Mike & Katie 2.0

Holiday Message 2015

2015-12-16T19:25:00.000-05:00

Katie continued to forge her burgeoning career as a sportswriter. She currently is covering the NFL for SBNation.com and works as a general copy editor there one day a week. She also recently landed a weekly radio spot talking NFL topics on Monday mornings with TSN 1290, an all-sports station in Winnepig. During the spring and summer, she shifts her focus to baseball and the Yankees. She is a writer at one of the leading Yankee blogs, River Ave. Blues, and can often be found tweeting insane Yankee facts and stats from the couch on a nightly basis. Earlier in the year, she was contributing a weekly MLB/NFL column at The Cauldron (which formed a partnership with SI.com in the fall), but left that gig in December.

Mike completed his first full year as a senior program manager at Systems & Integrated Systems (SIS) right here in Vergennes, VT. He continues to work on the Boeing 787 fuel and sensing systems. Towards the end of the year a long-awaited reorganization was finally announced, and Mike is now focused exclusively on the manufacturing side of the business as a production program manager, a lateral move that will allow him to get deeper understanding in this area. Mike also made several trips back to CT to complete the required courses towards becoming an ACE (lean) Practitioner. Finally, Mike was the chairman of the Veterans Employee Team (VET), organizing participation in the Vergennes Memorial Day parade, Flag Day event, Veterans Day luncheon, and Oktoberfest to support Wounded Warrior.

In December of last year, Mike transferred from command of a hardware-equipped Coastal Riverine unit to a more traditional augment unit supporting Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC) in Norfolk, VA. The unit is a “flex drilling” unit, meaning he only has to travel to Virginia two or three times per year for regular drill weekend. However, the unit supports the global response force (GRF) and has elevated training and readiness requirements. This past year alone Mike completed the 2-week planners course, three joint employability weekends, a one-week mission readiness exercise, and a one-week joint exercise in Alaska. This sequence of deployability training allowed him to stand “alert” for the final quarter of the year (1^st quarter of FY16). He also pursued, and was allowed to attend the UK’s two-week joint operations planning course in Northwood, England. Within the unit, he was initially assigned to Operations Department, where his role evolved from staff officer, to Current Operations Officer, and finally to Operations Department Head, responsible for managing the budget and writing orders for a unit of 45 members. In November, he was selected to be the unit’s Executive Officer, the 2^nd in command.

After seven years, Mike finally returned to teaching skiing. In the preceding year, Mike meticulously visited and interviewed with a few different ski schools in northern VT. Jay Peak stood out for its “Jay Way”, development, ski school methodology, and of the famous tram and terrain. At two hours from Vergennes, it was just far enough away to justify a small condo to facilitate weekend excursions, where Mike taught on Saturday and then skied with Katie on Sunday. Mike and Katie got some desperately needed new alpine skis. Katie’s alpine skiing progressed considerably, enabling their great northern ski vacation in March. Winter 2015-16 is off to an incredibly slow start, but we’re hoping for a big “El Nino” winter here in NorVT.

Our first year in our new home (2014), we took our brand new home for granted and spent our free time adventuring around the local area. In this our first full year we got serious about making some home and yard improvements. The first major project was air conditioning. Using a UTC employee discount, we installed a “mini-split” system that adequately keeps the house nice and cool even on the muggiest days. Next up was landscaping. We added a couple trees on each side of the house for shade and wind protection, a variety of bushes and plants along the south side to cover the foundation, and a hedge in front of the pullout. The next step was staining the front and back decks. The final project was a stone patio and hot tub in the back yard.

For our annual ski vacation we decided to try something new and head north of the border. Mike had been eyeing a Canadian Rockies trip, stringing together resorts of the Canadian Rockies and the Powder Highway, but put it off a couple times due to the daunting logistics. But we finally pulled it off by committing to a 1.5 week vacation. Starting in Alberta, we rented a car and drove west through Banff National Park and Roger’s Pass, skiing and staying at Sunshine Village, Golden, Kicking Horse, and Revelstoke. On our first day at Kicking Horse a little climbing accident resulting in a bruised face for Katie and broken ribs for Mike, but we soldiered on. The highlight was 3 days of snowcat skiing at Retallack Lodge in Nelson, BC.

Enjoying our time north of the border so much, we spent another week in Canada for our summer vacation. After a weekend hosting Alice and Gary in Jay, we simply headed north of the border. We spent time in Quebec City, Montreal, Mount Tremblant, and Ottawa, and drove through the Adirondacks on the way home to VT. We liked Montreal so much we headed back up for a ski film festival in the fall.

Our adventures in Vermont didn’t end. We hiked additional portions of the Long Trail, attended the Stowe Brewers Festival, Champlain Valley Fair, and other events, and spent some time discovering downtown Burlington. With a new base of operations in Jay, we did some more hiking and climbing in the Northeast Kingdom. We ran in the Jay Peak Trail Fest for the 2^nd time in a row, and Katie won her race (and kicked Mike’s butt in the process). We also hosted Gary and Alice as well as Robert and Bonnie for weekend getaways. We’re looking forward to more visitors next year!

Ottawa

2015-08-02T19:19:00.000-04:00

Our final stop in Canada was Ottawa. Katie was counting down the miles until we were back in English speaking territory. We got an early start so we could stop at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on the way into town.

Just as we got there an ejection seat presentation was starting, so we boggied to the back corner of the museum to take that in. After that, Katie hopped in an F/A-18 (actually a CF-18, the Canadian version) and did her best Maverick impersonation.

Since we were already in the military section, we spent the bulk of our time checking out all the military jets. They have flow a lot of U.S.-designed aircraft, but the Canadians took a lot of pride in airplanes that were manufactured in Canada. Apparently their first Canadian-designed military jet stopped just short of production after some international incident convinced the government they needed something else. But still a lot of aviation heritage up in Canada, especially now on the commercial side with Bombarier.

Speaking of business, I found one aircraft with Hamilton Standard stickers proudly displayed on the props. I also spotting a promenant display of the original Goodrich aerospace product, the wing de-icer, a rubber bladder on the leading edge of the wing.

So after our first and only real museum experience of the trip, it was off to the finale, something Katie had planned since the beginning. But not before checking into the Best Western and checking out Parliament Hill. Inside was closed but it was still pretty impressive to walk around the grounds. We walked around the downtown area a little before heading back to the hotel.

Finally the finale! Katie pretty much planned the whole trip around getting to Ottawa on Friday evening for the Ottawa Redblacks game. Researching the park and surrounding Landsdowne Park / Rideau Canal, Mike naively thought we could just drive right up the stadium and find parking. Ignoring some pretty obvious signs, like thousands of people walking in from all directions, we still gave it the old college try. But we smartened up, headed back to the hotel, and took the bus. Fortunately we had given ourselves plenty of time.

Unfortunately didn't bring the camera. There was some incredible spirit for a team that is only in their second season. But they've been playing professional football in Ottawa for over 100 years. The rules are different, and with only three downs it forces a funny kind of predictable, but uptempo motion offense kind of game. Beautiful stadium, great crowd, awesome game!

REDBLACKS took a close one against the defending Grey Cup champs, Calgary Stampeders , 29-26 in overtime.

http://www.ottawaredblacks.com/video/index/id/113569

Mont Tremblant

2015-08-01T23:10:00.004-04:00

After the major metropolitan experience that was Montreal, it was finally time to head for the hills, Mont Tremblant, largest Canadian ski resort in the east.

Heading north from Montreal the road got smaller and smaller and smaller. But the whole way it was still considered the Trans-Canada Highway. We passed several smaller ski hills on the way. But it was clear that Tremblant was much more of a destination. We checked into our room at the Tour des Voyageurs then decided to out our complimentary gondola passes to use. But we had to get to the summit gondola first.

Can you say "Disneyland"? This place was ridiculous! We had a cabriolet at The Canyons, but it was just to get you from the parking lot to the base of the mountain. I think the main purpose of this cab was to give you a bird's eye view of the village.

Cariolet base and "lower village"

Cabriolet looking up, that's our hotel on the right

Cabriolet looking towards the gondola base

Onto the gondi, we shot to the top. Definitely a decent-size mountain for the east coast. You could tell by the size of the summit lodge and the open area at the top this place is a zoo in the winter. But on our mid-summer visit it was just busy. After lunch in the summit house, we opted to go check out the sightseeing tower.

Gondola, looking back towards the base, with Lac Tremblant in the background

Mountain pond under the gondi

Hike to observation tower

Looking back at the summit lodge (and one monstrosity of a communications tower)

After coming back off the mountain, we decided to take a leisurely stroll down through the village. This place was either the inspiration for Whistler Village, or vice-versa. Only difference is the vertical aspect, hence the justification for the cabriolet - don't think you'd want to slep up the icing coblestone in your ski boots in the winter. But totally fun checking out all the shops.

Katie loves her Adirondack chairs

All downhill from here

A quick rest in our room, including a short hot tub session (for Mike anyways), and we actually took in the afternoon showing of the Minions. From there we grabbed dinner and got ready to head back south. Definitely would have needed another day to do some of the activities like the mountain slide, zip-lining, or the water sports.

Montreal

2015-08-01T22:39:00.002-04:00

After two wonderful days in Quebec, it was time to hit the road for Montreal. But first we visited Montmorency Falls, which is on the outskirts of Quebec and on the way to Mont Sainte-Anne. Cable cars continued to trend, as we rode the funicular down from the top of the falls to the base. If we weren't wimps we would have crossed the river at the bottom and hiked back up. But we were wimps and opted for the lift. No pictures due to the light rain, and I didn't feel like paying to have camera repaired again.

Mont Sainte-Anne was a bit of a bust. There was actually a toll booth in the parking lot, which was funny because there was zero happening on a Tuesday in the summer. Absolutely deserted, nothing open. They did look like they were getting ready for some sort of mountain bike event on the weekend.

So we headed down Route 138 and picked up Highway 40 outside of Quebec, then all the way down to Montreal (Katie was shocked today when I told here Montreal is only 2 hours from Vergennes). On the way we passed Île d'Orléans, an absolutely huge church, Montmorency Falls, and, Trois-Rivières, the visiting team from the baseball game the night before.

In Montreal we stayed at the Delta, which apparently has some affiliation with Marriott. Though a little tired from all the driving, we decided to head right out to Old Port, which of course is where any good tourist should go. Lots of shops and restaurants. Like Quebec we were one road off and didn't realize all the cool stuff we missed until we were walking back from dinner.

