Anchors Aweigh

Good Bye Virginia, hello South Carolina

2009-08-14T23:14:00.000-04:00

Wow what a busy week, after more than 4 hours of delay on Sunday leaving O'Hare I arrived late Sunday night when my friend Brian Picked me up. You know when you have a true friend who will get you at any hour anywhere. He and another friend of mine did that for me this week. I processed through the week with a few medical bumps but at the end of the day it all worked out. From here I head to South Carolina for more training. I feel bad that I didn't see all of my friends while here in Norfolk, but time was short. If I missed you it was not personal just a lack of time. Thanks to Donnie for saving me in the rain, Angi and Chris inviting me to a great Greek place last night and most of all Brian, Kristi and the girls for taking me home, feeding me and entertaining me. More from South Carolina

3 weeks to go

2009-07-19T12:00:00.002-04:00

Well the summer world wind is over and now the countdown begins for me. 3 weeks from today I head to Norfolk for my IA. Not something I am looking forward to, actually not at all. I have been gone before on deployments so being away doesn't bother me much. My plan is try and enjoy each day with the family, I don't come back until spring, so I will miss the winter.

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T10:24:00.003-04:00

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

I just wanted to take a second to thank all the members of the Military for the work that they do. A friend of mine sent me this note in an email and I felt it worth sharing.

This is the day we have set aside to honor those who fell in battle.

Throughout our short history there has never been a generation without conflict. There has never been a time in this country where there is not someone who could be called a war veteran. There has never been a time when there was not a mother, father, wife, daughter or son who has not lost a loved one in armed conflict.

From the “shot heard round the world” in Concord Massachusetts to the most recent exploding IED in Iraq, we have had to continually defend our way of life. The price of that defense is measured in lives, more than a million of lives over the years.

Many have served our country in a number of different ways and there are times for to pay our due respect to them. Today is not that day, today is different, today we remember those who paid all. I honor those men and women who have given all they had for their Nation’s survival. I consider the ground where they are interred, as Mr. Lincoln said, “hallowed”.

We have an obligation today to remember those who fought and died in all our wars, From Bunker Hill to Bagdad. For their sakes we, the living, must remember them and do our best to preserve what they fought and died for.

Please take a moment to say a prayer for all those who are suffering from the pain that comes from losing a loved one in war. Then take another to pray for the country they fought to protect.

It's been awhile

2009-05-16T19:08:00.000-04:00

I know my last entry was a ways back, sorry for the delay been busy. Today my friend Chris and I headed to Indiana to get a 1/2 of cow. I have never done it before and was very excited. Obviously I had to get pictures with the beef and no I did not do a Rocky Balboa and hit the beef. I wanted to, but didn't . So now Dawn and I have more than enough beef for the summer. Looking forward to it. How do we celebrate our first night of beef? Bubba burgers... Go figure.

Bocce Balls

2009-02-22T08:54:00.002-05:00

IF you have ever seen the movie Splash, you remember a scene where the Mermaid come out of the water at the Statue of Liberty. The tour guide yells "Bocce Balls" when he sees a naked Daryl Hannah walking up to the Statue. Ever since we have been married Dawn and I will yell the same phrase when ever something we come across surprising. Last night, we got our chance to compete. We had a great time rolling the balls at an indoor Bocce pit. Who knew?

Polar Bear 2009

2009-02-07T16:43:00.000-05:00

Well that was fun. I really lucked out in the sense that it was 50 degrees out today as we had a very warm day for winter in Chicago. Sadly not so much for the lake. I marched with about 35 Sailors from my ship and we all made the jump with about 1000 people from the base. I played it conservative and did not wear the pink speedo that others chose.

Polar Bear Time

2009-02-01T10:16:00.004-05:00

I have done my fair share of dumb things in life but this Saturday should top them all. For some reason I am consumed by the idea of jumping into Lake Michigan on Saturday. I have been told by a host of people how dumb this is, but you only live once. I promise pictures will be posted by Dawn shortly after. And yes lake Michigan in February, shorty is the key word.

Busy and fun week

2009-01-31T18:08:00.002-05:00

Whew, Thank goodness for the weekend. I had a fun week, went to the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana and had dinner with my friend Bill, I got the good end of the deal I only drove about an hour to his two but we got to see each other and that's all that matters.

One of the things I promised myself on this trip to Chicago was do and see a bunch of new things. So far I have been to the Bull and White Sox, this year I will see the Cubs (and Yankees) and a bunch of other stuff. We have also had 3 signature dishes. Chicago Deep Dish (Gino's East and Giordano's), Chicago Dogs (Almost Everywhere) and today the Italian Beef Sandwich (AL's) Cool thing is all of these places we see on Food Network and my personal favorite Man vs Food.

-9 before the wind chill

2009-01-15T08:04:00.002-05:00

So I get up for work and I look at my clock that displays the external temp..... -9 Holy crap it's cold. I have been told by my happy news people that the temp is around -40 below. What was I thinking taking orders here?

2008

2008-12-31T12:57:00.005-05:00

Last night my mother in law asked me what I was thankful for 2008. It took a second to think about, was it going to shore duty, moving to Chicago (ha ha), the new job? Nope, nope and Nope.

Oddly enough it was my diagnosis of Diabetes, believe it or not.. Since I have been diagnosed I have lost 60 lbs since last December, for the first time in a long time I am comfortable, my Navy Physical run time is down to a mile and half in 11.50, fastest for me in my entire 19 years, and I don't look like a blob in my pictures.

Funny thing about being a diabetic, when I found out in May, I went through many different emotions from being scared to pissed. In fact thinking back it was just scared and pissed, scared about would I be able to stay in the Navy, would I die, what would I eat to how would I go on?

I am happy to say that being a diabetic is not the end of the world, but rather for me a new beginning. Yeah it sucks not being able to eat some stuff I used to love (egg nog has like 35g of sugar) bust mostly I had to cut my portions down and just steer clear of other foods all together. Once I got a hold of my eating the daily pricking of my finger, I enjoy statistical tracking of my blood sugar, now runs about 100-110 a day and you can have fun plotting it on excel. The funny part is how others act around you when they find out you are a diabetic. Some people treat you like a freak, others like you deserve your own handicap sticker, readers.... I am here to tell you that if you eat right and take care of yourself, most of us will be fine.

So back to 2008, it's been a great year, we moved from the Sunshine to the Snow as my dear wife calls it and have moved into the best house we have ever had. I am glad, for us as a family, my wife and daughters deserve this house, they have given up so much for me to run around the world, a payoff like this is exactly what they should have. I love my new job, taking care of the kids (young Sailors) is more rewarding than I ever figured would be, now I have to finish getting my degree in the odd off chance I get out in 2 years.

Dawn and I hit the magic 15 this and didn't do much for our anniversary, I hope to fix that this year with a trip that I hope she will like. Lindsey is growing up quick and Emily is right on her ass, it seems like when Lindsey does something, Emily does the same. I love them both very much and no matter how much all of my women drive me crazy I wouldn't want my life any different.

If it wasn't for my sister I would have never started this blog, so you can blame her if you hate what I write. I wish I spent more time with you, I hope to get better with that this year. If plans work right, in the next few years we'll be allot closer.

