Just saw the details on the Abreu trade -- wonderful move by the Phils. Let's give up a 30-30 all-star outfielder and a crappy pitcher for two crappy pitchers and a shortstop prospect we can't use, because we already have an all-star at short and second. Awesome move. Hope all the Abreu haters who aren't watching the Phils anyways are excited about the future now.
Seriously, getting pitchers from the Yankees is about the dumbest move in the world (well, short of picking up an SS when that's the one position you have). If they had anyone competent in their farm system, they'd be up pitching right now. This was an absolute scam, once again benefitting the Yankees.
Abreu has been unfairly maligned by WIP, because he's a lazy outfielder. And I'm sure over the course of a season, that sub-par play costs them three or four runs. "I want to see my players play hard." Yeah? I want to see them win. None of these nobodies they picked up will help them do that. I'd love to see Manny in Philly -- he'd pick up 130 RBI each year and we'd boo him because of his fielding.
Maybe if Gillick tries real hard he can pick up another shortstop for Ryan Howard. After all, Howard runs to first base kinda slow. I think that shows he's lazy. Let's get rid of the bum.
GAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!! Even in Afghanistan the Phills are killing me.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Proof of work, part 18
NATO handover should mean little for U.S. troops
I told you. 400 words to say "nothing will change."
I told you. 400 words to say "nothing will change."
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Quiet time
Nothing too exciting to post over the last few days, because I've been waiting in Kandahar for the official NATO handover ceremonies to take place tomorrow. It should be a lot of pomp and circumstance signifying very little, and I'll have a 15 inch story that says "nothing will change" in tomorrow's paper.
In the meantime, I've spent the last few days catching up on my pizza eating ($9 for a small pie, but it's Pizza Hut in Afghanistan!) and laundry (more exciting than you think) and sleep (I even bought a pillow). Photos have been slim, but I'll have more to post soon.
And for those of you checking your countdown clocks, we're inside of two weeks left in country.
In the meantime, I've spent the last few days catching up on my pizza eating ($9 for a small pie, but it's Pizza Hut in Afghanistan!) and laundry (more exciting than you think) and sleep (I even bought a pillow). Photos have been slim, but I'll have more to post soon.
And for those of you checking your countdown clocks, we're inside of two weeks left in country.
Proof of work, part 17
I counted. We're up to 17, with at least three more sitting in the queue.
2-4 finally gets its orders
2-4 finally gets its orders
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Thank you, youtube
How else could I get the Colbert Report 8,000 miles away?
By the way, I also like cocaine because it's fun.
By the way, I also like cocaine because it's fun.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Taking inventory
While I've got a few hours to relax, I figured I'd start putting together my stat book for the trip so far:
Flights taken, Germany to Afghanistan: 3
Flights taken, inside Afghanistan: 7
Flights taken in helicopters: 6
Total time in helicopters: 5 hours
Trips taken in humvees: 8
Total time spent in humvees: 16 hours
Time spent waiting for humvees to get out of the mud: 8 hours
Time spent driving humvees: 0 hours
Cities I've slept in within Afghanistan: 6
Number of beds I've had in country: 8
Most consecutive nights in the same bed: 4
Worst bed: This pile of hay. Seriously.
So far, so good.
Flights taken, Germany to Afghanistan: 3
Flights taken, inside Afghanistan: 7
Flights taken in helicopters: 6
Total time in helicopters: 5 hours
Trips taken in humvees: 8
Total time spent in humvees: 16 hours
Time spent waiting for humvees to get out of the mud: 8 hours
Time spent driving humvees: 0 hours
Cities I've slept in within Afghanistan: 6
Number of beds I've had in country: 8
Most consecutive nights in the same bed: 4
Worst bed: This pile of hay. Seriously.
So far, so good.
Proof of work, part 14 or something
Notebook: Bazaar back in business
This is where I bought those illegal DVDs. Unfortunately, they don't work in the new laptop.
This is where I bought those illegal DVDs. Unfortunately, they don't work in the new laptop.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Proof of photo skills, part I
On patrol near Larzab
I finally justified that "reporter/photographer" title they gave me.
On a related note, I'm still trying to find out about the hacker. Our site actually went down for a few hours yesterday because of it, but everything is back up now.
I finally justified that "reporter/photographer" title they gave me.
On a related note, I'm still trying to find out about the hacker. Our site actually went down for a few hours yesterday because of it, but everything is back up now.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
115 in the shade
Literally. There's a thermometer by the Candadian media tent (I'm huge with the Canadian media, by the way) that's in partial shade but was showing 115 degrees at 430 pm today (that's 2pm in Germany, noon in London, 8am in DC, 5am in New Mexico.)
I spent most of the day sauntering from one room with AC to the next, but it's a big base, so I did take a few half-mile hikes in the sun today.
It's about 20 degrees cooler up in the mountains. To prove that there is a difference between the mountain and desert ...
... here's a nice sky-eye view of exactly when this country turns from mountains to desert. It was really weird flying over and going from bumpy to flat in a matter of minutes.
There's a lot more of those heli pics when I get back. How'd I get such a good shot?
I was strapped in pretty good. But nobody tell mom, OK?
I spent most of the day sauntering from one room with AC to the next, but it's a big base, so I did take a few half-mile hikes in the sun today.
It's about 20 degrees cooler up in the mountains. To prove that there is a difference between the mountain and desert ...
... here's a nice sky-eye view of exactly when this country turns from mountains to desert. It was really weird flying over and going from bumpy to flat in a matter of minutes.
There's a lot more of those heli pics when I get back. How'd I get such a good shot?
I was strapped in pretty good. But nobody tell mom, OK?
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Things that worry me
From CNN.com:
The White Stripes voice themselves in the September 17 episode of the Simpsons when Bart organizes a benefit concert to repair his arm that was mangled by a tiger Lisa rescued from the local pound.
