Short story: Norfolk was AWESOME!

Long Version:
18 students and 1 Navy Commander (currently attached to our program) met outside our building on campus and away we went for a grand adventure through Virginia. It took less than the 4 hrs to get there that we had planned for and I managed to get a little bit more sleep on our little bus.
We got to the base and checked out the ships for a bit before lunch. We headed to Breezy Point Officer's Club and parked ourselves to enjoy the view...I mean have a nice meal.

Then came the tour of aircraft carrier #71, the USS Theodore Roosevelt. We had a very nice female public affairs officer and a weapons officer take us around the ship and show us all kinds of nifty things. The mural painted on one of the hanger bay doors was sweet and the ship's moose & museum were informative. We had an especially good time trying not to kill ourselves on all the ladders too. The views from the navigation deck and the flight deck were pretty dramatic and awe inspiring. Finally getting to see the Ouija board was damn rad too!

Next was the tour of the submarine, the USS Albany. The pier guard didn't know we were coming so there was a little confusion for a moment. Then someone from the sub that did know we were coming came out and bitched at the guard for leaving the Commander out in the rain with the rest of us. He he he... Apparently only the Officers of the sub knew we were coming and they failed to mention it to the rest of the crew. Things were sort of messy since they were doing maintenance but I think the Commander was the only one that really cared. Anyhow - We had to break into two groups for the tour - I was in the second so I got rained on a little more. Our tour guide was great. He was a torpedo guy that was proud of his ship. We got a much less technical and more 'this is how things are' type tour from him. People in different areas explained their jobs to us in their words and what their life on the ship is like. We BS'd around with those guys forever. They were great at answering all of our questions, showing off the equipment, and entertaining the crowd. Oh, and flirting with the 6 or 7 women...

We all walked away from the day feeling very privileged to have been allowed on such magnificent ships.

It was a good day, my friends...a good day...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:09 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I am so hatin life right now...
3 hrs sleep, delirious, and grouchy...
In fact, I'm ready to kill the person that invented this time of day...

Anyhow, I am off to play with some Navy boys today.

I'll let you know how it went, once I get back.

BAI!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 05:45 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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So some college student created a hollow glass in some fancy schmancy way to prevent drinks from being spiked at a club. CNN will tell you all about it if you like. But is such technology really necessary? I say no.

In fact, I found my own solution to this problem and successfully implemented it several years ago. I call my invention 'The Shot.' Perhaps you've heard of it? From what I can tell it is all the rage with concerned citizens such as myself. And its not just for women - men need to be concerned as well (just look at what Norway is coming to these days...)

Here's how it works:
1. You go order your alcohol of choice - in my case this is generally tequila, Jaeger, or whiskey.
2. The bartender pours it in a glass.
3. You immediately drink it.
Unless your bartender is in on a scam against you - you're good. Have your drink and no worries when Mr. Dreamy comes by to ask you to dance. Nothing to hold when that perfect song comes on and you simply MUST dance with your girls. Or, when Mr. Creepy comes by he can no longer ask what youÂ’re drinking and offer to buy you another. If he offers to buy a drink anyway you simply say, my friend is bringing one, sorry.

All drink, no spike. Problem solved.

If you don't like the taste of your favorite alcohol straight, have no fear - there is still a shot for you...and they have all kinds of cute names so you can still be feminine about your drink (if you so choose). If you aren't into cute names then just go for it straight. Ladies, this sometimes has the added bonus of catching additional male attention, assuming you can hold your liquor. Nothing says tigress like a hot babe that can hold her own at the bar - men love a challenge.

Bring on the good times Ladies & Gents...its all about the shot!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:23 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 HAHAHAHA I seriously laughed out loud when I read this post, good one.

Posted by: Athena at April 28, 2005 02:41 PM (P+VDH)

2 Mission Accomplished!

Posted by: Princess Cat at April 28, 2005 02:48 PM (K10IP)

3 Oh yes, the all-purpose shot. I also would recommened this method I love the looks we get when we take our shots o' tequila at the bar....*sigh* good times ;-P

Posted by: Angela at April 29, 2005 05:21 PM (2KEgB)

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See? I'm not just homesick...I belong there

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:03 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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It's amazing how much one little song can bring up in your memory...and that's just what happened as I sat here working on my research.

Last summer I went out with my friends and had one of the most memorable and fantastic nights of my life. That night we danced to No Doubt's version of "It's My Life" and I don't think I will ever forget how much fun it was.

