Man, it feels good to be home!
Posts will likely be few and far between until I have settled in. Please be patient.
Thank you for all your support!
JP OUT!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Short Update
Hey everybody!
I've got limited internet access, but I'm ok with that, because I'm breathing crisp, clean, WI fall air! That's right, I'm currently at Fort McCoy, schedualed to return in a matter of days!
See ya soon!
JP OUT!
I've got limited internet access, but I'm ok with that, because I'm breathing crisp, clean, WI fall air! That's right, I'm currently at Fort McCoy, schedualed to return in a matter of days!
See ya soon!
JP OUT!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
En Route
Hey, I have begone my stateward travels! Still several days left, but the process has begun and it is back on schedule, after a short delay due to weather. Be back before ya know it!
JP OUT!
JP OUT!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Busy busy busy!!!
Wow! Things are crazy right about now. We're packing up (hint hint) but I can't give exact dates we're leaving. Here's another hint...don't send any more mail! Now, I very very much appreciate the mail I have recieved, but it's unlikely any mail sent now will get here in time.
Normally, at this point, things are supposed to be winding down and getting easier. Instead, due to unforseen issues, it's busier than ever! It's like trying to run 8 laps in a set amount of time, and you're comming around on your last lap and the official counting your laps says you got one more lap to go. So then you're comming around again and "One more lap". I'm on lap 15.
Many of you have probably noticed I haven't been communicating much lately. Please know, I'm ok, just busy (notice a pattern?)
Now, to respond to the comments:
Anna, I kinda need to lay off the brownies for awhile, so nothing too elaborate. Perhaps some chocolate chip cookies, cause then I won't feel compelled to finish the tray. :)
Beth, I don't recall second place. If it makes you feel any better, I finished the butterscotch brownies you sent in 2 days! I ate about 90% of em! (Hence why I need to lay off the brownies!)
Micah, after my experience with cameras, I might have to take you up on the offer! If this one breaks on me, I might just have to give up photography! Three strikes and you're out, right? O, and to clarify, I did the full 100.
Theresa, thank you soo much for your help with getting the bike! It made a huge difference! I was honestly a bit skeptical of the huge tires it had, but it proved to be a good choice! Name the trail and the time, I'll be there!
Ryan, I did time myself. I stopped to help some people with a flat, which took nearly 45min cause the air pump was leaking. My overall time including that was 9hrs and 20min. So, 8hrs and 35min estimated time.
Steve, no, I haven't been shot at since May. Course, you haven't called in a while! My phone won't call your area code, so I have to wait for you to call! What gives?
Caleb, thanks for forwarding that message! My facebook appears to be working now.
Ok, so that's about all.
JP OUT!
Normally, at this point, things are supposed to be winding down and getting easier. Instead, due to unforseen issues, it's busier than ever! It's like trying to run 8 laps in a set amount of time, and you're comming around on your last lap and the official counting your laps says you got one more lap to go. So then you're comming around again and "One more lap". I'm on lap 15.
Many of you have probably noticed I haven't been communicating much lately. Please know, I'm ok, just busy (notice a pattern?)
Now, to respond to the comments:
Anna, I kinda need to lay off the brownies for awhile, so nothing too elaborate. Perhaps some chocolate chip cookies, cause then I won't feel compelled to finish the tray. :)
Beth, I don't recall second place. If it makes you feel any better, I finished the butterscotch brownies you sent in 2 days! I ate about 90% of em! (Hence why I need to lay off the brownies!)
Micah, after my experience with cameras, I might have to take you up on the offer! If this one breaks on me, I might just have to give up photography! Three strikes and you're out, right? O, and to clarify, I did the full 100.
Theresa, thank you soo much for your help with getting the bike! It made a huge difference! I was honestly a bit skeptical of the huge tires it had, but it proved to be a good choice! Name the trail and the time, I'll be there!
Ryan, I did time myself. I stopped to help some people with a flat, which took nearly 45min cause the air pump was leaking. My overall time including that was 9hrs and 20min. So, 8hrs and 35min estimated time.
Steve, no, I haven't been shot at since May. Course, you haven't called in a while! My phone won't call your area code, so I have to wait for you to call! What gives?
Caleb, thanks for forwarding that message! My facebook appears to be working now.
Ok, so that's about all.
JP OUT!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Finally, an update!!!
Whew! In the time that stress should be going down, it's only increasing. More on this later.
Anywho, first things first.
I found the info for the brownies. But not all the info, so the winner will have to claim their prize. The winner is the cheesecake brownies!
Next, the bike race.
So, 3 or 4 days before the race, I'm getting ready to leave work. I grab my camera bag without realizing the top is open. My new (to me) Nikon camera goes for a tumble onto the hard floor. No visible damage, but the shutter no longer works!!! No worries, I still got my digital camera. Now it's the morning of the race. I take out my digital camera to start snapping photos. "Memory card read error". Yes, that morning, the memory card in my camera decides to give up the ghost. Thus, I personally have no pictures of the event!!! However, not all is lost! Many others had cameras that day, and I should have pictures shortly.