From yesterday's comments:
oh yeah, and you need a fence (a high one) 'cause i signed you up to raise a baby tiger... he should arrive shortly after you get home.
Has my life finally turned into one long cartoon?
Here's another red flag. Check out the last line of this sign, hung at one of the bases I visited over the weekend.
It's from South Park, for those of you without cable.
I'm sailing aaaaway, set an open course...
The White Stripes voice themselves in the September 17 episode of the Simpsons when Bart organizes a benefit concert to repair his arm that was mangled by a tiger Lisa rescued from the local pound.
From yesterday's comments:
oh yeah, and you need a fence (a high one) 'cause i signed you up to raise a baby tiger... he should arrive shortly after you get home.
Has my life finally turned into one long cartoon?
Here's another red flag. Check out the last line of this sign, hung at one of the bases I visited over the weekend.
It's from South Park, for those of you without cable.
I'm sailing aaaaway, set an open course...
And we're back!!!
New laptop + another move = return to posting
I'm back online, back in Kandahar and not too much worse for the wear. The old equipment is about to be dumped into the Afghanistan desert as soon as I can get the rest of my files off it, and my new laptop seems to be working just fine.
So, let's catch up on the last few days:
What happened with that laptop anyways?
I'd like to say it was an Army conspiracy, but this was just good old fashioned carelessness. As I was moving from one place to another, my bags got thrown into the back of a Humvee with a pretty full trunk. Before I could stop the Afghan interpreter from crushing my electronics, he slammed the lid down twice, then sat on it to click it shut. I knew before I opened the bag that something was gonna be toast.
A few bucks and a few days later I have a brand new set of equipment, and it didn't slow down my work at all, just my communications back home. But we're all good now, so there's no sense taking out my former rage on an Afghan linguist. I mean, no sense in taking it out on another one.
So, what have you been doing?
Afghan National Army's perfomance is inconsistent
U.S. releases Taliban sympathizer in political move
Unit honors fallen soldier
I've got a few more coming too.
What, no photos?
Blogger is being cranky today, and I'm just happy to be back communicating with the real world. So we're not gonna push it tonight.
So where are you?
After spending the last week in Zabul province in souther Afghanistan, I'm out of the mountains and back in the desert. I'll be here for about a week, then probably head back north.
The time in the mountains was a blast, but it was also exhausting, so I'm crashing pretty hard. I'll write more for y'all in the next few days, but thanks for keeping the comments lively and the good thoughts headed my way.
I'm back online, back in Kandahar and not too much worse for the wear. The old equipment is about to be dumped into the Afghanistan desert as soon as I can get the rest of my files off it, and my new laptop seems to be working just fine.
So, let's catch up on the last few days:
What happened with that laptop anyways?
I'd like to say it was an Army conspiracy, but this was just good old fashioned carelessness. As I was moving from one place to another, my bags got thrown into the back of a Humvee with a pretty full trunk. Before I could stop the Afghan interpreter from crushing my electronics, he slammed the lid down twice, then sat on it to click it shut. I knew before I opened the bag that something was gonna be toast.
A few bucks and a few days later I have a brand new set of equipment, and it didn't slow down my work at all, just my communications back home. But we're all good now, so there's no sense taking out my former rage on an Afghan linguist. I mean, no sense in taking it out on another one.
So, what have you been doing?
Afghan National Army's perfomance is inconsistent
U.S. releases Taliban sympathizer in political move
Unit honors fallen soldier
I've got a few more coming too.
What, no photos?
Blogger is being cranky today, and I'm just happy to be back communicating with the real world. So we're not gonna push it tonight.
So where are you?
After spending the last week in Zabul province in souther Afghanistan, I'm out of the mountains and back in the desert. I'll be here for about a week, then probably head back north.
The time in the mountains was a blast, but it was also exhausting, so I'm crashing pretty hard. I'll write more for y'all in the next few days, but thanks for keeping the comments lively and the good thoughts headed my way.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Technical difficulties
My laptop got smashed by my new Army friends during a mission yesterday, so this site is gonna be quiet for a few days until the company can get me a new one out here. Blogger is blocked on most military computers (but not this one, so take that) and so is hotmail, so work email is the only reliable way to get ahold of me, and even that's not great.
God-willing we'll have all this squared away in three or four days. Say and extra prayer that I don't pick a fight with some private for wrecking my stuff.
God-willing we'll have all this squared away in three or four days. Say and extra prayer that I don't pick a fight with some private for wrecking my stuff.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Unabashed product placement
Bought a few pirated DVDs from the local bazaar yesterday, including a four-in-one Bond package (all Pierce Brosnan) with a great description of “The World is Not Enough” on the back:
“The British Super Spy goes after a ruthless media baron (an amalgam of Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch and Bill Gates) whose diabolical plans include instigating World War III so that empire can contain an exclusive of the war (a la CNN during the Gulf War). Noteworthy for its unabashed commercial product placement.”
I also got Underworld I and II, Hostel and two other flicks I’ve never heard of. Nine flicks for $6 – they even have the FBI warning about making illegal copies of movies.
But alas, I didn’t buy the one I should have: Snakehead Terror. Yes, even on the other side of the world, someone wants to watch that. I spotted it as I was walking away … I wish I had my camera with me to take a picture, or at least more pocket change on me.
Luckily, I do have it on tape at home, so I’ll be able to see it when I get back.
“The British Super Spy goes after a ruthless media baron (an amalgam of Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch and Bill Gates) whose diabolical plans include instigating World War III so that empire can contain an exclusive of the war (a la CNN during the Gulf War). Noteworthy for its unabashed commercial product placement.”
I also got Underworld I and II, Hostel and two other flicks I’ve never heard of. Nine flicks for $6 – they even have the FBI warning about making illegal copies of movies.
But alas, I didn’t buy the one I should have: Snakehead Terror. Yes, even on the other side of the world, someone wants to watch that. I spotted it as I was walking away … I wish I had my camera with me to take a picture, or at least more pocket change on me.
