Did I say "Intermediate"?

Yesterday I went up to York River State Park to meet my brother; Thomas, and his two friends for a little single track riding (mountain bikes). I has asked him the difficulty level of the trail, because my bike is an older model and has some problems. His reply was "Intermediate". So I said that I was in. Of course I did not read the sign before entering "Marl Ravine Trail" which is about 5.67 miles long. After entering the one way trail, I realized that this is a little more than what I would call intermediate. If I had read the sign, I would have known what I was getting into. The sign read "For advance riders, helmets are required." I will be honest that I lagged behind quite often and had to walk a few places, but it was awesome. I think that I have the bug again for riding. There were some fast turns, logs across the trails and small jumps. It took us about one hour and forty minutes to complete, probably because of me and my out dated, run down equipment. It was just really cool and peaceful. A place that I hope to return to often. I do need to purchase some new tires and bearings; those two things alone should be able to increase my speed and cornering. Look for pictures of future riding adventures. Oh and yes brother you did say "Intermediate".

Playlist

I have added a play list. Nothing really special, but all these songs are important to me at some point in my life. You will notice a wide variety of music. Rock to Opera. It all depends on my mood to what I really want to listen to. I will up date from time to time, keep checking back.

Drum Roll Please

My thoughts were correct and I have been slated to work at Sector Atlantic Beach, NC. My report date is still up in air, but I am going to ask to leave Yorktown at the end of the July. I am working on some stuff for the 50th anniversary of the base. I would love to seen it through the end. I am attaching a link to the area. I am still trying to figure out how to use the hpyerlink set up, so if this does not work you might have to cut and paste.

http://www.atlanticbeach-nc.com/

I guess this is where I need to put in the disclaimer *I have only been SLATED for the job, but until I receive my orders nothing is totally official.

On the Road Again

Well, I heard last week from my assignment officer and we are moving on out. I requested a list of billets that she had and here is the list:

Sector Atlantic Beach, NC
Arlington, VA
Alameda, CA (3 billets)
New Orleans, LA
Honolulu, HI
Five 378 foot cutters

I gave her my preferred priority list as you see above. Basically the boats and New Orleans are out of the question; we do not want to go there. I was hoping to have word back by the middle of the week. None of us really want to move but we know we go, when they say go. The good thing is we might not be that long at our next unit. I am submitting my package for Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) and if I get picked up, we could be moving again in 18 months. I have not told JoLynne this; she is taking us moving the hardest. I have decided that she can find out when she reads her dads blog, which will probably be after we have already moved for the second time. I will announce where we are going when I find out for myself.


I am still patiently waiting to pin on my anchors and I say that it will happen on April 1st; but my CWO feels it will be March 1st. That is just a few weeks away and I am getting nervous, it is a big step to go into the Chief ranks. I will have to wait and see.

Lazy

That one word can sum up my blog ethic with the world. I am still trying to find out what is so cool about blog pages. I think that I will need to look at it as maybe a journal that others can read.

So yesterday our family volunteered to work at Needs Network in Newport News, VA. It is a program that a local man started in his garage. People donate old clothes and other usable items, and he then gives them away for free. Basically a second hand store that does not cost a dime. Both Amber and I wanted to have our children see what other circumstances people deal with. Amber folded toddler clothes while JoLynne, Madi and I sorted out shoes. It was crazy! About 5 boxes full, and we had to match the pairs together and put them on the shelves. Aspen and Joaquin took empty hangers from a box and put them on rack. Everyone did something which was cool.

So while we were on the way to Needs Network, Joaquin spotted a school bus. Remind you this kid has an eagle eye for stuff he loves. He can see a motorcycle a mile away. So anyway, after he spotted the first bus about two minutes later he sees another one and makes the comment "bus, bus." After which Madison says "There just coming out of the wood work", I wish that you could have heard her expression. It was hilarious!! I love my M&M!

I love my baby!!!

Yesterday Amber and I celebrated our 15th anniversary. It turned out to be a quite day for us. I came home early from work and brought her some flowers, a card and some not so good tasting ice cream. After some ice cream, I took a nap and we then spent the evening with the kids. I had contemplated about us going out but never really made the effort. In the long run it was the best, because the house lost power for about 1 and a half hours. I am not so sure that JoLynne my drama queen daughter would have been able to handle it. I have attached a picture of us, before we were married. The occasion was Amber's homecoming in September 1993. She is even more beautiful now, than she was then.

( : I LOVE YOU BABY! : )

NPR

Well were on the NPR site for our experience in Washington DC. I have attached the link. You hear us talking about 3 mintues in to the clip. Here it is:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99080047

Madi was excited to hear her voice. The woman you can hear the most is my mother in law Adele. She was stating that she does not like crowds in case you missed it.