In all my liberal arts, education-oriented, classical music , business career, I never, ever, ever, ever thought I would be sitting on a camp chair right friggin’ next to an F15 military fighter jet.
But that’s where I’ve been for the past three days at an Air Force Base–testing two parts of the equipment – one for something in communications and one for the helmet. My task was to verify that the written instructions match what the equipment specialist does when the test is in progress. Since I’m so new at the job, someone else wrote the stuff and it was all good.
(southern drawl) I’d tell ya more, but then I’d have ta kill ya. But since I don’t know much . . .
Anyway, these jets are truly awesome – sleek, powerful, intricate, delicate, fast as all get out and a really beautiful design. This is electronic and defensive engineering at its finest. They are so aerodynamic, the front tip of the plane is only about 1 inch in diameter so it creates little drag as the jet slips through the atmosphere. I saw several of them take off and land while I was there which was fun to see. The noise they generate is also truly awesome and I was glad for earplugs.
The test equipment is powered by jet fuel, so the fumes made my asthma act up and bit, and my allergies went nuts, but that was the worst of the bad part. The true test was enduring the boredom. Most of the three days I was there was spent waiting for something or someone. An incredible amount of time disappeared without anything constructive happening. That was the hard part.
Now I’m done with the testing and I’m packed and ready for the next leg of this week’s trip. I’m driving from Mt. Home to La Grande OR, my home town, to finish the last of the family business from my mom’s death. I have to buy a gravestone an pick up a few of her possessions including a picture I painted for her. Actually it was my first oil painting, and it’s not bad. Anyway, I’ll stay with my cousin and that will be a lot of fun. She and I have been friends since 7th grade, and that’s a long time ago. About 48 years. Holy Shit! Am I really almost 60?
Where’d the time go? Which brings me to the next angst builder. What do I want to be when I grow up? When I was a kid I decided I wanted to be eccentric when I grew up. Ok – been there, done that. Will probably always be that to some extent. That’s what’s next. I don’t really want to sit next to F15 jets waiting for something or someone for very much longer. Time is just too precious.
What’s next?
We’ll see.