Leaving Pensacola in May

Posted on May 31, 2005 by TheJessicaness

We didn’t get done [with graduation practice] till 2 pm. When I called the parents, Mom told me they would be at the hotel by 4, the family didn’t get in till 6. Angie gave me a ride to the hotel. We pulled up and she rolled down the passenger window with Metts’ smiling face. She kindly told Mom that she had found something of hers. Mom looked around confused and then Angie rolled down the back window. She was so happy to see me. I thanked Angie, hugged Mom, and Barry headed down the stairs.

I was escorted up to their room. The first thing on Barry’s mind was food, so we went to Monterrey’s Mexican Grill because that’s what he liked last time. We went back to the hotel to look at pictures of Jason’s girlfriend Lacy. Mom gave me a ride to base. I invited the boys to the club, but Jason is only 16, so they could’ve come back with me to hang out, but they were all tired and went to sleep. 30 minutes later I was on my way to Seville Quarter with Andre.

We got to the blinking lights and loud music. I saw [others] there. He paid my way in ($10). This guy noticed the X’s on my hands and asked if I had been drinking. My response, it’s because you’re drunk that I appear that way. He was a 2nd class in the Navy [an E-5, I was soon to be an E-2]. He wanted to dance [but] I wasn’t going there. We [Andre and me] got to the truck and I hopped into the passenger seat. He told me with too much of a demanding voice to get into the backseat. Finally, he fell asleep and I got out to wander for a while.

We got onto base at 3 am. David came running down from his room. He told me that Andre was bitching about his night. He should have known it [whatever he imagined in the backseat] wasn’t going to happen. I changed into my utilities and went to breakfast. I got to the chapel and everyone else was already there. Family got there at 830. The parents had to check out of the hotel before 11, so I sent them on their way and went to PSD. I got my [plane] tickets and my record and turned in my key.

I hopped in the truck. I remember going by all the messed up buildings on the beach due to the hurricane in Perdido Key. After that, I was spent. They told me I was face down in the sand, asleep in the truck, and passed out in the tent as soon as they set up camp. I woke up at 3 am freezing and Mom gives me a cover sheet. There was a sleeping bag next to my bed if I wouldn’t have been too tired to notice it. They had shared three 6-packs. I woke up to bugs. They were everywhere on me and kept biting. I wanted to leave ASAP. I helped clean up, then I took a shower.

I discovered more bites as the drive went on. I had a book and CD player to keep me company, but a nap was inevitable. We got to New Orleans and had to visit Bourbon St. I was sporting my Navy sweater. I witnessed a guy doing a bad fortune telling and Barry watched a guy play the blues for 10 minutes. I commented that he was better than Bob [Barry’s mom’s boyfriend]. Some guy was taking donations for Meals-on-Wheels and you got a hat in return. I went into a “fun” store, but the guys didn’t enjoy that too much (dildos and handcuffs).

I remember looking Pancho [Mom’s Boston terrier] in the eyes at 4:20. I went exploring in the bunkhouse for a little bit and I was able to find a bunch of clothes. I donated some PJs and a few extra bags. There’s so much I need to get rid of, but it’s in my blood to be a packrat. Sis called and told me her friend Melissa could give me a ride [to Leander from Florence]. I agreed and gave her $10 in gas. I gave Mouse $20 and he came back with a 24-pack.

Monday, Barry took me to DPS [Dept. of Public Safety]. All I had to do was read line 5. I got my license and registered to vote. Then we went to the mall 10 minutes before anything opened. It was about $484 for a phone, A/C adapter, earpiece, car charger, and a carrier for the phone. The manager said I had to pay a $400 down payment that I will get back in a year because I have no credit. Barry had taken me to see Eric’s recruiter (PO Harris). He called my ship and got me a sponsor [someone to answer questions and help me upon arrival].

I called and talked to [Jessica Canady], an SN [E-3], but I’ve also been talking to ET1 who works in my space. I got to see Mrs. Burrows [my 3rd grade teacher]. She’s now a coach. She told me she begged for it. Everyone is pregnant and married now. Some girls are still in college. BJ picked me up from the house and we stopped by Deanna’s house on the way to Tiffany’s. BJ left at midnight and got back at 9 am. We went to Copperas Cove and I talked to PO Lawhorn for 1.5 hours [not sure why]. He’s giving me a day’s credit [which perhaps does not count today as vacation].

We develop my pictures at Walmart and drive back to Tiffany’s. I got home at 9:10 and Mom came with me to the church in town. I was able to get ahold of a bunch of people. I got a cell phone I can’t even use at the house [due to a lack of signal]. Eric was trying to watch David Letterman and at midnight Barry warned us that 5 would come early [for what?]