Luckily, I do have it on tape at home, so I’ll be able to see it when I get back.
Proof of work, part VIII
Mail finally arrives, but donuts don't
I wrote the third item here pretty much to explain to my darling wife why I haven't called in several days.
I wrote the third item here pretty much to explain to my darling wife why I haven't called in several days.
Happy Training Camp Opening!
In case you missed yesterday's comments (how could you? There are only seven of you reading this and everyone left a comment) we're on the verge of opening training camp, the real start of the year. Everyone knows that between mid February and mid July nothing really matters, save for a brief weekend of relaxation around the draft. I believe the church refers to it as "ordinary time." Now we're back in extraordinary time, and I can already feel my chest starting to clench up again.
Seriously, go back to those comments and look at yourselfs. Dr. Bob's comment about Maya Angelou's defensive expertise is a hoot. And poison-ivy-covered Tom, as always, is keeping me in the loop on important world events.
But several of you have mentioned Dawkins is going to be an Eagle for life. Has he signed a new contract? Or are they just promising to give him one? I can't find details anywhere, and now I'm starting to get stressed. Forget the 100-plus temps and Taliban, I need to know what's up with #20. Somebody fill me in.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Y'all did see that I stole the ordinary time thing from G, right? Because all my best writing comes from G.
Seriously, go back to those comments and look at yourselfs. Dr. Bob's comment about Maya Angelou's defensive expertise is a hoot. And poison-ivy-covered Tom, as always, is keeping me in the loop on important world events.
But several of you have mentioned Dawkins is going to be an Eagle for life. Has he signed a new contract? Or are they just promising to give him one? I can't find details anywhere, and now I'm starting to get stressed. Forget the 100-plus temps and Taliban, I need to know what's up with #20. Somebody fill me in.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Y'all did see that I stole the ordinary time thing from G, right? Because all my best writing comes from G.
Proof of work, part VII
Lack of education limits how much U.S. can help Afghans
Interesting stuff, at least to me. We'll see if the local folks around here get angry that I didn't write a whole "look at what a good job we're doing" story.
Interesting stuff, at least to me. We'll see if the local folks around here get angry that I didn't write a whole "look at what a good job we're doing" story.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Six letters, starts with E
It's a quiet day here as I try and plan out the rest of my week, so no proof that I'm working today. But I do have proof of contact back home, courtesy of a note from a dear co-worker who picked up the Philly Inquirer this weekend:
In the crossword puzzle -- Six letters, starts with E, clue is "Philly team."
Really, if you're gonna do this, don't you make the clue "Greatest football team ever" or "Local obsession" or "the cause of 5,422 heart attacks in the greater Philadelphia area on Super Bowl Sunday 2005" or something better than that?
Glad to see most of the draft picks are signed. Had a nice long conversation with a guy out here from Kansas City about how the AFC's best teams always choke in the playoffs. He couldn't wait to get back home for football either, although he said that Monday night football with Tuesday morning breakfast works out pretty well.
In the crossword puzzle -- Six letters, starts with E, clue is "Philly team."
Really, if you're gonna do this, don't you make the clue "Greatest football team ever" or "Local obsession" or "the cause of 5,422 heart attacks in the greater Philadelphia area on Super Bowl Sunday 2005" or something better than that?
Glad to see most of the draft picks are signed. Had a nice long conversation with a guy out here from Kansas City about how the AFC's best teams always choke in the playoffs. He couldn't wait to get back home for football either, although he said that Monday night football with Tuesday morning breakfast works out pretty well.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Pros and cons ...
... of being in the middle of nowhere, Afghanistan
Con: My min-satellite thinks I'm in Pakistan
Pro: My editors don't know where to find me to complain about stories
Con: It's pitch black out here at 8pm
Pro: There are some very pretty stars out here
Con: It's very difficult to get decent food this far down range
Pro: That finally gives me an excuse to eat those Pop-Tarts
Con: We're on the sunny side of a desert mountain
Pro: It's still cooler than the sunny side of a desert plain, which was the last stop
Con: All mail and newspapers arrive here a week late
Pro: If I write something really bad, they won't see it until I'm gone
Con: There are no phones I can use anywhere on base
Pro: Yet somehow there is still an internet line in my room
So we're still doing dandy out here in Pakista... Afghanistan. I think.
Con: My min-satellite thinks I'm in Pakistan
Pro: My editors don't know where to find me to complain about stories
Con: It's pitch black out here at 8pm
Pro: There are some very pretty stars out here
Con: It's very difficult to get decent food this far down range
Pro: That finally gives me an excuse to eat those Pop-Tarts
Con: We're on the sunny side of a desert mountain
Pro: It's still cooler than the sunny side of a desert plain, which was the last stop
Con: All mail and newspapers arrive here a week late
Pro: If I write something really bad, they won't see it until I'm gone
Con: There are no phones I can use anywhere on base
Pro: Yet somehow there is still an internet line in my room
So we're still doing dandy out here in Pakista... Afghanistan. I think.
Proof of Work, part VI
Rap battle breaks out at Bagram
This one is from a few days ago, but it's still good. And my street cred is off the charts, yo.
This one is from a few days ago, but it's still good. And my street cred is off the charts, yo.
Monday, July 17, 2006
On the road again
I finally made it to Qalat, and am now resting comfortably at Forward Operating Base Langham alongside the unit I’m embedded with. I’ll be going out on a few patrols with the guys over the next week, likely traveling up to another new base they just started and also meeting with some reconstruction folks who are running vo-tech classes for the locals here.
The base is much more spartan than the previous ones I’ve been at – No fridge with cold water in the rooms (though boxes of warm water are still available), only one entrée choice at the chow hall, no post exchange for most of the week and no phones at my ready. The guys here know they have it rougher than most, and are pretty cranky about the cushy conditions that other folks get (and complain about). Still, we’re on a hillside in a pretty safe area, so no one is too cranky. And I did get a pillow, something that has been lacking at most of the other bases.
