INDUSTRIOUS LABOR

29-30NOV07. Thursday-Friday. unfortunately, i was unable to get to see the packer game. hopefully, they won. I attached this picture namely to those who are mechanically inclined. This is the welder that the locals use when putting up the fence. submerged under the water is a huge coil. wires are wrapped the bolts and fence. teh electrode is the only thing free...viola, a welder. of course, you don't want to touch the fence. by the way, the fence is long enough to surround a football field...too funny. Oh, and these guys are using metal ladders. a comedy of errors awaits. well, im doing well. managed to chat with the family last night. always puts a spring in my step. hope all is well with you. doug

BUTTON DOWN THE HATCHES

28NOV07. Wednesday. Got up today and expected to be met with a blast of fetid, steamy air. Only to be hit in the face with rain and cold. Guess winter weather is finally here in this region. So, it was acutally a welcomed change to keep the dust at bay. I know I'm not the only guy struggling to find the rain gear. Not too busy at the moment. But, it will get busy shortly. I'm using the time somewhat wisely to get some admin done (actually caught up). Well, got to work on my resume and network skills. Take Care for now. Doug

ROCKETS AND JOBS OH, MY!

27NOV07. Tuesday. Well, another day, another rocket attack. Pretty standard fare. These guys really don't hit much. Ohter than runway. Had some visitors in that i had to escort. all in all, it was a pretty easy day. Did get the "Official" word from my boss today. HCI offically closes it's doors on 30NOV07. I realize this isn't the best news, however, the boss offered to send my resume to some people in the pensacola/fort walton beach area. And, i will of course take him up on the offer. I guess in context, it's been a pretty unusual kinda day. Well, the all clear has been sounded....Doug

JOB HUNT FROM AFAR

26NOV07. Monday. Well, I'm really glad I brought my Laptop. This allows me the opportunity to go thru my contacts and network from here. At least, that's the thought. So, in between ducking bullets and bad guys, his affords me a side hobby. On the plus side, mailing from here is free. My sister highlighted the fact that I GOT SKILLS!!! Hmmm. Wonder what movie she got that from. On the upside, the expenses from here are minimal, the sightseeing is wonderful, and you get to meet neat and intersting people. At least that's what the brochere says. Well, not much new from here. Same ole' same ole. douyg

PACKERS WIN AGAIN!!!

23NOV07. Friday. well, the packers won again. was able to get away and watch the second half of the game. i was just happy to lay eyes on the game at all. handfull of people were crammed around the tv set. aftewhich i logged on to the computer and got an update from terri. guess she was still at her brothers house. got an email from jeff higgs. he's a grandfather again....congrads jeff. also my buddy jim made it back to colorado safely. sounds like he's adjusting well. on the civilian work front - i emailed a couple of folks from hci. i only to get a farewell messages from the out of office reply. sounds like the corporate offices are shutting down. still have not been able to contact my boss. but, it's not looking good....will update accordingly. doug

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

22NOV07. Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving to all. My best wishes to all. Take a moment and look around the table and be thankful they are with you. I want to express to my family and friends that I'm with you guys in spirit. Although we will be busy for the forseeable future, I'm hoping not to be.....Just so we can steal away and watch the Packer Game. Have a Drink on Me and a Toast for the Future. Will do my best to ensure me and my guys will return home safely. To the Ramsdell & Williams' Family - All my Best.... Doug

ALMOST THANKSGIVING

20-21NOV07. Tuesday-Wednesday. Don't have much time to write. So, I'll try to get as much as I can outta the way. The Stink here is always noticable. Thought I'd get used to it...Not. Understand the Packers won again. Good News. I also know I'll be busy through Thankgiving. Don't know well be able to see the game or not. \We'll see. Someone has already broken out the christmas lights....in an are fraught with Buddists, muslims, etc. Too funny. At least it's not walmart. Well, Ill update when i can. Doiujg

THE CRUD

19NOV07. Monday. Well, i think the packers won again. that's great.....wish i could have seen the game. saw some highlights today. looked like they pulled it off nicely. i woke yesterday after about 8hrs of sleep. found out we were not busy, then hit the rack again. slept for another 12hrs. wow. my body time clock is so messed up..... the crud is going around. ive been lucky so far... only got some drainage, which will crust-up shortly with the dust....ha, ha. my buddy jim made it safely to san diego. guess the navy has them waiting around for paperwork, etc. still, it was good to hear about his escapades. well, cant think of much more to say at the moment. terri I send you my love...doug

