OK, about 30 minutes after my last post the Internet in the living areas went down again...
Yesterdey it came up again, so HOPEFULLY it's up for good now.
Well, the Packers won. That's good. Connor asked me last week "So.umm..Dad, who are you rooting for." Really cute. I told him the Packers and he seemed relieved. Uncle Jeremy told him at one point I was going to be a Vikings fan now that Favre left. While we adults know enough to not believe a word out of Jer's mouth, Connor is still about a year away from realizing that. I think Samantha already knows. Favre looked as good as I thought he could have and Brady's injury makes things interesting. I think the Jets are only going to get better as Favre and his recievers get to know each other better. We'll see.
Kelli sent me a couple of boxes recently with some amazing pictures. Really made my day.
I have submitted all the paperwork needed by the Army to get promoted in a couple weeks and to leave Iraq this year to start School in January. Very Excited. Kelli and I are looking forward to the next year and a half. Lots of family time, lots of "us" time, and lots of golf! After that it's 7 months in Fort Benning (likely without the family) and then hopefully back to Colorado Springs for another 3 or 4 years. That'll leave me with about 4 years left, maybe working with a ROTC program or teaching at West Point or the Air Force Academy.
OK, gonna go grab chow and back to work.
Adam
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Why Bob Dylan is the greatest lyricist ever
I'd say my two favorite musicians to listen to are the Who and Bob Dylan.
The Who has the ability to sound like a full orchrestra. There is so much going on and it's all brilliant. Keith Moon somehow is the driving force behind it all, despite his subtelty. You don't even realize how brilliant he is until you tune every other sound out and focus only on the drums. He could have recorded albums with just his drumming. Obviously, the guitar playing of Pete Townsend is amazing, but I think it's Moon's drums that put them over the top. There's just so much energy and so much emotion in all of their songs.
Dylan on the other hand is not a great singer. He carries emotion to be sure, in his voice, but it's the lyrics that make him brilliant. He is more a poet than anything else, and put to simple guitar and harmonica the lyrics convey whatever emootion he wants them to. Examples:
Romantic
Your cracked country lips,
I still wish to kiss,
As to be under the strength of your skin.
Your magnetic movements
Still capture the minutes I'm in.
(To Ramona)
or
I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love.
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."
(Shelter from the Storm)
Spiteful
It ain't no use in turnin' on your light, babe
That light I never knowed
An' it ain't no use in turnin' on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side of the road
Still I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talkin' anyway
So don't think twice, it's all right
It ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
Like you never did before
It ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
I can't hear you any more
I'm a-thinkin' and a-wond'rin' all the way down the road
I once loved a woman, a child I'm told
I give her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don't think twice, it's all right
(Don't think twice, it's all right)
Loving
May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.
(Forever Young, written for his son)
or just plain goofy (or deep??)
Well, John the Baptist after torturing a thief
Looks up at his hero the Commander-in-Chief
Saying, "Tell me great hero, but please make it brief
Is there a hole for me to get sick in?"
The Commander-in-Chief answers him while chasing a fly
Saying, "Death to all those who would whimper and cry"
And dropping a bar bell he points to the sky
Saving, "The sun's not yellow it's chicken"
(Tombstone Blues)
Angry
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
(Masters of War)
and of course political
A South politician preaches to the poor white man,
"You got more than the blacks, don't complain.
You're better than them, you been born with white skin," they explain.
And the Negro's name
Is used it is plain
For the politician's gain
As he rises to fame
And the poor white remains
On the caboose of the train
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.
(Only a Pawn in Their Game)
I actually just found out he wrote my favorite Zepplin song "In my Time of Dying."
It's all still powerful with no music.
I also have maybe a new favorite Dylan Song, which I just read the lyrics to. I think it fits pretty well into my situation right now, though it'd have to be titled "3 Months"
Seven Days
Seven days, seven more days she'll be comin'
I'll be waiting at the station for her to arrive
Seven more days, all I gotta do is survive.
She been gone ever since I been a child
Ever since I seen her smile, I ain't forgotten her eyes.
She had a face that could outshine the sun in the skies.
I been good, I been good while I been waitin'
Maybe guilty of hesitatin', I just been holdin' on
Seven more days, all that'll be gone.
There's kissing in the valley,
Thieving in the alley,
Fighting every inch of the way.
Trying to be tender
With somebody I remember
In a night that's always brighter'n the day.
Seven days, seven more days that are connected
Just like I expected, she'll be comin' on forth,
My beautiful comrade from the north.
There's kissing in the valley,
Thieving in the alley,
Fighting every inch of the way.
Trying to be tender
With somebody I remember
In a night that's always brighter'n the day.
OK, NO MORE DYLAN!!!!
Got it.
Thanks for reading my Ode to Dylan.
