Day 76

I really didn't want to get up this morning. Dragging, dragging, dragging. I think I'd better start moving my iPhone a little further from my bed or I'll be hitting the snooze slide and falling right back to sleep. The result of being late to meet the others would not be pretty. But thanks to fresh-brewed espresso, I was brought to life quick enough. I had a lot less e-mails to follow up on today so I tried something new from my room with my super-weak WiFi...Skype with my parents, audio-only. Not enough speed for video, that's for sure. So, we had a good talk and then I headed on in.

It was a busy day today. Non-stop all the way past the 12hr mark. The day turned somber, though, really quick this morning. It was around 8:30am and the base police were escorting a humvee slowly down the street towards the airstrip where a C-17 waited. Along the road, people stopped. They saluted or if civilian, they placed their hands over their hearts. All was quiet. In the back of the humvee was a Fallen Comrade. His or her coffin draped with Old Glory, bound for Dover Air Base in the United States of America and eventually HOME. I have no doubt...whoever was in there will be listed any day on the Defense.gov site I have linked at the right. Age, hometown, unit attached to, and what caused this tragedy. It is sad...it really is. It is also something that takes place here at "WDW" 3-5 days per WEEK. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Just after the procession passed by for honors at the airfield, a senior warrant officer came in our office and he was rambling about what just passed by...but then quoted General George S. Patton. He said "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." "Yes, Sir. Thank you...whoever you are, for paying the ultimate sacrifice. Rest in peace. You will not be forgotten."

As the day passed on and I skipped lunch (I did have a Clif Bar...does that count?!), I got busier and busier. I don't even know how to explain what I got into later but to say this: I ended up on the phone for over an hour with a representative back in the States about a special order that's in high demand out here. Actually, many orders...totaling in millions of dollars. By the time I was done, I was convinced that it is a broken system and needs serious help. By the time I left and several more phone calls, I had drafted a two-page paper about the problem and my recommended solutions. I'm at the center of that solution and believe I can really help out. Of course, this is in addition to the many other things I am working on. More busy? Time goes faster. Time goes faster? I 'feel' like I'm going home sooner. Winning!!! :-)

Around 7:30pm, we headed on out but it is Friday night which is Surf-n-Turf night at one of the dining facilities. We headed over and get this...I had two lobster tails, some shrimp, and a crab cake! In Oz!!! It was all very good, too...even the crab cake. I was so surprised! I would've stayed for more but the Colonel I was with had a "Skype Date" with his wife. Once back, I headed in for the night and spent the rest of the night reading about cameras, thanks to a few friends' recommendations. I spent most of my time at http://www.kentrockwell.com. Really great site to learn but not in a language that is far over my head. Nope, no purchases or anything. Just reading and learning at this point. I have some very lofty goals and really want to find the right equipment.  My research is done, though, for the night....my eyes are barely staying open, indicating clearly it's bedtime. The clock agrees...only 30min to midnight.

Goodnight, everyone. Remember the fallen, will ya? It happens far too often over here.