normanparamedic

The CITY of Ur!

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:37:28 GMT

YAY ME!

I have been selected as 1 of 4 Officers (14 put in for it) to go to see the Ancient Biblical City of Ur!

The Archeologists believe this sight, which to this day has NEVER been open to the public, is the City where the Birthplace of 3 Religions Started. the Home City of Abraham!

Saddam Hussein never let anyone in, and with the country in Turmoil only Archeologists have had access.

So, you can bet I will take pictures.

Thought you all should know!

Norm

New Posting

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:50:43 GMT

Hello All:

I know I am like a cruel drug Lord, getting you all hooked and watching my blog and then suddenly you go a week with nothing. Things here are Crazy, we ended our Mission on the 31st, but that does not mean we get to leave. End of Mission does NOT mean Released from Theater...The problem is our Fiscally Responsible commander, doesn't like PAYING Soldiers who are not being used, so there is what *I* term an "end around" where we can get sent home "onesie twosie" BUT if Higher comes down and says "ehh o.k. NOW we will release you" that all stops...The Bottom line is it would be unwise to send anything to me now as I do not know where I will be.

On the other hand, we have been extended an invitation to go see the Biblical city of Ur. This is believed to be the City that Moses Settled in and lived in. It is not open to the public, and the trip has LIMITED space (only 4 officers) so Likely I won't get to go but I put in for the lottery :) Who knows Stranger things have happened.

O.k. mom yells she never has pics of me so Here are some Pics of me.

As you can see here, Santa makes house calls even in the Muslim lands, Notice my Christmas present (Mrs Clause)

This is Me with the Chief of Army Reserve, Lt General Stultz... (I liked Mrs Clause Better)

For all you at St Marks, this is our Chaplain, Fr Amaliri (I think that's how it is spelled)

Me again, with Santa's helper, who is our Chaplain, Hedlund, she is Lutheran, which she describes as "Catholic without the Guilt" ;)

And me next to some Wall art (So I can prove I WAS here, not just playing hooky from my civilian Job ;)

WARNING! Drippy Syrupy Post Ahead

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:25:16 GMT

Well Hello All:

I thought instead of "Wall Art" I aught to actually talk with you all. Many have asked me about Christmas over seas, and Technically I am IN the Holy land. I mean not far from me is the Temple of AR where it is supposed that Abraham lived, and the Tower of Babylon, and It is also supposed that LOT walked here, John the Baptist Baptized in the Euphrates river (or was it the Tigris) and Theologians even think that from Descriptions in the Bible, the Garden of Eden COULD have been here..now lost under urban sprawl...

Well My Christmas started at 11:30 PM at our chapel, it was packed. We had Christmas Carols, my only complaint being that some of my most very Favorite (Silent Night, and Hark Harold the Angel Sings (deliberately mis spelled for a young fellow who knew his angel's name was Harold) Were done in a style where the Choir actually sang 2 songs at the same time... Unfortunately the Scrooge effect on me was, I couldn't hear the song I LIKED due to the song in the background...Oh well they still Sang Beautifully.

The mass was long, we had 9 Confirmations, but no Bishop, I am not sure what THAT was all about, and our Priest, who I like VERY much, was really in a sing songy mood, He liked to sing (in the style of "Kum Bay Ya") a Little sing songy "heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee's all I neeeeeeeed!....HEEEEEE'S all I NEEEEED, He's all I need, he's so good to me...." Which was o.k. the first verse, then adding He cares for me, and He Blesses me, and He watches me, and He heals me" Got me feeling like I was with a group of 5th graders at a Camp out...Course it didn't help that Mass started Midnight my time and it was going on 2am and I was waiting to call home and open presents on the phone with my family. Anyways I was a little Scrooged again

