Hi everyone!

I just wanted to write again to say hello and that things are still going well here. I'll be headed to a new FOB soon, so I'm not sure how well I'll be able to update this after I move, but I will try. See, I can't update it from my work computer because the internet blocks websites like this...for good reason. So, I have to wait until I'm off work to use the wireless internet in my room that I paid $65 for the month to have. It works okay, but depends on when I use it because of how many people connect to the same wireless network. Right now, it's 0400 so there aren't a lot of people up and using it. I have to say that this has been a pretty sweet deployment so far. The DFAC is only a 5 minute walk, I live about 200 feet from where I work, and the bathroom is only about 25 feet away. I have a room to myself right now, which is a nice change compared to last time when I shared a slightly smaller room with 3 other people. When I move, I will be living in a tent though, with about 20 other dudes. I'll still have an outlet for power and A/C or heat and a bed to sleep on though, so I'm not complaining. I don't have to sleep on the ground or on my vehicle or in some Iraqi house we took over like last time. Things have been amazingly better here. I have been impressed with the reports I hear about the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police units finding weapons caches and IEDs on their own and making sure they are taken care of properly without needing American or Coalition Forces help. There aren't many areas of Iraq left that haven't been handed back over to Iraqi control with only coalition in a major support role. There are still bad guys doing bad things every day, but there are less of them...much less that are succeeding. It's something that should be credited to a President who has been more criticized than any other before him. This Operation Iraqi Freedom has undoubtedly in my mind made the world, at least this part of it...a better place. My only hope is that once we withdraw the majority of our forces, the Iraqis can hold it together without some other group coming in to destabilize them. Anyhow, this is getting long and I'm really tired. Here's a picture of me in the TOC, I hope you like it!

Still here...not a whole lot new

Hi everyone,

I'm still doing my thing here in Baghdad. We get the Armed Forces Network TV shows on the TV in our HQ, so I've been keeping up a little with the rediculous election coverage. I don't know about you all, but I'm just ready for someone to win and get this over with. This seems like the least legitimate Presidential race I've ever seen. It's not a race over qualifications...it's a popularity contest and who makes the least mistakes when they're talking to the media. The media is screwing the whole thing up. They're digging for who's political advisors said what and talking about candidates like they're villains on both sides...not like they're both people that could be taking over our nation in the upcoming months as one of the most powerful leaders in the world. I think people have lost site of a sense of national pride and decency and what that means. Sure, people say they're proud to be American and they'll put a yellow ribbon on their cars saying they support the troops, but how many of them will get behind whoever wins the election just because they won through the democratic process and have become our president? Food for thought...chew on that and let me know what you think. I normally hate politics...and don't bother paying attention, but things are getting to a point where you can't avoid seeing something about it everywhere you look...even in Iraq. I get reports from news agencies around the world as part of my job tracking what's going on. It's amazing the amount the world is watching this election...Iran supports Obama because they think he will be more lenient on his policies. Al Qaida leaders have said they support McCain because they think that he'll lead us to fight them until they can kill all of us. They all have an opinion. That's how important it is and why I voted for the first time this year. I have to get to work, but hope you all have a great day today. Sorry for the political rhetoric.

Another sandy day in Iraq

Hi everyone,

I woke up a little later than the past couple weeks today because I'm changing my shift a couple hours later every day until I'm on the night shift so I can help plan for coming home. Because I was on Rear Detachment I have a lot of knowledge about getting home, and because there's not a whole lot for me to do with Artillery right now, I told them I would help out. Of course, they gladly accepted, so we'll see how that goes. On the positive side of things, it should help make it so in my off time, it lines up better with being able to talk to Robyn and P-nut, so that's cool:) I got a really nice card from Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas two days ago and need to get on writing them a reply note. It's nice to hear from people that I don't normally get to hear from. That's one of the interesting things that a couple guys and I were discussing the other night. It's just neat how sometimes the most unexpected people that you normally don't talk to at all or hear from while you're home in the states will pick up writing to you or sending you things while you're over here. It happens to almost every Soldier I've talked to. My boss' aunt is the one that sends him something almost every week or so. Just one of those things I guess. I got a package from Robyn yesterday:) It was really nice of her and had some stuff that was good to get. The hard part for her is that I really don't need anything here. The Army does a good job in making sure that I don't want for anything while I'm here. So, with that said...for those of you who would like to send me a package...instead, the next time you get the inclination, please go buy Porter a book or coloring book, or just forget about going shopping and send what you would have spent so Robyn can get him something the next time she's out from you. I just don't need anything here. I would still love to hear from you all in the form of letters or emails though, so feel free!