Adam
The Who has the ability to sound like a full orchrestra. There is so much going on and it's all brilliant. Keith Moon somehow is the driving force behind it all, despite his subtelty. You don't even realize how brilliant he is until you tune every other sound out and focus only on the drums. He could have recorded albums with just his drumming. Obviously, the guitar playing of Pete Townsend is amazing, but I think it's Moon's drums that put them over the top. There's just so much energy and so much emotion in all of their songs.
Dylan on the other hand is not a great singer. He carries emotion to be sure, in his voice, but it's the lyrics that make him brilliant. He is more a poet than anything else, and put to simple guitar and harmonica the lyrics convey whatever emootion he wants them to. Examples:
Romantic
Your cracked country lips,
I still wish to kiss,
As to be under the strength of your skin.
Your magnetic movements
Still capture the minutes I'm in.
(To Ramona)
or
I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love.
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."
(Shelter from the Storm)
Spiteful
It ain't no use in turnin' on your light, babe
That light I never knowed
An' it ain't no use in turnin' on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side of the road
Still I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talkin' anyway
So don't think twice, it's all right
It ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
Like you never did before
It ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
I can't hear you any more
I'm a-thinkin' and a-wond'rin' all the way down the road
I once loved a woman, a child I'm told
I give her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don't think twice, it's all right
(Don't think twice, it's all right)
Loving
May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.
(Forever Young, written for his son)
or just plain goofy (or deep??)
Well, John the Baptist after torturing a thief
Looks up at his hero the Commander-in-Chief
Saying, "Tell me great hero, but please make it brief
Is there a hole for me to get sick in?"
The Commander-in-Chief answers him while chasing a fly
Saying, "Death to all those who would whimper and cry"
And dropping a bar bell he points to the sky
Saving, "The sun's not yellow it's chicken"
(Tombstone Blues)
Angry
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
(Masters of War)
and of course political
A South politician preaches to the poor white man,
"You got more than the blacks, don't complain.
You're better than them, you been born with white skin," they explain.
And the Negro's name
Is used it is plain
For the politician's gain
As he rises to fame
And the poor white remains
On the caboose of the train
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.
(Only a Pawn in Their Game)
I actually just found out he wrote my favorite Zepplin song "In my Time of Dying."
It's all still powerful with no music.
I also have maybe a new favorite Dylan Song, which I just read the lyrics to. I think it fits pretty well into my situation right now, though it'd have to be titled "3 Months"
Seven Days
Seven days, seven more days she'll be comin'
I'll be waiting at the station for her to arrive
Seven more days, all I gotta do is survive.
She been gone ever since I been a child
Ever since I seen her smile, I ain't forgotten her eyes.
She had a face that could outshine the sun in the skies.
I been good, I been good while I been waitin'
Maybe guilty of hesitatin', I just been holdin' on
Seven more days, all that'll be gone.
There's kissing in the valley,
Thieving in the alley,
Fighting every inch of the way.
Trying to be tender
With somebody I remember
In a night that's always brighter'n the day.
Seven days, seven more days that are connected
Just like I expected, she'll be comin' on forth,
My beautiful comrade from the north.
There's kissing in the valley,
Thieving in the alley,
Fighting every inch of the way.
Trying to be tender
With somebody I remember
In a night that's always brighter'n the day.
OK, NO MORE DYLAN!!!!
Got it.
Thanks for reading my Ode to Dylan.
Adam
Helicopters, Internet, Kit, and more
SO we have been without Internet for a couple weeks now.
There are three sources available for Internet. The NIPR (Non-Secure Internet Protocol) which is the official government one at work doesn't allow certain pages like ESPN or the site. SPAWAR, which is what we have in the MWR, allows most sites, but is the slowest and there is normally a line for it. Sniper Hill is the commercial provider for this FOB, so I pay for it, but no line and no restrictions on websites.
When we lose a Soldier all Internet is shut offf until the family is notified, this is called "Blackout." We lost one 2 weeks ago, then about 5 minutes after Blackout was lifted we lost another. It took longer to notify the family this time. When Blackout was lifted again the SPAWAR didn't come up, something had broken when they shut it down the second time. Then very shortly after that (a few hours) the sattelite reciever Sniper Hill uses broke. So about 30 minutes ago all of them came up. Happy, Happy. Joy, Joy.
I realized there are a few things I do that most of you have never experienced, so I'll try and tell you a little about them. The first is ride on a helicopter. I do this so often I forget it's not a normal thing to do. The first few seconds of takeoff is unlike anything you could imagine. You just slowly rise up to about 15 feet and then slowly dip forward and WHOOSH! You're away. The helicopters here (Blackhawks) have all had their windows ripped out to avoid overheating. Consequently the wind whips through rather quickly. It's normally a nice breeze, but if you are foolish enough you might be sitting in the "Hell Seat." The "Hell Seat" on a Blackhawk is the rightmost and rearmost seat. It faces forward and due to the rotation direction of the main rotor and the engine exhaust on that side, whoever sits there is blasted with 120mph superheated air. It's like opening an oven door, but having it come out at 120mph constantly for the duration of your flight. It takes exactly one time to learn never to sit there. I have physically grabbed people and threw them into another open seat, lest they experience that. If you don't sit there, flying is cool. Sometimes we'll fly really low and be below the apartment buildings in the Green Zone. The only other thing you learn is about the flares. The Blackhawks have flares that shoot out to trick anti-aircraft missiles. Well at night you can be looking out the window at the lights of the city, especcially the Mosques, and POW! Flare goes right in front of your face and you're blinded for about a minute.
