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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)