Day 96

Well, this is a first. It’s approaching 10pm here and I’m ... wait for it ... in my office. I arrived here shortly after 7am this morning. This is nuts! Anyway, in the interest of sleep whenever I get that opportunity, I’m drafting this post now so my head-bob later doesn't prevent a hiccup in my daily posting. But am I working ... that’s the question ... no, not really. Instead, I’m stuck here because our bosses from another base are visiting and want to watch a movie across the hall here. So here I am ... doing a small bit of work, talking to my mobilization specialist back in the States (talking about my going-home orders), and writing to you.

The day started like any other except that I almost slept in. A more rapid brewing of the espresso and consumption of cereal. The bad part about rushing? I dropped the top of my espresso pot and cracked it. DANGIT! Luckily, it doesn’t impact the ability to brew…but it still stinks. I love that thing. It essentially is the giver of my Caffeine-IV drip every day. Once in the office, our guests were here not even an hour later which made our office instantly crowded. A few hours in, a fellow soldier here on base walked in…she’s going home in two days.

Let’s call her “Jo.” Jo and I have been working together a lot as her task force here handles everything base-related…especially construction and major maintenance and I get much of that stuff for her. They are a National Guard group. Anyway, most of them have gone home and she’s one of the last to go. A few days back, I received an “out-of-office” message from her saying she had to head out on an emergency mission. Today, she walked in to say goodbye and shook my hand. I asked about the mission and it turns out, it truly was an emergency. A fellow soldier on his final mission before heading home to his wife and family was shot point-blank by an Afghan soldier imposter as they stopped to help him along the road...supposedly to help with a flat tire…a tire that wasn’t flat at all. This soldier was a personal friend of hers. A lot of National Guard folks have been together for years and are like family.  As she told me the story and her mission which was to gather up all of his belongings to be shipped home to his family, her eyes welled up and she fought back the tears. I tried to deflect the conversation a bit to avoid her breaking down which worked but she was clearly rocked by this. I felt for her…I really did. I just couldn’t imagine having to go do that for a friend. This conversation really brought it home again…which I’m thankful for. It’s so easy to get complacent in a 7-day work-week and let your guard down. This is proof that we all must keep our head on a swivel and trust no one. Where I live, there are HUNDREDS of local-nationals on base. Many of them are standing on the serving line at the chow hall serving me my mashed potatoes. Most are good people but there are plenty of bad folks out there who are waving money in front of them to turn them. We are fighting a very unconventional enemy so we have to think the same way. I think tomorrow is a good day to clean my weapon…it’s been awhile. If you want to read about this soldier, it has been made public online in his local newspaper. I always prefer to read the local paper instead of the Associated Press. It’s much more personal and talks about the fallen’s family. I am asking that you take a few moments and read it after today’s post. Here is the link: http://thegazette.com/2011/07/10/cedar-rapids-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan/.  And yes, he is listed on the Department of Defense website link that you will find on the right side of my blog.  “RIP, brother.”

The rest of the day was just the same ‘ol, same ‘ol. As the night wore on, I saw the writing on the wall and just knew I wouldn’t be going back to my room anytime soon. Calls to Dorothy and my girls and a failed attempt for my dad and now here..drafting my blog to you.  It’s now 10pm and I think I’ll pause and cross my fingers that soon, it’ll be time to leave.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well, I’m back at my room now. It’s 11:55pm. To end today, I thought I’d share a video which is 18 years old and by Billy Ray Cyrus. It was shared earlier with me from a friend. I think it’s perfect and fitting to end today’s post. For those of you reading this via e-mail, here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydWhRObVxrM For others, it’s below. Listen to the words.

Goodnight, everyone.

Day 95

95? Oh, that's easy. That's the average temp here every day with humidity under 10%. Also the main artery from Washington D.C. to our beloved Virginia that Dorothy and I love so much. We lived there for many years and still have many close friends.

