Slowly Turns the Wheel

[mlerules]

The time has come, the Walrus said, to speak of many things...

Today's article on "Easing Standards for Our Military" (thoughts welcomed) came to my attention just after I pulled out of the overflowing In-Box the Selective Service System Form 404 (board member application), enclosed in a letter dated 10/31/07 from the Region III director. Okay, adding to a nearly frightening level of synchronicity is the song that just came on: The Cardinals' Wheel of Fortune. *shakes myself and continues*

Well, it's just not that easy these days to describe/explain myself simply. I've chatted w/several folks recently 'bout the difficulties of labels. Item 21 of this fed'l form asks for my "Occupation" while Item 22 requests my "Occupational Category." Unfortunately, neither "In Limbo" nor "Biding My Time" appears on the list.

The thing is, I haven't ruled anything out yet. I'm sorta retired, but I might return to the ranks of the more "gainfully" employed - oh, and don't even get me started on this topic...glimmers of Candy Apple red buttons). Heck, it's not even clear what I'm retired FROM exactly, although 07 - Legal seems to edge out 03 - Education. Furthermore, 17 - Student doesn't really work b'c I know they don't mean "Student of Life," which is what I truly am more than anything else on the list. 15 - Self Employed doesn't really work either. And I don't even feel as if I'm qualified as 08 - Homemaker since I'm rarely home and have yet to pull the place together. Can one be a single (as in living alone) homemaker? Several years back some dear friends suggested I take on the title of "Professional House Guest." This amuses me but doesn't quite work either. I've considered "Roaming/Roving Community Member" but am pretty sure the gov't won't be understanding or sympathetic to this kind of nonsense, regardless of its truth.

Anyway, I'll figure it out and work on getting it in soon enough. Hmm. Will pull out my olde paperwork (I did this down in SoCal for a few years before moving Northward) and see if'n I had to sign the same "Oath of Office" bit. My hackles're rising because of the oath's last few words: "SO HELP ME GOD." As if that has any bearing or extra weight over and above my giving my word and swearing (or rather: affirming - at least this option exists). Still. Not that huge a deal. ("Slippery slope, slippery slope" echoes in my mind.) And I have no problem swearing to support and defend the CONSTITUTION of the U.S. Well-worded bit, this.

Interesting. I do not think of it (the U.S.) as a her. Purely gender-neutral, this ideal - in my mind at least. And that's where it exists. In my mind. Not in my heart. Not in my soul - although this could be argued, I s'pose.

"You are old, father William...and your hair has become very white." Okay. My hair's now officially 05 - Gray. Not yet 06 - White though. Labels...

Okay. Reading all the small print's made me realize I needn't affirm/swear to anything quite yet. That happens after the initial interview. And it's possible that there won't even be a spot available for me for years to come. Given the messes We're getting ourselves into these days (note the royal We), however, it strikes me as better safe than sorry to at least get into the running soon. 'Cause if it happens, it's gotta be done right.

Comments

[sheistheweather]

Forgive me, but what is Selective Service?

[jimkeller.livejournal.com]

The polite word for "The Draft Board." :)

[sheistheweather]

*raised eyebrow* Oh? Pardon my youth, I know little about it.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

'Specially as a female yout.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

If there were another draft (compulsory conscription of our able youth for military service), the Selective Service System (http://www.sss.gov/Default.htm) would handle it and the all-citizen SSS Board Members are part of the appeals process. All U.S. males are supposed to register w/Selective Service when they turn 18. Sort of a stripped down rite of passage.

[jimkeller.livejournal.com]

I would think "Retired" best fits. Many who claim this title re-enter the workfarce.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the comment. I'm leaning in that direction. And yes, I appreciate the not-a-typo. ;-)

[ladyegreen.livejournal.com]

O.o

I think we are on all kinds of slippery slopes.

Labels you: 42 - Experienced Life Seeker

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm thinking I'm actually a 42B - Experience & Life Creator.

[ladyegreen.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think you are right. Definitely should go for the 42B.

*hugs and love*

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

*ditto batchatcha*

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Um, that should be BACKatcha...sigh...silly fingers. ;-)

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

:-)

[stacymckenna.livejournal.com]

I tend to favor "Intentionally Unemployed"

;P

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Ah, quite true, but again, not a listed category... ;-P

[elainiac.livejournal.com]

Ahoy you!
I would like to get in touch with you.
Please send homing seagull back my way with your reply...
unless you know of a better method to get in touch with people.

[vismaya-viewer.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it's hard to select a box when one lives so far outside it. I guess I could check 'homemaker' as a potential box since I'm sure 'sex slave' or 'house elf' are not in the offerings. Is 'artist' or 'writer' a choice? I'm sure I barely fit the first option but reminding those who judge that Tolkien took seventeen years to write LOTR might slip me into the latter like a fat girl into a tight pair of jeans. ;o)

Box Jumping

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

For some reason "homemaker" seems like what they'd want to hear from you/peg you into, 'cause you do make/create a nice home for your fambily, even if the actual structure of the fambily's not exactly what They prolly have in mind as a fambily. You are certainly a writer as well, but methinks They seem more interested in how you earn your pay/money (with which to pay your taxes). Spreader of Joy/Light really should be one of the boxes, though, IMHO. :-)

Re: Box Jumping

[vismaya-viewer.livejournal.com]

Speaking of 'spreader of joy and light', is 'shaman' or 'clergy' a box? Though not much income is usually had by those professions by which to pay taxes; you can't usually count being paid in chickens. For gardening this week I was paid with cuttings and seeds; I'm sure a little harder to tax that.

I do like your potential box as 'professional house guest'. I was talking with sidhefire and we agreed that our homes stay cleanest when we have frequent company. It also functions as keeping one on their entertaining game so in a way you are a 'household cleaning facilitator' and 'entertainment trainer'. ;o)

Re: Box Jumping

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Hee! Yeah, one of the reasons I've toyed w/getting back in the habit of having folks over weekly for a meal is that this'll force myself to grab the pitchfork more frequently and keep the mess under more control. Mind you, I've got an incredibly high clutter tolerance, so I hope folks don't feel obligated to tidy massively (or at all) before my arrival. *glances distractedly around the room and starts worrying 'bout what all I must do today*

[clayshaper.livejournal.com]

Labels are eeeeeevil. It's so hard to fit yourself into boxes someone else drew up. :/

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have to chop myself into bits and stuff myself into a mess of different boxes, and that gets bloody and messy and confusing and then I start moving 'tween boxes and crates and portals and worm holes and the next thing you know, all heck's broken loose...

[clayshaper.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, it's all fun and games untill someone loses an eyeball... ;)