groundciv

Try almost anything in the nose section of a Kiowa sometime. I'm very excited not to have to work on them anymore.

I enjoyed OTR (what op does) when i was doing it, mostly just driving forwards on interstates and occasionally going on bbq hunts. I used to hate backing with a vengeance. Now i deliver groceries, gotta bump docks 6-9 times a day, and i find it pretty fun. Its a big dynamic geometry problem that allows me to piss off soccer moms. Sometimes ill do an extra pull up to straighten my cab to trailer even though i could just go in and unload because some angry hedge fund manager in an expensive suv is trying to edge around my rig to get to the golfsmith the back way.

Their rage fuels me. Also a good solid difficult back gives you a sense of accomplishment.

I'm 5'8" and it sucked for me too. Defog fucking blowers. Thats all that needs to be said.

I got a lot of more quiet empathy from the Vietnam Vets than the WWII vets, even in my own family. I've had members of my family in the US military during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam and the older guys who saw combat are usually much less openly supportive. I never got any lip about who's war was tougher or anything like that. I will say that the WWII vets were much more likely to let vague responses lie whereas the Vietnam vets might gently prod a bit to see if you want to talk about it. I think their treatment upon return kind of makes them want to be more supportive.

I do remember talking with my uncle, who had a lot of the same problems sleeping and such when he came home, and he asked me if there was any one thing I was thinking about when I'd fight for sleep. I told him the story, expecting maybe a pat on the head or something, and instead got a "shit, never saw anything that bad."

In my case it's likely regional and generational, however. Neither of my Grandfathers bothered to mention they had cancer until they had about a year left to live for instance. In general, I will say that Vietnam vets have been very supportive and a good source of "been there young man, it gets better in time" which has helped a lot. They've also been the #1 source of rounds bought for groups of crying men taking turns telling amusing stories next to an empty seat and a full glass.

Ever read "Shrinkage" by Brian Bishop? You might get something out of it, he's pretty entertaining and is about 6 years past the expiration date his Dr.'s gave him at the time of his diagnosis.

Also good luck and get better soon. Random internet strangers are sending happy thoughts in your direction.