Tony (the Mexican) - My story

[zeromus1st]

Hooray! I can use this thread to explain all the ridiculousness I go through, and it's something I can update if I'm able to during my upcoming surge (will explain later). Now, to business, gentlemen.

February 25th, 2009 (25FEB09 in navy speak):

On the 16th, I disappeared, for a week-long underway. The night before we left, stuff broke, and I lost valuable sleep ordering a new part and replacing the broken. You see, that part was preventing us from leaving the next day, so it was to be fixed ASAP. My CO was involved and everything.

The entire time, it was pretty much like Hell. For me and my coworkers, we stand a 5-15 watch rotation (5 hours of watch, followed by 15 hours off. Whether you get any rest between that time was pure luck) During the midnight watch, we had drills, where we pretend stuff happened that could potentially take down the plant I operate (did I mention I operate a nuclear reactor?) So overall. I spent everyday tired and exhausted, with only 2-5 hours of sleep per day, and not much ME time.

It wasn't entire bad, though. For amusement, in my office, someone would say something, anything, and I'd go "THAT'S IT!" Shortly after, I'd be either thrown into a wall or molested in a corner (good times, I definitely laughed afterwards) I also had my iPod and my GBA SP with me. The game I played? Pokemon, of course. (Fire Red version, it's my favorite) Just in case you didn't know, Pokemon is a great waste of time when you've read all of your manga.

We came back this morning, at noon. I didn't leave until 5 p.m. NOT legitimate. I have duty tomorrow too. (duty is where I go to the ship, and stay for 24 hours. Not fun at all) I came home, and got my new ATM card (it had my customized pic on it. awesomeness) Checked my email, checked myspace, then one manga, then here. I came to the forum, and was immediately mentally dominated by what happened during my absence. I'm still not sure what happened, and I half-lost my interest in it. All I care about now is relaxing.

I'll end each entry with an olden time word you'd hear from old people.

BOULDERDASH!  

[zeromus1st]

February 27, 2009

Yesterday, I had duty. I was supposed to stay for 24 hours (y'know, just in case s*** happens) I went home at midnight (That's why I'm on now).

The "sailors" in the navy can be separated into 2 categories: khaki and dirty blue shirts. Khaki are officers who have college degrees and therefore are superior beings in the navy. they get paid much, MUCH more than I do, for no reason whatsoever. Dirty blue shirts are the enlisted people (everyone else, the ones with the crackerjack uniforms and may or may not have a degree). We get treated like crap because our bosses can do that to us and get away with it. If you stay in long enough, a blue shirt can make chief (he wears khaki too, but is angrier and more bitter).

Why did I write that last paragraph? Well, there's this guy called the RDMC (stands for reactor department master chief) When he first showed up, he said, and I quote, "you all sure have it pretty good. I should show you all how bad it could be". What that meant was he's gonna make our lives a living Hell, because he can. The officers won't interfere, cause they do whatever they want. Us blue shirts, we get f***ed because of one man.

Don't hold me to this, but there's a PBS show called Carrier. It shows the daily lives of the crew of the Nimitz. (except nukes, cause we'd tell the truth and talk about classified info) before the show begins, someone says that its the closest thing to prison someone who didn't go to prison will ever get. And it's true.

I have the whole weekend to myself. This morning, I have to go to the DMV to pick up my registration tags, then later watch the street fighter movie (cause I wanna see how bad it is). Then steak for dinner. I do what I want! scream

POPPYCOCK!  

[zeromus1st]

February 28, 2009

It's been a good weekend so far. Yesterday, me and my brother hung out. We start the day by watching a bit of TV. I leave for a bit to see an old friend, but he was called to work last minute, and had to cancel. So I take my brother and go to the Mission Valley Mall (one of many malls/shopping centers to be found in San Diego). We wander for a bit, then go and watch Street Fighter: the Legend of Chun-Li. For my opinion, see my thread titled I sees it

After the movie, we head to Target. Why? It was in the mall, and I needed thumb tacks. I also needed to buy my brother a belated birthday present. (his birthday was Jan. 16th. needless to say, I'm a little late.) After a bit of leading on around aimlessly, I buy him his very own DS. I don't have a DS, but I buy him one. As long as I can play pokemon fire red and Zelda: a Link to the Past on my SP, I'll be fine.

After that, we wander over to Borders, to look for manga. I find the series I was looking for (Tsubasa and HunterxHunter), but the volumes I was looking for weren't there. (I needed to buy vol. 17 and on for both series, but they weren't there.) Since I don't like buying manga volumes out of order, I leave empty-handed.

We get home, make a delicious dinner consisting of steak, fries, chicken fries, and pepsi, and relax. I had 2 steaks.

