Sorry for the Delay and Happy Birthday Marines

Well Hello out there...
First my appologies for not posting in a while... Just so that you all know, I am home, safe and sound... and have been for about three to four weeks now... funny, I seem to have lost track. Anyway, I have been busy... I am currently on leave, but made a deal with my wife to tile the floors (still not sure what I am getting out of this, but as long as she is hapy with me I am happy). Wow, a few days behind on the work, but the first room is almost complete... Woo Hoo. But the big project is about to start... So things are going well, the reunion has been good, and I am ready to stay here at home for a while. Not sure what the future holds for me at this point, but I am sure that it will be interesting, between Cathy, Brianna, and the Marine Corps there is seldom a boring day.
As far as Katie the dog goes... well she has stolen my heart... she is doing very well and growing up quickly. We will know in a couple of months if she will live a long life or just for a little while... intuition tells me that all is well and she will be around for a long while. Thanks for all the prayers for her.
Thank you all for your support and kind words while I was gone, I will try to keep you all updated as to what is going on as I find out.
Finally, Happy Birthday Marines...today is the 229th Birthday of the Marine Corps... Semper Fidelis...

I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream

Well I am still not home, but Kuwait is a sight for sore eyes. Wow, this place has it all... Burger King, Baskin Robbins...and the chow hall is awesome... They even have a swimming Pool... I almost feel like I am back home. This is good though, breaks the culture shock of getting home. Anyway just wanted to let you all know that I am safe and on the way home very soon...

Brett

Pie Ala Mode

Well, it is another day out here. I feel like...well...Crud... My back is aching lower, middle, and upper... my knees ache... I have a sore throat... Congested.... oh... and I can't sleep beyond four hours... I blame all the new blood that just arrived to replace us... Seven months and I had made it without getting sick... it has to be the new guys... That was dinner....

Now onto the Pie Ala Mode... dessert... I figured this an appropriate title as I am quite sure that this is the last post for a few weeks.... WE ARE OUTTA HERE!!!!! well not quite, but the relief in place is going well and I will when we depart the current location in the middle of Western Iraq... it is movement to the freedom bird. I still have a couple of weeks here, but a huge burden has been lifted, after tonight... no more responsibility, just be at the right place a the right time, make sure everyone’s heads are still in the game, and stay alive..

The next post I will make will be an I am safe and in the States message, so for those of you hoping and praying for a safe return... Pray and hope 2-3 times as much.... The light is there.. Hope to talk to you all again soon....

One more prayer for you all, Katie...the puppy is very sick...need you all to give a shout out for her too...


S/FBrett

Oh No!! Not Tray Rations Again

So another day passes, we got another rocket attack yesterday, first one in over a month. We have been pretty aggressive at trying to deter IEDs, rocket attacks and the likes and so far pretty successful, yesterdays attack was more a hail and farewell I think. Farewell to us, and a Hello to our relief (I wanted to use replacements here, but thought of the movie, and these people are just as good, maybe better than us). It was however the first rocket attack since my first arriving here to land inside our camp. Barely inside, but inside... Nothing damaged, nobody hurt, but enough to keep the eyes open. Seven Marines were killed yesterday by a VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device), they say the engine block of the car used was found over 400m away from the blast. Don't these people realize that for every Marine they kill they seal their fate that much more... No Marine is going to let this go untouched, We (the Marines) will find you!!!

OK, time to change speed...and direction, that is not where I was headed when I started this.

So I have had the miserable job of handling all the Battalions Detainees for the past seven months. It has been good in that I have had the chance to see and meet a lot of Iraqi people and get more insight than most on the people and culture. Anyway, yesterday they bring in a guy, who has a vehicle that matches the description of one that we are looking for... he has his two sons with him, I would say that they were approx 4 and 6... As I was returning to the facility I see them pull up and being carted in, I had to break into a run... Now I have some good Marines working for me, but common sense sometimes is just not there... So I get in the door, just in time to see father and sons being put in the cell.... Oh Boy... So I stop the whole movement and get them all back outside, grab some chairs... Those poor boys... scared out of their minds and crying... Ends up this poor man and his sons were in a similar vehicle. So glad I had the chance to sit down and be hospitable before sending them on their way.

