Weekend of Movies

Ah, a glorious free weekend. Other than getting up early on Saturday for my CQ shift (and having to shave, something that I generally avoid on the weekends (to give the poor face a break)) it was a nice weekend. I hit the gym on Saturday and Sunday (we have a really nice gym, brand new)

Yep, that's a climbing wall in the background. Off to the left there is 2 full sized basketball courts down the hall.

There is also a pool at the gym. Note the hottub. I will so be using that in the coming weeks.

So basically I used this time to recharge (read that as, being away from everyone I had to be with during the week. I like them a lot but I do need my "me" time to recharge.). I did do dinner and a movie with some classmates but mostly it was focused on getting things lined up for next week and getting mentally prepared.

There actually is a movie theater here on post. Carmike Cinema's seems to have this area locked up and while the theaters aren't the biggest (and for the discount one somewhat rundown) they do use some pretty good technology (primarily DTS, allowing them to digitally distribute the film and also makes sure that nothing happens to the quality of the presentation since there is no degradation of the picture due to repeated use).

I saw the following movies (in order of attendance)

• The Ruins - weak movie. Further confirms why I hate plants. definitely was cheering for the people who worked to confine that evil plant.


• The Superhero Movie - moderately amusing. Very juvenile humor but fun overall. About what I was expecting.


• Drillbit Taylor - Saw this with a few other BOLC II Students. eh. Standard teen film schlock. definitely not on par with some of the recent shows like Superbad or whatnot.


• National Treasure: Book of Secrets - This movie was plain old fun. I loved the first one and really enjoyed this sequal.

I figure that I will be seeing a lot of movies over the next 20 weeks. There are a couple that I am really excited about, in particular Iron Man and the new Indiana Jones movie

Overall I am ready to face the coming week. We have a couple of events coming up, primarily Combatives (basically a hybred martial arts class) on Tuesday-Thursday, a 5 mile Ruck March on Friday (that means no PT. I will ruck any day over doing PT (in particular running)), start BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship) training this week and also have to attend a mandatory reception on Tuesday evening (could be interesting, probably not.).

BOLC II - Day 4 & 5

Combined these two
Day 4
Another early morning. 0420 formation before the PT test. 55 pushups, 61 situps and a 16:29 2 mile run for me. Which gives me 220 points on the 300 point scale that the Army uses. Then off to get weighed again (lost 3.5 lbs from last night) and then taped (I passed.... just about the best thing that I can say.... need to hit the gym tonight.). Then we had off until 1230. A quick review of dental and vision records (looks like I am getting new glasses... at least they aren't BCG's (army slang for the glasses they used to issue.. Birth Control Glasses... as in you are not getting laid wearing these)) and then we were done for the day (1530!!! Nice to have that time off).

Day 5
A nice little PT at the late hour of 0545. Then a very quick shower as we had to meet a quick deadline to be in an auditorium for a briefing by the the Battalion Commander and his Command Sergeant Major. After that we had one last line to sit in, waiting for shots (of course I get to the front and they tell me I am good to go). A bunch of barracks cleaning and then off chow. Then we had a class given by our platoon mentor and were finally released at around 1600 (and most importantly I get to shift off this PSG position to someone else after getting my "go" at the position).

Now all that is left is an 0600 Charge of Quarters on Saturday morning (basically sitting around for 3 hours in the morning and doing whatever tasks are required of me and my partner for that time). Then I am free for the rest of the weekend!

BOLC II - Day 3

Ah, the special Army joy this morning. We had to wake up special early (first formation at 0430) for a drug test. Probably the most efficient one that I have ever seen (they have it down to an art when dealing with 200 soldiers). Then we had a very light PT session (as we have a PT test tomorrow), a very light breakfast for me and then off to more briefings
Another light lunch, the off to CIF (Central Issuing Facility) to get my gear. Another 2 duffle bags full of things useful (rucksack, poncho and liner, sleeping bag) and not (cold weather underwear, gortex jacket). Then we had Company issue (the dreaded IBA, Interdictor Body Armor with 2 plates in it. This is the standard body armor of the Army and works pretty well, though is bulky and heavy as sin) as well as an LBV (Load bearing vest) so that useful things like canteens and magazines for weapons can be easily accessed.
A few more misc tasks and then we were done for the day. I took the chance to get in a nap and then walked the route that we would be using for the PT test tomorrow (a big 1 mile track that we run twice). Also met a new soldier to my platoon, a 2LT from Albania. Then a very light chow, some goofing on the Internet and now shortly a very early bedtime for the 420 formation tomorrow.

