That was fun.
I met my family at Arnold Hall for dinner.
We talked for a while until it was time for Swing Club.
They insisted that they just wanted to watch.
So I let them.
And I did show off a bit more than normal.
Just to see the reaction on their face.
I finally got my mom and dad out on the floor.
I taught them Swing and Tango.
But my dad still needs a little work on the steps.
Even my sister danced with me.
I consider this an accomplishment since she thinks I'm stuck in the 20's because I like this stuff.
She did really well too.
I was impressed.
31 August 2006
30 August 2006
By a Classmate
Twas the night before Thursday, and everyone was tired
The new schedule of calls had everyone caffeinated and wired
Classes were starting to get hard, 09 was getting the blame
For 10 sucking it up at the k-test game
Form-10’s and confinements were already old
For a “more military academy” the wing’s happiness had been sold
On this night however, a feeling began to grow
From all of the 09ers who had been feeling quite low
They looked over their calendars, no, it couldn’t be right
Could it really be that tonight was the night
Tomorrow, they would sing out 1000 days left to go
And everyone would get a free burrito
Tomorrow they would forget all that had made them mad
And they would try their hardest without alcohol to be glad
For in 1000 days they would hear those amazing words
“you are dismissed” and flip USAFA the bird
But tonight however, there was still work left to do
Dear God how am I going to survive 1000 more days in the zoo
The same way I guess, I’ve made it this far
I’ll hope for a D. in Engr Mech cause I’m an academic superstar
The new schedule of calls had everyone caffeinated and wired
Classes were starting to get hard, 09 was getting the blame
For 10 sucking it up at the k-test game
Form-10’s and confinements were already old
For a “more military academy” the wing’s happiness had been sold
On this night however, a feeling began to grow
From all of the 09ers who had been feeling quite low
They looked over their calendars, no, it couldn’t be right
Could it really be that tonight was the night
Tomorrow, they would sing out 1000 days left to go
And everyone would get a free burrito
Tomorrow they would forget all that had made them mad
And they would try their hardest without alcohol to be glad
For in 1000 days they would hear those amazing words
“you are dismissed” and flip USAFA the bird
But tonight however, there was still work left to do
Dear God how am I going to survive 1000 more days in the zoo
The same way I guess, I’ve made it this far
I’ll hope for a D. in Engr Mech cause I’m an academic superstar
Rugby
Today was out first game of Rugby.
We palyed Squadron 2.
That was fun.
I got to inflict some pain.
Just like the Knowlege Bowl,
The other team had already practiced.
So they knew what they were doing.
We didn't have a clue.
We had a few injuries.
One of my freshmen knocked heads real good with another.
Lots of blood.
He's ok though.
No stiches required.
He took it well.
We palyed Squadron 2.
That was fun.
I got to inflict some pain.
Just like the Knowlege Bowl,
The other team had already practiced.
So they knew what they were doing.
We didn't have a clue.
We had a few injuries.
One of my freshmen knocked heads real good with another.
Lots of blood.
He's ok though.
No stiches required.
He took it well.
29 August 2006
1000's Night
For those of you that remember 100's Night,
Thursday night is 1000's Night for the class of 2009.
Since this is also a Swing Club night,
This should correspond nicly.
It's not as important as 100's Night,
But it's still cool.
Thursday night is 1000's Night for the class of 2009.
Since this is also a Swing Club night,
This should correspond nicly.
It's not as important as 100's Night,
But it's still cool.
Parent's Weekend
This weekend is Labor Day Weekend.
That means it’s also Parent’s Weekend.
Most of my family will be coming up to visit.
Two of them are staying home to ensure that Sonlight puts up a strong fight in Robotics this year.
The plan is for them to get here a little early and Show up at Swing Club on Thursday.
Then they’ll come sit through a few classes on Friday.
And we’ll have a parade and a squadron BBQ.
And then we’ll spend the weekend in the woods camping.
And boating and dirt biking.
Should be fun.
That means it’s also Parent’s Weekend.
Most of my family will be coming up to visit.
Two of them are staying home to ensure that Sonlight puts up a strong fight in Robotics this year.
The plan is for them to get here a little early and Show up at Swing Club on Thursday.
Then they’ll come sit through a few classes on Friday.
And we’ll have a parade and a squadron BBQ.
And then we’ll spend the weekend in the woods camping.
And boating and dirt biking.
Should be fun.
Knowlege Bowl
We had our first knowledge bowl this evening.
It was our Four Degrees vs Raging Bull Six.
Six had already gotten a chance to practice,
But our 4*’s didn’t have a clue what was going on.
We still won though,
150/105
It was our Four Degrees vs Raging Bull Six.
Six had already gotten a chance to practice,
But our 4*’s didn’t have a clue what was going on.
We still won though,
150/105
Euro Fighter
Never underestimate your enemy,
And never overestimate an ally
This is the new Euro Fighter,
Also called the Typhoon.
It’s got almost the same capabilities as our F-22 Raptor,
But at one third the cost.
The reason…
It’s only got most of the capabilities.
Our Raptor has stealth.
