Crash Test Dummies, MMMM MMMM MMMM MMMM
Monday, May 10th, 1999
2230
Today was quite a vehiclular day...Learned how to properlyPMCS a military vehicle today (inspect it for dents dings, loose cables, drips, etc. etc.), something I'll be either doing or assisting in the doing of every Monday. SPC Meragliotta (still don't have that spelling down) took his HMMV out to charge the brand new batteries and took me along for a ride-he's the one who showed me how to PMCS...my first ride in an actual HMMV. It was great, we went off road through muddy puddles and bumps and ditches etc. etc... I'll probably be getting my military drivers license soon, "just in case" says my senior NCO...she's big on promotion points and once one logs enough miles apparently there's a "driver's badge" to be awarded...
SPC M. ran into a friend on the way back for lunch...we all hopped into his friend's car and picked up gyros downtown...good food and it also served as a weak dinner...
BTW, Powerbar Harvest bars taste like shit. I like the original ones better, but I couldn't find 'em when I drove my new car down to the PX to get some pbars and starch...Yep, proud owner of a brand spanking new 1999 Ford Escort ZX2. Took about another 3 hours to finish things up today...but it's all finalized, mine all mine. $325 a month for the next five years though...but that's the price one pays for a first time buy w/o a cosigner...At least there's no penalties for early repayment, so hopefully...The next few months aren't going to make for a whole lot of big spending...at least until the $100/month MGBI deduction is completed in October, I'll be kind of hermatic or at least spendthrift...still need to manage to put money away too...but I have what I need now. Wheels and this PC. There really isn't much else that's neccessary. Plus all that taxi money saved...averaged about $50 a week on that I'd say... My Sgt was kind enough to give me a ride to the car lot and let me off early to get things settled as well...and the salespeople were rather nice and all...Rob wasn't there when I came in so another girl Samamtha picked things up and carried me through most of the rest of the work...even still she let Rob keep his commission and not demand he split it...25% commission, but when there's no salary or other wages involved...She was really a cool gal, only been in the business about 4 weeks she said. Rob had only been in about a month before her she said...I guess it's the new salespeople only that are nice and real personal...the others maybe are sick of the job...but Samamtha and I and then Rob when he came in, we were all laughing and joking about and making the most of all the waiting for papers to get done and the car to be washed and waxed and such...
After getting off the lot I proceeded to put about 50 miles more on the car before coming home--probably should have come straight back seeing as how there's a PT test tommorrow...
I missed the "clan's" get together at Ce Ce's pizza last night...we were all gonna meet at 6:30 but I just wasn't up to it, plus I had all the typing to tackle...I hope Dan and Joe are doing OK over at 82nd...
So I have my phone number, just no phone, and the number is supposed to be active until Thursday...however, I wouldn't be too suprised if it's ready wednesday, or even perhaps tomorrow. SPC M.'s phone over in my "old" room was connected yesterday Morning already, after I suppose he just called friday...He's a rather decent chap he is. Too bad he's probably leaving soon.
It's kind of a pain making friends where I'm at, since about 90% of the soldiers are NCO's and senior NCO's...by the UCMJ, I'm not *allowed* to go out and drink a few beers or hang out with them...it could adversely affect the working environment and other such nonsense. SPC M. is leaving, most of the non NCO's at PAC are "bad news" according to my Sgt and others...
So I dunno really...it'll be kinda a pain making good friends here. I can't wait to get hooked up online. I really want to drop Christa and Barb a line, as well as Tina and Tim, Ed, Greg, Amy, most definately Sarah...
I just have to be carefull that I don't become an internet junkie like I was heading towards once before...must keep myself in the real world and go out with real friends...meet real people, maybe a woman--hey, at this point I'm just like, "if it happens it happens, but for now, I'm just trying to have a good time. I can do it alone or I can do it with someone one...either way is good for now..." I have noticed, however, that most of the women around here are married...so...
It's a wonderful feeling that I could lock my door and
just take a spin anywhere I want right now...but it's a horrible feeling
to not have any destinations still...Now that I have transportation I need
to scope out the city...hopefully as cheaply as possible. Donna know if
my airborne pay has kicked in yet or not...my guess is the standard *not*
-- the military is so good at such things...