Our friends at Bill Webb Studio were kind enough to get our Plebe Summer video going, but now it’s time to test Jay’s skills. Is he bright enough to post a video all by his lonesome?
Let’s find out. We’ve got some kiddie footage taken in Grammy’s back yard. Fun in the leaves! And then…well…we have a little fun at Pop Pop’s expense.
But he’s got a birthday coming! We’ll make it up to him!
Enjoy –
(Original post 10/22/08 — repost 11/8/083
As many of you know, Karen, Paris and I were recently in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for six days. I planned on taking a ton of pictures and video, but we got so wrapped up in the “enjoying” our company part that we didn’t really shoot much footage of any of them. This is especially true with Kristin and Cameron (the two we should have shot most!).
I do have some video I’ll try to piece together, and Sami was busy firing away with his camera. Maybe he’ll share?
In the meantime, I received a DVD in the mail today from USNA courtesy of the Parents’ fund. It’s a video detailing the fun known as “Plebe Summer”. This is a generic USNA piece…it is not the video I expect to receive soon that will feature more of Mark. But! At the very beginning of this Plebe Summer video, you’ll see footage of our young man humping that damn zodiac he thought was so funny (until he had to carry it, row it and carry it again). He may appear a couple of more times as well, but any of you that have searched through thousands of photos (like I have) know that “they all start to look alike”…
This thing is 18 minutes long. It’s “okay”…it’s not going to rock your world, but it does offer some insight into the USNA experience and Plebe Summer. If you have a chunk of time and you’re in the mood to learn about the madness, hit the “play” button.
Enjoy –
I’m trying to get away from the need for a YouTube link. YouTube doesn’t play nice with videos over 10 minutes long, and I thought the quality was just so-so. Since I’m on a Mac, I picked Quicktime as my default video player. My website host also prefers Quicktime. For you Windows Mediaplayer freaks out there…sorry. You probably have Quicktime on your machines anyway. If not…it’s free to download.
Make sure the video loads a bit before you hit “play”.
We’re using flash video now courtesy of our friends at Bill Webb Studio (no relation…sorry). We owe them our thanks! And I owe them some money…
Wow. Long title…
Okay! If you have not read the prior post (the one just below this one), please give it a quick read. You’ll have a much better chance of understanding what’s happening in this video if you’re armed with some background first.
This is a YouTube linked video. The quality is just so-so as a result. I have a high res version if anyone falls in love with it…which I doubt. I do not claim to be good at this. I will try to get better. Bear with me…
Here it is Friday already — I’m so late with this update that it borders on silly.
Last week I was invited by a client to appear on his weekly radio show in New York — Sayegh Advice. His last name (Sayegh) is pronounced “sage”…so now you get the play on words. According to Oma (Karen’s Mom), I’m now a legitimate radio star. I have yet to hear the results of the broadcast, but I can assure all of you that live radio is not as intimidating as you might think. I don’t think I wet myself once…
So! What’s a hard-working guy and proud Dad supposed to do with his time in the Great Northeast? See the kiddies of course! Kristin, Cameron and I had a chance to relax together, eat good food, and visit close friends. We enjoyed dinner on the first night with Mary Kate (who was also kind enough to pick me up at the airport), and we also gorged ourselves on Night Two at Angelo’s with Sami, Jacquie, Jack and Cemile (Jack’s Nene and Sami’s Mom).
I had a camera with me, but I didn’t take many pictures. I also shot a lot of video, but my videography skills are poor at best…I can’t even edit the footage to make it presentable. But Sami did get one great shot of Kristin and Jack:
C’mon now…is that a great shot? Damn right it is…
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were NY days, and then it was off to Annapolis on Saturday. The plan was to see Navy play Rutgers (football) and then have dinner with Mark.
Everyone is familiar with the Marine Corps. motto, right? Semper Fidelis — always faithful. Well, Naval Academy parents have their own motto: Semper Gumby — always flexible. A Mid’s parents can plan all they want, but if the Academy decides it wants to change things, things get changed. In this case, the changes were for the better!
I was lucky enough to catch a ride to Annapolis with the great guy that runs Sami’s BMW Service Department (Craig). Sami and Craig made sure we traveled in style in a big-ass 750i that gobbled up the miles without a hiccup. On the way, we got a text message from Mark suggesting we have lunch. Lunch? Lunch wasn’t in the plan, but as it turned out, he had liberty from noon to two before the game. Wonderful! Craig set the cruise control on warp speed, and we barreled into Annapolis with several million other people attending 1st and 2nd class parents’ weekends, homecoming, 8 bazillion class reunions (including John McCain’s complete with Secret Service), and a Rutger’s fan contingent that covered the area in red.
We had a quick lunch before Mark had to bail in order to form up for the march on.
