As usual, first the Cardinals. One good, one bad game, I guess it's to be expected. It's amazing how tired I feel after those games when they lose, and how good I feel when they win. The good thing is that I am pretty much a zombie and its making my days go quickly!! One more win to get to the World Series.....its a coin toss at this point I think.
Today marks the 5 month mark here. Not much excitement involved in that but it's one step closer to half way. It will be nice to be on the down swing of this fun.
Camp construction continues, pictures are here, check them out. I will keep updating those as they get closer to being finished.
Gary
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
Waving
Two Cards games, two very different outcomes. A shut out and a blow out. Ah well, can't win them all and I knew were were vulnerable in game 4. Game 5 is a crap shoot, but of course, I'll be up to watch it! I have been getting up at 4 and heading over, but tomorrow its 330 for me because its Monday Night Football and first come first serve on the TV. I have to claim the spot early. :)
I am not exactly sure when but at some point in the recent past, I have started waving like a jackass. Its not the standard, put your hand up and shake it around wave, its the two fingers in a peace sign with the thumb extended wave. I have NO idea why I started it, or even when, but I caught myself doing it today, and once I started paying attention, I realized I do it every time - I can't stop it. My theory is that I didn't like doing the standard wave to all the Afghans, it just doesn't feel right for some reason, so I adapted to an acknowledgment of their existence, but not a full on "Howdy Do" sorta wave. Don't ask me why I am analyzing this, I must have excessive free time.
I started growing a mustache. Its only 2 days so far, so its literally nothing to write about, but since I didn't get to grow a playoff beard for baseball, I am doing what I can. I've never had one before and I seriously doubt I will keep it past about day 3 once it comes in, but it should make for interesting pictures.
That's about all I have today, construction continues and now I find out they are going to start building 24/7 and remember - one of the construction sites is literally outside my window. Wonderful.
Gary
I am not exactly sure when but at some point in the recent past, I have started waving like a jackass. Its not the standard, put your hand up and shake it around wave, its the two fingers in a peace sign with the thumb extended wave. I have NO idea why I started it, or even when, but I caught myself doing it today, and once I started paying attention, I realized I do it every time - I can't stop it. My theory is that I didn't like doing the standard wave to all the Afghans, it just doesn't feel right for some reason, so I adapted to an acknowledgment of their existence, but not a full on "Howdy Do" sorta wave. Don't ask me why I am analyzing this, I must have excessive free time.
I started growing a mustache. Its only 2 days so far, so its literally nothing to write about, but since I didn't get to grow a playoff beard for baseball, I am doing what I can. I've never had one before and I seriously doubt I will keep it past about day 3 once it comes in, but it should make for interesting pictures.
That's about all I have today, construction continues and now I find out they are going to start building 24/7 and remember - one of the construction sites is literally outside my window. Wonderful.
Gary
Saturday, October 14, 2006
I love the smell of re-bar in the morning
What a fantastic win for the Cardinals. It wasn't particularly well played, nor pretty but it got the job done. It sorta made me think of a street fight between two amateurs using rusty pipe wrenches and broken glass. Gritty, but a classic game none the less. I wonder what the Vegas line would be on So Taguchi having a slugging percentage of 4.000. Just amazing. Again, I was up at about ten minutes to 4 to get ready and watch the game, and giving up that sleep was well worth my time. Let's hope for three more good ones at home.
I think I have mentioned before that we are expanding here at the camp. We are like that neighborhood everyone wants to move into and the ones where you see houses going up in every direction. We have B-Huts (basically wooden structures that can hold people or office spaces) going up all over. They have re-bar spread out in the rectangular pattern to lay concrete for the huts at every turn here in the camp. We have one going up right outside our window, and then an entire row out back. This was a tiny little nothing of a camp, and we are doubling in size before my eyes. It's a bit disconcerting though....I'd like to think we are succeeding in our mission and that they will send more guys home, not bring more in!
I've spent my week configuring the ANA command center for internet. We finished today, and I can only imagine the mess we have to clean up in the next week as the ANA get their first taste of the world wide web. I have to get some controls in place I think.
We have an office here for just us Navy guys. Well, we got kicked out and they are moving us to an existing B-hut. I am going to spend the next couple days re-wiring our computer and phone lines, as these huts have never been used for an office before. Our next door neighbors in this hut are the French(insert white flag joke here). They are VERY new to the camp, and I don't know them very well, but they seem nice enough. At least in moving for the third time we get to keep up international relations!
Gary
I think I have mentioned before that we are expanding here at the camp. We are like that neighborhood everyone wants to move into and the ones where you see houses going up in every direction. We have B-Huts (basically wooden structures that can hold people or office spaces) going up all over. They have re-bar spread out in the rectangular pattern to lay concrete for the huts at every turn here in the camp. We have one going up right outside our window, and then an entire row out back. This was a tiny little nothing of a camp, and we are doubling in size before my eyes. It's a bit disconcerting though....I'd like to think we are succeeding in our mission and that they will send more guys home, not bring more in!
