That was fun.
I met my family at Arnold Hall for dinner.
We talked for a while until it was time for Swing Club.
They insisted that they just wanted to watch.
So I let them.
And I did show off a bit more than normal.
Just to see the reaction on their face.
I finally got my mom and dad out on the floor.
I taught them Swing and Tango.
But my dad still needs a little work on the steps.
Even my sister danced with me.
I consider this an accomplishment since she thinks I'm stuck in the 20's because I like this stuff.
She did really well too.
I was impressed.
31 August 2006
30 August 2006
By a Classmate
Twas the night before Thursday, and everyone was tired
The new schedule of calls had everyone caffeinated and wired
Classes were starting to get hard, 09 was getting the blame
For 10 sucking it up at the k-test game
Form-10’s and confinements were already old
For a “more military academy” the wing’s happiness had been sold
On this night however, a feeling began to grow
From all of the 09ers who had been feeling quite low
They looked over their calendars, no, it couldn’t be right
Could it really be that tonight was the night
Tomorrow, they would sing out 1000 days left to go
And everyone would get a free burrito
Tomorrow they would forget all that had made them mad
And they would try their hardest without alcohol to be glad
For in 1000 days they would hear those amazing words
“you are dismissed” and flip USAFA the bird
But tonight however, there was still work left to do
Dear God how am I going to survive 1000 more days in the zoo
The same way I guess, I’ve made it this far
I’ll hope for a D. in Engr Mech cause I’m an academic superstar
The new schedule of calls had everyone caffeinated and wired
Classes were starting to get hard, 09 was getting the blame
For 10 sucking it up at the k-test game
Form-10’s and confinements were already old
For a “more military academy” the wing’s happiness had been sold
On this night however, a feeling began to grow
From all of the 09ers who had been feeling quite low
They looked over their calendars, no, it couldn’t be right
Could it really be that tonight was the night
Tomorrow, they would sing out 1000 days left to go
And everyone would get a free burrito
Tomorrow they would forget all that had made them mad
And they would try their hardest without alcohol to be glad
For in 1000 days they would hear those amazing words
“you are dismissed” and flip USAFA the bird
But tonight however, there was still work left to do
Dear God how am I going to survive 1000 more days in the zoo
The same way I guess, I’ve made it this far
I’ll hope for a D. in Engr Mech cause I’m an academic superstar
Rugby
Today was out first game of Rugby.
We palyed Squadron 2.
That was fun.
I got to inflict some pain.
Just like the Knowlege Bowl,
The other team had already practiced.
So they knew what they were doing.
We didn't have a clue.
We had a few injuries.
One of my freshmen knocked heads real good with another.
Lots of blood.
He's ok though.
No stiches required.
He took it well.
We palyed Squadron 2.
That was fun.
I got to inflict some pain.
Just like the Knowlege Bowl,
The other team had already practiced.
So they knew what they were doing.
We didn't have a clue.
We had a few injuries.
One of my freshmen knocked heads real good with another.
Lots of blood.
He's ok though.
No stiches required.
He took it well.
29 August 2006
1000's Night
For those of you that remember 100's Night,
Thursday night is 1000's Night for the class of 2009.
Since this is also a Swing Club night,
This should correspond nicly.
It's not as important as 100's Night,
But it's still cool.
Thursday night is 1000's Night for the class of 2009.
Since this is also a Swing Club night,
This should correspond nicly.
It's not as important as 100's Night,
But it's still cool.
Parent's Weekend
This weekend is Labor Day Weekend.
That means it’s also Parent’s Weekend.
Most of my family will be coming up to visit.
Two of them are staying home to ensure that Sonlight puts up a strong fight in Robotics this year.
The plan is for them to get here a little early and Show up at Swing Club on Thursday.
Then they’ll come sit through a few classes on Friday.
And we’ll have a parade and a squadron BBQ.
And then we’ll spend the weekend in the woods camping.
And boating and dirt biking.
Should be fun.
That means it’s also Parent’s Weekend.
Most of my family will be coming up to visit.
Two of them are staying home to ensure that Sonlight puts up a strong fight in Robotics this year.
The plan is for them to get here a little early and Show up at Swing Club on Thursday.
Then they’ll come sit through a few classes on Friday.
And we’ll have a parade and a squadron BBQ.
And then we’ll spend the weekend in the woods camping.
And boating and dirt biking.
Should be fun.
Knowlege Bowl
We had our first knowledge bowl this evening.
It was our Four Degrees vs Raging Bull Six.
Six had already gotten a chance to practice,
But our 4*’s didn’t have a clue what was going on.
