tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577993056911500082024-03-13T05:56:56.792+04:30Wirehead JackI created this blog to document my upcoming six-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I'll be going in as a C4ISR Planner billet, working with intel folks over there to ensure they have all they need on the IT side to do their jobs in support of the warfighter.John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-70052371924186432462012-03-03T23:39:00.000+04:302012-03-03T23:39:22.968+04:30As Emily Litella said ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">"Never mind."<br />
<br />
I got back to work last Monday to find my short-term deployment had been terminated. It took me a couple days to get to ground truth ... somehow, a KM type was identified in Norfolk. He's apparently in the inner circles of both General Patraeus (former COMISAF) and General Allen (current COMISAF). So they didn't need Joe Shit the Rag Man.<br />
<br />
This came at a good time, I'd prefer not to have to be watching my back for a loony Haji with a gun bent on avenging the singeing of the koran.<br />
<br />
Maybe another time. But now, at least, I get to enjoy my homebrew Pilsner when the bottle conditioning is done.</div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-65277789322730665372012-02-24T18:24:00.000+04:302012-02-24T18:24:50.642+04:30Here We Go Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">People look at me like I’m crazy nowadays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all began a week ago, when my colleague Ken, who relieved me in Kabul last April, stopped by for what I assumed was a casual drive-by chat.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“So, buddy, ready to go back for another deployment?” he asks?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Not a chance, amigo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Us old guys can’t handle another six months downrange,” was my reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Besides, it wouldn’t sit well on the home front.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“But you could probably handle a short trip, like four or six weeks, right?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Not feeling the hook set, I came back with, “Yeah, I could do a short trip standing on my head.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Well,” says Ken, “there’s going to be a gap in the ISAF KMO job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to find coverage for a month or so until the permanent guy can get on-station.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Still oblivious to the hook in my yap, I said something along the lines of, “Color me interested.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then I take off for a week’s worth of leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not yet one hour into my time off, I get a call on my cell from Chris, my boss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ken came by to talk to me about you deploying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to send you to Kabul for 45 days.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the rush to get things pulled together so I could walk out of the office for a week with a clear conscience, I hadn’t had the presence of mind to give the boss a heads-up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So here it is, Friday, and Monday I may be walking into the proverbial shit-storm. Meanwhile, I'm down at a gaming convention in Charlottesville, and when I've mentioned my prospects for going back to Afghanistan, I get that look. <i>What, you didn't have enough fun last time? You want to eat more sand? Are you nuts??</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">More to follow.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-18753648404725195542011-10-05T01:06:00.000+04:302011-10-05T01:06:07.776+04:30Still Readjusting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>AR-SA</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:ApplyBreakingRules/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Well, I’ve been home almost five weeks, and in the office for four of those weeks.<span> </span>Not surprisingly, it’s had its ups and downs.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The ups – being back with family and friends, vastly improved quality of living, normal work hours.<span> </span>Driving the Black Beast up and down US 50, belching diesel exhaust as I go.<span> </span>Sushi.<span> </span>Beer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The big downer – not being part of the mission, the war effort, anymore.<span> </span>It’s kind of like the “Six Degrees of Separation” game.<span> </span>While downrange, I was much closer to the main effort, with a great feeling of directly supporting the warfighters.<span> </span>It was especially so at IJC, the operational commander, the three-star controlling the six Regional Commands and in direct contact with troops in the field.<span> </span>The move to Bagram removed me a bit more from the pointy end of the spear, and, yes, we were a bunch of IT geeks “in the rear with the gear” who seldom if ever ventured off-base. <span> </span>But we were forward with the warfighters, with a distinct feeling of accomplishment.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You may not know it, but I’ll let you in on a dirty little secret … “official” Washington DC is populated by douche bags.<span> </span>Lots and lots of them.<span> </span>I could start with the do-nothing slackers on Crapitol Hill.<span> </span>The scumbag K Street lobbyists.<span> </span>The hide-bound bureaucrats of every stripe.<span> </span>The (un)civil servants who find a way to not do their jobs and still not get fired.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Or I could shift focus to the National Security apparatchiks.<span> </span>In defense of our country, and in furtherance of the war effort, they will staunchly defend the requirement to use the right font on your staff summary sheet to accompany a PowerPoint slide deck to tell a member of the Senior Executive Service why you need to spend money on IT infrastructure improvements.<span> </span>But your briefing will go nowhere unless you get the staff summary sheet right.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Pardon me, douche bag par excellence, but did you know that young Soldiers and Marines are being killed and maimed in shitty little villages in Helmand and Kunar Province while you sit at your cozy desk eating bon bons and wielding your all-powerful administrative scepter?<span> </span>The real world, the world where people fight and die every day, doesn’t give a shit about font size.<span> </span>They care about delivering the best possible support to those trigger-pullers so they can put warheads on foreheads. <span> </span>And that, in part, equates to providing a resilient IT infrastructure to deliver intelligence when and where it’s needed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So it is that, while I’m far from clinically depressed, I do find myself saddened at times about being back here.<span> </span>A very distant relative of survivor’s guilt.<span> </span>I’m back home drinking beer while my comrades are eating the Afghan dust.<span> </span>This malaise is compounded by the realization that deployment is really a young person’s venture.<span> </span>They don’t need old farts like me as much as I feel the need to fight the good fight.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve gone back and re-read a lot of these posts recently.<span> </span>They provide an interesting, and at times frightening, insight into my state of mind.<span> </span>They show the emotional roller coaster which reflected my mood and spirits at the time.<span> </span>The first two months at IJC were a more frenetic time, closer to the edge, and the writing reflects that.<span> </span>The four months at Bagram were, in comparison, more laid back, more removed from the fight, despite the periodic rocket attacks.<span> </span>And I was able to write about the silly stuff, the things we did for amusement, rather than fling f-bombs at the Supreme Court and the Westboro Baptist Church.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Life goes on.<span> </span>I think I’ll get us some sushi tonight.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-74865916109780737312011-09-24T16:40:00.000+04:302011-09-24T16:40:51.199+04:30Whaaaa? I Can’t Hear You!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Thursday night ended the triptych of post-deployment concerts at Ram’s Head. I think it ended my accompanied concert-going for a while too.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First things first … it was an amazing show, more than I dared anticipate. We walked in right at 8, and Stick Men were already on stage and playing. Originally comprised of ex-King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto and Tony Levin and Michael Bernier on Chapman Stick (hence the name Stick Men … get it?), Bernier moved on and was ably replaced by Marcus Reuter on touch guitar. During the 45-minute set of their own material, Levin let the cat out of the bag. After their set, the Adrian Belew Power Trio would play a set of their own stuff, and finally everyone would converge on the stage for the King Crimson set. Holy crap, a Crim-head’s fantasy! For their finale, Stick Men played a piece from their <i>Soup</i> disc, four movements from <i>The Firebird Suite</i>. Igor Stravinsky never sounded so good.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then the Power Trio. Adrian Belew was accompanied by Julie Slick on bass, and replacing her brother Eric on drums was Tobias Ralph. Belew commented that Julie was “really slick on bass.” Nice play on words, Ade, but she wasn’t slick. She was ferocious. She kicked ass, pure and simple. I hadn’t listened to much of the Trio’s material before, but after last night, I need to become more familiar with it. The phrase “power trio” really sums up their approach. Both bands, but especially the Power Trio, were short on lyrics and heavy on instrumentals … magnificent instrumentals from virtuoso musicians.