I've spent my week configuring the ANA command center for internet. We finished today, and I can only imagine the mess we have to clean up in the next week as the ANA get their first taste of the world wide web. I have to get some controls in place I think.
We have an office here for just us Navy guys. Well, we got kicked out and they are moving us to an existing B-hut. I am going to spend the next couple days re-wiring our computer and phone lines, as these huts have never been used for an office before. Our next door neighbors in this hut are the French(insert white flag joke here). They are VERY new to the camp, and I don't know them very well, but they seem nice enough. At least in moving for the third time we get to keep up international relations!
Gary
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Waking up at 330am
The Cards made it interesting for a few innings, but in the end put the hurt on the Padres and got back into the NLCS for the third year in a row. Maybe this year being huge underdogs will help. All it really means for me is that I have to wake up at awful times of the day to go watch the games on AFN. 330am arrives quickly when you aren't used to being up that early. I am going to doubt there will be a huge rush for the TV! Also, I found out its not really playoff baseball if you are watching while eating breakfast. There is just something about a game at night vs one with the sun rising! Either way, baseball has been a great distraction for me lately and I am thankful that I get a least one more week.
Muhammad Ali (my ANA counterpart) was gone yesterday. Zakz(my interpreter) explained that Ali was basically out shopping for women. Evidently his parents (Ali) found him a couple of different girls and they were going to go over and check them out. I sorta knew the answer, but I asked anyway - what happens if she doesn't like him. The response - "Doesn't matter" - as long as her parents are happy with him. More fun for the girls here!
Our weather has had an upturn....its gotten warmer. I was promised that it was going to start getting cold here in October and it would remain cold. Well, it started, but then has over the last few days been in the 80's again. Who can figure this place out. The number of dust storms has increased though, so something is definitely happening weather wise.
The shoes, toys, bears etc have started rolling arriving in droves! I have about 10 huge boxes of stuff so far and I know there is more coming. Thank you so much for all of you that have donated and spent your time and money getting it here. We are working setting up a time to get to the school, but with Ramadan, its a bit harder. I will certainly let you know when we make it over and get you pictures of the day!
Muhammad Ali (my ANA counterpart) was gone yesterday. Zakz(my interpreter) explained that Ali was basically out shopping for women. Evidently his parents (Ali) found him a couple of different girls and they were going to go over and check them out. I sorta knew the answer, but I asked anyway - what happens if she doesn't like him. The response - "Doesn't matter" - as long as her parents are happy with him. More fun for the girls here!
Our weather has had an upturn....its gotten warmer. I was promised that it was going to start getting cold here in October and it would remain cold. Well, it started, but then has over the last few days been in the 80's again. Who can figure this place out. The number of dust storms has increased though, so something is definitely happening weather wise.
The shoes, toys, bears etc have started rolling arriving in droves! I have about 10 huge boxes of stuff so far and I know there is more coming. Thank you so much for all of you that have donated and spent your time and money getting it here. We are working setting up a time to get to the school, but with Ramadan, its a bit harder. I will certainly let you know when we make it over and get you pictures of the day!
Friday, October 06, 2006
Are you trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball?
The title is a quote from the Movie - Major League - if you haven't seen it, its a must watch. It's appropriate because obviously the San Diego Padres, despite the name, do not have Jesus in their line up. The Cards threw curve ball after curve ball into the warm Southern California sun and watched as the Pads swung helplessly. These same pitchers that merely a week ago couldn't figure out how to get one out, completely shut down a fairly well balanced offensive team. Great to watch. Good thing was that even though I was once again up until 4:30am, it's my day off so I was able to sleep in. I watched the Yanks lose the first game, which was great, and then saw the improbable Cardinals take both games in San Diego. Should be a fun one to watch them close out.
I picked up a cold or something the other day. I woke up with a sore throat, which has stayed about the same, and then have added a small headache and fever. For those House watchers out there, what's the differential diagnosis? I am thinking Polio or Leprosy. That show always has a twist. I think its the first time I've been sick, at least the first time I remember being sick, so I consider myself lucky. Most of the guys have had week or two long battles with the Afghan crud that goes around. I have missed it to this point. If some of these dirty people around here would just wash their hands once in a while, I don't think I'd get sick either. I use that hand sanitizer stuff like it's water, but I guess you can never be clean enough.
We are losing one of our guys...he is heading to the Kabul airport to work with the Air Force in teaching the Afghans to fly. For some reason when I wrote that, I pictured them throwing guys off a building. See, now you just did! I digress. He is an aviator by trade and they are really short out at the airport so the Navy let him go. We will get a replacement at some point. We have a HUGE group of Navy folks coming in country soon, haven't quite figured out what they will do yet. Good news: they are here a year, someone is leaving after us! We are quickly becoming the old men of the camp...the Marines leave in a month and at that point, the 7 of us have seniority here. That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee, but its a positive sign of progress.
