Hanging out Karzblacastan

Things here in Karzblacastan (I will tell you where we really are after we depart) are actually pretty decent—other than the fact we are still here. Sunday we had a pretty intense snow storm here. It was reported at over 9inches which is supposed to be a record for here. There is still snow everywhere. Luckily, today the sun came out and when the wind was not blowing it was actually very pleasant. If the roads had not still been icy I would have gone for a run. There was suppose to be a good abs class at the gym this afternoon, but I napped through it.

Before you think that I am being overly lazy napping the afternoon away I was up most of the night thanks to the Bulgarians. Their flight was cancelled and they all came back to the tent. They are not the quietest of peoples. They also had one guy who had that penetrating voice that even made it through the songs of my iPod.

The food is pretty good. The chow hall is open 24 hours a day so food is not a problem. What is very interesting is that the sun does not come up until after 0830. This morning about 0745 I was leaving the chow hall and it looked like the middle of the night. There were very few people out and it was dark and dreary. It looked like it was midnight. If we don’t get out on Tuesday we have a little “cultural excursion” planned for about 10 people. I am not scheduled to go on the trip but it will be nice to have some of the younger soldiers get out and see another country. Especially one that they probably never see again. If you are permanent party at this location you get to avail yourself of these trips. It took our Bde Commander to get this approved for us.

We are all in good spirits and ready to get on with the mission. However, I would like one more day here to assist in the resetting of my internal clock.

Getting Ready to Head Out

As usual I have been very crappy in writing but this time I am going to blame it on poor internet at Fort Dix.   That is only part of the problem.  The other issue is the fact that I was very busy as the commander of the unit getting all the parts in the right places, herding cats, and all the other great things that commanders get to do.  However, that time is just about over.  We will be leaving within the week.  I will be sending out an address after we arrive if anyone is interesting in sending mail. 

I did get out of Fort Dix for the Holidays.  The Bride and I made to Chicago to spend time with the family.  It is so much fun to spend time with my niece and nephew, especially at  Christmas.  The youthful joy of the Holidays is so much fun to watch and be a part of.   In addition to the exuberance of the youth, we older kids got to enjoy lots of good drink and food.  My sister-in-law made their family secret recipe stuffing with contains all sorts of Italian meats.  I just love this stuff and ate way to much of it.  We enjoyed some Wii bowling and ping-pong competitions.  I enjoyed the Wii so much I bought one for the house.  However, I will not get to use until late fall.  What was I thinking?  On the return trip we were luckily only delayed about hour in Chicago thanks to mother nature.  But with all the cancellations the day after Christmas we were very lucky. 

When I returned I went to BWI to see some of the people from the unit off as the departed early to Afghanistan to pave the way us.  It was great to see everyone is such high spirits and ready to get on the mission.  It makes me very proud to be serving with people such as this.  They had to leave their families early to get overseas and do what needed to be done for the unit and help ensure success. 

The Bride and I wonderful meal and fellowship with some of the most incredible people I know.   Laura, whom I work for, and her husband and a former co-worker who left our Firm to go back and work in his native country.  He is back now in the US and is starting his own company.  These are some of the smartest people that I have ever been associated with and I happy to have them take time out their busy schedules to spend a couple of hours with us prior to my departure.  As usual it was a stimulating evening that left me happy to be working where I do. 

Finally, the Bride and I enjoyed great company with a long time friend who no longer leaves in the DC and his girlfriend.   We had a great dinner at fantastic local restaurant on New Years Eve.  Great food, great wine, and great friends.  What more could anyone ask for. 

This will be last missive before heading out sometime in the next few days.  I am sorry to be leaving the Bride, my friends, and everything else at home.  However, this is mission is important to to country and I am ready to get over there and accomplish what I can accomplish and influence things in my little sphere of influence.  

The location I am to be posted at should be good for running and I hope they have some stationary bikes.  I have a work out plan in mind and I hope to get up to some good long runs and garner some mileage on the stationary bike.  I have book of work outs for triathletes and I will be making time to get my butt back in shape.