Hello, internet.
It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to write anything, or the inclination for that matter. I guess if the will was there, then the way would present itself. I really didn't mean to go any further on that beginning. Not at all. So, perhaps the writing shall... COMMENCE!
I've been stuck up here in a place that's akin to Dante's 7th circle. Finally, there's a bit of decent weather hanging around in the blue sky. However, every warm front has a nice cold snap behind it up here. I'm not looking forward to the icy winds that blow off the Great Lakes. But, I figure I'll just enjoy the warm weather while it's here to enjoy.
If nothing else, being gone has made me miss home. I knew I was going to miss it, and thankfully it's gone from feeling like a gaping wound to a splinter in my finger. Still, sucks, just not so much. I miss the weekends with everyone that I know well. All the barbecues and music. I could make a list that'd go on forever of things that I sit back when I feel like a nostalgic moment.
Without a doubt, I've left that place I knew as home and I'm slowly assimilating myself into a member of the military. They try pretty hard to strip you of your individuality, but I still have just as much as before, at least I hope so. I kinda liked me a while ago, that'd certainly be a bummer if I gradually lost that.
There's something about reading some old things you create that makes you want to punch the older you in the face. Real hard. I guess everyone has a few of those aimless, angry, wanderlust posts in there. I guess it just goes to show I'm just as susceptable as anyone else to those good ol' angsty feelings.
Well, I guess on to the current events:
Boot camp's over and done, working towards becoming a corpsman (navy medic guy). Classes are going well. I get to tutor people over the information that we cover, it's pretty gratifying. It's nice to know that I can help other folks in that way. Nothing's very difficult, you just have to pay attention in class and know when to shut the hell up.
I don't know where I want to end up eventually. There are so many cool stories about going on a ship and seeing all the different ports, seeing all sorts of new things. New surroundings every couple of weeks sounds pretty tantalizing. Then, there are the stations out of the country, which sound awesome, too. It's a double-edged blade though. I get to leave (again) and see all sorts of new things, but then everything I know will REALLY be far away. I couldn't just go back for a short spell without dropping a ton of cash. I'm a fan of that stuff, I'd like to have some to spend when I get back in town, y'know? Also, there's missing everything... again. I'm so disconnected from people that I used to see and talk to daily. But, when I get to see everyone, it's like the time never passed. I hope it continues to go that way. I guess we'll see what time has planned out for me.
I know one thing I don't want to do: get deployed with the marines. I can't forsee anything excellent happening in running around in some sand and running IVs while getting shot at. I'm not that big of an adrenaline junkie. If I want to do hospital or medical work later on in my life, I won't get to see a ton of different things working in the combat field. Not to mention, I don't particularly like the idea of being perforated by some guy with an automatic rifle.
I think I'd like to get a job working in a hospital. That way I'd get a chance to see a ton of different injuries and get to interact more with patients, instead of doing triage and looking at gunshot and shrapnel wounds.
There are a lot of times I wonder if I'm really cut out for the whole military thing. As a matter of fact, I think about it daily. I miss the easier times. Not waking up at 5 every weekday seems like a good deal. It'd also be nice to slip back into a job where I'm not so... accountable? There's so much added stress, and it's for such bullshit reasons. I manage to keep myself out of trouble, am generally not a dumbass, and I still get screwed over by the people that can't make the right decision when it comes down to the wire. Having to pay for other people's fuckups sucks.
Then I think about the upside to what I'm doing. I get to have that pride when our national anthem plays. I ge tmoney for college. I get to travel. I get to learn a trade.
All in all, I suppose leaving Tallahassee was the best thing I could do for myself, but I still get than splinter that acts up every now and then. The days go by easy, I don't have time to think. It's when my obligations have been fulfilled, when my belly has food in it, after my shower, and I lay down to sleep that I get lonesome. Damn those nights.
Sometimes it's better to not have the option to think. Perhaps that's one thing I need to take to heart about the military.
