I think I'll be more than happy to put this week behind me. On the one hand, I wish I could get more work done during break than the actual amount I know I'll be able to do. At least I'll have time to get in shape and get some reading in. So it won't be all together unproductive. It'll be fun as hell, it's just not coming at a very good time considering all the work that still needs to be done. Anyways... I just finished packing my non-carry-on luggage. And I was even able to fit my rollerblades. Of course, I'm probably the only one who was able too. And, I'm bringing my basketball too just in case.Have you ever wondered what those electronic voices are saying in the background of the XBox default menu screen? Yeah, me neither. Because I'm normal.So, the PFD went well today. PFD stands for Physical Fitness Diagnostic or Painful Fucking Death, depending on how much you've been working out lately. Considering that it was the closer to a very tiring week, I hadn't run since the PFT last semester, we were doing pushups and situps without wearing shoes, and we were running on the indoor track, I didn't pretty darn well. I managed to pass without destroying myself. Hopefully, I'll get in enough exercise over break to do much better on the PFT.I still have some errands to run tomorrow morning before I head to Boston with the girls. Somebody bought my Green Day: Insomniac album and my DVD player which I have to ship out with my R.E.M.: Document album before I leave. And, I gotta cash in my checks so that I will have more $$$ to save or spend. Hopefully, I'll be able to save most of it. Especially after sitting through that briefing from the USAA guy earlier today. Hooray for retirement savings!And hooray for sandy beaches, warm sunlight and being able to go outside wearing half a layer of clothing!Yeah, ok... so this isn't the most INTERESTING entry I've ever written and it's gonna be the last one for ten days. I'm sorry. But life really hasn't been all that INTERESTING lately unless you count my microprocessor projects and I don't think that anybody does. Besides, I'm rather tired after a long Air Force day that began nineteen hours ago and I still need to pack some stuff and get up early tomorrow to accomplish the aforementioned errands. I'll have my cell if anybody wants to call and find how incredibly awesome the sunny south is or whatever. Roaming charges don't frighten me. Which reminds me, I gotta stop at Best Buy tomorrow to get another phone card too. Blah! Maybe I'll make some journal entries while I'm gone and post them when I get back.Well, I think it's time for me to go. Take good care of yourselves. I'll be back!
Well, we just got into Orlando after about 3 hrs. in the car. We spent the morning on a chartered fishing trip out of Riviera Beach. Nobody caught any fish and Lisa got seasick. Oh well. I still had a great time, though. Since we had no fish to speak of, we had lunch at a pub and headed out to Orlando.This place is pretty sweet. We've got about everything you could ever want right at your fingertips. It's almost like a resort except nobody cleans up your room after you, which is perfectly fine with me. The girls wanna go to Disney, Sea World, and Hooters. And Dave wants to do Go-Karts. I just wanna sit on the beah, read my book, and go to the gym or play some basketball later.We went to dinner tonight and saw some guys from UConn. They wanted us to go to their place afterwards to play beer pong. Too bad the five of us didn't travel 1500 miles, check into an exclusive time-share, a virtual pleasure resort with all sorts of things to do for recreation, and pay zillions of dollars in the process just to play freckin' beer pong! Bryant was opposed because the guys were giving Lisa dirty looks. It would have been, in his words, "A Salami-Fest". Sorry, kids, but we don't need to hang around and watch you all get drunk on lite beer and candy-apple peepee.Later, Bry & I shot some hoops down at the courts 'til Bryant's ankle began to collapse upon itself. Then, Dave & I hit the hot tub and conversed with a scary biker guy and some Louisiannettes. Well, it's dark out now and we've got lots of birthday beer in the fridge that isn't going to drink itself.Happy Birthday to you too, Shaq!Tennis, anyone? Apparently, I'm the best tennis player in the group! WICKED AWESOME!!! But I should be much better considering that my parents & I built a freckin' tennis court! I should practice a little more often. I should practice a lot of things more often.So, we went to Hooters yesterday and our waitress was pretty hot, wearing the tightest little top with cheeky shorts. She was especially nice to me. I ended up going over to her after lunch to fix the check and she was rather talkative, considering she was supposed to be working.I ended up yelling