Invasion

Photo by me.

This is the view from The Barge, a floating box that now houses most of the Nimitz's work spaces.  The carrier will be pretty much uninhabitable while it's undergoing its overhaul, so we'll work in the floating box.

Photo by me.

Also, we've been invaded by an army of civilian workers.  They're everywhere.  This photo was taken inside the hangar bay.  These portable offices were brought aboard shortly after we arrived in Bremerton. 

For the next year, it won't be pilots and their crews working here. It'll be construction bosses and executives.

What would we do without...

I wish I could pull off a Christmas sweater like this.

...Family, Laptops, and Hip Hop!  What???

So I didn't get home for Christmas but my family's been on the phone, on Skype, and of course, sending me photographs.  Also, I've been on my laptop for the past five hours surfing around listening to one of my favorite genres, independent hip hop.  A taste:

Classified, Brother Ali, Hilltop Hoods, Flow Nice Foundation, Binary Star, Termanology, The Aztexts

For the record, I am NOT into Christmas music.

Trek North

 

The hangar bay offers a great view of the sunset.  Photo by me.

Rewinding again...   The trip from California was very memorable due to two events:

1.  Pulling out of Coronado
2.  Pulling into Bremerton

 Photo by Photina Haumschilt.

Some people elected to load their vehicles onto the ship and ride it up to Washington.  The process took three days.

The Nimitz swings around as she leaves San Diego. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Thomas G. Siniff.

It's long-standing tradition to "man the rails" as a U.S. Navy warship pulls into or out of ports.

I was up here shooting video, grinning the whole time.  These are the moments that you have to take in and hold on to.  I mean LOOK AT THAT!

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey J. Amdahl.

It always feels weird to ask another MC to stop what they're doing and take a shot of me.  It probablymakes me look egocentric but I don't give a damn.  I want to show my grandkids this stuff.

Sunset near the coast of California.

Once we were underway, a spectacular view greeted us.

-- To the guy I randomly asked to take this photo of me:  man I lost my note with your name on it!

Photo credit FAIL.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Renee L. Candelario.

Candelario just got here, but was sent out to brave the cold to capture Sailors doing there thing.  At a point before the ship comes into view, someone on the bridge will get on the loudspeaker and call parade rest.  This gets everyone into the neat formation you see upon arrival.

I was once again on the flight deck shooting video for our documentary.  (More on that later.) The wind was crazy strong and blew my cover off a couple of times.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alexander A. Ventura II.

My buddy Ventura, also on the ship for only a few weeks, got this shot of the Nimitz pulling into Bremerton.  

Keep in mind, this area gets like 9 inches of rain in December.  We got dry skies and a RAINBOW?!!

 

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Walter M. Wayman.

Tug boats push and pull the Nimitz as she maneuvers into position alongside the pier.

On a side note:  it's Friggin Freezing in the TV studio.  Thought I'd add that in there.

Like a king

In the world of military barracks, building 1131/room 339 is LEGENDARY. I'll be staying here with three other Sailors while Nimitz is drydocked.  We'll spend about a year here, and then want to jump overboard when we go back to living on the ship.

Come take a tour with me...

Photo by MC3 Adam Wolfe.

I have a washer and dryer!

Photo by MC3 Adam Wolfe.

 I have a bed!

Photo by MC3 Adam Wolfe.

 I have a shower!

Photo by Wolfe's lady, Lauryn Cooper.

And look who my roommate is!  Adam Wolfe!  I can get autographs from him every day!