Family, friends, and summer

I was reading through everyone else’s posts from the last week or so and something occurred to me.

The summer for all of my friends is coming to an end because of school and band camp and other such doings. But when does my summer end? When do I go somewhere instead of sitting on my ass doing nothing but working out, studying, and such?

Well, I believe I know the answer to my own question.

Where the rest of my friends and my immediate family here shortly all have summers that kind of revolve around school, mine doesn't do that anymore. My summer doesn't end until the first day of autumn and there's nothing I can do about that. Not now anyway. Even if I went back to school because I got picked up for Seaman-to-Admiral or decided to get my degree on my own, my summer no longer ends when something else starts back up. I will have to earn my paycheck pretty much 365 days a year. Like just about everyone else in this great country of ours.

Am I complaining? No. I made this decision and I understood this would happen. It's just all kind of hitting me all of a sudden. Which happens a lot for me.

Which brings up another point. It hit me this last week that the military in general, not just the Navy, is probably the most inefficient organizations that mankind has ever had the unfortunate task of trying to operate. Why do I say this? Because stuff happens that shouldn't happen. Like your fingerprint card expiring. I mean seriously? Expiring fingerprints?

However, despite the fact that I have joined this woefully inefficient organization, I would like to point out that my friends have not abandoned me. Not even close. They support me no matter what, and I love them all the more for that.

Speaking of, the question was posed earlier asking what family meant to us.

Family to me are the people who never judge you, even when you TOTALLY screw up. They're the people who love you no matter what you do, who are there to support you no matter what direction your life might take. And are the people who kick you in the ass when a swift kick is required but not desirable.

I say that to say this, I love the people who post on this page. Even Jenissa, who I have met but haven't really gotten to know. She is the girlfriend of a friend, and really good friends with my best friend. I don't NEED to know anything more than that. She is a member of this family and because of that I love her just like everyone else.

The thing I love most about these people, is that I'm never so angry that I drive them away, I never do something so utterly stupid that I cause them to wonder what they were thinking in talking to me a few years ago. And best of all, I could never say anything to them that couldn't be forgiven. Yeah I might have to beg and plead for forgiveness, but it's still there.

That is what family means to me. My friends, my mom, and those of my extended family that take a true interest in my life, are the people I couldn't keep going without. And I love them all.

Now that I've been about as sappy as I can stand, I shall end this. Good night everyone.

"Be yourself, those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Unknown

Jacob "Soprano" D'Amico
Future Sailor, United States Navy

Happy Monday/Tuesday!

Happy Monday, Y'all!

So the blog lives, clearly. I'm glad to see more posts being cranked out. I truly hope it sticks. Whether it's just a quick update, or a tearjerker like the one right below me, I like knowing that our thoughts are pegging the internet.

This blog won't truly have much substance today. Well, I can't say that, because knowing me, I'll say that and it'll gather substance. But don't keep your hopes up, I'll say that. We'll see what below takes us.



Tomorrow, I'll embark on my journey back to the East Coast, and I couldn't be any closer to excited than I am right now. I counted up the days, and tomorrow will mark exactly 12 weeks since I started my journey in California. 12 weeks ago, I sat down in the same room I'm sitting in right now, knowing that this summer would be drastically different than any summer I had experienced prior. I tried to keep a good outlook on it though, and with a few dips here and there, I think it's safe to say that I, well, survived Summer 2010.

In the corner of the guest bedroom / my temporary room, I have a large bag, from Kohl's, that's quickly accumulating a great deal of trash that was in or around my room. I didn't think I'd fill the bag up with anything other than the small bag of trash I had in my room. But slowly, the bag's being filled to an amount that I definitely didn't realize.

The amount of trash I have in my room is amazing. Mostly, it's stuff that I just put down and it stayed there, or things that I wanted to keep but probably never had the intentions of keeping. And then there's just simple trash. So you realize this, and simply trash it.


I guess the same thing applies to life, in a sense. If there's something in your life that's bringing you down or a bad omen to you, you simply toss it in the "trash", or in this case, exclude it from your life. Once all the "trash" is gone, you have a clean "room" essentially. Or at least one with a lot less clutter and mess.

In the past I've done a lot, in regards to clearing out the things that have brought me down. There's been a lot of people, in that sense, who I thought I could call my friend, someone I could trust. And then, further on down the line, I find out that, well, that person wasn't as reliable or trustworthy as thought. Sometimes you feel like you're stuck with it, but in most cases, you'll either get out of it or find the strength to end it, pronto.


