"Hey Sluggo, why is
your nickname, 'Sluggo'?" Glad you asked! In 1991 and 1992, I marched
with the 6-Time Drum Corps International World Champion, The
Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from Rosemont, IL. My first time I was
with the corps for tryouts, the newly appointed drum major came up
to me and said I looked like Sluggo from the cartoon,
"Nancy and Sluggo" The nickname stuck, and everyone in the corps
started calling me by my "new" name. While marching with
The Cavaliers,
I played the baritone and learned about hard work, discipline,
dedication, tradition, and much more on how to march and play well,
(at the same time even!) I would have "aged-out" of the
Cavaliers in 1993, but I joined the Air Force for 4 years.
Sluggo's Experience
I went to James Wood High School. My only interest was band. Our band at the time was one of the top HS Marching bands in the state of Virginia. I learned about Drum Corps from watching tapes in band. So, after high school, I marched with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. I marched with them for two years, then joined the Air Force. I was stationed in Grand Forks AFB, ND for four years. Traveling to Riyadh-Saudi Arabia, Marseille-France, and London-England. The day that I separated was the same day the floods started on April 17, 1997. I moved back to Winchester for the summer. Working at the old Boy Scout Camp I worked at during the summers of High School. Then I found a job being a customer service rep for a software company in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.
In the spring of 2000, I finally decided to be a Flight Attendant with American Airlines. I've always wanted to fly, and I now realize that I will never go back to a 9-5 type job again. I am currently living in Chicago and have started a whole new life meeting new friends and really seeing the "city life". Flying has been such a wonderful experience, flying all over the country and meeting many interesting people, including many celebrities.
Due to all the occurrences from September 11th 2001, the airline had to lay off more than 5,000 flight attendants. I got furloughed (laid off) on July 1st 2003. Fortunately it happened during the summer, so I was able to tour with the Cavaliers. I helped out driving a support vehicle to different show/practice sites. Even tried to help out administratively at times. I had a fun time helping out with the corps and getting to know the 2003 Cavalier members. Luckily for me, I got recalled back to work on December 1st 2003.
I was extremely happy to be going back to work, but became upset that I wasn't based back in Chicago, but New York. At first I was angry, but I soon realized how great it was to be based in New York, and how easy and fun it was to fly the trans-con flights from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco. In June 2005, I became a Purser Flight Attendant. That means that I work mostly on the wide-body aircraft, and am in charge of everything going on. Flight Attendants come to me with any problems during the flight.
It's fun to look back over the years of all the jobs that I've held. I worked for Things Remembered for 3 years. Worked at Camp Rock Enon, Boy Scouts of America Camp for 4 summers. Worked at a Children's Development Store, Early Learning Centre for a few months, worked at McDonald's for a few months. Marched with a Drum and Bugle Corps for 2 summers. Worked at a Pet Store for 4 years. Worked for the Air Force for 4 years. Worked in a Newspaper Software company for 3 years. Working for the airline for 10 years.
One of my biggest hobbies is my web page. I take great pride in what I have accomplished since I first made my web presence in 1998. I think I have come a long way since then, and I'm sure I will go a lot farther.