BOLC II - Day 2

Another day down. Early morning (0500)... the joy of being in charge and having to make sure everything is set. A nice PT session (a warmup run to the field and then lots and lots of ab and upper body workouts). Then back, a nice shower and then time to talk to our Platoon Mentor (he is a Captain with combat experience). Due to some SNAFU (Situation normal, all f'd up) we were first told to come back at 1245 by the 1SG (1st Sargeant, the senior sargeant in the company (in this case a fellow 2lt appointed to that position)). Who then redirected and then mimarched (I was in the formation and cracking up..... so confirming theories on why officers can't march). A quick meeting with the Chaplain.

Later after a long lunch break (yah! made some phone calls) and then off to Finance briefings. This was most joyful as it confirmed that I would in fact be getting BAH for my condo.. since this represents 1600 dollars its quite a big deal. Congress just passed a law because for a while reservists who were in training didn't get anything.

Then some more paperwork. Then I was off. I went shopping to the PX and then to Rangers Joe's (where I got my rank and patches sewn onto my BDU's for use next week) and then a light dinner. A few more meetings to clear things up with the PL and then it was off to an early bed.

BOLC II - Day 1

Inprocessing. Lots of paperwork. Briefings. The standard Army struggle to stay awake. Woke up at 520, first formation at 550. I further confirmed my whole "world is small theory" and ran into a number of classmates from last summer (as well as another Virginia 2LT that I didn't even know was coming).

They kept us busy in briefings until 1530 (330pm) and then we did PT. Lord I am/was tired from that workout (They really pushed us... kind of a way of the cadre introducing themselves). I got tagged as the Platoon Sargeant for this week. Lucky me and my D&C (Drill and Ceremony) skills. Lots of little tasks that needed to be handled (working with my SL (Squad Leaders) and my PL (Platoon Leader.... poor lady is a Direct Commission who never had any Army training until now.... talk about being thrown in the deep end). We had to set up a CQ (charge of Quarters) for the evening. This is a task that rotates among the platoons of a Company based on whose cadre has to stay in the barracks that evening. Missed chow so I had to settle for grabbing something from a fast food place (went as healthy as I could... APFT on Thursday so I have been eating lightly) when I stopped by the PX (Post Exchange).

I am so tired. I was asleep almost the minute my head hit the bed.

BOLC II - Zero Day

After a final push I finally arrive at BOLC II, located in the heart of Ft. Benning. I actually took it pretty easy, taking my time to stop, stretch and do some pushups (the dreaded PT is due shortly). I don't think I have been eating enough because I am so anxious about passing the weight/tape test.

Check in was fast (I showed up in uniform since I saw some things saying I should). Turns out I didn't have to. Its sticky down here, lots of humidity in the air. Met my new roommate (who went to undergrad at VCU). Didn't see any other familiar faces but this being the Army that is due to happen. Now to build a list of stuff I need to buy (starting off with a fan... barracks are AC'd but its still stuffy in them). Then off to bed (at 1030..... oh yeah, the high life).

BOLC II - T-Minus 1 day

So what is BOLC (pronounced "Bow-Lock" as we military people are prone to day acronyms) II? 7 weeks of training for all new officers in the Army (the only exceptions being the Doctors and the Chaplains) to bring them up to speed on tactics, weapons and fieldcraft. Sounds more exciting than it probably will be (I predict lots of waiting around). The Army used to send all its new officers to the specialty training course right away, but they decided that they all needed to funnel through this course before heading to get technical training in their specialty.

Said my goodbyes yesterday and the day before. It sucks (hard to explain to my 3yo nephew that he wont see me for a while) but at least I will have access to computers and telephones and have time to use them while I am away. And I get to go back at the end of the course for a long weekend on Memorial Day. (before heading off to my specialty training)

Drove about halfway, I am in NC after stopping for the night (long trip, over 700 miles and about 12 hours). I also stopped at VT for a brief visit (see previous post). I will be pushing onward shortly. I will probably check in early evening and get a lay of the land.

Trepidation

On my drive to Ft. Benning I was approaching Virginia Tech (as I took the scenic route and went 29 to 64 to 81).

