Spreading Christmas Cheer

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear" -- Buddy the Elf



I'll be a bit busy these next two weeks with classes and getting ready for Christmas Break. A few more presentations, a test, and a couple papers later I'll be on the home stretch of finals-airport-home-Taiwan. In spite of all my school stuff though, I will be performing with a few different singing groups in the upcoming days. No one ever understands the different groups I'm in so I'll try my best to explain them...



Handel's Messiah Concert -- This Friday night

Performed by: The Cadet Chorale (pronounced like there are horses around too)

The Academy's official choir. After tryouts the choir has around 50 people, but after grades take out half the freshman, we're around 40 i think. We sing lots of patriotic stuff with Dr. G playing piano. We sing Latin, Spanish, Disney, and N*SYNC. They've recently gone on trips to NYC, LA, Albuquerque, and even Kansas.



Broadmoor Hotel's Annual Hot Wassail Mixer -- Next Friday Afternoon

Performed by: The Academy Singers

The Cadet Chorale's exclusivly acapella component -- with about 14 people, this group is fun. We sing at smaller venues, but we sound a lot better. We've sang at a lot of the Superintendant's parties, Rich business functions, and even old folks homes. The music ranges from doowoopy stuff to (again) latin.



Christmas Celebration at the Academy Oasis -- Next Wednesday

Performed by: The Cadet Vocal Jazz Club

Run by a musically gifted cadet, this club has 8 people and usually sings in 8-part harmonies written by our fearless leader Cadet Mister Jackson. (yep, his first name is Mister). He writes all his own stuff and it blows my mind. Its a new group, but we'll be singing a few holiday performances, then look forward to a Nuggets game National Anthem sometime this season. Exciting.

Firefighter's Memorial

What a better way to spend 9.11 then singing patriotic songs at the International Association of FireFighters Annual Memorial Service? Thank you Cadet Chorale and The Academy Singers for giving me this wonderful opportunity!!!

There were around 5,000 people there representing and remembering the loss of 168 firefighters that died in the line of duty this past year. It was a great service, and a reminder that there are many braves souls that sacrifice for this country that serve outside the military.(You'll notice the Canadian flag, hence the international title) There is a memorial wall there and during the ceremony for each person that had died, they read off their name, rank, duty station, and city/state, then rang a bell that signified that they had passed on. They preseneted flags one by one to each of the families that lost a loved one. Tears were shed, it was powerful.

**All the Juniors from the Chorale**

The TAS Tenors

-with as much personality as always-

She was making fun of me for always doing the asian peace sign in pictures, so i busted out this gangsta one instead. Also -- note the new watch. I love it.

Solo-roadtrip.

(A quick narrative)

Wyoming: ...well, theres not much to say

Welcome to Colorado said curtis st.

Freak instense hail storm gone wrong.

(it shook me up a bit)

Denver: Mile High City

Sunset over USAFA. Welcome back.

I had the company of a great audiobook: "Made to Stick: Why some ideas survive and others die." It was a pretty decent book, and made me want to be a leader or something. The key isn't thinking up the ideas as much as spotting the new ideas to pick up and run with! Giddyup!

Ray Charles + Baseball = America.

"There was only one night game a year. On the 4th of July the whole sky would brighten up with fireworks, giving us just enough light for a game."

Festivities for the 4th have begun with today's firework show at USU's football stadium. I didn't attend, but I did drive by during the finale. It reminded me of maybe the most American film EVER MADE:

To see the fireworks going off at the stadium was nice, but even nicer were the swarms of families with lawn chairs and young lovers with blankets watching from nearby lawns, parks, and pickup beds. Kids running around with glow sticks, teenagers lighting off their own fireworks, or the occasional block-party lit my drive home. I may or may not have been a little moved by the patriotism and camaraderie that the 4th of July brings out in the people of America. It was beautiful. I think this is a red white and blue high that I will be riding for the next few days (more posts to come) (you're welcome)

(Play this starting at 2:15) (you're only required to watch til its day again)

(with this music) (copyright stuff is anti-blog)

China -- The land of communists and tour guides

China: A brief travelogue.

