Death of a Downtown

Plainview...

a small town in West Texas with a population of over 22,000 people...I lived in Plainview for 18 years prior to moving away but I still call it home (according to my driver's license). Actually, home is where the Navy sends me but that's another blog.

My Dad, Frank and his three brothers all grew up in Plainview. My Dad's folks were Hoyt and Ruby...Granddaddy was the police chief while Granny Ruby was the city librarian at Unger Memorial Library

which is still in use. She loved books and loved us coming down there to read during the summer My brothers and I (plus my nephew) went to the same elementary, junior highs and high school that Dad and his brothers attended.

The city's downtown was a wealth of businesses and great people: Kristy's (still open), West's Pharmacy, Quick Lunch Diner, Ziegler's Music Shop, Masso's, and more. Dad worked at Oswald's Printing and Supply for year and also Eaton's before becoming a judge (justice of the peace that is). Like most small towns across the South, there are many whose downtowns were the mecca of activity. Now, most of just empty discarded shells of what once was a vital business with warmth, hospitality, and friendliness.

Downtown was a fun place to go...and work. I worked at West's my junior and senior year delivering meds and stocking the shelves. Every now and then I could work behind the counter and make coke floats and milkshakes. It was a "full-service" pharmacy and very fun to work in .

Downtown Plainview is characteristically marked by the red brick road around the courthouse square and Broadway. It ran from the train station to the north to the American Legion to the south. The American Legion pool was a great place to spend the summer but now it's all run down and falling apart.

I saw "Jaws" in 1975 at the Granada theater on Broadway...it was a magnificent movie house with a "stary" ceiling plus it had a balcony (for all of the couples to make out in). I actually saw the movie twice...I did sneak in and see it before my two brothers did and "goosed" Keith when the severed head popped out of the boat. It was a beautiful place to spend a Saturday afternoon with your friends.

I remember when the "new" WalMart opened on the west side of town on I-27 near 5th Street. It was the best thing since sliced bread to some but the retailers downtown saw the end of the tunnel...most of the stores closed because of WM. I know West's stayed opened for a number of years but eventually closed. There are not very many stores downtown anymore...which is a shame.

Plainview can be so much more...we just need to past the painted the cows to see what's there!

Traveling

I love to travel. I have been all over the world all compliments of the Navy!

Traveling alone makes you think. What to eat. What to drink. Where to sit. The list is endless.

I am not done traveling.

I would like to travel to the following places of personal wonderment!

Greece
Israel
Brussels
Bali
New Zealand
Hawaii but not for work!
Florence
Dublin - st patty's day is a must
Golf in Scotland
Lisbon
Cadiz
Rome (again)
Las Vegas
Nashville
All MLB parks in the nation! This may be my personal retirement gift to me!
And more...

Well I can keep going on and on...simple line: Steve likes to travel.

I really like to drive. Now that would be limited to CONUS since my 2011 isn't equipped with the CCBB option (hint: look up a movie about a flying car)!

Traveling is my way of spending my money on me. Now some would say its about me spending "someone's inheritance." hmmmm...don't think I dead quite yet so the road of future travels will tempt me more!

Well I think I will start planning my next vacation across the oceans doing what the country wants us to do to support Iraq and Afghanistan.

Off to scoot...and more travel.

Who's with me?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Somewhere over the skies between here and yonder...

Nomadic Living

Hi Scooter followers...I've been packing out. Yes, I'm on the move again.

Living on the ship now and my addess is listed on my FB page...that's a hint for any care packages you may want to send my way. Of course I will share with my peeps (but it depends on what you send me)!

It only took nine people two days to pack and load a simple truck with my treasures and collections of moose pillows, DVDs, and books. My price possession is my bed which I already miss! If you ever spent time on a ship, in a bunk 35"x75", you would understand (Jimbo and Terry know)...

Anyway, on to the blog...

I now know how the Nomads live. Every three years (this time only eight months) I move...all compliments of the U.S. Navy. Since being back on active duty, I've lived in Washington, D.C., Sicily, Japan, Omaha and Everett, WA.

