and thus Operation: Arctic Illinois is at and end. good times. visited family and friends, got gifts and shared the fun.
visited with John and Chia. we went to his house; visited, then to her house; visited, then to Meijer; screwed around. later we met up with Catherine at a bar and hung out. i finally left town around 1am.
all was good; the drive back was hell though. i hit this nasty snow storm in Indiana, and i kept through it until half-way through Ohio! real bad. but i made it to Mark's around 4pm. relaxed for a couple hours, then headed back towards the ship. left at 7pm and got to the ship at 2am today.
long drive.
so now im tired as hell. and its off to bed.
Friday, December 28
Wednesday, December 26
long day yesterday. visited relatives, had a good time.
today i hung out with Seve and Laura. later ima visit the Gilberts, John and Christina and i are gunna go to Cat's afterwards. hang out with them for a bit, and hit the road around midnight.
should be at Mark's around 11am.
man i really dont want to leave. ive been having such a good time!!
today i hung out with Seve and Laura. later ima visit the Gilberts, John and Christina and i are gunna go to Cat's afterwards. hang out with them for a bit, and hit the road around midnight.
should be at Mark's around 11am.
man i really dont want to leave. ive been having such a good time!!
Tuesday, December 25
Monday, December 24
so yesterday John came in. bout 1140pm. we ate at IHOP and hung out at Cat's, were around 3 they left, and i stayed.
other than that, i bout new wiper blades. and a pair of winter gloves/work gloves. and ate at SnS again.
theres some drama going on with the group. people not liking other people because of past experiences with them, all of which is somehow preventing everyone from hanging out together while everyone is in town.
goooo figure.
Grandma and Gramps are coming to the house for a visit and help with the polish side of the cooking. fun times.
other than that, i bout new wiper blades. and a pair of winter gloves/work gloves. and ate at SnS again.
theres some drama going on with the group. people not liking other people because of past experiences with them, all of which is somehow preventing everyone from hanging out together while everyone is in town.
goooo figure.
Grandma and Gramps are coming to the house for a visit and help with the polish side of the cooking. fun times.
Saturday, December 22
yesterday Steve and i dressed out and visited Mr. Rowe. it has been a long time since i saw him last. it was really awesome. he has these spiral binders he calls "The Book". if you did something bad, you would have to sign it and write what you did. he keeps them all, so Steve and i went through the 96/97 one. our names are in there quite a bit!! and most the time whose ever name is there first is followed by the other. we were such trouble makers.
so we talked and reminisced of the good old days. before we left he got our mailing address. said he and his class would send some things. it was a good time.
afterwards we both went to Fridays for lunch, then to LWS and visited my mom at the schools library. we were going to make a surprise visit to Steven's class, but they look busy at the time.
later that evening me and Steven went sledding and snowboarding at the Knights of Columbus hall. there was still snow on the hill there. even if it was wet and melting. we had fun. on our way back i took the truck with Steven in the back for a little off road experience. he liked it.
lets see....later that night Steve and Laura came over. we were all bored so we went to 7-11, then to Meijer, then to Laura's. i was tired around midnight, so i came home, went to bed, and got up about an hour ago!
today: nothing planned so far. Liann is having her birthday party today, and ALL her friends are coming over, so im going to have to find someplace else to be...
so we talked and reminisced of the good old days. before we left he got our mailing address. said he and his class would send some things. it was a good time.
afterwards we both went to Fridays for lunch, then to LWS and visited my mom at the schools library. we were going to make a surprise visit to Steven's class, but they look busy at the time.
later that evening me and Steven went sledding and snowboarding at the Knights of Columbus hall. there was still snow on the hill there. even if it was wet and melting. we had fun. on our way back i took the truck with Steven in the back for a little off road experience. he liked it.
lets see....later that night Steve and Laura came over. we were all bored so we went to 7-11, then to Meijer, then to Laura's. i was tired around midnight, so i came home, went to bed, and got up about an hour ago!
today: nothing planned so far. Liann is having her birthday party today, and ALL her friends are coming over, so im going to have to find someplace else to be...
Friday, December 21
another day, another day.
Wednesday night i hung out with Steve and Laura and Jon. we ate at SnS, and went to Laura's and played Guitar Hero. David joined us as well. he finally got his license!
so then i left and took Liann shopping. interesting. i swear im not related to her...
anyway later that night i hung out with Catherine and Christina. i ended up sleeping over at Cat's place. and the rest of yesterday was spent in Chicago with Cari, whom i haven't seen since senior year in high school. it was a ton of fun! we ate at a really good family-owned restaurant, then walked around on Navy Pier and saw "I Am Legend" at the IMAX theater. veeery good movie. then we met up with Joe Tiberi and Jessie at Cari's house and watched Dick Tracy. got home...bout an hour ago!
today, after my hour or so nap im driving Li and Dave to school, and me and Steve are going to visit Mr. Rowe in our dress uniforms. he was our 5th grade teacher, and the BEST teacher we ever had. itll be awesome.
after all that its family time. maybe ill see Joe before that though....today is is only time off during the daylight hours...
John comes in on Sunday.
hard to believe Christmas is in 4 days!
Wednesday night i hung out with Steve and Laura and Jon. we ate at SnS, and went to Laura's and played Guitar Hero. David joined us as well. he finally got his license!
so then i left and took Liann shopping. interesting. i swear im not related to her...
anyway later that night i hung out with Catherine and Christina. i ended up sleeping over at Cat's place. and the rest of yesterday was spent in Chicago with Cari, whom i haven't seen since senior year in high school. it was a ton of fun! we ate at a really good family-owned restaurant, then walked around on Navy Pier and saw "I Am Legend" at the IMAX theater. veeery good movie. then we met up with Joe Tiberi and Jessie at Cari's house and watched Dick Tracy. got home...bout an hour ago!
today, after my hour or so nap im driving Li and Dave to school, and me and Steve are going to visit Mr. Rowe in our dress uniforms. he was our 5th grade teacher, and the BEST teacher we ever had. itll be awesome.
after all that its family time. maybe ill see Joe before that though....today is is only time off during the daylight hours...
John comes in on Sunday.
hard to believe Christmas is in 4 days!
Wednesday, December 19
Operation: Arctic Illinois has kicked off!
turns out there was some confusion with the leave days, and it actually DID start the 17th.
me and Mark left around 11am, and got to his place in Scranton, PA around 8pm. the weather was fair; very, very windy.
so i spent the night at his place. more like partied the night at his place! his whole family was there, and a bunch of Mark's friends stopped by; we all drank the whole night. bout 1am i went to bed. it was a blast, they are quite the family! fun to be around.
so i got up, had a big breakfast, and hit the road again. weather was very nice too, the roads were dry pretty much the entire way to IL. and not much construction traffic around Chicago either. i was happy!
today me and the parents are going to stop by the bank for some business. then probably go out o lunch. ill call Steve up, maybe we will go snowboarding; theres a lot of snow on the ground, but the weather report is saying its supposed to warm up by Saturday, and even rain. boo.
hope is snows some more instead!
turns out there was some confusion with the leave days, and it actually DID start the 17th.
me and Mark left around 11am, and got to his place in Scranton, PA around 8pm. the weather was fair; very, very windy.
so i spent the night at his place. more like partied the night at his place! his whole family was there, and a bunch of Mark's friends stopped by; we all drank the whole night. bout 1am i went to bed. it was a blast, they are quite the family! fun to be around.
so i got up, had a big breakfast, and hit the road again. weather was very nice too, the roads were dry pretty much the entire way to IL. and not much construction traffic around Chicago either. i was happy!
today me and the parents are going to stop by the bank for some business. then probably go out o lunch. ill call Steve up, maybe we will go snowboarding; theres a lot of snow on the ground, but the weather report is saying its supposed to warm up by Saturday, and even rain. boo.
hope is snows some more instead!
Sunday, December 16
THIS JUST IN:
me and Tim are driving West heading towards base. we get on the interchange between two major highways. im driving along; first i should say its 11pm, raining hard, and theres a lot of cars on the road.
anyway im cruising along, Tim is asleep in the passenger seat, and right in front of me, not more than 300-400 yards, i see headlights streak across the lanes. immediately i think, oh crap, theres been an accident. sure enough i pull over to the far right lane, (which happens to be an exit lane) and in the knick of time see a Toyota Corolla smack its driver trunk side panel into the barrier. i shake Tim and yell "Tim, Tim! theres been an accident get out!!" i stop abruptly, jam it into park and throw my hazard lights on.
the whole front end of the car is ripped off and laying in the lane we're in. i can see the smashed up radiator. the front bumper is laying on the passenger side of the car. headlight glass and fiberglass are all over the lane we are in, and pieces are in the lane next to us. thankfully nothing big was in the traffic lane. i can see the rear panel that hit the wall all smashed and the trunk door is jarred open. the driver door wasnt jammed however.
i get out of my truck, run over to the car, (which has started smoking from the engine at this point) and theres a woman, maybe 50-60 years of age, in shock in the driver seat.
i say "Ma'am are you okay? are you hurt?" shes in shock so she doesn't say anything. i look into the car, the airbag is covering her lap so i cant see if shes pinned, but at least she is alive and breathing.
so i said "ma'am im calling 911 just stay there"
i tell Tim to go over and watch her. i call 911, give them all the info i need. meanwhile Tim is talking to her making sure she doesn't go into cardiac arrest or anything. while on the phone, another car pulls over, and thank god, because one of the occupants was an EMS guy. he gets on his radio and calls for help too, and gave a more detailed description of the injuries.
so after i hang up with 911, i start directing traffic to move over to the left lanes. i throw a cone out behind my truck to signify "caution". still, cars come speeding feet from our cars and us, as if they never see the accident. freakin' bastards. pay attention people!!
by this time, in the far left lane another accident occurs, a mustang sideswiped the barrier. i thought about running over there to help, though it wasnt as bad as the one in front of me, but there was too many cars flying down the other lanes. i just stood there on the other side and watched as a few of those cars came within inches of hitting that mustang.
instead i grab a road flair out of the truck and tried to light it to aid with directing traffic, but its old and didnt want to light. by the 90th time of striking it trying to get it to light, EMS arrive.
i toss it into the tree line. piece of crap.
anyway the police got my witness report and other important contact and personal info. he said thank you very much for stopping and helping. "not too many people would do what you two did. especially at this hour in this weather condition. nice work." and he let us go.
its been awhile since ive witnessed an accident....and a first for aiding someone in an accident. i hope i never have to do that again; and though i responded with extreme quickness, i was scared as hell the whole time. when i first pulled up just after she hit the wall, and my headlights were shinning into the car, and she was just sitting there, not moving, looking all wide eyed, i thought for certain she was dead. that airbag saved her life. and me pulling over and Tim and I responding as quick as we did saved her too, i believe.
so far my weekend has been quite interesting!
me and Tim are driving West heading towards base. we get on the interchange between two major highways. im driving along; first i should say its 11pm, raining hard, and theres a lot of cars on the road.
anyway im cruising along, Tim is asleep in the passenger seat, and right in front of me, not more than 300-400 yards, i see headlights streak across the lanes. immediately i think, oh crap, theres been an accident. sure enough i pull over to the far right lane, (which happens to be an exit lane) and in the knick of time see a Toyota Corolla smack its driver trunk side panel into the barrier. i shake Tim and yell "Tim, Tim! theres been an accident get out!!" i stop abruptly, jam it into park and throw my hazard lights on.
the whole front end of the car is ripped off and laying in the lane we're in. i can see the smashed up radiator. the front bumper is laying on the passenger side of the car. headlight glass and fiberglass are all over the lane we are in, and pieces are in the lane next to us. thankfully nothing big was in the traffic lane. i can see the rear panel that hit the wall all smashed and the trunk door is jarred open. the driver door wasnt jammed however.
i get out of my truck, run over to the car, (which has started smoking from the engine at this point) and theres a woman, maybe 50-60 years of age, in shock in the driver seat.
i say "Ma'am are you okay? are you hurt?" shes in shock so she doesn't say anything. i look into the car, the airbag is covering her lap so i cant see if shes pinned, but at least she is alive and breathing.
so i said "ma'am im calling 911 just stay there"
i tell Tim to go over and watch her. i call 911, give them all the info i need. meanwhile Tim is talking to her making sure she doesn't go into cardiac arrest or anything. while on the phone, another car pulls over, and thank god, because one of the occupants was an EMS guy. he gets on his radio and calls for help too, and gave a more detailed description of the injuries.
so after i hang up with 911, i start directing traffic to move over to the left lanes. i throw a cone out behind my truck to signify "caution". still, cars come speeding feet from our cars and us, as if they never see the accident. freakin' bastards. pay attention people!!
by this time, in the far left lane another accident occurs, a mustang sideswiped the barrier. i thought about running over there to help, though it wasnt as bad as the one in front of me, but there was too many cars flying down the other lanes. i just stood there on the other side and watched as a few of those cars came within inches of hitting that mustang.
instead i grab a road flair out of the truck and tried to light it to aid with directing traffic, but its old and didnt want to light. by the 90th time of striking it trying to get it to light, EMS arrive.
i toss it into the tree line. piece of crap.
anyway the police got my witness report and other important contact and personal info. he said thank you very much for stopping and helping. "not too many people would do what you two did. especially at this hour in this weather condition. nice work." and he let us go.
its been awhile since ive witnessed an accident....and a first for aiding someone in an accident. i hope i never have to do that again; and though i responded with extreme quickness, i was scared as hell the whole time. when i first pulled up just after she hit the wall, and my headlights were shinning into the car, and she was just sitting there, not moving, looking all wide eyed, i thought for certain she was dead. that airbag saved her life. and me pulling over and Tim and I responding as quick as we did saved her too, i believe.
so far my weekend has been quite interesting!