So the Academy decided to send me to China to have a culture/language immersion experience. Outsiders would say "but don't you already speak chinese?" but people "in the know" would argue, "hey shut up outsiders, and stop interrupting curtis' blog-flow, its

somewhat fragile" then they might continue, "Uncle Sam is forking over a few grand for you to go vacation arou

nd china? and they're giving you more than an ample amount of spending money so you're sure to have a good time? Legit man, pretty legit" Legit indeed. The 4-week adventure was based out of NanJing at NanJing University, and we spent each weekend or so at a hot vacation spot in China.

Weekend 1: Shanghai

Kyle and I made our first chinese friend at this store -- she said she hated Americans haha. She was kinda joking, but you can never be sure... Overall grade: B+ the shop owners were polite, the food was alright, and we only got "shanghai'd" once. (if you want that story you'll have to upgrade to purtishansel.blogspot/DELUXEPACKAGE which includes live-stream of conscious-streaming)

Weekend 2: XiAn

Mostly just terra cotta stuff, so unless you're doing a dissertation on the concept of eternal life in ancient china (Mr. Boyd shout-out) XiAn wasn't really anything special. B-

Weekend 3: Guilin and Yangshuo

My kind of town -- beautiful beautiful beautiful.

Epic bike ride in YangShuo -- led us up to this little epic-ly scenic lake. Wonderful.

Weekend 4: Beijing

"The Great Wall" standing on one of China's most famous wall's the great wall. I love you kyle.

Me looking forlorn in the Forbidden City. "Not as forbidden as the name makes it sound", said all the tourists there that day... something to think about.

Grade: I kinda hate Beijing. It was probably because the street vendors there were more pushy than a... really pushy type of thing/person. I'm talking grab onto your arm and pull you into their stores by force. I'm talking price gouging unheard of this side of the mississippi. I'm talking telling you that your chinese sucks and that you're a piece of laji if you walk out of their store. The bad taste in my mouth was probably also a combination of leaving Nanjing, where i left a piece of my heart, and the very early stages of the cold i have now. D+

I'm no good at goodbyes...

Perhaps the manliest cry I've seen in my whole life. If only my tear ducts hadn't been surgically removed during bootcamp...

Mission Comp's Art Blog!

One of my mission companions has an art blog and you should check it out here. He does a lot of sketches and cross-hatchy portraits of people. I'll have to find and scan some of the caricatures he did of me on a p-day, they're way awesome. Enjoy!

There's no place like home

March, a word of many hats:

-to march (v) -- something you do with boots on, or perhaps for dimes. also, penguins do it.

-March (n) -- third month of the year, spring break season, and home to such holidays as St Patrick's Day and The Ides of March (Yay-Ceasar-is-Dead Day).

I got to spend this weekend in Utah! Spending time with friends, family, and Lacey.

We went snowmobiling.

I met some of her friends.

And one week from today, she'll be on her way out to Colorado for some spring break adventures with special guests Nic and Marlee!! Then, get this, we get to drive back to Utah together for "Spring Break Adventures Part Deuce -- Attack of the Cadet." Can't wait!

National Character and Leadership Symposium

This past week, the Academy hosted its annual NCLS. They invite speakers from across the country to come speak and students and other guests from around the world to come listen (I personally met two guys from Japan and a guy from the great country of Turkey). Let me lay out the list of speakers I saw, then I'll let you in on some of the things I gained from this "symposium." Now, in order of appearance:

• Dr. Rick Rigsby, former college professor and author of "Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout." Spoke on holding on to what your mommy and daddy taught you, and how becoming a person of character is just remember the things your parents taught you: be nice to people, be early, etc. Shared a moving story about meeting, marrying and saying goodbye to his wife who died of breast cancer. He said "for two years after her death, I didn't breathe, my heart didn't beat." His dad's advice: "Son, just stand." During the hardest times of our lives, we need to just stand and survive, knowing that everything will one day be alright.
• Tommy Lasorda, former manager of the LA Dodgers and the 2000 USA Baseball team- winner of two World Series and a gold medal. Oh my HILARIOUS. Spoke on how he made it from a little boy that loved baseball and dreamed of playing in the major leagues to becoming a pitcher, then a scout, minor league coach, manager, VP, and now Special Advisor to the Chairman of the LA Dodgers. The man loves baseball. He loves America. Said that as a leader you need to lead and inspire your people to the greatness that is already within them. After one of his players said he was 'trying' he replied, "Trying?! You're trying?! I could go grab any truck driver, construction worker, or street sweeper and pay him 8 million dollars to TRY!!! You're here because you have talent - NOW START USING IT!"