OK...this can't be a long post...I am wiped out and am falling asleep already. It's almost 11pm here and I just got back to my room...for the first time today. 15+ hour day...yea, that takes the record for longest day worked in the first 95 days. I just love when a high level teleconference call/meeting is ordered at 8:30pm at night. Way too many high-ranking folks present for me to duck out and good thing I was there, too. I was called upon a few times for input among the 9 stations country-wide dialed in. One thing is for sure...think, re-think, then think again before you speak among this kind of crowd. It helps I know my stuff, too! Other than that, it was typical mid-week "stuff" all day long. Busy, busy, busy.

I did have a few highlights, though...Dorothy got up in the middle of the night...terrible headache, and we exchanged some messages then pinky-swore to talk later...which we did. I love hearing her voice. When I returned for the late meeting tonight, after dinner, I also called and talked to Tin Man and Scarecrow at the same time...again, their voices just bring peace to me. We talked about the waterpark coming up in the next few days and trip #2 to camp next week.  They sounded really good and happy. So great to talk to them. After the meeting, I gave Dorothy one last quick call just to tell her I love her and see how her day was going.

So there you have it...exciting, eh?! At least Day 95 went fast. I also renewed my internet again for the bargain 70 bucks...(insert sarcasm)...which of course, means another month DONE! Didn't think I'd continue this fleecing after buying it the first month but I'm truly addicted to having it bedside and being able to blog like this. And with that and heavy eyes, I bid you all a farewell.

Goodnight, everyone.

Day 94

94.1...Armed Forces Radio...the ONLY station in this country. Yes, the ONLY one. It's run by Army guys a few buildings from mine. They broadcast throughout the country. Basically, they play everything and every genre. I actually won an old DVD from them a few weeks back for answering a question on their Facebook page. Pretty cool folks over there. That's about all 94 drummed up in my head tonight.

Today? Crud. That's putting it nicely. It just started bad and stayed that way. It was one thing after another. It started with flights being canceled for that lady who threw up on herself the day before followed by another surprise arrival we knew nothing about. The bad thing about being at a central air hub is that everyone passes through and often, we have to drop everything we're doing to cater to them. They need the help and we're "happy" to provide the service but it wrecks the routine which often involves meetings and deadlines. After driving 15mph around this 8 mile perimeter base in lots of traffic, I finally made it into the office, only to dive into meetings. As the day progressed, conflicts arose with other personnel that I share the uniform with but honestly, I don't have the desire to write the details here. Let's just say I was greatly disappointed in this person and if only I had one more rank on my chest...  If only...

As the day wore on, other issues very high up on the food chain were rising quickly and although I wasn't directly involved, others in my office were so the stress level and volume just kept increasing with everyone. Then the east coast folks showed up to work and they starting shooting off their problems at me. I wish I could just pluck each one of them out of their cubicle and transport them here for one week. I think they'd see things a lot differently and be a LOT easier to work with. People who have never set foot in this country simply don't get it...even though they directly impact operations here. It amazes me how many people try to manage the war from their cozy armchair Stateside...especially if they've never left that chair to set foot in the sand.  It is days like this where I just want to throw my hands in the air and disappear for days on end. Unfortunately, there really isn't anywhere to disappear to. Eventually as the night approached 8pm, we slammed the door behind us and got the heck out of the there. It was Mongolian BBQ night at one of the dining facilities so we headed on down. After a 1/2 hour wait, we chose our ingredients and watched it get grilled. For me? Noodles covered with grilled shrimp, mushrooms, chicken, onions, green peppers, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce. Honestly...it was the bomb. Very good. Afterwards, we headed on back, cranked up some tunes on the way back and called it a night. Now...just sitting here watching "The Fighter" on the Armed Forces Network yet again.

We all have a bad day. Today was just one of mine. I don't expect anyone to understand and don't care to explain it or drum it up ever again. Tomorrow is a new day and this day will just get flushed right where it needs to. There were also other compounding things from back home that added to it all that made my blood boil but honestly, anonymous or not, I'm not writing about it. Some things are for me and me alone. Nothing regarding Dorothy and my girls...they are doing great...so no worries there. One thing about home is that I need to really start thinking about going there and how I'll communicate with people. I really think saying less or nothing to the majority will be best. The thought that people will understand the stories or be able to relate is far-fetched at best. No fault of theirs, though. Before I came here, there's no way I'd understand no matter how many ways it could be explained...I just wouldn't comprehend unless I was actually here. Anyway...I could ramble on forever.  Best to just say...

