The Navy and my life as I know it...

You don't realize how attached you get to the stuff you have until you're faced with not having it. When I leave for the Navy, I have to leave behind... well EVERYTHING.

No computer, no ipod, no phone. No tv, no movies, no music. None of the comforts I have grown to "depend" upon. No more junk food, beer, lazy days spent watching football. I will get to enjoy these things again, just not during Basic Training. It's just when you live your whole life with it, you tend to find it hard to change.

I know it's simply the price I have to pay. Every decision requires sacrifice, and my life as I know it will be my sacrifice. I can't say that I am totally disappointed by what I have to give up.

I have to move out of Oklahoma, stop living on the verge or poverty, give up my job that doesn't give me enough hours or pay, move out of an apartment that has a bug/noise/idiot neighbor problem.

What do I get in return for my sacrifices? I get a great job with great pay and benefits. I get to travel the world. I get a month of paid vacation. When I get out of the Navy, I have a great resume.

I am not complaining. I am willingly giving this stuff up (for the time being) so that I can raise my quality of life, and not be stuck in the same rut I have been in for a while. I just don't see any downsides to the adventure on which I am about to embark.

I am lucky to have the friends and family I have, who support me in my decisions, whether they totally agree with them or not. I am privileged to be able to go to them, and have them give me their opinions straight up with no bullshit.

My sister did not agree with my joining the Navy in the beginning, but over time, she is slowing coming to embrace the idea, and not because she totally agrees, but because she loves me, wants to see me happy and successful, and if this path is my chosen one, she will be behind me. My best friends support me as always in everything I do, and that's more than I could ever ask for. My Dad and my Stepmom also support me in the same way as my sister, not totally agreeing, but standing behind me regardless.

For those of you who don't know, on March 3, 2008 I am shipping off to Navy Basic Training in Great Lakes, Ill. There I will spend two months becoming a U.S. Navy Sailor.

After that I will be off to my Training School in Pensacola, Fla. for training in Avionics. I will be there 14-26 weeks to learn all there is to know about planes and helicopters, and possibly becoming part of the Aircrew.

From there I will go on assignment, and when it comes open, try to shift into Mass Communication when a spot opens up. I was not able to get a spot initially due to the program being fully staffed. So I will learn Avionics until then.

Also, after a few assignments, or at the end of my 5 year enlistment, I will be joining Officer Training to learn how to be either a Public Affairs Officer or a Naval Pilot.

Everything after my initial training school is just speculation, but at least I have a plan going in. I want to serve enlisted for a few years on assignment so I can see the world and enjoy my time in the Navy before becoming too "responsible", or as the enlisted say... "I want to work for a living, and earn my pay".

So anyways thats whats going on in my life. 9 days 'til I leave Muskogee, 19 days 'til I get to hang out with my sister, and 26 days until I ship off. I want to thank everyone who has supported me through all the thick and thin, and to all my readers for checking out a view into my world. You have 26 more days to enjoy my insights until I go on hiatus!

Seaman Recruit Townsend, Division 302 signing off.

The Navy recruit is finally here!

On January 31, 2008 I became a Naval recruit.

After about a month of paperwork, and other bullshit, I have finally accomplished what I set out to do. I am in the Navy.

Keep your seaman jokes to yourself.

Unfortunately, I did not gt the Mass Communication job I was aiming for. Apparently the job will not be available until next year. So, I am going into Avionics.

Due to my 95 on the ASVAB test, (4 points shy of a perfect score), I was able to pretty much pick whatever job I wanted. Due to my leave time frame, and my record of traffic violations (yeah it bit me in the ass) That field was limited. But I was still able to to get the best job field in Aviation that the Navy offers, which is fucking awesome.

And I can apply for the Mass Comm job as soon as it comes open, so it's still in range, it's just over that hump.

Anyways, as an Avionics recruit, I get to work on planes and learn all about them, and I also get the chance to fly.

Let me repeat that... I CAN FLY!!!!!

Slightly excited about that. My A school will be in Pensacola Florida for 14-26 weeks, depending on what job I choose in Avionics. From there I go on assignment or I go to flight school.

I leave for Basic Training on March 3rd, and I am working on getting shifted to leave out of Dallas instead of OKC.

So that's all the news I have for now... I'm really excited, and thank you to everyone who has supported me through this whole process.

