Computers

         I started Apprentice Technical Training school last week! Finally! I am starting to gain electronic skills in the field I am in. It was pretty frustrating being here and not knowing when you would start classes. I was left out in the rain for about a month and a half without knowing really anything. Just relying on people who had already completed the school to get my information which sucked.
         So I start school at about 1600 which isn't bad, my days are changing every month so I feel like whatever my schedule is...it will probably change next month. So I wake up at about 0900 and have liberty for the morning until about 1400 when we muster in the lounge. I go to school at 16 and then get out at about 0030. I didn't think I would mind this schedule too much, and I don't...It's just harder to wake up in the morning because I have had so much mandatory study time in the AM. And when you flip schedules immediately like that you have to adjust all over again. It is comparable to jet lag, it takes a few days to where you have enough energy to go work out at like 10am where at the other schedule I'd be working out at 5pm. Everything is complicated here because if you want to work out you can't work out when the only time you have to eat is from 1145-1230 because you have events on your schedule that force you. I know those times aren't bad at all I'm just being lazy pretty much.

          I haven't shaved at all this weekend and have pretty much been a bum all weekend. It has been amazing. Very Nice!
So next week I will try and get my OOD(Officer Of The Deck) quals so that I can stand an effective watch. The OOD's job is basically the manager of the quarterdeck. The quarterdeck is the entrance to the ship that everyone walks through in order to come aboard. Some of the jobs I will be performing will be to yell at people when things are getting too loud, answering incoming phone calls, and making announcements over the 1MC. Also, playing AC/DC's Highway to hell on Fridays when Liberty is called!
          School is going pretty good so far. I like going to bed at about 1am. Surprisingly enough the body adjusts to everything you do. I have noticed that over the three-four months I've been in here. No matter how much you love sleep, your body WILL function on less than 8 hours of sleep. I think I grew up different because I needed 8 hours of sleep. Everyone in high school always wanted to stay up later and come to school all dead and tired. I just wanted to get my 8 hours and wake up to bike to school energized and ready to go. Here is crazy, I am up crazy hours and stay up. And when you wake up you better be awake or you get disciplined. DISCIPLINED! It's not bad, just gives you good character. Right.
          Oh, our entire curriculum is on a computer. I stare at a computer screen for about 8 hours when I'm there. That is pretty tough. We get to play with our dorky electronic instruments and test devices. I almost feel like a doctor trying to diagnose a patient. I have a positive and negative lead and I find problems. The point of my school is to find problems and solve them. I've enjoyed my time so far, the rest can't be that bad right.
         Besides this weekend, the temperature has been slowly rising and the running shorts are slowly shaking the dust off themselves. My raggedy old blue hat and I will slowly shake the winter pounds off one day at a time soon. Sooner rather than later.

Some days it sneaks up with me that I can't leave here until I'm finished. A few seconds ago I thought about leaving for a road trip for a weekend. I can go on one of those, but I can't go longer than a duty-free weekend. Or else I get in trouble. Who thought it was a good idea to join something that takes away all of your freedoms. Places you in close quarters with people you don't know. Get fed shitty food, pay too much for fun activities. Who's idea was this? Some dumb ass I guess.

Songs
My morning Jacket - What a Wonderful Man