Sitting in the meeting tonight, we get told... as all the units relieving us are coming there are going to be longest lines at the PX, Phone Center, etc... really, hmmm no kidding... The greatest part was, sue to the influx of people you can expect to go back to tray rations until we leave... OK, let me get this straight, you are going to make me wait in line longer for food, that is going to be worse??? Don't you think that I have lost enough weight since I have been here. I felt my upper arms, that is where my biceps used to be, the other day... and came to the realization that my arms are about the same as most of the Iraqis I deal with at the facility...skin and bone... I need real food....Soon...

I am at a blank for what to write at this point, there are so many things that I want to say and write about, but I promised myself I would try to refrain from politics and what I think about current events, so with that, I am going to sign off... Later...
Brett

Pizza

The title actually has absolutely nothing to do with what I am about to write, however I thought I would stick on the food theme for titles. Besides, pizza is something that I am looking forward to eating, maybe I will even be able to gain some weight back... oh is that the wrong kind of weight.

So as much as I am trying to avoid thinking about it time is getting closer and closer to heading home. I am trying not to think about it in an effort to stay focused on the job here and make it home safely. Just last week two Marines died on their last patrol, they were leaving 7 days later, so I guess that is some incentive to stay focused.

Really not a lot going on out here, I have been way too busy the past few days, taking time I would normally spend here on the computer in bed sleeping. Luckily for me Cathy and Brianna went away for the weekend to visit some friends.

So if you haven't heard by now, there is a new addition to the family when I get home. Katie, a miniature schnauzer... So miniature at this point that the cats are bigger than she. Sam as tiny as she is looks bigger from what I am told, and well Mogley, he may always be bigger... So hopefully all goes well and my ankles won't get too bloodied when I walk through the door.

Not too much to say really, just the same old story... trying to get through another day... Every day has to be a good day out here... Still alive, got all my limbs, and a day closer to getting home, and to a huge slice of hot and greasy pepperoni pizza... My lick the food will be a shock to the system and I'll get sick...Between that and the Bacon Whopper with Cheese, extra onions no pickles, I'll probably not eat for a week beyond that...

Well, I think I am going to cut this off... I wanted this to be interesting, not to bore you all to tears...

Later,
Brett

Beef Stew

So, I called this beef stew to build on the theme of Onion Soup, no I figured that I was going to hit a lot of topics today therefore like Beef Stew a lot of ingredients. Well as usual I am getting my butt handed to me by Cathy at Backgammon, but every once in a while I get to win (I think she lets me just to boost my ego), and Brianna is such a good Chess player… So lets get to the meat and potatoes of this stew…

In my time here I have come to see the Iraqi people as a strange group. I mean when we came through during OIF I (don’t you just love that we are numbering them already) people lined the streets (for the most part) and waved, happy to see us. After the initial war we started the first phases of rebuilding… The Iraqi people were so happy and we were making fast progress. Then, six months after returning home I am back here again… I really hate to slam the Army (not really) but what did they do? All the projects we started all the things we had moving in the right direction…stopped… We got back here and so far, the unit I am attached to has lost more Marines than the unit I was with during the war… So far over 85 purple hearts, more than the unit I was with during the war… I will add, that 1st Bn 2nd Marines, the unit I was with during the war, saw the fiercest fighting and resistance of the war… So what is going on. After 30 years of repression, the Iraqi people think that we are trying to keep them down, they are not seeing the so called changes… One Marine out here summed it up wonderfully, I am going to clean it up a little, but it is a pretty good analogy of what they Iraqis think of Capitalism and Democracy… First we came in and kicked them really hard… square between the legs… and before they could get back up we offered them water and said no really, its good… I don’t know it seems that most of the local Iraqis are pretty good people, some are a little dense, but they are good people. Problems are we are and always will be inferior in their eyes… And as long as the Mujahdeen (now that I have written this word in here every watch dog in America is going to be reading this… So Hello and welcome to the Watch Dogs…Big Brother…lol) and Freedom Fighters keep them inside and scared, they will continue to feel repression. I love that the families are close, and that an Arab will assist another Arab almost without question, but it can only go so far… Then there are all the family disputes… Such a strange culture, old and established, historical yet so infantile… I guess things would be a lot easier if the everyday person would come out and assist in the fight, point us to the bad guys who are messing up their cities and get it over. You can’t help but feel sorry for these people, but then again, I so understand the frustration of the personnel stationed here… Here is an example… Many IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) are placed along the roads, in holes that are dug and in the guard rails… It seems that Guard Rails are a commodity out here as soo many people are trying to steal them… So we have passed to the local city officials, the Imams, Sheiks, etc… anyone caught digging of tampering with guardrails will be considered a threat and shot (due to the IED/Mine threat…is it fair, no…but we have to protect ourselves and we put the word out)… So there was a patrol the other night… there are 10 Iraqis stealing guard rails for scrap metal… they are being guarded and protected by the Iraqi Police… to top it all off these people stealing the rails are in Iraqi National Guard Uniforms… I am at a loss, this is an Army mission out here, not a Marine mission…how the Corps got stuck with this one for two years or more I won’t ever know…(OK I do know…when you want the job done send the Marines…) Bottom line…it’s time to come home…

