Growing up, Halloween was different for us that it is for kids now. We are part of Generation X, had the pleasure of growing up in the last generation before fear of “everything” and helicopter-parenting took hold. Unless you were younger than eight or nine, you trick-or-treated by yourself. There were no “limits” to distance or time. Our neighborhood had fifteen blocks full of houses ready to hand out candy, and you’ll be damn sure every kid was going to hit each one (and hit the neighborhood next to us if we could carry it). But each year my friends and I would make one particular house one of our first stops; The Romprey’s. Mrs. Romprey, was known far and wide (at least within the sub 16 year old population) for her popcorn balls.
What’s in the Water at Booz-Allen-Hamilton?
I have now worked with the DoD in some capacity or another for nearly 15 years. During this time I’ve met and worked with a wide variety of people. Many I encounter are woefully unsuited/untrained for their tasks or are simply not goal oriented. All too often I come across people that would rather stall or over-complicate problems just to delay the effort toward a solution. Occasionally, I encounter “stars”; ones that strike me as logical go-getters, solving real problem with real solutions and doing so in a way that is professional and 100% goal established. Yesterday, after disconnecting from a conference call in which a couple of these people were participating, I found myself beginning to think of how I could convey to them how impressed with them and their handling of situations and personalities during the call. But while doing so, I came to the realization that they …keep reading …
Fuzzy: Our Irreplaceable Good luck Charm
During my lifetime I’ve had a few pets. Dogs, cats, even rats. Usually, I’d keep them for awhile, but would eventually have to get give them away because of some circumstance like housing, space, or behavior. Each of these were merely “pets”. While having to see them go hurt, it never emotionally hurt to my core, until yesterday. The Beginning In 1998 we were living in Bellevue, Nebraska. I was still in the Air Force, trying desperately to get out early to go to school full time. We had moved off-base with the anticipation of being civilian again. Trevor was 4 ½ years old. A year or so earlier we had gotten rid of our latest basset hound Dottie, which like our other dogs, she just have issues that we could no longer work with. Jennifer’s birthday was approaching and she wanted another dog, so I told her to start …keep reading …
2011-10: St. Augustine KOA, Florida
While it took a ton of convincing, we finally got Paul to go camping. Even in a tent. The KOA at St. Augustine beach was our destination. Three families caravanned their way from Brevard to St. Augustine on Friday evening. We arrived late, because we forgot a few supplies that we had to pick up along the way. Tents were setup by lantern light, but we managed. For each meal we assigned it to a family to be responsible for. Our dinner was the first night which consisted of BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, beans, and pasta salad. The grill on the campsite was less than ideal, so it too quite a while. On the second day, I woke up pretty early and got water and coffee on the stove. The McGees were assigned breakfast today and they made french toast and sausage. After everyone ate and got ready …keep reading …