Saturday, December 15
well the year's last underway was the busiest.
we ran drills, scenarios, and GQ's almost everyday! there was not one moment our ESG wasnt being "attacked" by hudongs, enemy aircraft, or fast approach boats.
but it was all very good training.
and we were ONE POINT away from getting Battle E. that would have been another ribbon to the bunch! oh well. we still passed as #1 in our group. thats how the Nash does it!!
so leave doesnt start until the 18th now. some mix-up with emails. which sucks, cause thats a day less i have to spend at home. i am spending the night at Mark's place in PA; im driving him home and picking him up on the way back. figured i head up that way anyway, ill help a shipmate out. shit i get a free nights rest....and alcohol, and chicks, and drunkenness ha.
Operation: Drunken Wonderland is now Operation: Arctic Illinois. guess its been freezing cold up there, and theres snow, and ice, and sleet....ha the usual!
i love it!
we ran drills, scenarios, and GQ's almost everyday! there was not one moment our ESG wasnt being "attacked" by hudongs, enemy aircraft, or fast approach boats.
but it was all very good training.
and we were ONE POINT away from getting Battle E. that would have been another ribbon to the bunch! oh well. we still passed as #1 in our group. thats how the Nash does it!!
so leave doesnt start until the 18th now. some mix-up with emails. which sucks, cause thats a day less i have to spend at home. i am spending the night at Mark's place in PA; im driving him home and picking him up on the way back. figured i head up that way anyway, ill help a shipmate out. shit i get a free nights rest....and alcohol, and chicks, and drunkenness ha.
Operation: Drunken Wonderland is now Operation: Arctic Illinois. guess its been freezing cold up there, and theres snow, and ice, and sleet....ha the usual!
i love it!
Tuesday, November 27
Wednesday, November 21
visited the NMCRS. they were able to help me with my cell phone bill, and gave me a check for my truck payment, which instead is just going to be deposited into my account to get me out of the negs. my next paycheck will cover the truck.
i still owe $80 for storage; im trying to sell my truck bed tonneau cover to get some money, but its not looking promising.
we got frocked yesterday though! im now a second class, though i dont get payed for a few months. we got our test scores the other day, i got an 83%...so i should be in the first group that gets payed quicker...probably March/April. which is gooood.
otherwise i am spending Thanksgiving at Brandon's place. its not as great as home, but its something better than sittin' on the ship all day. better food too. much better.
i still owe $80 for storage; im trying to sell my truck bed tonneau cover to get some money, but its not looking promising.
we got frocked yesterday though! im now a second class, though i dont get payed for a few months. we got our test scores the other day, i got an 83%...so i should be in the first group that gets payed quicker...probably March/April. which is gooood.
otherwise i am spending Thanksgiving at Brandon's place. its not as great as home, but its something better than sittin' on the ship all day. better food too. much better.
Monday, November 19
i called the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society today. scheduled an appointment for 2:15 in the PM. all was set up, then i get a call from Jeff saying the frocking ceremony is tomorrow at 3:00 pm.
well that just screwed everything up!
so i had to call back, cancel my meeting, only for them to tell me they are booked until after the holiday.
i cant support that.
so now im a walk-in at 8:15 am tomorrow. this is bullshnit.
well that just screwed everything up!
so i had to call back, cancel my meeting, only for them to tell me they are booked until after the holiday.
i cant support that.
so now im a walk-in at 8:15 am tomorrow. this is bullshnit.
Friday, November 16
good news.
the test results came out and i made second class. got to wait to see my score and i can figure out when i get payed.
grave news.
i am down in the money lines. like negatives. this sucks because i have bills to pay and with no money its like 900 dollars in overdraft charges for EVERY overdraft. i have two bills i need to pay be the end of next week. and one of them is pertinent.
i dont know what to do. im so lost and confused and angry.
so it looks like Operation: Turkey Blast is not going through as planned.
the test results came out and i made second class. got to wait to see my score and i can figure out when i get payed.
grave news.
i am down in the money lines. like negatives. this sucks because i have bills to pay and with no money its like 900 dollars in overdraft charges for EVERY overdraft. i have two bills i need to pay be the end of next week. and one of them is pertinent.
i dont know what to do. im so lost and confused and angry.
so it looks like Operation: Turkey Blast is not going through as planned.
Tuesday, November 13
i will say, Operation: Celebration! was a complete success!!
joanne had a party at their place, and me and steve met up there and had dinner and cake with some of his relatives. it was nice.
then we went to my place and hung out outside. like the good old days.
very enjoyable.
sunday i met with Catherine and us two and a friend of her's went to a a couple bars and drank up.
i think i drank a little too fast. the next morning i felt like garbage!! and for most of the trip back i was hurting and sucking down bottled water ha. but i had fun. i think next time i wont drink as much a few hours before i have a 15 hour drive back to VA...
joanne had a party at their place, and me and steve met up there and had dinner and cake with some of his relatives. it was nice.
then we went to my place and hung out outside. like the good old days.
very enjoyable.
sunday i met with Catherine and us two and a friend of her's went to a a couple bars and drank up.
i think i drank a little too fast. the next morning i felt like garbage!! and for most of the trip back i was hurting and sucking down bottled water ha. but i had fun. i think next time i wont drink as much a few hours before i have a 15 hour drive back to VA...
Saturday, November 10
Operation: Celebration! is at a start.
the drive up was...well it sucked to say the least.
first, it rained almost the entire way here. from the Maryland boarder line all through to the Indiana boarder. plus there was plenty of sleet and snow in the mountains. which made traffic slow to a creep, which wasted time. at one point there was fog and high winds and snow with almost a semi trucks length of visibility! crazy.
as if that wasnt frustrating, there was an accident just after the mountain range which had us detour almost an hour out of the way.
and as if THAT wasnt bad, after all the rain and slick and slow traffic, i hit all the road construction two staes could ever have. good old IN and IL. so from a 7:30am (central) friday departure, i arrive at home dang near 1:00 am, saturday.
yes, it sucked.
the drive up was...well it sucked to say the least.
first, it rained almost the entire way here. from the Maryland boarder line all through to the Indiana boarder. plus there was plenty of sleet and snow in the mountains. which made traffic slow to a creep, which wasted time. at one point there was fog and high winds and snow with almost a semi trucks length of visibility! crazy.
as if that wasnt frustrating, there was an accident just after the mountain range which had us detour almost an hour out of the way.
and as if THAT wasnt bad, after all the rain and slick and slow traffic, i hit all the road construction two staes could ever have. good old IN and IL. so from a 7:30am (central) friday departure, i arrive at home dang near 1:00 am, saturday.
yes, it sucked.
Thursday, November 8
i have duty today. and i wanted to head out for home around dinner time.
but my section leader decided he would hook me up with a 4-8am watch instead.
so now i cant leave until friday morning. which sucks because thats one less day to be a part of Operation: Celebration!.
dang it.
but we ran the PFA today. it wasnt too bad. i can tell my physical fitness has diminished. thanks to the navy. also, i had a dental appointment. they look and probed, and said i have "de-mineralization of the molars and the start of a cavity on one molar and a canine tooth."
freakin' great. just what i needed before deployment. so i have to go back whenever they can schedule me in for a cleaning and filling. fun fun.
BUT, thats not stopping me from going home!!! all plans are still a GO.
but my section leader decided he would hook me up with a 4-8am watch instead.
so now i cant leave until friday morning. which sucks because thats one less day to be a part of Operation: Celebration!.
dang it.
but we ran the PFA today. it wasnt too bad. i can tell my physical fitness has diminished. thanks to the navy. also, i had a dental appointment. they look and probed, and said i have "de-mineralization of the molars and the start of a cavity on one molar and a canine tooth."
freakin' great. just what i needed before deployment. so i have to go back whenever they can schedule me in for a cleaning and filling. fun fun.
BUT, thats not stopping me from going home!!! all plans are still a GO.
Tuesday, November 6
some news to tell the world.
a new operation is underway. Operation: Celebration!. this weekend is a four day weekend off, and what better way then to spend it in IL??
there isnt!!! so im going home and celebrating Steve's 22nd birthday. by drinking my sorrows away ha.
uh lets see, i changed my oil and rotated the two front tires on the truck. and realized i need new tires, DESPERATLY.
anyway, i broke 100 bills entered on WheresGeorge.com!!! go me.
aaand thats all i have to share.
a new operation is underway. Operation: Celebration!. this weekend is a four day weekend off, and what better way then to spend it in IL??
there isnt!!! so im going home and celebrating Steve's 22nd birthday. by drinking my sorrows away ha.
uh lets see, i changed my oil and rotated the two front tires on the truck. and realized i need new tires, DESPERATLY.
anyway, i broke 100 bills entered on WheresGeorge.com!!! go me.
aaand thats all i have to share.
Saturday, November 3
its saturday. had duty yesterday. it was long and boring. we ran our anti-terrorist drills and finished them up yesterday evening. i think we did a hell of a job! 14 out of 15 i believe. but we wont know for sure until monday. anyway because we did so well, the captain is giving us friday off! that means a 4-day weekend! the only thing i have planned for that is the Bruce Springsteen concert in DC on the 11th. im going up there with Tim. itll be fun im sure. we'll probably party that whole weekend in New Jersey anyway.
good times.
Operation: Turkey Blast is still looking good. as is Operation: Winter Drunkenland in december.
good times.
Operation: Turkey Blast is still looking good. as is Operation: Winter Drunkenland in december.
Thursday, November 1
Sunday, October 28
probably didnt mention:
i turned my laptop over to Best Buy to be fixed. the power jack was loose and needed re-soldering.
so they sent it out to the Gateway fixer-upper place. the guy said it should take 2 to 3 weeks!
i dont believe it will, but damn thats too long of a wait. i cant live without my Technology.
i turned my laptop over to Best Buy to be fixed. the power jack was loose and needed re-soldering.
so they sent it out to the Gateway fixer-upper place. the guy said it should take 2 to 3 weeks!
i dont believe it will, but damn thats too long of a wait. i cant live without my Technology.
Friday, October 26
well im back in VA. we took a little trip down to Charleston, SC. it was pretty nice. i only went out one day out of the 3 we were there, but i drank my ass off!! me and Lee and Jeff hit a couple bars up. it was pretty nice. great area; a lot of history.
anyway we are in port for awhile. just taking it easy and trying to save up mula for Operation: Turkey Blast. which is going to be...a blast.
duty tomarrow. hope its an easy day.
oh ya. i signed up for an account on ScotTrade.com. gettin into the stock exchange. hopein to make some more money. itll be a small start at first. but once i got the greens rolling in (hopefully i made second class), ill up the buy/sell ratios.
good deal!
anyway we are in port for awhile. just taking it easy and trying to save up mula for Operation: Turkey Blast. which is going to be...a blast.
duty tomarrow. hope its an easy day.
oh ya. i signed up for an account on ScotTrade.com. gettin into the stock exchange. hopein to make some more money. itll be a small start at first. but once i got the greens rolling in (hopefully i made second class), ill up the buy/sell ratios.
good deal!
Friday, October 12
back in Norfolk! glad to be.