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next up … Belew announces that he, Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto (three three former King Crimson band-mates) will, for the first time ever, play as a trio. And they launched right into Crimson’s <i>Three of a Perfect Pair</i>. The Crimson material never stopped after that. A couple more tunes, then Marcus Reuter returned to the stage and they launched into <i>Red</i>, a blistering guitar-focused instrumental. Then the rest of the Power Trio came back on-stage and we were treated to a reincarnation of the famed Double Trio, with two drummers, two bass guitarists (well, sometimes it was one on bass and one on the Stick), and two amazingly talented guitarists. Interestingly, although Levin and Belew introduced the songs for their respective bands, not a word of introduction was spoken during this part of the show. We Crim-heads didn’t need to be told what they were playing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Interspersed among spirited renditions of such classics as <i>Frame by Frame</i>, <i>Elephant Talk</i>, <i>Neurotica</i> and <i>Indiscipline</i>, they snuck in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Conundrum</i>, their mind-blowing drum duet. Finally, the double trio went through the “end-of-set-walk-off-the-stage” drill until the ceaseless applause brought them back for the encore. It could only be one song, I thought. And I wasn’t disappointed, as the first notes of <i>Thela Hun Ginjeet</i> brought me to my feet. Oh yeah.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve got a collection of Crimson concert recordings spanning 1982 to 2009. Deep down in my heart of hearts, I’d worried about Belew and Levin getting older and less nimble, about Belew’s voice giving it up. But they were in top form, their performances as dazzling as ever.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Throughout the show, I was in a state of nirvana. Throughout the show, I felt the physical impact of the music, the bass thudding through me, the sonic assault enveloping me. I was at times vaguely aware that my wife was sitting across the table from me. And, as her tastes in music tend more towards Jimmy Buffett and show tunes, I fear it will be a cold day in hell before I get her to join me for another concert.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-27644499294580375052011-09-21T02:14:00.002+04:302011-09-21T02:14:47.425+04:30Feelin’ Old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">I mean, really old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night, we went to the Ram’s Head to see the Zombies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, this was Round Two of my British Invasion concert series, after catching the Yardbirds last Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a bit taken aback while talking to the guitarist back then, when he mentioned plans for a Yardbirds 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary tour in 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fifty years???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can it really be?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then, last night, there was much talk, on-stage and off, about this being the fiftieth anniversary of the Zombies forming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy crap, it’s déjà vu all over again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although they didn’t start hitting it big until 1965, their first rehearsal took place in 1961 in St. Albans, a northern suburb of London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music was excellent … Colin Blunstone, the original singer, was still in fine form after 50 years of vocal cord abuse, and Rod Argent, the other founding member, was vibrant on keyboards and vocals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I’m jealous … these guys can sing, and sing well, after 50 years, and I still have half a dozen restraining orders barring me from singing in public.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But I digress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music was excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did a two-hour set, amazing for a bunch of old guys, comprised of a healthy mix of old and new stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hits from the mid-60s were there … <i>Tell Her No</i>, <i>Time of the Season</i>, and the pre-encore tune, <i>She’s Not There</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no encore in the traditional sense … they didn’t go through the silly motions of walking off stage, only to file back on for one last song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just stayed on stage and played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The encore … Gershwin’s <i>Summertime</i>, from <i>Porgy and Bess</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, you read that right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Twas a bold move to close out the show with something other than one of their big hits, but it worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blunstone’s vocals carried it, and everyone left on a high note.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This Thursday ends the trilogy of post-deployment concerts with the Adrian Belew Power Trio, also at the Ram’s Head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given that Belew only has five years on me, and his Power Trio is fleshed out by some youngsters, I hope not to feel so old and decrepit after that show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’ve also given notice that, since Belew will also be accompanied by two other former members of King Crimson, I may morph into the embarrassing fan during the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll report back on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then, “Rock on!”</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-3393265791630027702011-09-12T07:12:00.000+04:302011-09-12T07:12:46.839+04:30Homecoming Festivities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Okay, I ordered the tickets for this show while deployed, so technically, tonight constituted part of my post-deployment process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what a night it was!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Earlier tonight, I dragged my beloved to the Ram’s Head in Annapolis to see the Yardbirds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, those Yardbirds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an amazing show!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two original band members, Chris Dreja on rhythm guitar and Jim McCarty on drums, were rounded out by three young whippersnappers, and they did an awesome job on both newer material and ‘60s classics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lead guitarist Ben King plays with the soul of the original band … Clapton needs to be looking over his shoulder at this young up-and-coming star.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The ninety-minute set included such greats as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heart Full of Soul</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Smokestack Lightning</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Over Under Sideways Down</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The set wrapped up with a cover of Led Zeppelin’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dazed and Confused</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the encore … the quintessentially bluesy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m a Man</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m amped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m stoked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just think, next week, we get to do it again … twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got tickets to see the Zombies and the Adrian Belew Power Trio (and with the Stick Men along for the ride, we’ll be seeing most of the 1980s King Crimson line-up).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yeah!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the run-up to this concert, I’d just about sobered up from yesterday’s Real Ale Festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I connected with Dale, a former Marine EOD tech and fellow Brother of the Leaf, to head up to Duclaw Brewery’s annual Real Ale fest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearly 20 breweries were represented, featuring 40 different ales and stouts (yeah, a lager/pilsner or two snuck in).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For four hours, it was all the beer you could consume, along with endless food (including three whole roast pigs).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brews were, by and large, superb (with the exception of one sour cherry concoction that we discretely dumped after the first sip).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No big commercial operations were represented; it was a gathering of small craft brewers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of robust stouts, lots of hoppy ales, and most amazing, no lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The folks at Duclaw did a fine job of managing the festival, so we never had to wait to fill our glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is going to be a must-do event on my calendar every year.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vBz1DFs4iaM6tbjMuZvPc3hKLhFI8RfIii2SQfkkhTLkfYMYn78cUFRE-GipdMuM6erYv4sjryEAc-hYXX-1mfpIuPnrTWkk-rMpQqh6T-nOx-dmX7YMWQC4gU87fjO39JvrgtcYp1ZC/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vBz1DFs4iaM6tbjMuZvPc3hKLhFI8RfIii2SQfkkhTLkfYMYn78cUFRE-GipdMuM6erYv4sjryEAc-hYXX-1mfpIuPnrTWkk-rMpQqh6T-nOx-dmX7YMWQC4gU87fjO39JvrgtcYp1ZC/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Dale</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKmuYhL0pc7w6no0KQu5_2VhvWrNbyOs7knDfQmN_NhzmslsIHH9AJf7tFBs0e0Kw-8knvthp4Sf6MStLpY_swX4I7a-tlOpUU4TH6c3s7sm4JgSAj6MVze05ei0miVz57KIKoucOY5-h/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKmuYhL0pc7w6no0KQu5_2VhvWrNbyOs7knDfQmN_NhzmslsIHH9AJf7tFBs0e0Kw-8knvthp4Sf6MStLpY_swX4I7a-tlOpUU4TH6c3s7sm4JgSAj6MVze05ei0miVz57KIKoucOY5-h/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like my tattoo?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-43151180871720436282011-09-02T18:08:00.000+04:302011-09-02T18:08:41.876+04:30Cruise Recap I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">So, have I groused enough yet about the abysmal Internet connectivity on MS <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avalon Tranquility</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we paid up (€15 for the whole week), we were warned, in appropriate Slavic-accented English, "Eez satellite connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May be slow."