Change

Nothing seems to stay the same for long around here.  I was just getting familiar with some of the people here and now they are gone.  I suppose that is the nature of what goes on around here and you would not expect it to stay the same as you would at home with the same friends living around you.  As units move to other spots they are replaced with others.  It is making the job more difficult as I have to learn new contacts all the time to get anything done or find the information I need.  Life seems to be like that but it is getting hard to deal with.
It has been a busy week compared to some but the time goes by quicker when you are busy.  It has also been a somber week with too much bad news here and lots of people impacted.  Sometimes I wish I could write more detail but again it also probably a good thing that I don't share too much.
Still waiting on word about our contract but on the plus side I think I will be home sooner than later.  I have gotten to the point where I have had enough of this and I'm secretly hoping that we don't get the contract so I can be done with this.  In the mean time I'll just keep doing my thing and try to make the best of it.

civilized

Civilized adj
: characteristic of a state of civilization ; especially : characterized by taste, refinement, or restraint

Wow! living in an uncivilized part of the world sure is taking it's toll.  I never considered myself to be racist, intolerant or bigot minded.  I guess there was never much of a situation that would have even caused me to consider my views.  Until now.  Working here is not quite as military as I would have thought.  There seem to be more and more "workers" here from such countries as the Philippines (not so bad), Turkey, Pakistan, Yemen, etc.  The longer I am here the more I seem to strongly dislike being in the company of certain people.  At first It was easy to just dismiss some actions as individual, but then when you are stuck in close proximity to many third world people you realize that they are pretty much all behaving the same.  They are rude, impolite, impatient, dirty, smelly ... and the list goes on.
It is not uncommon while waiting in chow line for some to walk right past to try and move to the front.  I'm used to having a certain body buffer zone that is often invaded.  Sit down to eat with lots of space around you and someone will come crowd in at your table bumping your arm while you try to eat.  The concept of deodorant and personal hygiene - well it isn't even a concept.
That's what is on my mind this week.  I'm trying to consider my attitude - but it is very trying.
God, grant me patience.

Extreme

Extreme seems to be tagged onto lots of things these days.  I guess when you hear that the desert is an extreme environment you would think of hot and dry.  Well it gets cold too, maybe not extreme cold here but cold none the less.

It turns out that, at lest in this desert, extreme weather can also include torrential rain, amazing thunder storms and yes even hail.  The chain lightning was a spectacular display of white, orange and even blue.

It has been a busy week with the extreme weather causing lots of issues with the satellite and network.  I would not want to be bored with a monotonous job but at this point I have had enough interesting weather or at least enough technical challenges related to the weather.  Again it is difficult to get good pictures considering the environment but I think I will have some to add in here soon.(obviously accomplished)

Speaking of extreme, I am extremely thankful for my home.  I don't know why anyone would ever live here.  I'm also glad I packed a rain jacket.

Time flies when you are having fun

I really am surprised looking back at how quickly a month can pass by.  The largest contributing factors in this time anomaly would probably be that I was home on vacation and it was the Christmas season.  The travel adventure to return to work has rated the strangest of my travels to date.  Beginning with my departure from home I encountered an airport that had canceled all flights for the remainder of the day.  Not a good start but to have an extra day home was not bad.  Once the flights were all re-booked I flew east, then back west over top of home, then east again over top of home and the 2nd airport.  This part of the journey was a 13 hour flight in the middle of the middle row (not good - I'm a window man).  The flight was on one of the new A380's which was impressive.  Arrived in Dubai without a VISA (now required for Canadians) which meant I had to stay in the airport for 2 days without luggage.  Managed to get where I needed to be for transfer to terminal 2 with much chaos and made it to the non commercial flight to get here.  At this point I was certain my luggage was lost forever.  To end it all I arrived at my destination and was pleasantly surprised to see my luggage waiting for me.  And that - as they say - is that.

After another week of waiting for transportation on a C-130 (another interesting flight), I have settled in for another long stay here at home sweet desert home.

I have plans to go back and post in some details from the week in Dubai from my trip home on vacation as well as some vacation photos.  It is also my intent to try to post at least something of interest on a loosely regular basis.

I'll be home for Christmas......

Sooooo good to be home for Christmas!  Nothing makes you appreciate home more than a 6 month adventure in the desert.  They say you don't really appreciate something until you loose it and now I know the feeling.  Canada is a great country and the perfect spot to call home.  The travel home after Dubai was long but still not hard to deal with considering the final destination (hmm - that thought should be applied to life too).  I was greeted by Mom at the airport and finally had that relaxed comfortable feeling I had been missing.  Then my dog cried when she saw me get out of the car.  Even the Christmas tree was already up.  Welcome home!