Thanks for reading my blog, I wish you a Happy New Year and a great 2009.

Stone Moutain Fun

2008-12-30T09:34:00.000-05:00

Made my first trip to Stone Moutain. Really a good time, if you are ever in Atlanta I suggest the visit. Funny thing they have a snow moutatin here where you pay 25 bucks to go sledding, silly people I'll let you come to Chicago and sleep in it for free...

Cold Out

2008-12-07T10:13:00.000-05:00

Yes that does read 6.4 degrees. I miss Florida right now.

A day in Chicago

2008-11-26T21:21:00.000-05:00

Jason and I went downtown today, saw Wrigley Field, the Sears Tower and walked around a bit. It was a great time.

First Work Snow

2008-11-24T16:56:00.001-05:00

Here is our First snow of the season.. It's all down hill from here.

Sending Christmas Cards

2008-11-21T21:21:00.000-05:00

One of the cool parts of my job is the gross numbers of kids that pass through my doors. On any given day I have over 650 men and women who cross my path. It amazes me everytime I ask for an artist, an athete, or someone who can sing or just about anything, because I get it. My kids come from all over the globe and every backround. Today's picture is a picture made by my students for Christmas. Our building is named after the USS Cole DDG-67 and for the Men and Women who gave their lives for their country. The assignment was take this 10 foot tall piece of wood and paint a Christmas card for the base contest. What you can't see is the Solar Christmas lights on there that really make this card good. Our contest is this week and I'll get pictures of all the cards and post them for you to see. I do hope we win.

On the homefront, my least favorite time of year as a kid was today, report card day. I am happy to say Lindsey and Emily made the honor role with all A's and B's. A great day for a very proud dad.

Dog's Life

2008-11-19T21:54:00.000-05:00

I wonder what she does all day. how much can one dog sleep in a day? Really..

First Duty Day in the Bag

2008-11-18T21:04:00.002-05:00

Well after 8 months of not standing duty I had my first duty day yesterday. Not very exciting but I'd rather have it that way. The real excitement is at my building, my kids are building a Christmas card. 12 feet tall. Details and pics to follow.

CYA.

Please Help my friends.

2008-11-13T21:18:00.003-05:00

This is a mirror from a friend of mine. Please read it and contact your representatives. Adoption is difficult and can suck for couples. Help make someone's Christmas and put this family together. They've been trying to adopt a little girl from China for a very long time and they've hit another snag in the process. In a nutshell, can you write a letter for them? I'd appreciate it

Details:

As you know, we have been waiting to adopt our Molly for years. Now we finally have our referral and we are caught in a paperwork disgrace that is keeping our daughter in an orphanage for no other reason than red-tape – poorly administered red-tape at that! We were supposed to bring Molly home in September, but we are still waiting for our US visas to travel. It is the US holding us up – NOT China.

We are writing to ask for your help. In hopes that it will make a difference, we asking friends to please help us execute a more aggressive letter writing campaign in order to try to get things moving. We have been in touch with our Congressman, Senator and the Governor in Maryland as well as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law. Some have been more helpful than others, but no one seems to have been able to make a difference so far.

If you could please bring this matter to the attention of your local representatives in Congress and in the Senate, it might have some impact. This link provides email address: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/. We know that a lot of local officials are in transition at the moment, but this information should be good for the next couple of months.

If you have time, we’d also like to ask you to please contact the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law. Zoe Lofgren is the Chair (address below + email on her website. http://lofgren.house.gov/). Here is a link to a list of committee members: http://judiciary.house.gov/about/subimmigration.html. Please note that Randy Forbes is from Virginia (http://forbes.house.gov/zipauth.html) and Anthony Weiner is from NY (http://weiner.house.gov/).

In hopes that it will simplify the process for you, I’ve also included a basic ‘form’ letter that you can feel free to alter in any way (below).

I know I’m asking a lot of you in your busy lives. We can’t thank you enough for your help and look forward to sharing happy news soon.

Katharine and John

Suggested Information for Letter

I am writing on behalf of my friends John and Katharine Curtin and their daughter Molly. Thank you in advance for your help with this most important matter.

The Curtins are in the process of adopting a child from China. After a very long wait, they finally received their referral for a beautiful little girl from Hunan Province who is currently residing in the Chenzhou orphanage. Her Chinese name is Chen XiDi and her American name will be Margaret XiDi Curtin – Molly.

They were supposed to take custody of their daughter on September 2, 2008. However, they cannot travel without approval of their I-800A (Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country). Although they were already approved for an I-600A (the ‘pre-Hague’ version of this form) they had to file for the I-800A when they moved to Maryland in June 2008.

Even though they have a child waiting for them, no one will help them expedite their application. Worse yet, they have had no feedback at all since they filed their paperwork and the adoption community continues to hear about long waits and bureaucratic hold-ups. This all means that their beautiful little girl is left sitting in the orphanage when she should be home with her own loving family.

Every extra day that a child spends in an institutional environment contributes to developmental delays and complicates the transition once they are placed with their adoptive family. The longer Molly is waiting in the orphanage, the more difficult the adoption process will be for her. There are also concerns about her health since many of the babies were hospitalized last winter during the snowstorms that resulted in power losses and loss of heat for 8 days. If this resulted in asthma, as is apparently common in this region, she may need treatment. And now, as you may be aware, there is a major health crisis in China that endangers all children – tainted baby formula – which is causing kidney stones and even deaths.

Please help our friends bring their baby girl home.

Subcommittee on Immigration
The Honorable Zoe Lofgren, Chair - Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law
102 Cannon House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone (202) 225-3072

Other officials we have contacted:
Maryland State Senator
The Honorable Barbara Mikulski
503 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington D.C., 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4654

Maryland Governor
The Honorable Martin O’Malley
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401-1925
410.974.3901

Congressman for Maryland’s 8th District
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
1707 Longworth H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5341

Cold and Fun

2008-11-11T16:30:00.000-05:00

Today is a day to remember all of those who have gone before us to defend freedom and democracy around the world. I hope that if you reading this you took time to remember someone who served in the Armed Forces or Department of Defense. With the silly season behind us of who is going to lead our country behind us we need to concentrate on the future and how we can get this great country back to wear it once was.

Anyway I got up this morning to go to the girl's school to Participate in a salute to the Military and found that we had our first frost. By my math it was my first frost in 3.5 years. Sure it gets cold in Florida but not this cold, and by Chicago winter standards I have been told this is nothing compared to what is coming.... Anyway, Ice on the car, and we went to school and then breakfast with our friends and then I went back to school where I was the guest speaker to the 4th and 5th grade class. I had planned to speak about the Military and the history of the day today, but it became a 45 minute Q&A session with questions ranging from where was my favorite place to have I ever killed anyone. I assured everyone that I am not a killing type and my favorite place was the Straights of Magellen in South America.

The best part of my day was how happy Lindsey seemed that I came in. Making her proud is better than anything I could ever do. I stopped down to the caferteria and saw Emily and came home. What a great day. Tonight is Lindsey's first Cheerleading event, the boy's team has the season opener tonight. I am very excited and can't wait..

ID Please

2008-11-08T11:17:00.000-05:00

My baby has reached another plateau in her life... No not that one, she got her Navy ID. When depenents turn 10 they get an ID card. We celebrated by seeing Madagascar 2 and Emily puking at 0300. Fun weekend ahead..

