Get Alby a job 2012

[MRT144]

HC, if there is one thing I want you to learn from your time on this earth, it's that you fundamentally don't understand life outside of your own experience, in the same way Al doesn't.

[Dinner]

Swimming really isn't something you have access to depending on socio-economic level. Unless you're seriously suggesting one learns to swim in the Potomac.

Even here we have public pools. Hell, take a swim class at the junior college for $13 and you'll get to swim all you want. Failing that for $50 a semester you can go to the JC and get a membership at their gym which includes access to an Olympic sized swimming pool. There really is no excuse unless you're saying there are no public pools or JCs with pools in Philly. As for bikes, he can pick up a decent used bike on Craigslist for just $30 or buy a new one at Walmart for $80.

No, I admit I grew up with a pool in the backyard but even so there are plenty of ponds and reservoirs around here and as kids we'd go jump in them all the time. I'm sure the weather in Philly isn't as nice as in San Diego but there has to be at least a couple of warm summer days were something like that is possible.

[Dinner]

What part of your life isn't like the rest of America do you not understand?

Those stats are shocking. I mean really shocking to me because around here just about EVERYONE can swim, it's free to learn in school, most high school and some junior highs have swimming pools, and the stat heavily subsidizes things like swimming lessons in elementary schools (usually those programs are run by the PTA). Are there really no public swimming pools at all near you?

Maybe our higher taxes out here in California really do buy something after all.

[Hauldren Collider]

Those stats are shocking. I mean really shocking to me because around here just about EVERYONE can swim, it's free to learn in school, most high school and some junior highs have swimming pools, and the stat heavily subsidizes things like swimming lessons in elementary schools (usually those programs are run by the PTA). Are there really no public swimming pools at all near you?

Maybe our higher taxes out here in California really do buy something after all.

Considering that's true in northern Virginia as well, I think there are some other factors at play here....

[Dinner]

If none of your friends or family swims, why would you go to the rec center to learn how to swim?

Because it might save your life some day?

[Hauldren Collider]

Because it might save your life some day?

^^^^^ This. My parents considered it a matter of safety.

[Al B. Sure!]

Why am I not surprised that HC and Oerdin are out of touch with the rest of society?

The stats speak for themselves. Let's not act like Black people don't know how to swim isn't a well-known stereotype. But it's not about race. It's about environment and the factors at play that cause Blacks and Hispanics to be unable to swim affect whites in similar circumstances the same.

[MRT144]

Because it might save your life some day?

There are tons of life saving things I don't know how to do. If I don't plan on swimming or being in a situation where I need to swim, I will not ever learn to swim. If no one I know, knows how to swim, it's not an experience I can share with them, so I am less likely to learn. If access to a pool is way out of the way it's not something I will consider a top option for fun and liesure.

I should relearn how to swim correctly though because I will want to go into the water on vacation.

[Flubber]

Not knowing how to drive ?? Part of Alby's women issues become clearer. Every strike eliminates another potential segment of women who would date you. Not knowing how to drive or not having a car could be a "strike" for some.


I can accept for big city folks, driving may be the exception but I grew up in a rural place and an adult that could not drive was almost unheard of. The nearest mall was two towns away and public transit was non-existent.

Swimming? I grew up on the ocean and with a number of ponds within a mile or two of my house. My parents consider swimming to be a required life skill so we got lessons at the community pool. Even now living in arid Alberta, we take the same view so my children started swimming lessons early.

Alby-- I understand all the socio-economic/cultural reasons your didn't learn to swim in the PAST

Why don't you learn now? Its a good workout so would go well in a fitness routine and you acknowledge it is an expected skill for a marine. So go learn now!! Its not like you are super busy from what I read

[Al B. Sure!]

I already said I'll learn when they start up swimming lessons at the university. They don't have them in February.

[Hauldren Collider]

They don't have indoor pools in philly? There's swimming lessons year round at the swimming pool here at CMU. I've seen kids, teens and adults. They have an annoying habit of taking up most of the lanes when I go swimming.

[Al B. Sure!]

They don't have indoor pools in philly? There's swimming lessons year round at the swimming pool here at CMU. I've seen kids, teens and adults. They have an annoying habit of taking up most of the lanes when I go swimming.

They start in late March on Saturdays (I may be working Saturdays by then) for $55. I may not be eligible though, because I'm not student or staff.

SwimAmerica's classes cost $35/each.

[Pax]

ALby,
For the record. I understand that a lot of inner city people don't know how to swim. We've had past discussions about it on this forum. In Boot Camp and OCS I was one of the few minorities that did know how to swim. In Boot Camp, they just made the non swimmers sign a page 13(admin record), in OCS the non-swimmers were put on hold in training until they learned how to swim.
My point is that you seem to have known for a long time that you want to be a marine officer. The way I go about things is that I try to get a leg up on the competition whenever I can. So from a pick me stand point, I give more points to a guy who has more skills. Even though, the marines will teach you to shoot their way. teach you to drive their way and etc...you still need the basic skill set.

[N35t0r]

Dogs can swim. I think it would therefore be possible to be chased by a dog whilst swimming.

Heh, we had a dog once who jumped into the water and pushed you to the edge every time you splashed a little while swimming,

[onodera]

Albie, this is getting ridiculous. You can't drive or swim and you expect to become a Marine? Tell us you're afraid of firearms too. Don't YMCA provide affordable swimming and probably even driving lessons?