Here's to my future!

~Ian

SeaWolf

Every once in a while, you have to make life changing decisions. One's that effect the outcome of the rest of your life. Some examples are: choosing which college you want to attend, choosing your major, choosing your career, marriage, etc. Well it has come time for me to make a life changing decision, and it is none of the above.

I am joining the U.S. Navy.

If you are confused, please read above sentence again.

Some may ask why I would do that. Here are my reasons:

1) I am stuck in a dead end job. The newspaper I am working at has not potential to get me anywhere in the business except small time papers, which isn't my thing.

2) I have an associates degree (coursework is complete, don't have the degree yet), and in the newspaper world, except for small time papers, that won't cut it.

3)I am STUCK in Muskogee, Oklahoma... and its miserable here.

4) I have become lazy and complacent, and it is driving me insane.

5) I am not happy with where I am at.

Ok so that answers the why. Now I will answer what the Navy will do for me.

1) I will be able to complete my Bachelors relatively quick, which gives me the chance to train as a Naval Officer.

2) I will be going to one of the best Mass Communication schools in the nation.

3) I will triple or quadruple what I am making now, instantly, plus full coverage benefits.

4) I can travel.

5) When I get out of the Navy, I will have Navy attached to my resume, and can go to work anywhere I want.

So that's what the Navy will do for me. The next question you will have is when will I leave, and what is the timetable I will be working under.

1) I will leave as soon as I get all my stuff in order. So I am shooting for late spring early summer.

2) Boot Camp or "Basic Training" will last 8 weeks in Great Lakes, Illinois. Then I will be off my A-school for Mass Communications in Athens, GA for 25 weeks. After that I will pick my assignment, whether it be at a base or at sea.

3) I will be enlisting for 8 years, and then I will probably go reserve after that.

This decision definitely came out of the blue. I was not looking in the direction of the military, but it definitely came to me, and came with a lot of pluses. I have done my research (still doing it) and have talked to all the major players in my life. They all agree that it is a good idea, and if I work hard and do as instructed, it will pay big dividends. If anyone has any further questions or inquiries or would just like to say anything regarding my decision, feel free to do so. I welcome all input.

This is the SeaWolf signing off until next time.

~Ian

Back by popular demand

So it has been a ong time since I posted anything with substance. The truth is, I haven't felt like writing. I suppose when you write for a living, all of your recreational writing tends to take a backseat.

BUT

I decided that writing for fun helps keep my skills sharpened, and also is exactly what it's meant for... FUN.

So here we go.

As a few of you have heard, I'm finished with school (for now). I finished all of my course work and will walk in May for my Associates in Journalism. An A.A degree is pretty much a joke for me, considering I spent 4 years in school for it. Yes, I changed my degree 3 or 4 times, but still... Anyways, I PLAN on pursuing a Bachelors at the very least, but I don't know when. I'm sure it will happen sometime, but unless one of my jobs wants/needs me to, then I won't be planning it for anytime soon, i.e. within the next 6 months.

I am enjoying my job as a sports agate clerk/sports copy editor at the Muskogee Phoenix. To check out some of my work, simply go to muskogeephoenix.com and search for me. You'll find my stuff. I'm hoping that my job will become a full-time one soon, but I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket. So keep your fingers and toes crossed for me, pray, or do whatever to send good vibes my way.

I am enjoying being home for an extended period of time. this is the first time since last Christmas that I have been home for more than 3 days. I got to see family and friends, and most importantly relax. I also hope to see my girlfriend, Renee when she comes down for New Years. Now if I can just talk Christel into coming up here, the New Years Bash will be complete...

Oh and yes, you read the above right... I am dating someone. Her name is Renee, she is 26 and lives in Shawnee, OK. Anyone who has ever heard Oklahoma Girl by the Eli Young Band would know that the song is TOTALLY fitting. If you haven't heard said song, do check it out.

ALSO, as plans stand, I will be seeing 2 concerts within 8 days of each other, On Feb. 29, I will be seeing a band I have managed to miss on numerous occasions, Linkin Park in OKC, then will be going to Austin to see the Dropkick Murpys on March 7 with the best sister in the whole world. So I'm excited.

Well that about wraps up the updates for me. It's been a crazy ride lately and I hope to keep everyone more updated and treat you to the best I can come up with to keep you entertained.