Kyle leaves for IRAQ tomarrow. im kindda sad he has to go, but im more proud he is!!
i know he will do just fine. cant wait to hear from him, and cant wait to see him in person!
i made a facebook group to support him. it pretty much rocks. click it out!
"Good luck Kyle, my brother. God Bless and Rock On."
Kyle leaves for IRAQ tomarrow. im kindda sad he has to go, but im more proud he is!!
i know he will do just fine. cant wait to hear from him, and cant wait to see him in person!
i made a facebook group to support him. it pretty much rocks. click it out!
"Good luck Kyle, my brother. God Bless and Rock On."
Wednesday, October 10
Sunday, October 7
Friday, October 5
Thursday, October 4
got my flu shot today. actually it wasnt a shot at all, it was the nasal spary application.
i hate shots anyhow.
so now im protected!!
anyway this morning was my first petty officer of the watch, watch. 4-8am. it was long, boring, and i was tired.
but i did an excellent job i was told.
hurray!
...hungry...
i hate shots anyhow.
so now im protected!!
anyway this morning was my first petty officer of the watch, watch. 4-8am. it was long, boring, and i was tired.
but i did an excellent job i was told.
hurray!
...hungry...
Tuesday, October 2
i was thinking about flying home for Thanksgiving, so i got to looking at airfare.
and?
its freakin outrageous they get away with it. the cheapest i found, with the times i wanted to leave, was something like $499 roundtrip!
ive gotten better; like 250. im not paying that much.
so it looks like i will be driving. which is fine too, because now i can bring my paintball gear and the bike with me.
might have to come up with a scam to be able to leave work early on Wednesday...muahaha...
and?
its freakin outrageous they get away with it. the cheapest i found, with the times i wanted to leave, was something like $499 roundtrip!
ive gotten better; like 250. im not paying that much.
so it looks like i will be driving. which is fine too, because now i can bring my paintball gear and the bike with me.
might have to come up with a scam to be able to leave work early on Wednesday...muahaha...
Monday, October 1
october! woot.
i called sprint today. got a flyer in the mail about a free cell plan checkup. they look at the last three months of your usage and determain if theres a better plan to suit my needs.
so i called. and the lady discussed and analyzed. so now i am enrolled in a 450 anytime-minute, unlimited walkie-talkie and text message plan for 39.99! better than the 55 something i was paying before. hopefully my bills will be much cheaper from now on.
i called sprint today. got a flyer in the mail about a free cell plan checkup. they look at the last three months of your usage and determain if theres a better plan to suit my needs.
so i called. and the lady discussed and analyzed. so now i am enrolled in a 450 anytime-minute, unlimited walkie-talkie and text message plan for 39.99! better than the 55 something i was paying before. hopefully my bills will be much cheaper from now on.
Sunday, September 30
well im back in port Norfolk.
we were out for the yearly ESG-EX. drills and exercises with the ships we are going with for next years deployment. except only two of the 5 other ships actually came out. the rest were "broke down" in port, or so we were told. even then we only did one VBSS drill with one of the ships that actually came out! the rest of the time we did amphib ops with the marines.
we were also supposed to stay out till this Friday. but one of our main engines got a condenser leak at the gasket and flooded the space out. rumor had it at knee level at one point. so the engineers had to shut down the engine and lock the prop. we were then told to head back for repairs, so we made the long, slow trip back from Onslow Bay to Norfolk; 10 knots all the way on one engine. it was quite interesting.
anyway, the next operation to be carried out is Operation: Turkey Blast. Steve will be home and i dont have to work thanksgiving day or the day after; AND i happen to not have duty that whole long weekend! so im making a comeback. except ill fly this time.
also, memorial day weekend i might head back. i have to check the schedule.
if this engine thing isnt fixed soon, we might be in port for longer than expected!
we were out for the yearly ESG-EX. drills and exercises with the ships we are going with for next years deployment. except only two of the 5 other ships actually came out. the rest were "broke down" in port, or so we were told. even then we only did one VBSS drill with one of the ships that actually came out! the rest of the time we did amphib ops with the marines.
we were also supposed to stay out till this Friday. but one of our main engines got a condenser leak at the gasket and flooded the space out. rumor had it at knee level at one point. so the engineers had to shut down the engine and lock the prop. we were then told to head back for repairs, so we made the long, slow trip back from Onslow Bay to Norfolk; 10 knots all the way on one engine. it was quite interesting.
anyway, the next operation to be carried out is Operation: Turkey Blast. Steve will be home and i dont have to work thanksgiving day or the day after; AND i happen to not have duty that whole long weekend! so im making a comeback. except ill fly this time.
also, memorial day weekend i might head back. i have to check the schedule.
if this engine thing isnt fixed soon, we might be in port for longer than expected!
Wednesday, September 19
Operation: Weekend BS was a success. almost.
apart from the barn sale this year being a disappointment, apart from the rocket set having what we thought was a "broken" controler when we tryed it; turned out to be a safety button that needed to be pushed in before it could launch, and apart from only seeing Catherine for a few hours in the wee morning the day i had to leave, it was good. any break is good though.
my next homecoming goal: Thanksgiving!
apart from the barn sale this year being a disappointment, apart from the rocket set having what we thought was a "broken" controler when we tryed it; turned out to be a safety button that needed to be pushed in before it could launch, and apart from only seeing Catherine for a few hours in the wee morning the day i had to leave, it was good. any break is good though.
my next homecoming goal: Thanksgiving!
Monday, September 17
well ive done it.
i have accomplished a goal.
i took my bike to a bike park, and have jumped it off some professional ramps!
it was a little intimidating at first, but i did it, and wasnt too bad it.
kindda fun. what have i been missing out on?
i went with julio, noe, mark, and dave. they all brought their mountain bikes and where using the ramps too. it was funny to see them jumping that type of bike. david even tryed to jump a real steep ramp,and came down real hard, bending his back rim and taking some skin off his knuckels on his right hand. he was alright, and we straightend his rim. itll be a sweet scar though.
i will definetly be going back next time im in town!
i have accomplished a goal.
i took my bike to a bike park, and have jumped it off some professional ramps!
it was a little intimidating at first, but i did it, and wasnt too bad it.
kindda fun. what have i been missing out on?
i went with julio, noe, mark, and dave. they all brought their mountain bikes and where using the ramps too. it was funny to see them jumping that type of bike. david even tryed to jump a real steep ramp,and came down real hard, bending his back rim and taking some skin off his knuckels on his right hand. he was alright, and we straightend his rim. itll be a sweet scar though.
i will definetly be going back next time im in town!
Sunday, September 16
well well well. day three. so far: so good.
went to the Barn Sale with Mark yesterday. this year has been a disappointment. really nothing there. but i bought a rocket set. we are scheduled to launch it today. should be fun.
me and steven rode our bikes along the bike trail, both sides of the river. it was about a 5 or 6 mile ride. good quality brother-to-brother time.
tonight i might be hanging out with Catherine. got to give her a call.
went to the Barn Sale with Mark yesterday. this year has been a disappointment. really nothing there. but i bought a rocket set. we are scheduled to launch it today. should be fun.
me and steven rode our bikes along the bike trail, both sides of the river. it was about a 5 or 6 mile ride. good quality brother-to-brother time.
tonight i might be hanging out with Catherine. got to give her a call.
Friday, September 14
Wednesday, September 12
THIS JUST IN from CNN:
-- President Bush will announce this week plans to cut U.S. troops in Iraq by about 30,000 -- to pre-'surge' levels -- by next summer, a senior administration official confirms to CNN.
cool. maybe steve wont have to go back next year!
and even though it is now September 12, its been six years of Never Forgetting the 11th.
it still gets me sometimes when i watch those shots of each of those events unfolding on that day in 2001. a horrific day it was.
Operation: Weekend BS is still a go, though some people arent happy to see me go. Rob and Phil leave that monday; my last day home. so i wont see them after tomarrow! good luck to them both.
cant wait to get my bike assembled and begin riding again. thats one highlight of this weeks operation. its going to be a family oriented four days. im turning my cell phone off the whole time. the only visit i am committed to is seeing Catherine. other than that, i am invisible to the world....
-- President Bush will announce this week plans to cut U.S. troops in Iraq by about 30,000 -- to pre-'surge' levels -- by next summer, a senior administration official confirms to CNN.
cool. maybe steve wont have to go back next year!
and even though it is now September 12, its been six years of Never Forgetting the 11th.
it still gets me sometimes when i watch those shots of each of those events unfolding on that day in 2001. a horrific day it was.
Operation: Weekend BS is still a go, though some people arent happy to see me go. Rob and Phil leave that monday; my last day home. so i wont see them after tomarrow! good luck to them both.
cant wait to get my bike assembled and begin riding again. thats one highlight of this weeks operation. its going to be a family oriented four days. im turning my cell phone off the whole time. the only visit i am committed to is seeing Catherine. other than that, i am invisible to the world....
Monday, September 10
i was surfing the net, and found this cool site dedicated to tying shoe laces and different styles of lacing and tying.
haha so i looked through and choose a style for both.
its awesome!
http://www.shoe-lacing.com/shoelace/index.htm
check it.
haha so i looked through and choose a style for both.
its awesome!
http://www.shoe-lacing.com/shoelace/index.htm
check it.
Sunday, September 9
SUCCESS!!!
i have just finished ordering my new HOFFMAN RHYTHM EL1 BMX BIKE!!!!
got it in Punky Peach like i said i would; actually got a deal on the order too!
i used one of the promo codes i found and got 10% off!! i also contributed $6 to a
Stephen Murray foundation; a rider who suffered a career ending spinal
accident. i got a foundation wristband, and a free DansComp sack thing for spending over $100.
not a bad deal? nope! the order wasnt more than $250!! woot!!!
hopefully it will get to my house while im home this weekend so i can put it together and RIDE!!
oh its good.
i have just finished ordering my new HOFFMAN RHYTHM EL1 BMX BIKE!!!!
got it in Punky Peach like i said i would; actually got a deal on the order too!
i used one of the promo codes i found and got 10% off!! i also contributed $6 to a
Stephen Murray foundation; a rider who suffered a career ending spinal
accident. i got a foundation wristband, and a free DansComp sack thing for spending over $100.
not a bad deal? nope! the order wasnt more than $250!! woot!!!
hopefully it will get to my house while im home this weekend so i can put it together and RIDE!!
oh its good.
Saturday, September 8
a few things.
i rolled 50,000 on the truck the other day! woot.
also, saw Rob Zombie's Halloween. that was pretty good; nice and gorey, like all his movies.
next, last night i hung with lee and rob and phil at lee's dad's place. we drank, played beer pong, ate food and chilled. it was pretty fun.
i have to work this weekend, but tomarrow is my last day as an FSA. celebrate that!
i rolled 50,000 on the truck the other day! woot.
also, saw Rob Zombie's Halloween. that was pretty good; nice and gorey, like all his movies.
next, last night i hung with lee and rob and phil at lee's dad's place. we drank, played beer pong, ate food and chilled. it was pretty fun.
i have to work this weekend, but tomarrow is my last day as an FSA. celebrate that!
Wednesday, September 5
since i have an unbelieveable amount of time on my hands, i have compiled a list of all the Operations i have done thus far, and a "yay" or "nay" on their outcome. take a look!!
Operation: Visit Freedom (2/16/06 - 2/19/06) - success!
Operation: Homeward Freedom (5/23/06 - 6/1/06) - success!
Operation: Go-Time (12/13/06 - 12/26/06) - huge success!
Operation: Alcohol Liberation (1/13/07 - 1/15/07) - huge success!
Operation: Weekend Home Relaxation (5/15/07 - 5 /28/07) - cancelled
Operation: D.C. Fun Weekend (5/24/07 - 5 /28/07) - success!
Operation: Homecoming Of Best Friends! (7/3/07 - 7/16/07) - MAJOR success!
Operation: A.C. Extrava (9/1/07 - 9/3/07) - success!
Operation: Weekend BS (9/13/07 - 9/17/07) - TBD
Operation: Visit Freedom (2/16/06 - 2/19/06) - success!
Operation: Homeward Freedom (5/23/06 - 6/1/06) - success!
Operation: Go-Time (12/13/06 - 12/26/06) - huge success!
Operation: Alcohol Liberation (1/13/07 - 1/15/07) - huge success!
Operation: Weekend Home Relaxation (5/15/07 - 5 /28/07) - cancelled
Operation: D.C. Fun Weekend (5/24/07 - 5 /28/07) - success!