Happy 10th Lindsey!

2008-11-06T18:36:00.002-05:00

Sorry it's been a few days, work is crazy from time to time. The party went well, Keylime cove was great. There was a mix up with the room but they did the right thing and upgraded us to a 3 room suite. The girls all seemed to have fun, and we loved the water park. More this weekend

2nd Place

2008-11-01T14:38:00.000-04:00

Well we won the first game of the playoff but lost in the finals to a team that could be best described as the 1998 New York Yankees. They did not allow a goal this year and did not loose a game. We lost 1-0 on a goal with 30 seconds remaining. Good hard played game. Now it's off to the party.

Chris

1 down 2 to Go

2008-10-31T22:25:00.000-04:00

Our Pumpkin Magic

Our front door

The magic worldwind know as our weekend has started. We got thorough haloween and tomorrow we have soccef games and Lindsey's party. So much to do yet but most if it happens tomorrow. At least uniforms are out and the basic's for the party are packed. Tonight was fun, I don't remember the last time I did haloween, think it has been 2 years, last year I was in the Persian Gulf sitting off the coast. The real fun will be tomorrow as we play two games and then run home and pack up everything else. Night to all, early day..

Witchy Woman

2008-10-29T18:02:00.000-04:00

Well another Haloween is coming and on top of that 15 years of marriage to Dawn and then right after that Lindsey turns 10. Time sure does fly now for us and it seems like just yesterday I got here to Chicago but it's been almost 5 months already. Lindsey goes to get her first ID card soon and I get to expect visits from Boys looking for her and giggly girl friends sleeping over. Happy days for us all here in Chicago....Pictures from the weekend will be up Sunday night/Monday.

UnbeliveaBULL

2008-10-19T09:44:00.002-04:00

When I took orders to Chicago I promised myself I was going to go and see all the Sports teams here in town. Little did I know I was going to go for Free. So far I won tickets to the White Sox to include Sunday Brunch in the Stadium Club and last night we went to the Bulls game only to find ourselves in a Luxury Box. We went with our friends downtown to American Girl store which is way more toy store than one girl should need. It is way over the top but I get it, it's like me going to FRYs electronic store, except it's cheaper to buy at FRYs than American Girl Store.

After a tour through the store that Emily and Lindsey were nice enough to tell me what they wanted, we went to dinner at a food court that was hard to explain but you get whatever you want in the court and pay after. I wasn't feeling too well after dinner, maybe my BP was up from my daughters or just anxious to get to the game for the intros, but when we got to the United Center I gave my name at will call and told them there was 9 in our party, well he said he didn't 9 together but could do this for me, and gave us a Penthouse Box. Wow. We had a great time, and I plan to take Lindsey back again, as she seemed to enjoy it the most. I have posted a ton of Pics in my album for you to see.

Why I like 6 Flags Frightfest

2008-10-14T21:50:00.000-04:00

When you walk into a park and it looks like this

Some people take diets to serious

It's Always dangerous when they serve Spicy BBQ

Tasty in Chicago

2008-10-12T10:34:00.000-04:00

Well living in Chicago means one thing. Brats. Lindsey and I went to a really good butcher south of here yesterday and got some great sausages for dinner at a friends. WOW I never knew there are so many kinds of sausages out there, but he told me they sell about 20 kinds. The sausages were great and we can't wait to get some again. It's off to 6 flags today with our friends and may be the last trip of the season for us... In the meanwhile we are still trying to replace our holiday decorations. It stings every single time I put a strand of lights up, we had a ton of really great stuff.

Hit me Nick Papageorgio

2008-10-05T11:25:00.003-04:00

Well last night was fun. I was playing Casino Dealer at my girl's school, and had so much fun. Never mind it took me til 0100 to make it home, we had fun. I started out dealing Craps (or a very distant cousin) and then Blackjack. I decided to use the name Nick Papageorgio. I had a great time but I am very tired today. I can't wait for the next one.

2 games 2 wins

2008-10-04T12:19:00.002-04:00

Emily wins 2-0 playing goalie had 3 saves today. Lindsey wins 2-1 with 3 blocks. Joy in the Detje Household.

I am working at the girls school tonight for Casino night. Can't wait to be a Blackjack dealer( real chips, real money) from 4 to 1am..

WHOO HOOO

It's not our fault

2008-09-29T18:46:00.004-04:00

I usually don't write about politics but oh my god... If I hear once more that every single thing that ever went wrong is George Bush's fault, how life was better with out him I'll scream. Brought to you by the same party that allowed al-Qaeda to set up shop,I love how the President gets blamed for everything. I think he may also be behind the mold that grows on bread when left out. ENOUGH you jackasses

Both of our parties are so screwed up now that neither of the crooks that are up for election can help us. You think Obama is the answer, move to his home state, it's loaded with corruption, kick back and nonfunctional governement. And when was the last time John McCain went out for a gallon of milk. Nancy Pelosi, do yourself a favor and quit being a party person, and help run the country. You had a great chance to lead the way for women in big government and instead you fell in line just like the boys club. Shame on you.

Will we ever have that one person, male, female, black, white or orange who can run the country, I say no. It's not just one person, but many are required. I sat down with the intent to just rant and rave tonight but instead I think I want to encourage you to go and vote. Find out about who is running for the offices other than President. You're pretty much stuck with one of the two but try and find someone who can make change in DC not as a slogan but someone who really means it..

Register now and vote when it counts.

Yankee Stadium Memories

2008-09-21T18:04:00.004-04:00

Baseball says good bye to and old friend today as the last game at Yankee Stadium is played. Growing up we went to the stadium with my sister, dad and uncle. My uncle had a friend who got seats on the Visitor dugout, not near it, on it. So I just figured that if you go to the Stadium you get great seats. I also remember when my dad took my sister and I to a double header against the Twins. Memory serves me correctly they split the games. Later on my Dad and I have been to two games, once in 03 and once in 06. We tried this year but our schedules wouldn't allow it and we went to Cooperstown instead, an even trade off.

We say all the Yankee Greats play from our generation to include Dave Winfield, Don Mattingly, Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and Mo Rivera to name a few. I know they are not going away, but the Satium is, and as I settle in tonight to watch the game, I will remember fondly a part of my childhood, and never be able to hear New York, New York with out thinking of Frank Messer, Bill White and Phil Rizzuto.

Yes Dawn has made fun of me, but as much as I love her, I don't expect her to understand..

Soccer Saturday

2008-09-21T17:24:00.001-04:00

We opened the season with a few answers and still a few questions.

1. Both teams lost, Emily 2-0 and Lindsey we stopped count when it got to double digits.

2. Emily can be very good, she had a couple of chances to score and will get better with practice

3. Lindsey looks good in Uniform.

Seriously I know it's a kids league and you want your kids to learn the basics and have fun but I really wanted them to step out and win. I kept it to myself, except when Emily was on a break away and cheered for her. At the next time out, she came over and told me that Cheering for her is embarrassing and a distraction and she asked me to stop or go home. I guess I won't be painting my chest green next Saturday.

Lindsey seemed to have fun, which is exactly what I wanted for her. She is very shy and this is a chance for her to get out and have some fun. She won't be getting any soccer scholarships but my little angel left the field with a big smile and that's all I need.