The biggest difference is for some reason everyone here is running on Zulu time (Greenwhich mean time for you civilians). So I’ve got to adjust my watch for the fourth time this trip, this time to correspond with London for no good reason.
Just to help you out:
Local Afghanistan time – 2 p.m. (where I am)
Germany time – 11:30 a.m. (where my editor are)
Zulu time – 9:30 a.m. (where these guys think they are)
DC time – 5:30 a.m. (where most of you are)
If I had known I’d need four watches for this trip, I would have at least bought one with a calculator.
The base is much more spartan than the previous ones I’ve been at – No fridge with cold water in the rooms (though boxes of warm water are still available), only one entrée choice at the chow hall, no post exchange for most of the week and no phones at my ready. The guys here know they have it rougher than most, and are pretty cranky about the cushy conditions that other folks get (and complain about). Still, we’re on a hillside in a pretty safe area, so no one is too cranky. And I did get a pillow, something that has been lacking at most of the other bases.
The biggest difference is for some reason everyone here is running on Zulu time (Greenwhich mean time for you civilians). So I’ve got to adjust my watch for the fourth time this trip, this time to correspond with London for no good reason.
Just to help you out:
Local Afghanistan time – 2 p.m. (where I am)
Germany time – 11:30 a.m. (where my editor are)
Zulu time – 9:30 a.m. (where these guys think they are)
DC time – 5:30 a.m. (where most of you are)
If I had known I’d need four watches for this trip, I would have at least bought one with a calculator.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Proof of work, part V
Coalition launches new offensive in Sangin
Just to clarify, this fighting is about 70 miles away from where I am now, and about 200 miles away from my next stop. This was really just a press conference story, just like I cover all the time in DC. OK? No worries.
Just to clarify, this fighting is about 70 miles away from where I am now, and about 200 miles away from my next stop. This was really just a press conference story, just like I cover all the time in DC. OK? No worries.
100th Post
Blogger is telling me this is the 100th post on the site since we launched in February. I feel like I should do something deep and profound here.
Um.....
yeah.....
Um.....
SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!!!!!!!!
Sorry, it was the best I could come up with.
Um.....
yeah.....
Um.....
SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!!!!!!!!
Sorry, it was the best I could come up with.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Hungry yet?
Today was pretty calm out here; I did a quick story about another big offensive, about 70 miles east of where I am, so it's nowhere near me, everybody calm down, OK? It'll be in tomorrow's paper.
So, I thought I'd take a moment and tell you how exciting my meals were today.
Military dining halls aren't that bad, except the milk is kinda nasty and the first thing you see when you walk in is this:
It's just like the PowerSauce bars from the Simpsons -- "Unleash the awesome power of the apple! -- which I find hilarious, but apparently they really expect us to eat them.
For the first time since I got here I managed to find some cranberry juice AND Smart Start cereal, so it was just like being at home (except 102 degrees and very dusty). For dinner, I had lobster tail again -- apparently this is a military standard once a week, probably because of all the great seafood you can catch out here in the desert.
And last night, for a midnight snack, I had a slush puppy, which I believe is banned food in the states nowadays. It's not a slurpee, but then again I am pretty far from 7-11.
I'm traveling again sometime tomorrow, this time just a quick hop one province away, so as always I can't predict how posting will go over the next few days. But I'll do my best, and let y'all know when the filet mingon gets here.
So, I thought I'd take a moment and tell you how exciting my meals were today.
Military dining halls aren't that bad, except the milk is kinda nasty and the first thing you see when you walk in is this:
It's just like the PowerSauce bars from the Simpsons -- "Unleash the awesome power of the apple! -- which I find hilarious, but apparently they really expect us to eat them.
For the first time since I got here I managed to find some cranberry juice AND Smart Start cereal, so it was just like being at home (except 102 degrees and very dusty). For dinner, I had lobster tail again -- apparently this is a military standard once a week, probably because of all the great seafood you can catch out here in the desert.
And last night, for a midnight snack, I had a slush puppy, which I believe is banned food in the states nowadays. It's not a slurpee, but then again I am pretty far from 7-11.
I'm traveling again sometime tomorrow, this time just a quick hop one province away, so as always I can't predict how posting will go over the next few days. But I'll do my best, and let y'all know when the filet mingon gets here.
Proof of work, part IV
Reporter's notebook: Helicopter for sale
The idea behind these "notebooks" is to catch short, pithy slices of life over here. They want me to file a lot of them, so expect to see more posted here.
The idea behind these "notebooks" is to catch short, pithy slices of life over here. They want me to file a lot of them, so expect to see more posted here.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Life's a beach
After another night in a military airport terminal -- I watched "Kicking and Screaming," "Save the Last Dance" and the first half of "Hurricane" in the six hours I was there -- I finally arrived in Kandahar, the hub of coalition military operations in southern Afghanistan.
This shot makes the place look pretty -- it's a bleak part of the world, and the weather guessers are calling for 105 degree temperatures tomorrow (but over on the European side of base, they're only calling for 40 degrees. Lousy greedy Celsius lovers, stealing all our colder temperatures). Looking out into the desert today, I really started to wonder ...
... how did "Hurricane" end? Did Denzel get out of jail? Did he kill someone? I just won't know until I get home, rent the movie and watch the rest.
Sigh. War is hell.
This shot makes the place look pretty -- it's a bleak part of the world, and the weather guessers are calling for 105 degree temperatures tomorrow (but over on the European side of base, they're only calling for 40 degrees. Lousy greedy Celsius lovers, stealing all our colder temperatures). Looking out into the desert today, I really started to wonder ...
... how did "Hurricane" end? Did Denzel get out of jail? Did he kill someone? I just won't know until I get home, rent the movie and watch the rest.
Sigh. War is hell.
