Day 31 - 26 September 2012

Well, I started off this morning on a good note, I suppose... I had to be to work at 0800 this morning, my first early shift, and got up just in time to make it! I was hoping to get around and go talk to Meagan for a little bit before work; but, I guess my body had other plans in mind! Regardless, the 8 1/2 hours of sleep were AWESOME! :)

Got into the office and immediately had a call from the weather folks here with some questions about the radar and their new tower. So, I headed over to talk to the OIC. We got everything squared away and eased her mind. However, I did get a slight counseling from a Chief. Our patches that we bought to wear on our uniforms are, well, unauthorized. No worries, as I have one that is; but, I was not aware of this. When I got here, the guys told me to go to the embroidery shop and get one; so, I did. When talking to one of them today, his reply was, "Yeah, we know they are not authorized. We wear them anyway." Sorry, but a Chief told me I can't wear it...I can't wear it. I pulled it off and stowed it in my pocket. I will put the correct one on tonight...

We are getting thunderstorms off and on today. It is nice and cool as well! I can't really complain, since I have to inventory another system. The good thing about this one: it's already set up! :) All I have to do is mark what we have and what is missing on the inventory sheet, so that is plus! The other systems I checked were all in storage, so I had to drag them out, open up the cases, inventory, pull everything out, verify it was working, and put it all back away. The only bad part about thunderstorms today: our radar decided to quit posting data this morning...and I have NO idea why! Nothing changed overnight, as far as I know...it's another mystery of communications over here!

Went to lunch and had mixed vegetables, beef stroganoff, green beans, and a slice of fresh bread with cinnamon butter on it...YUM! The stroganoff was good, but it had a bit of a kick to it. Not quite what I was expecting, but it was good! The fresh bread and cinnamon butter is, well, just plain AWESOME! You can't go wrong with a nice, warm slice of bread with that on it!

The guys came in to relieve me and we looked outside to see the mammatus in the sky. It was actually a pretty cool sight (see pictures to the left)! It's the first I've seen it here. It was actually a little odd today. The morning was a little cool, warmed up a little, then the thunderstorms came...it was 59F!?!

After work, I headed back toward the room, stopped to get my laundry, dropped it off, grabbed my netbook, and headed over here to the passenger terminal. I figured I would send a good morning text to Meagan. Unfortunately, it sounds like she had a rough night... :( It also sounds like Emma's was a little mischievous yesterday. At least, I am assuming that's what the jewelry box being knocked off the dresser means...

When I left the passenger terminal, enough of the clouds had cleared to reveal a new blanket of snow atop the mountains! It's not a ton of snow, but it is enough to cover some of the peaks. I couldn't help but try to get some photos before it got too dark. We are pretty much surrounded by mountains and a lot are getting snow! And, to say the least, it was a bit chilly this afternoon. I can imagine it is only a matter of time before it's snowing here! :)


I walked down to the BX to get some exercise and kill time before dinner. I'm not used to working the early shift, so now I don't know what to do with the time! I thought about going to the gym, but I figured a good walk would suffice today. I try to go in the mornings anyway, since it helps wake me up. The other night I went and I couldn't get to sleep! So, I will shoot for tomorrow morning after I talk to Meagan an the kids.

I left the BX and went to the dining facility for dinner. I looked for the guys, but they decided to come later, as I ran into them when I was getting ready to leave. I did, however, meet a nice guy who sat down across from me. We had a little chat about where we were from, kids, his grandchildren, and his 30 years in the Marine Corps. GREAT guy to have a friendly little dinner chat with! Dinner was pretty good! I had some beef roast, pork roast, carrots, rice, and pecan pie with ice cream for desert! Not really much to complain about!

Well, I am back at my room from dinner. It is only 2015, but I am beat. Knowing the alarm will go off in about eight hours is enough for me to convince myself it is time for bed. I told Meagan the other day that I can definitely tell I am older than I was six years ago; I can't survive on four hours of sleep...I've tried! That said, goodnight one and all. God bless and more updates tomorrow!