Like reminding you there are times of lean and times of plenty.
Air Force Families Forever/Run to Remember 5k
But through it all, there are people who have lost more than their share of joy. Yet, amazingly, they continue smiling, standing, and supporting. Thank you, Ron and Kaye, for reminding me why I do this. It’s been exceptionally hard the past few weeks. But I’ll keep fighting the good fight.
Judgment toward others is the same scale which will eventually weigh you. How heavy is the gossip, the anger, the self-righteous? People being people.
Musk is upset with AI, says it’s wrong for it to be so inconsiderate of safety requirements. From the guy who created self-driving vehicles. That’s rich. Odd.
For two consecutive weekends, I’ve taken a 2-hr nap. The weight of tiredness has been exceptionally heavy. This isn’t normal for me. Odd.
It’s that time of year again. Where the weather cools off and you no longer sweat from thinking about going outside. Because people really do sweat before going outside in the summer in Texas. Odd.
Credit: via IG
Drums!
And, finally, the update you have all been waiting for. My drum lessons! I told you, right? Maybe not. I signed up for drum lessons. And I’m well on my way to being the greatest drummer of all time. Jokes. But lesson one went well…now all I hear is oneandtwoandthreeandfour. Then, oneehhanduhtwoehhanduhthreeehhanduhfour…you get the idea. It was fun! I thought I would have to learn to read music. Wrongly odd.
____________________
I ask you –
Tell me something odd in your life!
(The post Seems Odd first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
The return of running. And football. Mostly football.
First time in 3 years I’ve been able to watch preseason games AND regular games, notably the first game of the season! I’m an accidental Cowboys fan, and a purposeful Texans fan. I also watch the Bears (muse homage), the Buccs (wild card), and the Browns (underdog meets graveyard). I don’t know why I enjoy football now. Truthfully, my knowledge is little and my voice loud.
Speaking of loud voices. I’m getting really tired of hearing “…it’s stupid to have people work on holidays. I bet the boss doesn’t work on holidays”. (Read that in a childlike, nasally, whining voice.) If the complainer would ever say it to my face, I’d say this: Listen here, jackwagon. I worked every weekend and holiday until about 5 years ago. I had bills to pay and a livelihood to afford. If someone doesn’t want to work a holiday, then they can complete a leave request, like every other able-bodied adult here because I don’t employ children. Somehow I bet you’d be angry if everyone was off because there would be no one around to refill your precious body soap dispenser and toilet paper. Trust me, you’d find something else to complain about, no doubt. So if you think I don’t work holidays, let me assure you, I do. I work every day. I’m the first call at 0445 and the last call at 2145. I’m on call 24/7. That’s what it means to be a supervisor to 21 adults. I balance the budget, I justify it, and I implement it. And if you think you can do better, then be. my. guest. Otherwise, shut up, do your little workout, and go home. I’ll be home, too, but I won’t be “off work”. Enjoy your holiday, you ungrateful fruitcake.
Back to football. The cowboys are really gonna have to get it together this year. The fact they didn’t win their season opener with a healed QB, the ejection of the big dude who spit, the early injury of that other big dude who was really mad, and a weather delay…we might be in trouble again. But, whatever.
I’m just here to make fun of the fans.
_____________________
I ask you –
Which team do you cheer for?
(The post Futbol first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
For the first time, I made it my mission to experience Hotter’N Hell. First, I went to the consumer show, similar to an expo but cyclists-centered. Obviously. The vendors were very nice and there were a lot of giveaways! Mini had quite the hail when we finally exited.
Then, we went to the Crit races downtown on Friday night. I had to research it some, but a crit race is short for Criterium. Basically, as it was explained to me, cyclists travel in a pack, doing over 25mph down a stretch of road and 4 corners. Nascar on 2 wheels, they said. It was awesome!
Despite having to get up at 0400 on Saturday, I enjoyed the pre-event events! Saturday was my usual – direct, lead, and try to stay hydrated myself. I understand how some get irritated when Hotter’N Hell season comes around: the road closures, the cyclists taking up every lane, the magnitude of 8,000 additional people at restaurants, venues, and just general traffic. However, as someone who has run 10 half marathons, the work that goes into making these events possible, and making the racers/runners/cyclists feel loved, is unfathomable. I truly appreciate the behind-the-scenes, 363 days of the year dedication to making this 44th annual Hotter’N Hell weekend what it is.
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I ask you –
As I always ask – is there any cycling race you really love?
The same week of the awards ceremony, we departed for our annual summer trip to South Padre Island!
I tried to host a staff meeting but only mini showed.
The food –
Finally, I must mention Chilo’s Cheesecakes. Chilo and his beautiful wife, Regina, are bakers. A few years ago, I tried one of his cheesecakes at a restaurant on the island. Someone mentioned you can find all his flavors at their storefront on Port Isabella. Alas, I got busy and never went. This time, I made it a point to stop. Terrible idea.
Six pieces of cheesecake and $50 later, I exited with goodies intact.
The photos aren’t great because I couldn’t wait to sample the cheesecakes. In no particular order, I purchased: Pistachio, Pina Colada, Cookies & Cream, Key Lime Pie, Key Lime Cheesecake, and Lemon Blueberry.
So now I’ll be dreaming of going back to Chilo’s for more cheesecake. Winning!
Final thought: entirely random Have I ever mentioned the time Parts called me and immediately asked me if I remembered the name of the coffee shop I like to go to near my alma mater and I excitedly replied Yes! I thought she was going to bring me coffee! Instead, she said she’d been in an accident and needed me to come. I felt really bad for my initial reaction. Definitely not winning sister award for that debacle.