After Mass I walked the 2 miles in the dark to the Phone center, with my Box of presents, many sent by all of you, under my arms. We had a really good time opening them, with the regret that we could not Hug or see each others faces and I REALLY miss the sound of Children's laughter. I got LOTS of nice Loot, from the Blue Star Mothers, the Choir Leader, Tom, at St Marks got me an AWESOME John Wayne collection of DVD's his older less known works, that was REALLY cool, and I got a Box of Oatmeal (no Vodka (LOL)) and a Wonderful Ceramic Cross...just lots of awesome stuff...not to mention my NEW Digital Camera you all have been enjoying the Wall Art from

By the time we were done it was going on 4 AM my time. I walked the 2 or so miles back to my CHU... All was Calm, All was Bright... I got up on the little Hillock and stared out across the Desert...it was cold enough to see my breath, and As I have in the past I tried to imagine that this was 2010 years ago... There was a big Moon, and a Star out in the east..I just picked one. That's when you don't feel alone when yer a soldier over seas.

Well I turned in, and at 7 AM I discovered I had forgotten to turn off my Alarm clock.... That was when I felt the most Lonely, I turned on the TV and there was a Christmas Parade. Now remember MOST Middle East TV, is US TV, and I had a bit of a Revelation, How many FOREIGN countries, and Religions do we see, a PARADE?

Now Think about it, Catholics and Christians have taken a lot of heat of past years for Wishing people a "MERRY CHRISTMAS" but really. The Muslim Ramadan, is a Celebration, but I have never had a Muslim wish me a "Happy Ramadan" it's more of a Private thing, and Hanukkah, While they DO say Happy Hanukkah, I have never seen a Parade, or a Dress up. I love it when any of these people DO wish me ANYTHING happy, it is not an offense to me....

But in this realization, I saw Not only a man dressed as Santa, but one Dressed as Spider man, and Batman, and I saw elves... You all have never seen the odd looks we get from anyone NOT an American, (that being how can Grown men act like CHILDREN..how can you waste money on Costumes instead of for food and clothes..) Even places as developed as France or Spain... These people do not get PAID to dress up, and the elaborate costumes....they are not paid FOR....and you cannot tell me that the people IN the Costume...do it PURELY for the children, No, they are like Children themselves, it's just fun to dress up and play make believe. And Who do we choose to be? HERO'S? Santa! even a Reindeer! unlike the Countries where I am stationed where the Pre-school "Big Bird" is a Bee that has Israeli soldiers storm the stage and make believe they are shooting the poor Bee...

And then Comes my own wonderment, We have people who say...STOP that? your violating separation of Church and State? I take offense at being wished a MERRY Christmas? But were o.k. with going in our houses (by ourselves) and being Private? That scares me more then Terrorists....

Anyways I was feeling Quite alone now.. and so I trudged to our DFAC...And there, as always before, My Soldiers pulled me from a cold pit and right into their Warm Embrace, We all had A Wide smile...but a little sorrow in our eyes. We were away from home, we were in a place where people might want to do us harm, but like 2 children lost in the woods, we cling to each other in a way, that no one who has not been in the military, can understand. We were all away from home, but we ALL knew how each other felt, and so, we were our Own family, and we All went out of our way not to mention or dwell on the hole in our hearts, we were there to hold each other's hearts and as best we could, fill the hole in each other's heart.

And we Feasted, We feasted in a Way that would have put Whoville to shame, if you don't believe me... Look here

http://www.bentoncountywebs.com/Christmas2009

They had FRESH smoked Turkey, I asked for dark meat and got a WHOLE thigh, Santa was there, These Indian Workers, got together, put on the Elf suit, the Santa suit, a female was even Mrs Clause...we had our pictures taken, they had a WHOLE QUARTER of Roast beef, from hoof to hip, freshly carved, the Creche was made of BUTTER SCULPTURE ( I can not TELL you the temptation after months of digging specks of butter out of small butter cups.... Trust me they ALMOST Lost Baby Jesus to me ;) )

And we had WALLS full of cakes, and decorations, Fresh bread... EGG NOG (I got a can for my room If I can't have the Butter I am pinching the Egg Nog)

And there was Warmth there. We clung to each other and tried to put Home to the back of our mind for a few hours and just be Thankful to be in each other's presence.

