Countdown to Leave a.k.a. So Close Yet So So So So Far

Hello loyal blog readers!

As I write this, I am less than two weeks from getting what feels like a well-deserved rest. This means that I have completed approximately half of my Iraq tour, which is strange considering I have been going at it since October. I hope that means I am more than half done, but of course, those first three months don't technically count.

Less than a 26th of a year until I go home for two weeks and relax, sleep late, drink beer, maybe play a show, see my friends, see my family, have a screwdriver for breakfast, pet my dog, pet my cat, play with my godson, get some loving from the ladies, drink mass quantities, drive with the windows down, go swimming, appreciate a green landscape, feel a cool breeze instead of blow-dryer winds, drink beer, collaborate musically with like-minded friends, have a Jager bomb, record a little, enjoy the peace and quiet, get loud, get rowdy, party, have some shots of Jack Daniels, wear civilian clothes, see my godson's little sister come into the world, smile uncontrollably, drink beer, sweat significantly less, walk around outside without a shirt on, wear shoes that don't require socks, experience internet without lag, watch TV that isn't AFN, eat sushi, eat a McDonald's cheeseburger, have a tequila shot, maybe buy my new acoustic guitar, pay off some debts, mail off some packages that for some reason went to my house instead of here, have Starbucks Coffee, enjoy not working, drink beer, and all kinds of things that I haven't even thought of yet.

I want the days to speed up and they creep by. Soon, I'll want them to creep by and they'll fly.

Such is life.

My stay in Iraq thus far

Iraq is cool and I'm enjoying it ... 

Wait a minute, did I just say that??

Yes, in fact I did. By cool, I mean the weather, which has been blessedly temperate and even cold at night and in the mornings. It doesn't mean that I bundle up or anything, but I definitely feel it. 

I spent the first month or so sitting behind a desk in the command center. While it is kind of cool to see everything going on in Baghdad as it happens, the coolness was decidedly short lived. Basically I stared, zombified, at a computer screen for twelve god forsaken hours every day. 

Then someone came over and told me I didn't have to do that anymore. I was so excited I did numerous cartwheels ... actually I didn't but I felt like doing it. 

So here I am, back in the fold, doing the job I signed up to do. I haven't done anything particularly glamorous so far, but I'm enjoying the work and the freedom that only a journalist in the Army can fully appreciate. 

I love my job ... there, I said it. I love it so much in fact, that I am about to give Uncle Sam another three years of my life. I'm not giving it away for free, however, my dear uncle is sweetening the pot for me. So there's that.

So this is my deployment thus far. I can only hope that I keep having fun for another however many months I'm here. 

Fort Dix, Fort Dix, Fort Dix ...

Fort Dix is nice.

They treat me well here.

The food is nice.

I am happy to be here.

In the cold.

In the bitter bitter cold.

Joy.

Good-byes and Farewells

Well, this break we've had now is almost over. It seems like it went by way too fast but I have enjoyed my time at home with my family and friends.
I played a little music of course. The band and I got together and played one final farewell last night at a local tavern in Pulaski which went great. I was very appreciative of all the support from my friends who came out to see the show.
Now the time has come to move on and go places. Part of me is scared but the greater part of me is so excited I can hardly sit still. Here's to hoping everything goes well.

The Christmas Poem

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the MPAD
Not a soldier was stirring, not even a tad
Duffels were packed in the conex with care
Now all the wall lockers at Fort Dix were bare

The troopies were nestled all snug in their beds
With best left unmentioned what danced in their heads
The Major and top now done with their tests
Had just settled down for some well deserved rest

When outside the window arose such a clatter
Top sprang from his bunk to see what was the matter
He flew to the window at such a fast pace
He tripped on some boots and fell flat on his face

He picked himself up and rubbed a sore nose
And peered out the window at the scenery below
When what to his wandering eyes should appear
But nine stumbling soldiers full of liquor and beer

One lost their footing and knocked over a trash bin
He knew in a moment that these must be his
Loud as an air horn his soldiers they came
So he hollered and shouted and called them by name

Hey Zoeller, hey Taylor, hey Risner and Johnson
Fardette, Burrell, Logue, Heise and Anderson
Get off the table, don’t pee on that wall
Get up here right now before you wake us all

Fast as a snake strike the soldiers they turned
Their eyes fell on top and all stomachs churned
So up to the barracks the soldiers they flew
With rubbery legs and mud covered shoes

And then in a twinkling, top heard on the stairs
A great big commotion like a pack of wild bears
As he drew in his head and was turning around
The hallway became filled with strange whale sounds

They were dressed all in civvies from head to foot
With glazed over eyes, standing straight as they could
Top looked them over and then shook his head
As every door opened with troops up from bed

The major ground her teeth, the LT’s they glared
And everyone else in disbelief stared
But the group in the middle only giggled and grinned
And a ridiculous tale they started to spin

We were minding our business as nice as you please
When all of a sudden there was a light breeze
And from out of nowhere, a figure appeared
With a great big ole’ belly and a white bristly beard

We figured at once that it must be St. Nick
So we walked up to him and we chatted a bit
He was in a tight spot for the map that he had
Showed no address for the 211th MPAD

So we helped him out and got him out of his funk
And in gratitude, he got us all drunk
But since there’s no chimney here for a proper insertion
We all raised a ruckus to provide a diversion

First sergeant let out a sigh and prepared to yell
When Alperin rushed forward with a story to tell
Hold everything, he exclaimed with cheer
Look in your rooms, our presents are here

Everyone looked and found out it was true
For gift wrapped presents occupied every room

Top glanced out the window and caught a sight of St. Nick
As his sleigh flew away with a speed mighty quick
But he heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight
Merry Christmas to y’all and have a good night

Whizz Quiz? But I didn't study!

As I sit here and listen to some nice blues, it puts me into a good mood. Now that I have finally put my pee into a cup after holding it in for what seems like two eternities stacked on top of one another, I feel even better.
I think I will go first the next time we have a pee test.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it ... wait a minute

This is Texas, right? This is fairly southern Texas, right?
Then why is it snowing??
That was the question I asked myself Wednesday when I saw strange little white flecks falling from the sky as I got ready to do some cardio PT. I was less than thrilled about going out to the track to run up and down the stairs of the stadium. Though I was not exactly motivated to do it, it became a strange test of my own fortitude which ended with me ignoring the cold and pumped up to compete with my fellow soldiers as to who was the most hardcore. All in all, not too bad.
Then the next day came and the snow quckly melted. And the next day it was thankfully temperate again.
Such is Texas I suppose.