Prioritizing. Organizing. Rethinking.

Prioritize Notepad, RedVelvetArt



*Diana, this is for you.




All over the news all you hear is that the economy is in the toilet; the government is paying to bail out people who made bad decisions because they weren't fully informed and companies who did so knowingly; neighbors are pitted against neighbors and by all accounts it's turmoil.


I'm doing okay. WE'RE doing okay. But it's got me thinking, and for the very first time in my life - doing. I grew up pretty priveleged. Solidly upper middle class. Great schools, great friends (all of whom are still great folks) great opportunities for success, all without doing much. Then at 18, I enlisted. I know you all see the news about how hard it is to be a young military family, and it is, but it gets a lot easier. We are once again middle class. My kids want for nothing. (Okay, Sam wants a pocket bike and a cell phone, no and no.) They have plenty of opportunities, and yet so many are denied them because of pure unadulterated American discrimination.




Semaphore Love block print card, nydampress

So I've spent a lot of time in the last few months/weeks trying to do what I can to fix that. And I'm realizing lately that more than ever, what I need to do for ME is to succeed at my job. We all know that I AM a United States Sailor, but I'm an Atheist, too. And I believe that equality is for everyone. And I believe that Barack Obama truly has the best interests of my country and my children at heart. And I believe that the best way to stick it to all of the discriminatory Americans who don't want my friends to marry who they love, don't want someone with Muslim blood (I didn't know religion was blood borne) to become president, and don't want young women to be able to make choices that may save their lives without Daddy breathing down their necks; is to continue to fight for their right to say whatever they want. To continue to fight for their right to disallow my children to be boy/girlscouts, to require that god be thanked before every little league game, to allow prayer before every town meeting. So I registered to vote, I've volunteered, I've contributed. And I plan on succeeding at my day job. And leading sailors into whatever we're ordered to do, with no discrimination, no favoritism.


Success in View, SailorJenny

We in the military lament so often on the freedoms we DON'T have. We leave for long periods of time, often unable to talk to our families at all, sometimes they can't know where we are. We work 24/7, we stand duty for long hours, we do often thankless jobs in the face of disaster for countries who've been our enemy . But never before and probably never again have I worked in a less discriminatory environment. We take care of our own, everyone wears blue. There's no men, women, colors, only sailors.

So I've put the jewelry on hold. I'm not really sure I can function in a real world environment just yet. I have so much more to do between the Navy and my own home, that having that one more thing on my plate just proved too much. My things will stay on Etsy, and there will be more. But they're therapy, not a business. My business is my country and my family.

The Future of the Fleet

Vintage Number One Teacher Coffee Mug, DoNotDestroy

I've been spending a whole lot of time NOT here, and most of my Facebook and Twitter updates have been that I was studying. I'll probably be MIA for another two weeks or so, and I thought I should explain myself.

My day job is to train sailors on new/replacement skills, specifically maintenance of equipment. I have learned an immense amount abut instruction and learning; and really people in general. Now it's time to move on and become a little more qualified. I'm working on my Master Training Specialist qualification, which will help me to become a better instructor and leader, and the fundamentals of curriculum development. (A side effect of which is that MTS is a easily recognized skill in the corporate world . . .)


"The Navy's MTS program recognizes instructors who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, technical competence, application of instructional methodology, and desire to improve fleet readiness through quality instruction."

It is pages of memorization, and once all of the training is complete, a 3 step process. I passed my test, which was Phase 1. Next is my Pre-board on Monday afternoon, a test of my fundamental knowledge on the subject. When I pass that, I have another week to prepare for my final Board, which is the application process, where I get to create curriculum and teach to demonstrate my ability. So phew, I'm tired. I'm stressed from memorizing instruction numbers and acronyms, and I just want this done. I'm so close.

I'll be back, and probably in a really good mood when this is all over!

Bittersweet week.

"With No Anchor, With No You" - thedreamygiraffe -$20


I aplologise for my probably inconspicuous absence, but I've been here, being sad and keeping busy. My shipmates know (and now you do too), that I was up for a big promotion this year. It's an annual promotion, selected by board after a grueling exam, and I thought I had a good shot this year. I did, really. But for whatever reason, I was (am) not what they were looking for. Circumstances being what they are, I have a hard time escaping my failure. You see, El Jefe has already attained this level in his career. Two years ago, he was selected and the carnival ride that is the transition period began. El Jefe means The Chief. And he is.