So..while there was a hole, but, I think it was a VERY Merry Christmas, for where ever 2 or more Gather in My name....there shall I be. So at least my Dad was there.

I hope you all Enjoy my Blog, and I will be writing more as we go.

May the season Find you Blessed whatever you believe and I look to seeing you all on our return

LTC Fabian

Wall Art 6

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:24:56 GMT

More Wall Art 5

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:07:43 GMT

Not sure if people are liking this more ore are annoyed at the bandwidth being taken up

this is our brigade Christmas tree

And these are all the great packages you all have sent us

More Wall Art 4

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:01:21 GMT

Things are going well here, I am going to try and pick and choose a few of the more spectacular wall arts and some memorials

No longer have to JOIN to Comment!

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:13:31 GMT

My Apologies, I found out there was a setting that required people VIEWING my entries to JOIN Livejournal in order to post a comment in reply. THAT IS NO LONGER TRUE..anyone may now post a comment and you do not have to make yer own account

Thats said...More pictures times...I may put in SOME wall art, but everyone keeps asking to see me with my Mustache and see what my accommodations are like..so that said..Pic #1

That is me by the Tree mustache and all :)

This is my "CHU" or "Containerized Housing Unit" (pronounced "Chew") Keep in mind with my Rank there are only about 3 other people on the whole BASE with quarters NICER then mine, most soldiers live in the same space, 3 or 4 to the room, and have to walk down the path to take a shower or use the bathroom, Mine is a "wet chew" I share the other side of the building (basically a single wide mobile home) with another Colonel and we share a bathroom/shower

Please note the GREEN and WHITE flag, a Gift from my Veterinarian who graduated there GO SPARTANS

the above is looking from the bathroom/entry toward my bed

Same picture wider this time from the wall opposite the entry door

This picture is "Kitty corner" across the room looking back at the common Bathroom (my CHU mate has a door from his side on the opposite side of the bathroom (Bathroom is in the middle)

This is the Bathroom looking from the "shower" to the opposite wall, to save space the little mini frig/freezer and microwave double as a table for Razor and toothpaste

This is from standing beside the Fridge looking at the Shower and the throne

And this one is from by the bathroom door, looking back toward the entry door

This is our old "DFAC" army terminology for Dining Facility, now closed otherwise I could not take a picture of it (that way Joe Terrorist cannot look at what the building looks like and then try to hit it with some kind of Bomb)

One of our "High Speed" soldiers assisting in the Commander's outer office

And Her Cohort in Crime

And one Wall art, This is from one of OUR subordinate Units. Funny story (after the fact) there is another group of really GOOD wall art, across the base, a LONG travel by bus (with stops maybe a half hour drive) I took my NEW camera (that I have been taking all these pictures on) that my MOM sent me for Christmas (thanks mom) and my Sgt said "hey sir, we have a car were going to the PX (Post Exchange) over there...COOL A direct drive during the day...So I told him Drop me off at where the art was...they would continue on about 2 miles to the PX...I got out...they left I took ONE picture and the Camera promptly shut down and displayed "Charge Battery" :/

That's all for now :)

More Wall Art #3 I think

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:52:48 GMT

I just wanna give 8 or so a day I have lots

More Pictures of Wall Art

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:17:21 GMT

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:24:50 GMT

Now that I know how to post pictures, AND I have a new Camera for Christmas, I can share some of what I have here. if you remember from World War II, NOSE art, well we have T WALL Art, a T wall is a cement wall put up to protect against Blasts (bombs rockets etc- and of course make a GREAT Canvas for creative people. But first, here in the Holy Land, the Christmas tree of lights we put up in the middle of our traffic Circle

Now The Pics

This is the Christmas tree in my Office, now fully trimmed, all the decorations were DONATED by the Soldiers

This is the Beginning of the Wall Art Thats me by the wall of the Joint Intelligence Security Element (JISE) Be warned some of these walls are also memorials I have many but only wanna upload a few each post

Support the USO

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:07:50 GMT

The USO is a WONDERFUL Organization that really supports us, Free Phone calls home, Snacks, games (video and board) they have movies...and if you have kids, for free to can video tape (DVD) Books you read to them....