Iraqi Soccer—I have to admit it has been good to see the Iraqi National Soccer Team doing well in the Olympics… They can actually play when they don’t have guns pointed at them… I don’t know what it is, but is good to see the underdogs doing well, this country is so behind them and I think it would do the people of this country well to see their team medal in the sport… A step toward better things, I really think it might help.

I remember watching the Olympics as a child, and it was a pretty big deal, over the past few Olympics it has not been that big a deal… I figured it out while over here… Patriotism is great, but the Olympics are about International Competition but more so Peace. The Olympics in the US play second and third tier to many other sports, and unless it is a US team or person it really does not get a lot of air time. I get to watch the BBC over here and local television, and the Olympic coverage is awesome. They show all the small countries winning and the pride on the faces of those competitors, now that is Olympic Spirit. That is what the games are all about, the little guy… it is great to get a lot of Gold Medals in the Sprints and Gymnastics etc…, but what about Ethiopia… Gold and Silver in the 10,000 meter. That is impressive to me. Well just wanted to give out some perspective… Have to go…. Hope you enjoyed the Stew…

Later…
Brett

Nothing really to say

Well it has been a few days since I last wrote. Not much going on here really, same old same old. Just thought that I would post something to let you all know that I am still alive and kicking. That and I have been trying to figure out what I can write about… Not much lick in that area, as I said not much really going on, which I have to say is a good thing. As each day passes, and as much as I try to ignore it, I get a feeling of excitement knowing that I am heading home soon. Less than two months and I will be back on US soil!!! Hopefully, I will also be back in NC with the family. Seems Cathy has some work planned for me, have to put some tile down. I am not sure what the next year is going to be like, so many different plans and options. I do know that another move is forthcoming and that I won’t have to deploy again after the move for about 2-4 years, that will be nice, at that point, unless I am super happy with the state of the military I will be looking for that “Twilight Tour,” the last one before retirement… Wow, am I getting that old? Getting closer and closer to retirement, has a good ring to it also. But then is that scary part, trying to find a new calling, a new job, and will Cathy be able to put up with me being around all the time?… Not really sure if I want to work for anyone after all this, just relaxing in the tropics for a few years sounds pretty good to me. OK OK, I get the hint, enough dribble for today… Like I said not much to write about, just letting you all know that I am in fact still alive and well. Until next time…
Brett

Are Brownies a Food Group?

If not they are now... I honestly think that I could totally subsist on Brownies and cold milk. I know that chocolate cake was my childhood favorite, but as I have aged it has grown into a total Brownie fixation. Thankfully, my mother-in-law and wife have kept me well supplied on Brownies. Now there are two things that are surprising to me... One... that I have shared... and two... it does not matter how long it takes for a package to arrive... Brownies are always good... So as I mentioned the other day, I got two packages, one from my mother-in-law and one from my wife, both with Brownies... I still had some powdered milk left over from a package sent a few months ago. Having watch every night kind of sucks (although I won't give up my night watch spot for the world, it is far better than the day) in the fact that I go to bed before breakfast and wake up in time for dinner, when I get to watch it is time to eat again, and where I am located, we don't have Mid-Rats (basically a meal served around midnight for night watches). So I get the bright idea, Brownies and Milk... So I mix up about a quart of powdered milk, a little stronger than the directions state, helps lose the watery flavor, and a couple of packages of sugar to take the powdery taste out... the key...now... I have to chill the milk...just so happens that there is a refrigerator in the Command Operations Center (where I stand watch), so in goes the milk... About three hours later, out it comes and out come the Brownies... Now I don't know if it is just because I have been gone so long, but I have to tell you... It was divine... and although it may sound a little gross (powdered milk), but weigh it against my options... nothing or that nasty Persian Gulf long life, with a shelf life longer than Twinkies, milk...

