Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 2c, 2nd class diver, Coast Guard, Dive Locker West, Dive school, MSST, San Diego
This second week of being at the dive locker is exposing a few things, both good and bad. The few bad things are quite simple, being a fledgling unit attached to the MSST (Maritime Safety and Security Team) in San Diego, dealing with inefficiency of our superiors who fail to realize that we can run ourselves. Unfortunately I avoid saying what I REALLY mean due to the fact that anyone would be able to read this, but more importantly, someone from the actual unit. The good things are that I’m semi “mudpupping” with the divers. Mudpupping is a right a passage if you will for non-divers who aspire to be… well take a guess. I’ve certainly done my fair share of mudpupping in Seattle, and due to that, and having a few of my friends at the locker I get treated with minimal abuse at least for now (hence semi mudpupping). The only real thing that has been not so strictly set forth for me to do is two-a-day workouts (which I gladly do since I’m my worst critic on my physique) and checking in with the command. I’ve all but abandoned the latter, tired of hearing, “Come back in 20 minutes.” So screw that, I PT in the morning, shower up, get coffee, find a relatively quiet place, and with the aide of earplugs and the coffee I study the dive manual. Matt has assigned me to read the laundry list of ailments and physical travesties that can occur whilst diving. If anything respect for the job and well… fear has kept me not only attentive, but asking questions to ensure comprehension, a task difficult for a visual learner who only has a manual.
I got off work today after a near 3 mile run jam packed with pull up, abdominal destruction, and other exercises with Vic. All these activities which of course left me all the more sore from the morning workout, ever stronger callouses on my hands, and of course a smile. I decided on a half-assed “me” day and went out to buy some stuff for the house, and a cheapy plastic cabinet to put in my locker at work. I failed to find the Vans store with the help of my iPhone, but didn’t really need to be spending money anyway, but I did go out and have cheaply priced delicious sushi.
Another slow day with minimal responsibility, eager to obtain the elusive (at least for me) 2nd class diver qualification so I can actually get to work. I thought about going to see new Johnny Depp gangster movie, but the name escapes me, and I feel that my job during the week is reading the dive manual. Too “hooyah” for my own good I know…
Time for play this weekend, I need to do some beach visiting, and some other constructive activities located in the wonderful city of San Diego.
Filed under: Life | Tags: 2C dive school, 650L, Bahrain, Burning Angel, Chino, Coast Guard, Dive Locker, dive manual, Dive school, Diving, Escondido, Honda, NDSTC, OTS, San Diego, Stone Brewery, Transformers 2, XR
Things are pretty damn good folks. Life in San Diego is sublime. The weather rarely tips into the mid 80’s, the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing more often than not, and my roommates are great. I spent my first work week at Regional Dive Locker West and my responsibilities are laughable. I wake up around 5:30 and carpool into work with Matt (the same friend in my blog roll) in his Jeep with the top off and doors removed and hoodies on. We work out together for and hour to hour and a half, shower, and “get to work.” Getting to work usually entailing hanging out unless there is a dive going on, or gear to by maintained. I basically ran around the main office checking in with all the Chiefs and Officers all week long… my sole responsibility. In the mean time my primary duties include all of about three things:
1. Study the United States Navy Dive Manual
2. PT (physical training) like a beast
3. Assist the dive team as necessary
So as you can see my life isn’t all that demanding, especially since we get off around 1:30 to 2:30pm every damn day. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!? Admittedly I like being busy, a lot, one might say I thrive on chaos, but for now my biggest problem is not falling asleep reading the dive manual and getting used to waking up early again.
Living with Matt and Anne is going great, and I certainly don’t for see any problems with those two at all being a married couple, and drama free. We spent most of our time organizing what stuff we had in our vehicles attempting to make the house a home, lounging on the back deck by the pool, grilling burgers, trips to Home Depot, and slapping stickers on the new “beer fridge” which Matt bought specifically for the garage/parties/bbqs. So come on over, have a burger, grab a beer out of our fridge with stickers from Burning Angel to OTS diver communication equipment… awesome I know.
