Paid off

Today was a good day. I'm now debt free. I paid off my truck, so it is completely mine now. I guess there are some serious benefits to being here. Mostly monetary benefits.
So, my boss told me that it's OK if I work out during the workday - on the clock! I didn't mention this to him, but frankly, that's got to be one of the most unethical things I've ever heard. It's one thing to sit around when there's nothing to do. It's quite another to leave, work out, shower, and come back 2 hours later acting as if you've been working the entire time. I won't be doing that. I'll just work later. It's not like I have anything else to do.
Oh, I finished season 2 of '24'. Yes, Jack Bauer is the man. What I really like is how Jack has changed from season to season. Totally different personality.

Alarm Red

So I was going to get on a little bit earlier, but we were attacked. Apparantly a whole bunch of mortars hit all at once on the other end of the base, which sometimes precedes an attack - which is always a possibility. I was in the library, reading a book about Chess.
Yes, I'm that big a nerd.
I was going to go lift tonight, but I'm finding it hard to be motivated to do more than 4 workouts a week. You know me - Lazy Ry. Just sit around and do nothing. Yup, that's me.
Oh, I only have a few more episodes of '24' season 2 left. Kim's a moron. And yes, Lost is a much better show. Sorry, but you see, Lost actually has character development. But I'm still watching it. I'll try and post a pic of a bunker soon.

Junk

This internet connection is junk. I could get better using paper cups and a string. Plus it's late when I'm writing this, and it's still not working...
Still, things are good.
Hoo-Ra. Got it. Half an hour later. My goodness, what a pain.
K, this is our burn pile/dump/jackel & bird feeding ground. Basically, everything goes here and we burn it. Unfortunately, 75% of the time the smoke is blowing right over the base.
I'll try to be better about posting pics, but enjoy!

Hail

Today's wild story was a crazy rain/hail storm this morning. I had to wake up a little earlier today than I have been (7 instead of 8 - yeah, its pretty rough) but I didn't even make it to 7. This crazy rain storm moved thru, rained hard, then hailed hard for about 10 minutes, then split. I decided that it was time to get up shortly after, and proceeded to work.
Now, I was in bed, but I have it on good account that this wasn't ordinary hail. Apparently it wasn't spherical, but rather almost hershey kiss like. Weird. I wish I'd gotten a picture of it.
Hopefully I'll be able to put a picture of the local dump/ burn pile / jackel and bird paradise on tonight. I dunno - the connection seems kinda spotty... Forget it. Another day.

Warming up

Things are warming up here. I don't know how hot it got today, but I'd guess a nice warm 85 - 90. My exciting activity of the day: washing out a plastic crate and throwing stuff in it. Pretty wild. I also finished Season 2 of Battlestar Galactica, which was sweet. Totally wish I had discovered the series earlier - lacking the SciFi channel cuts deep. I'm kinda hoping to finish seasons 2 and 3 of '24' in the next week or two, so I won't feel like there's anything else I should ever watch again. No more movies, no more TV. Books.
Other than that, the only other activity was tonight. I worked late and didn't feel like working out, and then the airmen invited me to play video games with them. Specifically Warcraft. Outcome? I whupped em hard. But they're learning quick. They asked me how long I'd been playing, and I said, "Off and on for a couple of years."

I'm boring

So my life is pretty boring right now. Nevertheless, on the advice of my mother I took a few pictures today of normal sites here on base. I'd post one right now, but I forgot my camara. So hopefully tomorrow I'll be on the ball and post a picture.
Other than that, I actually stayed busy this morning, and my new site leader (boss guy) showed up today, so I had to try and act busy all day. Tougher than it sounds.
That's it, that's my life. If anyone went to Moab, please tell me your tales.

Moab

While exercising tonight I was listening to a small arms battle being waged over at the perimeter gate, about a 1/2 mile away from me. I'm now able to clearly distinguish between M-16 and 50 caliber machine guns. I'm also getting dangerously good at Sudoku. NSA's gonna be calling me in any day now...
Meanwhile, I was also thinking that now would be the perfect weekend to go to Moab. I would encourage all of you living in Utah - if you have no real plans for this weekend, to call your friends or significant other, and go camping in Moab tonight. I know I would. It would take all of 0 seconds to make that decision (that being the amount of time needed to call my significant other). Then maybe 5 minutes to call my friends and tell them to meet me at Campground C by the Slickrock trail. Bam! Done. Hot dogs, pigs in a blanket, walking main street exhausted after doing something insane. Nothing better. Alas, I find myself in a different desert.