I woke up to an emergency. I was out of tampons. I called Mom and she brought by the perfect ones as soon as she could. That’s why I love her [one of the many reasons], but the negative was she made me meet her at the mailbox [at the bottom of the hill] because she didn’t know Barry [who acted allergic to feminine products] knew. Mom got home [after work] and we went to Staples where the people didn’t know [anything], so we went to Best Buy and I let a cute man named Andre sell me a $300 digital camera.

Plus the $300 plane ticket I had to buy myself didn’t leave me with enough to buy a $700 laptop. They didn’t have layaway and I got turned away for credit because nobody will give me any because I don’t have any. I have to get savings and go back. I had Mom drop me off at Tiffany’s with the camera. BJ brought by Jack Daniels. He left us the bottle. It went untouched and we passed out. We made pancakes for breakfast but most of the batter went on the stove top when we tried to flip them. We met my sister and Trent [her boyfriend] at the mailbox [up the long driveway].

Sis seems happy now half the time. She had on short white shorts and a tiny pink tank. She slid off her matching shoes and put her white legs on the dash and her pink glasses on her head. We took a bunch of pictures on my disposable camera and watched Dave Chappelle. Pat [Trent’s mom] said she wanted an early night, so I called Mom. She said she was on her way to the Exxon. She didn’t even bother with directions because she didn’t want to get lost. It was a 40-minute walk with 6 turns. When I told Mom it took me just as long to walk as it did her to drive, she thought that was good.

I can make it from driveway to driveway in 30 minutes, but not like I had anything else to do. I felt weird on the way back because Sis told me that Mom had read some journals about guys in Killeen. Oops! I’m glad she reads them so I don’t have to tell her…

We got enough technology to last me a while. That’s the most I’ve spent in 2.5 years. It cost me around 3 months’ pay, but that’s because I have half of it going into taxes and savings. I’m finally canceling my AT&T program, lowering my plan on Verizon, and in another month I will be receiving the $100 a month that has been going into my GI Bill [college fund]. I also opened a CD with Armed Forces [Bank] for $500. [The lady at the bank] said my interest at the end of 5 years will be $106. The APY is 3.8%, but things change.

I’m looking forward to going to Virginia. I’ve got friends there and might get a chance to do my job. We [Barry and me] went to Union State [Bank] and I transferred Armed Forces [Bank] savings to checking. That gave me $1,200. We went to Circuit City and the lady was nice and knew what she was talking about. She found me [a laptop] that burns CDs and holds excellent memory [for] $1,100. I knew there were going to be additional fees so we went back to the bank and I withdrew $700. We got to Best Buy and I chose an HP. The computer comes with A/C adapter, headphones, and phone cord for internet.

Then I got a $100 briefcase made by Swiss Army. It came with a bunch of pockets and the ability to adjust from 4 to 5 inches. It has 10 CDs with it too. Some are in case of an accident you are able to reload those onto your computer. There’s AOL, Internet Explorer, MSN, and Yahoo [icons]. Barry brought a Netflix package home thinking he could use it without my computer. I was on the computer for hours until people were coming home and I didn’t want to clog the phone line with me being on the internet.

Aunt Lois called and I told her why she didn’t get through the first 3 times. She was happy for me but she had to talk to Mom. She started talking to [Cousin] Alex and handed the phone to me. We talked about his stealing the mascot and leaving a treasure map. I got to talk to [Uncle] Jerry about maybe going skiing with them this 4th of July. I talked to Lois and she was peeling chicken for dinner. I can’t wait to make it to Kansas and see everyone. I haven’t seen [Cousin] Chris in 4 years. Mom gave me a ride to meet BJ at Chevron.

I had time to take pictures of the tree in black and white (just looks cool) and sepia. It’s this brown tint that makes them look old-timey as if they were taken in the 30s. BJ headed to the park. We sat in the same place as we did last time. BJ chugged his purple wine cooler and found his CDs in the trunk. We listened to the new Metallica after hearing one of their songs on the radio. I got home sober as hell and trudged up the hill grudgingly.

I told Lawhorn I would be there at 9. I ironed my uniform and ate honey butter popcorn from Gill [my Pensacola roommate]. I was in the office from 9:17, when he got there, until 2:30 when BJ picked me up. I shredded some papers, timed a kid on his PFA [Physical Fitness Assessment] requirements, and printed up divider labels on an old typewriter. Me and Peanut went in the yard to take a picture of the moon. I got to the edge of the hill and had a good view, but the moon was so far away and seemed like a pen point on my camera. It’s a picture of 3 monns smeared together.

I washed my feet and hair and put on flip-flops and Jason’s shorts. I was busy cleaning, organizing, and packing all [morning]. We got to Nana’s [in Fort Worth] after kolaches (sausage and pecan). I took a picture of me in dress whites and Nana in PJs, got Bob’s new CD, and left for the airport. I took a seat on my seabag [in Norfolk]. Someone from the Army came over wondering if my duty driver was on the way because she’d been waiting 2 hours. Longworth pulled up in his blue Mazda, 2 seats with a wide trunk.

