Faire Costume

Well, the faire is fast approaching, and the girls are going full-steam ahead to finish all of their preparations; put their outfits back together, make a few new pieces, get their tent and campsite ready, etc. Ashley, Jackie, Kristen, and Holly are all going to be working there this year. I'm planning on visiting a few times and watch Ashley at "work," and so I'm putting together a costume of my own. It's so much more fun to be there when you go all out! I already have one outfit, but I believe it may be a bit "high class" for Ashley; she's playing a serving wench, and I'm told her character is quite bawdy. In that interest, I found a few cheap items on eBay for a rogue costume, and I'm waiting for those to get in. Last night, while Ashley and I were out on a date, I found a good sword at the mall! And it was in the price range I was looking for, so I'm very happy. So now that I have a photobucket:





Quite a beaut', eh? Total length is 41", and the blade is 32 1/2". It's dull, of course. I'm not sure if they named their weapons back then, the way some soldiers do today, but I'll wait a bit on that.

So yes, Ashley and I went on a date to Flatirons and we had a good time. We shared a gyro from Mediterranean Cafe, and then we saw Mission: Impossible 3. Other than that, not a whole lot going on around here. I'm still trying to get in touch with Assad to see what he wants to change on my resume. Overall, I'm just relaxing for a few days before I find something to occupy my summer. It doesn't look like I'll get into Calculus for the summer, so I could find a job somewhere. We'll see!

Grade Reports

Finals last week went about as I expected. I took my Data Structures exam on Monday, and did a fine job. I only needed 20% to guarantee an A in the class, so I wasn't concerned. Physics on Wednesday afternoon was a little more tense. I thought I needed to do pretty well, at least an 85%, to get a C in the class. Well, my scores are all in today, and I can happily say I got my desired grade in both of those classes! I only got a 71% on Physics, but I ended up with a C anyway after dropped homeworks. It must've been by the skin of my teeth and a good healthy curve that I passed, but a C is what's going on the transcript. That's all that matters. Of course I didn't pass Calculus 2, but I've known that for a month. Overall, I don't want to repeat this semester's performance. Time to revamp my study skills.

So this revelation of course will jumble my summer and fall schedules a bit. I was planning on re-taking Physics over the summer, but that's no longer nessicary. I can either leave the summer open, or retake Calculus instead, assuming there's still room in the summer section. That would free up my fall schedule, since I'm registered for 17 credit hours. On the other hand, the only reason I'm registered for that much is because I don't expect to get into Arabic. I'm #9 on the waitlist, in a class of 24 seats. Yeah, that's not good odds. I'll give it a think, I'm sure you'll all hear about it when things are set in concrete.

That also leaves room to look for a summer job, but right now I'm still holding out hope that Assad will help me redo my resume and get a nice little internship. I'll keep trying for it, but sooner or later I'm gonna have to break down and get a job.

Marcelles Wallace

Gotta remember this one... Pulp Fiction over Anime

PT Test

Well, this weekend was drill, yet again. At least this time we stayed at Fitzsimons so we could go home in the evening. Saturday morning, we had a physical fitness test. That didn't go so well. See, since I got home in December, I think I've gone for runs a total of three times. I haven't done a single push-up or sit-up. So when we started the test, it was a real shock to my system. I failed all 3 events, and I came in overweight. You can't say I didn't exert myself during the test; at the end of the running track I spewed the water and yogurt I'd eaten that morning. The whole ordeal was a bit embarrassing. I'm really gonna have to start working out. The PT test lasted all morning. That afternoon, we mostly sat around looking for things to do. I volunteered to carry the guidon for Sunday's change of command ceremony, so I spent a little time learning that with Vaughn and Faith.

Sunday morning we set up and performed the change of command for Col. Evenson. Our new commander is Col. Smith, so we'll see what he's like in the months to come. I didn't get to carry the 244th guidon after all, the commander brought along a SGT to carry it for the unit. That's fine as well, the guidons had to stand at attention for a long section while the rest of us were at parade rest, much more comfortable. For the afternoon, a lot of the junior enlisted people were asked to volunteer to prepare classes for next drill. I have the distinction of presenting "Move as a Member of a Fire Team" and "Move Under Direct Fire" in the classroom next drill. I got counseled for failing the PT test and being overweight, but Sgt. Lindsey was very kind about it. We talked about what happened, and he even offered to train with me after drills. That can't be my only time working out since drill is once a month, but it's the gesture that counts. Sgt. Lindsey's not going to be with our unit much longer, he's transferring to Ft. Bliss soon. I think I'll miss him as an NCOIC (Non-commissioned-officer in Charge, in other words my direct supervisor).

Metric Ass-Tonne

Just now, the residents of Alcott have defined a new unit of measurement: the Metric Ass-Tonne. As in we have a metric ass-tonne of free food from FISH food assistance services. Ashley's grandmother is good friends with someone involved with FISH, and so we get prime selection of food the grocery stores get rid of. We have so many canned foods that the cans are dented, and barely-expired products, and cake mixes with superficial dents in the boxes. Granted, some of it really is bad, but we have about 12 apple crates of food, and i'm willing to bet 2/3 of it is good. Oh, and can you say a gross of free eggs? That's what I'm talking about.