I'm ashamed to admit this,
But I am consumed with Hate.
I hope they get Osama before I start flying,
Because I don't want to drop the bomb.
I know I'll be doing it for the wrong reasons.
11 September 2006
From a Classmate
It’s been one year since I joined the military and this morning I took a bus into London. Wearing jeans, a t-shirt and an iPod, and leaving my camera at home, I was stopped by summer tourists with maps and accents I’d never heard before as I made my way through the city on the tube. But maybe they mistook me for a Londoner because I knew exactly where I was going.
Tavistock Square is a quiet, one block park carved out of the middle of office buildings and apartments, where trees and benches and paths and picnickers defy busy city streets. And one year ago here on the 7th of July a terrorist boarded a bus and detonated a bomb, shearing the red double-decker in half and sending the top deck into the air amidst a sea of fire and metal and flesh. That day, three other blasts in different locations would send London into pandemonium and turn the city into the newest battlefield of global conflict.
I had been to places like this before, in Lower Manhattan and downtown Amman. Tavistock Square was the most recent stop in an intensely personal journey that began one year ago when I entered U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. But my journey is just one of many thousands in my generation who have committed to serving and training to become military officers under the ominous and urgent shadow of this global war. During this year we’ve been pushed to our absolute limits – physically, mentally, and emotionally. In just one year, the transformation my classmates and I have undergone has made us virtually unrecognizable from our former selves – and we’re just beginning to write the history of how our generation will meet the challenges of the Long War.
One year ago, a friend I know spent his summer refueling and repairing Cessnas on the tarmac of his small hometown airport in Omaha. This year, he’ll be observing from the flight deck of a special operations cargo plane with night vision goggles hanging from his helmet as he watches the European countryside race past two hundred feet below. One day he’ll be the aircraft commander who leads his crew to air drop badly needed humanitarian aid into a war-torn African village… and when the parachutes rapidly unfurl over the crates of food and water and medicine above the village, the sound will resonate louder than any speech ever given at the United Nations.
One year ago, a guy I know spent the night partying on the beach with his friends. They had been through a tough year of military preparatory school and they spent the night launching fireworks out over the Gulf of Mexico and saying goodbye to their girlfriends… at least for awhile. This year, he’ll get the chance to hang his feet off the back of a combat helicopter buzzing over the English coastline and toss target flares into the North Sea. He’ll feel the rush and horrible power of firing a heavy machine gun from that helicopter. He’ll be humbled and shaken by the experience, but one day he’ll be the pilot of a helicopter that will evacuate Americans from an embassy in a war zone.
One year ago, a girl I know spent her summers wakeboarding with her friends on Tampa Bay. This year, she’ll strap into a fighter jet and witness close air support maneuvers from the back seat. She’ll be scared to death and sick to her stomach, but one day she’ll be the pilot who is urgently re-tasked in mid-flight to attack an emerging target of opportunity. With poise and confidence she’ll punch the fighter jet’s afterburners and arm her laser-guided bombs, and she’ll make certain the insurgent safe house is anything but.
One year ago, a guy I know ran a high school cross country race for his personal best time. Drenched in sweat and out of breath, he cheered on his teammates as they each crossed the finish line. This year, he’ll find himself running across another field, this time with an assault rifle. This year, laden with body armor, he’ll find himself leading his team not to a finish line, but into an enemy encampment. Drenched with sweat and out of breath, he’ll yell out commands and give orders to his teammates, orchestrating order out of chaos while projectiles fly and percussions echo at close quarters. He’ll be in training and the bullets will be filled with paint and not lead, but soon he may need to use the same poise and leadership in the towns and streets of central Iraq.
And one year ago, a guy I know was having trouble working up the courage to ask his high school’s prom queen out on a date. This year, he’ll be working up the courage to let go of an airplane for the first time one mile above the earth’s surface and freefall before pulling his parachute and maneuvering to a drop zone the size of a postage stamp. He’ll visit his hometown months later with jump wings on his chest and ask if the former prom queen is still available – she will be.
I continued in London until the battery drained on my iPod. At the end of the day, while the long summer sun still burned late and low in the sky, I took the train north back to East Anglia and back to the Royal Air Force base where I spent my summer in England. Walking back to my dorm I passed a small memorial made of rock and marble next to a round-about. Two tall, green hedges in the shape of towers stood in the center of a concrete courtyard with five sides forming a pentagon. Then I saw two small children playing around a bench on the memorial, laughing and comparing their long shadows against those of the towers. Then one pointed to the engraved marble at the foot of the towers and their mother bent down to them, held their hands then said something quietly. She found words, but I could not.
What the American people need to know is that there still exist hundreds of thousands of young men and women in America who have made the decision to contribute to this fight. We’re contributing in public service, the military, and on college campuses across the country. Many in our generation – most in our generation, will not join us in this choice. Yet we think it’s worth it. We joined not because we want war, but because war is the most repulsive and despicable thing we know, and we’re certain that without a struggle for democracy, stability, and human liberty in the Middle East there can be no peace. And just maybe one day – many, many summers away from this one – we’ll be the generation that finishes this fight.
Tavistock Square is a quiet, one block park carved out of the middle of office buildings and apartments, where trees and benches and paths and picnickers defy busy city streets. And one year ago here on the 7th of July a terrorist boarded a bus and detonated a bomb, shearing the red double-decker in half and sending the top deck into the air amidst a sea of fire and metal and flesh. That day, three other blasts in different locations would send London into pandemonium and turn the city into the newest battlefield of global conflict.
I had been to places like this before, in Lower Manhattan and downtown Amman. Tavistock Square was the most recent stop in an intensely personal journey that began one year ago when I entered U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. But my journey is just one of many thousands in my generation who have committed to serving and training to become military officers under the ominous and urgent shadow of this global war. During this year we’ve been pushed to our absolute limits – physically, mentally, and emotionally. In just one year, the transformation my classmates and I have undergone has made us virtually unrecognizable from our former selves – and we’re just beginning to write the history of how our generation will meet the challenges of the Long War.
One year ago, a friend I know spent his summer refueling and repairing Cessnas on the tarmac of his small hometown airport in Omaha. This year, he’ll be observing from the flight deck of a special operations cargo plane with night vision goggles hanging from his helmet as he watches the European countryside race past two hundred feet below. One day he’ll be the aircraft commander who leads his crew to air drop badly needed humanitarian aid into a war-torn African village… and when the parachutes rapidly unfurl over the crates of food and water and medicine above the village, the sound will resonate louder than any speech ever given at the United Nations.
