The Not-So-Lost Wanderer

Days 68-83 Been in another place mentally

2008-11-29T20:28:00.005Z

Chili is concentrating on chewing Lucy's toe off..."How dare she try to tickle my KITTY TITTIES!!!"

Note it was the COURTESY CAR... Shame on you Matt

1985 was obviously a good year for Defenders...check out the wave of mud

When GPS fails....My bro in law and his mates trying to figure out how to read a map. I have to say my map reading skills found our way around.

What the fuck is this fad about...thanks germany.

haven't felt like blogging much lately. I am in limbo ...job wise. We are completely broke...well let's just say we are suckin a fat one currently.

So to kill time in between jobs... I have been doing alot of personal writing. Went out on the Salisbury Plain with my bro-in-law last weekend and some of his mates. Had a good time...got incredibly muddy, found a ton of military training areas. I even saw a bashed in old tank that obviously is used for target practice. I would have taken a pic but I just didn't think about it at the time. Mostly cause I accidentally drove on a road that warned us to stay on the road..due to UXO(unexploded ordinance). So I wasn't too keen on stopping for pictures.

For the most part I have just been missing doing a job that matters. what I mean by that...I was/have been a paramedic for 12 years...and now I might have to take a job stocking shelves for a long while..until I can save a crap load of money.

So that has been me in a nutshell.

Check back later...maybe I'll wrote more.

Day 67 sites of the army/military...

2008-11-13T21:30:00.001Z

See at the cemetary for allied forces in Normandy France.

The Old Guard .....changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.....Washington D.C. 1998

I think the sign reads...Come see ramadi...Hottest vacation spot in Iraq.

Hohenfels, Germany I'll never forget this field exercise....Feb-Mar 2005....It was completely miserable. While we were supposed to be repelling the impending attack from the locals (OPFOR)...all we did was work on our vehicles.... We were constantly wet and frozen. One of my favorite memories is... myself, Moura, Milton, Appler...and I think Andersen....possibly Riley huddling in the back of a M113...all trying to get alittle more heat....from Milton's little propane heater....eating MREs....smokin and jokin....

A foto I took...something the mainstream media will never show you. You see the ball....the smiles....

Grafenwoehr Germany...June 2005..... Calling in a chopper to evac a casualty

Making friends Ar Ramadi Iraq...June 2006

Camp Bhuering Kuwait...Our mortar platoon got real fuckin bored while we were in semi-perm limbo.... I like this, cause it illustrates the geographical diversity of the military.

This was Tower Gate...at FOB Ramadi....not a fun place for anyone to do duty...

Day 66 Friends I served with....

2008-11-12T21:47:00.002Z

TF 1-35 AR Nov 16th 2005....This is the day before we deployed to Iraq... OIF 3. To be honest...not my favorite duty station...but they were a great bunch of guys.

Doc Garza....out with the Marines and ICDC troops.... Doin a lil' house to house I imagine. He is in his 6th month of his second deployment. This guy is one of my heros. aside from the fact that he saved my bacon more than a couple times over the years. He has had a tough life...and always comes out on top..through hard work, determination... He is simply put the bravest person I know.

C. Hochstetler....My HO...Not the best mechanic I have ever known...but if you are down in the dumps at all....This is "the cure".....he has a wonderful sense of humor...and is almost never without a smile. He would run up to me...well anyone really...and give us all a hug.

Docs Andersen and Moura....right after Moura made Seargent. 2 of my best friends in the desert. I miss them everyday. Moura got out....and went back to Puerto Rico with his family. Andersen os also in the same boat as Garza...'cept...Garza re-enlisted...Andersen is in a stop loss.

Taken right after we got back from a field training exercise...or FTX. Doc's Boyd, Appler, myself, and Henley.....

Day 65 Veteran's Day/Rememberance Day

2008-11-11T21:08:00.000Z

I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where other did not want to go, and did what others feared to do.
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness---should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold of pain, and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.
I have cried, pained and weeped. But most of all I have lived times others would say were best forgotten.
At least someday I will be able to say I am proud of what I was......
A Soldier.
My Dad....981st FA Bn, 40th IN DIV Korean War 1950

Veteran's Day has always been very special to me. My dad served, his dad(Army WW2)..my mom's dad(Navy WW2)...my uncles(Don Navy (Corpman)and Army (Medic) Vietnam) and Tom (Army Vietnam)...and my cousin steve(USMC), my cousin Heidi's husband(Army Vietnam)..... They were all my heros growing up. I knew they all joined to make the world a better place...to do something for someone else's cause that was greater than their own causes. None of my family who served, I am proud to say, was drafted into service.
But that isn't the only reason today is special.
On Jan 1st 1995....I joined the proud ranks of my family.
I was young....I wanted to do something more for myself generally....I didn't fully grasp the significance of the choice I made. A little more than a decade later...I now truly understand what it means to Sacrifice for the greater good.
Today reminds me of alot of people. People who are still serving in Iraq, Afganistan and many other places...in many aspects. I am proud of everyone who has served in the military. I don't honestly care what service or what country. we all share a common bond. Whether they have been in combat or not...the intention is there. If they didn't, more power to them....

The next 7 days I will be posting pics of my service...people, places...etc....

I am proud to be a veteran.

Day 64 Did a temp job today....

2008-11-10T20:59:00.000Z

Today I swallowed some serious pride and did a job that I definately didn't want to do. But I need some money..and the current job search is shit.

I worked in a wharehouse...unloading a massive truck. It wasn't the worst thing ever, but it was pretty boring to say the least. The entire truck was packed with small cases of licorice. I used to like eating it...I think after having to smell it all day.... I won't be enjoying it anymore. it was raining fairly hard this afternoon....so all the colors on the boxes were bleeding on us. My arms turned bright blue...as did my boots, face and hair. It was SMURFTASTIC!!!!