I just packed my stuff, collections of years of gathering trickets and treasures from across the globe, for storage. Since living on the ship now, I can't take it with me (just like the kids inheritance)! I have limited space on the ship but my two suitcases and two seabags of stuff actually fits pretty well in my little 8x10 stateroom.

I have my books, DVDs and suduko puzzles ready to keep me occupied...of course, when I'm not working the other 16-18 hours per day when we get underway.

Packing and moving is stressful...Just watching people wrap your Tupperware in 4-5 pieces of paper is very stressful...It's all about the padding in a dish pack. I'm thankful for them becuase during the last two moves, I haven't had anything broken so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

Moving can be a very emotional experience...you go to a place where you don't know anyone...you have to find your way in the crowd, meet some friends, find some favorite spots (ok, Starbucks) to hang out, touristy sites (Space Needle is a fav) and more...You get settled and comfortable then all of the sudden...it's that time again to pack up. I really don't mind moving because it enables me to see new places and meet new people...which is always fun for a people watcher!

I will definitely miss the PACNORWEST. I really like here and have fun some very fun and interesting people here. I think I will miss Mariners baseball the most...well, besides my friends that I've met here but it's baseball (read previous blog). I can't really say I'll miss SB any since I have one on board... they make my grande caramel deliciousness anytime I want one so it helps.

Saying goodbye is never easy. I just tell people that I'll see them later...My path has been fortunate enough to cross with many Shipmates over the years that I've worked with before and hopefully will again...it's a small Navy. I have lots of friends already in the Gulf and in Afghanistan so I'm looking forward to reconnecting with them while on deployment.

I have no idea where I'll be stationed next but I'll be with the ship until August 2013...so I'll make the most of it.

Home is where the Navy sends me...

Until next time...

Heroes

Heroes come and go.

We've all had heroes in our lives at one time or another.

I grew up in a world where folks (that's what we call people in Texas) watched their heroes in movies at the Granada Theater. Heroes like John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Audie Murphy (real-life hero - just Google him), James Bond, Mickey Mouse (yes, MM), Chief Brady (JAWS) and more.

Or we had sports icons who made spectacular plays like Mickey Mantle, Pete Rose (read previous blog on baseball), Willie Mays, Dr. J, Franco Harris and Roger Staubach. Some call these athletes heroes but they are not in my opinion...just talented and skillful athletes playing their sport and getting paid for doing it.

On TV, we had Roy Rogers, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, MM, Captain America, Batman, Road Runner (he always won)...I could go on and on. Some make believe, some not...

Some say there are no more heroes in the world.

I disagree.

There are every day heroes...we just have to look for them.

My personal heroes include: my dear friend Tim Moore (not saying but he is), my kids (not saying why - but you could imagine),  dad, granddad, Laton (for fighting his cancer), Granny Ruby (because of her kitchen skills)...well, I have a plethora of them.

Some say that heroes can only become one during wartime (just see Andy Rooney's video on the subject on YouTube).  He explains that they become a hero by putting themselves in harms way.

I agree to a point but a hero can become one by starting a non-profit organization when you are a middle schooler, working at a food-bank every, serving meals with Meals-on-Wheels, building a house in a foreign country, providing medical care in a Third World country and more.

Heroes are actually ordinary people that do extraordinary things.

Seems simple...

Can you be a hero?

I hope so...

Music...feel it.

To my few blog-watchers, sorry for the delay but "the needs of the Navy"...well, you know.

Well, I just got back from the Night Ranger, Foreigner and Journey concert. I must say that was one of the best concerts I have been to...ever.

I have no idea what makes middle-aged people (not saying that I'm middle-age quite yet) go to concerts of groups of other middle-aged musicians who had hit after hit in the '70s and '80s.  These guys can still rock it...and for over four hours to a sold-out arena.

Now Journey has a new lead singer, Arnel Pineda, who can definitely handle his own filling in for Steve Perry since 2006. His vocals were outstanding. Neal Schon and Ross Valory can still string it out on the lead guitar and bass. Schon has the best guitar licks ever recorded.

Ok, so by now you know I've enjoyed it.

