Packed

Well, first off, my internet once again has become limited. The internet in my room ran out and so I have to walk over to a cyber cafe in order to browse. Which is fine since we are leaving soon. I already packed my bags. Even my computer is all put away just so I am ready when the time comes.

In a couple of weeks I will be home enjoying the flooding that is occurring. We will see how I feel. I know I may get behind a few sandbags but I also am going to want some time away from the general population. I know that my view has changed and my prior-to-deployment hatred for stupid people has only increased throughout this year long journey. I think when I return home I will write a post about my experiences here.

Wonderful Weather

This short post is dedicated to the wonderful weather we have been having the last couple days. It has been cool and cloudy for 2 days now. Mmmmm, my favorite. Apparently it rained yesterday short a short while. I can only imagine that I will be entering the states with cool and cloudy weather with a slight chance of rain. :)

The Clouds Attack

The desert weather is so weird. Apparently the wind can blow from any direction. The last few days the direction of the wind has been slowly making a 360. I would say at this moment it has performed at least a 180. (Would that be an "an" or since it is a number does it stay an "a"?) At least the wind we are now getting is cool instead of warm. Without regard of the temperature the wind still likes to make us eat sand. What a bully.

Horizon

Well, with my last mission finally over I have now started to count the days until I am out of this country. The date isn't set yet but the general range is around the end of the month. At first I actually thought I might make it home on my birthday. Then, I heard the news that someone posted some hard dates on Facebook and FRG became pissed off and contacted the CSM. Well, in turn, he became angry and said that he could move the dates left or right. I may once again not be home until the second week in April. At least all I really have left to do here is turn in my stuff and clean. It may seem silly but I may also try to finish those letters I have been putting off. Maybe I can even beat them home. How fun would that be? ;)

Haggle

Well, I conducted my first haggle finally. I was a bit too nice about I think and could have gone much lower. In the end we both had a smile on our face so I think it was an ok first haggling.

It went like this:
"Hey, if I were to buy both of these could I get a package deal? Maybe something like 10 dollars off. That would make it 80."
"No sir, set price. 90 for the two."
"Really, you won't go down to 80? 10 dollars off?
"Hmmmm, ok how about 86?"
"Ehhh, no, 80?"
"84"
"Hmmm, how about 80?"
"Ok sir, you got me. 80 it is."

All and all I think he still made a large profit but I was ok with it. I should have really worked it better and started lower at first to meet him in the middle. Maybe I will return to that store again before I leave and try another "dance of the salesman."

Phantasmagoria

In searching for the correct word I wanted to use to describe this post I happened upon a word that described more. This word seemed to hold the essence of my being. Here is the dictionary.com definition:

phantasmagoria\fan-taz-muh-GOR-ee-uh\ , noun;

1. A shifting series or succession of things seen or imagined, as in a dream.

2. Any constantly changing scene.

I can see either or both throughout my life. However, this post comes around predominantly through the voice of the second entrance. Once again I find myself loosing sight of a chosen path. The edges of the road become over-run with grass and vines. Ahead of me, I see a clearing. Beneath my feet one path has now become many and once again I must rest. Standing on the side and looking as far as I can to see which one I shall follow. Peering into the distance is not as easy as it used to be. This cross road must be correct though, for I am reliving instances again. Meeting people I have met before yet never before have we met. It was different this time. Usually, I can remember bits of how I reacted but am stunned in the moment so I just watch and let it happen. This time I found comfort and instead of being stunned I just smiled and absorbed the moment. If anyone noticed me in the brief few seconds I most likely would have seemed creepy...normal for me I guess.

Anyways, back to my post. I am unsure of what major/career path I want to follow. I was hard set on architecture and still somewhat am. The issue is that negatives are starting to show up and uncertainty is rising. I think once I can get home and visit college again I can make a better decision. This decision doesn't only effect me but will effect my family in the future.

Not Cool

When will I learn to not try to be cool. When someone tries to get me to return them some kind of flashy greeting with a series of contact gestures with the hand I should just say "Hey, I'm not cool so I am not going to try to make a fool of myself. A good ol' fashion handshake will do."

There are three outstanding instances that I can recall where I made a total fool of myself while trying to be cool. One time a camp we had to lead a blindfolded person around obstacles and such. Well I thought I could impress one of the cooler kids by showing him how strong I was. I put his hand in the armpit of my elbow and flexed as hard as I could while trying to crush his hand. All he said was "What are you doing?" Yep, fool.

