Doom the BoardGame
NASA Photography of Earth
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See If you can find your house with these cool NASA photos from the International Space Station.
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The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth
See If you can find your house with these cool NASA photos from the International Space Station.
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The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth
First photos of damaged sub USS San Francisco
I hope this does not happen to me when I am out.
God be with you Joseph Allen Ashley.
CNN.com - Navy publishes first photos of damaged sub - Jan 27, 2005
God be with you Joseph Allen Ashley.
CNN.com - Navy publishes first photos of damaged sub - Jan 27, 2005
Do a good Turn Daily
No new news about Kim’s mom today, I just hope that no news is good news.
After somehow managing to convince my mother to be a Den leader, I traded in my pumpkin Tiger Scout Uniform for a real Cub Scout Uniform. Not much to look at, at first, with only an upside down
bobcat badge left (I could flip it over as soon as I completed enough good turns) adorning my pocket and a light blue neckerchief. Our Den got together after school on Tuesdays in the Cafeteria of Chegwin Elementary School. During”Den meetings” as they were called, we spent time working through the official Cub Scout Bobcat handbook. Learning the Cub Scout Promise, making birdhouses. I also spent a while cowering under some tables towards the front of the cafeteria.
At the time I was about the smallest boy in the second grade, shy and unsure of myself I came face to face with the Chegwin Elementary Schools Bully Chris S. Three times my size he could have been a sixth grader, and he had just joined our den. At least once during each meeting I would find my self in an inescapable headlock administered to me by….. You guessed it Chris. I had no way to offer any resistance, so I became quite good at waiting, and waiting…..and well…….. When either he would get bored and let me go or one the leaders would see him come to my rescue. I had only one thing he did not my smarts which I used regularly to keep myself out of a dirty predicament.
As the year went on my love for scouting shined through me in everything I did. Each meeting something new and fun. Once a month the entire Cub Scout pack (8 Dens) would get together in the cafeteria and have a meeting a “Pack Meeting”. We had Native American Speakers, people from the electric company that would come and shock things for us, model trains, model rockets, anything and everything. Each passing meeting was better than the last. Then one night at an announcement was made, we would have to turn in some money for our rain gutter regatta kits (obviously mom and dad cut the bill). All I knew about this regatta thing was that we were going to get model sail boats and race them. A dream come true, I had loved the water and boats ever since the first time my father brought me out on the lake. I loved it so much I was often caught playing captain of our boat when it was still in the garage sitting on the trailer, dad never liked that and I never grew out of it.
Anyway few weeks late I received my first rain gutter boat. I remember opening the box “even though my Dad had told me not to” to take a quick peak. Expecting to see a ship of the line with three masts and cannons I was confused to find a small piece of balsa wood, a square piece of plastic, and a small wooden stick. “What” this is not what this is no sail boat. I put the pieces back in the box and anxiously awaited for my father to return from work. Wondering how in the world that was a boat.
After somehow managing to convince my mother to be a Den leader, I traded in my pumpkin Tiger Scout Uniform for a real Cub Scout Uniform. Not much to look at, at first, with only an upside down
bobcat badge left (I could flip it over as soon as I completed enough good turns) adorning my pocket and a light blue neckerchief. Our Den got together after school on Tuesdays in the Cafeteria of Chegwin Elementary School. During”Den meetings” as they were called, we spent time working through the official Cub Scout Bobcat handbook. Learning the Cub Scout Promise, making birdhouses. I also spent a while cowering under some tables towards the front of the cafeteria.
At the time I was about the smallest boy in the second grade, shy and unsure of myself I came face to face with the Chegwin Elementary Schools Bully Chris S. Three times my size he could have been a sixth grader, and he had just joined our den. At least once during each meeting I would find my self in an inescapable headlock administered to me by….. You guessed it Chris. I had no way to offer any resistance, so I became quite good at waiting, and waiting…..and well…….. When either he would get bored and let me go or one the leaders would see him come to my rescue. I had only one thing he did not my smarts which I used regularly to keep myself out of a dirty predicament.
As the year went on my love for scouting shined through me in everything I did. Each meeting something new and fun. Once a month the entire Cub Scout pack (8 Dens) would get together in the cafeteria and have a meeting a “Pack Meeting”. We had Native American Speakers, people from the electric company that would come and shock things for us, model trains, model rockets, anything and everything. Each passing meeting was better than the last. Then one night at an announcement was made, we would have to turn in some money for our rain gutter regatta kits (obviously mom and dad cut the bill). All I knew about this regatta thing was that we were going to get model sail boats and race them. A dream come true, I had loved the water and boats ever since the first time my father brought me out on the lake. I loved it so much I was often caught playing captain of our boat when it was still in the garage sitting on the trailer, dad never liked that and I never grew out of it.
Anyway few weeks late I received my first rain gutter boat. I remember opening the box “even though my Dad had told me not to” to take a quick peak. Expecting to see a ship of the line with three masts and cannons I was confused to find a small piece of balsa wood, a square piece of plastic, and a small wooden stick. “What” this is not what this is no sail boat. I put the pieces back in the box and anxiously awaited for my father to return from work. Wondering how in the world that was a boat.
So that’s where the white people hang
First off I have not heard much about Sheila, only that she was able to return to work. Although I can’t imagine a whole lot of work was completed. It’s still safe to say that for the most part she can still use all the prayers she can get. Thanks for keeping her in your thoughts everybody.
I hate to start this blog off with a negative note so here is a rather funny story.
I looked down at my watch, “only 11:45, this history class has been going on forever” in actuality only 45 minutes, but you know how college history classes are. My fingers typed furiously taking notes, while my mind concentrated on other things like that new ATI Radeon X800Pro I have been eying up for the last few days. The next thing I know I heard the words “and if there aren’t any questions”, I snapped out of my technotable trance. “……..You may leave”.