Music can make the emotionless feel.

Whether you listen to rock, country, pop, Christian, rap, whatever...it moves you or tries to do so in ways that you can't think of until it hits you. You can listen to music from any era you want...music makes you feel. You tap your foot. You play your steering wheel in your car. You get a silly song in your head that you keep singing all day long (driving your co-workers insane). Plus there is nothing that can stop you from singing in your shower either!

Listen to Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Trouble Waters." Or you can listen to Elvis sing...doesn't matter. It moves you.

Listen to Izzy sing "Somewhere over the Rainbow." It is one of the most used songs in movies and commercials. It moves you.

Listen to Casting Crowns sing "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." It moves you.

Listen to the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel...any song...yes, they all move you.

Millions of songs...thousands of artists...each expressing themselves in their own way. But no matter how they do it, you have the opportunity to feel. Happy. Sad. Anger. Despair. Grief. Hope. Any emotion...you can feel it all depending on the beat, the lyrics, the instruments, the vocals...they lead you into their world showing you how to feel.

All you have to do is just listen...listen to the music.

Back to scooting...

Cruise or not to cruise

Sorry, it's been a while since I've been scootin...

So a lot of my friends have asked me about my "cruise." Ok. It wasn't a cruise...it was the longest 30 days of my life.

We were busy...being on a cruise (I wouldn't really know but) would involve a cruise director and fun games played around the ship while getting a tan (or sunburn depending on how Irish you are - I burn) and drinking little umbrella drinks.

My case was drinking TONS of coffee...ok, not really tons but I did drink enough one day that my staff said, "Sir, stop drinking the good stuff. You've had enough." I believe that day was after LA.

In LA, we conducted a Navy Week...which for all purposes was a Fleet Week on a Navy Week budget and resources...ZERO. We had over 45,000 visitors on the ship during the week. Plus we held community relations events, fun outings (Dodgers, Knotts Berry Farm, Santa Monica, etc) for the Sailors.  We held a reception on board for 1,000 guests...I even met Scott Baio...yes, I met Chachi...get over it. He was nice and enjoyed himself. LL Cool J was there but didn't want security to "check" his bag so he left...hasn't he watched his own show? Duh...

Anyway, we had a good week in LA but it was hard work. After LA, I was enlightened with a few days (actually three) of DV warfare...no, I wasn't at war but DVs are distinguished visitors...Some were cool, some were...well, not so cool. I met Matt Harding from "Where the hell is Matt?" fame...great guy and he danced with our Sailors on the flight deck in front of a Super Hornet...it's one of our cool toys that the Navy plays with!

So it was 30 days of work...at sea...also during Shark Week...it's very addicting to watch Shark Week during your time off especially at sea because it really makes you WANT to stay on the ship!

I am blessed with a great office of hard-working mass communication specialists that smile every day...well, most of them do. I really enjoy going to work every day just to be with them...they are the best the Navy has!

Until the next scoot...

The Navy

It's been early 30 years since I joined the Navy...yes, 30 years.


I joined the summer of my junior year in high school much to the dismay of my parents. I signed up with Chief Fox (yes, I actually do remember his name)...he was a tall, dark-haired bearded man with the waist of a wine barrel.  I signed up and then had to ask the folks...they were conveniently on vacation with I joined. Dad finally asked if I'd join when I turned 18 anyway and I said "yes sir" so he signed the papers for me. Mom wasn't too happy.


I joined so the Navy would help pay for my college since the folks were already paying for Laton and Keith...it's what I felt I needed to do...for me.


I went to boot camp, hospital corps school, pharmacy tech school and was stationed in San Diego for a wonderful four years ('82-'86 to be exact). I had a wonderful time in SD and still have friends that I met all those years ago...Bee, Theresa, Carol & Al, Charlie Hargrove, and more...lost a few too...Adam for instance...my friend from Alaska in boot camp and corps school. He was killed on his motorcycle one night after leaving the hospital...he asked me to go with him but I stayed at the barracks.