I picked up a cold or something the other day. I woke up with a sore throat, which has stayed about the same, and then have added a small headache and fever. For those House watchers out there, what's the differential diagnosis? I am thinking Polio or Leprosy. That show always has a twist. I think its the first time I've been sick, at least the first time I remember being sick, so I consider myself lucky. Most of the guys have had week or two long battles with the Afghan crud that goes around. I have missed it to this point. If some of these dirty people around here would just wash their hands once in a while, I don't think I'd get sick either. I use that hand sanitizer stuff like it's water, but I guess you can never be clean enough.
We are losing one of our guys...he is heading to the Kabul airport to work with the Air Force in teaching the Afghans to fly. For some reason when I wrote that, I pictured them throwing guys off a building. See, now you just did! I digress. He is an aviator by trade and they are really short out at the airport so the Navy let him go. We will get a replacement at some point. We have a HUGE group of Navy folks coming in country soon, haven't quite figured out what they will do yet. Good news: they are here a year, someone is leaving after us! We are quickly becoming the old men of the camp...the Marines leave in a month and at that point, the 7 of us have seniority here. That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee, but its a positive sign of progress.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
1 down, 10 to go
I was up LATE last night. I found out the Cards were going to be on AFN TV, which is usually a bad omen. They have lost all but 1 game I got to watch on AFN, but this is the playoffs and I wanted to see it. The game started 1230am local time, so needless to say, I was alone in my playoff watching adventure. It was a great game, well played on all aspects and was great to watch. It's just that 430am bed time was a killer. 10 more wins for the World Series. Fortunately for me, Zak had a doctor's appt or something and had to leave early, so it was an early work day!
Speaking of Zak, he does a strange thing. If he bumps into your foot with his foot, he has to shake your hand. I THINK its an Islam thing, but not all of them do it. It's really funny though because out of the blue, he will come up and shake your hand, because you didn't even realize he bumped your foot. Sometimes I kick his on purpose to see if he notices. Most of the time he does and its like OCD until he gets to shake your hand. He says it's basically so that whoever you kicked doesn't hold a grudge and then one day start a fight with you.
Tomorrow he is taking off because he is going shopping. He has to buy presents for his Fiance for the post Ramadan celebration. Until you get married, every Ramadan you have to buy her presents, and give them to her within 2 months after Ramadan is over. He said he will spend 200-300 dollars, and he makes about 700 a month. Quite an out pouring. Getting married is prohibitively expensive, to the tune of about 10000 dollars after bribes and presents and parties. I realize that's about the starting price of one in the States, but remember, the average income here is about 300 bucks a year. Takes a long time to save it, or you have to borrow it.
We explained divorce to them the other day, and they are just stunned. Here, only the man can initiate a divorce, and even then, he takes everything, including the kids, and she isn't allowed to re-marry. We explained that there are some questionable women in the states who marry as a profession, just trying to get the rich guy's money. It's amazing how different we really are.
Speaking of Zak, he does a strange thing. If he bumps into your foot with his foot, he has to shake your hand. I THINK its an Islam thing, but not all of them do it. It's really funny though because out of the blue, he will come up and shake your hand, because you didn't even realize he bumped your foot. Sometimes I kick his on purpose to see if he notices. Most of the time he does and its like OCD until he gets to shake your hand. He says it's basically so that whoever you kicked doesn't hold a grudge and then one day start a fight with you.
Tomorrow he is taking off because he is going shopping. He has to buy presents for his Fiance for the post Ramadan celebration. Until you get married, every Ramadan you have to buy her presents, and give them to her within 2 months after Ramadan is over. He said he will spend 200-300 dollars, and he makes about 700 a month. Quite an out pouring. Getting married is prohibitively expensive, to the tune of about 10000 dollars after bribes and presents and parties. I realize that's about the starting price of one in the States, but remember, the average income here is about 300 bucks a year. Takes a long time to save it, or you have to borrow it.
We explained divorce to them the other day, and they are just stunned. Here, only the man can initiate a divorce, and even then, he takes everything, including the kids, and she isn't allowed to re-marry. We explained that there are some questionable women in the states who marry as a profession, just trying to get the rich guy's money. It's amazing how different we really are.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Congrats Cardinals!
They may have backed into post season play, but they are there again as Central division champs. Going in as the favorite hasn't worked the last couple years, lets hope going in as an underdog helps!
The rest of the guys took Bob up to BAF today to get him home for leave, it will be strange without him around. We discussed last night how amazing it is that as much time as the three of us spend together, that we haven't completely snapped on each other. I think it helps that none of us are really that uptight about stuff and there is a lot of give and take. It makes it easier because if I had to put up with this place, and crappy roommates.... I don't even want to think about it.
The rest of the guys took Bob up to BAF today to get him home for leave, it will be strange without him around. We discussed last night how amazing it is that as much time as the three of us spend together, that we haven't completely snapped on each other. I think it helps that none of us are really that uptight about stuff and there is a lot of give and take. It makes it easier because if I had to put up with this place, and crappy roommates.... I don't even want to think about it.
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