It's been three decades since you came on the scene
With time passing and the world turning
We have shared so much
We discovered so much of the world together
Before we were ready to step out on our own
We learned to live with one another
With headaches and heartbreaks
Laughter and love
Time moves on
We've each our own lives
We've traveled down paths we never dreamed
Together
Apart
Lost
And found
Today we both stand on solid ground
Half a world away, I want to reach out and say to you
My sister, who knows me like no other
Who has given me the gift of her love
And accepted my love in return
Even when that love came with pain
(Cause I can be a right pain in the ass sometimes)
Thank you for being you
Thank you for being in my life
Today I celebrate you
... Happy Birthday! I love you.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Care Package
I've gotten some queries on the 'Care Package'. People want to know what to send or what I need. It's really hard actually, because I don't really need much of anything. Necessities are provided here. There are things I may 'want', but I've only a 6x6 foot room in which to store it.
A few of you have sent packages through the mail, some of them I've received, some I haven't. I'd like to take a moment to thank you for your thoughtfulness.
We also get, fairly often it seems, lots of packages for 'any soldier' or a school sending several boxes for our group, etc.
These boxes are filled with candy and cookies and cake and beef jerky and all manner of things that we can eat. It seems that my resolution to become more physically fit is to be tested by the copious amounts of edibles we get in the mail.
I already have my zombie apocalypse survival pouch. Despite all of my better judgment, I'm trying to work it off (I'll be sorry when the walking dead come shambling my way and there's no food to be had).
So, no food, unless it's something that's been discussed as an item that I have a particular fondness for that people won't normally think to include. Like Rooster Sauce, which I believe is already on its way.
Something I could use a bit of is some Sai Baba Nag Champa. I may have mentioned before I live in a plywood shack with 7 other guys. Some incense makes for a happier smell.
Here's an odd request: Cottonelle Brand Toilet Paper. Single rolls are fine. They don't carry the brand here in the PX. I've become somewhat particular about using this brand. I much prefer it to Charmin (which they carry) or no name brand. I'm averse to sandpaper brand which is prevalent here. I'd feel silly shipping toilet paper to a third world country, myself, but...
Music. This is a tough one, because I don't go for CDs anymore. I download individual songs from a site called Beatport. They used to have a Gift Card service, but don't anymore. I suppose you can use MC and Visa gift cards... it's a weird one, on the one hand, music is what will keep me the most sane out here, but something like this takes the fun out of Care Packages.
Which segueways into the next thing... the Big Care Package. I've been saving up and Alicia is going to go to the Apple Store after Christmas and look at a Mac, and the Logic Studio Suite. She's also going to check out the Ableton 8 Suite. These suites are $500 and $700 respectively, the computer is going to run $2K. I already have computer for surfing the internet and what (very) few games I still play. This Mac is going to be my music studio. It's always been my dream to create music and I've always been stymied by not having a computer with the processing power and/or memory to do so.
If anyone wants to help us with this, that would definitely be appreciated. Again it takes some of the fun out of the whole Care Package concept, but it won't keep me from shedding weight.
Something you could box up would be literature on using the Logic and Ableton suites. The software has a very steep learning curve and I'll be purchasing these books so I can get started using them.
Of course, any and all Care Packages will be received with my full gratitude. As well as the gratitude of my office and hut mates, as it's share and share alike, especially when it comes to food.
I'll keep trying to write more regularly here, as well... keeping in touch has always been a difficult concept for me to grasp and I again apologize for that. It doesn't mean I don't spend time thinking of everyone or wondering what's going on with them. I love you all and look forward to seeing you all again.
A few of you have sent packages through the mail, some of them I've received, some I haven't. I'd like to take a moment to thank you for your thoughtfulness.
We also get, fairly often it seems, lots of packages for 'any soldier' or a school sending several boxes for our group, etc.
These boxes are filled with candy and cookies and cake and beef jerky and all manner of things that we can eat. It seems that my resolution to become more physically fit is to be tested by the copious amounts of edibles we get in the mail.
I already have my zombie apocalypse survival pouch. Despite all of my better judgment, I'm trying to work it off (I'll be sorry when the walking dead come shambling my way and there's no food to be had).
So, no food, unless it's something that's been discussed as an item that I have a particular fondness for that people won't normally think to include. Like Rooster Sauce, which I believe is already on its way.