Operation: Homecoming Of Best Friends! (7/3/07 - 7/16/07) - MAJOR success!
Operation: A.C. Extrava (9/1/07 - 9/3/07) - success!
Operation: Weekend BS (9/13/07 - 9/17/07) - TBD
Tuesday, September 4
Monday, September 3
the Op is over with, but the weekend sure isnt! hanging out at robs now. A.C. was off the hook!!
its true: im going back sometime soon!!
drinking; gambling; girls girls girls...what more could i possibly say! we stayed at the Tropicana hotel. quite a view! we drank and gambled; i won $5.25 on a slot machine!! my first time gambling and i won. i was happy.
Jeff's cousin was in a dinner play we all saw; Tony 'n Tina's Wedding. it was hilarious!! they interact with the crowd; you could dance with the performers and theyd stop by the tables and converse. it was a blast. after the show jeffs cousin took us to a couple clubs where we danced and drank with some of the actors and actresses. i dont think i got more than five hours of sleep the whole three days we were there!! but i cant wait to go back soon.
anyway i definetly cant wait for the 13th. not only do i take the 2nd class test, but i leave for home.
grand!
its true: im going back sometime soon!!
drinking; gambling; girls girls girls...what more could i possibly say! we stayed at the Tropicana hotel. quite a view! we drank and gambled; i won $5.25 on a slot machine!! my first time gambling and i won. i was happy.
Jeff's cousin was in a dinner play we all saw; Tony 'n Tina's Wedding. it was hilarious!! they interact with the crowd; you could dance with the performers and theyd stop by the tables and converse. it was a blast. after the show jeffs cousin took us to a couple clubs where we danced and drank with some of the actors and actresses. i dont think i got more than five hours of sleep the whole three days we were there!! but i cant wait to go back soon.
anyway i definetly cant wait for the 13th. not only do i take the 2nd class test, but i leave for home.
grand!
Thursday, August 30
weell tomarrow is the last underway day. we ended up not going anywhere for hurricane relief, and continued with our ESG training and drills. ATG came onboard and we ran some GQ drills and force/anti-terrorism drills.
so tomarrow as well marks the beginning of Operation: A.C. Extrava. its a last minute op. Rob, Phil, Tim, Jeff and i are going up to Atlantic City for Rob's getting-out-of-the-Navy party. we got a hotel room for the weekend, and we are going to see a play/dinner. it should be fun. probly hit up some bars too. maybe some casinos as well. its a three day weekend for me, plus i get off early tomarrow. plenty of time to do all kinds of things.
Operation: Weekend BS is now a go. i got the paperwork routed and all is approved. thats two weeks from now. cant wait!
so tomarrow as well marks the beginning of Operation: A.C. Extrava. its a last minute op. Rob, Phil, Tim, Jeff and i are going up to Atlantic City for Rob's getting-out-of-the-Navy party. we got a hotel room for the weekend, and we are going to see a play/dinner. it should be fun. probly hit up some bars too. maybe some casinos as well. its a three day weekend for me, plus i get off early tomarrow. plenty of time to do all kinds of things.
Operation: Weekend BS is now a go. i got the paperwork routed and all is approved. thats two weeks from now. cant wait!
Thursday, August 23
Monday, August 20
well today we get underway with our new Strike Group.
also, i was informed we are on Hurricane 'Dean' Relief Standby. we might venture out to the Yucatan penninsela and hold fast if until we are called upon for assistance.
pretty cool; not the hurricane, but the fact that my ship was tasked with such a thing as hurricane relief. shows how popular the Nashville is and how highly we are thought of by the bigwigs.
anyway, if we do end up helping, that could mean a star on our newly awarded Humanitarian Efforts ribbon.
Go us!
also, i was informed we are on Hurricane 'Dean' Relief Standby. we might venture out to the Yucatan penninsela and hold fast if until we are called upon for assistance.
pretty cool; not the hurricane, but the fact that my ship was tasked with such a thing as hurricane relief. shows how popular the Nashville is and how highly we are thought of by the bigwigs.
anyway, if we do end up helping, that could mean a star on our newly awarded Humanitarian Efforts ribbon.
Go us!
Saturday, August 18
Thursday, August 16
Tuesday, August 14
weeell we are underway from tomarrow until thursday. running some drills.
found the bike i want. its a Hoffman, not the Fit, but its cheaper and just as good as a Fit. gettin' it in Punky Peach of course.
here it is!
probably going to get it after next months paycheck. then ill have it by the time i come back home for Operation: Weekend BS.
found the bike i want. its a Hoffman, not the Fit, but its cheaper and just as good as a Fit. gettin' it in Punky Peach of course.
here it is!
probably going to get it after next months paycheck. then ill have it by the time i come back home for Operation: Weekend BS.
Wednesday, August 8
still at the deep sink. but oh well. ill live; its only a freakin month, and i DID do pots and pans when i worked at the Holmstad; for two years not to mention. so its easy for me.
its been BLAZING hot these past couple days!! today it reached into the 100's!! i was sweating upa storm. you'd walk outside and after a minute you'd swear it was raining!! thats how hot it was.
and it sucks.
its been BLAZING hot these past couple days!! today it reached into the 100's!! i was sweating upa storm. you'd walk outside and after a minute you'd swear it was raining!! thats how hot it was.
and it sucks.
Tuesday, August 7
weeeell started my FSA work today. it sucked. they got me on the freaking deep sink cleaning pots and pans!!!
its hot and smells of old food and wet. this is a second tour for me, and im have some rank, and though its only a damn month long, but dang nabbit i shouldnt have to work in that condition!! stick me on cleaning tables or serving food, damn!!
so im a little pissed i was set up for failure. hopefully theyll move me elsewhere.
someone else can do that job, not me.
its hot and smells of old food and wet. this is a second tour for me, and im have some rank, and though its only a damn month long, but dang nabbit i shouldnt have to work in that condition!! stick me on cleaning tables or serving food, damn!!
so im a little pissed i was set up for failure. hopefully theyll move me elsewhere.
someone else can do that job, not me.
Monday, August 6
well its monday i havent started my messdeck work yet. didnt get checked in today; the guy in charge basically said to come in tomarrow morning, and he gave me a day off.
SCORE!
this second tour is looking good.
Lee and i and a couple of the guys talked about a campig trip sometime in September. we got some long weekends coming up and we want to take advantage of it. havent found where we'd like to go though...
still planning for home the 14-17 of Sept. should be all right, the captain said today that month is pretty much open.
ill call it, Operation: Weekend BS
SCORE!
this second tour is looking good.
Lee and i and a couple of the guys talked about a campig trip sometime in September. we got some long weekends coming up and we want to take advantage of it. havent found where we'd like to go though...
still planning for home the 14-17 of Sept. should be all right, the captain said today that month is pretty much open.
ill call it, Operation: Weekend BS
Wednesday, August 1
back again.
went underway for a day for INSURV. it was busy and not all that fun.
but we are back now and im happy. the whole inspection thing ends sometime tomarrow. thatll be good.
looking at going home for a few days in September. hopefully ill see Catherine this time! still working on it though...
aaaand monday i start cranking again!! its only for a month this time, but after this little tour of duty i wont have to do it ever again. i liked it the first time i went though, so i think ill enjoy it this time around as well!
went underway for a day for INSURV. it was busy and not all that fun.
but we are back now and im happy. the whole inspection thing ends sometime tomarrow. thatll be good.
looking at going home for a few days in September. hopefully ill see Catherine this time! still working on it though...
aaaand monday i start cranking again!! its only for a month this time, but after this little tour of duty i wont have to do it ever again. i liked it the first time i went though, so i think ill enjoy it this time around as well!
Sunday, July 29
well today is duty day. also another work day for everyone else. so was yesterday. good old work on the weekends...
and tomarrow starts INSURV until the 3rd. theres still a ton of discrepencies, but the ship is 37 years old...maybe the inspectors will let some things slide...
still looking at BMX bikes; ive been looking at the Fit BMX's. they look real nice. plus they are sponsered by Vans, and vice versa. and i wear Vans' stuff. so it all works out.
maybe as an Xmas present to myself from myself.
and tomarrow starts INSURV until the 3rd. theres still a ton of discrepencies, but the ship is 37 years old...maybe the inspectors will let some things slide...
still looking at BMX bikes; ive been looking at the Fit BMX's. they look real nice. plus they are sponsered by Vans, and vice versa. and i wear Vans' stuff. so it all works out.
maybe as an Xmas present to myself from myself.
Thursday, July 26
INSURV is in a few days (Monday). so that means chief is busting our chops about the spaces and, well, EVERYTHING!
we clean clean clean clean for hours, then clean some more! sometimes even the same space gets cleaned 5 or 6 times in one day! its sooo much fun.
i look forward to it
every.
single.
day.
anyway, ive been pretty much bored ever since returning off of leave. it sucks. i always end up spending money of bullshit, and then i wonder where all my money has gone.
im trying to save up enough for a BMX bike. im gunna start riding and tricking like i used to do back in the day. it always kept me entertained for HOURS, plus its great exercise and a nice stress reliever.
and i love doing it.
ride hard!
we clean clean clean clean for hours, then clean some more! sometimes even the same space gets cleaned 5 or 6 times in one day! its sooo much fun.
i look forward to it
every.
single.
day.
anyway, ive been pretty much bored ever since returning off of leave. it sucks. i always end up spending money of bullshit, and then i wonder where all my money has gone.
im trying to save up enough for a BMX bike. im gunna start riding and tricking like i used to do back in the day. it always kept me entertained for HOURS, plus its great exercise and a nice stress reliever.
and i love doing it.
ride hard!
Sunday, July 22
back again!
our little underway period went well. we passed and now have our aphibious operations qualification. oh boy!
actually the week went by real rough. we are a couple weeks away from INSURV, so everyone is running around trying to get things clean, or up and running, or make equipment work for once. so i lost a lot of sleep to this.
but were back in port. and its gooood.
our little underway period went well. we passed and now have our aphibious operations qualification. oh boy!
actually the week went by real rough. we are a couple weeks away from INSURV, so everyone is running around trying to get things clean, or up and running, or make equipment work for once. so i lost a lot of sleep to this.
but were back in port. and its gooood.
Wednesday, July 11
Tuesday, July 10
yesterday: a blast.
slept in. went and visited Warren in the hospital. Liz and Amanda drove up and were there. today John flies in.
anyway, went out to eat with Jess who i havent seen in almost a year. it was awesome. we drove aroud after we ate and stopped at a park and caught up on years. it was fun.
today Steve went to Wisconson to visit his brother. he'll be back sometime tomarrow. also today im suppossed to meet Becca at her place. then maybe later pick up John from the airport with Liz. then after that? who knows. tomarrow is a 69 Customs day. the crew and i are planning to go to the battig cages and NasCar track for some fun. maybe catch a few beers later that night.
woo!
slept in. went and visited Warren in the hospital. Liz and Amanda drove up and were there. today John flies in.
anyway, went out to eat with Jess who i havent seen in almost a year. it was awesome. we drove aroud after we ate and stopped at a park and caught up on years. it was fun.
today Steve went to Wisconson to visit his brother. he'll be back sometime tomarrow. also today im suppossed to meet Becca at her place. then maybe later pick up John from the airport with Liz. then after that? who knows. tomarrow is a 69 Customs day. the crew and i are planning to go to the battig cages and NasCar track for some fun. maybe catch a few beers later that night.
woo!
Sunday, July 8
disturbing news: Warren, John's dad had a heart attack last night. he had chest pains a few days ago, but was able to carry on. then last night he was breaking out in a sweat, and Mary called 911.
the ambulance took him to the hospital, they did their tests,and put him in ICU.
apparently two of his arteries were clogged; one was 100% stopped, and another was 90% clogged.
the doctor said if he hadnt acted and called 911 as soon as he did, he may not have survived.
its scary to think that things like this can happen to you at a moments notice...
the ambulance took him to the hospital, they did their tests,and put him in ICU.
apparently two of his arteries were clogged; one was 100% stopped, and another was 90% clogged.
the doctor said if he hadnt acted and called 911 as soon as he did, he may not have survived.
its scary to think that things like this can happen to you at a moments notice...