I’d say that’s worth the extra couple of million dollars.
Typhoon isn’t as sleek as our planes though.
My Lightning II is much better looking
And never overestimate an ally
This is the new Euro Fighter,
Also called the Typhoon.
It’s got almost the same capabilities as our F-22 Raptor,
But at one third the cost.
The reason…
It’s only got most of the capabilities.
Our Raptor has stealth.
I’d say that’s worth the extra couple of million dollars.
Typhoon isn’t as sleek as our planes though.
My Lightning II is much better looking
28 August 2006
27 August 2006
The Parable of the Chaco Tacos
Matthew 25 (New Academy Version)
Again it will be like a firstie leaving the lunch table to go to the staff tower,
Who called his four degrees to attention and entrusted the dessert tray to them.
To the hot pilot he gave five choco tacos,
To the cold pilot two choco tacos,
And to the loadmaster one choco taco,
Each according to his ability.
Then he went to make his staff tower announcement.
The hot pilot who had received the five choco tacos went at once to another table to report in and gained five more.
So also, the cold pilot with the two choco tacos gained two more from Willie,
The nice Mitchell Hall guy.
But the loadmaster who had received the one choco taco went off to the East doors of Mitchell Hall,
Found his backpack, and hid his table commandant’s choco taco.
After being tapped off the staff tower,
The table commandant of those four degrees returned and settled accounts with them.
The hot pilot who had received the five choco tacos brought the other five.
“Cadet Major John A Doe, sir, Cadet Fourth Class Smith reports as ordered,
Sir may I make a statement”
He said, “you entrusted me with five choco tacos.
See, I have gained five more.”
His table commandant replied, “Well done, good and faithful doolie!
You have been faithful with a Mitchell Hall dessert;
I will put you in charge of the squadron tailgate party.
Come and get your SSS signed to go on the ski club trip this weekend!”
The cold pilot with the two choco tacos also came to attention. “Cadet Doe,” he said, “you entrusted me with two choco tacos;
See, I have gained two more.”
His table commandant replied, “Well done, good and faithful four dig!
You have been faithful with a few hundred calories;
I will put you in charge of next week’s gallon challenge.
Come and get comforter privileges!”
Then the loadmaster who had received the one choco taco came to attention.
“Sir,” he said, “I knew that you are a stract man,
Wearing shirt garters when you are not in blues
And pulling your chin strap down when there is no wind.
So I was afraid and went and hid your choco taco in my backpack.
See, here is what belongs to you.”
His table commandant replied, “You weak and lazy frosh!
So you knew that I wear shirt garters when I am not in blues
And I pull my chin strap down when there is no wind?
Well then, you should have put my choco taco in the ice bucket
So that when I returned I would have received it back chilled.
Take the choco taco from him and give it to the one who has ten choco tacos.
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.
Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
And throw that worthless SMACK outside,
Onto the strips,
Where there will be greeting and pulling of chins.”
Again it will be like a firstie leaving the lunch table to go to the staff tower,
Who called his four degrees to attention and entrusted the dessert tray to them.
To the hot pilot he gave five choco tacos,
To the cold pilot two choco tacos,
And to the loadmaster one choco taco,
Each according to his ability.
Then he went to make his staff tower announcement.
The hot pilot who had received the five choco tacos went at once to another table to report in and gained five more.
So also, the cold pilot with the two choco tacos gained two more from Willie,
The nice Mitchell Hall guy.
But the loadmaster who had received the one choco taco went off to the East doors of Mitchell Hall,
Found his backpack, and hid his table commandant’s choco taco.
After being tapped off the staff tower,
The table commandant of those four degrees returned and settled accounts with them.
The hot pilot who had received the five choco tacos brought the other five.
“Cadet Major John A Doe, sir, Cadet Fourth Class Smith reports as ordered,
Sir may I make a statement”
He said, “you entrusted me with five choco tacos.
See, I have gained five more.”
His table commandant replied, “Well done, good and faithful doolie!
You have been faithful with a Mitchell Hall dessert;
I will put you in charge of the squadron tailgate party.
Come and get your SSS signed to go on the ski club trip this weekend!”
The cold pilot with the two choco tacos also came to attention. “Cadet Doe,” he said, “you entrusted me with two choco tacos;
See, I have gained two more.”
His table commandant replied, “Well done, good and faithful four dig!
You have been faithful with a few hundred calories;
I will put you in charge of next week’s gallon challenge.
Come and get comforter privileges!”
Then the loadmaster who had received the one choco taco came to attention.
“Sir,” he said, “I knew that you are a stract man,
Wearing shirt garters when you are not in blues
And pulling your chin strap down when there is no wind.
So I was afraid and went and hid your choco taco in my backpack.
See, here is what belongs to you.”
His table commandant replied, “You weak and lazy frosh!
So you knew that I wear shirt garters when I am not in blues
And I pull my chin strap down when there is no wind?
Well then, you should have put my choco taco in the ice bucket
So that when I returned I would have received it back chilled.
Take the choco taco from him and give it to the one who has ten choco tacos.
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.
Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
And throw that worthless SMACK outside,
Onto the strips,
Where there will be greeting and pulling of chins.”
25 August 2006
Swing
The 4*'s have a mandatory dance tonight.
So Swing Club is goin to make an appearence to help teach them.
This should be interesting,
Since only the core of the club is coming out.
So it'll be about 20 of us,
Teaching 700+ of them.
This should be entertaining.
So Swing Club is goin to make an appearence to help teach them.
This should be interesting,
Since only the core of the club is coming out.
So it'll be about 20 of us,
Teaching 700+ of them.
This should be entertaining.
24 August 2006
Pluto
There are no longer nine planets that orbit our sun.
We are now back down to eight.
In other news,
Our Solar System has been attacked by the Galactic Empire,
The Death Star has begun the systematic annihilation of this system.
Citizens are advised to panic and run wild in the streets.
Just Kidding,
But we are down to eight planets.
Scientists have come up with a new set of standards that a celestial body must meet before being granted Planet status.
And Pluto didn't make it.
The funny part about this whole thing,
Is the way I found out about this,
I was sitting in German Class,
Doing the Language Lab.
I had finished my work 20 minutes early,
So I jumped on the web and watched a recording of the 5’oclock news from Germany.
I was piecing together what they were saying,
When it hit me
Yeah,
I found this out in German.
We are now back down to eight.
In other news,
Our Solar System has been attacked by the Galactic Empire,
The Death Star has begun the systematic annihilation of this system.
Citizens are advised to panic and run wild in the streets.
Just Kidding,
But we are down to eight planets.
Scientists have come up with a new set of standards that a celestial body must meet before being granted Planet status.
And Pluto didn't make it.
The funny part about this whole thing,
Is the way I found out about this,
I was sitting in German Class,
Doing the Language Lab.
I had finished my work 20 minutes early,
So I jumped on the web and watched a recording of the 5’oclock news from Germany.
I was piecing together what they were saying,
When it hit me
Yeah,
I found this out in German.
22 August 2006
Skipping Stones
"She told me she loved me again and again ,
Like a stone skipping over water,
And when I believed here,
It sank"
Our English teacher read this this morning.
It made for an interesting conversation.
We talked about what the poet meant by this.
One cadet brought up the point that
"The skipping is the fun part,
After it's over,
You just pick up another stone."
Every one else thought that was funny.
I didn't like the message behind it,
Or the fact that everyone else thought it was humorous.
The world is under the impression that relationships have little or no meaning,
They think they can keep going until they find what they want.
Now…
Pardon my old fashioned thinking,
But here is my opinion.
Relationships are to be more than that.
They are to have a deeper meaning.
God did not create man and woman just to entertain each other,
But to help each other through life.
That means that such a relationship is designed to be long term,
Not the “while I enjoy it” outlook that the rest of the world has taken on.
Other than my immediate family,
I have only one true (human) friend.
His name is Chris.
(He was my roommate over the summer)We didn’t get to be such good friends from just hanging out when it suited us,
We stuck it out and supported each other when the other would have a problem.
I’d listen to him and he would listen to me.
The fact that we have so much in common helps there too.
We’re both Eagle Scouts and we’re both in the class of 2009 up here at USAFA.
We worked together a lot in scouts and we both want to be fighter pilots.
(Even if we can’t agree which plane is better)
We support each other.
I believe that any serious relationship between two people of the opposite gender should be the same.
It should be a long term relationship no matter what trouble comes their way.
This is why the marriage vows include sickness and all that stuff.
It was not designed to be until one tired of the other,
But as long as they both shall live
It’s not like shoe shopping.
You can’t try on five (or 25 for some of you) shoes
And decide which one feels better.
My pastor makes a good analogy when it comes to this.
He says that when you think your ready for a significant other,
Get involved in a ministry that God has called you too,
And run the race,
Then,
Look to your left and right to see who is running besides you.
Then take that person's hand,
And run together
Like a stone skipping over water,
And when I believed here,
It sank"
Our English teacher read this this morning.
It made for an interesting conversation.
We talked about what the poet meant by this.
One cadet brought up the point that
"The skipping is the fun part,
After it's over,
You just pick up another stone."
Every one else thought that was funny.
I didn't like the message behind it,
Or the fact that everyone else thought it was humorous.
The world is under the impression that relationships have little or no meaning,
They think they can keep going until they find what they want.
Now…
Pardon my old fashioned thinking,
But here is my opinion.
Relationships are to be more than that.
They are to have a deeper meaning.
God did not create man and woman just to entertain each other,
But to help each other through life.
That means that such a relationship is designed to be long term,
Not the “while I enjoy it” outlook that the rest of the world has taken on.
Other than my immediate family,
I have only one true (human) friend.
His name is Chris.
(He was my roommate over the summer)We didn’t get to be such good friends from just hanging out when it suited us,
We stuck it out and supported each other when the other would have a problem.
I’d listen to him and he would listen to me.
The fact that we have so much in common helps there too.
We’re both Eagle Scouts and we’re both in the class of 2009 up here at USAFA.
