Something that has bothered me
Over break, I met up with a guy with whom I have (and may always) picker politically. Like most people though, he and I have sort of calmed down in how we think about political issues and things are a lot better. Anywho, I was in a bar and talking to this guy and we were talking about life and he asked me what I was up to. I told him that I have a good idea that I’ll be leaving for Afghanistan next June. We talked some more and he told me that despite our differences and he reiterated that he’s a true-blue liberal, but he “lives in the real world” and couldn’t imagine a world without our military. He thanked me for what I do and told me he could never do something like that. He also told me he hoped this latest offensive in south Afghanistan would speed up the end of the war, but we sort of both knew that’s not really in the cards.
What bothers me about this is that even after nearly four years, I don’t know how to react to people that thank me for what I do. I used to tell people I don’t do anything, but now that I’m on the cusp of really doing Something Important, I’m trying to stray away from that. For all the attention whoredom that defines how I act in public, I really do not like focusing on what I’m doing or how extraordinary my life is at this point in time. I guess I should pray about it. Just thinking out loud here. Also, Sarah told me I ought to post something.
Note: Despite what I just said, I think I’d always prefer to talk about myself, Bic Macs and/or the interesting parts of spackle rather than talk about how depressing some aspects of Howard’s. (like the old people or the fucking weirdos, or both)
Note 2: The Army stuff and Afghanistan isn’t the most interesting part of my life. I think that honor(?) belongs to me being with Sarah. :)
