Give ‘em heck!
***
My section leader approved my leave chit, which pretty much means that I'm on for leave. He has to turn it into the duty manager, who will most likely approve it (can't think of a reason why he wouldn't). Bosn and my Chief have to sign, too, but they'll approve it. They're happy because I got good marks. I can fly in on Friday night/Saturday morning on the 3rd, like before, and sleep in the car on the drive to the beach. I'm officially taking the 5th-16th, but I have the weekend off so it doesn't have to go on the record. That way I can stay at the beach and then be home for a few days to ... visit with the neighbors, I guess. Take the dog to get washed again or something. See all of the new cats that live across the street. Some real Mexican food would be nice, too. I've been eating Thai and sushi for months now, which isn't the end of the world, but is still not comparable to enchiladas verdes.
Oh, yes. When I get back to Seattle I'll send a box with all the presents I got for people, that way I don't have to get things through airport security. I still don't have anything for the small boys, but I don't know if it will matter much if their presents came from overseas, specifically. I'll get them a cheap, reasonably unbreakable thing from San Fran. Just don't open the box until I get there.
I wanted to go to the Jimmy Buffett restaurant, but everybody else was a snob and didn't like the music. Like Bill. People who object to Jimmy Buffett are weird. I did go the beach though, and walked around. A guy Baker knew from high school who was stationed there with the Navy showed us around. He was a nice guy, though, so it was fine. Also some people came and put parrots on us. The parrots got crumbs all over my shirt, but they didn't bite. I like parrots better than lemurs or monkeys. In Thailand, people would show up and drop snakes and spiders and things on you. Normally I like spiders, but not when a questionable person drops them on your shoulder and starts talking Malaysian at you. Then it's a bit unnerving.
I looked up some schools in Ireland. The required academics are about average with state colleges in the States. I'll have to learn Gaelic, though. I wonder if it counts as a language credit, or if I have to learn something that people actually use. Gaelic is more of a curiosity than anything, it seems. I could do more Spanish ...
I promise!