Day 15 - Jet Lagggggg

So I am here now and the travel is finally taking its toll. My body doesn't know whether I should sleep, eat, or what. I woke up after 12 hours of sleep and I'm in limbo. Its just after midnight. So I spent the day meeting people, learning the layout of the land and adjusting to my environment. The previous Sys Admin has a bad reputation so I am listening to what not to do. Right now my focus is to fit into the team that I will work with. I still don't have a space to call my own yet. I may not know for a week or so. So much of this feels like limbo. After affects of the hurry up and wait.

I passed out around 8pm. Hopefully I can get my internal clock reset by Monday.

Day 14 - Artoo, Artoo it is You!!!

So I found R2-D2. My trusty Droid friend greeted me at Camp Al Asad. The post office had made R2 shaped mailboxes and low and behold I found one they hadn't pulled out of service. I took a picture of him. I'll post it up later. So as I mentioned yesturday I started my trip at 1600. At Al Asad, I had to wait till the early morning to catch a flight out to Camp KV (Korean Village.) Since I had to be there so early and didnt want to lug the body anywhere like a tent accross the camp, I decided to just stay up. So this morning I flew in a helicopter over to my final duty station. This was my first helicopter ride. It was a very smooth ride. I expected worse and even had a barf bag with me just in case. I was solid though, I guess hanging out with the Marines is tuffin me up. Maybe not.

So here I am. I was given the grand tour by the guy I am replacing. Both of us have been up for too many hours. So Monday we will meet and start my job over here. I am now back in the Wild West, or maybe the Wild East... I will talk more about the camp later, for now I am going to go rest up.

"You came in that thing, you're braver than I thought!"
- Princess Leia

Day 13 - Wait, how many times do I need to change Planes?

So I managed to get a flight out of Kuwait. So my trip started at 1600 (4pm) getting a seat on the plane. So You check in, wait for a bus, get on a plane, then head to the next base. So I get to Camp TQ and repeat process. Did I mention I am carrying around 200 pounds of gear on me. A body would be easier to carry. So I leave Camp TQ in the evening and head to Camp Al Asad.

The planes I flew on were C-130s. Nothing new since I flew on them back when I was in the Army. Loud, vibrating, but I had a book and kept myself occupied.

Day 12 - Time to Try and Fly

So we manifested to go to our final duty station today. For me it was show up for the one shot that left that day and not get selected. Maybe better luck tomorrow. The problem with where I am going is that it is so small and out of the way, they dont fly there often. Joy.

I spent most of today repacking gear and fighting with the piss poor internet I paid for.

Day 11 - Kuwait City

So we went on a field trip today. ITT has an office in town so we went there. Another long set of powerpoints, joy. It was nice to be in a real building again not just another tent. Granted they were just teasing us about the Hard Rock visit. We had a home cooked meal which consisted of Fried Fish dirty rice and a few other things I can't identify and plan to keep it that way. Best to just try it and not ask to many questions. The car ride to and fro was scarry. All Florida Drivers and Tourists at Disney know how to drive compared to here. Between that and the video's I have seen of IEDs, I havent been this scared since the last time my wife drove me somewhere. (Sorry Honey, I had to.)

Tomorrow we find out when we fly. I have a long trip ahead of me, mainly due to the hoping I will have to do. So time to pack up and hope I get a flight tomorrow. Who knows, I may be stuck here for a bit. At least there is McDonalds.

Good Night all,
Chris

Day 10 - Camp Leisure

So after spending a few days here I have to say that they take good care of the troops in a place where all you can do is wait for your ride. Good food, Movies, activities, it all helps keep you from getting bored.

Tomorrow we head over to ITT's office and meet the bosses. It will be a day of PowerPoint and HR jargon. If all goes well we will start flying on Wednesday. They call stations like where I am going the wild west operations. How fitting i guess.

So I have started to see what freedoms I will miss. First off is Privacy. There is none here. You share a tent with 15 other guys. Second is security, see my previous statement. You have to carry your laptop or lock it up. Real pain. So enjoy your freedoms. I miss them already.

Well, I get to head into Kuwait City tomorrow. If I get lucky we will stop by the Hard Rock.

Love you guys!!!
Chris

Day 9 - Superbowl Sunday, err Monday?!?

So today has been weird. I didnt go to sleep till about 630 am local time. Finally woke up around 3pm. Started out with a 2 mile run. The shower facilities aren't bad. The mess hall is great! I had Sweet potatoe pie for dessert! I current;y live in Tent City. Just rows and rows of tents. Th facilites are trailers. There are some stores and the resturants I mentioned yesterday. I picked up an access card for internet for a while I am here. Granted I have to be in the MWR building to us it.

So I will be here till Wednesday or Thursday and then fly out to Camp KV. Today was a day to relax and the rest of the week will be more hurry up and wait. There is a USO tent and they have xbox and big screens for watching movies. I tried the free 15 min moral call but didnt have much luck calling. I'll try again later.

Tonight at 2300 hours is the super bowl. Well for back home 1pm. I will be sitting here next to a screen but sadly we dont get the commercials. My favorite part. Some one have beer for me while watching and post a comment here if there is a commercial i should watch. I will have to download them later.

So Sunday winds down for me, good night and enjoy the game.