I know Robyn has been crazy busy back home fixing up the place and doing awesome work in the back yard:) She cleared out a whole tree and a bunch of branches and things that were cluttering up the yard and it looks a million times better! She is such a trooper and I'm so proud of her. I just miss her and Porter. She said he's getting more affectionate and that it might be because he misses me and is worried about her going somewhere too. If it weren't for the seperation surrounding deployments I wouldn't mind them at all. I have the best job satisfaction ever when I'm deployed, but the lowest personal satisfaction from not being with my family. I'm pretty sure if you asked any Soldier, that would be the case. I just feel fortunate that I have not been over here for a year already like the majority of the guys in the Regiment. I was at least able to bond with my little boy so that he'll know me when I get back and we can hopefully pick up where we left off. There were so many new babies born while I was the Rear Detachment Commander who's fathers first time seeing them was for two weeks while they were home on leave, or who will see them for the first time when they get back to Fort Hood after the deployment. The only consolation I can think of is that it will ensure that they are there for the most developmental parts of their childs life since the first few months is not much more than pooping, peeing, sleeping and eating. Anyhow, this is a lengthy brain fart, so I'll check back with you all again later. Have a great Army day!

Waking up to disappointment

Hey there,

I woke up this morning at 0630 to get ready to go out and shoot at the range. I was pretty excited about it even though I had just gotten off of work around 2330 last night after starting the previous day at 0730. Needless to say, I was pretty tired when I pulled myself out of bed this morning. Last night, I verified that they were supposed to leave to go to the range between 0700 and 0715. I was there at 0700 on the dot. Much to my surprise, no one was where we were supposed to meet. I thought maybe I was early...maybe they were inside somewhere waiting for 0715. Nope...I went inside and they said the folks left for the range about 15 minutes earlier than what I was told. So, not only did I wake up early to do this, but then I miss an opportunity to shoot some stuff which I really enjoy doing. So...I figure, since I'm up, I'll go get a haircut, take a shower and maybe catch a nap before my shift starts at 1000. I told the guys I work with that are on the night shift that I was going to get a haircut. They proceeded to tell me I would probably have to wait in a long line since everyone was just going to breakfast which is right next to the barber shop. I figured since I had the time, I would go anyways. Much to my chagrin...the barber shop doesn't open until 0900. Great...so now I'm just killing time, waiting for the barber shop to open so I can get my haircut and take a shower before going to work my 12 hour shift. (long winded sigh)...oh well, at least I'm not on Rear-D anymore.

Good run this morning

Howdy y'all,

I had another good run this morning around the scenic Baghdad International Airport. I warmed up with a half mile jog until I got to the start of the 2 mile course and then I ran my two miles in about 13 minutes. After I was done I waited about 3 minutes for the NCO I was running with to finish before we jogged back to the living quarters to stretch out. I'm in the best shape I've been in since I graduated high school and it feels great. I usually HATE to run...and I still do, but I feel much better when I can do it fast enough so that I can get done quicker. In my mind, a faster run time = less time running. I've also been working on the other two parts of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). I am pretty sure that I'll be able to max the push-ups and sit-ups without a problem. I think the max for my age group on the run is 13:17, the max for push-ups is 76, and the max for sit-ups is 78 I think. The test is scored with 100 points in each event with a max score of 300. If you max each event, there is an extended scale that you can score more points on for good measure. For each additional 5 seconds less than the max you run, you get another point for that event. For each additional sit-up or push-up I think you get a one for one point. So, I'm shooting for a 315 on my next test. I got a 305 on the one I took in July, so I think 10 point improvement is a good goal. Plus, the guys in my section here and I have a bet on who can get the highest score. Whoever the winner is gets bought 2 drinks by each of the other 2 guys when we get back to the states. Not a huge wager, and I'm not much of a drinker, but I hate losing a bet. So anyways, I have to go track the bad guys and make sure the world is safe for democracy so we can try to stop Obama. Have a good one and vote McCain (or Chuck Norris will get you).

Hi again!

Well, I'm here still in Baghdad. I hope that you all are doing well there in the states. I'm still doing pretty well here, tracking the bad guys. It's a little more boring than the last deployment, but there's nothing wrong with that! I'm just missing my family and enjoying the change of pace that comes with it as best as I can. Only a few months and I'll be back and we'll be moving on to Oklahoma! Hopefully after that we'll be able to go somewhere a little nicer. Anyways, it's late and I'm headed to bed so I can get up early to call my lovely wife in the morning. Take Care!

Storyboard for my trip

Hi again,

I now have wireless internet in my room, so I can work on this a little more at my convenience. Here is a story board of pictures from my trip to Baghdad. I'm sure more pictures will follow as time goes on. I got to do a little webcam session with Robyn and Porter for a few minutes before she had to get ready to go to a BBQ with some of our friends, so that was nice:) Anyways, here are the pics:

...psych...it's not working and I give up cause it's midnight...we'll try again later. Take care!