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.