March 30, 1973, Friday

I got up early, Mr. Journal. Because I live on the beach, I should do beach things. I threw on my cut offs. I ran down to the boardwalk, I jumped over the wall with ease and down to the warm sand. I raced to the waves, when I was waist deep I dove in. It was fucking wonderful, so damn refreshing and healthy. I’m going to do this every morning.

After a shower I dressed in my blue work dungarees. To top it off I drove to the base in my own Volvo. I should pick up a hitchhiker. God knows I have gotten my share of rides by sticking out my thumb and waiting for my turn.

In California, hitchhiking has unwritten rules. Traffic, even on the byway is fast. Finding places to stick out ones thumb is limited. A typical spot has a line. The first person in the line gets the next ride offered. It’s enforced by mob rule. Try and pick up a cute chick in line and you will get attacked by the other people waiting in line. Most of the time a fox would decline the offer anyway, it would be uncool. There is only one exception, that’s us. A military guy can pick up another military guy, no matter where his placement is in line. However, they both need to be in uniform. The catch 22 is military personnel are forbidden to hitchhike while in uniform.

I stopped at the first intersection that had a line. I told them where I was headed, I’ll take three. I got on the highway, I am feeling pretty good. Maybe this isn’t so bad. The two in the back seat I dropped off after got off my exit on the highway.

The guy in the passenger seat is going past the base. He is in the same type welding and plumbing school I am in, except he is at a city trade college. I told him all the things that we are required to learn, he said his courses are about the same. His course is twelve months long. Mine is eight weeks. His is free, California residents get free college. Mine is also paid for by taxes. Of course if he flunks out he can go home, not me.

The guys just finished with breakfast as I was parking. We hurried to class so we can get in line for the test. I’m writing this as I stand in line. Later.

We all passed. The chief asked me how long have I been welding. I told him last week and he called me a liar. We had half the day off. We took the Volvo off the base and smoked some pot. We went back to the base to go bowling, then to a late afternoon movie. Everything is cheap on the base. Bowling is twenty cents a game, shoes are a dime. The base movie theater is fifty cents. Popcorn and pops are free. After that we bought a case of beer on base and headed home. Later.