Glancing down at my watch again fully expecting to see 12:20, I was amazed to find the big hand on the 12, and the little hand on the 12. “What? Is my watch broken?”, I frantically searched for an answer to my conundrum. “No…… Did he let us out early?, he did…..OHH….sweet”. I packed up my stuff, and began the walk back to the room to grab a quick bag of my favorite chips “Andy Capps Cheddar Cheese Fries” before my next class.
On the way I encountered a curious event, WHITE PEOPLE, and lots of them. “But how could this be?” I pondered. “I thought I was the only white person here,….where did they come from?” I swung my head back and forth frantically looking for some type of clue that would help me decipher just what the hell was going on. It took a few rotations when in the distance I saw,……..The agriculture Building. “Of course, these white people were all agriculture students, or ranchers”. Their class had ended at 12:00 so I had never seen them before. All the tell tall signs began to fall into place. Ten gallon hats, worn jeans and cowboy boots. “Oh yeah” these guys were ranchers all right.
Funny story right? Well maybe not for all, but to those who have visited Prairie View A&M (a historically black College), you know what I am talking about.
I hate to start this blog off with a negative note so here is a rather funny story.
I looked down at my watch, “only 11:45, this history class has been going on forever” in actuality only 45 minutes, but you know how college history classes are. My fingers typed furiously taking notes, while my mind concentrated on other things like that new ATI Radeon X800Pro I have been eying up for the last few days. The next thing I know I heard the words “and if there aren’t any questions”, I snapped out of my technotable trance. “……..You may leave”.
Glancing down at my watch again fully expecting to see 12:20, I was amazed to find the big hand on the 12, and the little hand on the 12. “What? Is my watch broken?”, I frantically searched for an answer to my conundrum. “No…… Did he let us out early?, he did…..OHH….sweet”. I packed up my stuff, and began the walk back to the room to grab a quick bag of my favorite chips “Andy Capps Cheddar Cheese Fries” before my next class.
On the way I encountered a curious event, WHITE PEOPLE, and lots of them. “But how could this be?” I pondered. “I thought I was the only white person here,….where did they come from?” I swung my head back and forth frantically looking for some type of clue that would help me decipher just what the hell was going on. It took a few rotations when in the distance I saw,……..The agriculture Building. “Of course, these white people were all agriculture students, or ranchers”. Their class had ended at 12:00 so I had never seen them before. All the tell tall signs began to fall into place. Ten gallon hats, worn jeans and cowboy boots. “Oh yeah” these guys were ranchers all right.
Funny story right? Well maybe not for all, but to those who have visited Prairie View A&M (a historically black College), you know what I am talking about.
DooM Movie Online Petition
If you have played Doom 3 you know without a doubt that it is by far one of the scariest and exelent games ever made.But with an update from Garth Franklinat at DarkHorizons.com that the upcoming Doom movie will be more of a snooze than a scare a group of die hard fans set out to stop it. Read his article and consider signing the petition, I did.
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news04/041203i.php
DooM Movie Online Petition
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news04/041203i.php
DooM Movie Online Petition
Its always a phone call
Upon arriving to drill practice this morning I was pleasantly surprised when our team leader decided that we were doing a pretty decent job at learning the routine and after a few run throughs to keep it fresh, let us go. And so the powers that be created time for me to attend breakfast for the first time in months. As much as I despise the food service here at PV I had no problem going up for seconds this morning. With my schedule as crazy as it was this past week I barley had time to eat. Tell you one thing, not going to make that mistake again this semester. It was so bad on Saturday that I fealt sick. I guess maybe its genetic, my father when he was really busy in college didn’t eat enough and got himself an ulcer. Hope I don’t pass it on to my kids.
Its always a phone call
I got a call from Kim this afternoon…. “I could tell almost right away that it was not going to be one of those happy calls”. “Has my Dad called you today?” she asked me quietly. ”Not that I know of”, my response was inquisitive, “well my mom has been sick for the last couple of days. She can’t get out of bed, talk, or even open her eyes. They’re having an MRI done to see if they can’t figure it out. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”
“Keep her in you prayers honey, she will be in mine.”
Kim did not know a whole lot about her mother, because quite frankly nobody did. This afternoons passing hours went by with no new news. In an attempt to ease my mind and maybe kill some time I called my folks back home and filled them in with what little information I had and told them she could use all the prayers she could get. I surfed the internet for funny stories on Slashdot and BBspot. Attempted to read my History lesson, but nothing I tried could rid that “what if” feeling in the back of my head. I am going to try to watch a couple of movies maybe that will help. I doubt I’ll get much sleep tonight.
God willing Shelia will get through this, and we can all get together again as a family. Like I said Shelia and her family can use all the prayers they can get right now so keep them in mind. Especially keep in mind Bruce, Jeff, Kim, Beth, Jennifer, Jacob, Brianna, and Brian. I will update with any new information that I get as soon as I get it.
From Wisconsin to Texas "Part 1"
It was about a year ago today, and I had narrowed down my long list of perspective colleges to only a few. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Marquette, and Prairie View A&M. Although my list was long it was limited. In order to participate in NROTC I had to attend a school that offered the program. I believe I had something like 75 schools to choose from. There were the usual places like MIT, NYU………Cornel. It didn’t take long to weed out the schools I did not have a snow balls chance in hell of getting into, and those I just did not want to go to. I was left with about thirty schools to choose from.
