I guess my little outpost in the desert isn't the Mecca of exciting news. Actually, the cool stuff seems to be coming from friends and family back home in the land of apple pie and air-conditioning. Yep, living the American dream. That's what Mark and Leslie Allen are doing---they just sent me a picture of a new house in Memphis and it's awesome. I'm jealous. And don't forget Chris Roark and Cristen....although he's too good to send me current photos of his new life in Nashville! Alex, I know what you're up to in Japan: Same thing I am...only you're in the Pacific and you get to use your nifty electronic Japanese toilet.
Maybe the heat's gettin' to me?!! It's only 128 degrees F. Or, maybe that was yesterday. Who knows what today's gonna be?
Actually, I am a little stir crazy in this place. The missions are still ok---but things are well beyond the classification of "Groundhog Day". Every day is the same. I don't even know what the day is without looking at my watch.
I can't wait to come back for Roark's wedding. I'll get to see so many people that it will be great.
The guys here are still doing well. In our "spare time"...we've been taking part in little competitions we devise. For example, some of the guys came up with this ping-pong bracket and had major match play rounds everyday to determine the ultimate pong champion. However, there were specific rules associated with the game. The rules come from the ILTC---the Iraqi Lawn and Tennis Club....our self-named organization. Rules were specific: you must be in official uniform when playing your match: all whites....white shorts, socks, shirt and a headband if you have it: as dorky as possible. Also, you must chug a "near beer" (non-alcoholic beer) prior to the match. There were some other crazy rules as well, but I won't get into them here.
I actually didn't play (since I would get crushed because I suck at ping pong) I'm heading up the "Tour de Balad"...a "mountain bike race" held in our living compound. 1 vs 1 heats designed to determine the best cyclist who can negotiate obstacles around our hooches, the chow hall, etc. I'm still trying to determine the uniform...but I think it will require combat boots and goggles.
Some of the guys kept their mustaches and continued to shave their heads. I chose to grow my hair back out (which is much better looking than bald--I think). Also, a few of the guys have taken to going to the pool. Yes, there is actually a pool here. It was built by the Iraqi's and is actually really nice. Apparently, this base used to be home of the Iraqi Air Force Training Academy and it includes an olympic sized pool. It truly is the ONLY nice thing here. I haven't made it there yet because of my flying schedule probably will later. A lot of the base is bombed out...and the buildings are crumbling with poor electricity and water--but I guess you can't ask for too much (at least we're not working out of a tent).
Hope things are well there--and stay in touch.
Ed
9 comments:
Ed, you should have gotten in that pong tournament. You know you're "unstoppable." Looking forward to throwing back some whiskeys with you at Roark's wedding. Maybe we can even have some smokes too...Be safe.
Doug
Ed,
Glad to see your Blog update. They always make me smile.
Loved the description of the Ping-Pong-in-PJ's-Match attire, although your "Tour de Sandbox...er...Balad" uniform idea sounds excellent. Just be sure to post a picture or two here of the "Bikes-Goggles-&-Boots" rides so we can share a few chuckles with you. Glad your enjoying having your hair back. Looks good. As for the 'stache...I agree with you. How can men stand those anyways? Don't they get itchy? Food stuck? Plus, I have to agree with Artie, too...Esse's lookin' pretty Mexican. Looks like a nice guy though. Anyway, again, nice to read your update. Take care and stay safe.
~Amy
Ed,
I'm always glad to see your update :) I also loved your description of the white uniform..love how you said "as dorky as possible", when talking about the white uniforms for ping-pong..that made me laugh. Cool idea about the "Tour de Balad" Combat boots and goggles..I agree with Amy. I also would be interested in seeing a pic of that :) Take care Ed,it was so great to hear how you are doing.
Jenn
Lot's of catching up to do, Doug (aka, Jason Giant). People don't understand that the reason you say that we'll "have some smokes" is because I hate smoking so much...
Now you're messing with my reputation! However, I might as well be a smoker since I'm inhaling 10 pounds of sand a day.
And it is true that I'm "unstoppable" at pong--but only at night!
Ed
(Vince Cardiff, co-chairman, Cardiff Giant Acct)
p.s. look for a new post soon on the rise of our global powerhouse--Cardiff Giant Account
Ted,
Thought you could get away, did ya? Took me a few years to track you down. I'm still waiting on that check to clear. Good luck with pong and that cycling stuff.
bonsai,
Bill "Bushido" Taylor
Ed,
I just checked out the Air Force Link website and read an article that I think is of your squadron! Very cool. Here's the link for you and everyone else who reads and comments on your Blog:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123011051
Take care. :)
~Amy
Thanks for the link Amy :) I found the article very interesting! Ed, this article gave me a greater understanding of what is involved.
~*Jenn*~
Ed,
Hey! It's your little sister! I miss you sooooo much! I've been reading your page and you are such a great writer! I've laughed out loud at my desk at work! Well, I hope you are not totally miserable in the heat. I know that it is harder than any of us can even imagine, but hang in there. You'll be home soon. I'll get to see you when you come home for Chris' wedding, right?!?!! Please make time in your busy schedule for me!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU, you know!!!!!!!!!! If you want, I can get together what you need while you are here for the wedding--clothes, shoes.... Let me know if you need an hand. Also, do you have an IPod? That is your birthday present from me if you do not have one already. I was about to buy it last week to send to you, but my friend Claire reminded me that I'd better check to make sure that you don't have one already. I think it would help the time pass a little more quickly for you. Gosh, Ed, I think about you every day!!!!! I have your pictures on my desk at work--the one with you flying and the one with you, Matt, and Shelley. My email address at work is melong@tennessean.com. (They assigned me this email address--I didn't choose melong.) Feel free to shoot me a line or two if you get a chance. I love hearing how you are doing--but, I know you are busy. Well, I guess that is all. Oh! One more thing--I am in an art show next Friday. It is the Untitled show (they have 3 a year.) Someone at work told me about it. The piece that I am submitting is going to be a very bright light--EXTREMELY BRIGHT-- and then there will just be a small piece of paper that you can read only when you come very close to the light. It will say:
I am not the moon.
I'm excited about it. I hope everyone will understand it.
(It stems from the fact that insects fly towards the moon at night...and other lights are just distractions...) I'll take pictures and email them to you next week after it is all installed. Well, I have to get back to work! I LOVE AND MISS YOU SOOOOO MUCH, ED!!!!! You are the best big brother EVER!!!!!!!! I miss you!!!
Love,
Melissa
Hey, your little sister is VERY talented...she should show at the annual Fairhope Arts Festival (one of the South's largest). Dad
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