I got to work tonight to find out I would be the only one in my "cell" until morning. I was just delighted. Let me explain.... we usually put out a product of pretty good analysis every morning at 0400. It's so well-loved that when our Lt Colonels shut off our product in the interest of other things, the General himself walked down here, looked at us, and said, "The Daily is back up." I'm under the impression the General Officers need our Daily for one of two things: 1, they read it like a morning paper, with coffee in hand, first thing, or 2, they bring it to the bathroom. Either way, we were happy to be producing again. (The two days the Daily was turned off, we felt we had nothing to do, and were completely demoralized.) On Sundays, we do a "weekly" product that is essentially a wrap-up of our past week or some longer entries that weren't submitted earlier.
When I got in here tonight, ready to crank it out, I discovered NO ONE had given me their submissions for the day. That meant I had to do it all alone. (Note: A 1Lt doesn't have to do it all alone when there are Sergeants around who didn't do their job.) I managed to convince in the nicest way possible two Sergeants, and their submissions did help. I had other problems, like my own stupidity -- I shut the piece I was working on down, and erased it, having to start over. (Isn't it great that my greatest frustration in Baghdad tonight was dealing with Microsoft?)
Now it's 0315.... and I find myself done with my work. There's plenty to read, but I am not in the mood for it. I will have to find some way to occupy myself until 0800.
At my work place, there are two unclassified internet machines.... so there's usually a wait to check email, read up on sports (not me), or do research (there's a lot of info out there just in the newspapers). I, of course, back up the line by writing in my blog. :) It's totally worth it. I have to vent somehow.
Most of the senior officers here are either idiots or lazy (there are, admittedly, a few that are great), and I've discovered one of the main problems with this place is its top-heavy nature. There are too many Generals and Colonels about. I'm not even phased by Colonels or Lt Colonels (Navy Captains or Commanders) anymore. "Oh, you're a Major? Whatever, you're just a Major" ... and being a 1Lt is like being, I don't know... a fly on the wall. The benefit there is you can disappear when you want to.
9.26.2004
9.25.2004
Next year will be better, she said,
kicking the gravel across the road
Next year couldn't be any worse
that's for sure.
She fell over and died.
Next year couldn't come now,
and she was fine with it.
Those that found her body
couldn't see the scarring
or understand why her
soul ran out.
I don't know what to call this...it's not exactly a poem. Oh, and don't think I'm depressed. I was just very angry, happened to have a pen in my hand at the moment, and found an outlet for my anger and frustration -- which works much better than mouthing off in response to stupidity. I wouldn't have apologized or written an explanation, but so many family members are reading this now. I didn't want anyone to think I'd gone crazy. Besides, happy poems are so pase. ;)
kicking the gravel across the road
Next year couldn't be any worse
that's for sure.
She fell over and died.
Next year couldn't come now,
and she was fine with it.
Those that found her body
couldn't see the scarring
or understand why her
soul ran out.
I don't know what to call this...it's not exactly a poem. Oh, and don't think I'm depressed. I was just very angry, happened to have a pen in my hand at the moment, and found an outlet for my anger and frustration -- which works much better than mouthing off in response to stupidity. I wouldn't have apologized or written an explanation, but so many family members are reading this now. I didn't want anyone to think I'd gone crazy. Besides, happy poems are so pase. ;)
9.24.2004
Writing so soon again? Yes, I am.
Have any of you ever ridden a bicycle at 2am? Last night was my 1/2 night, and on the way to the MWR, I realized I couldn't remember ever riding at that time before. There aren't any street lights here, but the glow from downtown Baghdad is strong -- the nights are a bit hazy. At 2am, there aren't any humvees or SUVs driving by. Or anyone else, really. With my little headlamp strapped to my handlebars, I rode on, over speedbumps mysteriously sprouting from the pavement (you'd think I'd remember their placement) and holes in the dirt road that led to Bldg 51, MWR. I glanced up at the Pleides constellation, and walked into the building. Once inside, I used the webcam to talk to people back at home (and one in Germany). It's a little surreal, I think. I am always reminded of the movie "Enemy at the Gates," and I think, what would they have done if they had webcams? Useless thoughts, I know. Anyhow, my point is... well you get my point. After the MWR, I went home and watched more episodes of Alias, in the dark (my roommate was sleeping). Then I went to bed when the sun came up. I feel I've joined the race of vampires.
