Showing posts with label Future. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Future. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Joys of Third Trimester, 4/c Year

Still a month until third trimester, but the Plebes are starting to dream about what it brings...

Military IDs are issued: A significant number of setbacks occur after 2nd trimester. Many of these setbacks into the next graduating year occur for academic reasons (typically after failing 2 classes in one Academic Year); and for plebe midshipmen who have not been cleared for sea duty, this means taking 8 months away from the Academy and repeating the trimester. As I understand, people on setback time do not drill with the Navy Reserve; 4/c/plebes and 3/c midshipmen are able to quit the Academy without occurring a military obligation. No good can happen with "valid" military IDs held by full-fledged civilians floating around. For this reason, it seems, the Academy does not issue our Naval Reservist IDs until third trimester.

Recognition: What is it like to be an upperclassmen? 4/c gets to find out when Recognition comes. This event happens after specific plebe missions are completed: spirit missions for the seniors celebrating 300, 200, and 100 nights left at the Academy; community service and high school visits to represent the Academy; passing 10 Plebe Knowledge Tests as a class (we've finished 6; it seems as if we are being fast-tracked right now: read on). After Recognition, 4/c gets most upperclasss privileges, including "rack in", or sleeping during the day; media privileges and order-in at all times, wearing backpacks, and being able to walk casually in Regimental areas. 4/c after Recognition still have to do cleaning stations and stand a hefty number of watchstations, but it's good to be recognized. There is a theory that plebes are recognized before open house in April (thus we are being rushed through Plebe Knowledge Tests), to raise morale and to show visitors that the plebes they saw back in August have moved on to a higher status.

Practical Sea Courses: For plebes who have been given a hard courseload in second trimester, ready-to-go-to-sea classes can be a relief for engineer students who have sizzled their minds with electrical engineering. There is also the excitement of preparing to ship out; like planning a vacation (but sea year is not a vacation), it's exciting to go through the administrative steps, one at a time, on the way to sea in June or October. (I'm scheduled to ship out in July).

Superplebes: Setback coming from third trimester are already recognized. I wouldn't imagine that they would room with unrecognized plebes (because of their immense privileges). One thing to note is that recognized 4/c wear collar insignia on campus, where unrecognized plebes do not. Third trimester is the first time that plebes don't formally greet everyone with collar insignia. Superplebes are your classmates.

Class Rates Liberty: Liberty policy is the same for 4/c from September to June, though third trimester 4/c are ensured three overnight liberties; whereas none are granted (they must be earned) in 1st or 2nd trimester (although we have our long weekends such as Columbus Weekend and MLK Weekend).

Return of the A splitters: 2/c and 3c who set out to sea in October will be returning later this month. People say that some are ready to "fraternize" with us, which they can't do until we're recognized. And they expect us to be recognized once they step off the boat. So that's a second reason, on top of making us cheerful for open house, why recognitition always seems to happen sooner than May.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Ag Preserve

City of 2050.
Washington Area real estate is inflated in price for a few reasons: desireablility, and increasing scarceness of developable property. If trends keep up (which they have even amidst a supposed construction slowdown), cities will extend straight out to the-farm. Yes, next to the skyscraper is farmland. No discernable suburbs.
But what about the farm? It's part of the Agricultural Preserve meant to protect farmland, wilderness, and wildlife. It also protects real estate prices by squeezing demand. It's a suburban version of 'historic district'. Even now, one can travel from pure farmland and 'the forest' to an urban, high-rise environment in 15 minutes. I remember when I realized the quick change: I was coming home from "Science City" on the tech corridor, cut though the woods as a short cut, drove by some estates doubtlessly owned by lawyers and Beltway Bandits. Then, a few traditional style suburbs, and then the high rises. 15 minutes. It made a profound impact on me (Cliche :)). Just imagine being a city person, but your neighbor is a cow.

Some prospective Detroit investors plan to use this method to revitalize the city, or, at least, make a quick buck.

Peace with you!