Yesterday out of curiousity I went to the Aid Station directly after mission. I steppen on the scalle with my full "Kit" on and weighed in at 227. I dropped my gear and weighed 166. So 61 lbs of "kit" is what I wear at ALL TIMES when outside the wire in 120 degree temperature. Unless I also throw on our dismounted IED defeating backpacks. They weigh another 40 lbs. So I LOVE dismounted patrols....
When I was back on leave people were always commenting about how cold I must be in only 90 degree weather. True, BUT when I'm here I am also covered head to toe. The only skin that is exposed to the sun are my cheeks. That's it. So while it was cooler, the sun really bothered me, since I hadn't had the sun on my skin for over 6 months.
There's a line in "Pulp Fiction" "My Girlfriend is a vegetarian....which pretty much makes me a vegetarian." I think the only think that I am forced to abandon in my time with Kelli is some of my music. Dylan, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, and The Who. I suppose we don't listen to music much at home anyways, but one silver lining is rediscovering how much I love some of the music I haven't heard in a long time.
OK, I am needed right now, so I'll write more (assuming the internet doesn't crash again) about Dylan and the Who next time.
Adam
There are three sources available for Internet. The NIPR (Non-Secure Internet Protocol) which is the official government one at work doesn't allow certain pages like ESPN or the site. SPAWAR, which is what we have in the MWR, allows most sites, but is the slowest and there is normally a line for it. Sniper Hill is the commercial provider for this FOB, so I pay for it, but no line and no restrictions on websites.
When we lose a Soldier all Internet is shut offf until the family is notified, this is called "Blackout." We lost one 2 weeks ago, then about 5 minutes after Blackout was lifted we lost another. It took longer to notify the family this time. When Blackout was lifted again the SPAWAR didn't come up, something had broken when they shut it down the second time. Then very shortly after that (a few hours) the sattelite reciever Sniper Hill uses broke. So about 30 minutes ago all of them came up. Happy, Happy. Joy, Joy.
I realized there are a few things I do that most of you have never experienced, so I'll try and tell you a little about them. The first is ride on a helicopter. I do this so often I forget it's not a normal thing to do. The first few seconds of takeoff is unlike anything you could imagine. You just slowly rise up to about 15 feet and then slowly dip forward and WHOOSH! You're away. The helicopters here (Blackhawks) have all had their windows ripped out to avoid overheating. Consequently the wind whips through rather quickly. It's normally a nice breeze, but if you are foolish enough you might be sitting in the "Hell Seat." The "Hell Seat" on a Blackhawk is the rightmost and rearmost seat. It faces forward and due to the rotation direction of the main rotor and the engine exhaust on that side, whoever sits there is blasted with 120mph superheated air. It's like opening an oven door, but having it come out at 120mph constantly for the duration of your flight. It takes exactly one time to learn never to sit there. I have physically grabbed people and threw them into another open seat, lest they experience that. If you don't sit there, flying is cool. Sometimes we'll fly really low and be below the apartment buildings in the Green Zone. The only other thing you learn is about the flares. The Blackhawks have flares that shoot out to trick anti-aircraft missiles. Well at night you can be looking out the window at the lights of the city, especcially the Mosques, and POW! Flare goes right in front of your face and you're blinded for about a minute.
Yesterday out of curiousity I went to the Aid Station directly after mission. I steppen on the scalle with my full "Kit" on and weighed in at 227. I dropped my gear and weighed 166. So 61 lbs of "kit" is what I wear at ALL TIMES when outside the wire in 120 degree temperature. Unless I also throw on our dismounted IED defeating backpacks. They weigh another 40 lbs. So I LOVE dismounted patrols....
When I was back on leave people were always commenting about how cold I must be in only 90 degree weather. True, BUT when I'm here I am also covered head to toe. The only skin that is exposed to the sun are my cheeks. That's it. So while it was cooler, the sun really bothered me, since I hadn't had the sun on my skin for over 6 months.
There's a line in "Pulp Fiction" "My Girlfriend is a vegetarian....which pretty much makes me a vegetarian." I think the only think that I am forced to abandon in my time with Kelli is some of my music. Dylan, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, and The Who. I suppose we don't listen to music much at home anyways, but one silver lining is rediscovering how much I love some of the music I haven't heard in a long time.
OK, I am needed right now, so I'll write more (assuming the internet doesn't crash again) about Dylan and the Who next time.