One year ago, a guy I know spent the night partying on the beach with his friends. They had been through a tough year of military preparatory school and they spent the night launching fireworks out over the Gulf of Mexico and saying goodbye to their girlfriends… at least for awhile. This year, he’ll get the chance to hang his feet off the back of a combat helicopter buzzing over the English coastline and toss target flares into the North Sea. He’ll feel the rush and horrible power of firing a heavy machine gun from that helicopter. He’ll be humbled and shaken by the experience, but one day he’ll be the pilot of a helicopter that will evacuate Americans from an embassy in a war zone.
One year ago, a girl I know spent her summers wakeboarding with her friends on Tampa Bay. This year, she’ll strap into a fighter jet and witness close air support maneuvers from the back seat. She’ll be scared to death and sick to her stomach, but one day she’ll be the pilot who is urgently re-tasked in mid-flight to attack an emerging target of opportunity. With poise and confidence she’ll punch the fighter jet’s afterburners and arm her laser-guided bombs, and she’ll make certain the insurgent safe house is anything but.
One year ago, a guy I know ran a high school cross country race for his personal best time. Drenched in sweat and out of breath, he cheered on his teammates as they each crossed the finish line. This year, he’ll find himself running across another field, this time with an assault rifle. This year, laden with body armor, he’ll find himself leading his team not to a finish line, but into an enemy encampment. Drenched with sweat and out of breath, he’ll yell out commands and give orders to his teammates, orchestrating order out of chaos while projectiles fly and percussions echo at close quarters. He’ll be in training and the bullets will be filled with paint and not lead, but soon he may need to use the same poise and leadership in the towns and streets of central Iraq.
And one year ago, a guy I know was having trouble working up the courage to ask his high school’s prom queen out on a date. This year, he’ll be working up the courage to let go of an airplane for the first time one mile above the earth’s surface and freefall before pulling his parachute and maneuvering to a drop zone the size of a postage stamp. He’ll visit his hometown months later with jump wings on his chest and ask if the former prom queen is still available – she will be.
I continued in London until the battery drained on my iPod. At the end of the day, while the long summer sun still burned late and low in the sky, I took the train north back to East Anglia and back to the Royal Air Force base where I spent my summer in England. Walking back to my dorm I passed a small memorial made of rock and marble next to a round-about. Two tall, green hedges in the shape of towers stood in the center of a concrete courtyard with five sides forming a pentagon. Then I saw two small children playing around a bench on the memorial, laughing and comparing their long shadows against those of the towers. Then one pointed to the engraved marble at the foot of the towers and their mother bent down to them, held their hands then said something quietly. She found words, but I could not.
What the American people need to know is that there still exist hundreds of thousands of young men and women in America who have made the decision to contribute to this fight. We’re contributing in public service, the military, and on college campuses across the country. Many in our generation – most in our generation, will not join us in this choice. Yet we think it’s worth it. We joined not because we want war, but because war is the most repulsive and despicable thing we know, and we’re certain that without a struggle for democracy, stability, and human liberty in the Middle East there can be no peace. And just maybe one day – many, many summers away from this one – we’ll be the generation that finishes this fight.
10 September 2006
Weekend
This weekend was fun.
Didn’t start so fun though.
I sat CQ for 8 hours.
So I didn’t get to bed until 2:30 in the morning.
And then I got up at 5 to help out a local bike and run event.
Had fun doing that.
Sliced several thousand bagels,
Mixed a ton of Gatorade,
But it was fun nonetheless.
Afterwards I went for a hike with my OCF group.
We went up over the mountains and back into the woods.
It was about 7 miles long.
Fun stuff.
When we got there,
I was tasked with preparing food and building a fire.
So I started up the charcoal for the hotdogs
And then did what I usually did back in scouts.
I sent all the guys out into the woods to find dead trees for me to burn.
Then I did what I did what I did back in scouts again.
I burned every bit of it.
The group didn’t have any axes or saws,
So we had to improvise.
They were trying to spilt the logs by…
Jumping on them,
Throwing rocks on them,
Throwing the logs on the bigger rocks,
And banging them against the telephone pole.
Needless to say,
It was most entertaining.
One of the girls said they were gonna start calling me “sparky”.
That’s what some of the guys back in scouts used to call me.
This whole trip was a lot like scouts.
Didn’t start so fun though.
I sat CQ for 8 hours.
So I didn’t get to bed until 2:30 in the morning.
And then I got up at 5 to help out a local bike and run event.
Had fun doing that.
Sliced several thousand bagels,
Mixed a ton of Gatorade,
But it was fun nonetheless.
Afterwards I went for a hike with my OCF group.
We went up over the mountains and back into the woods.
It was about 7 miles long.
Fun stuff.
When we got there,
I was tasked with preparing food and building a fire.
So I started up the charcoal for the hotdogs
And then did what I usually did back in scouts.
I sent all the guys out into the woods to find dead trees for me to burn.
Then I did what I did what I did back in scouts again.
I burned every bit of it.
The group didn’t have any axes or saws,
So we had to improvise.
They were trying to spilt the logs by…
Jumping on them,
Throwing rocks on them,
Throwing the logs on the bigger rocks,
And banging them against the telephone pole.
Needless to say,
It was most entertaining.
One of the girls said they were gonna start calling me “sparky”.
That’s what some of the guys back in scouts used to call me.
This whole trip was a lot like scouts.
01 September 2006
Classes
I took my parents to some of my classes today.
They went with me to German and Physics.
We had a sub for both classes.
German class was funny.
My dad was feeding answers to the cadets behind the teachers back.
That was entertaining.
Physics was ok.
Had some demos and a review for a test coming up.
A Sikorsky MH-53 PaveLow III had come in from NM during my German class.
(That’s a really big helicopter)
So we got to take a quick tour and watch them take off.
The pilot was showing off,
So it looked really cool.
They cancelled the parade because of storms.
There was much rejoicing.
Much to the amusement of my parents.
They went with me to German and Physics.
We had a sub for both classes.
German class was funny.
My dad was feeding answers to the cadets behind the teachers back.
That was entertaining.
Physics was ok.
Had some demos and a review for a test coming up.
A Sikorsky MH-53 PaveLow III had come in from NM during my German class.
(That’s a really big helicopter)
So we got to take a quick tour and watch them take off.
The pilot was showing off,
So it looked really cool.
