So I was thinking about deployment (this is how I think of my life in Carrollton, merely a long (2 year) unaccompanied deployment) and it's impact upon my artistic pursuits. Specifically, music and photography. For photography, I was looking at the Olympus Stylus 400 Digital. It's an all-weather 4.0 Megapixel digital camera. I figure this (the weather-proofing) will be important when I'm sitting in the sandbox. Plus, I could use the eFilm Picture Pad. It holds 40 Gig of photos!! I think that could last me a deployment. Now all I have to do is figure out how to rig all of that to a solar panel for recharging. :) I'm also thinking about setting up a Linux mail server so I can email myself the photos from wherever I might be. Now that would be cool...
As for musical pursuits, I'm thinking I need to focus on either a Harmonica or my tin whistle. Something small that I can bring along to keep myself entertained. Possibly even practice on a chanter, that way I can make lovely cat-dying noises in the middle of the desert.
I am however trying to reconcile my pleasure with the duties of an officer. I'm worried about my troops losing respect for me if they see me goofing off taking photos or playing music. I guess I'll have to wait till I'm actually deployed and see how they take it.
As for musical pursuits, I'm thinking I need to focus on either a Harmonica or my tin whistle. Something small that I can bring along to keep myself entertained. Possibly even practice on a chanter, that way I can make lovely cat-dying noises in the middle of the desert.
I am however trying to reconcile my pleasure with the duties of an officer. I'm worried about my troops losing respect for me if they see me goofing off taking photos or playing music. I guess I'll have to wait till I'm actually deployed and see how they take it.