We went to The Pizzeria [on Virginian Dr.] and after I figured I could start looking for my ship. We stopped and asked everyone for directions. We find the entry gate to the pier. My 1st impression was the greatest (I mean of the ship on me!) It looked so big and pretty standing there in the dark with only a few lights on. The CDO (an ensign) said that on my orders I don’t have to be back till the 7th [of June], but he told me to be back on Tuesday [May 31] at 7 am. I could stow my things now. I dumped my seabag under my rack and stuffed my garment bag into my locker.

Posted in Camping, Family, Food, Friends, Military, Music, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Wet April in Pensacola 2005

Posted on April 30, 2005 by TheJessicaness

It’s pouring rain outside. We’ve already gotten 5 inches and I heard some thunder. We had command PT on Wednesday and PO made sure all the broke [LLD] people went to the gym. Me and Heath sat in the sauna and Braley watched others play volleyball. I got ready and trudged through the rain. While people were cleaning the classroom, Smith took off his boots and rung out his socks. McClellan got onto him for that. I splashed to my room, got my raincoat liner and dry socks, and headed back to class. It was so wet and I was so cold in class.

We went through 4 lessons, a bunch of sunset pictures, and a leak in the roof. When we went into class it was Thunderstorm Threat 1, leaving an hour early at midnight [aka balls military time] it was Threat 3. We waited on the duty van while water poured in from the ceiling, spilling down the stairs and blowing over the sidewalk. I went at a fast pace through the 4-inch puddle that had collected. I ripped my badge off as I passed the guard shack and hopped in. Brews Bros. got hit by lightning and due to the alcohol content started quite a blaze.

Me and Holloway went in for midrats [midnight food rations], but the only person from our class on the list was Scott. PO said just write your name and take someone else’s. It’s rainy and I don’t care. When Hollaway stepped outside his bag fell apart. I put on dry clothes and blow-dried my hair. I’m gonna call Mom for my license number, sew on Wise’s [male version] patch, and go to the sauna tomorrow. Whitney woke me up and said PO Murphee wanted me in the office. I stood at the door in my PJs. He told me to go change. I went back with pink socks on, no belt, and a slept-in ponytail.

I was talking to a guy waiting on his friend and when PO came out I asked if I should come back because I can only stand for 10 minutes [doctor’s orders]. He told me to stand correctly at parade rest and stop bullshitting. Finally Chief calls me in. If the Navy would have gotten me as a child they would have loved me because I really paid attention to detail. Barry could verify that. I was a picky little kid. Chief asked if there was something he should know about and when I said no he yelled at me to get out of his office before he… what’s he going to do? besides piss me off.

I took off my wet boots and found out school was canceled. Me and Meg got hair dye at Walmart. I’m waiting till the end of April to do mine so it will be pretty for my next duty station. I also got a new pink watch. It’s got a timer, alarm, navy time, and night light. I bought 2 things at the mall: a metal notebook with Edward Scissorhands on the front and A Darkside of the Zodiac book. I read that and had to adjust the clocks for DST and went to sleep.

Today is room inspect day. I made it to my room at 10:30 to see the paper lying on my bed. When I saw sat circled, I almost pooped myself. How in the heck?! We got 3 hits: uniforms out and bedspread on rack, deck dirty under ironing board holder and carpet under racks need cleaning, and toilet dirty behind seat. He wrote: marginal sat, get these discrepancies fixed. My closet and secretary were unlocked, we had TP on top of an empty roll, tub was dirty, fridge is dirty, and the whole carpet is just dirty. Plus, I saw something on the mirror. He let me off easy.

I go for a walk and head for the woods behind the Q. We have a creek with a small bridge on it, something I would know if I’d ever done a perimeter run, there’s 2. I got halfway over the bridge, listened to the frogs, and looked at the stars. I went behind the library where there was a powerline through a tree that looked like a burning cigarette. Next, I came to the obstacle course where I swung on the ropes. I picked up a softball by the field that I played with and still have. I went to the Q for coffee.

Breakfast was great, but it was even greater when I sweated it off in the dark sauna (because the light switch was broken) for 40 minutes. I threw everything in my closet in a quick attempt to get ready for the beach. I was wearing Nelson’s shorts with Shirley’s shirt. I grabbed a white tee and changed in Angie’s car with Strickland driving. We went to Crabs [a seafood restaurant] to eat. We order drinks and a color page for me. 2 out of 8 people want to eat here, so as we leave I give my calico crab to a guy at the bar. He agrees with me that it’s pretty. For the name and age, I put Tacawetta, 11.

Chief asked if I had gone anywhere this weekend and knowing I hadn’t signed out I immediately said no. He said ok and held up my phase card [how long I’m allowed to stay off base]. We had PO Juarez teach us a lesson for evaluation, and then we went to the lab where I worked with Soto who doesn’t know anything and I had a migraine. It made me throw up. I just heard a remix on the radio to PIMP. It was POPE. ‘You saw him on your TV, he put his life on the line for you and me.’