If you’ve never seen a march on, you should. 4,000 plus midshipmen hit the streets of Annapolis between the Yard and Memorial Stadium to march into the stadium and on to the field. The locals turn out to toss candy and drinks to the Mids (who are not supposed to look like they’re catching them). It’s a serious but fun parade and at this time of year, a sea of white uniforms.
The Mids form up on the field and do what they’re trained to do — look impressive. Then…and this was so cool to a newcomer like me…the Mids all pivot as one to face the Visitor’s side of the field. The Rutger’s fans may be supporting the “opposition”, but they’re Americans first and they know “cool” when they see it. Everyone in those seats got their red-draped rear-ends up out of their seats and screamed their heads off as the Mids chanted “R-U-T-G-E-R-S….go Rutgers!” Then, and again as one, the Mids all tipped their hats to the crowd in a professional manner…and the visiting crowd went bananas.
Cool, right? It gets better. The Mids pivot again as one and face the Navy side of the Stadium. The place goes ape-shit. This is a crowd that knows the drill, and in unison with the Mids (who are somehow much louder now than when they chanted the Rutgers cheer), the whole place erupts with “N-A-V-Y…GO NAVY…FIGHT!” Directly beneath me, a freakin’ cannon goes off. I kid you not. The Mids who fire the damn thing are wearing ear plugs…couldn’t they warn the rest of us? The Rutgers fans around me duck like they’re being bombed, and the stadium is a madhouse of screaming fans, flying cheerleaders, and blue and gold everywhere. Two Osprey’s fly overhead for the flyover and blow every one’s minds as they stop, hover, and take off like UFO’s. It is an incredible environment.
During the game, I roam around hoping to be able spend some time with Mark. Normally, the Mids are restricted to “Brigade seating”, but because it was Parents’ weekend for two classes, the rules were a bit relaxed. We ended up eating really messy food for a bit before he had to return to his seat about midway through the third quarter.
At halftime, I ran into Tony (our favorite pizza guy in Warwick!). Tony and I pulled a lot of hair out together during the Fall of 2007 while we both waited to hear if our sons earned their appointments. Now we both get to smile and enjoy the experience (and what an experience it is…).
When Mark returned to his seat, I joined Craig and his Dad in their seats for the rest of the game. Any of you that know Craig should become his best friend. Those of you that don’t know Craig should call Orange County BMW and schedule your car for service…even if you drive a Nissan. Craig’s seats are phenomenal! We had a blast as Navy used the final two minutes to win a very tough game. Yes!
When Navy Football emerges victorious, good things tend to happen. First, as the game progressed, we learned that a plebe had bet the Commandant (Capt. Klunder) that Navy would win. If it seems unusual that the Commandant would bet against his own team, please understand that plebes must bet the game if challenged by an upperclassman or officer, and the plebe must always take the Navy side of the bet. In this case, the bet was made when Navy was down. I don’t know what the plebe offered on her side of the bet, but the ‘Dant said “if you plebes can fire up the Brigade and help Navy win, I’ll grant you an overnight.”
Word spread like bird flu in China. Plebes sit down in the front of the Brigade, and suddenly, it looked like somebody spiked their cokes with acid. They went absolutely bat-shit trying to rally the Brigade into mass hysteria. It worked!
The Navy side of the field was pandemonium, and Navy slowly worked it’s way back into position to ultimately and dramatically win the game!
But! The bet stipulated that the overnight was to be awarded on Columbus Day weekend. The ‘Dant decided the plebes deserved more, so he awarded the overnight on the spot! Get out of Dodge, boys and girls! Absolute insanity!
As a side note, I’ve since learned that the Commandant upheld his end of the bargain for Columbus Day as well…and then some. Mark just told me that they’ll be awarded two nights of liberty for the long weekend! Let me tell you…you have to be a plebe or a parent to really appreciate just how significant this is…
Okay…back to the football game…or the aftermath, anyway:
Mark and I grabbed a cab and hit one of his favorite dinner spots — Ruth’s Chris. I’m wondering…have any of you ever seen a human being inhale about 12 ounces of steak? This kid had a filet the size of a softball covered in crab meat…and it was gone in about six seconds. He demolished an entire platter of au gratin potatoes, and he gnawed on onion rings while contemplating dessert (banana creme pie). Wow.
Then…relaxation time. We strolled over to DTA (Mid-speak for downtown Annapolis), we talked with a few friends of his (who were leaving town to do God knows what), we had more dessert (yes…more…a huge bowl of ice cream at his favorite place), we hit Bancroft Hall to grab a change of clothes, and then we crashed at my hotel. Mids love “real beds” and Mark is no exception.
