Sunday, July 31, 2011

At the End of a Wonderful Weekend

Friday, the weekend started immediately after the afternoon muster. I had met somebody from my barracks back in Great Lakes on Thursday evening in Lib Hall. We were on our computers across from each other. He's an FC, here for C school, and has only been here three weeks. Not being around yet, I offered to show him Balboa Park and possibly a play as well. He said sure, and we met across the street at the sushi place. Never been there before, and it was excellent!

At Balboa we saw the Air & Space Museum (rode a WWII fighter simulator) and the Zoo (first riding across it in the gondola)... both of which were free for us active duty folks! About five o'clock we went downtown for Italian at a Bucca de Beppo (had a coupon from volunteering at the library) and we shared their mammoth lasagna and fried mozzarella! Yum! And then we returned to Balboa for the romantic comedy "Engaging Shaw", which opened that night (and was very clever and fun). In the big crowd they had for the opening of their annual gala event before the show started, I saw Ms. Naughton when her husband walked past us to join her. Didn't feel I should say hello, as they were talking and I was with someone who had no idea who she was. She was very elegant, in a simple black evening dress with a v neckline. I so wished I could, but I went right into the theater instead.

Saturday was very restful by contrast... we did so much walking the day before. Got up at 11:30! That's the longest sleep-in time ever, I think. I suppose I needed it, because I didn't feel like I over-slept either! I went right to the Library, forgetting that I wanted breakfast at Denny's... they needed lots of help, so I stayed until the 2:30 closing, shelving 3 and a half carts of popular fiction. I had my breakfast on the way back... boy was that good! Just my regular, but I hadn't had it in a while. Back in my room I watched "The Family Way" (1966, Hayley Mills... the first adult film I've seen her in!) and enjoyed it a bunch. The rest of the evening I spent going through the stuff in my closet, before I realized I was late for chat. And then the connection didn't work again (I think I shall try registering my nick).

Sunday it was another good sermon to follow up last week's. Charly and David met up with me there, and afterwords we took off together for an afternoon of snorkeling. Rented from a place on Mission Bay this time, and it was a few dollars cheaper for more time. Had Subway on the way, then saw a bunch of fishies in the cold water. We switched beaches half-way through, and at the second I felt like staying on solid ground. But I had brought my camera, so I was fully engaged the entire time. :) Had Chipotle on the way home, and that was it.

After all was said and done, I figured out I spent $100 on everything this weekend... I think I shall try to limit myself a bit more in the future with a budget.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

"In View of Mercy"

It was an outstanding service this morning. The youth pastor (the young, skinny guy with curly blond hair), who had lead worship my first two Sundays at Mission Village, preached on the gospel. He called it Gospel 101, or something like that. He threw tons of passages at us, some of them famous, all outlining the simple news of salvation by faith (that the entire world cannot fully come to grips with - yes, even me). It was a duh moment for me when he talked about scriptures that seem to contradict this... he used Matthew 6, the sermon on the mount... anyone who doesn't forgive will not be forgiven. I guess I haven't thought about it much, but yes, this seems to invalidate what Paul preached over and over. Faith alone. But... And... Nope! It really is that simple.

He talked about the coming of the new covenant. How Jesus says at the last supper that his blood is the beginning of it. That clearly means that the sermon on the mount (and I really feel I should slap my forehead here) was given to illustrate the old covenant. Jesus was showing us that even though we may think we keep the 10 commandments, we don't. Stuff like, "Anyone who ever says "you fool" to anyone is in danger of hell fire... anyone who hates someone is guilty of murder". That's impossible to keep... and that's the point.

And then he moved on to 1 John 1:9... and sort of shocked me with saying John wasn't talking to believers when he wrote it. If we are saved, we "forgive just as Christ forgave you" (Ephesians). Yes, we ask for forgiveness when we sin; but we are already saved. We don't have to... we want to. Because as John says, the light doesn't have anything to do with the darkness.

This has been the first time in a long time I've been made to think when I've attended church. It was so good.

And not only did they make me think, but they also served a brunch afterwords. Cheese, spinach & bacon quiche, sausage & potato soup, bread, lemon & chocolate cakes, and unsweetened iced tea! A feast!

