Update/Downtime (April ‘08)

Okay friends and family; first off let me say that I am very sorry for the extended delay of this post. I certainly didn’t mean to leave you hangin’ like that. There have been some irregularities in our scheduling, among other things, that have restricted my access to the internet more than usual. That has all finally been resolved and it appears that things will be back on a ‘normal’ basis.

Let me say right off the bat that everything here is fine and we are all okay. I know from individual correspondence with some of you that the media has reported escalated violence involving my unit. The reports have been accurate. Over the past week and a half and as late as days ago, we have encountered mortar fire, IEDs, and small arms fire. I’m especially sorry to those of you who received those reports and have been worried about me as a result, having to wait this long to hear from me. No one here was hurt in any of those incidents and things have already gotten back to normal. Rest assured that we are all safe and sound. It’s not the first time since I’ve been here that our base has been attacked with mortar fire. Please try not to worry too much. We are prepared for such attacks and are likely safer than you might imagine in those types of events.

We’ve continued to have our manpower boosted by incoming attachments. The most recent handful were formally active duty guys who’d already served the active portion of their terms (usually 4 years) and were recalled for this deployment during their inactive reserve portion (whatever remained after the active portion of an 8 year contract). Some of them only had months of their contract remaining. I can’t imagine what it would be like being called up after I thought I’d left my military life behind and was well set in to my civilian life and career. But it’s part of the contract I signed and if duty calls, then I’ll be there. The bottom line is that I’m happy to serve when I’m needed.

It didn’t take long for it to get hot here. The funny thing is how suddenly it goes from cold to hot. One day we are bundling up with all kinds of cold weather gear and such, especially at night. Then all within a day or two we’ve got air conditioners on full blast and are building shade covers all over the place.

As time goes on we’re finding ways to enjoy life during our down time. They have an open mic night once a week where people recite poetry and do pretty much anything someone feels like doing that might entertain a small crowd. Many of the guys have organized a flag football team that plays against the teams of other units on this little dirt area that’s probably about 25 yards long at most. There’s one building we use for any type of event or meetings or classes as necessary that has been turned into a virtual club one night a week. That’s how it’s becoming to be referred to; “the club”. It’s funny because people are inviting you to “the club” and you show up to a emptied out tin building with someone’s laptop hooked up to a couple large speakers and the lights off with a few soldiers (in uniform mind you). Not exactly what you picture when you’re going to the club. But we make stuff like that work. We have to. Some guys have gotten together and are offering lessons in grappling and boxing. We’ve built a volleyball court with sandbags and poles and other materials found around here. I built myself a headboard with a shelf for my bunk to have a place to hang the pictures people are sending me and just for fun.

I’m usually on duty throughout the evenings so I haven’t attended much of the base activities but I generally prefer more solitary activities anyway, like sleep?. Well I do a little more than that. I like to read books and mail. Probably one of my favorite things to do is watch TV series’ on DVD on my laptop. I’m so hooked on about 3 shows. I’m on Season 4 of the 6 that I have (I’m not sure if 6 is the last one made or not) of the show ‘24’. I’m trying to pace myself because I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get to the end. I’ve already completed all of Smallville and I’m working through ‘Lost’. These shows are addictive because instead of isolated episodes, they’re one long story. It’s like a 24 hour movie. Speaking of movies, between all of us here (and by now just about every one here owns a laptop) we probably collectively have a good percentage of every movie ever made on our hard drives in the barracks. People just go around swapping with each other via thumb drives and such.

Aside from those things there’s always staying fit. As is typical when my body is in combat mode/condition my appetite has tripled. I weigh more now than I ever have. I’m trying to learn to eat cleaner so that this monster appetite of mine doesn’t translate into body fat.

So that’s it for now. Once again I’m sorry for the delay. Thanks for sticking with me. It really does mean a lot. Adding to this blog and reading the comments is a major source of motivation for me. I’ll be in touch again sooner than later. I love the continued care packages and letters and emails and thoughts and prayers. I’ve said it before and it continues to prove true; I’ve been blessed with some of the best friends in the world!

-EJ