For hours I surfed the links on the official NROTC schools webpage painstakingly searching for a school that fit me. To be more specific I was looking for a school that offered NASA programs, had an NROTC program, and one that was not that big (student wise). I started locally, Wisconsin, however the list of schools was limited to three MSOE (snow ball school), Milwaukee, and Marquette (which had the same NROTC program you just had to travel to Marquette for drill). Quickly I realized I was going to have to look outside Wisconsin not that I wanted to. Started off looking at schools like Texas A&M, and University of Minnesota. But they were just too big. See one of my worst fears about college was becoming a number. I sent my applications in and one by one they came in. Some said “we regret to inform you” while others said “We would like to welcome you to ___”.
My father and I spent a few weekends travailing to and from Milwaukee taking campus tours and meeting with the Computer Science department heads. But this School in Texas, this Prairie View place caught my eye everything I was looking for. I searched their entire website looking for pictures and staff bio’s, the all important “pricing”, and housing. The internet was a great place to start but if I was going to make a decision I was going to have to visit this Prairie View. We made the appropriate calls, reserved our plane tickets and rental car. And before I knew it, my father and I were on a plane to Texas and, my mom had to call into the high school office and let them know I would be missing two days of school.
Stay tuned for Part II
“Make a Good First Impression”
Prairie View Offical Webpage http://www.pvamu.edu/
Today was pretty ordinary in comparison to other days. Only one small tiny Oman I seem to have came to haunt meat 0545 “Gruening, there has been a change of plans. You’re going to be on exhibition drill team for Tulane”. I sort of figured something like this was going to happen. Now have only twelve days to learn an entire drill joy, like I don’t have enough stuff to do. Like I said before it always seems to happen to me. Remember the JROTC drill meet the other day.
Anyway I am going to throw this out there for y’all who are actually reading this blog. Since you are my readers I would like know what you want to me blog about. Keep it appropriate. Just leave me an email or better yet just leave me a comment. No need to sign in just do it anonymously. Oh yeah, and make sure you check out the links.
For hours I surfed the links on the official NROTC schools webpage painstakingly searching for a school that fit me. To be more specific I was looking for a school that offered NASA programs, had an NROTC program, and one that was not that big (student wise). I started locally, Wisconsin, however the list of schools was limited to three MSOE (snow ball school), Milwaukee, and Marquette (which had the same NROTC program you just had to travel to Marquette for drill). Quickly I realized I was going to have to look outside Wisconsin not that I wanted to. Started off looking at schools like Texas A&M, and University of Minnesota. But they were just too big. See one of my worst fears about college was becoming a number. I sent my applications in and one by one they came in. Some said “we regret to inform you” while others said “We would like to welcome you to ___”.
My father and I spent a few weekends travailing to and from Milwaukee taking campus tours and meeting with the Computer Science department heads. But this School in Texas, this Prairie View place caught my eye everything I was looking for. I searched their entire website looking for pictures and staff bio’s, the all important “pricing”, and housing. The internet was a great place to start but if I was going to make a decision I was going to have to visit this Prairie View. We made the appropriate calls, reserved our plane tickets and rental car. And before I knew it, my father and I were on a plane to Texas and, my mom had to call into the high school office and let them know I would be missing two days of school.
Stay tuned for Part II
“Make a Good First Impression”
Prairie View Offical Webpage http://www.pvamu.edu/
Today was pretty ordinary in comparison to other days. Only one small tiny Oman I seem to have came to haunt meat 0545 “Gruening, there has been a change of plans. You’re going to be on exhibition drill team for Tulane”. I sort of figured something like this was going to happen. Now have only twelve days to learn an entire drill joy, like I don’t have enough stuff to do. Like I said before it always seems to happen to me. Remember the JROTC drill meet the other day.
Anyway I am going to throw this out there for y’all who are actually reading this blog. Since you are my readers I would like know what you want to me blog about. Keep it appropriate. Just leave me an email or better yet just leave me a comment. No need to sign in just do it anonymously. Oh yeah, and make sure you check out the links.
I promise, to do my duty
My first recollection of scouts, brings me back to the first grade when my Tiger Scout den visited the humane society. At the time our uniform looked more like a pumpkin than a uniform, it consisted of either a blaze orange sweatshirt or t shirt embroidered with a picture of a tiger. Our awards were incredibly lame, for each meting or trip we were awarded an iron on patch in the shape of a tiger paw print. As I remember our uniform did not have many of these paw print, awards as we were slow starters.
It was not until a year had passed and the next level of scouts was before me, The Wolf Scout (I believe it was the second grade). With the overwhelming failure of my first year in scouts my mother was less than ecstatic when I told her I wanted to continue on. Also about that time I shared the idea of scouts with a new friend from kindergarten, Mike. Who decided he also would like to give this scout thing a try. There was only one major problem; there was no Leader for a Bobcat Den of Cub Scouts. Maybe it was our cute little begging faces that eventually convinced our parents that they could be the Den Leaders. Little did we know at that time but we were condemning me to twelve years of some of the best times of my life.
It was not until a year had passed and the next level of scouts was before me, The Wolf Scout (I believe it was the second grade). With the overwhelming failure of my first year in scouts my mother was less than ecstatic when I told her I wanted to continue on. Also about that time I shared the idea of scouts with a new friend from kindergarten, Mike. Who decided he also would like to give this scout thing a try. There was only one major problem; there was no Leader for a Bobcat Den of Cub Scouts. Maybe it was our cute little begging faces that eventually convinced our parents that they could be the Den Leaders. Little did we know at that time but we were condemning me to twelve years of some of the best times of my life.
Present events take precident
I was amazed today. I awoke 0500 bright and early as always thinking of the past, but before long the past was overwritten by the present. As my semester took a turn for the better. One thing about the military that I love are the bonds you make with your fellow shipmates, there is nothing in the world that can describe it.
My blogs have progressively been getting shorter and shorter. With my schedule as it is I barley have time to sleep. However I am going to make a conscious attempt to update this blog as much as I can. I think Thursdays will be the designated sit down and blog day. I look forward to creating some excellent blogs during this time. Tomorrow I am going to start a continuing story in my blog about my time in the Scouting program and the way it has influenced my life.
