Day 36

For many, the day of rest. For others, they ran 100 miles today in the mountains of Virginia. For others at home, they ran a marathon or 1/2 marathon today. For me, I still worked but let's not talk about that today. For me, it was also a day of firsts. Let's sum them up and we'll call it a day here on the journal. Nothing happened that was very exciting at work today.

1. The first woman from Ohio ever to finish the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 in Virginia. Here "handle" is Kimba and she did it in fine fashion!! Also, congrats to first-time MMT finisher, Brandon and Paul L.!!! AWESOME!!! The MMT is considered the toughest 100 miler on the east coast. Also kudos to Gombu, Slim, Dave P and Roy for their repeated finishes! You all are amazing and inspirational!!!

2. For the first time ever as I walked along the road here at WDW, I looked at a pile of rubble along the road and thought: "I wonder if an IED is buried there." Remember back in combat training how wee were trained on IEDs? Often, a pile of rocks along the road in Oz either is concealing an IED or acting as a marker showing that one is near. No chance of them on WDW but my brain is essentially on a swivel 24/7 and I'm questioning everything I see. I don't think I'll ever look at a pile of rocks the same.

3. I went to bootcamp in late 1991. Within the first 24 hours, they shaved my head. Since then, I vowed to never get that haircut again. Well, here in Oz it is very warm and I am often walking the streets in my moisture-holding uniform. I wanted a clean/tight haircut to simplify my life a bit. So, I headed to the barber this evening and my barber was from Kyrgyzstan, which was part of the former Soviet Union. She spoke Russian and struggled with English. Under a magazine on her counter, there was a book she's obviously been reading about learning our language. One thing she did understand was "high and tight?" So, I didn't get my head shaved 100% but quite a bit of it. I doubt many who know me will care for it much but that's OK. I like it. It was also the first time I've received any haircut while wearing a loaded weapon. :-)

4. While eating lunch today, I shared the dining facility with soldiers from Korea, France, and Egypt. Very different uniforms but all here as part of the joint NATO force. Another first!

5. I drove a diesel power Toyota SUV, stick shift. Yea, no biggie. Just another first.

6. I had chicken empanadas for dinner. Definitely a first and no, they weren't very good. The sweet and sour sauce helped.

7. An order to all U.S. service-members in Oz is no alcohol. In a sort of humorous twist, in my opinion, is that they serve Germany's Beck non-alcoholic "beer" in the dining facility. Just for giggles, I had one at lunch. It tasted like a cheap beer I'd never drink back in Kansas. I drank half, poured the other half out, and recycled the can. First and last time for a Beck.

8. I talked on the phone to Tin Man and Scarecrow for the first time since I left the United States today!!!  WOO HOO!!!! Certainly the highlight of my day. I just hope they like my haircut when they see it. :-) I LOVED hearing their voices on something other than a video-conference. Totally different...and priceless.

9. Josh Gracin. Remember him? Country singer that was on American Idol and former active duty Marine. I ran across this song of his today and video. Couldn't help but post this today. It's called "The Other Little Soldier." The last of today's "firsts." Please watch.

Goodnight, everyone.