USA Today Article on Emily

In today's USA Today there is a special ad section on the Arthritis Foundation. Inside is an article about my 13 year old sister Emily. (If you click on the link to my Walk Page on the left, youll learn more.) Its not online, but if it comes up Ill put it up here!

Little things

How do they expect you to stay in your lane while youre driving when there are no lines on the street? It may sound silly, but thats how it is up here. You cant tell where lanes start and end, and even the lines in the middle of the street are hard to see. And, on top of that, when it rains, it always makes it hard to see the lines on the street, and it has done nothing but rain since Ive been here....

Its those little things that get me...

The Brunch Report

I actually managed to get myself up this morning and go to mass, and then went and checked out the brunch at the brewery down the road. While it wasn't quite the same without the visits from Wayne while Im eating, I must say it was pretty good, as was the make your own Bloody Mary bar. I think Ill be going there again...

One week down

Today marked the end of the first full week of work that I have had in MONTHS. Yes, you read right, MONTHS. I have a division. Actually, I have two divisions, plus one that Im half owning because ASWO isnt here yet... and work to do... and people besides just MAC.... and Im EXHAUSTED!!

I came home from work today, put a movie in with the intent of hanging out for a little while, and slept for almost 2 hours (I almost wrote weeks there... see?) I need to get re-used to this whole working thing... and PT in the morning too.... Im gonna be one tired little girl for a little while!

But on a positive note, I am really liking my new command. A whole different world than the last ship. Everything that could be better is, and thats pretty much everything!

Whats the meaning of it all?

So why does anyone write a blog? Molly and I had a really interesting conversation that kind of skimmed this issue last night after someone got slightly offended by something I wrote here. This person is not someone I know, not someone whose name I knew at the time I wrote it, but someone that I made an observation about in certain context in a post I wrote a while back. I put the link to my blog on a few profiles I have floating around on the internet, and, randomly enough, this person happened to come across my blog, and in what must have been a bored state because the above referenced post is old enough that in order to access it you have to actually click the link to read the post in which she was referenced. (I know I know, this seems all vague and all, but there's no reason to be any more detailed than that)

The point of all this is to ask a question and offer up some thoughts. Why do you write a blog? I write my blog for many reasons. It is an outlet, a place I can go and write what I think, how I feel, and what is going through my head at the time. It is a method of communication between me and people that I live miles away from. Basically, I write what I want. I call things as I see them. I never go out with the intent of slandering anyone or judging anyone or anything else... Ive had enough random people post on here to know that you never know who will read something. I keep my posts clean (especially now that I know my parents have found this site... oh man thats two in a row that Ive mentioned that...) but Im not tailoring my writing to anyone but me.

OK, I lied. There really isn't a point to this. And you know what? I am alright with that. If you read this, or any blog for that matter, and you dont like something, well, unless there are some legit slander issues or something, get over it and grow up are about all I can say. Because while said post was edited this time, dont expect it to happen again.

An Adequate Enough Substitute....

...But only for the brunch part!

Last night the guys and I went to the local microbrew, a place called Sea Dog's, for a beer. The only draft beers they have are their own, which were not bad, but the best part about it was when I saw their Sunday brunch board. Buffet, menu, and, (drumroll) MAKE YOUR OWN BLOODY MARYS!!! That about made my day. I know where I will be somewhere between the hours of 10 and 2 every Sunday!

Oh, and here's the disclaimer now that I know that my parents have found my blog... its only one bloody mary at a time, and its fun to make them myself, and it reminds me of Keagans...

Sad Loss

As everyone loses friends and classmates in Iraq, I found out this morning that a former company mate of mine died in Annapolis following the PRT.

Myron Ludvick was a second class when I was a plebe, and one of my favorite memories of him was when he was second class training sergeant and one night he took all of us plebes up into the attic above 4th wing, sat us all down, and talked to us. Not at us, like so many people did that year, but to us, and with us. He asked us what we thought, and actually listened. I saw Myron earlier this year when I was in Annapolis for service assignment night, and I reminded him of this story, and he had forgotten about it entirely. Thats just an example of Myron's style, the type of person that he was. The midshipmen are truly missing out on what I am convinced would have been an amazing company officer. I am honored to have known him, and his family is in my prayers.