I found out that my diver friend Vic is attending a motorcycle safety course at the end of the month which takes place of the standard California drivers test. I jumped on that pretty quickly as I’m only a novice rider on pavement, it’s been a year or two since I’ve been riding in dirt, and frankly I want to learn the ways of riding street, of course on my Honda XR 650L not some ridiculous crotch rocket.
I believe I may have neglected to mention that the house in San Diego has an avocado and orange tree…. HAHAHA!
Transformers 2 was better than expected. I went in there with pretty low expectations, but the action scenes were great, and a lot easier to comprehend through the eyes than the first one. A few notes:
Bumblebee busted up some Deceptacons!
The old senile Deceptacon blackbird with the axe as a weapon was beyond funny. It was awesome to see him mess up a few bots before he croaked.
Why the hell would Optimus shed the guys armor and parts after he meeeeeeeeessed up Megatron and the main bad guy?
Did “the twins” and “ironhide” survive?
Why would any human join the N.E.S.T.? Seriously, did you see how man of those dudes died?!
Megan Fox is a cheap white trash slutmonger who has an ex-boyfriend’s name tattooed on her hip… what’s with the hype? I thought the Aussie girl from the first one was way better.
I wish Starscream (my favorite Transformer) wasn’t as much of a lame-O and had his original voice from the cartoon.
The parents of Sam continue to crack me up.
In other news Patricia, a lovely Navy woman I met in Bahrain during my tour in the Middle East got orders to San Diego, and will be back in the States in November. I’m tremendously excited, as we… well… whatever the “one up” is for hitting it off, that’s what we had. The only bad thing is that by the time she arrives, I’ll be finnin’, pushin’, and runnin’ at Second Class Diver school in Panama City, Florida at U.S. Navy Diving Salvage Training Center. Of course being the proactive strategist that I am, we’ve already mentioned going halfsies on her ticket out to Florida, seeing as I have the weekends off, not to mention the holidays. I can’t even begin to tell you how refreshing it is to be hung up on a woman who understands deployments, military life, that guys are guys around guys, good music, political alignment, and all that. She’s wonderful… and probably blushing as she reads this.
For now I’m sitting at home enjoying an ‘Arrogant Bastard’ ale from Stone Brewing company in Escondido, CA at home in Chino. I actually visited said brewery this last week and it will blow your mind… GO! Anyway I drove up North for Darren’s birthday tomorrow, mmmhmm born on the Fourth of Juuuuly. Tomorrow will hopefully have a good turn out, good burgers (preferably managed by me), good tunes, and good times.
As much as I think that outdoorsie company ‘Life is Good’ is totally lame and has girlish stickers that are super cheesy… life is pretty freakin’ good right now.
Filed under: Life | Tags: Anne Bonny, Chop Suey, colorado, comedy, laffhole, Mooney, murder city devils, north, pacific, Portland, rat city rollergirls, roller derby, Seattle, Spencer, west
Ahh finally a chance to write! David’s apartment doesn’t pick up any wi fi signals, and I wasn’t about to blog on an iPhone keyboard. Things are just the same as I left them here in Seattle with the exception of a few new dining establishments, a bar here and there, and quite possibly more hipsters. What’s more is a little thing I overlooked about summers in the PacNW is the damned allergies I get overrun with… damn it’s bad. Between the allergies and the sun that saps all energy from me, I haven’t been doing much of anything. Thankfully I haven’t felt too guilty about lounging around, and enjoying the nightlife. I’ve attended the Laffhole at the Chop Suey oddly enough landing on their 4th anniversary show, which was fun. I’ve of course had my fair share of wonderful PacNW beer and coffee, explored a few antique shops to include Spencer Mooney’s (lead singer of the former Murder City Devils) “Anne Bonny”, and got tickets to the girlie roller derby on Saturday. I haven’t had much more of a desire to do anything else, and the city visiting is already getting me down. Like I told my friend Chris V. up here, “I’ve only been upset 6 times since I’ve been back. One was back in California for what I can’t remember. The other six occasions were within the first 24 hours of my return to Seattle.”