Santa in ACU's greets us at the door

The great guys, Volunteers, greet us at the main desk

And This greets us at the back is where we record Books to the Children

This is the USO Christmas tree (this USO is WITH us here at Joint Base Balad (JBB)

And this goes to the Movies. Please Support the USO :) Great people who come over HERE to take care of US.

These are My soldiers!

And the Boys from MICHIGAN!

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:53:18 GMT

This is the door to our Office

One of my SGT's By my desk

This is my Outer Office

This is another Sgt at his Desk :)

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:43:21 GMT

This is a Picture of our little tree...coming to life

Writer's Block: My Favorite Movie Quote

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:37:16 GMT

Treasure of the Sierra Madre Humphrey Bogart's response to the Antagonist's Question "You prob don't think much of me"

QUOTE

"I Probably WOULDN'T if I thought of you at all"

A Small Christmas Tree and Vodka Oatmeal

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:07:35 GMT

Ok, I have some connectivity and if the title of this one is not enough to get your attention, nothing is.

Well to say the least everything is confusion. We were notified a few days ago, that they are going to end our Mission on 31 Dec, for those of you who think we will be coming home, you do not know how the Army Works. Nothing was said about WHEN we'd leave. That is all up in the air...Likely home early yes but no one knows when yet, we may end up just sitting here.

The Paperwork on my new command is slowly grinding thru again, so it looks like I may get that, but who knows.

O.k. On to the Title. Well first off, we managed to get the last artificial tree, we are moving into our new office (that's prob WHY the Army stopped our mission...hey guys they got a NEW office...Quick while they are moving in, lets make it pointless!) Anyways it is about 2 or 3 feet tall..just a little thing, artificial except for the spirit it carries with it. The most miraculous transformation is occurring. from a squeezed crushed little man made thing, it is coming alive. Soldiers have gotten bulbs and decorated the bulbs with their name, and hanging them on the tree. One of you sent some Christmas lights...they do not work on the 240 volt power here...but HEY I have an electrical transformer. I have some snow flakes and people are bringing all their decorations. And like an Arboreal Pinocchio, this tree, this ARTIFICIAL tree...is living. It is alive I swear. It brings warmth when we walk in and see it and it has a meaning.

Now if that is not enough Spirit. I am up for a "Not so Tuff Ombre Award' Our Unit Motto is "Tough Ombres" and this award is given in a humorous fashion to those of us who make life's little Faux pas.

Well as I may not have mentioned, lots of soldiers get "Care Packages" and inevitably we get somethings that..while sweet, is not to our tastes or we want to share, so these products are brought into the unit and set by a wall (dubbed the "WALL Mart") Well while I was getting ready to take my Physical Fitness test (PT) I spied my favorite Maple Oatmeal. I do not normally EAT breakfast, but sometimes If I am up early I get peckish and want something, and well oatmeal has lots of complex carbohydrates and that is good for providing long term energy. So I snagged this little treat, noting how heavy the package seemed

Well the next morning, I HAD to have some, and I noted how the package was REALLY Glued down. That's when I spotted it. Some INDUSTRIOUS person, was smuggling contraband. They had removed all but 4 packs of Oatmeal..and taken the small 3 ounce bottles of Vodka and Jim beam and Burton, the kind you get on an airplane, and laid down a layer of oatmeal packets, then 4 bottles, another layer, 4 MORE bottles, more oatmeal..then used a glue stick to re seal it.