• The Honorable Michael Donley, Secretary of the Air Force. Gave a 20 minute speech from notes.


• Brian Billick, former NFL Head Coach and TV Sports Analyst. Caught the last part of his talk after Donley's short and empty talk. Said that no matter what you do you will have critics, but to not pay them any attention. Gained more from the last 5 minutes of his talk than all of Donley's talk.


• Dr. Eric Greitens, former Navy SEAL and founder of The Mission Continues. Shared lessons learned from his Navy SEAL training and from his research done around the world for his PhD titled "Children First." Shared stories from his foundation and how it is helping Disabled Vets feel needed in society and continue serving their communities. Talked about how orphans, refugees, disabled vets and all these people need help -- but not just money or other "Aid Kits." They need leaders, people that can inspire them and show them the way to change their lives and the lives of those around them.


• Dan Clark, a primary writer for "Chicken Soup for the Soul," and motivational speaker. He looks 20 years older in real life (just FYI). Said that he wasn't going to teach us anything new, or ways to do 'think outside the box' because "Change from the outside-in is reactive and creates pressure. Change from the inside-out is proactive and creates power through stretching." Talked about being a "Guardian of Trust" and how we should respect and trust people by default, and that by trusting in someone and their abilities we can truly lead them. Also talked about commitment and how the three biggest, most powerful words of commitment are not "I love you," but they are "I need you."
  
• "The Roberts Ridge Panel." Four American Heroes that were at the Battle at Takur Ghar: Roberts Ridge Rescue. Discussed the battle from the 4 different points of view (Army Ranger on the ground, AF TacP on the ground, AC-130 Fire Control Officer, and AC-130 Aircraft Commander). Talked about how to train and prepare for leadership so that it comes automatically during times of crisis. Also talked about how leadership isn't management and that as a leader you should inspire and LEAD people, not control them or micromanage.

Intense couple days, yeah? I know. I think the talk that had the biggest influence on me was Dr. Greitens. You could say that he inspired me. Because now I just want to help people. I want to motivate people to make changes within themselves and show them how to change their lives. I want to enable them, support them, and give them the things they need to make a change. Using the training, education, and experience I will gain here at the Academy and in the Air Force as a springboard, I want to be a force for good in this world, and spend my life in the service of my fellowman.

Who's with me?!

Look-alikes Week?

So, I've noticed a trend. For reasons unknown, everyone I know is on the hunt to find pictures of Curtis Hansen look-alikes. Strange, I know. This past week was highlighted by three new "finds."

Where did this bizarre desire come from I wonder? Maybe it stems from an email sent out to the entire squad from Cadet Aradine in December containing the following look-alike photo:

I remain convinced that the only reason we look alike is the fact that we happen to be wearing the same color of clothes (shmock?) and wearing the same expression. Verdict: Not even close.

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This email must have spurred interest because I have been receiving emails since then with new 'finds.' This week's first find was from Cadet Peterson who sent the following three pictures to the squad:

PLUS

EQUALS

this WWII double ace fighter pilot:

Granted, the usage of Mario to acheive a sort of gruff-plumber-wearing-a-hat-look was ingenius, but I think this is probably the furthest I've ever had to a 'look-alike.' Unless you count the next one.

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Former Engineering Class Teammate Cadet Lannon sent the following pictures with an email subject line that simply read, "this girl"

and an email body reading: "LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE YOU!!"

Ok he got lucky on similar smile-intensity levels, but beyond that his find is definitely the weakest.

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The final look alike I received this week was the one sent with the most humility. An email from Cadet Arden to myself and some mutual friends that read: "is it just me, or does No S*&T Billy look like Curtis?" (picture has been altered: safe for work) I've found that if you cover up the huge hair and forehead, you find yourself a gen-u-INE look alike.

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This concludes Look alike week

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On a related note, I think I'm become somewhat of an avid Blogster! This weekend has been one of documenting. In the future I expect to exponentially increase the number of posts I make
a day. Wish me luck!

Demetri Martin. Doors.

Did I ever tell you about the time I met one of my favorite comedians?

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