As a single girl in New York, I knew that I was allowed – expected even – to have certain feelings about Fleet Week. And at first, seeing those starched white uniforms bobbing en masse down Fifth Avenue on my way home from work the other night, I did indeed feel those feelings. A little bit of intrigue, a healthy bit of lust for a broad-shouldered, square-jawed man in uniform.
Then I met a few, and all that changed. It wasn’t even the arrogant, Tom Cruise circa 1986 testing the weight limits of the bathroom counter, busting to show you his, errr… government secrets type. That’s not what I’m talking about.
“I’m George,” he said, offering a hand. “And this is Bud.”
“Hi fellas. Having a nice time?”
At three AM, The Gansevoort was packed. The drunk who’d forced my awkward introduction to the Marines had already disappeared back into the crowd (presumably to assault others with his too tan skin, too white teeth and shirt unbuttoned just two too many buttons). But in contrast to Shirt Guy, George and Bud were good humored, well-buttoned and completely inoffensive. Eyes flitted occasionally to my chest, but for the most part, they were gracious and gentlemanly. I was relieved to find myself in safe conversation.
We talked about Texas, my date to the junior prom (who Bud had known at the Naval Academy) and even a little about Iraq. A baby-faced sailor joined us and Marine/Navy ribbing ensued – a one-two-three-not-it sibling rivalry over being the military’s red headed stepchild. It was then that I felt it. Maybe it was the combination of the hour and the number of cocktails I’d drained, but in a matter of moments, all lusty inclinations to de-uniform had been replaced with pure, unadulterated sap.
I still wanted to my patriotic duty, alright. But I didn’t want to tear their clothes off. I wanted to make a big pan of lasagna!
“They’re just babies,” I told Stephanie in the cab on the way home. We were finishing up an unusual night of adventuring, and I was overcome with the usual near dawn drunken sincerity. Not only had I been moved by the overtures of Shirt Guy et al (“Thanks for serving, man. Can I get you a drink?”) but my own maternal instinct had kicked into overdrive. I will probably never look at another service man again without wondering if he’s written his mother.
Fleet Week has officially been ruined. But as a single girl in New York, I’m still allowed – expected even – to have certain feelings about men in uniforms. Thank God there’s NYPD.
Now there's a way to send the poor guys off: horny and fully loaded.
Posted by: Spring at May 31, 2005 10:43 AMAnd the Firemen. God, don't forget the Firemen!
Posted by: whirlygurly at May 31, 2005 10:49 AMAMEN to the firemen! You've gotta love the FDNY!
Posted by: Mary at May 31, 2005 11:08 AMOy, The Gansevoort.
We saw French sailors at the Chanel exhibit, natch.
Posted by: tanya at May 31, 2005 11:42 AMFiremen. The others don't even compare.
Posted by: sally at May 31, 2005 12:12 PMHad the exact same feeling this weekend, well, minus the lasagna urge. Just a feeling like it was wrong to be thinking of a one night stand with this young one. I ended up just patting him on the head, and bidding good night. I'm not sure whether to blame it on a good moral call, the realization that suddenly, I was just the old broad at the table, or the fact that the first time I met the guy he was about 10, and that image keeps popping in my mind. Besides, all our firemen are ugly and old, so not even that consoles!
Posted by: Chesa at May 31, 2005 12:22 PMI don't know,those white uniforms just don't do it for me.
Posted by: Torrie at May 31, 2005 12:41 PMFleet Week = A little over rated, and not enough x-rated.
Posted by: Sass at May 31, 2005 12:45 PMYou're making me wish I'd be able to experience Fleet Week just once in my life. But, we've got a happily married woman over here, who just might bring down Hubby's Army uniform tonight for him to try on.
Posted by: Indigo at May 31, 2005 12:57 PMmy bro-in-law is a marine, and i was so excited when he came home from Iraq. not only for my sister to have her husband back, but because i was invited to the party being held for all of the men he was returning with. i wasn't really thinking that they would all be 18-23ish and was very disappointed that i was surrounded by a bunch of boys. *sigh*
i agree - at least there are still policeman and firemen around. :)
Posted by: red at May 31, 2005 01:08 PMWow. Serve your country, run into harms way, prepared to die and you hit the big town only to have someone offer to make you lasagna. I'm sorry, but if I were in the military and looking to either ship out or having just come home I best be getting a lot of sloppy sex. I should be getting sloppy sex right now damn it! Who really needs food to eat anyway?
That is it. I'm moving to New York and joining either the NYPD or the fire department.
;)
Posted by: jimmy corrigan at May 31, 2005 01:32 PMMmmmmm. Men in uniform. Gotta love that. Oh yeah!
Posted by: Carrie at May 31, 2005 01:37 PMI used to live on an Air Force base, and instead of lusting after those boys, I felt a need to mother them...I cooked them dinners and made them home made cookies...it was weird. I have a sense of needing to care for them and not screw them. So does that make me weird?