They cancelled the parade because of storms.
There was much rejoicing.
Much to the amusement of my parents.
31 August 2006
1000's Night
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.
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.
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.
31 July 2006
Swing
Got tired of studying and I found these on the network.
Thought y'all might get a kick out of them.
Thought y'all might get a kick out of them.
The USAFA Swing Club Group Photo
The USAFA Swing Club in Action(We have a tendency to spread out a lot,
All those aerials will do that.)
Most of the core group
I take this stuff way too seriously
The Cadet Jazz Band did some live performance at the Cadet Jamboree.Yeah, We rocked out.
New Freshman
Many of you said you knew people coming into the class of 2010.
EMail me their names and what kind of candy they like.
(And a note too if you'd like)
I'll do what I can to get it to them.
EMail me their names and what kind of candy they like.
(And a note too if you'd like)
I'll do what I can to get it to them.
One Team
On the football field,
The USAFA Falcons will whoop up on all the other services.
History has shown that we have taken the Commander in Chief's Trophy more than twice as many times as Army or Navy.
But on the battle field,
We are one team.
A freind of mine posted a really good article and I thought y'all might like to read it.
Here it is.
The USAFA Falcons will whoop up on all the other services.
History has shown that we have taken the Commander in Chief's Trophy more than twice as many times as Army or Navy.
But on the battle field,
We are one team.
A freind of mine posted a really good article and I thought y'all might like to read it.
Here it is.
Yet Another Day In Chemistry
Instructor: "We'll be using the IUPAC System to name organic compounds in this course."
Random Student: "What's IUPAC?"
Instructor: "IUPAC stands for International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. All the contries got together and agreed on this system."
Another Student: "They got France to agree to something?"
Instructor: "Yeha, I guess someone beat them into submission."
Yet Another Student: "The Germans?"
As horrible as that is,
It's hysterical.
Random Student: "What's IUPAC?"
Instructor: "IUPAC stands for International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. All the contries got together and agreed on this system."
Another Student: "They got France to agree to something?"
Instructor: "Yeha, I guess someone beat them into submission."
Yet Another Student: "The Germans?"
As horrible as that is,
It's hysterical.
30 July 2006
Chemistry
Instructor: "I have a pine cone here. What is this pinecone made of?"
Random Student: "Historians maintain that it was discovered by Norweign scientists in 1836. It was used by..."
Instructor: Ok, I'm gonna stop you there. Not only was that information wrong, it also didn't answer my question."
A Colonel who was walking down the hall stuck his head in and said,
"That sounds like a polititians answer."
And disapeared.
Eventually the instructor got the answer he was looking for.
(Carbon and chemical structures.)
Other Student: "But sir, people perfer the polititians answer."
That is the sad truth
Random Student: "Historians maintain that it was discovered by Norweign scientists in 1836. It was used by..."
Instructor: Ok, I'm gonna stop you there. Not only was that information wrong, it also didn't answer my question."
A Colonel who was walking down the hall stuck his head in and said,
"That sounds like a polititians answer."
And disapeared.
Eventually the instructor got the answer he was looking for.
(Carbon and chemical structures.)
Other Student: "But sir, people perfer the polititians answer."
That is the sad truth
24 July 2006
23 July 2006
This Weekend
Well this weekend was fun.
My roomate and I have been freinds since Boy Scouts,
So I went with him to his sponsor family's house.
They picked us up and we went up to the mountains for a picnic.
That was fun.
Played LEGOs with the boys afterwards.
They think that because I can build two or three cool models they can give me a handful of peices and I'll create some masterpeice.
I'm not that good.
I hit it off with their daughter really well.
Her name is Abbey.
She's really cute.
I'm deffinatly going back with my roomate next weekend.
Here's her picture from yesterday at the park.
My roomate and I have been freinds since Boy Scouts,
So I went with him to his sponsor family's house.
They picked us up and we went up to the mountains for a picnic.
That was fun.
Played LEGOs with the boys afterwards.
They think that because I can build two or three cool models they can give me a handful of peices and I'll create some masterpeice.
I'm not that good.
I hit it off with their daughter really well.
Her name is Abbey.
She's really cute.
I'm deffinatly going back with my roomate next weekend.
Here's her picture from yesterday at the park.
22 July 2006
12 July 2006
1 = 2
a = b
a^2 = ab
a^2 - b^2 = ab - b^2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
(a+b) = b
2b = b
Therefore...
2 = 1
Prove me wrong
a^2 = ab
a^2 - b^2 = ab - b^2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
(a+b) = b
2b = b
Therefore...
2 = 1
Prove me wrong
07 July 2006
06 July 2006
04 July 2006
4th of July
I went to a BBQ that the Basic Cadre were doing while their Basics were in a breifing.
Then I went down to watch the fireworks on base.
Afterwards I went with some freinds to watch the basics file back to their rooms.
Some of the cadets were throwing candy to them as they walked below us.
It was rather amusing.
One cadet was throwing cheesburgers.
That was particularly entertaining.
Then I went down to watch the fireworks on base.
Afterwards I went with some freinds to watch the basics file back to their rooms.
Some of the cadets were throwing candy to them as they walked below us.
It was rather amusing.
One cadet was throwing cheesburgers.
That was particularly entertaining.
03 July 2006
I'm feeling old
Psalm 90:10
The legnth of our days is seventy years;
Or eighty, if we have the stregnth;
How depressing...
That means I'm one fourth the way over.
;-)
On a lighter note...
Ok,
So there's not a lighter note.
But I thought that was funny,
So I had to share it.
The legnth of our days is seventy years;
Or eighty, if we have the stregnth;
How depressing...
That means I'm one fourth the way over.
;-)
On a lighter note...
Ok,
So there's not a lighter note.
But I thought that was funny,
So I had to share it.
30 June 2006
Waking up the Basics.
They woke up the basics this morning,
At 0400 like they did when I was a Basic.
Minor detail,
But they woke me up too.
The played Revile like normal,
And than the played the song Welcome to the Jungle.
Yeah...
I'm on the sixth floor,
And I still heard the music and the banging on doors down on the first floor.
At 0400 like they did when I was a Basic.
Minor detail,
But they woke me up too.
The played Revile like normal,
And than the played the song Welcome to the Jungle.
Yeah...
I'm on the sixth floor,
And I still heard the music and the banging on doors down on the first floor.
29 June 2006
The New Basics
The class of 2010 is here.
And the Cadre have been getting ready.
