Music is a conversation.

I had one of those days.  The kind where you get to know a person just by song.

Today is Mother's Day.  I attended church, and the little old lady next to me sang every song out of the book with me.  I could tell she had musical talent, because she could sight-read the notes and sing them just like me.  We both had shaky voices, trying to follow the cantor who would speed up and slow down the words, but when we would try to sing along, we'd hear each other smile through the lyrics.  It was a crazy connection, we never spoke a word, but I just love how everybody who sang around me just gave their all into it.

Friday evening was the same.  I met a girl who has been singing and writing songs for a long time.  One of the few songs I know of the rock and roll genre was Grace Potter's "Timekeeper." I sang the lower harmony and she sang the harmony and once we felt it was sounding good, we sang to the top of our slightly-alcoholic lungs.  The kind of moment I wish I had more often - someone that could complement my musical longings.

Sometimes, I secretly wish that life was like the musical.  I think that would make everyone so much more joyous.

"Ciao, Mr. Dark Brown Shoe."

It has been a long run, but I finally got what I was expecting to hear, even though I had been frustrated about it.  When I look back to all the training I've been through, I don't want to feel sad or that it was wasted years.  I have met a lot of great people and learned a lot about myself, whether or not I want to admit it.

A brand new chapter of my life is starting.  I know I'll be just fine.  God has a plan even when I don't know what his big picture is...

Let's Use What We Learned in Grade School, Shall We?

Ladies and Gents,

If you know me, you know that there aren't many things out there that will tick me off.  Until this evening, I could only rattle off one pet peeve of mine, and even that was silly.  Until this evening, my ONE pet peeve was people not using their turn signals while driving.

Until this evening, I didn't realize how much I hated it when people chatted/texted with me using nothing but TEXTSPEAK.

For example, I have a cousin who lives on the other side of the world.  English... not his first language.  Okay, so what kind of meanie am I? Let me tell you...


What kind of rush are you in to talk or chat with me--to socialize with me--and cut out all of the vowels in your words? To send me acronyms of phrases that are already acronyms? (Believe me, I've had my fair share of the navy's shortspeak and I can't afford to learn more of them.) Frm wut skool do u think im frm? LOL so kool! :-)

(scream)

Stupid, isn't it? But I honestly had no idea how much it had struck a nerve with me until it came in mass quantities.  I realize that this may come from a part of my personality that enjoys corrections, enjoys proofreading (its actually a big part of my navy ground job as personnel officer) and punctuation and spelling (I placed in 2nd in the third grade at my elementary school.  Not great, but its noteworthy, I think.). 

I think it has just gotten out of hand with the rise of technology and the go go go factor.  I think the Black Eyed Peas had it right with their song called "Now Generation".

Alright folks.  That was an unexpected rant.  But I had to let it out somehow.  I mean, I'm stuck in the desert and my normal crew isn't with me to tell me how dumb this is.  Thank you, computer.  Dictionary, thank you for your kind words, your expansive vocabulary, and your pronunciation guide. 

Welcome to AWF

First morning in Fallon... 50 knot gusts and limited visibility.  I was a little hungover and woke up to this!  I also am writing this out, still afraid to go out into the weather and the howling wind...

I decided to take this picture through my window.  Like it? Its COLDER down 'south' in the 'desert'... if you don't believe me... come visit and you can stay on my pull-out sofa bed! :)

Classtitutes, please report to the classroom

Swag's Bachelorette Bash in Las Vegas

I can't reveal much more than that.

Anxiety

This week has just started and I can just tell how crazy its going to be! I'm already procrastinating (as I'm typing this) when I should be packing.

I'm staring at my seabag that's 5/6ths full, wondering how to manage the last 1/6 left.  It is all about being THAT "guy" who brings an entire house out to sea.  Images of my stuff being thrown overboard are going through my head and I'm not pleased.  It hasn't even happened yet!

The boat made me a smelly person last time.  This time I'm going to master the art of living aboard.  And not going insane. 

Which reminds me, I should go and buy a hairdryer. 

Carrier Aviation

Up until now I have been part of a squadron that has been doing its life's work supporting guys on the ground: the expeditionary lifestyle.  But as of 21 October 2010, the Wizards of VAQ-133 returned to naval aviation the way it was meant to be -- on the boat.

The 18's coming in for a trap... the view from Vultures Row

So much to learn, like another side of aviation I haven't seen yet, and it only gets better!

Night traps