Bassoonism

Monday, July 8th, started with running in the rain for PRT.  Then we had concert band rehearsal in the morning.  The bari sax player who was on leave was back so there was lots of low reed power.

Tuesday, July 9th, I went and got my next anthrax shot and needless to say, my arm hurt for the rest of the day!  And the next!  I spent the morning working on training paperwork.  After lunch, I went and picked up my CIF, which really amounted to rain gear and cold weather gear since the rest of the gear has already been issued.  After I got my gear back to the band hall, my woodwind quintet rehearsed for the first time.  I hadn't done classical woodwind quintet in forever so it was a fun but odd experience.  Must practice... lots!

Wednesday, July 10th, was another recording studio day.  I was an idiot who managed to forget her keys in the morning, but I got it all straightened out.  It wasn't a bad day - they did give us donuts!

Thursday, July 11th, was a strength day for PRT; there weren't many of us because lots of people were on the mission in the morning, so we rotated through different strength exercises in the park.  I spent a lot of time working on training paperwork...  I will eventually get it all organized!

Friday, July 12th, was the first day of my EO (Equal Opportunity) Class.  It's a fairly interesting class so far.  There are 18 of us in the class and its heavily discussion based.  I'm apparently a bit too much of a smart ass. I knew lots of the answers and said them - in fact, after one statement I made, the teacher told me I apparently knew everything already, so I should leave... I took it as a joke...  Friday night, I went with my clarinet friend to go see Despicable Me 2.  If you haven't seen it yet, go see it!

Saturday, July 13th, was an awesome lazy day.  I read for most of the day, then worked on my homework for EO class.   For dinner, a whole group of us went out to Rainbow Golbi for SGT Goewey's going away party.   It was a fun night that ended with dancing and a rain storm!

Sunday, July 14th, was another lazy day.  Had some interesting talks and finished my homework.   I'm enjoying my "do nothing" weekends.  I did go for a run through the rain which was delightful!

Holiday Weekend!

Monday, July 1st, was an interesting day.  We spent nearly the whole day at a recording studio in Itaewon.  We are recording for a CD for the 60th anniversary of signing of the armistice. It was my first time in the recording studio so it was a fun new experience.  It is very odd playing with headphones on and the percussion in a separate room.  For lunch we went to a Korean restaurant (surprise surprise) and I had Bibin bop (sp?) which is basically this rice dish with all sorts of interesting veggies and a raw egg, but the whole thing is super hot so you stir it when you first get it so that everything cooks.

Tuesday, July 2nd, was the hump day of my week.  I continued my inprocessing (will the paperwork never end!)  The night was spent studying.

Wednesday, July 3rd, was my friday.  In the morning, I went and took my Korean driver's test which basically meant I needed to be able to distinguish all the different signs.   I aced my test and got my license.  Not that I want to drive over here - they are crazy drivers here!  In the afternoon, we had a farewell for one of the SGTs who is ETSing.  That night, some of the guys had a bbq which I joined where we cooked chicken, steak, and brats on a teeny, tiny grill.

Thursday, July 4th - Happy Independence Day!  I woke up early to run the 5K race here on post with a few other friends.  Given that I have only been 2 weeks on ground and there are crazy hills here, I am very happy that I ran the whole way and finished in just under 29 minutes.  Afterwards a group of us went and had danishes and coffee.  Afterwards, I went with a group of band people to the Korean War Museum.  Now, the Korean War Museum is more than just the war 60 years ago - it is all the wars for the last couple thousand years!!!  It was a tremendous museum with tons of interactive sections and displays.  We didn't even finish it all since we all got tired from hoofing it.  Luckily, the museum is right near post so we can go again.  After we called it quits on the museum we went to Rainbow Galbi and then had a few beers.  I was in well before curfew since it was pouring down rain and I was exhausted.

Friday, July 5th, I was a lazy bum for most of the morning.  That evening I went with some friends to go see the Seoul Symphony.  They played Siegfried Idyll by Wagner, Violin Concerto No 1 in a minor, Op.77 by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony.  I didn't care much for the violin concerto but it had some wicked bass clarinet and contra bassoon parts.  Some of the other musicians with me nitpicked the performance but I enjoyed it.  And the Koreans love their music!