One month till Friday the 13th. I will graduate Shipboard Ops and be home with my girl [Tiffany] and Peanut [my pug]. I cleaned my room (the plug-ins, smoke detector, etc.) and passed out. [After I woke,] I had to run back to lock my stuff and get the pile of sand in front of my bed removed. I had to muster at 7 am for mandatory fun (pool, tug-a-war, foosball), a base competition. The safety brief was an hour long. We spent all day at the pool tables cheering people on and then we got the karaoke started. There were 2 good [decent singer] girls and 3 guys at least.

It was a Kodak moment to see all these people from different backgrounds joined together singing in harmony. That’s part of life that I enjoy most. It’s a good time to bond and it makes everyone feel better because we are all in the same position of being homesick or hating school or duty. I won’t mind roving watch, school is great, and I’ve been having an ok Navy time. I dyed my hair auburn brown. It left a slight pink highlight which blends with my hair because no one noticed.

Whitney let me borrow her phone, so I was able to call Jack and leave a message, Holly but she wasn’t home from school yet, Mom to discuss our plans [to visit between Florida and Virginia], Neal to find out that he’s going to San Diego today, and Tiffany said she mailed my package. The airport returned it to her once because they couldn’t mail it. She told me she removed the drug paraphernalia and sent it back. I stopped by the post office and opened my [mail] box to see a letter from her which made me very happy, but when I saw the notice that I had a package I jumped with joy.

Tiffany is working at Stone Canyon Cafe in Georgetown almost every day. Her sister is 6 1/2 months pregnant with another girl. I want to take a trip with her, but we will have to do it on a weekend. I want to fly somewhere and do something crazy. I went to class and Angie started making fun of [flirting with] Mitchell again. She put soda on him. I thought he was going to sit down and let her get away with it, but he turns and lets her have his red Mountain Dew. It got her face, arm, and the wall, table, and floor. I give him congrats.

I could go for days awake, but I can’t find anyone else who can. They should have a Jessica watch, that way I always have someone up to entertain me. It would be easier if I could do more in my room at night, but with me and Whitney having opposite shifts, it’s hard. I left with Angie and Wise to Arety’s Angels [dance club]. I watched the girl dance on stage for a while and saw another girl sitting in the champagne room. Angie and I played pool while Wise spent $15 in a [claw machine] game. He won bride and groom monkeys, a smiley face animal, wedding pigs in an egg, an orange pig, a graduation bear, and a racing magnet.

I got the monkeys, a pink bride and a brown groom. He gave the pigs to Kira, she works there and she’s cute. He said they both have the boar Chinese birth sign. We left when they closed at 3 am and headed to Bedlam’s [a BYOB after-hours club open till 5 am] where I got stamped bed tot. Angie got hit on by every [dark-skinned] guy there. We were on the dance floor and this guy comes up behind me. Angie saw his dick and told him to get his nasty ass… We got up on the pole [to get away from him], which Wise enjoyed and Angie got a $2 tip.

I was in my bed by 7:30 am. I set the alarm for 11:30. I wake up and look at my clock at 7:30. Isn’t that the time I laid down?? I look at my watch on the way to the bathroom and it’s 7:30 pm. Holy shit [not sure why I’m surprised by this]. I just slept 12 hours. King and Crackin invited me to the MWR to play pool. I got a dollar to pick songs [from the jukebox] and picked Stevie Ray Vaughn’s [possibly “Crossfire”], Guns-n-Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle”, Eminem’s “Mockingbird”, and Jet’s [possibly “Are you gonna be my girl”]. We left after midnight.

Gill and her blankets were gone, but her ID, room key, and phase card were on the nightstand. I wrote Mom a $300 check for gas [that she didn’t use]. I watched an hour of Nip/Tuck with Davis, Wilson, and Crackin. Wise had made fun of how trashy I looked in baggy black pants and an XL black jacket. I changed into tight green pants and a black shirt. I went to bed and [my] roomie comes crawling out of her closet. She said it was relaxing to be in there.

Me and Bickford went to Walmart and out of 4 rolls of film I couldn’t even fill 2 of the albums they gave us. I don’t think they gave me all the pictures. I got pictures of the brunch after Grandma’s funeral, the poopies [dogs at home], [Mom’s] Christmas tree, and Tabor at the beach. I went to the NEX and spent $35 on 6 white shirts, 2 service ribbons, a belt buckle, boot polish, 3 E-2 patches, a teddy bear, 3 postcards, and gum. I’m saving the new uniform stuff for Virginia so I look sharp. I’ve also only been wearing 2 sets of utilities so that hopefully the other 2 will have less stains.

