Folks, I'm going absolutely insane. There is sunshine, grass is turning green, the temperature has been over 70 degrees for a couple days and I'm about to lose it. Not because I hate this weather, I absolutely freaking love it. It's the fact that I'm a responsible student and worker (not trying to brag), showing up to classes, club meetings and my internship, all of which are indoors. The best hours of the day for working outside, getting dirty, and doing something, anything physical are flying by like a fox with its tail on fire.
This isn't anything new to me. Every year around this time and at the beginning of the fall semester when I'm stuck indoors, I want to be outside doing a physical activity. I understand that a large number of people think they get this as well, but they don't think about putting some red landscaping brick in front of random houses that would improve the aesthetics. Or how that backyard is large enough to put a garden in and what vegetables I'd plant in it. That lawn looks like crap, I could mow it better if I was blindfolded and high on peyote (note: I do not partake in drugs other than caffeine and alcohol, which are, as Homer Simpson would say "the cause of and solution to all life's problems). If I drove out into the country right now I'd stare at the fields to see if they are ready for spring planting.
This wasn't something I'd do four years ago. I wanted to get the hell away from farming and not look back. If I never had to walk beans, haul/harvest grain, set or remove fence posts, or deep-till a field again I'd be happy. That isn't true anymore. I've realized that the further I get from being outdoors and doing actual work, I go a bit nutty. By actual work I mean putting in a physical and mental effort in a job that requires commonsense, something the average American unfortunately is missing. Also a connection to the land that I haven't understood until recently in my college career. I've seen it in my grandpa and dad so much that I understand that those men will either be physically forced to retire or die doing what they love. I may have some of that stubbornness in me as well.
Don't get me wrong, I love writing. I've put a lot of effort into this and don't intend to drop it like a bad habit I picked up in college. I'm going to continue writing while I'm in the military and will hopefully find a job after my service where I can do everything that I love. I know it's not likely, but I read recently that the addiction to hope-dope never ends.
I think that the military will give me a good period of time where I will be able to judge whether I'm infatuated with picking up on part of our farm operation or truly need to do it. It will also give me plenty of outdoor and physical activity that I'll be able to gripe about it again to no one in particular, as well as experience in managing a large group of people, finances, and supplies. I'm beyond excited for that opportunity and ready to get through basic training then officer candidate school. I've decided if I can hack it, I'm going to attack the first opportunity to go to Airborne and Ranger school with the zeal of a Chicago Cubs fan and a new season (that damn hope-dope is wicked). I think I'm crazy and stubborn enough (both qualities of an Iowa farm boy) to make it.
Love it.
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