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, slow as frozen pond water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slow enough that opening an e-mail was painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slow enough that uploading a blog post was not a doable option.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, after capturing the moment yesterday of the fun and flair of the beer festival, we find ourselves back to recapping the Danube cruise, in addition to talking about Budapest.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Let's go back to square one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect this will be one of many posts, as you probably have no desire to read long, drawn-out, multi-day accounts of things past.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We boarded the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avalon Tranquility</i> on the afternoon of Sunday, August 21st and got settled in our stateroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bit on the small side, but that would only be a concern if we were spending the whole trip there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turns out, we had a very busy schedule ahead of us.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We spent Sunday night tied up in Nürnberg and had a splendid meal onboard ... the first of many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally found out firsthand what people have been telling me for years -- cruising is all about the food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was amazed by both the quality and quantity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only saving grace is that we toured on foot enough during a massive Central European heat wave to walk off a lot of those calories.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The post I started writing on Day One of the cruise was titled "Rollin' Down the ... Canal."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I'd done my homework, I'd have known that we weren't actually starting out on the Danube, but rather on the Main-Danube Canal, which we traversed for over 100 miles until we reached the mighty Danube River near Regensburg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, instead of rollin' down the river, a la Ike and Tina Turner, we meandered down the canal, stopping to traverse a total of eight locks before reaching the Danube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was especially impressed by the fact that, in the midst of those eight locks, we went through three successive locks that raised us 24 meters or about 81 feet each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, each ... three locks elevated us nearly 250 feet towards Europe's continental divide.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here we are about to enter one of those huge locks:</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjnAJ1EH8gjxwx_JBFgi9JQ5IZRKsyeWxsBHtmp-io_DHNuVNN-08-vC90hsatkD3QNcwaXYo07974rzHEofsddtDA7RissLGz5BMeDlwiA4alYB4HwdzrHSh3_ZwddmSd7Fe2jVR4EAQ/s1600/094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjnAJ1EH8gjxwx_JBFgi9JQ5IZRKsyeWxsBHtmp-io_DHNuVNN-08-vC90hsatkD3QNcwaXYo07974rzHEofsddtDA7RissLGz5BMeDlwiA4alYB4HwdzrHSh3_ZwddmSd7Fe2jVR4EAQ/s320/094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching one of the 24-meter canal locks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> I was also surprised to see that there were locks along the Danube as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that's a topic for another post. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, Tuesday morning, we docked at Regensburg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another lovely old German city with several interesting facts in its favor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foremost is that the city center is extremely well-preserved from its medieval origins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During World War II, the Allied strategic bombing campaign took out the Messerschmitt aircraft factories on the outskirts of town but, in an unusual exception to the Air Force's standard 20,000 foot "one pass. haul ass" approach to carpet bombing, they left the heart of the city pretty much unscathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So those lovely Gothic churches in town are original, not reconstructed (as was the case in Nürnberg).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Upriver from Regensburg was the Danube Gorge, which we visited on a smaller river tour boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gorge, the narrowest part of the Danube, is defined by tall limestone cliffs, and I doubt the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avalon Tranquility</i> could have negotiated the sharp bends in the river at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very impressive.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then, after seeing the Gorge, we toured the Benedictine Abbey at Weltenburg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Featuring Germany's oldest monastic brewery (since 1050), they produce a Dunkel (dark lager) that is said to be Pope Benedict's favorite (not a surprise, since he spent a lot of pre-Vatican time teaching in Regensburg, and still has family there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also claim that His Holiness has the Weltenburg Dunkel shipped to Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a sample a pint, and it was definitely an enjoyable beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt sanctified as I drank it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6_V3rTieeJ3y50RygJgT0Nnh002KF4_bTRdWRya3fmgwNPb0B5H5S3umENLOjmmMDhZTW1casEWL98n2ZCqC5idn_3vOiPCSUvSZPNDP53PwL2sPp_Afji7r4rB20EPoz5taGv-f9fyT/s1600/142+-+Drinking+the+Pope%2527s+Fave+Bier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6_V3rTieeJ3y50RygJgT0Nnh002KF4_bTRdWRya3fmgwNPb0B5H5S3umENLOjmmMDhZTW1casEWL98n2ZCqC5idn_3vOiPCSUvSZPNDP53PwL2sPp_Afji7r4rB20EPoz5taGv-f9fyT/s320/142+-+Drinking+the+Pope%2527s+Fave+Bier.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking His Holiness's Fave Bier</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I guess the Weltenburg Dunkel wasn't enough ... upon returning to the boat, we found the Bavarian Beer Experience about to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hansel und Gretel, in lederhosen and dirndl, walked us through a PowerPoint presentation about brewing, accompanied by a sample of four beers, running from Hell ("bright" beer, not too hoppy, or interesting) to Lager (good stuff!) through Dunkel and ending with a wheat beer.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-35933971367421085212011-09-02T02:07:00.001+04:302011-09-02T02:39:54.559+04:30Killer Travel Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">The final leg of the trip started Tuesday night. After catching a cab from our hotel, we found the first train to work us back to Frankfurt. We had a sleeper compartment in the Schlaffwagen on the Budapest night train to Munich.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPloI8_wN8f6wfv-oehajc5cU5rzgb3Xr73FNyQZCOhQcQy6jaMgzwAuhOWayI8k7JAUz0ZyM4fpa4GG5020s8yBIyEopiJgp1AJRbrFSt1dQkS6vq_o49Idl5Tg_sZa3QATMoloyUEsFr/s1600/090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPloI8_wN8f6wfv-oehajc5cU5rzgb3Xr73FNyQZCOhQcQy6jaMgzwAuhOWayI8k7JAUz0ZyM4fpa4GG5020s8yBIyEopiJgp1AJRbrFSt1dQkS6vq_o49Idl5Tg_sZa3QATMoloyUEsFr/s320/090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">A nine-hour haul, departing at 9PM ... it was a distinct pleasure when the locomotive hitched up to the rest of the train and we got some air conditioning to clear out the stagnant, humid air in the compartment. After sharing a bottle of Austrian white wine over a game of iPad Scrabble, we retired to our separate bunk beds (for the record, Jeannie volunteered to climb the ladder to the top bunk) for an uneventful ride through Hungary, Austria and Bavaria, finally reaching the Hauptbahnhof at Munich, where we debarked shortly after 6AM to change trains for a pleasant three-hour ride in first class, watching the countryside go by.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCmPh_77UUxG-zasMzpRDeuIbigpnThld4zqQ_rHsSYiU09jAY9L8Y2g6ANedhYv9bSo0Mz-K1XtT5d9VmhRSdQE0rRZKg9bqqi-OmucBn0tcUzg9UnBP-1OeRrtq0HH2he6TRpiUah0h/s1600/095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCmPh_77UUxG-zasMzpRDeuIbigpnThld4zqQ_rHsSYiU09jAY9L8Y2g6ANedhYv9bSo0Mz-K1XtT5d9VmhRSdQE0rRZKg9bqqi-OmucBn0tcUzg9UnBP-1OeRrtq0HH2he6TRpiUah0h/s320/095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The cool part of the trip was arriving in Frankfurt, where the train station is a part of the airport. No taxi rides through town, no worrying about missed connections, just a short bag drag to the Lufthansa check-in. And, after a final German Pilsner in Germany, we moved down the chute into the cattle car environment that is coach flying. I preemptively fired up the iPod to block out the sound of screeching little brats, then returned to the laptop for more writing. Thank God for modern electronics.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After landing, collecting luggage, clearing customs and finding the car in the garage at Dulles, we landed smack in the middle of the DC rush hour. Not to fear, said I ... I know just the place to wait out the horrors of the Beltway. And so it was that my first post-deployment meal back in the USA was sushi at Tachibana. Interesting visit ... the dining experience was, as always, most excellent. But the staff at first didn't recognize me. No more long hair or facial hair, and 40 pounds lighter than on my last visit.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-85494848672150314962011-08-28T21:09:00.000+04:302011-08-28T21:09:39.297+04:30Gettin' 'Donked in Budapest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">We arrived in Budapest on Saturday morning and did a bunch of touring both morning and afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning, we debarked from MS <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avalon Tranquility</i> and played tourist again, spending the morning in the "Secret Hospital and Nuclear Bunker."