Adam
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Doing well
I don't have much to say, but our internet has been down for 5 days, so I feel I should say something...
There has been a profound and noticable shift the last 6 months here in Baghdad. The Iraqi security forces are doing the vast majority of the work. The Government still struggles with getting things done, I think because they are still jockeying for positions in the new Iraq. The corruption is so much a part of their system it's almost immpossible to imagine it ever getting much better. Still, corruption was (and is) a part of many, many former Soviet Bloc nations as well as South American democracies, and I'd be pleased with an Iraq that resembled any of those nations.
Writer's Block...
more later I guess
There has been a profound and noticable shift the last 6 months here in Baghdad. The Iraqi security forces are doing the vast majority of the work. The Government still struggles with getting things done, I think because they are still jockeying for positions in the new Iraq. The corruption is so much a part of their system it's almost immpossible to imagine it ever getting much better. Still, corruption was (and is) a part of many, many former Soviet Bloc nations as well as South American democracies, and I'd be pleased with an Iraq that resembled any of those nations.
Writer's Block...
more later I guess
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Not so Sick
Been taking drugs to kill my little parasite, and I feel pretty good.
I was thinking about this...
Sadr City is a slum of AT LEAST 2.5 Million (up to about 3 Million)
It is a rectangle 3 miles by 4 miles.
That gives it a population density of....200,000 per square mile???
My math HAS to be wrong somewhere.
Monaco has a density of 43,000 per sq mile...
acording to a google search, Mumbai has a density of 46,000 and ranks #1 for cities of the world in terms of density.
BUT....
That is over the entire city, and Sadr City is not an entire city, it is part of Bagdad. You could take any small segment of a large city and have massive density numbers that don't reflect the entire city. Still, I find 200,000 to be obscene, yet I have NEVER, EVER, EVER heard anyone dispute 2.5 million.
This article DOES dispute it (ignore last sentence) and provides good visualization for Sadr City..
The neighborhood was built as a public housing project for the poor in the late 1950s and early '60s. The rectangle of roughly 125,000 homes northeast of central Baghdad covered an area about half the size of Manhattan, with streets in a grid, and simple brick homes of about 1,500 square feet, or about 140 square meters. These days, after decades of neglect under Saddam Hussein, many of the houses are crumbling and divided into multiple apartments.
Sadr City officials — including Rahim al-Daraji, Sadr City's elected mayor — claim that more than two million people live in the neighborhood, a third of Baghdad. If true, that would give Sadr City a higher population density than Calcutta and Hong Kong, something that demographers said was unlikely given the architecture.
Here's another article that suggests it is that high.
Although no official census was ever conducted, it is estimated that between a third and a half of Baghdad's entire population is packed into that small section of the city. In one Sadr City clinic alone, up to 1,300 children are born every week, and perhaps as many as 10,000 people live in each city block of Sadr City's northern side. A single battalion task force, supported by elements of the BCT, is trying to turn life around for approximately 2.5 million people crammed into a place of brutish, punishing squalor by design.
Hmm... Dunno.
But I am not moving here anyways.
Adam
I was thinking about this...
Sadr City is a slum of AT LEAST 2.5 Million (up to about 3 Million)
It is a rectangle 3 miles by 4 miles.
That gives it a population density of....200,000 per square mile???
My math HAS to be wrong somewhere.
Monaco has a density of 43,000 per sq mile...
acording to a google search, Mumbai has a density of 46,000 and ranks #1 for cities of the world in terms of density.
BUT....
That is over the entire city, and Sadr City is not an entire city, it is part of Bagdad. You could take any small segment of a large city and have massive density numbers that don't reflect the entire city. Still, I find 200,000 to be obscene, yet I have NEVER, EVER, EVER heard anyone dispute 2.5 million.
This article DOES dispute it (ignore last sentence) and provides good visualization for Sadr City..
The neighborhood was built as a public housing project for the poor in the late 1950s and early '60s. The rectangle of roughly 125,000 homes northeast of central Baghdad covered an area about half the size of Manhattan, with streets in a grid, and simple brick homes of about 1,500 square feet, or about 140 square meters. These days, after decades of neglect under Saddam Hussein, many of the houses are crumbling and divided into multiple apartments.
Sadr City officials — including Rahim al-Daraji, Sadr City's elected mayor — claim that more than two million people live in the neighborhood, a third of Baghdad. If true, that would give Sadr City a higher population density than Calcutta and Hong Kong, something that demographers said was unlikely given the architecture.
Here's another article that suggests it is that high.
Although no official census was ever conducted, it is estimated that between a third and a half of Baghdad's entire population is packed into that small section of the city. In one Sadr City clinic alone, up to 1,300 children are born every week, and perhaps as many as 10,000 people live in each city block of Sadr City's northern side. A single battalion task force, supported by elements of the BCT, is trying to turn life around for approximately 2.5 million people crammed into a place of brutish, punishing squalor by design.
Hmm... Dunno.