I went into the reserves as a HM3...joining a hospital unit in Wichita Falls where I made HM2 and HM1...I decided to stay in the reserves because I loved the Navy...plus it would help with school. I transferred to the unit in OKC, then went to a unit in Dallas to help me make Chief...which I did in 1994.


1994 was a hard year...Dad had his first stroke and I remember pinning an anchor on his hospital gown the weekend before my chief's initiation. They call it a transition now...back then, it was a complete initiation...trust me.


In 1997, I met CDR James Taylor...a PAO attached to the NAVINFO OKC...he came to the VA where we were drilling and my CO, CDR Bergner, a pharmacist by trade, told CDR T I was the unity PAO...didn't know I was but I just became one...CDR T convinced me to put in my commissioning packet. I'm glad he came by! I was selected among four others who got selected that year for PAO.


I had the opportunity to come back on active duty in 1999 as the assistant webmaster of the Navy at the Pentagon. I learned HTML...yes, HTML the hard way. Everything as by code...I went on to work on the Navy News Desk and my last year was the flag aide to the CHINFO (Chief of Information - the Navy's #1 PR guy)!


Working at the Pentagon was a great tour...met some really cool people - P, Meghan, Dawn, Bill, Dora, Jensin and more...still the worst day was 9-11 (10 years coming up)...that was probably the longest day of my life. I still smell the same smells every time I go back there...eery. I remember the Candyman who came in every day and passed out candy to people...he worked in the video section of the Ops Center...what a nice man.


From DC, I went to Sicily as the NAS Sigonella PAO for three wonderful years...it was a great time but also very tragic in so many ways. We had three helicopter crashes, two volcano eruptions and more...it was really hard writing the obit for my neighbor Pete Ober after his crash...great guy and family.  


I've had the opportunities to see the world thanks to the Navy. All over Europe, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Russia, China, Singapore, Philippines, Korea, and more...Hong Kong and Florence, Italy are my favorite spots! Seeing Banda Aceh nearly swiped off the map, from volcano clean-ups in Cebu, to the marble mountain in Da Nang, I would have never been able to see some of the most interesting people (and now friends) in the world. The people, the food, the vino, the sites, presidents, ambassadors and movie stars...everything...makes this gig worth while. 


From Sicily to Japan then to Omaha...and now Everett, WA. 


Yes, the Navy has been good to me but has been good at a cost...but that's a whole other blog.


People join the military for a variety of reasons. 


I joined mainly to help with college...but really, deep down, I wanted to do something with my life that mattered. Being a dad to Jessie and Tucker is probably the greatest honor I will ever have. Being in the Navy is just being a part of something bigger than myself. It's not just a job...it's me. 


I absolutely love what I do...I get to tell people about the Navy. Being on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) is a totally awesome...4.5 acres of US sovereignty! With jets, helos and over 5,000 professionals who work hard every day serving their country!


Yes, I'm a Sailor...for 30 years...and this was my decision...the best one I've ever made.


So, I, Steven Mark Curry, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.


I think that says it all...

Bucket List

Ok...I'm sure that everyone has seen "The Bucket List" with Morgan and  Jack. Both living their lives and sharing adventures on their own bucket list during their twilight years.

But why does anyone create one?

To escape? To keep track? To think of things they will never-ever do in their lifetime and actually never do them?

People should just live.

We have one life that the good Lord gave us...why cats have nine is beyond me but that's another blog I guess.

Everyone should just be...live one day at a day...experience it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Believe in it...it's your life. It's up to you to make the most of you...the world is your oyster (not really but it's a figure of speech)... :-)

At some point in our lives, we are a point where we work. Some work to educate others. Some work to clean the streets. Some work to protect us and keep us all safe. Well, you get the point...people work. Some 9 to 5 (good movie by the way), some work banker's hours (not exactly sure what that is and don't care as long as they don't mess with my money), and others work 18 hours at sea on a the most dangerous 4.5 acres of U.S. sovereign territory in the world (and on the finest carrier in the Fleet - USS Abraham Lincoln).

