27-28 SEP 07: ACCEPT COOKIE?

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: Guest bloggers are filling in while we're on vacation. This item was submitted by former Columbus TV and radio personality Robbie Watson.)

Greetings Richard and Company!

I'm a dessert first kind of gal so let's just get right to the sweet stuff. Georgia PLUS THREE AND A HALF, yeah baby. Now before you folks start about hindsight being 20/20, by the time I received that little revelation regarding last Saturday's match up against Bama it was too late to email the Blog. Let's just say I've redeemed myself with the loyal Georgia fans in my family (that would be everybody but me) with my "advice". People ask me all the time who do I root for and when I rattle off, Well I like Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Auburn, Ga Tech, Oklahoma...... the response is generally No, who do you REALLY like. It depends on the game. You've heard of homers (folks that always root for their home team) I guess that makes me a gamer! I love to root for the underdog. It's the MOST wonderful time of the year! I would sing to you people if that were possible via the blog. I feel like a million dang dollars for an unemployed person.

Since we don't have enough time or space in this blog to take on the Georgia Department of Labor, government workers, customer service representatives who honestly believe they are doing YOU a favor, phoning India for Dell computer service, bill collectors, Kaffie Sledge and those misguided folks in Louisiana, local judges who sentence child pornographers to a measly year in prison, fools who talk on their cell phones and drive, and the tax commissioner's birthday "present" to me every year, we'll just have to narrow it down a bit.

My job search has been rather interesting over the summer.

I was surfing the Chattahoochee Help Wanted site and noticed (like everybody else browsing that site, no doubt) that the National Guard was awarding a 20 thousand dollar sign up bonus. Admittedly, the money caught my attention first but I had to dig a lot deeper than my bank account while pondering the position. The Guard was advertising for a "Cook" and I thought now here is something I am actually qualified to do. Here is something I would be HONORED to do. Cook for our brave soldiers, what a cool gig. At the very least I thought since serving the country seems to be the litmus test on whether or not you can have an opinion about the war,(unless you're in Congress) I was ready to shut the naysayers up. Put up or shut up. I'm ready to go, I'd decided it's time for me to put up (and pay the power bill) So, I gathered the family around and announced folks, I've got the answer to our problems. I'm thinking about joining the military, what do you think? My husband laughed out loud and that was the extent of his response. My 12 year old was a little more vocal and a lot more emotional. The words had barely left my lips and my only daughter immediately started to well up with tears. "Absolutely not, mother!" My two young sons were oblivious, they just know big brother serves in the Air Force and he's the greatest thing since sliced bread so how bad could it be? I started to wonder how I was going to say goodbye to the children knowing full well I would be deployed sooner than later. How can I leave the children? What could be a more noble cause I thought to myself. So I called the recruiter who promptly started asking me all kinds of personal questions. How much do I weigh? The very sensitive female SGT replies, "Uhh, well you'll have to lose about 30 pounds or you can just come down and we can test your body fat, that's what they really use to determine if you are overweight or not." Helloooooo? My goodness these torture techniques are out of hand aren't they? Test my body fat for the love of God, now that's horrific. Can I be water boarded instead?

Okay, I would have to lose 30 pounds to go back into television so what the hay! I can lose 30 pounds for the military, not a problem. Next the recruiter informed me I would have to leave home for several weeks for basic training. AND THEN several more months to train for the position of cook. Train? WHAT ? you mean I don't get to plan the menu? I cook for these Dawg fans, what on earth would I need to train for. I bet the troops would love my artichoke dip and game day delights. Wait a minute, now we're looking at 7 months away from the kids BEFORE I ever deploy.

In those brief seconds it became abundantly clear I did not possess the courage to even cook for our troops. Then my eyes started to well up. I started to think about all the parents who serve this great country. The men AND women who miss out on months and years of precious time with their own children. For the first time in my life I had a glimpse, a tiny little glimpse of the real sacrifice these soldiers make before their boots ever touch the ground in Baghdad or Afghanistan. God Bless the people that muster the courage to serve, today's blog is dedicated to you.

As for my only daughter who didn't turn in her homework on time last week, she wonders is it too late for mom to ship out? One hero per family will have to be enough for now. Some of you may recall our oldest son served last Christmas in Afghanistan with the 41st Search and Rescue squadron, this year he's heading to Iraq. Please Pray for Michael Jr. and all who serve. I will spend the next few weeks mustering up the courage just to say goodbye.

Other items of interest:

* I mistakenly thought the Republicans didn't have a real choice in the presidential pool. After watching the Fox News debate Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is the MAN!

*After suffering through several minutes of Britney Spears play by play on FOX, complete with a five person panel, I've decided I don't like the FOX channel anymore. Britney Spears is not NEWS. White Trailer Trash, YES! but NOT news people.

* A little birdie told me Paul Olsen showed up in front of council complete with suit and tie a few weeks ago. Way to pay homage to Talkline Paul. Of course, he's not out delivering flowers anymore so he doesn't have an excuse to show up in tennis shoes. (I haven't watched an episode of must see TV on CCGTV since my departure from the radio show)

*Speaking of attire, is it just me or has anybody else noticed that drab beige "Members Only" knockoff jacket Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is always sporting? Forget about Columbia that fool needs to visit "What Not To Wear" while in NYC. He's SO eighties!

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BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: suspended for vacation