WAHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's about all I have to say about that. :)

Wednesday night I finally made it out of the bird.  Night Jump, combat light (no weapon) on Nymegan DZ.  It was a gorgeous night, no wind, clear moonlit night.  I hit the ground softer than I ever had before, and I actually remember performing my PLF, unlike just about every other jump I've ever had...My toe bothered me not one iota.  I stopped gathering my gear for a second to watch the second pass fall around me...the sight of the jumpers preparing to land and the silken canopies silloheuted by the moon inspired in me a deep sense of awe, love, and beauty.  At that sight, I was proud of being airborne, I was proud to be a soldier, I was happy to be alive.  That sight gave unto me a sense of oneness, well being, and serenity I haven't felt in a long time.  So i gathered up my chute and my rucksack and made my way to the chute turn in point.  Then I lit a smoke and continued on to the rally point in utter bliss.  I took up a position on the perimeter after "checking in" and gazed at the stars as I tried to capture the moment on paper...

The Ten Miler was yesterday morning...I picked up my registration packet thursday.  I was just starting to pump myself up for it that night when Dan and Randy knocked. 

Dan and I drank a bit.

I slept through the ten miler.

I was subsequently not pleased with myself.  My commander, upon hearing this, asked me if I thought I had a drinking problem.  I said "no".  I was, in general, right.  That night though, I think yes, I had a drinking problem.  More importantly though, I had a problem setting my alarm clock.

Sitting here with a bottle of Merlot and a pack of smokes...This is the thrid time I've opened netscape with the intent to jot down an entry.  The other two times I closed it out and gave up--I just didn't FEEL like writing anything.  When it's fiction, it's different--I can usually force myself to write something, and generally, it turns out good, because there is more of an obligation there than here.  Here, I can just say, I did this, I did that, and, while I abhor those sort of entries, they accomplish the mission of telling my life's story.  Those entries fall flat on their faces when it comes to telling a thoughtful or interesting story however...and I myself skip over them when reading back...

Fiction though, fiction is different--with that, I KNOW I have more of a commitment to make, more embellishment to create, and so I buckle down and do it all...

This of course, is how I admit I'm a poser writer and haven't touched my short story for at least a month or two.  Barring actual plans tommorrow, I should hack at it a little I think...

Talked with mom and dad for a little bit tonight--told them about my waiver, and that I'll be able to start talking to people about Corporal Recruiting duty now...

I really didn't do anything of significant worth today...something that made this entry hard.
 

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On this date last year: Going to Florida

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