Sweetie if you are reading this thank you for being with me always.
History is the key to the future
Sitting in the Midshipman Wardroom reading up on some U.S. History to be more specific, the reconstruction of 1865. I normally consider myself one who enjoys history. Now I am not one who wants to have a PhD in it, but I have been known to throw on some occasional History Channel from time to time. This semester I decided to get rid of all the history classes I need to graduate, therefore, I have 9 hours of history this semester. Naval History, U.S History I, and U.S History II, “each class is here credits”. It’s ok though since the timeline flows together and basically makes it easier to follow. I can’t imagine attempting to take one of these classes each semester for the next three semesters. Either I would forget everything I learned, and have to start all over.
Anyway, A pretty normal day overall. I decided that with the new semester a change of scenery would be appropriate. I changed around my room and so far I am liking it. It’s a bit more private, and it allows me to watch TV while still in bed.
Little People Everywhere
This morning I awoke to the unpleasant sound of Bang Bang on my door. “MIDN Gruening, get out of bed you have 5 minutes to get your uniform and meet us at the unit for the Nimitz JROTC meet. I opened the door and told the other MIDN as politely I could I explained was not on the list to go. Immediately I heard every MIDN’s worst nightmare “theirs been a change of plans”. I grabbed my stuff and was out the door faster then ___. I tell you if this has happened to me once it has happened a thousand times. I have no idea why it is always me they come for maybe I am just that good. Anyway two hours later we arrived at Nimitz and went straight to work. I was given the duty Head Judge of the Armed Exabition Drill team (that’s the one where they twirl the rifles). Each drill team did an excellent job. (Considering they were only 15 and 16 year olds). The two units the impressed me the most were the Navy JROTC unit Bush, and the Air Force JROTC unit Katie Collins. Their drill teams were so exceptional they give out NROTC a run for our money. This meet increased my attendance of JROTC meets to five. I tell you its getting really old really fast. The only thing I realy don’t mind is being saluted by all the JROTC’s. I like being called sir. Also as mean as it sounds I also enjoy correcting the JROTC members and improper uniforms for not saluting stuff like that. Maybe it’s my ego basically everything I have ever done I have always been in charge of.
After judging 23 completed their drill, I finally received the word the met was ending and we could go home that eats us to where I am right now driving back to PV on 290 W. we have about another 45 minutes before we get back I think I am going to take a short nap so I can actually do something later this evening.
After judging 23 completed their drill, I finally received the word the met was ending and we could go home that eats us to where I am right now driving back to PV on 290 W. we have about another 45 minutes before we get back I think I am going to take a short nap so I can actually do something later this evening.
Who Cut the Cheese?
Before I left some of the Officers and staff of my NROTC unit overheard me talking about how much better Wisconsin cheese is. I got the definite feeling they did not believe me. So, a good portion of the rather large bag I brought back from Wisconsin was devoted to bringing back a little taste of Wisconsin, and proving once for all nothing beats Wisconsin cheese. Today I brought the cheese over to the David M. Brewer Building (NROTC building) and definitively proved to everyone there Cheese can be as good as ice cream “if it’s from Wisconsin”. I may have involuntarily caused the entire staff to like cheese a bit too much for just as each piece of cheese was placed on the serving plate it was snatched up like faster then a pizza at a weight watchers convention. The sharp cheddar curds went the fastest. I was just happy to share the love.
Ok just put in the special edition Top Gun DVD and man does it rock. The menu make me want to jump into an F-14 and kick some serious boggy ass. By far the best improvement besides the hours of extras on disk two is the serious sound quality. Digitally remastered in 6.1 DTS man jets never sounded so good in a movie. If you have the means I highly recommend getting a copy.
Well one week down 15 to go. So far so good I still have the infamous 4.0 for the current semester let’s hope is stays up there. Kim just called and wanted to know what I am doing for Spring break. “To tell you the truth I really don’t have much of any idea right now’. I do know that my options include staying here and catching up on seep, possible going to visit relatives in Midland TX “about an 8 hour drive”, going home, or goin to Kim’s mothers house. My guess in order to avoid the FFiLS Kim will mostly go see her mother. See our vacation only correspond for two and a half days. We are attempting to get together but our window is not very big. I just hope I get to see her. Wish us luck.
Ok just put in the special edition Top Gun DVD and man does it rock. The menu make me want to jump into an F-14 and kick some serious boggy ass. By far the best improvement besides the hours of extras on disk two is the serious sound quality. Digitally remastered in 6.1 DTS man jets never sounded so good in a movie. If you have the means I highly recommend getting a copy.
Well one week down 15 to go. So far so good I still have the infamous 4.0 for the current semester let’s hope is stays up there. Kim just called and wanted to know what I am doing for Spring break. “To tell you the truth I really don’t have much of any idea right now’. I do know that my options include staying here and catching up on seep, possible going to visit relatives in Midland TX “about an 8 hour drive”, going home, or goin to Kim’s mothers house. My guess in order to avoid the FFiLS Kim will mostly go see her mother. See our vacation only correspond for two and a half days. We are attempting to get together but our window is not very big. I just hope I get to see her. Wish us luck.