WAR IS HELL

71-18NOV07. Saturday-Sunday. first, this keyboard has been used and abused. so, not all the keys wor. ive been so busy that i have not been able get to a machine. everyone has been up for about a day and a half. so, everyone is irritable and pissed at each other. myself included. got a wonderful surprise from jeff higgs and company. thanks jeff!!! i thought he sent a bowling ball at first. the box contained some candies (3lbs worth), poptarts, cashews and socks. the candy is almost gone.....thanks for the consideration and thought jeff. pass along my thanks to your wife as well....cause i know it wasn't your idea... on a seperate note, let me know if the packers win. i know i'll be outta the loop fior a while. douig

HUMDRUM

15-16NOV07. Thursday-Friday. Wel, looks like we might be on the move again in the next few weeks. I just woke a little while ago after a long, extended period of darkness. Noticed that the Packers have Won over the Vickens. Great news. Guess Thanksgiving will provide some extra entertainment for the family. Understand the kids are actively engaged in all sorts of activities. Last weekend was Homecomming for the Girls. Gosh, I wish I could have seen them all dudded-up. Terri will provide some pics I understand. I'm really looking forward to some R&R. Although the temps are super-cold now. Only a couple hours away it's in the hi-90's. I'm slated to leave early Dec. Love to my Family and Friends. Will try to keep in touch. Take Care.
Doug

WHERE ARE WE?? DID PACKERS WIN

11-14NOV07. Sunday to Wednesday. Well, needeless to say, the last couple of days have come and gone. They were pretty much a blur. Been working my arse off. Long, long days. Was not able to get onto a computer until just today. Certainly staying very busy here. Good Friend left for the states the other day. He'll certainly be missed. See Ya Jim. God Speed. Got a Letter from Dr Dupree who teaches at UWF. Her class helped raise the monies for the Ronald McDonald House Van. In a nutshell, she was wishing me support. I certainly didn't expect that. Trying to also get caught up on the laundry. Goodness knows it does pile-up. Oh, still don't know if the Packers won or lost. Guess it will be a mystery for a couple of more days. Well, I certainly do miss you guys. Doug

BAZAAR

10NOV07. Saturday. Managed to get tot he Bazzar this morning. Lots of activity with all the new people around. unfortunately, there is not a lot to offer at hte bazaar that is unique. shopping for ryan is a challenge. don't get me wrong. I think he'd like a 7-foot sword, pistol or gun. I just don't see getting that stuff thru the mail. For the most part, i just wandered a little (kinda like the flea markets0. still, it was a change from the norm. aferwhich, i collapsed into the rack. today is promising to be a busy night. Will update accordingly. doug

DROPPING THE BOMB

9NOV07. Friday. Well, it's Friday late night. Almost Saturday morning. And, we're just midway through a long day. er., night. The title of this wonderful post is "Dropping the Bomb" Why you ask? Well, it seems my company HCI Technologies has been sold to TDW & Associates http://twd.com/. Whereas I've known about this for a week or so, I've been unable to speak with my Boss directly. So, the worst case is I'll start looking for a new job upon my return. The best case is I'll be working for a new company. Either way, there is really not much I can do from here. Just wanted to let you guys know the latest. Doug

BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS

9NOV07. Friday. Well, only two more days til the weekend. The days are long and tiring. I just woke after a long, long, period of being very busy at work. Nevertheless, I've just w0rked out, getting ready for breakfast, and fight the war. Okay, maybe not fight the war...how bout' go to work.....that sounds more realistic. Office Politics, Decisions which leave you dumfounded, you know - same old stuff, different day. Not much to relay other than I'm alive and well. Dry, cold weather is playing havoc on my soft, dove-like skin. Have a Great Navy Day. Will update when I can. Doug

B.O., Laundry and TB

7NOV07. Wednesday. So, I'm sitting here at the internet Kiosk. The French Guy next to be is coughing his brains-out (probably has TB). The guy to my left has B.O. in the worst way. However, this serves to simply remind me that the omni-present stink is not too bad today. Just back from the gym and doing some laundry to blow some time. I'll be extremely busy for the next couple of days. So, if I am unable to hit the Blog you know why. Oh, I know I will be unable to use a phone while I'm out here. So, please accept my apologies up front.

THE STINK IS FETID

6NOV07. Tuesday. Well, we're finally settled-in....For the most part. The Stink of the Open Sewer is ominpresent. Still, the night life is a little bit better than other plaecs of the desert. Oh, I'm finally on a US Keyboard. And, my typing is almost legible. Got to see some of the wonderful countryside today...Okay, let me rephrase that. I was sent to verify how absolutely deplorable the living conditions are. Still playing with the mp3 player and loving it. Thanks Baby. I see we finally got the remaining $800 from back in August. God Bless the Navy!!! Well, it's 4:30AM Local. Will probably get some breakfast, watch a flick, then crash. Wake at 4:00PM Local and do it all over again. Check out that Opium. I had over $10 Million worth the other day....Makes the mind wander. Will update when I can. Love Doug

