Hippy in the sandbox

The Bowl Game

2009-12-28T06:26:00.002-06:00

Here is for my brother in law, and the rest of my family. Current Scores in the Young/Paul Family Bowl Game Game.

This is currently scored my correctly picked winning teams

Dad - 5

Mom - 5

Scott - 6

Sara - 4

Mathew - 4

Rachel - 6

Eric - 3

More as the games continue

Home again, Home again, Jiggity Jog.

2009-06-30T13:22:00.002-05:00

So I am home, which not everyone may know yet, but here I am. Back in Edmond, where I will be off and on due to the holiday and everyone that I want to see. I will be at the Skyiatook lake House for the 3 and Buck and Spideys for the 4th. After that I will be making a little trip to North Carolina to hang out with my brother for a while. I miss you all and I am sure I will see you all soon. Be safe, and I am glad to be back with you all again. Time for a nap.

2009-06-13T08:12:00.002-05:00

OK, so here is the deal, my friends. Relief in Place is almost over, and the Turn over of Accountability is pretty much done. So what does that mean for the home team? We are very close to getting home. Still not absolute about the dates when we will have our feet back on the American soil again, but it is very, very close. Everythings done but the waiting. So anywho, to your left you will see a picture of me and my gang spotting water Buffalo in Malawi, Africa. If you are looking for yours truly, peek at the drivers side window. (if your still confused, this part of Africa drives like England.) I don't have a lot of pictures from that adventure as of yet, but do not lose faith, Chadaux and Kiwi, will be visiting about a month after I get home, so I will be getting a lot of pictures from them. Also, I grew out my beard while I was there, so the below picture is from my adventure in shaving it off. Thought I might try out the old timey inventor look for a minute. Maybe that is how I will grow it out when I get home. But enough of this. For more pictures right now, check out Chadaux and Kiwi's blog, which is listed on my profile as a blog I follow. Thank you all for all your support and hopefully I will be able to visit all of you and thank you in person when I get home. Pray for my safe travel and I will see you all soon. Peace OUT

They are Here!!

2009-06-06T08:10:00.002-05:00

So the awesome news is this. Our replacement team has arrived, in on site and currently doing inventories. That means that we are that much closer to heading south and getting out of here. Very exciting. Soon my friends, Soon.

Back in the Sandbox

2009-05-28T16:53:00.002-05:00

So my journey to and from the heart of Africa is complete. Sadly for you all, I don't currently have any pictures for you. My lovely friend Kiwi is currently sorting and fixing and desposing of the fodder not fit to see, so in a couple of months, after I am home, I will have some stuff, and I will try to through some up here for you all, or at least direct you to where they are posted. But, let it be known, that I have visited an island in Lake Malawi, tracked rhino's, almost been attacked by elephant, maybe a few times, and seen a super wide variaty of hoofed animals that Malawi has to offer, aside from seeing some people I have loved and missed and meet some cool Peace Corp Volunteers. So, be at peace, I am safe for now, and that much closer to returning to the states. See you soon!!

Surfing Penguins Make Me Feel Better

2009-04-30T10:41:00.004-05:00

A Scenic view at the Lake.

So here is the new Poop. I am on my way to vacation. And so you know, that is a bit of a process. First I had to get to the nearest FOB with an airport that could fly out to Kuwait. I am here for a few days and when I leave I will arrive in Kuwait, be processed and if all works out fly out in a day. Where I fly out to is still a mystery to me. Either I am going South to a major airport in Africa, which would make sense or I will fly Northwest to Germany, one of the Army Gateway airports, which would make sense to the Army. Won't know that until I get to Kuwait. So I am just whiling away my time here trying to ge

t some personal business done before I leave for a while. All in all the mission is kind of winding down, so I think everybody is about ready to leave for home. Soon enough. May be another while before I post again, so hang in there, when I do, I should put some stuff up from my journey to Africa!! Peace OUT.

P.S. I wrote that title and then realized I had not explained it. I watched Surf's Up the other day. That is the animated movie about surfing penguins filmed in a documentary style. I have watched that about 3 times before and fallen asleep every time, so I know how it starts and what it is about, just never really made it to the end.

The sleeping wasn't the movies fault either, that was all a result of when I was trying to watch it, on a plane was one of the times. This time I made it through and Loved it, and it put me at a kind of peace. Most of the surf movies I watch have that effect on me. I love the ethic and philosophy of surfers (as portrayed in the movies). It's weird though, because I long to live near the coast and learn to surf and be a part of that lifestyle, so these movies make me long for that while giving me a kind of peace of heart. It's a bit of a conflict, but these surf movies help me get by. SO I know I should watch music movies and surf movies. Good stuff. Thank you and goodnight.

Back in the North.

