You ain't gonna believe this...

The PX actually had, are you ready for this, Bratwurst.

I went yesterday and got burgers for the cookout today and later last night, T went up there and found freakin' bratwurst. Awesome. So, today we had burgers, brats and fake beer. It was almost completely awesome. Of course it would have been completely awesome if the beer was real. Especially when most folks here don't even drink beer, real or fake. That would have meant a lot more for yours truly.

To answer your many questions over the previous post; I was bored. So, boredom + MC Hammer gif + Sonja Blade gif = Mortal Kombat Dance Style. Bored, bored, bored...

John 12:3

Hammer vs Sonja Blade

 

 

Hammer Wins!

FLAWLESS VICTORY!!!

 

 

 

It isn't Spaceballs

Quite a few of you thought that the answer to the $5 question was Spaceballs. Now, while there is a character named "Prince Valium" the correct answer is Beetlejuice. The quote, "sleeping with Prince Valium tonight" is said by Wynona Rider when she is referring to her Mom (Catherine O'Hara) while the ghosts are trying to scare her in her sleep.

So there.

Poker was very good last night/this morning. We went to 0400hrs, hence the tardiness of my post.

Everything else is status quo. I think I'll have a Whopper for lunch today. Nom, nom, nom...

John 5:39-40

Prince Valium is a Sissy

So there I was, thinking that this Valium was gonna put me out... Uh-huh. The sun started to rise this morning at 0445hrs. Know how I know that?? Because I was still awake!! I didn't even get in the bed until 0530hrs and then had to force myself to sleep. That stuff did dull the pain but as far as what I've always heard about it, it ain't "all that."

Once the dust settled this afternoon it turned out to be a nice day. Blue skies, sunshine, 80 degrees and a slight cool breeze. It almost seemed like home (until I heard "Attention, attention, attention...").

Finished up Season 1 of The Practice, now I've gotta buy it online because the friggin' PX doesn't have season 2.

Our old pal Leonard finally showed up this past week. He's are EPLRS guru and also a member of the ESP family. Marvin goes on R&R Saturday and the rest of us are just waiting for tomorrow night.

My skull shoes and fox are ready to go...

Numbers 14:38 / Isaiah 46:11

Free Meds are a wonderful thing

So I went to the medics today about my back. The doc gave me mucho happy pills. I'll be "sleeping with Prince Valium" tonight ($5 to anyone who can tell me what movie that's from, Tab and Mike don't count).

After "work" today we pretty much hung out around the firepit and told "war stories." No fire, too hot. Just fake beer, a warm breeze, a few sprinkles of mud-rain and my friends. It was nice.

I picked up the 1st season of The Practice yesterday at the PX. I got sorta hooked on it a few years ago when Uncle C and I were duck hunting on a semi-regular basis. The cabin had a tv and FX was showing 2 episodes a night on the weekends. So after the evening hunt and while knocking back a few we would watch it. It's a good show. Boston Legal is actually a spin-off of it. And you all know that I love Boston Legal. The Practice is a lot more on the serious side though.

So, it's happy pills, The Practice and sleepy-time in a while.

Mark 9:24

Justin wanted a turn...
It only takes one (or two) slipped discs... 

To take a Stu out of commission.  

Okay, okay, it isn't as clever as some of Stu's openers, but I tried. But greetings; I don't know half of you as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you as well as you deserve. Salutations aside, this is the Dude, Stu's neighbor and carpool buddy.  We hang out most of the time, except on Shabbas...

Anyways, with him laid up and slightly out of it for now I felt compelled to lend a hand and take the reins of the blog for a night.  So let me fill you in and bring you up to speed.

Stu threw his back out and T and I tried to help him by getting him to relax on a fitness ball and stretch (this was after I almost threw my own back out trying to reset his).  Ever see a helpless turtle on his back? Yep...that was Stu. All kidding aside, you could tell he wasn't having a good day. As a good Dude I gave him a few of my Muscles Relaxers and to the land of La La he went.  Jacob and I did make a Burger King run for him and brought him back a Crispy Chicken Whopper meal though. 

He seems to be doing better and is semi-mobile. One can still taunt him and then jog slightly out of reach for his mobility has yet to return fully.  Work is still work and Groundhog's Day is still in effect.  The dust still settles and the rains still fall, but we live in Mosul, greatest Iraqi city of all (yeah right!).

My hooptie got some maintenance on it so it has been upgraded to Hooptie First Class.

I love MY wife very very much, had to put that in there as well. 

Silly AAFES product at the PX this week was Infant's Tylenol in the dropper.  Um, this is Iraq, a combat zone right, no infants on base?? Oh, that must be here for the Democrats... 

For the three who know me, you understand, for those that don't its okay...not many do. So until next time Stu does something and I fill his chair one more time:

"You're all clear, kid! Now let's blow this thing and go home!"

Saturday and Sunday

Well, not much happened on Saturday but we had someone want to learn the fine art of Texas Hold 'Em so we had an impromptu "lesson" night Saturday night.

On Sunday, I was down in Jim's CHU learning the fine art of para-cord weaving when my back suddenly went out on me. Don't know how or why but I was on the floor prett quickly. Once I hobbled back down to my CHU I got a "back-ball" from T to help stretch it out as well as some MR's from Justin as well as taking my own Vicodin's. It sorta helped but I am still unable to move a whole lot. It was an ordeal getting into this chair to sit and write this.

So, here I sit. I'm probably going to head over to the TMC at some point because my Vicodin stores are running low.

I'm also throwing my hat in for the 2009 presidency. I'm still not completely convinced that McCain is our man so, it may as well be me. Check out my campaign poster.

 

Colossians 2:8

"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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

"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