Not Born a Ramblin' Man...

I don't know how to start this one so I'll ramble. I'm feeling a little light-headed euphoria right now due to the travel. Getting back to the dust, sand, and gravel too. I'm stuck in Kuwait. I don't know how or why...but I knew this would happen. Two accountability formations already and no flights for me. Sucks.
There's nothing to do here but spend your money. I saw people lining up at the fast food restaurants today, people at the little shops, at the PX and here on the computers. When you get bored, you find something to do. I don't want to sleep a lot, especially during the day because I need to readjust to this time zone. That took 2 days back home.
I had a book that I started when I got on the plane in Dallas. Finished it. Good one too. Now, I'm here and the computer is ticking away the time I have left on this thing. 19 mins.
At the last formation, the private calling out numbers called out one group and told them they have a flight tonight. It's like they relish the fact that we hang on their every word to see if we're getting out of here. We'll see what happens tomorrow morning. Did I mention how hot it's getting here? Even in the shade it's like someone's pointing a big hair dryer in your face. The summer months will be interesting to say the least. 15 mins. Well, that's about it for this one.

Working Out the Kinks...

Here at Camp Liberty, I'm getting a little more organized and into the flow of things. Housing arrangements, check, got my CHU...and thanks to SFC Hilton, we have a TV, a fridge, and converters in our room. Food, always good on a deployment...and you can get it anytime. Work, check, I will be working on the 1st Cavalry newspaper layout, The Crossed Sabers. Anyone can access it on www.cavcountry.net. While I'm doing that, I will help out in the print section and maybe even be able to get out a do a story.

Most know I like Starbucks. A lot. I've discovered Green Bean Coffee and man, that is some dang good coffee! I've fallen for the iced white chocolate mocha. Every espresso-based beverage they make has two espresso shots--minimum! Mmmmm.
I went to the al-Faw Palace again today. A few more needed MND-I badges and the other three wanted to look around. I took a picture of the large chandelier in the middle of the building. SPC Anderson took a picture of me sitting in the famous chair.
Pretty soon I'm going to start getting my butt in the gym. Last deployment I gained 25 lbs. I hope to do that again....it may be a little more difficult here due to the heat in the summertime. If you drink more liquids, you sometimes don't eat as much.
I've been kicking myself in the butt because I haven't had my camera with me to take pics of my goings-on. Time to head out to chow...my stomach is talking to me. Oh and in the last picture, check out the landscape behind me...that's Kuwait. Nothing much grows where we were. We were at the 'range' to shoot off some rounds with our M4s and our M9s.

The Waiting Game...

Well, we're back here at Fort Dix after enjoying a 4-day pass. We were pleased to discover that, after our training was completed, there was time for us to burn and our leadership worked with 1st Army to let us escape. I went to Atlantic City. I've never been there and it was cheaper than spending time in New York City. So, I made reservations and stayed at the Trump Marina Hotel/Casino...which I found was the old people's choice for winter gambling. I've never seen so many elderly citizens on motorized carts in one place in my life! I can say that I didn't lose money at the casino. I was given 2 casino coupons and used them one night...I made around $80 bucks off that and had to get out of there because I was getting lightheaded from all the dang cigarette smoke.
My stay was nice and relaxing though....perfect thing before being sent somewhere for a year. Lots of relaxation, Starbucks, sleep, and a couple movies. The weather was interesting....snow, fog, lots of rain at one point that turned all the snow into slush and then washed it away.
Now we're playing the waiting game...and the packing ensued. We'll be here for the Super Bowl...we heard that several restaurants are providing food at the gym for a little 'party' if you will during the game. I'll go...nothing else to do. We've been burning time by packing, doing PT at the gym, running to the PX or to Dunkin Donuts, and of course, blogging.
Kuwait will be on the horizon very soon. Ahhhh....sand blowing around that has the consistency of powder. Critters. LOTS of moving and lifting of our gear from place to place. Laying around waiting for a flight to Baghdad Int'l. Transient tents....the things a mobilizing soldier looks forward to.
I don't look forward to being a freakin' fobbit. For those who don't know...a fobbit is a person who remains on the forward operating base (FOB) and never ventures outside the wire. Many fobbits enjoy set schedules, coffee, AC, stuff like that while other soldiers are out doing their jobs and getting dirty. I'll probably remain on base because I'll get stuck working in the MOC (media operations center)....but hey, you never know. I hope to be able to go out to cover something. We'll see what the future brings....very soon this cold weather will be history.