Friday, September 18, 2009

To Make an Empire

Did you notice how half our class plans to run for school office in the Spring?, queries one affindat. No, like in the future, we're going to like run the world. I mean, half of us will run the world and the other half will take it over. Everyone's going to know about that group of kids from St. A's.

Picking from a potential pool of 150 is a lot different than luring from a pool of 20,000. I don't understand why we do it, but we play games with the premier DC public school. In the meanwhile, we lose 1:2, at best.They live in various environments, from the realm of lawyers and local politicians to the diversified masses, including art majors. Many come from joke-worthily homogenous society with dabblings in science. The tech corridors. STEM. Maybe I bring it up to the wrong people: Let's be the first denizens of Science City. "Shaddup". A truer friend brought the issue up: Audiences. Yes, these people who only think of rap and b-ball are the ones who aren't the future powerforce. But as for the deep-thinking investment club or the worldly Model UN, there might be my audience. Indeed, the way the investment club analyzed Ford (F) stock as a good investment, they have a bright future.

Whom do these leaders follow? Their older cousins? No- there's a STEM shortage, an Priveledged generation, sure. Rebellious, sure. Concerned about the environment and social welfare? As a card in the wallet (more than none, less than a whole life). Likely to end up working and partying as a Zappo clerical? Not the '90's man, or lady. In an attempt to mantain a lifestyle provided by our helicopter
Not the last generation. Those goths! I invision being their boss, really. Positivity is the road to success. Our parents? Our grandparents? Our emigrant great-grands? Family values pass on like dna. Generations. See that one of investment club speaks for his friends' and brothers' suburban class scism cause (for example, Montgomery Co. east of Creek vs West of Creek). Four points: he seems cool headed and not a populist. And, he's a stable conformer (not a big-government type). It's also egalitarian- raise our standards but don't paracite the already successful. He reads the Wall Street Journal and is economically 'realistic'.

Young people are what we need. Moldable. We need x more y-careerees. They're consumerist, and the glut on the way out will need houses. Oh, and all these houses (or most of these spare houses) are in suburbs. Granted, some of these exurban developments are helpless, but we can return the orginal meaning of the suburbs of the convenience of city living with the ease of country life (this was the 1920-1950 slogan). Thus, the quip by Harvard legacy and Bethesda (inner-burb) resident that the young people will move fvrom suburbs to city, according to my evidence, is incorrect. Maybe the first tax hike or bag fee will put them on the outbound train (You must believe that Big Government at all levels is harmful to our values!).

The demigods in the sky:
Technically, there is no reason why industrial execs can't live the high life. There is really no reason why manufactory has to be done in developing countries. These days, there is a bulge of ready-to-work workers in places like Ohio and Pennsylvania who have experience in the manufacturing and heavy indusries. Yes, college-spiff degrees lead to a flavorful landscape with a wide variety of careers from banking jobs to art jobs. But there isn't an overwhelming demand for art. Fortunately, as we reemploy former factory workers into modern plants, they will retire, and we'll need replacements. Pull them straight from the high school gown at 17 or 18 or 19 and make them 40-year company men or ladies. We'll save middle america and restore the way things used to be with stability and American Industrial might. The things that made the 20th century great. O little town of Bethlehem PA!

So, if you believe in what I said above, you seem to have a good shot at success

-Atticus Sawatzki, motivational coach.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Wine Cooler

I have no use for it. Neither does the family. A neighbor decided he/she did not want their barely-used "Wine Enthusiast" in the potter's field. SO that's when I adopted it, only on the fact that it isn't a worthless thing- about $250. SO, since it's out of the box, but otherwise unused, I concurred that $95 is not a bad price to get it off my hands. Now I have to get to ebay...

