No one really likes to think about an upcoming deployment. When a deployment is looming on the schedule, it means lots of extra work for the crew. Getting a ship ready for a deployment is an enormous amount of work. Sometimes as the family who stays home, we tend to think that we have the worst end being at home, but the extended hours and extended work really do take a toll on our sailors.
While all of these wonderful things are going on 6-12 months prior to a deployment, we often forget little things that we can do ahead of time, and everything gets made "last minute".
I'm going to write a few tips about things dealing with your personal electronics that can be done ahead of time.
- Cell Service. Who doesn't have a cell phone today? Well most are not just a phone, but are also a smart phone. Typically, before when the sailor left he would just turn in his phone or suspend his line, now carriers are making things more reasonable.
- Contact the carrier and find out about international cards or international as needed service. It may or may not work with your budget.
- Some carriers will sell or allow cards to be purchased that will allow the phone to work internationally.
- Cell Phones aren't just phones! Since most phones are smart phones, you have the options to add contacts, calendars, music, photos, etc to the phone. Even if you have cut off service to the phone, it will still work as a MP3 player, calendar and some will get Wifi. Use the time before he leaves to beef up these features. Go through the contacts and make sure you not only have everyone's phone number, but address as well. Mom would love a post card or 2 while you are gone. Use the phone as your personal calendar and electronic contacts. Make sure important dates like birthdays and anniversaries are all in the calendar so there is no excuse to forget.
- Don't forget Wifi! Most newer phones have the ability to work on Wifi for places that a cell signal is not available. If your current phone doesn't have this, look for it if you upgrade. Wifi on the phone means that even with no service, the phone could be used for email if it is on Wifi. Install an app like SKYPE and you can make calls when on Wifi. Granted, not every one, or every job has access to Wifi, so some will not have a benefit from this at all.
-Make sure for any electronics that he will be take with him, you have the item registered with the manufacturer and you have the serial number recorded. Especially things like MP3 players, and tablets. Hopefully, nothing becomes lost or stolen while he is gone. But if you have recorded the serial numbers, it will make it easier to report. Take pictures of everything as well.
It is always easy to say, oh nothing will happen.
But trust me, electronics are lost and stolen everyday Be Prepared!
Why is it so difficult for adults to understand the concept of mutual respect?
It is simple really, I don't let my dog poop in your yard, so don't let your dog poop in mine.
But for some reason this concept of mutual respect is completely lost on adults.
Children understand that if you want to play with another child's toys you must let that other child play with yours. The road runs two ways.
Since I have been diagnosed with RA and Lupus, I have found that suddenly, everyone is a fucking doctor. Everyone knows best. Everyone knows everything.
People simply do not realize how annoying this is. I am the one suffering, and yet, I have to suffer more, by listening to a bunch of non-medical people flap their traps about this and that and other things.
The most annoying part is that almost everyone who offers this unsolicited medical advice, I would love to give them some advice on their life. Stop being a bitch, learn to not be so trusting, grow the fuck up.
However, I keep my mouth shut and just nod and say ok. I pretend that I care about what they are saying and it will be right next on my list of everything else everyone else has told me to try.
I don't bother other people. I don't comment like crazy on people's facebook, I don't tag people in posts, I don't do anything to other people that I consider to be annoying in the facebook world. However, people still feel the need to comment on my stuff in a mean way, tag me in posts that will constantly be commented on, so my phone continually notifies me.
I guess it is all my fault because I tend to expect people to treat me the way that I treat them. I don't want you all in my business, so don't get all in my business. I don't run around telling you how to change your life, so don't run around telling me how to change mine. I don't try to convince everyone they need to scrapbook or watch Criminal Minds, so don't try to convince me to do whatever it is that you do for your lifestyle and for fun.
So in summary, unless I ask you what you think I should do about my Lupus or RA, Don't fucking tell me what to do!
