Naval Matters

LL

Time I showed you a little of me back in RN days, particularly given this last week has been one for remembrance. Sorry, not showing my face in these as I'm pretty well known in certain quarters these days.

The first one is from early days as a lieutenant. I'm the officer in the middle standing in front of the men for this division.:

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This one was taken on the day when I was promoted to this rank, in my thirties:

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This was taken right toward the end of my commission, just before I left the Navy for the world of finance. I had returned (from London and the USA) to say farewell to my old shipmates:

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I'll leave you to work out the rank and what the wings mean - the last part isn't too difficult. I applied a little disinformation when we were still corresponding 😉, as regards my rank, I was a little higher up the ranks than I said. And, more than a little higher than J***, the guy you saw when you were supposed to be seeing M, your retired colleague. I recall another P, too, but we both know what you were up to behind my back. Hard to believe you could take so much from men and give so little back. Not nice, not nice at all...and not a nice person as you said about yourself once, when you were a bit low.

I had a successful career in the Navy, as is borne out by the photos, both land based and sea based. my last posting was in London, where I was involved in...well I can't say, can I. My only comment would be that you would have to get up early to hoodwink me. That was part of my 'business'.

From there to the world of finance and then to where I am now. Not a bad life or set of achievements wouldn't you say. In part, I think that is what you couldn't cope with. Somebody way ahead of the curve, as far as life was concerned and, in time, way ahead of what you were up to. You were far more conscious of 'your' supposed social class than I was of mine. That's often the case with folk who seem to think they are at the bottom of the heap.

The secret is not to stay there. You have to be brave and take risks - neither of which you had or could do. Not even brave enough to face me...enough said, I think.

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Enough of all that, it left more than a bad taste in my mouth, metaphorically speaking.

Yesterday, 11/11, was a day for reflection. You didn't know, because I didn't tell you, but I lost a few friends whilst in the Service. Been remembering them today.

You'd love the island where we have been staying, warm/hot entirely made of sand and a little earth, hilly and surrounded by a turquoise sea. Being Oz it is quite civilized and our place looked straight out onto the Ocean. Back on the mainland on now (here that is - we are nearly a day ahead of the UK). I never cease to like this place, like many others I have visited around the world, despite it's insects, reptiles and snakes...and I've seen a few! You can be on the beach here in southern Queensland and yet drive into the mountains within an hour.

New South Wales border is just a few miles away (they use km's here), so if a change is wanted we can drive out of the tropics and head south. If you head north, it's best by plane as there are large tracts of just agriculture, sugar cane, bananas etc. I particularly love Cairns and the wilderness of the national parks up there. Just need to keep an eye out for salt water crocs. Real Croc Dundee country but Cairns and Port Douglas are quite civilized. 

Next stop will be Singapore to meet up with a guy called David who is a business colleague. Then from there back home to the USA. Pick up my own plane in LA and then fly over to our Florida home, where will spend Christmas.

How does all that compare with your planned trip to Spain (again!) in January. No comparison is there. In fact there is no comparison between the life you lead and the one you could have, if you had made the correct choice. Boy, what you have missed. So much and all in style. I still can't figure out why you were so foolish. Yes, I know you make poor decisions, that your judgment is very suspect, and that you are impulsive, but you must known that, even on the little information I revealed to you, your life would have been assured with a man,who was then in love with you.

A final little note based on something seen recently - you'll pick up on what I'm referring to, but I haven't had a take-out meal since I knew you. The 'toy' car that is a relatively new toy would fit on the back of one of our pick ups at the ranch in New Hampshire.

Ciao