Only a few days left . . .

Currently, I find myself consumed by the thought of going on leave. I've been plugging away for some time now; however, as I go past the normal ship deployment length, I find it harder to focus. I think that the Marines do it right with 7 month deployments. I am not an expert on force structure, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why the Army has gone to the 15 month standard. It is just an insanely long time.

Additionally, people give me mixed reviews on the whole two week leave program. Some claim that it is just a tease, and others are adamant that it is a good thing. I haven't had the R&R experience yet; however, I am already of the opinion that it is going to be a great thing. I am very excited to get back to the states and do normal things. Strangely, I miss taking Murph out and taking out the trash. Obviously, I miss Colleen, friends, and family quite a bit more. Deployments with dependents take on a whole new life. When you are single, it really doesn't matter, and all you do is make money. Your biggest concern is figuring out what toy you'll buy when you get back.

I do have a little precedence w/ long deployments. I had about 4 weeks between deployments on GET and JLH. It just seems so much different when you are engaged in life on a ship. Believe it or not, being on the ground is quite mundane. Life out on the high seas always affords a change of scenery, b/c you're moving around quite a bit. On a ship, you always have a port call in the relatively near future - even if it is only to get fuel. Most of the time, it is a few days long and gives you the opportunity to go out and enjoy the local atmosphere. On the ground it is just work 24/7. Sure, life can get a little more exciting with bullets whizzing by, but the reality is that the gun-fighting days of the Iraq war are slowly coming to an end - thank goodness. Add to this that it is ridiculously hot, and the after-dark hours are the most pleasant - you have one heck of a mess.

I say all this to show that despite the temptation to totally go to the green side of the house I am very pleased to be part of the Navy side of the house. Yep, you read that correctly, I said something nice about the Navy. Now how's that for a change of pace?

I'm still working on my observations from the first half of this jaunt. I'll get those posted prior to getting out of country. Get excited about it!

Mail

The support that I have received via the US Postal Service has been outstanding. I really want to thank all of you for your efforts. Looking back at my previous posts, I see a constant trend of writing about the various items I have been lucky enough to receive. However, the time has come to call the dogs off for a bit. I leave in a week to head back to the U.S. on leave for two weeks. The Marines that I work with are already teasing me about the boxes that surround my desk. They claim that I am not going to be able to get to my desk upon my return. I'll take that in a Kentucky minute. I can't believe that I am writing this - but please hold off for about two weeks.

And now, to shift gears back to baseball, the National League lost last night for the eleventh consecutive time. Talk about disappointing. Ichiro hit an inside the park homerun off of our adopted son, Chris Young. You'll recall that he is the stud Padre pitcher that ya'll voted into the all-star game and was saddled with the loss. Nevertheless, CY deserved the appearance, and it was great for him to pitch. It is an experience that he won't soon forget and will pay dividends when he is pitching the Padres into the World Series over the second half. The line drive that Ichiro hit was a freak of nature that rattled along the south field wall like a pin ball. It goes to show that walks are a killer. So, for those young hurlers out there - throw strikes.

Fast times in Fallujah

It is amazing to think that 2/6's time in Iraq is on the downhill slide. The next unit to rotate in has an advance party in town getting a situational overview. 2/6 still has a large chunk of time left; however, the end is just around the corner. I can't believe that I am about to embark on my third infantry battalion. Along those same lines, I am very close to getting out of here for my two week leave period. Talk about exciting. It is so exciting that I am barely sleeping, b/c it is all I can think about. Colleen says that I need to quit drinking Monsters so that I can actually get some sleep. I am not so sure that the high powered drink is the culprit. Stay tuned this next week for my half-way synopsis and observations.

Peavy got the starting nod for the All-Star game - there is some justice in this world. The West Coast sports bias is still alive and well, though.

Short post this time - I know. I promise that I will get back to being interesting and witty shortly.

Night vision is hard.

It has been awhile since I last wrote b/c I have been gallivanting around the lovely city of Fallujah. Fun times. The transformation of the city has really been remarkable the last three months. Surprisingly, the focus of our effort has been on literally picking up the trash and a general demilitarization of the landscape. I will be the first to tell you that four years of war and strife have taken their toll on the city and the people. However, for the time being, we have turned a corner and are making progress. The professionalism of our Sailors and Marines is very impressive, and I just can't say enough good things about how they are conducting themselves.

Sorry that I don't have any high speed pictures this time. The funny thing about being out w/ the Grunts is that they have a very unique routine of working all night and sleeping during the day. The art of a patrol at night is quite a skill. The whole looking through night vision goggles and staying alert isn't as easy as it looks on play station. I have no shame, as I only fell flat on my face once. The young LCpl behind me asked if I was alright and I replied, "Nope, just feel like an idiot." His response was rather comical ... he walked up to me, looked around and said, "Don't worry about it, sir. I saw Gunny fall once in that same spot." He then scurried back to his spot on the cordon. Needless to say, b/c I am a staff weenie, that is not the kool-aide that I am used to drinking. Additionally, working on electronics in the dark is an adventure. It is especially rewarding when you spend time troubleshooting and discover the source of malcontent is the pesky "on/off" button. Note - I am resisting all urges to make a derogatory Grunt remark.