Proof of work, part III
Troops take out frustrations with dodgeball
More sunshine and puppies stories. I'll get to real news soon. Of course, they put this one on the front page, so maybe I should skip the real news.
More sunshine and puppies stories. I'll get to real news soon. Of course, they put this one on the front page, so maybe I should skip the real news.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Another day, another base (part 72)
I'm taking to the air again tonight and heading down south (finally) to yet another new base and yet another new bed. I'll probably have one more move after this, a short one that doesn't require military aircraft, and then get to stay with the same folks for at least a week, which will be nice. Things have been going well but I don't think I've seen the same person two days in a row since I got here.
I forgot to mention the most heart-shattering thing about my trip to Kabul -- my new Afghanistan press ID. My hair is all stumpy and characterless. My other IDs have already started making fun of it.
Sigh. Oh well. At least all the Army girls have complimented me on it. Hopefully the boys down south will think it makes me pretty too.
I forgot to mention the most heart-shattering thing about my trip to Kabul -- my new Afghanistan press ID. My hair is all stumpy and characterless. My other IDs have already started making fun of it.
Sigh. Oh well. At least all the Army girls have complimented me on it. Hopefully the boys down south will think it makes me pretty too.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Another day, another base
In the last week I’ve already slept in four different beds, and tonight we’ll make it five. I headed up north to Kabul today to get my press stuff squared away, and I’ll be moving back south tomorrow to actually embed with my unit and start working. (Of course, I’ve already written three stories, but I haven’t done any work yet.)
At this point, I just want to get somewhere where I can find the bathrooms quickly. But this camp does have a laundromat, so everyone at my next stop will be very much appreciative of that.
Since the pictures were such a hit yesterday (and since I’m using a good old commercial internet line this time) let’s throw a few more scenes out there for you:
This is Bagram Air Base, really the hub of all U.S. operations in Afghanistan. Note the imposing mountains in the distance – when the Russians first came here this was a valley swamp which they promptly filled in to make a landing strip. So now the area is a searing dust bowl, but when the skies clear the mountains are really incredible looking.
For my trip up to Kabul I took a helicopter, and as is standard every time I’m in a helicopter…
… they left one of the doors open. Seriously, this is the fifth open-air 1,000-foot-altitude flight I’ve taken in my life (including one in a biplane, I kid you not). And I’ve got a thing with heights. This dude sat on the edge of the bird the whole flight, scanning the ground for bad guys and acting as if he was lounging in a deck chair (note the little cushion under his tushie). I managed not to hyperventilate this time, but I did have a good white-knuckles grip on that camera.
More pictures coming when I get home of everything, but I wanted to give y’all a glimpse at over here. It’s very gray and khaki everywhere, but there are the occasional blotches of hue that remind me I haven’t gone colorblind yet.
Also, we’ll have some more story links tomorrow (with professional pictures this time). If you can’t wait, you know where to find them, anytime after 5pm today.
At this point, I just want to get somewhere where I can find the bathrooms quickly. But this camp does have a laundromat, so everyone at my next stop will be very much appreciative of that.
Since the pictures were such a hit yesterday (and since I’m using a good old commercial internet line this time) let’s throw a few more scenes out there for you:
This is Bagram Air Base, really the hub of all U.S. operations in Afghanistan. Note the imposing mountains in the distance – when the Russians first came here this was a valley swamp which they promptly filled in to make a landing strip. So now the area is a searing dust bowl, but when the skies clear the mountains are really incredible looking.
For my trip up to Kabul I took a helicopter, and as is standard every time I’m in a helicopter…
… they left one of the doors open. Seriously, this is the fifth open-air 1,000-foot-altitude flight I’ve taken in my life (including one in a biplane, I kid you not). And I’ve got a thing with heights. This dude sat on the edge of the bird the whole flight, scanning the ground for bad guys and acting as if he was lounging in a deck chair (note the little cushion under his tushie). I managed not to hyperventilate this time, but I did have a good white-knuckles grip on that camera.
More pictures coming when I get home of everything, but I wanted to give y’all a glimpse at over here. It’s very gray and khaki everywhere, but there are the occasional blotches of hue that remind me I haven’t gone colorblind yet.
Also, we’ll have some more story links tomorrow (with professional pictures this time). If you can’t wait, you know where to find them, anytime after 5pm today.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Outside the wire
I might not get to post again for a few days -- more traveling to come -- but for now lets give a quick recap of today. Now with photos!!
I spent today in the mountains of Parwan province near a town called Nawaj -- it's the one on the hill. The locals just finished rebuilding that bridge with money from the coalition, so they threw a small "thank you" ceremony which included ...
... lunch for everyone! On the menu was lamb, some unitentifiable meatball type product, some rice mixed with dates and marberries (think blackberries, but not bitter). Pictured here are some of the village elders and the governor of the province, along with some military folks. I chatted with a 24-year-old Afghan interpreter who spent several years in Pakistan as a refugee and called the sheep with big rumps all around the area "J Lo sheep."
It was very cool, and unlike this military base it was also very beautiful. Think the Poconos with fewer trees and many more Afgans. We'll have a write up in the paper on Thursday.
I spent today in the mountains of Parwan province near a town called Nawaj -- it's the one on the hill. The locals just finished rebuilding that bridge with money from the coalition, so they threw a small "thank you" ceremony which included ...
... lunch for everyone! On the menu was lamb, some unitentifiable meatball type product, some rice mixed with dates and marberries (think blackberries, but not bitter). Pictured here are some of the village elders and the governor of the province, along with some military folks. I chatted with a 24-year-old Afghan interpreter who spent several years in Pakistan as a refugee and called the sheep with big rumps all around the area "J Lo sheep."
It was very cool, and unlike this military base it was also very beautiful. Think the Poconos with fewer trees and many more Afgans. We'll have a write up in the paper on Thursday.
First sign of acutal work being done
Check it out: I'm no longer a slacker.
Visit to Afghanistan on Rumsfeld’s upcoming itinerary
More to come later in the week.
