April Fools!!

Heading back in, are you kidding me!!!! The food isn't that good! I didn't have a change of heart, nor did I call my boss and get my old job back. I am still in Kuwait waiting my flight back to the states. Do you really think I would head back in without a little vacation at least?

See everyone real soon!

Day 433 - Change of Heart

After sitting here in Kuwait, thinking about whats going on in my life, I made a few calls. I spoke with my boss out here and they still have my slot open. I'm going to head back to Iraq and stick around awhile. I figured it isn't a bad job. The money is good and its not that bad out here. I'll be calling a few people and updating them with my plans. I know I said I would be visiting some people soon, I'll have to give you a rain check till my next vacation.

Chris

Day 431 - The Journey Home!

I'm leavin on a jet plane...

So I separated everything I have here into four piles, Mail Home, Carry Home, Sell, Leave Behind.

I sold the TV, X-box, Electric guitar and amp, and my desktop computer.

I mailed home five trunks of clothes, cords, books, boardgames, a cardboard standee of me, and yoda.

I am carrying home a duffel full of the equipment they issued me (only as far as the place I have to return it,) a trunk with wheels carrying my clothes and about 10 TB of data, a backpack with paperwork, books, ipod, etc. Also I am carrying my acoustic guitar in a soft case and my laptop.

I left behind my posters (by now they are probably claimed by my co-workers,) power converters, extension cords, two stuffed animals, lamps, sheets, and other misc stuff.

All that figured out I am on my way. It will take six days of travel to get home. Why so long? I have to go from base to base and then process out.

First flight took me from Al Asad to Balad. (Both in Iraq)

Second Flight took me from Balad to Ali Ah Salem (Kuwait)

For once I made it through to Kuwait without any delay or flight issues. We rode in a C-17. Military flights are uncomfortable yet fun. They take off and land with a quick vertical and drop. They call it a combat takeoff/landing. Think roller coaster but more fun!

So now I am in Kuwait in the US holding tank waiting to process here and then fly out this weekend for the US. Next stop is Ft Benning to do the final out processing and then fly to Orlando.

This chapter only has a few pages left in it. Its been a boring, long chapter of life but the story is better for it.

Day 400 - Is it time to go home yet??

So I am still here. 400 days later who would have thought I would still be here. Did I mention I'm still here. Well looking back it has been an experience. One that is almost over. 37 days left till my feet hit Orlando. A little older, hopefully wiser, a little richer.

Soon it will be time to kick back and enjoy life. Visiting family and friends. See some shows, roll some dice, sit back and smile. This summer will be quite the adventure.

First Stop:
Orlando - April 5th

Anchorage - April 21st

Dallas - May 5th

Tulsa - May 12th

Dallas - May 19th

Calgary - May 26th

Then its back to Orlando June 2nd.

All in all it will be fun. Hope to see everyone real soon!

Day 368 - I am quite beside myself!

So I got a package in the mail today. Which by itself is very cool. What makes it even more cool is what was inside.

Me.

Yes, I said it right. I was in the package. To explain this, let me tell you what the sender did last August. It will all make sense in the end.

Every year I go to a convention that is currently in Indianapolis, IN. The show is called Gencon. The largest gaming convention in the US and dare I say the world. Well since I am over here I did not get an opportunity to go in 2009. Dominic decided I should go anyways. He took a picture of me and had a full size cardboard standee made. Then he took me to Gencon with him and his wife.

While at the show people got pictures with me, video was made of me, and people even left messages with me. (The back of the standee is covered with well wishes.) Dom took the standee all over the convention. Lets just say I know a lot of people at this show.

I haven't seen any of the pictures yet, nor the video. I wont see that till I get back and go visit I guess. Once I have some of the pictures I will post them to my facebook account.

Its funny this package shows up the same day that registration for Gencon 2010, which I will be attending.

So now I sit in Iraq, well I sit, it stands beside me. Thanks Dominic, The Witts, and all who signed the back of it. Its feels good to be missed.

Day 365 - What a year!

In case there was any doubt I would make it. Still here, in one piece, still Standing!

I look back and it's been quick. I may not have enjoyed this last year, but I have survived it. I am also better for it. I came out here with a goal of getting out of debt. Mission accomplished. I lost a few things along the way, Wife, weight, fear of being alone. Many say I am very lucky to have the opportunities that I have before me. I am grateful for them. I also don't forget the pain I went through to get here. Please don't take away that I am whining about being out here. I got a chance to set myself straight and took it.

I also got a chance to see what our soldiers experience first hand. They sacrifice a lot to be here. Supporting a country that most of them don't like. Many have no understanding of why we are even here anymore. (I am one) They are ordered to be here away from civilization and family. Many have nothing to do but sit around. Boredom is a painful way to live. Yet, they do it. It is said they are here defending freedom, giving others a chance at what we have in the States. I'm not going to stand here on a soap box about the why. I will say this, if you know someone here or someone that has been here, talk to them about it. See the difference from what the media spin is. Thank them for what they have sacrificed. (This includes Afganistan too!)

As a contractor over here, I have mixed emotions. The military cant do it without us, or can they. I got paid a decent amount of money to be here, not astronomical by any means. So I don't feel I need thanks. Granted people for some reason feel the need to say something. I appreciate it. Many contractors here are prior service like myself. (We cant seem to get enough torture)

What's next?

Good question. To be honest, after being out here, I have a new appreciation for life. I am at a point I have lost everything important to me. Luckily I have also gained more freedom than most will ever get. We are all free in the sense that we get to make choices, yada yada. The freedom I am talking about is the ability to decide where i want to be, what do I want to do, and how I want to do it. To put it simply, I have nothing holding me back but me.

Right now, plans are coming together. I have a couple of lists in my head that continue to shift and shape.

Some of those ideas and plans:
Travel the US. At some point I want to be able to say I have been to all 50 states.
Get Certified in VMware.
Finish my MCSE 2003 certification.
Travel to Europe.
Learn to Fly.
Complete a world trip that encompasses the earth in one trip.
U.S. Transplant games.
Gencon.
Star Wars Celebration 5.
Dragon Con.

Some of the Stops I will be making when I get back:
Alaska
Dallas
Owasso
Vegas
Atlanta
Indianapolis
Holland
Ireland

At this moment, the summer is going to be a busy time for me. I hope to visit family, friends and places I haven't been yet. I don't see myself slowing down and settling down anywhere till September.

If I am going to be near you this summer, let me know if you want me to stop by!

I have only about 2 months left here in Iraq. My last day reporting for work will be April 1st. After that I begin the process of getting out of here. I look forward to the day I leave this hell. As I know many of you do as well.

Thanks for the support.

Chris

PS. Yes, when this is over, I am going to Disney World...

Day 356 - Shifting into the Night

So I am now on nightshift. It's not bad. It can be a bit boring. You can also get a lot more done. Things in Al Asad are simple. Pizza Hut on the weekends, Cinnabon from time to time. Wait, I sound like a freakin commercial. Anyway, the light is at the end of the tunnel. I'm about to the 1 year mark. I'm sticking around a bit longer. My goals are almost met. Give me a week or two and I wont owe anything to anyone. I'm sticking around to build up some money to travel. Be ready for another World Tour!