2009-04-09T01:59:00.011-05:00

Not the best of pictures, cause it was shot through the dirty glass of a Blackhawk window, but that is the mist shrouded Mountains that are prevalent in this area. I was on my south to take a class. See how everything is green? It has rained or drizzilled every day since I got back up here. I love it. everything is moist and alive up here. It is so much better to me, then the dusty dry waste-like plains down south. Yesterday we even journeyed out to some of the Stations of the Brigade we work with, and drove through snow, and sleet and rain and sunshine and a little of everything all in one day. It was very exciting. The terrain reminded me of northern Arkansas, driving up to some of our climbing spots. The weather down here at the Patrol Base reminds me of Seattle, which I really enjoyed. So now I am just counting the days until I get to go on vacation. Well, not really counting the days, cause I am not even sure when I am going, but definitely looking forward to it. I also got pictures in the mail from my Niece's baptism. I feel compelled to post a few that interestingly do not include my direct family. I miss them a lot, but I also miss my brothers in-laws as well, and that whole group of people they are connected to up in Tulsa. This is interesting. I now have more pictures to post and less and less to say, so I find myself trying to think up some filler to make it look like I am talking about lots and lots of interesting and important things. Mostly I just want to gush about how I feel like I got moved to the most wonderful faery land of Iraq that no one talks about and about the beautiful little girl I can not wait to meet. And I am looking forward to getting home and seeing Cash and his family all over again. And please no one take any of this to mean that I am not looking forward to seeing my own family. Trust me, they are the first people I want to see. My sister put together a video of the pictures of Lydia's baptism and it made me cry. I wish I could have been there.

And on that note, Sara, when you use music for something like that, please credit the artists and writers at the end of the video, otherwise when I post stuff like that on Facebook it will get taken down for copy write infringement and I

will get into trouble. Not big trouble, just more of a slap on the wrist kind of trouble.

And here is one of my favorite pictures from the cd I got. Well maybe not one of my favorites, cause it doesn't have Lydia in it, but it has one of my favorite Lutheran Pasters in the whole of the Northern Tulsa area. At first glance, I saw Paster Tim and thought "He looks like the Don of some Lutheran Mafia standing there in that suit." Perhaps this isn't funny to anyone but me, but just in case I thought I would share in my mirth with everyone. Can't wait to hang out with that whole clan again. So anywho, that is about all the filler I can create for the moment. For now, I continue preps for the end of tour, and begin a dedicated study of Johnny Cash music. Peace be with everyone, Worry not about me for I will be home soon, and love all of you. You are all in my prayers, and thoughts. Be safe, and Peace OUT.

Join my Crew, AARRR!!

2009-04-02T22:08:00.002-05:00

Well, I wish I had some other pictures to post. Not that the picture I have posted is bad, in that it is actually very wonderful, but I do have some pictures in my camera just no cable to remove them. I left that in my CHU weeks ago. Almost home. I have a ride back, I just have to wait for that to happen. Things are well, I have work to do, though that will depend on equipment showing up. I was actually supposed to leave earlier today, but got swapped out with someone else, which is good cause there area few things I can get done here, mail and such. So that is where I am. More pictures later, and Looking forward to Africa. Peace my friends and join my Facebook Pirate crew. Peace OUT

Saw the Band!!

2009-03-25T15:07:00.002-05:00

Well, I have been spending the last 3 days in a class learning about equipment I will probably have to set up and get working on my own. Should be Fun!! No really, I am kind of excited about that, cause it something interesting to do that I feel I may do well. And then, coming out of dinner this evening, my compadre and I saw a sign for a band playing here, here being the local base we are on for the class. Very exciting again, cause we don't get bands, let alone any kind of MWR visits EVER where we have been. It was a band called No Duh, a No Doubt cover band, that did all kinds of fun cover songs. If I had been in a different crowd, or with my brother, the spirit would have taken me and I would have been Ska dancing and Moshing all over the place. Ah, well, something to do when I get home. So it's been a fun evening. Yeah!! Peace OUT!

A Journey

2009-03-20T12:55:00.002-05:00

So I am off on a journey. An adventure if you will. Off to pick up a satellite system so we can have some more connection to the outside world from our little sanctum in the east. A little travel, and the adventure of not being sure if we have a ride today. Keeps things interesting. So if contact is sporadic and irregular, that would be the reason. I think it's a good thing. Get me out and about for a bit. Out of the room for a while. Our Gym got taken away from us, so no elliptical. There is a lot of fighting over where we live right now. Seems no one, being the people up the chain from us, can seem to come to an agreement, or get along with each other. Ah well, this also resulted in the shut down of extra CHU's, so no one can just show up for a visit. No more crazy people showing up trying to tell us how to do our jobs. Well off to the adventure. Maybe some pictures later when I get back. Peace OUT.

The Place I Sleep

2009-03-13T05:57:00.008-05:00

So Hello everyone from the farther North Iraq. I am not settled and living in my new home. The picture to the right is a little misty, but that is generally the view from my door step. Well minus the garbage, that is really on the other side of the compound. But the point is, scenic mountain vistas. And some mornings there is snow on the caps of the hills.

It's pretty beautiful around here. Work is, well work, but slow is a little more like it too. Still getting settled with the new unit we will be working with, while doing other random tasks that get shuffled down the chain from our bosses. Such is life. Still I am keeping busy with internal stuff, mail, awards, Evaluations and the like. I have my own internet connection so that is nice, keeps me in contact with the rest of the world a little bit better.

And I get to see this gal a little more often, Which I like. So, things to know. I am on Skype more often, and when I am I can video chat, unless I let you know otherwise. Also, if you email me I should get back to you quickly. This may not still get updated any more often then it has been, but that is kind of resultant of the Job, not of lack of desire. There are only so many things I can talk about, and getting on and saying "Well, I worked today, and the internet is still there, yada yada yada.." I suppose to be rather boring, so I try to hold out until there is something good to talk about and cool pictures to post. Working on the end, with so few months ahead. Lots of stuff to be done before we depart this fine place. I am also looking forward most excitedly toward my leave to Africa. I can't wait to see my buddy Chadaux and his wonderful wife Kiwi. I miss them a lot. I call him up a little more often now, and it just makes me look forward to getting there and seeing him. We are making cool plans for safaris and stuff, but the more we talk, the more I think we could spend two weeks sitting around a campfire catching up and sharing stories. I can't wait. Well other then that, that's my story. Keep sending me comments and such, It's great to hear from people I miss. Once I am getting closer to getting home, I will let everyone know and try to start making plans for when I am home. I want to see everyone. So I will leave you with this.

