April 6, 1973, Friday

I passed the test with plenty of room to spare on the pounds per square inch scale (PSI). Next week is arc welding. I wanted to get a jump on it and practice. I was finished with my project, I had time to kill, the stuff was in my booth, and it seemed like a good idea.

I could hang around and smoke and drink coffee this last week. Or I could be ahead of the course. Nope that’s what I would do if I was a civilian. I’m not, I’m a sailor in the navy. The navy does it one way, every time. No exceptions hurry up and wait. When they say wait they want you to wait. Do not pass go, do not jump ahead, wait. Chief says when it’s time for learning it’s time for learning. Now is the time for waiting, now go wait. I know this because I asked if I could get early start. He said no, h seemed surprised that I would ask an asinine question. I will go and wait. Later.

I’m back home, to the sounds of the surf, the feel of the sand under my feet, the many different people strolling the boardwalk, the freedom to light up a doobie, to the insults from passing hippie’s It was good to be back. I just came back from a swim. Troy and Okie were surfing. Troy is having his party tonight. I need a shower. Later.

I think its three or four in the morning. About forty people are up and wandering the beach and the boardwalk. We have a huge bomb fire burning. We’re all high on some uncut cocaine. I’m talking to people I have never meet, and I feel like I’ve know them forever, and I want to know them forever. We are all on the same wave length. Troy is giving out the coke freely. He is the beach hero. We have two kegs set up on our small balcony outside of Peter and Okies room. I think we are down to half of the second keg. Later.