They woke me up one morning practicing their speeches.
I was on the top bunk so I hit my head and nearly fell.
Yes,
I’m still a little jumpy about all that.
Just like Revile.
I watched a few of the pour off the buses during my break between classes.
I recall it being louder and more intense than that.
Instead of saying I had it harder,
I’m just going to assume that the adrenaline rush makes a big difference
And I got greeted today.
That felt really odd.
After years of greeting Upperclassmen with “Good afternoon sir, Fighting Bulldawgs!”
I got a “Good evening sir, Aggressors lead the way.”
Yeah, that was weird.
I’m no longer the bottom of the food chain.
I think I’m going to like this,
But it’ll take some getting used too.
And the Cadre have been getting ready.
They woke me up one morning practicing their speeches.
I was on the top bunk so I hit my head and nearly fell.
Yes,
I’m still a little jumpy about all that.
Just like Revile.
I watched a few of the pour off the buses during my break between classes.
I recall it being louder and more intense than that.
Instead of saying I had it harder,
I’m just going to assume that the adrenaline rush makes a big difference
And I got greeted today.
That felt really odd.
After years of greeting Upperclassmen with “Good afternoon sir, Fighting Bulldawgs!”
I got a “Good evening sir, Aggressors lead the way.”
Yeah, that was weird.
I’m no longer the bottom of the food chain.
I think I’m going to like this,
But it’ll take some getting used too.
25 June 2006
Back at USAFA
I'm back in CO.
That was rather crazy.
We decided to use the bus this time cause it was cheaper.
And they over booked the bus.
So they wouldn't let me on.
So We jump in the car and head for the next stop on the buss's route,
Two hours away.
So we're bopking it down the highway,
and go figure,
We have a blowout.
So we put the spare on and continue.
We had to go slower now,
But we had made up enough distance that we would have made it,
If not for the second blow out.
Someone offers space for one,
So dad takes the first tire that only had a hole in it to get it replaced.
I wait with my three younger brothers.
Borrowing cellphones as people pass,
I manage to coordinate a ride for someone to come pick us up.
They get there and drive my siblings and I into town to get dad.
As we pull into the WalMart,
My dad notices that our ride had a flat tire.
So after we get all that fixed,
We go back and put the new tire on the car.
And dad takes me to the bus station.
So I get the next bus and they get me on.
And here I am.
Three flats and an 18 hour bus ride later,
I'm back at USAFA
yippie...
(Can't you just feel the sarcasm? lol)
That was rather crazy.
We decided to use the bus this time cause it was cheaper.
And they over booked the bus.
So they wouldn't let me on.
So We jump in the car and head for the next stop on the buss's route,
Two hours away.
So we're bopking it down the highway,
and go figure,
We have a blowout.
So we put the spare on and continue.
We had to go slower now,
But we had made up enough distance that we would have made it,
If not for the second blow out.
Someone offers space for one,
So dad takes the first tire that only had a hole in it to get it replaced.
I wait with my three younger brothers.
Borrowing cellphones as people pass,
I manage to coordinate a ride for someone to come pick us up.
They get there and drive my siblings and I into town to get dad.
As we pull into the WalMart,
My dad notices that our ride had a flat tire.
So after we get all that fixed,
We go back and put the new tire on the car.
And dad takes me to the bus station.
So I get the next bus and they get me on.
And here I am.
Three flats and an 18 hour bus ride later,
I'm back at USAFA
yippie...
(Can't you just feel the sarcasm? lol)
19 June 2006
Change of Plans
Yes,
It's true.
I am back in Texas.
I talked to the right people and got the right papers signed,
And in about two hours I had permission to leave.
Fortunatly I hadn't unpacked much since getting to my new room.
So I got out of there fast.
I planned on updateing when I got home,
But...
(Go figure)
The home computer crashed the moment I got on.
And there is no way my laptop is touching a non government network.
So I'm at the library now,
Been helping at AWANA Scholarship camp for the past week.
Some freinds put together a swing party for tonight.
And I'm trying to figure out what to do for the rest of the week.
I go back on Fri.
More later.
It's true.
I am back in Texas.
I talked to the right people and got the right papers signed,
And in about two hours I had permission to leave.
Fortunatly I hadn't unpacked much since getting to my new room.
So I got out of there fast.
I planned on updateing when I got home,
But...
(Go figure)
The home computer crashed the moment I got on.
And there is no way my laptop is touching a non government network.
So I'm at the library now,
Been helping at AWANA Scholarship camp for the past week.
Some freinds put together a swing party for tonight.
And I'm trying to figure out what to do for the rest of the week.
I go back on Fri.
More later.
06 June 2006
The Verdict Is In
I got retainment without leave.
In english...
I get to stay,
But no summer break.
Bummer, yeah.
But I get two summer classes.
And word is the lowest grades heard of during summer was B-.
That means my GPA will significantly improve by next Semester.
So...
Sorry to everyone I had plan with.
Keep me in mind for Thanksgiving break.
Thanks for all the prayer.
In english...
I get to stay,
But no summer break.
Bummer, yeah.
But I get two summer classes.
And word is the lowest grades heard of during summer was B-.
That means my GPA will significantly improve by next Semester.
So...
Sorry to everyone I had plan with.
Keep me in mind for Thanksgiving break.
Thanks for all the prayer.
04 June 2006
News
I have an interview on Tuesday at 3:15pm.
The results will decide wether I stay or come home.
I'm hoping it'll be both.
I'd like to come home for a little,
Than come back here.
But if I have too,
I'd rather stay here.
Please be praying.
The results will decide wether I stay or come home.
I'm hoping it'll be both.
I'd like to come home for a little,
Than come back here.
But if I have too,
I'd rather stay here.
Please be praying.
02 June 2006
Fire Alarm
The fire alarms went off last night.
That was fun.
Everyone is supposed to bring a blanket.
Some guy brought a wig, suglasses, and his guitar as well.
So well gathered around and sang campfire songs.
That was a lot of fun.
And then the voice came over the speakers giving the "All Clear".
Everyone groned and went back inside.
That was actually a lot of fun.
That was fun.
Everyone is supposed to bring a blanket.
Some guy brought a wig, suglasses, and his guitar as well.
So well gathered around and sang campfire songs.
That was a lot of fun.
And then the voice came over the speakers giving the "All Clear".
Everyone groned and went back inside.
That was actually a lot of fun.
01 June 2006
Promotion
Yesterday was graduation.
Everybody moves up one level.