Day 63 random photos for the day

2008-11-09T20:49:00.000Z

Lucy smokes....my addiction is redbull.... and little cakes from Mark's and Spencer's....

They finally made toy replicas for Lucy and I.....

Mulled wine ingredients...
Lucy and I went to Salisbury for the day. Walked around...had a drink...just killed some time.

Day 62 Africa.. Any advice????

2008-11-08T20:40:00.000Z

Been doing quite a bit of research on what to expect medically for my expedition to "The Dark Continent".....been asking lots of question of various people who have A. Been there for travel or B. Live there.....
Usually the only form of advice I get is...Don't get sick...and if you do.... find the Quinine...
Yay.

Day 61 Fall....my second favorite season

2008-11-07T20:27:00.002Z

Kind of a shit pic....but oh well....that is why it is my second fav season....

Day 60 Guy Fawlke's Night

2008-11-06T12:26:00.000Z

Lucy won Chili a new toy...by losing 2pds on a game....

If you look close...it is supposed to be the Disney house minus the Y

You're supposed to be 18 to play this game.....we saw 14 yr olds playing.....Throw the hoop around a bottle and get the prize....

Because some dumbass went into the House of Parliment and tried to burn it down....The King at the time declared yesterday...a holiday!!!

Day 59 The Presidency

2008-11-05T10:36:00.004Z

(note: this picture has nothing to do with the blog....I just wanted something lite on my page)

I have more or less kept my mouth shut about the election. Pretty much because I think both guys are equal on the playing field. Mr. McCain… I respect the fact that he served his country during a time of war, and paid a dear price. I cannot fathom how terrible being a POW was. How tough his life has been personally.
I just don't honestly like his politics.... They call him a maverick to his party. To me that says he is a maverick to the people who would vote for him. Meaning....his party votes one way...he votes the other. I don't want a guy in office who represents a party, a certain way of thinking...but does his own thing all the time. I am not saying I am against freedom of speech or the right to vote....how a person sees fit to. I am saying that when you represent the masses. As a politician does...you understand that...your vote isn't or law making ability isn't just your's anymore. I honestly know he understands that concept, but votes how he sees fit anyways. Hence the Maverick. Palin...She has many admirable qualities....getting rid of the kitchen staff in the Governor's mansion in Alaska, doing her own dishes.....GREAT. Her son is serving in the war....I appreciate her family's sacrifice. She appeared on SNL and she has a great sense of humor… She introduced herself to the nation as a hard nosed hockey mom roughing it up with power brokers. She was Mc Cain's sexism card. Honestly, before he made her his running mate…did anyone outside of Alaska know how she voted, how she stood on any issues…or even hear of her before? Well I looked up her previous history for how she has voted. Fairly conservative, partially libertarian. Ah….Could she possibly be John's saving grace….Not this election. Personally, I don't want this to be the last we see of her. In any case, she has definitely peaked my interest.
Mr. Obama…. It doesn't matter now how anyone voted for him…yes or no…..for or against….He is the new President Elect. He is the man. And apparently…he is the BLACK man. I don't say that out of being a racist…but after hearing him say "Today I am proud to be a BLACK American"….It made me a little unhappy. You see…He is just that…but he is also…JUST AN AMERICAN…Like everyone else. Imagine if any politician got up on a pedestal and proclaimed…."Today I am proud to be a WHITE AMERICAN." Instantly they would be ear marked as a RACIST. Mr. Obama is a proud BLACK AMERICAN…and he should be. He is after all the first black president!! That is a major victory for black Americans. Think of how far our country has progressed in the last 45 years…. Since MLK's "I have a dream" speech, Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat and the Woolworth sit in….. That is some major progress…and America should be proud. I am proud.
However….Mr. Obama has some serious thinking to do. He promised a lot to a lot of people. CAN or maybe I should ask…WILL HE LIVE UP TO IT?? During the entire campaign I rarely heard either candidate talk about the important issues….or even more importantly…How do we move forward? I say."WE"….cause that is what it is…their decisions while in office affect the collective WHOLE. It is one thing to say… " I will pull the troops out of Iraq and end this war"…but logistically how exactly does he plan to do it? Considering we are able to put about 15,000 in or out a month right now. Who do we leave behind? Will they be safe? I think we need a battle plan.
How does Mr. Obama plan to "reform the healthcare system?" I am certain it is not as easy as you would think. Clinton tried….and he did help….but still fell short.
And then there is the most important issue…THE US ECONOMY….How will he keep our heads above water? I know I am going to hear people say …"Well George Bush put us there.." " It was the republican's fault….BLAH BLAH BLAH…."….It doesn't matter you assholes….I agree….GW…dug a huge whole…and didn't have a plan of how to fill it back in. It is still Mr. Obama's responsibility to fill it up. For those of you who don't understand what I am saying…it's like George Bush is the starting quarterback at the Super Bowl….It absolutely matters how he played the first half…but Obama is taking over the second…..He has to finish it. He has to be in top shape, have a battle plan…know when and who to take coaching from. This isn't a fucking photo shoot anymore. This isn't he said-she said…I think we are going to see his jovial face deteriorate into something a little more crestfallen as time goes on. The job he has taken on won't be all puppy dogs and sunshine. I think he will do good. Change is a good thing…I believe if he can ride the wave of good hope for a while….We will pull out of this together. The first 2-4 years he will still be riding Mr Bush's coat tail's. Anything good…just might be because Mr. Bush already had it in place….Anything bad…Same deal. Mr. Obama has an enormous amount of pressure to deal with. It isn't just from the American people. The US Economy controls how most of the world's economies prosper. Currently the Democratic Republic of Congo is in turmoil, Sudan is starving…they will be looking towards the US for help. Does he send aid and workers? Does he put a military presence in place… How does he sort this out? He can't turn his back on them…The WORLD IS WATCHING!!
What about the major issues within our own borders? Does anyone care anymore about immigration? Child Homelessness? Taxes? The Dollar vs. Oil? Will Mr. Obama and his cabinet be able to curb the amount of jobs being outsourced to other countries? Social Security? EDUCATION? Gas prices? AIDS? How about making sure our returning soldiers and their families are properly taken care of…..Where will he draw the line? How does he triage our own citizens? Do the most good for the ones he can do the most for? Who will fall by the wayside? Will it be you? Will it be your 80 year old mother who lives in an old folk's trailer park? Will it be your son or daughter? Your next door neighbor? The UPS guy who drops off a package every Friday at your work? Will it mean budget cuts to those who protect and serve? Will you get another $600 check next year just for paying taxes, as an economic stimulas? Will it actually stimulate anything?
I don't envy his undertaking. I do applaud his appeal for change though.
I do fear that if he fails the walls of racism will be built up again. ( I know they are always there..but when was the last time you heard of a public hanging?)
So after all this….. All of my ramblings…. I will say this… I have exercised the right not to VOTE for either candidate.
I didn't hear any of the issues I feel are important spoken of by either candidate to any degree. In my eyes..it was a presidential election with only one question being offered. Should Americans put the first "black man" in office, or "white woman." I have been utterly disgusted with how Americans…my friends and family included….have acted during the entire election. There will be assholes out there who tell me I have "no say" since I didn't vote for anyone…. I feel that my silence is equally as important