Well, I'm healthy, I'm getting through everything well, and pretty soon I'll find out where I'll be leaving for a few years.
I love you all.
-Al
I've been stuck up here in a place that's akin to Dante's 7th circle. Finally, there's a bit of decent weather hanging around in the blue sky. However, every warm front has a nice cold snap behind it up here. I'm not looking forward to the icy winds that blow off the Great Lakes. But, I figure I'll just enjoy the warm weather while it's here to enjoy.
If nothing else, being gone has made me miss home. I knew I was going to miss it, and thankfully it's gone from feeling like a gaping wound to a splinter in my finger. Still, sucks, just not so much. I miss the weekends with everyone that I know well. All the barbecues and music. I could make a list that'd go on forever of things that I sit back when I feel like a nostalgic moment.
Without a doubt, I've left that place I knew as home and I'm slowly assimilating myself into a member of the military. They try pretty hard to strip you of your individuality, but I still have just as much as before, at least I hope so. I kinda liked me a while ago, that'd certainly be a bummer if I gradually lost that.
There's something about reading some old things you create that makes you want to punch the older you in the face. Real hard. I guess everyone has a few of those aimless, angry, wanderlust posts in there. I guess it just goes to show I'm just as susceptable as anyone else to those good ol' angsty feelings.
Well, I guess on to the current events:
Boot camp's over and done, working towards becoming a corpsman (navy medic guy). Classes are going well. I get to tutor people over the information that we cover, it's pretty gratifying. It's nice to know that I can help other folks in that way. Nothing's very difficult, you just have to pay attention in class and know when to shut the hell up.
I don't know where I want to end up eventually. There are so many cool stories about going on a ship and seeing all the different ports, seeing all sorts of new things. New surroundings every couple of weeks sounds pretty tantalizing. Then, there are the stations out of the country, which sound awesome, too. It's a double-edged blade though. I get to leave (again) and see all sorts of new things, but then everything I know will REALLY be far away. I couldn't just go back for a short spell without dropping a ton of cash. I'm a fan of that stuff, I'd like to have some to spend when I get back in town, y'know? Also, there's missing everything... again. I'm so disconnected from people that I used to see and talk to daily. But, when I get to see everyone, it's like the time never passed. I hope it continues to go that way. I guess we'll see what time has planned out for me.
I know one thing I don't want to do: get deployed with the marines. I can't forsee anything excellent happening in running around in some sand and running IVs while getting shot at. I'm not that big of an adrenaline junkie. If I want to do hospital or medical work later on in my life, I won't get to see a ton of different things working in the combat field. Not to mention, I don't particularly like the idea of being perforated by some guy with an automatic rifle.
I think I'd like to get a job working in a hospital. That way I'd get a chance to see a ton of different injuries and get to interact more with patients, instead of doing triage and looking at gunshot and shrapnel wounds.
There are a lot of times I wonder if I'm really cut out for the whole military thing. As a matter of fact, I think about it daily. I miss the easier times. Not waking up at 5 every weekday seems like a good deal. It'd also be nice to slip back into a job where I'm not so... accountable? There's so much added stress, and it's for such bullshit reasons. I manage to keep myself out of trouble, am generally not a dumbass, and I still get screwed over by the people that can't make the right decision when it comes down to the wire. Having to pay for other people's fuckups sucks.
Then I think about the upside to what I'm doing. I get to have that pride when our national anthem plays. I ge tmoney for college. I get to travel. I get to learn a trade.
All in all, I suppose leaving Tallahassee was the best thing I could do for myself, but I still get than splinter that acts up every now and then. The days go by easy, I don't have time to think. It's when my obligations have been fulfilled, when my belly has food in it, after my shower, and I lay down to sleep that I get lonesome. Damn those nights.
Sometimes it's better to not have the option to think. Perhaps that's one thing I need to take to heart about the military.
Well, I'm healthy, I'm getting through everything well, and pretty soon I'll find out where I'll be leaving for a few years.
I love you all.
-Al