Something I could use a bit of is some Sai Baba Nag Champa. I may have mentioned before I live in a plywood shack with 7 other guys. Some incense makes for a happier smell.
Here's an odd request: Cottonelle Brand Toilet Paper. Single rolls are fine. They don't carry the brand here in the PX. I've become somewhat particular about using this brand. I much prefer it to Charmin (which they carry) or no name brand. I'm averse to sandpaper brand which is prevalent here. I'd feel silly shipping toilet paper to a third world country, myself, but...
Music. This is a tough one, because I don't go for CDs anymore. I download individual songs from a site called Beatport. They used to have a Gift Card service, but don't anymore. I suppose you can use MC and Visa gift cards... it's a weird one, on the one hand, music is what will keep me the most sane out here, but something like this takes the fun out of Care Packages.
Which segueways into the next thing... the Big Care Package. I've been saving up and Alicia is going to go to the Apple Store after Christmas and look at a Mac, and the Logic Studio Suite. She's also going to check out the Ableton 8 Suite. These suites are $500 and $700 respectively, the computer is going to run $2K. I already have computer for surfing the internet and what (very) few games I still play. This Mac is going to be my music studio. It's always been my dream to create music and I've always been stymied by not having a computer with the processing power and/or memory to do so.
If anyone wants to help us with this, that would definitely be appreciated. Again it takes some of the fun out of the whole Care Package concept, but it won't keep me from shedding weight.
Something you could box up would be literature on using the Logic and Ableton suites. The software has a very steep learning curve and I'll be purchasing these books so I can get started using them.
Of course, any and all Care Packages will be received with my full gratitude. As well as the gratitude of my office and hut mates, as it's share and share alike, especially when it comes to food.
I'll keep trying to write more regularly here, as well... keeping in touch has always been a difficult concept for me to grasp and I again apologize for that. It doesn't mean I don't spend time thinking of everyone or wondering what's going on with them. I love you all and look forward to seeing you all again.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
TEAM Rocket blasting off again!
So, apparently, Afghanistan is a warzone. Part of that paradigm is that from time to time, insurgents and terrorists fire rockets randomly at the base. They don't aim them except just generally so that they land on the base. They shoot them and run away.
So this happened last night. A few of us stayed late at the office to spend some time playing 'Last Night on Earth', a really interesting and fun game about zombies attacking a small town. I'm proud to say that my buxom nurse token was responsible for most of the zombie kills of the game. She worked in tandem with my priest token to keep the zombies from taking over.
More proof that I'm going to be one of the survivors when the zombie apocalypse hits. I always do well at zombie sims (sims, not games). You'll probably want to stick with me.
But I digress, rockets.
So last night after saving the world from zombies, we put everything away and left the building to head back to the housing village about a mile or so away when we heard it. That whistling noise that we associate from the womb as a bomb dropping on the earth, wreaking massive destruction. Shortly after, there was a loud boom as it exploded somewhere near on the base.
Now, in the Army you drill again and again for this sort of thing. When you hear that whistle, you are supposed to yell, "INCOMING!!!!" and dive immediately to the ground and cover your head.
Of course, in training, you always simulate the immediate dive and just kind of get on the ground. What they don't tell you in training is that in Afghanistan, the ground you are on is probably going to be covered in gravel. Have you ever dive onto gravel? No? Neither have I. I bet that would hurt.
You may have deduced that we did not yell incoming and dive immediately to the ground.
No, what we did was this:
"Hey, is that a rocket?"
"I don't know, I think it is."
"Maybe it's the gunnery range."
"I don't know, you think? It sounds like a rocket."
"It's probably a rocket."
"Yeah, definitely a rocket."
"Let's go back inside."
"OK."
Then we did. And since we stayed at the office for another hour, we played a different card game, having to do with infernal technology and wreaking havoc on your buddies.
Later we learned that it landed near the USO. Nobody was hurt.
We were told by some of out office mates who did NOT stay to fend off zombies (they may have survived the rocket, but they are gonna be screwed on the day the dead walk, that's all I have to say about that) that several of them ran into a bunker in varying states of pajama, helmet, and bullet proof vest. That was probably a rather comical sight.
Later I stopped at midnight chow to grab something to eat since I missed dinner (you're going to miss meals often when you are fighting for your life against them brain eaters) and walking back, I thought I heard that whistling noise again, but it was only tinnitus. In my room I had my headset on for music and thougt I heard whistling through the music. I threw them off my head and there was nothing.
