From Chicago to Pensacola

Posted on January 17, 2005 by TheJessicaness

I got anxiously in my dress blues, ready to finish this sign-out process and leave. I was able to get a duty driver to the post office. It cost me $50 to mail home 2 boxes and a suitcase. I finished the check-out at 9, and when I got back at 12:48, I hadn’t missed much. Baker came by, so I went to the pier. She wanted me to dance with her. We went to get pizza for starters. We went on stage to dance, and Jamal came up behind me talking about rhythm, well, you better get your rhythm out [off] of my ass. We watched some girls dance, and some guys almost got into a fight.

I remember drinking a cup of someone’s beer but had to be back by midnight. I watched Without a Paddle for a while before finally taking my seabag, book bag, garment bag, teddy bear, and record down. The bus got there, we loaded up and took the 45-minute drive to the airport. My bags were so heavy. I had a Cinnabon, and our flight left at 6:50 am. We got to Memphis, TN, at 8:40. My left ear hurt. We were forming up, and we went over to a Marine who started bitching about getting in ranks.

We signed in and went to baggage claim. He was doing circles around us, keeping us herded like cows. We waited at least 30 minutes. My back hurt so much, but the weather is so nice. I called Tiffany and told her that the area going towards base [IWTC (Information Warfare Training Command) Corry Station] reminds me of Rundberg [a street in North Austin]. She was happy for me and can’t wait to come for spring break.

They drove us over 5 at a time. I got room 104, not too far to carry everything. I opened the door on my roommate’s face, only one roomie, she had her stuff on my bed. I put my stuff in and, of course, went for the all-calming cig. Then I had to go to a brief. We were in the middle of a base tour when most split for food. I slept from 4-9 pm, so I didn’t get linen. Howard is my roomie’s boyfriend, and he came in. I had to muster at 7:30. I went back to bed and slept till 3:30 pm. I sleep through everything. I found my phone on the floor with the battery out.

My room has so much space. I have a walk-in closet, a secretary with drawers, and foot lockers under my bed. I stayed in the lounge and smoke deck literally all night. Me and Dewey watched South Park at 1 am. I talked to Neal and watched VH1 till 4:30 am. After muster at 7:15 am, I went to the Welcome Q and got my linen, but no pillow. Somehow, I managed to stay up till 2 pm. As soon as I tried to sleep, I got 4 phone calls: Tanya, Mom, Tiffany, and Andy. I finally set my alarm for 5 pm and didn’t wake up till 8 pm.

I had to muster in 15 minutes, so I got dressed. I slept through chow or getting my pillow. I’m done cleaning, not gonna iron, I’ll study for 10 minutes and still need a shower. I’ve seen Fields and Nolan from boot camp. Most of the people are at NAS (Naval Air Station), about 3 miles from here. I should be seeing them this weekend or next for sure.

Posted in Food, Friends, Media, Military, People, Travel | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Happy New Year, 2005!

Posted on January 4, 2005 by TheJessicaness

What a great new year. I got to welcome it drunk on Tiffany’s roof and watch firecrackers from Reunion Ranch. When we saw each other for the first time in 6 months, she jumped on me and knocked the water bottle out of my hand. I got her Victoria’s Secret panties, and she got me a Bob Marley shirt and green socks. Mom got me at 12:30, and we stopped by Deanna’s. We got homemade tortillas. Me and Barry had some Crown Royal at 3 am. I might have some for breakfast because I can see he really wants to have some with me.

My plane leaves at 1300 [1 pm on the 2nd], and I get to Chicago at 1730 [530 pm]. Luckily, Aunt Nancy [wife of great Uncle Arthur, my maternal grandma’s brother] will be there to pick me up. I can hang out with them for a couple of hours, then get back and unpack, take a nap, and be ready to pee at 4 am [for urinalysis]. I hurried and put everything [my stuff I was going through] in the bunkhouse [old living quarters turned storage].

We left the house at 10 and got to the airport at 11:30. I got my ticket and checked 3 bags. Security took 20 minutes to x-ray and check my stuff, then I waited for Barry to drink a coffee and went to my gate. The flight was 10 minutes late from [Las] Vegas, but I sat by a guy who tried boot camp 5 years ago and visited Austin for 3 days. He loved it. The plane made stops in Houston [Texas] and Jackson, Mississippi. A guy that looked like a girl rode with us to Jackson, then a 26-year-old got on. The plane had a leak, and they had to drain the water supply. That took 45 minutes.

I got to Chicago and had to wait another 20 minutes for baggage claim. A pin was on the run belt, and a patch was pinned to my seabag, which I almost missed. Great Aunt Nancy was there and walked my suitcase to the car. She gave me a beef sandwich, cold fries, and a brownie. It was good. We didn’t get to base till 8, and we had to wait in line for 40 minutes to get a drive pass so they could drop me off in front of the Q [quarterdeck that leads to my barracks].

