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Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 6 hours ago by SSDD - Reply

Just to give you an idea of how easy it is to dispute your "fact,"

Yeah, yeah...I get it. My idea of fun isn't too far off from yours.

When I'm home I go to my Cousins house and drink some beers with him in his garage....then we plug in the Ibanez' and show each other riffs we learned. We hang out till the early hours of the morning.

Sometimes I go to my Dads and get him out the door...we got to the local PNA and I drink a beer and we spend a few bucks on tickets. Last time I was home I spent $40 and won $200. We laughed and caught up on things. I love spending time with my Dad because I know he'll be gone soon. We're beyond "Son/Father" he is more of a best friend to me.

I sometimes fire up my Mugen Seiki MST1 Stadium Truck and go ripping it up at the local BMX track....when I don't feel like doing that I work on my Yamaha Banshee and fly down some trails running a fresh mix of Klotz.....it smells like cotton candy. There isn't much better than flying down a trail on a Banshee. Pure WIN.


My usual day HERE. I take my Son to school. Then I spend the rest of my afternoon taking care of my 11 month old. The time rolls around for me to pick my Son up from school....then we come home and I cook him something to eat and feed the baby a jar of food.

Between 4:30PM-6PM my wife comes home, at this point my oldest Son hasn't stopped talking since he got home. My hair is turning white at this point. Stress.

I do the dishes, clean the counters, cook the food, take out the trash and check my email. It usually seems the days I try to have food hot for my wife when she gets home are the same days she gets stuck at work longer.

My wife usually gets on FB on the couch and I sit in my chair....wishing there was something to do. Nothing ever comes to mind, no money for it. 7:30 rolls around and I tell my oldest to go to bed and we start to wind down from the hectic day. My oldest is at the point where he saps the energy from all of us.

Once he is in bed I watch a movie or play a video game till 9 or so then I go to bed....it's like this all week, every week. For the last 4 years it's been pretty much like this.

I don't drink much (only with really good friends) so the pub has no appeal to me. I quit smoking two years ago so there is no social smoking for me.

I used to walk once in awhile, but having kids means that is often sporadic. I'm sure if you and your wife have children you'll understand how much they really do change your way of life.

When I was younger (without kids) I used to go to the bar with friends, play darts, drink, talk about things going on, maybe smoke the occasional doobie, listen to good music....I was always doing something fun with friends. Now I'm so far away from them and many of them either died or moved away. Things are so different now, and many times I'll meet guys that are in the Military but I just can't connect with them. We have basically nothing in common.

I've been out of the Military for so long I forgot more than many of them know. All they want to talk about is work....which is all my wife wants to talk about. It's understandable but I can't relate anymore to the Military life. I used to be high speed, but now I'm low speed, high drag. Soup Sandwich....the very thing about Civilians that we Soldiers hated.

If I don't know anyone it's kind of hard for me to enjoy the things that you enjoy. I don't want to drag my kids to the pub, I don't like RC planes (helis are cool though), I can't even walk in a parking lot without my oldest almost getting hit! It can be a serious PITA.

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 6 hours ago by AFCartoonist - Reply

Oh, and one other thing - Man, I know how you feel. I hated Laughlin AFB and Del Rio, TX, more than you could possibly imagine. No one could convince me of a single positive thing about the place, and while I kept it inside, my wife sobbed tears of joy when we got our orders here. Funny thing is that if you went out the front gate, turned right and drove for five hours without turning a single time, you'd roll right into my hometown, and the scenery hardly changed. One thing you have that I didn't, however, is a DEROS. You had a light at the end of your tunnel, whereas I had no idea when, or even if, I was ever getting out of that hell hole.

So believe me, I get ya.

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 6 hours ago by AFCartoonist - Reply

I'll tell you, it really does suck to hear when people have such a bad time with what - for us - has been a great assignment. I'm also sorry to hear you've had bud luck with that garage, as I've had nothing but the best from them. It really is all relative.