GAME DAY

2008-09-20T09:09:00.003-04:00

Today is the Girls first Soccer Games. Emily( biggest and loudest) takes the field at 9 and Lindsey at 10. Video and pictures to follow. (ALONG WITH SOME DRAMA)

Man Day

2008-09-14T18:47:00.002-04:00

Yes it's the fall and it's getting cool around here. Well today was a man day. By that I mean the following.

I installed a garage door opener on the house, big deal for me because I have never had a garage door much less the opener to open it. It was fun and only took a few hours and caused my neighbor to smash his thumb once and I cracked my head one time as well. It's really great because with the winter months coming now the girls and most importantly I don't have to get out of the car to open the garage in the cold.

The other big news that made me happy today was the soccer coach called today with the details on the girl's soccer league. They start here soon and will be playing games before we know it. The cool part is going to be watching Emily run over kids in the open field. I can't wait, Lindsey is very excited to get out with girls her age Emily is excited to "talk smack to the other kids." I am so proud...

Commiting a Sin today

2008-09-07T10:25:00.002-04:00

I am breaking a bunch of rules in life today:

1. I am heading out on Sunday ( I should be watching the NFL Kickoff and NASCAR) but I won tickets to the Stadium Club and great seats at the White Sox and Angels.

2. Which leads to rule #2 I am going to a non-Yankee Game, something I haven't done since 1991 when I went to see the Brewer play Baltimore. Thankfully both of these teams are in 1st Place and can enjoy a good game. Note: I will not being dressing up in full Yankee gear for the game. Pictures to follow.

19 Years and still going

2008-09-06T08:35:00.002-04:00

Yesterday marked my 19th anniversary in the Navy. It seems hard to believe that I have been getting up early for 19 years now and going into work. I spent the day with out doing much really, I worked and spoke with my new students and the kids who just graduated boot camp. Fridays is really the best day of the week but not for the reason you may think. I come in early and have my usual morning paperwork and admin but Fridays I also get to talk to my boys before liberty call and meet the sailors coming in from bootcamp. Talking to them is great because it is the first day of the Navy for them, they are out of bootcamp and are now becoming what makes the Navy great, our diverse enlisted ranks.

Funny things is for most of these kids I am a relic, believe it or not at 37 I came into the Navy before some of these kids were born. That makes me feel a little old.

I have two years left on my current contract, and I am now working on going to college and thinking about what I want to be when I grow up.

Still young at 50

2008-08-28T22:25:00.001-04:00

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/MichaelJackson/story?id=5680705&page=1

I guess Mike still has some little boy in him..

Happy Birthday Dawn, I love you so much...

Major News anouncement... I'm getting out

2008-08-25T19:19:00.003-04:00

From the Channel 3 News, with five-time Emmy-award winning anchor Ron Burgundy. Champ Kind, Sports. Brick Tamland, Weather. And your reporter in the field, Brian Fantana. It's the Channel 3 News at 6:00.
Good evening. I'm Ron Burgundy and here's what happening in your world tonight:

Just a friggin second...

2008-08-24T19:40:00.001-04:00

OK. It's Chicago I got it... But holy crap, I just came in from walking the dog and it's cold out side. Not heavy jacket and gloves but just chilly. I expect this kind of cool to come around in say October not August. Tomorrow when we go out it's not flip flops, its socks and sneakers...

Getting called by Optimus Prime

2008-08-24T12:29:00.003-04:00

Recently someone posted a call from Hannah Montana. Now I have daughters and I liked it but this is just as cool... A good chunk of it is just a ad to get the Transformers movie but it's still fun.

Summer of 1989

2008-08-16T09:13:00.004-04:00

Ok Chris I shall play your game....

I fairness i have tagged my Sister and 2 friends. I'm not sure the process but here it goes....

Oddly enough this was a big summer for me as I was heading out to join the Navy at the end of the summer. I was the only one of my friends not going to go to college and had no idea what I was getting into. I joined the Navy because I wanted to be different, I wanted something nobody else had done and it seemed like the fun thing to do at the time.

We graduated in May and after a little luck I got a diploma, that was signed (I just went and checked) and we started a great summer.

A bunch of us left jobs we had and started working at the Hilton in Danbury doing renovation work, not sure who or why but is was fun all of us working together. Up to that point the guys I hung out with all had separate jobs, at any rate we spent most of time there and then went over to my friend George's pool.

Then came July, for some reason my parents left me and my sister home alone for 2 week in July, They did the previous summer and we had a few big parties but this was the bash to end all bashes. We got good at what we did, taking pictures and video of the house to make sure it was going to look like it did when my parents got back, and we even figured out ways to turn a hefty profit. Someone would finance the party for us and then after the profits from the first party it would sustain us for the summer to keep funding future parties. Oddly enough I never went into business but looking back, maybe I should have. Anyway, The parties were huge, infact I had kids from all areas in my home town going, it go so big it became the standard for others to gauage sucess. I remember kids from all over wanted to come to the parties, looking back I should be thankful nobody got hurt and how stupid I was. I would lock my daughters away for good if they ever pulled a stunt like that but I was young and dumb...

These parties were so good, that I wound up hospitalized less than 3 weeks before I was to join the Navy. I got poisoned by drinking beer that was skunked.. I think that was the only thing from keeping me from gettting kicked out of the house. Then came September 5th, most of my friends went to school and I went to Orlando for 4 months and on to Great Lakes where I started my life in the Navy.

I friggin love this place

2008-08-15T20:00:00.003-04:00

So after PT this morning I came home and my PC yelled at me to check into my command today. Ha, silly machine I have been there for 3 weeks now. After the time I have been in this house I have to say I love this place. Of all of the Navy Houses we have lived in, this is head and shoulders above all others and here's why.

We have our own downstairs TV room. It fits the TV perfect and I have a place for the computer, not a man cave but it will do. I have Surround sound set up and we are watching Nims Island right now and it sounds just like the movie theater. This is the first time I have really loved the place we live..AHHH Home..

Funny but real

2008-08-10T06:08:00.002-04:00

Mom and I took the train into the City today and passed to oddly named businesses. The first was the Bloomers Candy factory downtown. At first glance my brain asked why is this place selling chocolate underwear and then a number of other things came to mind, most of which I shant print here.

The other is Nuts on Clark, to which I have a number of things to say but won't, however I shall chuckle a bit.

And now for the best site of the day

Curse of the Outback?

2008-08-09T09:47:00.002-04:00

In order to really understand my post there is a little back reading required. Click here then continue. OK. so yesterday we went to a Jelly Bean factory that is fun twice but has used up it's excitement for me, but my girls love it so I will most likely continue to go. On the way home my mother wanted to take us to Outback for dinner as someone had given her a gift card.OK great lets go...

Flashback to April in Knoxville, my last trip to the company that hawks the motto "No Rules Just Right." Perhaps no rules should read no quality assurance in the kitchen just get the damm meals out.

Again Mac and cheese was delivered cold....

Again my wife's salad was delivered with onions when she asked for no onions...

And this time my meal was forgotten all together....