Anyway, I'm going to humor all of my blog readers (yes, you are my Super 8) with my list...get ready, here it comes (and in no particular order):

1. To walk my daughter down the aisle.
2. To see my son grow into the man with the heart of gold I know he already has.
3. To be me.
4. To watch Pete Rose be inducted into Cooperstown (it's a bucket list, not reality people).
5. To visit Athens (not the Georgia one).
6. To take a cruise...that isn't paid for by the Navy.
7. To be debt-free.
8. To see the Grand Canyon (yes, I've never been).
9. To see Las Vegas...and walk away with money.
10. To find that one...(that's another blog too).
11. To see a live moose...in the wild...and not one that's stuffed at Cabela's.
12. To learn how to cook really good (learned from the best, Granny Ruby and Mom) but still more to learn.
13. To see the pyramids.
14. To visit the Holy City.
15. To have a house on a lake.
16. See to my kids graduate college...OU preferably. Boomer Sooner.
17. To be a good dad.
18. To retire as a Captain...
19. To visit Europe...and enjoy it all over again!
20. To fly first-class...anywhere on a long flight. Doesn't really count on short ones now does it?
21. To visit Portland. Yes, Oregon...I hear the people and the donuts are fantastic!
22. To be content...

Well, I guess I could keep on but I just can't write or think any more tonight...it's been a long week!

Point is, it's your life...it's your bucket list...think about it, write it, be it, live it...hopefully you could rename it "my life" instead!

Just scooting...tomorrow, Mariners vs Phillies game!

Kids

Kids are a blessing...well, mine are to me.

Kids can make you laugh, cry, feel encouraged, feel totally overwhelmed (I can't do high school math anymore), and more.

I remember the day they were born just like it was yesterday. They are the best people in my life. They lift me up in so many ways that I really couldn't do what I do without their love and acceptance.

Jessie...my teenager. Let me rephrase that...she's my teenager who is growing up so fast that I can't believe it. I still remember her ironing her clothes on her plastic ironing board at Christmas and she was so particular in doing her own ironing!  She is a funny, smart and precious young lady striving to find her place in the world. She wants to be an actress and she is determined to be one. Really, she can be anything she puts her mind to. That's my Jessie. She even fishes with a spincasting reel...trust me, I can't do that. Plus she has the best laugh...when she does, her freckles just light up like the stars! She is my social butterfly...always texting, Facebooking or chatting up one of her friends. She can definitely multi-task!

Tucker...my soon-to-be teenager. My Granny Ruby would have just totally embraced him at the Unger Memorial Library when she was there. Tucker is my bookworm. He constantly reads...he got the new Transformers book here at the Borders close to my place and he finished it within four days. He loves his Nintendo DS (all three of them), his games, and his Legos. He is the biggest Star Wars fan (besides me) that I know. I got a great deal on eBay one year - 60 Star Wars guys for $80 so he got several for his birthday and Christmas for years. He still has them. Tucker has the best smile in the world...he lights my world.

My relationship with my kids is unique. They had been through the ringer (more than once with the moves, world travelings, divorce and more).  They both text me every day. Tucker calls me every night before he goes to bed just to check on me and see how my day went. I Skype with them as much as we can and around their busy schedules with friends, school, and so forth...I enjoy spending time with them and being with them. I think of the constantly and pray for them endlessly.

My last kid is Rosie...my Bischon Frise white fur ball full of spunk and kisses. She would sit with me watching TV rolling over for me to rub her tummy. She is actually Jessie's dog but she hung out with me. I really miss Rosie.

My kids are very tolerant and accepting. They knew I was in the Navy but they really didn't know what I did until they came and saw my office...USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)...4.5 acres of sovereign US territory. They loved walking all over the ship and meeting Jimmy, the Lobster (a long story but you can friend The Boat Show on our Facebook site to find out about it), and seeing my office and stateroom. Being a PR guy for the Navy is a great gig but when the kids understand "what" you do, that's a great feeling.

Kids also provide you with the best quotes:

"Dad - you're a dork."
"Do you have a comb?"
"Hey Dad - where's your blowdryer?"  - yes, that one hurt! LOL
"No matter what they put inside an M&M, it's still a M&M."
"I love you."
"I'm proud of you Dad and thank you for serving our country...I'm saluting you right now if you could see me through the phone."
"Dad - can we make M&M cookies?" - they really just like to eat the dough
"Dad - can we go here, there, anywhere."

