Today was mostly a big waste of time. As you can see by the time (21:17), I'm writing past lights out. I've figured out how to wedge my angled Army flashlight on the bottom of the bed over me, and now 3 others have followed suit on down the line; I guess that makes me a leader. Isn't that what those glorious Army commercials promise?

We had formation at 6:30, and I arose at 5:30. The reason I got up so early was not simply dilligence or soldierly insanity: my new "Indiglo" stopwatch/wristwatch enlightened me as to the time, and I erroneously thought formation was at 6 A.M. Anyhow, today was eat, stand in line, sit in groups, stand in line, sit in groups, eat, clean the barracks, get your army bag stenciled with your name on it (my spraypaint stencil job turned out best in the whole platoon, though not by my doing), march over, march back, march over, eat, sit in line.

Well, two interesting things did happen today. I was able to go to this contemporary Christian "coffehouse" service, which was actually pretty entertaining. It was singing (including hymns like Amazing Grace), acting, preaching, and praying. We also watched part of "Starship Troopers", the movie. Only part of it though.

Army life is fun, though somewhat boring. I think part of the fun- most of it actually- comes from the commaraderie of the platoon and the uniform- the uniform of the preeminent, largest, and best fighting force in the history of the world. Of this we ought to be proud.
Do I sound brainwashed yet?