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cool place, very dank Cold War-ish, very eerie.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After heading back to the hotel to check into our room (Jeannie did an amazing job, we're in a room on the "Executive Floor" of the Budapest Hilton with a majestic ... no other word will suffice ... view of the Danube), we headed out to check out the old city of Buda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeannie had this great idea about touring the Budavári Palota, or Royal Palace.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hah!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Little did she know (well, neither did I) that the Budapest Sörfesztival, or Beer Festival, was in its fourth and final day on the palace grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me, dear readers, where else could you attend a beer festival in a palace built on top of Roman ruins?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Budapest on the last weekend of August, that's where!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, short story long, we spent a few hours at the festival, first off listening to a Joe Cocker cover band (yeah, go figure, a Hungarian Joe Cocker, but it worked) while drinking pints of local brew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We strolled the castle/museum grounds a bit, then sat to listen to more Joe Cocker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They closed their set, natch, with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Little Help From My Friends</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And during this set, I switched from Hungarian lager to Delirium Tremens, a très potent Belgian ale, aptly symbolized by a pink elephant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeannie stuck with Hungarian brews as I resisted the ale-inspired urge to do a really bad air guitar while, in my mind, reliving Joe's Woodstock performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After they wrapped up their set, I moved on to Corsendonk, another fine Belgian ale, although not quite as ass-kicking as the Delirium Tremens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What's wrong with me, I asked, as I went through a Hungarian beerfest drinking Belgian brews.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Caution, cheesy product placement follows:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LxBvqm7l2dMQl5UBPnH2vvp5TiWemwWHtltLNF8oFFcmJo_QCjqovUb7saQqEeEHLh41Leb8ygouf1pfdgnCAbjmdEXoUbUyZ-PQayneqab0B1ypV_cZtdy0gTCKbVQ0B96lvB9UGxkv/s1600/143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LxBvqm7l2dMQl5UBPnH2vvp5TiWemwWHtltLNF8oFFcmJo_QCjqovUb7saQqEeEHLh41Leb8ygouf1pfdgnCAbjmdEXoUbUyZ-PQayneqab0B1ypV_cZtdy0gTCKbVQ0B96lvB9UGxkv/s320/143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh well, not a problem, as the next band took up the stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mild local headbangers with sax and violin thrown in for good measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few of their tunes, we popped smoke and headed for the gate, before I did more Belgians and needed to be carried back to the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did, however, escape with some cool souvenir mugs.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I should note at this point that I'm ecstatic to be back in an Internet-friendly zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For seven days, although we had a marvelous cruise on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avalon Tranquility</i>, the connectivity, in a word, sucked,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can now do more than glare at the laptop as an e-mail takes forever to load.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-35213128255257319912011-08-21T00:51:00.001+04:302011-09-02T02:11:00.984+04:30Nuremberg<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, good tourists that we are, we traipsed all over Nuremberg over the past 24 hours or so. We did the highlights of the imperial castle last night before enjoying the repast over which I waxed eloquent in yesterday's post. Today, after a walking tour of the Altstadt, we hopped a bus out to the complex where the nazis used to hold their annual party gatherings. This was <i>Triumph of the Will</i> in full 1:1 scale. After doing the interactive museum part, we strolled around the grounds. The congress hall was empty, unfinished, huge, massive, and utterly underwhelming as architecture goes. The Teutonic boys get no points for imaginative or inspiring buildings. Another part of the complex serves as the home of the Nuremberg Symphony. And the vast open areas are now used for recreation. And a site for the carnival that's setting up.<br />
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Having skipped lunch, we arrived in the main market area of the Altstadt, and I was hungry. So hungry, in fact, that I did the unthinkable. I are sushi from a vendor in a trailer in the market area. Yeah, I know, many of you shudder at the idea of Korean sushi. How about Korean sushi (I know it was Korean because they also sold kimchi) made in the heart of Germany? I played it safe with a California-esque roll. How badly can you screw up cucumber, avocado and fake crabmeat? So, having set my expectations very low, I was in fact pleasantly surprised. While certainly not the best sushi I've ever had, it was also far from the worst.<br />
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To make up for that, we hit a wurst place for dinner. It's been peddling sausage in one location or another since 1419, so I figured it ought to be decent. So we had plates of little Nuremberg bratwurst (little bigger than American breakfast sausages) with sauerkraut and potato salad. Again, we went down the path of hearty German food rather than haute cuisine, but we left happy and well-fed.<br />
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Tomorrow, we tour the rest of the castle, then board the cruise ship. Can't wait!</div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-56035805841694411462011-08-20T10:26:00.000+04:302011-08-20T10:26:38.834+04:30The Gong Show Redux<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, we checked out of Heidelburg and hit the road for Nuremburg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three hours on a train (well, actually, two trains, as we had to change trains in Stuttgart), and we arrived at Nuremburg's Hauptbahnhof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After checking into the hotel, we did a quick familiarization tour of the Altstadt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually made our way to a nearby restaurant for dinner, where I had a delicious hunk of oh-so-tender roast pork shoulder, and Jeanne had a local traditional dish, a cold platter of meat, cheese and vegetables that, to my untrained eye, seemed to have an awful lot of radishes on it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But, as good as the food was, it wasn't the high point of our dining experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, my friends, it was the entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we were treated to a Bavarian duet on guitar and accordion doing medleys of popular tunes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine, if you will or, dare I say, if you can), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Somewhere Over the Rainbow</i> performed on an accordion with Teutonic flair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their rendition of the Beatles' <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yesterday</i> was equally touching.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reach back into your history lessons and recall that this part of Germany was to the Nazis what Helmand Province is to the Taliban ... a spiritual heartland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it was that, after a few tunes a la accordion, I felt like getting up and marching around, singing the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Horst Wessel Lied</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was scary, trying to keep from channeling my inner Dr. Strangelove as I drank pints of pilsner and fantasized about crushing democracies everywhere.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And now the really scary part ... every neo-Nazi nimrod who Googles certain search phrases is going to get pointed to this blog.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just before sitting down to write this, I downloaded 116 photos from my digital camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, as soon as I sift through them, I'll start posting pics of the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Promise!</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-74612648498728758152011-08-19T02:29:00.001+04:302011-08-20T11:56:05.880+04:30One Journey Ends, A New One Begins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, Wednesday morning, I awoke in Heidelburg, Germany. At times this goal seemed so distant, so remote, and then it fell into place. After two days in Qatar, I got shepherded to Doha International by the good folks at Log2020, who escorts me and a couple fellow travelers up until the security checkpoint.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I spent a couple hours waiting ... I seemed to do a lot of that ... which I spent reading (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Defend the Realm</i>, if anyone is interested), people-watching, and of course spending a couple bucks in the duty-free. Finally, I rode the shuttle bus to Qatari Air flight 27, an Airbus 330, settled into a none-too-comfortable seat, and watched the sea of humanity flow past me. As they closed the door, I breathed a heavy sigh of relief ... no one sitting next to me! As the Kool-Aid guy says, "Oh yeaaaahhhh!"</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I reached Frankfurt around 7AM on Tuesday and, after clearing customs, found a place to check my luggage rather than do a bag-drag during my five-hour wait. Several cups of coffee later, and after numerous circuits of the airport, Jeanne's ETA got very close. I retrieved my bags, donned the t-shirt I'd bought just for the occasion (reading "Here I am ... what were your other two wishes?"), which drew a couple bemused looks, and waited. Patiently at first, then a little less so. It seemed, at least to me in my anxious state, that it was taking waaaaaay to long for her flight's luggage to drop to the carousel. But finally, she emerged, and my face lit up. After a few hugs and kisses that, surprisingly, didn't earn us any "Get a room!" comments, I gave her the single long-stemmed red rose I'd gotten, and we worked our way to the bahnhof to catch our train to Heidelburg.