Yes We Can

It's election night. I haven't been so excited and nervous since Christmas as a child, or watching the Super Bowl.

I am at work in the office. Sitting, staring at my computer screen in my cubical at 4:30 PM. It reads that McCain has 8 electoral votes and Obama has 3. I nervously run my mouse along the eastern coast of a US map to see where the other states are currently standing. Things aren't looking too good. Majority of the southern states seem to be voting for McCain. Except for Florida, which at the time showed a 68% to 32% lead for Obama. Doing quick math in my head I calculate a 52 - 48 lead for Obama when this is all said and done. But it is still early. Anything can happen. My coworkers are gleeful for the lead thus far. Making jokes and laughing thinking this to be a different election than what has been predicted for a few months already.

Leaving work at 5:00PM to pick up my child, it's my day to have him for 2 hours. Being with him is surreal. I forget about everything and focus entirely on him. My world, is on pause when we are together. It's amazing what a three year old can do. Stop a mans world. Isn't Superman suppose to be the one able to do that? Fly around the Earth backwords to reverse the spin of the earth in turn travelling back in time? Awesome. Before dropping him back off with his Mom and Step Dad he tells me he wants to come home with me and starts to cry when I tell him not until Friday. So of course, I play his favorite song during the drive back to his house. "Baby Don't you Change" by Tyrone Wells.

"Sweet baby don't you change, baby don't you change, baby don't you change a thing!" He sings along with it. His second favorite song on the album "Sea Breeze" comes on next and we sing it together before knocking on the door to his house.

There I learn that Obama has a lead in the polls and I leave to meet some good friends at The Lamp. A bar in south east Portland. Friends and I have decided that we want to get out and watch the election this year.

Frantically weaving between cars, switching lanes to ones that appear faster than the others, I am in a hurry to see if who I voted for will win. Arriving at The Lamp close to 8:00PM I am given smiles and jokes about my Halloween costume and how awesome it was. I was the lead singer from Blue Oyster Cult in the SNL Cowbell skit. It was nothing short of hilarious.

Ordering an Alameda Ale, I sit down and joke with my friends and girlfriend. Looking at the polls I see it is Obama in a wide lead over McCain. By something like 80 electoral votes. Within a matter of seconds everyone is clapping. I join in and to my surprise Obama won.

Overwhelmed and shaking, so very excited, I can feel it in the pit of my stomach. I can hardly believe it. Not that I didn't want it to happen, I am so beyond happy. I have never seen anything like this. People were cheering, honking their car horns as they drive by. It's like New Years Eve, or Christmas. People are yelling outside. Screaming in joy. I liken it to winning an NBA championship here in Portland. People are crazy. Has ther ever been this much excitement over an election? Shortly after my friend, girlfriend, and I decided to take a shot. We are elated, conversations always come back to, "Wow, I'm so excited, I can't believe it." We try the most expensive shot in the bar, which turns out to be $8.00 a shot. Excellent whiskey too. We quited for McCain's speach and stood in front of the TV to listen. His audience boos when he first mentions Obama and he puts up his hands and quiets them down. I commend him for that. His speach is good, I felt he meant most every word.

Quite a bit of time passes before Obama's speach. I am guessing something close to an hour. We sit eyes glued to the television listening, hanging on every word. We laugh we he mentioned getting a new puppy for the White House, but overall his speach captivates us. We clap again when it is over, tears almost escaping. And all this over our next President of the United States of America.

I didn't realize how patriotic my friends where. Some of whom complain about the government alot and seem to not have very much faith in it at all. I am an Iraqi War Veteran. Nine years in the military. It wasn't award filled, and alot of the time I couldn't stand being in the Army. But I did my time, fought for my country, and wouldn't take back any of it.

I can see a change in America. A change for good. A change for the better. I think what was said is true.

"Yes we can."

Time has Come

It's been awhile since I have talked to you old buddy. I have been home for over a week now and I have alot to do. Although I have alot accomplished.

I'm fustrated tonight because of close mindedness. There are small pictures, and bigger pictures and some people just don't see the bigger picture alot of the time. I just don't understand it. In all honesty, my mindset right now is about the bigger picture. Not trying to appease one person or another. I am not trying to do anything but the right thing. Childeren, whether they have both parents still married, or in my situation, have both parents, but one has full custody, deserve and need to have both of their parents equally involved in their lives. That is all for now.

Goodbye

Goodbyes are difficult.

I am not sure where I am going with this so bare with me.

