Props for "The Blind Side" and Monica

Amazing as it sounds I read a book. Like a whole book and not an Army manual or Federal Statute. More amazing than the fact that I read the book is the girl that sent it to me. This time I am not talking about my girlfriend Emily (though she is amazing) I am referring to her roommate Monica.

Monica has been a great friend since Emily moved to DC. Monica is always there to lend a hand or an ear when Emily needs it and that is a great comfort to me being away. Knowing that I needed distraction from the day to day life here, Monica sent me a book for Christmas. Reading is not normally high on my list, but Monica was just sure I would like this book. I am happy to say she was spot on! So Monica, Thanks for the book and for being such a wonderfully supportive friend :)

The book The Blind Side by Michael Lewis chronicle's the rise to college football stardom of Michael Oher, but that is only half the story. Woven into the life story of Michael Oher is nothing short of an education on the metamorphosis college and pro-football have undergone in the past 30 years.

I am not a book reviewer and I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I am not going to go in depth. I want to say though that the book does a great job of doing couple of things all at once. First, it tells Oher's story which is nothing short of The American Dream. A kid with zero education, passed though the system. Living in the worst of conditions in a day to day existence ends up becoming not one of, but THE most recruited high school football player of his time. Thia is a great story about how people can make a difference in others lives and the power of faith, family and dedication. Second, the book is a lesson in the fundamental strategic changes in football as it evolved from a running game to a passing game. Finally it is a lesson in economics by describing how the seemingly inglorious position of left tackle has become the highest paid player on the field.

In short, a great read from a great girl. Thanks again Monica.

Last Call - Day 4 and My Return Trip

My last day was about the same as the other 3, not doing a whole lot of anything. There isn’t much to report because I didn’t do much. R&R is relaxing in that it gets you out of wherever you are. Other than that fact though, it is a fairly frustrating experience. 3 beers a day is a tease. It annoys me that the Army Senior Leaders SAY they have faith in their soldiers, but clearly they do not if they are limiting beer. There is a wireless network but it is so slow you can’t even connect to it most of the time. When you can it is not fast enough to load WebPages, but you can usually IM with it. There is a bunch of other little shit that is annoying the same way the same little shit is annoying at work. The only difference is your not at work, so it is a degree better.

We got pretty lucky and got scheduled on a flight the next day in the afternoon. This means that we do not have to be at formation until about 0800 on day 5. This time scheduled got me back to CP Arifjan about 9 pm the same night. Yeah, again another 12 hours to move roughly 400 miles by air, amazingly efficient. I got to ride on another, larger aircraft this time a C-17. I thought a few pics might help show how big it is, especially comapared to the pics of me in the C-130.

I made it back safe and sound and am now back at work. Nothing has changed in me week away. No surprise. I will say it was kinda nice to sleep in my familiar bed instead of in a bunk bed in a room with 23 other guys. It is also nice ot be back in that Pass is one more “event” that is out of the way as I head towards R&R with Emily and finally redeployment!

Days 2 and III

Ahhhhhhhhh! Nothing. Yep that's about what I have done. I realize I am usually not the hang out and do nothing guy, but after 4 months of 12-15 hour days, screwing off has taken on an entirely new shine. I really haven't done nothing. I have been to the gym everyday. I met a few guys and we had beers the last few nights. That's been cool. I did also make it onto the top ten list on a video game so I am famous, at least until somebody does better.

There is plenty of opportunity to go off post, I just cannot bring myself to go to a formation and be on somebody else's schedule. Besides I really have no desire to support the local economy. I got nothing for these jokers and I damn sure am not giving any more of my self and my money to their crap ass culture than I have too. Sorry for the digression, I just really don't like this part of the world.

If you're a trooper and your reading this looking for some insight on your pending deployment I advise you come to pass with somebody you know. There are a ton of people here and as I have shown meeting a few folks and hanging out is easy. I think that most folks will have a much better time coming with a few friends and hanging out. I was just looking to get away from all the BS at Arifjan and do nothing. I am perfectly happy chillin out for few days. If your not OK with that, come with a battle buddy. Here is a pic of the gym and MWR building. I spent a fair amount of time in here at hte gym and using this phone center/internet cafe. They have lots to do including pack on the calories with a Dairy Queen and an Orange Julious. The OJ with a scoop of protein powder after a workout is a nice treat!

Here is a pic of the guys I met up with. They helped me celebrate my birthday in style, with three beers! The two guys with glasses are realy up in the middle of nowhere. They live in containers that have been turned into rooms. They have to walk down the street to get to a latrine. They have to shut the water off while showering and if they take to long, they get banned from showering for a few days because water is rationed up there. Yeah, really. They make me happy to be me. Anyhow. It was cool to have somebody to hang out with.

They got the Mango's!

Yummmmmyy. The DFAC has way better selection of food than I am used to. For example they have fresh ripe mangos! They have other stuff too, Cherry Tomatoes, a hot grill bar where they will cook hot roast beef or turkey sandwiches, way fresher produce and some cool slushy drinks.

The best of course is the mangos. You have to be a little creative here so this is what I came up with. Take a mango and peel it and put all the good stuff in a plastic cup. To that add a banana or a kiwi. I mix it up; cuz I'm freaky, yo! Yeah, anyhow mash all that up together. On my way out I stop at the ice cream bar and have the girl plop a scoop of either strawberry or vanilla in the cup. Breyers ice cream no less! Then I mix that all up into a kick ass smoothie. Man it's like.... well its like some guy stirred some fruit up with ice cream. But its pretty damn good. As you can see "I'm pretty fly for a white guy!" Sorry I am listening to R&B and rap on the sound system and it's taking over :)