Long overdue

Many things, like this entry, have been long overdue. However, there was a Royal Reunion that took place last weekend, and I wish it could be repeated every weekend!

You see, 20 years ago I graduated from high school. Yes, that gives away my age of 38 years, but I don't care. Anyway, even then I didn't have the greatest relationship with the folks. Long story short, December of 1989 was the last time I saw my best friend. Yep, we went 20 years without any contact at all.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't for the lack of trying. She worked in the same department as the bitch that gave birth to me, yet, despite her inquiries, the bitch had 'no idea' where I was at. This, my friends, was a complete load of shit. She knew exactly where I was! Of course, neither one of us knew where to look, or if the other was married, etc. So it was impossible to find each other.

However, thanx to FaceBook, and after a long 20 years, we have reunited. On top of that, we both love the TWILIGHT series, and have hence named our selves after 2 characters. I am Princess Alice, and she is Queen Rosalie. Childish? Maybe. But I don't care. I am just happy to be reunited with my best friend. And let me say, I don't plan on letting her slip away again.

People change, its unavoidable. However, it seems as though her and I were never really 'seperated'. To get completely out of my character and mushy....we were always in each other's hearts. We still finish each other's sentences, act the same, think the same, and like all the same things. Its as if we never left. I am happy!!!

I don't get it...

Call me what you want; scream at me; flame me ; whatever. But I am going to say my opinion, regardless of what you say, and here it is.....

For the life of me, I cannot understand why people here in the USA insist on adopting young babies/children from foreign countries. Famous people (Madonna, Brad Pitt, and countless others) as well as not so famous people feel the need to go to China, Japan, India, Ethiopia, Indonesia, etc to get their kids. WHY? There are so many children here in your HOME COUNTRY than need a family. All ages, all backgrounds, all needs. So please tell me why in the hell you would adopt from overseas???

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the foreign children are any less deserving of a home, but what is wrong with American kids? What makes them LESS deserving that the others?

The reason I've brought this up is because I was sitting in a deli and overheard 2 couples (they were well off financially) discussing the adoption one couple was in the process of. It was a nightmare listening to them brag on the "most adorable 2 year old Chinese child" they were adopting. I was sick. They were bragging about how they had to travel to China, and the cost, and how they had to spend over a week there going through all of the protocol. They were also discussing all of the medical screenings the child had to go through, and how they had to get a medical lawyer to do this. They were also talking about "how cute' it was that the child was able to say "mommy" and "daddy" in her native language.....this means the child is still living with her parents!!! ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME??? Nice, ripping this child from her family....of course, the parents are allowing this, but the child has no idea whats happening. How cruel.

My question is....WHY??? Can anyone offer any insight?

Graceland

About a week ago, my travels allowed me to visit the famed Graceland....home of the late, great Elvis Presley. The original KING of Rock and Roll. The virtual inventor of it all. In my eyes, the man will forever be immortal. He is an icon that cannot be rivalled, not even by Michael Jackson. No, he wasn't in my generation, he died when I was 6 (or so they say). That doesn't mean I don't love his music any less that the older generations, or that I can't appreciate him and his music. My father made sure, if nothing else, that I had a well rounded musical library, and Elvis was at the top of the list.

So, it stands to reason I would want to visit Graceland.

I cannot begin to tell you the feeling I got when I walked through the front door. It was awe. It was an overwhelming sense of his aura. It was sadness. It was happiness. It was.....unbelievable. You all can think I am a complete nut job, but when I say I felt his aura, I mean it. This place was so saturated by his presence I was almost brought to tears. I found myself wanting to spend just one night in this house alone, hoping to see him. My only other wish during the tour was that everyone else there would have gone away. I wanted to see every inch of this place all by myself. I wanted to soak up every smell, every touch. The other visitors were in my way....and I'm sure they felt the same about me.

Anyway, enough of my sap....below are but a few of the 186 pictures I took of this wonderful place.

The front The living room

His parents' bedroom The TV room

The Jungle Room

His grave

Live on, King.....Live on

"If you had the opportunity, would you?"

This was a question asked of me by my DH. He was referring to my past job in the USAF as an EDD handler.....Explosive Detector Dog handler. Let me digress and explain.