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thirty minutes to Mannheim, a frenzied rush to make our connection at another track, then fifteen minutes and we found ourselves at Heidelburg Hauptbahnhof (main train station). A brief cab ride took us to the Arthotel, a curious blend of old and new sitting in the heart of the Old Town, or Altstadt. In fact, our room quite literally straddles both parts of the hotel. Half of the room is 200 years old, the other half a mere seven.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dinner on that first night was at a restaurant called Simplicissimus, a short walk from the hotel. The "lovely terrace" so lovingly described in the Michelin Guide (Simplicissimus is an "also-ran," not rating a Michelin star) was full, so we ate inside. It was a revelation. After six months of eating food that tasted like ass, everything that came to the table was bursting with flavor. From the glass of champagne and amuse bouche to the warm lobster salad, chanterelle soup, beef tournedos, and apricot sorbet, I felt my taste buds re-awakening.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wednesday, we toured the Schloss (castle), which involved a funicular ride in both directions. I took it all in like a little kid, running to the front of the car to watch the ride up and down the mountain. While Jeannie had some doubts about "urban myths" arising during the tour guide's narration, I took it all in like a good tourist.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That evening, we did a 180 from the previous evening's haute cuisine and hit Zum Roten Ochsen, described in the Green Guide as having "stick to your ribs" German fare. The wild boar with spaetzle and "egg mushroom" sauce (the egg mushrooms looked and tasted a whole lot like the chanterelles of the previous evening) was rib-sticking and utterly delicious. But pity my poor bride ... the dish also came with sautéed red cabbage.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With each meal here, I am reminded of how deprived my taste buds have been for the past six months. I find myself asking what this flavor or that spice is. Eating will be a bit more of a chore until my palate reconnects with reality, with cooks who actually strive to impart flavor into what they put on a plate.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally, this evening, we hit the hotel restaurant. And what a treat it was. When I saw the list of chanterelle-laden dishes on the daily menu, I knew it must be mushroom-harvesting season here. Cream of chanterelle soup (topped with deep-fried dumplings wrapped around a pork filling) topped the menu. We may have missed the asparagus festival by a couple months, but apparently are in the midst of a fungus mania. Lucky me!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So here I sit, late on a Thursday night, writing about my culinary exploits after being separated from the love of my life for six months. Hey, she's taking it in stride, why can't you? I knew I'd miss her, and I did, and the reunion was wonderful.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But I didn't realize how badly my palate had been trashed by six months of DFAC fare. Learning anew what things are supposed to taste like is a revelation.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next stop ... Nuremburg.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-65765173157604374552011-08-15T10:32:00.000+04:302011-08-15T10:32:46.652+04:30Drawing First Beer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So here I sit, Monday morning in Doha. I just put the wraps on a deployment tradition, having drunk my last MOAC. I doubt I'll be able ti find a morning caffeine jolt like that back home.<br />
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Yesterday was a red-letter day. Sitting in the back of a Ford Exploder, I got a whirlwind tour of downtown Doha. I tried, without much success, to hang out the window and snap some photos while my driver, a DIA colleague of old, drive like a man possessed as he dodged the local drivers, who make Neapolitans seem tame and traffic-law-abiding.<br />
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Later that evening, I divested myself of two duffel bags of gear I'd been issued, including gas mask, first aid kit, and all the chem gear and protective clothing which never even got unpacked, much less used.<br />
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After that, time for dinner. And my first beer in six months. Yes, Virginia, there's beer to be found in the Middle East, and in the middle of Ramadan, no less! The various eateries (not the DFAC) here at Camp As Sayliyah (CAS) serve up beer and wine, limited to three drinks per 24-hour period. The stifling heat killed most of my appetite, so I opted for an appetizer portion of lumpia and washed it down with a pint of Stella Artois. Not too shabby. And in a very short time, I'll be sampling a fine variety of German lagers and pilsners. Life is good.<br />
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Later today, I do my post-deployment medical evaluation and psychological screening. That's it, sports fans, until the van come to pick me up and whisk me away to Doha International.<br />
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But don't despair, Wirehead Jack isn't ready to go inter hibernation. There's still post-deployment vacation and other post-deployment re-integration topics for me to ramble about, so I'll keep this blog running for a while yet.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned!</div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-40897459651960696022011-08-14T14:26:00.000+04:302011-08-14T14:26:13.949+04:30The Road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I continue my journey home. After a ten-hour delay, I finally hopped a C-17 Saturday night, and departed Bagram shortly after midnight. After a three-and-a-half hour flight, and accounting for the time zone shift, we landed around 2AM. After doing the immigration processing and clearing Qatari customs not once, but twice (once shortly after getting off the plane, the second time leaving Al Udeid Airbase), I got to my transient quarters around 4AM and immediately collapsed.<br />
<br />
After a couple hours of shuteye, I dragged myself into a vertical position and wandered around a bit. The quarters are rather Spartan "cells" with three beds per room, with four or five rows of about thirty rooms each inside a vast warehouse. The most immediate change I noticed was the humidity. It's easily as hot here as at BAF, but the humidity is way up there, so it's a sticky heat. I suffered though it long enough to find the Green Beans coffee shop, where I indulged in my morning MOAC. And a big-ass sugar donut, my first such indulgence in nearly six months. Nothing like a massive cafeine ingestion to make you feel human again.<br />
<br />
Maybe tomorrow morning I'll hit the DFAC and grab my last meaningful Ramadan Trifecta breakfast sandwich. <br />
<br />
Tonight, I get to turn in all my gear, then do medical and psych out-processing tomorrow. Other than that, I'm on my own. Not that there's a whole lot to do here. Got a couple co-workers to look up, maybe go out on the town for a bite to eat tonight. Otherwise, I begin the decompression process so I can be feeling a bit more relaxed and able to enjoy my post-deployment vacation.<br />
<br />
</div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-91473219337519286492011-08-12T22:16:00.000+04:302011-08-12T22:16:26.296+04:30I’m Outta Here!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Early this evening, I indulged in my final BAF Surf & Turf night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After dinner, a postprandial cigar with the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I broke out the really good stuff, the top-shelf Padrons.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow morning, I get to load my bags onto a C-17 and head out for Qatar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, I’ll out-process and then fly to Frankfurt for my post-deployment vacation.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My friends know I’m a geek for old rock music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I knew the intelligence business as well as I know my arcane rock lyrics, I’d probably be occupying the Director’s office at CIA right now.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But I don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ll stick to my music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A stanza from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Ballad of Dwight Fry</i>, from Alice Cooper’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love It To Death</i> LP, is running through my head:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was gone for all those days, but I was not all alone … I made friends with a lot of people in the danger zone.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It wasn’t much of a danger zone here, what with the DFAC being a bigger and more persistent hazard than Taliban rockets, but I did make a lot of friends here, professionals with whom I’d gladly serve were I to head off to another war zone (which is highly unlikely, but that’s a subject for another post).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’d like to take this opportunity to deliver a special tip of the hat to Brian (my former boss in Kabul), Spence-oire, Carmelita, Dirty Red, and a couple fine Army NCOs who demonstrated singular professionalism and leadership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been great, guys!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But I can’t end on a maudlin note, so …pop quiz time … without Googling it, who was Dwight Fry?