Work is going really well, all the equipment is in & we are just about ready to start testing. We should be bringing in subjects at the start of next week. We are having our "Grand Opening" even on Feb. 22, and the night before, the Pitt guys want to have some kind of reception at a hotel bar or restaurant somewhere on the island. I don't really know what that's going to be like, other than a lot of VIPs are supposed to be there, like guys who work over at the Special Warfare Command (henceforth known as WARCOM). Two of my coworkers are with one of the SEAL Qualification Training classes up in Kodiak, AK, which is where they do their cold-weather training, so it's just me & Ryan for the week. Monday, we had the Chief Medical Officer of WARCOM come over unannounced (as he is wont to do), and he had with him a retired Rear Admiral & former SEAL with him. He wanted me & Ryan to give him a tour of the lab. No pressure. We gave the dog & pony tour, after which he gave both of us his card & told us to contact him if we ever want to meet some of the "old guys" as he put it-former SEALs from when he was active. He also said there are currently 27 former SEALs from the very first teams still alive. SEALs started just after WWII. Very cool. His card has the SEAL trident on it, which is officially my first souvenir with the insignia. I'm super psyched about that.
I had some friends over for the commercials this past weekend (as I was boycotting the Super Bowl itself), and afterward, we decided to play some Mario Kart in a variety of headgear, naturally. So, here's some pictures my neighbor Hannah took of us. This first one is me & Ivey, wearing my neighbor Rusty's football helmet & bicycle helmet & ski goggles. This significantly improved our Mario Kart driving ability. The next two are of Hannah & Rusty (they are my neighbors from Birmingham). Rusty is wearing the football helmet & Mr. Magoo glasses, Hannah is striking a lovely pose in a Naval Captain's hat. There were three pieces of dog food on the carpet (because Layla picks at her food like it's Lucky Charms), so the logical thing to do was make a bet that everyone but the winner of our next Mario Kart race had to eat one piece of dog food. I took mine in a shot of chilled bourbon, Hannah took her's in a shot of vodka, and for some reason Ivey ate his covered in peanut butter and then took a shot of bourbon. I would not recommend this strategy if you ever have to eat dog food, FFR. Needless to say, we all felt super awesome Monday morning, especially Rusty, who had to get up at 3:30 am to go to class (he's in the Navy). I definitely came home from work Monday & went straight to sleep. 10 hours of sleep felt great.
This weekend we're all going to Kansas City Barbecue, which is the bar from Top Gun, and I'm supposed to wear the Navy Captain's hat. So...that won't be embarrassing at all.
I'm sure there will be more shenanigans to come, so I'll do my best to keep you updated. Until then, liberty is authorized.