Unfortunately, there was no way to know that Mark would have a day of freedom on Sunday (normally Sunday liberty is restricted to the Yard), so I had a flight to catch. Mark made arrangements with his wonderful sponsor family to spend the day kicking back at their place, and I flew back to Paradise. All in all, it was a great surprise and a great weekend!
Now…as Columbus Day rolls near, Mark’s Mom, Susie, and Susie’s family will all be in Annapolis for the long weekend. With two overnights scheduled, it’s sure to be a great time!
For us, we most likely won’t see Mark again until Christmas. He’s coming off a week of mid term exams now, and he’ll be spending Thanksgiving in New Jersey. Maybe if we’re lucky…
But we’re due back in New York in just a few short weeks! Kristin and Cameron…get ready!
More news from our friends that make up our Extended Family! More of you should really take advantage of this stuff…
C’mon! Trunzo.com is reaching the ranks of the most prestigious media outlets! Who knows what can happen if all of you add a little something to the mix? The New York Times is already asking me to stop posting…we’re stealing readers!
Okay! News from the Gallen clan! And let me tell you…they are a clan! You think the Trunzo’s have power in numbers? Whoa…
John Gallen (of prior mountain climbing fame — see post dated 7/7/08) offers us news on two fronts. First, the family recently learned that his sister Vicki is being inducted into the Wilson Athletic Hall of Fame. Vicki was a multi-letter varsity athlete in Field Hockey, Basketball and Track. She was named Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year in 1987, and Wilson is following up with an induction this week into its Hall of Fame. Nice!
Congratulations go out to Vicki!
The second news front is huge (in my humble opinion). John’s son Sam is a golfer. Sam started playing just a few years ago…I vividly remember John holding his head in his hands and dreading the day that Sam ultimately “kicks his ass” on the golf course. Sam is 13 years old.
Well…Sam just defended his Berkshire Country Club Junior Championship title with a resounding 83 and 86 to defeat his closest competitor by five strokes. He repeats as Junior Club Champion! Yes…he was Junior Club Champion at the age of 12 last year. John doesn’t have a prayer of ever winning again on the golf course.
Congratulations Sam!
And finally, John decided to do a little more “hiking” last week…I’m still a little confused as to where he was and what he was climbing, but I think he was in Utah and Idaho. Check out this photo…notice the altimeter on his watch? Go ahead…click on the photo for the full size version. 11,628 feet…a low one for him –
We are currently discussing plans for my rookie hike next year. Apparently there are these things called 14er’s…not quite sure yet if they’re rookie material (John hasn’t approved me)…a 14er is a mountain in excess of 14,000 feet in height. Who knew that we have a few out West?
Not me…
Congratulations to the Gallen clan!
I think this is one of the coolest pictures…this is young Jack with his Mom, Jacqui. Jack’s Mom and Dad (Sami) are very, very close friends of ours.
Felt compelled to share it…
Sorry folks…no photos again today. We might get lean on Marky-Mark shots for a bit (unless a parent comes through on the Yard). But! Kristin will be here on Thursday! We’ll get pictures for sure…
And then it’s Parents’ Weekend in Annapolis! Lots of pictures then!
And then Cameron will be here! More pictures! In between, we’ve got Paris always thinking of her siblings and asking to send them photos. Maybe we’ll get one in this post…
News Flash!
Yesterday we received our second letter from Midshipman Mark! Yeah baby! He started writing on July 13th and wrote whenever he had time each day until July 18th. A lot has happened in that period (and since), and some of it has been posted here in photo form already. I’ll go through his letter for you, but it’s going to feel “choppy”. That’s because it was…
Mark loves Kashi Cherry Dark Chocolate granola bars. He starts the letter by letting me know that he’s eating his second to last one while writing. We’ve sent him a couple of dozen since he started the letter, but if anyone wants to add to the mix, please feel free. I imagine there is no possible way for him to have too many. (Well…storage space is limited so maybe we need to keep it sane…no case purchases, okay?)
He tells us that Plebe Summer continues to be “frustrating and annoying”. I’m thinking that if that’s all they can throw at him, the rest of us can breathe easier. Days are long, but the weeks “fly by”. He never really remembers the day before…sounds to me like the program is going exactly as planned. He’s incredibly busy.
“Real” training is “cool” (weapons, fires, floods, drowning). It’s made better by the fact that the trainers are not detailers. Trainers are “nice and they’re funny (by Plebe Summer standards)”. The detailers can be tough.
They worked damage control (a simulated flood on board ship). Two stories of “deck” with leaks on both levels…by the time they finished, the water was six feet deep in the first level (“which was really cool, actually”).
He’s worked on a Yard Patrol boat (a 105 foot boat used extensively for Academy training). Here’s what one looks like:
They even did fire fighting training on board.