at Lisa 'cuz I'm a stupid jerk. I felt really bad immediately after I did it and I apologized in the car. I think she's still kinda mad at me 'cuz she got really upset. But she said that it was OK. I really do feel bad 'cuz I said some pretty mean things that I really didn't mean and I don't know why I was so irritated in the first place. Maybe, 'cuz I banged my head on the TV every time I got up from my seat. I dunno. I'm stupid.But we talked last night, in between rounds of Asshole, about some stuff that's had me in a bad mood since I left. I actually feel a whole lot better now.We all went to Sea World for the day, today, and we all had a really great time. We were getting out of the car and a gust of wind reversed the force of gravity applying to Lisa's skirt. I was rather embarrassed.We went to the Shamu Show and sat in the Soak Zone. I got some really good vidz. But the best part was at the very beginning when they played the Anheuser-Busch commercial from the Superbowl, thanking the troops on the Jumbotron. Dave turned to me and said, "Too bad this sort of thing never happens in real life." Just as he finished saying that, everyone in the auditorium started to applaud. Then, the president of the company came on the Jumbotron to offer his personal thanks. Then, all of the staff cam e out and had everyone who was a member of the armed forces to stand and be recognized. The whole place went nuts and everyone in my general area was applauding directly for me.I know it sounds really dumb, but this was definately the highlight of my vacation and I don't expect anything to top it. There is really no way to fully describe the feeling that I had in those moments. I've been applauded in public in the past for performances, awards, and such, but it just DOES NOT COMPARE to this. It's like comparing a crowd of people saying, "Good job," to a crowd of people saying, "Thank-you for everything you have done for us and all that you will continue to do. We appreciate it." I had never felt anything like that before today. Although it may have been rather naive of me, it made me feel REALLY good about who I am and what I do. And it made me feel genuinely appreciated.Today was Sea World Recovery Day. I slept in 'til about 1100 and read into the afternoon until we left for the City Walk. We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and sat in the Sinead O'Connor-themed booth. It was very magical in an anti-papish sort of way. I got a HRC Hurricane 'cuz it came with the glass. But it tasted like candy syrup and took me almost 15 minutes to stomach the entire pint and a half. Nasty! But at least I got to keep the glass. I also got a pretty hot shirt with bikini-clad women at the store. The rest of the afternoon I spent tagging along with the girls to the City Walk stores in the lovely Floridian rain.I wonder if there's a HRC in Dayton.I talked with my mom today and it turns out that it snowed on my birthday AGAIN!!! I'm on my way to rebuilding the 17-year trend that was ruined in 2001! Only ten more years left to go!Today was the official Disney Day! We went to Animal Kingdom first. It was pretty cool. I had always opted out of going to that resort and had never been. The safari ride was neat, but it can't really compare to the real thing. Heheh... Then we went to see the It's A Bug's Life 3D movie and went to lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe. I got a Safari Club membership for $$$ conservation. Landry's has got a few Joe's Crab Shacks in Dayton! I got a cheeseburger and a Chetah-Rita martini with another souvenier glass.Then, we went to Magic Kingodm to go on Space Mountain, Splash Moutain and Big Thunder Moutain. I like mountains! The Alien Enccounters ride has been replaced with Stitch's Great Escape, which is essentiall the same ride only with a big, blue cute alien in place of the big, green, ugly alien. I didn't get to go on it though 'cuz the line was way too long.Then, we went to Disney-MGM Studios for Tower of Terror, Aerosmith and MuppetVision 3D and some late night shopping. Hahah, I didn't buy anything. Gotta save $$$ if I ever wanna retire someday. But I did get a call from my mom telling me that Eric & Noah were arrested for murdering someone a couple classes ahead of us. It was apparentley drug-related. I'm just glad that I was smart enough to part ways with Eric a long time ago. I'm also glad that my friends now don't abuse substances or have an unhealthy obsession with them. I saw the consequences of that stuff first-hand a long time ago and I have no intention of ever experiencing them again.Today was the official Disney Recovery Day. And the official driving back to Juno Beach Day. And the official triumphant return to the beach day! We stopped at the rest stop and Bryant & Lisa were complaining