Day 58

2008-11-04T10:34:00.000Z

Found in the local area.....

Day 57 the Ninja Kitten strikes again

2008-11-03T09:13:00.000Z

Notice the little nugget she left us on the floor.....Ah kitty gave us a pressie!!!

Couldn't find NINJA tonight...had to look everywhere for her...was a little worried, thinking we locked her out while it was freezing outside...then low and behold...a meek little meow escaped from the shoe rack. Ninja kitten was incognito....

Day 56 Pinched a loaf

2008-11-02T02:09:00.000Z

Our first attempt at meatloaf..... It tasted great...and it looked just as good in the toilet 6 hours later!!!!

Day 55 Guilty Pleasure

2008-11-01T02:01:00.000Z

Today was shopping day...and we didn't go... We had Tescos delivery. yeah it was lazy...but oh so easy.
well every month I get crispy seaweed.....I developed an addiction for it when I was working at Whole Foods. This stuff is great!!! It's crispy, sweet..alittle salty.....better than chocolate.
Ok that's a lie.....

Day 54 Halloween

2008-10-31T01:27:00.000Z

Lucy, Our lovely hostess Sadie and John...minutes before Sadie passed out...@10:30.....She peaked alittle early.

I couldn't figure out who she was supposed to be...Bride of Frankenstein or Dracula...either way, good effort.

Claire had some cool wings....would have gone good with my mask.

Nick was an Evil Jester....the mask rocks!

Wellsy came as Malice in Wonderland.....

Claire and Lucy.....I have to admit..I think my wife's costume was the best one...she put tons of effort into it..and kept it cool on a budget...Plus the wig was foxy!!!!

I was a demon....minus some cool wings....

Day 53 Ducks

2008-10-30T01:14:00.003Z

was asked if I wanted to slaughter ducks today......and take one home for dinner.... I went along with my friends. However given the symbolism "The Ducks" have played in Lucy and my relationship..... I declined to hurt a duck. I felt bad for the ducks. They obviously knew what was in store for them...given the fact they were completely freaked out. I have fed ducks by hand before......held and stroked them. I think animals can tell when a person means to do them harm.
By no means is this gonna make me stop eating chicken or duck...but I think I will have someone else do my bidding from here on out.....Much like President Bush.

Day 52 Do you want some cheese with your WHINE?

2008-10-29T23:00:00.001Z

We were invited to a "Cheese and Wine" party...... I was thinking this....
but it was more like this........ People were afraid to try new things.... Well I should say other people. Lucy and I saw the opportunity to have FREE nibbles..... She didn't drink....but I tried about 6 different wines.....and all 15 cheeses...

Day 51 American football

2008-10-28T18:22:00.001Z

Last Sunday I watched the charger vs. the Saints...play in London...via tv. I was alittle miffed....I wanted tickets...but was told they were sold out. Well from where I was sitting..it looked like there might have been about 2000 empty seats...
Oh well....it was still nice having some Americana on TV...other than CSI...or god forbid LOST.