_________________
I ask you –
What are some of your latest wins?
(The post Winning first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Let me apologize first. It got…hectic for awhile. So if this post looks like a mini version of me wrote it, then…she didn’t. It was me. At this moment, I’m probably still running off of adrenaline, coffee, and a single hand’s worth of sleep. Two words: Air. Show. Help.
Dubbed the “Ice Queen” for the duration of the weekend, I found a home in my cozy club car, making a million trips to various food and beer tents providing much needed ice, soda, and chips, on occasion. They even gave me a walkie talkie, of which I was extra careful because I didn’t want to accept any fines for using my Sailor language. Disclaimer: I did say one bad word.
Day 1
I’m laughing because it seems I took a lot of selfies yet I have no actual Air Show photos. In hindsight, I saw the Thunderbirds perform at least 3x and I saw demos and reenactments at least twice. It truly was an incredibly successful weekend. As I finish this post Monday morning before publishing, my feet ache but my heart is full. I met wonderful people, worked with the best of the best, and was privileged to support the public and the installation.
Day 2
I love this stuff. But if we didn’t do it for another 7 yrs or so, that’s fine by me.
And on the subject of ice –
I found my summer activity: Curling! A whole club dedicated to learning and perfecting curling techniques! Looking for my winter gear right now. Also, I’m taking volunteers to be my partner. Must love laughing, and falling. Will train.
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I ask you –
Have you ever attended an Air Show?
Did you know there were curling clubs? Me neither!
Tell me your summer plans!
(The post Re-post!! Who Signed Me Up? first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
By the time you read this, I’ll officially be on vacation numero uno. Enjoy this fun re-post.
From the archives, dated 15 April 2024-
I considered not even prepping this post in case the Eclipse of 2024 turned into Apocalypse 2024. Alas, I like to be prepared. Just in case, you know.
But if I didn’t write this post, you wouldn’t be entertained with the most ridiculous photos of my whackadooness. Out of everyone enjoying the eclipse, I think I had the most fun. And definitely got the most compliments for my headwear!
I also have an 8 yr old now. When did this happen? Now, she asks hard questions and is a mini gremlin upon wakeup. Not unlike age 7. I just want her hands to always stay this small.
Alas, the volleyball season has come to an end (for our team anyway). The official record is 4-4, which isn’t bad in my book. Sure, we beat ourselves up several times and missed a few easy volleys but, personally, I made it out alive so that’s a win! One teammate wasn’t so fortunate; he suffered an ankle fracture early season. If all I had was bruises of varying degrees and a heavy reliance on ibuprofen and heating pads – meh.
Definitely worth it. But maybe next time I’ll just coach.
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I ask you –
Did you check out the eclipse? Better question, who didn’t?
What do you think of my hat-making skills?!
Tell me how old you’ll be at the next eclipse! Just add 20.
(The post Did we make it? first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
I have a brilliant idea to make the government millions of dollars. Every time someone drives on the installation while colors plays, they must pay a fine. At least $100.
Leadership lesson 101: Take your weaknesses and delegate them! At least, that’s the moral of the story I took from it.
For the last several months, every Friday at work, something strange has happened in my presence. From an active shooter situation to a fire alarm to, most recently, the mule (Kawasaki-type, not animal-type) catching fire while I was driving it – you can see the common denominator is me. Yours truly. It’s become a running joke about how something happens to me every Friday. I’m beginning to think people are avoiding me, if not for my reputation then definitely for fear of being tangled up in my shenanigans. Who could blame them?
So long as I’m not driving a vehicle on base, I am very trustworthy! One year you’re the best supervisor in AETC, the next you’re a pyro. Geez, how the mighty fall. At the time of this post, the damage repair costs were nearly $1,000. Maybe I’ll set up my own check points to charge people who drive during colors. Then, I can put the money toward my fitness financial losses.
Every time my team pulls off a big event, I think damn these guys are incredible. Do you know why I win awards? Because of them. Do you know why they win awards? Because of themselves. We have our fair share of faults and I could probably write a training curriculum on what not to do. But, at the end of the day, this team is amazing. They’ve always been amazing. They just needed someone to believe in them. And show them how to be leaders. I will never stop being amazed at what they are able to accomplish. Because we all know I couldn’t do half of what they do. I’m a figurehead. Yet I lead from the front. And I feel confident and secure enough to say I know if I said follow me, they would, not because I said it but because they trust me.
________________
I ask you –
By all means, feel free to comment on the disasters which plague me.
Believe it or not, I am the type of person who does not do well with change. Which is comical because my work life constantly changes. It drains me. And it takes me, what feels like, days to process change. When I began my work with the Air Force in 2020, I would listen when others said they would retire in 20-whatever or in (insert number of) years. In those moments, it didn’t resonate.
Now? With the past 4 years fraught with retirements, it has become another point of change I must take time to process. Because these are no longer people whom I didn’t really know. They’re…friends. Beacons in my workplace. Coworkers with vast amounts of knowledge, who have shared their memories and children and stories. They truly are staples in the fabric of my office, my life, my world.
It is possible I’m waxing poetic about a topic you may not relate to or are not as invested in as I am. Fine. But I do believe we all have those people in our lives whom we have “grown up” with, so when they depart, then there’s an empty space they once filled. Even if it is a chair on the third floor in room 308, the person who fills the seat is still a person.
_________________
I ask you –
How do you cope with change?
Are you particularly close to your coworkers?
Tell me someone in your life who you feel you have “grown up” with.
Running on Fumes 
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