(no subject)

[aadler]

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Well, let’s see. Much has happened since my last entry.

Part of it, I won’t be talking about here. I set off a firestorm at the writercon community, and I’m perfectly willing to let it play out there. This LJ will continue to be devoted to the same subjects I’ve showcased till now: activities in the Army, during those times I’m on orders; my family and personal life; my fanfic writings, and the worlds in which they take place. That list really does encompass my primary interests on LJ. (Comments, here, on the writercon kerfuffle, will be deleted without reply.)

I paid another visit to the Russian lady, had a pleasant time, and arranged with her for when I would see her next. Then I went to stay with my son and ex-wife for a few days, to review with my ex the pre-cruise checklist for our coming Alaska trip. Things continue to warm up between us, to the point where we’re both beginning to feel we need to be more cautious. We leaped into marriage, were unhappy for thirteen years (ten, for me, it took me that long to fully realize just how unhappy she truly was), and then spent another ten years getting over the wreckage. Neither of us wants to do that again, and we can afford to take our time.

On the other hand, I called the Russian lady and canceled my scheduled follow-up visit. I’m not ready to deal with that right now. If I’m getting seriously involved with my ex-wife (and if we’re not there yet, we’re definitely moving in that direction), then it’s unfair to continue what might become a serious involvement with someone else. In fact, I’m nearly — or already — at the point where I need to draw an end to the second relationship. I don’t know a nice way to do that. I don’t leave women; they leave me, while I’m still trying to find a way to make things work. I’ve never learned how to carry it through in a way that’s kind, fair, and thoughtful. And I know from painful experience that my instincts, in personal matters, just plain stink.

Okay, I can see that I need to give my ex-wife a name, simply because it’s awkward to keep talking about her without one. I’ll go with ‘Susan’. Before I came back home, Susan and our son attended morning Mass with me again. As we were leaving, we were greeted by someone we had met the last time, an old co-worker of Susan’s, and the woman 1) called over one of the lay ministers, 2) introduced me as Susan’s husband, and 3) arranged for who Susan should see to begin attending RCIA meetings (Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults). And, yes, likewise invited my son to attend Catholic campus ministry meetings at a nearby college; not the one he’s attending, but he may transfer there next year. I’ve not hidden from them that I’d love to get them into the Catholic church, but haven’t pushed it, and it was funny to me that others jumped in to provide the impetus, and that both of them seem receptive to the possibility.

(My son wants to go to seminary. If he does that as a Catholic, well, obvious problems. I want grandchildren, and I only have two kids, and I’d hate to see one of them ruled out as a transmitter of my genetic line … not to mention, he’s the one who would also transmit my name. Still, we’ll just have to see what happens.)

Though we haven’t spoken directly for the last several days, I saw on my daughter’s LJ that she’s been definitely chosen for the nine-month ministry trip to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea. I’ve been hesitant about that … but the moment I knew it was a fact, my feelings changed. China. My baby girl is going to China. I’m proud of her for her adventurousness, and I’m happy that she has this opportunity. China. That is just cool.

I have to get ready for Reserve drill this coming weekend. The last I heard, they were planning to push us out of a boat, let us swim to one end of an island, and then shoot at us with airsoft guns while we tried to get to the other. Good training, I guess. Frankly, it sounds tedious and uncomfortable. But it’ll be done in less than a day, and then no doubt everything else will be a matter of catching up on paperwork.

I still haven’t started re-writing the work on which I’m supposed to be collaborating with sroni. I’ll get to it, I really will. Just haven’t yet.

Comments

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Hi! Just added you. Don't delete me for mentioning the WC kerfluffle, please! I thought you handled it with a good bit of dignity.

Also, I live at Fort Hood, so that idea that someone like you enjoys fanfic and Buffy just tickles the socks off me.

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I didn't mean that "someone like you" to sound perjorative. Damn LJ, for not allowing comments editing!

[aadler]

Actually, given your mention of Fort Hood, I took the “someone like you” to be a reference to the continuing military thread in my LJ. No problem, and likewise none with the glancing mention of WriterCon. I just don’t want to start the whole thing over again here.