ROAD TRIP

9JUN07. Saturday. Took the van to the Base Exchange today. My friend wanted to get some shorts. This is his 3rd trip to find shorts which are Regular Large. Gratefully, the lady had 2 pair in back. So, my friend got his shorts, and I got some skin lotion. Because he’s new, we took a tour of the base. What a hot, dusty ride. Still, it was kinda fun. Think we’re gonna do the same thing next week and take along a camera./ What Fun. Another guy left yesterday and gave away all his DVD. Seems he was hoarding his collection. So, I got some flicks I have not seen yet. Will get cracking on them as I Speak. Have a Great Weekend. Drink a Beer for me. Take Care. Doug

I’VE GOT ANTS IN MY PANTS

8JUN07. Friday. The ants are back with a vengeance. Guess, I didn’t squirt them enough with the Bug Killer. Still have plenty to spare. The weather is very nice in the morning hours. Reminds me a little of home. Today’s movie line up will probably be Vertical Limit. I’ll let you know how it goes. For Breakfast, looks like Honey Nut Cheerios mixed with Milk that does not require refrigeration. You heard me right. The milk has a shelf life of 5years before going bad. Top the meal off with the medication Doxyclycline for malaria and we are in business. On a separate note, got off the phone with Terri last night. Just good to hear from your Soul Mate every once in a while. Did my Heart Glad. Seems Terri gets more news regarding my sister and her baby that through her own resources. Too Funny. Well, gonna pig out and watch the flick. Take Care. Doug

BUGS, BUGS, BUGS

7JUN07. Thursday. Finally got to update the Blog last night. Now, you can peek into my world of nothingness. Seabees are working on a new shower nearby. It’s a thing of beauty. Lots of Steel, Welding, and men grunting. This will probably take a few days to complete. Still, it looks pretty neat. On a separate note, the ants have shown up again. However, a couple of shots of the Bug Spray, and it drives us out of the Hootch. Oh, wait. I mean, it drives the Ants out. Days are pretty much the same old routine. Which, ain’t too bad (all things considered). Little Chow, Little PT, Little Sleep, and Lots of Work. Well, I’m gonna read a little of my book, turn out the lite, and sleep. Take Care. Doug

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

6JUN07. Wednesday. Another day, another dollar. Well, it’s Wednesday again. Another lovely day overseas. Birds are chirping, Seabees are working. Who could ask for anything more? Failed to update the Blog last night. Will give it the College Try tonight. Oh, watched the Movie “Bringing Down the House” with Steve Martin and Queen Latifa. Pretty funny. On another note, got my hearing tested the other day. The Doc told me I’m loosing some hearing in the “Vocal Range.” So, if I don’t respond you know why….Some call it a “Wife Switch.” Not Me. Well, I’m gonna crash now. Take Care. Doug

POST CARDS FROM AFAR

5JUN07. Tuesday. Got thru on the Phones to Terri and the kids last night. Talking with everyone really left me in a happy mood. Seems the Kid’s Car is broken again. Needed some new calipers. More money. On the upside, the car was Free. Also, looks like one of our little girls is getting a job soon. The other is not far behind her. With both A driver’s license in the near future. The boy, well he’s typical boy. Staying up late at sleepovers, etc. Oh, all family members received a Post Card from Qatar. My son asked if that was the Hotel I was staying. I replied No. I’m in a Tent. Too Funny. Well, back to the routine. Take Care for Now. Doug

BIRDS ALOFT

4JUN06. Monday. A Bird’s Song is in the air. Rather, several small birds chirping under the eaves of the Hootch. I’m thinking of getting a cat….. Seabees are hard at work again. Looks like they’re repairing a door nearby. That will probably take a couple of weeks. Oh, got a package of snacks from Terri yesterday. Thanks Baby. The Boating Magazine was also a nice addition. Some of the new guys just got their baggage. They have been scrounging living supplies for the last few days. Kinda Funny. I loaned a guys some gear to get him by. Wish I could relay some neat and interesting news like R&R, or some other snazzy event. Yet, same ole’ thing. Did watch Spy Game with Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. Was an Okay Move. Just enough to get sleepy. Will update soon. Doug