I think I may have PTSD. Probably need to take a break.
Kill some more zombies. Need to perfect my technique.
So this happened last night. A few of us stayed late at the office to spend some time playing 'Last Night on Earth', a really interesting and fun game about zombies attacking a small town. I'm proud to say that my buxom nurse token was responsible for most of the zombie kills of the game. She worked in tandem with my priest token to keep the zombies from taking over.
More proof that I'm going to be one of the survivors when the zombie apocalypse hits. I always do well at zombie sims (sims, not games). You'll probably want to stick with me.
But I digress, rockets.
So last night after saving the world from zombies, we put everything away and left the building to head back to the housing village about a mile or so away when we heard it. That whistling noise that we associate from the womb as a bomb dropping on the earth, wreaking massive destruction. Shortly after, there was a loud boom as it exploded somewhere near on the base.
Now, in the Army you drill again and again for this sort of thing. When you hear that whistle, you are supposed to yell, "INCOMING!!!!" and dive immediately to the ground and cover your head.
Of course, in training, you always simulate the immediate dive and just kind of get on the ground. What they don't tell you in training is that in Afghanistan, the ground you are on is probably going to be covered in gravel. Have you ever dive onto gravel? No? Neither have I. I bet that would hurt.
You may have deduced that we did not yell incoming and dive immediately to the ground.
No, what we did was this:
"Hey, is that a rocket?"
"I don't know, I think it is."
"Maybe it's the gunnery range."
"I don't know, you think? It sounds like a rocket."
"It's probably a rocket."
"Yeah, definitely a rocket."
"Let's go back inside."
"OK."
Then we did. And since we stayed at the office for another hour, we played a different card game, having to do with infernal technology and wreaking havoc on your buddies.
Later we learned that it landed near the USO. Nobody was hurt.
We were told by some of out office mates who did NOT stay to fend off zombies (they may have survived the rocket, but they are gonna be screwed on the day the dead walk, that's all I have to say about that) that several of them ran into a bunker in varying states of pajama, helmet, and bullet proof vest. That was probably a rather comical sight.
Later I stopped at midnight chow to grab something to eat since I missed dinner (you're going to miss meals often when you are fighting for your life against them brain eaters) and walking back, I thought I heard that whistling noise again, but it was only tinnitus. In my room I had my headset on for music and thougt I heard whistling through the music. I threw them off my head and there was nothing.
I think I may have PTSD. Probably need to take a break.
Kill some more zombies. Need to perfect my technique.
Monday, November 23, 2009
My Dad's Questions
Hi.
It's the week of Thanksgiving and I'm STILL in Afghanistan. Apparently I'm supposed to be out here for almost a year. This chafes me just a bit. Who do they think they are?
Well, things are pretty busy for me here. Our mission is 12 hours a day, every day. I'm the guy in charge of the Joe's, so my day is longer. Add travel times to and from the workspace and chow and my hut an I end up with very little time for much of anything other than prepare for and go to bed.
It's the good life.
A few weeks ago, I wrote my dad an email and he responded with a list of questions. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, Dad, please refer to paragraph 2; this post!
Anyway, they are pretty good questions and I thought I might respond for everyone's benefit, here:
So- where in Afghanistan are you? Are you in a big place with an established infrastructure? Like a descent mess hall, maybe a burger king or some other contracted eatery. Starbucks even? Is there a PX that you can walk through once a week to see if they got any new souvenirs or other stuff you don’t need? Does your little B-hut have a window? You say you have internet, is it a network you are plugged into, just really really slow? What kind of hours are you working? 6 days a week, seven? Is your work environment a permanent facility or are you working in milvans or something like that? Is it a joint facility, or just army? How far is it from where you live to where you work and eat? Walking distance, ride a bike, take a train!!!!
Where in Afghanistan are you? - I'm at Bagram Airfield.
Are you in a big place with an established infrastructure? - Yes, Bagram Airfield is probably the most built up. Most of the 'permanent' party folks, like pilots and air traffic controllers, have 'CONEX' rooms. Almost like an actual barracks room. But those are not for us.
Like a decent mess hall, maybe even a burger king or some other contracted eatery. Starbucks even? - There are five mess halls, by my count, a pizza hut, a burger king, a popeye's, and green bean coffee. That last is kind of like Starbucks. The pizza can even be delivered, by Afghanis on four wheelers. The selection is pretty dismal, like just whoppers and chicken sandwiches at BK. I prefer the chow hall. Most of them allow you to get as much food as you want and one of them is a BBQ Chow hall where it's some kind of BBQ style grilled meal every day. EVERY. DAY.
