In less than nineteen ours, I will begin my final complete month in Iraq. Too bad it has to be one of the ones with thirty-one days!
Anyway, so sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been recruited, along with another guy, to create a new database and cargo tracking system for two yards, three transportation battalions and the brigade trans ops. Luckily, we can go off of one basic platform, and just tweak it a little to customize it for each section. That's had me exceedingly busy, and I've been working hard to conjure up all my hidden and locked repositories of Microsoft Access knowledge. With any luck, we should be done soon, then we're off to install it in the many places it's needed. It's gonna be fun!
On another note, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I've certainly got to say that last year's was much better than this year's, but this year's was nice because it means we're almost finished. I didn't do too much for turkey day, but the Army and the nice third-country nationals that help take care of us made quite a to-do over the day. The dining facility was decked out, inasmuch as a dining facility could be, I guess. The best part was all the TCN's hollering out "Happy Thanksgiving!" when, most likely, none of them knew what Thanksgiving was. Check out Dan's blog for some good pics of the DFAC.
Well, thanks to my schedule, I was unable to get a proper Thanksgiving dinner, so I had to settle for a Thanksgiving lunch. It was good nonetheless, for Iraq and all. I avoided the crowds in the dining hall and got my food to-go, took it back to my room and listened to "Alice's Restaurant" while eating. Then, gastronomically and aurally satisfied, I went to sleep.
Well, I also got to meet another General. General Elmo, of the 65th RRC (Puerto Rico) was in theater for a few days. I'm not sure why he came to see us, but I think it had something to do with the fact that we're reservists. We all chatted and had a good time, and he likes to take lots of pictures. I'm still waiting on some good ones to come back, and when I get them, I'll be sure to post them.
In other news, Autumn is now in full swing here in central Iraq. The nighttime lows are dipping into the low forties to high thirties, and daytime highs are now in the sixties or so. The weather is actually quite nice, except for the flies. All of the giant, pesky, kamikaze flies have come back out, and they are everywhere. The other downside is the trees, what few we actually have, don't change color. It's far too dry for that, so they just turn brown and drop the leaves. That just started happening last week, so if I begin collecting all the fallen leaves from every tree I see, I may have a big enough leaf pile to jump into by the time we leave in late January.
Well, I guess the next time we talk will be in December! We'll all be thinking of Christmas and, of course, my birthday! If you want to send me anything, remember to get it in the mail no later than the tenth or so. Mail is going to be extra bogged down on account of Christmas, and our mail cut-off is the twenty-second. Don't forget!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
As I travel down life's pathway, Know not what the years may hold.
Wow, it's hard to believe that it's already been a year. One year ago Thursday, I packed by suitcase, said goodbye, and got on a plane to begin this crazy journey. Since then, I've spent over three (complete) days in an airplane spanning six US States, four countries and eleven time zones. I've endured temperatures from -20 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. A lot has changed.
My life, of course, is no longer the same as it was. To some degree, we've been institutionalized. I have not, as Dad and Jenny so aptly put it, worked my "hunter-gatherer" skills for quite some time. If I need something to eat, I know exactly when and where I can get a hot plate. I barely remember how to write a check, and if it wasn't for spell checker, I don't think I could spell "rent." I haven't had to worry (much) about transportation. Anywhere I want or need to go, there's a ride waiting. If I need a light bulb changed, I have a legion of Iraqis and third-country nationals to come and do it. I haven't really paid any bills or had any wants in a year. That's a long time.
It's hard to imagine what independence will be like again. I got a taste of it on leave, but still, all my wants were met. (I was staying at my parents' house, of course all my wants were met!) Being "free" again is both a frightening spectre and an exciting prospect. In less than eighty days I should be there again. No more coffee with Generals, no more gunfire at dawn, no more mortars and rockets; just me, alone in my fantastic urban apartment with two cats and a cup of coffee. Not to mention a fridge full of Guinness. I can't wait.