Because this is a Muslim Country and were all on duty, no alcohol is allowed (it's called General order #1) not even BEER let alone hard liquor Needless to say I brought it in, grinning, and turned it in (I had bids of up to $100 a bottle :) ) I was a good lad and turned it in, they couldn't believe it but that's why I am up for the award..Tough Ombre..hard drinker.. I think not

Well more to follow as I can..take care all!

Deer Season, Opening Day

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:24:01 GMT

Hello All:

Today is abit of a hard day. In Michigan, today is opening day of Deer season. My memories and thoughts are about looking forward to having good enough grades to get opening week off. Packing the car, with all the "men" and traveling up north. If I were there right now, I would have my stand out, all my clothes ready, We'd be up about 4 am, and make a hot meal, and then the drive in the dark out to the woods. And then we get there, My dad, my grandfathers, my uncles. In the darkness we load our rifles, the sound of shells clicking into magazines, of a bolt racking in the cool night. You can see your breath, every sound seems a violation, of the absolute silence. The leaves are crisp and crunch with the step... soon, we break up...each going to their chosen hunting area. climbing into the stand. And then...nothing, just the smell of the woods, fresh.....a tree creaks...a blue Jay screams in the distance, a crow caws. and then....The sun bursts over the horizon, a mist clings to the ground. Chickadee and nuthatches come out, they land on your hat, on the barrel of your rifle. If your very very lucky, you see a fox, or a Coyote. Last year a Partridge walked right past me close enough I could touch, the Cock moving slowly cautiously. I don't need to even SEE a deer (and many years I do not) this is God's beauty. What we don't see as we sit in our houses with our furnace and our TV and computer. Just outside, there is a Drama going on. Animal seeking food for the day, seeking their own kind in their own way. Every day, a life and death struggle. And it is Horrible and Beautiful at the same time. And if I am very lucky, out of the mist, like ghost, a pair of antlers appear, a monarch of the forest. He pauses and looks, his ears move, his tail flicks, his nose twitches as he moves forward, each individual step placed cautiously.

At the end of the day, we return to our world. We cook a hot meal...A football game may be on, we play Eucher, the fire place crackles, and outside a moon rises and bathes that forest scene in a pale silver white. and when you stand out by the lake, it is absolute calm, there is not the hum of a rubber tire, nor the roar of a generator, or the rumble of an engine. and you understand why animals hearing is so acute.

You look out at all the trees and woods, and you see all the family, and people, Indians and settlers, came before you, and are there, looking back and just for a moment, YOU are the eagle or the owl, looking out on the world and all the possibilities as the stars come out . And with a smile, you realize...it will all be here again tomorrow.

I miss my father, I was the youngest when I started the Hunting camp, my Grandfather was the oldest. And...........we are the last.

There is an empty space for one Grandfather at the table, the Uncles, have their own families now, And my Father... The woods are the only place I hear him now. there are not enough to play Euchre but we don't mind. and when He goes... I will still come, there will be new friends, and if I am truly blessed, one day a family of my own.

This is only the 2nd Deer season I will have missed in my life time, the first one I was in Iraq too....When I see the corruption here, the way even powerful leaders of the country, will savagely and in petty fashion, pass up great wealth that comes with cooperation, in order to grab a few dollars now, or impose their will for the moment. When I look at my own country, which seems to also be dividing itself ad nauseum, each individual wanting their "rights" and seeming no one interested in making it good for EVERYONE (Mao Se Dong often wrote of a way to control people..divide them..never let them unite as one) When I look at this, for all the wonder that Deer season is for me, I realize how worthy the cause is, for me to give that up.