Abs of Thunder

I woke up again today at 3AM, and the stuff I needed to do was once again cancelled. So once again I was exhausted all day and left with little to do. I did rebuild a hard drive - how's that for a good time! But hey, while emailing people and doing some Sudoku, I'm almost thru '24' season 1. I really think Jack Bauer should just shoot Kim for being dumb trash. But I digress.
The one and only exciting event of the day came when I was working out. There I was, doing some pushups and such, when the 'Incoming! Incoming!' came on. So I go flat on the mat, and everyone in the room groans. It's at this point that I see there's a cute girl on the ab mat with me - shortly after I smile and give her a "How you doin'?" I notice the ring on her finger. Yup, luck is just flowing my way.
Now, the good thing about being on the ab mat during an Incoming is that you can continue to do your abs while you have to be on the ground, waiting for the 'All Clear'. So I keep working out, hear 3 loud bangs go off in the distance, wait a few more minutes, then everybody starts moving around. Then life was back to normal at Balad Air Base. Thats all.

3:30 in the mornin'

I wake up this morning at 3AM to go to work, get there, and they tell me nope. It's been changed until tomorrow. So basically I woke up at 3 AM for nothing. Now, this isn't a totally bad thing. True, as I write this I'm getting pretty tired. But wait! My company pays different rates for day, evening, and graveyard shifts - and today I was graveyard. Which is like 10 or 15% more than usual. And I get to do it all again tomorrow.
No attacks today (at least close to me) - but I met a guard that works at the perimeter gate right by us. I was told that they love to bomb that area right in the afternoon, which is what I heard yesterday (no, we don't usually wear body armor unless there is intel of an immediate threat.) I think the afternoon shift might have ticked off someone, or insulted someone, because they consistantly get hammered.

Google-fu

So there I was, talking with some guys outside our bunker, when I hear a big boom. We all take a step toward the bunker, and hear two more big booms. They were close - after hearing a bunch one can tell. Anyways, it wasn't for another 30 minutes that they announced that there was even an attack! How frustrating.
Oh, Yaju was asking what IED stands for. While I had faith in Yaju's Google-fu, perhaps his Google-fu isn't as developed as I thought. IED stands for Improvised Explosive Devise. It's kinda like taking all the powder form a bunch of fireworks, putting it in a pipe and blowing it up when someone drives or walks nearby. Nasty stuff.
I have to wake up early tomorrow (~3) to do some stuff, so if anyone wants to email me around ~5 PM Mountain time, you might get a really quick response.

A good day (finally!)

K,
so most of the day was boring. I did some tool inventory stuff, did a sudoku (I'm getting way too fast at them), and finished my indian book (feathers, not dots.)
But, tonight I had an incredible experience. I went to the hospital to visit the wounded.
The first guy I visited with was an Army special forces Ranger. He got hit by an IED about 3 miles off the base. Busted up his leg pretty good. They wanted to send him home or to Germany. He told them no, he'll wait in Quatar until his Unit ships out. He was way cool - I gave him some girl scout cookies someone had and some hot cocoa.
After that we went and visited some Iraqis. There were 2 little kids who were sleeping, but some men that were awake. Through a translator we talked with them. One had busted his leg and didn't seem too willing to talk - though I got a smile out of him when I pointed at a picture of a woman and a child behind him and asked if it was his wife.
The other man was a Baghdad Police Officer. He had taken a pretty wicked blast to the head from an IED in Baghdad. They had to staple his skull together (we could see the staples. 3 seperate lines of ~20 staples each.) Anyway, as the soldiers I was with lined up to shake the man's hand, I could feel the man's confidence and pride soar. It was amazing. A wonderful experience.