But I am not moving here anyways.
Adam
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Sick
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giardia_lamblia
So that's what's in my body right now.
It's been running around here, putting about about 10-20% of my platoon out of duty at any given time.
I feel under the weather, but I've been able to still function. I just went down to the aid station and got some drugs. Naturally they had told their medics "the next new case that comes in, get a stool sample."
Jeez.
Anyway, things are good. Just thought I'd write a quick note.
OK, having already established myself as a Ted Thompson HATER, I need to back him up a little.
There is no way to determine if he made "the right" decision this year. Even if the Packers go 6-10, IF 4 years from now, they are a consistent 10-6 team, constantly going deep in the playoffs, then it was the right decision. His problem in my opinion is that he gave up on the best team this year for a POTENTIAL good team over a 5 year stretch starting next year or the year after. SO if the Packers go 8-8 this year, I will not point fingers and say "told you so!" BUT if 5 years from now the Packers have not been back to the NFC title game, THEN it will be clear Thompson screwed up.
The reason I don't like this is because EVERYONE in Packerland assumes their QB will not get hurt. That's how it's been for a decade and a half. Ted Thompson is betting that Aaron Rodgers, who is VERY injury prone, will:
a. Not get injured
b. improve to pro bowl caliber
c. remain with the Packers for the next 7 years
If ANY of those fail to develop he's screwed, AND there is no reason (unless Rodgers told him behind closed doors) that he couldn't have told Rodgers he'd have to wait another year for his starting job. Brett could come out and announce this is his "Farewell Year" and Thompson could have given Rodgers a new contract for 5 years to show his commitment to his future.
This whole thing was awful. The two things I heard the most often that made the least sense:
"I feel bad for Aaron Rodgers." and "Brett has to learn a whole new offense, that's soooo difficult to do..blah blah...."
First. No matter where he ended up, someone was losing their job. So crying for Rodgers if Brett had stayed is a little silly, since you'd end up crying for someone no matter what. Starters lose their job all the time.
Second. Pennington started for Miami the same day Favre started for the Jets. I didn't hear a SINGLE story about how hard it was for him to learn a whole new offense and find chemistry with new guys around him....
just saying.....
Adam
So that's what's in my body right now.
It's been running around here, putting about about 10-20% of my platoon out of duty at any given time.
I feel under the weather, but I've been able to still function. I just went down to the aid station and got some drugs. Naturally they had told their medics "the next new case that comes in, get a stool sample."
Jeez.
Anyway, things are good. Just thought I'd write a quick note.
OK, having already established myself as a Ted Thompson HATER, I need to back him up a little.
There is no way to determine if he made "the right" decision this year. Even if the Packers go 6-10, IF 4 years from now, they are a consistent 10-6 team, constantly going deep in the playoffs, then it was the right decision. His problem in my opinion is that he gave up on the best team this year for a POTENTIAL good team over a 5 year stretch starting next year or the year after. SO if the Packers go 8-8 this year, I will not point fingers and say "told you so!" BUT if 5 years from now the Packers have not been back to the NFC title game, THEN it will be clear Thompson screwed up.
The reason I don't like this is because EVERYONE in Packerland assumes their QB will not get hurt. That's how it's been for a decade and a half. Ted Thompson is betting that Aaron Rodgers, who is VERY injury prone, will:
a. Not get injured
b. improve to pro bowl caliber
c. remain with the Packers for the next 7 years
If ANY of those fail to develop he's screwed, AND there is no reason (unless Rodgers told him behind closed doors) that he couldn't have told Rodgers he'd have to wait another year for his starting job. Brett could come out and announce this is his "Farewell Year" and Thompson could have given Rodgers a new contract for 5 years to show his commitment to his future.
This whole thing was awful. The two things I heard the most often that made the least sense:
"I feel bad for Aaron Rodgers." and "Brett has to learn a whole new offense, that's soooo difficult to do..blah blah...."
First. No matter where he ended up, someone was losing their job. So crying for Rodgers if Brett had stayed is a little silly, since you'd end up crying for someone no matter what. Starters lose their job all the time.
Second. Pennington started for Miami the same day Favre started for the Jets. I didn't hear a SINGLE story about how hard it was for him to learn a whole new offense and find chemistry with new guys around him....
just saying.....
Adam
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Back in Iraq after 18 days mid-tour leave
Well, I have had my batteries recharged!
Of course it was an exhausting process...
In my 18 days:
we had an overnight camping trip to the mountains
a 3 day stay in Estes Park
a "Kelli and me" 10th anniversary 2 day vacation in Boulder
took in a SkySox game
visited the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Museum with my Dad and Jan
spent a night in a local hotel with a water slide
built some stuffed animals with personal voice messages for the kids and Kelli
went golfing with my brother
went golfing with Kelli
went golfing with Joe and Kathy
checked out Tom's new house
talked with Shawn about winning the war in Iraq and more importantly the whole Favre debacle
had a block party to hang out with neighbors
won 3 of 4 Yahtzee games I played
destroyed Kelli in Cribbage
walked Connor to and from his first day in Kindergarten
hung out a couple times with my Mom and Frank
tore down the gym in the basement with help from my brother, Connor, and Samantha, while my dad watched
cleaned out the basement
cleaned out the garage
saw the new Batman movie
nearly finished up the paperwork I need to start school in January
jeez...I think there's some more, but I'm starting to get exhausted again just typing it all....
