What a great day

Today was an awesome day. For $30, we took the Inland Sea Picnic tour. The day began with a 1 hour ride through the Qatari sand dunes in SUVs. After that, we spent three hours along the surf of the Persian Gulf playing vollyball, eating traditional Middle Eastern food, smoking a shesha pipe, laying out in the sun and collecting sea shells.

Stress, what stress. I have roughly 55 days left on this deployment and am completely confident that after a few more days here, I will have no problem coasting to the finish line.

I found it!

Here in Qatar, I have once again found my "happy place." This trip is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Heaven on Earth

For the first time in five months, I spent an entire day without putting on my uniform. If this doesn't sound like that big of a deal to you, try wearing the same cloths for just one week.

I'm here in Qatar and this place is the closest thing to paradise I can imagine outside of being home with my family. The food is even better than Bagram, the weather is like Phoenix in the spring, and they have lots of fun tours you can take.

All of that is wonderful and I plan to partake, but today I only wanted one thing. I haven't had a long, hot bath since the day I left Memphis and that was my only goal. To my heartbreak, there's no bathtubs to be found here... but they do have a hot tub.

After two hours in the hot tub, life is once again good. The stress has melted away. I could easily go back to Kabul tomorrow a very happy man. You'd have to take me kicking and screaming, but I could go back happy.

Tomorrow we're doing the inland sea picnic. Tour guids will take us in SUVs through the sand dunes to an inland cove whre the Persian Gulf and the Qatari desert meet. There we'll have a picnic in big Arabian tents eating traditional food.

Life is an adventure. Drink it up.

Only in the military

Only in the military will you need 10 days to take a four day vacation. Hello and thank you for flying Afghan Airlines!

I have been here at Bagram Air Force Base for two days waiting to catch a flight to Qatar. Trust me, I'm not complaining. Until my flight takes off, I'm just hanging out here at the Pat Tillman USO. I've got a spot on a comfy futon in front of a giant plasma screen and an endless supply of great movies. Okay, not every movie has been great. I really wanted to slap the guy who put in Larry the Cable Guy in "Witless Protection." I must have been witness to actually watch that piece of crap film.

Just down the street is the dining facility and the food here is 1,000 times better than at the headquarters. If I'm not in the mood for what they're serving in the DFAC, I can eat at the Subway or Burger King. These people have it soooo easy. I've heard a couple people complain about serving here and like the guy who put on Witless Protection, I wanted to slap them too. They have no idea how crappy we have it back at the headquarters. I'd trade with them in a heartbeat.

I've run into two people from ISAF who are also going on R&R; TSgt Connie "Ski" Czerwinski and Seaman Matt Jeffrey. We're having a good time kicking back, relaxing, watching movies and eating good food. If I had to stay here for my R&R, I'd have no problems with that. No, wait a minute... they have beer in Qatar. I guess I'll still catch that flight afterall.

Okay, the next movie is on... gotta go now.

Stress

The past couple of weeks have been the most stressful of my deployment. Not since my days at NBC 24 in Toledo have I been so frazzled. If you knew me back then, you know exxactly what I'm talking about.

For much of February, I have gotten little sleep, bit my nails to the bone, barked at people and in general been a collasal "grump." This isn't me. I'm usually the guy whose smiling and laughing. I thought over and over again why am I so pissy and have finally come to the conclusion. Man was not meant to work seven days a week, 12 hours a day for four months straight. Toss in the pleasures working with NATO and this is enough to send anyone over the edge.

If I found out Lee Harvey Oswald or James Earl Ray hit their targets after just coming home from a deployment, especially a deployment with NATO, I would actually understand their screwed up mental state. I'm nowhere near this level of insanity, but I am more than ready to get out of the headquarters.

The blame game

Since I have been here, I have written about the wonders of Skype. That was before I got my new Sony Vaio laptop computer. I have downloaded Skype’s software and made sure all the settings are correct, but I have been unable to make a single call. Susan can call me, but I can’t call her.