Way back in 1990 I joined the USAF. I had zero direction in my life, and even fewer skills. I needed structure, and I needed a job. I was 19. So there I went, signing up to be a cop, and hoping to be a dog handler. Back then (not sure about now) you actually had to fill out an application and try out, competing against others who wanted to do the same thing. Lucky for me, I made it.

I finished boot camp, and cop school, then went to Patrol Dog school. Learning the basics of dog care, handling, and bite work. I was in heaven!!!! Growing up I loved animals, and being with such an elite group of cops really was awsome. I was then sent to Hurlburt Fld, FL (in the Panhandle) where a really good Kennel Master taught me how to work a Drug Dog. I did that for 6 months, and she sent me back to Lackland AFB, TX for Explosive school. That was the best 6 weeks! I graduated top of my class, so I was stoked.

ANyway, I spent the rest of my 8 year career running bomb dogs and was loving it. The adrenaline rush, the challenge in training, the risk on a 'real world' situation, etc. Eventually I was stationed at Nellis AFB, NV where I met my male twin, hereby known as "The Handler". We had the same working style, and ideas, same interests in general. For 2 years we couldn't be stopped. Working with Secret Service, and doing many high profile jobs, as well as helping out the LVPD. We were the best. People in high places would need support and request us specificly. We were the shit!!

Anyway, 10 years ago I got out, and went on with my life, I thought. The Handler got out 12 years ago, and we've done a fine job of staying in touch. However it was brought to my attention last night that I talk about EDDs and training.....a lot. Like every day. I had no idea. He asked me:

"If you had the opportunity right now, would you work a dog again?"

I was stunned. Of course, my inner handler was screaming "Hell Yes you moron!!! " LOL but my 'other' self was saying "Now hold on, there is this life you've been living for 10 years you've got to think about"

So I thought, and thought, and thought. Ok, I was really holding in my inner handler who was just freaking out. lol I finally said:

"It would have to be the perfect mix, the "Perfect "Storm" so to speak. There are so many factors in play....I know what I'm worth, I know what is needed, and I know how much work is involved. Its not just a matter of 'get up and go work a dog', there are just to many factors to consider." I guess that wasn't the right answer, or the expected one. When I asked "Why?" I was told:

"You talk about it every day. You talk about setting up a training problem, or working something in 'real world', or how people need to pull their head out and think about the resources they are wasting. You say how 'if only', or "If it were me & [The Handler] we wouldn't do shit that way"....you always talk about it. Its almost like an obsession"

Ok, um, was I offended? No. Was I pissed? No. Did it make me think? Yes. And the screwy thing is, the whole time we were talking about it, I was running training problems in my head. LOL. Bad, I know. More discussion led to "If I had the resources and accesability [The Handler] and I would have our own business training, certifying, and selling dogs. We would even be privately contracted to work events. " But alas, I do not have the money, resources, etc. to take on such an endeaver. I have a better chance of running a Bed & Breakfast with my girlfriend from high school than I do of running an EDD company. Thats just the way it is.

So, until I pull off the lottery and ATF approves me having a bunker full of explosives, I'll be content being the silent consultant to [The Handler].

The Man Store

Today, whilst shopping at Belk's (clothing store) I noticed this particular store had a section totally devoted to men. It wasn't just a part of the store with a few racks of men's clothes, no, this was a whole seperate store. I decided to go in.

It was like nothing like I've ever been in. No music, no screaming kids, no bitchy women. Just men, quietly looking through the racks of clothes, shoes, hats, etc. Strategically placed around the store were leather chairs, looking at flat screen televisions playing any sport that happened to be on. NASCAR, golf, baseball, etc. The thing that was amazing was the men were actually shopping.....I am serious! They were slowly, quietly, looking through racks of clothes. Holding them up, checking prices, checking tags, etc. I was truely amazed! And the biggest shock? They were relaxed and totally at home doing so. I wish I could have videoed the whole experience. There weren't even any women clerks. Guys helping guys. "Can I see this shoe in a size 10?" "No problem, sir" and that was that!

Anyway, had to share that little experience with you all....something other than my usual bitch session :)