FLURRY

13AUG07. Monday. Initially, upon comming to Fort Bragg, I didn't know if I was gonna spend one day, two weeks, or any other timeframe. So, I made reservations at the Hotel until the 14th (tommorrow). I asked to extend my room until later in the week. Unforntuately, it has already been booked. I requested any room. Fortunately, a "different" room is available. So, I had to unload all my junk into the car (for check-out tommorrow) then check back into another room. Are we having fun yet? So, that's my tale of wow. And, that's the end of my Bitchin' I'd much rather be having a horrible time in a hotel (with AC) that a great time in the sandbox. The day was full of computers and boredom......Still, with all the moving parts involved, a pretty good operation. I am slated to meet with the people I'll work with tomorrow. Seems I'm not going to work in the exact job I did last for my first 6-months. But, I can guarentee it will be closely aligned. Doug

LAUNDRY DAY

12AUG07. Sunday. Well, today was a simply lazy day and I loved it. Went to the base and did my laundry. Believe me, I needed to hit the laundramat. The clothes were really starting to pile up. Looks like I have another week of training here. Moreover, at the time of this writing, I am sltated to go back via Commercial Air (instead of the C17 Aircraft). So, looks like I will not be sleeping under a Hummer again. Oh, well. Will update when I can. Doug

AIRBORNE & SPECIAL OPERATIONS MUSEUM

11AUG07. Saturday. Was a wonderful day to sleep in. Awoke at 7:30AM. Day was a little overcast - a welcome change from the last few weeks. My friend and I got together and saw the Airborne/Special Ops Museum downtown Fayetville, NC. Was pretty neat and the price was right....Free. Afterwhich, we went to the "Mashhouse" (a local microbrewery/restaurant) and had lunch. All in all, a pretty decent, low-key day. Doug

FUN IN THE SUN

10AUG07. Friday. Well, Finally got thru the Firing Ranges at Fort Bragg. Were at the Ranges at 6:00AM. Started Firing at 6:30AM. The temp was at 99 Degrees at 8:30AM, and 102 Degrees at 11:00AM. I musta' drank about 20 Coke Bottles full of water during my Shoot. Still haven't lost the touch. Only got two burns from the guy next to me. We shot lots of ammo and his shells found their way into my shirt and promptly put a burn on my neck. Similarly, only got a few burns on my hands from the weapons. Lastly, only my face is Sunburned. Still, it's done...... I am absoutely wiped. My intent for the remainder of the night is to let the sweat dry and sleep-in til 6:00 or 7:00AM. Hope all is well with. Take Care for Now. Doug

ANOTHER SCORCHER

9AUG07. Thursday. Yet another Hot One in North Carolina (just like the majority of the South). Another Fun-Filled Action-Packed Day of Power Point Presentations. Wheeee. Still, majority of activity was well indoors. Tomorrow we are headed for the Firing Range for an all-day "Fun-in-the-Sun" day of Shooting. Afterwhich, we will clean weapons and (hopefully) be done by about 300PM. Lot's of folks antsy about departing to the Sandbox. Lot's of questions and concerns. My only leg-up, is I've already "been there-done that". Still, have met a bunch of new folks. At the time of this writing, I'm back at the hotel, watching the 89th PGA Championship, and getting ready to call my Lovely Wife. That's all I have for now.
Doug

THE FAMILY GUY

8AUG07. Wednesday. Another Death by Powerpoint Day. Still, it's stateside, not "Over There". So, the a Bad Day in North Carolina beats a Good Day in Theater.....Chilling out in the Hotel Room, Watching The Family Guy, enjoying the AC. Slated to go to the Range on Friday. Temperatures should only be in the Low 90's... Will Update when I can. Doug

DEATH BY POWERPOINT

7AUG07. Tuesday. Another day of training over. Majority of Training was death by powerpoint. Brief after Brief on Command Structure, Admin Procedures, etc. All Conducted indoors, in a climate-controlled building. Which is good. Today's high was 107 Degrees. Laundry is piling-up quickly - and it's only Tuesday. Actually looking forward toward this Weekend. Will get caught-up on laundry then. Well, that's the latest from afar. Take Care. Doug

SCHOOL IS IN

6AUG07. Monday. Well, reported in at Fort Bragg. Filled out some papers and was told to get lost until later in the day. Too funny. On the Upside, I bumped into a friend from New Orleans here. Was nice to see a familiar face in the crowd. So, I'm stitting in the hotel waiting until the appointed time. To get a welcome aboard (for the new folks). And the day starts at 0630AM tomorrow morning. Back to the Grind...Doug

JASON BOURNE

5AUG07. Sunday. Got up bright and early to check out the Fayetteville, NC area. Really nice old town area. Failed to take any pics tho. Ran on base to get a couple of items. Afterwhich, I saw the New Jason Bourne Movie. Was pretty decent movie. Well, that's it for an update at this moment. Dug

BRAGG BOUND

4AUG07. Saturday. Well, got up bright and early and left for Fort Bragg. Trip was uneventful. Also managed to get my Officer Application in the Mail to the Command. Couple of signatures, and off we go. It's been a truely amazing 20 days. Went by far too quickly for my taste. Thanks for all those who made this trip posible. Take Care for now. Doug

TALES OF WOE

3AUG07. Friday. Well, the time for me to depart is fast approaching. Had a wonderful and memorable stay. Certainly one I will not forget. As I write, the van is packed, and I'm anxiously awaiting the whole "Good-bye thing"....Again. Thanks for all those who are helping keep my family operating. Too numerous to name. You have left an indelible mark on my heart. Flight leaves at 615AM Tomorrow morning. On the upside, took the kids to watch the movie "HotRod". Funny, Funny, Movie. Had tears in my eyes watching the darn thing. Our middle daughter is due back from Band Camp shortly. We will be celebrating her 15th Birthday. Gosh, how they grow. Well, can't think of much else to write about. Oh, I know. Thanks for all those who are reading this darn thing. I'm simply blown away by the number of folks who are actually interested in my humble life. Thanks. Update when I can. Doug

ERRANDS

2AUG07. Thursday. Spent the morning running errands. The middle girl has a Birthday Tomorrow. So, while she's at Band Camp, we are getting the cake and Gifts. Did my best on Fixing the Door Bell. Works Fine. Have perhaps one or two more chores to fix before I leave. Well, it's starting to rain again. Scattered Thunderstorms. Well, bad day here beats a good day there. Doug

ANOTHER RAINY DAY

Wednesday. 1AUG07. Rained hard in the afternoon. Spent the fixin' the house. Gosh, lots of things were broken. Also got the opportunity to good-deal the kids with the "Simpsons Movie". Was pretty cute. Wife was interested in going out for dinner. However, with the Hard Rains, I opted out. Spend the night just kicking back and wathcing TV. Will probrably run around tomorrow and get stuff together prior to leaving Sat. Doug

RAINY DAY

1AUG07. Wednesday. Well, it's my middle daughter's B-day today. Another year older, another notch in the belt. Unfortunately for us, wh's at band cam in Mississippi. Therefore, we'll celebrate the event this Friday (when she returns). Have a whole lotta honey-do's today. Want to get them out of the way before I leave. Lots of junk to do and/or Broken. That's a little of my day. Doug

PENSACOLA BEACH

31JUL07. Tuesday. Got the kids and went to the Beach today. Managed to get in a couple of hours of Sun. If we got rained out, we were going to the Simpson's Movie. Will probrably fold that in tomorrow. Time is just flying by. Will update when I can. Take Care for Now. Dug