In the Air Force no more . . .

So thanks to AF mismanagement, fiscal irresponsibility and a dose of bad luck I find myself no longer a member of the US Air Force. It is an odd feeling, not having the AF or the extensions I have relied on for the last 12 years. So here I sit, in between jobs, houses and anything resembling a normal life writing this instead of working on my master’s classes. Plus side to that, once these two classes are done I will have my masters degree and hopefully that will increase the marketability.

On the other hand this is a great time for introspective and reinvention. I can literally pursue anything I want, tempered by the fact that I have family responsibilities to consider. I have dabbled in Android programming, though my Java is weak so I have a lot of catchup to do. I have applied to game studios and SCEA. Maybe there will be more jobs with the stand-up of SNEA. I have applied to traditional employers, government contractors and almost every sector you can imagine, trying to find that one that gets my juices flowing. Oddly enough I always thought my second career (post military retirement) would be something self started. I’ve toyed with the ideas of a comic/games shop, writer, freelance IT support and some other ideas, but most of those were contingent on that monthly infusion of money. Without it , I am much more reserved in my willingness to gamble.

So with no point other than to write, and hopefully clear out my brain so I can get my assignments done, I present me. My hair is growing out (what hair I have left) and I have a beard that would make Wil Wheaton’s jealous. The former hasn’t happened in 16 years and the latter has never happened. While I have no house, I am not without a home. I remain hopeful about the future in spite of the doom and gloom instincts that beg to take hold. And I seriously need to get my retired Dad an iPod so he doesn’t feel the need to share his music. 😛 j/k