Boot's take

Max Boot's September 28th article in the Los Angeles Times takes the position that we cannot downsize to success in Afghanistan, citing that Israel's use of a smaller strategy (high tech weapons, special forces) was a failure... witness Hamas controlling Gaza, Hezbollah controlling southern Lebanon. General McChrystal writes that without more force, failure is a likely result- failure is defined as Afghanistan becoming a terrorist haven. So what do you really think, Mr. Obama?

Some Navy types

It so happened that Rick and Kim are two Navy types that were available for lunch at the DFAC BBQ tent. I have seen them on the MWR porch in the morning when I am drinking my Emergen-C dosed water and deliberating whether or not to take out the PTGB. As individual augmentees (IAs) we discussed some of the issues specific to our situations, like being reassigned (and other manning issues), feeling isolated, and living in an Army world. It was great to swap stories with these sailors.

"You're a good peddler."

I was getting ready for a predinner spin on the PTGB, sitting on the front porch of the MWR building, inspecting my shoe for a pebble, guzzling down my Emergen-C laden water. TJ, staying on one more day here, seemed very interested in knowing if I had finished my ride on the PTGB. I was wondering if he wanted to take her out for a spin. I told him I was about to go do the loop, and he asked if he could come along, he had his own bike. He opened up a canvas bag and proceeded to assemble his bike! He mentioned that he cycles for TREK (a serious cyclist), spouting information about time trials, custom made cycling shoes, and (get this) bicycle holsters. It was great having company out there on the loop. My time was improved thanks to the company. And what did this pro-cyclist have to say to me about the experience? "You're a good peddler." That was fun!

Mosquito bite

Lately it has been unseasonably hot. We had cooler weather earlier, I felt confident that I could go off my malaria meds (Doxy). After a late afternoon spin on the PTGB yesterday, I noticed a mosquito bite at the outboard end of the crease where my right arm bends. Horrors! I spoke to the guards, asking them if they ever get mosquito bites and if they are taking their Doxy. Yes, on mosquito bites, but no, they don't take the meds. As a friend of mine stated, "Where do they think you are Guadalcanal?" There were two malarial deaths here this year, I am told. Wish me luck!

I cannot account for my happiness

Why am I so happy? I have been a complete nerd all day, working diligently. I live in a plywood cubicle. I am not nearly as social as I should be. I am away from loved ones. I miss dear friends. I work in a remote dark corner. I shower in a low privacy environment. I sleep in a low privacy environment. I eat in a low privacy environment. People call me Ensign. I just can't explain it.

Fiction

I have always liked the format of those Reader's Digest books. Years ago that is how I came to read Papillon. There are new fangled versions of this, compiled by Reader's Digest but they don't use the words Reader's Digest on the cover. These compilations seem a little "softer" than the older compilations. I am not a big fan of fiction, but that is what the MWR offers, and I am happy to have a change in routine. It has been pretty warm here for the last two mornings, so I am less inclined to hop on the PTGB. I don my royal blue Piggly Wiggly t-shirt, shorts and flip flops and read on the front porch of the MWR building. Sitting there has that resort feeling, with the mountains in the background.

Ideal haircut

Today I decided to get a haircut, just a trim. I was waiting in the hair washing area with my stylist who never uttered a word, besides "haircut." It took me a while to absorb the details of the scenario before me. A man was in the chair for a shampoo, I observed he was completely bald. I told him I would blog about that. I have never seen that before, but it does make sense, I love a good scalp massage... slackens the jaw. It turns out that I received a top notch trim and a blow dry, a rare indulgence for me. Even though I needed to put my hair back up right after the experience, it gave me an appreciation for my hair and my innate desire to have a personal hair dresser.

Smoked meat market

This morning I wasn't really up for a spin on the the PTGB, so I decided to walk to the exchange. I considered a haircut but there was a 45 minute wait. I walked to the back of the exchange and bought a cup of tea (a two-bagger) from Green Beans, and sat outside under the shaded area with picnic tables, lined with mostly young smokers. People just watch the world go by there. No one disquises the fact that they are checking you out. There aren't many places like this on the base. After my tea, I went to the exchange and purchased a vat of Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Creme. This is a lifesaver for my skin. I immediatedly applied it to my face and legs after I left the store. I walked north to the BBQ DFAC and had some BBQ chicken. Ribs are apparently what this DFAC is known for, and that's what I had yesterday. This time I had company, I met a nice pilot from Maine, former Navy. He shared with me that Jacksonville may be a good area for me to check out when I go on leave.

The BBQ Bistro

I finally visited the tented BBQ DFAC. It was one of the better meals -- (breakfast to me, lunch to mostly everyone else)-- I have had since I have been here: BBQ pork ribs, no sauce. It reminded me of the Bistro type DFAC in Iraq, but lacking in compelling company. I have been trying to add more variation to my routine, like going to different DFACs. Bonus feature: I parked the PTGB outside and it was there when I returned. I had my strong hot tea in hand while sitting outside on one of a few large concrete blocks, blocks with rebar loops sticking out of the sides. There I sat enjoying my morning tea, in my Navy PT gear, enjoying the fact that someone had painted these modest, stenciled words on the side of the concrete: GO NAVY.

Upcoming R&R

Would you believe that I get 18 days leave in mid October? I will be traveling to Florida, mostly in the Tampa area. Richard will be joining me there and we will be looking at the area as a likely place to move. I will also be interviewing/kicking tires on the job front. Alma asked me what sights I wanted to take in. I'm thinking a really deep bath tub. I miss soaking in a bath tub. That is where I do some of my best thinking. I am looking forward to the humidity in Florida, the Afghanistan climate really dries up my skin. I am starting to look my age out here! The R&R comes at a good time in regard to my work here. My dear friend Connecticut Z emailed me today, when he left for home he stopped off in Florida to visit with Jay, the cool table founder. That's not such a bad idea.

Sprucing up the palace

The cubicle where I sleep came with a DVD player and a small television. I set it up last night and played a terrific Frank Sinatra CD, left by the previous tenant, featuring a beloved tune with special meaning "Let's Get Away from it All." I sat on my bed with a big grin on my face with my headphones on. The previous tenant also left a flick "The Renditon" which looks like fun. I organized the cubicle a bit, which is a litte difficult becasue the PTGB takes up a chunk of the real estate.