Busy Couple of Days

First, I have to clear the air - there was no alcohol induced haze. I miscalculated and used it as a metaphor for a lack of sleep. Count that one on my tab. As the title of this post states - it has been a very busy couple of days. Hence the reason that I haven't posted. Unfortunately, due to various concerns, I can't really expound upon what I've been doing. It has been constructive and on the leading edge of making my city a better place. It is one of those things that has immediate results that will only be seen in time. I realize that my last sentence is quite contradictory; however, it makes sense in my minds eye. At any rate, it is hard to write about things when you can't write about them due to Operational Security. Such is the joy of Iraq.

I can promise that the young Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors that are out and about are doing good things and living up to all the praise that they deserve. Life remains good and I have very little to complain about.

Two care packages came in the mail during my absence. Thank you to the Memphis Rawson's and the Auburn Fargason's. Uncle Casey improved my sand game by two strokes by sending a rake. The rocks are no longer an issue. Lynnette and Family came in big time w/ some Slim Jims that I use to persuade young Marines to various tasks. Thank you very much for thinking of me and the rest of the Marines out here in Iraq.

Now onto the important topic of the night: Can the Padres improve via a trade this season? I tend to think that nothing will materialize and they will probably end up a situation similar to last year. They have the pitching to barter in return; however, I don' t think that the established right handed power outfielder that we covet is available. I think that Cruz is a great fourth outfielder and has value. Sledge on the other hand is basically a younger version of two. I'll give to nod to Cruz - Sledge just isn't getting the job done. I like the fact that they brought of MacAnulty and we'll see what he does. Hopefully, he will get off to a good start. He'll need some time to get adjusted and some regular at-bats. Mac has a proven track record in the minors - I'm hopeful that he'll come around much like Kouz. A guy I see that would work for the Padres is Adam Dunn. The Reds stink and need pitching help. I say we offer Hensley and Andrew Brown (AAA) and see what happens. They had Germano (in the Randa trade - so he's not an option). I think that we have enough w/ Germano/Thompson/Stauffer to fill out that fifth starter. Plus, the Jared Wells guy is a kid that they really they really like in AA. Another thing that I'd think long and hard about moving is Khalil Greene. Defensively - he is amazing and he has all the talent in the world. Offensively, he is very streaky (at best). Plus, SS is a position that historically is quite easy to replace via free agency / minors. Finally, Greene has been definitely Petco-ized and that doesn't bode well when you have to play 81 games a year there. They seem to like SS - Luiz Cruz (AAA) .

That conjecture aside, aside from Dunn, that there really isn't anyone that is going to be realistically available/worth pursuing. I'm sure that Sean will give me a lecture on this; however, I don't care b/c I can kick his ass.

Nothing interesting to report

After a solid week, today I am finding it difficult to come up with something interesting to write. I thought about writing a poem, but then I woke up from my alcohol induced haze and decided to move on. So, I'll resign this effort and wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day.

Fixing Stupid

Question of the day - can one really fix stupid? I would have to guess that it really is about as close to impossible as you can get. This is a topic for Brandon to solve. My initial reaction is one that would tend to agree that you can't fix stupid. Sure, one can go to school and all that jazz; however, think of how many people you know that are a) book smart and have no street sense b) the people w/ street sense and can't add. It seems that only people who are both are those whom we all hate b/c they are so good at everything they do.



So back to the topic at hand - let's talk about stupid ... where do I begin? I went to a meeting that lasted over four hours. My fingers go numb just trying to type about it. We had a sand storm this afternoon that was something from a scene in a horror movie. I missed lunch and dinner b/c of the two aforementioned things - so yeah, I am the dumb one b/c I am now starving. You want more dumb - I just went over six years in the Navy and got a pay raise for doing nothing. If you really want to go crazy with stupid - stupid is the Dodgers in first place in the NL West.



I guess all this stupid talk makes it look like I am in a bad mood. That really isn't the case - just shows that once you normalize something it really isn't that bad at all.



I am sad to report that I did not get to hit any golf balls today. Despite that I did manage to meet my expectation of doing very little today. It is nice to have days like that every once and a while. This one year camping trip is a hoot.

Come on now

Today has been a long day, but that isn't anything new. I'll open w/some thoughts on some comments that were left 1) Have faith in the Padres 2) Yes, they will find some power (see Kouz) 3) I've already made a note about how I am not an English major 4) ENS refers to the Navy rank of En-swine.