Stay tuned...

Oh and by the way, HOW BOUT THEM HORNS! They drubbed Arizona State tonight, and for all those jackasses out there... Texas STILL owns the streak for consecutive 10 win seasons (7), and Mack Brown is the winningest coach in the last 12 years with 122 victories. Eat that Sooner fans!

New Beginnings

It's not everyday you happen upon a second chance, or a new beginning. Sometimes, things just happen to fall in your lap at the most odd moment.

It always sucks when you lose something or someone and you feel like it/they are gone forever. You wish you could have done things differently, wish things had transpired other than they did. Eventually you accept it and move on. Sometimes, you get to try again. Sometimes that thing or person comes back into your life, and you get the chance you didn't get before.

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. I know that everything has its purpose and its time, and you just have to wait to find it out. As much as you may hate waiting, may hate not knowing why, it will come to you with time and wisdom. Sometimes the time isn't right, or the situation is wrong. Sometimes things just aren't stable or cohesive enough. For whatever reason, things may leave us... but they can come back, at the right time, the right place.

I was recently granted a new beginning with someone I thought was lost to me. It hurt me to lose them, and I did ask why it happened, and received no answers. Time passed, and I moved on. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. I, out of the blue, contact that person and we begin to talk again. We have both changed, matured, grown up. We have so much more in common, and our feelings are different this time. We realize that we have something great, and while we regret that it did not come earlier, we both know it came at the right time. It was a new beginning between the two of us, and I could not be happier.

She has made me a better man and I hope I have made her the better as well. Why did she come back into my life? I don't know. I am not going to question it though. I'm going to let things happen as they may, and just ride the tide.

The brooding, slightly unhappy, melancholy, mopey Ian has gone away. I have a lightness about me now, and it is thanks to this newest of beginnings.

The moral of this story is simple. Things can change in a heartbeat, and you have to always be ready. What you think was gone may come back again, when the timing is perfect. Don't lose hope for the things that seem impossible or unreachable. Know that there is always that chance that you can have what you can only hope and dream for.

I dreamt of having someone in my life that makes me happy and cares about me. I have that now. So always keep hope in your heart, and smile, because you never know when the sun will shine on you again and give you a new beginning.

Updates...

Here are the links to the two articles and 1 picture I took for the Muskogee Phoenix during the Baseball tourney in Dallas.

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/sports/local_story_122005306.html

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/sports/images_sizedimage_123004402/resources_photoview

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/archivesearch/local_story_124010231.html

What a week...

but it didnt end well. I came back to my dorm room to find the deadbolt I locked before leaving mysteriously unlocked. Then I opened my door to find multiple items missing. My flat screen tv... gone. My flat screen computer monitor... gone. My speaker system... gone. My broken laptop, my movies (all 300 of them), my digital camera, my football visors, my dvd player/recorder... gone. So I went through the bullshit of filing reports with the sheriffs department, and talking to all the right people, and found out that no one, i repeat NO ONE saw ANYTHING. How can no one see people walking out with all of my stuff? That TV was a heavy awkward item... not the easiest thing to take but no one saw it... but alas its all "stuff" and I'll eventually get some sort of reimbursment for it... obviously not enough to replace it fully, or to put back the trust I lost in the school or my former teammates but it will be something.

Anyways Im living in Tulsa now... I'm staying with a friend at the moment until I get my own place. I have a job that starts monday dependant on the results from my background check and drug test. I also have another job I might be doing starting in june, but who knows. Ive gotten drunk every night Ive been in tulsa with the exception of sunday, but its been a good time so far.

So yeah thats about it at the moment. I miss my friends that I dont get to see anymore... I miss my sister... I miss my dad and step mom... I miss texas... I can't wait for december because I will show my back to oklahoma and be moving to austin. I cant wait...

Anyways I love all of you that take the time to read my stuff... and I love everyone who means something to me... because without you or your support... who knows where I would be right now.

Adios for now....

"Wolf"

Writing is my life

If you told me a few years ago that I would be writing for a living, Id ask you what drugs you were doing. I had always enjoyed writing as a hobby, but never even gave it a second thought as a career.

Fast forward to the present. Im a journalism major with less than 8 months until I graduate college. Let me repeat that. I GRADUATE IN 8 MONTHS.... AND Ill be writing and taking pictures for a living. I know... crazy right?

