NORMALCY

5APR07. Wednesday. Still a little windy out today. Trying to get back into the swing of things. Talked to Terri and the kids last night. Was definitely nice to talk to them for a change. The Internet has been down for the last couple of days as well. Will try my darndest to get this Blog published tonight. Did my laundry last night, to include sheets. Just like a fresh spring day. Looking forward to crashing here shortly. Will update when I can. Unfortunately, same ole thing. Doug

SANDSTORM

24APR07. Tuesday. Sandstorm is picking up outside. Wind is whipping the sand around pretty good. Almost like a blackout. Kinda spooky. Just finished after an hour long turnover. Wow. I’m pretty beat. Actually tho, feels kinda good to be back. Will probably eat some cereal, then watch a flick. Will probably crash early. Still dog tired. Doug. PS. Internet has been down last couple of days.

ROCKETMAN

21-23APR07. Saturday. Departed for parts south on a C130. Haven’t ridden in one for some time. About 45minutes later, reached our destination. Ran around setting some things up with our people there. Had about an hour sleep the night before. Just about the time we are getting situated, Rockets were inbound. Luckily, only a couple got in the compound. Nine Rockets in total. Finally went to sleep around 1230Z or 4:30L. Had been up for 46 hours. Needless to say, my butt was dragging. Got up after 9hours of sleep, and commenced my day. Again, the day ended Long and laborious. Got a call from my boss to get back north. Jumped onboard a CASA for the trip back. After my return, went right to work. Needless to say, close to quitting time, my co-workers made me go home. Slept for 15hours. A personal best. Did take some pics. Will try to upload.
All my best. Doug

OFFICIALLY SUMMER

20APR07. Friday. Packing for my trip south. Nothing like camp living. Fortunately, I’m just visiting…..Did receive two big boxes from JME Realty & Coulders Bank. My goodness. The Girl Scout Cookies went quickly. The bags of chapstick & beanie Babies were a hit by the girls mostly. However, a couple of guys stepped in and grabbed a package. Know we will have a lot left over. I’m coordinating with my buddy to see if we can spread some of the wealth to some local national kids. Will let you know. Moreover, I want to also check with the chaplain for his input for the best distribution. Will keep you posted.
Thanks. Doug
PS I only had four cookies.
PPS Will take some pictures of my little adventure over the next couple of days.

Doug

FIELD TRIP

19APR07. Thursday. Got word last night that I’ll be going South in a few days. Downside: Gotta Get up during the opposite shift and fly down. Upside: Will be able to get the heck outta here for a while. So, in the end, I can’t wait. Further, as I understand it. I’m the lucky recipient of several spears which I’ll catch. Can’t wait. Just got back from the gym. Will kick-back again. Have some cereal and try to watch Minority Report. Whhh. Another fun day in Paradise. Will chat when I get a chance. Doug

DEAD DOG TIRED

18APR07. Wednesday. Work is really getting busy. Hard to believe – even with 12-hour days (at a minimum). And, it’s going to get worse over the next couple of weeks. Can hardly wait. On the plus-side, I haven’t seen any ants crawling over my rack this morning. Did as Terri to include some bug spray with the next box. Internet went down today – scheduled maintenance. Thankfully….Not another Helo going down. Pretty nice day today (as I wind down to crash). Slight overcast – enough to block the sun. Some rain drops hitting the tin roof. Hmmmm. Reminds me of home. Well, I’m gonna get some cereal, watch a flick, and do it all over again. Doug

GOOD NEWS ALL-AROUND

17APR07. Tuesday. What a great day. It’s the simple pleasures that keep me happy. Talked with Terri at length last night. That really put a smile on my face. Changed into PT gear (with weapon) and trotted to the Post Office. Managed to get a package in the mail for Ryan. Also, sent a package to the Naval Personnel Office (to correct errors and omissions in my Service Jacket). Hopefully it will take. Got word the Summer Uniform is now effect. I’ll try to get a picture. Oh, talked with the Boss about my upcoming R&R. He did not have any drama with myself and my buddy going together. Our concern was not having enough help with both of us gone. He didn’t seem to care. Moreover, he stressed that going solo sucked. I concurred. So, if the stars align, then we’ll go to Qatar within the next month or so. Well, that’s the latest. Will update when I can. Doug

OVERCAST

16APR07 Monday. Well, it’s a cloudy and overcast day. Weather is warming up quickly. Tempo is keeping me busy at work. Makes the Long Days pass quickly – unlike a jail sentence…Just got back from working out. Simply didn’t have enough time to do it last night. Suspect it will be like that for a while. Have worked with a lot of neat folks here. Some are leaving as I write. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot to write about today. Wish I did. Oh, wait. Did find some a few ants running around my rack. Some excitement…Doug

