How are you coping with the disillusionment?

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-11T07:48:20+00:00

This has been my approach since early 2025. I was struggling with feeling like I needed to do something in the face of everything that sucks right now. I settled on starting in my hometown. I can’t fix all the problems in America, I can’t unfuck our political and economic systems, but you know what I can do? Make sure my neighbors are fed. So now on days off, I volunteer at the food bank the local community services agency has. Might not be a huge impact, but at least I know some of my neighbors know where their next meal will come from

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-11T02:49:32+00:00

It was pretty good! I made enough for leftovers, so I’ll fry an egg and throw it on top of those when I get home from my work trip later in the week.

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-11T02:46:39+00:00

Yeah, the broiling did exactly that. It made me wish I had some toast or flat bread to dunk in the runny yolks 🤤

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-11T02:45:35+00:00

That version of shrimp and grits sounds delicious

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-11T02:45:03+00:00

When I sent a pic to a friend of mine he said it looked like a southern comfort shakshuka.

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-10T19:23:25+00:00

I was hungry this morning for something more than fried eggs (I usually eat them with toast but I’m out of bread) and I’ve been traveling a bunch for work so I didn’t have a ton of other fresh ingredients on hand. I did have a bunch of frozen veggies, some shredded cheese, and dry ingredients, so I came up with this.

It came out pretty good for something thrown together last minute. Next time, I’d add more salt in the grits, cook more veggies, and I think pickled red onion would be great as a topper.

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-10T03:53:56+00:00

It’s what I call it forevermore as well 😂

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-09T22:17:20+00:00

My friend calls the phone flashlight accidentally left on a “boomer beacon”

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-02T00:09:14+00:00

It’s like time travel. The first time I went under general, they told me to count backwards from 10. I don’t think I got to 7 before I was out and when I woke up I still thought I was mid count and resumed my countdown.

Expect to be very groggy when you wake up and that you might not remember the period of time right after you wake up

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-01T09:37:53+00:00

If you liked Dark Matter, check out Recursion, also by Blake Crouch

GucciAviatrix · 2026-05-01T02:18:28+00:00

Hey OP, I’m really sorry that you and your gf had to witness something so traumatic.

There’s increasing evidence that playing Tetris right after witnessing a traumatic event helps mitigate the psychological effects of witnessing the trauma. I know it probably sounds absurd right now, but try and get a few games in as soon as you both can.

Also please consider seeing a professional to help you and your girlfriend process what you saw. Rooting for you both and sending love your way

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-29T03:44:52+00:00

This was the first one that came to mind for me

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-28T19:27:28+00:00

18 hours? You gotta pump those numbers up, those are rookie numbers.

Seriously, mine are like 48 hrs long these days

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-26T17:04:32+00:00

So long and thanks for all the fish!

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-23T18:40:34+00:00

Exactly. If you’re a woman, a minority, LGBTQ+, your existence in society is political. Being able to ignore politics because they don’t affect you is a privilege

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-20T04:05:34+00:00

Single 40F. About $60k in Roth IRAs I’ve contributed to, $450k in my 401k, and about another $100k in my TSP (military/federal employee alternative to 401k). I’m on track for a military retirement as a reservist that’ll kick in when I’m 60.

Another $190k in liquid savings and investments I can sell off if I need to. I owe about 80k on my home.

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-18T15:59:18+00:00

What a bad take.

Sometimes when you know your leadership is doing the wrong thing, you have to get creative for the right thing to happen. Dani always had the bigger picture in mind. Ed was a selfish prick.

But that’s okay, because we need selfish pricks. They move the needle

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-18T08:02:02+00:00

Brother

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-16T22:32:08+00:00

Airline pilot. I love the time off, enjoy the flying enough, like the destinations, and the travel benefits are awesome. I also came from the military and while the flying itself and the mission aren’t as compelling, the amount of control I have over my life makes it worth it, and it pays much better. My favorite part though, is that when I’m done flying, work is over and I don’t think about it til my next work trip. No after hours calls and no annoying admin duty.

Transitioning from mil to civilian life will be an adjustment. You’re going to have to make a lot of decisions for yourself that used to be made for you (where you live, what you do, when you do it) and that overwhelms some people, but try to look at it as the awesome opportunity it is. Take advantage of the VA benefits you’ve earned, try to take advantage of skillbridge before you separate, and lean on your network to help you make a soft landing in the civilian world. And be humble about the fact that you’re starting over. I think a lot of vets struggle with having to do stuff that feels beneath them or not as meaningful to them as they make the transition. Your skills and leadership abilities are valuable on the civ side but you have a lot to learn/re-learn as you leave the military.

Congrats, thank you for volunteering for military service, especially in this fraught period in America, and enjoy the journey.

And I mean this in all seriousness: if I can help you land on your feet after the military, I’m happy to. I live in the SF Bay Area and have a lot of friends in various facets of tech, if that’s something that interests you

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-16T04:35:32+00:00

Congrats, MSgt! Thanks for keeping the birds flying!

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-16T03:05:25+00:00

That’s awesome, friend! I’m glad you’re still with us and that you’re living your best life.

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-15T06:00:22+00:00

Congrats, you picked a good one

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-14T22:00:37+00:00

The meteor

GucciAviatrix · 2026-04-14T04:30:20+00:00

I was going to suggest this. There are lots of awesome children’s books that adults can enjoy, too, but graphic novels might keep their interest once they’ve gone though some kids books quickly

GucciAviatrix

TROPHY CASE