I went directly to Balboa Park after this, to enjoy more free museums. Air & Space Museum first (James... you really need to go sometime!). I went back in 2009, and it was fun again. Paid attention to some of the things I overlooked in a hurry then. The portraits of people in the Flying Hall of Fame throughout... the new display on naval aviation... the detail of the Dauntless, the Hellcat and the Wildcat they have on a created deck of a carrier (with a zero flying overhead). I loved seeing it all again. They had "Flyboys" playing in the very good WWI exhibit, and "Tora,Tora,Tora" playing under the makeshift ready-room of the carrier.

Okay... and for the first time I saw the houses of Pacific relations... the title confused me, as most of them were European countries. Little huts with tid-bits of that specific country displayed in each, along with traditional treats and travel books. I was impressed.

Also for the first time, the Hall of Sports Champions from San Diego... including a live large mouth bass in a tank by the pictures of sports fishermen. I stopped in the Museum of Photography again for a new exhibit on portraits, and again to the San Diego History Museum for a look at the paintings. But they also had a new permanent exhibit... a big collection of photographs was donated by the family of a local studio for black people back in the 1960's. Interesting to look at!

And for the first time the Model Railroad Museum. This I paid $2.50 for, but I didn't mind. :) They had several models of downtown San Diego and the surrounding country from different periods... first the 1930's, then moving on through the 60's or so. The even had a couple different models of El Centro... one with a working drive-in theater, playing Laurel and Hardy. lol

Dinner was a modest half sandwich and a lemon bar at the cafe near these last three things. And as I was leaving the park I thought again how I wished I had my camera, with all the interesting clouds and lovely light... and while driving back I decided to come back with them. I loaded the best onto Facebook as I talked with Mike back on base.

What a day.
Jp

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Retro-Posted, Again

Just another Liberty Weekend post... for July 22, 23. It's practically the only time I have to myself these days (when I'm not falling-over, tired). :)

Friday afternoon I spent nearly my last 40 dollars. :) I'm not actually broke... I'm just not giving in to the temptation of tapping into the savings account. The buck needs to stop somewhere. :)

I went out to see Captain America on opening day with Matthew Ferry, my friend from A school. He's going through the electronics course I did in Great Lakes, so it's fun remembering when he mentions how it's going. Captain America was so much fun! A good old-fashioned American kid making it big through a scientist's breakthrough, muscle-enhancing procedure. And then he beats up on "Red Skull" a genetically-altered Nazi who is about to destroy the world. I loved the Forties feel... and how he finally enlists at the NY World's Fair. The storyline flows really well; they don't over-do anything, and there's not a preachy message either. Tommy Lee Jones is in it too, and I always like his movies.

I had popcorn and a lemonade, so I was out over $20 by the time I sat down to the movie. We had pizza at the food court outside afterwords, and then we dropped by a sporting goods store after that... he needed PT clothes and I found little flashlights (especially for working in dark spaces aboard ships). I probably wouldn't have gotten them if I had checked my bank account. You see, this week I absolutely couldn't wait one more week to buy honeymoon plane tickets... lol! I can't wait...

So on Saturday (the 23rd), after I slept in til ten-something, did my laundry and ate Frosted Mini-Wheats as I watched "The Americanization of Emily" from 1962 (James Garner, Julie Andrews). A funny, dramatic, semi-anti-war romance that made me love it, even though I didn't agree with some of the 60's philosophies involved. I finished it up to the last second I could wait before needing to head to The Old Globe for the one-man show about Leonard Bernstein. I barely had time for the Caprese sandwich in their courtyard, but I fit it in. A new play by the same guy who did "Gershwin Alone". Lots of singing, piano-playing, and reminiscing about family and career. This one opened with a TV show of the real Bernstein, projected on a huge curtain that back-dropped the stage, teaching the fundamentals of conducting. I thought about my band directors throughout the play. :)

Afterwords, it was only about 3:30... so I thought I'd look at the new exhibits at the San Diego Art Museum nearby. They had a big collection of Spanish painters, and a bunch of turn-of-the-century American furniture/interior designs. Very fun to look at, but as it turned out, free as well! I had heard briefly from my roommate about free Balboa Park museums for Active Military until Labor Day... and it was true! The only thing that startled me was the failure of my credit card in the store... I had to buy that cute little coin purse embroidered with blue birds with cash! On the way home, I decided to try out Five Guys and had a large hamburger and fries before getting on chat back on base.