Saturday July 6th, I woke up and went for a long run.  I am trying to get better at hills and there are tons of hills around here for me to practice on.  I am going to have some amazing legs by the time I get done with this place.  It was a movie day for me - I went and saw White House Down with one friend (and it was a bust - Channing Tatum kept his clothes on the whole time...) and then The Heat (which was hysterical!)  I am excited that there is an onpost movie theater even if it doesn't have many movies or showings.

Sunday, July 7th, I went to the gym in the morning and then went and saw Monsters University in 3D.  Met up for coffee with a coworker and then general laziness.  It was nice to have such a long weekend though the next week will seem rough in comparison!

Continuing Adventures in Korea

Monday the 24th, I got up early to head to the band hall.  We loaded up on our bus (we have a band bus..) and we drove just about 2 hours to Wonju where we played at the Baekun Art Hall.  It was a combined gig with the ROK band.  (ROK is the Republic of Korea).  We did rehearsals and sound checks in the morning and early afternoon.  Then we threw on our ASUs for the concert.  We kicked it off with a combined group playing both the US and ROK National Anthems.  Then the US band played our selection of music.  Then the ROK group played theirs, as well as having a tightrope walker, a pop star singer (who is apparently big - she told me she sang at Caesars Palace in Vegas) and all sorts of traditional dancers and drummers.  Then there was a combined group of US and ROK that ended with a rendition of Gangnam Style with fire bubbles.  I kid you not...  it was a really long gig but they fed us at the end.  Well, we accidently crashed the 3 star General's party first and ate there before we found where we were supposed to eat... oh well...

Tuesday the 25th, I started actually inprocessing with the battalion and the band.  It's basically a process of tracking the correct people down, doing what they say to do and then getting them to sign my paperwork.  It is an incredibly frustrating process.  I do, however, feel like a Pokemon master - gotta catch them all!

Wednesday the 26th, was my "day 3 inprocessing" at the battalion level.  Which meant I had to sit in the movie theater most of the day listening to briefings on everything from sexual assault to tours of the DMZ to schools available for dependents and/or soldiers (I could get an associates, bachelors or masters but no PhD programs...)  It was a long day and I didn't have nearly enough coffee...

Thursday the 27th, included more inprocessing and a bit of playing

Friday the 28th, I had PRT with my unit for the first time.  We met in platoons and then it was squad run.  Half my squad is on a no running profile so it was just a few of us (plus our officer for some reason) who gallivanted through the rain for about 3 miles.   I am proud to say that I didn't fall out - even on the hills!  Though I had an odd urge to yell "Kill the Hills!" each time we got to one.  The rest of the day consisted of trying to collect more signatures for inprocessing, doing online classes for inprocessing and a concert band rehearsal for our recording studio gig on monday (hello marches...)  Afterwards, there was a touch of drama and then a group of us went down to Rainbow Galbi for Korean BBQ and soju.  Then to WA bar and then Seoul Pub in Itaewon where one of our band mates moonlights as a bartender.  We left with plenty of time to make it back before curfew though we had to wait for some silly girls who couldn't get the self automated gates to work.  It's actually an interesting set up - you have to scan your ID card and then walk into a sealed booth through one door.  The machine directs you to place your finger on the scanner where is checks your fingerprint in the system.  If you check out, you are allowed to continue through the next door and onto post. The system is pretty touchy so sometimes the first door doesn't like your id or the machine doesn't like your finger and it screams at you to "exit the booth!"  Luckily I have a good ID card and a small, easily readable finger so I am usually a first time go.