This is it for tonight. My boss is surely questioning why I am on the unclassified machine while there's work to be done. (He's actually very good to work for, and gives me my space -- more importantly, he gives me liberty when I'm writing my assessments. He says they're getting better, which is relieving. Can you imagine wanting to be a writer and then not being able to convey simple assessments well?)
Have any of you ever ridden a bicycle at 2am? Last night was my 1/2 night, and on the way to the MWR, I realized I couldn't remember ever riding at that time before. There aren't any street lights here, but the glow from downtown Baghdad is strong -- the nights are a bit hazy. At 2am, there aren't any humvees or SUVs driving by. Or anyone else, really. With my little headlamp strapped to my handlebars, I rode on, over speedbumps mysteriously sprouting from the pavement (you'd think I'd remember their placement) and holes in the dirt road that led to Bldg 51, MWR. I glanced up at the Pleides constellation, and walked into the building. Once inside, I used the webcam to talk to people back at home (and one in Germany). It's a little surreal, I think. I am always reminded of the movie "Enemy at the Gates," and I think, what would they have done if they had webcams? Useless thoughts, I know. Anyhow, my point is... well you get my point. After the MWR, I went home and watched more episodes of Alias, in the dark (my roommate was sleeping). Then I went to bed when the sun came up. I feel I've joined the race of vampires.
This is it for tonight. My boss is surely questioning why I am on the unclassified machine while there's work to be done. (He's actually very good to work for, and gives me my space -- more importantly, he gives me liberty when I'm writing my assessments. He says they're getting better, which is relieving. Can you imagine wanting to be a writer and then not being able to convey simple assessments well?)
9.20.2004
Yes, I know, it's been a while. I started working the night shift and it threw off my sleep schedule so I have been a little too tired to care about updating this. However... the night shift is definitely better. It's quiet, and there aren't many Generals up and about at 2 am asking us questions. I can actually read through all my emails and the traffic, which is unheard of during the day time. The down side to this is that the day time is when others want to do construction work and check on your air conditioner, so it's a little hard to sleep. I think I've slept through, without being woken up, once so far. The other down side is that I missed rugby two times, and from now on I have to wake up earlier to play. The good thing about getting off work at 8am is that it's daylight - so I've been running after work. I go running with two guys (an LT and a Chief, both Navy), and we're aiming to run Monday through Friday. I have to wear my Air Force t-shirts to make sure no one thinks I'm in the Navy, of course. :) I don't think I've ever said this before, but running relaxes me. Too bad I didn't pick up this habit years ago.
It's difficult to find things to say on here because it's always a monologue, and my life doesn't change that much. Most of the things that go on I can't talk about, and the things I can talk about aren't of any real interest to anyone. Every day is Monday. Still, I've hit the two-month mark now, and looking back, it's flown by. Before long, it'll be Halloween, and then Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Year's, and then I'll be flying home. Although the nights drag by, the weeks are swift.
Well, I've let you all know I'm alive. I'm in pretty good spirits, too. Oh, one thing that has changed that's a big deal in my life is that the doctor thinks I'm "gluten intolerant" and have a disease called Celiac Sprue. He can't test me for it out here, but he said to go ahead and do some research on it, and then when I get back to California, get tested. The big deal about it is that if I do have it, I can't eat anything made from wheat, rye, barley, or oats. Anyway, that means no cookies, bread, pasta -- anything with flour. That means no meat cooked in gravy. I've been sticking to it pretty well the past few days, but it's a little hard to say if I've been successful because who knows how they cook some of the stuff here. I have been feeling better, though. So, although that's not a big deal to you, it's certainly a drastic change. No cookies! (Unless they're made with rice or soy flour.) I guess this will be good for me, after all.
Ok, well I'll get back to work. My shift ends in a little over an hour...
Sorry about this being the most uninteresting entry yet. Maybe something exciting will happen that I can talk about!
It's difficult to find things to say on here because it's always a monologue, and my life doesn't change that much. Most of the things that go on I can't talk about, and the things I can talk about aren't of any real interest to anyone. Every day is Monday. Still, I've hit the two-month mark now, and looking back, it's flown by. Before long, it'll be Halloween, and then Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Year's, and then I'll be flying home. Although the nights drag by, the weeks are swift.