Goodnight, everyone.

Day 93

Flight 93...September 11, 2001. That's the only thing front and center in my mind tonight when I say Day 93. Not too far from my home in "Kansas" is the spot where Flight 93 went down but not before the famous phrase "Let's Roll!" May they, the victims at the Pentagon, and the victims of the World Trade Center never be forgotten. I just realized, too, that I'll be here on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Ironic, I'd say since if it wasn't for that attack, I wouldn't be here.

This day started out normal but quickly turned different. About 1/2 hour before our intended carpool time, I got a call saying we need to leave immediately...one of our peeps is at the hospital's ER and we need to pick them up. I laced up my boots and got downstairs quick. Upon entering the hospital, it was basically a maze with no really helpful signs. On the way to the ER, I passed a lady sleeping in her chair in the hallway. I paid no attention. Once I got to the ER, they told me our employee was checked out at 5am...2 1/2 hours ago. Turns out, that lady in the hallway is the civilian employee of our agency that had a pretty rough ride in from Kuwait. My location isn't her final destination but instead of continuing on, she chose the path of throwing up inside of her jacket and getting an IV for the night. So by the time I got her, she was a complete wreck...looked like it, and smelled like it. She still felt horrible. I got her to our office and arranged a room for her for the day and night and got her over there as quick as I could. Man, she looked bad. Once I got back to the office, I finally got to work and the rest of the day was a typical Monday as the East Coast is still asleep. One cool thing was that I got to head into the Special Forces area of the base to have dinner...only because I know someone who knows someone who works there. No other way behind that gate! Inside this compound, the food was far, far better and the folks inside here look like....well, the tough guys who hunt down and get the bad guys. I know I stood out like a sore thumb. It was cool, nonetheless. Other than that today, it was business as usual and also planned some future travel to "Theme Park #1 and #2" that I traveled to before. Of course, I can't say when but it's coming up. This trip will be my opportunity to reach out to the northern part of the country and help them build their "erector sets" that I've been working with them on. The north compared to the east is in its infancy stage and continue to build and grow. It should be a great trip.

Back in the room tonight around 8pm, I booked a vacation for Dorothy and I in the summer of 2012...a cruise to Bermuda. This has got to be one of the most simplistic cruises ever. Most have several ports of call but not this one. The departure port is within driving distance...saves a bunch on airfare...and it has one port...Bermuda. We spend nearly 3 days there but still get over 2 days of cruising. Dorothy would be perfectly happy if she lives right on the beach itself so pink sand beaches for a few days is right up her alley. Far into the future but that's OK. I also found out tonight that I made the initial cut for the two jobs I applied for back in "Kansas." They are both promotions and just because I'm deployed doesn't mean I can't apply for things...in fact, a senior supervisor encouraged me to do so. So that was great news! Now, they'll look at each one that was screened and passed through, speak to supervisors, and make a decision. Wouldn't that be great if I got promoted while in Oz?! Yea..that would be great! Well...that's about it for Day 93. Less than a week to the big 100!

Goodnight, everyone.

Day 92

I won't lie...today was a relaxing today, for the most part. With the boss away, the Air Force guy and I split the day. I'm a morning guy and he had a 5pm teleconference so I headed in at 7am then headed back and swapped out the truck and then he headed in around lunch. That worked quite well. Before that, though, I was pleased to wake up to a nighttime NASCAR race in Kentucky...just in time for the final 50 or so laps. Espresso, Clif Bar, then off I went to the office. After that morning was wrapped up, I headed on back to trade out the truck and headed out for a haircut. Yep..another couple weeks gone! The last two times, I got it cut on my side of the base where I work. That shop is manned by either Afghan or Indian workers. They can't understand a lick of English, don't appear to really care about their work, and finish in under 5 minutes. So, I headed back to the first place I went when I got here. Remember that high and tight cut that Dorothy did NOT like? If you recall, it was cut by a lady from Kyrgyzstan, one of the 6 Turkic states north of Afghanistan...part of the former Soviet Union. So, Russian is their language. Well, this whole barber shop is from there and they do understand more English, appear to actually care and take their time, and smile! Wow, what a concept! So today, when I said to use "thinning shears" on the top (my hair grows fast and thick), she understood. No doubt about it...I am not going anywhere else from now on. I am super happy with the cut. While over there, I grabbed some lunch then took the 15min walk back to my room.

