blog@thechrisbrowningexperience

I find it quite funny that when you’re in a bad situation, and are actively trying to make the best of that situation, things will only get worse for you. I believe that it’s Murphy’s Law that states, ‘everything that can go wrong, will go wrong’, and that formula is sadistically applicable to my situation. Yes, this is a woe-is-me blog!

Let’s go!

Bad timing! By best friend, Chris, arrived in Guam just as we were leaving. It would have quite possibly been the best thing to hang out (and remarkably good for morale), even for a day, but the Navy will not have such merriment.

Long-term plan interception! I’ve found out that I will be doing the full deployment with HS-4. There’s probably no getting around it.  It’s extremely disappointing (and frustrating!) to say the least, but I’m in no position to do otherwise. I’m sure this will upset at least a few people, but I really can’t do anything about it. Imagine my frustation when I can no longer complete the college courses that I wanted to get out of the way before school, can no longer get my personal trainer certifications due to deployment, and had to cancel my long awaited vacation to Hawaii. How difficult it is to put everything in your life on hold immediately for half a year.

Love on the rocks! Of course, deployment puts stress on any relationship. After almost two months at sea, and five months of absence, it’s really start to take its toll. And I have four months to go? Are you serious? I know exactly what I want and where I want to go, I just hope that by the end of deployment I’ll still have a reason to go there. It’s a scary thought, because I honestly don’t know what will happen, and I can only do so much from my position to help the situation. I feel terrible about how Jen must feel about this situation, and wish I could do more to make it easier on her. I also find it unfair that I’ve had experience doing a long-distance relationship, and it’s much easier for me now than it is for her. It’s a horrible feeling, not being able to be a part of her life, and wondering each day how long everything is going to hold up for.

Homelessness! So, my housing arrangement has drastically changed because of a freak situation totally out of my control, and I will be essentially homeless when I return to San Diego. Well, I’ll actually be homeless in a few weeks, technically, but now we’re just splitting hairs! I have two vehicles (one of which I was unable to sell before the surprise deployment) that I somehow need to get to a safe place for storage, as well as all my personal affects. How’s that for unexpected? This will be my second time since I’ve moved to San Diego that I’ve been homeless, and it’s quite an uncomfortable position.

An unlimited supply of burden! So, aside from everything else that’s going on with my life, I then have to deal with everything military, work related, on top of dealing with the same people, everyday, every week, every month. The kind of closeness you begin to share with people is a fine line between seething rage and erupting violence. The best part is, I have virtually no control over what happens while I’m gone! I’m seperated from the world, and helpless as to what changes and decisions are made whilst I’m removed.

So, if you ever think yourself having a rough time or experiencing a stressful day, just imagine what it would be like to be suddenly isolated from everything you love on top of having a myriad of personal affairs slowly crumble and break away, all while having little to no control over what’s happening around you. What a great feeling! So, if you ever meet a service member, go out of your way to thank them. They all put up with more bullshit than you could imagine to defend your freedom and man the war machine to keep us all safe. And that’s the best thing about it, I’m not the only one here with problems, so you have a ship full of snippity sailors trying to get their issues resolved. Hoo-yah!

.//chris

Yes! Today is the nationally recognized day where we celebrate dissension and rebellion! Hooray freedom! I encourage any one and everyone to go out, have a rousing, boisterous time, and blow up as much stuff as possible. It’s against the law? Well, I believe there were certain laws in place when we were ruled by the British, and that didn’t stop us from getting our point across, did it?

So please, I beg you, celebrate and rejoice in your right to freedom! Celebrate for those who now fight to defend your freedom across the world. Celebrate for those who have sacrificed their personal freedoms, sacrificed their time with their family and loved ones, and sacrificed their lives to give you the liberties that you enjoy each and every day. Celebrate for those who don’t have a chance to partake in festivities and are without the comfort of their family and friends. Celebrate for those who are held prisoner overseas, and pray that they come home soon and safely. Celebrate for those families who’s soldiers are never coming home. Celebrate their gift to us: defending the hope of a continuing freedom and liberty to all those who deserve it.

Happy 4th of July!

.//chris

Joy Mech Fight. The begining of the end is near (or near later).

Details will be sparce and ambiguous.

.//chris

So now we are outside the coast of the Philippine’s [not yet in their waters], assisting the victims of the typhoon that hit the area. However, I get the sneaking suspicion that our benevolent gestures are geared more toward positive publicity for the States [and more specifically, the President]. The reason I say this is because the damage out here in the Philippine’s really isn’t as bad as first portrayed. Reports have come in that their necessary infrastructure is relatively stable, and aside from needing food and drinking water, there really isn’t much more of a reason to be there. We’ve airlifted more than 16,000 pounds of supplies to the people, aside from that, there really isn’t much else for us to do. We’ve all volunteered to go ashore and help rebuild, move debris, and help the people with whatever they needed, but the consensus is that the damage isn’t great enough to warrant that. But the perception that we’re portraying is that we’re coming to save the day. We’re doing enough, sure, but we can do so much more… Now, that’s not to say that these people don’t need help. However, is a kind deed under a superficial guise still a good deed? Would we have come out here without being under the public eye, without the President letting everyone [and their mom] know that we are willing and glad to help? Granted, I know everyone on this ship, myself included, would gladly jump at the chance to help these people with rebuilding and recovering, but I don’t think it’s something that needs to be advertised in the way that it has. The people are grateful for assistance, but I feel that we are trying to benefit ourselves with a positive public image in exchange for our services. Millions are reportedly left homeless, so let’s put forth all our efforts to assist, instead of just airlifting them trivial supplies. Let us go forth and be true ambassadors of

Well, it’s been a few days since an update. Don’t blame me, we were in Hong Kong for a few days, and I felt that being off the ship was more of a priority than blogging.

While I do have a plethora of colorful photos to post, the internet has been extremely sketchy with us as we cruise at top speed to avoid a typhoon. Thus, pictures must wait. I did manage to get my hands on a Fuji S9600 camera while in Hong Kong, and I am extremely happy with it. Expect a regular picture explosion during my next port visits.

I also thought up a really cool idea that I want to start implementing with my art. I’m very pleased. What is it? Nice try. I’ll let you see it once I get a decent connection.

Until next time (and better internet connections),

.//chris