Starting high, so I can work my way back down to the ground.

So..I was pretty much over this blog but those people I work with on Sunday are RELENTLESS.

"What's on the Top Ten?"
"Did that make the Top Ten?"
"Stop being such a slacker and publish the stupid Top Ten"
"Quitter"

Okay, well maybe those bottom two weren't really in there but still. It was implied.

I love working at the USO. Great folks, great atmosphere, lots of people to stare at and make fun of (come on - it is the airport after all). Most of all I love seeing our soldiers, airmen, sailors, DOD...and that other group of...what are they?

OH YEAH! The MARINES!!!

On with the countdown (that last dig was at MFM whom refuses to break up with me)

10. When I get there (actually on time for a change) there is no one from my shift there. I'm all alone. With 2nd shift. What am I going to do? Should I run screaming? Will they stay to help? Am I going to have to open up the bar and let every man fend for himself? How will I check ID's AND serve food? What if I have to go pee? What if someone needs an escort? What if...? Yes, ladies & gentlemen...this is my thought process. Sad, isn't it?

9. Crazy Lady from the GP (General Public) rushes our doors demanding that someone call Security. Something about the flight crew refusing to let her board. I see a DFW arrest report in her future. I did what I do best, I stayed hidden until the drama had passed then walked out in the hall to stare at her from a distance. How dare she disturb the peace of this frozen sandwich sanctuary!! Crazy lady. Take THAT!

8. We pretty regularly have pilots (retired military, current civilian pilots). Okay can we stop right there? Do you see how very far I have come with my military speak? It's like mold. It grows on you. I don't want it. I don't like it. But there it is flying like runny poop off my fingertips and out my lips. I say things like "Bravo" - that's military speak for "b" - and I can call the PAP office to speak to the Sargent without peeing myself now. I've really grown. I'm so freakin' cool.

7. Since I ruined 8, here it is again promoted to 7 - We have a lot of pilots (civilian, retired military) come in. One gentleman in particular, is every week just about. He never eats what we serve. This Sunday is no different. He goes down to Chili's, comes back with a salad.

Chellie: Dinner?
Pilot: Yep. kdsjfoienvc?
Chellie (not wanting admit I have no idea what he asked): Sure!
Pilot (swings to a stop, stares in amazement): Really?
Chellie (oh no oh no oh no): Nah, just kidding. um..he he?
Pilot (looking relieved): Are you sure? I mean I always say I'll share but no one has ever said yes.
Chellie (IDIOT! He thought you wanted to steal his dinner!): Yeah, I'm sure. I was really just teasing you. Silly. Goose. (I run to the bathroom to die a little)

6. Cutest little boy ever:

"I'm going to see my Daddy!! I'm soooooo hhaaaappppyyyy!"

What a lucky little boy. And what a lucky Daddy to have such a great kid!

5. We had 3 LTC's come in. I would tell you what LTC stands for but I can't spell it. ;-) The first begins to tell me about this unit he's in charge of and I boldly (yes, I said BOLDLY) asked if he had a coin for us. He did...and so did the other two. It was like Christmas. The greatest part was the first LTC wrote a blurb about his coin, handed it over and kept saying, "Are you sure you can read it?" and "Can you read that?" Like 20 minutes later, he comes up and asks again. I was sweet to see that little insecurity in one with rank.

4. Cutest Dog Ever: Lola Let me just say that the owner almost accidentally on purpose misplaced her and that would have been because I stole her.

3. Largest Traveling Family Ever enters. I love all our visitors. Really I do. And I appreciate ever blink a soldier has every blinked. That's how appreciative I am. But really? I got the evil eye from the family because I didn't have an ice cream CONE. Had bars...no cones. Whatever. At least my hat wasn't wrapped in duct tape. JUST KIDDING. I hope they come back to see us again real soon.

2. I'm a pro at working the phone. I don't hesitate to answer. I'm one of the few..the proud...anyway...Mr. Bo Gingles mom keeps calling. Her son is stranded. For three days. What do I do? What can he do? What can you do for him? I calm her down, tell her to send Gingles to me and we'll take care of him. She calls again. Then again. And yet again. I loved her. That's the kind of mom I hope I am to my kids. I see so many of these young men and women with no one looking out for them. Except that Gingles was more embarrassed than grateful. haha!!

1. Ok. Sailor Boy. Fashion statement. So worried about his swimming trunks and combat boots he has to apologize. Except when I asked to take his pic, he busted out a GQ pose. I love the Navy. Sigh.

How was that? Pretty darn sweet. I'll post the pick of sailor boy when I get home...we blocked super cool mail sites at work.

For all of you that aren't aware - http://www.supportourseals.com/ - read it, support it, stand behind it. Rally May 3rd at the JRB in Ft. Worth. This situation makes my heart hurt. I think about Marcus and SEAL Team 10, and the choice they had to make because they feared being incarcerated. They let that goat herder live - and that decision cost them everything.

This terrorist is accused of being the mastermind behind the Blackwater murders, where American Security Contractors were tortured, drug through the streets and their charred bodies hung from a bridge for all the world to see. Our fellow Americans. Human Beings. The military has one witness. 1. There are 10 or more others that said the 'beating' never happened. Two of our SEALs are free, found not guilty. Now we wait to see what happens with Matthew McCabe. Here's to hoping he meets the same end as his comrades.

Don't make this SEAL your example.

Check me out on my soapbox. Damn, it feels good up here!

Until next time, saving the world one Navy SEAL at a time....