All Good Things
Tonight I decided to throw some TNG into the computer “Encounter at Far point parts one and two”, and “All Good Things”. I just got o the part in farpoint where Riker is looking for Data in the Holodeck, and finds him attempting to whistle the pop goes the weasel. It brought back memories of the last few minutes of Nemesis when Riker pays his respects to the late commander Data, and recalls his first encounter on the Holodeck. Yes I am a huge star trek geek and I cried when data died. I can’t remember how old I was, but I can recall my first memories of star Trek, when mom said I could stay up late (I imagine after a while of convincing on my behalf) and watch TV with her. There was a show called Star trek where these guys in uniforms and space ships traveled around space at warp speed, transported between places, and had this funny talking robot. I guess it was love at first sight, I told my best friend Dan about it, and before long we both had plastic phasers, tricorders, even our own bridge in his basement, complete with control panels. Our main view screen was a card table placed on its side, our warp core was tinker toys, and for our red alert, we scrounged through the Christmas lights for all the red bulbs we could find and rigged up one of those blinking adapters. Looking back at it, it was incredibly lame but it was ours. Dan and I logged countless hours aboard the Enterprise taking turns being captain, and going on away missions. More often than not our sisters became the invading aliens and the dogs and cats always proved to be a challenge. The older we got the more and more his basement looked like the enterprise as we were always making advancements. By the time we finally grew out of our space suits and found the real world “upstairs”, it was well into our middle school education. Even though our space suits didn’t fit we continued to follow star trek, almost never missing a new episode of DS9, Voyager “Dan’s Favorite”, and to this day Enterprise.
Yeah I’m a trekkie alright; star trek has shaped a good portion my life into who I am today. I suppose with a certainty that Star Trek started my loving for the Navy. The “Enterprise” need I say more?
Yeah I’m a trekkie alright; star trek has shaped a good portion my life into who I am today. I suppose with a certainty that Star Trek started my loving for the Navy. The “Enterprise” need I say more?
Can I borrow a Screw Driver?
If I am one thing on this campus, I am the man to come to whenever something electronical, or a piece of bling bling breaks. Everything from cell phones to Computers come through Room 105 Building 36 (aka. Brian’s room). At least four times a day without fail someone knocks on the door and asks if I have the time and ability to fix something for them or if they can borrow some type of tool ( I have a ton of tools here). Solder a broken chain back together or fix a computer that is either older than I am or so infected with viruses that is would just be easier to wipe the hard drive and start from scratch. Although I can’t fix everything all the time I do pride myself in having the ability to fix most of the stuff that comes through here. For a small fee I will fix it, unless it is such a simple fix I can do it on two mins. It’s a nice way to make a few dollars here and there, and it helps pay for 150 dollar calculus books. Sort of the Krail Jewelry at Prairie View (thanks Dad).
Today I finally finished meeting all my new teachers. Boy I really have some “winners” this semester. Including a computer science teacher straight from china, a math professor who talks so amazingly slow that a tortoise could fall asleep in his class, and history teacher who reminds me of a drill sergeant. Hopefully everything goes ok. I guess we will just have to wait and see, or so the saying goes; “only time will tell”.
Also Today was also my grandma’s Birthday (on my mother’s side). For as long as I can remember Grandma has always been there for me. When I was sick with the flu in sixth grade, when I locked my keys in the car or I needed to be picked up at the airport to come home, I can always count on grandma for assistance. Thank you for being there for me Grandma. All my love to you, Happy Birthday!
As my To Do list continues to grow, while my time allotment for it continues to shrink, I find myself starting my third semester of college. Sophomore status is nice when most everybody else is still a freshman. Being a kid who in his high school days never had a 4.0, but always decent grades and was always very well respected by other students and epically staff. Who sometimes put schooling on the backburner, while other activates like rockets and Boy Scouts got placed right up front. Even thought he knew not to. I have found that college is where you really get your education. Dr. Kirby and Dr. Faiser always told me “college is only as good as you make it, there is no such thing as a better school than another, if you want it bad enough you find a way to do it”. My first semester I stuck to that quote like an insect to fly paper and earned exemplary grades, this past semester I may have diverted a bit from it and my grades showed it. However, I look back on my second semester and see what I was able to accomplish. A job offer from Lokheed Martin, working for NASA at Johnson space center, Academics officer as a fourth class for NROTC, keep my relationship strong with Kim and think to myself, life is only as easy as you make it for yourself it’s up to you, God and those who are willing to give you a chance help but in the end its up to you.
What is 0500 anyway?
Did today seem to last for eternity my goodness. It just went on and on…. Awaking at 0515 for Physical training (PT), where we did no PT only a weigh in to make sure we did not gain to much girth over Christmas leave) and a safety brief (for some of the new midshipman in the unit unfamiliar to out form of PT).
Right after that was math class where I met my new teacher. Boy does he talk slow, I’m talking one minute for each word slow. I ought to get a good grade in there. Than was History wow that guy is different as well. Most of that class will be spent reading the book and memorizing meaningless facts. Oh well no biggie after this semester I will have no more history classes to take. On the upside of things today I was officially assigned the duty of academics officer for our NROTC unit. The only freshman with a billet position (or job). Hopefully this is my key into a bigger and better billet next semester. Thanks go out to MIDN Hull for giving me the chance to show that even a freshman or 4th class can get the job done.
I had allot of free time today between classes since most of my teachers just gave us our syllabus and told us what to expect from the class and et s go. So I spent a while planning out how I am going to focus on getting some really good grades. I came up with more studying alone, and leaving the group studying to a minimum. As well as more sleep.
Time for another movie, and getting my uniform ready for inspection at 0600 tomorrow morning. Got to get some relaxing time in before all the studying hits.
Right after that was math class where I met my new teacher. Boy does he talk slow, I’m talking one minute for each word slow. I ought to get a good grade in there. Than was History wow that guy is different as well. Most of that class will be spent reading the book and memorizing meaningless facts. Oh well no biggie after this semester I will have no more history classes to take. On the upside of things today I was officially assigned the duty of academics officer for our NROTC unit. The only freshman with a billet position (or job). Hopefully this is my key into a bigger and better billet next semester. Thanks go out to MIDN Hull for giving me the chance to show that even a freshman or 4th class can get the job done.