Normally this is grounds for me to speak in a very unfriendly tone with a manager but things were moving smoothly and I was in no mood for a battle tonight, but the funniest part was when the 3 year old next to us got an entire large beverage spilled on her by the waitress (on accident). Her brothers we laughing, I was laughing but the poor mom wasn't and the kid who was wet wasn't very happy.

The night ended with a free Thunder which was enjoyed by all...

This leads to the question is my mother cursed to not enjoy a meal at Outback with her family? We never have problems unless it's with her? But she doesn't have problems in CT with my dad? I may have to call Myth Busters.

Not sure what is on TAP for today but we'll keep you updated.

Yumm

2008-07-31T22:09:00.002-04:00

I just had the king of deep dish, Gino's East. It's tasty and delicious.

Whooo Hoooo

2008-07-31T18:01:00.001-04:00

Good news, Manny Ramirez is no longer the Yankee Killer.... Good luck in LA, Sorry Joe Torre.

Back to School

2008-07-29T16:24:00.003-04:00

Well I have put it off long enough. I went to Navy College today to sign up in hope of someday getting my degree. I need 6 classes for me AA and then it's about a year and a half to my BS. Which is odd as many times I am accused of being full of BS. In a small attempt at humor, school was written "schol", it has been since fixed.

Heading to the Widy City

2008-07-27T12:46:00.001-04:00

We are heading downtown today for the first time. I haven't been there in a long time and the Girls have never been. It should be lots of fun. Details when we get back.

Busy Day

2008-07-22T22:37:00.002-04:00

Well last minute things before I go back to work for the Navy. First and foremost, I saw Batman in IMAX at 0900. Yes popcorn, soda and IMAX. the word awesome doesn't even cover how great that movie was. Heather Ledger's broke back Joker was much better, TONS better than Jack Nicholson.

Then it was continue to straighten up and put together things around the house. The desk is up downstairs, and my PC is almost done. Most importantly the home network is up and running now. Tomorrow 6 flags and Pizzeria UNO and Thursday it's time to be an adult and work again...

Good Luck to my sister who heads to CT tomorrow to see our parents. Please dump that nasty color on your blog.

A Hall of Fame Weekend

2008-07-15T11:05:00.000-04:00

Well let me just catch you up on the weekend. The whole thing presses back to May when I was on my way to the SEA. Dad and I are both Yankee fans as well as my sister and my newphew. I wanted to go and see the Yankees play one final time in Yankee Stadium before they tore it down. No luck, tickets are impossible to get this year so I suggest my dad and I make a trip to the Hall. Wow, if you are a baseball fan I would put aside 2 days to make the trip up there, we saw so much baseball stuff I don't know where to begin. So much history that you should really do it in two days and then head over to Doubleday Field where the game began. The city is very small, only 2000 in the off season and very out of the way. But.. worth the trip, most escpecially for a father and son..

On a side note we topped it off Sunday night going to Brooks BBQ, a place Rachel Ray herself went on $40 a day and that too was worth every second....

Eagle has Landed

2008-07-15T07:18:00.000-04:00

Well 13 hours in the car yesterday and I finally made it, not with standing the fortune in tolls I paid yesterday. It's bad enough gas is 4.00 or more a gallon, but then I get ass hammered with a friggin million tolls.

But the good news is I am home again and we are a happy family again. I have a list of things to accomplish before I check into work, and I have already started. Of course the wireless is up and running in the house already, I'll go out and get a grill today and have the tv and surround sound working by the end of the day.

Dawn has done a great job on the house it looks really great, the most amazing part is the amount of space we have now, this place is friggin huge.

Hall of Fame

2008-07-13T06:52:00.000-04:00

So far lots of fun here, Dad and I got to Cooperstown about the same time and made our way over to the Hall of Fame. If you are a baseball fan you really should come here once. There is a ton of stuff to see here, of which I will post pictures when I get home tomorrow. Today we go back over to finish off the Hall and look around town a little. Then Monday morning it's 14-15 hours and home... WHOO HOOOO.

On the road.. again

2008-07-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

By the time this posts and is read I should be on the way to Cooperstown NY to see the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is by far the high point of my summer. I can't wait. 5 Hours to Cooperstown and then 13 hours on Monday to Chicago.. .WHOOO HOOOOOOO

Grad Night

2008-07-11T07:32:00.001-04:00

Well it's been almost 2 months since I left Mayport and allot has happened since then. Most of which I will not relive, however you can read about it all you want in the Blog. Last night we had graduation and both of my parents were there which was great. They are getting older and my biggest fear is they might not be around forever. Anyway we graduated, got our records this morning and I am waiting to go to breakfast with my parents and then tomorrow I head to Cooperstown with my dad. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to spend that kind of time with him. Growing up he worked very hard so we could have a good life and we didn't do a ton of Father/Son type of stuff, so this is extra special. Then after that I head to Chicago and should be there Monday night, very late.

This Saint's For You!

2008-07-10T16:22:00.003-04:00

Both my sister and I went to Catholic School, Dad is the king of all Deacons, and Mom taught math in a Catholic School (to both me and my sister). To say our roots run deep in the church is an understatement.

While in Newport my Mother got my Dad a book "This Saint's For You!" by Thomas J. Craughwell has detailed information on "300 heavenly allies for architects, athletes, brides, bachelors, babies, librarians, murderers, whales, widows and you"

Cruising through this book has given people some new saints to pray to, and a good hearty laugh.

St. Expeditus: The Patron Saint of Procrasination (Feast Day, April 19). But is often celebrated on the 20th or 21st.....

St. Bonaventure: Patron Saint of Bowel Disorders. I now know who to pray to in times of abdominal distress. (15 July)

and

St. Marculf: Patron Saint of Skin Rashes, my wife and oldest are tanning queens, myself and the youngest burn. let me keep this one close by...

Listen, there is more......

Parents of Disaapointing Children? Pray to St. Matilda
Physically Unattractive? Pray to St. Germaine Cousin
Sore Throat? Pray to St. Blaise

There's hope for us all...

Happy 4th (on the 6th)

2008-07-06T22:41:00.001-04:00

Base Fireworks tonight

We had a nice time, a bunch of us from class went down and watched the show, the base was packed as they opened it to the public. I wonder how many of them bash the military all the time? 1 week to Chicago...

Happy 4th Everyone

2008-07-04T17:15:00.002-04:00

4th of July, a great day for us to remember our forefathers fought and won our independence. Not a day where we need to run out and hit the sales but be thankful we live in a country where we are free to speak our mind, worship what ever god we want and make our own decisions. I for one am happy I am a member of the strongest military force this planet has ever seen. Happy Birthday America...

My paper on Admiral Zumwalt

2008-07-02T16:35:00.000-04:00

ETCS(SW)DETJE
BLUE 05

Admiral Elmo Zumwalt

Imagine if you will a Navy without Ombudsman, equal rights for men and women, racial equality, or simple things like leave and earning statements. These things and many more like them were nonexistent in the Navy in the 1960s. In this paper, we will discuss some of the advances in the quality of life Admiral Zumwalt set in motion. His contributions still have an impact on sailors today.
President Nixon selected Zumwalt to be the youngest Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) at Age 49 and his appointment confirmed by Congress 01 July 1970. His goal as CNO was to improve the quality of life for all sailors, both officer and enlisted and he saw the need to modernize the fleet. He started with a series of “ZGrams” that totaled 121 during his time as CNO. ADM Zumwalt established the Ombudsman program, Z Gram 24, in recognition of the difficulties confronting Navy families. Admiral Zumwalt outlined a program, the first of its kind in the military, which provides communication between Navy families and Navy commands. The Ombudsman is the official representative of the Commanding Officer and serves as liaison between families and the command.
In August 1972, he issued Z Gram 116 Titled "Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women in the Navy," the document expressed the ultimate goal of assigning women to ships. It laid the groundwork allowing men and women to be trained together to compete for the same assignments ashore and afloat, and to follow career paths that lead to a promotion to admiral. This vision of giving women "equal opportunity to contribute their talents and background" to accomplishing the Navy's mission would come to fruition 20 years later, with the routine assignment of women to combat ships.
In my opinion, his most significant Z Gram was number 66. In it, he stated, "There is no black Navy, no white Navy--just one Navy, the United States Navy.” Admiral Zumwalt wanted to break the racial divide that still existed in the Navy. He reaffirmed the Navy’s stance on equality, placing the responsibility on commands to “create an environment that makes equal opportunity a reality and discrimination, for any reason, an unacceptable practice.”
These are just three of the 121 programs that Admiral Zumwalt set in motion during his time a CNO, but what is most impressive, is that 87 of these programs are still in use today. Admiral Zumwalt, to me, was a pioneer in deck plate leadership and taking care of our sailors. He saw the need for improvement to the quality of life for them and made sweeping changes to the Navy. Many of his programs were not popular with the senior leadership in the Navy but he did it anyway. What I found most interesting is that even as the CNO he still took time for his sailors. So many times, we as leaders get caught up in training cycles, material inspections and military exercises we sometimes forget the most important piece of the whole process, our people. The Guiding Principles have one common theme, lead and take care of our sailors. Sailors are the most precious commodity we have and without them, we will not be leaving the pier. It is our duty to ensure the future success of the Navy by preparing today.
As you have seen, Admiral Zumwalt can be remembered for his commitment to positive change to improve the lives and safety of the members of our sailors. His courage and dedication to protect the health of sailors never stopped from his first day as CNO to the last. We too must continue to look for ways to improve our sailor’s lives every day. Most of us will never be CNO and maybe one of us may become the MCPON someday, but that does not excuse of for looking each day for ways to improve the quality of life for our sailors.

2008-06-29T15:39:00.000-04:00

Ok, I think I know what this is for but it's open to comment

Lots of Goose Shit

2008-06-28T08:09:00.001-04:00

In the now 5 weeks I have been here I have seen more goose shit than one human should see in a life time. Newport has geese, a gaggle of them, everywhere they think they own the place. Good luck driving they'll make you wait. Now they have been here longer than I have and I do show my respect by not kicking or running them over but goodness they crap allot. What do they eat that makes them poop green everywhere on base? Nothing like the morning run around the base and I almost break an ankle avoiding the obstacle course laid out for me by our honking friends. keep it up boys, the grass is really green here..

Wanted

2008-06-28T05:50:00.003-04:00

Went saw Wanted last night. I don't freak out over Angelina Jolie but what a great freaking movie. That brings my summer movie hit list to this and Iron Man. Oddly, the only two movies I've seen so far. But still a good guy movie, lots of guns and stuff blowing up.

Bad Oatmeal

2008-06-26T08:24:00.002-04:00

OK, i understand I had to make a few life changes when I found out about my Diabetes. One of the things I have in school is instant oatmeal for breakfast. For one it helps because when I get back from PT I need something quick, I sprinkle 1000mg of cinnamon and sometimes slice apples us. BUT. If you don't put enough water in to make the dam stuff it really sucks...

Fun and Joy

2008-06-25T20:18:00.003-04:00

Well as I sit here working on a Naval Heritage paper still sore from my 6 mile run, my dear wife is in Chicago at the new house. Man I wish I was there. I am leaving here on the 11th and should be there by Tuesday the latest. The only fun is listening to the Yankee game on the radio. Remember this back when people would listen to baseball games on the radio... I am getting old.

What Where?

2008-06-22T21:24:00.002-04:00

What were they thinking?
I was cleaning my phone out after my weekend in Danbury and came across a picture I took at Midway last week. This is obviously not a business you wear as a T-Shirt. Love it.

No mail from Danbury

2008-06-22T10:35:00.001-04:00

I like to send postcards from my travels, always have. I remeber my first trip to the Persian Gulf buying like 20 post cards to send out. OK... So I am in Danbury this weekend and couldn't not find a single one. Hmm odd doesn't anyone every vaction here?

Ahh the weekend

2008-06-20T05:35:00.002-04:00

We'll after a day of legal lectures today, yes my school teaches us a ton of Naval Law, I am heading down to the Parents. It's not bad only 3 hours, which really isn't much if you consider my 1k+ miles coming up from Mayport. I have 2 papers to write this weekend and a few things around my parents house to do, I hope to enjoy some of the weekend. I can tell you I plan to watch 2 Yankee Games for sure.

Right on time... (525 am) the kids are running on by. I do wish they learned a few new cadences when they run, they are college grads you think they would take the time to learn a few.

A Few things from my trip to Chicago

2008-06-17T19:47:00.000-04:00

Well I made it back in on piece from Chicago. The trip was great, the travel sucked. We started at 3am Thursday and drove in a school bus (complete with slide down windows) from Newport RI, to Logan in Boston. Then our 2 hour flight and 2 more bus hour (again complete with 1975 windows). Our trip was great, we watched Boot Camp Graduation and even got to stay in the barracks where the kids go to boot camp. We saw all the sights and sounds that Great Lakes has to offer, and then some. The only thing I failed at was seeing my new house. OH well, next time I guess.

On to Saturday where the same old bus took us 2 hours south to Midway Airport for a 5 hour wait for our flight. No there was no mechanical problem just dropped us off 5 hours early. Then it was another flight to Logan getting in at 2200(10pm) and 2 hour bus ride back to Newport. Either way it was a bunch of fun and I am excited for my next assignment.

This weekend I am heading to my parents house to spend the weekend with them and do some chores around the house.

Happy Fathers Day!!

2008-06-15T11:03:00.003-04:00

Being a dad in the Military has been very difficult for me. I am very close with my daughters and wife and not being home very often sucks. I know they don't understand why I am away and I know they don't like it very much..But one day I hope that they will look back and be proud of me.

Girls, Daddy loves you so very much

Dad, Thanks for being such a great role model for me and I love you for it.

All other dads, Happy fathers day..

Yep it's hot here too

2008-06-10T19:02:00.003-04:00

I know everyone is bitching that it is hot, well it's hot here to in Newport. But I do take comfort in the fact that it has been hotter in Florida, where I just left. Anyway, the rest of my week picks up rather quick, as I am heading to Great Lakes to visit boot camp and see how the young sailors do it. I am very excited to go and see them and I hope I can provide one of them with some valid words of advice. I will have my phone with me and I plan to take some pictures while there.

CO's Bathroom

2008-06-08T11:19:00.000-04:00

As mentioned, here are the photos of the CO's bathroom. Classic

Busy Saturday

2008-06-08T10:41:00.005-04:00

What a busy Saturday..