OFFICIALLY SUMMER

13-15APR07. My apologies for not updating any sooner. Seems I goofed on last week on the Blog. Finally got it the opportunity to straighten it out last night. Just got an official memo from the Big Wigs. Seems it’s officially Summer. Got the Memo. Aunt Sharon sent me a package stocked with Magazines and Reece’s. Thanks again Aunt Sharon. Last few days were very long indeed. Same old thing. Will update again when I get a chance. Doug

RENO

12APR07. Thursday. Another Hot Day. Temperature Extremes are incredible. Got on the “List” for R&R”. Guy plugged me in for 16MAY07. Can’t wait to see how that develops. I asked about some information regarding what to bring, etc. No one is saying a word. So, it either sucks Baad. Or, it’s really, really, Good. Time will tell. On another note, got my hands on a ¼ can of bug spray. Coated the holes with a good dose of bug spray. Hopefully, that’ll stop a few of the Ants. Might have to hang a couple of “No Pest Strips”. Someone loaned me some Reno 911 DVDs. That show is pretty funny and provides a good 20-min laugh. Well, will post to the Blog tonight. Hope all is well. Doug

R&R

11APR07. Wednesday. What a Hot Day. Temps are quickly soaring. Freezing in the evening, sweating during the day. Got some decent news for a change. Seems I’m eligible for a 4-day R&R Pass mid-May. Not a lot of locations to select from. Either Qatar or Camp. Me thinks I’ll go to Qatar. Someone received a box of various chips. Almost forgot what a chip tastes like. Glad I wasn’t the only one with that remark. Please understand, this is not a plea to send chips. Simply haven’t had any in awhile. The Bugs are coming out in force. Big Flys are Buzzing by. Made Ace last night. Killed about 6-7 of them. They’re not hard to miss, big and slow. A few of the folks are really, really worried about the spiders. I’m not. I’m armed. Well, again. Going to watch a movie “Four Brothers”. Did watch SAWII – a scary flick the kids like. Kinda sucked. But ate some time until sleep. Bye for now. Will update when I can. Doug

BBQ

10APR07. Tuesday. What the way to end the day. We have a couple of people who are returning to the States today. As part of a going-away event, we had a BBQ. Some of the folks we work with got some lamb, chicken and beef. Stew, Rice, and Flat Bread. It was simply delicious. My taste buds came alive. Haven’t had anything so good in quite a while. That is the highlight of my day. No, week. Wait, what am I talking about, that’s been the best thing that’s happened to me since I’ve been here. Beat the hell out of cereal and fake milk. Well, gonna sit back and let the food digest before bedtime. Doug

POST OFFICE

9APR07. Monday. Another day of bliss. Went to the Post Office this morning. What a busy place. People mailing their trunks home. Saw an Army girl trying to send home some chairs. Yes, Chairs. She was discussing the dimensions with the Customs Guy. Or, rather, she was not understanding what the Customs Guy was telling her. Bottomline: She was definitely holding up the line. Oh, before I forget. Completed the biggest faux pax in a long, long, while. Went to the ATM Machine, (it was working), needed about 30 Bucks. Not the 50 Bucks the bank wants you to take. Selected the button for “Other Amount.” Got a WAD of Cash in return. With not deposit , envelopes, or features on the ATM……Can’t wait to tell Terri the details. Well, enjoying some cashews while writing this. Will probably watch some DVDs and do it all over again tomorrow. Doug

EASTER SUNDAY

8APR07. Sunday. Received a couple of packages last night. Thanks Terri. Just in time. Got some munchies (haven’t had any in a while), some boating magazines (keeping the dream alive) (or a big tease), and some decent sandals for the shower adventure. Thanks Terri. Caught a little of the Masters Yesterday. Seems Tiger was something like 17, Applebe was 1st. Believe it’s the 3rd round. Enjoing some Cashews as I write. Haven’t had those or M&M’s for a while. Man, they taste goooood. Last night was a pretty laid back night. Was able to catch-up a little. Haven’t done that in a while. Actually feels good to be alittle ahead of the game. Just ate some Combo Snacks. Mmmmm. A taste sensation. Well, I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your Easter. Take care for now. Will update again. Doug PS Thanks Shirl for the Phone Cards. Doug

INSECTION COMPLETE II

7AMR07. Saturday. Actually a relatively slow day at work. Used the time wisely tho. Had to write a “Motivation Statement” for my next promotion. Well, needless to say, I’ve finished it and sent it off for review. Did manage to see a little of the Masters again. These guys make golf seem easy. Called my sister and chatted a little last night. Was finally able to get in touch with her. Unfortunately, I woke them up. They had just turned-in for the night. Well, I’m quickly running outta things to say. Will update when I get a chance. Doug