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.