DOWN DAY

3JUN06. Sunday. Another fine navy day. Last night seemed to come and go. On the Upside, another day has gone by – Another day closer. Just got back from working out. Didn’t get a chance get a workout in last night. Wish I had some neat and compelling information to share. Unfortunately, I don’t. For today’s movie line up – Spy Game. Wonder what that’s about. Have Castaway with Tom Hanks that I’ll probably watch tomorrow night. Too many decisions. Well, Will update when I can. Doug

YARD SALE

2JUN07. Saturday. Another fine day at the office. Managed to jot down to the Base Exchange today. Needed to get a couple of things. Unfortunately, they were sold out. New shipments come in every Thursday, and are subsequently snapped up. Reminds me of arriving late to a yard sale. Lots of clothes to select from, all in XXX Large or X small. Finally made it into a decent sleep pattern….again. Only took a couple of days to get back into the swing of things. That is Waking at 12:30AM at night and Going to Bed at 2:00PM in the afternoon. Well, speaking of bedtime. I watched King Kong yesterday. Will try to watch the Narnia. Take Care.

SUCCESS

1JUN07. Friday. Finally managed to update the blog last night. Loaded a couple of pictures to go along with the latest post. Its starting to rain as I write. Why is this significant? This delays my visit to the Base Exchange for a day. The walk is quite a trek in and of itself. Will plan to do a trip tomorrow morning. We got some new people while I was away. They look as dazed and confused as I did originally. Doing my best a teaching them some “Tricks of the Trade”. Seems nobody else is leaning forward to assist. Well, I’m gonna try and rack out here shortly. Just wanted to keep my family and friends in the loop. Take care for now. Doug

THE GRIND

31MAY07. Thursday. Well, I made it through the night. Still a little tired. Trying to get back onto nights is a little challenging at best. Did manage to talk with Terri last night. That really lifted my spirits. Memorial Day has come and gone. Unfortunately, we didn’t even notice. I almost feel like Tom Hanks on Castaway. Don’t know what day of the week it is. Don’t know if it’s a holiday or not. Well, will try to get onto a computer tonight and update the Blog. Hopefully, the pictures have come out from our R&R. Will talk when I can. Doug

WHAT DAY IS IT

30MAY07. Friday. Tossed and turned most of the time I should have been asleep. Just couldn’t get settled. Trying to get back onto nights is a bear. Well, at least there are no Rockets Inbound. Doug

SAFE & SOUND

29MAY07. Tuesday. Finally Landed Safely. After a 27Hour Transit from Qatar, Kuwait, then back here. Not bad for a Scheduled 3Hour Flight. Needless to say, we were exhausted. After arriving, we got our gear and walked to the Compound. After dropping our gear at the Hootch, we got to work and reported in. We were both dragging butt and requested the day off. Thankfully, they agreed. I slept for 14 hours straight…..Will update when I can. Doug

LAST CALL

28MAY07. Monday. Got word we depart tonight at 1100PM. Unfortunately, my buddy and I have signed up for a Trip Tomorrow. We are not going to make it. Will swing by and change into my uniform. Bar Opens at 800PM. Will swing by and drown our sorrows with 3 beers before leaving. Will not have too much time to write. Will do so when I can. Doug

HURRY UP & WAIT

26-27MAY07. Lots of hurry up and wait. Although my buddy and I are signed up for several trips, nothing has materialized. Still, a good day to do laundry. Time is going by so quickly. Hopefully, we’ll get on a good trip tomorrow. Doug

FRIDAY NITE LITES

24MAY07. Friday. What a day! My buddy and I signed-up on Standby for the "Water Sports" event. Again, jumped on a Dhow, put-putted out to the anchor point and splashed around in the water. Only difference, Jets Skis, Bananna Boat Rides, and Water Skis. That was a blast. Un fortunately, with the number of folks, each had about 5 mins per ride. Still, it beats the heck outta work. Midway through, we sat for another BBQ. Then resumed the water sports. All was great until a heavy-set girl broke her ankle on the Jet Ski. Then all Stopped. Ambulance was dispatched, people running around speaking several languages, the army staff freaking out. Apparently, this was the first time somthing like this has occurred. Anyway, all the water events are cancelled as I understand it. Good thing my buddy and I managed to get that out of our system. Still, what a blast. Got back and did some laundry - finally.

Our trips were arranged by these folks. Althought the advertising looks great, in reality the trips were a little rough around the edges. Still, beats work. http://www.qia-qatar.com/

http://www.qit-qatar.com/