We still won though,
150/105
It was our Four Degrees vs Raging Bull Six.
Six had already gotten a chance to practice,
But our 4*’s didn’t have a clue what was going on.
We still won though,
150/105
Euro Fighter
Never underestimate your enemy,
And never overestimate an ally
This is the new Euro Fighter,
Also called the Typhoon.
It’s got almost the same capabilities as our F-22 Raptor,
But at one third the cost.
The reason…
It’s only got most of the capabilities.
Our Raptor has stealth.
I’d say that’s worth the extra couple of million dollars.
Typhoon isn’t as sleek as our planes though.
My Lightning II is much better looking
And never overestimate an ally
This is the new Euro Fighter,
Also called the Typhoon.
It’s got almost the same capabilities as our F-22 Raptor,
But at one third the cost.
The reason…
It’s only got most of the capabilities.
Our Raptor has stealth.
I’d say that’s worth the extra couple of million dollars.
Typhoon isn’t as sleek as our planes though.
My Lightning II is much better looking
28 August 2006
27 August 2006
The Parable of the Chaco Tacos
Matthew 25 (New Academy Version)
Again it will be like a firstie leaving the lunch table to go to the staff tower,
Who called his four degrees to attention and entrusted the dessert tray to them.
To the hot pilot he gave five choco tacos,
To the cold pilot two choco tacos,
And to the loadmaster one choco taco,
Each according to his ability.
Then he went to make his staff tower announcement.
The hot pilot who had received the five choco tacos went at once to another table to report in and gained five more.
So also, the cold pilot with the two choco tacos gained two more from Willie,
The nice Mitchell Hall guy.
But the loadmaster who had received the one choco taco went off to the East doors of Mitchell Hall,
Found his backpack, and hid his table commandant’s choco taco.
After being tapped off the staff tower,
The table commandant of those four degrees returned and settled accounts with them.
The hot pilot who had received the five choco tacos brought the other five.
“Cadet Major John A Doe, sir, Cadet Fourth Class Smith reports as ordered,
Sir may I make a statement”
He said, “you entrusted me with five choco tacos.
See, I have gained five more.”
His table commandant replied, “Well done, good and faithful doolie!
You have been faithful with a Mitchell Hall dessert;
I will put you in charge of the squadron tailgate party.
Come and get your SSS signed to go on the ski club trip this weekend!”
The cold pilot with the two choco tacos also came to attention. “Cadet Doe,” he said, “you entrusted me with two choco tacos;
See, I have gained two more.”
His table commandant replied, “Well done, good and faithful four dig!
You have been faithful with a few hundred calories;
I will put you in charge of next week’s gallon challenge.
Come and get comforter privileges!”
Then the loadmaster who had received the one choco taco came to attention.
“Sir,” he said, “I knew that you are a stract man,
Wearing shirt garters when you are not in blues
And pulling your chin strap down when there is no wind.
So I was afraid and went and hid your choco taco in my backpack.
See, here is what belongs to you.”
His table commandant replied, “You weak and lazy frosh!
So you knew that I wear shirt garters when I am not in blues
And I pull my chin strap down when there is no wind?
Well then, you should have put my choco taco in the ice bucket
So that when I returned I would have received it back chilled.
Take the choco taco from him and give it to the one who has ten choco tacos.
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.
Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
And throw that worthless SMACK outside,
Onto the strips,
Where there will be greeting and pulling of chins.”
Again it will be like a firstie leaving the lunch table to go to the staff tower,
Who called his four degrees to attention and entrusted the dessert tray to them.
To the hot pilot he gave five choco tacos,
To the cold pilot two choco tacos,
And to the loadmaster one choco taco,
Each according to his ability.
Then he went to make his staff tower announcement.
The hot pilot who had received the five choco tacos went at once to another table to report in and gained five more.
So also, the cold pilot with the two choco tacos gained two more from Willie,
The nice Mitchell Hall guy.
But the loadmaster who had received the one choco taco went off to the East doors of Mitchell Hall,
Found his backpack, and hid his table commandant’s choco taco.
After being tapped off the staff tower,
The table commandant of those four degrees returned and settled accounts with them.
The hot pilot who had received the five choco tacos brought the other five.
“Cadet Major John A Doe, sir, Cadet Fourth Class Smith reports as ordered,
Sir may I make a statement”
He said, “you entrusted me with five choco tacos.
See, I have gained five more.”
His table commandant replied, “Well done, good and faithful doolie!
You have been faithful with a Mitchell Hall dessert;
I will put you in charge of the squadron tailgate party.
Come and get your SSS signed to go on the ski club trip this weekend!”
