Monday, October 20, 2008

Purgatory isn't so bad


18 OCT
If purgatory is to Heaven, then Kuwait is to Afghanistan. Oh, I know Afghanistan is far from being Heaven, but the analogy works for my situation. The base where I’m located in Kuwait is just a pit stop for hundreds of service members heading to different theaters. But unlike purgatory, advancement is guaranteed and your direction is known.

I don’t know what waits for me on the other side of that shinny light, but I’m enjoying my time here. Sure it’s a big hot nasty sand box, but this place is allowing me to get adjusted to the time difference as well as the weather. We virtually have all day to chill out and just adjust. The military throws in a little training to justify our existence, but for the most part we’re just hanging out.

The first time I deployed, I went straight from the states to my job in Bahrain. For more than a week, I was useless, constantly falling asleep at my desk. I dreaded going outside because of the massive change in temperature. But this time around, I will be good to go as soon as I have boots on the ground. Believe it not, the military got this place right.

I’d also like to send out props to the folks with the USO. Yes, there’s still a USO. They do so much for our military it’s unbelievable. On this base, they’ve provided me with a free phone card, free internet access and a free movie theater. Those are just the services I’ve used. They also have a number of video gaming stations that the young Marines play all night long. Tomorrow, I have an appointment set up with them to shoot video of me reading a book to the kids. How cool is that.

So until my next journal entry, you’ll find me just hanging out here in purgatory.

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