Saturday, July 7
Friday, July 6
So far so good!
got in at 3am on the 4th. got up, built a flagpole thing for the back of my truck heh. went to steve's parents house for a party, went to Joe's later on to watch the fireworks. it was pretty cool. Laura stopped by and we all went back to my place for drinking fun.
which was fun!
got to bed about 6am, woke up, went back to steve's for grilled cheese sandwitches. then pretty much did nothing all day. watched a couple movies, did some laundry.
today is the BBQ, so in an hour here ima head out and get the things i need. hopefully there will be someone showing up! some of the guys wont be able to make it...sure. whatever.
tomarrow is cleaning day. then later ill probably hang out with Lisa and Dave if theyre not busy. or cotinue drinking...
got in at 3am on the 4th. got up, built a flagpole thing for the back of my truck heh. went to steve's parents house for a party, went to Joe's later on to watch the fireworks. it was pretty cool. Laura stopped by and we all went back to my place for drinking fun.
which was fun!
got to bed about 6am, woke up, went back to steve's for grilled cheese sandwitches. then pretty much did nothing all day. watched a couple movies, did some laundry.
today is the BBQ, so in an hour here ima head out and get the things i need. hopefully there will be someone showing up! some of the guys wont be able to make it...sure. whatever.
tomarrow is cleaning day. then later ill probably hang out with Lisa and Dave if theyre not busy. or cotinue drinking...
Monday, July 2
the weekend went well.
friday i had duty. fun.
saturday i went to Lee's place. i drank a little Crown 'n Coke and watched a few movies and some TV. good times.
sunday i went to Brandon's place and we worked on his mustang. he bought a new battery cable so we took the old one out and ran the new one in. he also bought a new dual exhaust bumper so we installed that too. looks pretty tight!!
today was an early day...got let off after lunch. screwed around on the computer, now im getting everything ready for Operation: Homecoming Of Best Friends!
...which will be an extravaganza of course.
friday i had duty. fun.
saturday i went to Lee's place. i drank a little Crown 'n Coke and watched a few movies and some TV. good times.
sunday i went to Brandon's place and we worked on his mustang. he bought a new battery cable so we took the old one out and ran the new one in. he also bought a new dual exhaust bumper so we installed that too. looks pretty tight!!
today was an early day...got let off after lunch. screwed around on the computer, now im getting everything ready for Operation: Homecoming Of Best Friends!
...which will be an extravaganza of course.
Friday, June 29
im back! since yesterday evening!
we ended up pulling in yesterday. we did pretty good with ATG and all the drills. it was ruthless. lost a lot of sleep. but its over now.
anyway, Operation: Homecoming Of Best Friends is upon us. in fact, i added a few days onto it! so instead of leave the 6th, im heading out on the 3rd! i got my full 12 days of greatness, thats all i care about. im throwing a 69 Customs BBQ sometime on the weekend, dont know when though. ill figure it out. im just excited im able to participate in this awesome operation.
anywho back to duty.
we ended up pulling in yesterday. we did pretty good with ATG and all the drills. it was ruthless. lost a lot of sleep. but its over now.
anyway, Operation: Homecoming Of Best Friends is upon us. in fact, i added a few days onto it! so instead of leave the 6th, im heading out on the 3rd! i got my full 12 days of greatness, thats all i care about. im throwing a 69 Customs BBQ sometime on the weekend, dont know when though. ill figure it out. im just excited im able to participate in this awesome operation.
anywho back to duty.
Monday, June 25
MONDAY. marks the first day ATG come aboard. later this afternoon we send out a couple boats to pick up the assessors made up of master chiefs, senior chiefs and a few high ranking officers. and for the next three days its non-stop drill after drill after drill...
its going to be rough.
probably not going to get a lot of sleep. missed meals. and assortment of ass chewing. and plenty of frustration on the side.
but Friday we pull in early, though i have duty that day i will be looking forward to the weekend.
its going to be rough.
probably not going to get a lot of sleep. missed meals. and assortment of ass chewing. and plenty of frustration on the side.
but Friday we pull in early, though i have duty that day i will be looking forward to the weekend.
Monday, June 18
Sunday, June 17
a story!
. . .
so im sitting quietly in my workspace glued to the tele, when theres an abrupt announcement over the 1MC about pizzas available on the pier.
well shasta, now im hungry!!
so i waltz down to the gate, slide up to the pizza guy in his gray Honda, and score a medium pepp. 11 bucks. i hand 'im a 20.
i get the change back. i sift through the green of George, when i come across something red printed on one of 'em.
i pull out this 1 dollar bill, read the message:
"track me! visit www.wheresgeorge.com now!"
okay....
i skip back to the ship, clamber up to my workspace, and grab a couple slices outta the box as i swoop onto the computer.
i gain access to the net, intensely punch the letter and punctuation combination into the address bar, and hit the ENTER button....
i am sucked into a virtual world of money, green, and thousands of these "registered" bills.
what...is this? i manage to say to myself, while still in awe...
i read hundreds of pages, profiles, faq's and stories.
i consequently decide, eh; ill give this a shot.
i register my name and adjoining info, get my bill i got with the stamp registered as well, and
BOOM.
im into the groove.
i found out my first George bill has been registered before by some chick in VA Beach...
that was ten days ago she put it in the system.
score one, i think.
i quickly yank out the rest of my loot,
and like a little school boy attending a Sex Ed class, excitedly punch in the numbers for all my bills.
im now up to 8 registered bills.
pretty nifty.
soon i will begin the circulation of these bills, and hope to see when and when they will show up in the hands of other inquiring minds such as mine...
the day is done. victory is all mine.
. . .
END.
. . .
so im sitting quietly in my workspace glued to the tele, when theres an abrupt announcement over the 1MC about pizzas available on the pier.
well shasta, now im hungry!!
so i waltz down to the gate, slide up to the pizza guy in his gray Honda, and score a medium pepp. 11 bucks. i hand 'im a 20.
i get the change back. i sift through the green of George, when i come across something red printed on one of 'em.
i pull out this 1 dollar bill, read the message:
"track me! visit www.wheresgeorge.com now!"
okay....
i skip back to the ship, clamber up to my workspace, and grab a couple slices outta the box as i swoop onto the computer.
i gain access to the net, intensely punch the letter and punctuation combination into the address bar, and hit the ENTER button....
i am sucked into a virtual world of money, green, and thousands of these "registered" bills.
what...is this? i manage to say to myself, while still in awe...
i read hundreds of pages, profiles, faq's and stories.
i consequently decide, eh; ill give this a shot.
i register my name and adjoining info, get my bill i got with the stamp registered as well, and
BOOM.
im into the groove.
i found out my first George bill has been registered before by some chick in VA Beach...
that was ten days ago she put it in the system.
score one, i think.
i quickly yank out the rest of my loot,
and like a little school boy attending a Sex Ed class, excitedly punch in the numbers for all my bills.
im now up to 8 registered bills.
pretty nifty.
soon i will begin the circulation of these bills, and hope to see when and when they will show up in the hands of other inquiring minds such as mine...
the day is done. victory is all mine.
. . .
END.
Saturday, June 16
this weekend is a relaxing one. except for duty all day tomarrow, im sitting around surfing the net or watching movies or sleeping. im putting my leave chit for Operation: Homecoming Of Best Friends! in on monday. hoping it gets approved. we are suppossed to be underway july 16-19, but my chief said he would talk to the upper chain of command and see if i can get let go instead. which would be the shit. two weeks of vacation is what i really need...
Thursday, June 14
weeeell im back from Boston. and i must say, it was a complete BLAST!
saturday me and Jeff and Lee went and did some bar hoping out in town. there are so many damn bars!
we went to this restaurant called Dick's Last Resort. ive heard about it, but never been there. it was my first time, and it rocked! the staff there are rude and make fun of you. you can be rude back too ha its awesome. anyway, we left after we ate, but came back an hour later; man there were so many bachlarette parties there! at one point in time there had to be at least 8 parties, and we were the main attraction. all the girls wanted pics with us and of us! most had this scavenger hunt list and we had to do some of the things on them; like show a body part, or get a "blowjob" or dance on the bar. ha it was so much fun, there were sooo many hotties! afterwards we left and met Tim and his cousin Cassie at a bar her boyfriend works at. that was fun too, we played pool until the bar closed. Sunday me and Tim went to another little bar and met up with some of the crew. just talked and drank a little and watched various sports games. Boston, man, the people there are extremely nice and friendly. most anywhere we went to we got something for free; a meal, drinks, admittence fees...people would buy us drinks or the bar would give us some on the house. theres a lot to do and see, and a lot of history. i saw the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy. the crew was in the towns Bunker Hill parade and we got many kudos. man i didnt want to leave! its so much better than Florida, were we normally go. i think after the success and welcoming people, we'll be going back more often.
score one!
anyway, today im heading to Collin's place. his wife is making bacon cheeseburgers and invited me.
score two!
saturday me and Jeff and Lee went and did some bar hoping out in town. there are so many damn bars!
we went to this restaurant called Dick's Last Resort. ive heard about it, but never been there. it was my first time, and it rocked! the staff there are rude and make fun of you. you can be rude back too ha its awesome. anyway, we left after we ate, but came back an hour later; man there were so many bachlarette parties there! at one point in time there had to be at least 8 parties, and we were the main attraction. all the girls wanted pics with us and of us! most had this scavenger hunt list and we had to do some of the things on them; like show a body part, or get a "blowjob" or dance on the bar. ha it was so much fun, there were sooo many hotties! afterwards we left and met Tim and his cousin Cassie at a bar her boyfriend works at. that was fun too, we played pool until the bar closed. Sunday me and Tim went to another little bar and met up with some of the crew. just talked and drank a little and watched various sports games. Boston, man, the people there are extremely nice and friendly. most anywhere we went to we got something for free; a meal, drinks, admittence fees...people would buy us drinks or the bar would give us some on the house. theres a lot to do and see, and a lot of history. i saw the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy. the crew was in the towns Bunker Hill parade and we got many kudos. man i didnt want to leave! its so much better than Florida, were we normally go. i think after the success and welcoming people, we'll be going back more often.
score one!
anyway, today im heading to Collin's place. his wife is making bacon cheeseburgers and invited me.
score two!
Friday, June 1
friday.
three days until we leave for Boston. sweet!
i am planning a BBQ BASH for when im home on leave in (hopefully) July. its going to be awesome. ima invite everyone.
well most everyone anyway.
either way theres going to be tons of food, drinks, music and games. ill bust dad's grill out and the fire pit later that night. awesome eh?
by the way, Steve came back to the states last Saturday!! he called me when i was in D.C. we talked. hes chillin' now for a few months. got a sweet barracks room he said. glad hes back safe and sound.
cant wait to get back to partying!
three days until we leave for Boston. sweet!
i am planning a BBQ BASH for when im home on leave in (hopefully) July. its going to be awesome. ima invite everyone.
well most everyone anyway.
either way theres going to be tons of food, drinks, music and games. ill bust dad's grill out and the fire pit later that night. awesome eh?
by the way, Steve came back to the states last Saturday!! he called me when i was in D.C. we talked. hes chillin' now for a few months. got a sweet barracks room he said. glad hes back safe and sound.
cant wait to get back to partying!
Monday, May 28
thus ends Operation: D.C. Fun Weekend. it was a blast.
today i slept in. it was nice. then i checked out and drove up to the Potomic Historic Park. it was really cool. got a great panaramic of the Potomic River Falls and the basin. hiked a little bit to the dam and back. all in all a great way to spend the afternoon. got back to Norfolk around 6pm. went and saw Pirates 3. that was pretty good. and now im here.
back on the ship.
boo.
but i had a SIC Memorial Day weekend! it was well worth the cost of things.
next in line: Operation: Homecoming Of Best Friends!
today i slept in. it was nice. then i checked out and drove up to the Potomic Historic Park. it was really cool. got a great panaramic of the Potomic River Falls and the basin. hiked a little bit to the dam and back. all in all a great way to spend the afternoon. got back to Norfolk around 6pm. went and saw Pirates 3. that was pretty good. and now im here.
back on the ship.
boo.
but i had a SIC Memorial Day weekend! it was well worth the cost of things.
next in line: Operation: Homecoming Of Best Friends!
Sunday, May 27
oh ya.
visited the rest of the places on my list. and added some new things. went and saw the Watergate Hotel and the Howard Johnson's Moter Lodge (the hotel where the intel was gathered and processed). pretty cool. also visited the Navy Museum in the Washington Navy Yards. that was really cool too. they have a ton to see. also docked there is the USS Berry. you can actually go aboard and tour the ship! that was neat. everything is so small and cramped compaired to the Nash. fun times.
so now im relaxing, labeling all the pictures, and watching Forrest Gump.
visited the rest of the places on my list. and added some new things. went and saw the Watergate Hotel and the Howard Johnson's Moter Lodge (the hotel where the intel was gathered and processed). pretty cool. also visited the Navy Museum in the Washington Navy Yards. that was really cool too. they have a ton to see. also docked there is the USS Berry. you can actually go aboard and tour the ship! that was neat. everything is so small and cramped compaired to the Nash. fun times.
so now im relaxing, labeling all the pictures, and watching Forrest Gump.