Little Chick

Today being Sunday, I decided that my movie of the day would be Short Chick, I mean, Chicken Little. It was OK. On the whole, I'd have to say that Disney did a poor job. Some things were funny, but I felt like it was too forced (which it was in fact, since the movie was only made so Disney could throw it at PIXAR during contract negotiations.) Definitely no Shrek, and no where near the brilliance of The Incredibles.
Church was OK tonight. OK, I almost left at halftime out of boredom. But the realization that there was nothing else to do, and certainly no better place to be kept me there. In the end I think I'm better for it.
Oh - I also got the word. Right now I'm looking at a mid-June departure. I'm not too excited about it. Hopefully it'll turn out to be early June or May instead. The later I stay here, the less likely I am to tour Europe. But we'll see.

If we hurry I can still make...

So I work with some rough people. Between the military guys and the contractors, I hear the f-word somewhere around 200 times a day I figure. I don't like it, but I admit I'm becoming a little more callous to it.
Nevertheless, I had to say something when someone referred to me as (copying the comment Jim made) "effing Ryan". Of course, telling the guy I didn't appreciate being referred to like that only made him do it more. He kept asking me if I was a Christian and if I had any aptidude for violence - I think he was a little scared I might just hit him. But since he's also the jokestr here, I told him that as long as I'm laughing and smiling he's alright.
Other than that, I finished reading Captain Blood - it was a pretty cool book. I kept reading it, following my rule to never discard a book before I've read at least 200 pages. But if it goes 200 and I'm still not impressed, ciao. I'm now reading a book about the Cheyanne Indians (feathers, not dots) and a book on real estate.

Et tu?

I totally forgot the Ides of March. This is a true shame, since prior to my departure I was hoping to have a toga party for the Ides, you know, celebrate the death of Caesar. Alas. Poor Caesar, and Poor Antony and Cleopatra.
I moved into a new trailer, which is much nicer than the previous one. I also received a package from my mother, full of treats and books and goodies. Hooray!
Other than that, I have to say that it's nice to look in the news and know that I specifically helped in the War on Terror. That all my time over here isn't just about doing something different and exciting, but that I can point to specific things that we as Americans did to fight some crazy fanatics, and say, "Hey, I helped them plan that." Maybe I'll be able to tell you more in 10 years or so.

A waste of a day

So today pretty much stunk. We really didn't do anything, and because we had to be in body armor if we went outside, nobody really wanted to do anything anyways. So I read Captain Blood, which is definitely getting better. R (do ya get it? HaHaHa).
I also watch movies they have loaded on the network here, or read manuals associated with work. Pretty much I'm going stir crazy. Hopefully tomorrow I can get out and do something.
I'm also frustrated by people who don't think. I got 2 people I work with right now: 1 can remember his name, the other can't consider any point of view or idea but his own. At least I don't have to do much.
On a positive note, tonight we got to watch as they fired the anti-mortar/anti-SCUD guns all at once. We have a bunch on base, and they all fired tonight at the same time as a test. We were all sitting out on our bunker like it was the 4th of July. It was pretty cool. Also on a positive note, I got to know the base supply guy, who's hooking me up with some military sunglasses and a switchblade knife. We sorta told him he could come ride 4 wheelers sometime. Which might even be true.

Mixed blessing

So it sounds like I might be staying until June 15th. This creates all sorts of problems, and all sorts of blessings. The blessings are mostly just $. The bummer is, well, really it's just that I'm lonely. The job is pretty boring, and there's not much to do when I get off work but come check my blog.
It's not for sure yet, but it's like 90% sure. I certaintly don't want to make a fuss, since nobody likes a whiner, especially when he's being paid like I am, but really, once I have enough to pay off my truck, I don't much care about the rest.
That's it. I'm reading a dime novel from the Industrial Era entitled Captain Blood. So far its lousy. One of those books they make you read in middle school just because they can - but has no real merit. Oh, and while today we didn't have to armor up, tomorrow we get to. Yeah!

Wild day

Just kidding. I didn't do jack. Didn't start a new book. I did go to church.
The only really exciting thing is that for 24 hours we have to wear our body armor, starting at midnight. Only exceptions are if we are in bed, or in our bunker. We can take it off while we eat in the chow hall, but then we have to put it back on when we're done. So I'm just going to hang out inside the bunker tomorrow. All day. This is all based on some intel that thinks we'll get attacked tomorrow. Yippee!
Oh - Today marks 1 month since I left. Crazy, eh?