PS- it's a 28 bottle model with stainless steel trim, and there is no law saying that people under 21 can't own one- it's just that they don't/

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Multimedia Journalist

Post 350, a lot of videos online, and the news comes down to meet me

Picture the sort of fascinating journalism I do. Now imagine instead of you clicking to see my world, you turn on your TV and see me. That is what WUSA 9 is doing- the least viewed news channel around here. They are throwing out the specialists who film and do the lighting and all, even eliminating the sucker interns who do all the work when everyone else is on vacation. What is replacing my aspirations is self-reporting. After ten years of improving e-journalism that now involves real crews, these reporters are going to film themselves. Now I consider how on the film Animal Noises, I left out the usual lighting scheme by accident. I didn't want to redo the whole ad lib show, so I uploaded it it anyway. That is the future of Channel 9.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Building Tall

Check my facts, but America maintained the homeland of the world's tallest building from the turn of the last century up until 1998. It's time to bring it back. With what the oil money are doing in Dubai makes formidable competition- breaking 2K feet isn't good enough- I think the next building will be 1/2 a mile tall (2640 ft). At least Chicago is building her Spire. But I do believe that a new city should get the honor. On my behest, the JangooCorp will need a new home. What about the capital city, DC? By law, height is width of adjacent street plus 20', not exceeding the height of the capitol. That's only like 28 floors. By permission, recess from the curb can be added height, as the National Cathedral. By FAA request, Rosslyn is restricted to 490 feet above sea level, anything taller gets in the way of planes trying to land at National. Bethesda? Silver Spring? Crystal City? Wherever the land prices are high is where the Corporation wants to build a tower. Completion date- approx. 2035

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Tough day at the office?

Waiting for NTFletch's next post. I am one of a supposed many who eagerly await the next spoken word- unlike in this part, a post is a sweet treat that is built up to- not a daily of bi-daily given. Nevertheless, I sojourn on, gathering steam, as they say.

Today, we worked on our mayor project- choose a candidate from your group of 12, and, if he/she wins against the other two, their team wins a prize. Does the team I am in have a chance to win> It lays in my hands. It's true. For whichever intervention came, I was almost unanimously chosesn as the candidate. Pressure is on me.

I plan to finish The Cold War: A New History tomorrow afternoon, after I give the make-or-break speech for the model-mayoral bid.

Caveat Emptor:
Still not done with your first book this summer? Don't worry- I still have to take a week or two in August to skim the readings, again. But pretty good progress, though.

PS- I got up and left early to go to the Convention Center to pick up my Debit card- And they had it! I'm so happy!...

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Let's Buy a Boat

Once we build up our internet empire, we can start our earthly empire with the raised capital, and, well, buy a boat. More details will come as appropriate, but we plan to start to construct a transit and retail empire as well. As I say, this is 10 years from now. Just thinking.

So let's build our web empire to grand heights over the summer. Yes, and once we procure a videocam, we will take advantage of Youtube to promote the Empire. We may also go into web advertising... but not much time to think about it. Thursday-Biology quiz, Math work, French test. Friday-Math test. Monday-Speech.

Delli-can-drive countdown: 6 days

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Clearing out

I was so sad...I was beckoned for goods which I did not have...twice today. Moral of story- take your opportunity with my stuff while you can. I do have it, most days, but seek ye first.

You probably don't know what I'm saying, and it doesn't matter. The big thing is that when I blog next, I'll be changed. I should have been able to see the pope live- first time ever for me- with some of the people at school. And then by 7th period, everything should return back to normal, except that you can't forget that you just spent all morning in a sun-filled stadium, which I perceive as still scented of the "New Car Scent", with at least a few hysterical people so excited to see Him. If all works out right, I'll be out of home at 5:40am and at school by 7am, and in the ballpark by 8:30. And by the time for tennis practice, my arm will be black and blue.

They say the St. John's kids have to be at school by 5:30am to go. Really?

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

I have noticed...

That you rarely find coins on the streets in New York. However, there's always a multitude of coins in DC. Why is that? I don't know, but I would like to form an investigatory committee. Why I bring this up- I've been finding a lot of dimes and quarters around.
Not to mention 35 cent fare cards...