Jp

Sunday, July 17, 2011

The Wild Blue... Ocean

After a very good church service this morning with David and Charlie, I joined them and David's minemen friends on a snorkeling trip across the bay at La Jolla. Charlie and I rented wet suits, fins, masks & snorkels, and that was the first time in a wet suit for me. Very tight to climb into, but altogether, it was easier than I thought it'd be. It turned out to be about a mile swim, the way we went straight out and the made a right turn for the sea lion cove. Only five minutes in the water (at around 15 feet deep) we saw a couple dark, very large and sleek sharks swimming beneath us. The guys said one of them was about 7 feet long! It made me nervous, but I realized I was alright. :) The two-foot long white jellyfish frightened me more. People were pointed excitedly when we found it (hard to talk with snorkels), so I dove down to look. And then I kicked wildly to get back to the surface as quick as possible. :)

The rest of the trip we saw lots of kelp coming up from the very deep parts of the bay, and lots of little fish. Once we finally made it to the cove, there were bunches of fishes in the safety of the eelgrasses... and sea lions barking on the rocks, and cormorants and pelicans skimming the surface or diving nearby. I loved it! But when we pulled ourselves out, we found it was only 40 minutes before the suits had to be returned (the shop closed at 5). After pondering what to do, we asked the lifeguard and ended up walking back around the bay in our bare feet! And we made it just in time. Whew!

Got our stuff on the beach and then sat down at Jeff's Burgers. I had a 1/2 lb hamburger and a strawberry shake. Mm Mmm! What a day! Drove back to base and talked early with Mike so I could get a shower in before bed without staying up late. And that worked too.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

A Break, Officially

Didn't have an official plan for today, so I just stayed in my room.

Copied CD's onto my computer, read in Emma on the eReader, ate snacks from my room, watched "That Touch of Mink" while shining my boots that got destroyed on the ship this week. Then watched a few newsreels of "March of Time" from TCM... and that got me in the mood to try out the color films collection I bought for $5 the other day...

First one from the battle of Midway, one from the Italian campaign called "Thunderbolt" about P-47s attacking supply lines (telling a rather complete story about how it helped the allies be able to advance to Rome), one about the Marines at Tarawa, and then one about the Japanese Relocation centers in the American West - and they talked about it like it was one of the necessary tragedies of war. They said it wasn't nice, but they did show good things that came from it, like people learning trades that they made new lives for themselves once they got out. Surprised about how honestly they dealt with it. I didn't watch the fifth film about the Flying Fortresses yet.

I really liked them... they were made in 1944 by the war department, and filmed by servicemen, with a commentary. Sometimes they said things like, "We'll see how this affects the rest of the war". Wow!

By this time it was nearly 7 o'clock. So I decided to get some dinner and some Internet for chat. Had some nachos, rice & beans at the MXN fast food place on Rosecrans. And I got some tea and a shortbread cookie at Panera. Love them... always a friendly place with good food to retreat to.

Jp

Friday, July 15, 2011

A Little Too Much, or Something

After a snack in my room (after work) I headed out to the library again. Don't misunderstand... I enjoyed it. I did the audio... and that took an hour and a half. I started working on organizing the dvd's, and I was still putting them in order when it was time to go. I guess I felt silly, wanting to stay longer than the open hours. That one lady who always comes off condescendingly... she was back at it again. Always telling me to slow down, like she's worried I'll steal her job (even when things are overflowing). And the way she speaks to me, she must think I'm a teenager or something.

