CONTACT!

Here is Spc. McFlute's address (corrected 4-8-09):

McGinness, Elizabeth
C Co 1-61 INF
3rd Plt. Wolfpack
Fort Jackson, SC 29207

Please be sure that your envelope matches this exactly. I am told that failure to comply with this directive could result in the non-delivery of mail, or in push-ups for Spc. McFlute.

Also, please don't send food or the like. This is not allowed by the Army and will most likely result in punishment for Spc. McFlute and/or the rest of her platoon. If you feel the need to send cookies somewhere, I know of a lonely husband who could use a cookie or two...

Spc. McFlute specifically asks for prayer regarding her sleep. Sleep schedules are somewhat erratic at Boot Camp and Spc. McFLute has also had a little bit of difficulty falling asleep the last few nights. The more she sleeps, the better her life will be.

If you want to write, but are worried that you are too lazy/busy/lame/important/forgetful to address an envelope, let me know and I will mail you a pre-addressed envelope so that you can participate in "Operation Inudate."
Thanks for your friendship, prayers, and letters!

An inch is as good as a mile.

Spc. McFlute has arrived at Fort Jackson. I know this because I was speaking with her as the bus was pulling up to Fort Jackson, SC. I further know this b/c The Powers That Be

(henceforth known as "TPTB"...everything in the Army is an acronym or abbreviation. For instance, "POTUS" is how one in the military identifies oneself as having KP. "POT" is an abbreviation for "I will be scrubbing pots" and "US" refers to "we who are doing the scrubbing." "KP," of course, is an acronym that stands for "Kome Klean up my Pots, Potlicker.")

saw fit that Scp. McFlute call home and inform Mr. Spc. McFlute that she had indeed arrived safely, was reasonably content, had not been directly screamed at by a participant in the Army's "Non-Commissioned Officers With Low Self-Esteem" (AKA "Drill Sergeant") program, and was scheduled to begin the Basic Training portion of Basic Training on Monday (Lord willing).

Spc. McFlute made a statement (or issued a reminder, depending on your perspective) in her very first letter home (or "VFLH") that I found compelling and would like to share with you.
She writes:

My life is no longer my own [having officially taken the oath of office...err...allegiance]. I'm trying to work on turning my will on and off, stifling my reactions, and keeping my opinions in check. Just do. Wait. Wait some more.
But my life has never "been my own." I am a servant to a Higher purpose and calling.

Thanks for the reminder, dear. It is as pertinent to those of us at home as it is to you. Just don't tell the Army that there is a higher calling...at least not until you get the direct deposit set up.

Speaking of perspective, over the last couple of days I've noticed some pretty distinct people groups that take themselves way too seriously. This is by no means exhaustive, as I'm sure all of you people (who should think twice before saying "I know you are, but what am I?") will attest.

1. The Cialis guy. If you watch ESPN you know exactly who I am talking about. He's kind of excited that his pill will last for 36 hours, but not so excited that he doesn't have time for his daughter (or is it his girlfriend?)'s surprise visit just when he thought "the mood was right." He's also not too excited to issue 23 seconds of warnings and possible side effects. Also, you need to know that you should not take Cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain.
2. The folks at the Due Process Facility in Dallas. Especially a certain sergeant who I will not name here , but who's initials are Casey at The Bat. Really, if you guys saw yourselves in the proper perspective (you are being kept out of the way so that you don't screw up something that is actually important) you would make life better for all the folks passing through the Due Process Facility (by the way, the acronym for "Due Process facility is "MEPS") AND you will probably live longer so you can enjoy those military retirement benefits that you are racking up. To be fair-ish, Spc. McFlute did have positive experiences with one of the civilian employees at the un-Due Process Facility. She found him to be not only competent, but also personable and friendly!
3. President Pelosi and Vice President Reid, and to a lesser extent, Speaker Obama and Senate Majority Leader Biden (Biden could probably be safely left off this list). I think their inclusion is self-explanatory.
4. Hewlett-Packard's level 2 customer service supervisors. These folks have a fancy title (compared to the level 1 lackeys, but not compared to the Customer Care Case Manager (CCCM) that I eventually got to talk to), but no power. Their only power lies in their ability to transfer you up to the next level, and to wear down a customer's defenses by repeating the same four sentences over and over and over and over and over and over and...for approximately 5 hours and 42 minutes (but who's counting?). These may be the Due Process Center's closest rivals for least efficiency for the greatest number of people award.
5. Finally, those poor soul's for whom the euphonium is their first and only instrument. May they one day see the light.