They are the best. I'm proud of them. I'm proud of who they are. I'm proud of who they are becoming. I am truly thankful to God for allowing me the privilege to be their Dad. It's the most important job (and the most rewarding one to boot) that I will ever have in my life.

Jessie and Tucker complete me...well, at this moment in life, they do.

I can't be a Dad without them...

More scooting to do...

Baseball

Baseball. 


The one word that brings the kid out in any one. Ok, bare with me, I'm going to ramble for a bit...


Growing up in Plainview, I played baseball. I loved it. We all did. Playing for the Reds or Astros, didn't matter...it was baseball. I somehow was always on Mr. Simmons' team...Dad would co-coach the team. I never played on the same team as Laton but we'd play catch in the front yard or driveway. Outfield, infield, or catching...to play the game was an escape of the day-to-day run-of-the-mill kid's life in Plainview. BTW, I hear the new Spudnut shop is open...sorry, I digressed.


I've been to minor league games: OKC, Bowie & Omaha. Watching them play was fun because they played to get the call...the one call that everyone always wanted to get...the call-up to the big leagues.


Some of my favorite major league parks include: Camden Yards (the best), The Ballpark at Arlington, Safeco Field in Seattle and Jack Murphy Stadium (where the Padres - my fav - used to play).


Some of my favorite players growing up (and now): Hank Aaron (I have a signed baseball from him that was Dad's), Cal Ripken, Jr, Joe Morgan, Goose, Steve Garvey, Ozzie, Pete, the Niekro's, Nolan, George Brett, Fisk, Catfish, there are SO many more.


One of the best dialogues ever performed was Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First". ..I've heard many people try it but no one ever delivered it like them. Their timing was impeccable. 
Here's a sample:

Costello: Well then who's on first?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: I mean the fellow's name.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The guy on first.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The first baseman.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The guy playing...

Abbott: Who is on first!

Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first.

Abbott: That's the man's name.

Costello: That's who's name?

Abbott: Yes.

it goes on and on...If you want to watch the whole, just search for it on youtube...there are plenty of them out there.

I went to many a Padres game during my first tour in San Diego. Yes, I remember watching Goose Goosage routinely pitch a 98-102 mph fastball. Yes, he was the master on the mound. Now, in Seattle, a young kid, Michael Pineda, is throwing the same speeds...that kid can pitch. I've been to three games so far in Seattle...can't get enough.

Some of my favorite baseball movies include:

The Rookie

The Natural

61

Angels in the Outfield

Bad News Bears

Fields of Dreams

Mr. Baseball

The Sandlot

The Pride of the Yankees - oldie but goodie

Well, as you can see, I really enjoy baseball. I used a quote last week from Steve Garvey (1st base for San Diego in the early '80s) - he difference between the old ballplayer and the new ballplayer is the jersey. The old ballplayer cared about the name on the front. The new ballplayer cares about the name on the back." How true it is. Sad point: San Diego was swept by the Tigers in 1984 in the World Series...happy point, San Diego BEAT the Cubs in 1984 for the National League Pennant! Happy dance when anyone beats the Cubs.

I loved to coach (in Sicily and Japan)...watching those kids play just made me a kid again! Loved it.  I think one team in Sicily was the Mariners...poetic isn't.

Ok, for the baseball fans out there, if I'm ever selected to be the Commissioner...I'm reinstating Pete Rose for membership into the Hall of Fame. Ok, he confessed. He deserves to be in the Hall. He is the all-time MLB leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (over 14k)...and more. BTW, he made 17 (yes, 17 All-star appearances). Everyone makes mistakes and should be forgiven and let's move on people.

If you ever have a boss that has the opportunity to throw a 1st pitch at a ballgame, make sure he practices! I've seen too many "I know how to throw" people who really "don't know how to throw!"

Well, it's late, the Mariners games was postponed and I'm heading to bed...