So, as I was saying, goodbyes are difficult. There is no easy way to say it, and in every situation it always hurts a little. There's usually some idle chatter, followed by a quick joke that leads head first into an akward silence that saps all of the strength out of your neck and both people end up looking at the ground. Then, look at each other, and not say goodbye exactly, but instead say, "call me when you get there". Or, "I'll chat with you later". Or "hey man, see you soon".

There's the "telephone" goodbyes which are usually clumbsy. One person usually has to get the last word, or the other isn't quite done finishing their sentences and usually leads to one or the other hanging up on the other person.

There's the in person, "see you soon" goodbye. This is a friendly goodbye. No one is going anywhere far. They both live in the same city or close enough where you could, at any time, see the other person.

Then there's the "long distance goodbye". One person is leaving for awhile but will be back. This is a hard one but knowing that there is no real danger and they are just going on vacation or something. This normally ends with "make sure my dog gets fed 3 times a day. See you when I get back" type of deal.

The worst has to be the "I'm leaving, not sure if I'll make is back" good bye. This is also currently known as the "I am going to Iraq" goodbye. Neither of you are really sure if you are coming back. You both hope and pray you will but not sure. This is the hardest one.

Lastly, there is the, "we have become such good friends over a long period of time" goodbye. This is where the other person is leaving and there's a good chance you will never see them again. You know they are going to be safe but you wish they were closer so you can stay good friends. This can also be hard, more of a good emotional than then "I'm leaving for Iraq" goodbye.

Again, sorry about the ramble. :)

CLOSE ONE!

So the other day I was driving middle in the convoy from TND. We were heading away when I heard this, "*whooooooooooosh* Booom!" and looked to my right to see a big plume of smoke rising about 250 meters away from where I was driving.

We heard the other day some suicide bombers tried to approach Taji but they were apprehended.

Just another day in paradise.

Book 'em Danno!

Today was pretty exciting.

First of all I must give my repects to Gary Gygax. A co-creator of DnD which has pretty much spawned the roleplaying genre. Can we take a moment please?
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Now that we got that out of the way... today was exciting. I went to TND to pick up an order. That was unexciting. After that we had staged the convoy just outside the gate so we can move as one group. I was in front and all of the trucks were following behind. The second truck had just gotten into position when the MP had pulled up and said to me that he had stolen something and took him away. Well for some reason they had let him go and let him drive in the convoy. No big deal I suppose.

Then we got to CIF staged the trucks and began unloading the covoy. One truck at a time, we searched them and the driver, and waived them on their way. The third truck came by and we caught the driver trying to hide some shirts and sock in the door mold. We parked his truck just outside of the gate and took a picture of him holding his stolen goods and then called the MPs. The following two trucks that came by also tried to steal stuff. The second guy was thought it was no big deal. He tried to steal one pair of gloves.
The third guy tried to steal 3 pair of shoes. When I saw all of t hose things I was cursing. F this, and F you. What the f is this. Well, he was blowing me off and started to light a ciggarette. My Iraqi Lieutenant slapped the ciggarette out of his hand and the thief then almost punched my Lieutenant! I had one hand on my pistol stook in between them and grabbed the dude by the collar of his shirt and told him he will not fuckin' touch my lieutenant or else. He tried to fight then noticed my hand on my pistol and his eyes got all wide and big and then he sat down in the sade next to the other culprits.

Man what a day.

It's been awhile since I have posted anything and to those of you who thought I had just given up, again, on my blog I haven't. Without internet it just seems difficult to get on and type anything out. My mind has been just about everywhere lately. But most importantly not here. Where it needs to be. I need to focus and get back on track. The end is coming and I am really trying not to have a case of the short-timers but, well, it fuckin' sucks here. :) I am going on another trip soon. Back to the place I was stuck at before. Only this time I am not flying. That's right 250 miles by vehicle. Am I scared? Yeah. How long will I be gone for? Who knows. I will bring my camera and when I make it there I plan on visiting where Abraham was born. Lots of pictures coming soon. Or so I hope. I need to send some to Broc. I have a package for him set up in my room, it will be mailed on Friday. I have been trying to call him but unable to get through. Been getting system busy, and "the non-working line at MNSTC-I". I hope they call soon. I would like to talk to my boy before I go.

So there is this poetry night here every Sunday at 2000. It has been giving me some inspiration to write, so I need to spend some time, sit down with my pen and work some things out. We will see. I will post it when it happens.

"It's been awhile..."

And so it has. Nothing really knew to type. It is my sons birthday today and I will call him tonight. He had his party last Saturday, unbeknowist to me, but that's alright.