I had allot of free time today between classes since most of my teachers just gave us our syllabus and told us what to expect from the class and et s go. So I spent a while planning out how I am going to focus on getting some really good grades. I came up with more studying alone, and leaving the group studying to a minimum. As well as more sleep.
Time for another movie, and getting my uniform ready for inspection at 0600 tomorrow morning. Got to get some relaxing time in before all the studying hits.
Back to School
Remember when the first day of school was fun? Sure you do, back in the day, when recess was three times a day and your mom packed lunchables in your official Batman lunchbox. Yup those where the good o’l days. Now, ten years later just as most any college student I have a different outlook upon school.
All in all my first day of my third semester went pretty well considering my schedule is as ugly as a recursive algorithm. I ate for the first time in four weeks SODEXO (the name of the food provider here on campus) all I have to say is boy does that stuff go right through you. Man do I miss home cookin’ from Wisconsin, nothing will ever beat a fresh cooked beer soaked brat dinner with appropriate beverage of course. It’s a good thing I brought a taste of Wisconsin back with me. There’s enough cheese in my fridge to last a good month, even after I give some out to skeptics who don’t think they can taste the difference in cheeses.
Just got a call from the navy, they have scheduled a fun filled session of physical training tomorrow at 0545 in the morning. Man I am sick of running. I may go to bed early tonight. Navy ROTC is not to bad I just find it kind of boring. I lived and breathed navy far before this year and a ton of this stuff I have gone over in Boy Scouts. I guess the only things that get a bit annoying are the constant 0500 mornings and tedious briefings. Still I worked harder than I ever thought possible to get into the program and am not about to back out. Plus I have only have a few dreams in my life one is to be in the NAVY. You can probably guess one of the others (to be with Kim (Love you Baby).
Going to throw a movie in tonight and then go to bed maybe even make some popcorn.
All in all my first day of my third semester went pretty well considering my schedule is as ugly as a recursive algorithm. I ate for the first time in four weeks SODEXO (the name of the food provider here on campus) all I have to say is boy does that stuff go right through you. Man do I miss home cookin’ from Wisconsin, nothing will ever beat a fresh cooked beer soaked brat dinner with appropriate beverage of course. It’s a good thing I brought a taste of Wisconsin back with me. There’s enough cheese in my fridge to last a good month, even after I give some out to skeptics who don’t think they can taste the difference in cheeses.
Just got a call from the navy, they have scheduled a fun filled session of physical training tomorrow at 0545 in the morning. Man I am sick of running. I may go to bed early tonight. Navy ROTC is not to bad I just find it kind of boring. I lived and breathed navy far before this year and a ton of this stuff I have gone over in Boy Scouts. I guess the only things that get a bit annoying are the constant 0500 mornings and tedious briefings. Still I worked harder than I ever thought possible to get into the program and am not about to back out. Plus I have only have a few dreams in my life one is to be in the NAVY. You can probably guess one of the others (to be with Kim (Love you Baby).
Going to throw a movie in tonight and then go to bed maybe even make some popcorn.
Walking on News
Tomorrow I go back to school for the first time in four weeks. I wish I could say I am looking foreword to it but who ever does like going back to school after Christmas Break. Wish me luck on my third semester here at Prairie View.
Also for the first time in four weeks I went to the post office to check my mail. Almost every student in Prairie View has a Post Office Box it the best way to get our mail. Anyway, as I walked through the half propped open door of the Prairie View Post office I heard the unfamiliar sound of "crunch" from under my feet. Curiously I looked down only to find the white tile floor had been replaced with hundreds upon hundreds of old letters and newspapers discarded by returning college students. I myself even added to the pile as the six 25 gallon trash bins were beyond full. The walk back to the dorm room seemed unusually long as it normally takes between 10 and 14 minutes each way. Maybe it was because I was walking alone or the campus was still basically dead. It did however allow me to do some thinking about the upcoming semester.
I decided a few things. First of all I need to get out more, if I am going to make it through this semester I am going to need some time to just get away. Second, I am going to spend a bit more time studying, hopefully that will give me just the extra edge in some of my classes. Lastly and most important I am going to spend a little extra time each day to either write in this blog or send out email or snail mail to my Kim and my family.
Wish me luck in classes tomorrow and the rest of the semester.
Also for the first time in four weeks I went to the post office to check my mail. Almost every student in Prairie View has a Post Office Box it the best way to get our mail. Anyway, as I walked through the half propped open door of the Prairie View Post office I heard the unfamiliar sound of "crunch" from under my feet. Curiously I looked down only to find the white tile floor had been replaced with hundreds upon hundreds of old letters and newspapers discarded by returning college students. I myself even added to the pile as the six 25 gallon trash bins were beyond full. The walk back to the dorm room seemed unusually long as it normally takes between 10 and 14 minutes each way. Maybe it was because I was walking alone or the campus was still basically dead. It did however allow me to do some thinking about the upcoming semester.
I decided a few things. First of all I need to get out more, if I am going to make it through this semester I am going to need some time to just get away. Second, I am going to spend a bit more time studying, hopefully that will give me just the extra edge in some of my classes. Lastly and most important I am going to spend a little extra time each day to either write in this blog or send out email or snail mail to my Kim and my family.
Wish me luck in classes tomorrow and the rest of the semester.