We talk about what a soldier sacrifices for his country. My grandfather is 86 Years old. This year very possibly COULD be the last year We could have gone hunting together. And yet....for all my experience and knowledge all my SACRIFICE.... when most people in power (Police chief;s Fire Chiefs Public servants etc) have to do MORE then say "thank you for your service......" they Balk. We hire police officers by a test, and by the Chief's "I like him" and turn a blind eye to experience This is an odd world we live in, an odd country. It's kinda like selecting a Dr. and saying "well yea Doc, you have performed this procedure 87 times perfectly....but you know..you were ONE push up short..so were going with this young guy out of school...

So today is a very...hard day. But with my friends, I will get thru it.

Something WONDERFUL

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:45:11 GMT

Hello All:

Thought I'd tell people a GOOD story for a change (WARNING Religion involved :) ) When we deployed, our chaplains got together to try and think of a way, to humbly say thank you for all the prayers we get from everyone, and we came up with a pretty neat way.

We have a Quilt with Pockets on it, where anyone who has a friend/loved one/what have you, in distress. It gets the whole brigade all praying for someone who really needs it. no need to mention WHICH religion, we all ask for intersession in our own way. (and I ask all of you to Do the same in return, Pray for the friend I will tell you of next, and a prayer of thanks)

I have a friend, I have never met, Shantae Howard, we e-mail. On his Blog he told us the following story

He asked for prayers, as his Elderly grandmother (87 comes to memory) was in the hospital. they found some Cancer, in the intestine. She had always been a very strong woman. Well they removed the cancer, and thought things were fine, as it turned out her bowel had twisted, so they had to go back in to fix that (part of it died) but in doing so they found some cancer that they missed, so she had to undergo surgery a 3rd time. and she looked so Frail...

Well I dropped a Prayer slip on his butt, and the next posting said, she had slipped into a coma, and the doctors said there was no brain activity, and they would be meeting to discuss "pulling the plug" So I dropped another slip..and well..before they pulled the plug...she woke up and is talking!

So I ask you all to say a quicky prayer, for his Grandmother, and for thanks....and a quick Prayer for another friend, who lost his father to Pancreatic Cancer (the fathers name is Hank Dombrowski) When I get a gift I like to say thank you///

Well Talk to you all soon

Finally A Post

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:54:05 GMT

hello All:

My internet has been absolutely horrid, this is the first chance I have had to get on. O.k. for this update, I have had a lot of people asking me to write what I feel about revoking the "Don't ask Don't tell" by our beloved Commander and Chief.

Well that's more than an easy answer, first let me say, it is my opinion that Americans as a whole are WAY to worried about the whole sexuality thing. In many parts of the world, men and women shower and change together with absolutely NO problem. and I think that the answer in America is to HOLD the Sick Bastard responsible who BREAKS a law, not hold the REST of us captive with repetitive "avoiding Sexual harassment" and "Equal opportunity " classes till were ready to vomit at the "Are you smarter then a 5th Grader" level of "education" to help the other 99% of us who have no problem to ensure we have no problem

Now THAT said,

let me pose a question, why do you think that the U.S. Military does not have Co-ed Showers?

You know how much MONEY we would save not having to build a separate buildings for females (or males depending on yer out look) to sleep in, a common facility for showers, like it was back in the days of WWII before Women were in the Military?

Now call me chauvanistic, but I DARE say the MAIN reason that we do not have co-ed showers, is WOMEN (really that's most of who would have issue with it) would not want to be nude in the shower with guys looking at her like a piece of meat.

Now that makes perfect sense doesn't it?

now WAIT just a derned min. here. if this is EQUAL... and we have to make special allowance so guys do not oogle women, because women would find that offensive.... why is it UNREASONABLE for GUYS to be in a shower or room (Barracks) with ANOTHER guy who;s gonna oogle ME like a piece of meat?

What is that you say? Suck it up.. if I didn't know the guy was gay, I wouldn't even notice it...well then HEY Gals...SUCK it up..99% of us know how to behave, CO ED showers for EVERYONE.