I just had this idea while I was uploading this picture. Here is a comment challenge. Pick out something in this picture that makes you think of me and post a comment about it and why it makes you think of me. This should me fun. And a bonus for those crazy enough to try. The first person who can identify the Website I am looking at will get a free FeZZiK's Crazy Music Mix CD, custom made for said winner. Let me know how many of you out there read this thang!! Have fun, miss you all and I will see you again soon. Peace OUT!

A closing Quote

"Kick up your spurs: we're gonna run like stink,

We're gonna tear across these blue Alberta Skies.

We're gonna ride Forever

You can't keep horsemen in a cage.

Should the angels call, well it's only then

We'll pull in the reins."

Ride Forever

By Paul Gross

From due South

There And Back Again.

2009-03-06T10:31:00.003-06:00

So we have moved. Moved a little farther to the north east into a very nice area. Also into a Corp of Engineers compound, and boy to they know how to do it up right. Clean living, good food. All that is left to do is get into the CHU's we will be living in and get ourselves settled in. We are in Temp CHU's for the moment, while the Engineers finish getting things moved out. I will be sharing a room with someone, but if you consider that I will only be working for a few months and then going on vacation and then coming back to leave again, well, let's just say, I don't plan on doing a lot of unpacking. Still trying to figure out what my job will be outside of team admin stuff. I guess that is how things go. So that is the scoop today, tomorrow I should be moved into a new CHU, and have internet of my own. See you soon.

Peace OUT

I feel so Disconnected!!

2009-02-07T02:13:00.004-06:00

So here is the skinny my friends. I preface this blog with a picture of my ever so adorable niece and the excitable Bear so as to assuage your doubts and fears. I lost my internet connection. Got the boot from my office, cause there are going to be some changes round this ranch. I am trying to get a net connection from the wireless service around here, but they guy doesn't know how to set up an account let alone keep the net running round the clock. There are things changing, people moving and all that jazz over the next month or so. Where I end up, if it is even here, shall be revealed as I know, and or arrive and can let you know. All is well and safe, so don't worry on me, just enjoy this awesome picture of my brother and his daughter.

Surfer, Dude

2009-01-20T08:26:00.002-06:00

Mind Open. Heart Enlarged. Soul Receptive. So I am typing while I upload some pictures to add to the montage that will be my blog this year. And after many days, nay, months of what could be considered the metaphysical ups and downs of life, I have come to one incontrovertible and universally recognizable truth. I should watch surf movies all the time. Now that is not suggesting or being innuendous toward a fact of me watching only bad things, for naught. I watch all kinds of tv shows and movies, some very good, some just pretty good, and a few in the OK Zone. But I would postulate that Surf movies have a way of mellowing me out like no other. I started watching Surfer, Dude, and I just laugh and laugh, and then I think a little before I start laughing again. It's good. stuff. Truth, life is here, another groundhogs day. Last week was a little exciting, getting out and about a bit more then usual, and now I am back to the office, trying to receive emails, pounding out paperwork for people that are leaving. It's work. Works work. So I just have to get back to the concept of the surf, and the mellow there in, and all will be well. In short, life is excellent. Mind Open, Heart Enlarged, Soul Receptive my friends.

Music Again!!

2008-12-30T10:14:00.004-06:00

Bummer of a Holiday? Stuck in the sand and can't find a way out? Grumpy with the world? Yeah, well that is about all I am going to say about last week. Life is good, work is, well it's work, but it keeps me busy and and is interesting from time to time. And then there is this.

Yes. My niece in a helmet. Don't ask me why. I wasn't there. Not sure she wanted to be there either. Perks me up. She is a beautiful little girl.

In other news, my solace, my serenity you might say, Music has startled me again. I have been listening to Paramore, a band that I was introduced to last year. Didn't have a chance to actually get an album until recent, and while I was listening to it and working this evening, I noticed a theme in a few of the songs. After doing a little lyrical study I realized that some of the lyrical content seemed to subtlety suggest some Faith based ideals. This lead me, as it has before, on a Wikipedia search. Not the most reliable source on the web to be sure, but informative none the less. Wouldn't you know it, the last line in the section about influences is a quote about how their faith is very important to them. Second band with female lead singers this year that I have stumbled across that are main stream and rightfully so, but who's work and ethics are informed by their Faith. This is very exciting to me. I love music. I love to Rock. And I love to feel passion for my Faith. It's great when all these things come together in an awesome band that Rocks. OK, OK I am getting a little cheesey. Just miss getting to rock for all the kids back in the OK area. I miss that a lot. And for my final thought... Peace OUT

What A Pretty Smile!

I'm still here.

2008-12-17T02:24:00.002-06:00

Yeah, I'm here. Just been a busy couple of weeks. I suppose I say that every couple of weeks, but it's true. New computer is on the way, thank you Mom and Dad very much. Sent my broken computer back to them, and they are going to get it fixed (free, thank your Apple Protections Care Plan) and use it themselves for video chat with the whole family, as we are spread across the states/globe at this point. Things here have been eventful, kind of, with out being all that eventful. I've had lots of paperwork to keep my busy. Awards, Evaluations, leave, trying to get other paperwork ready for peoples promotion boards. There is always something to keep my on my toes. Had a nice little trip to another part of Iraq, further north. It was wierd because it was the closest to being back in the states that I have experience over here. Trees, grass, a city with a strong infrastructure. People that seems to care about existing as a stong united group. It is over here people, it's just not everybodies idea. So there is hope. There is always hope. And now a pretty picture.