A Special Thanks for the Brownies and Milk
....Brett

Allies and Enemies

I don't know what it is about Iraqi flies... but rest assured they are the most annoyng creatures I have ever run across. A normal American fly would buzz you once or twice you swat at it and it's is gone. Iraqi flies... oh no, they linger and pester and bother, they want nothing more than to land on your nose, lips, eyes... whereever it is going to bug you most... Then you swat at it and no sooner have you moved your hand and the thing is right back where it was... End State: A bunch of Marines walking around doing the funky chicken and spazzing over a fly. Maybe I notice it more because I sleep during the day... I can sleep through the heat, and wake up in a pool of sweat, but if one fly lands on my face or foot... I feel like...well, let's just say it's kind of aggricating. It's not that they can land on your clothes or anything, no they have to try and walk up your nose, and crawl in your mouth(no exageration here)... The stomp(Ok little exageration here) all over you bare feet, which you have to air out, just to stop from getting some strange disease... These things are crazy... And where do they come from. It is not like there is a lot of life out here to sustain 5,000 flies. We do our part to kill as many as we can, I have become quiet adept at two handed clap shot... I can kill flies like there is no tomorrow. Kuwaiti flies are different, they are much bigger (well fed is what I will call them), but with size comes an apparent loss of speed... These are flys that you can grab out of the air, or easily pick off as they come close... Allies and Enemys... The world of the fly.

Well they came down a rewired the facility today, hopefully soon they will hook up the AC, then life will be a little better. Lights, power, and AC... What am I going to do? These are all things I have been getting used to living without... Guess it's never too late to make life a little better. But just as it all gets nice and cozy, we will have to move again, seems to be the way it goes, hopefully the next move will be the one toward home...

Till next time, Happy Swatting...
Brett

The Roller Coaster of Life

So what is it about roller coasters that we love so much. I don't know but they sure are fun, but I spent a small part of today on an emotional roller coaster. I think I now have a better understanding of PMS, or early pregnancy. I was flashing from Rage, to pity, to... well I think I ran through all of them, it did not last long, but wow... it was rough... Not again anytime soon. I don't think I could go through all of that again.

So what is the crux of today's ramblings... I am trying desperatly to stay away from politics and current affairs, which unfortunaltly I feel the American Public is so unaware of... I am sitting here biting my fingers, doing everything in my power not to go that route with this, but it has been a boring couple of days, sleep all day, get up in time for chow... oh yeah, the A Rations (semi real food)... we are out so its back to Tray Rats, Special Thanks to Cathy and Shirley, got two Care Packages today so I will be able to sustain for a few days. (No this is not a call to arms, By the time any packages get here, I will be trying to lighten my load to head for real chow in the movement back to civilization and home).

Where was I...been sleeping all day lately and getting up in time for chow, evening meeting, then the puter (now that B is in school... I won't be chatting with her quite so much, then watch followed by some more quality Internet time with the wife/daughter. If I stay up long enough... breakfast and then bed... Not much to say really, kind of suck not being able to go out on the Operations, but... there is something to be said about sitting in an area a little bit safer.

I think I am going to leave this one short, I am suffering from some serious writers blockage... Tomorrow looks promising though, hopefully it will bring about some crazy anticdote that I can talk about without giving up National Security.

Later...
Brett

Wo Oh Dominoe

I don't know what happened today, but I just beat Cathy at Dominoes...(again on yahoo!!) She wins just about every game we play, but today I won... It is a good thing too. Brianna tied me at Chess, I usually have to beat up on Brianna after Cathy kicks my butt just to feel better... but Brianna was giving my ego a run for the money, I am so proud of that little girl... So anyway my finally beating Cathy justified my day... (teasing honey).