about the buffet-style Burger King. Dave brought up an interesting point that New Englanders, in general, think that their ways are the only correct ways to do anything. I tend to agree, for the most part. I certainly notice it in my own behavior from time to time, although I try to refrain from it as much as I can. Especially when I'm talking with three 20-year old blondes at a rest stop who refer to me as "Cutie" when they don't realize that I'm right behind them!We got back to Juno Beach today and hit the surf right of the bat. I got some swimming and some reading in. Then, we went out to dinner on Singer Island. Good times! It's the last full day in Florida and I'm beat from Disney and driving and i gotta get up at 0400 tomorrow to make the flight back to MA. We may be snowed in at Bean Town for part of the day though. My HRC Hurricane glass chipped back at the time-share this morning. I was sad. I don't know how it happened 'cuz it was fire when I left it out the night before. Someone must've busted it and doesn't wanna 'fess up. Ah well, shit happens. I'm not too bothered by it. At least I still have my $50 shirt from HRC.Jason Argersinger was abducted and Eric & Noah have been arrested. There have been a lotta stories floating around but it probably had something to do with the 200 lbs of pot the police found in Jason's car four years ago. Nothing has been released officially, but it sounds like Eric and Noah were hired by Noah's old supplier to kidnap him and bring him in 'cuz he was probably never able to pay for the weed that the cops took. They found Jason's clothes in northern NY and his incinerated car in MA. They haven't found his body yet, but it doesn't seem likely that he could still be alive. It's not likely that Eric or Noah will confess to anything since whoever it was who hired them will probably have them both killed if they do. And even if they do, whichever one was the killer will still be going away for a very long time. Maybe the accessory could get off easy. All over weed. So fuckin' stupid.Mrs. Manning also died this past week.This is all very upsetting. So Bob had me doctor this photo with Adobe Photoshop to cheer me up. Adobe Photoshop: For when the truth doesn't matter. -Paid for by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (or whatever the Hell they call 'emselves, dumb bastards).
Well, in Australia it's Labour Day, Canberra Day and Commonwealth Day. It's also Commonwealth Day in Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. And in Math, Science and Engineering communities across the world, it's Pi Day. But in Mattopia, it's Get-Your-Butt-Outta-Bed-And-Back-To-School-For-The-Rest-Of-The Day! Ah, yes.... Monday. Talk about a rude awakening from the blissful sleep of Spring Break. I pretty much hit the ground running with a twelve-hour school day that started with PT at 6:30 AM and ended with my Microprocessor Lab at 6:15 PM. I don't mind the hours, but I wish I could've gotten more done, especially at my lab. The code should work once I rearrange it, Dr. Fox style. I wanted to nap all day but didn't 'cuz I knew I'd have to get up again tomorrow at 5:15 and if I napped, I'd never get a good night's sleep. I did doze off by accident and got a nice open book imprint on my face. I'm glad Capt Szucs was there to wake me up abruptly. He's always lookin' out for me. I should be in bed two hours ago. Tomorrow comes a day too soon! Mad props to Best Buy for hookin' me up with the new Flogging Molly CD for $10. Which I will, in turn, copy and sell online for $12. Also, props for letting me buy the G-SEED DVD #9 two weeks before it's supposed to be released. Stocking Error in My Favor!!! But #8 wasn't on the shelf and probably won't be until it's SUPPOSED to be released! I didn't get the email that I was expecting. I suppose I'll just have to call EB tomorrow. Rat fink GPA! Ah, well. At least I know that I'll have a job when I graduate, which is a lot more than most students my age can say. Life is still pretty grand. Was there anything else? Heheh... my driver's license is officially one week expired! :-D I'm gonna get buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuusted before long! Bad Matt, nice jeans!I'm not upset, just kinda bummed. It really would've been awesome, but oh well. I can always recertify if things don't work out here either. And, of course, there's still a chance that I could get one of those PDTs. Besides, I've got things pretty good here with friends and family. I'm not exactly moving forward, but I'm not moving backwards, either. Besides, I'll be accelerating rather quickly next May.I gotta rest up if I'm gonna do well on the SPDPFT (St. Patty's Day Physical Fitness Test). At least I know that I'll be wearing green on St. Patty's day. Green, brown, black & tan (Ooooh... Black & Tans). Two days of early morning PT in a row have got me wiped. And then there's my Stats HW and the lesson that I have to teach on Thursday. Three cheers for the Advanced Leadership Instructor! Officer Force Development. Even Capt Szucs cringed at the thought of teaching it. I don't know who at AETC approved these PPT slides, but yellow text on a blue background is not a pleasant thing for a class to gaze upon for an entire hour. Seriously, what good are twenty blind Air Force Cadets? Not very much, I'd imagine. I don't really know where to begin. I'm still having difficulty wrapping my brain around it all. Especially considering what Elyssa & I were discussing last night. As I was working in the Det on the lesson that I taught today, Colonel Hiser came in and told me that I'd been selected to attend Navigator Training after commissioning. This literally changes the course of my life and my career entirely. Also, I got an email from Capt Kladitis telling me that I'm still being considered for a second round of selections for the E2S2I. Of the remaining 96 applicants, only 20 will be selected, but I'm still optomistic.I felt pretty lousy all day today. My lesson presentation could have gone so much better. I could barely even read the slides my head was so spinny. I also found out that I didn't get selected for any PDTs this summer, which wasn't much of a surprise. I didn't feel well enough to do the PFT so c/ Bombaci and I shoveled slush & ice off of the track. After the PFT, we went out to dinner. Then, DMO & I went to see Jim Bruer at Jorgenson. After that, I was so messed up in the head that I had to go home, picking up some NyQuil at the I-395 reststop. I really don't know why I've been sick so much this winter. It seems like I get the same damned symptoms over & over again.Sooooooooooo... it looks like I've gotta good chance at becoming a rated officer after all. I would've been more than content to serve in some small, unrated fashion. I'm not sure if I'm cut out to be a navigator, but I guess I'll find out in due time. It is a lot of responsibility and requires a lot of dedication & commitment.The last few days certainly have been rather overwhelming.
Nothing really happened on Friday. Literally nothing. I spent the whole of the day in bed, asleeping for about 20 hrs out of the day and reading for 4. It's the same wretched illness afflicting probably millions of people in this country of ours. Or at least half of my Det. But, I'm pretty sure that I already had this disease last month. Why did I have to get it again? Oh well, at least I'm over most of it. I've made it past the sore throat phase, the massive congestion phase, the migraine phase, the untrollable urge to watch The O.C. reruns phase, and have moved straight into the crippling body aches that immobilize you for days at a time phase.I've been in that phase since Friday. Last night, I felt good, I felt strong, I felt the Advil taking affect (or is it effect? Curse you Chester Elementary English Program!), and plus I really, REALLY wanted to get outta bed! So, I went to see Ocean's 12 at the Student Union (Student Ruin), an excellent film in my opinion. I met D-Mo there with Anthony and Dave and Matt G. showed up as the lights went down. D-Mo at the end: "Catherine Zeta-Jones was in that movie? Where?" Wow. There must've been a hair band in town or something 'cuz there were punkers comin' outta the woodwork in the SU. At least they were the loud, happy kind and not the violent, angry type. Some of the more snobbish (is that a word? Well, I guess it is now!) in our group said that they thought they were irritating. I guess I can understand where they're coming from. After all, I think snobbish people are irritating. Life is quite the paradox.D-Mo & I stopped by The Suites for a few and Smith was already hammered. He said a lot of totally incoherant things that were hilarious, but I don't remember what any of them were. Something about a hat being in Jen's box. We watched the end of the WVa game that went into double overtime. Slack was drinking scotch from a plastic bottle and spraying Smith with Febreez and starch. Tim invited his friend over and he supplied the female company, all of whom had attitudes with the exception of Liz. I guess I can understand to an extent since I guess they didn't know anybody and everyone was going on and on about getting pilot slots without giving them any attention. I tried to give them attention but they were just in a mood for some reason or another. A game of Flip-Cup started up and I suggested that they play. I don't care for drinking games myself (unless you count Asshole) but I figured they might have a better time if they played. Their response: they didn't want to play because they never played it before. Then, I thought