Now come on guys... do you see the issues here? where does it end? when do we GROW up and stop making a big mystique about the same human body we ALL have and at our age have ALL seen. When do we punish a guy who sexually harasses ANYONE (male or female) and stop making the rest of us suffer just so others can say "well we told you so"

So forget "Don't ask Don't tell" and lets go with "Behave...OR ELSE

Street Sneak

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:29:22 GMT

I figured I would tell you about an annoying game we play in Iraq. You see I live near a Boulevard, so basically we have 2 lanes running one way, a median and 2 lanes running the other, and considering the size of the base, it's fairly busy.

Now before I continue keep in mind that the army Regs say pedestrians do NOT have the right of way.

Now when you cross the street you have to try and sneak, you see everyone is so BUSY being polite it is almost annoying. For you see as you approach the street, there may be only 1 car coming several blocks away on YOUR side...and on the other lane (beyond the Median) there are 4 or 5 cars and a break, just right so if you cross now by the time you get to the median, you can finish crossing, except if the 4 or 5 cars on the OTHER side SEE you.... they will stop and hold up traffic.... to wait for you, which while very kind, is very annoying if yer a car behind and in a hurry, so you either have to pick up to jog across (and return the favor) or...you SNEAK..walking at an angle so you LOOK like ...hey I don't wanna cross I was just coming to the median. if you LOOK like your gonna ignore their kindness and walk behind them..then they go...but if they catch on...well then they wait or the guy BEHIND waits..and yer back in the same boat.

Well..More

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:17:07 GMT

Well Now that I have taken a few deep breaths I remember what I was doing today. Leave it to the Army, to bring God into our Ranks. There is a tradition here at mass, where when the mass starts (and ends) Father steps up to the Altar and declares "God is Great!" and the attendees reply "all the Time!" then Father says "All the Time?" and we respond "God is great!" Hooah!

Another Day

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:27:52 GMT

I am becoming convinced that whatever happens, there is someone comes along that just finds delight in raining on other's parades. I am in the Chow hall today, and this Army Captain comes up out of no where, because HE did not see me wash my hands....AND decides to make a POINT of it in the middle of the chow hall. I swear, were in iraq, people are going out on convoys, and working 12 and 18 hour days and this guy has just TOO much time on his hands.

Whatever. It put me in a sour mood.

I haven't had a day off since I got here, some will say thats my fault I suppose, but I need to take care of things. The internet seems to have new software so it seems to be connecting better.

I had planned to write more but right now...I am just rather despondent, the whole thing just struck me wrong. Perhaps tomorrow

I have been Reduced to This.

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:20:14 GMT

*sigh* Well hello all. It's take me over a week to get connection, you see GOVERNMENT computers are for OFFICIAL use only, so Livejournal is blocked. and When I called Tech support about my Internet (we have wireless) they said SOMEONE had a "Spambot" that infected the whole network, so it has been sending out huge amounts of messages (unknown to the user) making it impossible to connect.

O.k. So I come back from the work Day, I am a bit down because I can't get online..So I turn on TV. My choices are CSI Miami, nope I am not in a mood for any more analyzing, I can watch the Army's "I love exercise" channel...nope....I could watch the movie "Along came a Spider" nope..not a real happy one there. Next channel...the News...definately not, so I was reduced to (Dare I say it) Sponge Bob Square Pants

I know I complain a LOT about how the army Treats soldiers like small children. But you know they seem to go out of their way to take any joy out of tasks. What I mean is, much as I dislike it..I have to run, I PREFER to run OUTSIDE....however because we soldiers are no where near capable of determining our own safe places...By army policy ALL earphones outside are BANNED.. they have little squad car police to go around writing tickets and confiscating head phones...yep..I can order an attack on an enemy position..but do NOT get caught outside with yer headphones on..THAT is DANGEROUS!

