April 29 (Day 201)

Well, I am at the USO sitting in a broken chair. It is one of those adjustable-height types with the gas tube. Unfortunately, it is at the lower setting, so I feel a little “low” right now. People are so irresponsible of other person’s belongings. Why should they, of course, since they didn’t pay for them. These chairs have the arm rests that screw into the chair. I remember when we first got these chairs, the rests would be loose when I arrived in the morning. It was obvious that other people were falling into them, leaning hard against the rests. I constantly had to get a screwdriver and tighten the arm rests (like this morning!)  Suffice to say, they aren’t invited to my house! LOL

I am suffering from a lingering headache that started late yesterday afternoon.  Even after resting, it is still there; at least I was able to sleep for the most part. Thankfully it is Sunday, and I can relax today. Hopefully, I will recover soon. Looks like the gym is out today, and it is my main day to get a good workout. Timing couldn’t be worse.

We had some cooler temperatures the last week (but no rain like last week); real nice during the day, but a bit too much at night. I had started to run on the track in the mornings, since the daytime temps were a bit high, but right now I may stick with the treadmill if this keeps up! My last run was 30:31 for just over four miles. I don’t know exactly how long a lap at the track is, but I have heard its 1.01 miles. I just purchased a GPS unit used for sports activities (running/biking), and awaiting its arrival in the mail. I will KNOW how far my runs are once I have it in hand! The unit has a heart monitor as well, which is a nice plus. Whoa, I am turning into my sister!

Tomorrow is the last day of April, which means only two months until my R&R! I am really psyched about this trip; my first time to Europe, with my family who I will not have seen for over eight months, and time away from Afghanistan. What a tri-fecta!

We are watching the Oklahoma City/Dallas NBA playoff game. Dallas is up at the end of the third quarter. Since I am a Spurs fan (#1 in the west!), I am interested in the outcome of this series. Although statistically, it would be better for Dallas to win (vs. S.A. in a later round), but this team-up has been a fairly common occurrence over the last several years. If OKC wins (a stronger team by their record) it may be a tougher fight for S.A, but maybe a better (read nail-biting) series. Either way, GO, SPURS, GO!

Well, that is all for now. Until next time…

April 22 (Day 194)

I don’t know what has gotten into me; I can’t seem to keep track of my blog! Time is definitely getting away from me.

Things are moving along at work. Our new Company is fully entrenched now, and we are adjusting to their priorities. Per the norm, the way we did most of the things previously have been changed. Everyone wants to put their stamp on operations. Of course, from my perspective, if it isn’t broken… 

My Soldiers have started taking their R&R leave, so we are implementing our plans for “covering down” on those Soldier’s duties. One of mine from Shindand left this week, and another of mine from Farah returned to the theater and arrived here yesterday, trying to get back to Farah. Depending on flights, he may be stuck here for a couple of days.

My new Commander is planning to come for a visit today, but she may not make it out here; she ended up space A. She planned on doing my initial counseling in person, but it may now be done over the phone. The plan was also to bring some equipment so we could do video conferencing from here. The fact that we don’t have a place to put it does not seem to factor into the equation!

We managed to complete one of the several projects I have in mind at the APO. Our troublesome gate has been removed and replaced with a solid barrier topped with concertina wire.  The security of our yard is now assured. We are supposed to get a tent next weekend to use as cover for staging our sorted mail while it waits for transport. It is not the perfect solution, given the type of tent and its layout, but it will be better than what we have now which is nothing. My main concern with this tent is the entrance, which has just enough clearance for the forklift, and the drivers who aren’t the most situationally aware. They are likely to bring the whole thing down on the first day.

Weather has taken a turn the last week. It has been overcast and rainy, with a drop in temperature; it has been back in the 60s. Yesterday was supposedly the last day for a chance of rain. At least it was nowhere as cold as what is was like until recently. I am sure we will be going through the muggy aftermath pretty soon.

Personally, it has been a stressful couple of weeks. A lot of that comes from the change of leadership. We had a snafu with the mail movement right when they took over. The result was an impression that we needed to be “monitored” closely, that this incident was indicative of how things run here at Shindand. I kept them informed of all I was doing to rectify the situation, but after a heart to heart with the Battalion Commander, it seems no one heard what I was saying. The other part of the stress is that I have been going non-stop for quite some time, and I am a little worn down. I just need to hold on a little longer, until I get my R&R. Can’t wait to see the family.

I am making my way through my reading list. Finished a couple of Robert Ludlum’s books last week; I started Bill O’Reilly’s “Killing Lincoln” a couple of days ago. In addition, I have a new book on my Kindle, “The Eighth Scroll” by Dr. Laurence Brown that I began. From my previous entries, you are aware I have a lot of books in the queue as well, so my “free” time will actually be “occupied.” I am about half-way through season 6 of “NCIS”, and I am dragging it out. After the withdrawal I went through after “24”, I don’t feel the need to go through it again so soon!

Well, I guess that is enough for now. Until next time…

April 8 (Day 180)

Happy Easter! Let’s all remember the thought behind this day, and the promise it brings to all of us. Hope all of you have the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Of course, it is a little strange to be talking about this holiday while I am here in Afghanistan.

Well, I have had a lot of work done on my house…well; actually my parents set it up. The shower in my master bath was remodeled. It has tile, the curb is pushed out for more floor space, new fixtures, and an alcove for toiletries. It was rather cramped before, and I look forward to seeing the difference. I also had the entire lawn replaced with new sod. Let me tell you, my lawn was atrocious! I didn’t have to go to the Grand Canyon to see large craters; I just had to step to my front yard. I had a sprinkler system put in last year, so regular watering and care should see a nice lawn when I get back (fingers crossed!).

I was forcibly evicted from my tent last weekend (as well as everyone else). I was working the USO last Sunday morning, like usual, when one of my Soldiers came in and told me about it. There was a note on our door saying we had to move out that day, no warning or explanation. Two other tents in our section were in the same predicament. “The powers” told me that the entire section was to be cleared out this week for a new unit coming in, except not all the tents in our section were told to move. They must live by another sense of physics, because I can’t fathom that.

My Captain’s Board convened last week, with another week or so until it adjourns. Sometime during this period, my record will be perused to see if I am qualified to stick around the Army and be promoted. I don’t know the timing beyond this period, when the results are release, or when the promotions start taking effect. It is quite nerve-wracking!

I am almost finished with the last season, #8, of “24.” One more disc (4 episodes) left. I can feel the letdown coming on! J As I have mentioned, it is one of my favorite shows. I will return to “NCIS” season 6 this week. This is the last season I own, even though there are more seasons out there. I am hoping to get the more current releases on sale soon. I do have “Seven Days” which I borrowed from my friend Robert.  It was on from 1998-2001, about an ex-CIA agent who works for a government agency capable of time travel. The goal was to correct “errors” which occurred the previous week; it is kind of an updated “Quantum Leap,” (another great show).

I received the last box of pre-purchased (those I bought before I deployed) books from my parent. I also picked up several more from Amazon. I now have “Dead Zero” by Stephen Hunter, “Born to Run” and “Last Call” by James Grippando, “Spartan Gold” by Clive Cussler, “24: Declassified, Chaos Theory” by John Whitman, “24: Declassified, Vanishing Point” by Merc Cerasini, “First Family” by David Baldacci, “Rough Country” by John Sandford, and “The Bourne Deception” and “The Bourne Objective” both by Eric Van Lustbader. I should be good for a while, don’t you think? LOL

Well, that is all for now. Until next time…