It’s time to start my Army career

It’s another semester of academically limping through my courses and being completely oblivious to the very red flags in my relationship with the girl and her family.

In today’s back catalog episodes, we visit a unique northern Nevada celebration, and jump forward to my last month’s in Carson City.

I’d be remiss not to go back and include some of my favorite memories from my brother-in-law’s visits to College Station.

High school’s wrapping up, but not before I piss off the faculty and find a girlfriend the week after I join the Army.

I was very fortunate in the Texas A&M Theatre department to be surrounded by some of the most talented set, lighting, and sound  designers, costumers, prop masters, and stage managers I’d ever met. Their tireless work to make me look good really paid off, until I opened my mouth and started “acting.”

It’s early 1982, and I’m a senior in high school. In episode 40 “Shock and Meh” I’m sharing the news that I’ve joined the Army with my classmates and co-workers to mixed reactions. And in episode 41—“Unorthodox, but effective” I finally learn how to ski.

In the fall of 1987, a wondrous thing happened in the Theatre Arts Department at Texas A&M. I met Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Charles Gordone and his partner Susan.

It’s the fall of 1981 and winter of 1982, and in episode 38 - “Edge of the cliff” I’m very excited about one upping an inappropriate high school tradition with some questionable behavior of my own. And in episode 39 - “Seemed Like a Good Idea at the time”, I finally make an irrevocable decision about my immediate future.

It’s summer 1987. The girl and I have landed in Tonopah to spend the summer living with my parents and working to squirrel away money for our sophomore year at Texas A&M.