We did have some fireworks, while I was out and about - but nothing really worth discussing. I guess that means that I have acclimated to the environment. The really good news of the past few days is that CY of the Padres made the all-star game and did so by the large effort on your part. I appreciate it very much; however, I am sure that CY is cashing in that check. My prediction for the Padres appears to be on track for 50 wins at the break. I really hope that Bradley is the answer in left field. I still think that we need a big bat and should spend the money to get such a player. The 31 July deadline is looming, and I think that the most practical situation is that we get someone during the off-season. And, in the "you heard it hear first category," Hensley will replace Germano in the rotation after the all-star break. Nice story - but the truth is that Germano has been getting killed recently.

Byron, congrats on series 7 - I'll bite and admit that I have no clue what you are talking about. Formal tests, exams, whatever all stink. I'm glad that school isn't in session for me anymore. The classroom isn't my environment.

Sean - you alive? Where the heck are you? Talk to me goose.

Only 13 days left until I am back in the states ... not that I am counting.

Happy Birthday America.

Today is bittersweet as not only is it the 4th of July, but it also marks a new chapter in my blogging adventures. The following policy decision was made, and I am only a butterfly caught in a spider's web: Marine Corps web surfing policy prohibits the use of pornography, gambling, personal ads, and blogs. Thus, my communication attempts via this site have become increasingly difficult. I have no choice but to be a rule-follower - it is a painful choice. Hopefully, I can convince Colleen to post for me on a frequent basis. I'll write via email, and she can become my consigliere. We'll see how that works. I guess it goes back to the old adage of with progress comes more problems.

With that said, I'd like to reflect a little on the date 04 July ... As I think back over the years of where I have been on this day, it provides a pretty good portal into this adventure we all like to call the US Navy.

1997 - Annapolis, MD - Plebe summer and all that jazz

1998 - Slidell, La - at my parents house

1999 - Underway in the Puget Sound aboard USS Bridge (AOE 10)

2000 - Underway off the coast of Maui, Hawaii aboard USS Fitzgerald (DDG62)

2001 - In Newport, RI - just living life

2002 - Duty Officer on board USS Gettysburg (CG 64)in port Mayport, FL

2003 - Underway somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean aboard USS Gettysburg(CG 64)

2004 - In port Guantanamo Bay, Cuba aboard USS John L Hall (FFG 32)

2005 - In Pascagoula, MS w/ Colleen

2006 - In Philadelphia, PA w/ Colleen

2007 - Fallujah, Iraq

I think that you'll agree that is a pretty diverse list of places spread out all over the globe. By a wide margin the best fireworks were at GITMO - nearly 45 minutes of spectacular fireworks. In contrast, Fallujah will not have any fireworks. It is somewhat sad, and I am sure that there was a big discussion at some higher level that I wasn't privy to. The chow hall was all decked out in red, white, and blue and serving a barbecue style meal; however, we didn't have any cake (there was ice cream). I don't offer this as a complaint, merely as a port hole view of life in the wonderful world of Babylon. I'll close with a picture I took a few minutes ago. A caption isn't necessary ... Tanks are cool.

P.S. There will no longer be misspellings or grammatical errors. Just an FYI for all the readers, the blog publishing system is equipped with spell check. How lazy. - Colleen Bent, Editor/Publisher/Proofreader

Funny Times

I continue to find a lot of enjoyment in the comments left in response to my creative writing entries. The annotations of my fan base are funny and for more insightful than my futile chronicles. Additionally, the blog proves to serve a very important function: Interaction with my friends and family. Thank you for making this a success. I'm not very good at email and I find it hard to write personable responses to your inquiries. This Internet function proves a high utility. I also appreciate how you all choose to overlook my grammatical errors. I rely on the hyphen and the ... (I don't know the official grammatical term for that), as it just makes it easier to end my thoughts .

Unfortunately, I don't have a whole slew to report today. Today, is my Mom's birthday! Happy birthday! I hope that you are having fun at the Beau. Play the craps table for me and stick w/ the 6 and 8. Leave the hard ways alone and don't bet against the house - it's just not sound gambling - if that's not an oxymoron then I don't know what to say.

Another round of mail came in the wagon today. My neighbors, Dennis and Melissa, came through in high order - providing plenty of reading material and nutritional products. They gave me some high speed energy supplement stuff - for those of you know who know the newlyweds you wouldn't be at all surprised. Thank you very much. My parents came out of the bullpen and did a preemptive strike of Saints memorabilia for football season. That's what I am talking about. Crazy to think that football season is just around the corner. I will say that it is time to call off the beef jerky hounds. Thank you all for positioning me at the head of the bartering line - but I now have enough beef jerky to sustain of of Micronesia.