So another pretty boreing day, I waited up for breakfast yesterday (I have watch at night, just means the transition to the time zone in the States will be easier) I had to wait up...Steak and Eggs... So I wait up an extra 3 1/2 hours, and get in line... first of all the choice was steak OR sausage (why not both???) so I get my steak... I got sit down ready to dig in and had to spend about 5 minutes cutting the first slice. Ok I know you are thinking that this thing was way overcooked and tough, but it was quite the opposite, it had a brown layer about 2mm thick around it, and was totally raw... Now I like med rare on occasion, but only on those really fresh, from the butcher, steaks. These were frozen. So I took it back to the cooks (they are BBQing them) and they look at me like I should judt be happy that I got steak (a good point mind you), anyway he slapped it back on the BBQ and I go off for a few minutes. I headed back in to eat my eggs and drink my two cartons of long life milk (Is milk supposed to have a shelf life longer than a Twinkie??). After about 5 minutes I head back and pick up my slab of steak, it looks awesome, smells great and when I stuck my fork in all seemed like I was in for a treat... No luck, still mostly raw... I gave up, ate the small areas that were cooked, and they were good, and headed to bed.

Not much else going on, but you can rest assured as soon as something interesting happens around here I will let you all know... Stay Cool...

Until next time..
Brett

What a Day

Not much of a day today, I slept all day... I did get up for about an hour... just long enough to get a hair cut... What else happened today? I had the stiches removed from my neck and well, so far so good. Doc was impressed with his workmanship. Who knows, it not like I can crane my neck over and see the area. So now I have moved to steri-strips...

As you can tell by now, I still waiting for todays daily inspiration to hit me...

So today was Brianna's first day of fourth grade, when I chatted with her last night she was so excited, this year she gets a locker. What a great kid, she always sees the good in everything. I am so glad that she loves school, and learning, my only fear now is that as she gets older and I angle my way into a position where I will be able to spend more time with her, she is going to want to spend less time with me... It's something to do with growing up I guess. So now I am trying to figure out the things we can do together as she gets older... I am thinking that I have to move somewhere with clear warm water... I think that SCUBA is the way to go here... she loves the water, so I am thinking that we start with snorkeling, then progress into SCUBA... I don't know, time will tell. She already knows that she is not allowed to grow up, and that she has to stay a kid her whole life, but it seems that she is moving on regardless. It is great to see that she has so many friends, and is so likable.

All that Hair

I just wanted you to all see the hair I have been working on. And to think Cathy has made me promise to cut it all back off before I get back to the States... The black blob is nothing, just a few stitches from elective surgery (had a mole removed).

Onion Soup

So there I was... (I always loved that beginning to a story, usually means you are in for a yarn of some kind)...anyway... So there I was, getting my ass kicked at backgammon by my wife (yahoo Instant Messaging is an awesome tool, especially when away)... literally she is going out and I only have like 8 pieces in my side...that leaves about 7 pieces still to move in... and one is stuck in the mud so to speak, so here I am getting my butt beat up on, and what do I smell....FRESH GRILLED ONIONS... It was only a brief whiff, but it has been torture ever since... only because there is no real food out here, only MREs and tray rations (these are prepackaged larger versions of MREs, although slightly better not good enough to encourage me to eat beyond once a day)... Actually lately we have had A Rations, almost real food, and as the Battalion Commander put it, it is a sad state of affairs when Marines get excited over A rations... Look at that sidetracked again... Oh the torture... the agony... I am adding to the list, no more is it just pork tenderloin, home made garlic mashed potatoes and French cut green beans (Hey dumb question, are those now freedom cut green beans?), now you have to add grilled onions, not chopped onions, but those little baby ones that you spend all day peeling... This is you punishment for my not even getting all my pieces onto my side of the board before you were done... Where is Brianna... It is sad that now I have to go play a game with my daughter so that I can build my ego back up...(Joking...)