Anyways, I am back now and eager to finish this deployment out. A few milestones are ahead and I will mark my time with them.
SEP 10th or so Officially get orders promoting me to CPT. With these I can put in for my 30k bonus (taxed at 25%...luckily tax season will hit and bring that all back)
OCT 1st I will pin on CPT
NOV My replacement should show up sometime in NOV and I'll get him trained up
Late NOV/Early DEC I will redeploy to the Springs
Mid DEC Clear Fort Carson and finish up post deployment medical evals (a PAIN)
Xmas Vacation back to Wis/Illinois
Early Jan Vacation with Kiddos and Kelli to Disney World
Mid Jan register for classes and prep for school
Late Jan begin 18 months of schooling to finish degree.
Jun 2010 - show up for work somewhere....
There you have it.
Adam
Of course it was an exhausting process...
In my 18 days:
we had an overnight camping trip to the mountains
a 3 day stay in Estes Park
a "Kelli and me" 10th anniversary 2 day vacation in Boulder
took in a SkySox game
visited the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Museum with my Dad and Jan
spent a night in a local hotel with a water slide
built some stuffed animals with personal voice messages for the kids and Kelli
went golfing with my brother
went golfing with Kelli
went golfing with Joe and Kathy
checked out Tom's new house
talked with Shawn about winning the war in Iraq and more importantly the whole Favre debacle
had a block party to hang out with neighbors
won 3 of 4 Yahtzee games I played
destroyed Kelli in Cribbage
walked Connor to and from his first day in Kindergarten
hung out a couple times with my Mom and Frank
tore down the gym in the basement with help from my brother, Connor, and Samantha, while my dad watched
cleaned out the basement
cleaned out the garage
saw the new Batman movie
nearly finished up the paperwork I need to start school in January
jeez...I think there's some more, but I'm starting to get exhausted again just typing it all....
Anyways, I am back now and eager to finish this deployment out. A few milestones are ahead and I will mark my time with them.
SEP 10th or so Officially get orders promoting me to CPT. With these I can put in for my 30k bonus (taxed at 25%...luckily tax season will hit and bring that all back)
OCT 1st I will pin on CPT
NOV My replacement should show up sometime in NOV and I'll get him trained up
Late NOV/Early DEC I will redeploy to the Springs
Mid DEC Clear Fort Carson and finish up post deployment medical evals (a PAIN)
Xmas Vacation back to Wis/Illinois
Early Jan Vacation with Kiddos and Kelli to Disney World
Mid Jan register for classes and prep for school
Late Jan begin 18 months of schooling to finish degree.
Jun 2010 - show up for work somewhere....
There you have it.
Adam
Monday, May 26, 2008
Suffering from TMB
Yesterday when I put my gear on for our daily patrol I felt some back pain.
"This ain't good" I remarked aloud to myself.
An hour later when we arrived at Sadr City I got out of the vehicle. I took 3 steps and then nearly doubled over in pain. My back was spasming and I couldn't straighten it out. I managed to walk the hundred yards to the aid station where the doctor told me I was suffering from TMB...Too Many Birthdays.
I pointed out I'd actually missed the last four because of deployments or field time so I thought those didn't count. Turns out those count double.
Anyways I got some drugs and I managed to tough it out through gritted teeth the rest of the day. I am still in pain, but it's not as bad today.
Kelli and the kids seem to be doing well. Kelli bought me a new car a week ago, a 2008 Santa Fe that she and the kids love. I should be home for my vacation in almost exactly 2 months, so we're very excited about that. Connor worte me a letter inviting me to watch wrestling with him over at Grandpa Franks. While it is mainly a guy think, Samantha told Kelli. "But mommy, WE don't like wrestling, but SOMETIMES we do."
That's about Samantha to a "T"
Samantha watched Dancing with the Stars with Grandma Rita and every new woman who came out brought the comment "Now THAT'S a pretty dress I'd like to have."
Kelli typed the other day "...that's where we got Connor his scooter and I think I'll buy one for Sam this time."
All I could think of was Sam is like 16, why would he want a scooter???
Turns out it wasn't my cousin's son she was talking about, but my daughter. I have completly given up on calling her "sam", though maybe I'll hold out hope.
Most guys here tell time by sports, that is, when the NFL Playoffs come, we go home. I have a month by month "things to look forward to" to get my through the remainder of my time.
