Saturday, March 31, 2012

Life Marches On

Well after three months of unemployment, I got the Reminder News in the mail. I called them up and asked if they were hiring. Surprisingly, a vacancy opened up four days ago. The interview went well and I started the following Monday. I will be going on my third week this Monday. The job is very demanding. I am expected to write 8 articles a week and I am covering three cities-Bolton, Manchester, and South Windsor, CT.

I think I am going to start posting some of my stories here. I don't know who reads this blog, but I have been retired from the Army National Guard since July. It all came to me as such a shock. I was medically boarded out. I thought I was going to be a soldier forever, but I think life marches on.

My health is much better, after two needed surgeries and time to rest. I need to focus on losing weight. I should be able to start running again soon. My job is neat that I get to do something I enjoy and am good at, but the downside is that it really does not pay very much. So I continue to live with my parents.

My new boss asked me at the interview what I would be doing in five years. I said management, but really I don't know. So many wars in the Middle East are winding down while others are gearing up. I feel left out not being involved in that. Maybe in a few years, I will apply to Stars and Stripes or continue a search for a Public Affairs job or Intel job, which seem to be impossible to get.

For now I am content, driving, interviewing, writing, taking photos, and publishing. Sure I bought a few lottos, with the record high $665 Million Mega Millions lottery drawing yesterday. Three people won. The articles I read on it said that if they took a lump sum after all the taxes they would go home with $105.1 Million. Somehow that seems deceiving from the promised amount. Not that that is not a ton of money none the less.

A fellow Soldier and friend of mine asked us on Facebook, what we would do with that money. I for one would be debt free and gain independence. That would be a great feeling. But for now, I count myself lucky to at least have a job and be contributing to society in a way that is smart and challenging. I march on.