Turkey Crisis 2011

This country must be completely over run by turkeys. In fact, maybe the Taliban are really just mean turkeys dressed on towels that have some how found a way to use complex machinery and discovered reasoning skills. I go to the chow hall every evening at the same time (remember routine). Each time I wash my hands stand in line hoping that it's going to be something different. Each day like a kid who finds out there is no Santa I find some kind of turkey product on the line. I mean seriouslly, how is it possible to have a turkey product every day.

Two days ago  for example: For breakfast they had turkey links and turkey bacon. For lunch they had turkey wings and some kind of fried chicken ball with ranch in them (Chad, they aren't that good). Dinner they had breaded turkey cutlets and stuffed peppers. I know what you are thinking. "Hey the stuffed peppers couldn't of had turkey in them, right?" Well you would be wrong and that kind of thinking can get you hurt out here. Well, hurt like, tripping or rolling an ankle kind of hurt, but like a bad roll though. You have to keep ice on it kind of roll, serious stuff out here. 

Routine Routine Routine

I find that in all military matters, no matter how unbelievably awful a situation can be. Its important to always find a routine and stick with it. Even on the simplest days you will find the routine can help make the day go by faster. I am starting to find that routine as the days go by.

With the first baby on the way I find it very sad to miss so much of the pregnancy. To be there for my wife for the small things can make things harder. Considering the technological advances of our society I couldn't imagine being deployed during another time when computers and Facebook weren't wonderful ways of communicating and regular mail was considered the norm.

So, I check on her everyday when I can and we do our best to email when we have time because being that this will be the longest we have ever been apart. If we don't stick to the routine we will only make this so much harder. Believe me it is so much harder. 

2,000ft Above Sea Level

No pictures this time. I am waiting on my camera charger cord to make it's way over. Right now, it should be some where floating in the Atlantic Ocean. I have made it safely to my place of deployment. It's funny when I left I never thought it would take two weeks to finally get here. After setting up our area we have claimed the battle ground for our Unit. A lot of work to do changing things around to suit our needs, but considering the environment, it is not a bad set up. I really expected much worse. I will have pictures of the area to post when I get my camera charged back up. I miss everyone dearly. I have Internet access to feel free to email me or send me a facebook message. I will be sure to respond.

Pass...

 Korin came out for my four day pass that we were given before we left for Afghanistan. We may never get another chance to be in Seattle so we decided to take full advantage. The picture on the left is from Pike's Place Market. It had amazing vendors and one of the largest markets I have ever been to. Even the smell of large fresh fish that seemed to line the streets didn't diminish the busy market.

The picture on the right was taken from a memorial in Seattle that was honoring those men and women in the state of Washington that had given their lives in past American wars. Along with the names, they had engraved letters from soldiers that they had sent to their loves ones. Korin found this one from a soldier to his sweetheart. I think it fits.

 Surprise, surprise it's not sunny in Seattle. It basically looks like a gloomy mess most days, but Korin did take cool pictures of the needle. We took the picture right then because, at the time, we weren't sure if we would find it again. We kept getting turned around and a little lost. Google maps kept telling us that landmarks were closer than they were. A mile away was fine, till we walked the mile and Google updated and it was actually three miles away.

This picture was taken at the top of the Space Needle. We decided to have dinner there because we figured we may not have another chance to make it this far West. The rotating room and the night view of Seattle was amazing. The food on the other hand was dreadful. Anyone who makes a stop in this city, stay away from the restaurant. Pay a few dollars for the ride up, and there is a small cafe at the observation deck.