Another well done goes out to all of you for your Chris Young for all-star petitions. CY has a slim lead over the field. However, this effort goes for a few more days - so what are you doing reading this? Open up your browser and vote again. We all need to pitch in and do our part. Vote CY into office ... located at the pitchers mound in San Francisco. KNOW ABOUT IT! I'll close w/ a retort to Meg and Padres predictions. Meg - very funny; however, my faith in the Padres is unflappable. Yes, Colleen is treating me to a game at Camden Yards when the Orioles take on the Devil Rays. This event is a testament to my fellowship of baseball. It has nothing to do with me jumping ship. After all, this is an American League game between two terrible teams that don't let the pitcher hit. No self respecting baseball fan likes the brand of Designated Hitter baseball. Ben - Friars vs. Braves at the end of the week. I'm predicting a series split (w/ one game of Braves domination .... the Jones brothers always bash in the Gas Lamp ballpark) and the Padres go into the all-star break w/ a 50-37 record.

SWO forward deployed ... OUT

Hitting golf balls and the MLB All-Star Vote

I keep meaning to take pictures of my golf outings - but my reasons for not doing so are all rather jejune. Even though we've been over 120 degrees this past week, I have been spending more time out in the sand. It is rather fun and certainly breaks up the rather monotonous day. The new birdie balls are fun and show many imperfections. I must say that the reports of the birdie ball sounding like a mortar are false. Trust me a mortar is much louder and rattles your noggin for a few minutes. I think it would be rather sad if you could connect hitting golf balls (a very relaxing activity) to the sound of a mortar. Jack, I must report that I have lost my first few golf balls this week. Have no fear, I still have more than enough - thank to your generous care package efforts. Speaking of care packages, Duane came through in a pinch and provided much needed gedunk. Thank you very much. Also, I'd be a fool not to say thank you to my Mom again a) Her birthday's tomorrow b) I didn't see the Seinfeld DVD collection underneath the beef jerky. Very cool and thank you again.

You know things must be rather pleasant when my posting is reserved for details about hitting golf balls and care packages. Let's keep it that way. The only exciting news is some more grunt humor ... Last night at 0200 and again at 0300, some poor Corporal was sent to wake me up for urgent matters. Yeah, that was fun. You've all been there, "What did I do, what did I not do, and finally, this better be worth my time." As you may have guessed this event fell into the category of a complete waste of time. Fun times - turned out that a young 1st Lt freaked out b/c he couldn't find one of my daily reports. They are saved on a common site under the date ... the young Grunt didn't know that it was longer June. Crisis averted ... his relief did the same thing an hour later. I imagine that they had the greatest watch turnover brief ever. Gotta love Grunts. Speaking of good news, my unit has not not had any casualties in two months. That's the truth ... My billboards are going to be up in the city soon - I'll be sure to post a picture of my propaganda. My idea for pork advertisement was denied, as well as my idea to sell the ad space to the Screen Actors Guild. Some people just don't have a sense of humor. Hey, Bono - you out there? I got an idea for you ...

And now to get back to important business - for those of you who read this blog on a frequent basis you've no doubt come to the conclusion that my obsession with the Padres is rather pathetic. Nonetheless, I would like to point out that b/c of my daily Padre rants you've now undoubtedly checked the sports page for Padre news . Maybe it is a bridge too far but I'd even venture to guess that you're mildly amused with my jabberwocky and thus, familiar with the Padres and the particular happenstance of the time. I ramble to say this: As members of the Friar Familia it is your duty to go online to mlb.com and vote to get Chris Young into the All-Star game. Yesterday, the NL Manager left CY off the team and placed him into the hands of the public (via the fan Internet vote). To be honest, it is an uphill battle, as he is against 4 other pitchers (three of whom have national recognition and/or play in much larger market). I'd say its safe that he'll beat out the guy from Pittsburgh (nobody cares about Pittsburgh unless you're talking Steelers). The whole west coast basis is in full swing and it is up to ya'll - the Friar Familia - to correct this atrocity. So do your part and go to mlb.com and vote in Chris Young into the All-Star game. If you don't take my word for - just look at this numbers ... look for W-L record, ERA, Opponents Batting Average Against, home runs allowed, Padre record when he starts the game ... they are all top 5 in the NL. Finally, if that isn't convincing enough, look at the sportscenter highlight about CY and Derrick Lee getting into a fight. Priceless, 6-10 CY hits DLee, talks trash, gets DLee to throw a punch .... now that is what I am talking about!

CY to the All-Star game ... do it w/ a vengeance ... it's your duty. I'm doing my part for your security in Iraq and this is what I want in return. Yes, I went there ... I mean business

ERR RAH... Dennis - that was for you ... now handle your business and quit looking at gizmo's on the Internet and vote CY into the All Star game!