We worked together a lot in scouts and we both want to be fighter pilots.
(Even if we can’t agree which plane is better)
We support each other.
I believe that any serious relationship between two people of the opposite gender should be the same.
It should be a long term relationship no matter what trouble comes their way.
This is why the marriage vows include sickness and all that stuff.
It was not designed to be until one tired of the other,
But as long as they both shall live
It’s not like shoe shopping.
You can’t try on five (or 25 for some of you) shoes
And decide which one feels better.
My pastor makes a good analogy when it comes to this.
He says that when you think your ready for a significant other,
Get involved in a ministry that God has called you too,
And run the race,
Then,
Look to your left and right to see who is running besides you.
Then take that person's hand,
And run together
21 August 2006
Rules of Flight
1. Every takeoff is optional. Every landing is mandatory.
2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick all the way back, then they get bigger again.
3. Flying isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous.
4. It's always better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here.
5. The ONLY time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.
6. The propeller is just a big fan in front of the plane used to keep the pilot cool. When it stops, you can actually watch the pilot start sweating.
7. When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided with the sky.
8. A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' landing is one after which they can use the plane again.
9. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.
10. You know you've landed with the wheels up if it takes full power to taxi to the ramp.
11. The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and vice versa.
12. Never let an aircraft take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier.
13. Stay out of clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be another airplane going in the opposite direction. Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out in clouds.
14. Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the number of take offs you've made.
15. There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.
16. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.
17. Helicopters can't fly; they're just so ugly the earth repels them.
18. If all you can see out of the window is ground that's going round and round and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger compartment, things are not at all as they should be.
19. In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.
20. Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.
21. It's always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible.
22. Keep looking around. There's always something you've missed.
23. Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It's the law. And it's not subject to repeal.
24. The three most useless things to a pilot are the altitude above you, runway behind you, and a tenth of a second ago.
2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick all the way back, then they get bigger again.
3. Flying isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous.
4. It's always better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here.
5. The ONLY time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.
6. The propeller is just a big fan in front of the plane used to keep the pilot cool. When it stops, you can actually watch the pilot start sweating.
7. When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided with the sky.
8. A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' landing is one after which they can use the plane again.
9. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.
10. You know you've landed with the wheels up if it takes full power to taxi to the ramp.
11. The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and vice versa.
12. Never let an aircraft take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier.
13. Stay out of clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be another airplane going in the opposite direction. Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out in clouds.
14. Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the number of take offs you've made.
15. There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.
16. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.
17. Helicopters can't fly; they're just so ugly the earth repels them.
18. If all you can see out of the window is ground that's going round and round and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger compartment, things are not at all as they should be.
19. In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.
20. Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.
21. It's always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible.
22. Keep looking around. There's always something you've missed.
23. Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It's the law. And it's not subject to repeal.
24. The three most useless things to a pilot are the altitude above you, runway behind you, and a tenth of a second ago.
New Uniforms
The Air Force is getting new uniforms.
A board is currently looking over the options availible.
A few pictures have been released,
And Airmen across the world have not hesitated to express their opinions about them.
Here are a few...
A board is currently looking over the options availible.
A few pictures have been released,
And Airmen across the world have not hesitated to express their opinions about them.
Here are a few...
20 August 2006
That's a First
That was interesting.
I didn’t notice this going to lunch,
But I saw it coming back.
I was looking up at the mountains,
And I noticed something different atop Spirit Hill.
It would appear that Squadron 11
Has taken Squadron 14’s bathroom
And put the entire thing on top of Spirit Hill.
It would appear the 4*’2 have discovered what spirit missions are.
I didn’t notice this going to lunch,
But I saw it coming back.
I was looking up at the mountains,
And I noticed something different atop Spirit Hill.
It would appear that Squadron 11
Has taken Squadron 14’s bathroom
And put the entire thing on top of Spirit Hill.
It would appear the 4*’2 have discovered what spirit missions are.
19 August 2006
Rockin at OCF
The OCF leadership decided that the vocals during praise and worship weren't loud enough.
So we got a portable sound system to set up for meetings.
Guess who gets to run said sound system.
Yeah,
Me.
Tried it out at our Saturday meeting tonight.
Works good.
So we got a portable sound system to set up for meetings.
Guess who gets to run said sound system.
Yeah,
Me.
Tried it out at our Saturday meeting tonight.
Works good.
Club Day
Today was club day.
All the clubs set up a table and recruited new Four Degrees.
Most of them had stuff to hand out.
Not Swing Club.
We just had music,
And us.
We played music for four hours.
And we danced the whole time.
Occasionally,
One of us would grab a Four Degree and danced with them.
We had a sweet demo too.
All sorts of cool flips and stuff.
It worked.
We got over 170 sign ups.
All the clubs set up a table and recruited new Four Degrees.
Most of them had stuff to hand out.
Not Swing Club.
We just had music,
And us.
We played music for four hours.
And we danced the whole time.
Occasionally,
One of us would grab a Four Degree and danced with them.
We had a sweet demo too.
All sorts of cool flips and stuff.