So on to the results...there were 47 riders who signed up. Some for 25 miles, some for 50, some 75, and some 100. There were 8 from my unit (2 at 50 and 6 at 100). Of the 6, only myself and one other guy, SGT Zegarra finished the 100 miles. Of the 47 total riders, only 8 completed the 100 miles. I came in 3rd place (1st in my unit)! I owe a big part to my family, my 4-H leader, and Russells Cycle and Fitness! I was a little skeptical of the bike at first, when compared to the competition, because they all had road bikes with thin, fast tired. However, the mountain bike proved to be the better choice when I was one of the very few that never had a break down or a flat! Thank you!
Then moving on, like I said, it's getting more stressful. The new unit has arrived, so now there's a lot of people in a small space. This is just asking for problems. Also, there has been a huge influx of Ugandan guards at this base. For those that don't know, there is a huge contract for Ugandan security guards here in Iraq. Anywho, it's made for some stress because there's often a 1-1.5hr wait to use the computer, the shuttle buses are always packed to the gills with Ugandans, there's hardly any seats in the chow halls, and there are certain times of the day that it's pointless to try to use the gym.
Then, my hours at work have increased, but the workload has decreased. I can use the internet there, but more sites than not are blocked, like myspace, facebook, youtube and even my bank's website are blocked! It's like driving a car that has a max speed of 20mph on the highway! So then I finally get a chance to use the public computers, and due to Facebook updating their page, I can't even use Facebook there! The chow hall is out of milk, leaving soy milk. (BTW, I will be drinking a very tall glass of real fresh milk when I get home). And this is my first chance to be online since I last posted.
Sigh, I know it's little stuff. I know I should be thankful, considering I'm in a war zone, and not in danger. Yet, it's at the point where I just want to go home. I want to be able to drive a car without needing to take a second person with me, or wearing a helmet, or having someone guide me as I back up, or be able to walk around without a rifle on my back, or wear headphones while exercising. Like I said, little things. Sigh....it's almost over!
JP OUT!
Anywho, first things first.
I found the info for the brownies. But not all the info, so the winner will have to claim their prize. The winner is the cheesecake brownies!
Next, the bike race.
So, 3 or 4 days before the race, I'm getting ready to leave work. I grab my camera bag without realizing the top is open. My new (to me) Nikon camera goes for a tumble onto the hard floor. No visible damage, but the shutter no longer works!!! No worries, I still got my digital camera. Now it's the morning of the race. I take out my digital camera to start snapping photos. "Memory card read error". Yes, that morning, the memory card in my camera decides to give up the ghost. Thus, I personally have no pictures of the event!!! However, not all is lost! Many others had cameras that day, and I should have pictures shortly.
So on to the results...there were 47 riders who signed up. Some for 25 miles, some for 50, some 75, and some 100. There were 8 from my unit (2 at 50 and 6 at 100). Of the 6, only myself and one other guy, SGT Zegarra finished the 100 miles. Of the 47 total riders, only 8 completed the 100 miles. I came in 3rd place (1st in my unit)! I owe a big part to my family, my 4-H leader, and Russells Cycle and Fitness! I was a little skeptical of the bike at first, when compared to the competition, because they all had road bikes with thin, fast tired. However, the mountain bike proved to be the better choice when I was one of the very few that never had a break down or a flat! Thank you!
Then moving on, like I said, it's getting more stressful. The new unit has arrived, so now there's a lot of people in a small space. This is just asking for problems. Also, there has been a huge influx of Ugandan guards at this base. For those that don't know, there is a huge contract for Ugandan security guards here in Iraq. Anywho, it's made for some stress because there's often a 1-1.5hr wait to use the computer, the shuttle buses are always packed to the gills with Ugandans, there's hardly any seats in the chow halls, and there are certain times of the day that it's pointless to try to use the gym.
Then, my hours at work have increased, but the workload has decreased. I can use the internet there, but more sites than not are blocked, like myspace, facebook, youtube and even my bank's website are blocked! It's like driving a car that has a max speed of 20mph on the highway! So then I finally get a chance to use the public computers, and due to Facebook updating their page, I can't even use Facebook there! The chow hall is out of milk, leaving soy milk. (BTW, I will be drinking a very tall glass of real fresh milk when I get home). And this is my first chance to be online since I last posted.
Sigh, I know it's little stuff. I know I should be thankful, considering I'm in a war zone, and not in danger. Yet, it's at the point where I just want to go home. I want to be able to drive a car without needing to take a second person with me, or wearing a helmet, or having someone guide me as I back up, or be able to walk around without a rifle on my back, or wear headphones while exercising. Like I said, little things. Sigh....it's almost over!
JP OUT!
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