Is there a PX you an walk through once a week to see if they got any new souvenirs or other stuff you don't need? - Same place as the burger king and stuff is the PX. They generally run out of stock pretty fast but I can go every day if I have the time and inclination. I have neither really. But when I need stuff, I can make time to go.
Does your little B-Hut have a window? - No a functioning one. There is a plywood 'blind' that I have latched shut to keep as much warm in and as much dust out as I can.
You say you have internet, is it a network you are plugged into, just really really slow? - not sure how the magic works. I pay a guy something like $70 a month and I get dial-up speed internet. It's wireless, but it uses the 'modem'. It's weird, I don't understand it.
What kind of hours are you working? - Office hours are 12 a day. I hold my formation an hour prior. I generally troop around with my OIC to deal with stuff before and after office hours.
6 days a week, seven? - 7 days a week. Apparently, there are no days off in a warzone. Insurgents are trying to blow our guys up everyday. They apparently didn't get the memo that we have 'weekends' where everyone takes a break. It's a big culture thing.
Is your work environment a permanent facility or are you working in milvans or something like that? - 'Permanent' buildings. Made of Conexes. Wareous estyle stuff. We just moved as a matter of fact, into 'state of the art' warehouses.
Is it a joint facility, or just army? - Multinational. We got some brits working with us. In my office we have some Navy folk. They're pretty cool, we like to point them out to our superiors whenever we give them tours. Don't tap the glass! Neato factoid, at the end of this, we get our NATO ribbons. Neat.
How far is it from where you live to where you work and eat? - To eat, not far. About 5 minutes, walking in any direction. To work? Well, now it's a mile and a half and part of that is up along the perimeter when all that separates us from Base and Afghanistan proper is a chain link fenc with concertina, some guard towers, and... the minefield with the low chain at the border and signs that say, "Don't go in here, it's a minefield!" I haven't tested it to see if they're telling the truth.
Walking distance, ride a bike, take a train!!!!! - Hey, that's not a question!!! Right now it's a combination of walking, shuttle bus (which runs sporadically and generally not in synch with our work and meal hours), and begging rides from the van that belongs to us, but we have lowest priority on (apparently, civilian workers get first dibs, and there are a bajillion of them and it's only a 12 passenger van).
What do you have to do in your spare time? - HAHAHAHAHAHA.
What's your duty uniform? Do you have to walk around in a helmet and stuff, or just soft cap? - Here's where my dad dates himself. It's called 'patrol cap' these days, ya geezer! Duty uniform is the Army Combat Uniform, Patrol Cap, and your gun. Rifle for most everyone, but since I hold a leadership position, I get to holster a 9mm. Which is better than toting a rifle slung over your back all over the place. At night they make us wear reflective belts. It's so the enemy knows we're so unafraid of them we are happy to put big glowing targets around our torsos. Also, they are protective belts. We are invincible when we wear them, bullets bounce off of us, cars get totalled while we brush off the dust, vampires can't bite us.
You got bunkers nearby? - All over the place. When a lot of us cram in there together, the combined might of our protective belts actually reverses global warming for the duration we cower within.
Anybody shooting at the place you work? - They launch mortars into Bagram Airfield about once a week. People get hurt, sometimes killed. I heard a series of booms nearby once while I was at the BBQ Dining Facility. After they stopped, I performed a quick mental checklist, determined I wasn't dead, and continued eating. Some people were a bit more freaked out. Others didn't even bother with the mental checklist. I'm sure a select few didn't even register the explosions.
Are you making a list of things that you should have brought but didn't think to, or didn't have room for? - So here's a funny story. I got into the unit a little late and as we were leaving for Ft. Lewis, they gave me a big box and said, "Here's a big box to fill with all the stuff you want to take!" Yay, thanks. From "You're going" to "I'm here" was five days. I didn't have any stuff. So I went to Wal-Mart. Bought a years supply of soap and a years supply of Crystal Light. That's like 15 tubes with 6 gallons of Crystal Light, each. You know what they give away for free here in all of the Dining Facilities? Single serving packs of Crystal Light. I could use some Advil. But don't send me any unless I ask specifically for it directly from someone individually, I don't need 20 bottles cause everyone who reads this blog sends me some!