With my summer, my life became the room I was in, and anything in my life that needed to go was put into a bag and tossed away. And that needed to happen, it was a long time coming. My life, as simple as I want it to be, has its way of injecting some serious complications into it. Given the point in my life where I want to be, I think that it was time for all that complication to just eradicate itself. A simple life is much easier to manage, and definitely more stable. And at the stage in my life where I am -- being in a stage where moving onto the next step, being truly on my own, is in the cards -- I can't afford to have a lot of situations come up that distract me from being who I am.

I'm happy with the person I am, and I believe that I will always take steps necessary to be a person that is someone people can look up to. That's my goal.




So I'm definitely packing my suitcase now, as it's taken me FOREVER to get to this point in this entry. I was going to post on my personal blog tonight, but that won't even BEGIN to start until after I get my big suitcase packed. And I still have to do the online check-in and print out my tickets. I also have my sheets in the dryer. I thought they were almost done at 8:30, but turns out it took a bit longer. Oh joy.

I'm excited to head back to the East Coast. I can't believe that in 9 hours, I'll be on a plane headed back to GA. It is extremely exciting for me : )


Well, this entry started out on Monday, and ended on Tuesday. NO harm no foul. : )


Next entry I'll post will come from Georgia!!
Much love....
.... and remember.....


One a day keeps the doctors away.

Peace out!
- Alfred

Meet the Family.

Family, what can one say about family. When most people think of the word family, they think of people related to them. They think of sister, brothers, parents, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. However, what does this word really mean anymore? How do we perceive the meaning of the word ‘family’ these days? For many, we think of friends who have been there for us through thick and thin; we think of others who have been our peers and mentors through rigorous trainings and hard tests; we think of group or gang members; we think of people we need to protect and hold close to us. However, for myself, the meaning of family has completely started vanishing, if it hasn’t already.

When I think of family, I think of people who care more about themselves than the likelihood of anyone else. I think of people who would rather lie to your face than spend time with you. I think of people who wouldn’t want to spend more than a couple hours with you unless they need it. You see, all my life I’ve been living away from my extended family (grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins). I never got to go see them once a year like many people do and they never really came to see us. When it comes to them, I tend to get a little steamed and annoyed. I’d honestly not even talk to my family, but ignore them as if they aren’t even there.

If I did, I wouldn’t have to worry about them missing birthdays or weddings. I wouldn’t have to worry about all the drama about Christmas and Thanksgiving. I wouldn’t have to think about all the “family gatherings” I’ve missed over the years, and all the pictures they send to try and “make us feel better.” I don’t think a family should be like that.

In my mind, a family should be made up of people who care for you, of people who would risk something to help you, and you’d do the same for them in return. A true family member would be there for you to talk to, for support and encouragement when you need it. They’d be able to tell you that you’re being stupid, or that what you’re doing could really make a difference. They’d be there for you no matter what. Mess with my family, and I’ll kick you in your throat. Just saying.

So, to my extended “family”: You’re related to me only by blood, but it’s through loving words and caring thoughts and expressions that you’ll really be my true family. Initiatives need to be taken. Right now, I could care less whether you came to my wedding or remembered to send me a birthday card, or even remembered my graduation.

So, I guess here’s something to ponder: What does family mean to you, and who are your true family?

My family is made up of the people I see every day. The people I smile to when I get into school, or when I get home. The people who listen to me bitch and moan about a hard day, or something that’s gone wrong that I need help to fix. They people who know how to make me laugh and know all the things that can cheer me up, like a certain song I love or just by making me watch a hilarious youtube video. So, here’s to you, ma famille. I love you guys. Everyone on this page is a part of my family, and I love you all to death and back again. :]

So its been awhile

So its been awhile since I posted here.

With the summer coming to an end I've realized that its time to start getting ready for the next chapter of my life. Sophomore year of college!!!

This summer has been really nice, got to be home with the family, see some friends and just relax.

I am really looking forward to band camp next week. I get to join the hardest working band in show business: Southern Pride!! I cannot wait to be back there to be playing music and having a blast with all of my friends.

Being able to perform on the field again will be great.


Well my mind is running dry which is usual for me. Until next time.



PRIDE!!

Chris H.

Cake or Death? ..I'll have the Chicken.

So, summer should be about fun and games, should it not? When you're young, it should be a time to relax, kick back and enjoy the sun on the beach or by the pool; least that's how I thought of it. However, that's not how I'm spending my summer "vacation." Nope, I'm not even getting a vacation this year. Well, maybe two weeks off at the beginning of August.