It worked.
We got over 170 sign ups.
18 August 2006
Triple Threat
This weekend is our first Triple Threat.
That means we have a SAMI,
(Room inspection)
PAI
(Uniform inspection)
and a parade.
I'm sitting CQ too.
So I'm not gonna get to clean my room until late.
Fun Stuff
That means we have a SAMI,
(Room inspection)
PAI
(Uniform inspection)
and a parade.
I'm sitting CQ too.
So I'm not gonna get to clean my room until late.
Fun Stuff
17 August 2006
Group One Copmmanders Call
Evening Briefing again.We all hate these with a fiery passion.
So we go,
(Just like any good cadet would)
The Cadet Commander comes out.
Says “(Earth’s Summary: We’re the best Group in the Cadet Wing, Work hard, stay out of trouble)”
(In slightly more words than that)
Than the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) comes out
(He’s the real AF Officer there to keep us in line.
You know how unsupervised college students will act…)
Says “(Earth’s Summary: These are my expectations for the semester)”
(In slightly more words than that)
“Do you think you can handle that”
Group One: “Yes Sir!”
AOC: “What was that?”
Group One: “Yes Sir!!!”
AOC: “Alright than. Dismissed.”
And he walks of the stage.
I’ve never seen anything like that before.
I think I like this new guy.
Than we’re walking bake to our rooms.
There is an enormous black cloud over Fairchild Hall that stretches to the Horizon.
The rest of the sky is crystal clear with a few other clouds in the distance.
The LEWIS (Lightning Emergency Warning Something System) is flashing.
We hear the typical “Lighting is dangerous stay off the Terrazzo”
(In slightly more words than that)
Warning over the big speakers.
Just then,
A brilliant flash of light hits the ground form the enormous black cloud.
(It was a ways off, so we knew we were safe)
Cadets: “Oooh, Aaah…”
And just for kicks,
I scream: “WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!”
Yeah…
Got some good laughs out of that one.
So we go,
(Just like any good cadet would)
The Cadet Commander comes out.
Says “(Earth’s Summary: We’re the best Group in the Cadet Wing, Work hard, stay out of trouble)”
(In slightly more words than that)
Than the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) comes out
(He’s the real AF Officer there to keep us in line.
You know how unsupervised college students will act…)
Says “(Earth’s Summary: These are my expectations for the semester)”
(In slightly more words than that)
“Do you think you can handle that”
Group One: “Yes Sir!”
AOC: “What was that?”
Group One: “Yes Sir!!!”
AOC: “Alright than. Dismissed.”
And he walks of the stage.
I’ve never seen anything like that before.
I think I like this new guy.
Than we’re walking bake to our rooms.
There is an enormous black cloud over Fairchild Hall that stretches to the Horizon.
The rest of the sky is crystal clear with a few other clouds in the distance.
The LEWIS (Lightning Emergency Warning Something System) is flashing.
We hear the typical “Lighting is dangerous stay off the Terrazzo”
(In slightly more words than that)
Warning over the big speakers.
Just then,
A brilliant flash of light hits the ground form the enormous black cloud.
(It was a ways off, so we knew we were safe)
Cadets: “Oooh, Aaah…”
And just for kicks,
I scream: “WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!”
Yeah…
Got some good laughs out of that one.
CQ Duty
As Thirdclassmen,
It's our job to man the Charge of Quarters (CQ) Desk from reveille to taps.
We work the schedule out among us so that everyone sits the same amount of time.
Sometimes people can't make they're shift do to some unforeseen event.
If this happens they have to find someone to fill their shift.
I was working the taps shift for someone last night.
An Email went out asking someone to fill their reveille shift.
I looked at the times and saw I wasn’t doing anything so I sent an Email saying I’d do it.
Then I realized,
It was for this morning.
So I was up after taps,
And before reveille.
Fun stuff
It's our job to man the Charge of Quarters (CQ) Desk from reveille to taps.
We work the schedule out among us so that everyone sits the same amount of time.
Sometimes people can't make they're shift do to some unforeseen event.
If this happens they have to find someone to fill their shift.
I was working the taps shift for someone last night.
An Email went out asking someone to fill their reveille shift.
I looked at the times and saw I wasn’t doing anything so I sent an Email saying I’d do it.
Then I realized,
It was for this morning.
So I was up after taps,
And before reveille.
Fun stuff
16 August 2006
Mitchell Hall
I went to breakfast this morning, As expected. The plates are put on the table upside down, To prevent things spilling on them. I went to my normal spot and turned my plate right side up. There was a rather large piece of chicken stuck to it.
I'm not sure which was more disturbing.
No matter how hard I flung it,
The chicken wouldn't come off,
Or the fact that the last meal we had chicken with,
Was at lunch the day before.
Yeah,
Mitchell Hall food is great.
(That's called sarcasm)
I'm not sure which was more disturbing.
No matter how hard I flung it,
The chicken wouldn't come off,
Or the fact that the last meal we had chicken with,
Was at lunch the day before.
Yeah,
Mitchell Hall food is great.