In high school I went with some friends to meet some older kids in Dawson. They say hey and I introduced myself with the most embarrassing hand gesture. I bumped my chest with my fist twice, bounced my fist off my forehead while slightly bowing, and shot the fist off my forehead while sticking out my pointer finger like some sort of forehead rocket. Fool.

Recently I was training this incoming CET. They thought I was a pretty good guy. At the end of the day the TC and I expressed our goodbyes. It started with him initiating a fist-bump which I turned into a fist-bump-clumsy-handshake combo that had us both so confused that he said "Are you alright?" I thought about blaming it on being tired since we were out training from 1000 to 0200 but I didn't feel tired at the moment. I wanted to say "Nope, I am just retarded." I didn't see that one going well. So I just said "Yep." and left, once again, as the fool.

One day I will learn. I think the problem is that people should just stop giving me compliments because it seems like when they do I always prove them wrong. Although, insulting me doesn't work either. :P Just let me do what I do with minor acknowledgment. Maybe that will keep me from acting the fool.

Wait For It....

...oops, too late. My camera is back in the bay charging. Missed the moment.

Today would have been the perfect day for a picture opportunity. On the way to the range we had a herd of camel crossing the road through our convoy. Three camels cut me off. I had to sit there and wait while three giant beasts lazily crossed the desert path. In the mean time I couldn't help but think, "This had to be the day I decided to charge my camera." They were mere feet from the front of my vehicle. I had a clear view of the troop of bouncing lower lips. It will be well in my memory for years. All in all, it was pretty cool.

Color by Number

So, we were out at the range today as safeties andthe morning sun was beginning to rise. In the distance the sky was looking a bit strange. Maybe it only looked strange because I have always been surrounded by either buildings or berms. Out on the range I could see for many many miles. The colors of orange with a deep purple stretched across the horizon. At first it was a slow creep but as soon as the orange color reached the sky above me we were swallowed by a sandstorm. It wasn't one of those super windy sandstorms that blew grains into your eyes. It was one of those subtle sandstorms and carried the finest sands that you barely can feel. Visibility was decreasing drastically and I could feel it getting tougher to breath. The range was canceled and we our way back home in the SUV. The strangest thing was the color differences. When outside for even a few seconds your eyes adjust and the environment looks normal. As soon as you look into a building with lights on all you see is blue. When you enter it takes a lot longer for your eyes to adjust back and everything keeps a blue tint. When you go to head back out you really see how orange it is out there. It was pretty cool. I tried to get it on camera but I don't think it came out as well as I wanted it to. The camera seemed to adjust to the color change faster than my eyes.

Sleep Eludes Me

I was pretty tired last night and passed out around 0200 but then woke up around 0600. I just laid in bed for a couple hours either trying to fall asleep or convince myself to go eat. Neither of those things happened. So now I sit here in bed typing a post instead. With the DFAC now closed my breakfast choices are limited. KFC is open and in about 10 minutes or so Subway will be open as well. 10 minutes is about enough time to walk to either location. You convinced me, Subway it is.

The rest of my day will consist of finishing my 1750's (military packing list) for two of my bags, attempting to finish letters now that I can't receive anymore, cleaning my space a bit, soaking my weapon and start a good cleaning on it, and of course playing some more Guitar Hero. I still am going back and forth on sending this tote in the mail or with the conex. I won't see the tote for 3 months if I send it by conex. If I send it by mail there is a possibility of it getting lost completely. The conex needs a complete 1750 and will be inspected and packed away earlier. Mail needs a general idea of contents and can be sent pretty much anytime. If I send it in the mail I can keep my comfy blanket that I have been using here. Not sure yet, tough decision.

Edit: Apparently Subway didn't open until 1000 so the Triple Whopper took its place. Now I feel disgusting and don't want to move. lol...blek

Oooh...Tricky

Looks like the weather likes to play games over here too. I totally thought it was going to continue to warm up. Looks like I might have to start wearing pants again instead of athletic shorts. Although, it does get pretty warm during the day. I am just thakful that the little bit of blowing sand we have had barely compares to what it was like when we arrived. Shoot, that reminds me. I have to write this month's report soon. Hopefully it will be the last one :)