The cold pilot with the two choco tacos also came to attention. “Cadet Doe,” he said, “you entrusted me with two choco tacos;
See, I have gained two more.”
His table commandant replied, “Well done, good and faithful four dig!
You have been faithful with a few hundred calories;
I will put you in charge of next week’s gallon challenge.
Come and get comforter privileges!”
Then the loadmaster who had received the one choco taco came to attention.
“Sir,” he said, “I knew that you are a stract man,
Wearing shirt garters when you are not in blues
And pulling your chin strap down when there is no wind.
So I was afraid and went and hid your choco taco in my backpack.
See, here is what belongs to you.”
His table commandant replied, “You weak and lazy frosh!
So you knew that I wear shirt garters when I am not in blues
And I pull my chin strap down when there is no wind?
Well then, you should have put my choco taco in the ice bucket
So that when I returned I would have received it back chilled.
Take the choco taco from him and give it to the one who has ten choco tacos.
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.
Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
And throw that worthless SMACK outside,
Onto the strips,
Where there will be greeting and pulling of chins.”
25 August 2006
Swing
The 4*'s have a mandatory dance tonight.
So Swing Club is goin to make an appearence to help teach them.
This should be interesting,
Since only the core of the club is coming out.
So it'll be about 20 of us,
Teaching 700+ of them.
This should be entertaining.
So Swing Club is goin to make an appearence to help teach them.
This should be interesting,
Since only the core of the club is coming out.
So it'll be about 20 of us,
Teaching 700+ of them.
This should be entertaining.
24 August 2006
Pluto
There are no longer nine planets that orbit our sun.
We are now back down to eight.
In other news,
Our Solar System has been attacked by the Galactic Empire,
The Death Star has begun the systematic annihilation of this system.
Citizens are advised to panic and run wild in the streets.
Just Kidding,
But we are down to eight planets.
Scientists have come up with a new set of standards that a celestial body must meet before being granted Planet status.
And Pluto didn't make it.
The funny part about this whole thing,
Is the way I found out about this,
I was sitting in German Class,
Doing the Language Lab.
I had finished my work 20 minutes early,
So I jumped on the web and watched a recording of the 5’oclock news from Germany.
I was piecing together what they were saying,
When it hit me
Yeah,
I found this out in German.
We are now back down to eight.
In other news,
Our Solar System has been attacked by the Galactic Empire,
The Death Star has begun the systematic annihilation of this system.
Citizens are advised to panic and run wild in the streets.
Just Kidding,
But we are down to eight planets.
Scientists have come up with a new set of standards that a celestial body must meet before being granted Planet status.
And Pluto didn't make it.
The funny part about this whole thing,
Is the way I found out about this,
I was sitting in German Class,
Doing the Language Lab.
I had finished my work 20 minutes early,
So I jumped on the web and watched a recording of the 5’oclock news from Germany.
I was piecing together what they were saying,
When it hit me
Yeah,
I found this out in German.
22 August 2006
Skipping Stones
"She told me she loved me again and again ,
Like a stone skipping over water,
And when I believed here,
It sank"
Our English teacher read this this morning.
It made for an interesting conversation.
We talked about what the poet meant by this.
One cadet brought up the point that
"The skipping is the fun part,
After it's over,
You just pick up another stone."
Every one else thought that was funny.
I didn't like the message behind it,
Or the fact that everyone else thought it was humorous.
The world is under the impression that relationships have little or no meaning,
They think they can keep going until they find what they want.
Now…
Pardon my old fashioned thinking,
But here is my opinion.
Relationships are to be more than that.
They are to have a deeper meaning.
God did not create man and woman just to entertain each other,
But to help each other through life.
That means that such a relationship is designed to be long term,
Not the “while I enjoy it” outlook that the rest of the world has taken on.
Other than my immediate family,
I have only one true (human) friend.
His name is Chris.
(He was my roommate over the summer)We didn’t get to be such good friends from just hanging out when it suited us,
We stuck it out and supported each other when the other would have a problem.
I’d listen to him and he would listen to me.
The fact that we have so much in common helps there too.
We’re both Eagle Scouts and we’re both in the class of 2009 up here at USAFA.
We worked together a lot in scouts and we both want to be fighter pilots.
(Even if we can’t agree which plane is better)
We support each other.
I believe that any serious relationship between two people of the opposite gender should be the same.
It should be a long term relationship no matter what trouble comes their way.
This is why the marriage vows include sickness and all that stuff.
It was not designed to be until one tired of the other,
But as long as they both shall live
It’s not like shoe shopping.
You can’t try on five (or 25 for some of you) shoes
And decide which one feels better.
