drunken awakenings

Ever since the move to another barracks, things have been different. Though there was less room and less of the necessities like shower stalls and washers and dryers for us to use, I would have rather dealt with that instead of being mixed up with Grunts… A great majority of Grunts are the people you see at the club or bar making the military look bad. The room across from mine happens to be a room that houses “Grunts.” All week last week were filled with nearly sleepless nights, I found myself always waking up because these “Grunts” were being loud and rude all night. So last night when they were singing and playing a guitar I decided to knock on the door and ask them to be quiet. I told them that they sounded good but would appreciate it if they stopped because 3a.m. is too early in the morning to have a jam session. One of them looked at me with glazed eyes filled with joy and replied to me, “Do you really think we sound good?…” In my head I was like, “NO, I’M TRYING TO BE NICE SO YOU’LL BE NICE AND SHUT UP!” I walked back in my room and tried to fall asleep, it didn’t work though because they still were loud. It was enough that they at least tried, I mean, they decided to go hang out outside instead. I could still hear them, but any attempt to be decent by a Grunt is always a respectful one. They ultimately came back inside to be loud but by then I didn’t care, it was 4:30a.m. which meant that it was gym time… I got back at 6a.m. and those guys were still at it…

Time Slip

These last couple of weeks has passed successfully because of a constantly maintained coffee high. All of this was possible thanks to the $14.99 coffee mug with unlimited refills deal that I’ve been taking great advantage of. It got so bad that I thought it was monday for nearly an entire week. For Four days I looked into the mirror thinking that something was missing, it always ended with me concluding that if I can’t remember what’s missing, then it’s not important. So After the end of the initial training, I went back to the original squadron I came with and someone yelled at me because my hair was too long. I thought to myself, “ohh…. that’s what was missing all this time…” XP The moral of the story is… don’t drink too much coffee because then you’ll end up like me, not noticing things important like time and stuff that you’re supposed to do.

switched

After a week of being situated somewhere else, the person that was in charge of me back at the stairwell fought to get me back. It really made no difference to me where I work as long as I still got to go work out during lunch time. I was glad that I got sent back though because it was more convenient and more closer to the place I was staying in.

My friends and family knew of the stress brought over by the constant rescheduling of when I was leaving for arizona… It was different for finding out when I am to return. I’m glad they were able to give me that info right away because now I can plan out my mini surf vacation. whoo!!!!

changes on the inside

It’s been three weeks, I’ve gotten used to the smell, the dryness, but not the boredom here in Arizona. I’ve been able to cope by weekly visits to Abe’s house, twitter feeds, the gym, starcraft, tetris, and downloading new music for my ipod. I don’t get to go to church because I work on Sundays but I am fortunate to have the download able pod cast of Sunday morning services, via www.gbchawaii.org. The most valuable lesson I have learned in my time here so far is how much of a selfish and judgemental person I can be. I realize that I need to stop focusing on my personal needs and be more willing to give of myself and be there for others. I find myself hesitant yet drawn to help people, not with difficult things but with small stuff like accompanying someone to go out in town. Earlier today someone asked me if I was busy tonight and that if I could go to best buy with them. The first thought that came tonight was, “I do want to go out in town so I can search for a new replacement cell phone but I should wait because cab rides are expensive.” I then thought to myself, “Didn’t you tell Abe that you didn’t like being the way you were?” So I told the guy that asked me that if he really wanted to go that I’d be willing after pay day. I’m broke until the 15th anyways and there’s no way that I’m touching the tithe money I set aside for when I get back. He understood and said he’d be willing to wait.

changes on the outside

Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve gone from working out of an office, into a stairwell, then briefly into a broom closet, and now an actual room. It feels nice to be out of the stairwell, I got dizzy every time I left there because there was little to no light, with exception to the DVD player screen. It takes a lot longer to get to work now but it’s a nice walk so I’m not complaining. The kid got sent back to his unit because he wasn’t properly qualified to check out any of the equipment that we issue to the aircraft mechanics. He never seemed to care much about his job anyways, all he really cared about was maintaining an ideal image. Abe and I had a discussion about this, you can only be good at one of the two things that the military asks of you: 1)be good at accomplishing the mission or 2) be good at maintaining the image. The both of us have met people that have done both but the sad truth is to get something you must give something up. All of the people we have met that are good at getting the job done and being the model example of what the military wants from us are alone. These are men and women who were left with the choice (if they were lucky) between military life and family life. I can’t see myself forsaking my family, I don’t want that for myself, I want better.

the kid

So when I finally found where I would be working (the stair well) I was paired up with this kid who reminded me of myself when I was fresh out of school for my job and a Sergeant that I used to work with before I transferred. Sergeant asked me the other day if the kid was stupid or playing stupid. I told the Sergeant, ”He just doesn’t know which way to go yet.” The military like everything else in life leaves us to choose between two paths, to portray the desired image it wants those in it to uphold, or we can walk the path that gets the job done. All of us want to achieve both goals but the strain from doing such is too much to deal with. Not many can do it, and the ones that can do it suffer in their personal lives. I kind of wish I had the kid’s naivete but then I remember the ugliness that came with that zeal. I guess sometimes I feel like the changes we go through have both improvements and defects. It’s like my boss always tells me…. “You can’t have everything, every goal requires a sacrifice.” When I think about it more I can’t help but wonder if I’ll make the right sacrifice, and the goal that I’m fighting for is the right one…

arrival

When I got here everything felt dry and hot, I was tired and hungry, but also irritated because airport and airplane food sucks and is quite expensive. I think I spent like $40 on food between Hawaii and Arizona. The trip sucked! We had a stop over in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and finally got to Yuma. I was lucky that I bought an adapter to charge my iPod, it died on in the middle of the flight between Hawaii and San Francisco. So there I was standing in front of the place I’m staying at and I all want to do is call everybody to let them know I made it out fine without any trouble; I find that I have to go signal hunting. So after I’m done making all of my calls I go to my room only to be disappointed again because there was no bedding supplies. At that point I’m thinking, “Man…. I knew I should have packed sheets and a blanket.” That night I used a rolled up pair of jeans as a pillow and hoodie as a blanket. Not to worry though because after meeting up with my friend stationed on that base I came back to the room and there was sheets and a pillow waiting for me.

adaptation

I remember telling myself that I would be posting blogs at least once every other day, but it’s been exactly two weeks and this is the first post I’ve done since I’ve arrived in Arizona. I guess part of it has to deal with the fact that my need to blog is usually accompanied by an iced coffee and an oatmeal cookie from Starbucks. There were things I was supposed to be doing but all I can do is the very least which is get by, but maybe it’s because that’s all I can do. I know that there’s a jumble of thoughts bouncing around in my head but right now I just can’t seem to capture them and express them in blog format. I guess that’s the reason why I’m stumped when it comes to drafting surf board designs. Perhaps I should just take a whack at it and try anyways. Maybe typing that first word is all I need to do to capture those thoughts, and maybe drawing that first prototype design is all i need to do to jump start myself. I’ll only know if I start so here goes…..