Mature chat thread..... (2)

[dayhiker]

Should be an interesting weekend the lady I meet on the singles cruise is flying in to visit me. We are going camping in the White Mtns. of NH. The weather is suppose to be good. So this is the 2nd time we have meet since the Cruise in April. Should be a fun weekend.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Should be an interesting weekend the lady I meet on the singles cruise is flying in to visit me. We are going camping in the White Mtns. of NH. The weather is suppose to be good. So this is the 2nd time we have meet since the Cruise in April. Should be a fun weekend.

I hope you have a great weekend!

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Ugh I absolutely have to vent this somewhere! I just got a letter from my son who is currently in Basic training for the Army. Well it was a pretty depressing letter. In it he said that some stupid guy decided to try to steal some Nature Bars from Breakfast. Of course he got caught but it put the Drill Sargeant (who is a female) in a foul mood and then they failed their bay inspection because the rain is always coming in and they get the floor wet because of their feet. So for their punishment they had to take all their belongings outside and leave them out there for 8 hours while they cleaned and it rained the whole time so it ruined some of his personal things and soaked all of his clothes. And it was Saturday when he wrote the letter at 11pm while doing his laundry from being rain soaked and he hadn't gotten mail since Wednesday. They are supposed to get it everyday. AND she keeps threatening them that she's going to take away their Family day! That makes me the maddest! I am flying across the states to see him and if she does, and apparently she can take away their Family day that is going to [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] me off! Of course there is nothing I can do about it if she does. But it's just sad that all the platoons don't have the same rules and other soldiers find out that other platoons have better conditions and why did MY son have to end up with a power hungry need to prove it female DS? I KNOW God's plan, but as a mom, it makes me sad and angry

 

[blackribbon]

As difficult as this is to accept, this is the kind of stuff that prepares them for war situations...And why point out that it is a female..it could just as easily be a male...all drill sergeants are tough, it is their job to toughen these young men/women up. The hardships are also designed to make a unit pull together...the object of their hatred will be the DS right now but maybe the enemy next time. It might also make the "weak link" to shape up because he doesn't want to be the object of everyone's hatred. I'm guessing that this is more about a DS seeing a unit that isn't working together like they should. This isn't about "fair", it is about giving these men the skills they need to survive their job.

But it must be hard to watch as a mother...so ((hugs))

 

[dayhiker]

Michelle, I went thru 20-30 of those type things when I was going thru boot camp in the Marines. Its all part of the training ... its part of their job. They all need to learn to not take it personally. Sadly some never figure it out.

 

[Street Knight]

Michelle,
Like DH said it's not personal. The DI probably wasn't really in a bad mood, just trying to reinforce for all, esp. "Nature Bar Boy" that you don't break the rules. When you are told to do something, you do it. When you fail to do as told, sometimes others pay for your mistake. Also a lesson to his platoon mates. His battle buddy, squad members, etc. should have stopped him. Group punishment like this is just the way they do things in Basic.
DI's always find SOMETHING-- footprints on the floor, soap film in the shower, etc. and whatever it is will be the End of Life as We Know It. Honestly, probably had to do with it raining. had to cancel training. What can we do with the Trainee's for 8 hours.
As for Family day, don't worry (I know you will anyway). The DI could cancel Family Day, but it is doubtful. (don't tell your son) Usually, cancelling something is a threat that they have to hold out there to improve behavior. (What are you going to do: shave my head, make me wear green, and keep me in the barracks area? I'm already there)
Things will work out. Try not to let it upset you.

 

[dayhiker]

So B and I had a very good weekend. Doesn't look like we will be able to get together again from 2 or 3 months. She doesn't have the money to travel to visit me and I don't have the time as it looks like I have a project at work that will have me working over time for a couple of months starting pretty soon.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I know, thanks everyone for your comments. The reason I point out that the DS is a female is because she IS. AND IMO, because I have known alot of women that are like this. She is in a mostly male dominated environment and that means to me, that she has to constantly prove she is as tough as the guys. And maybe it has something to do with my belief. I don't know how to say it so it makes sense. I always thought I could support a woman being president but I have come to believe that I don't want a woman president. I think men are better equipped to separate feelings from their jobs. Like a guy can be so mad at someone at work and then go out afterward and be buddies. They compartmentalize better. Women by nature, are more emotional. So I'm biased, yes I will admit that. I'm not saying they shouldn't be in the service or be in charge, but I'm not fond of the types that typically choose male dominated jobs. Yeah male DS's can be jerks too, and my son has commented on one that he said is not his DS but he told me to ask about him when I see him on vacation. I don't care that they made them clean the barricks and I knew some person would do something to get them ALL in trouble because that is the Army way. Actually I'm glad he got to experience that. What I was mostly upset about is that they let all their stuff sit in the rain and get ruined. He's over it now. I've gotten letters since where he is more upbeat.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

So B and I had a very good weekend. Doesn't look like we will be able to get together again from 2 or 3 months. She doesn't have the money to travel to visit me and I don't have the time as it looks like I have a project at work that will have me working over time for a couple of months starting pretty soon.

Workin overtime! Woot! well glad you had a good weekend!

 

[sparkydave]

Random thought... It's appalling what some people do for yucks, or how thoughtless they can be.