My pastor makes a good analogy when it comes to this.
He says that when you think your ready for a significant other,
Get involved in a ministry that God has called you too,
And run the race,
Then,
Look to your left and right to see who is running besides you.
Then take that person's hand,
And run together
Like a stone skipping over water,
And when I believed here,
It sank"
Our English teacher read this this morning.
It made for an interesting conversation.
We talked about what the poet meant by this.
One cadet brought up the point that
"The skipping is the fun part,
After it's over,
You just pick up another stone."
Every one else thought that was funny.
I didn't like the message behind it,
Or the fact that everyone else thought it was humorous.
The world is under the impression that relationships have little or no meaning,
They think they can keep going until they find what they want.
Now…
Pardon my old fashioned thinking,
But here is my opinion.
Relationships are to be more than that.
They are to have a deeper meaning.
God did not create man and woman just to entertain each other,
But to help each other through life.
That means that such a relationship is designed to be long term,
Not the “while I enjoy it” outlook that the rest of the world has taken on.
Other than my immediate family,
I have only one true (human) friend.
His name is Chris.
(He was my roommate over the summer)We didn’t get to be such good friends from just hanging out when it suited us,
We stuck it out and supported each other when the other would have a problem.
I’d listen to him and he would listen to me.
The fact that we have so much in common helps there too.
We’re both Eagle Scouts and we’re both in the class of 2009 up here at USAFA.
We worked together a lot in scouts and we both want to be fighter pilots.
(Even if we can’t agree which plane is better)
We support each other.
I believe that any serious relationship between two people of the opposite gender should be the same.
It should be a long term relationship no matter what trouble comes their way.
This is why the marriage vows include sickness and all that stuff.
It was not designed to be until one tired of the other,
But as long as they both shall live
It’s not like shoe shopping.
You can’t try on five (or 25 for some of you) shoes
And decide which one feels better.
My pastor makes a good analogy when it comes to this.
He says that when you think your ready for a significant other,
Get involved in a ministry that God has called you too,
And run the race,
Then,
Look to your left and right to see who is running besides you.
Then take that person's hand,
And run together
21 August 2006
Rules of Flight
1. Every takeoff is optional. Every landing is mandatory.
2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick all the way back, then they get bigger again.
3. Flying isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous.
4. It's always better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here.
5. The ONLY time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.
6. The propeller is just a big fan in front of the plane used to keep the pilot cool. When it stops, you can actually watch the pilot start sweating.
7. When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided with the sky.
8. A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' landing is one after which they can use the plane again.
9. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.
10. You know you've landed with the wheels up if it takes full power to taxi to the ramp.
11. The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and vice versa.
12. Never let an aircraft take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier.
13. Stay out of clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be another airplane going in the opposite direction. Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out in clouds.
14. Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the number of take offs you've made.
15. There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.
16. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.
17. Helicopters can't fly; they're just so ugly the earth repels them.
18. If all you can see out of the window is ground that's going round and round and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger compartment, things are not at all as they should be.
19. In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.
20. Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.
21. It's always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible.
22. Keep looking around. There's always something you've missed.
23. Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It's the law. And it's not subject to repeal.
24. The three most useless things to a pilot are the altitude above you, runway behind you, and a tenth of a second ago.
2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick all the way back, then they get bigger again.
3. Flying isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous.
4. It's always better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here.
5. The ONLY time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.
6. The propeller is just a big fan in front of the plane used to keep the pilot cool. When it stops, you can actually watch the pilot start sweating.
7. When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided with the sky.
8. A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' landing is one after which they can use the plane again.
9. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.
10. You know you've landed with the wheels up if it takes full power to taxi to the ramp.
11. The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and vice versa.
12. Never let an aircraft take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier.
13. Stay out of clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be another airplane going in the opposite direction. Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out in clouds.
14. Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the number of take offs you've made.
15. There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.
16. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.
17. Helicopters can't fly; they're just so ugly the earth repels them.
18. If all you can see out of the window is ground that's going round and round and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger compartment, things are not at all as they should be.
19. In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.
20. Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.
21. It's always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible.
22. Keep looking around. There's always something you've missed.
23. Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It's the law. And it's not subject to repeal.
24. The three most useless things to a pilot are the altitude above you, runway behind you, and a tenth of a second ago.
New Uniforms
The Air Force is getting new uniforms.
A board is currently looking over the options availible.
A few pictures have been released,
And Airmen across the world have not hesitated to express their opinions about them.
Here are a few...
A board is currently looking over the options availible.
A few pictures have been released,
And Airmen across the world have not hesitated to express their opinions about them.
Here are a few...
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