I'm basically a dry fish rediscovering water. Let the rehydrations begin!

Sadly, Monday landed on the 1st of May rather than the 4th. That would have been an epic anniversary date. Incidentally, I began and ended my last career in May as well; May 12th to May 29th. For consistency, I'll have to retire on May 31st. Anyway, it was a good start and I'm grateful. I feel that there is work for me already and I'm not nervous about fitting in anymore.

Today we deployed on our very first mission, as a new company, with the NM State Police to locate a person who has been missing since yesterday evening. We did not locate the subject, but the experience and training were just what we needed to get our feet wet. Seven hours on the road and five hours on our feet with a partially loaded pack under intense Sun has exhausted me. Good night!

Normally, I only check my weight on Saturdays to measure the progress. For whatever reason, I woke up too early and was bored/curious. After nearly nine months and 47 pounds, I have met my weight loss goal... exceeded it by one pound, in fact. Additionally, I have been sober for over four months and have not had a smoke in just as long. I don't exercise whatsoever, so my progress is solely the result of a change in diet and lifestyle.

We ventured out on a little foray into the mountains this weekend to boost the brain-box serotonin levels. Just outside of Ruidoso are several very nice secluded spots in the Lincoln National Forest along a creek with towering hills on both sides. Can't beat living only two hours away from a pseudo alpine environment. In parts, it reminds me of central Alaska or the UP, but without the mosquitos!

When I applied for the technician's position at the university, I knew it was a long-shot; an aspirational role that, frankly, I am grateful just to have been considered for. It could have ended after the first interview and I would have still been encouraged. Then, a second interview... and finally a background check. Fifteen years in nuclear security implies that my history is very clean, so this was not a concern. Yesterday, I was officially extended an offer which I immediately accepted without hesitation or even negotiation. Today, after having had some time to digest what has happened, it still feels kind of unreal.

When you land on the Home page (desktop only), you are presented with a randomly selected quote from a collection. Now, there is a function to 'roll the dice', so to speak, to load another one without reloading the page. You'll have to forgive the over representation of George Carlin in the quote box; I went on a bit of a binge this morning.