Saturday, May 26
another day.
visited and toured most everything on my list. it was quite an experience. lots of traffic, surprising one-way streets, and no parking anywhere. but i got some great pictures! i didnt get to go up into the Washington Monument though. they ran out of tickets for the day.
BUT they're on sale again tomarrow morning at 8:30. so thats where ill be.
im exhausted.
visited and toured most everything on my list. it was quite an experience. lots of traffic, surprising one-way streets, and no parking anywhere. but i got some great pictures! i didnt get to go up into the Washington Monument though. they ran out of tickets for the day.
BUT they're on sale again tomarrow morning at 8:30. so thats where ill be.
im exhausted.
Friday, May 25
well as you may have guessed, im not at home.
instead im participating in Operation: D.C. FunWeekend.
thats right. i got a hotel room for three nights of Awesome Washington D.C.!
so far i think its going to be a blast. later tonight ima cruise around and get the area familiarized; find the good bars, the hip clubs, and the hot spot attractions.
my only real set-in-stone goal here is to go upinto the Washington Monument. last time i was there was many years ago, i was a little guy then. so its time to pay another visit!
the hotel is really nice so far. its got free wireless internet, a kitchenette, and is minutes within downtown and everything else!
score.
instead im participating in Operation: D.C. FunWeekend.
thats right. i got a hotel room for three nights of Awesome Washington D.C.!
so far i think its going to be a blast. later tonight ima cruise around and get the area familiarized; find the good bars, the hip clubs, and the hot spot attractions.
my only real set-in-stone goal here is to go upinto the Washington Monument. last time i was there was many years ago, i was a little guy then. so its time to pay another visit!
the hotel is really nice so far. its got free wireless internet, a kitchenette, and is minutes within downtown and everything else!
score.
Wednesday, May 23
this day will go down in history as: "The Day It Rained SHIT."
first our chief worked our bones till way past normal working hours on the ship. all because he got mad we didnt sweep a small pile of dirt up. in turn that made me and a couple other guys miss the CD signing by +44.
dammit.
aaaand theres been a change in plans.
it seems my duty section leader cant find enough people, who arent doing anything on my duty day; to put on the watch bill, so I am left to pick up the slack. as what happened. so now i have two 4 hour watches tomarrow; 12pm-4pm, and 12am - 4am.
GAY.
im going to be WAAAY too tired to be driving 15 hours after that last watch, so that means Operation: Weekend Home Relaxation will be cancelled.
im freakin pissed!
i was really looking forward to seeing everyone. and now my dream has been crushed.
so now my 4 DAYS off will seemingly be wasted all beacause some bastard-ass-prick-watch-bill-cooridinator wants to be a dick. effing a man.
eff. ing. a.
i got to find something to do or somewhere to go. i am NOT spending my weekend in Norfuck...
first our chief worked our bones till way past normal working hours on the ship. all because he got mad we didnt sweep a small pile of dirt up. in turn that made me and a couple other guys miss the CD signing by +44.
dammit.
aaaand theres been a change in plans.
it seems my duty section leader cant find enough people, who arent doing anything on my duty day; to put on the watch bill, so I am left to pick up the slack. as what happened. so now i have two 4 hour watches tomarrow; 12pm-4pm, and 12am - 4am.
GAY.
im going to be WAAAY too tired to be driving 15 hours after that last watch, so that means Operation: Weekend Home Relaxation will be cancelled.
im freakin pissed!
i was really looking forward to seeing everyone. and now my dream has been crushed.
so now my 4 DAYS off will seemingly be wasted all beacause some bastard-ass-prick-watch-bill-cooridinator wants to be a dick. effing a man.
eff. ing. a.
i got to find something to do or somewhere to go. i am NOT spending my weekend in Norfuck...
so i finally got around to fixing my flat tire yesterday. had the spare on the truck for almost a month now, and since Operation: Weekend Home Relaxation is approaching fast, i figured it be a smart idea to get it done.
it was cheap too; just $20 at a Sears Service Center! i also got an estimate on new tires, since mine are needing a replacement. $750 for everything. not bad. i might have to go back sometime, they got some nice rims too!
anyway this morning was command PT. we played touch football with the IT's. i was drafted to their team, and we almost won, but the OS's scored right at the last second to tie it up. it was fun. wet grass and the sun blazing in your eyes; good times.
today +44 is doing a CD signing at Music Planet. so hopefully our chief will let us out at a reasonable time. the signing starts at 3:30.
it was cheap too; just $20 at a Sears Service Center! i also got an estimate on new tires, since mine are needing a replacement. $750 for everything. not bad. i might have to go back sometime, they got some nice rims too!
anyway this morning was command PT. we played touch football with the IT's. i was drafted to their team, and we almost won, but the OS's scored right at the last second to tie it up. it was fun. wet grass and the sun blazing in your eyes; good times.
today +44 is doing a CD signing at Music Planet. so hopefully our chief will let us out at a reasonable time. the signing starts at 3:30.
Sunday, May 20
Saturday, May 19
bored today.
had duty yesterday. easy. no watch just duty driver.
watched a bunch of movies i bought the day before. hell of a time!
today i washed the truck. took a little trail blazing trip through a few mud holes some days back. it was nice out so i got to washing.
just relaxing now. Monday im going to put in the paperwork for leave in July. hopefully i can go. i need a vacation!
had duty yesterday. easy. no watch just duty driver.
watched a bunch of movies i bought the day before. hell of a time!
today i washed the truck. took a little trail blazing trip through a few mud holes some days back. it was nice out so i got to washing.
just relaxing now. Monday im going to put in the paperwork for leave in July. hopefully i can go. i need a vacation!
Tuesday, May 8
i bought new boots today.
i was at the NEX, and was looking at the Bates boots i usually buy. as i was scanning the stakes, my eyes ran across a stack of yellow and black boxes. they were boots. i walked closer to read the name, since i have never seen these types of boxes there in the past.
it said "Belleville ".
cool name.
i read further: "shoe manufacturing company"
neat-o
i go on: "founded in 1905"
cool year...
then this: "manufactured in Belleville, Illinois"
'holy crap!!' i said to myself. the big IL! freakin sweet!!
so i bought a pair, and man i must say, i am impressed!!
these might even be better than Bates!
score!
anyway, moral of the story is, Illinois is cool.
i was at the NEX, and was looking at the Bates boots i usually buy. as i was scanning the stakes, my eyes ran across a stack of yellow and black boxes. they were boots. i walked closer to read the name, since i have never seen these types of boxes there in the past.
it said "Belleville ".
cool name.
i read further: "shoe manufacturing company"
neat-o
i go on: "founded in 1905"
cool year...
then this: "manufactured in Belleville, Illinois"
'holy crap!!' i said to myself. the big IL! freakin sweet!!
so i bought a pair, and man i must say, i am impressed!!
these might even be better than Bates!
score!
anyway, moral of the story is, Illinois is cool.
Monday, May 7
okay. so we FINALLY got underway on Friday. it went well. tested everything; seems to be working. we were supposed to stay out until today, but we got a message saying to come back to port sunday afternoon. bad storm was brewing. but we got today off! so thats cool.
looking to take leave in July. hopefully over the 4th of July weekend. if not,then definetly sometime while Steve is home. thats in the process.
our 1st class got picked up for an IA in Kuwait. 295 days. kindda sucks he's a good leader for the division. plus he has a family and everything he hardly gets to see anyway. but good luck to him!
nothing has been said about the Iraq IA...maybe ill get picked up. doubt it.
but who knows...
looking to take leave in July. hopefully over the 4th of July weekend. if not,then definetly sometime while Steve is home. thats in the process.
our 1st class got picked up for an IA in Kuwait. 295 days. kindda sucks he's a good leader for the division. plus he has a family and everything he hardly gets to see anyway. but good luck to him!
nothing has been said about the Iraq IA...maybe ill get picked up. doubt it.
but who knows...
Wednesday, May 2
Steve called me Sunday!
i was on watch in the parking lot, but i picked up anyway.
hes doing good. still bored as hell. still doing what he has been for the better part of the time hes been over there. but hes anxious to come home. he will be on leave soon. he said he wants to hit up every fast food joint in town ha. and of course indulge in "koolaid". thats a given.
cant wait for him to come home!
okay, update time:
YARD UPDATE: we were supposed to get underway today; it was our last day in the yards. but go figure, some of the engineering equipment wasnt complete. so now it looks like thursday or friday. but even then most of the officers are speculating monday as our underway day. and only out for a few days at that. then back to Norfolk for another month of ship work.
busy busy.
NAVY UPDATE: the end of the year is looking like a deployment now, three or four monther. and rumors are around of extending our '08 cruise to an eight month cruise instead of the original six monther. oh boy! thatd be cool i think. lots of money just before i get out! not bad. theres still two IA's for Iraq in the air; whether any two people will be chosen to go no one knows. but it lingers...
HOME UPDATE: everyone seems to be doing fine. the parents bought a new Toyota Prius. cant wait to see it. David gets the Prizm now. cool deal. dad still working at Motorola. not sure what his newest project(s) are though. mom still at home. everyone getting closer to summer. kyle leaves for Louisiana for combat training in July. John and Christina are now in California where hes stationed. lucky. Joe is still at the security company. hes moving up; last i heard he was going for his handgun quals. got something like 10 or so people working under him now. still in his own apartment with Steph. and various friends and acquaintances coming in or leaving town. except me. im still in VA! hopefully ill take leave in July.
hopefully.
i was on watch in the parking lot, but i picked up anyway.
hes doing good. still bored as hell. still doing what he has been for the better part of the time hes been over there. but hes anxious to come home. he will be on leave soon. he said he wants to hit up every fast food joint in town ha. and of course indulge in "koolaid". thats a given.
cant wait for him to come home!
okay, update time:
YARD UPDATE: we were supposed to get underway today; it was our last day in the yards. but go figure, some of the engineering equipment wasnt complete. so now it looks like thursday or friday. but even then most of the officers are speculating monday as our underway day. and only out for a few days at that. then back to Norfolk for another month of ship work.
busy busy.
NAVY UPDATE: the end of the year is looking like a deployment now, three or four monther. and rumors are around of extending our '08 cruise to an eight month cruise instead of the original six monther. oh boy! thatd be cool i think. lots of money just before i get out! not bad. theres still two IA's for Iraq in the air; whether any two people will be chosen to go no one knows. but it lingers...
HOME UPDATE: everyone seems to be doing fine. the parents bought a new Toyota Prius. cant wait to see it. David gets the Prizm now. cool deal. dad still working at Motorola. not sure what his newest project(s) are though. mom still at home. everyone getting closer to summer. kyle leaves for Louisiana for combat training in July. John and Christina are now in California where hes stationed. lucky. Joe is still at the security company. hes moving up; last i heard he was going for his handgun quals. got something like 10 or so people working under him now. still in his own apartment with Steph. and various friends and acquaintances coming in or leaving town. except me. im still in VA! hopefully ill take leave in July.
hopefully.
Thursday, April 26
we had a "fast cruise" at work today.
basically we are still tied to the pier, but onboard we simulate that we are underway. complete with fire drills, low visibility, and GQ's.
it was a thrill. then i got to stay two hours after we finished to paint an outside wall. that was a blast.
tomarrow is friday, so hopefully my chief wont have his panties in a bunch...
YARD UPDATE: it looks like we wont be leaving until Tuesday now. some engineering things arent finished yet. oh darn! we all moved from the barracks barge back to the ship. the barge was nicer i think...
played some more NFS last night. unlocked some new things, got some upgrades.
top speed: 165...
...and counting...
weather has been keeping up in the warm area. looking like summer is close! which is excellent.
not sure when ill be able to take leave next. hoping for July.
but who knows.
basically we are still tied to the pier, but onboard we simulate that we are underway. complete with fire drills, low visibility, and GQ's.
it was a thrill. then i got to stay two hours after we finished to paint an outside wall. that was a blast.
tomarrow is friday, so hopefully my chief wont have his panties in a bunch...