When I wake, I'll be scooting...play ball!

Cancer Awareness

Cancer.

The one word that can bring down every emotion in the book: denial, fear, anger, depression, anxiety, hysteria, regret, sadness, loneliness...well, you can get the picture.

My grandmother, Granny Ruby, one amazing and loving woman, had cancer...I learned how to cook with her and where she kept the oreo cookies. My Dad, Frank, had prostrate cancer but it didn't stop him...I learned how to throw a baseball with him and how many oreos to take from Granny Ruby. My brother, Laton, had skin melanoma and later on stage-4 liver cancer which ultimately cost him his life...I learned how to be a brother...well, I learned a lot from him growing up but that's a whole other blog! :-)

I am listing a few resources:
http://www.cancer.org/
http://www.cancer.gov/
http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/
http://ww5.komen.org/

I strongly encourage you to donate to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life: http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/ People can sign up for teams and gather donations that support the ongoing research efforts, treatments, education and support for patients, survivors and their families. Walk or run, crawl or stumble...it doesn't matter how you do it...just commit and do it.

Cancer can be beaten. But it will take EVERYONE doing their part to help.

So please help find a cure...let's all erase cancer from the dictionary and from the bodies of our friends and families. Big thanks to Becky (who runs for Komen) and Allison (Relay) for everything they do...keep it up!

Now, I'm off to scoot...

Weather

Weather can be a funny thing. I remember the tornadoes in West Texas growing up including the big one that hit P-view in the early '70s. We had thunder, lightning (sore subject for me), hail, wind, rain, tornadoes, sleet, snow (yes, snow), dust-storms and more.

The use to say that the weather changes all of the time in Oklahoma...NOT. The good Lord decides to change the weather here a minute-by-minute.

For example, Sunday, it was gorgeous - blue skies, a little cloudy and warm. I slept in (I needed it), got up and headed to the commissary...out of NOWHERE...hail. Yes, hail. A nice big gray and drizzling cloud (which I called a few choice Sailor names) came out of the place I will call NOWHERE. I thought I left HAIL when I left HALE COUNTY in 1982 for the Navy...but NO...I didn't. My Jeep took a beating for about 10 minutes...and of course, then sun came back out.

Why hail in the PACNORWEST?

Well, because it can...and it will...whenever it wants to!

Off scooting...

Seattle Living

What a week and weekend...

Spent time learning my way around the ship, where the closest heads (restrooms) were and spending time going through the files. There is still so much to do and more...we have several ship tours this month (~70 local preachers on Tuesday which will be my first tour) and more...

I found a great mall with an Apple Store...Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood. I actually found some Star Wars cookie cutters at a William & Sonoma store...of course, I had to buy them. I'll have to make some and send some to the kids...Tucker did ask me to send him some M&M cookies sometime...he loves eating the dough (which of course, should be it's own food group itself)!

On Saturday, I drove down to Seattle and met up with William (former PAO). HE drove me around town showing me places to go and where not to go!

Here's the rundown of his favs:

Seattle Art Museum (only on the free nights)

Pioneer Square - only the bookstore

Belltown

Metro Market

Seattle Library - what a wonderful piece of architecture

For sushi - Yumi, Redfin, Wasabi or Blue C Sushi

For Italian - The Pink Door

Lola or Dahlia restaurants

For vino (which I love) - Sip or Purple

For concerts - The Gorge

For seafood - Ray's Boathouse

For cupcakes - Cupcake Royale - I've heard these are the best in town

Well, with nine months here in Seattle, I think I can spend as much time possible driving around and seeing the sites...eating the food...and meeting new friends.

We met up with some of William's friends at Serious Pie for dinner...it's a gourmet pizza place (I had the buffalo mozzarella and sauce - I ate the whole thing)! The house red was tasty and smooth. If you were visit, here's the link: 

http://tomdouglas.com/index.php?page=serious-pie

BTW, Tom Douglas runs the Lola and Dahlia places too...he's a big deal in Seattle.

After dinner, we went to a local bar for a few drinks then out dancing...it was fun and I think I was the oldest one there...but I could cut a rug!

