Behind the Wall of Sleep
Saturday, 12 April 2008
"Do you wanna know where dreams come from..."
Well we had a bit of excitement last night, but I won't (can't) bore you with the details. If you hear about it on the news, don't worry it wasn't that big a deal.
Poker did NOT suck. I'm back baby! Just need to remember my skull shoes and to take my fox from Alaska next week (he sat beside me all night, people were ready to shoot him).
Getting ready to head over to D'Back w/ Justin. My CAC expires today and I haven't seen my new LOA yet so, I gotta stock up on supplies. Fun, fun, fun...
Luke 8:24-25
Posted by Stu
at 3:41 AM CDT
Friday, 11 April 2008
100th bLog Entry
Well, here it is. My 100th bLog entry.
And after pulling out what is left of my hair I finally got logged into to this #$%&(@& blog.
And I can't remember what happened yesterday so, read an old entry and pretend it was yesterday.
Matthew 19:22
Posted by Stu
at 6:28 AM CDT
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
MXC, Sonny Chiba and BK
It's amazing how one episode of MXC can take an otherwise crappy day and turn it around. Kenny and Vic are my heroes.
It's been said that Toshiro Mifune was the John Wayne of Japan. If that's true (and I believe it is) then it must also be true that Sonny Chiba is the Clint Eastwood of Japan. I just picked up a 3 pack DVD from the PX of some of his samurai movies. I'll be going back soon to get the other.
Justin knocked on my door at 0530hrs this morning (this post was supposed to go in yesterday but tripod was not cooperating) to go to the "Grand Opening" of the FOB Marez Burger King. I knew they were opening but, I thought he was joking about getting breakfast there at 0600hrs. He wasn't.
Mike did well at the swim meet and as soon as he can put his guitar down long enough to send me the official results, I'll post them here.
CW is much better and doing quite well in baseball.
By the way, my wife is awesome and I love her dearly.
Luke 16:10
Posted by Stu
at 10:19 PM CDT
Monday, 7 April 2008
A Brief Explanation
Over the past, "however long", I've been asked on occasion as to the meaning of the name of my blog as well as some of the more obscure daily titles. Well sit down, grab a Dr Pepper and I'll impart a little trivia to you.
"Behind the Wall of Sleep" serves two meanings here. One, it is the title of my favorite Black Sabbath song. And two, it sums up my inability to sleep like a normal human being. "Behind" the wall (asleep) is where I want to be but, most of my time is spent in "Front" of the wall (awake).As far as the daily titles go, well that's not quite as cryptic as you may think. They're songs. Or more to the point, lines from songs. Or even further to the point and as a matter of fact, they are the songs/lines from songs that are stuck in my head that day and as I'm typing entries into the ol' blog here, they find their way in.
See? Simple. Now, do I expect all of yall to recognize these songs when you see them? No. But I know at least three people who will. And if one of the three doesn't know it by his/herself then collectively they can figure it out. To whom I am referring, you ask. I'll give you a hint; they all live across the street from a cemetery. 
2 Corinthians 4:7
Posted by Stu
at 4:18 PM CDT
Updated: Monday, 7 April 2008 4:46 PM CDT
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Nothing. Nada. Zip. Nil. Zero.
Nothing... And I mean, N-O-T-H-I-N-G happened here today. Of course, I was asleep from 0600-1800hrs so, that may have something to do with it. My body finally gave out this morning after I checked on the TOC. I got back here to my hooch and friggin collapsed. 12 hous later I woke up wondering just what in the hell had happened.
Had BBQ Beef Hot Pockets and pretzels for supper/breakfast and now here I sit, hoping to be able to sleep again at some point and try to get back on track. Which will probably be sometime in July when I come home for R&R... Peachy.
So, I think I'll finish up Season II of MXC tonight. After that, who knows? The PX doesn't have any series that I'm interested in. I may have to break down and order Voyager from Amazon (I just hate paying full price).
Matthew 5:16
Posted by Stu
at 1:25 PM CDT
Saturday, 5 April 2008
It's 0530hrs...
And officially the 6th (at least here in sunny Mosul). So, that means it's my little sister's birthday. "Little"... Have I mentioned that technically she's already a grandmother? Yeah.
Happy Birthday, Rachel. Your big brother still loves you.
1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9
Posted by Stu
at 9:37 PM CDT
This will have to do in place of a witty title...
It's still the fifth...
The wind is still coming in from the West, though it wasn’t quite as dusty today as yesterday.
Four of us (Justin, T, Marvin and me) piled into the hooptie today for a morning trip over to Diamondback. I don’t think that car has ever worked so hard. The four of us, our laundry, 2 cases of beer and a case of Monster… In an Iraqi Opel. Passersby were pointing and laughing.