Speaking of Chris V. the conversations between him, his girlfriend and myself have been great. Our topics ranging from gun control, CGI in movies, to the Los Angeles Lakers. You’d think I’d have bit more to elaborate in in an effort to make this more of a hearty write up about Chris V… but that’s really all I got on the subject.
Everyone but me is pointing east to Colorado, but I’m just not so sure I want to make that drive. I strangely already miss my much more easygoing, relaxed, and not flaky friends in California. When I grew up and finally got a truck all my friends and I would make anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour drive to see each other. Kids in Seattle you ask? If you’re more than a city mile away (substantially shorter than a country mile) it’s like the burden of brain surgery or perhaps stabilizing our economy is on their shoulders, it’s ridiculous. Reason number 422 why I dislike Seattle, but reason 4 why I love Portland replacing my new favorite city. There’s never been a city that I’ve visited who does it’s best to keep old buildings standing, new restaurants who refurbish the inside to make old 20’s buildings (complete with fire escapes and marble do dads) in service and looking as good as ever. I DO like how weird Portland is, and it’s certainly filled with nicer people, better beer (yeah I said it), cooler shops, and better weather. Go Portland! Oh, and as a side note if you want to debate Oregon vs Washington… the Oregon coast alone trumps the entire Washington state.
My facial hair/beard is growing into something worth mentioning aaaaand dare I say praising. I hate having chin hair, but I’m not against growing facial hair. So where’s the compromise? The razor is simply applied to the chin and neck, then you have what I like to call the “civil war general beard” or in my case (getting specific)… the “General Tecumseh Shermanbeard”. Yes, “Shermanbeard”…. believe it.
I’m getting ancy to pass my motorcycle driving test, I can’t wait to get on the road with my Pop, and make it my sole source of transportation to and from work.
I’ve now lost all motivation to continue to write, which is good timing because I had plans to move my truck before I got a ticket (god**** Seattle zoned parking) by driving to where you ask? THE ZOO!!!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 101, 5, beer, brewery, California, Deshutes, freeway, iphone, McMennamis, Oregon, Portland, REI, Rouge, San Fransisco, Seattle, Sonoma, Washington
More and more I publish my blogs and realize after 6 years of being out of school how much shit I’ve forgot. Simple grammar, punctuation and all… I need an editor. This serves as a sort of immunity clause for all blogs to come… write that down.
I left the cloudy Inland Empire around 9 am two days ago up north. Nearly choked to death on smog holding on desperately to the surrounding mountains of the San Fernando valley, but manage to escape only to be plummeted into the vast wasteland that is central California. My directions thankfully took me to the 101 for a much cooler (temperature wise) and scenic drive until I stopped for the night a few miles north of San Fransisco to visit my sister in Sonoma County. Between Super Mario All Stars, a trip to the Russian River Brewery, and putting up with her crazy cat I retired fairly early exhausted and looking forward to getting further north. My plans to visit Oregon were scrapped as my friend in Astoria had a wedding to attend, so I said the hell with directions anyway, got on the 101 going the only direction I knew would take me in the vicinity of where I needed to be. Passed through Eureka for a late lunch at an inconspicuous establishment known only at the Six Rivers Brewery where I devoured a mediocre burger and a pint of their Sasquatch Strong Ale which was a formidable pint to take down on a very empty stomach weighing in at 8%. From there I cut east away from the central California coast nearly consumed by very low clouds for an all around gloomy and mysterious day. Powering through the 199 interstate ensuring my speedometer read only 3 to 5 miles above the speed limit (typically on cruise control) to avoid the speed Nazis aka Oregon State Police who have probably paved at least a quarter mile of the 5 freeway simply on the speeding tickets I’ve managed to earn in the last 4 years. Back on the uneventful 5 freeway I received a phone call from my good friend Matt (who’s blog link in in the ol’ blogroll) who had recently arrived to Seattle after his four month dive school in Florida. Long story short he suggested we meet up in Portland, he’d make the hotel reservation, we’d reunite, and finally share a pint as friends are likely to do. We both arrived in PDX (as the cool kids call it) around 10pm and had said beer(s) at the Deshute’s Brewery, exchanged stories in an overall giddy mood as we are both good friends and glad to be in each others company.