I went to [Building] 621 to check in, then went with Boyles to the pier. We went to McD’s [McDonald’s], where I met Lonnie and got my bear/tiger. We walked back to the Q. I was unpacking and got this surge of pain in my neck. I finished and tried to sleep. I was walking to medical, and a chief gave me a ride halfway there. I was grateful. Something about a muscle spasm, and I should be ok in a few days. Afterward, I went back to school, made a copy of my 7-day LLD [light and limited duty] chit, then checked my orders.

They told me to come back at 14:00 [2 pm on the 3rd], so I took a 3-hour nap. We got liberty [time off] early, and I went to the NEX [Navy Exchange] to meet Neal. We ate Pizza Hut. We went to the Loft and chilled from 6-7. I got back to the Q and was in bed by 8:30. I woke up at 5:25 [on the 4th] and had to be at muster at 5:30. I got down there and made sure I was accounted for. Then we had to march (I got to straggle) to BCS [Basic Cryptological Services] an hour early. I sat in the lounge. At muster, they told me I had orders. I filled out the same stuff, but today had to go collect my records [medical, dental, etc.]

I dropped them off and went to bed for 3 hours, went back after lunch to get my medical record for Thursday. We mustered at 16 [4 pm] for duty, and I was chow relief from 545 to 635. I’m supposed to muster again at 8 pm, but I asked my section leader, and I’ve only got to be downstairs at 5:15 [tomorrow], lucky me. This medicine works, but it makes you sleepy, and fighting its effects hurts.

Posted in Family, Food, Friends, Holidays, Medical, Military, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Third Funeral

Posted on December 28, 2004 by TheJessicaness

[My first funeral, at 8 years old, was for my step-siblings’ mom in Kentucky. My second funeral, at 14 years old, was for a senior classmate and fellow clarinetist in Texas.] I woke up at 8:21 and had to wait till 9:05 to take a shower, then was the trouble of finding out what to wear. I thought my pin-stripe pants would be too tight, but my other pants were too short, so I put them on and tried to find a shirt. We went through my little red shirt, Chili’s shirt [found at the UnMall, a boutique in Florence], cousin Stina’s red shirt, and her mom’s.

I ended up wearing too tight of pants, a shirt too short, and her tiny jacket that cut off circulation in my arms. We had to be to the funeral home [in Kansas] at 10. I was falling asleep on the way there. We started the service at 10:48, and I barely shed a tear. Even the people that cried weren’t too bad. We listened to one song, 2 readings, and a poem from cousin Andrea. Grandma Baker didn’t even look like herself. I think that made it much easier. She looked like a porcelain doll. Her hands were so fake. I was glad when it was over.

I got a chance to see the family. I changed into something more comfy [comfortable], and we were headed to the church for lunch. Stina called her dad for directions, and he hung up on her, so we went to Dairy Queen for directions. I had a bite of Jello stuff and 2 pieces of cake. We came back to Lois’s to relax, and her and Jerry got into a fight about Aunt Anita and his kid, both issues dealing with money, but he was out of line to call his wife’s sister a cunt. Jerry apologized to Uncle Robert when he walked in and I left.

I was in a nap when cousin Mike called and asked for a ride to work. He told me to go back to sleep because I wasn’t making any sense. I woke up at 530 pm, and everyone had already left for the memorial. When Mom got back, I asked her what time we were leaving tomorrow, and she said Wednesday. I went and cried. She came in and asked what I was doing. I told her I was tired because I was. When was she going to tell me? Well, she said she had some shit to take care of (aka take pictures of Uncle Butch’s tombstone [my grandpa’s brother who died in July].

Well, even though that’s a 20-minute drive in the wrong direction, that’s a morning thing, not all day. She sounds pissed, but I offered to go. At least I will be able to sleep in my own bed or see one of the five friends I have. Here, I feel so alone because everyone else is so busy. This makes me appreciate the Navy much more [because you are rarely alone]. And a lot of the people there appreciate me much more than a lot of the people here [I doubt that]. I have a special love for them. They will call me and see how I’m doing. I love that.

My mom can’t find time to ask about me [a bit selfish considering the situation] unless I’m crying [because she just lost one of the two people she loves most in this world] and just totally out of a normal state of mind. I wish I could help teach her parenting skills, but she’s like Barry when it comes to those things [something about his kids not getting affection, so I’m not allowed either. It’s traumatizing.] There’s just some things you learn to put up with, and parents are one of them. But she has at least the next 2 1/2 months to help me decide whether or not I want to see her again [I always do] on my next leave or whether or not I even want to keep in contact.

But seeing as how I’ve had so much time to go through all my stuff, I will have to come back at least one more time. I’m not looking forward to it. Something [childhood traumas] about that place stresses me out. Anyway, then Aunt Janet comes in and turns the light on, and Nate calls for his movies. I get up and wait on him. Me, Christy, cousin Alex, cousin Robert, and Stephen leave here [my aunt’s house] at 8:30. We go to Walmart to waste some time. Alex and Stephen have walkie-talkies. We make it to the mall at 9:45 for a 10:00 [showing of] Meet the Fockers.