Day 50 Been invited on an expedition to Africa

2008-10-27T17:07:00.000Z

Recently I have been approached by a local charity....
to be a medical advisor for an expedition to Africa. Tenatively they want to leave in 2010.
I said I would be happy to go..... if the planning is right....and I am confident in the people who are also going.....and only if they take my advice...and have a medical doctor oversee the project.
The trip will last anywhere from 6-12 months....Starting here in the UK....entering Africa in Morrocco and circumnavigating the continent...by via 4x4s (Landrovers/Pingauers or Landcruisers) south along the coast...through the sub-sahara region.....to South Africa....north..bypassingZimbabwe.....towards Kenya/Ethiopia.....and finally towards the countries bordering the Med...ending in Tunisia. Because I am an american I will have to bypass certain countries...eg..DRC(Congo) and Libya.
There are many things medically I am thinking we will have to be thinking about..before, during and after. When most people think Africa they think...about dangers from the animals...malaria...AIDS......but those are the obvious dangers.... Food and sanitation is a major factor....Water purification....Some of the lakes/rivers have flukes that enter your body though mucas membranes....and destroy your internal organs.... The heat is a major factor....as is the groups health and diet before leaving. I would need to know what immunizations people would need before entering each country...how long would we have to have them before entering..how long are they good for...where do we get them if we are on the road....etc.... Africa is a fairly crap area to drive in.
So far I have done quite a bit of research....There is much to do. I have already found a decent medical kit...good for 6-12 people..but it must be resupplied every 3-4 months.
Thing is...logistically...this could be a nightmare.
I don't think the trustees really have any idea what a trip of this magnitude could mean medically. Everything from personal health, shots....medications....trauma gear...field san etc... In my opinion you need to have every logical scenario pre-worked out before you go.
The multitude of things I have to think about are on a massive scale. Honestly I don't think I will take the job if I am to go about it alone, without some medical back-up. If it was 2-3 months maybe....but this is a massive responsibility.
Plus first and foremost I have to think of my own personal safety. I sure ashell don't want to come home with some fuckin disease no one has a cure for....or worse yet...being eaten feet first by Chuckles the lion.
For now I will see how things go...there is pleanty of time. I will keep you posted....

Day 49

2008-10-26T13:22:00.001Z

family time today....we just kind of hung around....I am too tired to do much.

Day 48 Working.......

2008-10-25T22:40:00.000+01:00

I spent the entire week temping at a company called Visual Impact. I was mostly doing "BITCH" work.....taking out the trash...handing someone tools....etc. Well lately I have been doing alittle more. Stenciling, making signs...etc....Well today I woke up at O'dark:30 ...waited outside for my ride in the frost...and we drove to Farnham to put up a sign.
Funny, during the entire trip I was thinking we would be on ladders...maybe 10 feet off the ground at most...... NOPE. When we got there.....I was told I would be wearing a "spech-al" high vis outfit....a rappel harness...a 9 foot safety rope....and would be suspended about 30 meters up.
Let point out I am not afraid of heights...much.... but considering the operator had just finished telling me of his history of henioius car accidents.... I wasn't feeling to confident for personal safety. To make matters worse....when we were about 75 feet up....the other guy moved to one side of the basket and it tilted...on his side...AND HE IS LIGHTER then me....I just had to keep it in my head..... how much I was making ..about $19 an hour.....
In the end....it was fun.... we had a couple hair raising moments. More than a few laughs..and he promosed to ring me again if he ever needed more help.

Day 47 got a bandaid???

2008-10-24T21:00:00.004+01:00

Yup you got me...I was furiously masturbating today...and attempted to do it until the skin peeled off.....

Actually I hit a door..... (note....doors hurt....I am a dumbass)

Day 46

2008-10-23T20:48:00.000+01:00

MMMMMMMM nothing better than after a night of boozing it up...going down to the local PACKY DELI for some freshly warmed mutton on a stick.....
MMMMMMM Mutton farts!

Day 45 FINALLY!

2008-10-22T20:12:00.001+01:00

Hard to image that this is the reason I think I might have a fricken ulcer! That's right...last week an hour before I left for camping...My VISA came in the mail. Now I am a LEGAL Alien......WEEEEEEE.....

Day 44 costumes for Halloween... We have to be something scary for a Halloween party....

2008-10-21T20:29:00.000+01:00

I'm wearing a mask....

Lucy when she is mad.....

We can't decide on costumes... I think KINKY DEVILS would be good.....

That or if someone can help me figure out how to go as AIDS or HERPES!!!!

Day 43

2008-10-20T17:38:00.000+01:00

Day 42 I love it when it sucks!

2008-10-19T11:27:00.000+01:00

Probably the best boots I have ever owned...my feet were warm, dry and cozy.
Luce was none too happy at this point. The tent was about 5 minutes from "lift off"...and she had to hurry up and out clothes on, or risk being naked in the middle of a cold wet field.
The wind all but destroyed our campsite...the mud added a bit of humor to everything...I loved it.... Everyone was so miserable, and frustrated.
but in Steve's own words..."Why get uptight? It is what it is." I thought the whole weekend brought us all closer....and we learned we could have a ton of fun together as a family..... It was cool watching Lucy and Steve bonding...She realized he wasn't a geek anymore..he realized she wasn't the "Little pain in the arse".....anymore.
Bon Bon was an absolute trooper on the holiday....I know deep down she would have loved a B & B instead...but she dealt well with whatever the weather tossed at her. I was at home. I truly do "love it when it SUCKS!!!" I sure hope they invite us again sometime. The Landrover Group is a bunch of great and fookin entertaining people. A couple of the guys are like "Monty Python" in the flesh.
Hopefully in the not-so-distant future I will have a Landrover of my own.
We got home at about 8:30.....both cats had been locked in since Thursday night. They both enjoyed leaving us little gifts all over the house.

Day 41

2008-10-18T10:41:00.000+01:00

Crossing the Fjord.....Ah...I will have a defender in the future!

Steve poses as Macy GAY!
Saturday was an interesting day..... We took some treks through some of the most beautiful country imaginable. I was completely blown away. I was also completely hungover.
I felt great in the morning before we set off. But as we took the first trail...I turned green, and remained that way for the rest of the day. I still enjoyed every minute of it though. It isn't often we get to go into the wilderness here and get completely lost.
That night after Lucy and I took a nap... We had another night of debauchery. I just didn't participate much. I had maybe 4 beers...and I poured 1 of them out, and filled it with water. Lucy's brother taunted me with shouts of being GAY.....so I chose the route of a "Dog and Pony" show was best. The night before....I gained my respect within the group....I took alot of shit....got a nickname or 3....and stood the tests of LIME....e's....
I didn't feel the need to wake up in a puddle of my own muck...
Plus I was dead tired. I could feel the weather was turning to shit about midnight. I kissed Luce g'night...and headed for the tent.
It was incredibly enjoyable to curl up inside a warm bag....in total darkness.....listening to the rain, music and laughter....The wind was beginning to howl.... Good timing on my part.

Day 40 part 2.....much to my mother's surprise I have been renamed TACKLEBERRY

2008-10-17T11:09:00.000+01:00

We drove so far around the lake, instead circumnavigating the rest...we took a ferry.
The campsite that was too expensive. Good views though.
The other vehicles on the first day...the guy in the Silver Defender was a fucking cocksmoker. A real "my shit doesn't stink, the world revolves around me and my big dick" kind of guy. Needless to say...we parted ways the next morning. (I really wanted to pop this ball licker in the mouth...a nice hard bitch slap would have felt great. Tony the Tiger "GRRRRRREAT!") He could have just been having a bad day...but ...me thinks not.
My bother-in-law....a different kind of FAIRY we came across...(note woman's handbag)
The first night...we all sat around Steve's mate's tent....talkin shit...smokin and jokin.....DRINKING anything put in front of our faces. This was after a very boozy pub visit as well. About halfway through the night, one of the lads said something about how Americans are crap at the MAN sport of drinking.... I felt the need to "REPRESENT!!!!" Needless to say...said Laddy passed the FOOK OUT..about 2 hours before I clambered into the tent with Lucy. I was completely mullered....have no idea what or how much....What I do know is.....Jagerbombs...taste like shit! Contact highs are possible. I get dizzy looking at this photo....and I put those fuckers to bed! That is the fact...JACK!
( Side note...never ever challenge an ex-US Soldier to drinking games.....it doesn't matter how long it has been since he had a drink...shear willpower and pride will overcome a built up tolerance and bad teeth any day!)

Day 40 Lake Windamere...Where men are men....and SHEEP are scared!

2008-10-17T10:15:00.000+01:00

We dared to go where other, lesser men...cannot....
and my pictures don't do the place justice.
Halfway through the first day we stopped for a brew...the scenery was majestic. This is a place you would have to travel to...to fully appreciate the beauty....
and the smell......
Sadly...this sign has been made because some moron missed the giant lake coming up in front of him.

This is part 1 of 2

Day 39 I got bored.....

2008-10-16T18:32:00.003+01:00

So I painted this.

Oh and I am going out in bro-in-law's Defender this weekend.....camping in the freezing cold...YAY! Hypothermia here we come.

day 38 Things We(lucy and I} can't live with out

2008-10-15T23:22:00.004+01:00

I eat these things like candy......
after Lucy shaves her back...she sometimes shapes her unibrow..... HA HA

Day 37

2008-10-14T21:02:00.002+01:00

Saw this while on a trip to Normandy a couple of years ago.....
The french might not know anything about fighting, bathing or drinking...but when it comes to talking to the "Porcelin God"....they really know how to live!

Day 29 +7

2008-10-13T10:31:00.003+01:00

Well I haven't felt much like doing any blogging for a while... Not like me at all.
To be dead honest I have been really bummin lately. It's been 11 weeks since we sent off my Spousal VISA application. Initially we were both sure it would show up in 4-6 weeks. I applied for jobs...have had some good offers. I have done my best to keep my mind busy...with my wife being the driving force behind that. But I am nearly at the end of my rope some days, at least mentally. My mind was completely clouded. Kind of turning within myself. Not wanting to do anything I used to enjoy. I had set my camera down, stopped writing, didn't want to take any trips.
Then a couple weeks ago my wife and I traveled to Portsmouth. I was on my way to see the UK's reigning expert on PTSD. Dr Morgan O' Connell. I was fairly nervous. I knew he was the MAN to talk to. Probably knows more than a few experts in the states.
While waiting for him down stairs in the Royal Maritime Club....we were introduced to another ex-service member from the British Army....I briefly met him..really just shook his hand..and then went upstairs to talk to the DOC. It was a good experience for me. Doc O'Connell seems like the first person I have spoke to who truly understands the plight of a combat medic. The guy genuinely cares about the people he sees. He treats you with respect and dignity. I trust him. I could tell I was going to trust him as soon as I met him. He dug up somethings from before the war...before when I was in 21...Bosnia...and we began working our way forward. Things I haven't thought about for a number of years. We sat and talked for alittle over an hour.
And then as it began, it was over. We shook hands and parted...probably will see him in early November. I hope so.
Down stairs...Lucy had been chatting to the guy we met. turns out his name is MO...and he too lives in Andover. He passed her his card...told me to give him a call.

Well a week went by before I had the nerve to call. I just grabbed the phone last Wednesday....next thing I know he was stopping by to pick me up. Introducing me to people...
I felt a huge wave of relief spread over me. I was beginning to think I was some kind of social pariah. On Saturday....he picked me up at 6am...Him and his mate(buddy) were going spearfishing. I was just along for the ride. To be near the coast.
I have to say it was nice to be able to be near my ocean again. It has been a good many years since i have been able to sit on the beach and clear my mind of all thoughts.
As I sat there I thought about my life. The places I have been to, people I have met...I know I have had quite a different life then most. Since I was 9 or 10...I started doing things other's only dreamed of. I took a great bit of solace in the fact that I have had a fairly charmed life. I have done so many things I have wanted to do. Seen 4 out 7 continents. Been to 30 + countries. Played instruments in front of huge crowds...via drum and bugle corp..I can imagine it is the same rush rock stars get when they walk out in front of an arena. I fought for my country, saved lives and even delivered babies. I have imparted my knowledge onto others...my family friends and fellow soldiers. I have done well. I don't want to stop now. I think that is what is getting me down. I feel like I am useless. Stagnating....is my worse nightmare. I don't want to become part of the drone. I won't lie and say money doesn't fuel me to some extent. It does. I just don't need millions to be happy. I am happiest when I am traveling. moving.....exploring....and teaching.
Saturday was a godsend for me. I think if I stay on this new path...with some help from my new friends, my wife....I will be fine.
The place we went to is called Durdle Door. It is along the Jurassic Coast. The view front the cliffs is breathtaking! I highly recommend it to anyone needing time to relax or just clear their head.

day 28...Garfield hates Mondays..I don't

2008-10-06T17:35:00.000+01:00

Pretty.

Day 27 When I was 18.....

2008-10-05T09:55:00.001+01:00

moved out of my dad's house 2 days after the last day of high school. Moved to Ventura, to my bro's house up on Poli St. Didn't have a clue what I was doing...Went to Ventura College....played drums...hung out with girls....really didn't do much of anything productive. I spent alot of time walking on this beach, contemplating my future.... This is now right outside my brother's place....looking towards surfer's point.
Had some crazy times there.
Was in the line up once with my buds Skip and Andy...enjoying the crisp ocean air..waiting for our next ride...When a sealion swam between us. We were used to seeing them all the time. Usually fairly playful....getting into mischief....bumping us from our boards. Barking at us....
Well this one morning... the little guy...swam past us like lightning. Didn't stop to say "hi"...we were fairly puzzled. Well this a point, in hindsight we should have maybe paddled in. We didn't...
Within 30 seconds we were aware of another ominous presence in the water. This dark shape circled. My heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest. SKIPPY being the anti-hero he is...not understanding there is safety in numbers....paddled his happy ass into shore. I was frantically looking around for our new "friend." Andy was more quiet than usual. Not the most helpful thing....We couldn't see the bottom..the water was quiet murky. In California the water is clear as day during most of the year. So we were having some great luck huh? Good day to play the lottery....I should have looked up to sky...would have seen snow too.
So there I am....about 150 ft from shore, bobbing in the water like a flipperless seal...an h'oreuve to anything swimming. Well, Andy and I decided to make out way back to shore. Trying to do so without making too much of a splash is difficult. Anyways....we turn around...not the smartest of moves..turning your back on a threat..but considering again what it could be...I didn't think it matter much. That and another set was rolling in...and we thought..we would just ride back in.
Well that was the plan..... and it worked for Andy. Yup...I missed the ride...bad timing. Well I was still freaked out...I put my head on my board.....I knew whatever it was...was just curious. If it was actually here for a meal...one of us would have been breakfast already. I continued paddling in. I just stared at the beach. Imagined how good the dry sand was going to feel between my toes. Looking to my right....there was nothing. Looking to my left, I saw a couple dorsal fins in the waves....and then suddenly gray head emerged right in front of me. My heart skipped a beat...and I started to laugh.... DOLPHINS! We freaked out over a couple of dolphins.

Day 26 Pete Cuzzo's Magical Mystery Tour

2008-10-04T09:13:00.000+01:00

Ok...the Tiger II..this thing was a beast. I was completely amazed at how incredibly huge it is. About 30% bigger than the American Patton Tank or 50% bigger than the Sherman. What a site this must have been to see rumbling at your position in WW2. I would have probably crapped my pants.
The museum was absoluetly the best Tank museum I have ever been to. I have been to a few. The one at Ft Knox doesn't have the variety. The one in Baumholder, Germany had decent variety, but took really shitty care of the vehicle exhibits. Plus this museum has a great replica trech exhibit depicting what life was like for the Doughboys in WW1. Britain obviously takes great pride in their military and preserving it's history.
My wife at the little seaside town of Swanage. It was a fairly wet day. Not too much color. I think people here for the most part hate the rain. I love it myself. In fact I love bad weather....Bad being up for the normal interpretation. bad weather makes great photos....
The day was really cool. I didn't expect the museum..we originally intended to go to Longleet Wild Safari Park. I would have loved that too. Lucy wanted to go to a "Living Rainforest" that is nearby. next time....or maybe this weekend. She loves animals...and plants...so..it would only be fair.
I had a great time on Saturday with her folks and her. I was in dire need of a short trip.

Day 25

2008-10-03T17:30:00.001+01:00

No I am not cynotic.....just dead bored and blue.

As a side note.... I took a few moments to reflect on this day in history.
Most people have no idea what I would be talking about...
This day produced many heros, but there are two from TF Ranger that stand out
MSG G. Gordon and SFC R. Shugart. Check the Medal of Honor website http://www.cmohs.org/recipients.htm
if you want to know who they are and what they did.
God bless them, the men next to them and their families.

Day 24

2008-10-02T12:19:00.000+01:00

Winchester......just taking a stroll.

Day 23 trip to The Royal Maritime Club in Portsmouth

2008-10-01T22:00:00.003+01:00

Just a few pics from out trip today. had to go see a doctor for PTSD today. Usually I don't talk too much about the service anymore. Most people just don't understand what vets do. But this DOC inderstands. He had me talking and thinking about stuff...from 95 to the present. It was a good trip...

Plus I got to spend part of the afternoon with Lucy in Portsmouth....

However we did spend 7 quid on some really SHIT fudge....
dammit.

Day 22 Mint sauce

2008-09-30T14:40:00.003+01:00

Taken at the Danebury ring...on a day Lucy and I attempted to fly a kite....Thing is...we forgot to add WIND!

Day 21

2008-09-29T13:01:00.000+01:00

This rasta man serenaded Lucy and I in Bath, England....with a rendition of Sting's Message in a Bottle.

Day 20 Rebel without a clue....