Things are going well over all. Except for the internet thing. Got my Bike....so I get around easier. I love hearing from people I'll keep this short so it posts before my net crashes take care all

The Internet Gods Smile

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:20:15 GMT

Wow:

I have a connection 3 days in a row, the Internet gods must be happy with me :)

Well I served my first mass today as Minster of the Eucharist and of course there is a Story. Now we really LIKE our Air Force breathern, But they Do have a different mind set. I arrived early to help set up, a bit nervous because I had not done it before. Walking into the Sacristy I asked where the Wine was and how I could help. Now remember were in Church, Father looked up and said "oh..we have to open a new bottle, the Air Force guy is looking for a knife" this was followed by the sound of about 30 Knives, bayonets, "Multi tools" and assorted jack knives being opened by the army soldiers.

Most were setting down their rifles to do so.

Yep were a different sort.

Not all the day was Stellar. The army if FULL of Idiot stuff. With my NEW BIKE, and a slower day, I needed to go get new body armor....you see they gave ME the wrong size...at Fort Hood they did not HAVE my Size (large long) what is odd was, they had 2 other units AT Fort Hood, who were leaving MONTHS AFTER *I did, but they all got THEIR size. anyways, I went in, and get what this REAL AMERICAN contractor said "oh...we don't have any PROOF you have a different SIZE...we'd get in TROUBLE if we just CHANGED it.... I put the thing on and showed them how it looked like I was squeezed into a sardine can "nope sorry unless you go to Baghdad, or get some paper that says something...CAN'T do it..." So i ask "hmm so you WON'T get in trouble if I get SHOT and someone tells the News "hey...you HAD a larger size...you COULD have protected him..but because he was lacking a scrap of paper...now mind you while there, feet were up watching TV safe in their cement BUILDING, they felt no need to HELP me or even DIRECT me.... Don't worry Folks, I am finding out WHO this contractor is and will do my level best to get that contract canceled.

Now another paradox, I wanted to get a hair cut, so I put my back pack on and rode my bike (remember were Army, we wanna ENCOURAGE staying in shape RIGHT?" I get to the PX....oh sorry you can't bring a BAG in...you might have a bomb..please leave it outside but keep your loaded gun....and any extra rounds you have....same thing at the Gym.. Bomb Bad..gun GOOD!

Another Good Day

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:51:12 GMT

Well today was another Good day. I was able to purchase a decent bike for $40 (a mountian bike, with helmut, head light and tail light) and my Microwage. I share a refridge, wich only cools a little so if I can find a Fridge now for myself that does well...I shouldn't need another thing. I popped my first pop corn just now...and soon I hope to get some microwavable soups :)

Da COMRAD!

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:37:35 GMT

Something has always struck me about the Military. That is, among other things, an armed conflict is as much about making smart "intelligent" decisions as it is about shooting, maybe more so. Yet in regards to it's own soldiers, it appears the military thinks it;s soldiers are too dim to realize thinly veiled efforts to cover the higher ups collective behinds. I told you about our wonderful "Clearing Barrel' ideas. Well the other day we had "Warrior Resiliance an Thriving" training. This is a mandatory 1.5 hour class. You in the public, aught to be careful HOW you speak to your political representative. The latest "BUZZ" in the military, is "Preventing SUICIDE" *collective gasp*

Now I am for doing absolutely ANYTHING to try and save a human life, but come on folks, I am an intelligence officer,I STUDY the enemy, and this class..I think, if you look at it, sounds a WHOLE lot like an old soviet political education course. We spent 1.5 hours being told "you know..BAD events make you STRONGER (Da Comrad...we are all one happy commune working for each other!) and you know NO one can make you angry, only YOU can make YERSELF angry...and it's all in how YOU look at it..turn it into something POSITIVE (um..EXCUSE me?)

I cannot tell you the number of people who said "um..if you want me to thrive..give me 1.5 hours off to CHILL..... But remember it's public opinion that now drives our initatives, what the people want is what keeps the congress re-elected and they dictate the priorities of the military.

So if you excuse me, i am gonna step away and try to turn stuff into something positive :)