One Geek to Another (the formation of FSFI)
I believe it was just after the last class got out at Woodworth middle School or 8th grade, when I was introduced (to who is now one of my best friends) Joe. “This is Joe W.” another one of my friends told me. “Nice to meet you” I said as I guffawed in awe at the size of this fellow 8th graded schoolmate. He had to be at least 6 foot 2 and pushing 200lbs. As I came back to my senses and began to talk with him I realized we had a ton of stuff in common. Our unending obsession with aviation, space, engineering and science fiction. He was like a big version of me. Through the years we became closer friends when one day about midway through first semester of 9th grade we had an idea to create an Aviation club. We named it Warp Propulsion Laboratories. We became obsessed with it even making a logo and official roster, even though we only had about five members. Together we designed aircraft as well as our biggest project our own warp ship similar to Zefram Cochrane’s from Star Trek. Slowly but surly our name grew and before long the entire school knew what we did. It was also about that time I realized I was a geek, when a fellow classmate Andy S. approached me while I was sketching out the cockpit of the warp ship and asked in the tone of any Middle school bully would, “Just what the heck are you doing this for anyway?” and proceed to hit the sketches to the floor. That day I classified myself as an official geek.
Soon it came time to go to High School, where Joe and I heard through the grape vine that you could start any club you wanted. We quickly revamped our Middle school club name to something a bit more high school finally deciding on the Fondy Space Flight Institute or FSFI. Soon after the formation of FSFI I was named the club president and just like that our club was 15 strong. One thing led to the next and we found ourselves building a 6 foot rocket for competition in the annual Rockets for School Competition. Our first year we took second place (not a bad start). Since then, I led our club to two back to back first place trophies. The club has broke numerous records in the competition being the first to build a class two rocket, first to participate for more than two years and win, first to have a junior varsity team. The list goes on and on and continues into the future, as after I graduated I handed the presidency over to my sister who is doing an excellent job taking over for me and continuing the FSFI legacy.
It was that club that led me not to fear being a geek, but love it and trust in myself for who I was. (We’ll talk more about FSFI in later Blogs).
Soon it came time to go to High School, where Joe and I heard through the grape vine that you could start any club you wanted. We quickly revamped our Middle school club name to something a bit more high school finally deciding on the Fondy Space Flight Institute or FSFI. Soon after the formation of FSFI I was named the club president and just like that our club was 15 strong. One thing led to the next and we found ourselves building a 6 foot rocket for competition in the annual Rockets for School Competition. Our first year we took second place (not a bad start). Since then, I led our club to two back to back first place trophies. The club has broke numerous records in the competition being the first to build a class two rocket, first to participate for more than two years and win, first to have a junior varsity team. The list goes on and on and continues into the future, as after I graduated I handed the presidency over to my sister who is doing an excellent job taking over for me and continuing the FSFI legacy.
It was that club that led me not to fear being a geek, but love it and trust in myself for who I was. (We’ll talk more about FSFI in later Blogs).
Occasionally looking through the window
Today I was disappointed when my body awoke me at 830. I was really hoping I would sleep through most of the day. The majority of the population has not arrived yet, and well it is really boring around here. Although it is kind of nice having the room quiet for once, normally there is always some faint rap music or a door slamming. Once and a while I take a peek out our first floor window just to see if there is anything going on outside, but there never is. Only the peaceful chirping of a family of sparrows that live in the bush just under the window. Today was a beautiful day by Wisconsin standards, not a cloud in the Sunny sky and about 75 degrees. Most people would say that better than 10 inches of snow but I do like the snow and miss it.
Other than that my day was mostly spent installing a new 54g wireless card into my computer, surfing the web, and finding places for the Christmas presents I brought back. Nothing really happened. So I am going to take this opportunity to blog about some past events in my life.
Other than that my day was mostly spent installing a new 54g wireless card into my computer, surfing the web, and finding places for the Christmas presents I brought back. Nothing really happened. So I am going to take this opportunity to blog about some past events in my life.
What a Vacation
01 07 04
After spending almost four weeks home I am a bit sad to leave, however everybody has to work right. Anyway, I am writing this on an Embraiair 145 Jet, on my new laptop (which I go a really good deal on) approaching Bush International where I will land and continue back to prairie view. How I wish I had just one more week of vacation. I love Prairie view but their leave starts a full week before most of the Universities in Wisconsin do, so by the time everybody was home and rested up It was time to go to class again. Classes start on Monday so I have a couple of days to settle back in, and find where my classes are maybe even get a little gaming in with my friends down there.
My last few days at home went by so fast. At my X-Box party, which lasted from 1700 to 0600 right before I left, I did renew to myself that I am defiantly a computer gamer and not a console gamer. My futile attempts to even got 20 frags in a first to 50 Halo 2 deathmatch were pathetic. Non the less I still had a good time getting together with most of my friends and just chilling. A couple hours after my party my best friend had his wisdom teeth taken out. I went over to his house (which has not changed on bit in the 16 years that I have been going over there) where I attempted to give him a hand. I felt bad for my friend as he was experiencing some pretty serious pain, but I also like the fact I was able to give him a hand. It was a nice fealing and one i rarely get to feal.
Overall Christmas leave went pretty well the only complaint I have falls under in what will be from now on called the future father in law syndrome FFiLS. Kim’s father was not at all pleased with her coming to see me and her mother (See Kim’s parents are happily divorced and her mother and step father who live in Arizona came up to visit us). It was a fight just to take her out for a nice dinner and a movie. I am not sure how next year’s Christmas will go but I am pretty sure Kim and I are both going to try and leave him out of it. As for my family, who bent over backwards for Kim and I, they were the usual loving and caring family I have come to know the last 18 years of my life. (“The pilot just got on the intercom and told us we were facing a 150 mph head wind and that we might be a little late”) Perfect, this may be the single longest blog I ever post as there is nothing else to do on this plane! (Sarcasm is a good thing)! To those members of my fam back in Wisconsin who may be reading this thanks for everything and I love you all sorry Kim’s father had to be such a @*#hole.