Prettiest People in the world

Still no Puter

2008-11-29T06:17:00.002-06:00

So upon a further assessment of my computers current capabilities, I have determined that I think the Hard Drive is currently a metal disk that does not spin. Or do anything at all. Like work. If I am right then no amount of software will make that better. I am trying to call Apple and see if I am right and/or what is to be done. No matter how this pie ends up sliced, the result is me computerless for a while. Other then that, things are going along swimmingly. Got Skype set up somewhere else so I can stay in contact with the folks, and the internet line I was using before is working again, so Yeah for good speed internet. Even talked to the family and my friend in Africa. That was of course followed by a hard day of work. So be it I suppose. So today I spend the day seeing what I can do to get my computer fixed and decide if I want to replace it and give it to my mother. Might be a better option for expediance sake. We shall see once I get the Apple people on the phone. Till next time. Peace OUT

Crash and Burn

2008-11-18T20:32:00.002-06:00

Well after the exileration of the last post, the internet in my office went down, and then a couple of days ago my computer crashed. Been spending the last couple of days trying to find a copy of Mac OS-X so I could try to restore but no such luck. And yes, that is me hoping that the Operating system just crashed, and that it isn't the Hard Drive gone bad. Can't tell until I try. Other then that, it's been pretty quiet over here. Things are busy enough, putting people on vacation, working on awards, all that fun stuff. More later, hopefully when my computer is fixed. Peace OUT

Gracious Me.

2008-11-05T04:25:00.004-06:00

If you wondering what the title of this blog means, well...... Let me know when you figure it out. In the news. Quiet days round where I live, though, quiet usually means things are changing. Never the same around here, but that just helps to keep things interesting. I finished watching Slings and Arrows and all that did for me was rekindle a love for the theatre and make me miss it that much more. Someday when I return, perhaps I shall make that sojourn back to the stage. Always look to the future. A picture.

Yes, that is my little brother, and that is my little niece. She always looks at me funny through the camera on the computer. But she is quite the pretty lady. I am proud of you Bro, and you as well Sister in law. And for anybody that hasn't seen my home...

Well, it doesn't always look like that. This was taken on a really dusty day. Not so much like that right now. The days have cooled off, and moister hangs around a little bit longer, keeping the mud damp. Other then that, life is good. Most evenings end with a game of golf on the Wii, yes, that's a Nintendo. Just staying optimistic and making the best of the days here. Well, as Garrison Kiellor says for the Cherri-O's ads, Be Happy, Be Healthy.. Peace OUT

The Rains Come

2008-10-28T04:14:00.002-05:00

Well, the rainy season has arrived. Not rain everyday, but when it comes it's pretty heavy. So part of the fun these days is dodging the giant puddles the rain has formed. Some place the rain is just sucked away by the dry earth, and others it stands for days like new lake. One of the nice things from this is that we have discovered the positives of having moved into the bunker we live in. Several of the CHU's leaked rather heavily during the down pour. The bunker? Dry as a bone. Pretty nice. The only water it seems I have to worry about is the condensation from the AC.

In other news, we got some more troops here a while back and an old friend of mine is a part of the group that came. The catch? He didn't come. It was really weird, I was talking to the leadership, thinking "This unit sounds really familiar..." Asked around a bit, and they knew him, but said he didn't come. Small army eh?

Also, the it's really kind of cool that I am an uncle. I can't wait to see her, for real. A little life that I am a part of merely by my linage. Makes me miss everybody a little bit more, but also makes me think of all my friends kids. I miss them too. Can't wait to roll around with all the little ones when I get home. Shout at to the Kiddos!! Peace OUT

Aaauughgghg!! Been a day or Two.

2008-10-17T07:54:00.002-05:00

Well, I didn't realize how many days it's been since I updated this thing. And partly that is because of the wonderful schedule we have been keeping lately. We plan things, prepare for things, have meetings and then at all hours of the day and night suddenly change the plan and run off on this one thing that just popped up. The beauty of trying to plan things in Iraq. Some days I think we just shouldn't try planning anything. But that is neither here nor there. Doesn't bother me much, cause it keeps everything interesting.

In other news, I am now an Uncle. Congrats to my Brother and his Wife. I love you Both. But enough for now, and more later. Peace OUT

Workin on the Night Moves

2008-10-05T13:22:00.002-05:00

Well it has been an interesting couple of days. Been working on other peoples evaluations reports, because that sort of thing goes through me up to higher echelons. Fun word, echelons. Also I have been working the night shift the last few nights, because of the guy that normally does it was supposed to go to a class, and then everything got cancelled because of other mission requirements. I went ahead a pulled the night shifts anyway, because it helped transition a day/night shift switch for the two guys that have been pulling TOC duty. So I got a couple of nights hanging around watching movies and House pretty much to myself. Nice. But that kind of plays havic on your intenal clock, so I am going to try to sleep a regular night tonight and see what happens. Other then that, working the paperwork, and watching house. Not too much excitement. That's how it is.