I had a lovely dinner afterwords though... the Chinese place that I couldn't find when Mike was here (called Pick Up Stix). It was great... I had the kid's meal (just the right size!) of crunchy lemon chicken, brown rice, a cream cheese wanton, and then a bowl of won ton soup. It was so good! I checked out the grocery store in the same lot and came out with a new pair of sunglasses. :) While I was wandering around looking at everything, "Dream a Little Dream of Me" played in the background, and I missed Mike even more.

In the car back on base, I refreshed for a while listening to an old CD I made of random songs I liked about ten years ago. It helped me get my emotions from the week out and get my mind back on the Lord...

Choose Life, by Big Tent Revival
Say, Won't You Say, by Jennifer Knapp
Where You Are, by FFH
Breathe, by Sixpence None the Richer
Lovely Day, by Out of Eden
Gone, by Switchfoot
Thrive, by Newsboys
True North, by Twila Paris
Magnificent Obsession, by Steven Curtis Chapman
God of Wonders, by Mac Powell (of Third Day)
Blue Skies, by Point of Grace
A Little More, by Jennifer Knapp
Belly of a Whale, by Newsboys (for a Veggie Tales movie)
and finally, This Road, by Jars of Clay...
which was some kind of a theme song for me when I went through a rocky time in 2006. Gosh, was it good to sit, listen and sing again.

Jp

Sunday, July 10, 2011

More Liberty in the Library

Saturday was a late sleep-in, even though I woke a couple times. From 7 to 10:20 I felt as if I was almost awake... but when I really did wake up I was so refreshed.

Snack in the room, then I took care of an errand at the Post Office. Went straight to the library, re-shelved the popular new items, then the mound of graphic novels, and finally mysteries. They're a bit behind somehow... practically overflowing. I went back today after church (and brunch at Denny's in Mission Valley) and did all the general fiction... almost three full carts worth in 2.5 hours, just like Saturday. I guess I enjoy spending my liberty this way. I feel useful and peaceful when working quickly and quietly.

Yesterday after the library I went on a mini shopping trip to CVS and Home Depot for useful things. Had dinner at Carl's Jr, and drove through the car wash nearby. Decided a bit later to go to the NEX as well for an iced tea and a couple other things. Finally bought the Naval Base Point Loma ball cap, so I don't have to look like I'm just out of boot with my NAVY one. :) Also, for the first time, I rented Megamind at the Redbox. Been interested for a while since Meg thought it was so funny and good that she bought it. It was hysterical! Definitely worth the buck it cost to rent. :)

I've started loading things on to the Kobo eReader that Linda and James sent me. During chat I put on the stuff they sent on CD, as well as 4 or 5 books I found online. This afternoon I did a little more searching and ended up with 36 more... including all of the Scarlet Pimpernel series, some George MacDonald (because he was C. S. Lewis's favorite), and a few others, even reaching into the world of non-fiction, . Goodness! I'll never be without something good to read!

Jp

Monday, July 4, 2011

Sunday & The Fourth

After getting back from my trip, I still had another weekend!

Sunday I got up, took a shower, then met two of my friends on the Red Deck to go to the church I've been visiting. It was a good time... we even stayed afterwords for the potluck they have set up in a side room. Got to talk with a few folks, and the pastor too.

Upon getting back, I set to doing all my laundry, bed sheets & blanket too. Ever since staying in that questionable (yet expensive) motel in Santa Monica, I've been rather itchy. And Sunday morning I noticed some blister spots that itched intensely, on my arms, ankles, hand, calves... I think it was from the bed at the motel, but it could have been something in the pool I swam in on Thursday, or the ocean... who knows. Anyhow, it was a washing fury.

By the time I was done, it was 6:30pm. Sat down, looked at my email and found a message from the Old Globe about "Gershwin Alone", and how there were $20 seats left for the holiday weekend, ending with the 7pm performance that night! Who said I didn't have time? :) And I made it with 5 minutes to spare, partly because a parking space opened up in the closest lot. What a show! It was like being at a play and a symphony simultaneously! Hershey Felder was George Gershwin, telling his life story and playing selections along the way, touching on his major works. It ended with the complete Rhapsody in Blue, and then a sing-a-long of audience selected favorites. There was even a soloist once... a lawyer from the state supreme court was also a good singer at the drop of a hat. :) I was unfamiliar with these last ones, but they were lovely... very sweet love songs.