YARD UPDATE: it looks like we wont be leaving until Tuesday now. some engineering things arent finished yet. oh darn! we all moved from the barracks barge back to the ship. the barge was nicer i think...
played some more NFS last night. unlocked some new things, got some upgrades.
top speed: 165...
...and counting...
weather has been keeping up in the warm area. looking like summer is close! which is excellent.
not sure when ill be able to take leave next. hoping for July.
but who knows.
Monday, April 23
well well. another work day.
boring.
did some 'lagging'; insulating the inside of the outside walls of the ship. it was messing but fun and educational.
anyway duty tomarrow. boo. then maybe underway friday. if that happens, ill be back on the 1st or 2nd. kindda sucks, but from the looks of the condistion of the ship right now, it might be postponed. buuut who knows.
its really nice today; upper 70's.
finally.
boring.
did some 'lagging'; insulating the inside of the outside walls of the ship. it was messing but fun and educational.
anyway duty tomarrow. boo. then maybe underway friday. if that happens, ill be back on the 1st or 2nd. kindda sucks, but from the looks of the condistion of the ship right now, it might be postponed. buuut who knows.
its really nice today; upper 70's.
finally.
Friday, April 20
Sunday, April 15
Saturday, April 14
Friday, April 13
friday. it was suppossed to be a deglam day, but we had to come in for training. it sucked.
then our cheif wanted to make us come in tomarrow too! but our division officer scratched that and told him no. he was pissed off. haha it was funny. none of us like our cheif anyway.
cant wait till he leaves...
sooo tonight im gettin' blitzed at Lee's place. and old friend of his is driving down for the weekend so we gunna party all night long. ill be very intoxicated ha.
sunday theres a car buying show outside the base. think ill stop by and see whats there for the hell of it. i looked around last year they had it. seen some bad ass looking trucks. should be cool. something to do at least!
then our cheif wanted to make us come in tomarrow too! but our division officer scratched that and told him no. he was pissed off. haha it was funny. none of us like our cheif anyway.
cant wait till he leaves...
sooo tonight im gettin' blitzed at Lee's place. and old friend of his is driving down for the weekend so we gunna party all night long. ill be very intoxicated ha.
sunday theres a car buying show outside the base. think ill stop by and see whats there for the hell of it. i looked around last year they had it. seen some bad ass looking trucks. should be cool. something to do at least!
Wednesday, April 11
Sunday, April 8
Tuesday, April 3
its been a couple days, but Sunday kindda sucked.
first i had TWO, five hour watches in the parking lot. the last one was 4-8 am. anyway, as i am doing my rounds, i notice my truck had a mad gangster lean going...upon ispection, i find i have a rear driver side flat tire!!
that sucked. anyway, after watch i went out to change it. well the factory jack (if you can call it that...) was smaller than all hell! it didnt even lift the truck at all! so i was pissed, and ask a friend to drive me to and auto store so i could buy a newe, bigger jack. we drove to an Advanced Auto, and they dot open till 9am. its freakin 730. we wait, go in, and i buy this 1400 lbs max weight tested, 23" max height, heavy duty hydrolic lift with industrial strength rolling jack. it was 48 bucks. we drive back, i lift the truck to amazing heights, get the lug nuts off, and tug on the flat tire.
nothing. i pull harder.......nothing.
i tug and pull and kick.....its not coming off! after 30 minutes i give up, go back to the ship and shower, and a buddy calls. i give him my story, and he drives out to the lot to help. he tugs and pulls and kicks and curses. its still not coming off like it should. and i dont know why.
we decide to get some WD-40. i spray it on generously. wait a couple minutes, and pull. still nothing.
some dude was walking by to his truck and asked to help. i said go for it. he sprays on more WD-40, kicks the whell a little bit, and with some mighty brute strength and 5 minutes later the tire finally comes off!
i thank him, slide my spare tire on, tighten the lugs, and drop the truck down.
all in all i was happier. i inspect the tire and find two small screws poking out...now i got to go Sears to get the tire fixed and im all good to go.
so, moral of the story is: dont just stop, turn around and skip that gravel lot.
first i had TWO, five hour watches in the parking lot. the last one was 4-8 am. anyway, as i am doing my rounds, i notice my truck had a mad gangster lean going...upon ispection, i find i have a rear driver side flat tire!!
that sucked. anyway, after watch i went out to change it. well the factory jack (if you can call it that...) was smaller than all hell! it didnt even lift the truck at all! so i was pissed, and ask a friend to drive me to and auto store so i could buy a newe, bigger jack. we drove to an Advanced Auto, and they dot open till 9am. its freakin 730. we wait, go in, and i buy this 1400 lbs max weight tested, 23" max height, heavy duty hydrolic lift with industrial strength rolling jack. it was 48 bucks. we drive back, i lift the truck to amazing heights, get the lug nuts off, and tug on the flat tire.
nothing. i pull harder.......nothing.
i tug and pull and kick.....its not coming off! after 30 minutes i give up, go back to the ship and shower, and a buddy calls. i give him my story, and he drives out to the lot to help. he tugs and pulls and kicks and curses. its still not coming off like it should. and i dont know why.
we decide to get some WD-40. i spray it on generously. wait a couple minutes, and pull. still nothing.
some dude was walking by to his truck and asked to help. i said go for it. he sprays on more WD-40, kicks the whell a little bit, and with some mighty brute strength and 5 minutes later the tire finally comes off!
i thank him, slide my spare tire on, tighten the lugs, and drop the truck down.
all in all i was happier. i inspect the tire and find two small screws poking out...now i got to go Sears to get the tire fixed and im all good to go.
so, moral of the story is: dont just stop, turn around and skip that gravel lot.
Saturday, March 31
YARD UPDATE: well things seem to be going well. at least on the operations side; new equipment being installed and old ones taken out. engineering, however is uncertain. rumors have it they're not sure if they can fix the shaft bearings or something. we might even get extended an extra month because of it. but thats purely speculation.
yesterday was a day off. a bunch of the OS's, and me, went to a baseball game; Orieols and Nationals. it was good. great food, plenty of drinks. all free. nice day too, however a little hot. and sunny. so most of us, including me, left around the 5th inning. it was fun.
now i have duty today. and thats not so fun...
yesterday was a day off. a bunch of the OS's, and me, went to a baseball game; Orieols and Nationals. it was good. great food, plenty of drinks. all free. nice day too, however a little hot. and sunny. so most of us, including me, left around the 5th inning. it was fun.
now i have duty today. and thats not so fun...
Sunday, March 25
Saturday, March 24
okay. well. take a look.
whats new? everything!!
i changed the look once again. i was getting bored of the last layout. granted it was a work of art, all made beautiful with pure HTML (and some CSS...), and entirley done by me, buuuut times change.
this time i went with a pre-made template. and with the new blogger you can do a lot more editing than the older version. so it works out. and im sure ill be tweaking here and there until its perfect!
thats that.
whats new? everything!!
i changed the look once again. i was getting bored of the last layout. granted it was a work of art, all made beautiful with pure HTML (and some CSS...), and entirley done by me, buuuut times change.
this time i went with a pre-made template. and with the new blogger you can do a lot more editing than the older version. so it works out. and im sure ill be tweaking here and there until its perfect!
thats that.
Friday, March 23
FRIDAY!
today we had our monthly "deglam" day. which means no work. which is good.
it was nice today. upper 70's. so what better way to spend it than having a cook out?
well thats what we did. a bunch of the division guys and i got together and had us a cook out. we had hamburgers and hotdogs and salads, and i even made a bad ass fruit salad! we played tennis and sat around talked. so far it has been really cool.
anyway, thursday morning something bad happened. one of the shipyard workers died on our flight deck. he simply collapsed. someone gave him cpr, but with no luck. the coroner came and all the yard supervisers, the fire department and EMS showed up and took the body away after a long investigation. they secured the quarter deck for a few hours. apparently the guy had a heart attack; he was on the hefty side too. its kindda scary to have that happen right on the ship...
goes to show how short life can be....
today we had our monthly "deglam" day. which means no work. which is good.
it was nice today. upper 70's. so what better way to spend it than having a cook out?
well thats what we did. a bunch of the division guys and i got together and had us a cook out. we had hamburgers and hotdogs and salads, and i even made a bad ass fruit salad! we played tennis and sat around talked. so far it has been really cool.
anyway, thursday morning something bad happened. one of the shipyard workers died on our flight deck. he simply collapsed. someone gave him cpr, but with no luck. the coroner came and all the yard supervisers, the fire department and EMS showed up and took the body away after a long investigation. they secured the quarter deck for a few hours. apparently the guy had a heart attack; he was on the hefty side too. its kindda scary to have that happen right on the ship...
goes to show how short life can be....
Thursday, March 22
me and Steve are forming a paintball team for Batavia...calling it The MOB...
got the forum up and running!
http://themobpaintball.proboards43.com
also got the teams website up and running....its very basic, but i am planning to aquire a couple programs to make it better...
so for now: http://themobpaintballteam.tripod.com
...
got the forum up and running!
http://themobpaintball.proboards43.com
also got the teams website up and running....its very basic, but i am planning to aquire a couple programs to make it better...
so for now: http://themobpaintballteam.tripod.com
...
Wednesday, March 21
had a gun shoot today. shot the 9 mm on some private range the ship rented out for the week.
its suppossed to be so we can get our gun quals to stand watches on the ship. and since there is a short of people who are qualified, they are trying to get as many as they can...qualed.
and of course, i didnt make the qualifying points necessary to...qualify.
tomarrow i go again. maybe ill make it.
whatever....
its suppossed to be so we can get our gun quals to stand watches on the ship. and since there is a short of people who are qualified, they are trying to get as many as they can...qualed.
and of course, i didnt make the qualifying points necessary to...qualify.
tomarrow i go again. maybe ill make it.
whatever....
Saturday, March 17
Friday, March 16
weeeeell things arent good at home again.
Dave is in the hospital. again.
he admitted to the incident last week as intensional. took an overdose of his meds and some Benadryl. he told someone at school wednesday about it.
so the school called my parents and they picked him up and took him to the hospital. they put him in their care and said they'd keep him there for a week and evaluate him. after that he attends a couple days of a suicide prevention seminar.
there was a lot he said to the doc this time im not going into here, but things are making sense, although more questions are coming up. hopefully things will get all figured out and he gets the help he needs.
i just wish i was home to help....
Dave is in the hospital. again.
he admitted to the incident last week as intensional. took an overdose of his meds and some Benadryl. he told someone at school wednesday about it.
so the school called my parents and they picked him up and took him to the hospital. they put him in their care and said they'd keep him there for a week and evaluate him. after that he attends a couple days of a suicide prevention seminar.
there was a lot he said to the doc this time im not going into here, but things are making sense, although more questions are coming up. hopefully things will get all figured out and he gets the help he needs.
i just wish i was home to help....
Sunday, March 11
everythings good with David now. he was let out of the hospital saturday. the conclusion was it was his medication that caused everything. he just had a high amount in his blood stream.
he goes to the doctor sometime this week to see about getting a lower dose, or a different type.
anyway, i went up to New York this weekend. visited with rob's family. it was cool, second time ive seen snow this year! we saw 300, that was excellent.
soooo now im just chillaxing at Rob's place. work tomarrow. fun fun....
he goes to the doctor sometime this week to see about getting a lower dose, or a different type.
anyway, i went up to New York this weekend. visited with rob's family. it was cool, second time ive seen snow this year! we saw 300, that was excellent.
soooo now im just chillaxing at Rob's place. work tomarrow. fun fun....
Thursday, March 8
i got some disturbing news today.
Last night, David was flown to the hospital. Apparently he ODed on something, and was hallucinating and having seizers.
Him and mom got into an aurgument last night, and he went for a walk to McDonalds.
sometime around 10pm (on Wednsday) he was found in the back on the floor. they called 911.
i talked to mom this morning, and she said he was slipping in and out of conscience, and had stopped breathing a few times. she said she would call me if anything changed; so far i havent heard from her. but things werent looking too good.
the doctors did a bunch of drug tests, but they came back negative. they're not sure if what he took will just pass through him, or if there will be more permanent effects.
i just pray nothing bad more will happen to him.
more to follow up...
Last night, David was flown to the hospital. Apparently he ODed on something, and was hallucinating and having seizers.
