Sea Legs
2209 – Today is the first day that I feel even semi-rested since getting on the boat. I am still not a fan of this split shift sleeping where I get a few hours in the AM, get up for drills, then a few hours in the PM but that’s the curse of being on mids. Today we had our first GQ (General Quarters) drill which basically entailed us going up and closing drains and valves and securing the hatches. It was pretty lax and when we were done we came back down to radio. I hope my permanent assignment will be doing that and coming back to radio but it’s possible I might end up in a repair locker which consists of a lot more work and gear.
Tonight seems like it will be another quiet night. I got my paperwork to get qualified for CMS and I am hoping to get some signatures on that before the night is over.
No Dramamine for me today and I seem to be doing ok. I haven’t felt queasy all day/night to this point. My chest and back on the other hand is still killing me but its slightly less painful than it was last night. I went to medical today and they basically said my body is just adjusting to sleeping in my rack and being on board the ship and that my ribs and spine will probably be sore for some time. I still think it’s swine flu though.
I skipped lunch and dinner today to get a couple more hours sleep so I hope they are serving something fresh for midrats tonight. From what I gather, it is usually just leftover lunch and dinner bits.
2256 – Midrats was early tonight because of the time shift to +12 which was fine with me. They had sweet and sour chicken and rice and fried chicken breast. The sweet and sour chicken was just ok but the breast was outstanding with a little hot sauce and blue cheese plus the CS (cook) who was on duty made fried pickles for me and one of the guys I work with. It was awesome! CS’s and IT’s are your best friends underway. Time for Coffee.
0012 – I may very well be drinking the worst cup of coffee of my life. It feels like mud going down my throat and doesn’t taste much better. I guess as long as it keeps me awake, its doing its job. On board the ship we have something called SiteTV which basically just shows movies on 2 different channels on a loop 24 hours a day since we don’t have AFN (Armed Forces Network) on board. In a typical day, I may recognize one movie out of 10-20. Being out of the country for the last 3 years I have missed all kind of new releases. The only thing that stinks about it is that I will totally be into one of the movies (which of course, I don’t know the name of) and then get called away for something and miss the entire plot twist or reveal.
0427 – Trying to buy more uniforms online from the NEX cause you can never have too many coveralls around here and I need a utility jacket because mine is still floating around NCTS Naples and it’s cold as shit in here. Two problems: I don’t know the sizes I need though and I’m too lazy right now to go find out. Guess it will have to wait till tomorrow night.
