:: zarebski.com/word ::

We (Bud and I) went to pick up a new vehicle from motor pool, as our current one lease had expired and was being shipped to Baghdad. As I walked in the office, I noticed a guy I knew of from Minot. He is not stationed there anymore, he is in Italy now. We exchanged pleasantries and all that.

There was a box on the floor there with a bunch of candy in it, and a manila envelope. I mentioned the candy, and the guy said that one of the workers’ wife was a teacher back in the states, and her kids sent the care package to the troops here in Balad.

Another guy standing around reached in and opened the envelope and pulled out a card - not a hallmark card, but one a child makes - I was curious and pulled out another card. I started to read it.

Three words into it “Dear Soldiers, I…” and I could not read anymore. I was overcome with emotion. I still don’t know exactly why? I still have the vision in my head, it was a heart shaped card colored blue on the front with some other designs. It opened book style and the handwriting was typical third-graderish.

I have thought about the effect it had/has on me, and mentioned it to a few people. Do you have any thoughts on what the deal is with that? Why I am so emotionally sensitive all of a sudden?

kk thx.

A few things have come to my attention in my time here so far.

• 1. Always pee when ever you have the chance.
• 2. “Everyone” smokes two cigarettes in one sitting.
• 3. Baby wipes are not just for wiping babies.
• 4. Socks are important.
• 5. A clear sky is a clear sky whatever the environment.

Just a few things that have stuck out in my mind, of things observed since I have been here.

The title is misgiving… I don’t want to know what you want me to shoot - like with a gun. More-so, I don’t want to shoot anything with a gun or any other weapon for that matter. Well, I guess it would be OK for sport.. but not people, cause that means they were shooting at me first… anyway.. I digress…

What I want to know is what you might want me to take pictures of. The first few days here, I did some research and contemplated buying a new camera. Something a few megapixels higher, and a lot more compact than my current toy.

I’m glad I didn’t! The picture taking has died off dramatically as I am sure you are aware. So I need some suggestions. Just use your imagination and give me some ideas on things to take snap shots of.

I slept like crap today. My room mate was home when I got home. WTF, a day off? Where does he get the balls?? That wasn’t so bad at first. I was ready to crash, and he was still in bed himself. The heat was set to hell, but I have to sleep with at least my PT gear on in case I wake up and need to make a mad dash to the Cadillac.

It didn’t take long before the disturbances started. I usually sleep through ANYTHING. But today, I awoke to every little sound. It started with the roomie doing something over there. I am not sure what, but it was like a ticking noise. Not like an timer or anything, like nail clippers or something.

Then he was gone, but the C-RAM went off - whether it was testing or shooting down a mortar, I don’t know. On top of all that, there was construction going on - apparently RIGHT OUTSIDE MY DOOR!

When it was ‘time’ to get up, you’d a thunk I was in a sauna the way I was sweating. Or as Mario would say, I was sweating like a run away slave. I opened the door, and to my surprise there was a new wall in front of my pod. Of course, the first thought in my head was ‘Upgrades‘.

I wonder, how much of a difference is that 4.5 feet going to make? I’m not hatin tho!

~peaz~

Well, I guess I didn’t knock loud enough. Last night was pretty active. Maybe 3 or 4 IDF’s and some controlled detonations off base.

On top of all that… “another” one of those things didn’t land so smooth. Those things go down left and right… good grief. Come to find out, the whole 180 thing by the C-17’s and C-130’s is not that uncommon in a ‘tactical environment’. Seen a lot more of those lately.

I suspect I need to eat my words when I made comment to how much food was wasted every day. If they were to spend less on food, they could spend the $900 a person body armor upgrades for the troops fighting on the front lines (as skewed as they may be).