This morning, we leave, and make a quick stop at Wal-mart, where I buy him Chrono Trigger for his new DS. (I've been told he's been playing it nonstop since.) I take him to the train station, buy his ticket, and see him off as he goes home. I use the train station cause it costs like 20 bucks and is very relaxing.

I go home, take a quick nap, and go to a friends house for a barbeque. We had good food, talked around a houka (tobacco only; can't do drugs cause I'd pop positive on the piss test), and watched some movies. We watched Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Eagle Eye.

Now I'm home, and relaxing on the internets, drinking pepsi and various alcohols. As a random observation, I noticed that Dwayne Johnson (AKA the Rock) is the only wrestler to be an amazing actor. Sure, Hulk hogan and all the new guys these days have movies, but really, was Suburban Commando really all that good? I thought so.

May the god speed be with you ~ Takahata Takamichi

FIDDLE FADDLE  

[zeromus1st]

It just occurred to me that I'm the only guy doing one of these. hmmmm, I guess I AM that bored. Talking on here is better than me pacing about my apartment in deep thought for hours on end. Plus, I get fake monies doing this.

Real entry tomorrow. May or may not have anger interlaced in the words. But it will have pictures. Horrible, but funny, pictures. Sleepy-time now. (have to get up for work at 5 a.m. Won't actually fall asleep until finished reading manga.)

Did I mention look at my pokemans?  

[zeromus1st]

March 4, 2009

Exhausting 2 days. Now relaxing, but need to get food, maybe the McD's.

Yesterday was another fun day at duty! I start off with waking up early for the commute. Commute in San Diego SUCKS! I spend the whole morning doing maintenance, and work until noon, when I have to go to a simulator. I didn't even get lunch! gonk I wanted to take a nap before the simulator, but I was stabbed with said things until simulator time!

Now this simulator, its a fakes the room where I operate reactors from. It was a good 5 hours of Hell. Not only did they run drills on me, I ran drills on myself! blaugh They didn't like that. One surprising thing, though, was one of the guys who work there. Way back when, he was my boss when he was on the ship. After the drill set, he came and talked to me. Now, he's a real douche and every time I see him I want to punch him in the face or chesticles. But this time, he was pretty cool, and actually gave me a pep talk that made me feel better about myself. I have a better opinion of him now, along with more respect.

After that, I had a quick dinner, and then headed back to the ship. When I got there, I went straight onto watch. 4 hours of sleepless, mindless staring, followed by a thorough bagging. (bagging is when the person who's relieving me of watch is late, causing pain and less sleep for me) By the time I was finally able to sleep, it was midnight, and I was up for over 15 hours before that.

This morning, we got MORE maintenance to do. After a brief scare where we almost broke test equipment (worth over 50 thousand bucks), we got rolling. We only finished half of the work, but the second half can wait tomorrow.

Before I came home, there was training. From that, they tell us that starting monday, we can't leave until 4 in the afternoon, for the reasoning that if one person has to stay late, everyone does. This kind of BS can only be found in the military, especially the navy. Our divo is trying to remedy that situation, but I can only hope for the best.

Now, I'm home, and chillin like a villian. After this I'm getting some fries and stuff, then back on, where I hope not to get the BSOD again. (I've gotten it at least once a day)

PREPOSTEROUS!  

[zeromus1st]

March 6, 2009

My day started at 2 in the morning, and it has been EPIC WIN ever since. Yesterday, I spent my day in a semi-sleep state, waking up and freaking the f*** out every single time. I got enough sleep, and woke up at 2 in the morning. Why? The Watchmen! For my opinion of that movie, I once again direct you to check out the thread called I sees it.

We get to the IMAX theater, pick up our tickets, and get in line. The line moves a bit, then stops. Here, I make this first observation; the line is overlapping on itself. I make the comment that the people closer to the front of the line (who're still behind us) should wait until the line moves to them, then start moving. Then we see them. A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels (AKA Curry Man), Austin Watson (AKA Consequences Creed), and Jamar Shipman (AKA Jay Lethal). They are 4 wrestlers from TNA (total nonstop action wrestling) Me and my roommate are wrestling fans, so it's a big deal. My roommate couldn't stop staring at those guys the whole night.

So after the line stops moving, we see those 4 wait until the line got to them to move! Just like what I suggested. It made me happy! whee whee whee Then, my roommate said how awesome it would be if they sat right next to us in the movie theater. Guess what Happened! Right beside us! whee whee whee After the movie, we go and talk to them, saying how much we enjoy watching them, and my roommate even got to shake hands with A.J. Styles! This day so far has been the best day for the both of us, but definitely for my roommate even more! And later, we're going out to Sushi Loco for some delicious sushi rolls and good times!

MALARKY!  

[zeromus1st]

OBSERVATION TIME!