Advancement into the Chief Petty Officer grades is the most significant promotion within the enlisted naval ranks. At the rank of Chief, the sailor takes on more administrative duties. In the Navy, their uniform changes to reflect this change of duty, becoming similar to that of an officer albeit with different insignia.

I was eligible for advancement with several of my friends, a few of whom were selected. Mike, Mike, and Jeff; you guys deserve it and I can't wait to shake your hands when it's all over. That part makes it sweet. El Jefe has been chosen to "sponsor" one of his own selectees - an honor in and of itself. He's through the roof proud, and so am I. But I'm still sad. My friends are moving on without me, El Jefe's caught up in the work of the next 5 weeks (the process is a long one . . .) and I haven't really had time for myself to just be sad. It's hard to vent to him, he's very supportive, but hard on me. And he's very busy himself. Sigh. I really just need to take a day off, but I've taken on a bunch more work - both to busy myself and numb the pain, and to do what I can to come closer next year.

Must go study!!

Inked!

This has been a tattoo-riffic weekend. In the fine tradition of my sailor heritage, I have quite a few tattoos. I'm a collector of sorts. They chronicle my personal journey; life changing events. Here is the latest.










It is an illustration from Thing Two's favorite children's book when she was small - Goodnight Moon. Framed by the window is the moon and an Apollo CSM. On the CSM are the roman numerals IX XI. All of these things have meaning somehow or another, but here's the general breakdown of this one.

Thing Two loves Goodnight Moon. This is HER tattoo. Also, the IX XI on the CSM are her birthdate.

El Jefe and Thing One are Space Geeks. They are fascinated by the space race, and you often see either (or both) of them watching the science channel's many space shows. Space week was like a holiday here. I promised El Jefe long, long ago that I would never have his name or likeness tattooed. And I will keep my word. But he is my command module, unable to do anything, but keeping a close eye on me at all times and dispensing careful advice. And now I have that analogy forever with me.

Facebook

So . . .I've caved. I signed up on Facebook a while ago so I could talk to my cousin who quit myspace. I went there recently to visit my cousin and found a message from a high school friend. Enter a world I didn't expect. The one where everyone seems to have grown up and they all seem really cool again. Sigh. Growing up is so wierd. But . . . I found a few cool blogs along the way! Mark has Songs From a Mixtape, and the other Mark has Chronicle of a Gay Marriage . I think I've pimped them before, but seriously, check out The Bullet Points. And Herman. Jay (and Neal, who probably still thinks I'm a psycho) are geniuses. And Check out NeverEnoughBooks.org for the ramblings of Sarah. Craziness that high school was that long ago.

Matchy, matchy!!

I have never been one who coordinates well. I have always wished that I coud look put together and matchy - you know the girls with the matching bag/keychain/wallet combo? Of course it's always expensive, and I've given up expensive handbags for more quantity. And I prefer to support craftsmanship over a big company.

I'm pretty sure I just hit the jackpot! BizzieLizzie, one of the craftswomen in the Handbook to Handmade, has the cutest coordinated handbags! She makes everything from bags to buisness car holders to tissue cases, and all in coordinating colors. And they're affordable! I love this blue pattern . . .













Charlotte makes the prettiest bags and pays special attention to detail. Looking for a custom piece? Just ask! Her shop is merely a click away! I am so excited to see her wonderful work in the upcoming Handbook to Handmade!

I'm so excited!

One of the sellers on Etsy, a talented metalsmith(TimothyAdam), has come up with a great idea. I have wanted a portfolio for some time, but wasn't quite sure how to put one together or whether I really had enough depth in my work to pull one off. That's still planned for later, but meanwhile, check out this great book! Called The Handbook to Handmade, it features 35 artists and their shops, showcasing their favorite items and a short description of their work, their vision - anything! It's all bound professionally and is a wonderful advertising tool. I can't wait to see my work in print and to have something to show off on those occasions when it's just not a great idea to carry all of my jewelry. There are still slots available, and if you're not quite ready yet, there's advertising space available, too! If you are a small business who has a shop on Etsy and are in need of a little something to carry around (and want to showcase some other great talent, too . . .) try the Handbook!