Shoup Airlines

It’s Been A While

Yeah, yeah, I know. But seriously, I haven’t had anything to write about, the Army has sucked it all out of me. I was on call for the Funeral Detail the last 30 days so I pretty much kissed my weekends good bye. Fourteen day weeks are fun, let me tell you.

Now I’m just on hold for the Black Hawk which I’m beginning to think is as elusive as the Loch Ness monster. Last week, I finally asked a superior when I might start. Apparently, I slandered his entire family tree with the sneer he gave me. Come back in a couple months was the response I got. So I still have the vagueness of a class date but now with the impending threat of being here beyond Christmas. Yay!

What does one do while waiting for class, you ask? Sit in a classroom from 9 to 4 unless you can pass a test given weekly on the emergency procedures and limitations of your selected aircraft. Because as an officer you’re still not trusted to take the initiative on your own. Have I mentioned how awesome this place is?!

And before you start suggesting that I take leave, I’ll let you know right now that they’re balking at people taking leave just to take it. You actually have to have a specific and acceptable reason before they approve it. Time off or vacation don’t fly, just like me. So Mom, you’re in town next week if anyone asks, thanks. I don’t think there’s a day that goes by and I miss a reason to be happy I’m in the Guard and not active duty. Then again, that’s only if I ever get out of this active duty nightmare.

To leave it on a better note, I did find this the other day and thought how awesome would this be to have in your garden? They just need to work on the face a bit, more zombie and less “oh my god, I’m getting audited!”

The Day The Shoup Stood Still

I rant.  Therefore I am.

Three months, three weeks and five days since I left Southern California to fly helicopters.  I won’t even mention the missing 24 pounds or my quality time in very small and very dark places.  At least not yet.  I’m still working on that one.  Today is the first day I did something even remotely aviation related.

Hooray, you say!  I say go suck an egg!

For the last two weeks and carrying into next week I have been tortured (pun fully intended) by classes and lectures on the overall workings and organization of specific Army branches, specifically how to deal with the paperwork involved.  You know, the really captivating side of the military!  Today we finally hit aviation, but because Murphy hates me so, it was Aviation Maintenance.  Essentially a review of all the paperwork I’ve been doing the last two years.  Can you think of anything more exciting?  Maybe I’ll run a white hot 10 gauge needle in one eye, through the bridge of my nose and out the other eye.  That might, MIGHT just assuage the boredom.  Or not.

Then I came home, thinking I’d find sanctum and discovered this…

I thought I had reviewed The Day The Earth Stood Still but I guess not.  It’s a great movie as far as 1950s science fiction movies go.  In fact, it is THE grand daddy of all B movies and probably the only one that can actually take itself seriously.  Plus the movie is deeply embedded in our iconic culture.  Trust me, you’ll recognize Gort.  If you can tolerate some black and white science fiction (except for CONN that is) you’ll find a decent movie with a message that still rings true today.

But that isn’t where my ire lies at the moment.  Hollywood, seemingly not slaked on the bastardization and regurgitation of old t.v. shows has deemed it necessary to remake Day. And what seems like they want to pour salt (and lots of it) specifically into MY wounds, no one less better than Keanu Reeves is slated to play Klaatu.

Klaatu barada WHOA

- sigh -

Where’s Jack?  I need Jack…

The Hits Just Keep On Coming!

Some of you know I applied for a position with the FAA just about one year ago. Yeah, I forgot about it too.

They called today, interested. That is until I had to explain where I am and what I’m doing. She said she would annotate that in the file. I’m guessing that would be the circular file.

What’s next? Is Independence going to rise from the ashes and recall those that are available? You laugh, I know I do, but with my luck or lack thereof of late I would not be the least bit surprised.