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 6 hours ago by SSDD - Reply

I can assure you I do not snort coke lol.

Sometimes I feel like I should! You ever seen "Horrible Bosses"? That part where they have all of this extra energy! I WISH I had that much energy again! I was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy when I had energy! I feel super sluggish when I actually used to be quite athletic!

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 6 hours ago by AFCartoonist - Reply

Just to give you an idea of how easy it is to dispute your "fact," I live in Lakenheath Village. I enjoy walking down into the village, past the soccer and cricket pitches and centuries-old church, to the local pub to have a pint or seven with my British neighbors, and then maybe going for some fish and chips or kebabs. About half a mile behind my house is a fantastic nature area where I love to lets the dogs off their leashes to run, chase rabbits and just do what they do. When the winds are calm I fly my RC planes in the field I mentioned earlier, and just this Sunday two of my British friends were out there flying with me. My wife takes English horse riding lessons right across the street from that park, and volunteers to help the younger students and just work in the stables when she has time. All this, believe it or not, happens during the regular week after work as often as it does on the weekends, and year round. And all this is England - England I truly enjoy - and it's all within a mile of my home, which is a little more than a mile from the base perimeter.

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 6 hours ago by SSDD - Reply

Now let's drop the o and have a pint. 

I like that one. I'm don't counter everyone's positive outlook on being here. I just understand that a conversation is best when people discuss in turns...which is why I respond so often. All too often I meet people that say something then don't talk again. That is not productive to good discussion.

I'm not being sarcastic (not all the time)....and I have been told my brand of sarcasm is actually very funny. Someone once said I was like Lewis Black only better. I like that!

We've been here four years now. Our first years was so-so. Then things took a wrong turn and went south. It was a long string of BS non-stop. We got sold on a British car for far too much, our truck got vandalized in broad daylight, I had a rash of threats and insults based around a well known local car repair garage (named after a certain little British car), my wife had tons of problems with people in her shop....I mean she was coming home crying in my arms over the stuff. Very stressful for her. It just kept getting worse and worse and worse. To add to it the horrible weather and it all equaled "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Total cabin fever. It can happen here VERY easily.

We didn't have much money to do things....it isn't about mis-management of money either. We bought a new vehicle prior to coming over here, got screwed while taking a hop once (had to put British Airways tickets on a credit card to make it home....it maxed it out) etc...we had bills, more than most couples.

We know couples that have 5 digits in the banks.....that's not us. We can't just got to the Canary Islands as it would bankrupt us. We didn't plan for our first kid so that set us back some too. Everyone has their own way of life and our doesn't allow for expensive trips. We simply cannot afford to do it. It IS expensive here. We realize we lose the COLA upon gettin' back to the states but at least I'll be able to work! The kid is going into daycare so I'll have time for ME for a change.

I'm also in a unique situation as there aren't many USAF groups that cater to men. So suffice to say it was impossible to find guy friends here to talk about guy things with. If the tables were turned and I was in the USAF I suppose my wife would be very happy here and I'd be working so often that I wouldn't really take time to smell the flowers. When I did have the time to smell the roses I'm sure I'd be so proud of serving the USAF and proud that I was able to have this opportunity that I too would be telling the "Debbie Downers" stationed here to "pound salt". Sadly I'm not in the position to be happy about this place, neither is the wife.

I suppose later down the road we will look back and remember fond memories...but honestly for us this is a place that is better enjoyed as a tourist not a resident.

We DO plan on taking a hop here in the Summer at some point. I'm sure it will be better then because when it's done we will get to leave quickly! Cheers!

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 6 hours ago by sophie333 - Reply

I really hope you dont look back on your time here and regret how little you did. It seems like you've gone to a LOT of effort to prove how wonderful your home town is, im glad you're proud of it. Most people are proud of their hometowns, most miss them very much, it doesnt stop you from enjoying somewhere else for a tiny part of your life.