Today substantial progress was made w/ my new ENS best friend. It is amazing what a little talk from a Lt. Col will do for a mans Psyche. I can now make all the media products that my little heart desires. Additionally, I met the Mayor of Fallujah today. It wasn't anything special and we didn't really talk - that whole Arabic English thing. Nevertheless, I can now cross that off of my list of things to do.

After walking around for what seemed like hours w/ my body armor I came back to Camp and ate my face off. It was nice. The Army guys that I now work w/ had a cook out. Evidently, they had some hook up and got a whole bunch of stuff that we threw on the grill. It was certainly a nice change of pace. The best part was that they were able to score some chocolate cake. Yes, I had two pieces and yes, they were great.

This afternoon, I had a nice surprise waiting for me on my desk. I got a package from the Long Beach Moody's full of goodies. Of note, some more golf balls for my sand wedge endeavours. Thank you very much for the mail - keep it coming! I keep saying that I am going to get pictures ... you'll get a laugh. Maybe I can make that my mission tomorrow. However, it is tough to get motivated to go out and flail away with the hot sun beating down.

Tomorrow I am going to do my best to do as little as possible. I say that now - we'll see how the day unfolds.

Turkish Barber

For those of you who don't know a Turkish haircut is the way to go. It is by no coincidence that the Marine culture is huge on haircuts. To an outsider this fad might seem a bit ridiculous; however, when you consider that you wear a helmet all the time, shower every other day (at best), and live in 100+ degree heat - having short hair is a must. In fact, most Marines prefer the whole bald look. I've long been a fan of the Navy style haircut but times they are a changing. Today, I went to get my haircut w/ the old man. He took to me to the Turkish Barber shop at the main base. You have to pay 4$ vice 3$ for the PX barber and it is well worth it. They actually give good haircuts, will shave you, and then the coux de gras - they flame your ears. It is just great. The other benefit of going w/ the old man to main base is that you get to eat in the big chow hall. Needless to say, I ate my face off. The food is just so much better and variety makes you think that you are at the Golden Corral. BIG PLUS. We certainly don't get that level of good eats where I am at. ****Disclaimer time**** Where I am at now, the food is fine and we get plenty of it. I guess it is akin to the difference between Shoney's and Olive Garden. Catch my drift? That said, it sure wasn't Baghdad.

My Padres fell last night to the Cubs. I was able to watch the last inning on the Armed Forces Network Television. It was just nice to relax a bit.

My struggles w/ my ENS buddy still continue. I think that I am out of air speed and ideas on how to handle this guy. He still won't look me in the eye when we talk. About the only thing I can think of is taking him outside and going Ninja style on him. That would make me feel better - but it doesn't solve the problem. Obviously, we have a conflict and need to figure out a way to make the situation work - unless I can figure out a way to get a Kinko's in Iraq. I still need him to do by printing. I'll figure something out.

Other than that I am staying busy, which makes the time go by. An absolute must in order to survive out here. That's all for now ....

Cutting out stickers on DVDs

Well folks, today was a first - somehow that shouldn't seem interesting. I spent about three hours today putting stickers on DVDs and then cutting out the center portion w/ a knife. It was about as stimulating as it gets. I can't really go into what the product was for; however, I think the product will ultimately prove useful. So in my best utilitarian manner I struggled through it. It is not that it was beneath me to do such a thing; however, the fact that I had to do it was irritating. We have an organization known as Combat Camera. They do all sorts of wonderful things and they are basically our Kinko's. I am sure that it is the part of the job that they like the least. Nevermind, the ENS in charge of the group is just flat out lazy. He made the executive decision to give us a half-assed product. Very nice of him to make more work for me. I guess that is why Marines always carry a knife? It is just so irritating - can't people just do their job? I'm not asking for much. I could go on for hours on how this dude just pisses me off. We all know characters like this.

In keeping w/ my tradition of informing everyone about the porta-johns - the JAG and I have come up with our latest scheme. We are tyring to convince supply to get a/c for the porta-johns. The plan needs refinement - but I think that it is plenty workable. Basically, we get a stand alone a/c and place it beside the units. Next we build some sort of cap (most likely out of plywood) for the top - where the cold air is pushed out. On the face of this face we attach a flexible coupling/pipe/house and then run it into the top of each head. I envision sort of a lawn sprinkler system like thing. Think about it - we are not talking about a huge space to cool. I mean if we could lower the temp from 130 to 100 degrees it would make huge progress. I don't think that I need to go any further in explaining the benefits ... heat + feces = repugnant smell. See the CMEO training has paid off - I am proud of my word choices. As you can see, the JAG and I are fairly excited over this prospect.

