Bench Warming in Afghanistan

We landed at CENSORED at approximately CENSORED. We were told by an overpaid contractor that we were to report the following morning at CENSORED to be manifested for the next leg of our flight home. We arrived promptly at CENSORED to be asked, “Why weren’t you on the flight at CENSORED last night? You will probably be here for a few more days until we can find you another flight.”

Of course soldiers would never tell their families when they were going to be home (wink, wink) on account of OPSEC (see Censoring above). I do not know how much money is spent on OPSEC commercials, both in print and television media to brain wash us. Apparently more than is spent on recruiting and hiring people with any semblance of intelligence. But does the military have to distrust the soldiers so much they ensure OPSEC by stranding them because of someones stupidity, making a grueling trip even less pleasurable? Seriously folks, the war aint that bad but the trip home.. damn, that's what makes us edgy and missunderstood.

I know I should chill… I am going on leave… It’s not like someone tried to issue us a .50 cal machine gun that did not have all it’s working parts, then question why we would need one anyways… That would never happen.

I love being in the Junior Varsity war.

PowerPoint Diplomacy

It’s a damn shame that soldiers are busting their ass over here for what amounts to a bullet point on a PowerPoint slide given to Generals at the Pentagon who are so deep into their day dream of which corporation they will lobby for after retirement that they don’t even see it.

I’m just saying…

She called me Kitty Cat

Recently another anniversary of my mother’s death has passed. For the first time in many years I felt the pain that I felt when her passing was new and sharp. I spent a few hours late in the evening sitting under the stars here in Afghanistan thinking about her and about the empty space in my heart that was left by her passing. I thought about whether or not she would be proud of me. I know the answer to that question because her heart was full of love and she always told me that no matter what transpired in my life, she would be there and she would love me. Many times I relied on her comforting hugs at moments in my life when I made poor decisions, awful mistakes, or went to her for advice that simply no one else could provide.
My mother was simply the most complex, and amazing person I have ever known and the pain in my heart is great. Because even though I know she is proud of me, I will never hear her say those words. I have once concrete memories that are beginning to fade and tatter over time. One of my greatest fears is that I will forget. I want to believe again that the sum of my life is greater than its parts. That I am as good hearted as the boy she raised, that I am living a life she would be proud of even as chaotic as it seems to everyone else.
Her last spoken words to me were calling me Kitty Cat. Her brain engulfed with a losing battle with Cancer she responded to my presence in the hospital room by calling out Kitty Cat. Her closest friend, always by her side, always there, especially during those last few years was our cat, Kitty Cat. That is one memory I will never forget and one I will cherish. Just as she had called out in the night a few evenings prior, ”Don’t let them take my baby away” would be a clue that there was another child out there that my brother and sister did not know, but would eventually meet. I hope that if she could not locate my name in her ravished memory that she found a way to communicate in a way that meant the same.
Why am I writing about this? Because I do not want to forget. No matter how many years I spend away from my family fighting wars, I will not forget the soul from which I was born and is within me. I hope I do truly make her proud.

Some Pics

Just a few pics that were taken on our trip over here.

Win a trip to pet the... the... dog-zebra thing

Hey Darwin, explain this...

Anyone who can correctly idenitfy this... um, pet? Will be invited to come pet the thing. To claim your trip you will be required to fill out a little paper work down at your local Army recruiters office. We also ask that if you do come over here that you bring some booze. (Yes, that is a direct hint at all those who promised to keep me supplied while I was gone. Here is the score Sobriety 1 - Drunkeness 0)

Parasitic Olympics (Afghan Weight Loss Plan)

I wouldn’t say I really needed to lose a few pounds but apparently some of the local parasites felt differently. I must have also been a very hospitable host because they stayed longer than usual. It was a party. I will spare everyone the details but I will say that the worst part was the medical advice I received. Since I tried to tough it out for a few days by the time I stumbled over to the clinic the professionals felt that I was probably already on my out of the woods so all they did for me was put me in quarantine and told me to sip water. After 24 hours of that hell I put on my best game face and lied my way out of quarantine. I figured it was better to be miserable around my buddies than to be miserable by myself. Plus I wouldn’t have minded if some of them got sick so I could have someone to commiserate with. (I just hope they do not read this blog) So two days after the “48 Hour” bug was supposed to pass I finally felt better.
For those of you who know “Doc” you might be wondering where he was when his “Buddy” was in dire need of his medical prowess. Oh, he was off saving lives somewhere or something trivial like that.
I would gladly host another Parasitic Olympics if it means I avoid the IED Weight Loss Plan.