The return of the increadible

Once again, preparing to head to the Sandbox.

That first line must have been written sometime in May 2011. It is now June 2011, and I am definetely back in the Sandbox. This time is so different and so similar to the others. I remember landing back at the Airport my second time out thinking, oh god it feels so familiar, and being concerned by that feeling. This time, it was not familiar at all. Oh sure on the surface, the processing in, the Pax terminal, the walk across the tarmac, things like that. But it was not the same place anymore. The drawdown is so very real. The last time I was here, I could tell where the Coalition forces had left, where previously there had been other countries "airport bases" that were either empty, or depleted. This time, it was our facilities that were gone. So much has left. And so much remains.

It is officially hot too. It was 110 in the shade this afternoon, and as of 11pm it is still at or over 100.
I have to wonder if it is all worth it in the long run.

more pics

and we had good barbeque that night too!!!

Just Pictures

Just some pictures in no particular order or reasoning... except these were some of the few I was able to upload at this moment...

Others to come as capable... stupid bandwidth...

"The true profession of a man is to find his way to himself"

Thankful

Today was a very good day. Started mellow and low key and continued on that way till now.
Several of us were able to go to the Embassy for "lunch", a ridiculous spread of pretty good food (everything from turkey, ham, mashed potatoes to lobster tail and sirloin). There was even a large turkey carved out of butter. (The decorations were a little over the top, bordering on... well ridiculous).

Then I enjoyed several cigars with some other folks out at the "mall" (the local shops) to include a Havanna Cohiba. (well that is what the package says).

Came back to the building and unbeknownst to me, there was another large dinner made. It was really really good and now I am fuuulllll... More turkey, more cranberry, more mashed potatoes, but this time had "traditional" bulger wheat, hummus, tibouli, na'an like flat bread, to include bahklava for dessert...

I even explored some of the building today... snuck down to the basement (which had been left unlocked). It was truly creepy. I was told it used to be a prison. It felt like that could be true. I got some pics, but again, those wont be going on here for a while.

Now back to the office, last check for the night, and then tomorrow off to the "range" to get some good trigger time in... gotta stay current.

Hope you all had a wonderful time with friends and loved ones.

Tryptophan kicking in...

Leg one, portion one... complete

I have made it to Doha. Safe and sound and on base. It is strange how quickly it was all familiar again. The airport seemed a little different, I swear I came in a different door last time or something. I find it odd that there is no customs form to fill out at Doha.
Once we were on the road and heading to the base, it became familiar again. The crazy traffic circles, the crazy speeds, and then the dark stretch of road where the Third Country Nationals (TCNs) live. There are no street lights, cars driving by at very very quick speeds, and these poor TCNs running across the road to get from their housing to the shops they shop at. Apparently, accidents happen often. And its not the drivers who get hurt.

Otherwise, I have the "tent" to myself and may be on the road (in the air?) again very soon...

More to follow.

Be well, hydrate, and don't forget to breathe deeply.

I

One more time...

Here we go again... another winter in the sandbox.

Just packing up the carry on bag and getting the persoanl "box of goods" ready for mailing tomorrow. Flight out of Dulles at 9:40pm, 12.5 hours later landing at 6:30pm Doha time.

I will see about posting more soon, nothing much to say now other than hug your loved ones, eat your vegetables and god bless all our service men and women.

Stay well,

I

Gumdrops and lollipops

I really dont know about the title other than it is wacky and "off-the-wall". There has been pizzling amounts of rain... not even enough to qualify as drizzle... but enough to make things a little slick and let the mud remind us all that it is still king.

I got some new cigars today from our leadership so that was a treat. Things are mellow, Seabuiscuit is on the TV in the MWR, I got no stories, the calms are calm, and the tempests are tempestuous.

I was able to bench 230 a week ago, which is almost what I weigh... but that has been fluctuating +/- 5 lbs for a while...

hmm... it is odd to think aobut being CONUS again... too many things to do and places to go... and so much still to do here. So very like the psyche... All I was thinking about two months ago was how good it would be to leave and be home, now I am not so sure I will be ready for that. I had some one ask if I would be willing to return here in July... I think that would be too soon and too hot. but October/November is a good likelyhood. Looking into it this last week. Gonna have to have some conversations first...

hugs for all