I am now a Three Degree.
Fun stuff.
The Thunderbirds were cool.
Got to watch them preform.
Everybody moves up one level.
I am now a Three Degree.
Fun stuff.
The Thunderbirds were cool.
Got to watch them preform.
26 May 2006
News
Ok,
Guess what everbody.
They changed my summer schedule on me.
But that's only halve the problem.
They're still working on it.
There is a possibility I might not be able t ocome home at all over summer.
Not sure yet though.
Please be praying that all this gets straightened out and resolved quickly.
I would very much like to come home,
but not if it means I can't come back.
It may come down to that.
So please be praying.
Guess what everbody.
They changed my summer schedule on me.
But that's only halve the problem.
They're still working on it.
There is a possibility I might not be able t ocome home at all over summer.
Not sure yet though.
Please be praying that all this gets straightened out and resolved quickly.
I would very much like to come home,
but not if it means I can't come back.
It may come down to that.
So please be praying.
25 May 2006
Cadet Jamboree
We had the cadet jamboree tonight.
one of the things there was a good will sale.
Cadets had donated stuff they didn't want any more.
So there was all sorts of stuff there.
I helped with that for about six hours
Afterwards,
I made my way over to where the band was set up.
The Cadet Jazz band was coming up and swing club was going to show off.
On my way over,
I noticed a booth with several animals.
There was a guy with a rather large python wrapped around him.
He let me try it on.
After holding it for a while,
The guy disappeared.
So I wound up holding the snake for two hours until the owner came to put it away.
Fun.
one of the things there was a good will sale.
Cadets had donated stuff they didn't want any more.
So there was all sorts of stuff there.
I helped with that for about six hours
Afterwards,
I made my way over to where the band was set up.
The Cadet Jazz band was coming up and swing club was going to show off.
On my way over,
I noticed a booth with several animals.
There was a guy with a rather large python wrapped around him.
He let me try it on.
After holding it for a while,The guy disappeared.
So I wound up holding the snake for two hours until the owner came to put it away.
Fun.
23 May 2006
22 May 2006
Meet the Tigers
Tonight I went to a BBQ with all the other Three Degree Selects to meet my new squadron.
I didn’t get to talk to many people.
I wound up doing all the cooking at the BBQ.
It was fun once it got going.
The guy who started the charcoal had no idea what he was doing.
After I got the coals going,
I cooked 24 pounds of burgers in less than an hour.
That was a lot of burgers.
They were really good too.
I didn’t get to talk to many people.
I wound up doing all the cooking at the BBQ.
It was fun once it got going.
The guy who started the charcoal had no idea what he was doing.
After I got the coals going,
I cooked 24 pounds of burgers in less than an hour.
That was a lot of burgers.
They were really good too.
21 May 2006
Eagles Peak
I went hiking with a freind of mine this afternoon.
We had been in scouts together back home,
and hadn't gotten much time to just hang out.
We went up to Eagle's Peak,
It's been a while since I've been up there.
We had been in scouts together back home,
and hadn't gotten much time to just hang out.
We went up to Eagle's Peak,
It's been a while since I've been up there.
After we got to the top,
We were just chilling out,
We were faceing west,
Because we see enough of the Academy.
So we we watching the forest.
We got to talking,
about nothing in particular,
When I noticed smoke.
After watching it for a few minutes,
We decided that it was growing too fast to be a controled fire.
Niether of us had phones,
So we had to get down the mountain to report it.
We decided the trail would take to long,
So we made a straight line down the mountain.
That hurt.
We've both got some really bad scrapes.
I think I have minor sprains in both my ankles.
In the end,
We finally made it to the nearest place with a phone,
The security check point.
We told them,
But they already knew.
So we had blazed our own trail and got cut up really good for nothing.
That's ok though,
I'm glad they found out before we got down.
And it was some what fun.
Even if I'll be hurting for a while.
20 May 2006
Squadron Rotations
Between our 4 and 3 degree year,
We all switch to different squadrons.
We finally found out where we're all going.
I'm transferring to CS 10 with one other guy currently in CS 13.
We're going to Tiger Ten.
We all switch to different squadrons.
We finally found out where we're all going.
I'm transferring to CS 10 with one other guy currently in CS 13.
We're going to Tiger Ten.
In a few weeks,
I will no longer be a Bulldawg,
But a Tiger.
18 May 2006
Physics
I think I got between a 90 and an 80 on that one.
And with the current 20 point curve (rumored to increase.)...
Things are looking good.
And with the current 20 point curve (rumored to increase.)...
Things are looking good.
Current Score
Dean: 1 Jason: 5
17 May 2006
16 May 2006
Comp Sci
Yeah!
That went well.
I got at least a 90 on that one.
I wish all my classes were like that.
I guess all what my wonderful mother called "wasted time" on the computer paided off.
(Just kidding, Mom)
That went well.
I got at least a 90 on that one.
I wish all my classes were like that.
I guess all what my wonderful mother called "wasted time" on the computer paided off.
(Just kidding, Mom)
Current Score
Dean: 1 Jason: 3
Calc 2
Ouch
That still hurts.
I did much better than I expected,
(MUCH better)
But I don't think it was good enough.
That still hurts.
I did much better than I expected,
(MUCH better)
But I don't think it was good enough.
Current Score
Dean: 1 Jason: 2
15 May 2006
Engineering
Yeah!
92%
Probably th only class I'll get instant feedback on.
92%
Probably th only class I'll get instant feedback on.
Current Score
Dean: 0 Jason: 1
14 May 2006
Finals
Too much CaFfEiNe!!!
I haven't had caffeine in several months.
not cause I don't like it.
But because I don't need it.
I've been working on a total of 7 hours of sleep over the past 72 hours.
My mom sent my some instant coffee for finals season.
I just doubled the dosage.
Concentrated.
Not in water either,
But Dr. Pepper.
I feel light headed now.
And I don’t like it.
Six finals this semester.
Fun Stuff.
I’d appreciate prayer if you get a chance.
I very rarely feel anxiety,
(As my mom well attest to)
But I’m really worried about it this time.
I’ve been listening to swing music while I work.
It takes my mind off of my troubles,
And keeps my energy up.
Here’s my schedule.
Thanks y‘all
Engr 100 15-MAY-06 0730 - 1120
SocSci 112 15-MAY-06 1300 - 1650
Math 142 16-MAY-06 0730 - 1120
CompSci 110 16-MAY-06 1830 - 2220
Chem 142 17-MAY-06 1300 - 1650
Physics 110 18-MAY-06 0730 - 1120
I haven't had caffeine in several months.
not cause I don't like it.
