Hello again ...

Right, so almost a month between posts. Bad form I know. Let's see what have I been up to ...

I'm working on getting my rating changed to ET (what I want, hence the blog address), one last hiccup is getting the orders to the people that need them before I finish my coursework for the FC rate.

I entered a swing dance contest with Wendy last Friday, and I cheated ... I wore my dress whites. It was a lot of fun even though we weren't as prepared as either of us would have liked. We did well, and were robbed of 3rd place (we took 4th behind a couple that fell out of an aerial). The best part was the dozen or so audience members who were simply appalled that we didn't win ... and went on to complain to the judges about it. That was a huge ego boost, the crowd (in the section of dance floor that we staked out) did seem to enjoy us a lot; and that helped us have a great time competing ... and the whites definitely helped. No pictures, but there may be a couple coming in here and there. Of course, injury was added to insult as Wendy got her purse stolen while we were dancing in the contest.

Saturday went out with the guys since Audas is leaving soon for his ship. Hit up a pretty neat bar with a 5 lane bowling alley attached. It was good to hang out with the "rednecks" (Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, etc. are the home states in question) again, since I don't go to the on base bar during the week and I'm usually in Chicago when I have a free weekend. A good time was had by all, helped along by the cheap drinks ($5 double tall Long Islands).

The hassles of being a Class Leader in a class full of turd flinging monkey's resolved itself when a Second Class Petty Officer who is also a student joined the class. He adds considerable weight to keeping the class in line. Our new instructor is great too ... laid back but inventive when it comes to those who get out of line.

My roommate moved out and got reclassed, it turned out he was color blind (bad when choosing between the red or green wire). He's now living it up in Florida as an Airdale (Aviation rates) Females have been assimilated into the 'ship' (barracks, dorms, etc.) and so far there haven't been any major problems (just a few extra watches to staff and a lot of shuffling people through rooms) ... but I honestly don't think that will last. There are waaaaaaay too many hormonally driven 18-20 year olds for there not to be any drama. I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Photo gallery hasn't been updated much. Best place for the visual take on how I spend my time in Chicago. The answer to the question, "Why are there so many dancing pictures?"; because I've been doing a lot of dancing, and it's great.

That's all for now ... I have to get to bed early since I'll be getting up early to start getting my workcenter in line earlier. One thing is for sure ... I will NEVER complain about having "too many meetings" at work ever again.

Until next time.

J