2008-09-28T14:14:00.000+01:00

Tory was gracious enough to always act completely normal whenever I pulled my camera out. He has been in many pics...but this one, by and far is my personal favorite.

taken in Baumholder Germany.........Jan 2007.

Day 19....and the beat goes on!

2008-09-27T16:44:00.000+01:00

This is my crazy redneck face..... Don't worry I live in the UK now..so I can't shoot you with my rifle anymore. No need for "gun control" here.....of course I am going to have archery lessons soon....

Day 18

2008-09-26T08:20:00.000+01:00

Photoshop is your friend.

Day 17.....

2008-09-25T13:40:00.000+01:00

This is what I have done for months...waiting on my VISA....

Day 16 Neighbor's car

2008-09-24T11:27:00.000+01:00

His friends played a joke on him....Pretty good one.

Day 15 The Ducks

2008-09-23T20:42:00.000+01:00

There's a joke a beautiful woman told sometime ago that goes something like this.

There are three women that die and go to heaven they are standing there wondering how paradise has ducks on the ground everywhere, as far as the eye can see.

St Peter walks up and tells them....that they can do anything they want to, as long as they never step on a duck. With that...he walks away. The three women look at each other puzzled. But then commence to enjoying themselves. Then one of the women stepped on a duck. All three looked at each other again. Here comes ST Peter with the ugliest man either of them had ever seen. We walked up to the woman, told her she would now spend eternity with this gentleman and walked away. Sometime went, the two women were having agreat time..... Then as you can imagine one of them stepped on a duck. here comes St Peter...ugly guy in tow....she began to cry.

Years later the 3rd woman still hadn't stepped on a duck. One day...she looks in the distance and see's St Peter with the most attractive man she ever laid two eyes on. He walks up to her, drops him off, and walks away. Standing there smitten....She asks "What did I do to deserve this?" The man answers...." I don't know, but I shouldn't have stepped on that DUCK!"

Day 14

2008-09-22T09:22:00.001+01:00

Just something I noticed while strolling through a camp ground in Glastonebury.

Day 13

2008-09-21T22:53:00.002+01:00

Seen in Winchester in the window of a local restaurant.

Day 12 My phobia

2008-09-20T20:32:00.003+01:00

This biggie lives in our garden. She is fookin huge. Big evil fangs.....

Day 11 Money

2008-09-19T17:47:00.002+01:00

I have kept bills from nearly everyplace I have ever traveled to. With the exception of the Hungarian Florint(my friend Dave gave it to me),India, and Philippeans (My brother).
Otherwise....what you see is what I got.
I love money..not just for the obvious economical purpose. I love the designs, and mostly the historica significance of some of it. My two favorite are from Iraq...One with Saddam (old), and one without him (new).

Day 10 obligatory "Kitten takes a nap" photo

2008-09-18T11:09:00.008+01:00

Ahhhhh to be able to sleep as well as Chili. The "Red Baron" as I like to call her for her hunter-killer technique when she is stalking spiders. This incredibly cute kitten has a bipolar side to her...and when she isn't trying to chew on my elbows, or swipe at my tally-wacker when I get out of the shower...she is hunting the most evil evils...The Hobo Spider. The other night at 3 am....she brought me a gift while I was on the XBOX. She came trotting in from presumably the bedroom....stopped near me..and spit out a beast of an arachnid right next to my foot. She began to purr to me, as if to say.."Look dad..I brought you a gift...I love you"... Mr Spider tried in vain to make it to the safety of under the door. Kitty pounced...and proceeded to hold it under her paw...lift up...let it walkan inch..and squish it again. A cruel display of torture in the animal kingdom. When Mr Spider was praying for a swift death...kittty chewed off his back legs. This went on for 15 minutes or so....Finally when the spider was twittling along..she ate him. Purred...and decided....it was nap time. She had done her duty for the night. The house was safe

Day 9 Bike ride

2008-09-18T11:09:00.004+01:00

When I stress out lately... I get on my bike...and just ride. Doesn't matter where....1-4 hours later. I feel better. My head is clear. PLus the air here is cleaner then where I was at in the states. So it makes for some good time killing....

Day 8 a life defining moment for me...and my friends

2008-09-16T14:32:00.003+01:00

Cpl I. Garza
PFC R. Parker
PFC N. Crombie

(This s two journal entries I typed up when I was in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. I don't necessarily feel the exact same way as I did back then. I was fairly disgruntled..and stressed out. But up until these two days I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life at all. I was aimlessly wondering from place to place.... Figuratively in my own mind. I was lost. I hadn't proven myself..to myself yet. These two days really brought life up close and personal. I didn't appreciate much before then. Up until these moments...The Army for me was something different. Something alittle more or less like a kid playing war. I knew bad things happened. I knew war wasn't something to laugh at. But the ultimate cost hadn't ever really hit home. I had many tours of duty in a vastly different world. On june 5th 2006..when the first bullet slammed into the side of the track near my left ear....I woke up...COMPLETELY! I witnessed young boys become men. I witnessed my best friends become my heros. )

