Usually the united states military would not permit for its members to watch movies, tv episodes or listen to music online. However it understands that boredom can attack its base worse than any insurgent and can detonate the troops morale. So it created a morale server with over 200+ movies and a huge music database to give a soundtrack to our deployment -
Getting to the point, searching through the movie listing they had an 1.5 long X-Men cartoon movie that was totally riveting. Then...
I saw him, he was standing there with his back to me, black hat, black suit, hands folding around his back, and I knew who it was before I read the album name. Van Morrison's Back on Top. I have traveled to the other side of the world and his music followed me. It will, and is currently augmenting my state of consciousness about my surroundings like only his music can. I smile and think "He's here with me." But I always knew he would be.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
"Are you in Iraq, yes or no?"
I just blew my nose and the narliest looking black stuff came out of it. Sand, dust. They say it happens. You don't even want to see my stridex pads.
I called my Mom today and got the answering machine which may have been a good thing. I remember the first time I heard her voice on the phone in basic training my eyes came to tears. When we parted ways after basic training it was hard to. I said to myself "I'm not gonna see my Mom or be home for a while." I am pretty sure that if I had talked to her I would have remained collected in front of my peers(since morale calls lack privacy and are in front of everyone) but later on in the solice of my room a deep reflection would have occured.
My father's wife answered the phone when I called him. He was happy to hear my voice. First words of the conversation were "Are you in Iraq, yes or no?" knowing that I could not give out my exact location. I explained to him that I was in Qatar, safe and sound. He then asked how my living arrangements were, told him I was living in a trailer split into rooms, and that I had AC. Yesterday it was 114 in the village on base with 125 degree heat on the tarmac. The urgency in my fathers voice in his first initial question was unlike any tone I had ever heard from him. Not saying that he does not care about me or that he has never shown such behaivor but it seems that some people can attempt to portray caring in moments of unification and fail yet it is when they are split by an earth that genuine compassion is seen.
Things that will be able to get me through - Salsa dancing classes at the gym @2100 immediately followed by a cycling class @2200.
I called my Mom today and got the answering machine which may have been a good thing. I remember the first time I heard her voice on the phone in basic training my eyes came to tears. When we parted ways after basic training it was hard to. I said to myself "I'm not gonna see my Mom or be home for a while." I am pretty sure that if I had talked to her I would have remained collected in front of my peers(since morale calls lack privacy and are in front of everyone) but later on in the solice of my room a deep reflection would have occured.
My father's wife answered the phone when I called him. He was happy to hear my voice. First words of the conversation were "Are you in Iraq, yes or no?" knowing that I could not give out my exact location. I explained to him that I was in Qatar, safe and sound. He then asked how my living arrangements were, told him I was living in a trailer split into rooms, and that I had AC. Yesterday it was 114 in the village on base with 125 degree heat on the tarmac. The urgency in my fathers voice in his first initial question was unlike any tone I had ever heard from him. Not saying that he does not care about me or that he has never shown such behaivor but it seems that some people can attempt to portray caring in moments of unification and fail yet it is when they are split by an earth that genuine compassion is seen.
Things that will be able to get me through - Salsa dancing classes at the gym @2100 immediately followed by a cycling class @2200.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
8 Hours Ahead of Home
I've come through - I have made it to Qatar. Through perseverance and politics I have swindled my way into getting blogger.com allowed on a government network. With this blog posts will hopefully be more frequent than as of late.
Local time is 0038, eight hours ahead of EST, with the thermometer reading 97 F coinciding with 59% humidity. Needless to say it is hot and desolate. The sand and rock is more white than what I once knew as sand. My eyes feel as if they are staring directly into the sun all the time.
As a child I allowed the sun to bleach my hair and dry my wet body after swimming in the pool. In the winter months the sun would warm me while on the chair lift at the ski resort. Here the sun plays the role of diminisher. We were briefed that when we go out the sun will kill us of heat stroke before the scorpians, camel spiders or rodents(all disease ridden) will. The day wears on my eyes like a yard tool would one's bare hand.
Although I can not talk about what I'm doing here I will say it is very worthwhile. For the first time since hurricane Katrina, maybe even basic training, it is as if we are in the middle of the mission. We know why we are here and are working directly in line with the war effort.
Goals are everywhere to obtain, I may be able to take school and or CLEPS while I am here. Lots of opportunities to exercise so I can be a powerhouse on the bike when I get back to California.
Closing remarks,
I am safe, out of harms way.
My flight was long but good. Germany, Switzerland and Italy from 30,000+ is beautiful.
The island of Crete is an ugly rock but Chania is a cool town, good lamb.
It is hot.
I am not able to view my blog so I will be unable to view any comments left by readers.
Email me at maxxhackett@hotmail.com, I will get to it when I can.
I love you all and you get me through the day.
Local time is 0038, eight hours ahead of EST, with the thermometer reading 97 F coinciding with 59% humidity. Needless to say it is hot and desolate. The sand and rock is more white than what I once knew as sand. My eyes feel as if they are staring directly into the sun all the time.
As a child I allowed the sun to bleach my hair and dry my wet body after swimming in the pool. In the winter months the sun would warm me while on the chair lift at the ski resort. Here the sun plays the role of diminisher. We were briefed that when we go out the sun will kill us of heat stroke before the scorpians, camel spiders or rodents(all disease ridden) will. The day wears on my eyes like a yard tool would one's bare hand.
Although I can not talk about what I'm doing here I will say it is very worthwhile. For the first time since hurricane Katrina, maybe even basic training, it is as if we are in the middle of the mission. We know why we are here and are working directly in line with the war effort.
Goals are everywhere to obtain, I may be able to take school and or CLEPS while I am here. Lots of opportunities to exercise so I can be a powerhouse on the bike when I get back to California.
Closing remarks,
I am safe, out of harms way.
My flight was long but good. Germany, Switzerland and Italy from 30,000+ is beautiful.
The island of Crete is an ugly rock but Chania is a cool town, good lamb.
It is hot.
I am not able to view my blog so I will be unable to view any comments left by readers.
Email me at maxxhackett@hotmail.com, I will get to it when I can.
I love you all and you get me through the day.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
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