annual training day 14

Finally home! Pretty glad to be back in San Diego. Landed at around 2pm and got back to San Diego around 6, ridiculous right? Anyway, great annual training this year. Time for some rest and relaxation and getting ready for work tomorrow.

waiting to get home at o'dark 30

waiting to board

kansas city, mo

annual training day 13

We packed up the connex box today and had our annual Javalina Awards. It was pretty hilarious. All in all, a really nice last day here in Oklahoma. Not too bad, but didn't really see much.

people at the javalina awards

more people at the javalina awards

swing time

annual training day 12

We had our MWR day today at the lake and it was pretty fun. But before that we had a promotion ceremony for the 85th Army Band's commander. At the lake, we played some beach volleyball and saw some really big bugs. The BBQ was awesome and we had time to mingle with the other band. After we got back I took an epic nap, all is well.

at the 85th's promotion ceremony

crazy warning sign

Foster tearing it up at the grill

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike!

I purchased a bike today! So exciting. I've been talking about getting a bicycle for awhile and now I have one! It's the Schwinn 700C Trail Way Hybrid for women. I bought it at Target for $250 after tax. Although it's best to get a bike at a bicycle shop, their prices were too steep for me, especially since this is the first bike I'll have since I was 11-years-old. I didn't want to shell out $400-$600 for a starter bike. If I become a cycling enthusiast then I'll consider a higher-end bike. In the meantime, this little number will do the job.

annual training day 11

I didn't take any pics today cuz I forgot my SD card in my computer. We did some crazy training today, clearing rooms. It was pretty fun. Anyways, I'm posting a video of our performance from yesterday, this song rocked.

annual training day 10

Good stuff today. We played a gig at the bar and it was awesome. The line up was my band, skArmy, then the rock band, ClassSix, and then the 85th Army Band's pop group, Custard's Mustache. It was 3 bands with 3 different sounds. I loved watching the other bands perform. Everyone was dancing at the end, it was great.

rodriguez doing her solo "Badfish"

skanking it up

us performing

annual training day 9

We played a parade today. Shortest parade ever. I think we played 1 song and in the middle of it we finished marching the parade. It was for the special kids camp or something like that. We also got our band tabs today. Its pretty cool, can't wait for other people's reactions, "wtf? band?" or something.

at the parade route

first sergeant identifying us

Gera, sporting the new tab

annual training day 8

A week has passed by. Time is going by slower than I thought it would. Today we had a pretty good rehearsal for ska band. Here's a recording of it, not bad.

annual training day 7

We had a day off today and went to Oklahoma City! It was pretty fun. We mostly just walked around and checked out the sights. I wasted money on a "Dungeon Haunted House" bullshit that cost $6. Also some of us went to a free wine tasting. I bought a bottle. We spent the majority part of the night in a bar with dueling pianos. The entertainment was great.

chillin on a bench in Oklahoma City

this is my food

the Blues Brothers at the Maker's Piano Bar

annual training day 6

Our band got to play at a basic training graduation. It was a really short gig, we just went in, played like 5 songs in the air conditioned auditorium and then left. All gigs should be like that. We borrowed some players from the 85th Army Band, one of them being SSG Rojas, who used to be with our unit. Later, I got to conduct a full concert band rehearsal because on of our guys is at the hospital or something, so the commander wasn't there. After dinner I had some ska band horn sectionals, and man, it took forever. We took 2 hours to learn ALMOST one song (My Heart Will Go On). It was pretty rough, but we're making progress at least.

a pic with Rojas (left), me, and Luna (right)

found a squished cicada aka tree snakes (cuz they sound like rattlesnakes)

this is how our mini-fridge looks like right now

annual training day 5

We recorded our marching band today, in the shade (thank goodness). It was actually a lot cooler today (96 degrees). I got to conduct again today which was pretty cool. Ska band rehearsal was awesome, got motivated about it again. We learned 2 new songs (My Heart Will Go On - as covered by New Found Glory and Badfish - Sublime) and fixed stuff in another one that we haven't played in a while (Time Bomb - Rancid). We sounded pretty damn awesome.

us, walking to the "field" about to record marching band

Howitzer Crossing sign, so awesome

some of the females in the ska band Gera (left) Rodriguez (right)

annual training day 4

Today we got to play with the 85th army band. Man we sounded so good with the combined band. I got to do some conducting which was awesome. Got some great reviews and critiques. We had a total of 8 trombones; pure balls to the walls sound. Also went to the bowling alley. I was trying to curve to ball so I didn't do so well. Plus the last time I bowled was last AT.