 

I enjoyed my vacation a lot and always managed to keep just busy enough.  Most days I was able to take a walk in the woods which I missed a lot.  Thankfully the weather was not too cold so there was no shock to my system.  The first Sunday home I was able to see the choir Christmas cantata in the new church building which was nice.  Lots of time with friends and family was just what I needed.  I went to visit the farm several times while home as well - still miss that.

Spent Christmas eve with Dad building a front porch on my house.  It looks real good all decorated and furnished with family living there.  Went to some hockey games and practices to watch my nephew.  Got a rabbit hunting trip in.  More visiting with family and friends.  Worked a few Saturdays wiring with my brother-in-law.

Sounds like a great Christmas vacation right?  One of the best I can remember.  Before it seemed like I had been home very long - alas - as they say all good things come to an end.

Then there was Dubai

The journey home for vacation involved a stop over in Dubai for a training course - not a bad deal with 3 extra days to see some of the sights.  Of course one of the most notable landmarks in Dubai -

 A few other attractions were the incredible malls and the aquarium.  The intended clients for shopping obviously had more disposable income than I do as it all seemed a little too expensive, neat and proper.

I suppose blogging is probably supposed to involve more writing than this but what more can I say here?  The pictures give the idea - money, money, money glitz and glam and more money.

 Even the hotel seemed a little over the top.  After spending so much time in the desert, maybe it was a little too much for me.  It really was a good time that I hope I won't soon forget.

Journey home

Well I began my lengthy journey home yesterday.  It is a long way to travel to be sure, however my trip this time will be rather drawn out.  I began yesterday with a flight from my base to the main base in the south aboard an Osprey.  Very interesting aircraft - part plane and part helicopter.  Once 20 plus Marines and a few of us contractors were loaded on, the engines revved up and we jumped off the ground straight up about 1000 feet.  The next part is even more interesting as they rotate the propellers from horizontal to vertical, all the upward thrust shifts to forward thrust.  I was second seat from the back (without my seat belt fastened) and had to hang on as we very quickly accelerated forward.  The problem with this transition is there is very little upward thrust left and not enough forward speed to create much lift from the wings.  I noticed we were getting closer and closer to the ground.  The tail gunner even lifted the ramp a little more and seemed to look concerned.  I enjoyed the rest of the flight as we zigged and zagged around some increadible mountains with the second Osprey following close behind.  They could charge good money for rides in those birds.
Here are a few photos (not mine - no cameras were allowed on this flight) but very close to what I saw.

Flight position of the props

Take off and landing position of the props

I will be staying at the main base with joint operations for a week before continuing on to Dubai. I will be there for a week or so attending a training course before finishing my journey home.  Here is something to consider.  The British / American air field here is supposed to be the 3rd busiest compared to Brittain (Heathrow of course number 1).
Hopefully I will be able to take some pictures while in Dubai.

countdown

I am well into the countdown to vacation.  As always the plans have changed up a bit but I suppose for the better.  I had a visit this week from the boss and co-worker which was long overdue.  Running the base here myself was not the original plan and has been difficult but I'm glad to have that effort noticed.  I will begin my travels home sooner with a pause on the way home for a training course.

The weather has sure changed into what I can only assume is the winter normal of near freezing tempertures overnight and comfortably warm in the day.  Still expecting some heavy rain in the near future but I hope to miss most of that mess.  Imagine six inches of flour like dust with a deluge of rain on top.  Lots of deep tread boot traffic in and out of buildings, tents, office will make for a nice mess.

I don't seem to have a lot of cheerful things to write about - but hey - Christmas is coming and I'm so glad I don't have to spend it here. Listening to Christmas music as I write this as a matter of fact.

Value

I don't know if I really can describe what it is like to be here on Remembrance day.  I have learned to appreciate what I have back home so much more now.  What do you value?  Are you able to be with family and friends?  Are loved ones close or I suppose close enough to reach out and touch with a simple phone call?  Do you really like your job - come on, it's not that bad.  How about going to church every week?  What do you do with your free time (every evening, weekend or holiday)?  Do you enjoy heading to Tim Hortons for an early morning coffee or afternoon tea with friends.  What do you buy with the groceries just because you can?  How about health care?  How about freedom and safety?  Think about it.  I did and can say I truly am thankful.