After the NEX, I sewed on a patch or 2 on my civi [lian] jacket. I still don’t have a new cell phone. I called Dad and told him about Eric joining [the Navy]. I went to PT muster in my PJs, a shirt that says drunk, and a stuffed lion [that Jarrett gave me]. PO Hernandez told me I shouldn’t show up to muster with toys. I’m a broken [bone in my foot], bravo [night] shifter in PJs. I’m finally allowed to go back to my room where I feel safe, protected from the world outside. Sometimes I just get so nervous being around other people. It makes me want to throw up, explode, or run and hide. The only reason they feel so intimidating is all of my insecurities.

We were discussing the death triangle in class. You have to have possibility, ability, and motive. Mitchell said Soto had possibility because they are breathing the same air. I said he had ability because he cuts grass and Soto said, “I hear they call you Scarface.” [I’m in my room,] Angie slings the door open to ask if I want to go to IHOP. I go with her, Carver, and Whitney. IHOP is closed so we decide to go to Waffle House. On the way, we see a wrecked car and 4 kids. It’s pouring out. [The mom] said [the other driver] had come out of the bar and after the crash he turned his lights off and sped away.

We found a piece of his van. Whitney kept the kids entertained in the backseat till the police, fire fighters, ambulance, and sister showed up. Angie let a little boy borrow her pink sweater. We were soaked. I took off my pinstripe jacket. It was still soaked the next day. I went to PSD to get my travel arranged and a copy of my LES [Leave and Earnings Statement]. I got my Hep A and B shots and my arm hurt for 20 hours. We were in the lab and went 3 hours without a break.

We [Carver and me] were sitting [at Waffle House] and this lady takes some weed out of a sandwich bag and fills a cigarette wrapper that goes in her bra and the rest in her purse. Another night, Holloway joins us. He put his glass in the middle of his waffles. There was syrup and peanut butter all over the table. We were making our way back onto base and the guard wanted us to take our IDs out. He called Holloway fruity and called the other 2 guards to investigate. Luckily, one of them was Lee. He told them it was ok because they were hanging out with me and we were let go.

Posted in Books, Family, Food, Friends, Media, Medical, Military, Music, Water | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Meeting Megan in Pensacola

Posted on February 25, 2005 by TheJessicaness
Angelica McClellan ”a apple”

I saw [my roommate] Whitney’s closet open and her dresses, so I started playing dress up. She walked in and saw my [larger chest] in her [smaller clothes]. I ended up in jeans with a dark blue shirt on under a blue jean jacket. I got told I look cute, but some people were surprised that they were my roommate’s clothes because she’s shorter than me. I left the pants rolled up, they were perfect length. Andre, his girlfriend Jenny, and her friend Megan invited me to a car show. We made an appearance, and then we headed out to the beach, where I talked to Neal for an hour.

The [civilian] girls are real cool to hang out with and so sweet. We were sitting in the parking lot of McDonald’s when a car drove by and started throwing change at a parked car. At first, we were worried about the paint, but then we ran over there and found $5 in quarters. We went back through [the drive-through] and got drinks. We got back early, but I went to bed late.

Andre called and told me to come outside [the next evening]. I looked in the mirror, and I looked like shit, so I piled on the make-up [mascara and eyeshadow] and went outside in PT [workout] shorts and my sweat top. [When] it got colder, I put on my pants. Brewer barbequed us some weiners and burgers. I had a slice of pizza, a cupcake, and a hamburger. Then me and Megan went to McDonald’s, and I had 2 apple pies. We got back, and Gottschalk was hungry, so we took him and Tabor to What-a-Burger. I drank almost an entire large strawberry shake and had some of Tabor’s chocolate [shake].

barracks on Corry Station

They [guests have a curfew for visiting on base] left soon after. The lights went out [power outage] at 11 pm. I stayed up to enjoy the bright flashes of lightning. My roommate got me up in time for muster. By the time we got back this afternoon, it [the power] was all on again. Meg and Jen bought me a rose, red and yellow [for Valentine’s Day]. I talked to Mom for 40 minutes, and she’s coming down [or over] March 11. Caroline has been sick. Great Aunt Eleanor turned 93 on Tuesday and might be coming with Dad and Great-Grandpa Herbie on March 4.

Megan driving us to the beach

Mom got Barry chocolate, and he gave her the usual, nothing. I need to send her a card. I put my roses in water, and Meg might buy me a little fish. She’s so cute and sweet. Meg and I went to the mall. I got my first $75 swimsuit from Pacsun. I would’ve gotten some cute shorts to go with it, but the total was $118. I prefer Wal-Mart with those costs. Same look, lower price.

We are in class for 8 hours but are only busy for maybe 3. It’s no wonder I get bored and fall asleep. Class should be more of a challenge. I dozed off, and P.O. Moultrie was giving me shit about my foot. I got counseled for sleeping and called a shitbag with no military bearing. Petty officer doesn’t want to set me back for being on drugs [pain relievers for my foot], but apparently, I should take more drugs to stay awake or eat candy till I puke.