"Its rainy" "Its Blacksburg, odds are its rainy"

"It will take too long" "Whats the rush? Don't have to be at Benning til tomorrow evening"

"Don't wanna, bad thoughts" "Might as well face them"

So I pulled off 81, went onto the still unfamiliar 460 exit (since it wasn't there when I was a student). Popped over to the Virginia Tech exit, admired the pretty additions to Lane Stadium (way nicer than the last time I had seen it). Drove around the drillfield to Burass and walked around. I think I have to agree that the current memorial is the best, simplicity and poignant.

This all reminded me that all my personal sadness and frustation is pretty small in comparison to these people and their families.

And to top off the Tech trip, visited Soulvaki's for a Gyro and some Baklava and walked around the campus a bit.

Army BOLC II - T-Minus 2 days

Threads..... so many threads that need to be wrapped up before I leave. Thats the trend of the past couple of days (that and a bit of denial.... I still don't have all my packing done and I am leaving in around 24 hours). I did do some packing (mostly my army bits and pieces) and now I need to start getting my other stuff together. Thank god I am driving down to lovely (ha!) Ft. Benning, so I can cram a bunch of crap in my car.
I find that for me the anticipation is the worst for me.... I haven't been getting as much sleep as I should and I have a lingering sense of dread (this is a holdover from my OCS days). When I get there I will find that it wasn't that bad as I was imagining, but for now I just wait in anticipation (and thank god that its not like my OCS classmate who will be doing this same thing in a couple of months, but instead of heading for home after the training is done, he will be heading for Afganistan).

Life in FFWD

God. It feels like life is on FFWD. I notice that happens a lot when you have a big event coming up... for the longest time it seems so far away, then all of a sudden its right on you and you have no time. It feels like that for me. I am heading away for 7 weeks (then a long weekend and then back down to GA) for Army training. On Saturday. And I haven't even started packing yet. Oh my head hurts.. too much to do, so little time

On the plus side, I plan to blog the whole time. So now the poor DC public is going to see what us Army Officers go through during our training.

Computer Woes

My poor desktop died (luckily it died right when I was going to get a laptop, for my upcoming time (or as my boss calls it, vacation.... yeah right, not sure what sick world spending a summer in Georgia (me, who was put on a saline IV twice last summer) is a vacation) in Georgia.... )
Then of course I, being a good computer geek decided to make it my project to fix it.... first I learned the power supply was blown. no problem, its happened before, I actually had spares laying around. Then it looks like the power supply decided to kill the motherboard. Off to the toystore, I mean computer store, that lovely Microcenter store.... Which meant a new video card (tech has moved on.. okay). And then more memory.... So some 300 dollars later I now have a functioning computer and have the stuff I need stripped off the old hard drives. Oh well, at least its a more powerful computer now... mwahahahah....

All this for a computer that at the very least I won't be using for the next 7 weeks...maybe even 20 weeks....

The Ticking Clock

and it's companion (at least for me) the moving scale (my constant battle against the scale.... its a battle of epic proportion... It just annoys me that while I can pass all the physical parts, running, push ups and sit-ups, they still insist on using your weight as a determiner). It's starting to sink in that in 3 weeks I will be spending 5 months wearing a uniform (going to make getting dressed in the morning easy... no contemplating what to wear). I know that it's not like some of my fellows who are planning on being away for a year in a place where people shoot at or try to blow you up, but it's going to be a long time away (I will probably be able to get back a couple of weekends (as all my training will be in Georgia, either Ft. Benning or Ft. Gordon), as well as a quick case where I will pop down to New Orleans for a wedding).

I am reaching the point where I am figuring what projects can be completed. Removing my profile from the dating sites. General housekeeping (figuring out what to bring, what to do with mail, etc).

I guess I should have known that this was coming up but I was in denial.... But now I need to get my ass moving to make sure everything is GTG (good to go).

What I am watching

DVD - Dirt. Missed this fantastic series when it was first on, so now its catch-up. That and a slow grinding through of movies that I have missed over the past year or 2. Bummed that I am on the losing edge of the format war. Good thing I don't have too much invested in it (the only one I liked was Clerks II).

TV - Friday Night Lights! Love this show. Skipped it last year and with the break I decided to catch up. So glad that I did... I know that I love it and my roommate is obsessed with it. Hating Lipstick Jungle, meh about Cashmere Mafia. Enjoying the return of Men in Trees. Mourning the loss of Las Vegas. Excited about this whole fight about Scrubs, hopefully either way I will get another season out of it.

Video Games - Still enthralled by Call of Duty 4. Have barely touched Halo since it came out except for the occasional game with my brothers. Storing up some single user action games for the next couple of months.

Yes!! I have running Water!

After going through my kitchen renovation (which basically started almost 4 weeks ago) I was VERY happy to see the above...

Doesn't my new Kitchen look nice? All thats left is floors, backsplash and paint.. and adding a few more lights. and and..... I think I need to just sit back and enjoy it a for a few minutes before I consider those other details..

Why the makers of the Flu Vaccine are on my list..

4 days. 4 days huddled up at home, alternately hot and cold, running a mid-level fever, coughing...
And that doesn't even take into account the fact the one night with some seriously WIERD dreams..

How wrong is it to be sick on a weekend? I generally don't get sick so I have plenty of sick days and I have a job and boss that understands taking time off for illness. I so wish that it hadn't occurred over the weekend, I have so few free ones left before I head off for Army training.

And the QB is Toast!

Congrats to the Navy for the Satellite intercept! I used to work for the Aegis PMO and am proud they were able to hit it (and REALLY happy they didn't miss... that would have been seriously embarassing). I remember reading the specs for the SM-3 and being heartily impressed.

Though I laughed at the response of the Chinese, "“China is continuously following closely the possible harm caused by the U.S. action to outer space security and relevant countries,”... This from a country that also did an intercept of a satellite... however it was in a high orbit and that debris represents far more of a threat to the interational community than this one where the objects will break up on re-entry.

I am a nerd.

because the highlight of my day(other than leaving work)? Watching the moon turn red! I love that sort of stuff and being able to share it with other people? Anyone else see it? (beyond the people that I called to remind them of the event?) I must have reminded 7-8 people about it. (my roommate, family, ex and a few other people)

It was fantastic and really pretty. All the more special in that it won't happen again for another 3 years.

Though my favorite story is how Christopher Columbus used his knowlege of eclipses to extort supplies out of the indiginious people (for more go here). Basically he told them that if they didn't give him what he wanted God would remove the Moon from the sky. That man was a genius (or at the very least an awesome negotiator).

What a wierd election...

Hell froze over.....

I voted for Hillary Clinton....


I think I will leave the above statement above all alone... Since if I had to take a bet 6 months ago I wouldn't have taken the odds of the above being reality.
I picked her since I felt that she represented the best contender for the Democrats... (yes there was a secondary hope/belief that McCain facing her stood a better chance, but I had to go that way since I evaluated the candidates on whom I would find palatable as my next CinC... and I so wanted Oboma as far away as I can keep him.... even if that woman wins.....)

Skiing

First off, I must say that I bet my roommate will have a definite pause when she next plans to go to Vermont.... How many people can say that they got stung by a Wasp... In Vermont.... Indoors (most believable part).... in February... And the day before she gets run over by my run-away ski (first run of the day on some demo's on a green. I wipe out, look uphill and think "wow, that ski is really covered, all I can see is the binding". Then walk up, see that all that is there is the binding (which of course since that is where the ski brake is meant that it kept going). Then I look downhill and see that my roommate is sprawled out as well. Yep, she was hit by my ski before it richoted off the mountain.). Then I get to take my first (and hopefully only) tobogan ride down the mountain courtesy of the ski patrol (I wasn't injured but it was the only way down with the broken equipment).... interesting experience, but freezing since the SP person basically kicks a ton of snow at you... I had a face that was covered in ice by the time I got to the bottom.

Other than the perilious trips both in and out of Vermont (so much driving on the snow while it was snowing.... in my FWD Prius..... I was toast after I finished those segments) it was a lot of fun (even the .3 mile uphill walk to get to my Uncle's house, since there was no way my car was going to make it past 2 switchbacks). 2 Days of downhill skiing (at Stowe... Never have I skiied on so much powder) and then a day of cross country skiing (lesson and then applying that lesson.. having never done it before I REALLY like it and will do it again).

Gotta love vacations where you come back more tired than when you left (though I also appreciate the other option as well).

Swoosh!

Thats the sound I will be making in another 36 hours. (hello 3 days of skiing in VT. I am so excited)

Love: My new cabinets. They look fantastic and I am seriously excited to see the end result when I get back on Sunday.
Hate: the fact that I will be without countertops and sink for ~3 weeks. Curse you procrastination (though until the new gear is in place they couldn't really measure).

So excited that Apple released a new version of the iPhone. Say goodbye to $500...... They finally released one that is useful to me.

And I am SERIOUSLY EXCITED that WGA and their opposition finally looks like they came to resolution. And that Lost is back!