For our full day in Montreal we decided it would be Mont Royal and the Olympic Park. Katie would return the next day to run around Mont Royal, but for Mike (who was still limping) a car tour was it. We stopped at one pull-out to take a few pics of the Montreal skyline. That's the Olympic Park in the distance.

There's a lot to do at the Olympic Park. In the years since the 1976 Summer Olympics, almost everything has been converted to other purposes.

Olympic Stadium was home to the Expos for many years. I visited as a kid, when my little league team won some competition for selling the most candy bars to raise money (then I'm thinking we pretty much blew it by sending an entire team on an all expenses-paid visit to a foreign country!). While the stadium has some impressive training facilities inside, it's mainly a tourism attraction for the cable car ride (3 days running!) to the top and the resulting views.

Olympic-size (and then some!) swimming pool, and boat-load of gyms and other training facilities inside the Olympic Stadium

Olympic Stadium is like something out of a sci-fy movie

Ride to the top

View from the top. This is the Biodome.

Another view, of the Stadium itself

We had more than one recommendation to see the Biodome, which is in another competition venue (judo or something similar). So after coming back down off the tower, we went to check it out. Unfortunately every 8 year old within a 50 mile radius was also there, so we opted out. Also opted out of the planetarium, which is the other major attraction in close proximity. There's also an insectitarium on campus. But learned about rocks and insects wasn't on the agenda this day.

Instead, we decided to go exploring on the way back to our hotel. After missing a key turn we wound up with a car tour of downtown. Back at the hotel we decided to lay low until going to check out the craziness that was the Just for Laughs Festival. Conveniently located just a couple blocks from our hotel, we had walked right by it the first night without even realizing what it was. Free entry, free street performers, free shows, street food, etc. etc. Katie let Mike splurge and get a couple tickets to a popular American comedian. But we got there early to check things out. Sorry for no photos, we really didn't realize what a cool scene it would be!

After a visit to the hotel room to "freshen up" we went back to pick up the tickets at will call. With some time to kill we just pulled up a seat on the curb, enjoyed a French-Canadian tuba band, people watching, and some great poutine-sicilienne. Then show, bed, and ready more adventure on Thursday.

Quebec City

2015-07-31T21:05:00.001-04:00

So after lunch in Newport, VT, and seeing Alice and Gary off to Maine, we headed north to Quebec City. We knew from our research that it was the last day of a multi-day music festival called Festival d'été de Québec, and anticipated fighting our way to our accommodations at the Chateau Frontenac Hotel. That pretty much was the case, but it wasn't too bad of a detour and certainly made it a festive atmosphere. But after a long drive and exploring this very historic hotel, we were content to have a 5-star dinner, and lucky enough to get a great table in a somewhat empty restaurant.

Hotel Frontenac

Coat of Arms (above the elevators)

View from our floor

After dinner we headed out into Old Québec and up the street to take in a bit of the music festival, even though we didn't have tickets. The headliner that evening was Deep Purple and I'm not sure I could name a single song! But it was pretty incredible just walking under a big arch and through the wall of the city.

In a pattern that would repeat itself, we spent the next day doing all the touristy stuff. I mistakenly thought I was in good enough running shape to keep up with Katie on her morning run, and decision I'm still regretting (e.g. recovering from). But at least the run took us on a fairly scenic tour out of the hotel and onto the Promenade (boardwalk), around the Citadelle and up many stairs, and out onto the Plains of Abraham and the remnants of the music festival.

After the run and the first of two incredible breakfasts at the Frontenac, we headed out into touristville. The approach was to go in somewhat of a chronological order: Place Royale, Quartier Petit Champlain, Old Port, Fortifications, and eventually the Citadelle.

Place Royale is the original site of Quebec, and Quartier Petit Champlain is the area immediately surrounding. Both are clearly visible from the hotel. You can take a funetel right down to the area.

View of Quartier Petit Champlain from the top floor of Chateau Frontenac

Funetel (cable car) from Promenade down to Quartier Petit Champlain

Place Royale

Fresque des Quebecois (check out the guy walking into the fresque!)

Church, with a boat!

While down at sea-level, we decided to keep exploring. Later we realized we sort of got off the beaten path, or at least the one with all the other tourists. Old Port wasn't very historic, but we did find the Navy Reserve building (they wouldn't let me in) and the Naval Museum of Quebec (closed on Mondays). I also spotted a tug boat being dragged along by a tanker, which seemed bizarre but maybe they do that to somehow keep the tanker pointed downstream in the swift current of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Guns, and more guns. Quebec is the oldest walled city in North America north of Mexico City. For show, they have refurbished all the old walls and re-installed all the armaments. As late at the 1860s they were still paranoid those crazy Americans would invade!

After climbing nearly all the way back up from Quartier Petit Champlain, we finally found the main tourist thoroughfare again. Somewhat exhausted, with feet throbbing from walking, we crashed at the first cafe we could find for some refreshments.

After a breather, we headed back up through Old Quebec to find the Fortifications. On top of the wall, we walked across the gate we had previously driven and walked under the night before, and crossed over to the Citadelle. Really starting to feel the effects of the morning run and all the walking around, we decided to head back to the Frontenac to pick up the Jeep and head to something a little farther away.

Citadelle

Chateau Frontenac from the Citadelle

Chateau Frontenac (flags: Quebec City, Quebec Province, Canada)

For a little variety we headed up the St. Lawrence towards Vieux-Port (New Port, e.g. very industrial) to visit the Québec Aquarium. Thankfully it had quite a bit more than fish from the St. Lawrence!

Some sort of ray (those are nostrils, not eyes, but still funny!)

Walrus

Polar Bear

Jellies!

Finally, we took in a home game of the Québec Capitales. They are an independent league team. We didn't last too long because we (Mike) was a little under-dressed. A little cool in Canada even in the middle of summer!

And ... We're Back! Jay Peak Summer 2015

2015-07-27T21:55:00.000-04:00

Not sure where the last five years got to, but just finally got the 'Big Gun' (Canon DSLR) fixed so might as well start documenting our adventures again...

Having spent our winter vacation north of the border, we decided to make it a two-fer and spend our summer vacation there, as well. Facilitating that is our proximity to Canada. We started by spending the weekend at Jay Peak with Alice and Gary.

No trip to Jay is complete without a ride up the Tram. Unfortunately the weather forecast was pretty grim for the weekend, but of the two days Saturday looked like there might be a brief parting of the clouds, so we gave it a go.

Tram House in the Summer

Tram is dog friendly in the summer

At little spooky at the top

On a clear day you can see all these places!

I guess there is some unwritten rule that Gary isn't allowed to play golf on vacation. But Alice was the only one brave enough to head to the water park, so it was only logical that Gary and I head to the driving range for my 10-year lesson on hitting golf balls. In exchange I took a few "shots" of Gary's swing. In this direction it almost looks like a nice day, but believe me the Jay Cloud was looming right behind us at one point we were told to be ready for lightning.

Holiday Message 2009

2010-01-10T00:33:00.005-05:00

It took our holiday vacation to finally knock out our holiday message for the past year, and the plane ride home at that, but we finally got it done!

The Life and Times of Mike

Kuwait & Iraq
Mike continued his prolific, weekly, blogging from within Iraqi territorial waters (see Blog Archive). In January he headed north from Kuwait Naval Base on a U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat for three months of life on an oil platform, leading the men and women of Task Unit FIVE SIX point FIVE point TWO (TG 56.5.2). Katie still doesn’t understand what all those numbers mean, so don’t feel too bad if you don’t either. In practicality, it meant lots of underway time on Navy 34’ patrol boats, daily gun shoots, surprisingly good food, surprisingly excellent internet, beautiful sunsets, long runs on the platform, and working shoulder to shoulder with our Iraqi partners to ensure the uninterrupted flow of oil exports to keep their nascent economy, and government, going.

Homecoming
Two and half months back in Kuwait allowed Mike time to finish his coxswain qualification on the 34’ patrol boat in the sweltering spring and summer heat. The first four days of July began a summer of change. The morning of July 1st the squadron began piling up luggage and boarding the busses for the customs process and travel to the airport. But not before Mike was finally promoted to the rank of full Commander. Fortunately the timing of the squadron’s departure allowed Mike to collect his first month of O-5 pay tax-free. The squadron finally departed early on the morning of the 2nd, stopping over in Germany (that first beer tasted really good) and Maine before touching down in the evening in San Diego. One night in America’s Finest City, and Mike was flying back east on the red-eye, home-sweet-home in Connecticut the morning of July 4th. Mike and Katie enjoyed the fireworks from the solitude of their little apartment in Plainville. They looked forward to the impending move into their first house a couple miles down the road in neighboring Southington.

The Move
After a too-short vacation and another month in San Diego, Mike set to work packing all of the young couples’ belongings. On the day of the closing, Mike began stuffing the trusty Jeep full of items and making two to three trips per day down I-84. He quickly realized they still have too much stuff. Fortunately a lot of their ‘stuff’ was still in boxes from the last move. Seven days and about 25 loads later, and Mike & Katie were just about ready for the professional movers to come and move the furniture.

Mike’s a Husky and Katie Isn’t
Mike had a whole week after the move to get ready for another life-changer: going back to school. Despite Katie’s rabid support of all things UConn (OK, maybe just sports), Mike became the first member of the Gold family to be an actual Husky. Mike matriculated in the MBA class of 2011 at the University of Connecticut School of Business, surrounding himself in academia and 50 of 51 classmates that are younger in age (and experience, for the most part). Fortunately he is one of four who are prior or current military. The class bonded during one week of orientation with academic overviews, career services 101, personality tests, team building, and social events. First semester included courses in accounting, information systems, marketing, statistics, and economics. Mike surprised himself academically, making straight A’s and one B. Not too surprising was an A+ in stats: He is, of course, married to Stat Girl.

Mike’s a Seabee and Katie Isn’t
Of course Katie isn’t a Seabee, she isn’t even in the Navy, except for being a Navy wife. But Mike finally got to recognize a small dream of his and join the Seabee community, even if just for a three-year tour. He was selected to command the Reserve headquarters detachment for Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE (PHIB CB ONE, or ACB-1) in San Diego. At 75 sailors, this unit is large enough, but Mike’s primary role is Executive Officer (XO) for the entire Naval Reserve PHIB CB ONE organization of ten detachments and 500+ sailors from Green Bay to Sacramento. Mike attended his first quarterly event in December in San Diego, and came face-to-face with the daunting task of leading such a large, diverse, dynamic organization in these trying times.