It started as always, the cadets singing at 0500. I mean come on every day? It worked out because I had to get up early because the class was going to Boston to see the USS Constitution. For those of you not familiar with her, she is the oldest seagoing warship in the world. Built in 1797 she is impressive to see, when you realize she is a piece of living history. Well our class made it up to the compound just in time for colors and then we got an extensive tour of the ship. I think my favortite part is getting to see the CO's bathroom. The way it works is, he has a room off of his stateroom with a view, but this is where it gets interesting. If you are working over the side I guess you could see the man do his business. Anyway...

After we got back from our bus ride to Boston, I ventured out to leave the base for a first time in a week. With school taking so much time, the only time I see myself leaving is the weekends. SO I went to Narragansett where my Uncle lived for a time when we were kids. It was so cool seeing places I remember from my childhood. Clam cakes, taste the same as they do from almost 30 years ago, and places I remember as kid immediately flashed back to me when I saw them yesterday.

The only thing I really missed was having Dawn with me. I love my wife so very much and it sucks being away from her for long periods of time. If my math is correct I don't have to many more long trips away from her in my Naval career. But one thing I learned from her was the art of people watching. I could go with her anywhere and sit and just watch people, sounds boring know but trust me until you have done it with my wife you haven't done it. Anyway there is a sea wall in Newport on the Ocean and you could literally sit for hours and watch people go by and soak up the sun.

It's Sunday here, and after a trip to mass and Dunkin Donuts for a bagel and coffee I am back in my room getting ready for to do some reading for class and relax. Next week I fly to Chicago to see the kids going through bootcamp and get a sneak peak at my new command. I can't wait.

Few thoughts from Newport

2008-06-05T20:42:00.003-04:00

1. I should have paid attention in English class, this school is going to be a lot of writing. I suck at writing..

2. Nothing like the OCS guys waking you at 0500 singing in cadence.

So far it's now Thursday, I have not left this 1 square mile radius. Tomorrow I leave the base, Saturday I head to Bean Town... I can't wait. I'll have pictures of my trip sometime on Saturday or Sunday.

Newport

2008-06-02T19:21:00.003-04:00

Well I started my class in Newport today, 6 weeks of learning about public speaking and how to be better at work. I am really very excited about this class, a bunch of people who I think a great deal of have gone through this class. It feels kind of weird being here knowing greats like them have been here. I'll post pictures later this week.

We'll be super busy, first week I'll be in Boston for the morning and then the following week I head to Chicago.. No it's not fun, it's all work. I am going to drop an email to my cousin and try and meet her in Boston but who knows when...

BTW I have a world class view from my room...

Bad luck for my beloved

2008-06-01T15:33:00.002-04:00

If not for bad luck it would be no luck for Dawn. She was on the base and thinks she either sprained or broke her foot. Excellent timing considering she is due to drive from Jacksonville to Chicago... I love her to death but she has the worlds worst luck. Good luck Dear, I hope it's just a sprain....

Sex in the City

2008-05-30T15:53:00.002-04:00

Well all is well in Fine Danbury, I will be posting a few pics of the landmarks today at the request of my sister. By now I would assume that if you are a woman you have been to see Sex in the City movie.. Funny I get teased up getting excited about a sports event, but every where I look to (TV, Web and the only theater in town) women are acting like it's the second coming of Christ. Ease up ladies it's just a movie. I wonder how many poor guys will be dragged to it and howmany women groups are going to go?

Who says you can't go home again?

2008-05-28T13:06:00.003-04:00

OK, I just 1072 miles from Jacksonville to Danbury with a 3 night stay in DC. I was cruising along today happy as a clam, I made it past DC traffic, Baltimore traffic, and a little traffic in Jersey but oh my god, the traffic in NYC on a Wednesday at 0900 and in CT. I was in a 40 minute dead stop and small roll in New York crossing the George Washington Bridge and don't miss a turn, because it's a 30 minute detour. I will be here til Sunday and then head to Newport, I'll be updating day to day....

Mr Chris goes to Washington

2008-05-27T20:14:00.003-04:00

OK, a couple of poor choices were made by me so far.

1. Going to see my boys loose yesterday as beatup on the O's today.
2. Going to see Downtown DC today.

OK let me explain, I went to work with Bill this am (5am) and hit the city at about 6am. No kidding I walked about 4-6 miles by noon today. Highlights included seeing the Navy Memorial, see Old Ebbit's Grill and seeing the White House.

I love DC and I would love to live here one day, it is such an incredible city when you think about the history here, not to mention it is beautiful to walk around. However, traffic and cost of living here is crazy so I will have to hold myself to visiting Bill.

Yankees Loose

2008-05-26T18:50:00.003-04:00

Well after a day of Scrapple (still waiting on what the hell it is)...But my team lost, glad we went all the way to Baltimore to see an ass kicking. Either way we say Boog Powell, famous Baltimore Baseball player. The game was great, hanging out with Bill is a blast as we always have a good time together.

Other highlights included Bill's new phone, and teaching him Bluetooth and the strippers who gave us free t-shirts to come to some strip club on North Baltimore. Sadly for them we went south back to DC. ...Skanks

Kinda of crazy, a guy I worked with in Memphis, now living in Newport News had come to the game for Military Appreciation. It's cool being in the Navy because people you know keep turning up at every corner....

Pictures of the day coming soon......

Scrapple

2008-05-26T09:40:00.002-04:00

What the hell is Scrapple... I'll tell you what is, nasty..

Random thoughts from I-95

2008-05-25T23:23:00.004-04:00

Who stops at the I95 Strip bars that "Dare to Bare"? I really hope the fine women(?) don't think that Richard Gere and his stretch white limo are going to swing in and pick them up.

If you have never STOPPED at South of the Border, do so. It's worth 1 stop to look and chuckle, same random crap any port overseas has at a crap meet, but still a novelty.

If you are going on a car trip greater than 4 hours, do yourself a favor get XM Radio. It was nice listening to the Yankees beat Seattle today. BUT if you are the parent of 2 tween girls, make sure 1/2 of that trip is spent listening to Radio Disney. I swear I caught myself on more than one occasion leaving it on Radio Disney because I liked the song.

Zaxby's ( the greatest fast food place on the planet) is at every exit you don't want and when it's finally time to stop you've gone to far north..

Good luck trying get something even close to healthy on the road. I'm open to suggestions as I still have a DC to CT leg and a Rhode Island to Chicago leg via Cooperstown, yes the baseball hall of fame.

Well I am settled in at my my best friend's apt in DC, we have a great view of the Holiday Inn Dawn and I used to stay at when we would sneak up to DC from Newport News.... The good old days... Tomorrow Bill and I head to Baltimore to see the Yankees play... Can't wait.In case you are curious, I have been using my cell phone to take pictures along my happy way, it's not a great camera but it works... Photos will be posted as I go.....

On the Road

2008-05-24T08:34:00.002-04:00

Well tomorrow starts my 2 month trip around the country. I plan to update daily and keep you involved in my travels.

Lets See, I head to my best friend's house tomorrow. Spend 4 days in DC with him, I am so excited, if I ever had a brother, Bill would be it. While there we are seeing the Yankees beat the Orioles ( I hope) and some time in DC. Then it's off to my parents house, then off to Newport for school and then to Cooperstown with my Dad to see the Baseball Hall of Fame. I'll be taking pictures with my phone and uploading them on a regular basis..

