Tuesday's Gone

Well, she's gone. I just watched Guinevere get hoisted onto a flatbed wrecker. It was tough to see her go. Issac the wrecker driver was really nice and identified with my pain. I felt the sting of guilt as salt water came out of the exhaust as it was lifted up. Overdramatic? Probably. I don't have kids. Therefore, I treat vehicles kind of like a child. Now before you look at me with those judgemental eyes, please know that I would love and treat a child much better than I would any vehicle.

We had a massive flood here in Norfolk and the tide came in, flooded my car and a few rooms in my house. My street was waist high. I've never been a part of a mass flood before, so this was certainly an adventure. The water level on Guinevere above is at about 2/3 tide, so I'm guessing that the water level was at least a foot higher. At right is my street last Thursday. To get an idea of how high the water was, the motorcycle in the middle of the picture had half of it's wheel covered in water. I hope you aren't worried about me because of 2 reasons: 1) I have insurance. I will find another car and although I do love Guinevere, 2) she's just a car. I could think of about 2301934 things that are more important than her. I'm thankful that I'm safe and that I have a family and a junkload of friends that love me.

Some of you know that during activities that may require me getting dirty (i.e. car work, landscaping, etc.) I wear jorts. See, I knew it. There you go with those judgement eyes again. I know I look ridiculous and I don't care. With that said, below is the proper attire for a mass flood.

a new office

I have successfully completed two days in my new place of learning. Newport News is a very different place from anything I have experienced. As soon as you leave the interstate, it's as if you have entered a new country. When they built the shipyard, I guess they forgot about parking because the surrounding area only contains 3 things: privately owned parking lots, 7-11s, and run-down buildings. I have been told not to attend the shipyard after dark as it is dangerous. I have shifted my schedule to account for the parking demand. I leave my house shortly before 6, join a carpool, and arrive around 630. I sit in a dungeon-esque room that has 4 empty desks, one window (which looks out to some hazmat building), and 4 file cabinets. That's it. No pictures on the walls, nothing. I longer have a computer which makes me more efficient. I sit and study for 8ish straight hours, then leave.

I included the above pictures because when I go outside for a break these are the two ships I see. They are, from left to right, the USS George HW Bush (41st President) and the USS Carl Vinson (Representitive from GA) . They're real big.

I haven't been home since September. I'm looking forward to Blacksburg. And turkey. I won't go into my love affair with Thanksgiving now.