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Joe and I went out last night to the Alt Platz Brewery which was great. The whole place was very pro military and we felt very comfortable in the atmosphere as we relaxed with 3 big ol’ beers painstakingly brewed by a local guy trying to start up his business. The beer was delicious and his pale ale reminded me of my own beer I brewed which may have an influence on my 10 dollar tip. It was awesome to see copper fermenters tagged up from soldiers and sailors from units all over the U.S. … it gives me goosebumps. Very rarely do I step back and realize what I’m doing with my life and what sacrifices I’ve made along with the rest of my brothers and sisters in the military. I think it’s when I see the big picture, the pride that’s in other service members I realize what I’m a part of and it’s only then that I remember what I’m doing. I better stop myself before I start rambling.
Ben Foster is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors these days. Between ‘Alpha Dog’ (which wasn’t that great of a movie) to ‘3:10 to Yuma’ (played Charlie Prince) his performances always make me stoked to see him on the screen. I can’t wait to see what he has got set up for his next few films. I bought ‘30 Days of Night’ this afternoon and realized he was in that movie as well… lovely!
I was driving around today in our rental car we were issued upon arrival to this training listening to the Ashley “Classic/Southern Rock mix”. I realized how many of the songs that were not only on this cd, but the one before it and how they all (for the most part) speak to me. I smiled in the mini van (insert laugh) and was pretty happy with what she chose to put on the cd. It only took a moment to realize that she knows me enough to make a cd that does indeed speak to me (all Rod Stewart songs aside) and I smiled again. She’s a pretty groovy girl to have around.
I miss Seattle and Washington dearly. I miss mornings that are as cold as they are here, but I didn’t mind so much when I was in what I keep wanting to call home. I nearly broke my heart when I spoke to Ashley on the phone the other day and she said she wouldn’t spend another winter in Washington. I’ve come to love the Pacific Northwest more than anything. I love that I can drive less than an hour for a great hike, there’s great beer, REI’s, ever changing cities (Seattle and Portland), fantastic music, and a amazingly diverse group of inhabitants. I love the Pacific NW. It’s going to be three or four weeks (it’s only ’cause I’m not bothering to count) until I get home. I miss my teammates/friends, Ashley, David, Chrisx2… actually that’s it… but I miss them very much.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about where my future will lead me after my tour in the middle east. Should I pick go with the MSRT… the super fancy tactical law enforcement team or an MSST and right to dive school. What’s most important to me? What do I really want? Mainly I just want the Coast Guard to let me slip under the radar and do what I want for the rest of my career. Do I want to continue to shoot a ton of ammo and be a “tactical dude” or go get my ass beat in dive school and wear UDT’s for the rest of my career? Hopefully I figure all this out when the time comes overseas.