(That's called sarcasm)
15 August 2006
14 August 2006
You said
Ask and you will receive
Whatever you need
Ask and you will receive
Whatever you need
You said
pray and I’ll hear from heaven
and I’ll heal your land
You said
Your glory will fill the earth
like water the sea
You said
lift up your eyes
the harvest is here
the kingdom is near
You said
Ask and I’ll give the nations to you
Oh Lord
That’s the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see
Your light
As it rises on us
Distant shores and the islands will see
Your light
As it rises on us
13 August 2006
V: Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.
Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose,
so let me simply add that it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.
Evey: Are you like a crazy person?
V: I'm quite sure they will say so.
Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose,
so let me simply add that it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.
Evey: Are you like a crazy person?
V: I'm quite sure they will say so.
12 August 2006
11 August 2006
Oh Wow...
The Squadron Safety & Security Officer is a very interesting person.
He’s the guy I report too.
He keeps his hair shorter than I do.
Meaning,
He shaves his head.
He just found a new way to take advantage of this intriguing little detail.
He just ran down the hall…
With a plunger stuck to his head.
He’s the guy I report too.
He keeps his hair shorter than I do.
Meaning,
He shaves his head.
He just found a new way to take advantage of this intriguing little detail.
He just ran down the hall…
With a plunger stuck to his head.
10 August 2006
My Hair Is On Fire
I'm mad.
Really mad.
Some one up on Wing Staff decided that all storage rooms need to up to standards now.
While I usually don't have a problem with this,
We're usually given about two weeks to get that squared away because of the size of the task.
That and all the rules, regulations, and standards are going to change tomorrow when they release the new Cadet Sight Picture (CSP).
So we're going to have to redo them tomorrow.
Since I'm in charge of Safety and Security,
That falls under my jurisdiction.
(Why storage is considered a safety or security matter is beyond me)
So it fell to me to make sure that all three storage rooms for all four classes were in order.
Now…
Normally I don’t mind this kind of thing.
I’m rather used to doing things that seem pointless just because I’m told too.
That and I usually love doing my job and being helpful.
And I’m into security and all that.
That’s why I asked for the job.
But…
The order to get the storage room came out around 1945.
And the deadline was 2100 tonight.
Swing goes from 2000 to 2200.
So by the time I got over the storage rooms done and got over the Arnold Hall,
It was about 2115.
My two hours of dancing got cut too 45 min.
Yeah…
I’m really mad.
Really mad.
Some one up on Wing Staff decided that all storage rooms need to up to standards now.
While I usually don't have a problem with this,
We're usually given about two weeks to get that squared away because of the size of the task.
That and all the rules, regulations, and standards are going to change tomorrow when they release the new Cadet Sight Picture (CSP).
So we're going to have to redo them tomorrow.
Since I'm in charge of Safety and Security,
That falls under my jurisdiction.
(Why storage is considered a safety or security matter is beyond me)
So it fell to me to make sure that all three storage rooms for all four classes were in order.
Now…
Normally I don’t mind this kind of thing.
I’m rather used to doing things that seem pointless just because I’m told too.
That and I usually love doing my job and being helpful.
And I’m into security and all that.
That’s why I asked for the job.
But…
The order to get the storage room came out around 1945.
And the deadline was 2100 tonight.
Swing goes from 2000 to 2200.
So by the time I got over the storage rooms done and got over the Arnold Hall,
It was about 2115.
My two hours of dancing got cut too 45 min.
Yeah…
I’m really mad.
First Day of School
The SMACKs were out calling minutes this morning.
I went out to train them.
The old adage is true.
It truly is more blessed to give than receive.
I love being an upperclassman.
I went out to train them.
The old adage is true.
It truly is more blessed to give than receive.
I love being an upperclassman.
08 August 2006
Swing Club
Had our first meeting of the year.
Had a blast, as usual.
Nothing like swing dancing to take your mind off your troubles.
(And get a decent workout in)
Had a blast, as usual.
Nothing like swing dancing to take your mind off your troubles.
(And get a decent workout in)
07 August 2006
Wow
CS-10's Chief Clerk just walked in.
(Cheif Clerk is the Highest position a Three Degree can have)
He just asked me to be his assistant.
Yeah...
Wow.
Apparently so big deal Firstee recomended me.
We'll see how this goes.
Please pray for me.
I need all the help I can get.
I know I can't pull this off on my own.
(Cheif Clerk is the Highest position a Three Degree can have)
He just asked me to be his assistant.
Yeah...
Wow.
Apparently so big deal Firstee recomended me.
We'll see how this goes.
Please pray for me.
I need all the help I can get.
I know I can't pull this off on my own.
The New Basics
They're here.
Our future Four Degrees are moved into their rooms.
And I've already been working them.
They're setup up three to a room.
But there's only two beds and two desks in their rooms.
So It ook them room to room,
And had them move desks and bed to different rooms.
But I take care of them too.
I walked into one of their rooms,
Threw a bag of chocolate into a box,
And siad, "Don't get caught,
Share those with your classmates."
Our future Four Degrees are moved into their rooms.
And I've already been working them.
