Join the new world

Dateline : Thursday November 24 (Day 1465)


I can't believe it's been over two months since my last article!
As they say, RL > Game, and my life certainly has been busy!

Today's edition of Bacon Bits, will not pick up where the series left off, that'll have to wait for another day. Rather, on this Thanksgiving Day I would like to share a little of my own reflection on family and thankfulness. I'm sure we all are doing a bit of this today, and mine is no more special than your own, so I would like to hear something from you all in the Comments section about your own life and thoughts this day.

Here's a classic Badfinger song a friend posted on Facebook this morning.
I think it's pretty relevant and I hope you enjoy it.



Two top stories in our local Arizona news present opposite ends of the emotional spectrum.

Last night, a small plane stopped at a nearby municipal airport for the pilot to pick up his kids for the holiday. The plane was refueled and Mom watched as her ex flew off with the kids for what was to be a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with Dad. Minutes later, the plane plowed into the Superstition Mountains. Words simply cannot express the sorrow. I won't even try.

Also yesterday, the last Arizona National Guard unit remaining in Iraq returned home, a bit earlier than scheduled, in time for the holidays. Families are reunited, children and Moms and Dads will be together this day and have much to be thankful for.

I present these two stories because... no matter where you are today, what you're doing or who you're with... we know there are others out there who are having a much cooler day, or the worst day of their lives. No matter what you're doing today, you have something to reflect on, if nothing else the very life you are reflecting on and the breath you take at this moment is something.

Every Thanksgiving as we gather family and friends around the table, set with feasts and flourish, Custer tells the tale of his homeless times-- "living out of doors," he calls it-- and the Thanksgiving Day he spent alone in the cold Detroit winter. We are reminded how much we have, and how it can all so easily be taken away, and that even in the darkest times we have at the very least the breath of that moment to be thankful for... and we can build on that.


Here in the game, there's a little something I have to be thankful for, and I'd like to share that with you now.


Transferring Out
I've applied to and have been accepted by our USAirborne, having finally reached their minimum Strength requirement.

I had originally joined our USArmy, but transferred here to get the essential entry level training that the Training Corps is famous for.
I stayed for the people. I declined several offers to join not only other branches of our own JCS Military, but also offers from the USAF and a couple militias.
I declined offers for leadership positions as well, preferring to see our younger players gain the experience in this game and through our family that will come in handy out in the real world.
Communication and cooperation, organization and structure-- these elements of life can be hard failures out there, and our Training Corps provides great opportunities to fail (a little) without paying real world penalties. The reward for success here is found when you lead a discussion or research group in school, or accept a leadership position at work, or even just in dealing with an unruly sibling at home.
Patience, understanding, acceptance, positive outlook and extra effort are learned behaviors, they're tools for success out in the world, and our Training Corps helps young people learn and practice these qualities day in and day out.

I'm just changing uniforms, friends, just moving in with our insane cousins up the road... you know, the ones with the barbecue and mountain of empty beer cans in the front yard.
You ain't seen the last of this old broad, not by a long shot.

Sergeant First Class "Libby" Bacon
311th Wolf Pack, USTraining Corps (retired)


Okay, so maybe this article does tie into the running theme of the series I had started, Who Are You?, in that on this day of reflection and thankfulness and sharing and caring, we can ask ourselves that question.
"Who am I, and what is my place in the grand scheme of things?"
I ask you all to consider that we are all both big and small, great and humble, we are mere specks in the universe and we are the most important.

Love your kids. Love your family. Love yourself.
Love this breath you take right now, and know that you matter.

Always and forever, your friend,

Elizabeth "Libby" Clift Bacon