Behind the Wall of Sleep
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Back in Kuwait
Justin and I arrived at Ali late Saturday afternoon after a nightmarishly hot C-130 ride from Mosul (he's going on leave as well).
Ali has not changed, it's still the armpit of Southwest Asia. Only now it's hotter than Satan's butthole after a Tabasco Margarita. Geez, I thought Mosul was hot. Mosul was like a nice Spring day compared to Kuwait. Plus they have something here that Mosul doesn't... Humidity. Not much mind you but just enough coming off of the Persian Gulf to make it just that much more miserable.
Beverly picked us up around 1000hrs this morning. A quick stop at McD's then here to the apartment. I took a long shower (I had dust and sand in places that aren't supposed to have dust and sand) and then went to sleep since I had been up for over 40 hours. And now, here I sit.
I'm gonna order some Sushi from the local Japanese restaurant and then hit the pool. It's 2043hrs here, it's dark and it's still 118...
Galatians 6:2
Posted by Stu
at 12:47 PM CDT
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Without Further Ado, I Give You...
The official website of Free Texas: http://www.showandtelltexas.com/
To borrow a line from my wife (who borrowed it from a Mr. Elwood Blues), "Tell your friends..."
Job 1:1
Posted by Stu
at 10:30 PM CDT
Movie Reviews
Secret Window Horrible. Horrible movie. Two minutes into the credits I almost turned it off when I saw it was a Stephen King story. I figured it all out in 15 minutes and it was all downhill from there. Not even John Tuturro could save the movie because it was just Pete playing a bad guy. Lame.
I'm completely convinced that King is a hack. The only movie ever done based on one of his stories that was any good was The Shining; and he didn't even want his name associated with it because he thought that Stanley Kubrick ruined it. Now granted, I've never read a single book of his but I have seen most if not all of the movies. I suppose it could just be all of the filmmaker's faults...
Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact and The Dead Pool
I love Harry Callahan. But I gotta tell ya, you get used to watching these on TV and you forget just how much full frontal nudity (male and female), bad language, and blood are in them. Not that those are bad things (well full frontal male nudity is bad), you just forget it's all there. Trivia time. What do Dirty Harry, The Dead Pool and Star Trek: Deepspace Nine all have in common?
Diary of the Dead
Now I'm a big fan of Romero's zombie movies but this was crap. I think ol' George is just that... Getting too old. Even the special guest voices didn't help this movie. "Guest voices?" you ask. Figure it out for yourselves.
War
Jet Li and Jason Statham. How can you go wrong? Great movie. Nice twist.
Flash Point
A great Donnie Yen movie. It's all in Chinese so you have to read the subtitles (and get past the grammar) but it's a really good cop/action/Kung Fu movie.
Posted by Stu
at 3:55 PM CDT
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Addendum...
It's been a long time but sadly, it's happened again; We lost 3 soldiers from 3rd Squadron today, as well as one of their interpreters. Please say a prayer for them and their families.
John 14:1-4
Posted by Stu
at 6:22 PM CDT
Over the years...
I have heard many variations on my name and it's been used in many pseudo-references. Examples:
Studini the Great, Stu Manchu, Kung Stu, Egg Stu Yung, Stu-Man, Stu-Pendous, Stuey and so forth. References alike: Hey Stu (to the tune of "Hey Jude"), Love Me Stu (to the tune of "Love Me Do"), More Stuman than Stuman ("More Human than Human"- White Zombie) and so forth. Did I mention that I do not like The Beatles?
Well today I was hit with a new one. Steve (Chad's replacement) walked up and said, "What's up Stufish?" Now I immediately thought that this was a reference to the Jewfish AKA the Goliath Grouper. I gave him points for originality but he said it was a Beavis and Butthead reference. The kid in the Winger shirt on B&B was named Stuart and B&B sometimes called him that. Whatever the case, it was a new one to me.
Everything here is samey-same. I've been working on websites more than anything else. If I can get the rest of the information from my sister for the church that one will be done, hint, hint. The other is one I'm doing for Free Texas. Once it's done I'll share it with all of you. Uncle C gave me a great idea and it has already been implemented. >:)
2 days and a wakeup...
