Waxing Not So Eloquent
First things first- Ben, I tried to e-mail you: did you get it? I’ll be emailing Mr. Siler in the next day or two.
Joy/Mario/Ye-Ye/Chris- I’m really sorry for not calling, but one of my shipmates overbooked himself on watch and I had to pick up the slack. You will hear from me again as soon as I have a free moment. I’d call you now but we’re not allowed to be out of our rooms after 2300 without a chit, and my room gets no cell service (probably because the building is radiation-proof)
Now, to the Journal part. Well, it has most certainly been a long time since I’ve updated, as my good friend Chris has reminded me. And although I have no excuse (sir, no excuse, sir), I imagine you might be able to understand after a moment’s explanation.
Now… for all that has happened in the past two weeks.
I was elected by my Company classmates to be one of two 4/C Honor Reps. Westerman and I apparently demonstrated ‘notably honorable behavior’ over Plebe Summer, although there were others who could have just as easily merited it. For now, our job is to pass along messages from the Honor Staff, encourage honorable behavior in-company, and adjudicate in Plebe Honor Boards throughout the year.
Well, the Brigade of Plebes is on ‘Back-to-basics’ for poor performance. In short, it’s like Plebe Summer, but we still have to keep up with our class-work. Speaking of classwork, I got my first F in a science course (a 52 on my Chem. Test). All my other classes are going well, though, and I’m going in for tutoring, so that should change.
The Men’s Glee Club, the Protestant Choir, and the Masqueraders are going famously. I’ve sung with the choirs at the Navy/Sanford game, Virginia Beach, and will be performing this weekend for notable dignitaries (politicians and admirals- the VP will be entertained by the quartet and the Skivs) for the dedication of the Jewish Center here. Men’s Glee Club is absolutely awesome. I have never learned so much music so fast that sounded so good. The director, Doc. Talley, is very skilled in choral musicianship, and some of the upperclassmen have voices and general musicianship skill that puts chills down my spine. As for the Masqueraders, the play should most definitely be fun. I prefer Mrs. Pici’s direction to Prof S.’s as of now, but we’ve only had 3 days of actual rehearsal, so I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.
We take a class in boxing. An actual, graded P.E. Course. That amazes me. Plus, I plugged a guy pretty solidly today… many times. Good times.
Speaking of Sanford, that was my first beginning-to-end viewing of a College Football game. I liked it. I enjoy a good show more than a good football game, but the game was lots of fun. Every time Navy scored, the Plebes got down on the field and pushed deck for every point they’d earned. Good times.
It’s amazing, now that I think of it- the difference between the Naval Academy and The First Academy (or any civilian institution, for that matter) is not in the tax dollars and the facilities (our facilities outdo other equally-sized school, but public state colleges outdo us by far). What makes the Naval Academy so different, so outstanding to some and so unbearable to others, is expectation. You are expected to perform. Period. Not at your own rate, but at a standardized pace set for you. And you are expected to perform in many different ways. Midshipman may excel in, say, extracurricular participation (mandatory performance), uniform inspections, and academics, but if he doesn’t learn his Pro-knowledge or his rates, or lets his athletics drop, the upper class make doing what you enjoy doing impossible. You cannot have ‘weak areas.’ It’s really incredible, and it’s what I always lacked at home. For all of you who encouraged me to come here, and who helped make me who I am today, but those reading now and those who have no idea I have an LJ… thank you.
Anyways, it’s pretty late, so I’m going to get to bed. I’m generally pretty tired now, in most of my classes, and standing up to stay awake happens pretty regularly. Those whom I missed, I’ll call you as soon as I can. Count on it.
Joy/Mario/Ye-Ye/Chris- I’m really sorry for not calling, but one of my shipmates overbooked himself on watch and I had to pick up the slack. You will hear from me again as soon as I have a free moment. I’d call you now but we’re not allowed to be out of our rooms after 2300 without a chit, and my room gets no cell service (probably because the building is radiation-proof)
Now, to the Journal part. Well, it has most certainly been a long time since I’ve updated, as my good friend Chris has reminded me. And although I have no excuse (sir, no excuse, sir), I imagine you might be able to understand after a moment’s explanation.
Now… for all that has happened in the past two weeks.
I was elected by my Company classmates to be one of two 4/C Honor Reps. Westerman and I apparently demonstrated ‘notably honorable behavior’ over Plebe Summer, although there were others who could have just as easily merited it. For now, our job is to pass along messages from the Honor Staff, encourage honorable behavior in-company, and adjudicate in Plebe Honor Boards throughout the year.
Well, the Brigade of Plebes is on ‘Back-to-basics’ for poor performance. In short, it’s like Plebe Summer, but we still have to keep up with our class-work. Speaking of classwork, I got my first F in a science course (a 52 on my Chem. Test). All my other classes are going well, though, and I’m going in for tutoring, so that should change.
The Men’s Glee Club, the Protestant Choir, and the Masqueraders are going famously. I’ve sung with the choirs at the Navy/Sanford game, Virginia Beach, and will be performing this weekend for notable dignitaries (politicians and admirals- the VP will be entertained by the quartet and the Skivs) for the dedication of the Jewish Center here. Men’s Glee Club is absolutely awesome. I have never learned so much music so fast that sounded so good. The director, Doc. Talley, is very skilled in choral musicianship, and some of the upperclassmen have voices and general musicianship skill that puts chills down my spine. As for the Masqueraders, the play should most definitely be fun. I prefer Mrs. Pici’s direction to Prof S.’s as of now, but we’ve only had 3 days of actual rehearsal, so I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.
We take a class in boxing. An actual, graded P.E. Course. That amazes me. Plus, I plugged a guy pretty solidly today… many times. Good times.
Speaking of Sanford, that was my first beginning-to-end viewing of a College Football game. I liked it. I enjoy a good show more than a good football game, but the game was lots of fun. Every time Navy scored, the Plebes got down on the field and pushed deck for every point they’d earned. Good times.
It’s amazing, now that I think of it- the difference between the Naval Academy and The First Academy (or any civilian institution, for that matter) is not in the tax dollars and the facilities (our facilities outdo other equally-sized school, but public state colleges outdo us by far). What makes the Naval Academy so different, so outstanding to some and so unbearable to others, is expectation. You are expected to perform. Period. Not at your own rate, but at a standardized pace set for you. And you are expected to perform in many different ways. Midshipman may excel in, say, extracurricular participation (mandatory performance), uniform inspections, and academics, but if he doesn’t learn his Pro-knowledge or his rates, or lets his athletics drop, the upper class make doing what you enjoy doing impossible. You cannot have ‘weak areas.’ It’s really incredible, and it’s what I always lacked at home. For all of you who encouraged me to come here, and who helped make me who I am today, but those reading now and those who have no idea I have an LJ… thank you.
Anyways, it’s pretty late, so I’m going to get to bed. I’m generally pretty tired now, in most of my classes, and standing up to stay awake happens pretty regularly. Those whom I missed, I’ll call you as soon as I can. Count on it.