Dust Storm From Hell

The skies are a nice brown today. Lovely.

I was gonna write more but a poker game just broke out. Gotta run...

 John 14:6

Under 6 Months

I am officially under 6 months as of today. I will be flying out of here on October 26th of this year. Will I ever come back? Who knows? I can say that I won't volunteer to come back but that doesn't mean I won't get told to come back. But if I do, it will only be for 6 months, never a year again. Ever.

Woke up and went to check mail. No mail. For anyone. No "Mail Plane" ($5 to anyone who can tell me where that comes from, Tab and the boys don't count and neither does Justin). Went to the TOC, checked on them. All's well. Went to the PX. They actually had some new movies in. I got a Jet Li collection and some other Martial Arts movie. Gotta love the Kung Fu Theater.

Finished two more fobs while listening to the commentary on Return of the Jedi. I'm getting ready to work on a few more while listening to commentary for Episode 1.

The internets absolutely suck right now. I talked to Tab for 5 minutes earlier and had to call her back like 15 times due to dropped connections. I will be so glad when the other company gets all of their equipment in and I can say goodbye to the idiots we have now.

With the increase in recent temperatures, I've seen all kinds of new critters running around. I'm going to try and get some pictures of them soon. New birds, lizards and geckos. Pete, our "Safety Guy", said that a group of soldiers were moving some boxes and came across a den of baby cobras. NICE! I think I'll need my telephoto lens for them...

Philippians 4:11 - This is an important one to learn and sometimes difficult for some people.

Well, it was bound to happen...

An "off" night. No biggee, I still had fun. That's the great thing about poker and why I love it.

Jacob was "King Daddy" tonight. That friggin' guy was on fire. And Chad got me on a Nut Straight with a freakin' Full House on an "all in."

One of Jim's "guys" had a going away party tonight and I cooked 50 burgers and 20 hot dogs for them before my game. He (the soldier) is getting promoted and moved down to Camp Liberty (Baghdad). Congrats to him.

T got back from his field trip today, early. Derrick picked him up at the PAX and they both joined in to tonight's game.

That was pretty much the whole day. Oh, it got to 104 degrees today but I tell ya, it ain't so bad. 104 in Texas would have been murder but here, it's dry. I'm sure once we start getting into the 120+ days it'll be hell, though.

John 15:5

Addendum...

Well, I got roped into a Dominos game which, before the bones even got shuffled, turned into a poker game. Finished at 0300hrs.

I still got it... 

Galatians 2:20

One more day...

Just one.

Last night/this morning I finished 3 fobs, 1 pace cord and 1 rosary, all while listening to the directors commentary of Star Wars (Episodes IV and V). I will probably do more of the same tonight with the commentary for Episode VI.

Let's see... What else? Went shopping, bought movies. Got a haircut. Reconfigured a hard drive for the TOC. It topped out at 102 degrees today.

Borrowed Justin's Hooptie for the ride to the PX and now I smell like exhaust. I'll be hitting the showers very soon.

The IT people at BISD are FREAKING MORONS and I hope that one day they read this. When I get back I think I'm going to write a proposal to that jacked up district and just take their jobs. OR maybe I should just run for mayor of Belton instead of Nolanville. Yeah...

John 6:35

Not much to report today

Today was pretty much un-incredible. Same stuff, different day.

We had another "low-fly-over" tonight but this one wasn't nearly as low as last night. Still kicked up a bit of dust though.

I got some of my beads in the mail today. Looks like I can start on the fobs tomorrow (after a brief refresher from Jim) and then as soon as the crucifix's get in I can start work on the rosaries.

I'll be designing and building a website for Rachel and Buddy's church sometime in the next few weeks (as soon as we change internet providers) and that will keep me busy as well. Lord knows I need something to do over here, other than watch DVD's all night.

I got my Gator repaired and I'll go get it reregistered sometime tomorrow. We have a broken hooptie that I'm gonna try and get repaired too. We'll see how that goes...

Jeremiah 2:13

A Bit of Excitement Tonight

Well, the day was like any other, relatively boring.

However, about 20 minutes ago "there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter" (and so did everyone else here in our little area). Sitting here I heard the unmistakable sound of a large helo in the distance. That distance was closed rather quickly and the noise was hellacious. I swear I thought it was landing/crashing right in our quad. When I opened the door I walked right into a dust storm caused by the prop downwash. Debris was flying everywhere. Justin flew out of his CHU, eyes wide (as were mine, I'm sure) and we both had looks of "What the frag?" on our faces. The helo was probably about 30 to 40 feet off the deck and moving slowly towards the "Spook" compound. At first we couldn't figure out what type of bird it was, due to the dust and it being dark outside. As it went down in the compound, we thought it was a Puma. It was on the deck for about a minute and then lifted off again. Through the dust and minimal light at the compound Justin said it was a Hip (MI-8), a Russian bird. He said the UN uses them over here. All I know is that it was big, low and scared the hell out of everyone here.

That's it.

1 Kings 18:41

Another Monday Goes By...

The temperature topped out around 98 degrees today, not too bad. It's a dry heat so it's not quite as harsh as 98 degrees in say, Nolanville or Houston.

The internet is still jacked up and I confronted our providers today. The HTIC (Head Turk in Charge) will be here around 2100hrs to take a look at what I'm talking about.

I got my 550 cord from Ranger Joe's today. Once I get the beads from Oriental Trading Company I'll begin making keychain fobs and bracelets as well as "tactical" rosaries for my Catholic family and friends. It'll give me something to do other than watch DVD's/stare at the walls (which are starting to close in rapidly). So if you want something special, email me and let me know.

My back is still hosed and the medicine seems to be only upsetting my stomach as opposed to relieving any pain. The Army really needs to enlist Chiropractors.

 

 

Captain America agrees with me...

 

 

Exodus 17:16

 

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