GANG'S ALL HERE

6NOV07. Tuesday. The rest of my Team finally linked up with us. Got everybody situated and ready to roll. At the moment, I'm using a British \keyboard. Got some keys in strange places. So, if it looks like I can't spell - dont worry. Guess the Packers are doing well. \something like 8-1?? Not too shabby. not really a lot going on. do however, need to do some laundry....Currently enjoying an mp3 player my lovely bride gave me. Thanks terri.. \well, got to take a shower and get ready for the what the day brings. At the moment, it's about 0500 local. I'll probably get to bed in the next 3hrs or so. I feel like a vampire - operating at night. DOUG

SLEEPLESS IN THE DESERT

5NOV07. Monday. The guys woke me at 0330Z (about 0800 local) to let me know that some schedules were being juggled. Needless to say, I saw some of the lovely countryside shortly thereafter. Still, go to my final destination (with no sleep) and am really looking forward to crashing. Did however, interecept some packages that my lovely bride sent. Got some decent boots - they are great. Also, got a MP3 Player for some music. Seems I'm just a little behind the power curve regarding musing players. I had this CD Player that is just a little bit bulky in the gym. So, as I model my new boots and break them in, I am looking forward to messing with some music later. Thanks Terri. I love you dearly. Oh, before I forget. Thanks for the Pics of the Kids. My how the girls are turning into little ladies. And Ryan is just getting big.....Also the crosswords and goodies (including the phone card) are always well received favorites. Thanks. Will update when I can. Doug

NEW GUY IN TOWN

4NOV07. Sunday. Met a friend from Pensacola here. His name is "Joe" and is employed by Pensacola as a Police Officer. Ran into him at the Gym. We used to share rides to New Orleans together. Funny thing is, he recognized me (even with a beard). I failed ot recognize him. Still, he's been here a whole two days. Ahhh, I remember what that was like - vaguely. Still, it's nice to find someone you know out here. Will probably be leaving again....Sometime. Will certainly update when I can. I do know that it will be a tad bit warmer. And that, I can deal with. Well, wish I had lots to say. Same ole' stuff - different day. Doug

WIDE AWAKE AT MIDNIGHT ZULU (OR 4:30L)

2Nov07. Friday. Well, finally made it thru to Terri tonight. Found her at her dad's house. Helping with Groceries and stuff. Got caught up on the world events of the neighborhood. Also lucked out and talked with Kristen and Ryan. Guess homecomming is just a week away. Whew, where does the time go. The kids are really growing up quickly. Kristen is also joining Power Puff Football. - I can only hope she can bring here GPA to the 3.0 required by the Florida Bright Futures Program. Gosh knows how we'd hate to leave free money on the table. Ryan sounds like a typical boy. All hustle and bustle. Guess he and his fellow skateboarders wandered the neighborhood and got quite a bit of candy. Well, tonight (today) is slated to get into the 30's. I can't wait. Well, will keep all appraised of the latest events (as I know them). Take Care for now. Doug

OH BABY IT'S COLD

1NOV07. Thursday. Found a phone free and tried to call home. No Joy. I was trying to finish my call from Tuesday - which was cut off. Oh, well. Still making arrangements to Travel Again. Yet have no word on when or where. Still, it's gotta be a little warmer than here. Boy, it's cold and getting colder. Now Snow Yet. Last year, I saw the biggest snowflakes of my life here. They were about the size of one's hand. Have managed to get caught up on my sleep. I know it's not gonna last, and I'm going to need the rest for the upcoming time here. Wish I had a more exciting life, but it is what it is. Will update when I can. Take Care for Now. Doug

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

29-31OCT07. Monday - Wednesday. Well, Happy Halloween Everybody. Hope everyone has a safe and happy halloween tonight. I managed to get thru last night to Terri and the Kids. Although I was cut off, I managed to Chat with Shannon and Ryan. Sounds like their plans for Halloween are truely exciting. Seems Shannon is over some friends house from band. Ryan has a wig and is dressing-up as a long haired kid. I suggested he take a skateboard to roundout the effect. He reports good grades (except the "D") which was brought up to a "low C". On a seperate note, we may be on the move again to see more of this great and wonderful country. I can't wait. Being too near the "Flagpole" has some major drawbacks. And, I can't wait to leave....to focus on the bad guys. The Temps are getting pretty cold at night. My buddy Jim is leaving for home shortly. Believe he has about 10days or so. Short Timer......I'm happy for him. Oh, I put my paperwork in for R&R for 8DEC07. Should be a good change of pace. I know I'm looking forward to it. Was able to watch the Packers Game the other night (during my 18-hr day). I was pretty tired. However, the game made up for it. Game went into overtime and Brett Farve threw the winning 82yd pass to Jenkins. Pretty cool. Believe they are 7&1 - I think. Well, running out of things to update everyone on. Take Care and I'll update when I can. Doug