Tired Guy

2008-09-27T05:30:00.002-05:00

So I am a little tired right now, and may not really remember everything that has happened this week. We played Ultimate Football yesterday and the stakes where our combined team name. That has been the topic of some debate over the last week. The Colonel decided we all needed a team name to cover the two teams together and the area we work in. Oh the ideas this inspired. We actually voted on Chicken Hawk at one time. The result of the football game was Nomad, but that is still in debate and could be changed in favor of something better.
In the news, thank you anyone and everyone that offered me a birthday greeting of some type, package in the mail, post of my facebook or myspace, email, anything. I haven't had the time I would have liked to respond individually to each one, and I still plan to when I can, but I thought I would try to thank everyone with a sweeping stroke here while I had the chance. I have a new office and all that jazz, but my computer isn't connected to the outside world in any way, so I rely on passing documents with memory sticks for now. Other then that I have just been keeping busy doing my job and picking up the mail. Ta ta for now, and there is still hope for personal internet, so when that happens, pictures will abound. Peace OUT

Busy Life

2008-09-19T22:25:00.002-05:00

Well it's been a little busy as of late. And I suppose you could say I have been beating myself up a bit. Started breaking out the Jump Rope and trying to tell this body who's boss, and then I got into a mid-air collision playing Ultimate Frisbee that has left me a little worse for wear. But I soldier on, working diligently in the S-1 shop and making sure that mail goes through. Yes, some of you may find it interesting to know, I am a mail handler for my little team of guys. Its fun, picking up all the mail for eveybody. We have two guys that are roomies and between them got about 25 packages over two days. Almost all food. It's like they are preparing for the end of the show hall or something. Which is a good idea since the food sometimes lacks yummyness. So I have a new office and a new desk and I am waiting for the day I can move a computer in there. It's just been busy busy busy as of late. Well that is about all I can think of at the moment, so until later. Peace OUT

Job Not Bummerdom

2008-09-11T22:28:00.002-05:00

I have finished the move! I now have my own room, which is awesome. Though the Air Condotioner in the building I am in still needs fixing. But it is livable, and I got mail!! Always a fun thing. I got food and guitar strings and earphones and all kinds of great stuff for cooking. So all in all, a good couple of days. I restung my guitar, and watched some good movies and am generally enjoying my life. Be excellent to each other.

The Bunker

2008-09-08T21:34:00.002-05:00

So today I will move into a new home. Same FOB, so no big change, but I get my own room with enough room to move around a bit. So that will be nice. Got some nice stuff in the mail yesterday from the family. Everybody loves getting mail. Oh and I am a mail handler now. I get to pick up the mail for everybody now. Awesome. Traveling can be a little frustrating when you plan on a day trip and then people you are picking up try to drag out the day and stay the night. We have to make runs to another FOB to take classes and pick up mail and various other business, and we pick people up sometimes, but there is another group of people that seem to want to live up at that FOB. I don't live there, and don't want to sleep there if I don't have to. But what can you do. Now that my team is getting settled somewhere, we may have a chance to get some internet. That would be nice, so I can post some pictures. Well, till next time.

Well What Do You Know!!

2008-09-01T05:13:00.002-05:00

And so for the first time in Iraq, I have fun into someone I knew. I ran into an old classmate from ROTC Back at UCO. Haven't seen him since OBC, and he was coming in right after I was finishing. Funny how you can cross paths. He is on his way back home shortly, so I won't be seeing much of him, but it is cool to run into someone I know. And we are further delayed due to buearacracy. One has to love paperwork. But other than that life is good, got a chance to read my Utilikilts newsletter and I get to chill a bit. Can you believe the US Postal Service has a problem allowing a Utility Kilt to be an autherized uniform garment for the hard working letter carriers of this great nation. Men and women like in the postal industy are intersted in having this step forward achieved. But those with minds stuck in the old ways still seem to hold sway. Heres to you Mean Dean, and hold fast in the fight for mens unbifercatied garments. That's all for now, and that's the way the cookie crumbles. Peace OUT.

All the Change Begins

2008-08-31T07:32:00.002-05:00

So, my job has mutated into more of a personell management sort of job. Now I track when people are on vacation and making sure they are getting paid right and all that kinds of stuff. Very fun. But in the wake of this my Civil Affairs job duties don't change. So I will have something to keep me busy while I am here. Ha ha. Anyway, I noticed something about this place while on a journey today. Trash. People I talk to have always called this a dirty country, and I realize why. There is trash everywhere. We take for granted the anti-littering programs and trash clean up and collections and all the things that keep the roadways and countrysides looking beautiful. Here these isn't a whole lot of country side, being all sand and such, but it is made that much worse by all that garbage, and I do mean garbage of all sorts, laying about and in huge piles on the side of the road. To instill a sense of pride in your area would go a long way around here. Well, just something to think about. All is well, I am in fit and happy shape, and busy busy busy. Peace OUT

Apologize for the Delay

2008-08-27T21:32:00.002-05:00

Sorry about the long delay between posts, but A) very little of excitement has happened and B) the few computers I can use to do this are often difficult to get to or I get rushed off of them. But things are going well. The most exciting part of my day lately is grilling out around the homestead at night. Very enjoyable sitting around a grill playing guitar, waiting on your beef and peppers quasidella/faijita thing. We have found that we can get Iraqi flat bread in aboundance from the Battalion we work with, so we use that for whatever we can. It's really good bread. Fajitas, Grilled Cheese, PB&J. All the classics. Did some grocery shopping yesterday. Have to go to another FOB to do so since our PX is cleaning out. Changes Changes in the future. It's been pretty darn hot around here too. I thing this is the fall hot months before we start heading into the cooling off for the rainy winter months. Prayers for everyone and I appereciate all your thoughts and prayers. Peace OUT.