Him and mom got into an aurgument last night, and he went for a walk to McDonalds.
sometime around 10pm (on Wednsday) he was found in the back on the floor. they called 911.
i talked to mom this morning, and she said he was slipping in and out of conscience, and had stopped breathing a few times. she said she would call me if anything changed; so far i havent heard from her. but things werent looking too good.
the doctors did a bunch of drug tests, but they came back negative. they're not sure if what he took will just pass through him, or if there will be more permanent effects.
i just pray nothing bad more will happen to him.
more to follow up...
Monday, March 5
Monday.
story time:
after work, i decide to drive out to the hardware store to pick up some duct tape, electrical tape, safety glasses, two heavy duty push brooms, and an orange safety vest. i head out on the highway, and soon realize im heading the wrong direction from my destination. so i come up with a plan to pull into the parking lot of a drug store to commence my three-point turn around.
i complete the 'round, and i am momentarily stopped at the exit to wait for an 18 wheeler to pass by. he does so, and as i pull out and make my approach into the other lane, some freakin' moron runs a stop sign on a 'one way' street and almost plows into me.
thanks to my superb driving skills and jack-rabbit quickness, i swerved and slammed on the brakes, inches before he had the chance to hit me. i threw a quick 'WTF' glance at him, to which he replyed with an 'oh shit, that could have been my ASS' look back at me. i soon realized i was in the oncoming path of cars, so i stepped on the gas and jerked my truck back onto the original course. i got situated onto the right path and, disgruntled, reached my destination.
the end!
story time:
after work, i decide to drive out to the hardware store to pick up some duct tape, electrical tape, safety glasses, two heavy duty push brooms, and an orange safety vest. i head out on the highway, and soon realize im heading the wrong direction from my destination. so i come up with a plan to pull into the parking lot of a drug store to commence my three-point turn around.
i complete the 'round, and i am momentarily stopped at the exit to wait for an 18 wheeler to pass by. he does so, and as i pull out and make my approach into the other lane, some freakin' moron runs a stop sign on a 'one way' street and almost plows into me.
thanks to my superb driving skills and jack-rabbit quickness, i swerved and slammed on the brakes, inches before he had the chance to hit me. i threw a quick 'WTF' glance at him, to which he replyed with an 'oh shit, that could have been my ASS' look back at me. i soon realized i was in the oncoming path of cars, so i stepped on the gas and jerked my truck back onto the original course. i got situated onto the right path and, disgruntled, reached my destination.
the end!
Sunday, March 4
this weekend has been nice. watching the UFC championship at Lee's right now. been drinking since 3pm....good times. good fights going on.
still looking to go home in April. hopign that goes through!
talked to Steve online today; been some time since i have. he seems to be doing good.
cant wait to see and drink with him again!
still looking to go home in April. hopign that goes through!
talked to Steve online today; been some time since i have. he seems to be doing good.
cant wait to see and drink with him again!
Saturday, February 24
so the first day in the yards came and went.
it started off to a bad start...instead of pulling in at 10:30am, it was 4pm!
there were problems with weather; it was VERY windy, and issues with the tugs. but we eventually got there.
we have to wear hardhats and safety glasses while onboard the ship. funny looking.
cant wait to see how monday is going to be...chaotic im sure!
it started off to a bad start...instead of pulling in at 10:30am, it was 4pm!
there were problems with weather; it was VERY windy, and issues with the tugs. but we eventually got there.
we have to wear hardhats and safety glasses while onboard the ship. funny looking.
cant wait to see how monday is going to be...chaotic im sure!
Monday, February 19
back in port Norfolk.
a little chilly, but im bunddled up. the truck still was in the parking lot, and still runs.
doing some laundry. thats the big thing. then probably chillax for awhile. maybe see a movie.
or two. or three....
im also trying to figure out when i want to take some time off and head home. i have two liberty cards; a 72 hour and a 96 hour.
i wouldnt mind using one to go home some weekend next month...and definetly in April when i have to renew my license. its just a matter of finding the week that i can maximize my time off heh.... so far the first weekend in March might be a good one....and i havent looked in April, but sometime before the 13th....thats the expiration date.
but whatever, we'll see. in about three weeks i should be getting my E-4 pay......
good. im broke.
a little chilly, but im bunddled up. the truck still was in the parking lot, and still runs.
doing some laundry. thats the big thing. then probably chillax for awhile. maybe see a movie.
or two. or three....
im also trying to figure out when i want to take some time off and head home. i have two liberty cards; a 72 hour and a 96 hour.
i wouldnt mind using one to go home some weekend next month...and definetly in April when i have to renew my license. its just a matter of finding the week that i can maximize my time off heh.... so far the first weekend in March might be a good one....and i havent looked in April, but sometime before the 13th....thats the expiration date.
but whatever, we'll see. in about three weeks i should be getting my E-4 pay......
good. im broke.
Friday, February 16
out to sea again.
today marks the day we leave Florida and head back to Norfolk. and then to the yeards for 4 months. yipee!
FL was all right. didnt get to go jet skiing like i had planned. we got lost and then couldnt find the rental place and before long it was 6pm and too late to rent anything. damn.
so instead i met up with some of the crew at a bar and we all drank the rest of the night. i was pretty intoxicated.
im still feeling it this morning!
good old alcohol....
good old peer pressure....
good old duty van to bring me back to the ship on time...........
today marks the day we leave Florida and head back to Norfolk. and then to the yeards for 4 months. yipee!
FL was all right. didnt get to go jet skiing like i had planned. we got lost and then couldnt find the rental place and before long it was 6pm and too late to rent anything. damn.
so instead i met up with some of the crew at a bar and we all drank the rest of the night. i was pretty intoxicated.
im still feeling it this morning!
good old alcohol....
good old peer pressure....
good old duty van to bring me back to the ship on time...........
Tuesday, February 13
pulled in to Ft. Lauderdale, FL just now.
its not too bad outside. a little muggy.
looking forward for Thursday; me and a couple guys are planning to rent jet skis for a day of fun on the waters. last time i used a jet ski was at my family reunion a couple years back. man was it a blast! shouldnt be any less fun this time!
okay i need sleep...duty tomarrow. loooong day.
its not too bad outside. a little muggy.
looking forward for Thursday; me and a couple guys are planning to rent jet skis for a day of fun on the waters. last time i used a jet ski was at my family reunion a couple years back. man was it a blast! shouldnt be any less fun this time!
okay i need sleep...duty tomarrow. loooong day.
Friday, February 2
Sunday, January 28
so i got some news today.
it seems my best friend, Steve, is going to be extended another SIX months in Afghanistan.
he was supposed to come home soon here, but not any more.
it really blows; hes been over there for a year, and now it'll be even longer. and i haven't seen him for that long too, and now it'll be even longer.
i support the war fully, and since I'm in the military i understand why they'd need to keep his division there. but it sucks either way.
so the best of luck to him. come home safe, Steve.
it seems my best friend, Steve, is going to be extended another SIX months in Afghanistan.
he was supposed to come home soon here, but not any more.
it really blows; hes been over there for a year, and now it'll be even longer. and i haven't seen him for that long too, and now it'll be even longer.
i support the war fully, and since I'm in the military i understand why they'd need to keep his division there. but it sucks either way.
so the best of luck to him. come home safe, Steve.
woot!
at Lee's right now playing the card game Waterfall...good old alcohol and cards!
ha. anyway, monday im going for my 2nd class swimmer qualification, then training tuesday's and thursday's for SAR school. hope i make it. ive heard its hard, and heard its easy. so we'll see. the school is sometime in march or april; its 30 days of physical and mental training. good times.
all righty then im out.
at Lee's right now playing the card game Waterfall...good old alcohol and cards!
ha. anyway, monday im going for my 2nd class swimmer qualification, then training tuesday's and thursday's for SAR school. hope i make it. ive heard its hard, and heard its easy. so we'll see. the school is sometime in march or april; its 30 days of physical and mental training. good times.
all righty then im out.
Thursday, January 18
well. well, well, wellwellwell.
the weekend operation was excellent. almost...
not the visiting part that was bad ass; had a drink with Molly at a bar in Geneva, of course had the multiple shots at john and chia's, hung with the family...
no, it was the return flight that sucked. or the lack there of.
see, there was an ice storm monday night, and my flight got delayed. and this delay pushed over into the time for my connecting flight in PA. so i had to rescheduale another flight. i got one from IL to NC, and had one setup from NC to VA. but the second one wasnt going to leave until 7:45 tuesday morning! and since i had to be at work at 6am that day, i decided to negate it.
i took the first flight, and when i arrived in NC at 10:30pm, i rented a car and drove the six hours back to Norfolk, just in time for work.
pretty impressive. it wasnt cheap to rent the car though...cost more than the plane ticket i bought! but it saved me an ass chewing and possible grave trouble.
and in the end, isnt that all its worth? yes. it was an EXCELLENT weekend!
the weekend operation was excellent. almost...
not the visiting part that was bad ass; had a drink with Molly at a bar in Geneva, of course had the multiple shots at john and chia's, hung with the family...
no, it was the return flight that sucked. or the lack there of.
see, there was an ice storm monday night, and my flight got delayed. and this delay pushed over into the time for my connecting flight in PA. so i had to rescheduale another flight. i got one from IL to NC, and had one setup from NC to VA. but the second one wasnt going to leave until 7:45 tuesday morning! and since i had to be at work at 6am that day, i decided to negate it.
i took the first flight, and when i arrived in NC at 10:30pm, i rented a car and drove the six hours back to Norfolk, just in time for work.
pretty impressive. it wasnt cheap to rent the car though...cost more than the plane ticket i bought! but it saved me an ass chewing and possible grave trouble.
and in the end, isnt that all its worth? yes. it was an EXCELLENT weekend!
Sunday, January 14
well Operation: Alcohol Liberation was and is a success!
came home, me and the fam went out to eat, ordered my first legal drink, ate some cake at home....good times.
then me and kyle went to johns place and i had shots of Everclear for the first time ever. that went...nicely? ha it burned....then we played Halo and Guitar Hero and the game Outburst and had more cake and alcohol ha....it was fun.
today im hanging out with some old friends. so far, so very good.
came home, me and the fam went out to eat, ordered my first legal drink, ate some cake at home....good times.
then me and kyle went to johns place and i had shots of Everclear for the first time ever. that went...nicely? ha it burned....then we played Halo and Guitar Hero and the game Outburst and had more cake and alcohol ha....it was fun.
today im hanging out with some old friends. so far, so very good.
Wednesday, January 10
Tuesday, January 9
wowee.
a new operation is in underway:
Operation:Alcohol Liberation is up.
bought a plane ticket for home; its a three day weekend, and i dont have to work, AND it happens to be my 21st birthday. so why not take advantage of this great opportunity???
and i DID. soooo home here i come! friends and family here i come! batavia here i come! alcohol look out!!
of course, its going to be a blast i shouldnt have to even say that to myself...
a new operation is in underway:
Operation:Alcohol Liberation is up.
bought a plane ticket for home; its a three day weekend, and i dont have to work, AND it happens to be my 21st birthday. so why not take advantage of this great opportunity???
and i DID. soooo home here i come! friends and family here i come! batavia here i come! alcohol look out!!
of course, its going to be a blast i shouldnt have to even say that to myself...
Saturday, January 6
man im bored.
went and saw Blood Diamond last nite. it was pretty damn cool, three hours long!
action packed, so it was good.
watched a couple of my home movies from back in the day when i carried my camcorder around with me everywhere. really bringing back some good memories now haha. those were the days...ill have to make some newer recordings when im home next. thatll be quite a jump, i think i stopped doing it back in '03. itll be intersting to see what happens after four years or so.
thats if it still records.....kyle used a few times about a year ago and i think it still did its job, but we'll see.
went and saw Blood Diamond last nite. it was pretty damn cool, three hours long!
action packed, so it was good.
watched a couple of my home movies from back in the day when i carried my camcorder around with me everywhere. really bringing back some good memories now haha. those were the days...ill have to make some newer recordings when im home next. thatll be quite a jump, i think i stopped doing it back in '03. itll be intersting to see what happens after four years or so.
thats if it still records.....kyle used a few times about a year ago and i think it still did its job, but we'll see.
Wednesday, January 3
well the long weekend came and went. and now theres a THREE day weekend coming up, and i have no duty during it!
im thinking about driving home for a couple days. to visit and pick up more of my stuff. electronics mainly. family time too.
we shall see. i have duty the day before that friday, so if im up for it ill go!
im thinking about driving home for a couple days. to visit and pick up more of my stuff. electronics mainly. family time too.
we shall see. i have duty the day before that friday, so if im up for it ill go!
Monday, January 1
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