I have literally spent DAYS trying to resolve this without any luck. If you haven't heard from me in a while, this is why.

I e-mailed Skype’s customer service several times, but they keep replying with the same automated response over and over again. I'd call but they don’t have a customer service phone number. Why is it that a phone service DOESN’T HAVE A PHONE NUMBER?

Skype's e-mails say the problem is on my end with my laptop. Sony says the problem is on Skype’s end. The Sailor who just wants to call home is stuck in the middle with no solution. Thanks Skype, thanks Sony!

Come on Monday…

Today is Tuesday, Feb 24th. In six days I will be packing up for my long awaited four days of R&R in Qatar. Qatar may not sound like a dream vacation to most of you, but I’m thrilled to packing up and heading out.

Here at the headquarters, we work seven days a week, usually 12 hours a day. After fours months of this, I am ready for a break; even if it’s just a few days in Qatar. Actually, I hear the place isn’t bad. I get to wear civilian cloths, eat at some decent on-base restaurants like Friday’s and Chili’s or hit the off-base mall. They even have a beach where a lot of US service members go swimming or jet skiing. Tour packages to some of the historic sites are also available.

To be honest, I only want to sleep in, work out and drink a beer or two. Yes, we’re allowed two alcoholic drinks per day. Come on Monday!

* While my work schedule seriously stinks, Susan is pulling equally as long hours. And even worse, Mommies don’t get pay or R&R. Susan, if I could give you my trip to Qatar, I would. You deserve it more than me.

Throw your bags... anywhere

The President is sending additional American troops here as you may have seen on the news or read below. I hope they enjoy the luxury accomidations. Guys, sorry but due to the faltering economy, the Army has had to cut back on room service and the pool is temporarily closed. Doesn't it look exactly like your local Holiday Inn!

Thank you Mr. President

Below, are President Obama's remarks following his decision to send 17,000 additional troops to help in the fight here in Afghanistan.


For Immediate Release February 17, 2009
"There is no more solemn duty as President than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harm’s way. I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action. The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan, and al Qaeda supports the insurgency and threatens America from its safe-haven along the Pakistani border.


To meet urgent security needs, I approved a request from Secretary Gates to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Brigade later this spring and an Army Stryker Brigade and the enabling forces necessary to support them later this summer. This increase has been requested by General McKiernan and supported by Secretary Gates, the Joint Chiefs and the Commander of Central Command. General McKiernan’s request for these troops is months old, and the fact that we are going to responsibly drawdown our forces in Iraq allows us the flexibility to increase our presence in Afghanistan.


This reinforcement will contribute to the security of the Afghan people and to stability in Afghanistan. I recognize the extraordinary strain that this deployment places on our troops and military families. I honor their service, and will give them the support they need.


This increase is necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires. That is why I ordered a review of our policy upon taking office, so we have a comprehensive strategy and the necessary resources to meet clear and achievable objectives in Afghanistan and the region. This troop increase does not pre-determine the outcome of that strategic review. Instead, it will further enable our team to put together a comprehensive strategy that will employ all elements of our national power to fulfill achievable goals in Afghanistan. As we develop our new strategic goals, we will do so in concert with our friends and allies as together we seek the resources necessary to succeed."

Another successful mission

Today we took another shipment of medical supplies to the Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital. I honestly believe the supplies we are taking there are actually making a difference. Unlike my first trip there, this time I did not see one child with old, nasty bloody bandages on their wounds. The dressings seemed to be fresh, clean and new. I can only attribute that to the donations I have been receiving from many of you loyal readers. THANK YOU!

I was told this latest shipment of medical supplies will be enough to hold the hospital over for the next three months. While that's wonderful news, I want to be able to supply the hospital for the next year. Wow, I'm starting to sound like the Red Cross or PBS asking for more and more and more donations.

Anyways, enjoy the pictures posted above. I love seeing the smiles on these kid's faces. If you sent me a box, can you find it in one of the pictures? It's sort of like Where's Waldo... but with boxes.