No comments from the peanut gallery on the pose, okay?

In the infamous words of Ice Cube, 'Today was a good day.' It was a steady stream of visitors today and I only got a few minutes to read through Navy Times, but what I did read made me feel really bad for you guys because it looks like a lot of paperwork and testing to get some sort of promotion. I generically label that because I don't want to receive a lecture on my misuse of the military language. It's like from another world or something.

Shout out to my favorite TSA employee who exhibited excitement when I flashed my badge. Well, as much excitement as they are allowed to exhibit. "You feel like you accomplished something, now?" Isn't he sweet. That's really his version of a high five and I invited him down for a cool glass of milk if he had time, retired military that he is, he's allowed into my sanctuary. hehe.

OK, here's tonight's TOP TEN:

10. Army guy (well, I think he was army) sitting at the bar reading his bible. Leaves and comes back. He tells me that although his flight had arrived on-time they spent 45 minutes on the runway (Welcome to Texas!) and missed his connecting flight. He waited 4 hours for that flight only to have it delayed to god only knows when. He expresses concern that he might not be able to report by midnight. Enter comfy middle aged man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and eating ice cream. He says, 'You got orders, boy?' Yes, sir. 'Let me see them' He hands them over, Hawaii whips out his blackberry, calls a number and hands over the phone. While me and army guy exchange uncertain glances, Hawaii whips out his business card and slides it over to Army. Army immediately switches to sir this, and sir that. It's apparent this guy is someone. He tells Army that when he arrives if they give him any trouble he is to hand them his card and tell them to call him. I'm pretty sure this guy works for God. Seriously. Army was very relieved and I was in awe.

9. Group of Marines (A MARINE!!! - sorry Grease flashback) settle in at the bar to eat and watch UFC that another soldier had asked me to put on - which of course was no hardship for me. While they eat, I awe them with my MMA knowledge. They were more than impressed.

8. Speaking of UFC, we were told by an airport employee that we were watching 'Illegal Boxing'. I explain (more than a little shocked by his loud outburst) that it was not boxing but Mixed Martial Arts and completely legal. He kept on and on until HUGE ARMY DUDE steps into the fray and says, "We use this in the Army. We learn this in the Army. You trying to say the Army is illegal?" Tense, I am not kidding. I try to lighten the mood by explaining that Martial Arts (some arts)is an Olympic sport. That wrestling is an Olympic sport. And we all breathed a HUGE HUGE sigh of relief when the airport guy finally walked away. I'm all about standing up for what you believe in, but UFC? MMA? Boxing? I don't think I would care that much either way to want to cause a scene in a place of refuge. I'm just saying.

7. I overhear a visitor talking to Miss V about Cali and the beaches and how a friend had called him yesterday to say it was '71 degrees and they were heading to the beach'. I interject, "Was the ocean icy? Because that's turtleneck weather here." He laughed and conceded I had a good point. These guys are soooo reasonable.

6. Group of soldiers come in and we give our speech about the food we have to offer. The leader of the crew says, "Can I come around and look? Visual aids will help me decide." They all followed suit and chaotic hilarity ensued.

5. Soldier says to me that he hasn't been in a USO in over 14 years. I ooo and aww over how special we feel that he decided to break the mold with us. When he left he came over to say good-bye and thank me. The Chaplin looks over at me and quirks his eyebrow. "What? He hasn't been in a USO for 14 years!" He drops his mouth open and says, "How do you remember this stuff?" Hey, what can I say? It's a talent. Plus I need material for my TOP TEN.

4. The Marines watching UFC start talking about Generation Kill on HBO. I L-O-V-E this show and I L-O-V-E Brad. He's soooo hot...sorry, I digress. Marine says he likes that guy in Brad's Humvee, I say the guy who's always singing? Yes, Yes! We spent the next ten minutes discussing the show and throwing out random quotes...because it does have a lot a great one liners. WE totally bonded.

3. I have earned the title of 'Ice Cream Pusher'. It's like a dream come true.

2. Soldier says good-bye and thanks and throws me the thumbs up!! I froze in my tracks as I FINALLY realized where I have picked up this annoying habit. After that I got no less than FIVE thumbs up as my shift wore on. And you know what? It's not so annoying after all since I am mimicking some of America's finest.

1. Conversation between me and Marine:

Marine: I tried to win this war singlehandedly, but it didn't quite work out the way I expected.
Me: Do you find it hard to continue to live with yourself after that huge disappointment?
Marine: (laughs) I let a lot of people down. Every day is a challenge.

How cute is he for being so damn funny?

There you go. Another day, another dollar for the donation box. Tons of other great conversations from the night, but some of those are way longer than I feel like writing - and that's sayin' something based on the length of some of those posts above.

Until next time. Saving the world, one illegal boxing match at a time.