Anyway, I get to keep my little ego of eschewing the third shuttle. The E2 actually comes at a good time, and I got to Fort Totten about when the first shuttle arrived. I'll post an easy schedule of the E2 and 80 buses after school on the soon-future Main House website.
On the topic of Main House, we all get to wear house shirts tomorrow. I'm just waiting for Main House jokes all day tomorrow, but-

Sticks and stones might break our bones but words will never hurt us,
or the United States of America.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Paper Fighters

I write this post as I review a small video clip from my cell phone.
This clip is of what we call a Paper Fight. In this sport, both parties roll free newspapers and perform a ninja fight. This game is relatively safe, and is much fun, when it is staged. The sport would be great at any unsupervised, responsible, party. Adults and the media may take offense if it becomes popular, but it still would make a great late-night TV show and YouTube material. Also, I have been convinced that the Bio Club does do seriously cool stuff. So I encourage you, even though I have not yet (let's check my schedule...), to join, as well as get the opportunity to win a Bill Gates XBox.

I nearly forgot to type this because it happens earlier than in a lifetime this year, but today is Super Fat Tuesday, one time in about a hundred years that Fat Tuesday aka Mardi Gras, and Super Tuesday collide. Whatever incomparable indulgences and marked mischievousnesses you do tonight, don't forget tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Post 70 Day

Did you know:
that you can buy a profitable coal or gold mine on the internet?

Such a typical week, aka non-eventful week...Looking forward to MLK day on Monday. No train incidents, no its-so-important world events, no catastrophic tests. There is, however, one point.

What percentage of students, in 14 classes, roughly, get out early last period? I have been synchronizing my flight from the school building. I never go to the lockers (a time burner) after the last class, and rather bring any material I'm carrying for that last class home. (Wheelock on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays History of the World. Hypothetically, nothing in excess after Biology on Thursdays or Intramural on Friday.) Yet I always end up on the second shuttle. I want to know...

Oh yes, and longer reports that are un-bloggable are in another quasi-publication Jangoomag, which I intend to produce monthly, and to include more writers! (yeah.) It originally had pretty colored pictures, but in current state are unviewable. I tried using Google Docs, but I couldn't get it to work, so it's on Freewebs.

www.freewebs.com/jangoomag (Click here to view)

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

First Christmas, Blogged

It was a rare day when the computer remained off all day. That's why I couldn't say:
*"Merry Christmas"*
last night to everyone before the special day.

Before next Christmas I will have received my Driver Learner's Permit (isn't it 15 and a half in DC) , had a nice, long summer vacation and experience, Dr. Wood's Physics class, and a February 29th will have gone by. Lots of things.

Back to yesterday and the day before, I took the Tony bus to New York (Not recommended) via 4 stops and had a lunch in Chinatown. ($3, Fried Dumpling, Avenue of the Immigrants/Allen Street, Fried dumplings, wonton soup, spring roll and tea egg) I rushed back to a lesson and carol service for the community, and then had an alumni school dinner. Afterwards, we checked in our hotel, Doubletree at Times Square. Nice views from room 1403. Fun to ride the elevator to the top and down for thrills. Of course, time flew and it was time for midnight mass. It was so hard to stay awake while sitting down during the festive music, but I was somewhat awake by the end of Mass. Bed at about 2am.

Later morning, Christmas Day, Breakfast at a little deli east of the hotel on 47th street. ($3.25, breakfast sandwich.) Rockefeller center had a long fountain which was about a foot thick in pennies and various other change. Got some pictures, will post. Another service at 11, and Eastern bus at 2:30 home. The only store that would have been somewhat appealing there in Times Square, waiting for the bus to pull up was Office Depot. Yes, no better place to play in Times Square. Not too many people. But Office Depot was closed that day.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

The Big Idea

I promised on Thursday that when I had more time, I would give my big plan. I read online about these High School Entrepreneurs. Their stories are amazing! But there is a benefit- they also give scholarships for these people for college. I suppose that this is a limited field and that I may have a chance to shine, and to get pocket change without being dependent on a parent. I've done lots of buying and selling and much of the other professional matters like evaluation... This is something that I will think about over the long Christmas break in 20 days.