Random Thoughts of a Tired Mind

Anyone ever notice how I give the media grief about spelling and grammatical errors yet often make the same ones myself? I find it ironically hypocritical of me. At the same time I also blame poor sleep and having an Army online course as my most recent refresher on "proper" writing.

Speaking of writing, I've been kicking around some ideas for a possible article submission to the Globe Gazette. If I ever get the chance I'd love to conduct an interview with some of the soldiers from the unit we are replacing. I'm also considering interviewing on camera a few of the local shop keepers here at Camp Arifjan. While Third Country Nationals (TCNs) don't directly effect our mission, I feel they have some unique stories and it would be cool to introduce people back home to people they might not otherwise be aware of. If I do interview any TCNs, the two shop workers where I bought my rug and trunk are first on my list. Out of everyone I've encountered here so far they seem to be the friendliest and most sincere...but that could just be because of the amount of money I spend at their shop.

Plastic sidewalks have been on my mind a lot lately too. Just tonight while walking back from the shower trailer I realized how much of a useful novelty they are. The sidewalks here in my little corner of camp are made from interlocking pieces of what seems to be a plastic/metal mix that are about a foot wide by two or three feet long. They often make noise when I walk on them but they're much better than the sand or gravel that is abundant in this area. We also have "deluxe" sidewalks made from metal plates about four feet by four feet that are much more solid feeling and quieter. In the built-up (read: where the important people live) areas one can find actual cement side walks. I call those the "super deluxe" models.

Over all life here in the rear with the gear isn't too bad this time around. We have pretty much everything we could want while away from home, we're not walking almost a mile through powder sand to get anyplace, and when not on duty we can wear our civilian clothes. Seeing as its where I hang my hat for the time being, you could say its home.

Stay safe.

(Picture from daily comic strip "Bizarro" as it appeared on 05September2007)

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