Visit to Afghanistan on Rumsfeld’s upcoming itinerary
More to come later in the week.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Oh, that's a long one
I’ve got a few days in northern Afghanistan and then more travel, but while I’m relaxing a bit let’s recap the last few days in great detail, written in real-time as I lived through it:
(Please note: Even as this was going on, it was pretty funny. Me and a handful of the rest of the small Afghanistan-bound crew kept laughing as something else went wrong. So I’m OK, Mom.)
Saturday, 0700 hours Germany time: Wake up, call about my 10am flight. Find out it has been canceled. Go looking for breakfast.
0800: After checking my e-mail, decide to check on the flight again. The terminal officials tell me the flight is still on, but I need to be there by 9am to get on.
0858: Arrive at the terminal with my three bags (total weight: around 75 pounds).
0930: Find out I’ve been bumped from the flight. Flirt with the young soldier who said she liked my Ohio State hat and new haircut. Still bumped from the flight. Told to come back at 1430 to see if I can get a seat on the 1630 flight.
1200: Seats for the 1630 flight open up and are gone in 20 minutes. Luckily, and because I didn’t trust them, I never left the terminal. I’m number six on the list.
1530: Just realized this isn’t a 1630 flight. It’s an 1830 flight, with a 1630 boarding time. I still haven’t left the terminal.
1629: Just realized that there’s no way this thing will board at 1630.
1730: Get into the boarding terminal, see that this flight is run by ATA. Consider quitting rather than board an ATA flight. Get on anyway.
1830: Pilot announces we’re ready for takeoff.
1850: Plane moves for the first time, backwards about 20 feet, then stops.
1910: Plane moves for the second time, forward into its original parking spot.
1930: Plane moves for the third time, backwards about 20 feet, then stops. This is pretty much standard ATA operating procedure.
1950: Plane actually leaves the ground.
1951: Right after takeoff, on the way up, a stream of freezing cold water spills from the overhead compartments onto my shoulder, and someone about 15 rows back is hit with a falling piece of ceiling. The male stewardess tells both of us not to worry about it.
2320: Land on the ground in Turkey. The entire plane is emptied so they can refuel and put out clean pillows and headphones, at which point we’ll all get back in our exact same seats.
0050, Sunday: After a 45 minute immigration process, we return to the plane.
0120: Upon takeoff, a stream of freezing cold water spills from the overhead compartments onto my shoulder. I use my new, clean pillow to sop up the water.
0520: Land in Kyrgyzstan. Local time is actually 0920, but since I’ll have to reset my watch again in a few hours, I’m sticking with German time.
0700: Finish immigration processing in Manus. Go to the flight terminal. Told that a plane with 90 open seats is leaving for Afghanistan in one hour. But if I wanted to be on that flight, I needed to be in this terminal 30 minutes ago, instead of somewhere else.
0800: Plane takes off with 90 empty seats. Forty other Bagram-bound passengers and I are told the next flight will be at 1430 Germany time, but seats will go up at 1230.
1200: Check on the flight, find out it has been cancelled. Next flight will be in 24 hours.
1330: After getting a tent, lie down to take a nap.
1331: Another Buckeyes fan who I befriended on the plane (I love my Ohio State hat) runs into my tent to tell me they opened a new flight, but they haven’t announced it.
1332: I’m across the base pleading for a seat on the flight. I’m now number two of 18 seats.
1430: I grab a quick dinner at the base dining hall. On the menu: Lobster tail, fried shrimp, ribs. I skip the ribs to leave room for mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert.
1630: Board the bus to get on the flight. Drive out to the airstrip, find out the cargo plane has mechanical problems. Return to the terminal.
1800: Get back on the bus to return to the airstrip.
1830: The C-17 takes off. I’m sitting on the side of the plane, looking inward at a pile of our luggage.
1835: The C-17 levels off. I’m sitting on the side of the plane, looking inward at our luggage now strewn across about 30 feet of cargo plane floor.
2030: We land at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, my final destination … for the weekend. More travel to come later in the week, but now maybe I can find a bed and a shower. Local time is 10pm, because they have to be 30 minutes off from the rest of the world.
That’s traveling with the military, kids: 37.5 hours to get from Germany to Afghanistan. A little less than 10 hours actually in the air, and much of the rest waiting in terminals, traveling to terminals, and trying to get out of terminals. I’m no worse for the wear, but I am considering Hertz rent-a-car for my trip back next month.
(Please note: Even as this was going on, it was pretty funny. Me and a handful of the rest of the small Afghanistan-bound crew kept laughing as something else went wrong. So I’m OK, Mom.)
Saturday, 0700 hours Germany time: Wake up, call about my 10am flight. Find out it has been canceled. Go looking for breakfast.
0800: After checking my e-mail, decide to check on the flight again. The terminal officials tell me the flight is still on, but I need to be there by 9am to get on.
0858: Arrive at the terminal with my three bags (total weight: around 75 pounds).
0930: Find out I’ve been bumped from the flight. Flirt with the young soldier who said she liked my Ohio State hat and new haircut. Still bumped from the flight. Told to come back at 1430 to see if I can get a seat on the 1630 flight.
1200: Seats for the 1630 flight open up and are gone in 20 minutes. Luckily, and because I didn’t trust them, I never left the terminal. I’m number six on the list.
1530: Just realized this isn’t a 1630 flight. It’s an 1830 flight, with a 1630 boarding time. I still haven’t left the terminal.
1629: Just realized that there’s no way this thing will board at 1630.
1730: Get into the boarding terminal, see that this flight is run by ATA. Consider quitting rather than board an ATA flight. Get on anyway.
1830: Pilot announces we’re ready for takeoff.
1850: Plane moves for the first time, backwards about 20 feet, then stops.
1910: Plane moves for the second time, forward into its original parking spot.
1930: Plane moves for the third time, backwards about 20 feet, then stops. This is pretty much standard ATA operating procedure.
