The Zoo Keeper

I was reading my friend Ashton's blog, and one of his comments was something along the lines of 'joining the wild animals and leaving the zoo behind'- referring to working for someone else vs working for yourself. It's an interesting analogy.
It's funny to see someone talk about the Army as a limiting career. I have seen people restricted by the Army- but mostly those who would be limited in any profession. I suppose that sounds a little harsh, but, perhaps that is due to my personal definition of restriction. Some people hate filling out leave forms to go out of the area, or being on call, or the thought of deployments. Personally, a job with free medical and dental that allows me the opportunity to go to schools to jump out of airplanes, or to do nearly any profession I can imagine, as well as free college, constant opportunity for advancement, and many opportunities to travel to places I likely would not have ever seen had I not joined- well, I just can't see it as limiting. I think people can learn to be happy in any environment. Ashton cites this as almost a demanding, negative thing, but I love the Army, and, frankly, if one can choose to be happy, why shouldn't we? There's few jobs out there with the opportunities and, yes, Ashton, job security that mine has.
I tend to think folks can be happy in almost any situation given the right mindset. I'm not saying it's always easy, but with the proper motivation and tools, and one can make any situation work for them that could work against them.
This week, or the way it is going, at least, is a prime example. I am the entire clinic right now. As always, there is BOSS and Retention, CAPRS, my job as an eye tech, but now I am *it*. I am staying busy- I busted my butt this morning to make sure I was ready for the predicted influx of walk-ins this afternoon- and I am very tired- but, none the less, quite happy. I like my job, I am good at it, and I am productive and moving up. I am happy. Is it really that hard?
Anyway, I should talk to Ryan sometime in the next 24 hours, with any luck. I miss him dearly.
I had a conversation with a friend of mine the other day about step-parents and staying in one's own lane. I feel a little lost, I suppose, with this whole stepmother thing, but it was nice to hear that someone thought I was handling and viewing my role (or lack there of, really) appropriately. I look forward to having kids of my own, and I think having Karly and Josh around in general is pretty cool, but they have a mother, and, as my friend and I talked about, jealousy and/or causing trouble between one's spouse and the mother of their child(ren) is absolutely ridiculous. I suppose a lot of the perspective on my part comes from my security in my relationship, though- Ryan's had his fun. He's chosen to be with me. He loves his kids more than anything, and he takes care of them every way possible, and I, honestly, would never bother with him if he wasn't a good father to the children he has. It's pretty obvious how much he loves those two, though.
Regardless, I somehow went and fell in love with my crazy tattoo-artist musician friend, and, somehow, he loves me, too.
If that isn't lucky (or blessed), well, I just don't know what is.