I was sitting in class in a low chair. We went on break, and I sat in a higher one. I brought it back to my station to compare and see which one I like better when I realized you can adjust them both. I laughed and disturbed the whole class. Later, it looked like he [P.O. Barton] was drawing a penis on the board. I covered my mouth to try not to laugh, and Carver was telling me to shoosh, which made it even worse. Somebody in my class put SR [Seaman Recruit] Gimp on the other side of my nametag.

I got to see P.O. Hale. He leaves in 10 working days. He was reading a book called Who Moved My Cheese [by Spencer Johnson]. I think it’s about moving and adjusting [to life’s mazes], but the 2 pages I glanced over mention cheese a lot. I got back late and was sitting in the lounge. Nelson brought in Oreos and a teddy bear for me. I shared the cookies, and we called Shaggy to take a group of us to the movies. We watched Constantine. When we got out [of the theater], Megan called and picked us up.

Tabor in the sand

I’ve been hanging out with Megan non-stop. She stayed in my bed, and I slept restlessly on the edge. I crashed on Whitney’s bed till she opened the door. I got up so fast. We went to the beach with Tabor, Moore, Berry, Goomas, and Luke Peoples. We saw Holloway, Speight, and Cox and stayed a while with Field, Ryder, and Air Force [at least one is a nickname]. Megan’s family visited for a while, and some people got in the 50° water. I had enough problems with all the sand in my boot.

Megan and Berry

We had to go to the mall to buy something for Megan’s mom’s birthday. She picked out something for her feet, then bought a book for herself that had over 100 sex tips. We got into a photo booth together and took some weird-looking pictures. We got to the smoke shack [smoking area on base], and we were playing the lighter game. You throw the lighter at whoever wants to smoke. However they catch it is how they have to light it. One guy dropped it and actually got into push-up position and lit his cigarette.

P.O. Barton asked if I had A.D.D. I told him at least I was awake. He asked about the rest of the week, and I told him we would see how it goes tomorrow. Then, when Hale was talking, he said, “I lost Wise,” but I quickly woke up. Lunchtime came, and I headed for the door. When I got there, I was greeted by a Papa John’s pizza delivery guy. I asked him where his badge was or how he got the code to the door, and he said he had a delivery. I knew I had to escort him (or something), so away we went to the only place I knew had petty officers.

Before we entered the TS [Top Secret] part, I asked whose name was on it, and he said Pallila, so I headed towards the office. When I got there, Almond was heading out to pay him, and by the look on his face, I knew he didn’t belong. They took care of the pizza, and I escorted him back out. P.O. told me to come back to the office, and he simply explained that I should have taken him out [side] and called someone and to never do that again. Barton told me they might do an investigation because they don’t know who he might “work for.”

Meg, Luke, Goomas, Nathan

I stayed in my room to read a book but ended up staying on the phone with Cousin Robert. He’s so excited about joining the Navy and doing some special program. He’s only in his sophomore year [of high school], so by the time he gets in, I’ll be out. He told me he’s coming to Orlando (a 36-hour drive) on a school trip for band [they would fly from Kansas]. They are going to Disney World. Tabor might rent a car so we can drive [six hours] there.

Me, Meg, and Luke went to get his license. We both had to loan him $10, then we went to the dealership to see about a ’97 3000GT that he wants. It’s white, and the speedometer says 160. We picked up 4 people to go to the club. We got to Seville [Quarter] and got to dancing with the other 5 people there. An hour later, that place was packed, and you couldn’t see the floor. The last thing I remember doing with my phone was calling home at 11:30 pm. I hung up before they picked up, but when I got back to Meg, I realized I lost it.

I spent an hour and a half asking bartenders and cops and staring at the floor. I asked the DJ, and he said he would announce if he found it. Nelson had left earlier to put on a sweater, and it took him an hour to get back in. I found $3 and broken glass, but no phone. We left at 2:30 am. I was at school by 6:35 am. As the day rolled on, so did my eyelids over my eyeballs. Hale said that if I wanted to sleep in class and party all night, I should have gone to college. Barton said that if a cell phone was more important than his school, I could leave. I would have, but I told him I didn’t find it.

I want to be on a ship once, but now I’m scared because I don’t want to swab [mop decks in the rain], stand 12-hour watches [in case of fire or intruder], and eat galley food [smothered in sauce to increase flavor]. I was going to take a nap [after class], but I need to get ahold of Meg so we can go to the mall and buy a new phone. We got pizza and started a game of Risk at 7:30 pm. I built up my forces [against 5 other players]. It was down to me and Watkins. I took out a few of his people before I got massacred.