They’ve also drilled with their rifles (a lot). But we know that already, right? The beauty of pictures…
He says that “you’ll be impressed by our parade — it’s going to look so good. As we were coming back tonight a thunderstorm came in and it started pouring. Everyone on the Yard went running for cover, but our company kept marching because we’re ’stoic’. We’re silent professionals…which is cool.”
New uniforms have been issued — he especially likes the dress blues. He’s excited about wearing the summer whites on Parents’ Weekend, but bummed because they won’t be allowed whites for the parade. “We have to wear the stupid things with a neckerchief and officer cover…we’re going to look dumb.” Code word interpretation — “cover” means hat. Apparently the Color Parade on the weekend is still considered a “drill”. Dress uniforms aren’t worn for drills.
Quick background: Reef Points is a small book issued to plebes that contains everything they need to know to be good little sailors. Some of the info is historic; some is instructional. The book fits in a pocket, it’s about three quarters of an inch thick, it’s got tiny print, and the plebes memorize it whenever they have a moment of downtime. It’s not fun. Okay…
Mark tells us that if someone loses their copy of Reef Points (“or if you’re just stupid”), the detailers make you carry a “Super” Reef Points. It’s a huge, huge book entitled Ships and Aircraft and it basically covers everything that ever has been or currently is in the Navy in terms of boats and planes. If you’re extra-stupid, or if you lose your copy of “Super” Reef Points, you’re forced to carry “Atomic” Reef Points. The Atomic version is actually your mattress duct taped into the shape of a book. You get to carry that around all day…Mark thought this was incredibly funny. I wonder who the poor soul is that suffered that penalty?
Fast forward to the 15th: Mark says his Company has been in a lot of trouble of late, and they’re paying a heavy price. No time to write…fast forward to the 17th. More trouble…no time to write. He doesn’t elaborate.
Fast forward to the 18th: “by the time you get this I plan on having a ‘Double E’ — Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol (the highest you can get).” I don’t know if he pulled it off…
Notice how the emphasis changes? Two days of not so good news followed by a very positive statement to open the third. Other parents have noticed the roller coaster ride of emotions too.
He’s running with the Track team and loving it. “I’m putting all my trust in the Coaches because they really know what they’re talking about”. Wow. Coach D and Coach Joecks are phenomonal guys with an eye on the big picture, but obviously the focus changes at the college level.
More trouble for his Company, though. His squad was penalized for not knowing rates (i.e. somebit of information) and as a result, they had to learn and compile every menu for every meal for the next two months. “Since that would have been impossible to write, I took a hit and traded my USNA issued running shoes with a graduate of the Track team in exchange for 18 menus of the month. My squad was pretty happy with me…”
Footnote: nobody runs in the USNA issued running shoes, so I gotta give Mark credit — he used his head!
Those E-Course photos we have? He says the course is “awesome. I’ve had a lot of fun with it.” See? I thought he was smiling!
“Rack races are annoying because we never make the time and uniform races just plain suck”. Wow again. Rack races are timed efforts at making the bed to Navy standards. Uniform races are similar. It’s a group thing — individual success means nothing! Apparently the rack races get bad enough during the academic year that the plebes simply duct tape the sheets to the bed and sleep on top of a blanket.
And that, folks, is about it. If it seemed disjointed or disorganized, it’s because it was…he’s one busy puppy. He did manage five pages on regular ol’ paper this time, so I’m feeling pretty damn good!
Okay! Paris can’t take it anymore! She wants to send a ‘hello’ to Mark, Kristin and Cameron. She learned all about Mark’s drown proofing and swimming exploits, so she decided to share hers. “Mark! This is drown proofing!”
“I’m drown proofed! Dad took down the kiddie fence!”
(Dad here…Paris just passed Stage 3 swimming at the local YMCA. She’s got the basics down, and as you can probably gather, it’s a small pool. We still keep a close eye on her though!)
“Mark! Total Immersion techniques! Swim downhill! Turn the hips! It works for me too!”
(Dad here again…Total Immersion is the swim seminar Mark and I attended last winter. If you remember from his first letter, the techniques we learned kept him fairly fresh during his drown proofing and swim drills).
More soon!
Okay! This qualifies as extended family Round One!
John is a close friend of ours and a fellow Georgetown alum. We met through a mutual friend (Marc) who is sadly no longer with us and tremendously missed.
Marc and John used to hike or bike through all kinds of places together. They biked somewhere out in California up and down the coast, met crazy, seriously crazy people…John even spent a year biking through New Zealand.
This year he and a friend hiked some of the hills in Yosemite. He asked me to join them, but obviously I was a bit on the busy side. I have committed to next year…
I won’t even try to comment on these shots. I’ll just post ‘em, and let the words come on their own. Click on each image to get a larger view –
Um…that’s snow. In late June. Did I mention I’m moving to Florida?
(Gonna have to renegotiate with John on this trip stuff…)