Tell me we don't look like we're having a great night...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:44 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Though none of you know him, congrats go to the boytoy today. He has officially accepted a job as a new government employee. The bastard gets his student loans paid off and everything! Not that I'm jealous...

Unfortunately, now that all the hurry up to find out is over the wait for the clearance to go through is here. But being former military, he's familiar with the process of hurry up and wait.

Congrats on being a Govie!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:51 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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One of my very best friends is graduating from college this June and I finally have my plane tickets to go see her.

Arrive Friday, June 10
Depart Wednesday, June 15

Get ready San Diego cuz I'M COMIN HOME!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 07:15 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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*sticky post*

Well this is a little bit late in coming by now but I'll go for it anyway

Welcome to A Swift Kick & A Band-Aid!

I hope to make this my 4th and final home on the web.

But before you go and read anything else - some major thank you's are in order:

First, to Jim (Snooze Button Dreams). He got me set up in a mighty speedy fashion and was very helpful in the process. Without him and his organizing, I wouldn't have this new home.

Next, to Sadie (Fist Full of Fortnights). She has spent god only knows how many countless hours working with me on the design. She deserves a medal just for putting up with my pain in the ass self as long as she has. And another for being so fun and friendly doing it. Hopefully she won't give up on me just yet. I love the new look and never could have achieved it on my own. If you like the new diggs, all design credits go straight to her!

Finally, to Eric (Straight White Guy). This could be the biggest thank you of them all. I owe my munu nomination to this guy. I owe my connection to designer Sadie to this gentleman, as well. He has answered question after question in my state of real blogger ignorance. And an even bigger thanks for the number of times his kind and supportive words have tamed my demons and/or unknowingly pulled me from the brink of abandoning blogdom altogether.

Unfortunately, I'm terrible at expressing my gratitude adequately enough, especially in written form. Hopefully you three understand what my babbling has been trying to say. And just for good measure, if you guys are ever in the DC Metro/NoVA area, let me know - several rounds are deservingly on me!

*sticky post*

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:00 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I went for a hike out at Great Falls today with a friend and his dog. Got my blood pumping pretty good in some places. Over all, the water was one of the most gorgeous things I have ever seen. Though, thereÂ’s not a chance of it beating the glorious sight of my lovely city as I fly in back home.
But I'm a dolt...I forgot my camera. My friend didn't tell me until after we had left that this was a scenic hike. I'd never been there before so I figured it was some trail with a bunch of trees, not much more. My bad.
Good excuse to go back though!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 06:41 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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On the train on my way home things were a little busy. I wasn't in the best of moods (thank you migraine) and that prospect of a packed train did not thrill me. I had my headphones on and a book in my hand, looking at the ground as I impatiently waited for the slowest people on the planet to clumsily exit the train with their suitcases. I got on and was immediately confronted with someone much larger than myself - the dreamiest Irishman I've seen in a long time. He was headed toward the last seat and offered it to me instead. It was next to his friend so I politely declined and took his place standing near the door instead. The accent was heaven to listen to as he chatted with is friends and I read my research. The ride home wasn't so bad after all. God bless the Irish!
Funny how simple things can change your day, even for just a few moments.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 10:48 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I LOVE this stuff!! I like Vietnamese, I like Thai, but Malaysian...YUM!
I just finished my leftovers from my visit to the Malaysian restaurant across the street from my old office downtown and I couldn't be happier. (Ok, I would be happier if there weren't a pile of work on my desk and I weren't going to sleep alone tonight but whatever...) And I even made some fresh, sticky, steaming rice to go with it. )
How do I always forget how phenomenal the food is until I taste it again? I have absolutely no idea how authentic the food really is but I don't really care. I know what I like and I like what they've got. *drool*

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:52 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I went to the sakura matsuri (cherry blossom street festival) this weekend and had a great time. It was SO sunny (but not too hot). I got myself just a little sunburned though... (OW)

I saw a lot of vendors and performances that reminded me of my time in Japan. A little bit of it even made sort of misty-eyed...but I got over that when I saw these guys. I LOVE taiko drummers! They even had their dance team with them. Good stuff!!

We took a stroll over to the tidal basin after that and checked out the trees that start it all, way back when.

At first I wasn't much interested because trees are trees, right? No, these trees really are that cool. And even though I had seen them before, it was magnificent to walk through them...Especially knowing they only bloom 7-10 days per year. There is just something awe inspiring about being under their delicate canopy.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 04:11 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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