The Jewish New Year

I have been moving my schedule around so I can take off for the Jewish New Year. On Friday I had to do all the yearly computer courses required in my profession. I took
four classes of EEO material, two on ethics, one on the Constitution, office safety, fire safety and Flu prevention. Luckily I took the computer safety course earlier and
one EEO class has to be taken every two years.

Tomorow I will go in at 5AM to do my monthly statistics. I have to fill out monthly
statistics, in addition to daily reports, local databases and national ones. Then the folks wonder why nothing gets done probably because we spend all day counting instead of working.

It has been over a year since I returned from Vermont. I miss Earl who is apparently either gone to the great beyond or has found a better food source than my frend Neil.
I enjoyed my trip across the country met interesting people. I went from coast to coast but missed out on Lee's Chicken. When most of my crew returned from the trip they were talking about Sea World or Disney. My favorite was still Fat Burger and Romano's Macaroni Grill.

The real highlight was spending veterans day with actual veterans at the Golden Coral. The restaurant wanted to comp us due to the nature of my work. I insisted on paying and many of the veterans shook the hands of my fellow officers. Three of us were actual veterans of the Navy.

My assignment has changed for the new year. Somehow, I was appointed to an elite squad. I did not expect or campaign for this type of unexpected honor. I did my best
and someone appreciated it. I never worked for honor or glory but for the American people. Hopefully I will return to ordinary work, but a stint of high profile cases is expected.

The years bring change and at these times it is good to reflect upon what has happened. I assumed that my career was largely over and I could glide off into anonymity. This assignment will likely land me on the path to an investigators slot
at some future date. I do not aspire to management a I have done that as a civilian.

I certainly miss my friends from Vermont and those from the road trip. I miss a couple of friends who do not come around like Florian, Kuhnkat, Esther, Bargholtz and
Justin. I am always greatful for those who are around and too numerous to mention and those I will meet in the new year.

In Vermont I did not socialize with the coworkers. Now I never eat lunch or go to the gym alone. My social calender is always full. Oddly women in NYC are much more aggressive than those in VT and they frequently ask you out.

I was lucky to get my last raise as a pay freeze and layoffs look imminent. I expect
the government to offer buyouts to the older workers first. Then all the recent hires
will go at a certain point. Government workers tend to return when the economy gets better. I am entirely sympathetic but having endured the inhuman process a break will come for those who persist.

I await my final adventure. Officers who reach the highest grade go for a two week training and are given the status as "journeymen". My paper should be delivered in either VA or TX. Either way it will be a road trip and likely my last adventure. I am on path to be appointed an there investigator at some point in the future so will be more at a future date.

Nobody knows what is in store for the future. When one door closes look for another to open.

I will return to normal posts after this moment of reflection tomorrow.