Can't live in the past, but I do from time to time

These two pictures are a bit of a before and after snapshot to the evolution of my being. The picture on top is was taken July 24, 2007. I was living in Green Bay then, and living the high life. No literally, maybe not marijuana, but certainly the lady on the moon, aka Miller High Life. Plenty of it too obviously seeing how I'm about to top out of this shirt. As a quick sidebar I'm going to predict Rich and I probably won this game of beer pong. The bottom picture was taken last night at the Corpsmen Ball June 21, 2009. In almost two years I want to say I like the way I look more now than what I did back then. These two pictures were taken because I am wearing the same shirt to give an idea of comparision, or a constant if you will. Thank you to all of my science teachers for that one; yes, I was actually listening. I just thought this would be a good ice-breaker.

Before I move on with trying to tie in a meaning to the title of theis blog, I want to touch on the last two entries, which is actually a single entry just broken into two parts.

First and foremost, it was a peak at a more adult side to my life. I tried to keep it PG-13, but you know how it gets hard to say certain truths. In essence, let's not forget a 21 year old (single) sailor is writing this, and some things are bound to slip. I apologize if I offended anyone out there, but I felt the bottom line was there was a story I needed to share. This is my disclaimer for that, and I think I can leave it at this.

Now let me dip into the facts of what actually happened with my time, and then I'll get to my opinions about random stuff. This weekend was mostly throttling at good, but it had a hiccup or two like any other decent weekend does. The first part was the situation with Laughlin and the boys. Laughlin had his identity stolen. He had to go through the whole nine yards to cancel everything, etc, but in the meantime while he was waiting for his new cards to come in, he had to depend on Icenhouer and myself to financially support him. We roger-ed up and helped him out, and as a repayment, besides paying us back in full of what he owed us, he took us out to dinner at a resteraunt. This style of resteraunt, called a yokineekoo (trying to spell it phonetically), has a wok in the middle of the table and they serve beef which we cook ourselves. Some pretty good stuff especially for the all you can eat deal for only $25. On top of that, there is an all you can drink deal for an extra $10. Put the pieces together there.

Laughlin paid for Ice and myself. There were others though who tagged along. The Filipino is Garica whom I mentioned before. The skinny blonde kid is Campbell. He is 18 years old and just got off of restriction for underage drinking. He is drinking coke here. The goon on the left is Ellis. When he was busted for underage drinking he was only 19, but now he is 20. Everyone at the table is pretty cool with everyone else. We had a great time telling stories and being merry. The action didn't start until dinner was over and it was time to start bar hopping. Ice, Garcia, and myself are outside. Ice is talking to Satski on the phone while Garcia is trying to convince me that I had a chance with some girl back in Virginia who we went to school with. The truth of that is Garcia had no idea that Ganih and I were just friends and that's the way we wanted to keep it.

Eventually we noticed that we didn't know where Laughlin, Campbell, and Ellis went. There was only one exit to the building and we were standing right in front of it. They were no where to be seen. I checked with the resteraunt staff and they said we paid so they weren't being a bunch of pranksters at least. We didn't know where they were, and Campbell was sober! The 3 of us, being the geniuses that we are, decide to look for them. Of course we pick the bar with the $10 cover charge, and the only thing inside was a huge smoke cloud, other drunk AMERICANS, Icenhauers ex-girlfriend, and not Laughlin, Campbell, or Ellis. We were pissed, but were laughing at the same time. We eventually stopped at McDonalds so I could pick up an ice-cream cone and we walked to the bus station to pick up Satski.

As it turns out they somehow ducked out of there and simply wanted to do their own thing. No reason, that's just the way they are from time to time. Everyone was safe and sound, but Laughlin was WAY hung over to come to the Corpsmen Ball the next day.