There wasn’t very many others in the theater. I thought it [the movie] was cute, but Alex thought it was a waste of money. We were leaving the theater, and Robert was getting in the car when Alex told Christy to hit Stephen, so she stepped on it with the door open. He came running up. It was funny. Now, he’s flipping through porn and eating chocolate-covered cherries. It’s 1:01 am, and I think I’m getting up at 6:30 to go home [Mom’s house] tomorrow.

Posted in Family, Food, Media, Military | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Survived Bootcamp

Posted on December 21, 2004 by TheJessicaness

I got to boot camp on July 19, as planned. I look forward to reading all the letters home to remember how it was [as I wrote in my bunk each night]. It’s been 3 more months in Chicago, and I’ve graduated a tech course, started and quit smoking, been on restriction for underage drinking, made out with a boy, and made hella friends, and I’m still on hold [waiting to go to my next duty station] till at least February.

Mom has a new Toyota Tacoma truck and a diamond ring, Barry and Tif have matching guitars, Eric has gone and come back from Houston [where his friends are going to college], and Jay has been driving and has a hot, ditzy, ex-girlfriend. Dad lost a cat, and Mom lost a friend, and Grandma [Baker] is in the hospital again because her cancer treatment is not working.

I turned 18 in boot camp and am soon to make E-2 [out of E-1 through E-9]. Tonight is my first night home in 5 months. My beds are bunked, and there’s a couch and Christmas lights [in my room]. I saw the dogs and see that Jay is anxious to do something. I was supposed to wake up at 4, but at 4:16, I reset my alarm for 5. At 535, the petty officer [one of the many in charge] was telling me that he couldn’t find my chit [permission slip to go home]. At 615, it was found again.

I got back to the barracks and said a few goodbyes. A kid named Corey offered to carry my seabag for me and said he had stayed up just to learn my name. I gave him my number. I got on the train at 758, called Mom, and then was talking to Corey when this lady turns around and asks, “Can you hang up already?” I felt like I was in a scary movie and about to be stabbed a bunch of times. I told her how rude she was, and she didn’t say anything else. I lowered my voice.

I was trying to find the Orange Line train, and everyone was telling me somewhere else to go. One guy stopped me and asked me where I got my seabag. We talked about me [being] in and his son wanting to join. I finally got to the train and couldn’t figure out how to get into the steps to board… the tickets were on the other side. I got on at 10 and was checked in at the airport at 1056. I bought a cinnamon Danish, enjoyed a coffee, a conversation with a couple girls, admiration of my jacket, looking through my planner, listening to No Doubt, a phone call or two, and taking a small nap.

Then I drifted very slowly through 3 shops to take up the 5-hour wait, then my flight gets delayed. I’m an A [seat] ticket, and I sit on the back side of the right-wing window. A late 40s businessman sits a seat between [us], leaving room for the bald guy with dirty ears to sit right next to me. Luckily, it was only a 2-hour flight. I listened to my CDs and took a nap. I was happy to be in Houston. I got to talk to Neil [who joined the military and grew up 15 minutes from my house] and buy a $5 ice cream.

I’d gotten there at 7, by 910 we were on our way to Austin [via plane]. I’d met a Marine officer, in [service] 18 years, and a Navy captain, in 28 years, decides to sit next to me. I try to listen to my headphones, but he talks away. Can’t be disrespectful, and then Tiffany calls to remind me I haven’t turned my phone off, he’s still talking. In the middle of all this, my nose bleeds. Someone needs change for a drink, so when he pushes the call button, they say they already have change. Well, we have a bloody nose. I put a wet napkin on, and it didn’t bleed long.

The flight seemed only 30 minutes. I got home by 1130, and the parents hit the hay at 142. It’s been a long day, and is going to be a longer week. The parents love my stuff. I found some civi [civilian] clothes and some odd pictures.

Posted in Family, Friends, Holidays, Military, Music, People, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Off Restriction

Posted on December 14, 2004 by TheJessicaness

I just got off restriction [a military time-out with reduced pay and freedoms; for underage drinking] at 2030 [8:30 pm], and it feels good to be free, but I’m feeling nervous about Thursday [Jan. 6]. I’ve got to sit there while some guy [a surgeon] cuts into my face [for scar reduction]. I hope I don’t jump. Maybe he can give me a muscle relaxer or sleeping pills, but it’s either awake or all the way out.

I’m going to ask about laser treatment and where I’ll be staying [in my barracks]. I don’t want it getting infected or too cold [Chicago in the winter]. Also, I’m gonna want to be on a liquid diet [or cry trying to eat Teddy Grahams]. The galley [military cafeteria] won’t want to work special just for me. Well, wish me luck. I got my tickets [to go home] today. I leave at 430 on the 21st. I get my room back [without a sister to share it with]. I can’t wait to go through my stuff.

I want my CDs and pictures. I’ll probably only bring the ”best” ones, though. I don’t have room for a bunch of shit. I’ve got a busy day ahead of me tomorrow, planning for the surgery and going home [to my mom in Texas]. Well, I’m going downstairs. My roommate’s getting on my nerves. Time for some brain-rotting telly [TV].

Posted in Military | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment