think they will only pay in the afterlife.
DeleteSadly, I agree.
DeleteBut they won't enjoy the price paid, in the afterlife.
DeleteHave a good time at the car show!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I did! Went off without a hitch.
DeleteThere's a Burger King on Kadena now? A chicken place? Not in my day, a thousand years ago ...
ReplyDelete(BTW, the 'stache looks good. I saw the Mighty War Hoover on the poster, very nice!)
It has grown in well, but hasn't softened up yet which is a bit irritating. I do like the look.
DeleteFor all the lovely Beaters I weekly nursed along, it remains my loss in never owning a Mustang. Pleasant reminiscences though....
ReplyDeleteA HS classmate’s father had a brand-spanking new black ’65 Mustang. Though occasionally errant, father was an indulgent type, who had hopes that his youngest son would “straighten-up and fly right” and join him and #1 son and become alumni of Fort Severn. It was not to be.
In the ‘60’s, man-portable 2-gallon containers of beer – “tapper kegs” - were rather popular. One very warm spring day in ’65, indulgent father gave permission for #2 son drive the Mustang to school. Exercising promising logistic skill the night before, #2 son sorted out the underage acquisition of a keg and stashed it. On that memorable day, #2 son made between class visits to the car to “top off” his tank and a friend of two. Meanwhile, the sun and heat rose. At some point the heat won and the keg popped a seal and released some or all of the remaining contents of the keg. Never heard what the “Old Man’s” reaction but easy enough to suspect it was in O-6 fashion. One thing is for sure, #2 son had a long drive home. Lost touch with the old gang as in another month I was off for the only summer camp attended – Boot Camp.
While I do own a 2017, my dream is for a 67. I am not sure I actually will pull that trigger, or if I do- how long I will keep it, but at least I will validate the dream.
DeleteI had a '67 Fastback in Nightmist Blue.
DeleteAnd you probably wish you still had it.
DeleteBeing The One at home who does everything is sometimes very tiring. I am that one, so I know how you feel. Fortunately downgrading from house to apartment has reduced some of the stress (like I no longer have to worry about mowing or fixing the big stuff.) But it's what I can do.
ReplyDeleteYou are a very good man, Tuna. Keep up the good work.
As to KofC stuff, when my dad became a member in the early 80's it was him and one other guy doing most of the work. So it's not just your local branch. Or something modern.
At some point I may have to allow my local Council to die off, or become almost dormant, because I can't keep holding it up.
DeleteTuna, to second Beans, you are good man. Never doubt that.
ReplyDeleteOne of my best friends (Uisdean Ruadh) is also heavily involved in his local KofC chapter. His laments often echo yours in terms of involvement and the paucity of volunteers.
Mustangs were one of TB The Elder's favorite cars. We had two straight six 1966 models, and for some years he had a fully restored 1966 Convertible with the upgraded Pony interior package. He got several years of enjoyment out of it until he sold back to the original owner. They remain one of my favorite models as well. I swear I can get by on the cars we have currently, but I might be persuaded to get a 1964 1/2 to 1966 Mustang (but for sure an 8 cylinder this time).
Thank you, I know I'm trying my best, at some point I will have to hang it up. Can't do that around the household though.
DeleteAh, the joys of retirement. (Sarge doesn't need to hear this...yet.) Lots of time to do as you please. But, the pleas of others do add up, and we helpful and charitable types tend to accede more than decline. So, we end up doing that which is good for a lot of others (and ourselves, to be honest), but a heck of a lot more than our "fair share." Throw in some aging issues of family members as others have mentioned, and pretty soon you have a full plate.
ReplyDeleteStill, life is good, and most of us here will never sit in front of a TV waiting for others to do what we can still do for ourselves.
Love the Hoover in the poster. One of the perks of being a "doer" is that you can mostly do things as you prefer, with a tweak or two to make ourselves smile if we like. Any who dare criticize such edgy creativity will quickly back off if offered the opportunity to take over the tasking!
Eventually if the few doers get burned out, it is necessary for some things to cease. I really regret the demise of a hobby group which depended on about three doers, when we needed more. Eventually, after fair warning, pleading, begging and final call, we "shut 'er down."
John Blackshoe
Because of how I step up, I have been recognized at the higher levels, the state Council, but because I am still working there's no way I can take a more senior leadership position at the state level. Unfortunately, I think my local Council is burning me out. So I may not have the interest once I retire.
DeleteI really have rachmones for all you poor guys that had to spend all those terrible years dining on 生魚 in Japan - having had to spend the mid-'60s in Grand Forks (I'd have given my left one).
ReplyDeleteBTW, mid-'60s doesn't only refer to the years, it's also the minimum number of inches (height) of snow you'd be lucky to find on the way from the BOQ to the dental clinic every AM.
Oh, I just figured it out- that means sashimi! I didn't realize what you were saying.
DeleteGomen'nasai, nihongo wa karimasen. I know, Grass is always Greener on the other side of the fast food joint. Growing up in rural Oregon, we were lucky to have a Dairy Queen.
ReplyDeleteI like our local Dairy Queen!
DeleteTuna, my former address was in Carver, Orygone
DeleteI'm not familiar with Carver, and as close as I ever came was on the 205 driving from PDX to Wilsonville. My former address was tiny Selma Or.
DeleteScott- at one time, there were more DQ's than any other restaurant in the country.
Delete