Shots

Word of advice for people who are reading this and might be going IA: Ensure that when you receive your shots for preparing to deploy, that they are correctly documented in your record. I had to get three shots today (almost 5) because when I was checking out of Great Lakes, the corpsman put the information on the wrong sheet. I saw her write them in my record, and I thought that was good enough. Don't make the same mistake I did. I hate getting tetanus, typhoid, and... ACK! - anthrax. It burns. Only one more dose of "the thrax" left for me though.

I'm pretty much done here in Norfolk. I still have until Friday to get my uniforms, but I'm done with admin and medical/dental... sooo just time to chillax and watch some videos in my barracks room.

I've met a few good people out here so far. Most of them are supply personnel, so we don't have a lot in common to talk about. There's surprisingly a few submariners out here, but once again, they're all supply people.

-C

If there's anything you want to know about my trip, just let me know, and I'll tell you. Thanks for reading!

Norfolk

I got into Norfolk yesterday at about 5PM. I kept expecting something bizarre to happen on the way there, as my flight was departing at gate F14 and I was seated in 14F. I think I just get kind of paranoid flying for some reason. I love it, but this is pretty much the only thing I'm superstitious about. I even knock twice on the fuselage before setting foot on the aircraft. Who knows why.
I hung out with an old friend from my ship, Brian Miller, shortly after getting to my room at BEQ S-30. We didn't do much as he was recovering from a hangover. Got back to the room around 9ish. I didn't want to stay out too late as I didn't know what was happening today...
This was the first day of NMPS processing for people going IA(individual augmentee) to the Gulf. It wasn't too bad, just filling out a lot of forms, mainly medical and administrative stuff. There's a few of us that are going to be embedded with the army so we had to get fitted for new uniforms not normally worn by Navy people. We're going to be issued the Army ACU uniform. It doesn't seem that bad. A lot better than wearing whites or utilities like up in Great Lakes. The other two guys wearing the ACU's with me are a Fire Controlman Chief and a S-3 Naval Flight Officer Lieutenant. They seem like pretty good people so far. I'll probably be in the same training pipeline with them until we get to Baghdad.
So now I'm back in my room contemplating whether or not to take the invite from the LT and Chief to go to dinner with them at the Applebee's near base. I've been there before when I was stationed up here on the USS Deyo, and was never impressed with it. I like the military a lot, but when there's a bunch of sailors getting faced at Applebee's, it's not a pretty sight. Drinking overseas at some port in Europe with the rest of your crew is one thing because you can't avoid it; but a shady Applebee's is another.
The rest of the week should go pretty smoothly as well. Got PT for my first time in months tomorrow morning - we'll see how my ankle holds up.
I think my wife, Jen, will probably be the second, if not first person to tell you that I'm a crier. I cry at the weirdest things... I cry when there's retirement ceremonies on TV for NBA referees. I cried when they announced on CNN that the US had captured Saddam. I definitely cried when I left Chicago. The floodgates were opened sooner than expected as I held our youngest, Kael, in my arms. I don't know if I'd be happier if our eldest, Gabe, knew and understood that I was leaving. I think ignorance is bliss in this situation. I just don't think he'll miss me like I miss him. I admire and feel for Jen as she goes through this struggle with me. She felt stronger than me at the airport - admiration, definitely. I don't know what I'd do without her. When I spoke to them on the telephone last night I cried again. I hope these beotch emotions won't last much longer. I think once I get in a good routine, it'll be easier.
Alright - think i'm going to try to get my iTunes to start working. I finally downloaded it for my nano on this 5 year old laptop. Take care all.

-C

p.s. Go watch Superbad. It's the best movie I've seen in a long time.

Creation

I just created this blog after getting home from my friend, Jamie's, house. Had a pretty intense night drinking a couple rum and cokes. Gabriel, was being a beast and was constantly saying "no" and actually hit Jen. That instantly got him thrown in bed. We had the pleasure of seeing BOB(Jamie's boxer dog) run through a screen door after peeing on the floor. Now he was a beast. I was an idiot and forgot Kael's pacifier at home - so he was cranky as well. We ended up getting a pacifier from one of Jennifer's(Jamie's wife who is pregnant, not my Jen) gift bags. The pacifier didn't work... but the rum we dipped it in did. I'd like to thank Mount Gay Rum for letting us have a good night.

Human weapon is also a sweet show on the history channel. They did judo tonight. Pretty sure we're going to get the boys enrolled in some form of martial arts when they're old enough. I still want to learn Krav Maga, but I think boxing or judo will suffice for the kids.

Righto - off to being a geek now before I go to sleep. Going to try to play some video games before it gets well too late.

I'd also like to say hey to my friend, Brian, who I last saw at my wedding. I met him in England, and he's now in the navy reserves doing some time up here in Great Lakes. We're letting him stay with us for a while until he's done with his 2 weeks of servitude.

okay - see you later.

-C