Still standing by for a mailing address.
Daniel Oliver
321st MI BN / TF Dark Knight
Bagram Airfield
APO AE 09354
Do NOT put Afghanistan anywhere on anything.
Alright, that's all for now. Feel free to address any questions to me at my email. If you don't know it, comment me here.
More later!
It's the week of Thanksgiving and I'm STILL in Afghanistan. Apparently I'm supposed to be out here for almost a year. This chafes me just a bit. Who do they think they are?
Well, things are pretty busy for me here. Our mission is 12 hours a day, every day. I'm the guy in charge of the Joe's, so my day is longer. Add travel times to and from the workspace and chow and my hut an I end up with very little time for much of anything other than prepare for and go to bed.
It's the good life.
A few weeks ago, I wrote my dad an email and he responded with a list of questions. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, Dad, please refer to paragraph 2; this post!
Anyway, they are pretty good questions and I thought I might respond for everyone's benefit, here:
So- where in Afghanistan are you? Are you in a big place with an established infrastructure? Like a descent mess hall, maybe a burger king or some other contracted eatery. Starbucks even? Is there a PX that you can walk through once a week to see if they got any new souvenirs or other stuff you don’t need? Does your little B-hut have a window? You say you have internet, is it a network you are plugged into, just really really slow? What kind of hours are you working? 6 days a week, seven? Is your work environment a permanent facility or are you working in milvans or something like that? Is it a joint facility, or just army? How far is it from where you live to where you work and eat? Walking distance, ride a bike, take a train!!!!
What do you have to do in your spare time? What’s your duty uniform? Do you have to walk around in helmet and stuff or just soft cap? You got bunkers nearby? Anybody shooting at the place you work? Are you making a list of the things you should have brought but didn’t think or, or didn’t have room for? Any items you routinely need but aren’t available over there. Still standing by for a mailing address.
So, without further ado:Where in Afghanistan are you? - I'm at Bagram Airfield.
Are you in a big place with an established infrastructure? - Yes, Bagram Airfield is probably the most built up. Most of the 'permanent' party folks, like pilots and air traffic controllers, have 'CONEX' rooms. Almost like an actual barracks room. But those are not for us.
Like a decent mess hall, maybe even a burger king or some other contracted eatery. Starbucks even? - There are five mess halls, by my count, a pizza hut, a burger king, a popeye's, and green bean coffee. That last is kind of like Starbucks. The pizza can even be delivered, by Afghanis on four wheelers. The selection is pretty dismal, like just whoppers and chicken sandwiches at BK. I prefer the chow hall. Most of them allow you to get as much food as you want and one of them is a BBQ Chow hall where it's some kind of BBQ style grilled meal every day. EVERY. DAY.
Is there a PX you an walk through once a week to see if they got any new souvenirs or other stuff you don't need? - Same place as the burger king and stuff is the PX. They generally run out of stock pretty fast but I can go every day if I have the time and inclination. I have neither really. But when I need stuff, I can make time to go.
Does your little B-Hut have a window? - No a functioning one. There is a plywood 'blind' that I have latched shut to keep as much warm in and as much dust out as I can.
You say you have internet, is it a network you are plugged into, just really really slow? - not sure how the magic works. I pay a guy something like $70 a month and I get dial-up speed internet. It's wireless, but it uses the 'modem'. It's weird, I don't understand it.
What kind of hours are you working? - Office hours are 12 a day. I hold my formation an hour prior. I generally troop around with my OIC to deal with stuff before and after office hours.
6 days a week, seven? - 7 days a week. Apparently, there are no days off in a warzone. Insurgents are trying to blow our guys up everyday. They apparently didn't get the memo that we have 'weekends' where everyone takes a break. It's a big culture thing.
Is your work environment a permanent facility or are you working in milvans or something like that? - 'Permanent' buildings. Made of Conexes. Wareous estyle stuff. We just moved as a matter of fact, into 'state of the art' warehouses.
Is it a joint facility, or just army? - Multinational. We got some brits working with us. In my office we have some Navy folk. They're pretty cool, we like to point them out to our superiors whenever we give them tours. Don't tap the glass! Neato factoid, at the end of this, we get our NATO ribbons. Neat.
