West of Michigan

Musings on 29 years gone by…

Aaron — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:15:22 +0000

As I enter my 30th year on this crazy ride called life, I stand at a crossroads. I’ve done things I’d never imagined. However, there’s many things I’ve not accomplished that, for lack of a better way to put it, bother me. It should come as no surprise my biggest downfall is still being single. It’s not easy to see your coworkers, friends, and relatives getting married and having kids. Of course, I didn’t want to rush into that, but I don’t think I expected to still be single at 30.

So, To Do list #1 for the 2010-2011 season: Find the right woman. It’s too late to play games, I’m looking long-term here.

Next, It’s close to the end of my second tour in the Navy. there’s too many options to consider, but it comes down to at least one inevitable conclusion: it’s my twilight tour, I’ll be getting out in late 2012, if not sooner (thanks to my back injury). The plus side is that ‘m in Southern California, so generally where I want to settle down and live.

So, To Do list #2 for the 2010-2011 season: Narrow down what I want to do post-Navy and prepare for it.

Oh, but there are positives! For the past year or so, I’ve been looking forward to taking a trip to Germany for Oktoberfest in 2011. Now, this technically falls into my 2011-2012 season, but I have to procure funding and planning well in preparation.

To Do list #3 for the 2010-2011 season: Save up for Oktoberfest 2011 in Germany.

I give up on the rest for now. Those are three major goals for the next year. Two are very do-able, and the third… well, we’ll see.

State of the Self

Aaron — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:50:44 +0000

So… welcome to 2010. The more things change, the more they stay the same. But rest assured, things will still change. I now know when I’m going out to sea, and now begins the countdown to say goodbye to Damien. When I got Damien two years ago, I knew things were changing in my life, but I didn’t think a 6-month deployment was part of that future. It’s painful because I think I found a dog who’s like me… dysfunctional but loyal. I’m not looking forward to losing him.

Also, this begins the biggest countdown since my 3-month countdown to go into the Navy… In October I begin the 2-year countdown to the end of my second enlistment in the Navy. Why the two year countdown? Well, I’m scheduled to rotate out of San Diego in October 2011. IF I choose to re-enlist, I’ve got to look for orders elsewhere. If I choose to say goodbye to Navy life, I’ve got to apply for a one-year extension in San Diego until October 2012.

Why is this such a big choice to me? Well here’s the pros and cons of re-enlisting:

Pros:
100% job security for 4-6 years (medical notwithstanding)
Probably a $60,000 re-enlistment bonus give or take

Cons:
No Guarantee I’ll ever get back to California
VERY limited assignment options (read: east coast)
With my back issue, no guarantee they won’t kick me out anyways

Why do I want to get out? I want to stay in California. It’s where I grew up. I absolutely hate living in the snow. Where I am now puts me in the ideal spot to live post-Navy. Right now, I’m under the realization I’ll never be able to pass a full Navy PRT test with my back the way it is. My current command is willing to work with this right now, but there’s no guarantee of that in the future. Literally, at any time, my command could send me to a medical board and decide to process me out. I really don’t want to live with that gamble twice a year.

enough rambling…

Things change…

Aaron — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:56:14 +0000

Well, it’s been a trip… got back from Pensacola, and once again learned the painful lesson that nobody lives forever. As we go into the holiday season, things seem to be more subdued.

Amazing what a year has done. Work isn’t as fun as it used to be, and it’s becoming increasingly expensive to fly home. Although I’m close to family in Orange County and up in the bay area, I can’t get to Detroit as frequently as I used to. So far, tickets home for Christmas are roughly $650, and the more I save, the higher the prices climb. I hope I can make it…

A New Look

Aaron — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:15:11 +0000

Once again, I’ve updated my WordPress theme. Enjoy.

Last Day In Pensacola

Aaron — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:57:40 +0000

More than two months have elapsed since I left for schooling in Pensacola. I’m looking forward to getting home to San Diego… Also it looks like I’ll be deploying with the USS George Washington in October…

A week in the Surface Navy…

Aaron — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:34:52 +0000

I just completed a week’s ride aboard the USS CHOSIN (CG-65). a very different experience from being on the sub… here we are far off the coast of Mexico. If you look closely, you’ll see the Aircraft Carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68)

Where Am I?

Aaron — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:11:07 +0000

Sea World

Aaron — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 04:11:14 +0000

Our division took a trip to Sea World today, had a blast! Haven’t been there in years (I can’t remember how long it’s been!) It’s one of the parks where we can get free admission (if only once a year).

Working Vacations

Aaron — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:07:59 +0000

Sorry for the lack of information going on… I’ve been working a lot recently, and I was in Seattle from 04-18 April.

On top of that, I’ll be in Honolulu fro 02-16 May, so even more time to enjoy life at the government’s expense.

Afternoon Commute Home

Aaron — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:51:54 +0000

A typical afternoon commute home…