The weekend of the Blue Angels

One of the things I really enjoy at Berkeley is that I can take a break from my MBA experience every once in a while. Yes, there are a million assignments (Only four, but I assure you it feels like a million), but my brain can only process so much.

So, I headed out to the Marina yesterday to catch some action by the Blue Angels. For someone who’s grown up watching Top Gun and Pensacola: Wings of Gold, it was exhilarating to watch the squadron’s six demonstration pilots fly the Boeing F/A-18 Hornets. They did a variety of maneuvers and formations, including the Delta and the Diamond. All this in spite of a seemingly cloudy day that may have canceled the performance.

Here’s a video footing from youtube

I couldn’t have asked for a better break from my assignments.. which reminds me… I got to get back to them.. sigh!

—hrishika

Fleet Week!

This past weekend was Fleet Week, the single woman’s favorite holiday, or so I’m told. As an unavailable military male, it took me 5 years to get to Fleet Week, but I finally made it.

I grabbed 4 classmates and spent the day aboard Coast Guard Cutter DORADO patrolling the southern edge of the safety zone, making for a spectacular time as we both chased boats out of the safety zone surrounding the air show and had front-row seats for the day.

You know you’ve got a great view when you’re in the “no-go” safety zone and the Blue Angeles fly directly overhead at a very low altitude.

As we patrolled along the waterfront from Fisherman’s Wharf to Crissy Field, I saw countless people taking advantage of the change in the weather and the festivities. There were several sponsored party areas along the shore filled-in with impromptu parties on rooftops, streets, and every available inch of public lawn along the waterfront.

Now I understand why Fleet Week is a big deal in San Francisco. The Bay Area has some great weather starting in April and people often get complacent by the time October rolls around. Fleet Week takes full advantage of the weather and calls almost everyone to get outside and really enjoy one of the last days of summer.

After a great day on the water, it was time to watch the Bears beat up on the Ducks for our Homecoming game… an awesome game and a great experience.

I suspect the single ladies headed to town to meet the gazillion sailors that went ashore for the weekend. With an aircraft carrier (carrying at least one air wing) and several other ships (both US and foreign), the ladies better have had a great time.

Unfortunately, Monday was Columbus Day, a Federal Holiday that the UC system doesn’t observe. I was torn between my obligations to our federal holiday system and continued Fleet Week Activities on Sunday (including the evening) or attending class on Monday.

In the end, class won out. I just hope Cesar Chavez Day can make up for it.

Oh wait, it’s part of Spring Break. Rats!

—Colin C.