The Power of One

I finished The Power of One. I recommend that everyone on earth read this book. Unless, of course, you don't think the human spirit is worth much, approve of Aparteid, and dislike the most noble of sports, Boxing. If all three of these apply to you, I don't want to know you - please stop reading my blog. I could sympathize with not liking boxing. But the first two?
But if you do read the book, what an amazing book. I feel like a better person for having read this book, something I can't say about most books I read. This makes 6 books I've read in the 4 weeks I've been gone - and I don't see that pace slowing down.
No attacks today, though I found out that there several other parts of the base that were also attacked yesterday.

Two timing

I will not be attending the Montgomery Gentry concert - I found out it will be on Sunday instead of Saturday, which would mean I miss church. That's not something I'm comfortable with, so no go on the concerto.
Today we were attacked twice that I know of. Both were too close for comfort. One hit inside my housing complex (on the far side of my complex, closer to the perimeter, thank goodness) just before I went to the gym. I actually heard the alarm this time. Apparantly it did some damage to some trailers, but the only damage to people was from them dropping to the ground.
The other occured just before dusk, when I was working up on top of our bunker. We were working, and saw a light out of the corner of our eye. Thinking someone was taking a picture, we turned, and about a 1/4 mile away, pretty close to the runway, saw a bunch of smoke rising and heard this Boom. Then about 10 seconds another one hit, pretty close to the first one. I must say Mortar fire is a little scarier after this, 'cause those explosions were big. The initial shock wave (just the boom, not the shrapnel radius) was probably 30 feet diameter.
Just another day in paradise!

Superman

I was right. The crappy computers that I can update my blog have such a slow connection that trying to add pictures during peak hours doesn't work. Since I don't have to be at work until noon tomorrow (that's 12:30 PM - thanks guys.) I waited until later to post and it worked.
Today we had this really wierd sandstorm. They said gusts were 40+ mph. I don't know how fast they really were, but they were moving us all around. I asked if they were common, and told, "No, this is just a freaky Allah thing." So there ya go.
I can't wait for a real sandstorm. (I'm serious, I can't wait...)

Power of Greyskull

So I was pretty busy today. I can't really say what I was working on or why (both because it's too late to remember, and because I can't.) But I did find time yesterday to finish Inca Gold by Clive Cussler, and today to start reading The Power of One. So far I'm way diggin' The Power. When I finish The Power, it will be 6 books since I left Provo February 12th.
Other than that, and a feeling that I'm beginning to be recognized as capable by the other field reps out here, the only really interesting news is that the wind really kicked up today, and I saw a whole bunch of dust devils. I think seeing a full fledged sandstorm would be way cool.
I'm also trying to remember to log into my MSN messenger account while I update the blog. I can't specify a time, but I usually do it between 2000 and 2230 Iraqi time, or between 10 AM and 12:30 AM Utah. So if any of you have access during those times, keep an eye open and maybe you'll see me.
Here's a story. So last night I'm brushing my teeth in the bathroom trailer, and this Indian or Pakistani janitor is in there working. All of a sudden he comes up to me with a whole bunch of handmade bracelets, and he's like "You like?" I'm like, "Yes. How much?" 1 for $3, or 2 for $5. So I bought 1, from some random janitor in Iraq. I thought it would be a pretty sweet souvenir.

This computer is retched

This computer is absolutely horrible. While I assume the computer is probably full of spyware, and also what I refer to as crapware (the crap that gets on your system and just hogs your processor), I would assume it also has to do with the fact that 20 people are all sharing whatever link to the internet we use here. I think it might be a satellite connection, but with a narrow bandwidth. Kinda like the Omni's (my apartment complex in Provo) moronic Line of Site connection. Anyway, enough nerd talk. I just need to show up when nobody else is in here...
So Montgomery Gentry is coming to play here this Saturday. I think it'd be fun to go, but I doubt I will. First) I usually work until about 7:30 or 8, and the concert starts at 7. B) I really don't much care for them, despite the fact that they are country singers. 3) Big crowds are more likely to invite big bombs, something I'm trying to avoid.
I'm also thinking of adopting a new personal motto: Sic Parvis Magna. It was the personal motto of Sir Francis Drake, who I think might be worth imitating. Nothing quite like imitating pirates. R.