drank to beer at the bowling alley

Skiff pouring some beers

glimpse at our music

Stuffed bell peppers

I made stuffed bell peppers the other night. It's a recipe I learned from my college roommate. She was an excellent cook! I used a modified recipe because I can't remember the original, but it's just as tasty. I don't measure anything, just eyeball it. Besides the bell pepper of your choice, I make the "stuffing" out of ground beef, rice, pasta sauce, onions, and mushroom. For seasoning, I use salt and pepper, garlic (mined and/or powder), and italian seasoning. After I stuff the peppers, I sprinkle some shredded cheese on top and bake it for 15 min. Voila! Delicious meal!

annual training day 3

Had our change of command gig today. One of our guys became a heat casualty. He's fine now, but dang, it was crazy. Lesson learned, drink lots of water, gotta beat the heat. Also had our first ska band rehearsal of AT, we were pretty productive, I was glad, we just fixed old stuff. Next time we rehearse, we'll learn some new songs.

this is Akbaroff, our unit administrator, not amused

pro status philly cheese steak hot pocket

me and luna at o'dark 30

annual training day 2

Pretty hot today. Got to do some rehearsing. My goal is to learn at least 3 new songs for ska band this AT. Should be pretty easy cuz we're pro like that. Tomorrow is the change of command (Air Force) and we're in our dress B's, its early so hopefully its not too hot.

my new camelbak! 3L capacity

my cooking outfit

this is the sign at ft sill

annual training day 1

Man, Oklahoma is really hot. It was 107 degrees today and tomorrow its gonna be a little cooler... 101... We didn't do much today, just chilled and looked for water.

us on the bus

my lunch, not bad

my roommate, the luchador

For some reason my cat likes to attack me if i breathe in and out really quickly. He starts to breathe in and out quickly too and the next thing you know he's noming on my arm.

To prevent serious injuries I have to use my sweater, double layered. Even still his teeth get through and scratches up my skin.

Back in the day I would play with him like that with my bare hands. If i tried that now I'd be in so much pain. His jaws are too powerful for that now.

Bobby Flay Are YOU ready for a throwdown!?

Meatballs Jason Mixed Style! Some key notes about making these. Everyone says to use 1 egg per pound of meat. They are wrong use 2 eggs per pound of meat! Crack an egg on top of that shit. Also when making homemade Tomato Sauce add the basil at the very last min to ensure extra fresh favor! As per usual, Caleb was asleep for this.

Before oven meatballs.

After Oven into the sauce meatballs! Enough to feed a family or just Kirk and PJ.

Penne Rigate Pasta MMM...

Plating of the pasta and meatballs!

Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and you're officially Jason Mixed style meatballed :D

-JMX

Instant MSG

Two because one is for noobs.


Easy saute Cow and BIG onions


Don't forget the protein


Onions, Chicken, Cow, Tomato, and random greens too look nice.

mexican rice in a rice cooker

Tonight I made some Mexican rice in my rice cooker because doing it traditionally is too much trouble for a Chiner like myself.


Ingredients:

• rice
• other stuff

This is actually pretty easy. I put in about 2 cups of rice (wash it if you want, unless you're white cuz apparently white people don't care if they have dirty rice) with some chicken broth. I poured in a whole can, but you can probably substitute that with chicken bullion cubes or something. Just make sure its enough liquid to cover the rice just as if you're making regular white rice. After that, pour in another cup of water just to make sure.

I put about 1 big spoon full of tomato paste and diced up some onions in there. Just do what you think looks good. If you like onions a lot, put in some more. Also I put in some garlic, just a 1/2 spoonful (I should have done more) of minced garlic. Press the button and let it cook.

Mine came out a little bland, but that's why you have salt. Just throw some in if you think its not salty enough and boom, Mexican rice is done. Too easy.

Just put a new song up on the embedded player below the kitteh. Check it out for its epicness and be prepared to be blown away by our awesomeness.

Happy Birthday Kirk!

Happy Birthday, Kirk! Today Kirk turns 25. To start off the day, I made him a big breakfast. The meal consisted of an omelet (filled with cheese, spinach, and tomatoes), hash brown, and blueberry eggos. Kirk wanted to eat outside; it was so sunny that the light reflecting off the white table was killing me, so we moved the table into the shade. Breakfast was very filling.


Kirk's tradition on his birthday is eating at In-N-Out. So, that's exactly what we did that night. Kirk ordered his usual: Cheeseburger with whole grilled onion, extra grilled onions, extra toasted bun and pattie well done. Since it was a special occasion, he also ordered animal fries. Birthday complete.