The Life and Times of Katie

Surviving without Mike
Katie says she didn’t do anything. To the casual observer, and perhaps the astute neighbor, she just went to work every day, and came home every night. But in reality Katie saved the free world from lack of sports knowledge and her the ESPN “talent” co-workers from lack of accurate statistics to pretend they came up with on their own. Immediately after work, Katie raced home to hop on Skype for her daily dose of “Mike on an Iraqi oil platform.” A couple of nagging running injuries drove Katie into the gym, where she managed to bulk up and fill out while waiting for the all clear to start running again. Mike thinks she now looks more like Jennifer Aniston than Katharine Ross, here namesake. But she’s beautiful no matter who she looks like.

MLB @ ESPN
Dream Job. Those words describe a reality TV show that rewarded the winner with full-time employment on the Entertainment Sports Network (ESPN). That guy’s no longer with the network, but Katie realized her own ‘dream job’ of sorts with ESPN. In the spring she became one of two event researchers for Major League Baseball. No longer just a baseball bookworm, she worked on both Sunday and Wednesday baseball games produced by ESPN. In the off-season she continued to work on baseball statistics projects while doing her best to avoid college basketball paper copying.

House Hunting the Nutmeg State
With their meager savings, Katie and Mike decided it was time to move up in the world and purchase their first house. Hoping that house prices would be low during the recession, they decided to commence a detailed search in the southwest Hartford metropolitan area. With some coaching from afar, Katie teamed up with a family friend to find a house that met their parameters: three-bedroom, two-car garage, central air. After one false start, Katie found a little house in a decent neighborhood, a raised ranch in the fine town of Southington (as Mike likes to say, South Farmington). Sporting a large, open downstairs ‘family room’ and hard word upstairs with tiled kitchen, and the entire house was recently renovated. “It’s like something out of Better Homes & Garden,” said Katie in an e-mail. Other than a temperamental air conditioning compressor that eventually needed replacement, they couldn’t be happier with the inside. The outside will need some help come next spring. Let’s just say the John Deere would be better put to use cutting real grass rather than crabgrass. Mom Alice has offered to spruce up the lawn with her pending master gardener certificate (also from UConn, that makes two!). Mike also has plans to rescue some of the backyard from its current swamp-like existence next to the stream. The stream has also managed to put the property into a flood zone, making us no better off than New Orleans’ 9th Ward, as least as far as FEMA is concerned.

Together

Vacation: The All-Star Game and Park City
In July, M & K went to the MLB All-Star Weekend, Katie for work and Mike to just try to meet famous ESPN-types. Both were successful. Katie worked, and Mike saw Chris Berman in the hotel lobby. Katie worked the Future’s Game, celebrity all-star game, and home run derby. Mike’s highlight was being in the left field bleachers for the home run derby, where baseball’s most juiced-up players beat up on defenseless little white baseballs to the joy and consternation of fans. Then it was off to Park City for our friends' wedding and to just hang out. Unfortunately Mike stubbed his toe something serious and spent most of the week limping around. Must have been the altitude.

Closing on the House
We finally closed on our first house. It was a signing marathon. Dad Gary’s good friend Gary Green presided over the affair as our real estate attorney. This wasn’t the only difference from previous closings out West. We got to meet the sellers face-to-face. We had negotiated pretty hard when the appraisal came back low. But we were besieged with cards and gifts from sellers and agents on both sides, so we felt like everyone was pretty happy in the end.

Final Move
M & K called in some hired guns for the final day of moving, the day we left the cozy confines of 91 Colonial Court, our home of two years. Mom Alice was a big help that day, too, keeping things from reaching the boiling point as occupants and movers, moving and cleaning collided. Mike even managed to sell the second of two wall AC units at the tail end of a hectic Friday. Saturday at the house was another crazy day of unpacking and putting away. We actually found room in our nice big kitchen for all the dishes and platters (lots of platters). Dad Robert and Step-Mom Bonnie came down bearing gifts in the form of a desk for Katie. Dad also helped Mike pick out a shiny new John Deere riding mower. It was the cheapest one that Deere makes, but continues green traditions in the Sharp family: large lawns, green thumbs, John Deere’s, and being as frugal as possible given the situation.

Returning Warrior Workshop
Mid-semester, Mike and Katie found time to attend a voluntary event for sailors returning from overseas deployment. With the exception of delays for the new G.I. Bill, Mike’s return was rather uneventful. But the event was a good learning experience heading into his new responsibilities with NR PHIB CB ONE. On the Saturday, the Navy couple headed down to Annapolis for the Navy football game. Unfortunately they had to beat feet to get back for a required dinner as part of the RWW weekend. But the game was being played in a torrential down pour by the second half, so the viewing wasn’t much to speak of by that point.

New Year’s Eve
The happy couple finally got to go somewhere for New Year’s. The choice was Mount Snow in southern Vermont. Both have ski passes of some sort to this resort, the closest major skiing to Hartford. It was a fitting end to a long year, a small reward for a lot of hard work, frugal fun in the face of financial challenges. The hard work is just beginning, as Mike heads into another semester and Katie another big year at ESPN covering the X-Games, college basketball, and baseball come spring.

Fully Furnished

2009-09-25T11:06:00.003-04:00

Those words probably ring true for college students looking for their first off-campus housing. Or in my case, as a freshly-minted Ensign in the U.S. Navy searching for housing at my first duty station: Newport, RI. But in this case it a reference to the final piece of the puzzle, our living room set. We saved ourselves some delivery fees and picked it up ourselves a week ago today, just in time for our little housewarming. Pictures speak, here it is.

We had a bigger than expected turn-out for the party. Only one from my UConn class, but I'd say 15 to 20 from ESPN Research. Katie's co-workers came over earlier than I had planned, but they we on the way to a sporting event (what are the chances?). But we didn't have any neighbors show up, so it worked out perfectly.

On that note, not sure what's going on the neighborhood here. Our neighbors on one side came over to say they already had plans relating to watching someone's kids, and the neighbors on the other side also were heading out of town. The neighbors kitty-corner across the street came over with brownies, gifts, and card in the afternoon. Very nice of them, we owe them a thank you card.

But that was it. Still haven't met the other neighbors across the street (we look up their driveway). Their kids are always out playing basketball, and their grandfather, I'm guessing, is always out walking and gives me a friendly wave. But my brief conversation with him went like this:

"Hi, what do you think about this tree?" (we have a tree that is all but dead in the front yard).
"I don't speak English, just Italian."
"Oh."
"Caio (friendly wave)."

In other news, we appealed the FEMA classification that has us in a flood zone. Had a survey done by a local engineering company and sent the forms in to our insurance company. The last part of that was taking a couple pictures of the yard, one from the front and one from the back. Hopefully here something soon.

And today we get our new air conditioner hooked up. The last couple days were pretty warm, and we could have used it. I honestly thought the existing one had finally quit. Turns out they changed out the condensers earlier in the week and never told us. They just have to finish the hook-up today. No wonder all it would do it blow warm air! At least I got to practice opening all the windows in the house. It's actually a perfect day today.

That brings us to the cars. Subaru finally got all fixed last Friday. No more disco lights in the dash, no more wobble on the highway, and the cruise finally works. I'm hoping to get some marks on the front bumper fixed (someone had a little accident while I was away, but no real damage). Then detailed and its finally good to go.

Jeep is not so rosy. It's a never-ending saga. The latest is all the gauges, or instrument cluster, suddenly stopped working after I pulled some fuses under the hood. Of course I put them all back in, in the proper places. But gauges stopped working, followed by overdrive, AC, and even the power steering doesn't seem to be all there. It idles funny and has no power when pulling away from a stop. So I probably hosed the computer somehow. The original problems of the interior lights flashing and instruments varying in intensity remain. So its back at the dealer today. Who knows how much it will cost. At least I got the finishing touches on the exhaust yesterday. They had to tack weld the catalytic converter cover in place. Another victim of rust underneath. And I have a new tailgate lined up at the local Maaco paint shop, which will require a full body paint job. At least I'm stimulating the economy.

Housewarming

2009-09-18T13:02:00.004-04:00

Well, its been a month and a day since the last post on here. But its not like a million things haven't happened in that span. Mike started school at UConn, joined a new Reserve unit in Virginia, and also accepted a command opportunity in San Diego (see the PHIB CB 1 link to the left). Of course Katie continued her 25-hour a day, 8-day a week occupation at ESPN as ubber-Yankees researcher. I mean 'baseball' researcher, but she always seems to be working on the Yankees, funny how that works out.

So ironically our follow up to the "Moving Day" post is this announcement of a somewhat belated "Housewarming" post. It took us a while to get a handle on everything, such as lawn care, broken AC (not too bad), and broken vehicles (endless saga it seems). All while driving about an hour in opposite directions for work/school.

Basically the impetus for this housewarming is to meet our neighbors. We've only briefly met our immediate neighbors on either side, and only the non-English speaking grandfather across the street. Several walkers have been a lot more outgoing in passing, always welcoming us and saying "its a great neighborhood." So we invited everyone on our street. Hopefully we finally get to know some of them!

I also invited my classmates and Katie invited her ESPN cohorts. The idea is we have the neighbors over first from 4-7pm, then our friends afterwards from 6-9pm. Ironically I think our friends will have more kids in tow than the neighbors, so the average age will take a steep nosedive as the evening goes on.

Katie got proactive and set an e-mail to her friends. I'll post it here so it shows up on Facebook from my classmates.

See ya!

Hey all,

My husband and I just bought our first house and we want to invite you all to a house-warming party we're throwing on Saturday. Its gonna be from 4pm to 9pm, and we'll provide appetizers, soda, beer, wine, candy, etc. for everyone. We've got a big 48-inch HD tv so we can watch the football games too.

Our address is 49 Harness Drive in Southington. Its pretty easy to get to from work or the highway.