The next day, Saturday, was the day of the Corpsmen Ball. This is a military function that celebrates my rate (job) as a corpsmen. We are the most decorated rate in the navy, and also we have the most Medal of Honor recipients. So there is a big ceremony and dance afterwards. Well, I really didn't want to be there in the first place. I hate dressing in my dress white uniform simply because it is so easy to get dirty and I love to hate tying my neckerchief. Also, it's a "ball," which in my mind is a dance. I've been to prom and I've been to homecoming, and they all sucked, even when I had dates. On this night of course I didn't even have a date. That's why I decided to utilize the bar at the pre-ceremony cocktail hour. Yes folks, I do like gin martinis, and since working at Victoria's in Green Bay, I know what are good cocktails pre-dinner, during dinner, and after-dinner. It was martinis to pregame the ceremony, then I ordered a glass of red wine to go with my steak meal (which was very good I will add). After dinner and the ceremony we were allowed to change, which I did (see first picture).

Upon my arrival, I stopped at the ATM because I was certain this night was going be one of those nights. I didn't want to be there, I didn't have a date, and alcohol makes the time fly by, right? Garcia went with me to go change, and when we got back the first place we stopped was the line to the bar. I was all ready to order my ice-cream drink or white Russian when my LPO, HM1 Martinez came up to me, and pulled me aside. Remember this was a military function and rank applies especially when we're in uniform. HM1 tells me to go get a cup of COFFEE instead!! I couldn't believe it! Of course I couldn't argue with her because for one I really like my LPO, but 2 of her rank and authority over me. That glass of wine was my last alcohol for the Corpsmen Ball. I drank lots of tea, some coffee, and a coke for the night. In HM1's defense, she had good reason to cut me off. Some very important people were in the room, and she didn't want me to have her look like an asshole if I did something suggestive. That could have happened, but it didn't so I'm not mad. It did put a kink in my courage to go dancing though.

When the ball ended and people were thinking places to go for the after party we ended up just going to the bar on base. It was too late for me to start getting all lit up, so I hung low with only one white Russian and an amoretto stone sour. This was not the case for Garcia. That guy was swinging for the fences and it started to show when we got back from the bar and back in the barracks. All I'm going to say is a) that guy can take four horsemen shots like it's water and b) good thing there weren't any higher-ups around to hear some of the things he was saying. Garcia was toasted, but we've all had those kind of nights. I was sober enough to enjoy them.

Sunday in Japan is mostly Saturday in Wisconsin, which in my opinion makes Father's Day extra long for my old man. Lucky him, but he really does deserve it I think. I'm not about to get all sappy cause he reads this blog, but knowing what I know now maybe I wouldn't have been such a dick to him in the past. We went to go see "The Hangover" at the onbase theater. It is pretty funny, and it's from the same director as "Old School." Really you can't beat the $3 entry fee. .

Now to the story behind the title of this blog. I've been talking to a couple people from my past, and not talking to a couple of people in my past, and the hamsters in my head got the wheel spinning. For one, I called my best friend, Neuman. We talked how we always did. I remember just sitting there and bullshitting with him all day. Going and doing things that didn't make any sense, but it was funny as hell anyways. The second is my friend I mentioned earlier from VA, Ganih. She was tons of fun, and I miss talking to her. We would have the best discussions about pop culture mostly, and everytime I tried to stump her she kept up with me. Mitchell just had a kid so he is all busy and Daddy-like. I hope he won't make the same mistake his father made and make him into a Cubs fan though.

The second big conversation was with my friend, Jen, or as Rich and I called her "Jen Jen." For some reason we grew apart in recent months and it bugs me why. She was alwasy so interesting and she challenged my thought and reasoning which I totally dug. I asked her if she could go back in time knowing what she knows now would she do it, and she said yes. I think I would concur. Starting from my high school graduation. Maybe even before that when I was still living at home. Appropriated money differently, handled relationships differently, experienced different things.

Don't get me started on anyone from Minnessota. One refuses to talk to me anymore and the other I have to salute. So figure that out. There is always Rich to talk to especially via email that I love. Makes the work day fly by. Aaron needs to learn how to live separated, but that is neither here nor there. My list goes on. At times I wish I could go back and do a lot of things over again.

As for Iran, I have nothing to do with that as a member of the military. I am keeping as close of an eye on it as the next guy is. As for North Korea, I'm not sure what I am allowed to tell you what I know. I do know that there is no heightened security here in Sasebo, and I have recieved no new word of potential threats from North Korea. I am not worried.

Morale is high-ish and it's time for the Sconnie sailor to hit the hay.