Ft. Hood, the largest military base in the free world. (Which of course begs the questions, “where is the bound world and who has their largest military base?”) I forgot to ask, I was distracted by an airfield full of $18 million helicopters, and lots and lots full of sandy colored jeeps, hummers, trucks, tanks and other unidentifiable to me vehicles.

I went to Ft Hood this weekend for a visit with “any soldier” as in, during the Gulf War you could write a letter to any soldier and maybe someone would write back. He did and we’ve been pen pals since 1991. I suppose once you meet a pen pal, he’s not your pen pal any more, just a regular old pal. Drat, I don’t have any pen pals left.

I learned ever so much about tanks and helicopters, about military structure and funding. I found out that the stuffed mushrooms at Olive Garden have meat in them, remembered why I stopped watching scary movies years ago and realized that “Grease 2” has a really funny soundtrack. :0) I found out my soldier pal is sci-fi geek. I love sci-fi, but I’m no where near as geeky as he is. (Geekiness is in the details.)

I reminded myself of the importance of relationship over life’s details. This is finals week, were I a “responsible” student I would have stayed home to study all weekend. But how often does one get to meet a friend she started to know years ago?

As females we constantly carry the weight of wariness. It was encouraging to know after all these years that he wasn’t an ax-murderer who wanted to rape and pillage me. I’ve heard all the horror stories about meeting people though the mail and on the net, but I was lucky enough to find another really nice guy. (I think) I’m a pretty tough judge of character, and he minded his manners so well. Of course before we met I may have mentioned the fact that if he “messed with me” I would have to stab him. That may have figured in. It’s hard to say. He may have thought I was kidding, but sufficiently threatened I believe I am that close to the edge of insanity. Thanks mom, I got that from you.