Upon our return we pretty much just hung out and enjoyed a nice cool, not-quite-so-dusty day.
CW is a bit under the weather back home so, when you read this Buddy, I hope you get to feeling better soon, I love you.
Tab is doing our taxes so, when you read this Honey, better you than me, I love you.
Mike attended a District Swim Meet today for the Chisholm Trail Scouts so, when you read this Bub, I hope you did well, I love you.
Shoutouts to El Jefe (who’s on this side of the world in SA) and Brian, who if he’s still in Texas and at Fort Hood, had BETTER call Tab.
Romans 8:32
Posted by Stu
at 3:01 PM CDT
Updated: Saturday, 5 April 2008 3:44 PM CDT
Friday, 4 April 2008
North wind, East wind... Good
West wind... Bad. Spoke too soon about the weather. The wind shifted and started coming out of the West. It brought sand with it. Lots of sand. Visibility went from about 60 miles to 60 feet really quickly, it doesn't take much.
Poker sucked.
Watched Attack Force Z last night. It stars a very young Mel Gibson as well as Sam Neill and is based on the WWII efforts of the Australian military's Attack Force Z. Good movie while a few of the scenes I found to be somewhat disturbing but, it was war. By the way, "Z" is pronounced "Zed."
No idea what's in store for the rest of the day (it's Saturday morning). But, I'm sure you'll find out tonight (providing we still have internet).
1 John 1:3-4
Posted by Stu
at 10:42 PM CDT
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Status Quo...
Another typical day here in Mosul.
The weather has been awesome lately. Mild temps and no sandstorms. Visibility has been great. The views of the city are really clear. The mountains to the North and East are visible. From where we sit the mountains represent the Turkish and Iranian borders. It's a nice view.
The generators at the PX went out today and they were closed (you'd think they'd have a backup).
My sleep schedule is still jacked up, just when I think I'm back on track... I'm not. It's a bit frustrating.
Looking forward to tomorow nights game. It's the one night a week that is a break from the norm. This place is really starting to try my last nerve, I'm beginning to question my agreement to stay here for a year. Ah well, you do what you have to, right?
Watched No Country for Old Men the other night. This is, by far, the most confusing Coen Brothers film to date. I watched it twice, back to back. I'm still not sure about it. It's based on a book of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. I probably need to read it, at some point.
I had a couple of custom patches made today. They are the "Gonzales Flag" from the Texas Revolution (the "Come and Take It" flag) they're pretty ccol. I've got one on my body armor and I think I'll have the second one put on my vest.
Nothing else of any significance happening (which is good). Justin got his hooptie fixed, at least partially. It runs now but the exhaust still needs a bit of fixing (gotta roll with the windows down).
Aside from that, it's business as usual.
Revelation 1:14-15
Posted by Stu
at 3:39 PM CDT
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
All it takes is an angry email from your Mother...
Mood:
mischievious
To absolutely make your day.
I rule.
I am the coolest son, ever.
John 12:24
Posted by Stu
at 12:15 PM CDT
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
All it takes is a broken bat...
To ruin your day.
In case you're wondering why I missed updating the ol' blog yesterday it is because I was in the Emergency Room of the CSH (Combat Support Hospital) with a nice deep gash through my left cheek and a chipped bone. We were playing ball and Justin smacked the hell out of the ball. It was heading towards T and Derrick while the broken bat was heading at me, but I was watching the ball. WHAMMO!! Caught it right in the face. I hit the ground and blacked out for about 10 seconds or so and woke up to the three of them bending over me and trying to control the bleeding. We got it patched upwith a piece of cloth from Marvin's ESP shirt and they drove me to the CSH.
The Army is experimeting with a new type of "bone glue" called Osteo-Goo or something like that. They pretty much glued the chipped bone back in place and stitched me up. Thirty seven stitches later I was out the door with a bottle of Vicodin and a ticket to Germany. I leave for Frankfurt tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to get plastic surgery done by the Army hospital there (they don't have any here).
So, it looks like I'll get to enjoy some real beer very soon. Ah, the price we pay for a little sip of the good stuff. Oh and by the way, gotcha. From where I sit it sure does look like April the first. And you know what that means.
Deuteronomy 4:6
Posted by Stu
at 11:32 AM CDT
Sunday, 30 March 2008
All it takes is a sand storm...
To ruin a good party. Yes, a sand storm
I started cooking around 1300hrs and finished around 1600hrs. We hung out and waited for our soldiers to show. At 1630, in walked the Regimental Command Sergeant Major, CSM Burns. We were a little "caught-off guard" by this surprise appearance, as we usually only see him at the TOC. Thoughts of "Oh crap!" immediately ran through our collective heads. We weren't sure how he'd react once his soldiers started showing up. He stuck around for a bit and then had to go to a meeting and left stating, "I'll be back."