Saturday the 29th, I was a lazy bum and slept in and then refused to get out of bed before reading for a bit.  I met up with a band friend for coffee and donuts.  That afternoon I learned why you should never volunteer unless you know whats going on.  But after that fiasco, a group of us made the trek up to Seoul Tower to watch our rock band play.  Seoul Tower is one of the tourist landmarks here and quite a hike to walk up to! It was a collection of steep inclines sprinkled with endless stairs.  I think if I walked/trudged/ran up to Seoul Tower every week, I would be in amazing shape by the time my tour here is done.  At the top, we camped out and watched the rock band play and ate Cold Stone Creamery.  Afterwards, we treked back down and ended up at a little pub that had a decent Stout.  I hope to go back to the little pub because they had all sorts of wild pizzas that reminded me of Motor City Brewery.  Though, a bit more wild with wild boar sausage and the like...

Today, Sunday the 30th, I rolled out of bed in time to participate in my book club which was a rousing discussion as always.  It's great to be able to talk with everyone back home!  This afternoon, one of the married band couples who lives off post had a BBQ at their apartment (actually on the roof of their apartment) so myself and a friend tracked down ice, charcoal and a selection of booze to bring - it was the last day before our alcohol rations reset.  The BBQ was a lot of fun - a selection of band folk were there and the view was amazing.  And the evening ended with Cards Against Humanity (which is always a good time!)

To New Adventures!

So...

You know how one minute you are a simple librarian in rural Nevada facing budget cuts...

and then you are about to move to LA to become a Unit Administrator...

and then you find yourself transferring from the Army Reserves to Active Duty?

That has been my last two months...

I auditioned for active duty at the beginning of April, was selected and shipped off to Fort Leonard Wood, MO for inprocessing just before Memorial Day.  I spent 3.5 weeks in Missouri with 1 day of actual inprocessing that included wading through lots of paperwork and getting arms full of immunizations such as small pox and anthrax.  The rest of my time included reading (alot!) and playing duty driver to malingering privates.

On June 17th, I started my journey to my first active duty duty station.  I took a greyhound bus from Fort Leonard Wood to the Saint Louis Airport early in the morning.  Then I sat around the airport all day until my flight to the Seattle Airport (that flight seemed extra long because I was wedged between a very large woman and a dirty hippie).  Once in Seattle, I dropped my gear at the USO and met up with my friend, JP, who took me out on the light rail to a local pub for drinks and last minute chats.

At 0230, I could check into my AMC flight, I was about the 60th person in line and ended up with a decent seat.  After I got my ticket and checked my bags, I went back to the USO, took a quick shower, got in my PJs, went through security and curled up on the floor to sleep for a few ours.  Around 0800 they started boarding our flight - I ended up in an aisle seat next to a skinny marine who was very quiet.  We ended up seating on the tarmac for about 1.5 hours before taking off.  I alternated between reading and sleeping for the 9 hours and 45 minute flight.  We got served a hot breakfast and a hot lunch on the flight.  I also chatted up some of the flight attendants in the back of the plane while I was doing my couple hour stretch.

 -- me on the airplane!

We landed first in Yokota Air Base, Japan where we were allowed to deplane but weren't allowed to go very far.  We were there a few hours before we loaded back up and flew to Osan Air Base, Korea.  We gathered all our bags, I had my beef jerky confiscated, and then boarded a bus to Yongsan in Seoul.  Once we were on base, they shoved us into the reception barracks, got us rooms and sheets and cut us loose.  I showered (happy dance!) and fell into bed.  Others went out for food, but I was too tired!

  -- all my worldly possessions

The morning on the 20th, we woke early and got breakfast at the local DFAC (ran into a friend I made at FLW!) and then headed for more inprocessing.  The morning consisted of lots of briefings including a 3 star who didn't remember to limit to only 20 minutes per star... There are 4 other band members who showed up with me - a tuba player, a drummer, a clarinetist, and a trombonist - all who are staying at 8th Army with me.  For lunch, some of the band members took us out to eat at a local buffet on post.

On the 21st, we packed up from the reception barracks, had more briefings and then were picked up by our unit at 1130.  They had barracks space for a few of us, but myself and the clarinetist are being put up in the Dragon Hill Lodge until a BEQ (bachelor enlisted quarters) becomes available.  I'm hoping it happens soon - I really want to settle in and have access to a real kitchen!