As it turns out, I CAN to go gaia at work. The problem? I can't go to my photobucket, myspace, or youtube accounts. Also, it is reeeeeaaaaallly slow. I've seen fat weiner dogs move faster than ship's internet. But what that does mean is that I can attempt to keep in contact during my underway time, assuming I'm not super busy, which is usually the case.

On another note: Good job, peoples. I enjoy reading the posts and journal entries, and hope you do the same, especially with mine.

I'm also currently forming a diabolical plan, but it's in the alpha stage. More may or may not come outta that.

MUA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAA!  

[DiDiW]

*is lurking*

I love your "words that old people use"! Make me laugh every time!  

[zeromus1st]

March 10, 2009

First off, thanks, I like them olden people words too. That why I say them, both here and in real life.

Sunday and Monday sucked. Royally. Sunday was bad because I couldn't leave the whole day. And also because they changed the schedule a bit and stood 12 hours of watch instead of 6. scream Monday sucked because I was stabbed with the maintenance from Hell. You see, this was special maintenance, cause if you don't do this, you can't start up the reactors. So I got to do that. It is supposed to take 3 hours. We took 8. Why? Other people. The Officer in charge, first off, kept on making us wait, and made us stop halfway so she could eat lunch. With important stuff like that, you don't make us wait. The second thing? Electricians. The electricians in our department turned power off to some of our equipment, and it happened to be equipment that was vital to the maintenance. So we had to wait for them to turn it back on. After it was done, we cleaned it up, cause if our paperwork isn't flawless, they make us do the maintenance all over again. I almost had to stay late, but the head honcho said F*** it, and I went home.

Whew.

Today, better than I'd thought it'd be. I come in, expecting to be there until 4 p.m. There's no work to do today, but we have to be there because somehow that'll solve all the problems in the world. All the other divisions in our department didn't have to come in, but we did. I blame all the bitter f***s that have no life and make it worse for us so they can forget that their lives suck more than ours. However, our divo, who is cool as s***, decided to take the fall for us, and told us to sneak out and leave! blaugh that made everyone's day.

Now I'm home, and in serious contemplation. You see, when I showed up to San Diego in 2007, I shaved my head bald! No hair. Head shiny and tanned and awesome looking. In April of 2008, I was tired of the constant shaving, and finally grew my hair out once more. If you look at the pics of me with the multi-colored hair in the post your pics thread, that was when I started to grow out my hair after a year and a half. With this surge coming up in May, though, I'm thinking of once again taking up that razor, and becoming Dark Clark again. (Dark Clark was my nickname when I was bald. It was after my boss, Clark, who was bald. It fit quite well.) I have some time to decide, so I'm not feeling rushed about it, but it is the first time I have seriously considered doing it once more. As a comparison, I posted a pic of me bald in the pics thread, so anyone can give me their inputs, should someone desire to do so.

Now, to finish my GTO marathon!

PISH POSH!  

[zeromus1st]

BE BACK ON MARCH 25 OR LATER. SOMEONE, TAKE CARE OF MY POKEMANS!  

[DiDiW]

Will do! See you when you get back!  

[Spenelli]

I shall brush and feed them well. But Meowth keeps stealing my money. The b*****d.

What's your diabolical plan? I love those.. MWAHAHAHAHA!  

[zeromus1st]

March 26, 2009

Finally, after 2 weeks of Hell, I have returned. And with a vengence (see forum).

I left for the underway back on the 11th, at 1:30 in the morning. It just kept going downhill from there. It wasn't the workload, cause I barely had one. It was the lack of sleep followed by standing watch on a rotating basis.

We could've come home earlier. But no, we're not allowed. All the airplanes left early. The bit stuff that consumed fuel left early. Why? Because we are tight on money, and must conserve. But not the carrier. Why? Because the carriers run on nuclear power. And I run nuclear reactors. So, thanks to me and my coworkers, we get to stay out to sea longer than everyone else, for no reason whatsoever. All the stuff we did could've been taken care of within a week or less; but it's asking too much to want to go home and visit family and friends.

The really annoying part was the NR visit. These guys are the bigwigs that evaluate our ability to operate the nuclear plants. They check the paperwork, our ability to stand watch, and run drills on us to make sure that they know that we know what we're doing. It went fine, but it annoyed me when they always say "you guys did a good job, but you need to do better next time". That just pisses me off.

Our evals also came out. I did really good, but I didn't get the grade I wanted. The eval system grades are special promote (SP- the worst I think), promotable (P), must promote (MP), and early promote (EP). I got a MP, but wanted an EP.

You see, my paygrade is E-5. To be able to take the exam to try to make E-6, I have to be an E-5 for at least 3 years. If I got that EP like I wanted, I would only have to wait 2 years, which would've meant I could take the exam at the end of the year. But now, I have to wait until the end of 2010, which doesn't do me any good at all, since I get out in 2011.