Thoughts to remember

Remembrance day is next Thursday so I thought I would share a piece that I wrote for my brother Kevin to share at his church for Remembrance day.

For many, Remembrance Day is not easy.  There are those among us who have direct experience with conflict and war. The memories of these experiences are often difficult to dwell on.   Some have family and loved ones that were lost in combat.  Others have been blessed to know peace and safety their whole lives.  Each has their own reasons to remember.

There is an ongoing conflict in Afghanistan today that may seem distant and insignificant to a lot of the western world.  Soldiers arrive to a culture that is so different.  Hundreds of years removed from technology.  The environment is often very hot and very dusty.  Home is now at best a tent shared with several others.  Showers and bathrooms are community style with no privacy.

Departing for a week long patrol convoy the next morning, a soldier has trouble sleeping.  Thoughts of the danger then of loved ones back home rotate through the mind.  The convoy proceeds.  It is a long very rough and uncomfortable ride.  The vehicle ahead hits an explosive.  Two friends are killed; the others are injured with serious concussion.

At a forward operating base the medical team is notified of an incoming local Afghan trauma.  The patient appears to be unconscious but not dead.  The team quickly begin to assess the injuries.  A young trauma nurse begins to remove the bandages from a serious leg wound and discovers explosives placed within the wound.  The patient, who has now died, was to have detonated the device once inside the hospital.

A flu bug, or perhaps poorly prepared food, causes an outbreak of illness on base.  Duties must continue.  A rocket propelled grenade is successfully launched into the middle of the base.  God protects those in the area and the device does not detonate.  It is still seven months until going home.

 

Remember and pray for those that are involved in this conflict.

October....the end.

Oh the excitement!  Clouds for the 2nd time since I have been here.  Well maybe not much to get excited about but it gets better.  After the end of the 2 days in a row of cloud I noticed that there were actually some darker more substantial clouds on the horizon.  Lo, and behold we had rain.  Although it was not even enough to get the ground wet it was exciting simply for the fact that it has been nothing but hot sun for 4 month.

Come to think of it, every day is a day at the beach.  You even get to walk on rocks and sand everywhere.

Not very exciting I know - but it's life as I know it.

Hrmmmm

Maybe too much thinking time lately.  I have been reminiscing on hunting today for some reason.  Probably what started me on this mental meandering path was the opportunity to check out the scope on an M16.  One look through that I was was daydreaming of sitting in my treestand surrounded by vegetation and cold crisp air - sigh.  Oh well, no deer hunting for me this year.  Perhaps a rabbit hunt when I make it home for vacation.  I might even be able to talk some into our "annual" boxing day sea duck hunt but I doubt I could handle the cold right now.
The weather has finally turned here and it is cool enough in the early morning and evening to warrant the wearing of a sweater.  Coffee time after breakfast on my "patio" ( read 2 plastic chairs on the rocks and sand covered by a camo net) is quite comfortable now and perhaps the best time of the day.
Lots of folks have been leaving the last few days so it has been sad to say goodbye to some new friends.  hopefully the ones coming in to replace them will be just as friendly.  It has been a nice quiet week on the war front as well as no major issues with my equipment so hopefully things can stay that way  - at least for a while.  40 some days till vacation - can't wait!

I write therefore I .....

Kind of bothering me that I don't have much to write about these days.  I have intentions to get some pictures of my surroundings.  The trick is to do this in a way that would not be considered a security risk.  There are a really interesting sting of mountains north of here that on rare occasion are fully visible and maybe even impressive.  I am hoping to get some good shots of them soon.
Again this week there has been lots of bad news.  Although the mood is not great around here, it is surprising how much people can move on with things if the need is there.
I won't write in detail but I have heard some of the craziest funny stories about the locals here that makes one wonder how they make it to tomorrow.  I will say that common sense is not granted to as many as you might think.  Driving for example is not nearly as bad at home now that I have seen really bad.  A stop sign in any language of your preference is not merely a suggestion.
Hopefully I will come up with something a little more exciting to write about next time.

What are you waiting for?

Christmas! ... or I suppose to be more precise, vacation which happens to co-en-side with Christmas - Bonus!

Anticipation seems to make things that much better.  If it's worth waiting for, the more joy you get.  Sometimes a simple little thing like waiting for meal time or when you are tired just waiting anxiously for that moment when you can lay down, sigh and fall to sleep are all it takes.  Maybe a struggle with patience can be relieved by taking a simple look at what you are most looking forward to in the near future.

