General

It’s interesting to think about what I was doing ten years ago….

• I lived with my parents..


• I was attending Danville Area Community College


• I was driving a 1991 Mercury Tracer (a stick shift!)


• I was working for the Danville Commercial News


• I was just beginning a college internship with the Fountain County Sheriff’s Department…


• My brother was only fourteen years old…

1993 was an interesting year.  That fall, I would start my career at Target, while working nearly fulltime at the Fountain County Sherrif’s Department as the Work Release Director.  I’d finalize my career path – Criminal Justice.  I’d start thinking seriously about what college I would attend (Indiana University)… and I’d wonder where life would lead.. 

I tend to get a bit anxious about interviews and other events in my life – probably undue stress, but stress nonetheless.

A man who served as a mentor for me a few years back, as I was discussing how I get flustered and stressed over interviews and other interactions, told me that having served in the military – he’s been in far more stressful situations where the worst that could happen was his own death.  With that in perspective, his dealings with others weren’t really that big of a deal.  What’s the worst thing that could happen?  You don’t get the job? 

I live in Taunton, Massachusetts.  Around the corner from my house is a two story brick building housing the 772nd Military Police Company of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.  It’s a fairly small building, with a large parking lot, and a vehicle yard that’s usually filled with Humvees, Trucks, and other equipment.  There’s always been a couple cars there throughout the week – and on the appointed weekends, the lot is crammed with cars.

They’re one of the oldest National Guard units in the United States – having been created even before our own country existed.  They have a proud tradition – and have earned it on the battlefield of every major conflict our country has ever had.

This summer, without much warning, my local community discovered that their local guard unit, more than four hundred members strong, was deploying to Afghanistan for a year of duty. 

Now I drive by the Armory and the parking lot is always empty.  The vehicle yard vacant as well.  No one comes and goes.

I often drive by and wonder what they’re doing, half a world away, as I sit on an aircraft flying to Minneapolis.  I’m worried about my interviews.

They’re worried about staying alive.  Protecting their brethren.  Fulfilling their duties.

It’s all a matter of perspective.   Because of them, I can go to these interviews.

So I’m headed off to Minneapolis, via Philadelphia, for the first interviews in my career in nearly seven years.  The last time I interviewed for a promotion at Target, I was but twenty three years old.. wondering what I was getting myself into..  Over three months, I got that promotion, which led me from Baltimore to Cleveland and then on to Boston where I’ve lived for the last four years.

I had planned on spending Monday visiting with a trusted former boss in Philadelphia, and a senior executive of the corporation, in order to prepare a bit for my interviews and gain some insight into the future.  I’d then head off to Minneapolis, landing at 9:15pm EST, and having dinner with an old friend from California who was also interviewing.

What I got instead was the black cloud of travel hell.

My original Providence, Rhode Island to Philadelphia flight was scheduled to leave at 7:10am.  I arrive at the airport, wait in a horribly long line (it was outside when I arrived), only to discovered that my flight was canceled.  No problem, I call up the American Express Travel Services emergency line, rebook on the next flight, and settle in for some breakfast.

A four hour wait later, I check in, go through security, and have a cup of coffee, then lunch, then a snack.. as my flight ends up nearly three hours delayed.

The ability to meet with the group in Philadelphia now diminished, they recommend I head to Minneapolis directly.  But I can’t.. you see, US Airways has my luggage.

So I travel to Philadelphia, arriving at 2:30pm, with a scheduled phone call with someone for interview prep at 2:30p.  He’s delayed with another interview, then a serious situation, and we finally hook up at 5:30pm as I’m having dinner at the Philadelphia airport.

I board my Minneapolis flight at 5:45pm, and sit for an hour as we de-ice and finally take off.

I’m still going to get to Minneapolis at 9:15p. I’m still going to meet a friend of mine for a late dinner.. 

But first, I have to finish my fifteen hour escapade with airlines and airports.

Whee!

Originally booked

I clearly have to go back and watch the second disc material – looks like I missed a few things, eh?

Yes, I finally got around to watching Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones on DVD. Including the second disc material. Including all the material cut from the film. Which turns out to be, in large part, dialog that establishes character. Discussions between PadmŽ and Anakin that brings out her past life choices, between PadmŽ and her parents(!) that establish that she is a person with a family and a history, and parents who think she should have been married a long time ago. In other words, scenes that establish the Queen/Senator as a person.

ãItâs emotionally touching, it gives her a lot of character, but in terms of moving the story along it isnât necessary.ä ÷George Lucas

Any surprise that all these scenes died? This is where the missing heart of the film is, for me, the stuff that makes the awkward adolescent fawning between PadmŽ and Anakin bearable. And of course they got cut out. Because the target audience÷kids who will buy the action figures÷wonât care.

Iâm not sure whether this makes me feel better or worse about Star Wars as a universe. I know how it makes me feel about Lucasâs skills as a moviemaker.

[Jarrett House North]

I need one of these.  Birthday gift, anyone?  It’s March 5th…

Star Destroyer Lego. OK, so my Star Destroyer Lego showed up while I was gone. The packing box was HUGE, but much to… [Derek’s Rantings and Musings]

Some of my faves (not from RWN’s list):

• 
  
  “This town needs an enema!” – The Joker, in Batman


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  “They may take our lives, but they can never take.. our freedom” – William Wallace, Braveheart


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  “Of all the souls I have encountered on my journies… his was the most.. human” – James T. Kirk, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan


• 
  
  “Fly, you fools!” – Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring

RWN’s 100 Favorite Movie Quotes Of All Time. RWN’s 100 Favorite Movie Quotes Of All Time: I’ve asked for suggestions, combed the net, & wracked my brain to… [Right Wing News]

War. You know we are close to war when you hear touch ‘n’ go landings all day long from the Oceana… [BEACHtechie]