Soldiers began to filter in little by little and I threw burgers and hot dogs back on the grill to warm them up and melt the cheese. Soldiers ate their fill of "home-grilled" food and drank their fill of ice-cold fake beer. Then, as parties usually go, cards and dominoes were brought out as well as an iPod with external speakers.
Around 2000hrs, the CSM walked in again. The soldiers who were there suddenly had a "deer-in-the-headlights" look about them but after the CSM sat down and began bs'ing with all of us they loosened up again... A bit. The CSM is an ok dude, once you get to know him a little.
Then at/or about 2030hrs the wind picked up and we got reports of a 4000ft tall sand storm that was moving into our area. At 2045hrs the party was over as it was a mad dash to get leftovers, plates, utensils and everything else picked up and put away before it got really bad. Visibility went straight to hell in about 5 minutes.
Everybody dispersed, I took a shower and now here I sit, typing away the rest of my night. Or at least until I'm done and put in Star Wars.
I'm done.
May the Force be with you.
Mark 14:26
Posted by Stu
at 2:27 PM CDT
Saturday, 29 March 2008
"What is this, that stands before me?"
Spent most of my day in the TOC setting up my new "office." Finally got the wires run and now all three computers are singing like birds. Finished configuring the Dell after the Help Desk nuked it so it could go on the NIPR LAN.
I'm probably gonna make one more trip down South soon, once we get a cable in. Hopefully next week, sometime... We'll see.
Right now, I'm drinking a fake beer, writing this, converting Real media to MP3's and getting ready to start a Star Wars marathon. Fun, fun, fun.
Luke 22:31-32
Posted by Stu
at 2:58 PM CDT
Friday, 28 March 2008
"Busted through the conductors booth and busted out rhymes..."
Well, yet another Friday has come and gone. It's 0200hrs Friday night/Saturday morning. Just finished playing poker. Tonight was bad but not as bad as it has been. I need to stick with the advice that Bob Boyett gave me a long time ago and I think I'll be ok.
Justin got a battery for his hooptie today. We slapped it in, jumped it and it started right up. Thinking we would be ok to travel to Diamondback and drop off the old one, into the hooptie we climbed. Everything was fine until we got to the "Cholo's Auto's" place. Then... Justin turned the ignition off. Two batteries later, still no ignition. So, we left the car, one of Cholo's flunkys' was nice enough to give us a ride back to Marez. I got dropped off at the PX to get a haircut while "Flunky" took Justin back to the hacienda where he would get one of the other trucks and come pick me up. An hour and a half later he shows up in Seann's truck claiming that, "All the other trucks were gone" and he had searched high and low before calling in a favor with Seann. I think he got back, realized "Teen Idol" was on and just couldn't miss it.
Got both of my computers set up in the S6 office but I'm waiting for lines to be run to connect me to the internet and the tactical internet (should be done this weekend sometime).
Gonna take a shower, do some crosswords and go to bed.
Mark 14:49-50
Posted by Stu
at 6:35 PM CDT
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Freakin' Generators!!
Ok so I wake up last night/this morning at 0100hrs. Stay up all night/morning and go through the regular daily routine. TOC, PX and so-forth. I'm starting to wear down but I know I can't just go to sleep for fear of getting my schedule any more jacked up than it already is. So, I say to myself, "Self..." (that's Bill Cosby humor) "you need some rest. Take an hour nap. Set your alarm and get up when it goes off." No problem, right? Well, I didn't take in to account the "Iraq Factor." The "Iraq Factor" works alot like Murphy's Law. I set my alarm for exactly one hour, fall asleep and the generator is promptly shut down for maintenance, resetting my alarm clock and allowing me to catch up on more sleep than I wanted. I woke up 4 hours later!! Like I said... Freakin' Generators!!
Jim and I hit the shoppette to get some charcoal for Sunday. Went ahead a bought a case of fake beer too (still no Copenahgen).
Checked in with the TOC again, no problems. Oh! I'm getting an "office". They're moving me in with SSG Blakemore (my brother) and we're sharing a closet. Once we get it all set up I'll take a picture of it and post it here.
Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE seems to think that we're long lost brothers. On my field trip last week, the entire commo section down there said it too. I don't see it... I'm much better looking than Blakemore!!
Mark 14:41
Posted by Stu
at 9:47 PM CDT
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Another Day
Another dollar.
