Life: Idiotropic

There's a huge party going on this weekend... actually, there are two, oops... no, three. And, I'm not going to any of them. It feels funny to have so much celebrating going on and not be a part of it.

Party #1:

The base is buzzing with activity. Large trucks and vans are spilling through the front gates in a steady stream now with food carts, decorations, chairs, tables, and all sorts of random things. Signs are going up and some streets are blocked off. This is the 25th Anniversary of the NATO AWACS here, so it is becoming a BIG deal. One of the airplanes flew down to Italy to get a very special commemorative paint job, and I think this weekends' party will be the first time that the base will be open to the public in the history of this component. So, they are expecting WAY TOO MANY people. The local farmers have offered up cropless fields for parking and people will be bussed in to the base.

Why am I not going to join the thick crowds and endless lines on a hot steamy day to see aircraft that I've seen before and eat great ethnic food that I can enjoy in peace on any given IWC night? Well, Kirk's not here and I just don't feel like dragging the kids out. I may join the tail-spotters on the road I take to the base. There's a good view of the flight line there and I can pretend I'm eating paella with the Spanish. They have Paella pans that make enough for 500 people. They are bringing 6 of those. Yeah - this is going to be big!

If you're curious about the goings on, go to the links below.

Geilenkirchen Air Base Website
Schedule of Events


Party #2:

This weekend is the big schuetzenfest in my humble little village of Gillrath. This morning when I drove by the party lot (a parking lot normally), there was nothing, but a truck. This afternoon, the concert pavilion was assembled as was the beer tent and kinder rides. On Saturday they'll have the big concert event. Last year we attended the party and saw Black Foose. This year For Example will be there, and I'll be getting the kids ready for bed.

Party #3:

Tiara's been a bit mopey recently knowing that there's a chance that she might not be in town on her birthday and even worse, that her friends might all be in the U.S.... so, unbeknown to her, I showed up at her school today as she was getting on the bus to come home and picked up 3 of her closest friends. The house was already stocked with hidden candy, ice cream sundae supplies, soda, and chips. Her room was a bit decorated, and 7 girl movies sat by the DVD player downstairs. We got home just barely ahead of the bus, so her friends ran up to her room to wait and poor Tiara walked right in a few minutes later having no idea what she was in for. It's been great. The girls have gone for walks, watched movies, dressed up, and have giggled and screamed a lot. The best part is that I really like all of Tiara's friends and it's really great to see her have fun. I was walking by her room earlier to come to the office and heard the girls talking. This quote just warmed my heart - can't get better than this!

So... I can't complain. Three parties, and I really don't need to be at any of them. I have plenty of other things to catch up on. And, the girls did invite me to have ice cream and watch a movie with them. It was nice, but I'll let them have their space.