Well, as you can probably notice, I didn't have my camera with me...next trip to Seattle!

More scooting to do...

Hawaii

Hawaii is the newest state in the Union (1959) and is the only state comprised of islands. It is the only state that has a royal palace located in it (we overthrew their government in 1893 - you can look up the details).

This is one of the most amazing places on Earth...it is absolutely gorgeous. You can tell God took his time making this little Pacific gem into what it is today.

Me at Honolulu International Airport with my seabag
on my back ready to go!

The office...CVN 72

I flew to Hawaii the day after my birthday to meet the ship. I flew on a little puddle jumper to Portland on Alaskan Airlines and it was the bumpiest flight of my flight...so I thought until my AA flight to Honolulu.

My good friend and retired Navy PAO, Chuck Bell (Mr Singapore) met me at the airport and took me to Pearl Harbor where I saw my new office...USS Abraham Lincoln! The first person I met on the ship was my new DIVO (ENS Robyn Gerstenslager). Then I met LCDR William Marks and they both helped me move my things up to the office.

We dropped things off and William showed me around the ship some. We left with Corky (the asst navigator) and heading to our pre-turnover location...the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach.  I know, my job really stinks!

My view...9th Floor

The little island in the pond below my room

A Hawaiian rainbow

Sunset...totally awesome

Downtown Honolulu

just beautiful

So here's a few pics of my turnover days on the beach...rough life I have...compliments of the U.S. Navy!

Off scooting...

Turnover at Sea...

I started my turnover in Hawaii with LCDR William Marks (who is off to the Naval Academy to be their PAO). I have a great media shop comprised of a bunch of talented and professional Sailors who love what they do...they make this look easy!

My new office door

Refueling (for the jets) 

The COD

The arresting wire...150 mph to ZERO in 3 seconds!

The inside of the catapult

San Diego

Wow...I still remember flying into San Diego for the first time in June 1982 on my way to boot camp which is now an outdoor mini-mall! There are still some buildings there and the ship that we did damage control on but for the most part...it's a shopping mall

La Jolla beach and pier

surfer...it was cold

seagulls doing their thing

La Jolla coves

Seals lounging around

Looking down the beach down towards
La Jolla

La Jolla Coves

Seals

Jim taking a picture of me taking a picture of him!

what a life?

The waves...nothing like it

Coronado from Pt. Loma view

Coronado from Pt. Loma view

Here's a few pics of my scoot with Jim and Terry around SD. I still a fan of the Padres...you can drive 20 mins to the beach, 20 mins to the mountains and 20 mins to TJ...which of course was now off limits to us Sailors!

San Diego is a wonderful place and there is something for everyone...Balboa Park and the Zoo, the Padres, La Jolla, Mission and Pacific Beaches, Horton Plaza and the fudge at Sea Port Village...hmmmmm, brings fond memories back!

The Tiger Cruise

Downtown San Diego

Jim Isbell

I picked Jim Isbell (cousin - mom's side) and Dr. Terry Clark (UCO professor and good friend) in San Diego for a quick Tiger Cruise on board USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) to Everett, WA.

Dr. Terry Clark

Tiger sign in

Terry on the Quarterdeck

LCDR William Marks conducting a tour
for former NFL cheerleaders...my job sucks!

Jim and Terry on the flightdeck

Terry in the CO's chair on the bridge

Jim in the Captain's chair...

When I drove them to the base, I said, "Here's my office!"...and their jaws hit the floor! 20 stories, 4.5 acre flight deck, over 3000 compartments, 70 jets and helicopters, and nearly 5000 Sailors!

I think they had a a great time (thanks Diane and Sue for letting your new "sailors" join me on this little adventure on the high seas. They will probably need to be rocked to sleep because at the end they were getting use to it on the ship.

Jim on the flight deck

Last minute calls...

Jim looking nautical

Terry looking nautical with a smile...

downtown San Diego

The tower...

Underway with the help of a tug...well three tugs!

Point Loma

Coronado...one of the last buoys

Light house at the bottom of Point Loma

More scooting to do...