Something interesting came out of this underway. Our division has a supervisory watch. Right now, we have 5-6 people qualified that watch. By the end of June, we'll only have 1, maybe 2. We need at least 4. So, people need to qualify that watch. My buddy and I, realizing this, decided to take up the challenge ourselves. It's not all that hard. The watch just expands on our knowledge of our stuff, and it is a good deal when under way, cause you don't have to be in the plants unless s*** happens. My chain of command doesn't have a problem with it either, and approves of us actively pursuing such a senior watchstaion. There WAS one guy, though, who mocked us. I asked him to sign some of the checkouts, but instead he got upset and mocked me cause I'm "not senior enough to qualify that yet". Sure, I've only been qualified senior-in-rate for a little over 7 months, but nobody else wants to qualify that watchstation, and we figure that they'd rather have someone who's actually trying to qualify it than someone who's forced to. That's just what I think. Anyways, when the guy told me that, I though, "f*** you, you p***k. I take the initiative and you mock me?! GO F*** YOURSELF". Honestly, I can't believe somebody will get mad for me wanting to better myself! That's just absurd.

The s***tiest part about the underway was being sick. Back on Tuesday, I became horribly, horribly ill. I had a terrible migraine, a fever which would let me cook food on my forehead, nausea which was made exponentially worse by the rocking of the ship, a bad, hacking cough in which something not pleasant came up every time, and an extreme bout of hypersensitivity, which enveloped my entire body. All those symptoms lasted over 2 days. I'm better now, for the most part, but now my voice is a little ragged, I have a slight cough, and I have a stuffy nose. Also, since Tuesday, I haven't eaten until a few minutes ago. That frozen burrito I just ate was the first thing in days. At one point, I tried to fight it using coke and monsters, but that ended in epic failure. The worst part is I had to throw away my coke. I NEVER THROW AWAY SODA! EVER!!! People saw that, and knew I wasn't feeling well instantly. Not even joking on that one.

All that leads to today, the day I FINALLY come home. On my way home, I stopped at the store to buy some Jack (not joking), and have been enjoying mugs of jack and coke since. I'm sufficiently buzzed right now. I was thinking about getting some McDonalds, but I already started drinking, so I hid my keys to avoid temptation. Good thing I have frozen food. If you're wondering how I don't have typing errors, it's because I focus on typing. Sure, I get sloppy, but I can still type. Once I blackout, however, all bets are off. And I may blackout from drinking too much tonight. (I blacked out in Hong Kong when I, already plastered, took 3 shots of tequila followed by chugging my vodka-redbull)

As always, a HUGE thanks to anyone who actually took the time to read all this. It is sincerely appreciated. Thanks for taking care of my Pokemans. And, once again, thanks for the birthday gift. That made my day when I saw it.

And boy, I can't wait until that new Star Trek movie comes out!

HOGWASH!  

[zeromus1st]

March 27, 2009

Nothing much today, just lazing about, doing laundry and the such. I left out something relatively important from yesterday's entry: my birthday!

So Monday, the 16th rolled around. Nobody know's it's my birthday. Why? I chose not to tell them. I chose not to tell because it'd only make the day more depressing. But I digress.

I start off that day real early, because I have watch first thing. About an hour into the watch, we get close to an operational limit. I didn't go past the limit, I just got close to it. Someone comes down and decides to chew out me and the officer because we did nothing wrong. Yay.

I finally get off watch and go eat. Food that day was even more garbage than usual. I pass. I go to training, and waste an hour of my life for nothing.

I take an hour long nap, then the whole ship does a drill, and I'm tired as Hell. We finish at 9 at night. I have watch from midnight to morning. I only get 2 more hours of sleep before I go. What's more, it is a drill watch. An exceptionally hard drill watch.

I finally get off that watch, skip breakfast, and do work until about 11 in the morning, where I'm finally done, and go to bed. After that, I told my friends and some people I work with that the day before was my birthday. The gifts I eventually received on board were some sodas and those starburst gusher things that taste absolutely delicious.

So my birthday was s***ty. It happens. I try not to let it drag me down. I wish I coulda spent it at home or at a restaurant, eating with family and friends.

Well, I'm guaranteed to do that next year, so no worries. But now, BUFFALO WINGS! And awesome drinks too.

OMG, my roommate just came in with our new puppy! It's so adorable. It's a little beagle, and her name's Mara. She's so precious! This is the best day ever!

HOKUM!  

[DiDiW]

You got a beagle!!! I love those! *huggles Mara*

I'm so sorry to hear about your migraine. Not fun. I had a pretty nasty one while I was on vacation this time. Really fun way to spend a day. Not! But it sounds like yours was really terrible. I don't know how you managed to function. Amazing.

And you'd better have a pretty amazing birthday celebration next year to make up for this one because, wow! That was awful!