Need...more...time!!!

So I'm quickly finding out that being a consistent blogger will take a lot of effort.  Okay, I really knew that...but still, it just seems like I can't find a good 20-30 minutes or so to just sit down and blog.  If I can't, I'll just literally take 2 minutes here and there over the course of the day to write, and then review later.  I started this blog early yesterday (Jul 17), but should finish today (Jul 18 - written in case I don't actually finish today and it's not published).  I see future blogs sometimes taking several days or more from start to finish, but I'm going to try to add it onto my schedule to just do, which is already full.  It's a bit challenging, because I don't have a regular schedule though, working different shifts all the time.  Regarding how long it takes me to blog, I'm finding out I can type a lot, but after previewing, I end up editing and taking out a lot of stuff that I feel didn't come out right.  It kind of feels like a waste of time when I do that, but in reality a finished product isn't a waste of time if it's written exactly the way you want it, or close enough, right?  Every writer/blogger goes through it too, I guess.  So today's first topic will be about time.  Everybody has 24 hours in a day....but not everyone has the same amount of time.  Get it?

Some people are busy with their jobs, their families, or both.  Then there's some on fb who update their status every 5 minutes.  To me, it means they have way too much time on their hands.  Some admit it by simply saying "I'm boredddddd...." on their updates!  I'm not judging but oh how I wish I could have that problem, as I'm rarely bored.  I definitely feel stressed at times with my full-time civilian job, Air Force Reserves job, and being a husband and father.  Now, the AF job is just as a Traditional Reservist (TR), which means one weekend a month.  So, on paper it doesn't look bad.  However, we also have to do at least two weeks a year, with many doing more than that when extra "man days" (active duty days or training days) are available.  These 2 weeks could be 14 consecutive days (including weekends), or spread out (one, two, or more days here and there).  The squadron prefers it spread out to take care of the "hot project" of the week or month.  I spread mine out, so in reality I do at least an extra day or two in the month, in addition to the weekend...so 3-4 extra days a month overall on top of my regular job.  I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say it can be rough at stretches when working many days in a row with civilian/Air Force jobs combined.  Then there's all the duties/responsibilities of being a flight commander for my AF job which is very time consuming....much more than the days I come in for the job itself.  This is one of the drawbacks of technology...you can work 24/7 now with a computer or smart phone!  Taskers/suspenses  (usually on the AF side) are what gets on my nerves the most...getting a call or checking your email to see a tasker is due NLT today, or NLT tomorrow.  Then I'm in rush mode.  The civilian job too gets extremely busy sometimes, as it's space operations....but I usually don't have to take work home, unlike the AF job. 

My situation is not unique, as many people work hard, and believe me, I'm not complaining about it.  I'm very happy to have a job, and I love both my jobs...it just gets to be too much at times, and I get exhausted.  However, I usually can motivate myself to "Just Do It" as the old Nike slogan goes.  Usually I just think about providing the best I can for the family, for one thing.  And honoring God by doing the best I can, and having a life of purpose.  I feel I'm doing a lot of good supporting the war fighters around the world with my GPS (civilian) job.

Sometimes my civilian and Reserves schedule conflict with each other, and I have to re-juggle the schedule through the schedulers, which can be a pain in the arse, because my civilian schedule is a "crew" schedule, and one person changing things can affect many more on crew.  So I'll end up making up for the civilian job shifts I missed later in the month, or take PTO (paid time off) for that...which usually doesn't give me a chance to build up many days off for a real break.  And that's what I need...a real break, or vacation!  Haven't had a break away from here since spring break 2011, when we went to Walt Disney World.  I've been on some short day trips, and a couple of TDYs (Temporary Duty Assignments), around the state and in Washington, DC...but no real break!  :\ 

Anyway, my hat's off to the hard working man and woman in this country and around the world...whether they're married, single, in a relationship...it don't matter, I know all can be truly busy in whatever they do.  However, I do want to give a special kudos to the married men and women who work hard while raising and supporting their family.  That includes men and women who don't work outside the home, but are stay-at-home moms/dads...that's the toughest job out there, IMO.

One last thing - I do always make time for God, even if it's just 2 minutes.  We all have a quick 2 minutes.  Usually I'll just say a quick prayer to thank Him for my blessings, and if things aren't going well, for His help and guidance.  Sometimes I may ask Him to just give me energy for the day, and He does, by making me make coffee for myself.  :)  Anyway, have a great morning/afternoon/evening!  (I think I may conclude each blog with that, since some of my readers are from around the world and thus, in different time zones!).

Cheers,
Easy