Largest Flag

Happy Fourth of July. There are a lot of things going on to celebrate Americas Birthday. My city is having a thing going on uptown that we may check out in a little while. It last all day long and ending with fireworks at night. For now, I'm enjoy a cup of coffee and curled in a chair chillaxing on my day off.

As I look out of the windows, across through the neighborhood, The porches and yards are decorated in American themes and many fly their american flags.

Years ago there was big news about a big flag in my town. It is known as one of the largest flying American flags in the world. It sits at the foot of Crowders Mountain. I can see the mountain from my neighborhood.

It is visible 30 miles of its location. I'm only about 5 miles from it. I've seen it before on my drives, but knowing its one of the largest, makes it a cool sighting. It is not always flying. In fact they only fly it 2 or 3 times a year on special occasions.

This flag is a result of the efforts of The Gaston Chapter of the United Veterans of America

FLAG
  • It is visible 30 miles from its location
  • The total flag is 7,410 sq ft
  • 65 ft tall
  • 114 ft wide
  • Weighs 185 lbs
  • Each 13 stripes is 5 ft high
  • Each 50 stars is 4ft tall from top tip to tip
  • The base is in the ground 25 ft
POLE 
  • The pole is 225 ft tall
  • The pole is in the ground 25 ft.
  • The base of the pole is 5ft in diameter
  • Its only 18 inch in diameter at the top tip
  • The pole weighs 80,000 lbs! WOW.
(web photo)
Now that's a big beautiful flag!

I guess I'll get to moving around here. We may head uptown to see whats going on and later get some hot dogs to put on the grill. While I like to watch fireworks, Im not a fan of being in the type of crowd my town attracts. I'd rather stay safe in my yard and watch the fireworks over the trees.

"Everyone have a safe Independence day, Enjoy the fireworks and cookouts and hope no one burns their wieners".

The Interview

If you keep up with me, then you know I attended a Phlebotomy certification class a few years ago and continue keeping my license valid. I really want to do this kind of work one day.

While I am currently still at my twenty-two years behind this desk job, it hasn't stopped me from dreaming. There is something or somebody every day that pushes my button to ask myself,
"Self, You are better than this, why are you not looking?!"

Well, looking is what I have been doing. I have heard others tell me that I will not find a job making what I make now or that I will not find another job period. 

While they are probably 95% correct, I'm taking that 5% chance. So in the past couple months, I've sent my resume to four different places. 
~Two I have never gotten a response.
~One I got two emails stating they are looking at my resume and application and will be in touch.
~And one called me. After playing phone tag all day (I was working), I got a final message from a blood center letting me know they would be calling again in the morning at 8:30 and ask for about ten minutes of my time. 

So it happened. My first interview in twenty-two years. Even though it was a phone interview, I was still so nervous. What will they ask me? Will My mind go blank and sound like a pure T idiot?


Surprisingly, He was very pleasant to talk to and I didn't feel intimidated. He did most of the talking and made me feel at ease.



He told me about the phlebotomist position I had applied for. He admitted several times how impressed he was with my resume. They were interested in me. Wow. This felt good.

However, I had to decline the offer. It would require me to drive back and forth to the center which is thirty to forty-five minutes away. There I would only clock in and out as I would then be going mobile all over the state and sometimes have twelve hour days including weekends. I could be a mobile phlebotomist. I would love that. But I cant commit to those hours. 

The call ended with, "Well Mrs.D, if you ever change your mind whether it be six months or a year from now, get back in touch with me. 

I was flattered. Its wasn't much but it was something. I felt more important in those five minutes than I have at my current job in years.
I walked a little taller that evening just knowing I was recognized and had a chance. 

Until next time, I will continue doing what I do while I think about the future.