Just some Thoughts

So here is an update. I think the Navy messed up my paperwork. So instead of getting out Jan. 17th 2013...i think im getting out Jan 17th 2011. Honestly i hope i do get out earlier. I dont think it was necessarily a mistake going in...ive learned a lot, and im still learning. There are just other things id rather be doing. Such as as college...i kinda wish i just did the normal thing....went to school like everyone else, had a normal job, a normal life. Dont get me wrong, the Navy has some good stuff. Such as...when i get out...i dont have to pay to go to college...they cover that.

On the subject of getting out of the Navy. I already have plans. Assuming i get out 2011...i should still be in Washington. It would be awesome if me, Steven, and Daniel could afford to all get a place together. I wont go to school right away...ill probably work for a year to save money. I am not quite sure where i will work, but i do know a cool thing i want to volunteer for. The "King County Search and Rescue 4x4 Unit". They do all sorts of training/missions. So i can learn a lot there, plus just being able to help search for people would be a good feeling, knowing that your helping someone. Well thats all i really have for now, have a good weekend.

This is, Ben McClellan, signing off.

Just An Update

Hello to everyone. Well it is sunday afternoon, just sitting here being bored. It is my last weekend in San Diego. I leave thursday for deployment and i'll be back sometime towards the end of may. It should be fun. Japan is supposed to be the first port we hit. That should be really fun.

I saw Cloverfield on opening night, it was really good. I don't want to spoil it so i won't say anything. But i also saw it for a second time last night. There are some good movies coming out that should be really good. Iron Man, there is also a new Star Trek movie that looks amazing. In last couple weeks i've seen several movies. The Bucket List, Sweeney Todd, Cloverfield, First Sunday, Walk Hard, and others i can't quite recall.

I have been recently thinking about getting a motorcycle when i get back. Any thoughts from anyone on this? I don't want a street bike. What i really want is a Harley. I have been looking online at them and i think that i would be able to afford it. Obviously i would get a used. I have also found a class that i want to take when i get back. It's $150 and you get classroom instruction, after that you go out to a track and practice riding. Basic riding first (shifting, and just getting comfortable) then some defensive driving (quick turns and swirving and avoiding objects and stuff). After i take that i will try and find a bike that i like at a price i can manage.

Well i think thats all i have for now, but i will be sure to come back with another post before thursday. have a good weekend everyone, and this is Ben Mcclellan, signing off.

My Vacation

Well, im sitting in my room at 3 in the morning watching tv, and talking to two of my friends online. I have to leave tonight to go back to San Diego, so i will give a recap of my vacation.

First i drove from San Diego to seattle, i was basically driving for 24 hours straight. Boy was i tired, but the fun was not yet over. It was Daniels brothers birthday so we went to cheescake factory, the wait was an hour and a half. I apparently offended the waitress by making a joke about the quesadillas...as a result my food came out like 10 or 15 minutes late.

While in washington i got to see my aunt, uncle, and my grandparents. I was able to hang out with steve and daniel...first time in like 11 months. I hung out with Nichole, shes really fun and funny, i wish we had hung out more before i was in the navy. I saw my old band and choir teachers. Went to the same pool place daniel, steven, and i always go to (Nichole and I totally won...daniel and steve beg to differ). I was sad to leave, but i will be back in may and i cant wait.

Then i went to my parents house in texas. I was happy to see my family too. Monday my friend Beth came over...first time i saw her in 4 years. So it was very nice to see her and catch up. Other than that i just sort of hung out at home. I went and saw National Treasure 2 with sam, ashley and frances (german exchange student). Then christmas day ashley, frances and i went to the movies again.

My time at home has unfortunatly come to and end. I dont want to go back but i have to...its all part of the job. You got to work to earn money, and you got to have money to live. So i guess for a 19 year old on his own, im not doing to bad. Once again to all my friends, it was GREAT to see you again, and i eagerly look foward to next time.

Until next time, this is Ben McClellan....signing off.

At the airport

Well im sitting in the airport...I have to take a flight almost 3 hours later than I was supposed to. Once I leave Dallas I hit Pheonix, and I am on standby for san diego. I hope I make that flight becuase I really don't want to make this a long day. I'd like to get back to the ship, put my stuff away and just relax for the rest of the day.

But anyways, I went home for thanksgiving and surprised my family. So I had a nice weekend at home. Just hung out with the family and the dogs (which are getting really big by the way). I will be home again in about 3 weeks. I get to seattle on the 15th of december, then on the 20th I fly to dallas. Then on the 27th I go back to san diego. Speaking of which...Steven and Daniel I can't wait to hang out!!!

Well that's all I have for now..I think im going to take a nap while I wait for my flight. So for now.... good afternoon, good evening and good night.

My First Concert

So on saturday November 10th i went to my first concert. It was Coheed and Cambria. It was really cool. The first opening band sucked, and the second was a little better. Me and my two friends were already pretty close to the front but when Coheed came out it was like the current of a river pushing you foward. There was nothing you could do but try not to fall. They started playing and it was really good. I was so close to the speakers that my clothes and my glasses were vibrating. Needless to say that i was practically deaf for the next day and a half. They played a really good set, and there were some awesome guitar solos. Oh..i was practically sucked into a giant mosh pit...my life flashed before my eyes. But it was cool. I had a ton of fun and i want to go to another concert. My next one will probably be As I Lay Dying, on november 30th.

Dear Reader

First off..thanks for taking time to read what im sure will be the most exciting blog you've read yet (cue sarcastic tone of voice). For those of you just joining me don't worry...you've missed nothing.

If you're reading this you probably know me so I'll skip the intro. But I will give you an update on me.

I am in the US Navy, and am currently stationed on the USS Nimitz at Naval Air Station Coronado. I am an Electricians Mate, and so far it's pretty cool. I've working on ovens, huge washers, cleaned load centers (large thing dealing with 4160 volts of electricity), and pulled a few fuses.

Being in San Diego has it's advantages: very nice weather, beaches, Seaworld, the world famous San Diego Zoo, it's not too far from Disneyland, all the malls are outdoors (it's a very unique thing that I have never seen before).
The only complaint I have is that the only people I have to hang out with are other military people. I like the friends that I have made, but being around military 24/7 gets old...quick. I like Calofornia, but the only people I know are in the navy. I think what I'm trying to say is that I just want to hang out with normal people for a change.

Well i'd like to thank you for listening to me? And tune in next time for...whatever else is on my mind. Thank you, and for now..this is Benjamin, signing off.