Sweepers, man your brooms

A large public function took place today in the meeting room of the library where I work part-time. After everyone left, the room needed a thorough cleaning. 

Being the junior employee, I got the job.

I spent the afternoon wiping doughnut crumbs off tables. I washed out the coffee urn. I moved stray chairs back to their proper positions. I vacuumed the carpet, emptied the wastebaskets and, on my own initiative, straightened out a few shelves.

Finishing up, I looked the room over with a small sense of pride. 

The task didn't require advanced technical expertise, but it's important to keep a facility clean and ready for use. After the director looks the room over tomorrow morning, I suspect I'll get a compliment. I'll appreciate it, because I've only been there a few months and am looking for greater responsibilities.

I'm 60 years old and finally learning how to be a good E-3.

Party On, Facebook

If you haven't signed up for Facebook yet, you're missing the party.

Or parties, I should say. New groups of former and active duty MUs are popping up all over this fast-growing social networking site. Some have hundreds of members, others are just getting off the ground.

 

In the week since I posted  Facing up to Facebook, I've started the Former U.S. Navy Musicians group. Every day, more former MUs have signed up. As shipmates discover the group, they spread the news to others.   

As you browse the membership lists of groups, you may find an old friend or make a new friend. There are more photos every day, and you may find a picture of yourself. (This has happened to me. I note in Max Murray's photo album that my 7-11 shirt looked just as lame in Newport in 1983 as it did at the NMA reunion in 2007.)

If you don't find a group you want, you can start your own within minutes. Then sent out a few invites and hope it grows.

Nowadays, when I turn on my computer in the morning, I go to my home page at Facebook and automatically see what shipmates are up to. 

Here are a few groups. (I haven't provided links; you have to be registered at Facebook to visit them.) The first is the one I started, and the rest follow in no particular order of precedence.

Former U.S. Navy Musicians -- "All former members of United States Navy bands--enlisted, officer, career MUs and one-hitchers--are welcome."

Navy Band Orlando Alumni -- "If you were ever stationed there, ever wanted to be, or knew someone who was."

U.S. Navy Showband Alumni -- "For All who served on board the U.S. Navy Showband "La Band Unitas"

Sixth Fleet Band Alumni -- "A forum for memories and news of the Sixth Fleet Navy Band, created for former members, families and friends of Navy Musicians."

U.S. Navy Band San Francisco Group -- A group created "to try to preserve the memory of the great US Navy fleet band stationed on Naval Station Treasure Island in San Francisco, California."

School of Music Staff Lounge -- "Staff & Faculty of the Armed Forces School of Music."

NAB SOM (Naval Amphibious Base School of Music) -- "For those motivators who went and currently go to the NAB SOM and want to get in touch with one another!"

U.S. Navy Band -- "This is a group for sailors who are a part of a Navy Band, and also for their friends and family who support them."

Military Musicians -- "This Face book page is for all members of military bands, past and present."