June - My 33rd Birthday and submitting my Leave paperwork
July - 4th of July at war (feels more important to me), our 10th Anniversary and beginning of Leave
August - Finishing up leave
September - getting my Promotion orders and putting in the paperwork to get my 30k bonus
October - Promotion to CPT
November - Packing up and mailing stuff home, because....
December - Return Home
A few of those things may come a month early. It's POSSIBLE to be promoted in September, though unlikely and it is also possible to come home in November, but that too is unlikely.
Kelli and I have been talking about how to spend the 30k bonus (after taxes I initially get like 25k, but will get it all back when I file taxes next year).
We'll spend like 5k on a family vacation to Florida in January
4-5k finishing the basement by adding a bedroom and a playroom for the kids (and reclaiming their current playroom as my study)
up to 10k on a motorcycle come springtime (and after I get a license...)
and a few thousand around the house and landscaping
Things over here have been getting better. My BDE crippled the insurgent's ability to launch rockets and mortars into the Green Zone and the wall we built to divide Sadr City has overnight changed the landscape (both literally and figurativly) of the bottom 1/4 of Sadr City. Behind those successes the Iraqi Army brokered a deal and now has control of the next 1/4 of Sadr City. The plan now is to drop so much money into that 1/2 of Sadr City to "Reward it" for cooperating, that the remaining half will see the tangible benefits of co-operation (like East Germany and North Korea). I am very optomistic. Everywhere I went in Baghdad EXCEPT Sadr City was flourishing and now perhaps Sadr City will as well. The allies needed 11 months to finish Germany after D-Day, though it truly was a foregone conclusion. We will need time too, but I think if Sadr City doesn't explode in the next month our chances to truly win this war are nearing certainty.
I heard a woman say "I respect your service and support the troops, but I am sorry to say I just don't believe in the war." My inital answer to her was
"ohh, it exists..."
My follow up was that she would believe in the cause if she were here.
Outside the computer center is a big sign that says "No smoking within 50 feet" Under that is a well used butt can with chairs next to it.
The Packers will get 9 wins this year.
The Bears will get 7
Lions and Vikes will get 8
Rockies will fail to make the playoffs, causing millions of sprained ankles as their ...fans....all jump off the bandwagon.
I have to take 3 science classes and 1 has to have a lab.
Health and Fitness
Personal Nutrition
and the one with the lab....
Topography and Orienteering
Yeah, that's how I roll.
Adam
"This ain't good" I remarked aloud to myself.
An hour later when we arrived at Sadr City I got out of the vehicle. I took 3 steps and then nearly doubled over in pain. My back was spasming and I couldn't straighten it out. I managed to walk the hundred yards to the aid station where the doctor told me I was suffering from TMB...Too Many Birthdays.
I pointed out I'd actually missed the last four because of deployments or field time so I thought those didn't count. Turns out those count double.
Anyways I got some drugs and I managed to tough it out through gritted teeth the rest of the day. I am still in pain, but it's not as bad today.
Kelli and the kids seem to be doing well. Kelli bought me a new car a week ago, a 2008 Santa Fe that she and the kids love. I should be home for my vacation in almost exactly 2 months, so we're very excited about that. Connor worte me a letter inviting me to watch wrestling with him over at Grandpa Franks. While it is mainly a guy think, Samantha told Kelli. "But mommy, WE don't like wrestling, but SOMETIMES we do."
That's about Samantha to a "T"
Samantha watched Dancing with the Stars with Grandma Rita and every new woman who came out brought the comment "Now THAT'S a pretty dress I'd like to have."
Kelli typed the other day "...that's where we got Connor his scooter and I think I'll buy one for Sam this time."
All I could think of was Sam is like 16, why would he want a scooter???
Turns out it wasn't my cousin's son she was talking about, but my daughter. I have completly given up on calling her "sam", though maybe I'll hold out hope.
Most guys here tell time by sports, that is, when the NFL Playoffs come, we go home. I have a month by month "things to look forward to" to get my through the remainder of my time.
June - My 33rd Birthday and submitting my Leave paperwork
July - 4th of July at war (feels more important to me), our 10th Anniversary and beginning of Leave
August - Finishing up leave
September - getting my Promotion orders and putting in the paperwork to get my 30k bonus
October - Promotion to CPT
November - Packing up and mailing stuff home, because....
December - Return Home
A few of those things may come a month early. It's POSSIBLE to be promoted in September, though unlikely and it is also possible to come home in November, but that too is unlikely.
Kelli and I have been talking about how to spend the 30k bonus (after taxes I initially get like 25k, but will get it all back when I file taxes next year).