From work: Go south on Middle St towards the mini-golf and the 84 entrance. At the third light (I think), turn left on West Queen St. At the end (you'll see Ruby Tuesdays in front of you) go right onto Rt 10. You will go a little while on Rt 10, past the highway entrance, then turn left at Looper St (it’s a light and the Wood-N-Tap Restaurant is on the right). Go to the end of Looper and turn right on Tanglewood. The street curves a few times, and then splits -- you want to stay to the right and go past a pond and you will be on Harness Drive. Our house is on the left, after a few curves. Its tan with black shutters and an American flag hanging up.

From 84 East: get off at exit 32 and take a left and follow the directions from Rt 10 (see above)
From 84 West: get off at exit 32 and take a right and follow the directions from Rt 10 (see above)

My cell phone is 435-513-2466 but that doesn’t always work in the house, so our home phone is 426-0876, if you get lost or whatever.

Hope you all can make it if you're not working.

See ya,
Katie

Moving Day / Weekend

2009-08-17T10:38:00.002-04:00

We're finally in the new house. The adventure really began last Monday, when I started moving an average of two Jeep-loads of our stuff over here every day. And I know how to get a lot of stuff into the Lil Mule. I used the Jeep ZJ to deliver ski magazines for five or six seasons in Utah. Let's just say looking out the rear-view mirror is not the norm.

Back-breaking work, packing things up, hauling it up from the basement, staging in the living room, reorganizing and packing some more, then staging again on the back porch, and finally out to the parking lot. Basically trying to minimize the time spent with the back door open and outside in the heat and humidity. Then the 10 to 15-minute drive one exit down I-84. At least at the house it was a little easier, since I could back right up to the garage. The Thule box was an important part of this process, so I couldn't pull right into the garage. Again trying to minimize my 'stay time' in the great outdoors, moving everything into garage first then closing the garage door. Hooray attached garage!

Another mini-drama was trying to sell the two window AC units I purchased two summers ago when we first moved to CT. Essentially brand new since we only used them that summer, then took them out and they sat in the basement the last year and a half while I was traveling -- Katie wasn't going to attempt to put them in and didn't really need/want the extra cooling. But I only got a quarter what I paid for them. And getting people to live up to their word on when they would actually show up wasn't disappointing. Anyways, someone finally came for the last one just as the movers were leaving. And I still had to finish cleaning the apartment.

Friday was Katie's day off and the day the movers came. Apparently they almost didn't come, that would have been a true disaster. As it was, the only 'disaster' was the amount of stuff in the kitchen that still had to be packed up on Friday morning. That's where Katie's mom really helped out. She showed up at 10 am and by the time the movers were there had a half dozen boxes for them to haul away along with the furniture. The movers worked for six hours I think, did a great job. Only some minor damage to my beloved "L" shaped desk, which I was able to repair (It's really too big to fit through doorways).

Saturday and some more family help arrived in the form of my Dad and Bonnie. They brought another desk, this one for Katie. Nice for her to have an actual desk instead of the kitchen table. We designated one of the spare bedrooms as an office.

Dad also helped me pick out a lawnmower. Erring on the side of American built, green, riding mowers: I got a John Deere. Its the smallest, cheapest riding mower they make, but at least it's a Deere!

Dad and Bonnie stayed overnight, and left Sunday morning before Katie got up (which isn't hard, even though its her 'early' day). Katie went to work and on this seventh day -- I rested. Until about 6pm when I went for a run, pulled some weeds, watered the plants in the front yard, and then went back to work unpacking and organizing the house. It's almost there: bedrooms, office, kitchen, downstairs. Then we have the great, empty room upstairs. Just a rug and a couple small tables. Furnishing that will be a project for later this fall.

Now a long week of finishing up here with the house and getting ready for school. Books, clothes, and some more paperwork I think!

A New Home!

2009-08-10T12:07:00.003-04:00

Well, we pulled the trigger, again. I got home Thursday night, and on Friday we had the final walk-through and closing. Our agent, the sellers, and their agent all gave us cards and/or gifts! I never got jack for buying a condo. I guess the bigger the property the more presents you get. Sort of like a wedding?

So we've purchased our first actual house. Or the bank bought it for us, they're "just letting us live there until we pay off the note" as our lawyer put it.

Three bedroom, two bath, finished downstairs, two car garage, and a LOT of lawn. 0.67 acres worth (minus the 1000 sq. ft. or so of the house itself, and the driveway I guess). At least in the winter all we have to do is shovel the driveway.

Ah, lovely Southington, Connecticut. The neighborhood is nice, one neighbor stopped to offer assistance taking these photos. And we have a pond down the street with the local kids use to go fishing, our own flock of Canada Geese to avoid in the road every day, at least one other Jeep enthusiast in close proximity, and a Super Price Chopper at the bottom of the hill. Honestly it doesn't get any better than this. Oh, except we're in a FEMA-declared flood plain, and we get to contribute $1000 a month to Federal 'disaster agency' by way of our insurance company. Yeah!

So here's a couple pics from right after the closing. More to follow, you can be sure.

Utah and Andy & Lindsay Wedding

2009-07-20T01:02:00.006-04:00

Running out of creative juices here, so this is going to be mostly pictures with funny (or at least I hope) captions. Photos from the Thursday night concert at the Gallivan Center.

Source of caffeine? Check.
Internet connection? Check.
Obsessive-compulsive Yankees fan? Check.
Sickbird or Rip Chick? You decide!

Is there a Fire Marshall in the house?

Cold beer? Check.
Cool tee-shirt? Check.
Hot wife? Check.
Reflection for life's finer things? You betcha!

Photos from Andy and Lindsay's wedding on Saturday, and the reception afterwards.

Who let the dogs out? Groomsmen, Groom, and Zeke

Mountain chicks

Agents Smashing and Dashing (under cover) (not really)

Wedding at the Colby School (sunscreen recommended)

The get-a-way vehicle

Yes, those are PBR cans!

Andy and Lindsay on the dance floor

Lindsay and flower girl extraordinaire

MLB All Star Game

2009-07-20T00:27:00.008-04:00

St. Louis, Gateway to the West! And host of the 2009 Major League Baseball summer classic. Katie was working the game for ESPN. I let her get a couple days head start. I used those two days to finish up some things are home and then spend a day in Ohio (and an unplanned night in Detroit) visiting family on the way out.

Mom, Grandma, and me
(Clearly I get my height from Mom, not Grams :)

The All Star Game was pretty fun. I should clarify up front: We didn't stay for the actual All Star Game. Fox had the game itself, so ESPN and therefore Katie only had to work the futures (minor league) game, the celebrity softball game, and the home run derby. My visit to Ohio kind of got moved back a day (thanks, airlines!) so I was just getting there on Sunday afternoon. But a massive rain delay pushed the game back enough for me to actually see most of it. Katie came down from the booth for a quick picture, then left me to eat and drink whatever I wanted to, which I did!

The home run derby on Monday was pretty much a blast. Katie's manager once again came through with tickets, this time in the left field bleachers. Well, let me tell you, there are worse places to be during a home run derby. If I was maybe 10 or 15 rows closer it would have been better, but still it was cool. I was right underneath one of the three "hit it here" signs that were worth a million dollars. I don't think the hitters paid much attention to these. One of the left handers hit a few into the Big Mac area, next to one of the signs, but otherwise I think they were just trying to hit 'em out.

The entire stadium completely filled up with Cardinals fans.

The closest, or maybe only, American flag was right behind me, and a couple of Navy F-18s did a fly-by to kick things off. I wasn't very quick on the draw for the fly-by, but here's the flag.

The last day Katie-bop and I had some time before leaving for the airport, so we checked out the Arch, which was right by the hotel. Words can't really describe, so here's some more photos!

Outside looking up

A "tram" car

KT looking out at the top

The view from the top

Waiting to go back down

Week #43 - Promotion, Leaving Kuwait, and Homecoming

2009-07-19T23:53:00.006-04:00

Belated post now that I've been home for a couple weeks. As previously documented, it was a little crazy at the end in Kuwait. Apart from turning over to Squadron 5, we had to complete a lot of administrivia for ourselves. Things such as end-of-deployment awards, evaluations, and post-deployment paperwork.

One piece of admin that I didn't mind was my promotion to Commander. I didn't expect to be promoted until September, maybe August at the earliest. But as luck would have it, my name was on the list for 1 July. That also happened to be the day we left Kuwait. After a few awards were handed out, I was called up and got to put on my new rank. The timing was perfect from a financial perspective. While in Kuwait we were receiving tax-free pay, and you get it for the whole month if you are there for just one minute of one day. And any promotion comes with a healthy pay raise, so I was able to receive a few extra bucks tax-free for our final month in theater.

The journey out of Kuwait was a long one, and not just for the flight back to the U.S. The word "customs" has special meaning for the military. Entire Navy Reserve organizations have been formed for the sole purpose of going through every square inch of every bag, box, and container leaving Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. All of our ISU containers full of unit issued gear got inspected in the days and weeks leaded up to our departure, then we all got shuttled up to Ali Al Saleem air base to go through the process on an individual basis. Remember after 9/11 you could get singled out and had to empty the contents of your carry-on onto a table, then pack it back up again. Try doing that with all your bags. All the people on your flight. And all the flights leaving that day. Joy!

They build several extra hours into the schedule "just-in-case." So after a couple hours in a tent waiting for our turn to get in line, an hour or two standing in line and doing the bag dump and repack, we had SEVERAL more hours waiting in the secure Freedom area. Some people passed the time reading, watching movies, and sleeping in the designated tents. Others were a little more creative. At least they had coffee! Ensign Rob and I shared one last round of cafe lattes.

Finally it was back on the busses for the ride back towards Kuwait City and the Air Port of Debarkation (APOD), a.k.a. Kuwait International. Things get a little fuzzy for me at this point. I can barely remember this part. We'd been up for about 24 hours by then. But somehow we got on a plane on the morning of July 2, and it took off and headed west!

Our first flight took us to Germany. We were given a couple hours to go into the terminal. For most, this was the first chance to have a beer or wine in seven months. Talk about long lines at the register! Someone recommended two beers per person, and that was pretty accurate. We had time to grab a couple beers, pay, and down them without too much of a rush.

From Germany we flew over the Atlantic to Bangor, Maine, where the scene just about repeated itself. Except here there was a great group of Americans there to great us. I broke out my cell phone and gave Katie a call. I think I called Mom, too. Then it was on to San Diego, where we were greeted by several hundreds screaming fans. Well, friends and families I guess.

