summer??

Normally I would look forward to fall but at the same time still want summer to continue.  Early fall is my favorite time of year - hunting season is coming up, cool crisp days and the beautiful colors of nature.  Here I just look forward to "cooler" days.  I had hopped the hottest days were over but it appears the heat wants to stick around a bit longer.  I do know an easy job here would be a weather forecaster.  At the beginning of the month just do up a report - hot and sunny and repeat for the rest of the month.  Maybe throw in a few windy dusty days.  I have been told that later in the "fall" we will get some rain, however it usually downpours and causes a mess due to no vegetation.
Been fairly quiet around here the last week or so and I hope that is a good sign.  Still, I tend to get that feeling like it won't last.  hanging in there for now - 2 years is going to be very difficult when you feel like a caged animal.

dustdevil

Had a number of dust devils come thru earlier this week.  I had a chance to get a few pics and video of this good size one.  Basically they are just like very small tornadoes that don't really cause any damage except leaving a dusty mess whenever they pass over.  Fortunately this one went just around my compound.  It is cool to see 4-5 of these all at the same time moving in random directions.

This one got within about 100 yds.  I would have to guess that this is at least 150 ft in diameter near the ground.

comfortable

Ahh - finally the weather has changed from sunny and hot every day over the last 6 weeks to cool (windy and dusty) but very nice today.  Feels like about 25 deg instead of the usual 40 something.  It has been busy the last few days but that certainly helps the days go by quickly.  Hoping the cooler weather is here to stay now.  Working on getting some upgrades done here now that the new office can has arrived.  It looks like the base will continue to grow and build for some time now with an expected change-out in the Dec Jan time frame.  The new helipad is complete and the airstrip should be done in a month or so.  I expect this will speed up getting in and out of the base as well as improve the ability to get supplies in.  Just reminding myself that it could be worse and there is always someone that has harder circumstances.

bagpipes?

Just when I figured I was getting used to things around here and becoming familiar with the sounds and sights that are normal...
I was heading to bed last night when something odd caught my attention.  I could swear in the distance I heard bagpipes.  Now this is not a good sign when on a marine base in the middle of the desert in Afghanistan you start hearing bagpipes.  I must be really tired.  Then I heard it again and it was getting louder.  Someone was walking up the "street" playing the bagpipes.  Bagpipe music is not something I enjoy very often, but apparently there is a marine Sargent here that plays.  I sat outside for 10 min and listened... and actually felt a little home sick

Babel

Ever read the story of the tower of Babel?  Over the last day I have communicated with (or at least tried to communicate with) people who spoke no less than 6 different first languages.  Several of these did not speak or understand any English at all.  It really is interesting how a lack of understanding, due to language differences, can turn a seemingly simple task into one that is very slow, frustrating and sometimes near impossible.  I can take this even a step further and consider that a lack of communication ability can be downright dangerous.  I'm still here to tell the story (which will have to wait for a good face to face story telling time) so at least I get to continue on and enjoy a good conversation.

Nerves of steel

Well my nerves of steel are starting to get rusty.  So far today there have been 4 controlled detonations.  I guess I'm not the only one that is getting wary of these as I have seen several marines duck when one goes off.  As you can see in the photo I am quite close to the det location and it really does give a good thump - not like in the movies with a big fireball - but a good feel it in your chest and head, office rattling thump.  At least this gives a little excitement to the day and reminds you where you are.  I also should mention that these occur at set times so a quick check of the watch and you know there is no danger.

conviction....encouragement

Sitting down for dinner in the dining tent the other night, I overheard a marine down the table witnessing!  As I caught little bits of the conversation I was really comforted to know that in a place where it sometimes seems like God is not there, someone was happy and sharing with others why they could be in such circumstances.  I did not get a chance to catch his name, but hopefully over the next while I will have a chance to run into him again.

Joshua 1:9   Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

wake up

Office and connex can

Got a wake up call this morning sometime before 6:00 AM.  A decently loud explosion, the kind that rattles the building and you can feel the shock wave in your chest.  Not sure if it was a controlled explosion or not, but I am surprised that it does not even get my heart rate up.  It really does feel safe here once you get used to what is normal.  Just to counter that point - we were just sitting down to lunch yesterday afternoon when the call went to get to the bunkers.  The all clear came about 20 min later. I have no idea what happened but at least I know someone is watching.

Arnel

Arnel is here with me.  He is the resident satellite expert.  Although his English is not the best we are getting along quite well.  He does seem to miss home in the Phillipeans.

Birthday

There was cake at supper tonight, no birthday is complete without at least a piece of cake.  I did miss my mothers chocolate cake with fudge frosting.  Got a nice birthday greeting from home and brought a tear to my eye when mom told be my dog had been depressed for several weeks after I left.

Home sweet home

Not quite like the house I planned on living in - but considering where I am, this will do alright.  Air conditioned is the important thing, and the metal walls help make it feel a little safer.  The food selection is surprisingly good with pie, ice cream available most days.

Delaram

After spending a few weeks learning the systems I will need to use, I was off to my new posting at base Delaram2.  The helli lift was interesting - had some live fire during the 30 min flight.  All 3 gunners opened up their 50 cal guns and emptied.  Could not see what they were shooting at.  Here is a clip from a co-workers flight 2 days later. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0_u4vYbHB4