Oh and for those of you who don’t know what WWdN is, it stands for http://www.wilwheaton.net/ who I believe is one of the best bloggers out there. Wil is also a pretty funny guy, fellow Star Trek enthusiast and geek. Some say a bit like me. Also the good laptop deal go to best buy and get a Toshiba Satellite M35X-S149 only 650 bucks the equivalent Gateway is 999 (Highly recommended).
P:S Sorry for that really long run on sentence in the beginning.
After spending almost four weeks home I am a bit sad to leave, however everybody has to work right. Anyway, I am writing this on an Embraiair 145 Jet, on my new laptop (which I go a really good deal on) approaching Bush International where I will land and continue back to prairie view. How I wish I had just one more week of vacation. I love Prairie view but their leave starts a full week before most of the Universities in Wisconsin do, so by the time everybody was home and rested up It was time to go to class again. Classes start on Monday so I have a couple of days to settle back in, and find where my classes are maybe even get a little gaming in with my friends down there.
My last few days at home went by so fast. At my X-Box party, which lasted from 1700 to 0600 right before I left, I did renew to myself that I am defiantly a computer gamer and not a console gamer. My futile attempts to even got 20 frags in a first to 50 Halo 2 deathmatch were pathetic. Non the less I still had a good time getting together with most of my friends and just chilling. A couple hours after my party my best friend had his wisdom teeth taken out. I went over to his house (which has not changed on bit in the 16 years that I have been going over there) where I attempted to give him a hand. I felt bad for my friend as he was experiencing some pretty serious pain, but I also like the fact I was able to give him a hand. It was a nice fealing and one i rarely get to feal.
Overall Christmas leave went pretty well the only complaint I have falls under in what will be from now on called the future father in law syndrome FFiLS. Kim’s father was not at all pleased with her coming to see me and her mother (See Kim’s parents are happily divorced and her mother and step father who live in Arizona came up to visit us). It was a fight just to take her out for a nice dinner and a movie. I am not sure how next year’s Christmas will go but I am pretty sure Kim and I are both going to try and leave him out of it. As for my family, who bent over backwards for Kim and I, they were the usual loving and caring family I have come to know the last 18 years of my life. (“The pilot just got on the intercom and told us we were facing a 150 mph head wind and that we might be a little late”) Perfect, this may be the single longest blog I ever post as there is nothing else to do on this plane! (Sarcasm is a good thing)! To those members of my fam back in Wisconsin who may be reading this thanks for everything and I love you all sorry Kim’s father had to be such a @*#hole.
Oh and for those of you who don’t know what WWdN is, it stands for http://www.wilwheaton.net/ who I believe is one of the best bloggers out there. Wil is also a pretty funny guy, fellow Star Trek enthusiast and geek. Some say a bit like me. Also the good laptop deal go to best buy and get a Toshiba Satellite M35X-S149 only 650 bucks the equivalent Gateway is 999 (Highly recommended).
P:S Sorry for that really long run on sentence in the beginning.
First Blog
Being a regular visitor of WWdN and after reading Wil Wheaton’s book "Just a Geek". I realized it was time for me to start blogging. I guess mostly I just wanted to be able to express my self mostly to my girlfriend Kim (who I know is reading this and I love very much) in a different way other than email. The both of us are both in the Navy and are attending college I in Texas, and she in Maryland. We rarely are able to see one another and we really rely on the internet to keep in touch. This web log will undoubtedly have much written about her.
“A brief history of me”
Like I said I am in the navy and am currently studying Computer science at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. I grew up in a medium sized town in Wisconsin called Fond du Lac. There’s not a whole lot to do in Fond du Lac However, it’s by far one of the nicest places you can live in the entire world. I plan on living there or close to it in the future. My High School days were nothing special Played in the band, ran track, founded a rocket club. The only really significant thing that came from my High School experience was meeting Kim.
Outside of class I devoted a great deal of my life to Boy Scouts and obtaining my Eagle Scout. Which of course I did and left the scouts when I was eighteen with my Eagle Scout and four palms (for those who know what those are). For the rest of you, that’s really good. I will elaborate more life in later blogs. Anyway.
This Christmas Kim and I were both fortunate to have leave together. We spent as much time together as we could and for the first time in six months I fealt normal again. Every hour I spent with her was like a day in heaven. Today Kim left for Maryland early in the morning and I miss her terribly. I still have a few days left on my leave and have some things planned to fill the days up. Only, since she has left I have not had much ambition to do anything. even feeling sick to my stomach sometimes. I cant wait to see her again.
I guess that’s pretty much it for my first blog I suppose it is going to take a while to get the hang of it, but I am sure all I need is some practice.
“A brief history of me”
Like I said I am in the navy and am currently studying Computer science at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. I grew up in a medium sized town in Wisconsin called Fond du Lac. There’s not a whole lot to do in Fond du Lac However, it’s by far one of the nicest places you can live in the entire world. I plan on living there or close to it in the future. My High School days were nothing special Played in the band, ran track, founded a rocket club. The only really significant thing that came from my High School experience was meeting Kim.
Outside of class I devoted a great deal of my life to Boy Scouts and obtaining my Eagle Scout. Which of course I did and left the scouts when I was eighteen with my Eagle Scout and four palms (for those who know what those are). For the rest of you, that’s really good. I will elaborate more life in later blogs. Anyway.
This Christmas Kim and I were both fortunate to have leave together. We spent as much time together as we could and for the first time in six months I fealt normal again. Every hour I spent with her was like a day in heaven. Today Kim left for Maryland early in the morning and I miss her terribly. I still have a few days left on my leave and have some things planned to fill the days up. Only, since she has left I have not had much ambition to do anything. even feeling sick to my stomach sometimes. I cant wait to see her again.
I guess that’s pretty much it for my first blog I suppose it is going to take a while to get the hang of it, but I am sure all I need is some practice.
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