The Energizer Bunny...well..... bird

That's what its taking to keep us motivated at this point!  It's getting tough to keep up the desire to give a crap.  I've done well since February of last year but this deployment has worn out its welcome and I'm glad that its coming to an end.  The deployments have recently been shortened to 12 months total instead of the 3 month mobilization up, 12 months BOG (boots on ground) and then demobilization.  God willing my family and I'll dodge the future bullet and not have to worry about this again.  We are all about serving the country but this 15-16 month stuff is for the birds............and speaking of that......

This was our guest the other day.  Since we seem to be the suckers of the Afghanistan National Geographic Society, our terp brought us an owl that they found on the side of the road.  It's wings were tied and it had some sort of old trauma to its left eye.  We clipped the ties, fed it, gave it some water then let it go.  What a beautiful creature.  The wing span was phenomenal.  It was ironic that we had it tied to the grill.  Tastes like......

The History of Electrical Power

I encourage you to look it up then get on your knees and thank the Almighty God, creater of all things, especially scientists and engineers, for giving us the ability to harness it.  Where is this coming  from you may ask.....a few GIs that don't live on big bases and depend on single generators to provide electricity occasionally lose them (generators, that is).  And when that occurs in the middle of a cold ass desert, nights get long.  REAL LONG.  Long enough for ice to develop inside living quarters and on body appendages.  I'm not sure but I may have lost my last few hair follicles last night.  Not to worry, they won't be missed! 

Panic in the Metropolis

We got the good SGM back from vacation late last night.  I felt like I was going pick up a long lost brother.  We've been together for the last 14 months and it just seems odd not having him around.  So, we went late last night to spare him an extra day at the local "fobbit" hangout as well to get all our ducks back in a row, so to speak.  

Well, while we were waiting for his plane to arrive, we had a "rocket" attack/drill, who the hell knows, but anyway the sirens went off and everyone went for cover in their respectve shelters.  Glenn, Allee and I just looked at each other and watched with amazement as all ran away so, we took off for our Humvee just to be part of the excitement.  We thought it'd be an excellent time to go get coffee because the line would be short but nooooooo, Tim Hortons closes during rocket attacks.  Can you beleive the nerve!  Meanwhile,  I get a call from G who happened to be at the PX, also trying to take advantage of the break in Bulgarians, Jordanians and French who pillage it and leave little for US personnel.  He wasn't allowed in either!  The nerve continues.  He says, "you hear a rocket, sir?" Nope.  You? "Nope."  Well, wait until the all clear and make a bum rush before the ISAF (NATO) troops get in their and get what you need!  

Well, we do a drive by of our other truck at the boardwalk and those two boneheads are hanging out smoking next to the truck.  I told Glenn to pull over and tell them to get in the truck and at least look nervous! Plus, we don't want to draw attention to ourselves right!  

God forbid the French/Canadian security police pull you in for questioning.  They're more likely to question us than the Taliban but that's a different lane.

Anyway, SGM is back and we all had a good day today.  Plans are stepping up and hopefully the next three months will fly by! 

Grateful to be in a Box

So, I was minding my own business today, taking care of business around the camp before heading to our local Log base to pick up my new Humvee.  More to follow on that!  So, nice and sunny until we got ready to leave then it blew in.  Holy scheizer!  By the time we got back tonight the winds had kicked up to the point that the tin was pulling off the roof of the shelters separating the shipping containers that we live in.  The tin was coming off with enough force to cut someone in half....not kidding.  So, I'm glad to live in a shipping container and not in the wooden huts like the enlisted guys!  I'm not so sure that one of those things couldn't shear the plywood they live in.  Now if I could do something about the water leaking all over my friggin room!

Yes, We went to pick up another Humvee today.  After the whole signing your life away thing, I walked over to one of the other officers from Georgia and told him I felt like a teenager getting his first car, but with a .50 cal and SAW (sqaud automatic weapon) to boot!  As I turned to walk away (close your ears mom) I said "It's time for me to get the *(&^ out of this country!  When a guy gets jittery over a new 1151, its just time to get out!"  

I'll let you know if our entire shelter blows away.  Who knows, I may wake up in Kansas tomorrow!

Everlasting Peace to you all!