Going Back

This is a decision that I’ve come to after many hours of deep thinking on the subject, several long conversations with my wife, and ultimately, the choice was pretty easy.

You see, I’m going back into the Army — and I still can, as I get credit against the maximum age for my time already spent in uniform. Since I left active duty in 1993, I’ve always felt at loose ends, and what I’ve come to learn is that I not only need the structure that the military provides, but I crave it. So I’m going back to it. I’ll be enlisted, but only temporarily, as I’ve got the college credits required and ASVAB scores where getting into O.C.S. won’t be a problem. Additionally, I will probably select combat arms — the infantry — once I leave O.C.S.

As far as communications goes — I don’t know. I have to go through boot camp again, and I’m pretty sure that that’ll be several weeks without internet connectivity. After that, things should settle down a bit and I’ll start blogging here again regularly. I’ll pre-schedule some stuff for those of you that follow me, and I’ll have Kate (who is fully supportive of this, by the way) publish my mailing address here. For those of you that want postcards or letters, feel free to send me your address.

I’ve farmed out my backlist of frames to a few local builders who will be completing the orders.

I leave two weeks from today — check your calendars — there’ll be a send-off party at our place this week. More details after the cut.

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The Story of Your Birth

Dear Son, Well, you gave us a good scare. I want to document this as much as possible before the details get too jumbled in my head. By now, you know you were born eight weeks early, but the story does a great job of illustrating the moments of humor and joy even when things … Read more

Newest Addition

So for those of you that don’t keep up with me on Facebook or Twitter, I’m happy (and nervous) to announce that Edwin Cooper Bailey joined the world 8 weeks early — at 4:19 a.m. on Friday, January 13th. He tipped the scales at 4 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 18″ long. His Apgars score … Read more

What I’ve Learned in 2011

• I have the weirdest combinations of shit luck/good luck, as evidenced by the disasters on my road trip to Michigan back in February. • Be more careful around hot steel. Burns leave nasty scars and the lesson was no exception. On the plus side, as a friend pointed out, there’s positives in putting yourself … Read more

New Music Theory

I am hereby coining the term “the Yorke Conjecture” which postulates that no public discussion of music will go more than 5 minutes without someone bringing up Radiohead. (Not because Radiohead is awesome, mind you. No, it’s because Radiohead fans are worse than Apple fanboys when it comes to vocal smugness.)

About Your World

Dear Son, Your mom can feel you moving around a lot right now. It’s not noticeable to me yet, but I’m told that’s only a few more weeks off. I’m a little envious of her right now, but still very excited about everything. I got asked the inevitable question, one I’m sure everyone hears at … Read more

5 Reasons NOT to Bike to Work

1. Because you totally played football in high school and you’re still, like, totally in-shape and stuff. Never mind that beer gut, never mind that you get winded walking up a couple flights of stairs — you could totally go out and play with the high school kids now. Even if you’re too out-of-shape to … Read more

Hello, Bike

My training schedule got interrupted by my grandmother’s funeral and the drama surrounding it, and I’ve been waffling a lot about what to do. So I’m getting back to it tonight after work — starting with an endurance ride and weights, followed by a good soak in the jacuzzi. After the gym, I need to … Read more