I know how it is with kids. As I stated before, we have two - under 4 and I can assure you I do not snort coke lol. We have one income and we still do stuff all the time. We did when we were stateside too - and on even less money.

oh...and my husband is from a tiny town in rural OH and he loves it here!

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 7 hours ago by AFCartoonist - Reply

I'm saying this place is NOT comfortable and you have to have money and time to travel away from here to truly ENJOY England. This is fact. You or anyone else cannot dispute this fact. You MUST travel AWAY from HERE to enjoy England....truly.

That is not a fact - that is your opinion.

I'm saying it is comfortable and you can very much enjoy it no more than a few miles from the front gate of the base. I'd call that a dispute, and you're not me, so you can't tell me I'm wrong.

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 7 hours ago by AFCartoonist - Reply

That person that told you " how the thrill would wear off and the quaintness of England would fade quickly" was SPOT on man.

Funny - I think he was dead wrong, and I've been here three years.

I'm from Katy, Texas. It's been more or less swallowed by Houston now, but if you could have seen it in the '80s, you just might retract your statement about not being able to understand. I think it's because I grew up in the country that I'm so comfortable here.

As far as getting your point, I get that you and your wife hate it here. What I don't get is why you have to counter anyone's positive outlook on this place with your particular brand of cynicism. You seem to think that no matter how excited or optimistic a person is upon arrival here, they'll leave with a bitter resentment of the area.

My point is that some people will genuinely love it here. You should let them - perhaps without the sarcasm.

That's my point. We've heard your point. Now let's drop the o and have a pint.

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 7 hours ago by SSDD - Reply

But that doesn't necessarily make this place the living hell you make it out to be. Some people like those things, and you have to accept that without getting all butt-hurt and feeling like it's your life's mission to spread the "truth" about the horror that is Mildenhall. 

Dude, I'm not getting butt hurt. I am not saying this place sucks the dogs danglies. I'm saying my wife & I don't like it.

When we first got here people asked us "How long you guys going to be here for?" We'd answer "4 years" and the USUAL response was "Ughh! Good luck....." and that was always said with a scrunched up face.

Doesn't anyone get it? Did anyone miss the part where I said we were optimistic and FOUGHT to get this assignment? Why isn't anyone acknowledging that point?

I did NOT (I'm not yelling, simply stressing the word) come over here with a bad attitude. I came over here excited and happy that we were going to England. We were utterly disappointed upon arrival. That person that told you " how the thrill would wear off and the quaintness of England would fade quickly" was SPOT on man.

If you aren't from an area like this one I don't think you could understand my point. Alot of people here are from California, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, NYC, Cleveland etc...there aren't too many people from Greeleyville SC, Rouseville PA....SMALL towns that people try to escape from.

Coming here from an area that is far in appearance to this place might be a good change of pace for someone looking to avoid the hustle/bustle of bigger areas.

Do you get my point?

For those of us coming from "Podunk Kentucky" we actually WANT the convenience of a bigger city/base and the enjoyment of nicer weather. That is all I'm saying. I personally dislike the use of so called "gritting salt" over here....that stuff IS nothing more than dirt/rocks with a little bit of salt mixed in. In the winter cars turn black regardless of their original color. In the Summer if you blink then you missed it. These are all real points that newbies likely aren't aware of.

I'm not making rude jokes about the place or it's people....all dentistry jokes aside I'm making real observations without embellishment. I'm not complaining about eggs being stored on shelves in the grocery store, I'm saying this place is NOT comfortable and you have to have money and time to travel away from here to truly ENJOY England. This is fact. You or anyone else cannot dispute this fact. You MUST travel AWAY from HERE to enjoy England....truly. Otherwise you are me....no money, no time and stuck here.