Well, I am off to one of those meetings that I referred to yesterday ... it should be enough to make me want to join the Army.

My conundrum

The part I think that we can all agree on is that meeting should not last more than one hour. I don't think that this is a unique symptom of the military, as I imagine that no matter what line of work you're in - you have to go to meetings. It is just one of those things. I guess where the error comes into play is when they last forever. I just got out of one of those meetings, so hence this point might not read as well as I would hope.

Today was just another day. They all seem to run together. Yes, I can write about the heat - but there is no comfort because it is only going to get hotter. I suppose that I should run tonight but who really wants to run when it is over 100?

I'm excited that the Padres seem to figuring things out. They might have found another bat to go with Gonzalez, in Cameron and Kouz. That would certainly make my day. I mean even the Padres pitching staff is going to have a bad day. As I write Colleen is watching the Blue Angels flight demonstration team as a guest of the Commandant of Midshipmen - sounds official doesn't it. I'm excited and jealous. I'm pleased that USNA has made contact w/ Colleen.

In other news the bugs are back - time to break out the good old flea bomb. Those things work wonders. Did you know that most of Iraq (even pre-war) doesn't have plumbing? If they do have plumbing it is this morphed Ancient Greek / Turkish thing. Essentially, they have a pit and then it connected to some pipes that run out into the street. I digress, at any rate, what I am getting at is that the pipes that I am referring to house all the vermin of this in this place. We found some expanding foam and sprayed it down the pipe that goes to my room, and wouldn't you know it ... we don't have a small rodent problem anymore. Now if that doesn't make your day - I don't know what will. Ah, the simple pleasures in life.

Iraqi Politics

Iraqi Politics - somehow or another that has got to be an oxymoron. After witnessing my first governance meeting I am struck with some observations. I keep wondering about my middle school civics classes - the Iraqi leadership could use some of that stuff. It is amazing how we (Americans) take that stuff for granted. It is astonishing to think that most of the political experience is either dead or exile in some country. To think that regular men just a few years ago were students, shop keepers, etc ... and now find themselves in the midst of rebuilding from the ground floor - with very little infrastructure. I know it is sad, but the people in that room fell into two categories 1) The ones that want to help themselves 2) The ones that want the Americans to do everything for them. I am glad to note that the majority of them fall into the first category. It is just baffling how some can complain that they don't have this ... or can we fix this for them - just one more time. I think they will come to a startling reality when the day comes that we (the Coalition Forces) pack up our crap and head back to the states.

In other news, I must post the sublime reminder that it is hot. It is already over 110. I wish that I could say that it is unbearably hot - but the truth is that it is just another day. I guess you really do get used to it. Byron, claims that the weather in Phoenix is just like this - dry heat - I don't care. Lets just call it way too damn hot and be done with it. The ancient folks were fools to start life in this fertile crescent (?) ... smoking way too much of the hookah.

Lastly, another package came for me today courtesy of the Money Hill Monarchs. Thank you very much. Of all my deployments combined - I have nearly doubled my mail collection in these past few months. Mail is a good thing. Thank you very much.

A Start

Inspired by Matt and Brandon, I now join the rest of society by participating in the online world of gossip, nonsense, ballyhoo and what-nots. Upon reflection, this is a good way to keep those who are interested informed about my daily happenings. The capacity for improvement of this site is overwhelming; however, I make this promise now that this won't be the place to find all the cool gizmo's and such. I guess as I figure out how to use this site and bandwidth permitting - I'll improve.

I'll start with a quick recap. I'm assuming that those reading already have a clue as to the generic template of my life to date. For those who don't - you probably won't find this too interesting. Basically, I am the Electronics Warfare Officer and Information Operations Officer for a Marine Infantry Battalion in Iraq. A Naval Surface Warfare Officer by trade - I'm just doing the best I can to help out my Battalion in our efforts to win the Global War on Terrorism. I work with a bunch of grunts to use technology to our war fighting advantage and work on an effects based template to promote our mission. Confused yet - I am - so don't feel lost. Needless to say, it is challenging work that I'm figuring out little by little on a daily basis.

I surmise that my overall attempt with this blog is provide some insight into some of the things that I am thinking about at the time that I write this little jaunt. I guess when all is said and done - what I'm looking for is a plane ticket home to be with ya'll - my family and friends.

Go Padres. Oh, and I might as well get it out in the open now - I don't have Duane here to proofread my writing - so I make no claims about my inability to properly use spell check or commas correctly. You can only expect so much from a kid who went to Louisiana public schools.