By virtue of being in the back of the first class area, I was about the third person off the plane. Rear Admiral Penniman, my old skipper, was at the bottom of the stairs along with a few other senior officers to greet us as we de-boarded.

It was a quick 24 hours in San Diego for yours truly. Then I checked out on leave and headed back East for a couple weeks. More to follow!

Weeks #41 & 42 - Mad Dash (to the finish)

2009-06-28T13:45:00.003-04:00

I had another cute name for these last couple weeks, but it’s been so crazy I can’t remember it now. For those of you that have been following closely, I’m just about outta here. It’s been an interesting, exhilarating, challenging, and fast seven months on my fourth deployment to the Middle East (and fifth overall).

Boat transit between ports

It’s also been the “two weeks of turnover” or “twelve days of turnover” since my last post. That’s why I haven’t had time to write. About a week ago was when it was the busiest. While overall in charge of the turnover project, I was personally in charge of the command turnover between our Commodore and the incoming Commanding Officer. There is a slight distinction in the titles, but I digress. Basically, I had to arrange meetings between them and other high-ranking individuals that our command, CTG 56.5, has direct relations with. In conjunction, I also scheduled tours of both bases focusing more on our forces and facilities. This also included a tour of the camp here.

Underway on an Army LCU

In this process I somehow became the Commodore’s scheduler, a function previously filled by a YN1 and an Ensign assigned as the Commodore’s driver.

Things lightened up the last few days because they traveled up to the OPLATs. I originally had them scheduled for a three-day trip, which changed to a two-day trip, which became a one-day trip when some transportation fell through. But it was still a lot less hectic during these three days since I’d front-loaded their schedule.

So today was the big day, the change of command. Except here we call it Relief in Place – Transfer of Authority, or RIP-TOA. We all stood around in the blazing hot sun for about half an hour while some distinguished visitors, our Commodore, and finally the incoming CTG 56.5 spoke. This was followed by cake inside the movie tent.

In the afternoon we had our big awards ceremony down at the Kuwait Navy Training Institute on base. At least it was inside. Except for the part where they made us go outside to have the ‘big gaggle’ photo as I like to call it. Back inside, they only presented a few ‘representative’ awards and tried (emphasis on tried) to spice it up with some videos and “top ten” lists. It was DJ’d by the Deputy, with parts for each of the individual units to recognize two or three individuals each. When Commodore spoke at the end, he mentioned me by name, and actually had me stand up to be recognized for my work on the OPLATs. Except I was already standing in the back, and it was dark back there so no one could really see me.

Being in the back, I ducked out right away when we broke up. So I missed the announcement that the staff was having their award ceremony immediately afterwards. But I’m pretty sure my award wasn’t ready anyways, and Ensign, YN1, and I actually had some work to do back in the office.

On the home front, literally, Katie and I had some financial gymnastics trying to get our mortgage application through the bank. I won’t go into details, but hopefully we are back on track and will still close in early August. It will be challenging getting our household goods down the street to the new place. Hopefully we can do it ourselves, maybe I’ll rent a trailer. The difficult part will be getting the big furniture out of the house. I remember the Disney contracted moving crew cursing and swearing about the stairs.

We will probably need to acquire a couple more rooms worth of furniture. We’re going from a two-bedroom apartment to a three bedroom house, with finished basement I might add. Personally, I can’t wait to go shopping for a lawnmower, snowblower, and maybe some other power tools. And I think we might need a shed to put it all in.

So, to wrap things up, I’m just about outta here. I can’t give out details for our flight from here to San Diego, but its not really relevant. What matters is I will be home in Connecticut on the 4th of July as planned. I will get my cell phone re-activated again before we leave Kuwait so I can call at our first layover in the States, which ironically is the same state that Katie’s parents have a summer home. If they are really industrious they could find a way to meet me there and bring me a beer!

The Boat House

Week #40 - Trading Places

2009-06-14T03:30:00.009-04:00

Don't count your chickens before they are born. When I looked at an overhead view of the property I noticed some high voltage power lines in the woods behind the backyard. Sure enough, an EMF survey that the realtor recommended revealed "higher than normal levels of "radiation" in the backyard, and this type of exposure has been linked to childhood leukemia."

This news from Katie came one or two days after I purchased and shipped a couple of rugs over at Camp Arifjan. One of my first thoughts was that those rugs would go to waste. Well, maybe not. Katie managed to find another place almost overnight. We're going to make an offer on this new property, also in Southington:

http://www.weichert.com/25700870/?cityid=48280&pg=12

Here's Katie's description of the new place:

We saw 4 new houses today and one of them was a GEM! Its very similar to the one we just rejected, in Southington, a raised ranch, with a nice big(ger!) backyard (and no power lines:). The best part is that almost EVERYTHING inside/outside the house is new and/or redone recently. It looked like something out of Better Homes and Gardens, it was impeccable. And its ready to be moved in, there are no people living there now. And its got the two requirements, 2-car garage and central air. Its in a nice, wooded area, near a lake and lots of farms. Deb is going to do a market analysis and hopefully we can get a good price.

The MLS pictures aren't quite as impressive as the other house, but that's because its not as well decorated. Looked like they took the photos after they were half-moved out. Still has hardwood floors, so the two rugs I just bought and shipped back will still get used. It is larger, though. The downstairs doesn't look finished but Katie assures me it is. It reversed from the other house, with the kitchen and living room on the left side looking from the street. And the garage opens to the side, which is actually a lot nicer. Means you can turn around in the driveway.

The backyard will be a lot more condusive to playing catch or kicking a soccer ball around (in a radiation free environment). Backs up to some woods. Kind of reminds me of our home in Albany growing up. Maybe I'll plant some corn in the backyard! This one doesn't come with a lawn mower or anything, so I'll get to go shopping for that. Hello yardwork!

And speaking of moving, over here in the desert I got to move unexpectedly this week. I returned to my room a couple days ago to a horrible stench. I could smell it as I walked down the passageway in the building. When I opened the door I was just about knocked out by the smell. The only thing I could think was that a mouse or rat died in the room. I checked everywhere but couldn't find anything, so I suspected it was in the overhead. With the AC blowing the air moves throughout the room. The base camp cell and contractors finally found the source of the offensive odor: a old pipe had backed up and eventually corroded, and leaked into the (likely asbestos) insulation, causing it to rot. Long story short, I moved down the hall to another room. At least I got to practice packing for the trip back!

Otherwise, things are moving along quickly here. Early in the week I got to do a transit on the boats between Kuwait Naval Base and the Seaport. Not very far, but it gave me a chance to practice my navigator and radio skills. And I finally had my Navigator and Radio Talker qualification board on Friday. I'd been preparing for about a month, and they had to give me some pretty obscure "look-ups."

I have almost all my Coxswain tasks done, too. The one person that can qualify me just returned from the North Arabian Gulf (same job I had). He previously agreed to give me a board, so I'm furiously trying to finish that up. Perhaps more substantial is the cooperation and support I've received from the boat unit personnel. The command senior chief of the boat division even gave me a signed copy of a book about the history of the Navy's small boat forces in Vietnam, saying he appreciated all the interest I've shown in being a "small boat sailor."

Yesterday I caught the boat maintenance facility Chief Petty Officer at breakfast and he said they were finally putting a boat into the watch. So I got to launch a boat for the first time. Well, I got to launch a Navy 34' Sea Ark for the first time. After driving it over to the boat house, we went to take another one out. Realizing it still needed all the pre-underway checks done, I hoped in the engine compartment and knocked that out. Not only was it a good review, I lost about 10 pounds in ten mintues. The hatches were so hot you couldn't really touch them with your bare hands. Yes, it is that hot here!

While doing this, I found out the Deputy Commodore was going out for a ride on one of our 11-meter rhibs, which the BMF had launched after the 34'. Similar sized boat, but it's designed for riverine use and has a lot of armor. But it also has jet drives and wildly different operating characterists and controls. The thing will stop almost on a dime, can turn almost as quickly, and can "walk" sideways. I was fortunate and got to practice all three. After the Deputy, of course! I didn't have my camera but hopefully will come across some photos somewhere.

I'm also getting the last few things done to fully qualify as Force Security Watch Officer, the watch I've been standing the whole time here in Kuwait. And finishing work on a passdown binder for the MSRON coming in behind us. I'm hoping to finish standing watch in the JOC here shortly so I can concentrate on the boat quals and the other remobilization, turnover, and after action projects for the Commodore.

Updated travel plans back in the States include a one day stop in Ohio on the way to St. Louis and the All-Star Game. That will give me time to see Mom and Grandma, and hopefully the rest of the Schuller clan that is in town.

Weeks #38 & 39 - We Bought a House!

2009-06-07T09:55:00.007-04:00

Katie and I decided to look at houses, or I should say we decided for Katie to look at houses, the last couple months of my deployment with the hope of finding something before I returned. Despite the obvious complexities of such an objective, Katie managed to negotiate all the real estate hurdles of house hunting, finding a great house, making an offer, and agreeing on a price with the sellers. All without my help. Well, not really, but almost!

Katie had seen about a half-dozen houses when the realtor helped her find this gem. Here’s Katie’s original e-mail description to me:

“It’s basically perfect. Raised ranch style. Central air. Nice big 2-car garage. Nice big yard with a storage shed. New windows. Nice hardwood floors in the living room and dining area. Gorgeous kitchen with granite counters. Very, very nice deck outside. Beautiful finished basement (carpeted) with a wood stove and nice shelves and brick wall. Wooded area and yard. Wonderful neighborhood, very cute. There is really nothing bad about it and lots of good stuff. Its ready to be moved in to.”

Note 2-car, attached garage!

The house is 110 Butternut Lane in Southington, CT. Follow this link to see pictures:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/110-Butternut-Lane_Southington_CT_06489_1109011599

Hardwood floors, gonna need some rugs

My only constraints to Katie when we started looking were that it have central air and a two-car, attached garage. I should note these were my same requirements when we were looking for a place to rent two years ago, so I’m glad we’re finally “moving on up.” Anyone need a couple window AC units?

We of course had a price range and size of home in mind. Even with the current market, Connecticut homes can be pricey. So we decided to keep it to a smaller home. And three bedrooms should last us a few years, if you know what I mean.