</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-87161868053846037862011-08-11T21:18:00.000+04:302011-08-11T21:18:30.727+04:30Things I’ve Been Grateful For<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">No man is an island, contrary to Paul Simon’s plaintive assertions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No man stands alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The past six months would have been a grinding existence, mere subsistence, had it not been for the support I’ve received.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I arrived in-theater, I got thrown into the deep end of the pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No time to get settled in or acclimatized, I got off the plane in KAIA and got to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within days of taking over as chief of the IJC Knowledge Management Cell, I found myself getting my ass chewed by an O-6 for the first time in 30 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not since I was on the bridge of a warship, as a young Lieutenant and Officer of the Deck, had I so incurred the wrath of a senior officer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a tough slog and a steep learning curve, but folks like John D. and Kathryn and Keon helped me keep my head above water and my spirits out of the dumper.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At Bagram, I inherited a similarly capable and professional crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A singularly shit-hot team, folks who will gladly work outside their comfort zone and do what it takes to accomplish the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They talk a lot of smack and engage in the silliest antics (At this point, your honor, I’d like to submit Exhibit A, the female cartoon character mud wrestling debate.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when work needs to get done, be it a new installation or O&M, they’re on it, working until the problem is fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d be proud to serve with them again … just not in Afghanistan.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most important, my bride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s borne the burden of separation like a real trooper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t grouse or complain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kept the household running like a fine Swiss watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juggled work and the EYC board and racing a J/24 without once dropping a ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Completely redid the master bath all by herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kept the Black Beast running (despite her initial aversion to driving a car so big and unwieldy).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did all the research and made all the reservations for our post-deployment vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humored me and all my silly requests for things to include in CARE packages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did everything in her power to keep my morale up, including sending batch upon batch of marvelous cookies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One last item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A year ago, given my back problems, I never would have thought I’d be capable of deploying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to a miraculous and minimally-invasive procedure performed last August at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, I’ve been physically able to perform everything I’ve need to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been able to scurry about with 40 pounds of body armor with no ill effects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been able to stay active and lose weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All because a very skilled neurosurgeon gave me the Bionic Back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks, Doc!</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-75121892665180196652011-08-10T21:33:00.000+04:302011-08-10T21:33:44.103+04:30Readjustment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Readjustment to life in CONUS has been problematic at time for our troops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stresses of combat and life on the edge can make it tough to transition to life with the wife and kids, and PTSD can make things downright unbearable for some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having spent six months in the rear with the gear, not having toted a gun and chased bad guys, I don’t foresee having massive readjustment issues when I redeploy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I suspect I’ll have a few small issues to cope with.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Things I’ll have trouble adjusting to:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Holding a conversation without dropping the F-bomb</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Holding a conversation not laced with acronyms and jargon</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Paying for a bottle of water</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Commuting to the DIAC</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Wearing a suit and tie instead of cargo pants, boots and a polo shirt</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Beltway REMFs who don’t understand that DIA is a Combat Support Agency</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Weekends off</li>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">But on the plus side, there are many things I’m eagerly anticipating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be roughly categorized as family, friends, and creature comforts.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Things I’m really looking forward to: (except for #1, in no particular order)</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Curling up with my beloved</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Brewing a pot of Ethiopian Sidamo to start the morning</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Steak, medium-rare</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Craft-brewed beer</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Sushi</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Taking the Black Beast onto US 50 and winding it up to just under the State Troopers’ radar threshold</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Trimming a jib</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Hanging out and holding court at Davidus</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Brunello di Montalcino</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Draper’s Little Puff (I already have my ticket reserved!)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The Oyster Riot</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Weekends off</li>
</ul></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-85312687907433663212011-08-09T21:00:00.000+04:302011-08-09T21:00:36.750+04:30Things I Won’t Miss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">On the flip side (this is continued from yesterday, remember?), you’ve got the less desirable aspects of deploying into a combat zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are certain things you accept when heading downrange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you volunteer to deploy, you know (or should know) it’s not going to be like your typical week-long TAD trip in a Doubletree Hotel on Uncle Sugar’s nickel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no maid to clean up after you and leave a mint on your pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you man up, shut up and deal with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I freely accept the degradations to my quality of life, it doesn’t mean I have to like them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or bear my burdens meekly and in silence.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I won’t miss:</div></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Separation from family and friends</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Food that tastes like ass</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Long hours with no days off (177 straight work days as I write this)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Oppressive heat</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Toxic dust blown into my every nook and cranny by high-velocity winds</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Overpriced and unreliable Internet</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The dicks upstairs with their inflated sense of self-importance</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Interminable conference calls with long-winded nimrods at Tampa</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Barbers whose repertoire begins and ends at “high-and-tight”</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>G.O.-1</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>No beer</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Body armor</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The pervasive smell of sewage</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Getting rousted out of bed in the wee hours to fix the chiller at the data center</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Rocket attacks</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Wondering if the Hajji who scoops my ice cream by day spends his nights hosing off rockets in our general direction</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>40-grit toilet paper</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Cheap mattresses</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Punching in a cipher code or combination to open any door (including the laundry room)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Living in a tent</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Eating with plastic utensils off a cardboard tray</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Man-Love-Thursday jokes</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Pairs of F-16 taking off at full burner at 2AM</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">D</span></span>uck Butter</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Standing in line for 20 minutes at the DFAC on Soul Food Sunday or Surf ‘n’ Turf night</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Overcooked meat, pasta and veggies (okay, they overcook everything but the tubs of Baskin-Robbins)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Did I mention “no beer?”</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The overtime</li>
