Entry #42: May 2, 2006

Camp Buehring, Kuwait (Somewhere near the Iraq border)

I’ve been doing some pondering about what I want to do when (if?) I get out of the Army. I’ve got some realistic ideas, some far-fetched ones, and some no way in heck ones.

First the no way in heck ones. I’d like to open a tiki bar, Irish pub, wine tasting cellar/cocktail lounge on a beautiful Southern beach. It’d be partitioned into two sections, the tiki bar out front and the first open area inside, serving beach drinks, playing shag music with a sand covered dance floor. The back section would be the Irish pub complete with Guiness, Jameson, and other Irish and British beverages with 24 hour sports playing soccer, rugby, and college football. Basketball, especially NBA, would be banned cause I’m short and I hate basketball and well, I’d own the place and it’s my decision. The wine tasting and cocktail bar would, of course be in the basement where there would be a lounge with leather chairs, a variety of wines, subtle lighting and a stage for jazz or acoustic music. The tiki bar would be for fun, the pub for business and hanging out, the lounge for class. I like it.

Entering the political world is an idea I’ve tried to stay away from, but I just can’t help thinking that it would be the place where I could influence life in a good way and perhaps inject some common sense to the legislative floor. It’s a vicious world, with daggers in everyone’s back, but I would enter unarmed and exit looking like a porcupine. Nonetheless, I think it would be beneficial. I’m not sure what I’d want to do in the political realm, maybe start by running for the state legislature and then move to other positions as I get a more firm grasp on what I think would be best. Just an idea. I haven’t really thought it through.

I’d like to receive my master’s degree and doctorate in history after I get out and teach at an institution of higher learning somewhere in the South, either big or small, doesn’t matter really. To support myself in this, I’d join the Georgia National Guard and continue working as an intelligence officer in order to keep both my Top Secret clearance and maintain the benefits. Also, I’d maybe like to write a column for a newspaper on the side. I’ve also thought about becoming a high school teacher and coaching a high school soccer team (maybe my alma mater, good ole Rockdale County High School, could use some clarity and guidance from me).

All I know is that I really don’t want to work in a cubicle. I don’t want to go into the business world and deal with maximizing profits concerned only about the bottom line. I want to affect people. Whether it’s through serving as a public steward (politicians often forget that’s what they are), continuing to serve as an Army officer, teaching bright, open minds, or instilling in boys teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline, I want to leave a lasting impression. I’m not out to make millions (though that wouldn’t be such a bad thing). I want to be rich in experiences and in life.