The article is linked or can be found on the USNA home page.

Laziness is next to godliness... wait, thats not right...

I really do not want to unload my truck. I have been here for almost 48 hours now, and about half of my stuff, actually more than that I think, is still in there. I have brought in the essentials (toilet kit, some clothes, coffee pot, George Foreman grill) but now its raining, and its cold outside, and I dont live near the elevator OR the stairs... oh wow, that sounded really whiny. Anyways, this is the part where I love Navy movers. They come in, pack your stuff, take it away, and then it magically appears where you move to. Except in this case I'm living in a BOQ for the next few months and my stuff is in storage and won't magically appear until I have a house again in Norfolk. So for now its up to me to get off my lazy rear and actually unload. Eventually...

The drive up was actually pretty good. I got a chance to stop off in Boston and visit an old friend of mine. April and I have known each other since 7th grade and been real good friends since 8th or 9th, I cant really remember. I had not seen her since our senior year in college when I went down to UVA and visited her, so it was awesome to see her and meet some new people, and hopefully over the course of the next few months Ill be able to go down there and see her some more.

Time to go think of something to do to keep me from unloading. Or doing laundry for that matter. Maybe Ill go for a drive, start learning my surroundings...

To Maine...

Well, Im off.

This morning I left Virginia Beach for the next six months, en route to the not-so-new world of Southern Maine. Ive been there before, many times, but only on vacation. It is definitely going to be a little different living there for the next 6 months, even more because Ill be living out of a hotel room for most of that time, and the ship for the rest. But Im looking forward to it, nice weather and good lobstah.

The hardest thing about leaving, though, was the one thing that always is. No matter what I somehow always manage to make some really good friends right before I move. This time was no different. In the last month or so I had started hanging out with some really awesome people that I cant wait to see again when I come back or when they come up North. Boston rocks... Im only a couple hours away... come anytime! But really, thanks to everyone who made my last few weeks in Virginia Beach a blast. I miss you guys already!

First Sun of the Year

Not weather wise. Sunburn wise.

I went to Portsmouth yesterday to watch my friend Jason play baseball (and yes Molly, he showed this time). The past couple of days had been cold and extremely windy, so it was a pleasant surprise to walk out to the car and immediately take my jacket off and think oh man, its beautiful outside! It was only about 65 or 70 out, so not hot enough that it even occurred to me that sunscreen might be a good idea. The first exposure of the year usually leads to sunburn, and sure enough I have spent all day today being made fun of because the right side of my face is noticeably more burned than the left. Guess we were sitting just right. Jason got it even across his face, and another friend Becki, who was sitting right next to me, didnt get it bad at all. Guess its just my luck. But hey, maybe on my drive I can even it out, get a little sun on the left.

Catch Up Tasker 1 completed....

OK Molly, its done. Since youve been telling me for weeks now to put those pictures on a website, I finally did it. Im not sure if I missed any, so if you want more please let me know and Ill be on it.

Watched one of my favorite bands on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show last night. This was their first big TV appearance, and they were awesome. Not only because the band is composed of four quite nice looking young men (read: HOTTIES), but because they really looked like they were having a blast. They looked a little nervous at first, but the thing I love about them is when they are on stage, you can tell that they are doing it because they really and truly love it.

Off to Keagan's again tonight... Paul, if you read this, come on out!

Playing Catch Up

I feel like these past 3 weeks I have gotten so far behind on everything, from work to being in touch with my family to seeing my friends.... and I hate it! Now I feel like these next few (last few?) days in Virginia Beach before I head up North need to be spent catching up with everyone. Which is made all the more difficult by my apartment currently being located in my car, therefore me being slightly unwilling to drive it any more than absolutely necessary... But the good news is that I have internet access in my hotel room, so there will probably be a few more updates to this in the next few days.