Well, I've let you all know I'm alive. I'm in pretty good spirits, too. Oh, one thing that has changed that's a big deal in my life is that the doctor thinks I'm "gluten intolerant" and have a disease called Celiac Sprue. He can't test me for it out here, but he said to go ahead and do some research on it, and then when I get back to California, get tested. The big deal about it is that if I do have it, I can't eat anything made from wheat, rye, barley, or oats. Anyway, that means no cookies, bread, pasta -- anything with flour. That means no meat cooked in gravy. I've been sticking to it pretty well the past few days, but it's a little hard to say if I've been successful because who knows how they cook some of the stuff here. I have been feeling better, though. So, although that's not a big deal to you, it's certainly a drastic change. No cookies! (Unless they're made with rice or soy flour.) I guess this will be good for me, after all.
Ok, well I'll get back to work. My shift ends in a little over an hour...
Sorry about this being the most uninteresting entry yet. Maybe something exciting will happen that I can talk about!
9.10.2004
Yesterday was my 1/2 day off...and I had intended to use the pool for the first time. However, much to my chagrin, just as I was leaving we found out we had to go to "full battle rattle." (Kevlar helmet and flak vest) The first thing I thought of was the pool. Dismayed, I mentioned, "well, I guess I can't go swimming now." One of the guys in my shop said, "Well, you could, but you'd have to wear your vest and helmet." The image of trying to swim in that gear came to mind, and I laughed, "Yeah, but I wouldn't swim. I'd sink." We have metal plates in our vest, and it adds quite a bit of weight. (You can jump a little higher on your bicycle if you weigh more, I've discovered.) Then I thought of rugby, and playing in that gear. Fortunately, when I showed up for the game, everyone else took their gear off and we "chanced it." I actually think it would have been more dangerous to play IN the gear. Someone would have broken their neck b/c the kevlar helmet is fairly heavy. The rules, however, say we have to run/exercise in full battle rattle.
So, all in all, yesterday was pretty interesting. Once I got back to my room, I was able to change into PT gear (shorts and a t-shirt), but I still had to wear my kevlar and flak vest. I'm sure I looked quite a sight. Before going to rugby, I stopped by the DFAC (dining facility) to pick up a sandwich for dinner. As I was leaving and trying to juggle the helmet and my food, one of the officers that walked by said, "Guess this is what makes Iraq special." I agreed. This is what we get the little bit of extra pay for. The mortar rounds haven't been any worse, but people are worried because everyone knows what is tomorrow (September 11th). The mortars and rockets may increase just a bit. Fortunately, no MNF (multi-national forces) have been killed on my base. We're nestled snugly between Camp Slayer and BIAP (Baghdad International Airport). It's amazing that every time a trailer has been hit, whoever had been in it had just stepped out -- to use the bathroom, go to dinner, or brush their teeth. Sort of makes you think of "divine intervention." I was laying in bed last night, though, thinking of how often I've heard the booms and felt the concussions. I take it for granted, a little, that it won't hit me. This isn't WWI -- THEY got shelled a lot. I try to not think about it and am usually successful, but every once in a while reality kicks in and I have to acknoweldge the fact that I'm not far from those mortars/rockets.
I am SO excited because next Thursday is my first whole day off since I got here. That is, as long as nothing happens between now and then. I haven't slept in yet, and I think that will be VERY nice.
Well, I better get back to work!
~ amber
So, all in all, yesterday was pretty interesting. Once I got back to my room, I was able to change into PT gear (shorts and a t-shirt), but I still had to wear my kevlar and flak vest. I'm sure I looked quite a sight. Before going to rugby, I stopped by the DFAC (dining facility) to pick up a sandwich for dinner. As I was leaving and trying to juggle the helmet and my food, one of the officers that walked by said, "Guess this is what makes Iraq special." I agreed. This is what we get the little bit of extra pay for. The mortar rounds haven't been any worse, but people are worried because everyone knows what is tomorrow (September 11th). The mortars and rockets may increase just a bit. Fortunately, no MNF (multi-national forces) have been killed on my base. We're nestled snugly between Camp Slayer and BIAP (Baghdad International Airport). It's amazing that every time a trailer has been hit, whoever had been in it had just stepped out -- to use the bathroom, go to dinner, or brush their teeth. Sort of makes you think of "divine intervention." I was laying in bed last night, though, thinking of how often I've heard the booms and felt the concussions. I take it for granted, a little, that it won't hit me. This isn't WWI -- THEY got shelled a lot. I try to not think about it and am usually successful, but every once in a while reality kicks in and I have to acknoweldge the fact that I'm not far from those mortars/rockets.
I am SO excited because next Thursday is my first whole day off since I got here. That is, as long as nothing happens between now and then. I haven't slept in yet, and I think that will be VERY nice.
Well, I better get back to work!
~ amber
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