Well since I made the decision to become a full time writer, Ive been inspired. I started a new blog, Ive written 2 major stories (one in the works), 5 movie reviews (one in the works), a sports column in the works, a personal column in the works, and et cetera.

Im a busy guy with ideas just running circles around me. I am definitely using this blog to squeeze out ideas, and get them written before they run away from me. Ive pulled so many ideas out of me in the past 3 months that Im really starting to believe in myself as a writer. I have ideas for novels Im slowly putting together, so that when Im ready, i can put them in print and get them out into the public. I really want to try and do something different with my novels, because who wants to write like someone else?

Im enjoying myself alot more these days and definitely like what Im doing... With education... I just wasnt ready to commit to that. I want to get out of school for a while and see the world... follow my own path and not be locked down. I also want a job where I have much more freedom and possibilities to express myself and be myself.

I find myself sitting there just shocked at where I am in my life. At 22, Ive been through so many things and traveled so many paths that have led me to where I am now, and Im just excited to see whats next. Ive got a whole horizon of possibilities and unlimited paths to walk. Who knows where Ill go, what I do, or who I will become in the process.

I have made many good choices and bad choices in my life and all have created me as I am now. I wouldnt trade my life for anything, and know that all of my choices were meant to happen. I know where ever I go, I am watched over and protected. I know Im free to live how I choose ad do the things I want, but I know Im also guided by God. I had a great conversation with someone today, and he helped me realize that while I walk freely, I am given a path and given a means to achieve anything I want, all I have to do is work for it. Nothing is given to us straight away and we have to achieve and believe to get those things. I know I can do anything I want if I put in the work and always believe in myself, what Im doing, and God.

Im really excited walking the path Im on. I cant wait to see whats next.

~Ian

Stuck in the middle

Im not happy but Im not sad...

Im not jolly and Im not glad...

But Im not depressed or mad...

Im just stuck...

In...
The...
Middle...

I really dont have any complaints about my life. Im doing something I enjoy, and Ive actually gotten my future in my sights. I always had my eyes on the future, but it was all kind of hazy and indiscernable. Its much clearer now... but I still dont know WHERE.

Texas?

Oklahoma?

Elsewhere?

I really dont know.... I will find out in December... until then its business as usual and just living my middle of the road life.

I really dont have anything exciting happening to me either. I just wake up, go to class, work on the paper, take pictures, eat somewhere in there, try to relax, and do it all over again the next day. My excitement level is about a 5... right in the middle.

I have no relationship life to speak of. Thats a good and a bad thing.

Good: I can be selfish with my time/money/self and dont have to worry about pleasing someone else.

Bad: Im feeling kinda lonely. I wish I had someone.

But once again my feelings have pulled me to the middle. Im not more or less either way.

I dunno what it is, but I have to say I would rather me in the middle than on the negative side of the perspective. Id rather be at zero then in the minus. Im sure things will get better, and Im sure at some point it will get worse, but Ive learned that that is life.

You can only hope for more happy than sad... and just hope that you stay in the middle more often than not. I guess being in the middle in new to me, because it feels so weird. Im either happy or sad and never in the middle.

So dont think Im complaining... Im really not. Im just chilling in the middle... Who knows what will come... but Im ok with this flat spot that is the rollercoaster of my life.

Who knows where this road will lead...

What Ive Done

Heres the lyrics to the new song by Linkin Park, What Ive Done. Ive always connected with their music and this new song is no different. So read the lyrics and check out the song on my Myspace profile. I cant wait for the new cd... May 15!

In this farewell,
There is no blood,
There is no alibi,
Cause I've drawn regret,
From the truth,
Of a thousands lies,
So let mercy come and wash away…

What I've Done,
I'll face myself,
To cross out what I've become,
Erase myself,
And let go of what I've done…

Put to rest,
What you thought of me
While, I clean this slate,
With the hands,
Of uncertainty,
So let mercy come,
And Wash away…

What I've Done,
I'll face myself,
To cross what I've become,
Erase myself,
And let go of what I've done…

For what I've done,
I start again,
And whatever pain may come,
Today this ends,
I'm forgiving what I've done…

I'll face myself,
To cross out what I've become,
Erase myself,
And let go of what I've done…

(Na,Na,Na) [Mike Shinoda!]