Posted by: kassi at May 31, 2005 02:21 PMthis post annoys me maybe i am must grumpy
Posted by: Corinna at May 31, 2005 02:48 PMi must be something i can't even write a proper sentance
Posted by: Corinna at May 31, 2005 02:49 PMI had the same reaction at my oldest brother's wedding. He and my sister-in-law were in the military - he was in the Marines, she was in the Navy. I was looking forward to guys in uniform at their reception, but it turned out exactly the same way - they were just really nice boys that you wanted to dance with and send home to write to their mothers....
I'll say this, though: Marine Corps weddings are top drawer - those Marines look awesome in those dress uniforms!! And they danced well, too! (sigh!) Polite, well-mannered, good dancers..... Can you send Fleet Week to Detroit one of these years? :)
Posted by: lawyerchik1 at May 31, 2005 04:26 PMI grew up in Annapolis where midshimpen are revered. Can't blend in with those haircuts, but definitely respected.
Posted by: PLD at May 31, 2005 08:20 PMMuch better than that Sex and the City episode about Fleet Week! Great post. I'm a big fan of your writing (and I used to work with Dan Jones--he's great). My blog is still a (semi-neglected) baby, but we can all dream.
Posted by: Hap at May 31, 2005 08:36 PMWhat a great tale!!
What a difference a few hundred days make, oui?
I try to imagine what shipping out was like in 1942; was there more sex, or more lasagna? I'm betting on lasagna.
You seem to have a good heart...
You certainly have a great brain!
Great post - reminds me of ANZAC Day here in Sydney with all the defence force boys in their cute uniforms!
Posted by: nicole at May 31, 2005 10:26 PMoh fleet week. i love it, but it's so goofy! the white uniforms never did it for me, i'm certainly more of a fireman girl, but it's such a trip watching the sea of white spread throughout manhattan (also makes it more fun to be a single girl in an empty memorial day weekend nyc). sure the drinks are free, but the novelty and entertaiment grows stale after a while. one night out during fleet week is usually enough to satisfy my urge. don't they have a night where the fire dept boys rampage the streets?
Posted by: Rebecca at May 31, 2005 10:51 PMi have a bit of a crush on my boyfriend's brother who is a marine. he's like my boyfriend but clean cut and in the service which is hot, but not my type of hot, but hot enough to have a crush on.
Posted by: j2 at June 1, 2005 12:47 AMGotta love lasagne.
j2: your boyfriend probably doesnt wanna know that... marines are all gay anyway?
I was a Marine Lieutenant in NY during Fleet Week 2000. It was a great time, just what I expected: free drinks from retired vets wherever we went, women lusting after us, more free drinks, lots of walking, more free drinks... It was a welcome change from what Marines usually experience. The Marines you saw were most likely part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C. (they call it Camp Swampy) just off a deployment in Iraq. Most of these kids, and they are kids (most of the Marines I led were 21 or younger) spend their time in barracks surrounded by a thousand other men (I was part of an infantry battalion, so no women). Their work week consists of training: days at the range or hiking 17 miles in a day or living a week in hole they dig themselves with rain pouring down on them during hurricane season. In Iraq, when not cramped in the ships berthing, they were living in a tent or worse and worrying every day what would happen when they turned the next corner. Most of them miss their Moms, the ones you saw I'm sure appreciated your attention, and I know more than a few of them would have loved that lasagna.
Posted by: Jason at June 1, 2005 09:19 AMmonjo- my b/f will never know, plus it's a very innocent crush.
Posted by: j2 at June 1, 2005 01:25 PMI was just thinking the same after the weekend was over...this year's fleet week wasn't as exciting and scintillating as previous years. They just seemed so...blah.
The only high point for me was Saturday night, running into some Italian sailors, also in their white uniforms, but IN THE RAIN!! I followed them for a few blocks to see if the rain exposed any viewing goodies, but it subsided after a while and I decided to give it up and just go home.
I didn't know Fleet Week had become international - has it always been like this or is this new?
Posted by: clech at June 1, 2005 04:03 PMI just can't seem to got into the sailors and soldiers. Although I am a woman in my thirties so maybe that has something to do with it.
Cute post Miss Fish.
Posted by: AdventureGirl at June 1, 2005 07:27 PMi think it's been international for awhile. there were also sailors from france, pakistan, england and canada there.
Posted by: derek rose at June 1, 2005 07:44 PMNicely done... we'll have to "venture" out some more. Mushroom sandwiches and wine... are always encouraged...even by waiters in uniform.
Posted by: StephanieKlein at June 2, 2005 06:41 PMpersonally I think you are insane - I mean, you could have slept with them AFTER lasagne....
Posted by: song at June 4, 2005 07:57 AMFleet week was a great time. As the Bud mentioned in the blog, George and I had a great time meeting you. Drinks were flowing all week and I think everyone had a great time. The people of NYC certainly took care of us and I can only hope I get to come back for another fleet week.
Posted by: Bud at June 5, 2005 08:57 PM