RickkciR

 Funny .. as I type this, I remember my Dad giving me some advice in HS.  It was simply " You'll always make more money  if you use what's above your neck vs below it" or something along that line.  Basically, nothing wrong with physical labor but, the big money and success is found in using your head.  Obvious shit, right?    That's what drove my career choices in the military.  I REALLY wanted to go into the Marines, but didn't see the upside.  Now in all fairness, in my teens I didn't realize the Marines had an aviation side.  Didn't have a degree yet,  so Officer wasn't an option back then.  Army, yep had my respect as well, but I viewed them all as infantry and the reality is far from that. They have some awesome MOS's and there is the Warrant Officer and Commissioned Officer paths as well.  Hell, I tried to get into the Marines AND the Army after my second enlistment in the USAF, but for various reasons that never ha...

Just the two of us.   Daughter lives out of State.  Parent lives out of State. “Petless” for the first time in the last three decades.  Debated on heading to MS as we have the last few years but for some reason wasn’t feeling it.  Lights and Tree?  Bah Humbug; wasn’t feeling it.  What to do … what to do.  Mexico! We’d just gone to Secrets in Cozumel the previous month and I wanted to change it up, but Lucy loves Secrets so, ….    Secrets it is.   Cashed in some miles for flights, got bent over a lil on the Resort costs (Holiday Pricing), but .. .we’re in.  Booked and Ready …    but this time, a nine dayer.  Huh … we’ve never done more than an 8 day trip … but … screw it .. here we go. Flying in the Big Boy Chairs Pretty uneventful getting there.  Same ol’ process; head to DFW early due to traffic, hang out at the Admirals’ Club, got some First Class tickets this time around, and we’re soon on the ground...

 Man ... been a few years since we've done this.  I usually push back because of well.... my schedule.  Got a Vaca' planned.  Few Parties attending over that month.  You name it.  But we have done it several times over the years and have to admit; I love the way I feel come February.  So much to the point one questions their Sanity as to why they partake in the first place, sometimes?  LMAO.  On a positive note, I don't put them back like I used to in my old military days.  Hell since then then, I've gotten to appreciate good Bourbons, Scotches and even Tequilas, but don't partake of them the last few years like I used to just a few years ago.  In any case, few days from now we jump in the fray.  Got to admit, has a lot of side benefits.  Biggest one is .... weight loss.  So, I'm going to jumpstart the New Year with a lil of that as well kicking up the gym time, etc.   Few more days we kick it off.. Dry Janu...

Such a simple concept, yet...   escapes many.  Too many.     If I'm headed to an event, meeting, dinner, almost anything ...  and running late I send a message of sorts or make a call, to let folks know.  Sometimes, no matter what, I'll shoot a quick text to the parties joining me. Do others?  Well, most don't. Hell, sometimes I'm surprised by others that show up, and that's okay.  But ...   don't be surprised when one walks through a door or rolls up and nobody is there when one gets there if ..... they didn't 'know.' Yesterday is a perfect example.  Event has been announced.  Location of the event announced.  A ride to the event with a start point and a mid point have been advertised.  Now, if one is going to go to this, shouldn't one mention it?  Shouldn't one know the final event location if needed (ie miss the ride with others)? If the others on the ride knew this person was coming, they might wait...

 We're all diff' animals with diff' purposes.   Yet, we all have a ton in common in the big picture.  I mean, for 'most' of us sane ones, you're either Male or Female.  Or you have religious beliefs or you don't.  Some believe in 'country' and go down the path of serving it, whether that be via Military and/or Law Enforcement ....  lets add First Responders as well here.  Some own/drive/ride Fast Cars, Classic vehicles, motorcycles, off road vehicles, Jeeps, etc. .. you name it.  Then our interests; Guns, Coins, Health ... games such as Golf, Pickle Ball, Volleyball.. .... we could keep on going ... wines, whiskeys.... I guess the list is almost infinite.  Along the way we tend to gravitate towards those with common interests ... Today I find myself wanting to post in my Motorcycle related blog, but ..this one applies across all areas even though my thoughts are on two wheels as I type this.  My 'thought of the day' is ...  ...

 First time we've been back in a year. Got back from Mexico, then few days later loaded back up on American and headed West.  Can't believe we've waited this long.  We've been all over the map, our daughter has been a notch busy .. .but now....  we're headed to see our baby girl. Quick 3 hr flight and we've landed at SAN.  Grab a rental car and 33 min later, pulling up at our Airbnb.  Chose to do this for a couple of reasons.  First, I MUST have a King Bed; her spare bedroom has a queen.  Secondly, when possible I always opt for a Hotel /Airbnb when visiting folks so every gets a lil space.  Guess there will come a time when that's not in the budget, but it is for now.   Get settled into a new space for five days and head over to see our girl.  She's got the N'Laws coming over for a Pizza Party which is awesome. About a dozen of us total, sipping beer, throwing darts, catching up, creating memories.  Then .. off to our wee...

When we roll up, always feels like our home away from home.  Can't believe it'd been over a year since we'd stayed here ...... two years to be exact. Few months ago I was in a boys room (TMI) and I get a text from Darla. "Secrets Coz this Nov??" .  Quick check of my calendar, looks clear.  When I get back to the table I run it by Lucy, I get a nod and by the time we leave that night to head home, trip is locked in the books.  Cool part of this one is I booked Air and Resort ALL with AA mileage points; BAM! First class seats, top of the line rooms on the beach......  gotta' love points. Well, Thursday is here, up way too early, pick up the Fosters and we're rolling.  Park in the 2 hr area with Lucy's handicap placard, my MSM plates make sure there is zero cost , and we walk a few feet into Terminal D at DFW.   Soon past TSA, onto the SkyLink and find an Admirals Club.  Vaca' has begun!  Few hours go by, onto the plane and ... 2.5 hrs. lat...