  -- the view from my room

 I got issued a bassoon (got to pick from 3 - a puchner (which I took) and 2 foxes) and got some music since I got asked to play on the concert on Monday!  A group of the band took the new people out to some place in Seoul called Rainbow Gobby (I don't believe that's its actual name - just what they call it) where we had a family style, cook your own meal where we sat on the floor.  We cooked up different types of meat and ate it in little lettuce wraps.  We also had kimchi, Cass beer and Soju.  Afterwards, we went to a place called WA Bar where they had a giant trouph of beer and ice and you just pulled out whatever you wanted to drink.

Saturday, the 22nd, I got up fairly early so I could have some breakfast and then walk over to the band hall. I practiced bassoon and worked on my reeds a bit before having a joint sectional with some of the other woodwinds.  I can't say I sounded good, but I wasn't horrible.  My reeds were not happy about the level of humidity!  Afterwards, we wandered over to the PX to check what all was over there and to buy some khakis (for the band's travel uniform).  I ran into 2 people I had inprocessed with at FLW - it's a fairly small post... Later, a group of us met outside Gate 1, got metro tickets and wandered Seoul until we found this chicken and beer place (surprisingly good!)  Then we went to Itaewon where we got fried calamari and then got a karaoke room for an hour.  I spent a good portion of my night making fun of the Ohio State fans in the group.  Then we went up Hooker Hill to a country bar, I did some dancing, almost lost my cell phone and after we sang the national anthem at midnight, we headed back to post so as not to get caught by curfew.

This morning, I slept in way late - finally paying off some of my sleep debt.  Then I went to go practice for a bit (reeds, reeds, reeds!)  Afterwards, I went to go for a run but managed to yank my ankle because I was too focused on figuring out what was around me and wasn't paying attention to the ground.  So, I spent most of the rest of the day with my compression socks on, ice attached and the whole thing elevated.  My clarinetist came over to help make sure my uniform was correct for tomorrow, but it's been a relatively relaxed day.

Let your mind alone, and see what happens. ~Virgil Thomson

Since you last heard from me, I have:
Got to spend the night in Tahoe with Chris and Elizabeth. It was great catching up and of course, rocking out on the penny slots!

The snowy drive there and back...

Chris and Elizabeth!

The MEAT PLATE!

Flew down to LA to run the Tinker Bell Half Marathon with Meghan and James! After 2 weeks of training, I am happy with my 2:21:06! Had an awesome time with good friends :-)

All of us together at the end!

Eating it up! (We did burn a ton of calories!)

Saw two movies: The new Underworld movie and One for the Money. Recommend both!

Found a great brewery in Reno called Silver Peak. I highly recommend the Porter! :-) It was basically chocolate beer!

I have worked way too much and slept not enough!

Thats about all I will share for now! I will try try try to post more often (since my Grandma is yelling at me about it... ;-))

Llama llama llama

So...

Things have been very busy!

Had a fun army weekend. We ran around with M16s (played the penny game that I actually rock at!) did MPT planning, APFT for the failures and concert band. I got to conduct (which was terrifying) Holst's 1st Suite.

On Sunday the 15th, I got a message from Giffin and what it boils down to is that I am running in the inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon in Disneyland on January 29th! I am totally not in running shape for it but it will be a great fun run!

Personally, things have been quite interesting. Lots of opportunities are are on the horizon...

Races!

So, two tidbits from the week:

• For my first run of the year, the first song on my ipod shuffle list was "Ass and Titties" Could not have started a better run!
• One of my exes has gotten fat. I don' know why, but that amused me.

I also have been looking over my races for 2012. These are my thoughts so far:

Hot Chocolate 15K: March 25th in San Diego

Disneyland Half Marathon: September 2nd in Anaheim

Tough Mudder: September 9th in NorCal

Lake Tahoe Marathon: September 30th in South Lake Tahoe

Army Ten Miler: October 21st in Washington DC

I'd really like to do another half marathon or something sometime April-July but I haven't seen anything yet.