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An Update on My Broken Foot

Posted on February 12, 2005 by TheJessicaness

My foot is one big blister. The whole heel, up the outside of my foot, and the inner pad by my big toe. I hurt worse now than when I first broke it. My knee and ankle hurt from supporting that immobilizer when I walk, and the rest of my body is sore from using those crutches and supporting my leg’s weight. I was on hold for 20 minutes with medical before another girl offered to drive me over. The lady at the [lunch] counter said I needed to drag my crutches through the line as a safety hazard. She was afraid of me falling. I got a duty driver to take me home. Andre comes in on crutches. He did something to his right ankle.

I called sick call at 6:15 and called every 15 minutes till 7 am, and no luck with the duty driver neither, so I started walking and started crying. I hadn’t made it to the 1st compound when S.C. Moore pulled over and gave me a ride. I got a duty driver at 10:30, went to urinalysis, and cut in line. Got my mail from the post office to see my $122 phone bill. Ouch! I took my “boot” off, and the blisters are worse. I pulled the top cheesy layer [of my skin] off, and I’ve got a bigger bruise on the bottom, and the whole side is bruised. It hurts really bad.

Andre took me to medical to see about my bruised foot, and I, for some reason, took my crutches today. I walked in and busted ass on the wet floor. I hopped up and got a 7:15 appointment. The doc said it’s normal and gave me tramadol. I’ve got dental tomorrow at 7 am. I still need to finish my MOOW quals, got to go to Valo [my teacher?] so I can pass my test, do my taxes, go by PSD [Personnel Support Activity Detachment], do my F** laundry, iron, quit smoking, and get out of the Navy.

I put on my sweats and went to the MWR [Morale, Welfare, and Recreation building], where people were watching Napoleon Dynamite [again?!] I got to talk to my dad today, and he found me a laptop for $649. He’s looking for an MP3 player and digital camera. He set me up a website, and he’s going to New Mexico (something about sound.) We met Nick at Waffle House. He said if you can’t keep up driving, then you can’t keep up drinking. Nick’s car went 90 [mph] through a mud puddle. Nick filled up a glass of rum and orange soda.

In the morning, I woke up with a scratched right knee and bruised left leg, also someone’s puke on my shoe. I got blamed for the fallen shower curtain, but remember Nick crashed at 1230 after “Hulk”ing his room. He broke shot glasses, and he slept in his mom’s room to protect it by throwing up on the floor. He’d been drunk for 2 days. There were 11 people there and he did all the damage. I noticed everyone I came with had left. Michelle forgot her phone. I figured I’d go back with Nick. I ordered an almond caramel latte, and a girl walked in with the same boot, same foot, and same story. What a coincidence!

My nicknames have been Speedy and Hobbles (after P.O. Hale’s turkey Gobbles). The LPO [guy in charge] came in [to class] and was asking us about racial slander. I thought he was talking about Strickland calling Schuknecht a rice picker and everyone having a good time, but apparently, Klages said something about white power to Strickland. They are kicking him out of class till further notice, and he has a great chance of getting discharged. I just want someone to talk to. Guys are just immature, Dad lectures too much, Tiffany is stoned, and Mom sounds too happy [no such thing!] I miss Peanut [my childhood pug].

We had to switch classrooms to use the projector. It was cold in there, but we were able to do our first simulation on the computer. We are learning the new sights and sounds. I went to dinner with Tabor, and Tiffany called. I quickly hung up, and a 3rd class was going to get on to me about [being on] a phone in uniform, but a 2nd class said it was ok because I didn’t move and got off quickly. [Later,] I drank 3 cups of coffee while talking to Tiffany. I bought 4 cards, one for Dad, 2 for Mom, and one for Tiffany. I spent an hour on the phone with Longworth while I organized my room and ironed my dress shirt. Neal called, and we talked for an hour. He’s so homesick and keeps telling me to save my money.

I had fallen asleep in class, and I woke up just in time to see Hale and a silver stick go behind me. I started shaking my head no. He said he would take my other leg, so I offered. He said, “I’m just playing with ya.” I woke up to missed calls. Dad just wanted to say hi, sis wants to talk, Ivan was heading back to base, I didn’t get ahold of Tiffany, and Neal said he’d be waiting for me to call him back. I had a dream that I lost my cast in Wal-Mart, and Mom was driving the parking lot looking for it.

I got my medical record, then got to the hospital and got my X-ray. The Captain doc saw me and told me 30 more days LLD and that I don’t have to shower with my cast on. Thanks, I hope that was worth missing 2 hours of school over. I told Carver I didn’t have enough cool points to get my computer to work. He said he wasn’t, and I told him to stick his dick in the computer. He said that’s what his laptop is for. I looked up in time to see the expression on Hale’s face, and Horn (the blonde class leader who speaks Japanese after going to college there) was up there with a scowl. She needs to learn to relax.

