Christmas came and went

Christmas came and went in Iraq. Santa came on a darkened C-130 and was gone in a flash. He left me two pillows that I wanted! It's cool to have real pillows on my bed. Laura sent my watch that Molly got me for Father’s day over a year ago. The band was replaced, as well as the battery. I didn't want to bring it over to Iraq, thinking it would be safer at home, but I'm glad Laura changed my mind. I sure missed it. It was my favorite present. I also received a slinky that Molly picked out and some cool movies. I received some late boxes with more movies, books, juggling balls and other cool stuff. I can’t fail to mention the awesome Chocolate cake that Jen made. Thanks.


It rained for three days and now the streets are covered in this fine mud. One thing about Iraq and the middle east in general, there are no storm drains in the streets. Not much rain, so not much need for them. Consiquently, the mud and water stand in the streets until the sun dries them up. I saw a porta-pot truck trying to suck some of the mud and water up, ha!


The insurgency has been quite, not much going on. It's so quite that the powers that be now want us to plan training schedules and start acting like we're back home. Never mind that we get shot at and are running a hospital with patients all the time. Never mind that every so often we receive a note from the insurgence with a 60mm mortar tied to it. This modern day Army crap is starting to get old. I will change some of this stuff when I get to the rank needed. Oh, the Army will dread the day I make rank...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from an undisclosed location! Here's a picture of the tree in my orderly room. Charlie Brownish, sure. Would I have it any other way, no. I do wish I was home to spend this time with my family, and I am sure my soldiers feel the same way. However, since we can’t, we're enjoying the time together. Tonight, caroling, tomorrow a patient litter parade with Christmas decorations. For Christmas eve, we signed out the post theater and will be watching classic holiday movies such as It’s a wonderful life, How the Grinch stole Christmas, A Christmas Story and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Only the best!

It's been getting cold here. I wear the smoking jacket or silk underwear every day. It's even rained a little lately, with more scheduled during the holiday weekend. The enemy has apparently been busy with holiday shopping because it's been unusually quiet. I have been filling my free time with problem soldiers. Yep, not all soldiers are angels, and when they need to see the “man”, I show them the error of their ways. Hate to do it, but I have one soldier who will be standing in front of me Christmas Eve for a little article. I’m not doing anything “to” him, he's the one who did it, I am just filling out the paperwork. Unfortunatly, this is normal in a deployment. Around the 50-60 day mark, soldiers learn the rules, and how to get around them. They get caught, and I get to deal with the disciplinary paperwork . Sometimes they lose rank, sometimes they just extra work, most of the time, both. They think I'm a little harsh, but in war, the enemy is harsher.

I am also the Public Affairs Officer for my unit. So far I've taken over 2000 photos (yes you read that right!) since I've been here. I've also shot many hours of video. I've been producing small, 3-5 min videos for the unit. They get shown at mass functions like award ceremonies and such. I am slowly compiling them into a DVD that all the soldiers can take home to share with their families what happened here. Most of the photos/ videos are light hearted. I have one currently that is a tear jerker. I can’t wait until this year is done, to make the DVD and show everybody. Tim Rosenstein, watch out!

I hope all are having a wonderful Christmas. I wish for you a white, warm, cold, dry, wet, quiet, or loud Christmas (you fill in what you want). I'll be here! Hey, don’t prisoners get conjugal visits? I knew I should've done insider trading but noooo I had to join the Army….

It is cold here this morning. I can see my breath-even when I breathe through my nose. I am wearing my black fleece smoking jacket all day today I think. I hung up my Christmas lights last night. They put a big smile on my face! I thought of when I was stringing lights with you last year, funny how something so small can put a big smile on your face. I also hung the calendar up in my room. It looks better there. I will probably pick up a small rug today-they are about $6. I am still looking for a TV stand. Right now I am using some cinderblocks and a board. I bought some computer speakers from the last commander. They had two small speakers and a small sub woofer. I hung the small speakers last night, and placed the woofer under the desk. It made the world of difference in sound. I was playing the palm pilot through them, and it sounded unreal.



Loves and kisses



Smooches!



Me

Near beer, can it really be beer?

Here are some interesting facts. Near beer is .5% alcohol. So, 10 beers will equal the amount of alcohol of one beer. I would like to meet the guy that can slam 10 beers without vomiting, or peeing to death to get the buzz off of one beer.

But lets continue with the math, shall we.

10 NB=1 real beer
5 RB= one decent buzz=50 NB!

Dude, that has issues written all over it!

Nice little trip

(Disclaimer: I cannot be too detailed, obviously for security reasons)

Today, I went to another camp here in Iraq to visit their chow hall. I had heard it was just awesome and needed to check it out. Of course this entailed me leaving my 'safe haven' and braving the “New World Order” to get to my free lunch.

I and some buddies threw on our battle rattle, loaded into an up-armored HUMVEE and took a little trip. As we drove we saw a very poor side of the city we are in. There was not much there, but squalor quarters and dirt for kids to play in. The kids would stop playing to look at us. I must mention that most of the drive was on the compounds. There was only a small portion where the trip was on or better said across another road. The road would be cleared before we crossed.

We made it to the other compound, and realized where we are living is a “Club Med” compared to how primitive their compound is. We made it to the chow hall, parked, dropped our gear, and went in to eat. This happened to be the chow hall that was bombed last year. The US has re-built it from the ground up and placed a memorial for the fallen soldiers. It is probably the nicest chow hall in the Army - seriously. I'm so serious. It was way better than any chow hall in the states. There are tiled floors, Jazz playing in the background, and high quality food everywhere.

After our scrumptious meal, we threw on our battle rattle, and started home. We drove down a hill and could see other parts of the city that we live in. I have been told that this city has a very beautiful section in it, but hadn't the chance to see it. Today, I got that chance. I saw big white houses, palm trees swaying in the breeze, a big beautiful Mosque overlooking a neighborhood, and the Euphrates river in the distance. I would love to visit this place again when all this mess is done.

I finally saw more of this country than the compound I am on. I have cabin fever already and I hate it!

Beware of the Big Stogie

I finally received my humidor in the mail with it’s load of precious cargo. Last night, one of the other Commanders and I lit some up on the roof and took a moment to reflected on recent events. Mind you, I love a good cigar, and understand the reasons why you do not inhale. My young Jedi master next to me, made the mistake once or twice, and got a buzz and had to retire early! I had to laugh-loudly!

All that was missing from the evening was a good beer and a fire!

Groundhog day two

Things are the same here-like every other day. No cool stories about VIPs or some firefight somewhere. Lately, I have been helping people make videos so they can send home to their families. I am currenlty working on one to send back home too.

I am starting to run more and eat less. I noticed in a picture of me that it looks like I am gaining a little weight. Quit laughing Toby! My run this morning was uneventful except for that my PT pants now have mud splattered all over them. They water the roads here to keep the dust down. When the dust hits water, it turns into a fine mud! Yuck!

I apoligize for not updating tha past couple of days, but when everyday is the same, it is hard to find something to write about.