</ul></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-27726703003256310662011-08-08T19:47:00.000+04:302011-08-08T19:47:15.456+04:30Things I’ll Miss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">As I wrap up my time here and prepare to start the long journey back to civilization, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to reflect back on my six months downrange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are clearly some things I won’t miss, and others I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, in a move reminiscent of amazon.com’s “Listmania,” this post and several that follow will features lists of my favorite … and not-so-favorite … things (cue Julie Andrews singing “My Favorite Things” from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sound of Music</i>).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Let’s lead off on a positive note with the more enjoyable aspects of this deployment.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ll miss:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>My team and the camaraderie</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The mission</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The sense of accomplishment</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">T</span></span>he 90-second door-to-door commute (yes, I clocked it)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>My daily MOAC</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Being a hero in the office when a box full of cookies arrives</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Hajji pizza</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Saturday night Herfs</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Writing this blog</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Asking Hajji for extra bacon at breakfast</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><a href="http://www.ilovebagram.com/">www.ilovebagram.com</a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The overtime</li>
</ul></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-77371754080787635352011-08-08T11:56:00.003+04:302011-08-08T11:56:36.404+04:30More Random Thoughts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Today is Day 176 of my deployment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing … I still remember my arrival in the AOR so vividly, even though I was dealing with the double whammy of jet lag and sleep deprivation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now, here I am, five days from popping smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, rather than dealing with jet lag and sleep deprivation, I’m just feeling a bit spaced and worn out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s a dangerous time for me, that’s when I do my worst stream-of-consciousness rambling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example …</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Saturday morning (in the wee hours), we had another IDF attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how many rockets hit, or where they impacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only know that our NCO came banging on my door around 2:30 AM to ensure we had 100% accountability of all personnel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eventually woke up, answered the door, grunted in his general direction, then promptly went back to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I woke up thinking … what if that was the last rocket attack during my deployment, and I SLEPT THROUGH IT!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To do a 180, from light-hearted to dead serious, we were all devastated here by the loss of a Chinook helo loaded to the gills with SEALs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thirty of America’s finest youth, snuffed out with a single RPG shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I briefly wondered why I didn’t go into one of my signature f-bombing rants at tragic loss of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the reality is, this is war, and young men and women will die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what war is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sad, but not unexpected.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My rants, on the other hand, have been triggered by stupid stuff back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judges out of touch with reality, or religious “leaders” who pervert their faith with hate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In retrospect, my episodes of righteous anger on the job have been inspired by stupid or negligent stunts in Tampa or DC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This tour has made me much less tolerant of people who, through stupidity or malice, impede the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My attitude towards slackers may make for a bit of a rough landing back inside the Beltway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only time will tell.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">More to follow …</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-35488055145263865832011-08-07T21:03:00.005+04:302011-08-07T21:03:34.751+04:30Wrapping Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">So here I am, six days away from flying out, and I'm starting to feel a bit of separation anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dearly want to head home, but I also realize I'll miss the mission here, and the jokers who work with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've started my emotional separation ... been a little quieter than usual, except when some bureaucratic hump ticks me off and I go on a tirade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week was a banner week for people making ill-informed, unprofessional remarks and decisions and incurring my wrath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I'm getting just a little bit touchy, a little less tolerant than usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, given my impending departure, getting a little more protective of my troops.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Who, by the way, have been working their tails off to fix some system crashes in the AOR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brow-beat Carmelita not to go back into the office, but to head to her room and decompress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her idea of decompressing is cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just heard her next door, singing a Mexican folk tune as she banged around the hooch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never knew mopping could be so noisy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But her singing was soothing, as it wafted through the thin walls of these cans we call home.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Time to post this and get back to sorting clothes ... what to pack for shipping, what to carry back on vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've procrastinated long enough, I'll soon be hating life as I stand in line at the post office.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Good night, gentle readers.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-33020609030565098012011-08-03T20:16:00.000+04:302011-08-03T20:16:38.719+04:30The Shoe’s on the Other Foot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Over the past few days, I’ve gleefully made disparaging remarks about my contempt for certain aspects of Afghan culture, most of which revolve around treating their women-folk like crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I stand by those remarks.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But, as I’ve observed over the past few months here, we’re not blameless either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have some seriously screwed-up practices and policies that, at the very least, undercut our efforts at winning the hearts and minds.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Take, for instance, our efforts to protect and reward those Afghanis who work with us in what is, for them, an extremely hostile environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They work on base, they serve as interpreters and translators, and a provide host of other functions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We offer to help some of them get visas to migrate to the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then we drop the ball.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I shuttled around with Doug, my sergeant major, as he tried to track down a visa package for one such individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Educated, supportive of the cause, working with our troops for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His visa package has been<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the works for five years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, five years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gets so far, then we do the annual RIP/TOA (Relief In Place/Transfer Of Authority) and the paperwork gets misplaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it starts again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky for him that Doug has been here for years and is able to follow up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still working as a translator, still keeping the faith, despite our best efforts to make him throw his hands up in frustration.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, I’m off the soapbox.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At breakfast this morning, while working on a Ramadan-wich (bacon and ham muffin breakfast sandwich), I began to feel like I was trapped in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Family Guy</i> episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of our youngsters were arguing about which sexy female cartoon character would win a mud wrestling match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After much debate, they settled on She-Ra, Princess of Power (and sister to He-Man), as the presumptive champion mud-wrestler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things we do for entertainment here …</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I sit here writing this post, gentle readers, you should know that I have ten days left in country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TEN!