How far is it from where you live to where you work and eat? - To eat, not far. About 5 minutes, walking in any direction. To work? Well, now it's a mile and a half and part of that is up along the perimeter when all that separates us from Base and Afghanistan proper is a chain link fenc with concertina, some guard towers, and... the minefield with the low chain at the border and signs that say, "Don't go in here, it's a minefield!" I haven't tested it to see if they're telling the truth.
Walking distance, ride a bike, take a train!!!!! - Hey, that's not a question!!! Right now it's a combination of walking, shuttle bus (which runs sporadically and generally not in synch with our work and meal hours), and begging rides from the van that belongs to us, but we have lowest priority on (apparently, civilian workers get first dibs, and there are a bajillion of them and it's only a 12 passenger van).
What do you have to do in your spare time? - HAHAHAHAHAHA.
What's your duty uniform? Do you have to walk around in a helmet and stuff, or just soft cap? - Here's where my dad dates himself. It's called 'patrol cap' these days, ya geezer! Duty uniform is the Army Combat Uniform, Patrol Cap, and your gun. Rifle for most everyone, but since I hold a leadership position, I get to holster a 9mm. Which is better than toting a rifle slung over your back all over the place. At night they make us wear reflective belts. It's so the enemy knows we're so unafraid of them we are happy to put big glowing targets around our torsos. Also, they are protective belts. We are invincible when we wear them, bullets bounce off of us, cars get totalled while we brush off the dust, vampires can't bite us.
You got bunkers nearby? - All over the place. When a lot of us cram in there together, the combined might of our protective belts actually reverses global warming for the duration we cower within.
Anybody shooting at the place you work? - They launch mortars into Bagram Airfield about once a week. People get hurt, sometimes killed. I heard a series of booms nearby once while I was at the BBQ Dining Facility. After they stopped, I performed a quick mental checklist, determined I wasn't dead, and continued eating. Some people were a bit more freaked out. Others didn't even bother with the mental checklist. I'm sure a select few didn't even register the explosions.
Are you making a list of things that you should have brought but didn't think to, or didn't have room for? - So here's a funny story. I got into the unit a little late and as we were leaving for Ft. Lewis, they gave me a big box and said, "Here's a big box to fill with all the stuff you want to take!" Yay, thanks. From "You're going" to "I'm here" was five days. I didn't have any stuff. So I went to Wal-Mart. Bought a years supply of soap and a years supply of Crystal Light. That's like 15 tubes with 6 gallons of Crystal Light, each. You know what they give away for free here in all of the Dining Facilities? Single serving packs of Crystal Light. I could use some Advil. But don't send me any unless I ask specifically for it directly from someone individually, I don't need 20 bottles cause everyone who reads this blog sends me some!
Still standing by for a mailing address.
Daniel Oliver
321st MI BN / TF Dark Knight
Bagram Airfield
APO AE 09354
Do NOT put Afghanistan anywhere on anything.
Alright, that's all for now. Feel free to address any questions to me at my email. If you don't know it, comment me here.
More later!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
October?
Holy cow! Where'd October go?!?
Apparently it disappeared under a haze of midnight training and trips around the world.
I'm now sitting in my palatial B-hut (image google "b hut"), in the middle of one of the poorest countries in the world. I'm in a huge valley, surrounded on all three sides by mountains. They're actually really pretty, when you can see them through the haze of dust and pollution. It makes San Francisco smog look like a HEPA wonderland.
I'm full of coughs and soreness in my throat.
But I'm settling in. It's going to be a year of sleep and work. My times are pretty much offset with the waking hours of Western Babylon, so I find myself having to wake up extra early to chat with anyone.
Can't wait til we're all done with our training and get into our rhythm. Then I can develop our work schedules and start giving everyone, myself included, some time off. Those will be the big 'call home' days.
So, I'm here, in Afghanistan. Week 9 of 52... almost 20% through the entire thing. Sweet.
Well, more later, when I have time and something to write.
See ya!
Apparently it disappeared under a haze of midnight training and trips around the world.
I'm now sitting in my palatial B-hut (image google "b hut"), in the middle of one of the poorest countries in the world. I'm in a huge valley, surrounded on all three sides by mountains. They're actually really pretty, when you can see them through the haze of dust and pollution. It makes San Francisco smog look like a HEPA wonderland.
I'm full of coughs and soreness in my throat.
But I'm settling in. It's going to be a year of sleep and work. My times are pretty much offset with the waking hours of Western Babylon, so I find myself having to wake up extra early to chat with anyone.