Granite counter-tops, nice big microwave

Katie had seen about a half-dozen houses, but ruled out many of the others because they didn’t really fit the description or weren’t in great neighborhoods. Of the ones we liked, the raised range style seemed to be a common theme. But this house in particular has it all: the three bedrooms, the central air, the two-car garage, the amenities, the lawn, the shed, and the nice neighborhood. The sellers are even throwing in a riding mower, snowblower, and some other larger tools in the shed.

Finished basement: Game room or TV room?

Not surprisingly, with the current real estate market, the sellers asked that we have a loan pre-approval and credit check before they accepted our offer. But filling out the online pre-approval with USAA made it easier when it came to completing the actual loan application. I was still on the phone for a couple hours Friday night trying to get things done before the weekend. But now I just have to lock in the rate on Tuesday, 60 days before the closing of August 7th. Are there any financial analysts out there? What’s the prime interest rate doing right now?

Back to the house, I used a couple different online mapping sites to get an idea for the neighborhood. We’re basically on a loop off Berlin Road just east of downtown Southington. Our normal commute will take us through town and then either west or north to I-84. Katie will have a short commute to ESPN, about the same as now, while I will have about a 50 or 60 minute commute to UConn.

Also looks like the our lot and our neighbors’s on the inside of the loops backs to some woods with some high voltage power lines running through them. While I could do without the powerlines, the woods will remind me of our neightborhood growing up.

Southington has a standard New England history to it. George Washington and the Count de Rechambleu came through a couple times on their way to and from Wethersfield, where Katie grew up. I guess apples are a big deal in town, there’s some sort of apple festival. Some other ESPN talent live in town, and as Katie has repeatedly pointed out that one former Yankee pitcher grew up there.

During one of my searches Southington ski area came up. It’s not too far away, just on the other side of I-84. Maybe I’ll get involved with teaching or coaching somehow. Or maybe just some night skiing over there.

So summer is looking like this: Mike returns from deployment, flies back East on the 4th, spends week in CT. Then Katie heads to St. Louis for the All-Star Game weekend, with Mike on her heels. Then Utah the following week to relax, catch up with friends, and go to a wedding. Katie home and Mike back to San Diego for two weeks. When I get back it will probably be just a day or two before the closing. But then we’ve got a couple weeks before I have to be at UConn to start my MBA program. Probably spend that time moving, shopping for a little more furniture, and setting up the house. And remembering how to ride a mower and take care of a lawn ☺

So that was this past week. I think we made the initial offer last Saturday, then went back and forth and had a final price on Tuesday, spending the rest of the week working with agent and bank to keep things moving.

On the Navy side of life, pretty routine this past week. Right now I stand watch for four days, then have three days off. So I have the same schedule every week. The first watch of a new rotation is the “mid-watch” early Wednesday morning, which is not pleasant as far as sleep cycles go. But my other responsibilities haven’t been too demanding as of yet. They have me coordinating our redeployment, turnover, and final after action report. So I basically have my hand in everything, but no one reports directly to me and I’m in charge of no one. So far it’s moving along, no problems, so I can’t complain. People generally want to do a good job of preparing to turn over responsibilities to our reliefs and going home on time.

If you’re following closely, however, you may have noticed I missed a week in my blog posts. The week prior to this past week I spent four solid days as investigating officer for what the Navy calls a “preliminary inquiry.” I certainly can’t go into details here, but I can talk about the experience. I guess I can reveal it was for a weapons misfire, in other words a gun didn’t work like it was supposed to. There’s only a few reasons that can happen. So on the “investigation” side of things it was somewhat interesting trying to solve the mystery. And I think I was able to do a good job at this because of my experience working with the weapons on this deployment and general familiarity of how we maintain them.

Unfortunately, it was human error on several levels, so the other part of the investigation is laying the groundwork for the Non-Judicial Punishment, or NJP, that will come as a result. Basically reading people their rights and taking statements. That was the unpleasant part. In the end everyone was cooperative, and we (I had the help of a couple others) allowed them to put the events in their own words. In the end, I delivered my report to the Commanding Officer of the unit involved and he held the NJP proceedings (XOI and Captain’s Mast).

So while it was a mixed bag of experience, it was an experience that might serve me well in the future. I hadn’t been involved with anything like this since my active duty days, and had never been the investigating officer for anything. The only downside in the immediate sense, other than four days of high stress and low sleep, was that it made it difficult for me to continue my boat qualifications. Hopefully I’ll be able to get back on track this week.

It’s only about three weeks to go until we turn over. So three more watch rotations. And the last one will get cut short be a day or two if we stay on track.

Meet me in St. Louis

2009-05-30T02:39:00.002-04:00

We're going to the All-Star Game!

The worldwide leader in sports is televising the Home Run Derby, Futures Game and Celebrity & Legends Game at All-Star Weekend, and your favorite researcher is going to be there, giving Chris Berman all the info he needs to make those famous "backbackbackbackback...its gone" calls sound really interesting. Here's the schedule. I can get tickets for anyone to the Sunday games, but not the other events. I'll be working on Sunday and Monday.

Sunday July 12:

1 pm

Futures Game

Legends & Celebrity Softball Game

Monday July 13:

Home Run Derby

Tuesday July 14:

All-Star Game

Monday July 13

Week #37 - Home Stretch

2009-05-24T14:16:00.008-04:00

No, I’m not talking about the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness, that latter of which was held last weekend. We’re entering into our final month here in Kuwait, and that light at the end of the tunnel is finally getting a little brighter.

The 'Shark' boat

Not counting the early mornings, this week was pretty fun. After ten days off watch, I was off the watchbill Monday to Friday. That allowed me to go down to the Boat House and finish my navigation / radio talker qualification. I went out on the water Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, finally brining my camera with me on the last day to record some memories of KNB.

Kuwaiti patrol boat leaving port

Going out on the water with the boat crews is an enlightening experience. For one, they have a lot of practical knowledge about the boats and operations. For another, they have a lot of the same frustrations with lack of communication or clear guidance from higher up. But most importantly, we’re all Reservists and looking forward to getting home, and to life after this deployment. Except for a few sick-o’s who are extending to stay on with the squadron that relieves us!

Things are highly standardized on the water, but the crews each take on the personality of their coxswain, and as a result have their own way of doing some things. Some within the standard operating procedures, some outside of the SOPs. To protect the innocent, I won’t go into the latter. From how they position the boat, to where they sit on the boat, to how much training is conducted during slow periods, they all do things a little differently. For example, the last boat I was on we left our individual body armor (IBA) out on the deck. While at first I thought this looked sloppy, they explained they did this so it would be easier to put on in a hurry, something they occasionally have reason to do.

Pursuing my Navigator / RT qual meant I did the start-up or “pre-underway” checklist and then manned the radio while underway. It’s a fairly logical progression from Crewmember to Engineer to Navigator. For one thing, I’d already done the engineering start-up checklists several times, which is part of the overall pre-underway checklist. The Navigator also takes the hourly engineering logs, mostly because the engineer also doubles as the aft crewman / gunner. Finally, you get to troubleshoot the radios if they aren’t working properly, something we got lots of practice with.

Reviewing and using my navigation skills from my active duty and sailing experience was probably the best outcome. And putting that knowledge to use learning how to program and use the GPS and radar navigation equipment just reinforced everything. By the end I was teaching the other crew how to use the equipment, not unlike my experience in the JOC. I’ve found a lot of sailors are content knowing know how to turn on a piece of gear, but not necessarily how to use it. They are happy as long as someone else has that knowledge.

I finally got a chance to do a couple of escorts, which is about as exciting as it gets down at KNB. The base is a forward operating base for Navy and Coast Guard patrol ships that are permanently stationed in Bahrain but patrol up in the North Arabian Gulf, e.g. the OPLATs. It’s also home to some Army vessels that perform intertheater lift. Our boats escort all of these into and out of port, in addition to providing force protection while they are pierside. As much FP as we can in a foreign port, anyways.

Completion of an escort, with some of the Army vessels in the background.

After my exciting week on the water, I worked directly with the Commodore on our Turnover Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M). We pretty much have our turnover with the next MSRON down to the day. Of course things will change, but at least we have a solid plan to work from.

Friday night I finally got to go to a Diwania. This is a Kuwaiti, probably Arabic, family gathering held weekly. Members of the command have been attending two different Diwanias throughout this deployment. This was actually a special one we were invited to, and I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. It was the Commodore, our assistant Supply Officer, another officer, and myself. I guess there was a hard limit of four for this event.

Normally these are held on week nights, so being a Friday night it was different from the start. Friday night is also their Saturday, so it was less formal to begin with. We only had to wear long pants and a collared shirt rather than the usual coat and slacks.

Warrant, the A-Suppo, was the one who got us invited and had the directions to the farm. From the base, it was south down the main coastal highway, then west along another major road towards Saudi Arabia. I was wondering aloud what kind of farm it would be, since we were surrounded by desert the whole way and just seemed to be heading further into the desert with every passing mile. Eventually we came to a round-about and a semblance of civiliation. Our host, a Colonel in the Kuwaiti Air Force, met us at the local firehouse. Already we were surrounded by trees and other vegetation. In hindsight I’d have to say they the source of water must contribute to this localized greenery.

Corn, sheltered between the green houses (only place they will grow).

We arrived at the farm and were pretty blown away. Long story short, we received a guided three hour tour of their whole farm operation, from hundreds of green houses to dozens of animal pens to a pigeon tower. The Colonel’s friend, or perhaps cousin, was very excited to show us everything. It was pretty clear he was in charge of the whole operation and took a lot of pride it what he had built in the last five years. We were left with the impression that he spends his time traveling the world looking for new crops to buy seeds for. They grow just about everything you could think of, from peppers to cucumbers to melons to dates. They also had an impressive array of farm animals: goats, sheep, chicken, roosters, and of course some camels.

As we neared the end of the tour, we stopped by this second gentleman’s house. I think one or more of the families actually lived on the farm in separate areas. After our initial introduction to several other men at the “club house” and previous diwanias and cultural training, we didn’t expect to meet any other family members. But low and behold, as we walk into the compound a lady comes out and proclaims, “Hi, I’m Catherine.” She had her eight-year old daughter and an older daughter with her, and they weren’t the least bit shy.

Turns out she was from Virginia and while I never got the whole story, I’m pretty sure she met her husband in the States while he attended college. While she looked like she could be Kuwaiti, she was 100% American from her accent and dress, and that of her kids. Just regular baseball playing, tee-shirt wearing Westerners.