And seriously people, being stuck here is the for the birds. Do you remember being young and saying "I hate this place...it's so boring!" Yeah, that's because you didn't have money to leave. For us (I guess my wife must be as negative as me) PCSing away is like Heaven. We are so excited to leave. This last 4 years seemed like ages.

Also, raising kids is no joke. That takes a toll on my sanity. For you that say "Hmph! My DH and I traveled all over the place with all out thirteen kids and it was EASY! You have no excuse and are the most vile and disgusting piece of slime in the area....you sir give good Americans a bad name" I say you must be snorting coke to have all that extra energy, and you don't know me so don't insult me by saying I give good Americans a bad name. I never insulted anyone here, there was only one Brit I flipped out on and trust me HE deserved it. Shady git!

Give Americans a bad name....ha! I'm probably one of the nicest Americans here, besides that who the eff gives a rats patootie WHERE someone is from....don't judge people based on where they are from. That is negative and wrong, drop the pride of country act and be a flippin' Human Being for a change.

Be a grown up and understand my point on this. Only then will people quit attacking me about my stance.

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 7 hours ago by SSDD - Reply

My Bro-in-Law's band "Newmen"

Song is called "Perry St. Station"

Newmen

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 7 hours ago by AFCartoonist - Reply

I just so happen to dislike this area and HAVE to say something when people make it seem to great that they'd give up everything to live here longer.

That's just the thing. You act like we're flat-out wrong when we say it's great, although no one is telling you you're wrong in saying you don't like it. Opinions are extremely personal, and no one can tell you your opinion is wrong. And dude, really? You don't understand how someone would consider "I'm simply saying I can't stand this area" a negative statement? Not saying negativity in general is a bad thing, but how can you not see that as a negative statement?

I can agree with you that the snow gets slushy, and that there are pig farms here, and that the sun does some things most people aren't used to. But that doesn't necessarily make this place the living hell you make it out to be. Some people like those things, and you have to accept that without getting all butt-hurt and feeling like it's your life's mission to spread the "truth" about the horror that is Mildenhall.

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 7 hours ago by SSDD - Reply

Drakes Well

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 7 hours ago by SSDD - Reply

Johnny Cash!

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 7 hours ago by SSDD - Reply

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 7 hours ago by SSDD - Reply

I understand I may come across as "negative" so let me ask...honest answers here.

Everyone that has posted in this thread will you please share where you were born and raised?

I'll start:
(Post a pic if you can)

Titusville PA

























These are various shots of areas in my hometown or around there. The one with the football player...that is John Heisman.....he went to my Highschool.

I understand people have different opinions but in my own opinion THIS area (as in Suffolk) of England can't hold a candle to the beauty of my hometown. That said the winters back home are horrible and that is part of the reason I hate it here so much, snow. Am I the only person that hates it when snow starts to melt and get everything soggy/muddy? Or, is that just the charm of England? From my perspective I'm 31 years old and I've had enough of the nasty weather. Likewise regarding England specifically I cannot stand the weirdness of the Sun here....in the Summer (which is short as heck! Barely warm too) the Sun stays up all day and nearly all night....then in the Winter it goes down in early....too early. How is someone supposed to get used to that? I know I can't. I fail to see how I am so negative that people get up in arms.

It's not like I'm saying the most inappropriate things about England or British people....I'm simply saying I can't stand this area.

For you adults that are reading this you'll understand my meaning.

For you that can't seem to understand me I'll say it as clear as possible.

I'm glad for you, that you love England. I'm am happy that you are are so happy here that you'd give up US citizenship and live here forever. Great. Good luck to you.

I'm just saying I'd bet that LOTS of people coming here that "love" it are from big/bigger cities in the US. My town IS rural, my town IS farmland.....NOBODY stationed is "more country" than me....and I'm a damn Yankee! A REAL Yankee! That speaks volumes. What it should say to the people that can't pick up what I'm puttin' down is this....I've already lived in a place similar (but cleaner, safer and nicer) than Mildenhall my ENTIRE life. So you're dang right I'm gonna complain about being here! Nobody told us this area was full of pig farms and cow patties.