Then it's off to Chicago for 3 years.

WHEW!!

I am armed with my GPS, XM Radio and a cooler.. What more can I ask for...

Continuing the Family Business

2008-05-22T15:53:00.003-04:00

After a routine follow up for my High Blood Pressure (DUH SEA DUTY) I am now happy to announce I am carrying on the family business of Diabetes. Yes I too get to pop pills, change my diet to shed pounds and test my blood sugar every day. Yippy I can hardly wait. When did I get old all of a sudden? I know it's kind of serious, but before anyone gets all worked up... I come from a long line of Diabetics so it's just a matter of my education. But it still sucks.....

American Idol and the Yankees

2008-05-20T20:26:00.005-04:00

Ok, I still don't get it... How does American Idol out draw Presidential Elections? 50 million votes in 4 hours... Why can't we get that many to vote for the leader of our nation? FOr what it matters I want David Cook to win (Idol, not the Presidency). I got hooked back a few months ago watching it with my inlaws, my mother inlaw sets up like a racing forum and handicaps it all. Love it....

As I sit watching Idol, my beloved Yankees continue there worst season ever, getting the snot beaten out of them by Baltimore. BTW, I will be seeing the same two teams next monday play in person.

While I am writing, I truly wonder what the hell makes Paula Abdul such an authority on music? I mean 2 songs back in the 80s. I get it she is a train wreck waiting to happen but can't we get someone better, how great would this show be with Brittney Spears or even better Whitney and Bobby Brown?

On las thing, ask yourself will David Cook or the other David win? Well the million 16 year old girls will lock the younger in, so we get stuck watching that little shit cry for the whole show tomorrow. Grow up kid, the crying bit is cute but let's perform a little better...

Online Shopping

2008-05-20T18:34:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the delay, had some work that kept me away,

1 thing for you to look at today

How cool is that? Or shall I say kreepy. So if you have ever had to move you may relate with my stress factor this week. I hate moving and would love to stay 1 one dpot for my lifetime like normal people but no such luck. Maybe in a few years....

Fearless

2008-05-02T18:09:00.002-04:00

OK it's no secret sometimes the girls are a little timid when it comes to excitement. Lindsey has always enjoyed roller coasters at Disney but won't go on Rock and Roll Roller Coaster, and Emily has avoided Space Mountain like the plague. Well last night we went to the local Carnival at a school near the beach and the girls just simply shocked us. Emily was first she went on the Starhip 2000 a ride that spins around in a circle so fast you slide up the wall. Dawn and I convinced her to get on this ride, and I was hop[ing to give her a little thrill, sadly she loved it. Funny thing is afterwords she went on a kids ride and was very bored....

Then Lindsey went on the fireball, which is a roller coster that takes you upside down and hangs you there. Both of my little girls loved the thrill rides.. Weren't they just yesterday riding the baby rides and loving it?

Bike Riding

2008-04-30T15:01:00.002-04:00

So when I ws a kid I remembered riding my bike everywhere, I remember getting in trouble fro riding about 5 miles away to Reads ( a local early version of Macys or Dillards). We would ride forever and had a great time. Well I am happy to say bike riding fever has hit my house and both of my girls have the bug. Every day we ride for atleast 20 minutes and has got me biking to work, don't get excited I live 2.5 miles from the ship, but it's nice to be pedaling again. So many kids don't like riding bike and would rather be inside on the Playstation on Poptropica (kids website) so I am very happy they are riding. This weekend our big event is riding down to the gas station so the girls can get an ice cream. Pictures to follow of the great bike ride....

It's a girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-21T14:55:00.002-04:00

Well about 6 years ago it was too. The point of my entry today is just this. I have a very storng willed daughter who is now 6 and can't or won't sleep the night. Not sure if she is afraid of being alone or she hates her bed but she tries everything all night.

A typical night goes like this:

6pm Dinner
630pm Bike ride 30 minutes
7pm Bath
720-800pm calm down and 8pm 2 stories, a cup of water and bed.

1130pm Wide awake wanting to come back to our room and get in bed with us, a practice we do not want.

We then go through the song and dance ALL NIGHT until about 5am when I go to work. So that means my wife and I sneak by on 2 hours here and there, hit and miss. We already to her to get a sleep study, she's normal. Yes we're seeing a counselor for her and I'm not a big fan as she has proven nothing other than doctors without kids should not provide advice to those of us with kids.

We do know the trigger for the process, travel. She was making some progress in March sleeping the night and then we went to my in laws for Easter and last week to Knoxville to see my family. Now things are the worst they have ever been. I have to honestly say this sucks and wouldn't wish this on anyone out there. If you have ANY suggestions I'm all ears.

Satellite Radio and other cool toys

2008-04-19T09:31:00.002-04:00

A good friend of mine recently posted on her blog a add on to her IPOD that I won't go into, however it brings up a good point about electronics. No matter what era we are in in people will always come up with cool applications for there electronics. I recently joined the crowd of people who pay for radio. I jumped on craigslist and got myself an XM radio. At first I just got it to listen to the Yankees but there are so many more channels. OK I wrestle with the notion of paying 12 bucks a month for radio and then on my recent trip to Knoxville from Jacksonville it complete validated itself and to my wife who figured it was a waste of money. Now it's stuck in her van and I need to steal it back before I start my big summer traveling to Washington DC, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and then Chicago.

Resturants and Customer Service

2008-04-15T21:18:00.004-04:00

Why is Customer Service have to be so painful? This past weekend I went to Knoxville with my Family to see my Nephew make his "First Holy" Communion as my wife likes to call it. We went to dinner on a Saturday night with a group of 10 total. OK I get it big restaurant, Saturday night big wait. no problem! BUT when we sit and you take our order lets do each other a favor. YOU have your Kitchen check the meals for correctness and I won't bitch. In fact check each meal, the same way I check my stuff every friggin time I deliver something to my customers. Would you believe 6 of 10 meals got sent back? Now this is Knoxville not New York, you had a 1 hour wait not 4 hours and it's the Outback for God's sake. You know the menu, I know the menu, and as you say no rules just right. So get it right.

OK lemmie refocus, we send the 6 meals back and the guy comes out with a soup like he is making it all better. Nice move jackass but I would rather the meal be right, and don't bring me the Broccoli Soup, it's bad for you like all green vegetables are. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!!!!

Bear with me I'm almost done. Bring out the ice cream for the kids. Let me back fill you if you don't dine at the Outback, The Thunder from Down Under is Brownie, Fudge, Ice Cream, Whip Cream and more fudge. Well they forgot the damm fudge. So I took it to the kitchen and asked to speak to the Manager. He came to the table, very sorry with free Onions, but I then prompted to ask in a loud but calm voice who checks his kitchen's work? He started to get nervous as most people in the room were now watching. I then asked him how many more tables were going to be wrong tonight and he assured me none. He then told me dinner was free. Nice $200.00 dinner gratis.

Now I didn't go fishing for a free meal but rather someone be held accountable for poor service. Tell me do you get pissed when you get the dumb shrug when you demand service for what you pay for?