Family Photo Shoot! July 16, 2009
Posted by midswatch in Home.comments closed
On vacation in Oregon, I was able to take many photos of my family. Possibly to boost my photographic self-esteem, my sister-in-law asked me to go on a photo shoot with my nephews and niece. I was pleased beyond pleased, to say the least! Interestingly enough, my favorite pictures of the kids were candid moments. So here are my favorite three shots, one of each kiddo!
Every time I pulled out the camera, Josiah was ready for a shot–so I guess every shoot was a photo shoot for Josiah!
If I ever wanted to get a smile from Micah, all I had to do was tell him to say, “HEYYYYY!” like The Fonz from Happy Days. However, neither of us were alive to watch the show. I barely remember re-runs from Nick at Night!
Cami enjoyed her cupcake so much that Anna had to take off her shirt!
The three kids sat on the curb with Unle Mike waiting for the grownups to be ready for the park. They all show their attitudes in their own individual ways.
Logo May 11, 2009
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Finals are finished, so I’ve had a little time to try to make a logo. In order to put it up, I have to post it somewhere online first–this is the only place I can put it!
Beat Army, Yes–Bulldoze West Point, No May 4, 2009
Posted by midswatch in Navy, Writing.Tags: Beat Army, Naval Academy, Service Academies, Thomas Ricks, Washington Post, West Point
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I can hit my brother. He can hit me. But if YOU hit my brother, watch out. I’m coming at you!
It is ingrained in our psyche, BEAT ARMY. From Induction Day on, the plebes learn to thirst for the victory over West Point. For my entire first year of college, I yelled, “Go Navy, Beat Army!” every time I squared a corner. I drank concoctions of ketchup, soy sauce, milk, mustard, hot sauce, and mayonnaise, labeled Beat Army’s, all in order to show my devotion to the cause of… you guessed it, beating Army. I take pride in saying that I have never witnessed a Navy defeat at the famous Army-Navy Football game. I’ll even say it right now, GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!
Like with siblings, Army, Navy, and Air Force all compete for dominance. Who’s the better athlete, student, or warrior? Sister academies fight for prestige, but in the end we all stand on the same side of the line—United States military. So when Tom Ricks writes an article entitled, “Why We Should Get Rid of West Point,” it obviously stirs some talk around the Naval Academy.
Read it for yourself: click here to view “Why We Should Get Rid of West Point.”
I am not going to give a rebuttal. I don’t have time because I have my second of three finals in a 24-hour period this afternoon (six finals total.) But I will point out that Mr. Ricks fails to do what I have been taught to do since my freshman year of high school. He neglects to support his claims. The academies provide community-college educations? The war colleges are second-rate? Where is the supporting evidence? Send us to “more rigorous institutions”? Please at least explain how other places are more rigorous. I believe the topic warrants more than four brief paragraphs.
Instead of writing a response about why West Point is fine right where it is, I’ll direct you to read a good article from a current cadet, class of 2011. Click here: “In Defense of West Point: A Cadet Responds to Thomas Ricks.”
Maybe Mr. Ricks needed a story. Perhaps he wanted some attention, or he decided to cause a debate. He succeeded at all three—but at the cost of good journalism.
GO NAVY, BEAT IGNORANCE!!!
Old is Out, New is In April 15, 2009
Posted by midswatch in Home, Navy, Writing.Tags: Ensigns, Firsties, Graduation
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It is the cycle: the never-ending approach, realization, and dismissal. No matter how you look at it, or how hard you try to delay it, time passes. Cliche—possibly. Truth—for sure.
The Firsties are about five weeks away from graduation. Each one of them will have a fresh start at a new location somewhere in the world, employed by the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. It’s a stark transition. Right now, the Firsties walk the halls of Bancroft as company commanders, team captains, conduct officers, and platoon commanders. They are the leaders. They have realized their highest points as midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy.
In just a little while, however, they will leave the Yard and become fresh junior officers—the newbies of the fleet. As one 2007 graduate once told me, “I feel like a plebe all over again.” He had arrived at his destroyer only to find a new world that he had yet to discover–new customs to follow and many faux pas to avoid.
His adjustment process to the Fleet and the real Navy (the mystical world beyond the Naval Academy that I am told truly exists,) was not unlike the process he experienced four years earlier as in incoming high schooler to Annapolis, Maryland. He was new, unaware, and soon to be told he was wrong. But as any good or bad position in the military appears to be, it passed. He was promoted beyond his Ensign rank just as he had graduated from Plebe to Youngster to Second Class to Firstie. It is the cycle. And many will follow.
As the Firsties graduate on May 22nd, 2009, they will create room for the three remaining classes at the Naval Academy. The current Plebes will be free, the Youngsters will receive true leadership positions, and the Second Class will realize that the Yard is finally theirs.
Only a year later, it will be my turn to make room for others. I am part of the current—pushed forward by those behind me, pulled by those ahead. We are all connected, working together. And I’d like to think that I do some pushing and pulling myself.
Black and White March 12, 2009
Posted by midswatch in Home, Photography.Tags: black and white, engagement ring, portrait, spring break, tabloid
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[Tomorrow's Spring Break! The Happiness Factor approaches infinity again.]
My roommate, Rene, proposed a while back–but before he did, I snapped some shots of the ring! I promised I wouldn’t take the photos to the tabloids too quickly, so I’ve kept these shots in the archives. Here’s the release of the ring! Congrats, Rene and Shelly!
Here’s my dad. I caught him in a good pose, and it worked out well. I like the twinkle in the eyes! Click on the image, then click on it again, to see it in a bigger size.