Had a couple of issues at the TOC today, fixed 'em. Went to the PX for snuff, they were out. Went to the Sapper Eagle store, they were out. Went to the Hilltop Store, they were out. Went to the Shoppette, they were out. Had to buy Skoal. Not happy.
Justin and I played catch today. He throws like Rick Vaughn before he got his glasses... Hmmm...
Hanging out earlier, came in to grab a sammich and write this so, here you go.
Got two boxes from my lovely, much-better-half. More movies are always a good thing. Got some pictures as well and they are already on the wall, plus a little piece of art from CW, thanks buddy.
Laters.
Mark 14:27
Posted by Stu
at 9:24 AM CDT
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
The Past Few Days
Today's my first day back from a "field trip" down to another FOB. Below is a summary of the past few days:
Friday- MSG Brown, Dee, T, Marvin and I caught a UH-60 (I love Blackhawks) down to a FOB a bit South of us. Due to my sleep schedule still being hosed up I didn't sleep at all.
Saturday- The 5 of us spent all day trying to get the ABCS's up and running for the Squadron we were there to support. Ate at Pizza Hut for a late supper.
Sunday- See Saturday.
Monday- See Saturday. Then jumped a flight back here to lovely Mosul. I say lovely because the place we just came from was anything but.
Today- Tried to scrounge some spare parts for our friends to the South but had no luck. Went food shopping at the PX (they actually got a shipment in while I was away). Laundry. Supper. I was watching MXC's first season until Justin came by to tell me that the internet was back up. Since then, I've been catching up on emails, reports and now this.
Here are some pics from the trip.
Mark 14:38
Posted by Stu
at 6:50 PM CDT
Thursday, 20 March 2008
Up, down, up, down, up, down...
If someone was to give me a choice right now, between trying to do anything on the internet and poking myself in the eye with a stick; my response would be, "You got a stick?" SISTER MARY FRANCIS!!!! I'm losing what little mind I have left. They keep telling us, " The 24th, give us until the 24th, it'll all be better." I tell you now... If it isn't, you may be seeing me on FoxNews. ***US Contractor Arrested for Stuffing Turkish Internet Providers into Mortar Tube***
Justin and I played catch today (Derrick joined in a little later); it was a welcome diversion from the normally normal normalcy of this friggin' place. We even smacked the ball around with the bat, a bit.
Baseballs take funny bounces on an all loose-rock surface, just ask my left cheek. There is just no way to guess which way the ball is going to go once it makes contact with the "ground". Karnac the Amazing couldn't have predicted the balls path today. It was all over the place.
Avoided the chow hall completely today. Spicy Vienna Sausages for lunch, Hormel Beef Stew for Supper and "Mosul Nachos" for my 0100 snack. Yum-mee yum...
After 2 games of Dominoes with Derrick, T and Justin I hit the sack at roughly 2130hrs. 3 1/2 hours later... Here I am. Woooooooooo!!!
Matthew 8:25-26
Posted by Stu
at 5:56 PM CDT
Updated: Thursday, 20 March 2008 6:25 PM CDT
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Well, that's just great...
So, I actually go to bed at roughly 2000hrs (man, I was tired). Yeah... not tired enough, obviously. Woke up at 2356hrs. That's a whopping 4 hours of sleep. So, looks like I'll be up until 7 or 8 again. Geez, can't a man get a break?!?
So, what am I doing right now? Crossword puzzles and typing this entry. Once I'm done with that I think I'll watch the Ben-Hur documentary and read some comics.
2 COR 9:8
Posted by Stu
at 4:38 PM CDT
Yesterday and Today
Well, yesterday did have a bright spot; I got my birthday box from Tab and the boys. Inside I found Spies Like Us from Mike as well as a note that read, " Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, You are Old!!" He's getting his @$$ kicked when I get home. CW sent me a 2 DVD set about Pearl Harbor with a note that read," Hope you like it, send it back when you're done." Tab says he wants to watch it too. From my lovely wife I got home-made curtains with a bowling motiff, awesome. Now I can get rid of these damn pink ones I have. Her note was for me only... ;)
Today I got my birthday box from Mom, Pop and Nannie. A Louisville slugger, glove and two baseballs, again awesome. Justin bought a glove and Chad's going to do the same. We can't call it "sandlot baseball" because, oddly enough, there's no sand in our area. Just rocks. So, it'll be "rocklot baseball" but hey, it's still baseball.
Today is beautiful. Blue skies, no clouds, temperature is in the mid 70's and there's not a lot of stuff on fire (which is always a plus).
I'm flying to another FOB late this week and will be there for about 2 or 3 days so, you probably won't here from me until I get back.
"Our-feet-are-stained"...
Posted by Stu
at 8:19 AM CDT
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