Photos of Taji 27 March 2009

Just wanted to show you some stuff I see daily. Taji is the trash heap you already know if you have followed my blog. I was traveling to lunch today and thought alot of people would be shocked to see this crap.

Look at all these old tanks. These are ones we blew up either during the 1st war or this current one.

Junk as far as you can see.

Thanks Irene

This care package is from Irene Rosen. She is one of the doctors that went home after 180 days here in the sand. It is so great that she thought of me and sent this package. It might be the fanciest one I have received to date besides the blow up pig of course (smile). Thanks Irene...see you in Texas for that bottle of wine.

Amaker's Affordable Tours

This is a great shot of me talking to the leadership of the incoming unit. About 4 months prior to deploying the unit leadership comes across the pond and takes a look at where they are going to be setting up.

I was showing them the inside of the new clinic and answering their questions. Needless to say I am pretty happy to see them as this means I am getting closer to my day to come back to the Republic.

Is it just me or am I a giant in this picture. I love it!

Updates

cleaning out my camera again from R&R and here are some photos. I figure that since I can't sleep because the cannons are going off again and they rattle everything I might as well update the BLOG.



My two ladies in SATX. Maxine and Bobbi.



This was a night at the WildFish in SATX.

The ladies at WildFish. L-R top row- Bobbi and Joanna, bottom row - Tami, Rosie, and Lisa

Tami, Rosie, Lisa

Jim, Joanna, Bobbi

Jim, Lisa at Wildfish

The Replacements

Hey so the unit that is replacing mine will be here soon to check out the area ahead of time. If the new guys are checking it out I am getting closer to leaving!! Can you say...about damn time. I will be smiling when I see these guys/gals for sure. No new pictures...All you guys that sent coffee to the MudHouse let me say Thanks. They love it. I am still operating on the Starbucks Tami sent me. I can't believe I come to Iraq and learn to like coffee. I guess I needed something to replace the scotch (LOL).

Game night has now turned into game early evening. Two Soldiers and the PA took me on in Boggle last Saturday about 5pm. We played for nearly 2 hours. I should write how a masterfully beat them but I got my butt handed to me. I will throw those pictures up when I get them.

The fun continues...later.

"He better be fixing that fuckin' light"

Well I survived another convoy here in lovely Iraq. When I got back to Cropper there was a convoy leaving out right away so I hoped on it. I road in the back of the MRAP and this time I

got to put on a headset and listen to the Soldiers as we traveled. They were very good and alert on all the activity happening along the way. Every person/vehicle/animal that was near us they watched to make sure there was nothing that would harm our vehicles.

Along the way there was a guy on a light post. I heard the guys spot him and they were worried he may be faking the light fixing in order to throw a "parachute bomb" into out vehicle. The gunners get the guy in their sights and watch him until we get pass. The title of this entry is what I heard them yell in the headset. I found myself watching too out of the window.

I was really impressed with the convoy guys. I felt pretty safe or as safe as could be expected.

My layover in Germany

Here are some pictures of the store in the layover spot in Germany. The city was Leipzig which is just outside of Berlin. Notice the Jaeger display.

Anyone read German??

Back in Iraq

All safe again in Iraq...er...kind of I guess (smile). I am at Camp Cropper for a day or two but should be in my trailer by Thursday. I got my bag back too. All the stuff still in it.

Don't forget to pee on your feet.

So I am stuck in Kuwait because my bag got lost. They asked me to wait a day in Kuwait before I push into Iraq to see if my bag comes on the next flight. Of course in the bag that was lost or stolen I had some things I really need. The $108.00 worth of new cigars, cords to download pictures from my camera, my webcam, workout clothes, personal hygiene items, and my shower shoes. Who would have guessed the shower shoes would be the most important for the moment. Luckily I have underwear in my carry on but I had no shower shoes so I had to take a shower barefoot. I dont even want to talk about the germs/bacteria climbing around in there. I thought I read somewhere that you could kill the germs on your feet if you pee on them. Maybe it was a tv sitcom episode? Anyone else hear of this? Well just wasting time waiting on my bag. Guess I am in no hurry to get to Iraq but it ain't like Kuwait is a happening vacation either.

Not homesick yet.

no new entries for a few days

Well time to start making my way back to the war zone. I head out tmrrw and I won't have any connectivity for a few days. I am already packed with Taji or bust written on my bags. I can finish the 5 months I just have to be patient. If I calculate correctly I have about 150 days left, not bad when you consider I started with 455. Talk to everyone in a few days.

pics of my garage

I know this shit is funny but it belonged on the blog. Here are the before and after photos of my garage. If you are thinking about doing it you need to get it done. I feel so much better about my garage now.




Here is day 1 in the new place. 3 car garage can barely fit 1 car in it.

This is during the fixing. You can see we basically managed to push everything back into the 3rd car spot. and if you wanted something out of the back you had to move stuff out of the front of it. I left for Iraq with it in this condition.

This is it now after Glen did his magic and cleaned the place. I can't believe how nice it is! We did throw out some stuff but all that crap made it into the cabinets. I know I am making many of you jealous!

Traveling Army style

I was cleaning up my camera and noticed some pictures I took along the way home for my vacation. This is how we travel out of theater. Sorry no flight attendants on this leg.







Little cramped in cabin and no first class upgrades allowed.

Don't let R&R end

This is a picture of several of my friends that all came out for a party last night. L-R = Michele, Rosie, Joanna, Bobbi, Jennifer, and Tami. All of them are athletes and alot of fun.

Did I mention I love Bobbi for putting this together for me. She took care of me as usual.

Here are some pictures from my Miami trip. These are our running friends from Fort Lauderdale. L-R = Andy, Mandy, Bobbi, me, Linda, and Tim. These guys are super friends that whenever we visit FL they come out and we catch up and it is just like old times. You may remember Mandy from earlier BLOG photos after her bike accident. She looks happier now.