Can't wait til we're all done with our training and get into our rhythm. Then I can develop our work schedules and start giving everyone, myself included, some time off. Those will be the big 'call home' days.
So, I'm here, in Afghanistan. Week 9 of 52... almost 20% through the entire thing. Sweet.
Well, more later, when I have time and something to write.
See ya!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Srsly
OK, I was just kidding.
Last three weeks have been really busy, lots of running around, getting tactically proficient, and ensuring that my mental and physical health is up to par.
Lot's of hurry up and wait, a grand staple of Army bureaucracy. A lot of waiting in one spot and then moving over to another spot for some more waiting.
Got my small pox vaccination, oh boy, that's a lot of fun. In fact, I got hit with 6 different needles on medical day. I'd think that this is a version of hell. Let's wait in line for hours and hours in order to endure something that really sucks and then move on to the next line, rinse, repeat.
Then we had to ensure we were able to point our weapons in the general direction of an enemy and squeeze the trigger. No problems there, but for me there never has been. Being able to hit what I'm aiming at is in my genes, apparently.
Then we had CONVOY LIVE FIRE. Oh boy, that's exciting stuff! Riding around in Humvees how they are SUPPOSED to be used, not these stupid 'hummers' you see that never leave the road. Training to react to combat situations.
One of the highlights was the humvee rollover training where they put you in a simulator and roll it over! Great fun. Then we unbuckled our seatbelts from upside down, flipped ourselves over and got out. We also did a 'side egress'.
Now we're getting into our job specific training. Less to talk about there, mostly boring computer stuff.
As for me, myself, and I? I'm doing well. It's too busy to think about how much it actually sucks working 12+ hour days every day. Hopefully the rest of the year will pass by just as quickly.
Last three weeks have been really busy, lots of running around, getting tactically proficient, and ensuring that my mental and physical health is up to par.
Lot's of hurry up and wait, a grand staple of Army bureaucracy. A lot of waiting in one spot and then moving over to another spot for some more waiting.
Got my small pox vaccination, oh boy, that's a lot of fun. In fact, I got hit with 6 different needles on medical day. I'd think that this is a version of hell. Let's wait in line for hours and hours in order to endure something that really sucks and then move on to the next line, rinse, repeat.
Then we had to ensure we were able to point our weapons in the general direction of an enemy and squeeze the trigger. No problems there, but for me there never has been. Being able to hit what I'm aiming at is in my genes, apparently.
Then we had CONVOY LIVE FIRE. Oh boy, that's exciting stuff! Riding around in Humvees how they are SUPPOSED to be used, not these stupid 'hummers' you see that never leave the road. Training to react to combat situations.
One of the highlights was the humvee rollover training where they put you in a simulator and roll it over! Great fun. Then we unbuckled our seatbelts from upside down, flipped ourselves over and got out. We also did a 'side egress'.
Now we're getting into our job specific training. Less to talk about there, mostly boring computer stuff.
As for me, myself, and I? I'm doing well. It's too busy to think about how much it actually sucks working 12+ hour days every day. Hopefully the rest of the year will pass by just as quickly.
3 Down, 49 to Go!!!
3 Weeks into the year and I'm still here. What a great time I've been having. So... um... Yay.
And stuff.
We went through another OPSEC class, because they have to hammer these things into you. OPSEC is Operations Security. Basically, the concept is that there are people who are kind of smart and can figure out what we're doing based on what we're doing. Its pretty complicated.
Anyhow, blogs are part of this whole thing. So, from here on out, I'm changing a few things. First off, all instance of Daniel Oliver will now be Heinrich Dumbledore. Instead of Afghanistan, I'm going to Munchkinland. We'll make other changes on the fly in the same spirit. Just keep up and everything will make sense.
Seriously, it's pretty important.
Which is why this is the last post of this blog.
And stuff.
We went through another OPSEC class, because they have to hammer these things into you. OPSEC is Operations Security. Basically, the concept is that there are people who are kind of smart and can figure out what we're doing based on what we're doing. Its pretty complicated.
Anyhow, blogs are part of this whole thing. So, from here on out, I'm changing a few things. First off, all instance of Daniel Oliver will now be Heinrich Dumbledore. Instead of Afghanistan, I'm going to Munchkinland. We'll make other changes on the fly in the same spirit. Just keep up and everything will make sense.
Seriously, it's pretty important.
Which is why this is the last post of this blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
