So I've completed my two week orientation. I've finished and done well in my survival and engineering classes, I've participated in the T/S State of Michigan Coast Guard Inspection, I've rowed a lifeboat a couple miles out to the red #8 buoy at 0400, and am now done for the week.
Now to head back to pick up and put together what's left of my house. I've got a new place up here, that's much closer in that the old one. I'm right on the West Bay within a couple minutes walk of the Academy. Pretty rad, I know. I'll get an address out to people once I know it.
Come visit! It'll be more fun if you come in the next couple weeks while Grand Traverse is still a sunny paradise but most of the "fudgies" have gone home. But you'd be welcome anytime. I'll probably have some sort of gainful employment soon, but I can always find time or lose sleep for friends. And thanks for your comments and support through the last couple months. Its gone by incredibly fast, but even with the numerous distractions I'm still really happy to be where I am.
As I said, we'll be up that way next week. I'll try to call over the weekend or something. Probably shoot for Wednesday, since I have reservations for camping in Charlevoix Monday and Tuesday night at Fisherman's Island S.P. Of course, if you have a lot of free time Tuesday, you can help us watch the waves wash the sand away. I believe that's all we have planned.
Keep pluggin' Ish. Soon enough you will be a paid seaman, instead of a seaman who is trying to get his boat out of the dock. :)
I am guessing, but we are all proud of you for spittin' in the face on conventions and, damn it, just doing what you want. Piece
Sunuva... I spent the weekend in Lake Ann, but didn't call because I presumed that you'd still be up to your porthole with orientation business and stuff.
I'm going to try to come up again on the weekend of the 17th, because I believe we've begun planning our trip to Chicago too late to make it a reality. Here's hopin'.
How long are you going to be living in that area? I'm gonna be in Oregon for the next three months.
I'm thrilled that the academy is still what you want. I knew it would be awesome for you, but sometimes friends can be wrong, so...
As for visits, I WANT to come up there all the time, to see you AND John, AND Ben. But with the little one, it can be a bit rough to be gone for a whole weekend. And it seems what little time I have ends up taking me to Detroit for family things. Now that I have three brothers and three sisters in Z's family, along with my own family, things are FAR more hectic. But please know that I'm thinking fondly of you, and we're proud of you!!!