Christmas Day January 27, 2009
Posted by midswatch in Home, Photography, Special Events.Tags: Chip Ross Park, Christmas, Corvallis, Oregon, Snow
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It’s been 2009 for a while, and I still haven’t posted much Christmas (the tree burning barely counts.) It looks like I won’t, unless I edit some shots spiffy style.
I will post these pictures from Christmas Day. My brother Mike, Alvin, and I went for a hike up to Chip Ross Park. The lingering snow from the week before (the snow that stranded loads of people at the airport) remained at the top of the hill, making for a great finale. To be honest, Mike and Alvin marched up the face of the hill so fast that it was all I could do to distract them with snowballs.
So many of my shots were from behind because I couldn’t ever get ahead to stop for a shot. The shot above and the shot below were in the same series of events. I had already taken a couple hundred photographs before taking these, but these two stand out the most to me.
Below you can see the contrast between the trees, houses, and finally the snow-covered hill blanketed by clouds.
My family celebrated as a whole on December 26th to accomodate for in-law conflicts. Here’s a shot of my niece, Cami!
I wear shades in the shade. January 24, 2009
Posted by midswatch in Home, Writing.Tags: PRK Laser Eye Surgery
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This is a blind post. Forgive my mis-spellings, improper grammar, and messed up somethingorother. I had the PRK Laser Eye surgery this past Thursday, and my eyes are still healing. It’s a great blessing for someone who always wore glasses, even while playing basketball (but i shouldn’t omit that I was too lazy to put in contacts.) Even more of a bonus, this surgery helps qualify me for becoming a pilot.
For any of you considering this surgery (and I am sure there are around three thousand of you reading this article this very second) you might want to consider the pluses and the minuses. How’s my spelling so far? I don’t really want to look…
Bads: Most of these are immediate. I mean, they take an oral B electric toothbrush to your eye to prepare it for the laser. ouch. yes. ouch. but it’s numb for the actual procedure. Afterwords, you won’t be able to see very well. That is, when you can open your eyes. Sometimes it just hurts too much to pen them. And the world is a bright place. Too bright for your eyes without sunglasses, even so with them…sometimes. The day after surgery, I sat in the shadows of my room, with shades, keeping my eyes closed. The light under the door was too much! BUt that’s the bad, and it lasts for only a couple of days. Also, I will miss a total of three days of class. That’s a lot, in my opinion. And my reading skills won’t be very good for a while, so homework will be a bit of a tuffy. Toughy?
Goods: These are rather simple. I can see, so far, better than I could before. Hopefully I will heal properly, and I’ll see 20/20. There’s an incredibly high chance that I will. That’s a good in itself. High chance of success. Did I mention I can see? It’s going to be amazing! I haven’t read over my list, so I might be missing something. Forgive me.
Also, something that deserves its own paragraph is the amazing amount of support I have received from my company mates. Many of them have come to my room to say that they hope I feel better, or to talk about stuff to get my mind off the initial pain. It’s absolutely phenominal how much a five minute visit can do for a persons morale.
This is usually in the stage where I’d look back at what I had written, check it for errors, and decide if I should post it or delete it. Since I can’t read it over (computers are very bright!) I’ll post it. Why not? Now for finding the post button…
Can I Get a Jump? January 8, 2009
Posted by midswatch in Navy, Writing.Tags: Digital Cammouflage, Finals, Naval Academy, Naval Station, Navy Pilot, PRK Laser Eye Surgery, Ring Dance, Valentine's Day
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It’s been a month since my last post. Since then, Navy crushed Army in football, I took my finals, had Christmas Leave, and returned to start a new semester. I’m homesick for Oregon, family/Catherine, and friends. But I take comfort in my deodorant, toothbrush, and razor–small pieces of memorabilia that have traveled with me from the west. I took many photographs (which will be posted as I sift through them.)
I look forward to this semester, and (more emphatically in my mind,) the end of the academic year. Later this month, I will undergo PRK Laser Eye surgery, a necessary task in order to be eligible for becoming a Navy Pilot. Highlights for this semester always include three day weekends, one of which encompasses Valentine’s Day, and I’ll be turning 21. Also, the Big Event, 2nd Class Ring Dance happens on May 16th.
I think I’m ready for this semester. I have started working out again–Mat took me on a run to the Naval Station. I tried to hide my face from the cars passing by because I ran so slow. I need a hair cut. Most other mids have trimmed up. I tuck hair behind my ears and under my glasses. I’ll cut it soon.
This morning, many witnesses experience one of the more embarrassing mess-ups I’ve done lately. As I walked to Luce Hall next to one of the plebes in my platoon, I saw a DigiCammie-clad man walking up on my beam. Classically trained to check for insignia, I glanced at his collar. The sun glinted brightly off of metal–Marine Corps officer! I quickly saluted, and so did everyone around me (similar to how if one impala spots a lion, every impala runs like… an impala.) To my surprise, he put his hands forward and shook his head. I immediately knew my error. He’s a midshipman! He was one of the Marine Corps firstie selectees, and he is now authorized to wear Marine Corps digital cammies on certain days. I loudly exclaimed “How embarrassing!” and I ran quickly into the building, leaving everyone scoffing behind me.
Coming back to the academy after a long leave period is like driving a manual car after a long time. It takes a few bad starts to get going smooth again. I just I hope I don’t stall any more.