Arose this morning feeling groggy and overcome by itchy eyes and irritability due to said condition. I thanked myself for obtaining allergy meds upon arrival to Virginia during my post deployment screening. Got some coffee from the lobby and took a deep breath realizing that I was indeed in the great Pacific Northwest, that it was good to be back, that Portland had remained weird, and that damn it felt good to have leave for another month.
A quick breakfast at Mother’s Bistro, a visit to the Portland Saturday market, a pint at the Rouge tap house, 2 pints at the Blue Moon public house which serves McMennamins brewed beer, a stop in at REI, and a few other errands. At the end of the day I’ve compiled a good amount of photos on the new Olympus SLR, an iPhone in conjunction with a new service provider, multiple smiles, a slight sunburn, and a continually growing civil war general beard (think an entire beard with the middle of my chin shaved.
Cheers, to adventure. I can’t wait to get to Seattle and see everyone. This trip is going so damn well… would upload pictures, but guess who forgot their usb cord?
writ on weathered parchment it was said that Kyle of Chino, guardian of coasts, son of Jeff would obtain a steel steed for himself. Furthurmore that father and son would ride to explore what little was left to explore, uncover mysteries hidden to those whose eyes only know how to find fast food, bars, and other city establishments. To adventure!
Two Honda 650ls '93 and '94 respectively
Filed under: Life | Tags: 650L, Belltown, Chino, Dodger stadium, Dodgers, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Honda, Johnny Cash, Kurt Vonnegut, Mama's Mexican Kitchen, Obama, Pacific north west, Puerto Rican, Puerto Rico, Rodney Dangerfield, Salsa, Seattle, Southern California, Tecumseh Sherman, XR
Getting all riled up just sitting around today, which wouldn’t be so bad if the YMCA wasn’t closed. I did rise early to a cloudy Southern California morning feeling pretty grumpy, which I’ve deduced means one of a few things. Either I’m hungry and/or uncaffinated, haven’t worked out in awhile, or don’t have a anything to look forward to (to name a few). In this case it was the second one. So I ran 5 miles around Chino feeling pretty good about it listening to my recently acquired music selection on my ishuffle. It would appear that running to salsa, for me at least, was a great tool to keep pace. Seriously though my friend I served with overseas who’s an amazing cook recommended me a few bands, and he’s heavily into salsa due to his decent which happens to be Puerto Rican. If you want to dive into salsa… I really really have been enjoying ‘El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico’ especially the track “Brujeria” which strangely enough is one of my favorite words in Spanish… witchcraft!
I’m getting fairly restless sitting in place as I mentioned and very egar to start my journey back up the the PacNW. I miss the beer and the scenery, but mostly the people I call friend up there. Whats more is that Matt K. will be up there recently received from the state of Florida having been there four months for Navy dive school. Matt and I it would seem go way back, but in reality have only known each other for 4 years and some change. He’s one of the very few people I’ve met in the Coast Guard that I will inevitably take with me wherever I go. It’s kinda funny that I left him in Seattle for Bahrain, and he’s since been stationed in California, went to dive school in Florida, and now is back in Seattle for our reunion to move his family down to California. Needless to say we already have plans to visit Mama’s Mexican kitchen in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood.
My Ma and I went out to cheer on the only Southern California baseball team worth cheering for yesterday… the Dodgers of course. Sadly, they weren’t on there game yesterday as they succumbed to defeat against the damned Angels of Anaheim. I love the environment of sports live, there’s nothing quite like it. Add that onto the fact that I literally cannot remember the last time I stepped foot in Dodger Stadium, it all just added to to majesty of being 50 feet from the field, in the sun, cheering, booing, drinking shitty Mexican beer, and hanging out with my Ma. I called my friend P.J. whom I also served with overseas who had just got home a few days ago and told him I was glad he was home safe, to relax, and that I’ll see him in San Diego at the end of June when I move down there.