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on to Qatar for out-processing, then vacation, then home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But fear not, I’ll keep writing through the end of my reintegration process back home.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-37084087689697975972011-08-01T19:46:00.000+04:302011-08-01T19:46:07.134+04:30Despicable, Insensitive Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Today is officially the start of Ramadan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Muslims worldwide do their total fast during daylight hours for the next month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list of proscribed activities is all-encompassing:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no eating, drinking, smoking, sex, nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I once read a letter in an English-language newspaper in Saudi Arabia where the writer worried that a drop of sweat trickling into his mouth caused him to break the daylight fast … was he going to hell for this transgression?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Must have been one of those nut-job Wahabbis (not to be confused with wasabi).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Having worked with Saudi naval officers during my contractor days, I can tell you that they get more sullen, cranky and unproductive as the month progresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not being able to eat or rehydrate during daylight hours of the hottest month of the year is bound to make them especially irritable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh joy, meal time is probably going to get testy as the days go by.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This being the first day of Ramadan, I decided to play my “Ugly American” card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a muffin sandwich with ham (can’t call it an Egg McMuffin™, that’s trademarked) at breakfast, and piled on the bacon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I let one of the guys behind the serving line pile on the bacon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for the profusion of pork products, Amatullah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they had sausage patties instead of links, I’d have added one of those to make the sandwich a Ramadan Trifecta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve decided to sacrifice my low cholesterol level for a week or two just to be politically incorrect.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I especially feel the need to be politically incorrect after reading a bulletin from Regional Command South in Kandahar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight hours have been banned, for fear we might offend our local national hosts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God forbid we should offend someone in a war zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two in the chest and one in the head for good measure, but we’ll try not to offend your religious sensibilities as we send you to meet Allah and the 72 virgins.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No doubt about it, I’m one insensitive old cuss.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-67815150524543228002011-07-31T20:09:00.000+04:302011-07-31T20:09:14.051+04:30What, no MOAC?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">After breakfast yesterday morning, we headed on to Green Beans for my daily … what, the espresso machine is broken?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No MOAC?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to drink regular friggin’ coffee?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is this, a combat zone or … oh, right, it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silly me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh, the privations we must endure in this hellish moonscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why, just two nights ago, at Surf & Turf night, I had a Sergeant Major insist – INSIST, I tell you – that a have an ear of corn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not to be denied, and so I dutifully said, “Yes, Sergeant Major,” and accept the offered corn.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There was a USO Tour on base yesterday, with Jon Stewart of the Daily Show among the celebrities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was kind of confusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The USO folks only advertised for a meet & greet, with nothing said about any kind of performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we went out there anyhow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then turned around when we saw the line leading to the tent was probably at least a half mile long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while I missed Jon Stewart, I at least got the consolation prize of the Saturday Night Herf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I polished off a delectable Illusione 4/2g, and treated Spence-oire to one as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did it despite the wind, which never relented.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So here it is Sunday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m counting the days left (13 days until my flight to Qatar, by the way), and perusing the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NY Times</i> online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end of a tour is when you look back and hope you accomplished something worthwhile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while I think I had a positive effect on our efforts here, I also sometime get hit upside the head by something that makes me what Whiskey Tango Foxtrot we’re here for.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Case in point – a story from the Sunday <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Times</i> about a pair of star-crossed Afghani lovers (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/world/asia/31herat.html?emc=eta1">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/world/asia/31herat.html?emc=eta1</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had the temerity to meet at work, fall in love and plan to marry … despite the fact that their respective parents had already arranged them both to marry someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl’s father wanted the teens killed … by the government!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her uncle, according to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Times</i>, “visited her in jail to say she had shamed the family, and promised that they would kill her once she was released.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This medieval mentality, coupled with the pervasive patriarchal societal norms, is IMHO the biggest stumbling block to ever seeing Afghanistan become a real, functioning nation-state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That mindset pervades vast swaths of the population, sustains the warlords, plays to the Taliban’s extremism, and threatens the education and advancement of at least half of society. It's stories like that, stories which are not uncommon, that sometimes make me think the answer to this problem lies in thermonuclear weapons.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Can you tell I'm getting short? </div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357799305691150008.post-48402873321351112952011-07-27T13:36:00.000+04:302011-07-27T13:36:40.254+04:30The Old Guy Strikes Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">I wasn’t looking forward to breakfast this morning, what with broad-zilla threatening a formal hostile work environment complaint.<span> </span>But there was blissful silence on the ride over to the DFAC and then, by the time I got my food and found the table, I opted for the empty chair far away from the offensive one.<span> </span>I found myself sitting next to a charming young lady who was goading my guys into a game of Twenty Questions.<span> </span>The jackals had figured out she was from Africa.<span> </span>East Africa.<span> </span>And there they stalled.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Uganda?” I asked?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Yes!”<span> </span>she chirped, in a slightly British-sounding accent.<span> </span>Not surprising, given Uganda’s history of British rule during the colonial era.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The jackals sensed a new alpha male poaching on their turf.<span> </span>It only got worse when the subject of the capital of Uganda came up. <span> </span>They spluttered, I softly said, “Kampala, right?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Her eyes brightened again.<span> </span>The jackals glowered.<span> </span>God, I was having fun.<span> </span>The young pups never miss a chance to dog me for my age – the youngest member of the team, Marcus, is younger than my daughter.<span> </span>In fact, they recently started a mustache-growing contest in an attempt to de-throne me as the “stache-master.”<span> </span>And the peach-fuzz-masters have a long way to go.<span> </span>So I was basking in the moment of age and experience trumping youth and vitality.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We went through the “where-do-you-work-what-do-<wbr></wbr>you-do” kabuki dance.<span> </span>She demurred, and we, of course, are reluctant to broadcast our association with Area 82.<span> </span>Maybe she’ll be more forthcoming next time we see her at breakfast.<span> </span>And maybe we’ll be ready with some convincing lies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then we got around to the introductions.<span> </span>Her name is Emma.<span> </span>Spencer reduced us to tears when he gave his name as “Spence-oire.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Every now and then, I still find myself amazed at what we’ll do for amusement or entertainment here.</div></div>John Vanorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16884296136786780067noreply@blogger.com0