Just Reflecting

OK, so this coming Monday will be my 46th birthday.  No big deal, really. I'll have fun over the weekend leading up to it, yes.  But, then, I almost always manage to have fun.

What did get me reminiscing a little, though, was thinking back to my 18th birthday (1984).  I remembered that tomorrow, Sept. 29, marks the 28th anniversary of my graduation from US Navy boot camp.  Damn...28 years.

I still have to giggle, though, at what happened on my birthday in boot camp.  One other guy in my company also turned 18 that day.  Unlike him, though, I tried to keep the fact quiet. After 8 weeks in boot camp, I knew the last thing ya ever wanted to do was give your Company Commanders any reason to call you out. The other guy (his name was Rich, if I remember correctly), didn't think that way.

And sure as hell, the CC's called him out to cycle him for 18 minutes.  And, as he knew it was also my birthday, he told them.  So I get called out to join him.  And we got our asses cycled for 18 minutes. The full gamut of push-ups, lunges, and everything else. All in front of the rest of the company, and they all had a good laugh at our expense.

But I got the last laugh. After the 18 minutes were up, the CC's gave Rich an extra gift: they gave him my midnight fire watch for ratting me out.

Yep, I smile as I think back on it. 28 years ago, there I was just out of high school and about to wrap up boot camp. About to begin my tours over 10 years in the Navy. Ready to take on the world.

Wow!

I Walk Alone in the Night

I WALK ALONE IN THE NIGHT

 

This one was actually published in 1994 in Today's Greatest Poets

 

I walk alone in the night
Lost in darkness within and without
Searching for a glimmer of light
To show me that I'm not alone
That my dreams are more than just dreams

 

I walk alone in the night
Untouched by joy or pain
I ache for the sunlight of companionship
But my tears give me only rain
The echo of my heart, thunder

 

I walk alone in the night
No stranger to the shadows of despair
For in my lonely world are others
Others like me, beyond my reach
All of us alone in the dark

 

I walk alone in the night
Until, at last, I see a hand
It reaches for mine, bringing the dawn
Boldly I take it, afraid to let go
And step forth into the sunlight

Good Luck, Pup Zinger

It’s been awhile since I made an entry.  But, then, it ended up being a busy summer.  Way busier than I originally thought it would be. Hopefully, I’ll start to get caught up.

Right now, though, I’m thinking about my beta pup and wishing him well in his new life. He came back east from San Francisco to settle up things in Philly and then spent a weekend of fun at Olympia (more on that later).

Saying farewell is never easy, and I knew going into the weekend that the inevitable moment for that would come.  Fortunately, it didn’t shed a shadow on the weekend, and we were able to enjoy the various adventures that Olympia has to offer.  We made a kick-ass team in the Dungeon Games! Still, that last hug on Monday morning was a tear-filled moment, but not without smiles.

His relocating to the West Coast doesn’t have to automatically mean an end to our Alpha/beta relationship. In fact, we did talk about that and both agree we want it to continue.  How that may unfold is, of course, yet to be seen. But since this isn’t a permanent good-bye and we’ll see each other again here and there – and since in the electronic age we’re only a text or email away – there’s a lot of room for things to continue. Yeah, it’s going to be different.  But, as much as that may seem to be a downer, it’s more likely growth cloaked in opportunity.

And it doesn’t mean I won’t miss my beta.  I will.  A lot.

Pup, ever since we met at MAL in 2011, you’ve been both a challenge and a great friend. We’ve had some incredible adventures along the way. I know I’m never going to think back on IML 2011 without remembering me sliding down the wall in Scooter’s room and then you walking me back to my room in the other tower.  Or the non-stop shenanigans at MAL 2012 with you and Daddy John sharing the room with Ken and me. And, of course, CLAW. I know the friendship and the adventures will continue, and I look forward to them.

Without meaning to, you somehow brought me face-to-face with the next step in my growth as a pup and a leatherman.  From that very first weekend, you’ve challenged my perceptions of myself. Along with Mister J and Tom Buckley, you’ve already played a major part in me learning to accept myself as I become more than I’ve been. I knew the alpha was within me; you along with a handful of others helped me bring it to the fore. Pup Tripp has grown, and it’s owed in no small part to Zinger being my beta.  It’s reassuring to know that’s going to continue.

I wish you well in your new life. May the Mother grant you happiness, good fortune, and much love as you settle into your new home. Take care of yourself and be well.  I’m going to miss you, but you still have my love and support!
Not good-bye; only farewell until we see each other again in the near future!