I should probably point out that everyone we met spoke perfect English. It seemed that all the men had attended college in the U.S. or Australia. They were all very liberal in their thinking. Kuwait recently elected a new legislature, and four females were elected, the first ever. Every one of the men there had voted for at least one of the females, and were quite proud of this milestone in their country’s history.

After our long walk around the farm, we went back to the clubhouse. I call it this because it was like a guys-only cabin in the woods. A place to get away from their families, at least for the most part. I wish I could have seen more of the outside, because it was a crazy assortment of swimming pools and moats and cabannas. The inside was just one big room with a different function in each of four quarters. One just had couches arranged in a large horse-shoe shape facing a blank wall where they projected the TV. Next to this was a large sunken area with more cushions and a few board games. Diagonal from there was the pool table and huge dinner table. Finally there was the kitchen, about as big as you’ll ever see in a house.

Catherine and her daughters had actually beat us back, and we spent the next couple hours talking about life in Kuwait and how they had all traveled back and forth quite a bit. I talked at length with another gentleman whose wife and kids had moved back to Australia for school. It sounds like its much more beneficial for the men to stay and work in Kuwait, even though their Western tendency is to live where they went to college. Another man had received his engineering degree from Webber State up in Ogden, UT. He previously ran the maintenance department for one of the big hotels in Kuwait City, and he was now going to grad school in Kuwait in environmental science.

We had worked up an appetite with our earlier tour and were famished by the time the food was ready. And it was amazing. With all the fresh food on the farm it’s not surprising. The best food I’ve had this deployment, and probably the best food I’ve had in years, to be perfectly honest. To start off there was corn soup, I believe the receipt courtesy of the guy who went to school in Utah. For the main dish there was beef, pork chops, and chicken, all from the grill. There was also a meat wrap thing that was really good, and several dips to choose from.

After dinner we talked quite a bit more. Commodore and Warrant were content to talk with Catherine and her daughter, while the other two of us sought out conversation with the guys. I talked at length with the Colonel and the engineer. They were surprised to hear that were not allowed to leave the base except for business and this, the rarest of occasions. I can only hope to get out to one of these again, but if given the chance I might offer my seat to someone else so they can experience Kuwaiti social life for themselves.

Finally, last night was the much-anticipated luau put on by the Hawaiian National Guard we share Camp Patriot with. It was down at the beach by the harbor. Unfortunately I only had a few minutes to check it out before heading back to take the watch. Can’t party all the time!

Saturday also corresponded with the first “black flag” weather conditions. When I went to the Army clinic earlier in the week to get my annual anthrax booster I helped take the official temperature. There are separate dry bulb, wet bulb, and black bulb thermometers that are used to calculate the final heat index. I heard that yesterday’s “dry bulb” was 122 F. Yep, that’s hot!

First "black flag" of the season!

Dry bulb, wet bulb, & black bulb = HOT!

Week #36 - Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

2009-05-17T14:01:00.004-04:00

I've run out of creative titles for these posts, so this week I've decided to go with the first thing that jumps into my mind. So there you have it, a quote from Wren & Stimpy, that strange cartoon from the '90s with the over-sized cat (I think it was a cat) and tiny chihuahua.

This week was so busy I didn't have time to do anything very fun or eventful. Just stand watch in the JOC and work-out. Early in the week I finished my boat engineer qual. Since then I've been hitting the books for some navigation review. I hope to have the navigator/radio talker qualification done by Friday. That just leaves coxswain, which is driving and overall in charge of a boat. And as our coxswains are very proud to point out, "weapons release authority."

As far as this boat thing goes, more than anything I just like to get out of the office and on the water. I'm "off the watchbill" the next five days, so I intend to take full advantage and get as much 'stick-time' on the boats as possible. Already looks like I'll get to do a transit from one port to the other and back. That will feel like being back up in the North Arabian Gulf.

Katie has been diligently house hunting with her Mom, for which I am forever great-full. Both for that fact that mom-in-law is right there to help, and to my incredible wife for jumping into this with both feet. While technically this isn't our first home purchase together, it sure seems like it. Buying an actual house that you intend to raise a family in, or at least start raising a family in, is a little more serious. Plus I suppose it also means we're going to put down some roots. Not that I love Connecticut, but I do love my wife :) Maybe someday we'll be back in the mountains. Probably about the time that ESPN opens a permanent Winter X-Games / Baseball Tonight office in the Rockies.

Part of my happy disposition probably has to do with that small light at the end of the tunnel. The light representing the end of deployment and the end of mobilization. The second happy might represent some info I discovered about the Post-9/11 GI Bill. I'm was pretty much over-joyed to find out I will receive at least 50%, if not 60% or 70%, of the max benefits. That's based on the number of months on active duty since 9/11. The housing allowance (BAH for those in the military) will basically pay for the mortgage right there, and the of course the GI Bill pays in-state tuition.

I also contacted the UConn this week and got them to send me the paperwork I need to fill out to formally enroll. Expect to start class in mid-August. I should be home the first week of August, so I'll have plenty to time to go "back-to-school shopping" and buy some new clothes, among other things. Starting to look forward to this next stage of my life, and the new career that will follow.

That's all for now. Sorry no photos, maybe I'll get some on the boats this week!

Week #35 - Doldrums

2009-05-10T12:53:00.007-04:00

That word just came to me. But that's kind of how it feels right now. Like the scene from the Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Land's End. Eventually they turn the ship upside-down to get out of it. Hopefully it won't come to that around here, but it wouldn't hurt if we rocked the boat a little to break up the monotony.

Perhaps the most eventful thing that happened this week was calling Katie on Friday to wish her happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day and calling Mom and Grandma early Sunday my time to wish them a happy Mother's Day. I hadn't called Mom in a while, mostly because of the time difference, its a pain the butt to get through sometimes, and she and Grandma are always out and about leading what appears to more active lives than me!

Well, the Commodore saw me out here typing and just brought me a naval message from Destroyer Squadron FIFTY. The subject says just "BRAVO ZULU to CTG 56.5", which is our command. It talks about how well things went up there at the OPLATs, especially with out boat det training the Iraqis.

Earlier this week the Commodore came back from observing this training and brought down a video they put together. I finally got to see it later in the week when it was shown to an Admiral who was here for a visit. Top Gun theme, music and all. Those guys still look like they are having way to much fun.

I also got to get off base because of the Admiral's visit. It was RDML Messerschmidt, who is command of the Navy Reserve Force Command. We had been meaning to do a Naval Academy alumni photo for some time. Now that all the USNA grads were back in Kuwait, this visit from the Admiral, also a grad, was the opportune time. We went up to the port and took the photo on the end of the pier. As usual, I got to stand in the back and become a "floating head." Even worse, we were on the end of a floating pier, and by the time we all got in there the end of the pier was about three feet lower than the middle where the photographer was.

That's it for now. Like I said, its the doldrums. About seven weeks to go. Maybe something more interesting will happen next week.

Week #34 - Bobble Head

2009-05-03T14:08:00.005-04:00

I'm truly back in the routine of things around here. Nothing says routine like boredom. I can tell its going to take all my will power to stay interested the next two months.

At least I'm aggressively working on finishing up some qualifications before I leave. Every chance I get, I go down to the boat house here on KNB. There always seems to be something going on. Right now I'm working on engineering, but when I was down there earlier this week I wound doing my first 'bumper drills' ever. Bumper drills are where you practice mooring. If driving a boat is to flying a plane, then mooring a boat is like landing. In other words, its the hard part. Twin engines on the 34's make it more confusing, but easier once you get the hang of it.

Later in the week I caught up with the lead engineer and went through all the engineering fundamentals and many of the other 'sign-offs'. That involved tracing the systems, talking about system parameters, alarm settings, fluids, and basic casualties. Again this morning I went through some more casualties. Then I got a chance to trailer a boat for the first time. Not unlike driving the Sea Ray onto the trailer, although the 34' trailers don't have 'marriage savers' on the sides like mine used to. Again, twin props make it more confusing, but ultimately gives you more control.

Katie and I got to speak on our anniversary. And the day before, as well. We kept missing each other so two days in a row kind of made up for it. So did sending two anniversary cards. And maybe Katie's version of an anniversary gift: A U.S. Navy bobblehead. Yes, I'm sure you were wondering about the bobblehead title to this post. Like the movie Office Space where the waitresses are required to have a minimum "items of flair," Katie's job seems to require a minimum number off bobbleheads on her desk. (Katie should really do a post where she photographs her desk, and maybe those of her office mates.) Hence the bobblehead infatuation.

My bobblehead now occupies a distinguished place on my desk, right next to the NY Giants Superbowl football. I think she sent this out to me in San Diego before I left. The hope was that it would ensure continued success of the New York football Giants. Well, didn't quite work out that way, but there's always next year!

It's Kentucky Derby weekend, and along with looking forward to the All-Star Game in St. Louis I'm wondering if we don't try to make it up to Saratoga in August. It's the August Place to Be, after all. Looking to fill up my summer with fun stuff. Or at least the couple weeks I'll have in August before school starts. On the topic of school, the VA started accepting applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill this past Friday, May 1st. I submitted my application online. Hopefully everything goes through. The housing allowance alone will make a huge difference, and it should hopefully cover most or all of the tuition.

Time to bobble-head my way back to my room and hit the rack. I have a palatial room to myself, with a very powerful AC. We even have hot showers just a few steps down the hall. Other than some overly aggressive dust bunnies, I really can't complain!

Week #33 - Back to Base-ics

2009-04-27T11:45:00.005-04:00

It's back to camp life in Kuwait. Expeditionary camp, though we have it pretty good. No more free wi-fi, but otherwise pretty good. Flushing toilets, hot water (at least in my building!), hot meals, TV, internet, and even foo-foo coffee as I like to call it.

Everyone asks me if I'm glad to be back. Each time I have to think and ask myself if I am. I tell them I enjoyed the OPLATs, and it was a great way to break up the deployment, the services were great, and it was an incredible Navy experience. I tell them I could have stayed out there longer to stay away from the "hassle castle" we call the JOC. But in the end, I'm glad to be back at my own command. It was a little bit of cabin fever on KAAOT anyways. Same people, every day. Here we have over 500 people, mainly us and the Hawaiian Army National Guard. Those guys are funny, maybe I'll make them the subject of a special post.

