FRI, 14JUN19 - The Daily Poop -- Effin' A Sea Bag

Effin'-a sea bag.

If I remember correctly, packing for a Navy band cruise or road trip took about 12 minutes.

You folded your uniforms, put 'em in your sea bag, tossed in socks, skivvies, toothbrush and razor, and you were done. Okay, maybe the socks went in first, uniforms last. The point is, you could do this with one hand while holding a Budweiser in the other, and when the Bud was done, so was the packing.

That was then, this is now. Yesterday, I started packing so I can get out of here tomorrow. I spent a half hour trying to decide how many shirts I needed; I'll be gone for eight days, but I'll want to change into nicer clothing for the evening functions. But I could wear the Friday-night shirt again the following day, and who cares what I wear for the trip back home? And short sleeves are great, but I'm going to an evening Brewers game, and it might get chilly. So another long-sleeved shirt goes into the mix.

In other words, I spent yesterday picking out a stack of shirts. Today, I'll do the pants. This could take all day, as I need trousers that (a) aren't torn or ragged and (b) fit.

Not so sure I'll get out tomorrow after all.

FRI, 14JUN19 - The Daily Poop - "24 ≠ 25"

Add Terry Chesson to the list of Sunday arrivals for the NMA reunion. Anybody else?

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Is it safe to wear your Chicago Cubs gear at a Brewers game in Milwaukee? Asking for a friend.

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A topic that will come up during the reunion is the fact that next year will be the NMA's 25th anniversary. However, let it be noted here that next week, for our 24th anniversary, we'll be holding our 25th reunion. Do not offer other opinions. Faith-based math carries no weight. The first reunion was held in 1995. In the following year, 1996, we held the second reunion on our first anniversary. In 1997, we had our third reunion on our second anniversary. Keep counting and you'll come to the ironclad fact that this year,  2019, we're holding our 25th reunion on our 24th anniversary and next year, at our 26th reunion, we'll celebrate our 25th anniversary.

We had a similar argument five years ago while looking forward to our 20th anniversary, celebrated at our 21st reunion. Voices were raised. Fists were shaken. Truth was denied.

Fortunately, reality doesn't care about your opinions.

THURS, 13JUN19 - The Daily Poop

Our day-earlier-than-usual reunion this year means I won't be the only member arriving on Sunday. Kim and Deb Holl, key players in reunion preparation, plan a Sunday arrival. I have great respect for the Holls. Kim sponsored me during CPO initiation and pinned on my anchors. Deb could pin me to the deck if I get out of line.

Sunday arrivals a few years ago:
Me, Bill Sterck, Wilbur Smith, David Blakeley.

Wilbur Smith also arrives on Sunday, to organize band music, work on concert preparation and, I would assume, sample the sort of beverage that made Milwaukee famous. Smitty was one of the many MUs with whom I crossed paths now and then but never served with. How common it was to sort of know someone in our small program.

David Blakeley also arrives on Sunday. I never served with David, but have come to know and respect him through the NMA.

Altogether, three tours with Kim: once in Yokosuka and twice at the School of Music. Two brief overlaps with Wilbur: first in Newport and later, at the School. Zero tours with David, who I know only through the NMA.

Yet, they're all shipmates I look forward to seeing every year. That's how the NMA works.

WED, 12JUN19 - The Daily Poop

 

            Time.
            Is.
            Marching.
            On.

In a matter of days, I'll be in Wisconsin with the finest people I know, the Navy Musicians Association family.

Thus, I launch the 12th annual season of the Daily Poop, my annual, pre-reunion pep rally of NMA news, thoughts and slander. The Poop will appear daily until the reunion starts on Tuesday the 18th (or maybe the day before). At that time, we'll switch to round-the-clock reunion coverage: LiveBlog 2019.

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Are you coming? When will you arrive? Are you staying home? What's wrong with you? Let me know. I don't feel bad about spreading gossip; I just call it "passing the word."

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Bob Grindle just wrote to tell me he'll be at the reunion. Oh, "Boomer," how we've missed you.

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Lee Hudson--are you coming this year? I need to decide whether to start drinking again.