Matthew 18:33
Posted by Stu
at 1:58 PM CDT
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
"Tuesday's Gone"
Another uneventful day here in sunny Mosul.
Check it out: http://www.ccatexas.org/CCATexas/2004_Leader_Board_Standings.asp?SnID=1460779586
Scroll down to the Ling/Cobia Division. My little sister is in the lead. If she wins she can give me the boat as payment for the church's website. ;)
3 days and a wakeup...
Philippians 1:12
Posted by Stu
at 4:15 PM CDT
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!
This Sunday was just like all the other Sundays... And Mondays and Tuesdays and etc, ad nauseum...
I finished the groundwork for my sister and bro-in-law's church's website. Once I hear from her and Brother Bobby I'll fill in the details and then post it so everyone can take a look.
And congratulations to her for kicking some serious butt at the fishing tournament this weekend.
4 days and a wake-up and I'll be on a plane to Ali.
Luke 22:27
Posted by Stu
at 4:47 PM CDT
Saturday, 21 June 2008
The Temple Daily Telegram
The TDT is the local newspaper for the greater Temple area. They recently interviewed a certain author you all may know...
http://www.temple-telegram.com/story/2008/06/22/50264
Posted by Stu
at 3:39 PM CDT
God willing and the dust doesn't rise...
I'll be boarding a C-130 or C-17 in one week for my trip to Kuwait. Three days later and I'll be on a United flight bound for the good ol' US of A.
Have you ever loved someone so much that your stomach gets knotted up when you think about them? Have you ever been apart from that person for what may well seem like an eternity? Have you ever been 7000 miles away from that person and could only talk to her for 10-20 minutes every other day or so? It's not something I would recommend, for anyone. But, with all things, I try and learn something from every situation I find myself in. And what I have learned over the past 9 months is that my wife is a Godsend. I love her very much.
She's the jam in my jellyroll...
1 Corinthians 13:7
Posted by Stu
at 8:00 AM CDT
Updated: Saturday, 21 June 2008 8:39 AM CDT
Friday, 20 June 2008
Addendum...
A picture of the ESP, Inc. crew here in sunny Mosul.
Posted by Stu
at 11:06 AM CDT
"A lighthouse in Kentucky, oh I should be so lucky..."
A whopping 118 degrees today. I remember when I was in the Mojave Desert National Park that it got to 122 that day. We are fast approaching that mark and will probably surpass it within the next few weeks.
"Get up on the chuck-wagon if your feet are draggin'..."
Everything else is pretty much the same as you would expect. It has been a lot quieter lately though. The Iraqi Army has taken over much of the security responsiblity for Mosul and seem to be doing a decent job. Of course it's a little easier for them since 3d ACR had killed or captured a whole lot of the bad guys before the "Sons of Iraq" took over, but hey, they're trying.
11 days, 11 days, 11 days.................
Luke 8:15
Posted by Stu
at 8:24 AM CDT
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Tab's Upcoming Book Signings
June 22--Book signing at Waco Barnes and Noble from 2:00 to 4:00
July 4--Book signing at Deerbrook Barnes and Noble from 2:00 to 5:00
July 5-- Book signing at Baybrook Barnes and Noble from 2:00 to 5:00
August 2-- Book signing at North Arlington Barnes and Noble from 2:00 to 4:00
August 3-- Book signing at Borders Express in Killeen Mall from 2:00 to 4:00
September 27-- Book signing at Round Rock (La Frontera) Barnes and Noble from 2:00 to 4:00
Posted by Stu
at 3:47 PM CDT
Well, it seems...
As though we have most of the bugs worked out of our internet. So, I should be back to posting at least once a day (hopefully).
Today was our first really clear day in a long while. You could see all of Mosul as well as the mountains. Of course it's 116 degrees out now and staring at the mountains for longer than one minute is not conducive to your mental well-being (this heat will suck your will to live).
Acts 12:14-15
Posted by Stu
at 11:07 AM CDT
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
A Brief Response/Addition...
To Tab's Hank Jr post on her blog.
