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.