Ugandans

2008-08-14T21:46:00.002-05:00

The last few days have been a mix of work and helping out the Chaplan that came to visit the FOB for a week. What is exciting is, I got my guitar in the mail the day after he got here, so I was able to play guitar for some of his services. And with the people we have on this FOB that means singing with the Ugandans that are here pulling all the security around the FOB. They are a contracted security force, and very excited about being here. And they are very enthusiastic about their faith, and though they have no formal choral training, they are very enthisiastic about singing and praise. It's a lot of fun to play guitar and sing with them. It's really lifted my heart the last couple of days to have that opportunity. And it's just great to have my guitar to work on music and have something else to do when I am not working. Other than that, work has slowed a bit, though it is still consistent. Keeps me plenty busy. Well that is all the excitement for me today. Later

Running around.

2008-08-12T21:56:00.002-05:00

So between missions I am on and the guys that run the computer lab, getting over to the one place where I can work on this is tricky at best. So more news later.

The interesting thing.

2008-08-04T21:50:00.002-05:00

So conversations in the truck moving from here to there meander about a bit. The last conversation I had with the Doc was about the band Flyleaf. He really enjoys them and I let him know about how I thought they were a Christian band. He wasn't sure about that because of how he heard the songs, and then I mentioned that one of the songs was about a girl from the Columbine incident. That led me to do some research. Interesting stuff. Most interesting is that Flyleaf is not a "Christian Band." All of the band members are Christians, but they don't necessarily write Christian music. But they say that their beliefs are a part of who they are, and so will reflect in what they write, which I can see in several of their songs. It's a pretty good take on things I suppose.
So on the flip side, work has been busy, running around a lot and moving information from here to there. Computer access has been a little difficult, thus the long delay in posting. But I suppose it's for the best, keeping me busy and all. Food around here isn't agreeing with me though. Sadly I think it's the chow hall food. Oh well, that's life on the FOB. Love you all, and take it easy. Peace OUT

Ah, the Busy Life

2008-07-28T22:07:00.002-05:00

Things have really been picking up around here. Lots of stuff going on, and it's keeping me on my toes mostly. You stomach is feeling better, just had to get used to the bacteria around these parts. I feel like there should be more to say, but I am a little out of it right now, cause I get up early to make phone calls and my brain doesn't want to engage for some reason. Well, I am going to go get some breakfast and see if I can reingage later. Peace OUT.

My Stomach Hates Me

2008-07-26T10:26:00.002-05:00

So I have been a sport and ate the Iraqi food. Good food really, but I suppose that was the catalyst that pushed me over the edge and my stomach decided to fight back, the no fun, sitting on the toilet in the middle of the night way. Yeah, you don't want to hear it, and I don't want to experience it, but there it is. Been laid up today, but I am doing better then some, so I may be the one going out with the boss tomorrow to do some work. Just got to get some good sleep and tough it out. The lesson is, beware good food.

Working Hard

2008-07-22T22:31:00.002-05:00

So, we have been here for a few days now, and went out and drove around the area most of those days. My not sound like much, but over here, going out and driving around is always a big production. Yesterdays drive was especially long, and it wore me out a little bit. I am also spending my days figuring out what my job will be. So there is that. Today we are having an Iraqi lunch, so that should be fun and interesting. Still working on my own internet access. See what I can do.

I Have Arrived!!

2008-07-19T11:16:00.002-05:00

I have finally arrived at FOB Bernstien. Took long enough. The address I put out is still good. If something happens to change that I will let everyone know. Internet and Phones are available here, so I will stay in contact as best I can, but I am working for a net connection for my computer so I can skype whenever I want. Let you know. Till then. Peace OUT

It's Groundhogs day again.

2008-07-17T09:22:00.001-05:00

So, yesterday went almost exactly like the day before, and today is much the same. Hanging around the computer lab, doing nothing important. Back to the airfield again tonight. Peace OUT

Is going Nowhere.

2008-07-16T04:34:00.002-05:00

So, there is sand in the sky. And that means no flying. And that means I get to sit on an airstrip till 2 in the morning, then reload the bags on the truck, take them back where we were, unload them into the container again, and try to sleep off the cup of coffee. Then get up, spend the day where I was, and anticipate packing everything up again and trying again. The fun of traveling on the Military dime in an inhospitable environment. Well, I will see what I can do to entertain myself. Peace OUT.

Frustrated and Bored

2008-07-14T13:36:00.002-05:00

So, the excitement has waned. Found out we won't have a flight out for a few days, so I am spending a lot of time watching movies. Very exciting eh... And after watching Grosse Point Blank I wanted to come over and plug my computer in so I could get the soundtracks which are awesome and found out that iTunes doesn't have them, and I can't download anything else around here. Oh well, guess I will just have to add that to the Amazon wish list. I suppose that is something else I could hawk on here. If you go to Amazon and type in my email address, it should come up with a wish list of stuff I would like. This isn't something new, I've kept one for a while, more as a shopping list for myself, so I don't forget the stuff I am looking for. But, should some bored people out there decide to see what sort of strange things I am interested in, Look up the wish list on Amazon. Other than that, just hanging out, trying not to be bored. Let you know when I move on. Peace OUT

