The Bow Tie
I'm sticking on a bow tie as I write this. I polished the brass on my uniform. Everything looks set. I however am not looking forward to this Dining-In for some reason. It's strange because I enjoyed wearing a tux for Manuel and Julie's wedding and did all that formal stuff and what have you.

I guess the reason why I don't really like this is because in the military, these "Dining-Ins" are something that you are SUPPOSED to do. Sure, you can opt out of these things, but that's something akin to telling your boss and all of your peers and your subordinates that you don't really care. I hope I don't emmanate that because I really do care. But something in which the culture almost requires you to be at this "optional" event just sounds a bit funny. I also think its trying to force yourself to smile all the time and trying to have all the right things to say to people. It's just hard.

It shouldn't be too bad, I guess. For myself, I'll be shaking many hands and saying a few things up front and we'll probably eat and have a toast to whatever anybody brings up. Oh well.