My life, of course, is no longer the same as it was. To some degree, we've been institutionalized. I have not, as Dad and Jenny so aptly put it, worked my "hunter-gatherer" skills for quite some time. If I need something to eat, I know exactly when and where I can get a hot plate. I barely remember how to write a check, and if it wasn't for spell checker, I don't think I could spell "rent." I haven't had to worry (much) about transportation. Anywhere I want or need to go, there's a ride waiting. If I need a light bulb changed, I have a legion of Iraqis and third-country nationals to come and do it. I haven't really paid any bills or had any wants in a year. That's a long time.
It's hard to imagine what independence will be like again. I got a taste of it on leave, but still, all my wants were met. (I was staying at my parents' house, of course all my wants were met!) Being "free" again is both a frightening spectre and an exciting prospect. In less than eighty days I should be there again. No more coffee with Generals, no more gunfire at dawn, no more mortars and rockets; just me, alone in my fantastic urban apartment with two cats and a cup of coffee. Not to mention a fridge full of Guinness. I can't wait.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Somewheres in this universe there's a place that you can call home
Hi everyone!! Just so you all know, I'm back in Iraq after my leave. It was pretty good, all things considered. I saw two Bob Dylan shows, which were both fantastic.
leave all started by me going to Kuwait to catch a charter to Atlanta. We flew a USAF C-130 from Iraq to Kuwait, which is extremely uncomfortable, if you've never ridden in cargo net seats before. We're also packed in like sardines, so it's doubly uncomfortable.
Afer landing in Kuwait, we were taken to the Army base within the airbase, and got all of our necessary briefings and itineraries, and were released. I, personally, went and watched a couple of movies at the MWR and relaxed a bit. The next day we prepared to go home.
In order to go home, you have to pass through customs here in Kuwait, which is run by the Navy. It's good to see that they're making such a notable contribution to the war, by not letting us take anything cool home. They line everyone up, and make you x-ray your bags, then dump them. After they rummage through your stuff for a bit, they make you repack it, and then they x-ray your carry-on one more time. Then you can chill, in a sterile security zone, of course. They call it the "Freedom Zone."
It's kind of ironic, since when you turn around, you see this:
It's like a prison! Freedom? Not! Anyway, it's just for a few hours, and they have movies and drinks and a Pizza Hut.
everyone lined up for customs
leave all started by me going to Kuwait to catch a charter to Atlanta. We flew a USAF C-130 from Iraq to Kuwait, which is extremely uncomfortable, if you've never ridden in cargo net seats before. We're also packed in like sardines, so it's doubly uncomfortable.
Afer landing in Kuwait, we were taken to the Army base within the airbase, and got all of our necessary briefings and itineraries, and were released. I, personally, went and watched a couple of movies at the MWR and relaxed a bit. The next day we prepared to go home.
In order to go home, you have to pass through customs here in Kuwait, which is run by the Navy. It's good to see that they're making such a notable contribution to the war, by not letting us take anything cool home. They line everyone up, and make you x-ray your bags, then dump them. After they rummage through your stuff for a bit, they make you repack it, and then they x-ray your carry-on one more time. Then you can chill, in a sterile security zone, of course. They call it the "Freedom Zone."
It's kind of ironic, since when you turn around, you see this:
It's like a prison! Freedom? Not! Anyway, it's just for a few hours, and they have movies and drinks and a Pizza Hut.
everyone lined up for customsNext. they herd everyone onto a bus, and you ride to the airport to get on a plane home, which is very similar to the rickety old MD-11 that we rode here to begin with.
Anyway, I made it to Atlanta, and then to Cincinnati, where mom and I went to lunch and I had my first beer in nine months. It was fantastic!
I also found a new apartment when I was home, so I'll show everybody some of the pictures I took of it. Keep in mind that I am going to repaint, and the previous tenants left some junk in there. They left in a whirlwind, a la the Browns in '96. Here you go:
That's the entrance hall. The corner rail on the left is the wall that leads to the bathroom, and there's a coat closet behind me and to the left. The first door on the right is the bedroom, and the second is the kitchen. the first on the left is the living room, and the second is the dining room. It's a pretty good size place.
This is the bedroom. That is a Rookwood fireplace. Since the building was built in the twenties, Rookwood decorations are quite prevalent. I hate that brown color. I am leaning toward a blue, and none of that furniture will be there. You can't see it, but out those windows and downstairs is a cool little courtyard, good for grilling, except the food has to be carried up three stories. No big deal, stairs are good for you!