Before Dorothy went to bed last night, we quickly text each other and I told her I'd try to call. Well, that would be around 4pm my time so I got some stuff done in my room after lunch then headed out on another perimeter run, only to take an intermission break back at my office where I could call her. 4 1/2 miles there and 4 1/2 miles back. The only thing about today? 98F, sub-10% humidity, 5000 feet up. You don't even sweat in these conditions. The moisture gets sucked out so fast and it's tough to keep going. I was carrying Gatorade today and couldn't keep up. So, the respite halfway through my run to talk to Dorothy was perfect...in air conditioning. We probably talked nearly an hour and it was awesome. It had been too long since we last talked. We even planned our 2012 summer vacation! I found a cruise that leaves about 6 hours from our home, sails to Bermuda then comes back. It's still a week long but 2 full days of Bermuda is in the middle...pink sand beaches, great food, and did I say, beach?! Dorothy was born to be on the beach so this will be perfect. Of course, we like to cruise, too, so the rest of the time will be spent cruising...and eating!

After a tough run back, it was dinner time (absolutely HORRIBLE!!!!) followed by a scoop of praline ice cream. The food...oh my...just so bad. It was even worse because I really needed a good meal post-run. Oh well...at least I had some light popcorn a bit ago. So that's pretty much a wrap, everyone. Back home, it's family reunion time on Dorothy's side of the family...always a good time. Sorry to be missing it!

Goodnight, everyone.

Day 91

June '91: graduated high school. August '91: joined the Navy and went to boot-camp. Christmas Eve '91: Dorothy and I were sitting on Santa's Lap and I slid off and down to one knee and proposed to her. Thankfully, she said yes or there wouldn't be a Tin Man or Scarecrow nearly 19 years later! So Day 91...just conjured up some memories as I thought about it and thought I'd share.

As the boss is away right now, it was another quiet but busy day today. The first half of Saturdays are always jam-packed as I do my weekly update to all of my "customers" who have massive orders in the system. I receive transportation updates overnight and I add those in to a tracking system I manage then push that out country-wide. Everyone who is waiting on material counts on this each Saturday and I have yet to let them down. The afternoon really slowed down and involved a trip to Green Beans Coffee again with my Air Force office-mate. It was in the mid-90s today so the iced espresso chai latte hit the spot. Only a few bucks left on my coffee card! I've been nursing that thing for quite awhile now along with a free $2.00 credit every couple of days from anonymous donors. Today, I got another one of those.  She lives in Buffalo, NY, is married, is an ER nurse, and a runner! Dorothy is also an ER nurse. I enjoy conversing in pen-pal fashion with a good deal of the donors who give me coffee. Not all write back, but I always thank every one personally. Pretty cool.

Around 5pm tonight, I had but one duty. An Air Force officer that is the same rank as me is heading HOME tonight...actually, she's probably airborne by now. She finished 6 months here and is heading home. All of her teammates have already left so she was left alone here. I was asked to help her with her several hundred pounds of gear and truck her to the terminal since we pretty much adopted her and her team. She's not part of the agency I'm here with but they shared office space with us. I was very happy to help...to take someone to the terminal where they will lift off from this country for good is cool to be a part of. And oh my...there were a LOT of people leaving tonight. An entire task force here on the base just turned over and they are leaving in waves. There were hundreds of seabags stacked up everywhere, their weapons zip-tied for the flight out of the country and grins everywhere. Ahhh...so much to look forward to. Every time I drive to that terminal, I think about that very day.

