Float...

Floating through life is an interesting analogy.  Makes you think of the delicate balance of things, and the fact that nature is an ever-present force. But, also, floating through life doesn't always get you what you want in life. You need to strive for your goals and work hard to achieve them. That is what I have discovered. 


This song also talks about being able to face life's adversities with stoicism...never giving up on life no matter what. Another thing I think of is survival of the fittest and thriving no matter what the circumstances.

Yet, ironically, the song "Float" by Flogging Molly seems to be good advice. It is also a favorite song of mine, and it always fits my mood and calms me down....reminds me to stay grounded no matter how high my dreams make me soar. I also am reminded to set achievable goals.


"Drank away the rest of the day,
Wonder what my liver would say,
Drink... That's all you can.


Blackened days With their bigger gales,
Blow in your parlor to discuss the day,
Listen... That's all you can.


Ah but don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built, you built to keep afloat.
Ah no don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built...


Sick and tired of what to say,
No one listens anyway,
Sing... That's all you can.


Rambling years of lousy luck,
Ya miss the smell of burning turf,
Dream... That's all you can.


Ah but don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you Built, you built to keep afloat,
Ah no don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built... That you built to keep afloat.


Singled out for who you are,
It takes all types to judge a man,
Feel... That's all you can.


Filthy suits with bigot ears,
Hide behind their their own worst fears,
Live... That's all you can.


It's all you can.
It's all you can... do.


No matter where I put my head,
I wake up feeling sound again,
Breath... It's all you can.


Tomorrow smells of less decay,
The flowers create this blooming fray,
Be thankful... That's all you can.


Ah but don't, don't sink the boat,
That you Built, you built to keep afloat.
Ah no don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built... you built to keep afloat.


Ah no don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built, that you built to keep afloat.


A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
I'm a ripe old age,
That's what I am.


I'm a ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
Just doing the best I can. Hey!


A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
That's what I am!


A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
Just doing the best I can! Hey!


The best I can!"


Flogging Molly "Float" video

Let's play the waiting game

OK, since all of my paperwork is in now, I am only waiting on my recruiter to take it up to MEPS and then it should be processed quickly. She said that it usually doesn't take them very long to process it. Here's hoping...

I had a meeting with my recruiters today (well my recruiter and the partner in her office).  They drove out to my house, which was nice. We discussed what was covered in the DEP meeting that I missed last week.  I received a packet about fitness preparation...the wording is kind of funny... they really dumb down the language, ha ha ha ha ha.

I was verbally quizzed on some of my information that I have to memorize... did better than I thought I would, but I still need to study some more.

I am also working on my PT, but it sounds like the Navy won't be starting theirs for DEP for a while... maybe not until after I leave for Basic. So, it's up to me to do it on my own, luckily my alma mater NIU has  decent facilities and is much, much cheaper than any gym...even cheaper than the Y.

So, my preparation continues... more research on possible jobs, more studying, more exercising...and condensing and packing of my room. It will be hard packing up my room, but in the long run it will be a good idea. Now starts my process of condensing, getting rid of clutter, donating stuff, and seeing what (old toys) I can pass on to my niece. When I can finally get my own place after tech school sometime it will be so much easier to have everything packed up already.

More Family Military Photos...My Dad's Side of the Family

Angelo and Frank...great uncles

Leo, great uncle

Louis, great uncle

Mike, great uncle

Angelo, great uncle

Cousin, Alan

Destined to be a Sailor

My parents bought me this little Sailor dress and I wore it for Memorial Day when I was a year old-- May 1985.

Maybe they had the intuition that I would be a Sailor in the U.S. Navy one day... probably just coincidence, but it is a fun thing to ponder.

The last time I had short hair

The last time that I had hair that was chin-length was when I was 2 years old. This picture was taken in Wisconsin at my great grandma's house in her garden, and this is my great grandma.

Hard to believe it had been 24 years since I last had my hair short... I have always had really long hair.

First Conditioning Session with Dad

Just got back from my first of many morning runs with my dad. I thought that he was going to start off slow. We jogged 4 miles...well most of it anyway. There were a couple of times that he passed me up and I had to struggle to catch up with him. He kept pushing me. "C'mon," he would say when I lagged behind. Then he'd say, "Not bad for an old, fat guy, huh?" We started out at a slow jog, and that is the pace that I thought we'd keep for the whole jog. Boy, was I wrong... he sped up! When I got tired he told me to keep going... he told me that I had to get used to this because they're going to push me in basic training. There was one time that I started to lag behind and Dad took my arm, like you would to help an  elderly lady to cross the street, and encouraged me to keep jogging.

The last time I went out jogging it was this fall...so it's been like 3 or 4 months, and I usually only jog a mile and a half.. and walk about 1/4 of it... since it is usually with my dog, Jake.

This will take some getting used to. Here's to getting into shape!  I did better than I thought I would, but still got winded after a little over a mile. Then took a break and intermittently jogged and sprinted. But, walking and jogging backwards is supposed to help, Dad says... we shall see. I think once I get back into swimming again that running and everything else will be a piece of cake.

Before we ran this morning I stretched, did my plank exercise and some sit-ups. Then Dad and I stretched some more both before and after our run. He also had me do push-ups.

Family tradition...being in the military

I follow in the footsteps of my family members by going into the military. Many of my mom's relatives were in the military. Her father's family was mostly in the Navy.  I have some cousins that were in the Army and Air Force, my grandpa was in the Air Force and the Secret Service, my godfather was in the Army in special ops, and my dad is currently in the Army Reserves and has recently returned from a tour in Iraq/Kuwait.

Great Uncle Fritz...maternal grandmother's brother (He died before I was born, I never met him)

Great Uncle Bud...maternal grandmother's brother (He died before I was born, I never met him)

Great Uncle Jerry... maternal grandmother's brother (He died when I was little)

Second Cousin Gene...mother's first cousin.

Great Grandfather Joseph...mother's grandfather (He died when I was a baby)

My mother's father, John (He died before I was born, never met him)

Great Uncle John and Great Aunt Kathy...mother's aunt and uncle

Grandfather Arthur (Laid to rest May 18, 2004, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.) 

My Father, Peter

My Godfather, Mark