The Christian Iraqis

2008-07-12T12:18:00.002-05:00

This is an interesting topic that I actually ran into back at Camp Funston in Kansas with one of the Arabic Interperators there. The Assyrian people or Iraqi Christians. Assyrians are not strictly Iraqi, and can be found in many of the countries in that region, but they are a prominate group of people in Iraq. They aren't very well known because they settled in that area during the 1st century, in Jesus time, long before many of the current world dividing lines, and more significatly, before Islam. The Assyrians can trace their liniage and religion back to Jesus time, and are some of the oldest Christian nations in the world. This is not well known in the current world culture because of Islam begining in Saudi and moving all through that region making it the most prominant and dominant religion in the region. But the Assyrians are still there. I have run into at least 2 out and out Christians from Iraq, one in Kansas working as an interperator and one here also working with the Army. Most Assyrians have left this region because of oppression from the Islamic sects and danger for their own lives. But both that I have spoken to are proud of their heratige, both Iraqi and Christian, one even being so bold as to say that they were there first before Islam even came to Iraq. And it's true, Christianity has been in Iraq and this whole region longer than Islam. I just find it interesting and exciting to have met Iraqis that are both bold in this faith and proud of where they came from even though they may be afraid to live there. Many from this back ground flee the country and seek education and homes in other countries. Both of the men I met where from California no less! Very exciting stuff, and just something I thought I would share with everyone. Check it out, I looked all this stuff up, just to verify. The truth is out there.
Anywho, other than that exciting revelation, just classes today. We are supposed to head north soon, but it may not happen as soon as we hope, pending flights and such. More fun and excitement when we arrive.

Peace OUT.

Oh the Excitement

2008-07-11T11:35:00.002-05:00

I suppose I would post more if A) there was more exciting stuff than class happening, and 2) I hadn't spent 2 days fighting to get my own computer hooked up through a bad cable. Figured that one out when I finally tried someone else's cable. Good now. But really, the only exciting thing to happen in the last few days was when General Patreous came and talked to us. Interesting stuff. Even saw I guy almost get his camera taken away because they he had taken a picture of something he shouldn't have in the General's slides. Operational Security. If I ever sound shady about something, it's cause I can't talk about it. That's the way it is. So a few more days and we head north. Feel free to send anything to the address I emailed out. I won't be there for 5 or 6 more days, but I am sure I will beat anything you sent a week ago there. Love you all.

Class

2008-07-08T03:04:00.002-05:00

So I am in classes. That is what the Phoenix Academy is all about, classes to prep for being a MiTT Team. Not all that exciting, but it's not terrible. And then a general cancels his trip out to talk to us because of sandy skies and we get a big chunk of the morning off. Nice. Kind of feeling a rumbly tummy today. Can't tell if it's something I ate or if it's the insane ab workout I did yesterday. Could be a combination. So anywho, nothing all that exciting, more later. And as far as I know I have the address where stuff can be mailed but I will send that out in an email. Peace OUT.

After a long night...

2008-07-06T04:27:00.002-05:00

So I have finally made it to Taji, another school before we get to where we are going. We left for the airfield around 9 or 10 at night, much later then I expected, and ended up sitting there for a good long while. I kept nodding off and didn't really keep track of time, but it was around 2 or 3 when I finally got on a chopper. And this was sitting in a gravel lot laying on my bags. So I really didn't get much good sleep last night, and just a little nap this morning. But I should be able to get a good nights sleep tonight. So on to the classes today and for the next week and change. Won't be much exciting stuff to post but I will keep you in the loop. Peace OUT

Longest Layover of my life

2008-07-04T05:56:00.002-05:00

So, we got to Bagdad and found out we don't have a chopper out for 2 days just about. So, they put us up in a tent, and told us to chill for a few days. Done a little movie watching, little car shopping and got a hair cut. Should be able to take a shower and pack up for tonight when we get a flight up to our next stop, more classes before you actually make it to what will be home for the next 1 year. Again, not sure of the internet connection at the next stop, so don't be surprised if I am not there for a while. Oh, and point of interest, and we will blame this on the sun baking my brain. If you comment and your log in is non-specific concerning whom you are, could you please add some kind of signature or sign of who is commenting. I can usually figure it out, but a hint helps sometimes, and some of the log in's are just a bunch of numbers from what I can see.

On another note, I have been beaten to the punch. I bravely and boldly packed a special Olive Green Original cut Utilikilt for my journey into the sandy wilderness, and today, here outside of Bagdad, ran into a civilian contractor, not only wearing a Utilikilt, but wearing the exact same Utilikilt that is currently sitting in the bottom of a duffle bag stowed in a container somewhere. He beat me to it, but it makes me happy to know that not only are there people over here that wear them, but this guy wears kilts all the time in his job over here. Awesome. I know, not so interesting to some, but this is something cool to me. When I get where I am going, I will take some pics and post them so you all can shake your heads and the bizarrity of the Soldier Hippy in the Sandbox with a Kilt. Got to be me.

