Ever Get Bored Walking in Your own Neighborhood?

I know I do. I walked Dex not long ago, and I was just bored as hell. Sure there was a pit bull being walked by a kid who I didn't think could hold onto the leash much longer. Sure there was the drug dealer in question checking his phone messages alone in his driveway. Sure there was the fear that my neighbor would be outside to greet me with "Hey Stranger" (my new equivalent to nails on a chalkboard) upon my return. Still, I was bored. Bah.

So Joe left again today, and I went to work. At work I found that one of the last two full time social workers in the crisis stabilization program (CSP) is resigning. Lately, I've been working in Admissions, and yes, it is easy, but it's also doable and fun. The CSP is just fucking drowning, though, and the social workers have been disgruntled for a long time. Since I'm part-time and the CSP is in desperate need, it looks like I'll be helping there a lot. I just don't want this to be a repeat of the last job where I just got the emotional/mental hell beat out of me with no supervisor caring. Further, why does it seem that so many social services jobs are so unhealthy? Often it has nothing to do with the clients, but instead a variety of office politics. I'm sure it's everywhere, but it seems rampant in social services. I want to help people, but it's not worth my sanity and happiness. Maybe I should go back to school. For now, though, the money is too good if I can just ride this out as a part-timer. After all, my Chase credit card is PAID OFF now. OH HELL YEAH!!

Moving on. We had our military ball this weekend, and it was pretty good I guess. Not a blast, but just very cool to be a part of something so few others are. However, for some reason all kinds of rules and formalities got sprung on us the day of, and I nearly had a meltdown. Stuff like having to ask the ranking officer at the table for permission to move my chair, go to the bathroom, etc. Luckily much of that bullshit didn't come to fruition, but just the fact that information could not have been relayed to the wives prior to the day of didn't impress me much. But yes, it was good. I wish I could post pics and tell you details of what speakers were there, etc, but it is forbidden. Ah well. I met some new folks, continued relationships with old folks, and made small talk the best I could. Also, I think I really pulled off the dress I wore, not to mention my hair and make up. Everything came together nicely. I was happy and felt good and cofident.

But yes, Joe is gone for another couple weeks. Hell, he doesn't even come back with a weekend to spend with me. Instead, he gets back on a damn Sunday. I don't even work that weekend!! Bah. Then the week of his return, we're set to go to Missouri. Well, sort of. He doesn't have his pass together yet. I could kill him. Anyhow. All in all, due either to work or travel, Joe and I don't get another weekend alone together until June. And he'll be gone for the last half of June. With that, I'm skipping his brother's wedding to work so that I can use my time off for a vacation together during his (Joe's) block leave. Sorry Mike. I hate to skip out on family, but Joe's my most important family. This is what's best for us. Quality time before major absences. Plus, when's the last time he and I vacationed together? 2007. Yeah. That's bullshit. And I know a lot of people wait to do honeymoons and such, but the military reason is different. We don't just not have time to vacation together; we barely have time to live together - 7 partial months out of almost two years. That said, it was interesting to hear what Mr. Lowrey (Susan and Sarah's dad) said at dinner last night (he's in town on business). You should know that Pa Lowrey's a retired colonel from the Guard who began as active duty Army. He recalled starting out being super busy in his job and watching couples around him have time to go take trips together, etc. Having him really understand our situation was awesome, as was hearing him say "Your time will come." Coming from him, I believe it.

Okay. That all got rather serious. Jethus Chriyethst. To close, let me think of something funny: Alright, it took a few seconds but I thought of something. Often, Joe and I will sing together in the car. Yesterday as we sang Weezer's "Undone," I realized that Joe always sings the high parts. In any song. "Hunger Strike," "Goodbye Horses," and it goes on. He always naturally takes the high back up parts, and I sing the lead. I think it's symbolic of our relationships, and I thought you all should know.