They're setup up three to a room.
But there's only two beds and two desks in their rooms.
So It ook them room to room,
And had them move desks and bed to different rooms.
But I take care of them too.
I walked into one of their rooms,
Threw a bag of chocolate into a box,
And siad, "Don't get caught,
Share those with your classmates."
Moving In
Finally getting around to unpacking my stuff from storage.
Found my CDs.
Nothing beats Christmas music in August.
Found my CDs.
Nothing beats Christmas music in August.
06 August 2006
Tiger Ten
Finally got moved into my new squadron.
Tiger Ten, Huzzah!
This squad doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be.
All the basics are three to a room.
But they're all in two man rooms.
So I spent the evening moving beds.
And geuss what?...
Super Cadet is in this Squadron.
Yeah...
This should be interesting.
Tiger Ten, Huzzah!
This squad doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be.
All the basics are three to a room.
But they're all in two man rooms.
So I spent the evening moving beds.
And geuss what?...
Super Cadet is in this Squadron.
Yeah...
This should be interesting.
05 August 2006
The Pink Cell Phone
A few days ago,
My roomate and I decided to go to dinner together.
We went down the stairs.
As we rounded the corner of the stairwell,
I noticed he went further out to take the corner wide.
I usually take the corners sharply,
So I continued close to the wall.
I was talking with him so I was looking away from the wall.
I round the corner,
And the first thing I see is a pink cell phone two inches from my face.
Directly on the other side of the cell phone was a girl.
Total distance: three inches.
Yeah...
Awkward.
I excused myself and kept going.
After a small distance,
My roommate said,
“Yeah, Saw that coming.”
Me: “And you didn’t warn me because…?”
Roommate: “Dude, I gotta get you hooked up with a girl somehow…”
Me: “Just because you’re already engaged doesn’t mean I have too.”
My roommate is cool.
We get along great, But sometimes…
Why do so many people assume that just because you’ve reached a certain age range means you have to have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
I’m perfectly content the way I am,
Single.
(My mom is going to kill me for this next part.)
That doesn’t mean that I don’t want a girlfriend,
It just means that at this stage in my life it is probably not the best thing for me.
I came here with the mindset to avoid this entirely until I am nearing graduation so that the emotional strain of a long distance relationship would not interfere with my studies here at the Academy.
That and I would hate to constantly be leaving a girl at home all the time.
I could not stand to break someone’s heart.
I would rather die first.
(Edit: Unfortunatly, that option isn't always availible)
Unfortunately the culture up here dictates that my bachelorhood will only continue for another two years.
I could never go to Ring Dance without a date,
That would be culturally unacceptable.
I would be shunned for the rest of my career in the Air Force,
And possibly in the real world too.
Edit: Maybe I should take Abbey.
04 August 2006
I Hate My Life
More specifically,
I hate communicating long distances over the internet.
Even more specifically,
I hate text based communication over long distances over the internet.
Anything I say can be read wrong.
I've found that this happens mainly when I talk about my feelings on a particular issue.
It's usually misinterpreted or misunderstood.
And I usually haven’t got a clue.
I come from a family where both my parents are Computer Science majors.
This is portrayed in the way my family interacts.
It’s all 1’s and 0’s,
Yes and no.
There is no ½ or maybe.
It is very rare that I will have a meaning to what I say beyond what I said.
There is no “reading into” my words.
If I say something,
I mean it.
If I don’t mean it,
I won’t say it.There is no hidden meaning.
I hate communicating long distances over the internet.
Even more specifically,
I hate text based communication over long distances over the internet.
Anything I say can be read wrong.
I've found that this happens mainly when I talk about my feelings on a particular issue.
It's usually misinterpreted or misunderstood.
And I usually haven’t got a clue.
I come from a family where both my parents are Computer Science majors.
This is portrayed in the way my family interacts.
It’s all 1’s and 0’s,
Yes and no.
There is no ½ or maybe.
It is very rare that I will have a meaning to what I say beyond what I said.
There is no “reading into” my words.
If I say something,
I mean it.
If I don’t mean it,
I won’t say it.There is no hidden meaning.
Focus on the Family
Today was Focus on the Family's employee apreciation day.
They had the whole party and stuff.
The Iron Men were there.
There a christian muscle demo group.
It was funny.
They got Dr. Dobson up there.
They handed him a phone book.
And he tore it in half.
I was impressed.
I'ved tried that before and only got half way.
(But that was a while ago ;-)
They had the whole party and stuff.
The Iron Men were there.
There a christian muscle demo group.
It was funny.
They got Dr. Dobson up there.
They handed him a phone book.
And he tore it in half.
I was impressed.
I'ved tried that before and only got half way.
(But that was a while ago ;-)
The Pink Cell Phone
This post has been removed for the moment.
As soon as a few things get resolved,
I will consider reposting it or a modified version of it.
Thank you all for your concern though.
As soon as a few things get resolved,
I will consider reposting it or a modified version of it.
Thank you all for your concern though.
02 August 2006
SAR 121.5 Mhz ELT Phase Out
The 121.5 Megahertz Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT) used for Search And Rescue (SAR) is being phased out.