Driving along in my MG (convertible) yesterday with the top down. Something goes "bang" between me and the car ahead of me. Realized it was a firecracker or bottle rocket that went off, but I didn't see where it came from. Minutes later it dawned on me that "Hey, there is somebody intentionally launching fireworks into traffic on a major road, it's not a residential area, and it could have ended up going off in my lap!". I e-mailed the PD later to mention it, and they said I should have called and reported it, since it could have caused an accident and somebody could have been hurt. Then I felt stupid because at the moment it happened it didn't seem like a big deal, we've been having random fireworks going off at odd times all over town since the 4th.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Where I live in AZ you can only have fireworks ON the holiday and I think on Memorial Day and New years eve and that's it. I did hear some though just the other night. But that is SICK that someone doesn't think enough about humanity to put who knows how many in danger because of stupid antics.

 

[dayhiker]

Michelle,
Was curious as to how things are going at work?

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Haha, funny you should ask..well we got paid for some jobs, so I can rest about being able to pay us and the bills at least while my boss is gone.

But the guys, I have determined are just grumpy ol men. We got a request for a quote so I gave it to the one guy to do the quote and also sent it to my boss via email. It took a day and a half for the guy to get me the quote back, all the while complaining. They currently have NO work, so you would think they would be happy to have SOMETHING to do and a potential job. So I tell the guy I'm sending it to the boss and he's like "really?" so I show him the email from the boss that I had previously given to him that says HE (the boss) will make the final approval of the quote. But the guy had just given me the final quote price not the breakdown of material, outside labor and our labor so I tell him I need that, and he has a little tantrum saying this was a big process and took him all day (I already had seen that he DID have a list). So for some reason my boss (another story) did not fully understand the numbers I sent him, so he emails the guy directly. Anyway, bottom line is I sent the quote, customer then changes the quantity and asks for updated quote (oh and they want it rushed too) and last I heard she said everything was OK and she'd put in for the PO. I didn't tell the guys because since we've never done work for this division before, we need the PO first in case they change their minds and we have already ordered material then we'd be out the cost. So yesterday afternoon the guy asked me about it, and I told him she was sending the PO and his response? " Doesn't look good" and I"m like WHAAAAAA? I just basically told him we have the job, but he just likes to complain. It really affects me negatively and between that and dealing with my son trying to get approval to leave after graduation, has just about caused me to blow a gasket! Not really I'm OK but gee whiz, some people....I too, might just really need a vacation Thanks for asking

 

[dayhiker]

Ya, my son says the guys in his machine shop complain all the time as well ... ya, it is a drag.

Vacation ... yaaaa, one more day and I'm on vacation for a week, so I'll not be posting next week .... pulls curtain and vanishes ....

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

dayhiker it seems like you are always on vacation....lucky dog! Have fun whatever you are planning, but I'm sure you will, cuz you always do.

 

[dayhiker]

its been almost 3 months since my last vacation ... since I get 4 wks of vacation each year, I can take a week every quarter.

I'm taking a week long workshop on personal growth. So I'll be sending 7 days with 22 people and getting to know them. Will be interesting. While I've done similar workshops they had more people and only a weekend long. Should be interesting on how this goes. Some of the things taught are eastern so I'll have time to ask questions and share my Christian point of view. I know one of the facilitators was a Christian minister before getting into this work.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

its been almost 3 months since my last vacation ... since I get 4 wks of vacation each year, I can take a week every quarter.

I'm taking a week long workshop on personal growth. So I'll be sending 7 days with 22 people and getting to know them. Will be interesting. While I've done similar workshops they had more people and only a weekend long. Should be interesting on how this goes. Some of the things taught are eastern so I'll have time to ask questions and share my Christian point of view. I know one of the facilitators was a Christian minister before getting into this work.

sounds awesome! I get 2 weeks, but it's weird. I get paid for my vacation on the anniversary of my hire date which is in November. So I usually use that money for Christmas (or bills) and then I get the last week of the year off, but I don't get paid for it, the shop is just closed. If my boss didn't downsize our benefits due to business and the economy I would be getting 4 weeks of vacation too, but he capped it at 2 out of necessity for keeping the business going. I wish I still worked at Intel cuz they give you a sabbatical every 7 years you work there you get one month off with pay!

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

So....it's official for the most part. My vacation with my son is ruined. Apparently the Army is a bunch of big fat liars and I cannot transport my son home because we live west of the Mississippi (whatever the heck that has to do with anything) even though he is split option. I am hoping my son will have different news, but I got this info from a chat I was just on at the base where he is. Thanks Army! NOT!

 

[dayhiker]

So sorry to hear that Michelle. The army doesn't give much thought to families ...

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

So sorry to hear that Michelle. The army doesn't give much thought to families ...

Well I knew that going into it, but when I talked to his recruiter (more than once) and a gal that issues the tickets there and on the FB page, BEFORE making my flight arrangements I thought I did all I could do, but now I'm just not sure. Still unsure. Even after the chat, people are still trying to tell me he CAN go with me but I asked TWICE on the chat and they blew me off and said NO because of where I live. I'm still hoping and praying that God works it out somehow but I'm not getting my hopes up.