In the long term (perhaps), are you anticipating eternity with a confident "know so" hope?

what's up?

Well I really have not had much new to write about in the last few weeks.  Although it seems slow, time is moving along and I have started to count the days until vacation.  There have been a number of incidents in the last week and the mood here is getting very somber.  I'd like to keep a chipper attitude but it is hard when you know what is going on around you.
  Thanksgiving has come and gone and other than some greetings from friends and family I didn't give it much thought.  I have a lot to be thankful for especially while experiencing what some of the world is like.  I have another opportunity with American thanksgiving coming up.

On January 31st, 1957, Canadian Parliament proclaimed...
"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October."

Don't forget what you have to be thankful for - especially love, friendship and freedom.

new experiences?

Not quite what I had in mind when I thought this adventure would be great for new experiences.  To be sick for a week now has been tough.  To have to travel a good 300 yds to get to the bathroom when you are sick is not the type of adventure and experience I had in mind.  Never mind any of this crap (pun intended) that it will make you a stronger and better person.  Hoping - no truly praying for an adventure free night tonight.

how long is a dog year?

Time here seems to add double.  It takes twice as long as "normal" to get anything accomplished.  each day seems to take 48 hours to go by.  I'm feeling like time here is taking twice the toll on mind body and spirit.  The exception to this would be good news does not seem to last nearly as long as it should.
For now I will continue to count the days till my first vacation and try to stay positive and look for the up side.
Not sure if it is wise to share this as I don't want anyone to worry about me more than they are already, however; while i was down very ill the other day, a rocket landed somewhere in the area of 100 meters from my bed.  Although I may have felt sick enough to want to die - of course I truly don't wish to.  Thanks to God watching over many of us, the rocket did not detonate.  I'm not entirely sure how much damage it would have caused but I was told it would not have been good.

ill

spent the last 48 hrs dealing with illness.  Let's just say this is not the place you want to be when hit hard by something bad you ate.  Almost got to the point where I needed to get an IV to replace fluids, but thankfully I am feeling much better and hope to soon forget it.  Sometimes there is no place like home!

duck

Missing the annual duck hunt this year for the first time in a long while.  I hear the weather is not going to be the best this year (unless you are a duck).  Hope the guys have a good trip.

"Harvest" moon

Had a really nice moon last night.  Although the picture did not turn out very well (really need a tripod or some way to set the camera down) it was still a nice sight.  I don't think there is much to harvest around here so "harvest" moon may not be quite it - but still impressive.

Temperatures are getting down to something in the range of 5-10 Celsius at night now.  It is usually nice and crisp in the morning before the sun start baking me again by noon.  Maybe I'll try that moon shot again tonight.

Throne

Sometimes you just have to consider that things could always be worse.  All dignity aside, the latrine thrones are a better option than none at all or even the porta-potty.  Once you get used to it, all you can do is say hello to your neighbor and get to business.  It is especially humorous that they put curtain "doors" at the toilet - if you attempt to use the curtain it hangs down right in your face - good luck wiping with that there.  Sometimes you just have to laugh and say to yourself - I guess it could be worse!

reality check

Had a little wake up call this week that kind of has everyone on their toes again.  After a while of settling into a routine you tend to forget what is going on around you.  This is not the place for details so I won't be too specific.  Keep in mind that there are enemies out there that are bent on causing harm.  I'm glad that I don't know very many specific details or I'm sure I would have my bags packed and be on the next flight out of here.  You really have to trust God no matter where you are, whether it's in a war zone or even at home.
Sometimes it's the little things that remind you of home.  There was corn on the cob (at least I think it was) at supper a few nights ago - reminded me I was missing fresh, sweet juicy corn right out of the garden at this time of year.

9/11

Sure is strange to be here on 9/11.  It sure puts things in perspective when you are actually here to see a lot of what goes on.  You never really realize what is involved for our military to go to a foreign place and have to deal with what they do.  I really don't think I will be able to easily accept what I see on tv quite as easy ever again.  Glad I have had the opportunity in my life to see the reality of war so I appreciate what has been sacrificed in our counties history.
Thank God for our country!

God bless america too.

routine

Although it is good to settle into a routine, once you have been there for a while you realize that it may stay the same for a long time.  Sure, there are new people to meet and stories to hear but days seem to be rather busy but dull and hard to get excited about.  If you keep a good attitude and try to make your routine what you want, it seems to go a lot easier.  fortunately there are a few regular visitors that help with a little humor and good attitude.

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.