It is being replaced with a newer more powerful 406 Mhz ELT.
They put these ELTs in plane and boats and make a smaller version for hikers.
The idea is that when a plane crashes, a boat sinks, or a hiker gets lost the ELT will start transmitting.
The ELT can be activated automatically or manually.
Not that any of you care,
But this is the thing I was trained to go find back when I was in Civil Air Patrol (CAP).
The SARSATs (Search And Rescue Satellites) would pick up the signal and and give us a rough estimate of the location.
The ELT was supposed to be within a 20 mile radius,
But that rarely happened.
The SARSATs have to orbit three times to verify that the signal is a real distress signal.
Then AF RCC (Air Force Rescue Coordination Center) calls CAP,
CAP passes the info down through Region, Wing, Group, then to Squadron.
A team is assembled at the Squadron level and sent out.
This whole process takes a rather long time.
And then the team has to actually find the ELT.
A process that can take anywhere from 2-48 hours.
This reason this whole process takes so long is mainly because of the limited information available at the beginning of the mission.
The only location info we get comes from the satellites ability to determine it from the signal direction.
Accuracy is severely limited because the 121.5 Mhz ELT only emits a .1 Watt signal.
The new 406 Mhz ELT will transmit a 5 Watt signal, narrowing accuracy to 2 miles using signal alone.
When coupled with a GPS unit, as many of them will be, the 406 Mhz ELT’s accuracy becomes 100 yards.
That’s a significant improvement over 20+ miles.
This alone should help reduce SAR mission times.
The only downside to all this,
We’ll need to get new equipment.
Our current ELPER (the unit we use to determine the direction of the signal) only receives 121.5, 121.7, and 243 (121.7 is our training frequency).
The new equipment will be expensive,
But it’ll be worth it.
(Plus the fact that congress sends money for this helps)
It is being replaced with a newer more powerful 406 Mhz ELT.
They put these ELTs in plane and boats and make a smaller version for hikers.
The idea is that when a plane crashes, a boat sinks, or a hiker gets lost the ELT will start transmitting.
The ELT can be activated automatically or manually.
Not that any of you care,
But this is the thing I was trained to go find back when I was in Civil Air Patrol (CAP).
The SARSATs (Search And Rescue Satellites) would pick up the signal and and give us a rough estimate of the location.
The ELT was supposed to be within a 20 mile radius,
But that rarely happened.
The SARSATs have to orbit three times to verify that the signal is a real distress signal.
Then AF RCC (Air Force Rescue Coordination Center) calls CAP,
CAP passes the info down through Region, Wing, Group, then to Squadron.
A team is assembled at the Squadron level and sent out.
This whole process takes a rather long time.
And then the team has to actually find the ELT.
A process that can take anywhere from 2-48 hours.
This reason this whole process takes so long is mainly because of the limited information available at the beginning of the mission.
The only location info we get comes from the satellites ability to determine it from the signal direction.
Accuracy is severely limited because the 121.5 Mhz ELT only emits a .1 Watt signal.
The new 406 Mhz ELT will transmit a 5 Watt signal, narrowing accuracy to 2 miles using signal alone.
When coupled with a GPS unit, as many of them will be, the 406 Mhz ELT’s accuracy becomes 100 yards.
That’s a significant improvement over 20+ miles.
This alone should help reduce SAR mission times.
The only downside to all this,
We’ll need to get new equipment.
Our current ELPER (the unit we use to determine the direction of the signal) only receives 121.5, 121.7, and 243 (121.7 is our training frequency).
The new equipment will be expensive,
But it’ll be worth it.
(Plus the fact that congress sends money for this helps)
Chem Final
My Chem Final starts at 9 TX Time.
It'll be four hours long.
Please pray.
One of us is gonna get whooped pretty good.
(I think it's gonna be the final ;-)
It'll be four hours long.
Please pray.
One of us is gonna get whooped pretty good.
(I think it's gonna be the final ;-)
01 August 2006
Yet Another Day In Chemistry (Again)
Instructor: "There's been a change of plans. Instead of me teaching you the material science lesson, I got our resident MatSci expert to come teach you."
That instructor walks out.
Soon, another instructor walks in and closes the door.
New Instructor: "This was kind of last minute, so I haven't got a clue what we're doing. I hear you have a final tomorrow. Well, let's see... We can study for the final, meaning I'll go get a copy and we'll study it, We can blow something up, or we can get out early. What do you guys want to do?"
Random Student: "All three?"
New Instructor: "Sounds good. I'll go get the chemicals."
And such is how the morning proceeded.
That instructor walks out.
Soon, another instructor walks in and closes the door.
New Instructor: "This was kind of last minute, so I haven't got a clue what we're doing. I hear you have a final tomorrow. Well, let's see... We can study for the final, meaning I'll go get a copy and we'll study it, We can blow something up, or we can get out early. What do you guys want to do?"
Random Student: "All three?"
New Instructor: "Sounds good. I'll go get the chemicals."
And such is how the morning proceeded.
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