Need a shower

2008-07-02T09:55:00.002-05:00

Well, I have been eating dust most of the day. More convoy training and it was blowing like crazy. The only nice thing about having my head out the top was the breeze, when it wasn't sand that was trying to rip my face off. We ended up calling it early, on account of the weather, and headed in. Got the weapons cleaned pretty quickly but still not fast enough to make it to the post office before closing time. Had something me and the doc wanted to send out, but alas, I will have to hang onto that until we hit Bagdad. Flying out very early this coming morning and not sure of the accomidations up north, so no promise that this will update anytime soon. Let you know when I can. Peace OUT

Not a Sand Storm

2008-06-30T22:31:00.002-05:00

Well, I didn't post anything yesterday because there was nothing going on. We did PT, went to breakfast, watched a movie went to lunch, did PT, watched movies. Throw in a dash of sleeping that messed up dinner and computer plans and that was about my day. And then today we were supposed to get up early and do some mounted (vehicle/convoy) training. Guess what? Sand in the sky. Not a sand storm, just sandy, hazy skies like the other day. So we are in a holding pattern. Won't know for certain until about noon if we are going to do anything at all. So that's the deal. Found the auto/ motorcycle place. If we don't train I may go shopping. Peace OUT

The Sand in the Sky

2008-06-29T13:05:00.002-05:00

So we were supposed to go out and do some shooting at the range this morning and it got cancelled because of visibility. We didn't have a sand storm, per say. It was just windy enough over the last few days to kick up a lot of sand in the air. It was like a fog this morning. Wierd. So we had team classes and medical refresher this afternoon. Trying to catch up on my pirate movies.

Wow. Convection Oven

2008-06-28T10:15:00.002-05:00

You know how a convection oven works? With the blowing and the hot air and all? Well, that's how it feels over here today. Back in OK, if it was hot, we hoped for a strong wind to cool things off. I found myself hoping the wind would stop today because it just made everything worse. Peel your eyeballs kinda feeling. Eh, so it was an interesting day. Did some room clearing training, you know, swat team kinda stuff. After a morning of that, we were about spent. Now I am really hungry. I think this heat has got my body burning all the fuels it gets just to stay regulated. Running through water like crazy. Good thing I suppose. Another long hot day tomorrow. All is well, and I think I am going to sleep like a rock tonight. Peace OUT

Uhg! Can't sleep right!

2008-06-27T13:07:00.002-05:00

So we woke up around 3 in the morning to go shoot at the rifle range, and then had most of the rest of the day off. Sleeping ended up happening and so I am a little off. Still trying to get in the rythm of things, but it's a different rythm then back home. Just the Nature of things. Gots to go work out now. Peace OUT

Shamble, Shamble

2008-06-26T12:57:00.002-05:00

Today was quite a day. PT got canceled an hour before, but I was awake so doc and I went and worked out. If this is any indication, that man is going to get me into some kinda shape. Went and picked up our new armor today too, which was ok until I got caught up in a class on dissassemble and reassemble that took longer then it should. By lunch is was almost too hot to want to go to eat. And then I had to try and stay awake for another class, which was a rehash of stuff we had done in Kansas. Staying awake was near impossible. So then, night fell and the best I could do was shamble about like a zombie in search of brains, and the brains in the Dining hall was less then wonderful. God Bless Taco Bell. Yes, Taco Bell in Kuwait. Will wonders never cease. Now to take my tired arms and body and go to bed. Night.

Crab?? In the Desert??

2008-06-25T12:18:00.002-05:00

So yeah, Steak and Crab legs. King Crab legs. Not a bad meal. I am eating a little to well around here. I slept last night. Perhaps a little too well. Almost was late for PT this morning. But hopefully my sleep cycle is back where it needs to be. Arabic class and finance stuff today, so I should be getting paid right now. Other then that pretty chill. And the power didn't get shut off. To be fair, all the juice comes from generators, so periodically they need to be shut down to refuel and do maintanence on. So all is well, the sun still shines and tomorrow is another day.
Peace OUT

No Power?

2008-06-24T02:42:00.002-05:00

Seems like turning the power off is a daily ritual for the tents we live in. Didn't sleep much last night because I slept all day and really it was still the middle of the day for me. So now the goal is to stay up with the sun and sleep when it sets. The sun gets up around, oh, 4:30 around here. Then the strange thing is sitting in the tent from about 7:30 to 9 in the dark acting like it's the middle of the night just because it's dark. Some people just watched movies till they ran out of batterys. I read. Then we got out cause it was so hot in the tent, joking that once we were gone they would turn the power back on. They switched it on yesterday right as we were leaving. Going to try to make some phone calls this evening, which is like lunch time for all of you. Just happens to be the time when the phones I can use are availible. So anywho, trying not to spend money, which works out pretty well. Food is really good, probobly better then I need right now. Stomach still can't decide how it wants to feel after all this travel and odd sleep. But anywho, Be good, think happy thoughts and dance like nobody's watching. Peace OUT

Arrival

2008-06-23T03:37:00.002-05:00

Well, we landed in Kuwait around midnight. Then we had to unload everything into trucks and we were loaded onto busses for another 2 hour drive. Briefings, unloading breakfast and a nap. Now I get to spend the day aclimating myself to the weather out here. Woke up at 1030 and the power was out in our building. Went to shave and was blinded. Didn't expect the sun to be so bright, but I was in the dark. And really that is about all that has happened so far. Training tomorrow. Peace OUT.

Germany

2008-06-22T07:22:00.002-05:00

Well, here I am trying to navigate a German keyboard in a stop over teminal in Germany. Slept on and off during the flight. They played the new National Treasure movie and a slept through the end and then woke up for the end of the Golden Compass and then they played Mr. Woodcock. Not so much a fan of the last one. Just killing time while they fuel and get more food. More the next time I can get to the net which will be in Kuiwat. Peace OUT

Getting ready to leave.

2008-06-21T09:21:00.000-05:00

Well, this is a forum that anyone can reach me at so I thought I would start a blog even though it's one more page to take care of but this is the easy solution to sling info at a large group of people easily. Finished packing at Riley and standing by for more info. I am within days of being gone, so I thought I would throw this out there. I appreciate everything everybody has done for me. I will post again when something significant has happened or I am in country. Thank you everyone.