A little bit of crazy happened last night. Apparently someone found a hand grenade out at one of the training schools. They reported that the Iraqis were going to play soccer with it. It's racist fuckin' remarks like that that really irritate me. Either way, it was found, and demolished appropriatly.

Today while at work I was quietly minding my own business, nose in book when suddenly. "BOOM!" We thought it was an incomming round and, me in my infinite wisdom went outside to see if there was any damage to the building or what. Lucky for us there was none, and it wasn't anything. Just some very very loud explosion some where off of the FOB.

'Absolut'

Speaking of. It would be nice to have an Absolute and tonic right now. But I digress.

Last few days have been pretty normal, except for a few things. We went out to the M4 range and did some 'range maintenance'. Basically putting up new paper target mounts, re-digging holes, etc. The Airforce in their utter genius decided to start burning the shrubbery and old wood behind the targets. Basically getting rid of the old used stuff. My Sgt. and I drive up from another range and I see the 8 or so burn piles. "This is not a good idea" I thought to myself. But whatever it's not my range. As we drove past, 3 of the Airforce guys are standing around looking at one of the fires when all of a sudden, POP! POP POP! POP! I don't believe it. There were live rounds in the fire, and it graized one of the Sgt's legs barely missing leaving a burn mark. Can you believe it!

A few days later we had a scare. There was intel that there might be a possible attack on base here and we, more or less, went into lock down mode and got into full battle-rattle. That was a scarey moment. I was like, damn wtf.

To lighten things up a bit yesterday it snowed. I have pictures and will put them up on myspace tonight. It was the first time, ever it had snowed in Baghdad. Wow. Maybe this is a sign of a turning of events?

Well, and then, there was today. During lunch apparently someone decided to break into a connex and steal some weapons. Just when you think things might be turning the corner...

You shot me! I don't believe you freakin' shot me!

I had the strangest dream last night. And starting off a blog by saying that doesn't necessarily mean good things to come. <---- If you know what I mean. ;)

It started with me and Sgt. A in what was my house. Some other people there that I know but didn't recognize in the dream I just knew that I knew them. We had gotten word that someone was going to come over and try to rob us and kill us. A and I both had our 9mm on us armed and ready.

A and I were talking and I thought he said something about killing me or shooting me in the back of the head. I wasn't having any of that. So when he went down into the basement, all the lights were off and I followed him down there. Knowing exactly where he was I got on the floor and was sneaking around trying to get into good position from the ground. I reached my gun around the corner of the door way when I see a bright flash. Then bam the bullett hits me in my back. It stung like hell and I couldn't move. A came running up asking if I was ok and I said "Damn man! You shot me in the back!" He looked at my back and said "Yep I did. I can see its still there". He then helped me up and I walked off the pain.

When the two guys arrived to either rob or kill us we were ready for them. I was posted at the front door and one tried to break in but I had my foot jarring it. I grabbed my cell phone and called 911 and explained the situation. Before I hung up the operator had told me it would be 2 hours for help to arrive! Two hours! I was livid. Then I remembered I had a 425 number which is a Seattle number and duh of course it would take 2 hours for them to get to Portland. So I asked her for the number to local 911 and she gave me some 18 digit number that I had to write down.

The robber pushing in the front door managed to move my foot out of the way and squeeze in. I proceded to punch him in the face with my right hand, gun in my left hand until he gave up and went after his accomplise. After this conflict I now had their weakness. I stepped outside and around the corner of the house finding Robber #2. I began knocking his teeth out but all he did was sit there and grin. He pointed to the clip board he had in his mouth to sheild him from my blows. I ripped that thing out and punched him twice square in the forehead saying "How does that feel?!" He replied "Ouch ok that hurts" and took him to the curb and waited for the police.

And then I woke up. I didn't eat anything funny before going to bed. Just a ham/salami sandwiche. Wonder what it all means?

01/01/2007 - 12/31/2007

Last year. Last year seemed at time to fly by. Other times it seemed it would go fast enough.



With this blog I am going to try to give you a month by month preview of my last year.



January 2007.

Hectic, crazy. Brouth in the new year with a bang, and left the same month to Camp Parks, California to start the initial training for Iraq. Was there but a few days and left to Ft. Riley, Kansas. Wow. If hell could freeze over it would be Kansas in the winter.



February through April.

The start of training. The next few months trained trained and trained. Mind you, we are training for the desert in -15 degree weather! WTF? I mean really what the hell? At the end of April we left for Iraq with a quick stop in Kuwait for a few weeks.



May-Current.

The Iraqi tour. Stopped in Baghdad spent some time there and pretty much the rest of my time here in Taji.