Once I got back, I laced up my running shoes (which I can't wait to trash...they are disgusting...so filled with the dust and filth from this place and the cushion is totally SHOT) and hit the road for another 8 mile perimeter run. It was a pretty good run filled with songs from the Passion 2011 event. Great running tunes. Once back, I ate some food from my many care packages and popped some popcorn. I also found out tonight that the Pandora Internet Music app that I just updated yesterday on my iPhone lifted the international restriction that was there before. Before, it "knew" I wasn't stateside and wouldn't stream music. Well, since I have set up my own WiFi hotspot in my room, I thought I'd try it again and BAM! It works! So awesome! I'd rather listen to music than watch repeats of the same movies on the Armed Forces Network. 

So the photos...I had mentioned I went out and took some. I'm including a few of my favorites here tonight. I have a SmugMug account but if I linked it, this blog wouldn't be anonymous anymore so you'll have to settle for only these. Also, the Air Force guy in my office does Cross Fit a few times a week. Those work outs are very intense and involve rapid and forceful movements. I asked if he'd mind if I photographed him and the Army guy he works out with so I can practice shooting in bright daylight with fast motion and see if I get the kind of photos I'm "shooting" for...hehehehehe. Plus, if I get good ones, they both will have great shots to share with family back home! So I'll be trying that in a few days when they work out again.  So to the photos from a few nights ago...

Goodnight, everyone.

Day 90

A nice round number, eh? I'll like 100 even more. It'll be here soon as will the halfway point. I did learn today that the halfway point is really more of an estimate. I have a feeling that my actual departure date from this not-to-be-missed-one-bit country isn't set in stone...it's approximate but will NOT go past a certain point. It's far enough out now not to concern myself with it and it'll solidify as I get closer to it and the Navy cuts me official orders to "re-deploy" as they call it. But enough talk about leaving...I think about it all day, every day but that's too far into the future to say much more.

My boss headed out today. Nice trip for him as his wife is conveniently deployed as well...in the same location of this conference....hmmmm....he couldn't stop smiling as he walked into the terminal this morning. Lucky, LUCKY guy! Shared room, a week away...dang. Anyway, with the boss away, the phone rang 1/10 as much and it was very quiet. My normal 9:30am Friday meeting today followed by some Green Beans Coffee. Today, I had one of their small Mocha Frappes. Very, VERY good..especially if you like chocolate. Perfect for the 94F outside. Also at the coffee shop were coffee mugs. These are VERY rare. I've been watching for them for the past two months. I grabbed one for 5 bucks (dirt cheap for a heavy, quality mug).

Didn't you meet my zebra and beaver yet? Yes, they are on my desk at all times and keep me company. Both arrived in care packages so putting them away, out of site just isn't an option. Inside the fine coffee mug? Mint tea, courtesy of Dorothy's brother and sister-in-law via care package. Great stuff.

After the normal grind, dinner time approached and since it's Friday night, it's Surf-n-Turf night. I had myself another lobster tail and crab cake. Very good but two weeks ago was the best when they loaded me up with two tails..and they were the best I have had so far. Tonight was OK but better than any other meal. Afterwards, the Air Force guy I was with wanted a Green Beans Coffee so we swung by there..none for me. Guess what, though...those coffee mugs were already sold out. I knew it!!! "Winning!" For breakfast today, I had the last of my cereal. I have REALLY appreciated the Kashi cereal that I received from home. I am going to revert back to Clif Bars for breakfast now as I really don't want to go to the dining facility in the morning. I treasure my private time to brew my espresso and check in with all my friends and family online when I wake up each day. No biggee...I've got plenty of those bars to work through. It takes a dedicated effort to work through all of these care packages!!! :-)

After dinner, we headed back to the office for a bit. E-mails were continuing to pour in as the States were working through everything I had sent them...already the weekend again for them now! Dang!!! Back in my room, another 30 minutes were spent on lock-down as the enemy launched another rocket attack at us. I'll have no idea about the damage/injury/etc. until tomorrow. I heard it was over on my side of the base where I work but I really have no idea. I'll read the whole intel brief tomorrow. Well, that's about it from here tonight.

Goodnight, everyone.