wow!

So much has changed in the last month, it's hard to know where to start!

Okay, I went to Kabul for 2 weeks. That was like being in a foreign country. I didn't know anyone and had nothing to do but work, eat, sleep and play on the computer. On the one hand, it was kinda fun. On the other hand, it went on too long. On the day that I left, there was a VBIED (vehicle-borne-improvised-explosive-device) attack on the airport. Presumably after I flew out, because I don't remember hearing any explosions.

When I got back I found out that the police station in Panjwai, where we used to go with the Misfits while out at Sperwhen Gar, was hit by a VBIED also. If US troops were there, that would have caused some casualties. Also, the mortar vehicle has been the lead vehicle in a convoy since I was gone. Being lead vehicle is the only position that is any fun for a driver. Well, at least for me, anyway.

I've read easily 12 books in the last month. My Aunt sent me several, and I've read my way through most of them. All of them were slightly odd, and none were really satisfying to me personally, although I could tell the authors were trying to create real works of "literature." Mostly I could tell this because they tried hard to mix in bits of tragedy, you know, no REAL work of literature can ever be fully cheering or satisfying. If it doesn't make you cry as well as laugh, it's not REAL "literature." /sarcasm off

We're likely leaving FOB Lindsey for good late in April. They tell me that I will almost certainly be home in time for my birthday, which is nice. I had hoped sooner, of course, but that's okay. As it is, I am counting the (likely) days until we leave for Kabul to out-process. I have several boxes of books and other things to send home over the next couple of weeks, so that I don't have to pack everything in my duffel bags to get it home.

The weather has warmed up. Some days are almost hot, most days are cool, and very pleasant. I doubt this will last long. Evenings and mornings are still pretty chilly, but the days can be very, very nice. I've take to working out again, 5 days out of six this time, and taking one day off. I'm considering adding a PT Test to the schedule as the 6th day out of 7, just to see where I am in terms of score.

I continue to look for a job back home. I haven't had any luck yet, but I can really see the light at the end of the tunnel now, so I'm working feverishly at the jobhunt. I'm worried that my skills are rusty and it'll be hard to land a job. Then too, there's the fact that I have no certifications in the IT field, which is almost the kiss of death these days. I may end up needing to take the time and put in the effort to secure MCP and A+ certifications when I get home, in order to have a real shot at getting another good job in the computer field.

No more wood-carving of late. I haven't been able to find any good lumber for it, sadly. A lot of the local stuff is really really dense and hard, so it takes forever to carve. I like seeing results fairly quickly, so I don't enjoy spending weeks whittling at one piece of 2x4. Plus, I think my Gerber multi-tool is getting dull, perhaps, so it has become less easy to carve.

That's a quick update, hopefully I'll be able to come back with more later. Maybe I can talk politics at some point and tell you why I disagree so fervently with John McCain.