On Tuesday I’m headed to Thousand Oaks to pick up my recently dubbed “death machine” more commonly known as a 1993 Honda XR 650L dual sport motorcycle. I’ve been spending time here and there riding around Chino, Upland, Pomona etc with my Pop on his 650L and him on his street themed Yamaha Roadstar. Despite my good amount of riding out in the middle of the Mojave desert on dirt/sand exploring small canyons, jumps here and there, and negotiating rather nasty trails it has no bearing on street riding. Now I knew this going into it, and in just a few rides around Southern California (I can’t bear to write, say, or type SoCal) I’ve already become more and more confident on the high riding 650L. I’m pretty excited about owning my own motorcycle as member of the Mellon family. My father was heavily into motorcycles at my age, and in fact I have pictures of him doing wheelies down the the street on old Honda street themed models. On one end you can certainly say that I’m my father’s son, but I’d certainly like to claim that the rambling spirit in me was self induced.
In closing Ashley asked me today if I could drink with any 5 persons alive or dead who would it be. And my answer…
1. Kurt Vonnegut (an amazing Sci Fi novelist, great short stories, a bit of a philosopher in my opinion)
2. Rodney Dangerfield (the man was an amazing comic)
3. President Obama (seems very down to earth, intelligent, and if all else fails I can punch him in the face for trying to rob Americans of the right to bear arms)
4. General Tecumseh Sherman (Fought for the North in the Civil War, went through the South burning every damn thing of value mostly cotton and called it the “scorched earth policy”, was the man who said “War is hell.”)
5. Johnny Cash (While I am not a Chrisitan, I used to be, and I’m amazed at the man’s conviction, and the ability to tell a story through song.)
Filed under: Life | Tags: .50 cal, boardings, Coast Guard, dhows, Dive Locker, Diving, GM2Persian Gulf, Gunnersmate, M2hb, San Diego
Tomorrow is the big day if you will. I must rise early and put on the ol’ uniform for the first time in two weeks, it almost feels like a foreign garb to me. It’s pressed with medium starch to give it that crisp professional look. There’s still stains here and there from gun grease, undetermined substance stains from 50+ dhow boardings in the Persian Gulf, blood from a busted knuckle or six usually induced by putting .50 cal M2HBs back together, and of course a slightly lighter camouflage tint due from the Middle East’s sun beating down on it for a year long tour. My uniform has character, and it reminds me of what I’ve done and how far I’ve came. Whether a unit full of divers (who have all the reason to carry their head high from such a prestigious qualification) respect what I’ve done not only in the last year, but what I took to get this far as one of the first unqualified Coasties to ever report to a Regional Dive Locker is to be determined. The real point is that I know where I came from and what I’ve done, and my head will be just as high, my speech professional, my attitude beyond positive, my mind humble. Time to show these gentlemen that this isn’t the new Gunnersmate 2nd class reporting, but their next diver, teammate, and hard worker. It doesn’t matter if I’m only there for a few hours, requesting more leave, and coming back in a month… what matters is first impressions.
Hooyah!
Filed under: Life | Tags: Alleycat ale, comedy club, push up contests, Rutabegorz
When in Fullerton…
- Excessive amounts of commercials on TV, I now remember why I never ever hook up cable or any tv service whatsoever when I get my own place to live
- I love the beach, seriously I love the beach
- I also love that when CA highways say 65mph that really means at least 85 unless you’re stuck in traffic
- Good hole in the wall Mexican food everywhere you go is wonderful
- My new camera is a wonderful inspiration to snap that much more pictures
- It’s horribly hot in the valley
- I’m headed to Lake Elsinore on Monday to take a look at / buy a 2005 Honda XR 650L dual sport
- Knowing people who know people who tattoo people for cheap is great… if I had more than a general idea of what I want
- I seriously am getting all ancy to head up north, it only took a week for my ramblin’ ways to consume me.
- Back to commercials… I don’t understand these stupid cell phone ring tones and love chemistry bullshiza. More importantly, who the hell is so stupid and that easily amused at both stupid humor/entertainment and wasting money to buy that?
- I really enjoy driving my truck barefoot, as I stated before, that’s all I really wanted to do when I got back to the states.
- Remember how much it sucks that my parents rarely ever run their air conditioning