We'll spend like 5k on a family vacation to Florida in January
4-5k finishing the basement by adding a bedroom and a playroom for the kids (and reclaiming their current playroom as my study)
up to 10k on a motorcycle come springtime (and after I get a license...)
and a few thousand around the house and landscaping
Things over here have been getting better. My BDE crippled the insurgent's ability to launch rockets and mortars into the Green Zone and the wall we built to divide Sadr City has overnight changed the landscape (both literally and figurativly) of the bottom 1/4 of Sadr City. Behind those successes the Iraqi Army brokered a deal and now has control of the next 1/4 of Sadr City. The plan now is to drop so much money into that 1/2 of Sadr City to "Reward it" for cooperating, that the remaining half will see the tangible benefits of co-operation (like East Germany and North Korea). I am very optomistic. Everywhere I went in Baghdad EXCEPT Sadr City was flourishing and now perhaps Sadr City will as well. The allies needed 11 months to finish Germany after D-Day, though it truly was a foregone conclusion. We will need time too, but I think if Sadr City doesn't explode in the next month our chances to truly win this war are nearing certainty.
I heard a woman say "I respect your service and support the troops, but I am sorry to say I just don't believe in the war." My inital answer to her was
"ohh, it exists..."
My follow up was that she would believe in the cause if she were here.
Outside the computer center is a big sign that says "No smoking within 50 feet" Under that is a well used butt can with chairs next to it.
The Packers will get 9 wins this year.
The Bears will get 7
Lions and Vikes will get 8
Rockies will fail to make the playoffs, causing millions of sprained ankles as their ...fans....all jump off the bandwagon.
I have to take 3 science classes and 1 has to have a lab.
Health and Fitness
Personal Nutrition
and the one with the lab....
Topography and Orienteering
Yeah, that's how I roll.
Adam
Friday, May 9, 2008
Life
Things are still pretty good here, mailing address is the same, just don't write Camp Taji on it if you have the unit #.
Article on a golf course in the Green Zone, which is the safest place in Iraq when missiles from Sadr City aren't zooming in...
http://www.latimes.com/sports/custom/morningbriefing/la-sp-briefing8-2008may08,0,7897915.story
I am doing good, been listening to Liz Phair and The Flatlanders mostly, both amazing.
I took some more pictures, I'll post them when I have time. Any requests or themes?
My mid-tour Leave will be at the end of July into August. I plan on having one weekend for any and all visitors with the rest of my time locked away with the kiddos and Kelli. I'll let you guys know when, but I think it'll be the 26th and 27th with that friday and monday open season as well. We'll house we can and direct anyone else to hotels or tents in the backyard.
Jer showed me a video worth watching "Battle at Kruger." Pretty amazing example of life and death and the fine line between on a South African Wildlife Refuge.
If anyone happens to swing through Iran soon, please kill Moqtada Al Sadr for me. Thanks
Adam
Article on a golf course in the Green Zone, which is the safest place in Iraq when missiles from Sadr City aren't zooming in...
http://www.latimes.com/sports/custom/morningbriefing/la-sp-briefing8-2008may08,0,7897915.story
I am doing good, been listening to Liz Phair and The Flatlanders mostly, both amazing.
I took some more pictures, I'll post them when I have time. Any requests or themes?
My mid-tour Leave will be at the end of July into August. I plan on having one weekend for any and all visitors with the rest of my time locked away with the kiddos and Kelli. I'll let you guys know when, but I think it'll be the 26th and 27th with that friday and monday open season as well. We'll house we can and direct anyone else to hotels or tents in the backyard.
Jer showed me a video worth watching "Battle at Kruger." Pretty amazing example of life and death and the fine line between on a South African Wildlife Refuge.
If anyone happens to swing through Iran soon, please kill Moqtada Al Sadr for me. Thanks
Adam
Sunday, May 4, 2008
New Base, New Attitude
"Everything is Better at War Eagle"
That's the motto CSM Dailey and I are telling everyone. Nearly everything is better. I have a trailer with a new bed, fridge, civilian purchased internet, and 2 roommates. This is a small base, so chow is quicker though not as extravagent. The laundry turn around is 8 hours. The majority of the base is concrete so I don't fear mud when it rains nor do I trod through deep gravel. Everything is much, much closer together which cuts down my "commute" time to and from work and also emboldens me to disappear for awhile since I am only 5 minutes away at all times.
Bad things. Porta Johns are horrible here and the showers run out of water every day, which is odd, since this place used to be a water filtration site and the Tigris is literally a stones throw away. However, new latrine and shower trailers are on the way.
Life is better.
Adam
That's the motto CSM Dailey and I are telling everyone. Nearly everything is better. I have a trailer with a new bed, fridge, civilian purchased internet, and 2 roommates. This is a small base, so chow is quicker though not as extravagent. The laundry turn around is 8 hours. The majority of the base is concrete so I don't fear mud when it rains nor do I trod through deep gravel. Everything is much, much closer together which cuts down my "commute" time to and from work and also emboldens me to disappear for awhile since I am only 5 minutes away at all times.
Bad things. Porta Johns are horrible here and the showers run out of water every day, which is odd, since this place used to be a water filtration site and the Tigris is literally a stones throw away. However, new latrine and shower trailers are on the way.
Life is better.
Adam
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