10/11 before 12

On Oct 11th we had the Air Force Ball.  A chance to celebrate the Air Force and have good food and entertainment.  There are also traditions and ceremonies that take place there.  It really was quite amazing to see many of the legacies that have carried on.  There also was a bit of fluff of introducing many people who do great things but it makes for long introductions.  The presiding member in attendance was Major General Flowers.  Commander of the Second Air Force.  

I have heard him speak once before at my graduation from basic training.  I have been fortunate to have him around in my thus far short career.  A little unusual but then again unusuality is no stranger to me.  (yes I know it isn't a word but it makes sense and I like it, and let's face it-you know what I am talking about.  Ergo, it is a communicatory device.  Thus I declare it a functional word.  And that goes for communicatory as well. )  

Here I am again in my uniform enjoying myself.  I was a bit nervous to think about having a good time while I was standing next to the General.  This was actually at the beginning of the night.  This is my friend Bridgette and I.  I rode with her and two other people one of whom arrived here the same time as I did.  We also ate with my friend Dru and his wife and a lady and her husband.    I have met her and spoken with her before this night, she is a very pleasant woman.  

The food was excellent.  Fillet minoit and chicken breast with vegetables.  The asparagus was good and the other veggies not bad either.  The salad was not as enjoyable because it was really fancy.  It tasted more like leaves off of a tree outside but the meal was great.  The dessert was, well just look:

Back to Oct 10th

On Oct 10th we had some free time.  Right to left Dru, Garrett, and Ian.  Dru and I were on our way to Wal-mart or something and the other two were walking downtown to do something and we offered a ride.  They hopped in.  We ate at McDonalds.  It was the first time since May I had had McD's.  We then went driving and stopped at this place that Dru had been to.  Some sand dunes right next to the ocean.  

Here we are trudging up the one side to get to all the fun.  It is a little bit of a hike up but well worth it.  It was a very clear and calm day.  Just beautiful as most days are.  The wind off the ocean was pretty strong once we got to the top of the dunes.  

Here I am overlooking the Monterey Bay.  It was a gorgeous day!  The waves were crashing pretty good.  We took a few photos and just enjoyed it.  It really was quite relaxing. 

This side was really steep.  Can you see the little dot in the background?  Notice Dru's red shorts?  Yeah it was steep.  It was fun to jump off the little cliffs.  The sand was soft and took impact well.  What a great place to play.  I think this would be the ultimate battlegrounds for capture the flag!

Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  Normally I am all about doing fancy stuff.  I have even made a couple of costumes.  However, this year I didn't really do anything special.  Sad, right?  Well I did try and enjoy myself.  

I did eat chili as is the tradition.  It turned out to be a chili dog but it was pretty tastey.  I also had some red jello with pears and that might look like guts or something so that is pretty festive.  

I also got online via X-box Live.  I was able to play a bit on Halo 3.  A bit, it was actually all night.  I was also able to play a few games with Mike.  We did very well and had a lot of fun.  Mike was able to get a few new medals.  I actually also got a new one.  the two medals in particular are the medals awarded for a special type of game play.  Since it was Halloween what is more in line with the day than zombies.  The game starts and one person is a zombie and as he tracks down the humans and "convinces" them his way of life is better they become infected.  So the round ends when all the humans have "converted" to zombies.  The Last Man Standing medal for being the last human and the Zombie Spree medal which is for five in a row without becoming infected.  It actually turns out when we ended I played exactly 31 games!  Happy 31st!  On to Thanksgiving!