What I've Done,
What I've Done,
Forgetting what I've done…

I am starting my life over with a new direction and this song symbolizes it. I look forward to continuing my life with a clean slate and moving on from my past. Its time for something new and thats what Im going after!

9 months until I am reborn...

Catchy title huh? I'll explain soon... just read.

I hope to be graduating in a little over 9 months. Yes you read correctly... 9 MONTHS. after 3 and 1/2 years in school... my time can be counted in months instead of semesters or years.

no more classes
no more books
no more teachers dirty looks...

Over in December. Then into the real world...

Ok so that last part scares me a little bit. In December I become a viable member of the working community. Bills, rent, 9-5, all that good stuff. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and definitely ready... but a little apprehensive. It's going to be weird getting up in the morning and not going to class. I'll be waking up and going to work. I won't be doing homework... I'll be doing REAL WORK.

I've had plenty of real jobs mind you... but not one that was my career. I don't even know where I will be working. It could be in any big city in Texas (I hope), perhaps OKC or Tulsa. I'd rather not stay in Oklahoma, but if the money and opportunity are right... then who am I to walk away from it? Maybe when I'm further along in my career and have the freedom to make that choice I will, but as of right now, I'll take what I can get.

So I'm ready to move on and get started with my career... just maybe a little freaked out.

Let me digress a moment for those who may be a little confused. I am a Journalism Major. I love writing. After trying 2 other majors, I found one I truly enjoy. It gives me chances to do things I never imagined of doing, and lets me use my creativity to its maximum.

In 2 months Ive accomplished:
3 movie reviews
1 major feature article
helping design, situate, update, and launch the Baconian Online, the online newspaper at my college... the first time that has ever happened at Bacone.

I hope to add more to that list before March ends.

Anyways back to the point...

With Journalism, after this semester I only have 7 hours of classes required to graduate. I will still have to take 12 hours next semester but I will only need those 7 hours of my major to get my degree. With the Education major I was pursuing before switching.. I would have graduated in a year and a half. Yes, I would have been 25 when I graduated.... no thanks.

While the Journalism degree is only an Associates Degree, I will pursue further degrees after I get some time in the field. I eventually want to get my masters, but I'm extremely sick of being in school, and want to get out in the real world and get to work.

The thought of writing and having hundreds or thousands... maybe millions reading it... is awesome. I want people to read my work and be informed... be moved... and not just toss it away. I know I'm writing everyday news, but I want to write it in a way that captures my audience. It's the best feeling when someone comes up to you and tells you that you did a great job on a story. To take something ordinary and make it extraordinary is my goal.

Everyone has a passion that drives them, and being a writer has become mine. I want to eventually write books and novels. I hope to accomplish that with the experience I garner as a journalist.

One of the things I will miss about being in school, is that it ends my athletic career. While it's been a great run... some years better than others... you have to know when the time has come to move on from those dreams. Could there be a possible future in sports for me? Maybe, but I'm not sure if my body can handle it. I love football and track but neither will get me through life. Neither will pay my bills or make me happy.

While both have always brought me great joy, they have been a constant cause of frustration and stress as of late. The well has run dry for me in this aspect of life, and it is time to move to greener pastures where my future lies.

I've got one season of football left, God willing, and when that season is over, I stop being a student athlete, and become a working man. I've suffered much physically and mentally to chase my dreams and I thank God for every second of football and track I've ever had.

Now it's time to chase the new dream. Being a writer for a paper or a magazine, and maybe one day writing books. In 9 months that dream will be born... and I CAN"T WAIT!

Welcome to my new home!

I would like to say thank you for coming here and reading what I've got to say. I hope to entertain the vast majority of you (I know better than to expect a 100% enjoyment rate), and perhaps affect you in some way whether small or large.

I write because it is one of my passions. I write for my school's newspaper, The Baconian, and I am working on my own freelance projects as well. I use this blog to get things off my chest, speak my mind, and more often than not, make you laugh. I will speak on a wide assortment of topics, and I hope you can find at least one that you connect with.

So read along and enjoy yourselves.

-Ian Townsend

P.S. I have posted two entries from my past blog that I think many of you will enjoy. So please read, laugh, and comment if you would like. I will also be posting my articles from my school's newspaper so that you may see my work. Thank you for your time.