Irish Spring Commercial

It’s amazing how much difference a little bit of soap and some water heated by the sun in a Sun Shower can make to the way a person feels about the day. Let me tell you. I usually take a shower once a week lately. I would take more, but it seems that something comes up every time I am about to take one. Such is life, so as you tell, I just took a shower… I went the PX the other day and saw shampoo, I decided that since I have grown my hair out a little (and have had to swear to Cathy that it will be cut back down to regular length on my return to the US) that shampoo might make a difference over soap. And boy, I thought my hair was clean after soap. Basically, what I am saying is that I feel cleaner, lighter, stealthier (if smelling clean is stealthier), and have a much better attitude about life, that will all change here in about an hour. Even though it’s 2300 (11 pm) I already have beads of sweat forming all over, but for an hour or so… well its worth it, couple in with that a change of clothes, I am on top of the world… as much as can be expected considering that I am here and my family is home…

Not much to say about today, other than… well it was another day. Have been dealing with detainees for the past couple of days and am quite happy to have a reprieve. I gotta tell you it is going to be great to pass the torch over to someone else and lose all semblance of responsibility before heading home. A couple of the Marines working for me decided to get into a little scuffle earlier today, over of all things… going to sleep. Well that little scuffle has cause them about 8 hours of sleep so far in dealing with it. These are guys that, well already had gone basically 18 hours without sleep. Gotta love the way a Lance Corporal thinks.

I really don’t have too much wisdom for today, but have to fall back on… WOW, its amazing how great a shower feels every once in a while…

Will write more soon…

Brett

Kick Off

I figured the title would be fitting, as Greece won the World Cup, what that has to do with this I have no idea, but I am going to try and kick things off here, so here goes...

So here I have been spending hours on this thing now, trying to figure out my profile (I don't know why, most of you should know me by now) ... the strangest things amuse you when there is no amusement around. Anyway, I decided I should kick this thing off. This is new and as I learn more about it I will try, and I have to emphasize try, to change the appearance of this thing (If only I had paid some serious attention during those web design classes). From what I can tell most of this is in HTML and XML if you don't know what those are don't ask, unless you have access to my mother, she can explain it...Maybe I will for you anyway... in lay terms it is the language (code) that web pages are written in. Here I am side tracked again. Where was I, oh yeah kicking this thing off... I am going to work on the appearance and content...

Content that is where you all come in... feel free to respond lend wisdom, or just send me a joke. Life out here although busy at times gets pretty drab. So help me out.

Most of you know how much I love to banter and argue (I have no idea where this trait comes from but oh well, deal with it), some of you may have been pissed off by my eagerness to pursue this endeavor (and I have no idea why), but coupled with this and the fact that I hate to lose a bout in addition to that burning desire to speak my piece. The endstate of this little dribble is... if you want to talk about anything at all feel free, I am sure I can give you a whole lot of BS that means nothing at all in the argument, and just think, you might actually get a word in edgewise.

For those that don't really know me or my personality in addition to being pig headed, stubborn, argumentative, and at times very sarcastic (Dad always said this was the lowest form of humor... guess I didn't listen too well), you may be surprised to know that I have turned a new leaf in the past couple of years (too much time alone in the desert will do that to a man), I am actually pretty laid back and relaxed at this point... but still love to argue...

So have I bored you silly yet, are you totally lost trying to figure out my brain process? Either way, just have fun and tell me what you are thinking...

Talk to you all soon,
Brett

Here's to 10 Years!!

Today is my 10th wedding anniversary, and honestly it has flown by. I honestly believe that if my wonderful wife of 10 years would have had to have lived with me for the entire 10 years she may have been driven totally crazy. Seriously though, I do have to credit my wife with putting up with a lot of hardship over the past 10 years. The military lifestyle is not easy for a woman to deal with, add our wonderful daughter of 9 years, makes harder still. I credit Cathy with who I am today. When we met I had a lot of dreams and goals, mostly dreams, but I was headed in the opposite direction... what do they call it the the three Bs...Booze, Bars, and Babes? So somehow, she straightened me out and pushed me (many times without knowing it) to succeed. I would not be who I am today if not for her. She is truly an incredible woman, and if you don't know her you should. She is careing, honest, and at times a royal pain in the ass (can I say that here... oh yeah, my Blog, of course I can). But it is the pain in the ass that has driven me to have led an interesting and full life. My hat is off to you sweetheart, and you are the best. Thank you for the past 10 years, I can't wait to see where we head to in the next 10. I love you!!!

Brett