1950: Plane actually leaves the ground.
1951: Right after takeoff, on the way up, a stream of freezing cold water spills from the overhead compartments onto my shoulder, and someone about 15 rows back is hit with a falling piece of ceiling. The male stewardess tells both of us not to worry about it.
2320: Land on the ground in Turkey. The entire plane is emptied so they can refuel and put out clean pillows and headphones, at which point we’ll all get back in our exact same seats.
0050, Sunday: After a 45 minute immigration process, we return to the plane.
0120: Upon takeoff, a stream of freezing cold water spills from the overhead compartments onto my shoulder. I use my new, clean pillow to sop up the water.
0520: Land in Kyrgyzstan. Local time is actually 0920, but since I’ll have to reset my watch again in a few hours, I’m sticking with German time.
0700: Finish immigration processing in Manus. Go to the flight terminal. Told that a plane with 90 open seats is leaving for Afghanistan in one hour. But if I wanted to be on that flight, I needed to be in this terminal 30 minutes ago, instead of somewhere else.
0800: Plane takes off with 90 empty seats. Forty other Bagram-bound passengers and I are told the next flight will be at 1430 Germany time, but seats will go up at 1230.
1200: Check on the flight, find out it has been cancelled. Next flight will be in 24 hours.
1330: After getting a tent, lie down to take a nap.
1331: Another Buckeyes fan who I befriended on the plane (I love my Ohio State hat) runs into my tent to tell me they opened a new flight, but they haven’t announced it.
1332: I’m across the base pleading for a seat on the flight. I’m now number two of 18 seats.
1430: I grab a quick dinner at the base dining hall. On the menu: Lobster tail, fried shrimp, ribs. I skip the ribs to leave room for mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert.
1630: Board the bus to get on the flight. Drive out to the airstrip, find out the cargo plane has mechanical problems. Return to the terminal.
1800: Get back on the bus to return to the airstrip.
1830: The C-17 takes off. I’m sitting on the side of the plane, looking inward at a pile of our luggage.
1835: The C-17 levels off. I’m sitting on the side of the plane, looking inward at our luggage now strewn across about 30 feet of cargo plane floor.
2030: We land at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, my final destination … for the weekend. More travel to come later in the week, but now maybe I can find a bed and a shower. Local time is 10pm, because they have to be 30 minutes off from the rest of the world.
That’s traveling with the military, kids: 37.5 hours to get from Germany to Afghanistan. A little less than 10 hours actually in the air, and much of the rest waiting in terminals, traveling to terminals, and trying to get out of terminals. I’m no worse for the wear, but I am considering Hertz rent-a-car for my trip back next month.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Live, from Afghanistan!
Famous last words -- As soon as I said it would be days before I'd get out of Stan-stan-istan, another flight opened and I hopped on. After a quick two-hour flight in a C-17 (think of a warehouse with wings) I hit Bagram just before midnight on Sunday. Now, it think it's only 16 or 17 more stops before I actually start to get work done....
Internet is sketchy right now and I never did get that nap, so we'll keep this post short. But I can tell you that my first impression of Afghanistan was ... it's really windy. And dark. Hopefully I'll get a better read in the morning.
Internet is sketchy right now and I never did get that nap, so we'll keep this post short. But I can tell you that my first impression of Afghanistan was ... it's really windy. And dark. Hopefully I'll get a better read in the morning.
Live, from Kygyzstan
I'll give you a full recap of how I got here after I get a nap in, but here are the relevant points for now:
-- I've slept for three of the last 32 hours and about eight of the last 56. I actually spent 20 hours straight going from terminal to plane to terminal to plane to base.
-- I've watched four movies in those 32 hours: Dude Where's My Car (simply terrible), Last Holiday (actually better than you'd expect, but crap), Big Momma's House 2 (without the first one I really couldn't follow the subtle plotlines) and Fantastic Four (the only good part of the movie was Jessica Alba, so I enjoyed it very much).
-- I'm now as far away from America as I've ever been (by far). The optimist in me says every move from here on out brings me closer to home. The pessimist went out cold from exhaustion about 30 minutes ago.
-- I'm still not where I need to be. Manas is the major refueling hub for all aircraft out of Afghanistan, but that still doesn't mean it's easy to get from one to the other. I might be stuck here for a few days, but if I am there are a few easy stories I can run down.
The good news is this is a rustic but safe base, and I've already visited the dining hall and showers, thank gawd. If I get stuck here, the only stress will be boredom.
My next chance to get into Afghanistan will be at 3am Monday morning (5pm Sunday DC time, 3pm Sunday New Mexico time. Hi, Jenny!) So keep your fingers crossed, or it could be a long week.
-- I've slept for three of the last 32 hours and about eight of the last 56. I actually spent 20 hours straight going from terminal to plane to terminal to plane to base.
-- I've watched four movies in those 32 hours: Dude Where's My Car (simply terrible), Last Holiday (actually better than you'd expect, but crap), Big Momma's House 2 (without the first one I really couldn't follow the subtle plotlines) and Fantastic Four (the only good part of the movie was Jessica Alba, so I enjoyed it very much).
-- I'm now as far away from America as I've ever been (by far). The optimist in me says every move from here on out brings me closer to home. The pessimist went out cold from exhaustion about 30 minutes ago.
-- I'm still not where I need to be. Manas is the major refueling hub for all aircraft out of Afghanistan, but that still doesn't mean it's easy to get from one to the other. I might be stuck here for a few days, but if I am there are a few easy stories I can run down.
The good news is this is a rustic but safe base, and I've already visited the dining hall and showers, thank gawd. If I get stuck here, the only stress will be boredom.
My next chance to get into Afghanistan will be at 3am Monday morning (5pm Sunday DC time, 3pm Sunday New Mexico time. Hi, Jenny!) So keep your fingers crossed, or it could be a long week.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
.... or maybe not not
Make that a 330pm flight to Turkey to Kyrgystan to Afghanistan. They had 16 seats available on the 10am flight, and I was 17th on the list they put together yesterday. Buggers.