This is the living room. I am going to put my giant TV in the bay recess, and get dome good drapes to limit glare. This room, and the dining room, is on the western side of the building, so it gets good afternoon sun. It's about 4:45 PM in early October in these shots, so I should have good sun all winter long, when the sun decides to shine in Cincinnati.
This is the living room again, looking into the dining room. (That's mom and Kris, the property manager) Note the pocket doors. Cool, huh?
Here's more of the dining room. Nothing to special about it, it's just a big square-ish room. Another fireplace, but neither of them are operational.
And lastly, the kitchen. It's big enough to eat in. There's a good size pantry, and I might take the door off, for ease of access, but I'll see how that plays out after I've gotten some cook-time in. it's actually even big enough for me to put my kitchen work table/butcher block in as an island, and still have a table off to one side, by the windows (behind me and to my right). Establishing a good work triangle is important in a kitchen (storage, range, and workspace). I plan on doing some entertaining. If you noticed, there are trees outside the windows in the living and dining room. That's Washington park, which is the only thing that separates me from Cincinnati Music Hall, home of the Symphony, Pops and Opera. I am also a block from Ensemble Theatre, four blocks from Shakespeare, and six blocks from work. Findlay Market is five blocks or so to the north, and I can ride the bus for free to school. I only plan on driving my car on rare occasions. Did I mention there's a YMCA two blocks away, and the Tower Place gym is six blocks away? It's fantastic! Anyway, my address will be as follows:
Anyway, I made it to Atlanta, and then to Cincinnati, where mom and I went to lunch and I had my first beer in nine months. It was fantastic!
I also found a new apartment when I was home, so I'll show everybody some of the pictures I took of it. Keep in mind that I am going to repaint, and the previous tenants left some junk in there. They left in a whirlwind, a la the Browns in '96. Here you go:
That's the entrance hall. The corner rail on the left is the wall that leads to the bathroom, and there's a coat closet behind me and to the left. The first door on the right is the bedroom, and the second is the kitchen. the first on the left is the living room, and the second is the dining room. It's a pretty good size place.
This is the bedroom. That is a Rookwood fireplace. Since the building was built in the twenties, Rookwood decorations are quite prevalent. I hate that brown color. I am leaning toward a blue, and none of that furniture will be there. You can't see it, but out those windows and downstairs is a cool little courtyard, good for grilling, except the food has to be carried up three stories. No big deal, stairs are good for you!
This is the living room. I am going to put my giant TV in the bay recess, and get dome good drapes to limit glare. This room, and the dining room, is on the western side of the building, so it gets good afternoon sun. It's about 4:45 PM in early October in these shots, so I should have good sun all winter long, when the sun decides to shine in Cincinnati.
This is the living room again, looking into the dining room. (That's mom and Kris, the property manager) Note the pocket doors. Cool, huh?
Here's more of the dining room. Nothing to special about it, it's just a big square-ish room. Another fireplace, but neither of them are operational.
And lastly, the kitchen. It's big enough to eat in. There's a good size pantry, and I might take the door off, for ease of access, but I'll see how that plays out after I've gotten some cook-time in. it's actually even big enough for me to put my kitchen work table/butcher block in as an island, and still have a table off to one side, by the windows (behind me and to my right). Establishing a good work triangle is important in a kitchen (storage, range, and workspace). I plan on doing some entertaining. If you noticed, there are trees outside the windows in the living and dining room. That's Washington park, which is the only thing that separates me from Cincinnati Music Hall, home of the Symphony, Pops and Opera. I am also a block from Ensemble Theatre, four blocks from Shakespeare, and six blocks from work. Findlay Market is five blocks or so to the north, and I can ride the bus for free to school. I only plan on driving my car on rare occasions. Did I mention there's a YMCA two blocks away, and the Tower Place gym is six blocks away? It's fantastic! Anyway, my address will be as follows:
Michael Muntifering
1202 Race St #7
Cincinnati, OH 45202
1202 Race St #7
Cincinnati, OH 45202
The first party will probably be in late February or early March, when I have a housewarming gala. I'll keep you all posted. I'm under ninety days left!
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