Elaine Albertson's Blog

      How to disobey a direct order...and get away with it Late Summer 1966 Seattle Sea Fair Stadium Grand Parade closing ceremony The West Coast U. S. Coast Guard Band and Honor Guard formed up just outside the tunnel that led from the parking area into the stadium; the parade that had just finished on the last day of Sea Fair ended here, with a passing in review to “King Neptune” and his Court. I was the Assistant Company Commander for the band unit, which was made up of a half-dozen “holdover” recruits whose talent got them 18 months of full-time duty in Special Services. I was one of the “holdovers” in the beginning, but within the year had advanced to E3; my “real” job, however, was working for the Training Office commander for Combat Squadron One. I had been asked to choose to stay unrated during my time with the squadron, as no one else with my skill set was available, and headquarters would not authorize a permanent “E3 and up” bill...

  Those Pesky Questions… A post or two ago I mentioned the iconic “prime questions” of psychotherapy, “Who am I?” and “What do I want?” I also mentioned that I thought it took me 60+ years to not only realize that, but to own it and actually try to make it all work. So, then I figured that, since I am widely observed to be nuckinfutz (think about it...I believe I own that word) and, concurrently perhaps, obsessed with helping people (eg., the Universe). First, thank whomever for the Oxford Comma. I’ll keep this brief...my humor is directly proportional to my total energy level. I am tired. Very tired. Who am I? I recently had the honor/pleasure of serving on a four-person panel in a focus group put on by the LGBT support section at the VA, and televised nationwide. It was an eye-opener for me. This was two years ago; I will be 76 in August, and served in ‘Nam; none of the other participants was closer than 15 years to me, and none w...