cipher-lock.jpgFor over a year, I have been working on a satellite program at one of the local aerospace mills. This morning, I took note of my routine as I went through the steps to get to my desk and computer workstation. I only have a few more days in this particular routine, so I thought it would be nice to record it here for posterity.

I don’t like alarm clocks, so I let my body wake me in the morning. Awake, now, I do the four S routine - sh*t, shower, shave & shampoo - before dressing and going downstairs. Once in the kitchen, I start the coffeemaker and take the dog out to the run so she can do her four S thing - sniff, squat, sh*t and scratch.

Then I pack up the lunch that the Better Half (still sleeping) left for me in the fridge, pour the coffee into my take-along cup and head back upstairs to kiss the Better Half goodbye. When I get back downstairs, I do the part that saddens me every time I do it - I open the safe and put my firearm away for the day - just so the citizens of California will be safe from the likes of me - a senior with a DoD security clearance and a clean record, who might go berserk at any moment just because I’m packing a firearm.

I have a fairly short commute to the mill, on the order of ten miles, or so. I drive on surface streets to get there and it takes me about twenty minutes to get into the parking garage under the building. I grab my badge and backpack and head for the elevator kiosk. I hold my magic badge up to the magic badge reader and voila! The door unlocks and I go in. Today’s elevator lotto resulted in the slow-as-hellivator opening up. Other choices would have been the funny-smellivator (large person with too much cologne recently rode in it), the padded-cellivator (cargo pads on the walls) and the dwellivator (the door stays open way too long).

When to door opens on the fourth floor, I key in the cipher that unlocks the door to the office area. Then, I proceed to the office suite area where my workstation lives. I key in the cipher to let me into the suite. Then, I get out an old-fashioned key and unlock the door to my office. I put down the backpack on my utility table and get out the food that needs to be refrigerated. I go across the hall to another office area where the fridge lives and key in the cipher to open that door. I put the food in the fridge and head back to my office.

From that point, it’s (usually) all downhill, working on documentation or code until such time as I have had all the fun I can stand. Then it’s home again, get out the firearm and relax for the evening.

Ahhhh . . . only seven more days of the commuting, badging, ciphering and working routine. After that, the real work starts as the Better Half and I prepare our California residence for sale while finding our new home in a place where citizens can exercise their Second Amendment rights. Wish us luck!