I finally got a day off. I played a couple of games of poker, watched a movie, and played games on the computer, It was nice to have a break. Here is the news of the week thought. Crystal sent me pictures and in and E-mail letting me know that Aspen started walking yesterday. That is a Super Kewl Thing. Now she is really going to have her hands full.

Today I thought I would write about my living quarters here. I live in a temper tent, with 5 other guys. It is sectioned off using sheets into 6 living spaces that are 8’X8’. In each area there is a twin bed, small folding table, one folding chair, and a wall locker to keep gear in. When I move din I was lucky enough that the person before me left a mat carpet, so I don’t have a plywood floor. Each room has an extension cord running to it for power and a 50 watt light bulb hanging off the ceiling. The tents are surrounded by sandbags. On the front on most tents (mine included) some people have built a common room or vestibule. There range in sizes and some people that have built them were pretty creative. Attached is a picture of one of our tents here.

One a really good note I got a package today from my folks with a fishing rod inside… Watch out…

Esox

Today is now Sep. 27th, Been kind of busy today. Yesterday Afternoon I had Post Attack Reconnaissance (PAR) training. I am a team leader that would go out after any attack or exercise and access any damage or look for things that are out of the ordinary. It was only about an hour and half long, but that a long time when its 114 degrees out. I hope that I never have to use any of this training expect when we are doing an exercise. I got my 2nd package today, Thanks Doc. T and Rich. Keep the fish coming; we can’t get enough of them. I also got a E-mail from my mother that had some pictures of my new cousins, they all looked like Hamilton’s to me. When I got to work this evening the day shift was working on a issue that we took control of the had fixed in just a little bit. After that we had a regular to do’s enough that is last almost half of our shift. It was good to work kind of made the day go bye. We Got to go for now, keep your stick on the Ice. The picture today was taken while I was lounging at work.


Esox

Today is day 8. Funny it seems the same as day seven as far as I am concerned. I told my pops that it was beginning to seem like I was Bill Murray in the movie Ground Hog Day. His reply was that in the movie every day something was learned that was used the next day. I thought that was pretty good advice. All is quiet here, and I am thankful for that. I have started to get into a routine eat, work, gym, shower, and sleep. When ever I do get a day off I have no idea of what I am going to do. Currently in my off time I go to the gym, play bingo, and game a little with some of my co-workers. Later this week I am planning on taking a tour of the Ziggurat. It is supposedly the place where humanity began, the birth place of Abraham. That is something that I have to see just to say I have been there. I hope to have pictures to show you when I get back. This week was pretty long but had some great highlights. Yesterday I got to talk to my daughter Alaska. She thinks that I am “On a Rock” when I am really in Iraq. Every day before she goes to bed her and Aspen (my youngest daughter) punch away at the keyboard to send me a goodnight e-mail. I’m not really sure what there saying but I like reading it. I have made contact through most everybody at home through E-mail. It is a great thing. The older of my sisters Sam does the same thing I do; she gets bored at work and mails everybody. I received my first package two days ago. My parents send it the week before I left. It contained Slim Jim’s, cookies, Rice Crispy treats, and some hunting and fishing magazines and a local paper. The food is a treat that goes quickly cause it just right to share with everybody. But the reading material is where its at. It helps fill the days at work that seem to stretch out forever. Well I will let every body go now and write in a day or two, I will have more to write then. The picture above is of myslef in all my gear It was taken on the plain ride into Iraq Aboard a C-130.


Esox

As some of you know I am active duty military in the air force. Last week my Iraqi adventure started with a long plain ride from GF to Norfolk, Va. From there I made a trip that lasted almost 24 hours to Al Udied Air base in Qatar. My crew had a two day layover there were we enjoyed out last few days of not working and enjoying our sleep. We were teased wiht a 3 alcholic beverages a day limit. My final plane ride took me to my current location here in Ali air base in southern Iraq. I am working in a communication shop that supports the whole base. On base we work with Air Force, Army, British, Australian army, and the Iraqi Army. I a looking forward to what I am doing for the learning experience, friend I will make and stories I will have for you ll. I am going to try to blog once a week so that you all can keep up with my situation and on goings.

Esox