Lost time

So I'm not sure where today went. I didn't do anything really cool. I pretty much just did bits and pieces of real work, filled in with reading a book. Oh yes! I went to the post office, and found out that I'm not allowed to send my chemical protective gear (gas mask, etc.) home. They'll like arrest me and stuff. Nor am I allowed to mail switchblades, which is unfortunate since I'm currently working on obtaining one. For free. I'll continue to watch these issues to find the loopholes. I certainly don't plan to wander Europe carrying a 50 pd bag of chem gear.
Now, some of you seem to think that 'ol Ry should hook up with Sister Lewis, the F-16 pilot. I don't think that's a good idea. Trust me here boys, I won't mention reasons, but take a 15 year old boy with a normal haircut and big huge bags under his eyes, and you have Lewis.

Another day in paradise

Just another day in paradise. I am however, catching up on my sleep for the first time in a long time. Most of the time I get 5-6 hours a night. Now I'm getting 7-9 hours a night. I doubt that going over 8 is really very healthy, but it sure feels good.
I'm also getting tan reading my Clive Cussler novel out in the sun. It's been 75 degrees and bright desert sun the past few days, and I have a sweet farmers tan to go with it. I now have a mailing address - if you have something you just have to send to me in Iraq, email me and I'll give it to you.
Not much else going on. Sunday school tonight was taught by a female F-16 pilot. Kinda interesting. Oh, and I spent lunch today talking about Mormon temples with some guys. That's all.

RF warning!

The other contractors that came with me for the install took off today. So basically, now I'm fighting to find stuff to do. Today, I decided to pound posts in the ground, warning people not to walk in front of a working satellite dish. This isn't really necessary, since your TV probably puts out very similar or even higher power, but just to make everyone feel better we do it. Plus, I needed something to do.
Other than that, not too much going on. Played some pool (OK, I do that everyday). Hopefully I'll be able to attend worship services tomorrow with the Mormons. I'm not sure work will permit me to attend tomorrow.
I think I'm starting to settle in to life here, as limited as it is. Days are just flying by.

A frustration

I was prepared to rant and rave about some things that happened at work today, but I don't think that would really be productive. Instead, I'll just say that stupid people bother me. They always have, and probably always will.
But what really sets someone apart as stupid is someone who refuses to realize they have made a mistake, and repeats or prepetuates the mistake beyond when they should have recognized it. Especially if they know it was wrong and do it again anyway. Dumb.

On that happy note, I'm about to have a lot more free time. I'm not really sure that'll be a good thing, but at least I'll have time to work out, and a little more flexible schedule. I'm afraid it might get a tad lonely, but we'll see how it goes.
Oh, and Clive Cussler writes fun novels, but not really all that deep. I'd feel fine letting an 8 year old boy read them. Good clean fun, easy words, simple plots.

birds...

So here at Balad AFB, we burn our trash. And it's a lot of trash, all the time. There are constant flames from the trash, and hundred and hundreds of birds, flying through the flames to get at the plentiful scraps of food we throw away. Its almost mesmerizing the first time you see it - birds flying through the fire - until you realize the giant pile is all trash.
Tonight while riding my bike back to my trailer, I decided to take a shortcut, bypassing the trash in lieu of a ride past the medevac copters (blackhawks). Some crazy bird starts squawking at me and flying closer and closer to me. Big wing span too. I don't know what it was, but in the light it kinda looked white. Weird.
Anyways, the install crew is getting ready to leave. They should be gone by this Saturday. After that i forsee things getting awfully quiet. So yeah, that's it. Got squawked at by a bird, played a lot of pool, and did some work. Dirty bird.

Funbelievable

So the heat is already starting. It got up to the mid 80s today. I've been told that by the time I leave in May I'll probably have seen 120 consistantly. It's already no fun. I look forward to cool nights in Utah, or Yellowstone.... mmm... yellowstone.
My adventure for today - my first ride on a 4 wheeler. Its amazing what GI's can procure when bored. My compound area, which has ample room for a small course, is now home to 4 4-wheelers. I took it nice and slow - I figure I should learn what I'm doing before hitting anything close to speed on those things. Some of you may wonder why I, Ry, have never been on a 4 wheeler before.
There is no good reason. In general, I'd have to say I prefer quiet things in life to noisy ones, because in my mind enjoying nature while making a ton of racket is hypocritical bull honky. But they were fun, and I'll do it again.