back to the last time that I played the game (Thanksgiving Break 1997, Kelly Ryder's basement) and I felt REALLY old. I tried to encourage them, informing them that the game was not considered all that difficult by even those completely devoid of strategic thinking, physical abilities, and, of course, simple motor skills. No such luck. So, I left the three little sourpuss's sittin' in a row and got to meet the infamous Liz for the first time. She seemed like a sweet girl, but I guess there is a history behind her that I am completely unaware of. As if there is anything in UConn social circles that I AM aware of.So, to make a long story short: D-Mo & I didn't drink 'cuz we both had to drive and I was still recovering (I thought) from sickness, Slacker, Tim, Josh, Zach drank some really nasty stuff, Smith was hammered 'cuz he didn't kiss some girl the other night and I was the only one being nice to him (What can I say? I love Jews! Even if most of my people don't.), the girls minus Liz were no fun, and Anthony... I have no idea what Anthony was doing come to think of it. If he drank he didn't have very much. Ooh! The Tesla song finished d/l'g! And that was pretty much my Saturday... all six or seven hours of it.That's when the aches and pains came back! Needless to say, I hit the NyQuil the moment that I got back to Waterford and stayed in bed until the last possible moment, which was about 12:30 pm. Oh yeah, I went shopping yesterday too with the girls. I used up most of that GAP gift certificate that my mom got me on a new outfit. Back to today: got up, suited up, tied up, jacketed up and went to Chester with Danielle for the memorial service. I was kinda upset going down there, but the family was all in good spirits and I did get to see a lot of people that I haven't seen in years, including Steve. I didn't know her very well, but she was always very nice to me. When I was in elementary school, she always let me stay over after school and on weekends when nobody was at my home. She was always a very kind person to me and to everyone else that I knew.Chris is abusing Face. Dave & Bryant should hit him for that. The kid needs to see a therapist or get diagnosed or something. I don't know what made Bryant & Dave think that they could live with him for an entire semester. I guess they needed someone to pick up the extra load as far as expenses were concerned. I know, that's a terrible thing to say, but Chris is the one who makes things difficult for himself and everyone else and I wish someone could help him figure out how to stop doing that. The whole situation is just incredibly complicated and depressing and I don't want to just leave it alone but at the same time I don't know if there's anything I can do for the guy. I'm worried that he may try to kill himself sooner or later and I don't want to be left with only empty excuses again.The girl Huskies are done. The boy Huskies are done. There are gonna be a lot of angry people on campus tomorrow. I can just hear it now: "Awwww... they suck. Unnghrghghlll... I hope nasty, violent, and/or sexually explicit things happen to their mothers! Rafllardurrrrrrrrr... (insert vulgar sentence fragments here)!" Here's my two cents (it's really not even worth that much) on UConn Basketball: It wasn't that bad a season with the exception of the last few games. So they didn't play as good as previous classes. But for crying out loud, talk about "big shoes to fill". So these kids couldn't live up to the legends of seasons past! Most earthly, mortal beings can't! And that includes 100% of the angry bastards who get so bent outta shape over sports. For some reason, people think that "having a team" that wins this award or that championship means that they, themselves, have accomplished something. It's a nice illusion, but that's all it is. The fact is, they haven't. More than likely, they are just discontent with their own lives because they think it would so much better if they were a super-athlete, ueber-rock star, or world-famous actor. And since, for whatever reason, they can't be satisfied with their own accomplishments in life, they feel the need to verify their existence through the accomplishments of others. I know, these are very bitter and harsh words, but the evidence speaks for itself. In twenty years, I never once said an angry word about the Red Sox or anyone on the team. Why? Because sports is about love for your team and the people who play on them. And when you love the team, you should be behind them even when they don't score the big win, because ultimately that's just not what the game is about. And bad-mouthing "your team" when they don't meet YOUR expectations is not the mark of a true fan. It's the mark of a big, fat, stupid, smelly jerk. So all of you BFSSJs out there: clear out! 