But because I don't need it.
I've been working on a total of 7 hours of sleep over the past 72 hours.
My mom sent my some instant coffee for finals season.
I just doubled the dosage.
Concentrated.
Not in water either,
But Dr. Pepper.
I feel light headed now.
And I don’t like it.
Six finals this semester.
Fun Stuff.
I’d appreciate prayer if you get a chance.
I very rarely feel anxiety,
(As my mom well attest to)
But I’m really worried about it this time.
I’ve been listening to swing music while I work.
It takes my mind off of my troubles,
And keeps my energy up.
Here’s my schedule.
Thanks y‘all
Engr 100 15-MAY-06 0730 - 1120
SocSci 112 15-MAY-06 1300 - 1650
Math 142 16-MAY-06 0730 - 1120
CompSci 110 16-MAY-06 1830 - 2220
Chem 142 17-MAY-06 1300 - 1650
Physics 110 18-MAY-06 0730 - 1120
Mothers Day
Once again,
It is that special time of year.
The time that we set aside specifically to make our mothers feel like the important and wonderful people they truly are.
So Happy Mothers Day to any moms that might be reading this.
(And kids, make sure you give your mom a big hug and tell her how much she means too you)
Mothers are very important parts of our lives.
They have a huge influence on who we become.
If you are in any way successful in any area of your life,
Odds are there is a special mom that helped influence and teach that person.
Yes that was a direct reference to my mommy.
I would be no where near half the person I am today if it wasn’t for my mommy.
She’s the only reason I ever had a chance at getting as far as I have in life.
Granted, my dad was very influential as well,
But just because of the way families work,
He wasn’t there all day like mom,
He had to make sure we could eat too.
My mommy was always there for me 24/7.
Whether I needed encouragement that I was indeed capable of whatever challenge was in front of me,
Or needed a direction check because I had lost track of my goals and purpose,
She was always there.
One of the most important things my mommy did for me was teach me right from wrong.
Since she was there 24/7 she was able to do that.
As I was growing up,
I got instant feedback on my actions from my mother.
I very quickly learned that it was wrong to say something that wasn’t true, take something that wasn’t mine, or put keys in the electrical outlet.
My mommy helped me develop my morals, ethics, and common sense.
All of which I’ve used and needed to survive.
I could go on forever about how much my mommy means to me,
But I think it would mean more to here if I studied for my finals.
So I will close with this.
Mothers are very possibly the most influential people in our lives.
So,
If you’re my mommy, Happy Mothers Day and thank you for making my the person that I am today.
(I could go on forever on that, but I’m trying to be brief)
If you’re somebody else’s mother, Happy Mothers day and thank you for doing your part to make the world that much of a better place.
If you’re not a mother, Go give your mom a hug,
Tell her Happy Mothers Day,
And how much she means to you.
My mom doesn’t know about this,
And I told her not to read this until next week.
So…
When she does read this…
i LuV U MOmmY
It is that special time of year.
The time that we set aside specifically to make our mothers feel like the important and wonderful people they truly are.
So Happy Mothers Day to any moms that might be reading this.
(And kids, make sure you give your mom a big hug and tell her how much she means too you)
Mothers are very important parts of our lives.
They have a huge influence on who we become.
If you are in any way successful in any area of your life,
Odds are there is a special mom that helped influence and teach that person.
Yes that was a direct reference to my mommy.
I would be no where near half the person I am today if it wasn’t for my mommy.
She’s the only reason I ever had a chance at getting as far as I have in life.
Granted, my dad was very influential as well,
But just because of the way families work,
He wasn’t there all day like mom,
He had to make sure we could eat too.
My mommy was always there for me 24/7.
Whether I needed encouragement that I was indeed capable of whatever challenge was in front of me,
Or needed a direction check because I had lost track of my goals and purpose,
She was always there.
One of the most important things my mommy did for me was teach me right from wrong.
Since she was there 24/7 she was able to do that.
As I was growing up,
I got instant feedback on my actions from my mother.
I very quickly learned that it was wrong to say something that wasn’t true, take something that wasn’t mine, or put keys in the electrical outlet.
My mommy helped me develop my morals, ethics, and common sense.
All of which I’ve used and needed to survive.
I could go on forever about how much my mommy means to me,
But I think it would mean more to here if I studied for my finals.
So I will close with this.
Mothers are very possibly the most influential people in our lives.
So,
If you’re my mommy, Happy Mothers Day and thank you for making my the person that I am today.
(I could go on forever on that, but I’m trying to be brief)
If you’re somebody else’s mother, Happy Mothers day and thank you for doing your part to make the world that much of a better place.
If you’re not a mother, Go give your mom a hug,
Tell her Happy Mothers Day,
And how much she means to you.
My mom doesn’t know about this,
And I told her not to read this until next week.
So…
When she does read this…
i LuV U MOmmY
12 May 2006
Last Day of Classes
Today was the last day of classes.
As you can imagine,
Everyone is ready to go.
Everyone was making lots of noise in Mitchell Hall during lunch.
Banging on plates, air horns, you name it.
Eventually the first row of tables stood on their chairs and started chanting something.
Than the announce came over the PA system.
“This is just a reminder not to stand on Mitchell Hall Chairs”
So they all jump off their chairs and pick them up.
Holding their chairs over their heads,
They continue to chant.
Who says you can’t beat the system.
Here are some pics form Yesterdays Noon Meal Formation.
As you can imagine,
Everyone is ready to go.
Everyone was making lots of noise in Mitchell Hall during lunch.
Banging on plates, air horns, you name it.
Eventually the first row of tables stood on their chairs and started chanting something.
Than the announce came over the PA system.
“This is just a reminder not to stand on Mitchell Hall Chairs”
So they all jump off their chairs and pick them up.
Holding their chairs over their heads,
They continue to chant.
Who says you can’t beat the system.
Here are some pics form Yesterdays Noon Meal Formation.
11 May 2006
Best Noon Meal Formation Ever!!!
We've been getting EMails all week about today’s formation.
Under no circumstances is anyone to Take the Hill.
This is was our last Noon Meal Formation of the Semester.
But Group 2 is the coolest groups in the Cadet Wing,
So we found a way.
The firsties wanted to do something different.
I noticed something was up even before I got outside.