Speaking of taking things too seriously, I encourage you to go to your local watering hole and ask your friendly server for an ice cold "Triple Gold." If they look at you like you are crazy, you just might be.

Spc. McFlute and Mr. Spc. McFlute appreciate your continued prayers. Keep watching this space for information on writing to Spc. McFlute. If you are inclined to send cookies, please don't. Spc. McFlute is not allowed to receive packages containing food or adult-type pictures. Instead, send your cookies to me, and for heaven's sake throw those dirty pictures away.

Here we go...

Spc. McFlute is getting on the plane, so I guess we are really going to do it this time.

I am a little surprised at the way I am reacting to the to the entire situation.
I think my reaction is stronger than it outwardly appears. I am not terribly emotional over the separation, but I have noticed that I have taken steps to greatly simplify my life. Most notably, I have not followed current events and politics with my usual gusto, and it has been difficult for me to get the motivation to practice. Also, I am finding myself more drawn to a daily routine than normal. I find my mind turning to Scripture (which is good!) rather than working out complex trombone issues or plotting to take over the world during whatever down time I might have.

I spoke with Spc. McFlute a moment ago and she seems to be handling the change in a very healthy way. She is able to take care of business but has found moments of down time (actually, lots of down time at the Due Process Facility) to reflect, journal, write letters, pray, and grieve as needed. I am afraid that her time for reflection will be severely curtailed over the next weeks but I am sure that she will be able to find ways to process healthily.

I will leave you with one of the verses that has continually come to mind lately:

Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Click HERE for alternative translations, and for context.

Whoa boy...

This is intended to be a historically accurate account of Spc. McFlute's journey to "The Band."
I will chronicle the earlier days of this quest at a later date, but for now I have to skip straight to the present (by way of the past) to explain why Spc. McFlute is, at this very moment, in the kitchen washing dishes, rather than a minimum security, hard labor, basic training facility.

Essentially, this is Al Gore's fault.

If he hadn't invented the internet (internets?) it would not be possible to transmit digital fingerprints through virtual tubes from the Due Process Facility to the Federal Underwear Drawer of Investigation. Apparently, Spc. McFlute's fingerprints don't translate to the digital medium very well and the Bureau has rejected them twice. Somehow, SFC Recruiter-Lackeye found a hidden process that he wasn't aware of before (we assume that this discovery was made concurrent to a stern phone call from "The Band") and was able to waive the fingerprint requirement, pending completion of an INT, or, in civiliian language, an interview. INT passed, waiver granted, Spc. McFlute says an emotional goodbye to her knight in shining armor, and then to Mr. Spc. McFlute, and heads to the hotel to await her sentencing...errr...shipping. All is as right with the world as it could be at a time like this.

As morning dawns (actually, well before dawn) we find our heroine in the first of many lines. She is called out and told that though the waiver had been granted, the inmates at the Due Process Facility neglected to fax them to the varous offices to collect whatever documentation the Pharisees and Levites require for these kinds of things. Having been properly not chastised at all (who could really expect folks to functon within the role that they have been assigned?), Spc. McFlute was forced to sit in hard labor for over 5 years (hours) before Mr Spc. McFlute was able to intervene with SFC Recruiter-Boss and have her retrieved. Coincidentally, the forms that should have been processed yesterday arrived as Spc. McFlute was getting up to leave. There was much rejoicing (for in the Due Processing Facility even the smallest and worst timed successes are reason to celebrate). In the spirit of good cheer, SFC Recruiter-Boss waived the hotel requirement.
And that is how Spc. McFlute came to be washing dishes at home, rather than at a minimum security, hard labor, basic training facility.
We will drive down to the It's About Dang Time Due Process Facility in the morning for a second try before most of you wake up, unless you are in Africa.

Cross your fingers...