'Cuz we're sick of all your fat, collective asses taking up all the seating at Fenway! And as for the Huskies: I'll admit that I haven't been following the season as much as a good fan should. But based on what I've seen, I think you guys did your very best and I respect what you did accomplish out there. Let's shoot hoops sometime! Go Huskies! Now, let's hurry up and get the baseball season under way, shall we?Do I have anything else to write about? Hmmm... I suppose I don't. What a boring, meaningless existence I have. Oh well. At least I'll get to fly jets! :-DI found a card today without a date. There was a poem inside that had been written especially for me to cheer me up. And I couldn't help but wonder just what the Hell kind of stupid reason I could've possibly had to have been so unhappy when all along I had the love of such a special poet. It made me consider breaking a promise that I made late one terrible night just to see how things were going and what was up and just to hear the sweet melody of that familiar voice again. But then I remembered the last time that I heard that voice and how choked it was with sobs. And could I even say anything that would really matter? Could anything that matters really be said? Would I be reopening old wounds just by saying, "Hello." Did I have the right to say anything to her at all, even a simple apology? And how could I simply apologize without bringing new tears to her eyes? I just realized that there was nothing that I could say or do that would not make her upset. So for her sake I'll stick to my promise and continue to hope that all is well with her and wish her all the very best.I think the Passover Bag of Plagues is missing the dead firstborn. They should've included a dead baby doll or something. Like the one used in Trainspotting.So what the Hell have I been up to lately? Whatever it was, it has been occupying a lot of time. Up and out of bed two hours late. Showered, shaved, ironed BDUs, and shined my combat boots.Out the door and on the road with an english muffin in my mouth.Arrived at Storrs with an english muffin in my belly. Missed my ECE 245 class completely.I think I got breakfast @ Vickie's.Here's where it gets fuzzy.AS400 class begins.AS400 class ends and Lead Lab begins.I build the ultimate bridge out of notecards and sheets of paper that holds up the projector, the vcr, and a whole bunch of other crap.Lead Lab ends and I max out the waist measurement portion of the PFT.Run back to the Det to eat some granola bars and fill up the water bottle.The PFT begins at the indoor track. My new running shoes are awesome! I max out the situps no problem.The PFT ends and I scored well.Back to the Det to re-do my entire security clearance packet. Sgt Pep's pizza for dinner.I finish the packet and head home.I get home and collapse.Morning jog.Shower, shave, breakfast.STATS HW.Arrive at the DMV. Remember that it's Good Friday and leave the DMV.Arrive at the Det. More STATS HW.Academically advised. Talked to Melissa.I met Tracey's baby. She showed me her foot.Lunch.Read some of BTWBY for my book report.Left Storrs to go home.Got home. Holy moly, my place was a mess! I still had laundry left over from Spring Break that I hadn't done yet! There were 8 unanswered messages on the machine, 3 from my mother who still hasn't learned the art of leaving a relatively brief message. It's not enough to let me know that she called, she has to have the entire conversation she would have had with me with my answering machine. There were dirty dishes all about, unopened mail and dirty laundry all over the floor. So I threw in the new anime DVDs that I bought at Best Buy on the way home, the new G-SEED & Ghost in the Shell [Standalone Complex], and began the cleaning process.Went to Foxwoods with Bryant, Lisa, & Bob. My presence proved to be of good fortune since it was my quarters that allowed both Bryant & Lisa to score at the slots. I had no idea that there was a HRC there! I wanted to get the sweatshirt with the hoody but decided to save my $$$ instead since I'm on a bit of a budget. We all had a laugh making fun of the old Indian roadmap on the placemats at the buffet. I ate many delicious chickens.Got back home. Made some idle online chit & chat.Beddie-bye.Up and at 'em!Urban Field Training eXercise at the Depot Campus. After that, some of us went out to Red Rock for pizza in our BDUs. One guy actually thanked us personally for our service. I'm not really sure when exactly I did anything else but I went home after that to finish my laundry and organize some of my schoolwork that had fallen into disarray.I'm not sure what I'm doing tonight. I might be going to Foxwoods again with the Matts or bowling with the Chester Militia. Big plates of delicious dinners make me sleepy though. Loox like bowlin'!