As I was coming up the stairs,
I met two firsties coming down from their rooms.
They were in blues,
Like everyone else,
But something was different.
They had turned their blue pants into shorts.
And they were carrying packages.
They looked like the mail man from Mr. Rogers.
Then,
As I got outside,
It got worse.
Is saw one of the guidon bearers
(They guy that carries the squads little flag)
In on of those huge foam sumo wrestler suits.
And then he met up with several of his buddies,
Also in huge foam sumo wrestler suits.
Than I noticed there were people in costume everywhere.
There was a Ninja Turtle, an Astronaut, Chuck Norris, And Master Chief from Halo.
All the costumes looked really good.
It was insane.
Group Staff came as pirates.
The group commander had a hook and one of those curved plastic swords.
Each Squadron seemed to have a different theme.
There was a cowboy squad,
A ninja squad, a
And a Hippies squad among others.
Our squad’s firsties came as beach people with flower shirts and flip flops.
Our squadron commander is from Hawaii so that’s probably why.
Squadron 14 was next to us and their form-up was interesting.
The first Sergeant formed up the squadron as normal than the squadron commander walked up to take command,
Dressed as Darth Vader.
With the mask and light saber and everything.
Reporting in was interesting.
“Reeeeeeeeeeeport”
“Yeeeeeeeee haaa”
“Yarrr”
“Super Ninja Turtles!”
"Yarrr”
“Mahallow”
“Yarrr”
“The Storm Troopers are assembled”
(With a salute with a light saber)
“Yarrr”
Wow.
And
Just to get around the whole not Taking the Hill thing,
Half of the squadron commanders just marched their squadrons by an alternate route,
And up Spirit Hill.
General Regni was mad.
He never said anything,
But I could see it in his face.
We’re all probably gonna get restricted this weekend.
But it was worth it.
Under no circumstances is anyone to Take the Hill.
This is was our last Noon Meal Formation of the Semester.
But Group 2 is the coolest groups in the Cadet Wing,
So we found a way.
The firsties wanted to do something different.
I noticed something was up even before I got outside.
As I was coming up the stairs,
I met two firsties coming down from their rooms.
They were in blues,
Like everyone else,
But something was different.
They had turned their blue pants into shorts.
And they were carrying packages.
They looked like the mail man from Mr. Rogers.
Then,
As I got outside,
It got worse.
Is saw one of the guidon bearers
(They guy that carries the squads little flag)
In on of those huge foam sumo wrestler suits.
And then he met up with several of his buddies,
Also in huge foam sumo wrestler suits.
Than I noticed there were people in costume everywhere.
There was a Ninja Turtle, an Astronaut, Chuck Norris, And Master Chief from Halo.
All the costumes looked really good.
It was insane.
Group Staff came as pirates.
The group commander had a hook and one of those curved plastic swords.
Each Squadron seemed to have a different theme.
There was a cowboy squad,
A ninja squad, a
And a Hippies squad among others.
Our squad’s firsties came as beach people with flower shirts and flip flops.
Our squadron commander is from Hawaii so that’s probably why.
Squadron 14 was next to us and their form-up was interesting.
The first Sergeant formed up the squadron as normal than the squadron commander walked up to take command,
Dressed as Darth Vader.
With the mask and light saber and everything.
Reporting in was interesting.
“Reeeeeeeeeeeport”
“Yeeeeeeeee haaa”
“Yarrr”
“Super Ninja Turtles!”
"Yarrr”
“Mahallow”
“Yarrr”
“The Storm Troopers are assembled”
(With a salute with a light saber)
“Yarrr”
Wow.
And
Just to get around the whole not Taking the Hill thing,
Half of the squadron commanders just marched their squadrons by an alternate route,
And up Spirit Hill.
General Regni was mad.
He never said anything,
But I could see it in his face.
We’re all probably gonna get restricted this weekend.
But it was worth it.
10 May 2006
The Weather
I'm feeling kinda depressed.
Writing about stuff usually helps,
So here goes.
The weather was awesome today.
I came out of my room and was walking to breakfast.
On the way up the stairs my squadron commander told me that it had snowed last night.
Sure enough,
It had,
The terrazzo was covered in white.
The sky was perfectly clear,
With the exception of the one cloud that covered the mountains.
The only feature in the land to the west that could be seen was the LZ.
(Landing Zone, A rather large hill behind the Chapel)
The trees on it were all frosted and glistening.
After Breakfast I went back to my room.
The sun had been slowly peeling the clouds off the mountains.
The entire mountain range was covered with the same frosted trees that were on the LZ.
It was beautiful.
Writing about stuff usually helps,
So here goes.
The weather was awesome today.
I came out of my room and was walking to breakfast.
On the way up the stairs my squadron commander told me that it had snowed last night.
Sure enough,
It had,
The terrazzo was covered in white.
The sky was perfectly clear,
With the exception of the one cloud that covered the mountains.
The only feature in the land to the west that could be seen was the LZ.
(Landing Zone, A rather large hill behind the Chapel)
The trees on it were all frosted and glistening.
After Breakfast I went back to my room.
The sun had been slowly peeling the clouds off the mountains.
The entire mountain range was covered with the same frosted trees that were on the LZ.
It was beautiful.
Parent's Spirit Mission
Taking the Hill falls under a broader category called Spirit Missions.
The official purpose of a Spirit Mission is to boost moral.
Most of the time it does boost moral,
For those participating.
In the civilian world,
It's usually called Vandalism.
(Don’t worry, we clean it up)
Like that time we painted the planes.
The Parents club for the class of 2009 decided to do their own spirit mission.
They were able to keep what they were doing a secret from us.
Yesterday at a briefing,
Some of the parents came out.
They had ordered custom M&Ms.
They had our class year and chant, and were our class color.
These Silver M&Ms said “09 Our Time” on them.
Parents Rock!!!
The official purpose of a Spirit Mission is to boost moral.
Most of the time it does boost moral,
For those participating.
In the civilian world,
It's usually called Vandalism.
(Don’t worry, we clean it up)
Like that time we painted the planes.
The Parents club for the class of 2009 decided to do their own spirit mission.
They were able to keep what they were doing a secret from us.
Yesterday at a briefing,
Some of the parents came out.
They had ordered custom M&Ms.
They had our class year and chant, and were our class color.
These Silver M&Ms said “09 Our Time” on them.
Parents Rock!!!
09 May 2006
Swing Club
We got an extra night of swing tonight.
We had a briefing last Thursday so we couldn’t meet then.