I was sitting here, listening to music and updating my computer when the playlist transitioned over to Hank Jr. Within 30 seconds I had got up and grabbed a (fake) beer from the fridge. Now mind you, I haven't had one in over a week. It's a Pavlovian response, I guess.
And a Happy 83rd Birthday to my Nannie (a day late because we lost access again). I love you.
Isaiah 55:6
Posted by Stu
at 11:15 AM CDT
Updated: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 12:49 PM CDT
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Temporarily Operational
This probably won't last long so here's a recap of the past however long...
Dust Storms. Empty PX. Dust Storms. 112 degrees in the shade. Dust Storms.
Justin and "G" got their names on the board with Straight Flushes and I got my 3rd.
I'll be home on the 1st of July (providing we get no dust storms on the 28th of June).
I leave the US again on the 15th and will be in Iraq until October 26th before returning home (hopefully ) for good without ever having to set foot in this retched country ever again.
I seriously miss my wife and boys.
Ephesians 6:11
Posted by Stu
at 4:46 AM CDT
Thursday, 22 May 2008
Addendum...
Ok. It's 0300hrs and I just woke up. Whether from force of habit or morbid curiosity I opened an Explorer window and lo and behold the innarweb works. I have no idea for how long though. I should be able to find out more later this morning.
We're still going to get a satellite and our own service. The speeds will be mo bettah as well as the reliability.
No poker tonight, at least I don't think there was. I fell asleep around 1800 or so (I think). Maybe they played without me...
That's it for now.
Acts 8:29
Posted by Stu
at 7:34 PM CDT
Last Post for Probably a Week...
RCSM Burns has fired our internet providers. I'm using a friends pc to post this.
We are getting our own service and satellite within a week or so. Check back then.
Peace out.
John 3:16
Posted by Stu
at 3:19 AM CDT
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
In the words of Hakeem Olajuwan...
"Unbeatable."
At least it seems that way right now. I cannot be stopped at the poker table. Now tonight didn't bring me a straight flush (I was one card off of that) but I did layeth the smacketh down on Derrick. He had a full house and I had to hurt his feelings with my four of a kind. But that wasn't the only time. I even told them what I had in my hand, "Hmmm, six, seven and eight on the board and the nine ten in my hand gives me a straight." But, they didn't believe me. Too bad. 
I didn't lie.
Yesterday was the birthday of the 3d ACR so, Happy Birthday "Brave Rifles."
All else is the same as it always is. Justin is stuck in Taji, Marvin is stuck in Balad and unless the weather gets better, they may be stuck there for a while.
Acts 4:13
Posted by Stu
at 5:45 PM CDT
Monday, 19 May 2008
Holy Lightning Strikes Twice, Batman!!
Wow. I've got the 8 and 10 of Diamonds. On the flop comes the J and Q of Diamonds and something else. I'm 4 to another straight flush. A big bet from "M", a call from "G" and Derrick. I call as well. I say to myself, "Give me a 9 of Diamonds." Wow, a 9 of Diamonds. Another bigger bet from "M", a call from "G" and Derrick. I hesitate just a bit and then say, "All in." "M" and "G" call, Derrick considers for a bit and then folds. The river comes up but it really doesn't matter considering I had another unbeatable hand. Freakin' awesome!!! Yes, I spanked a little more behind...
The rest of Monday was just that, a Monday. I finished the laptops and will ship those out tomorrow/later today. Other than that, all is pretty much the same.
I still rule... Only more now.
Jeremiah 9:1
Posted by Stu
at 5:03 PM CDT
Sunday, 18 May 2008
A Nice Quiet Sunday
Not much happening today. No game last night but I did spend 3 hours at the hospital. Derrick wasn't feeling well. He's had pericarditis before and thought he was having a relapse. So, off to the hospital we went. He's ok now.
Hopefully there'll be a game tonight, I'm bored.
I've spent the last 2 days configuring and reconfiguring two new laptops. They are for Tab and Mike and the factory install comes with a bunch of crap they don't need. So, I'm tweeking them. That's about it for today.
Mark 1:22
Posted by Stu
at 9:39 AM CDT
Updated: Sunday, 18 May 2008 10:55 AM CDT
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