However, all you high schoolers and middle schoolers and such out there, hush up about your school year. Let's just say, Calculus during the summer probably wasn't the greatest idea I've ever had. Not only don't I get a summer break because of calculus, I'm also stuck doing work for other people. I don't mind helping when you need me to, because that's just who I am. However, when you're telling me to do something that you could do yourself.. well, that's where I draw the line.

I hate when people text me and they ask you if they can borrow your notes because they were too lazy to write their own. Or when they can't figure something out, so they just give up and come to you asking if they can just copy the work you put a lot of time and effort into. Seriously people, grow up and do your own damn things. I have my own crap to take care of, and I will not be responsible for yours, too. When you're in class and playing on the computer rather than listening to the teacher and copying what (s)he's saying, don't you dare think that I'll be there ready to hand you a xerox copy of mine. Or when we're doing class work and you'd rather go talk to some one, don't think I'm going to magically put your name on the paper. Nope, you should have been there to help me with it.

Why do you think it's okay to phone some one and TELL (not ask) them to do something that you could take five minutes to do yourself. Because you think you're the only one who's busy. Well, think again. I have five million things I need to do, too, but you don't see me trying to pass them off to some other person, telling them what they need to do so that way I can meet all my daily goals. Be responsible and act your age, damn it.

I'm sure everyone has been in this boat. The one where we seem to be everyone's lackey. Where we seem to be the "go-to" people when everyone needs something solved, but they don't want to solve it themselves. Honestly, it irks me when people do that! I feel used and under appreciated when it happens. Well, I'll tell you one thing, I'm not scared to tell you no, or to tell you to do it yourself. I'm not a force to be reckoned with.

That's all for tonight, I think I'll go cuddle with my kitty and get some sleep. :]
Good night, all you pirates and ninjas out there.

The Navy DEP and it's doings....

SO, as I have read through the newest posts I feel it is time to post a new one of my own.

As any of our readers and all of my friends now know, I am in delayed entry for the Navy. I want to say now that the whole DEP process is tedious and STUPID. I can't do hardly anything because if I do I might mess up my eligibility. Not to mention that I've been ready to leave since I swore in in January. Now that being said, it IS important to note that I will be at an advantage when I do go because I've memorized a few things that new recruits are required to learn during boot camp anyway. However, I still disagree with making us wait to leave.

My other big issue with this whole thing is that I have to be in shape BEFORE I leave for boot camp. What kind of crap is that? I'm pretty sure that the purpose of boot camp was to provide physical training for it's members. Am I suddenly wrong about that? I don't think so. Since there is a physical training program once you get there too. Or so I've been led to believe.

I will go ahead and admit, I have been getting in a lot better shape because of this whole thing. And because I have nothing but time on my hands I've been studying my stuff to help me get an edge in boot camp, but this whole waiting thing is terribly over-rated.

OK now that I have ranted some, I return the floor to whoever feels like posting next.

"I dare do all that become a man, who dares more is none." - Macbeth

Jacob "Soprano" D'Amico
Future Sailor, United States Navy

Wednesday July 21 (Just Sayin)

"Give me a high five, low five, I don't care, just give me a Five"

Quite frankly, I have some SAT words (so to speak) for the CollgeBoard and their hunky dory acorn.

When did the amount of a man started being chalked up to a number?
I started rolling around this theory in my mind when I began timing my mile times. How fast an athlete runs. How much does the blonde chick weigh. All these numbers that everyone says are "what your worth".

I came up with this.

It started in the begining. The very begining. How many months did you spent in the womb? Easy, 9. Right? That's the first perfect number, nine short months. And it only grew from there. How much you weighed when you were born. How long did it take for you to start crying. All these important numbers that supposebly make you a perfect baby. Or even better stated, as numbers that defined your existance.
From there it was how high could you count and could you say all twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Could you write all the letters of your name. All these important numbers and life-determining facts that float around those elementary years.
And so it continued, when you had to do 30 sit ups and 30 push ups to pass gym class. When you had to learn how to manipulate more numbers, longer numbers even, to pass math class. More and more numbers for the misfits in middle school.
For everyone, numbers are such an "important" aspect of life. In high school, its what number you get on an AP exam. When you turn twenty-one, its how many drinks you can stomach.

It goes on and on.

Numbers.

But...

What if we stopped counting. What if numbers were no longer important. What if the 1 (out of 5) that I made on my AP exam no longer mattered. Most important though...

what if numbers didn't define man.