I spent the last 2 weeks learning the watch that Ill be standing in my new job, and also getting to know the people Ill be working with. Its amazing, the people are of a totally different caliber than anything I ever experienced on the last ship. I am actually enjoying their company, getting along well with my Chiefs, and enjoying myself a little. I learned a lot this week, and now its time to start learning my actual job. What, guns? Ammo? Clueless....

The Last Weekend

So its our last weekend... I can't believe that Molly and I are both moving, and that we won't be roommates anymore. Crazy... We started our weekend off with a bang Friday night, took a little road trip to Richmond and saw Ingram Hill play again. It was awesome to see them actually plugged in- they were great acoustic, mind you, but this was even better. It was a fairly decent sized club, but the crowd was really small. It was, however, a great crowd- everyone knew all the words, and sang along. I think it made the guys feel a little better about the size of the crowd.

Interestingly, the bassist's girlfriend was in the crowd this time. Cute enough, [and believe it or not, she has actually read my Blog, and so, for my good deed of the week, this part has been removed...]

Last night we went out to Mo and O'Malley's to see our friends Kevin and Randy play, which was fun. Usually those nights are pretty mellow- they play more of the Dave Matthews/John Mayer/Jack Johnson type stuff, so its nice and quiet for the most part, and we had a great time.

Today, Easter Sunday, were gonna do brunch and then come home and get ready for the movers to come this week....

Rock Star Nights

I have often used the phrase "Party like a rock star" to describe an unusually hard party weekend, but this past weekend I can finally say that I partied with the rock stars :) Well, maybe not really rock stars, but they will be! I went and saw the band Ingram Hill the other night on the Spirit of Norfolk (dinner cruise, they have them all over the place) with Molly, my friend Jen, and her friend Tony, and somehow I managed to get the band, the opening band, the road crew, and half the radio crew to come out to Mo and O'Malley's with us afterwards. And it only gets better... not only did we get them to come to our bar, but we ended up going back and partying with them further once the bars closed... one of those weekends where the pictures are there, and in a few years when they get past playing small clubs and college campuses I can look back and say I partied with them in Norfolk once!

It only got better from there. The next morning (well, OK, early afternoon) when we finally made it to brunch at the local Irish watering hole, we walked in to find a large table of loud, drunk Irishmen. We had our meals, then moved over to the bar to visit with Steve the bartender (who had just made us some outstanding Bloody Marys) and ended up sitting with these Irishmen as they continued to get drunker... and it was only about 5:00.

All in all, combined with the interesting events of Friday night that I won't even get into, it was a weekend to remember. Too bad there are only a few pictures!

Moving On update #1

Well, its been a little over a week since I decided I was done with Stupid Marine, and so far I think I'm doing alright. Two days after the aforereferenced incident, he did finally call, leaving a lengthy excuse on my voicemail that did not have an ounce of apology in it. My first reaction was what, it takes your phone two days to charge after the battery dies? Going Zack Morris style or something? But thanks to the help of Molly and our friend Terra, who listened to the voice mail with me when I put it on speakerphone, I have not spoken to him. I have not called him, and he has not called back.

I am proud of myself in many regards. He has been messing with me for years, and its time to move on and put him out of my life so he can stop hurting me. There's another part of me, though, and understandably I think, that is just hurting over it. The disappointment is so real- when he was in Iraq we talked about how he didn't write at all while I was on deployment, and I made it clear that it could all be fine and dandy while he was over there but the minute he got back I was stopping with the effort. Maybe he didn't believe me. I think that he really must have though yeah right, she's never done that before, why would she do it now. Well, guess what. I win. I did it, and I'm week one into life without Joe, and I'm doing just fine. For now. Im sure it will get harder, because at some point, somewhere down the line, he's going to call, or he's going to e-mail, either in mass or individual form. It is going to take every ounce of strength I have not to answer that call, or to hit delete on the email. But I think I can. In fact, I know I can.

Cooties? Maybe so....

