Day 77

From time to time, I think it's good to look back at where you were, the path you've walked, hiked, or marched, and where you are today. Today is one of those days. I have taken literally hundreds of photos in my 77 days. Today, I found 42 of them..many of my favorites..and posted them here with captions as most need some explanation. I chose them because they tell my story so far in a very simple way. Not nearly what I write about but a different way to look at my deployment. Before you get looking, I'll give you the rundown of today...short and sweet. First off, did you notice the new background? If figured that if I was getting frustrated at how the other one made it tough to read, surely readers felt the same way. I really like it because as you read the blog, the flag stays right there on your right...and she's beautiful, isn't she? Did you also notice the new "Oz" and "Kansas" clocks? If you get my blog daily in your e-mail and only read it there, you may want to take this opportunity to go to the blog this one time to see the new background and the new clocks. Pretty cool, eh? Yep...I'm 8 1/2 hours ahead of you! From my link at http://milblogging.com, a mom of an airman who blogs found my blog and on her blog, she has these clocks so I went in and made my own. Thanks "Airman Mom!" Anyway, today was actually a very busy day. My colleagues back in the States did a great job at giving me lots of work for today before they left their jobs on Friday afternoon. Just before 5pm, I headed out and walked on down to the store where I wanted to get a Green Beans fruit smoothie but a sign hung on the door that said "Hot Drinks Only. Out of Ice." Dangit!!! So, I just headed on over across the patio and got my 3rd haircut since getting here. High and tight but hair still left on top. Sides and back, though? Shaved all the way! (another milestone, by the way...I get haircuts every 2 weeks...and I've been here on the base just over 6 weeks) Afterwards, I grabbed the shuttle and headed on back to my side of the base, had dinner, then went and signed up for the 10K being held on July 4th. It's actually the Peachtree Road Race...the sister version!!!  The Peachtree is the biggest 10K in the United States, held on the streets of Atlanta every July 4th. Well, this event is an official sister event!! Pretty awesome, I'd say! So of course, I signed up. Afterwards, I headed on back to my room and spent the next hour or two reading more about photography and what camera and lens I should get. That then led me to going through ALL my photos and tonight's blog. So without further delay, a pictorial review of the first 77 days. I apologize for them being out of order. They are in the order of their file name which really varied and had nothing to do with when the photo was taken. The captions tell the story, though. Enjoy!

While sitting in the sun in the northern part of the country, waiting for the helo, my iPhone actually overheated. Yes, it really can happen!

Taken on Father's Day morning as I ran to the Father's Day 5K. Looking straight down the runway at sunrise with the mountains behind.

This was in the first week down in Gulfport, MS. I had to be fitted with a gas mask which I carried all the way to "Oz."

I love this photo. I dubbed it "Two Passions." I love to run...and I love to serve my country. (On my fake wood floor in my room...or "CHU"...container housing unit)

Running just after sunset at combat training in South Carolina...somewhere in weeks 2-4.

Early morning rise to head to the range at combat training in South Carolina

Oh yes...MRE's (Meals ready to eat). Every "meal" always had some crackers.

At the range and my target during M4 practice.

My M4 and ammo at the range. That surface you see was actually very comfy to lay in. It is shredded pieces of tires!

Training on how to enter a building at combat training in South Carolina.

"High and tight." That's all the barber understood for my first haircut at WDW in Oz. Dorothy did NOT like this! I got the sides and back done like this again TODAY. :-)

Perhaps the greatest photo so far. It's the same flag that is my background on my blog, shot the same night. I enhanced this one a bit using Picasa to make it really "glow" and show the colors. It's about 200m from my room and leans towards the enemy.

The view from my seat in my first plane trip north...outside "the wire". These are the Hindu Kush Mountains.

A common way to get around in the northern part of the country..."Molson Flights." The Canadians are here and operate these. No reservations...just show up and write your name on the clipboard.

The Afghans build their villages out of dirt and mud. Often, a large family unit resides within rectangular "compounds." Could be two to three generations in one. This is a very, very third-world country.

My best photo of the Molson helo as it was landing to pick me up.

Local Afghans coming on base to work at a base in the north that I was visiting.

The view from inside an armored MATV. Those are RPG nets on the outside. I am looking through ballistic glass that you cannot see in from the outside.

I took this just after getting my Army uniforms...probably Day 3 or 4...of 77. :-)

At Army combat training in South Carolina. It's the one piece of "Navy" that was anywhere to be seen!

This was on the day I was issued my body armor and helmet...at combat training in South Carolina.

I've got a great support structure back home!

Yum! Small pox vaccine!

My last real meal I had before leaving the States. Fresh calamari just outside the Army base in South Carolina.

Simple and a nuisance to many but a reminder I walked by en route to Starbucks in South Carolina that reminded me of Dorothy, Tin Man, and Scarecrow. I love this photo and it still makes me smile.

Our "Patriot Guard" escort from the Army base in South Carolina to the airport as we were about to leave the U.S.A. I'll never forget that evening. It was midnight and so many local supporters came out.

En route to Oz via Germany layover

We had a brief layover in Germany to refuel. Taken at the local cafe.

"Yea, we're definitely not in Kansas anymore!"

At Camp Virginia in Kuwait where I had a few days of processing before heading into Oz. I'm still amazed at the cleanliness of this porta-pottie.

Out on a run at Camp Virginia...over 100F.

My current room. Right now as I type this, I am sitting in that chair, the bed is actually still made, and my feet are up on that desk with the laptop...in my lap! Now you know the origin of my blog every night!

I've talked a few times about the United Through Reading program that the USO offers. I've read 4 times now to my girls on DVD and sent them books, thanks to this program.

My right arm...today and everyday. The Army wears a combat patch under the flag. Sailors wear our "Don't Tread on Me" flag.

Good thing I know the color scheme from back home. Coke Zero.

My girls sent me one of their bears. I promised since that day...about a month ago, that I would carry this bear in my uniform pant's pocket every day until my return. At that time, I will return this bear. Until now, I have never left the bear behind. It is with me all day, every day. Of course, NO ONE here knows it. Only Tin Man and Scarecrow know...and that's all that matters! (well, now you know!)

All I see everywhere around our base. I'm not complaining, though...this 1 foot of concrete protects us from rocket attacks. They make them right here on base....contractors do.

Another common site on the base where I am stationed.

Should I have run tonight, I would've been wearing this neck gaiter to keep the garbage out of my lungs and the glasses to keep the grit out of my eyes. Yes, that's a mine field on base behind me that has not been cleared. Left over from the Soviet Union's invasion in the last 70s.

Operation H.O.T. recently visited our base and two celebrity chefs visited! They were both on Top Chef Masters, too! It was an awesome night to relax. Lots of great music, too.

My current wall in my CHU...I'm looking at it right now.

That's pretty much it! I hope you enjoyed my picture-driven tour through memory lane tonight. I did. So that's a wrap for Day 77! On to Day 78...

Goodnight, everyone.