The funniest thing around here is the weekends and evenings, when everyone insists on wearing civilian clothes. Like they are going out in town (I can assure you, with rare exception, they aren't). On KAAOT you wore your uniform all the time, except for PT. Maybe during movie night you relaxed it a little bit. But there really wasn't any reason to wear anything else. So it's just plain weird to see so many people running around in civilian clothes. I guess its a nod to making people feel like they have some freedom, and keeping our sanity.

Along with the civilian clothes, I've had to get used to carrying my wallet with me, and actually spending money. I think I spent two months on KAAOT where I didn't spend a single cent, not even on my credit card. Partly because I didn't HAVE a credit card to use, not even the number so I could buy things on the internet. But there was no reason to spend anything. Food, or at least snacks and drinks, was available 24/7. Here, on KNB, you have to pay for sodas between meals, you have to pay for wireless, there's the Green Bean for coffee, there's a PX, and people are selling coins and tee-shirts.

"POCs" or paper coins, used on the bases here

Speaking of coins, my CTU 56.5.2 MESF NAG coins arrived today. They came out well, every bit as good as I hoped. My only dilemma is I don't have enough for all the MESF personnel who were in the NAG. I have just enough for the guys that were there with me, but there were boat crews before and after my time that will have to go without. So I asked the other officers, especially my predecessor and my relief, to consider ordering another batch. They were kinda expensive, otherwise I would do it myself.

They stuck me back on the watchbill on Wednesday. That's in the JOC. Back to monitoring all the ship movements and running checklists. The last few days have been very sloooowww. That won't last, though. The traffic and associated operations will pick up again. In the meantime, I'm keeping myself busy completing some quals. I technically still have to qualify in the JOC, which I find hilarious and depressing at the same time. Far more fun is my pursuit of the Tactical Boat Coxswain qualification. There are four watch stations on the boat, and I finished the first one on Friday. Next up is engineer. I have most of the knowledge, just need to get "signed off" and have a board. I just walk down to the Boat House here on KNB to go over stuff. Today they were doing 'bumper drills' -- practicing mooring the boat to the pier. So I can plenty of practice.

Also keeping me busy is catching up on all the Navy and military requirements that I missed while I was gone. Amazing how no one bothered to tell me about all the stuff I was missing. Though I don't mind playing catch up with required annual training (computer based, easy to knock out on watch), it really pissed me off that no one bothered to tell me when the deadline for end of tour awards came and went. Basically no one was looking out for me and my career while I was out on the 'tip of the spear' defending the critical infrastructure funding Iraq's rebuilding. You're welcome!! I can only imagine who's going to champion my hard work and accomplishments when it comes to my departing fitness report.

That's it for my life on KNB. Last week was Katie's birthday, and tomorrow is our anniversary. Without free wireless (and Skype is blocked on the MWR computers) we will just have to make due with good old-fashioned telephone. And our usual time is clobbered by my watch. But we'll connect, one way or another.

And here's my deployment "belated birthday disclaimer": For everyone who had a birthday or holiday while I'm gone that I missed, I apologize. You know how old you are anyways (sometimes I forget!).

Almost May, and then its just June and then back to San Diego. Plans are to take a couple weeks of leave so I can join Katie in St. Louis for the All-Star Game. Just gotta get through the next nine or ten weeks!

Week #32 - Bahrain, and Back to Kuwait

2009-04-19T10:25:00.007-04:00

I'm back to my "home away from home" of Kuwait Naval Base, the three month deployment to the North Arabian Gulf complete. On the way back to Kuwait I was able to ride the Cardigan Bay down to Bahrain and get some Rest and Relaxation (R&R).

For reasons I won't go into here, my week of R&R was more like one afternoon of R&R and 6.5 days of B&F: Boredom and Frustration. Mainly frustration with getting myself, my weapon, my body armor, and secret material back to Kuwait with little to no help from anyone. I had originally planned to ride the ship back up to the NAG and catch the daily Inchcape service tug back to Kuwait. Berthing limitations on the CDB prevented that. So I had to switch to Plan B, getting myself back on my own. Ironically, I found out today the ship is delayed getting out of Bahrain, so I would have been stuck there even longer.

A Navy C-12, definitely not anywhere in the Middle East (there's no grass here)

I caught a Navy C-12 prop aircraft from the 'Av Unit' in Bahrain to Ali Al Saleem air base in Kuwait. I rode with four Master Chief Petty Officers that were returning from a combat promotion board. From the description, it sounded like a combination battlefield promotion and command advancement program (CAP). Commands over a certain size are able to 'cap' a proportionate number of personnel to the next rank. Usually this is for top-performing sailors who have a hard time with the advancement exam. One of the master chiefs explained this particular board was for sailors "being shot at and returning fire." I imagine you don't get a lot of time to study for the advancement exam, or even take it, when you are in-country and in that situation (of being shot at on a routine basis).

I did have the thought that some of our sailors in the NAG are probably deserving of meritorious advancement; they just seemed to be performing one to two paygrades above their rate: a Seaman (E-3) holding down the Navigator position on a boat (normally an E-5 or E-6), or a Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5) as a boat coxswain and patrol leader (E-6 to E-7 billets), or a 1st Class Petty Officer (E-6) heading up the development of a training program for the Iraqi Navy's small boats, easily performing at the Chief, or even Senior Chief, Petty Officer level (E-7, E-8).

Back on dry land in Kuwait, I was greeted at Tent 2 by a couple members of our dispatch crew who brought me back to Kuwait Naval Base. I quickly found my new room. While I was gone, my roommate had been given the opportunity to move us into a renovated building. Similar style, but much nicer inside. The rooms are much bigger and I have one all to myself. Most importantly, however, the building has nice clean showers with hot water, something they secured in the previous building due to electrical safety issues. Namely the electric hot water heaters are literally installed IN the shower. Task Force SAFE had issues with that.

I made the rounds with the various departments and get checked back into the command: turned in orders to Admin, got a new cell phone from Supply, got my accounts back up and running with Comms. I also debriefed the Commodore on the NAG and discussed my new job with him and the Deputy.

Last night I happened to stumble upon a cigar affectionato club in the courtyard of my old building. I didn't quite finish my cigar, and I'm not sure I'll ever be an affectionado, mainly because it made my pretty nautious. But a couple of the Hawaiian Army National Guard guys showed up towards the end and played a few sounds on their guitars. They were very good and it was very relaxing. A nice was to return to KNB.

Today is Sunday and 'low ops' here on KAAOT. I mean KNB! Freudian slip, I guess I leave it in there :) I've already had my first foo-foo coffee (white chocolate mocha) at the Green Bean Cafe and a 'real' Mountain Dew (vice a haji dew). And I already picked up where I left off with running and working out.

Only about 70 days to go. It will be considerably less exciting from here out, but I'll continue to try and capture some highlights. Unfortunately there is no internet in the new building, and no wireless on base anymore, so I won't be able to contribute photos. You can't use thumbdrives on DOD computers anymore. That might not apply to MWR computers, I'll have to check.

Oh, everyone wish Katie a happy birthday! I was able to send her an e-card and order some presents from the Yankees website. And I was able to get on Skype one last time from the Av Unit just before my flight left Bahrain.

Week #31 - Cardigan Bay

2009-04-12T04:42:00.004-04:00

On Monday I finished “turning over” CTU 56.5.2 to my relief. No ceremonies or anything. Spent the previous three days going over things with him. So by Monday all that was left was to do laundry and pack my bags. All two of them. A big black bag for most of my clothes, and a small brown backpack for my laptop and papers. All that was left was my “battle rattle” including Individual Battle Assembly (IBA) and Kevlar helmet. But they were already on one of the boats, making things a little easier. It just so happened that we received a bunch of parts and mail that same day, and by mail I mean large packages, so getting everything on the boats was an evolution.

The Cardigan Bay is a Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship. It is designed to merchant marine specifications. I’m not quite sure what that means, because it seems very much like a U.S. Navy ship inside and out. Except for the ridiculously shaped superstructure. And the living spaces, which are practically luxurious compared to any U.S. Navy ship I’ve ever been on. At first they put me in the one stateroom on the 05 level, right behind and just beneath the bridge. Just yesterday I moved back down to the O4 level, where all the senior officers reside and where the officers’ lounge and galley are located.

The Cardigan Bay is referred to as the Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB). Yes, I think we tried to find a cool sounding acronym and then worked backwards to development the name for this concept. The concept is simple: use an amphibious dock landing ship in an unconventional manner. Simply use the well deck to operate small boats instead of amphibious vehicles. During heavy seas and transits, or for repairs, simply hoist the boats up on to the expansive flight deck with either of the ship’s 100-ton cranes.

The admiral came by early in the week on his way back from Baghdad. Only eventful thing that came out of his visit was some photo ops. He missed the photo opportunity with the boat detachment, but we got a good photo ourselves. Unfortunately I don’t have the photo the admiral with the security det.

We still had a few days on station before departing the NAG. With no responsibilities, I got to focus on driving the boats. Starting to really get the feel for the 34’ Sea Ark. With twin outdrives and electronic throttles they are very easy to maneuver. Which is really good, because the landings at the OPLATs are not very friendly. The open ocean on one side pushing you into dilapidated wood and metal boat landing on the other.

We did a gun shoot underway from the NAG to Bahrain. Basically just shot holes in the water. No targets, no prescripted course of fire. Just holes in the water.

So here we are, inport Bahrain. I’ve been here many times, but never on a ship pierside I don’t think. We are moored across the pier from the USS New Orleans, who is here for repairs after she and the USS Hartford collided in the Straits of Hormuz. It’s a very funny looking ship, the latest U.S. Navy amphibious ship. We should go over and ask for a tour, and invite them over to see our operation. I’m sure some people are wondering why there are a bunch of U.S. Navy small boats on the deck of a British auxiliary.

To get to Naval Support Activity Bahrain, the ‘base’ if you will, we have to take a bus. NSA Bahrain has changed considerably since my last time here in 2002 while working at JTF-SWA in Saudi Arabia. They have built an all-new Exchange building with food court, MWR facilities, the works. Basically its like any other Navy base in the world. I remember coming here in 1996 on the USS Shiloh and thinking it was great we had a little base on the far side of the world. Now its just like home.

I don’t have internet on the ship, in fact no one does. Seems strange this day and age. But there is free internet on the base. So I wrote this in my room they just came to the base to upload. I’m here for a week, and should be able to get over to the base every couple days or so.