Everyone knows that boys are stupid. We learn it at quite an early age, that boys are stupider and have cooties and we should not go near them, blah blah blah. Then we get to an age where we decide that was totally wrong and boys are the greatest thing in the world, and that lasts for a few years, usually ones ending in teen. Eventually, at some point, however, we realize that, in fact, boys really are stupid. They never call when they're supposed to. They tell you they will call you and tell you where to meet for dinner, then when you finally call them they ask if you have eaten yet, and oh, maybe they should get a bigger table. Then, they say they'll meet you at the bar, so when you leave, you say "see you in a few minutes," like they really are going to meet you at the bar. Then, of course, they don't show up, and, on top of that, don't bother to call and make up an excuse for not coming out. And then, the next day, nothing.

Well, for those of you that haven't guessed that this is what happened to me last night, you must be boys. Yes, boys and girls, the infamous Joe has struck again. However, this time I am taking a stand. I am no longer putting up with this crap. I know I've said it before, but this time.... well, I'll let you take the attitude on this that I've taken towards him: believe when you see it.

And wish me luck, because it is going to be a potentially difficult and painful ride.

Family Matters

I dont think most people realize how much our old relatives really love company. I spent just over 24 hours this week in Rochester, Minnesota visiting my great-grandparents, who are 95 years old and live at a retirement home attached to and owned by the Mayo Clinic. They were so excited to see me, and so glad that I came to visit them. Even though it was quite possibly the most boring 2 days of my life, it was also I think the most meaningful and appreciated in a very long time. They are obviously too old to travel anymore, and therefore the only way they see anyone is if other people travel to see them. Their daughter and her kids all live in the Minneapolis-St Paul area, but all of my Mom's brothers and sisters live all over the place, so they rarely see our side of the family. I felt like by going to see them I had really done something important, and I felt the best about myself that I had felt in ages. Its quite a nice feeling.

A little reminder...

A new bill is being worked through the Virginia lawmaking process to alter the wording of the state Constitution. This new wording would be added to the religious freedom section and would basically reemphasize the fact that Virginians have the right to free exercise of religion, that the government cannot force any religion or sect, or establish a religion, but adds the caveat that the people's right to express their religion, beliefs, or traditions as they choose on public property, to include public schools, shall also not be infringed upon.

I have been involved in more discussions on this topic than I can count, and I am almost relieved to see that someone in a position to have an impact is somewhat in agreement with me. Don't get me wrong- I am all for religious freedom and separation of church and state. I just finished reading a book about the Inquisition in England during the rule of Bloody Mary, and I can't imagine living in an environment like that. However, I am also truly of the belief that the Founding Fathers are turning in their graves over the way we have interpreted that idea in the last few decades. Whether people want to admit it or not, the basis of this country and all of our governing documents was faith. The reason people came here to begin with was to escape religious persecution. How can we say we are a religiously free nation when children get in trouble for participating in religious clubs or the morning flagpole prayer meetings, or are told they cannot wear their religious garb to school because it might offend those who are not part of their religion? Or when we let a person who has no faith win a lawsuit because he is offended by those who do?

I think that by allowing this reword into the Virginia Constitution, the state would be reminding people of the principles on which this country was founded. We are a melting pot. We are a mix of any and every culture and religion on earth, and we are proud of that. Why should we force people to suppress the very things about them that drove them or their ancestors to this country to begin with?

Good riddance!

Its finally over.

Two years and two weeks after reporting to the ship, I am finally gone. For those of you that knew me when I first reported, I was excited about it, and for the first, oh, 18 months or so, give or take, I was having a blast. I enjoyed the people I worked for, worked with, and who worked under me. But those same of you will also know that in the last six months, it has just gone downhill. I have not been happy; in fact I've been counting the days until I can leave since I got my orders in October. And now, that day has come, albeit a day early- I was actually supposed to leave tomorrow, but, in typical ship fashion, they screwed it up and I left today. Good riddance, I say! Its time to start fresh. New faces, new chances to excel as they always like to say. Wish me luck. But for now, time to enjoy a few days off!

The LSAT is over!

They always say you get dumber after college, and they also always say the Navy will dumb you down. Both are true, as I discovered yesterday morning when I took the LSAT. Not dumb like stupid, but dumb as in an inability to think in any logical or analytical manner. I had the worst headache by the end of that test... but well see, maybe I actually did OK. Ill let you know in 4-6 weeks!