I'm starting to wonder if this site is going to be nothing but updates from the Ramstein terminal. They've got a Subway sandwhich shop in here, so it has that loverly Subway funk everywhere.
I'm starting to wonder if this site is going to be nothing but updates from the Ramstein terminal. They've got a Subway sandwhich shop in here, so it has that loverly Subway funk everywhere.
Friday, July 07, 2006
.... or maybe not
Another day of "Hurry up and wait." The military had no space for little old me on any of their flights to Afghanistan today, so it's a relaxing evening at Ramstein Air Base for me until my flight tomorrow. The downside is boredom, but the upside is a chance to watch some good old fashioned American TV courtesy of the military networks. After a week of CNN International, the O.C. never looked so good....
... OK, the O.C. still sucks. But Simpsons will be on around 8. That's something.
Tomorrow's plans call for a 10am flight to Turkey, followed by a flight to Kyrgyzstan, followed by a flight to Afghanistan. The good news is that right now it looks like I'll be taking some sort of charter jet, as opposed to a big, noisy cargo plane. The bad news is that it might take me three months to get over there.
... OK, the O.C. still sucks. But Simpsons will be on around 8. That's something.
Tomorrow's plans call for a 10am flight to Turkey, followed by a flight to Kyrgyzstan, followed by a flight to Afghanistan. The good news is that right now it looks like I'll be taking some sort of charter jet, as opposed to a big, noisy cargo plane. The bad news is that it might take me three months to get over there.
One last note from Germany
A few of you mentioned it in yesterday's comments, but I just thought you all should know:
Even in Germany, with an ocean between me and the states, I still can't get away from Terrell Owens news.
Maybe they have some law against news reports on that dope in Afghanistan. That'd make the whole trip so much more relaxing....
Even in Germany, with an ocean between me and the states, I still can't get away from Terrell Owens news.
Maybe they have some law against news reports on that dope in Afghanistan. That'd make the whole trip so much more relaxing....
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Places all over the place
To help those of you easily confused with geography, I've officially switched the site to "Off base from Fort Awesome" for the time being. I don't want any of you to think that any old military facility can become Fort Awesome just because Capt. Awesome is passing through. I'm on leave from the fort, so to speak.
Looks like Friday afternoon I'll be hopping on that military jet, getting out of Germany and flying into Kabul (with possible stops in Greece and Kyrgyzstan, wherever that is).
I just finished training on all my equipment, so I should be able to update this site either via satellite or though carrier pigeon, whichever is more reliable. Likely it'll be the pigeon.
Looks like Friday afternoon I'll be hopping on that military jet, getting out of Germany and flying into Kabul (with possible stops in Greece and Kyrgyzstan, wherever that is).
I just finished training on all my equipment, so I should be able to update this site either via satellite or though carrier pigeon, whichever is more reliable. Likely it'll be the pigeon.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Italia! Italia!
I spent the evening yesterday in a German city drinking an Austrian beer in a Mexican resturant watching Italian fans go crazy over the soccer game. I can't think of a better way to celebrate America's independence.
I also learned several very important lessons: There are a lot of Italians in Germany right now, so many that several major routes in Darmstadt were closed down as they cruised around waving their flags and honking their horns (outside my hotel, until 3am). And I wish I had my voice recorder on me during the game, because I could have captured the sound of an entire nation screaming at once when Germany gave up that goal in the 118th minute.
They keep telling me that at some point I'll start doing work over here, but so far it's just beer, soccer and sleep, not necessarily in that order.
I also learned several very important lessons: There are a lot of Italians in Germany right now, so many that several major routes in Darmstadt were closed down as they cruised around waving their flags and honking their horns (outside my hotel, until 3am). And I wish I had my voice recorder on me during the game, because I could have captured the sound of an entire nation screaming at once when Germany gave up that goal in the 118th minute.
They keep telling me that at some point I'll start doing work over here, but so far it's just beer, soccer and sleep, not necessarily in that order.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
One flight down
I landed in Frankfurt about three hours ago and am now relaxing in our European offices in ... where the heck am I? Greisham? Maybe... I dunno. But I've got a hotel and apparently a few folks to watch the soccer match tonight, so all is well.
And that's saying a lot, considering that lousy Lufthansa flight:
-- In flight movie: "Take the Lead." Antonio Banderas teaches inner city youths the joy of ballroom dancing. Ugh.
-- In flight reading: USA Today's story about how tough it is to be an Hotlanta Braves fan. Only 14 division championships in a row? My heart weeps for them.
-- In flight exercise: Balancing on one foot during the six hours of turbulence. Plane shaking while one is in the bathroom is not fun.
So I've earned that beer and soccer tonight, if I can make it until 9 pm (or, in DC time, 645am last Sunday.)
And that's saying a lot, considering that lousy Lufthansa flight:
-- In flight movie: "Take the Lead." Antonio Banderas teaches inner city youths the joy of ballroom dancing. Ugh.
-- In flight reading: USA Today's story about how tough it is to be an Hotlanta Braves fan. Only 14 division championships in a row? My heart weeps for them.
-- In flight exercise: Balancing on one foot during the six hours of turbulence. Plane shaking while one is in the bathroom is not fun.
So I've earned that beer and soccer tonight, if I can make it until 9 pm (or, in DC time, 645am last Sunday.)
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Last night in town
Ok, kids, it's time. Tomorrow evening I leave U.S. soil to visit our good German friends for a few days, and then off to Afghanistan after that. I'll try to keep posting once I get over there, but I've had to limit my incoming hotmail to just the addresses already in the book. So, unless you regularly get witty messages from me, email me at the work address.
Everybody stay safe, and we'll pick this up again on the other side of the world.
Everybody stay safe, and we'll pick this up again on the other side of the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)