So we’re double dipping this week.
I tried a few new combinations of moves and they seemed to work well.
I’m going to have to show everybody back home this stuff over Summer.
I had heard Sonlight’s dance teacher was going to put something together,
But my sources haven’t heard anything yet.
(Hint Hint)
(I’ll cook again)
I’ve got salt crystallized on my forehead.
Yeah, I know.
That’s disgusting.
We had a briefing last Thursday so we couldn’t meet then.
So we’re double dipping this week.
I tried a few new combinations of moves and they seemed to work well.
I’m going to have to show everybody back home this stuff over Summer.
I had heard Sonlight’s dance teacher was going to put something together,
But my sources haven’t heard anything yet.
(Hint Hint)
(I’ll cook again)
I’ve got salt crystallized on my forehead.
Yeah, I know.
That’s disgusting.
08 May 2006
Postcards
It is absolutely beautiful outside today!
I walk outside on my way to class.
The sky is clear with just a few clouds in it,
There is a nice gentle breeze,
And the temperature is perfect.
The means upper 40s lower 50s.
Yeah…
It truly is a postcard day.
Which reminds me.
The Monday before Recognition.
We had a slightly different SPIRE meeting.
(SPIRE is a generic term for Monday night bible study)
Beth Champion Masson was in town and come to do a concert for us.
So all the SPIRE groups got together and went to the concert.
She played a song she had written called Postcards.
I felt the God had given her the word for that song just for me.
It described exactly the way I had been feeling through out the year up here.
It talks about how God has created this entire world just for us and left us reminders all over the place.
I see these most in the sky,
But that’s just me.
She said I could put the lyrics on here if I linked to here site.
So here’s the link.
Beth Champion Mason
And here’s the lyrics to the chorus.
“You write me postcards in the evening sky,
Love letters in the sand,
And I can see your signature in the creases of my hand,
There is poetry in the colors of the falling autumn leaves,
And every postcard reads ‘I love you’”
I had used the word postcard to describe the world in a previous post.
So I thought that was really cool.
Go to her website and you can hear a clip of the song.
Or you can wait till I get home for summer break and I’ll show you the CD.
I walk outside on my way to class.
The sky is clear with just a few clouds in it,
There is a nice gentle breeze,
And the temperature is perfect.
The means upper 40s lower 50s.
Yeah…
It truly is a postcard day.
Which reminds me.
The Monday before Recognition.
We had a slightly different SPIRE meeting.
(SPIRE is a generic term for Monday night bible study)
Beth Champion Masson was in town and come to do a concert for us.
So all the SPIRE groups got together and went to the concert.
She played a song she had written called Postcards.
I felt the God had given her the word for that song just for me.
It described exactly the way I had been feeling through out the year up here.
It talks about how God has created this entire world just for us and left us reminders all over the place.
I see these most in the sky,
But that’s just me.
She said I could put the lyrics on here if I linked to here site.
So here’s the link.
Beth Champion Mason
And here’s the lyrics to the chorus.
“You write me postcards in the evening sky,
Love letters in the sand,
And I can see your signature in the creases of my hand,
There is poetry in the colors of the falling autumn leaves,
And every postcard reads ‘I love you’”
I had used the word postcard to describe the world in a previous post.
So I thought that was really cool.
Go to her website and you can hear a clip of the song.
Or you can wait till I get home for summer break and I’ll show you the CD.
07 May 2006
Other Noon Meal Formations
FYI...
We've had other odd formations.
Formations start with reporting in.
After the squadrons form up,
The Group Commander gets a report from the Squadron Commanders.
Typically,
It sounds something like this,
“Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeport!”
“Bulldogs all good, Sir”
“Thank you, Sir”
And it goes down the line with each squad reporting in.
One day,
It went a little differently.
“Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeport!”
“Viva la revolution!”
“Thank you, Sir!”
And every squad reported in with a line from a movie or something equally absurd.
The Noon Meal Formation of Recognition was funny.
Normally when we’re playing some other college in football or whatever,
3rd and 4th group will yell,
“Go Air Force”
To which 1st and 2nd group respond
“Beat Army”
Or whoever we’re playing.
Well for Recognition,
Only the upperclassmen yelled,
Cause only they knew what was going on.
But there was no “Go Air Force”
Just a “Beat the SMACKs”
(SMACK is one of those terms of endearment for fourth classmen)
We've had other odd formations.
Formations start with reporting in.
After the squadrons form up,
The Group Commander gets a report from the Squadron Commanders.
Typically,
It sounds something like this,
“Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeport!”
“Bulldogs all good, Sir”
“Thank you, Sir”
And it goes down the line with each squad reporting in.
One day,
It went a little differently.
“Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeport!”
“Viva la revolution!”
“Thank you, Sir!”
And every squad reported in with a line from a movie or something equally absurd.
The Noon Meal Formation of Recognition was funny.
Normally when we’re playing some other college in football or whatever,
3rd and 4th group will yell,
“Go Air Force”
To which 1st and 2nd group respond
“Beat Army”
Or whoever we’re playing.
Well for Recognition,
Only the upperclassmen yelled,
Cause only they knew what was going on.
But there was no “Go Air Force”
Just a “Beat the SMACKs”
(SMACK is one of those terms of endearment for fourth classmen)
04 May 2006
Noon Meal Formation
It was really foggy today.
You couldn’t even see 10 feet.
But they still had Noon Meal Formation.
So we all took the hill.
Taking the hill is a long standing tradition in the Cadet Wing.
It involves breaking ranks in the middle of a formation,
And running to the top of spirit hill,
Located on the South-East corner of the Terrazzo,
By the F-4.
It was kind of like a chain reaction.
We heard yelling,
And the yelling spread.
The squadron next to us took off running.
So we followed.
The entire Cadet Wing took the hill.
All 4,000 of us.
The only ones left marching was the Wing Commander and his staff.
That was great.
You couldn’t even see 10 feet.
But they still had Noon Meal Formation.
So we all took the hill.
Taking the hill is a long standing tradition in the Cadet Wing.
It involves breaking ranks in the middle of a formation,
And running to the top of spirit hill,
Located on the South-East corner of the Terrazzo,
By the F-4.
It was kind of like a chain reaction.
We heard yelling,
And the yelling spread.
The squadron next to us took off running.
So we followed.
The entire Cadet Wing took the hill.
All 4,000 of us.
The only ones left marching was the Wing Commander and his staff.
That was great.
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