We met them at Capt’n Funs, an old-guy sausage fest, though most of the girls there (ok, some) were hot, and the clothes they wore showed it. I sat and boogied in my chair. Carver sat with me most of the time while I drank a Red Bull and Coors Light. Last night was the first time since joining the Navy that I have gotten X’s on my hands. Klages tried to buy a drink palms-up, but she [the bartender] wanted to see a bracelet.

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A Broken Bone in Pensacola

Posted on January 30, 2005 by TheJessicaness

Sunday night, Dewey was giving me a massage, and Phillip Andre said he could do better. He can. Dewey has little pokey fingers, and he’s always pulling on me. Tuesday, I performed Taps at 2 funerals, and everyone told me I did a good job [helps when you’re a distance from the sad family]. I got home [my barracks room] at 1 pm, and Malgra [my roommate] was packing. At 6pm, Andre borrowed a girl’s car, and we went to Steak & Shake, then we looked around the mall. He bought Top Gun.

Wednesday, at Honor Guard, I got to practice being a shooter [of honorary shots to the sky]. I got home, and Malgra was gone. She left me the 409 and nail polish remover like I wanted, but also left me cleaners, laundry soap, lotion, glow sticks, a piggy bank with change, and a condom. She also left me her CD player, Swiffer, and vacuum. That’s awesome. I’m going to get rid of my radio and iron, both shitty. There was also 2 curlers left behind.

I checked my mail and got some complimentary coffee at the Q. I waited in the lounge, and soon, all [not a complete list of] my buddies (Nick, Tabor, Andre, Gottschalk, Dewey) and me were watching Comedy Central. I saw a new show, “Distraction,” in which people try to answer questions while being distracted. We were playing the same game on this end of the TV – slapping, biting, tying shoes together. When I was talking to [Great] Grandpa Herbie, Grandma had to tell him I didn’t hang up.

Thursday, I went to the Q-Deck at 11:45 for MOOW [Midshipman Officer Of the Watch], and the petty officer spent 3 hours explaining things and making me look for things (breathalizer, binders). Then Andre, Kerr, Shirley, and me went to the MWR. We watched Top Gun and half of Caddyshack. They closed, so we went back, and I got to watch Napoleon Dynamite. I missed the [tater] tots part, and Tabor ordered 6 pizzas. I ate pizza, and Andre walked me to my room.

Friday, I started class today. We had a smoke break, and some Air Force chic tried to redo my hair and made me late for class. Then, at lunch break, I was trying to describe to Scott how to get back to class, and Horn said I broke the code of security! I fell asleep during some video. I helped clean up a broken microwave plate. We have to march everywhere, and everyone marches so fast, and it hurts my legs. Andre borrowed somebody’s red sports car, and we went to Rave. We watched Hide and Seek. It’s about this girl. Her mom dies, and she has an imaginary friend who does bad things. It ends up being her dad.

We came back to base and went to the Q-Deck, and I danced in. I was dancing all about. I headed toward the car and jumped on a parking curb. I slipped, and the side of my foot hit a piece of wood that’s there. It hurt really bad, and so did my knee. I figured I just hit it really hard. I called Mom and told her. This happened around 10 pm. We [Andre, Gottschalk, Baker] went and watched Godsend. During the movie, I could feel it [my foot] start to swell. I couldn’t walk back.

I got Andre, Gottschalk, and Nelson to take turns carrying me. I figured at first it would be ok in the morning, but it really started to hurt. Got there [ER on base], got into a wheelchair, got x-rays, and found out there was a clean break in my 5th something [metatarsal]. We were there till 1:40 am. I had to crutch all the way down to the other end of the hospital for my pills. It was worth it. We didn’t go to bed till 4 am, and I had a sick call appointment at 7:30 am. I took 2 codeine and didn’t wake up till 10:30 am.

Saturday, my foot is twice the size. It looks funny, but I feel like it’s asleep. I got my own med bracelet. I’m LLD for 3 weeks. At 6:20 pm, Fenton, Ferrie, and Arzaluz picked me up, then we went to this pool hall. We played a few games. We drove to one of Bradley’s friend’s house. I drank some Smirnoff [malt beverage], and it was off to the bowling alley. There, we only played 2 games before we drove by a 3-car car show in Winn-Dixie parking lot. Tiffany had called earlier and played 3 songs into my phone [voicemail]. I saved 2. They brought back memories. I know when I leave her, I will have memories just like when I left home.

I just hope I can enjoy them as much as I do the other ones. The memories from Chicago aren’t too bad. I did so much up there, and I gave Mom a chance to come see me. I miss her so much, just the idea of that neverending love. I wouldn’t mind going home to a car and an 8-hour job. I’m going to get out in 4 years, go to a free college [because of the Montgomery G.I. Bill], and then go to work for the FBI. That seems to be what life is all about; dreams and memories. People are either dreaming of what they want to do or remembering the things in life they have already done. I try to live by every day.

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