We were quite shocked when we first saw it. We were both (my wife & I) like "Really? THIS is RAF Mildenhall?!". Wow.

It was pure excitement on the plane over here....seeing Ireland from the sky, landing in London! WOW! AWESOME! Then we get in the taxi and the driver takes us to the middle of BFE. Yippee....my childhood all over again, except I'm older now and am glad I'm away from home. Now I miss it so much I cannot wait to go back. I enjoy so much about home now it isn't even funny.

O.o knows me....she can vouch that I'm not being a whiny little brat about this. I'm a very genuine, friendly guy. I just so happen to dislike this area and HAVE to say something when people make it seem to great that they'd give up everything to live here longer.

NAME CHANGE: *a3059017uu* is now *everything* - 18 hours ago by a3059017uu - Reply

that's right, the only thing constant is change

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Plus refreshments for the little ones and a cake if its a birthday??? They have a Mini Salon.. Plus they are Mobile
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Thank you Guys

Decent & Safe neighborhoods?? - 19 hours ago by O.o - Reply

We live in one of the tiny villages about 30-40 minutes from the bases and other than the commute it's pretty nice and totally safe! (knock on wood) My neighbors all watch out for each other and the kids are still free to play outside and walk where they want without any fear. It's nice :)

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 19 hours ago by Loving England - Reply

I for one LOVE it here! My husband and I just got our indefinite DEROS approved and could not be more happy about it! I honeslty believe that each base is what you make of it! My husband works long hours and deploys a lot, but we have still manage to get out as much as possible!

When we first got here I was in the BX looking for a new hair dryer when I heard a guy come up and tell his wife "Another thing to love about England, they have scissors, but they are $8 a pair". I laughed so hard about that! (still do) No matter where you go a good pair of scissors are going to be expensive! My husband and I now use that as a joke quite often! Whenever we have something petty irratate us we say "Another thing to love about England".

I know there are a ton of people that are not happy about being here, but telling all the newbies nothing but negative stuff about it is not going to help you feel any better so why not let them find out for themselves. To some of us the petty things people complain about are not a big enough deal to make us want to move!

New Housing rules? - 19 hours ago by O.o - Reply

That sort of attitude toward the utilities is a bit frightening.

I think it's true, we can forget how to live economically when everything is paid for. I had a great conversation with a lady the other day who said that a lot of AF families have SO many kids mostly for that reason as well. If they weren't in the AF and had to pay the "real" price for each kid, we might not have as many whipper snappers running around. Argue as you will, I thought it was a fair point.

I'd much rather that money go toward paying Dawnmom's energy bills than some crackhead's welfare check.

I'm definitely pro drug testing for the welfare check.

I believe that if you want to pay your own rent you can still live wherever you want in the area. Or have I misundertood this.

I think you understood it right. Are you military? Cuz unless you're pretty high ranking or an officer it's unlikely you will be able to afford to live off base. We don't get paid too much and the exchange rate can kill you :P

patriots or giants - 19 hours ago by O.o - Reply

Madonna was awesome!

Yea she was! I hope when I'm at the same age I've even got a fraction of the energy she has! And her figure! WOW! :D

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 19 hours ago by O.o - Reply

Well, I gotta admit that the place is growing on me...albeit reluctantly...and sorta like the moss I see everywhere in this rainy country...

lol but, yup, I'm starting to see the sunshine through the thickly overcast sky. Maybe it just took the husband being deployed and forcing myself out more often but I'm kinda looking forward to showing him all the places I've discovered since he's been gone. :)

One thing I WILL say that drives me mad and would improve living out here a MILLION fold would be if they could get some better, wider roads and street lights!

The thought of venturing out to explore the countryside on these precariously narrow roads that wind frequently, add to that the numerous people who decide to park at the most hazardous parts of the road without thought that they're creating dangerous blind spots, well it's disheartening to say the LEAST.

But...once you get to the destination dare I say it's almost worth it? Now when I travel I mentally prepare myself for the upcoming stressful drive, focus on the destination and how fun it will be, and try like hell not to think about how tired and miserable the drive back will be.

I hope I'm not being a debbie downer too for saying that but I can't imagine I'm the only one who thinks improved road conditions would make the experience more easy and enjoyable?

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 21 hours ago by Jeni - Reply

As a british lady may I thank all the lovely comments that have been put on here about my lovely country!

I'd say you're welcome, but it would feel funny taking credit for loving a place :-)

The biggest reason I so firmly stand up against negativity on this subject is that I see no reason "warning" people of all the "terrible things" they will face here. It's not like they can go in and say, "You know what? I've changed my mind, I don't want to go to England, just send me to Nevada please".
ANY base you go to will have adjustments and challenges, it's all how you choose to deal with them.

Decent & Safe neighborhoods?? - 1 days ago by a3606781uu - Reply

Mildenhall is lovely, we moved here from Leicester 20 years ago and I have never regretted it. My kids went to school here and have both married here, ok daughter did marry an american airman, but living right next door to the base I expected that, saying that though my son-in-law is like most of my american neighbours a lovely friendly chap. Beck Row, West Row, Soham, Fordham all good. Come live near me in mildenhall we will make you welcome I promise, we're the only english on our road and we love it!
Please try and disregard SSDDs comments I understand from other people on here that he tends to jump onto every thread and slag off England!lol!!

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 1 days ago by a3606781uu - Reply

Lol!! Kept getting told to clean up my language buddy on trying to post my previous comment, guess 'b*tch' is much higher up the abuse chain in USA than it is here!! too too funny!!

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 1 days ago by a3606781uu - Reply

As a british lady may I thank all the lovely comments that have been put on here about my lovely country!And to the SSDD 'househusband' may i say that you give almost every other american posted over here a very bad name! You are definitely in a minority as we know loads of ex - USAF personnel who upon leaving the force have chosen to raise their family in this country! In fact my daughter married an airman from Mildenhall (yep knew that would happen, lol!) and had to move to Missouri with him, did she moan and complain no she embraced the new country got off her backside and got a job!!!They eventually couldn't resist the charm of GB and he left USAF and they returned to Mildenhall. it wasn't easy for them to start all over again with no jobs, no house etc, but they did it because they(more so my American son-in-law) didn't like living in usa. I guess what I'm trying to say is if you don't like leaving the USA then get your wife out of the airforce and then you won't have to. Just saying!!

New Housing rules? - 1 days ago by a3606781uu - Reply

I thought that you were only going to be told to live on LW or LV if you expected the USAF to pay for your rent!
I believe that if you want to pay your own rent you can still live wherever you want in the area. Or have I misundertood this.

Shipping/Couriers in the UK? Why so not serious? - 1 days ago by sophie333 - Reply

My husband too works long hours, is E5 and we have two kids and one income. We have travelled all over. We've been to the Canary Islands, Spain etc Every weekend we try do something fun, or visit somewhere new.

I wasnt a fan of Tucson, as I said. But when people asked me how I liked the area I tried to pick out the positives. I didnt go ahead and say 'wow...it's too hot, looks run down as heck, has too much crime, politicians get shot in the head' no...I said how the spring time was lovely, how the food was great and it was well placed to take trips to CA etc. I guess maybe I tend to see the glass as 'half full' rather than 'half empty'

My husband loves America, part of the reason he joined the airforce yet he loves it here - he went to Korea to get back to Europe in fact!

New Housing rules? - 1 days ago by AFCartoonist - Reply

I hate that taxpayers argument. I pay taxes, and I'd much rather that money go toward paying Dawnmom's energy bills than some crackhead's welfare check.