Technical Difficulties

I know it has been a little while. I have had problems with the text on the blog dashboard showing up in Iraqi....or Farci...or some other gibberish. I didn't know where to punch my name and password. It has taken me awhile to figure it out.

Everything is settling into a groove. The Marines that we replaced are gone. That has relieved a lot of friction. I am settled into my office and getting into a daily routine. It is almost criminal how little there is to do. I have 9 Marines that work with me and there is not enough work to keep everyone busy all the time. A lot of the work is warehousing. It is easy enough. The Marines I work with are good. I don't have a lot of problems working with the command. The rank of MSgt is pretty amazing. No one ever questions what you are doing or why. They pretty much just do what you ask of them without question. I dig it. Unfortunately, Ava does not recognize my rank.

I went on a tour of the base a couple of days ago. On the outer perimiter you can see smashed aircraft from the Sadam era. It reminds you of where you are. You can't get close to them. There are signs all over to stay away. The reason is unexploded ammunition. They don't want anyone out there trying to dig the artificial horizon out of an old MIG for a souvinier and getting blown up. ...sorry Jeff.

What is really amazing is how huge this base is. Besides Camp Lejeune I have never been stationed anywhere this big. They have a bus system for servicemen. Since it is extremely difficult for enlisted swine to get thier hands on a vehicle...the bus system solved the problem. The buses are driven by Iraqi's. They are the only Iraqi's that I have seen here. They are not rude...nor polite....they just kind of tolerate us. Come to think of it they are like most busdrivers.

The Super Bowl was a very big deal here. There was lots of junk food at the chow hall. They let everyone drink two beers. All Marines regardless of age. I slept throught ,ost of the game. We are 8 hours ahead of North Carolina so the game was on at like 2 in the morning.

There is nothing else exciting to report. The Iraqi elections went very well with little US support so that is a good thing. We are all unsure how Obama's intent will effect our stay in this desert paradise....but that doesn't stop everyone from guessing. I hope everyone is well. I will try and find something less boring to write about next time.

Love,
Tony

PS

I enjoy reading your comments on the blog. Please keep them coming....and will someone please tell my wife how to leave comments....she is technology challenged.