Man in a Suitcase

My current situation reminds me of the Police song, "Man in a Suitcase."
The room's my oyster
My hotel room's a prison cell
I'm getting a little tired of fast food and the hotel's morning offerings of various unsavory and unhealthy food choices. I went to the gym today in a vain attempt to turn the tide, to try to work off some of the cholesterol that's been injected into my bloodstream one cheeseburger at time. I move into an efficiency apartment Saturday where I can at least cook for myself. Instead of high fat fast food, I'll risk the occasion bout with food poisoning that comes with my cooking adventures.
I'm getting hungy. McDonalds is starting to sound good right about now.

Here in Seattle

Arrived safely yesterday at my new assignment at McChord AFB, Washington. I hopped on a C-17 headed West out of Germany at 0300 in the morning and arrived 12 hours later. Human beings have no business being awake at 0300 in the morning. That's when the zombies come out. I'm convinced I sat next to one waiting for my flight. I had to say "see you later" to the kids the night before--perhaps that's the one good thing about leaving that early. I hate all the crying and waving...that's me crying and waving.



The flight was uneventful, though I was coldsoaked for the entire flight. I think I'm getting old. I travelled with a woman flying back to the states with her 4 children. She had three girls and her 8-week-old son, her husband had just deployed to Iraq for 15 months. She had the patience of Job. All of the other folks on the plane stepped up and helped her out, carrying bags and entertaining her kids. I dusted off the old "detachable finger" trick which kept her 5-year-old entertained for an hour. My wife was in this woman's same position a year ago, traveling back to the states while I was deployed. Paying it forward.



Looking forward to my time in the Seattle area and catching up with my old friend James and meeting his family. The weather here is just like I left in Germany. I feel like I didn't go anywhere...other than the fact that everyone speaks English, doesn't smoke, and there are no Smartcars.

Cruise Photos

Few photos from our cruise last week.
This is obviously in Egypt.

The one below is at the Acropolis in Athens.

This is my daughter, Isabella.

The Ritter kids at Giza. Nathan, William, Benjamin and Isabella (with Roary, her class mascot).

Here are a few photos from our cruise last week.

Just to set the record straight, I like and respect older folks. I was just a little unnerved by how mean they can be when you get betweeen them and the buffet.

I'm Back (For a Short While)

Just returned last Friday from a huge family vacation. We joined my wife's sister and husband and their brood of 4 kids in Genoa, Italy for a cruise through the Eastern Mediterranean over Thanksgiving. We visited Naples, Egypt, Cyprus, Rhodes (lots of smart folks there), Athens, and Olympia, Greece. I had been on one cruise previously, a work friend and I touring through the Bahamas as a last hurrah before entering the service. Big difference between going on a cruise when you're 22 and when you're 39 with wife and kids. I was pretty proud of myself if I managed to stay up past 11. I actually enjoyed the shows. I did not drink myself to the point where I tossed lawnchairs over the side (wait, that was the Airport High senior cruise, right?).

I will say that, even at 39, I was one of the more "spritely" gents onboard. Lots of old folks on this cruise. Let me tell you, there is a big difference between kindly old folks that are grandmas and the nice old ladies who bake you cookies. The old folks on this ship were flat out mean. Good luck getting through the buffet line without being run over. I literally watched them push past my kids to get on the elevator to go up ONE floor. I walked out on the Lido deck one particularly sunny afternoon to get some fresh air. Each and every lawn chair was taken by these seemingly gentle creatures. Each was splayed out in a kind of macabre death pose, sleeping the sleep of one who had eaten too much at the buffet and tried to Samba 20 years later than they should have. I imagined this was what Jonestown looked like. Creepy.

Anyhoo, highly recommend the cruise with family. All of us had a great time despite the daily battles with the seasoned citizens. I pull into Seatle on Sunday the 9th and am looking forward to some good seafood again.

Happy birthday to James and Todd. Lots of talk about turning 40 and being old. Believe me, you guys aren't old. I've seen old now...you're no where near it.

Back in Deutschland

Finished my requal course last Friday. My check ride went fine despite some maintenance issues with our tanker. Six flights in 10 days is pushing it, even for an old war horse like myself.

Flew back on Saturday and arrived in Germany Sunday morning. The family was very happy to see me (as I was to see them), and my young ones quickly snapped me up to show me their latest projects and achievements. The pandemonium that is Das Ritterhaus is an absolute joy. I enjoy being on trips for about the first 8 hours, then the "quietness" sets in. I don't like it. Give me loud noises, kids yelling, and the muffled snickers of some mischef going on anyday.

Good to Hear From Old Friends

Checked the blog this evening and discovered an old friend stopped by for a visit. Martha M. ran across her name on a comment on James and Chuck's "4th Row Center" movie review site. The particular post in question was a tribute to the late Miss Moneypenny of James Bond fame who had recently passed away. Martha's big Hollywood break was a starring part in a low-budget James Bond remake. Unfortunately, the movie was shown publically only once and, alas, Martha's star talent would have to wait for some future movie producer to discover.

I've really become fond of these blogs. They're a great way to keep in touch and reacquaint with old friends. In fact, if it weren't for these blogs, folks might never know what a HUGE Star Trek fan Martha used to be. She talked Rick S. and I into going to meet the actual Mr. Sulu once at a Blockbuster opening in Columbia, SC. I had always fancied myself a big Star Trek fan, not a fanatic, but more loyal than most. I realized that day that the true Star Trek fan is a wonder to behold, able to explain warp drive to even to most casual person, intimately familiar with the life history of the most obscure crewmember. Yes, even Martha, who maintained an impressive Star Trek shrine, paled in comparison.

It was good to hear from you, Martha. Live long and prosper...

Thoughts of Leaving

Flew again yesterday and will fly as well tonight. Training pace is very hectic now; it's coming fast and furious.

The thought of finishing early is bittersweet, however. I relish the thought of getting back home to my wife and kids. Lord knows, I'm going to be away from them long enough this year and want to spend every moment I can with them. The other side of the coin is the thought of leaving Altus and some very close friends we've made from church here. Arlene and I were married in this church, we dedicated all of our children to the Lord in this church, and have grown to know and love the pastor and members of this church. They have been such a blessing for me since I've been here, one man going so far as to loan me a truck to facilitate my runs for ice cream to the local Braums. Yes, it will be sad my last day here.