bricks and mortar

Yesterday I talked with the guy I’ll probably be working for in Washington. He’s a Commander, just taking over the position. We have several mutual acquaintances but that’s to be expected with the PACNORWEST navy. So in a few days that should be set.
Just got an email from my friend Susan the other day that she is getting married, after ten years of dating, to Sam. Their wedding is mid-October and its possible I’ll get out of B’daddy in time to get to Charleston to attend. I think when people get married after being together ten years its forever. At least it would seem that way to me. I’m happy for both of them. She and the Doctor just returned from a trip to the southwest. I’ll have to pick his brain about what new stuff he found out in Abbey country. I hope he brought me back a rock.
This job has slowed down, waiting for the hectic rush thjat will come when we get the go ahead to put the new property data base online. So I sat surfing the ‘net, glazed yesterday afternoon when a guy comes in needing a CIF form to get a new helmet.
“Mine was stolen.”
Have you filled out a statement at the Provost Marshall’s office yet?
No. I’ll do that.
BTW – where did they steal it from you?
I left it at the shuttle stop. I noticed I didn’t have it so I took the shuttle back and it was gone. Somebody stold it.
No, YOU lost it.
Someone took it from where I’d left it.
No, you were negligent and lost it. It doesn’t matter to me…just don’t go to the provost Marshall to do the statement.
Anyway…that’s how these exchanges go. Me being a steward of your tax dollars.
TV’s get a big fat NO. A certain general always asks for things – air conditioning, move this wall, buy $20K worth of furniture…my favorite – replace the cardboard in that window with plywood because the dust destroys my allergies. That one I approved.
Of course lets face it: if someone really wants it after I invalidate their request they submit a waiver to my commander and get what they want anyway. But I really wonder how many of my tax pennies went into buying the nearly $50K worth of furniture in the main General’s office(s).
We build so much here then tear it down again. Its all fluid, this rebuilding of Iraq. I’ve learned more about brick laying here than ever before. But even these brick structures are shaky and built for a day. Then they’ll tear it down and chip the dried mortar off the old yellow bricks and build something else.