My Fourth of July was a little mild... kinda blue, actually. Sad to be away from family (I did talk to Mom though), but very proud of what I was doing. I was able to see Cars 2, as I was planning on doing yesterday. (But saw an incredible play instead... darn! :) It was funny, original and cute, as all Pixar movies are. Also had a great lunch at the mall's swank food court. Goat cheese salad with avocado, almonds, onions, mixed greens & a vinaigrette. Also a big, fresh lemonade from the 65 year old California business, "Hot Dog On A Stick".

Back on base, I decided to finally watch that collection of rare Bing Crosby shorts that turned out to be a series of patriotic films totally appropriate for the day. In one, the Declaration was read and discussed by some people invited over to Jack Benny's house. In another, the Fifth Freedom, the freedom of choice, was expounded upon. Very fun indeed; much more than I expected.

To end the day I went out and watched the simultaneous fireworks displays all over San Diego Bay...while I talked with Mike... there were 4 of them, not including a separate one over Coronado. The closest one was very close indeed, and very spectacular.

A wonderful 235th.

Jp

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Santa Monica

Partly for old times sake, and partly to use two of my four days off in an interesting manner, I drove up to Santa Monica, CA to look around. On other trips down here in the past I've wanted to see the aquarium on the pier, so I did it, adding the end of historic hwy 66 (which ends up on the pier)... and an investigation of the park on the pier. After I had done all this, along with a ride on the Ferris wheel and classic carousel, I strolled into the Pacific up to my ankles along the hot beach. Most of the fun on the beach was watching all the people... there were so many of all ages from all over the world. In fact, the couple I rode with in the Ferris wheel were from South Africa!

Loved the aquarium! It was just below the beginning of the pier. They had a tank with two moray eels at the entrance, petting tanks for sea stars, anemones, and little sharks. Lots of opportunities for good pictures.

Did a bit of exploring around the town too. The library and historical museum were both closed... but I did have a Ben & Jerry's scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough. I also found the summer installment of MHQ (military history quarterly) at Barnes & Noble on the promenade. And in my wanderings I looked in on the Santa Monica Playhouse (found it on the map first) and found they were playing a children's comedy called "Barnyard Madness with the Three Little Pigs" the next day.

For dinner I stopped in at "The Lobster" overlooking the pier. It was quite a treat! Dungeness crab salad (with lemon vinaigrette dressing, grapes, Parmesan cheese & almonds on arugula), and then four cheese ravioli. They served the tastiest bread and oil & vinegar dipping sauce for a starter. I had some more for a finisher... along with a hot chocolate.

Walked back to the motel (I had parked the car there when I arrived around 10:30...and tried out the nearby Hawaiian BBQ for lunch. Sort of tied together the feeling that I was back in Waikiki. Had spam & noodle soup and a guava drink.) and watched a movie on my laptop (The Final Countdown) because I was pretty tired. That was a lot of walking.

Slept in til 10am! Checked out just in time for checkout time! I first had Denny's down the street for breakfast, then parked in public parking for free while I saw the "Three Little Pigs". It was in a cute, little theater (only 3 rows of seats!). Turned out to be a combination of Vaudeville song & dance, the story of the Three Little Pigs, and Romeo & Juliette... with a happy ending. Made for some good fun.

I had thought I'd drive up north after the play, seeing the coast up by Malibu. But there were lots of clouds, so I decided to drive up CA-2 (Santa Monica Blvd, and the old 66) through Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. Saw HOLLYWOOD up on the hills! How neat that was. I imagined how things used to be as people drove that road in the old days... people driving across the country to end up where I was.

Since I had time, I took a side trip 7 miles south to San Pedro to see the Cabrillo Aquarium again. Remember I loved it last time, and I did again. From there I drove straight back to San Diego and home. It felt good to return to something familiar and friendly. Had Panera Bread for dinner, but had lots of issues connecting to chat, including a power outage on base! Thankfully, the lights came back on just as Starbucks closed at 10pm. So I was able to rest in my own bed after it all. :)

Jp