5 June 2006
Scrappy said I was a hero yesterday. I have never been called that before. It feels odd.
I was on QRF yesterday with Parker. Our gunner was SGT. Maroquin. At 7am Parker said “We are probably going to roll out today!” I figured he was right, but I didn’t take it too serious. Right in the middle of our 2nd game of spades (14:00) SPC Darlington came running up to us and said it was time for us to spin up; there was a large explosion at check point #3. For about a half a second we glanced at each other and then we bolted for our track. Three minutes later with all of our gear on, rounds in the chamber, we were sitting at Ogden Gate waiting on our security elements.
We had to wait for about 30 minutes for these assholes to pull their heads out.
Sgt. Elliot finally came off the gate and told Parker we had to roll out the gate and meet up at the abandoned gas station, at the same time I gathered the same info off the Dealer Main net. Charlie rock was our escort out to ECP #3 (Entry Control Point), an overpass about 2 miles east
Of Ogden Gate.
During the 8-9 minute ride to ECP #3 I was alone with my thoughts in the back of the vehicle. I prepped it to receive casualties, continually listening to the radio for anymore directions or clue on how many casualties we might receive, and oddly enough I said a prayer. I prayed for my safety, and for guidance. This was out of character for me.
As we pulled up on the scene it didn’t appear to be really dangerous from appearances, a lot of soldiers were just sitting around a couple were taking cover. The vehicle stopped, I grabbed a trauma bag, the ramp lowered and immediately we started taking sniper fire!
An injured group of Iraqi soldiers rushed inside the vehicle as I jumped out to look for other injured. The first one I saw was a complete shock to my system. Garza was about 10 meters away; his face was all bloody, clothes in tatters. He didn’t have his IBA on…although I remember seeing it vaguely (a bloody mess). Parker jumped out of the driver’s hatch and was on the ground with me in seconds. Garza ran up to the track and started yelling at the wounded Iraqis to clear their weapons. These assholes started discharging rounds a foot away from me into the bottom of my M113. Bullets ricocheted around the inside.
Then it happened!
One of the Iraqi soldiers on the back ramp, directly in front of me (as I was checking him out on my knees), to the right of parker was hit by the sniper(s) in his upper left thigh. He went down like a ton of bricks. He started crawling down the back ramp leaving crimson streaking my ramp. Parker and I immediately pulled him off the ramp onto the ground and started treating him. I grabbed the trauma shears; parker grabbed the kerlix and 6inch ace and started to wrap the wound while I held pressure. Explosions started going off to the left side of the track, I am not sure where or at what distance. Parker and I moved this guy around to the right side of the track. The sniper fire kept coming in. About 25 meters away the Lieutenant(of QRF) opened his door and stepped out. As soon as his right foot touched ground METAL HIT FLESH!! A bullet tore his calf muscle apart. We didn’t realize it at first… CPL Garza, taking cover in front of the track, screamed “HE NEEDS A MEDIC NOW!!” . Parker jumped up with his aid bag and headed off. I stayed with my patient and was trying to start an IV. CRACK!!! Another explosion! Large shrapnel landed right where Parker was previously standing seconds before. TING, TING, SNAP!
Sniper bullets hitting near me on the right side of the track now. I heard one whiz right past my left ear. I grabbed the Iraqi soldier under his armpits and moved him around the front side of the track, next to Garza and some other soldiers. The guy’s leg was continuing to bleed. Anderson, a medic from 2-6, saw that I didn’t have any supplies and rushed from his safe haven to mine. He tossed me an ETD (Emergency trauma dressing), he tore off the previous bandage, and together we bandaged this guy’s leg. At this point it gets a little hazy for me. For the first time since we arrived I took a look around at my surroundings. To my right I had about 4-6 soldiers hiding behind a humvee, what ever exploded around the barriers was still having secondary explosions, and black smoke was billowing up from it. The soldiers who I initially thought were just sitting on the barrier were taking cover behind a humvee on their knees. Most of which were already wounded. To my left I saw two Humvees returning fire to an unseen enemy. To the rear of the track, my front, a Bradley pulled up and was returning fire with the 25 mike mike (25 mm gun). We passed around a bottle of water. Casualties were beginning to pile up at my location. Within a couple minutes I had about 15. With Doc Anderson we did a quick triage for critically injured. Called in additional medical support, took a quick glance around and decided it was time to move….(more than likely it was because I saw Parker come charging back to the track escorted by a SEAL). With the help of Garza, SSG Rinehart, and DOC Anderson we carried the wounded Iraqi into the track and put him on a litter. From there I had to do a quick triage. I made sure all the American soldiers got into the vehicle I had to literally kick some of the wounded out so I would have room for the more critically wounded and my American counterparts. I will never let a wounded Iraqi take the place of a wounded American. Maybe it’s cruel, but I know who is on my side, with the Iraqis we have no idea who actually plays for both teams.
Getting back to what was going on. We raised the ramp….at that point we had two Americans and three Iraqis. The SEAL who helped Parker, directed a Bradley to cover our rear as we backed up to the downed LT, simultaneously providing cover for a litter team. I could still hear rounds whizzing by the vehicle, although I am not sure on if they were ours or theirs at this point.
The track pulled up near the humvee and once again dropped the ramp, Cpl. Garza and SSG Rinehart jumped out to aid in loading the LT…I pulled him in the already cluttered and track…Now I had to literally kick the two Iraqi wounded off, due to lack of space. Garza and Rinehart got back on the track, Parker raised the ramp and with a security escort we proceeded to evac our casualties. Inside the track now, I had to check my casualties for secondary injuries, make sure they weren’t going into shock, and continuously check their wounds. I looked up out of the rear hatch for a brief instant just in time to see an RPG whoosh over! The explosion was kind of distant so I doubt that anyone was injured. It was maybe 3-5 feet above our track… My head started to spin and I fought the urge to vomit. Telling myself I don’t have time for that shit I continued checking soldiers. I also tried to call up Conquer Main to give a report of what I had coming in, but my radio was out. Pissed off I tossed my hand mike. The LT(lieutenant) had a GSW in his left shin that was fairly bad, and was in a lot of pain. I was keeping it elevated with my own legs. I administered oxygen attempted an IV to no avail, and gave morphine. He was stable and doing well. Parker patched him up pretty good. Garza was sitting in the rear left corner of the track with shrapnel wounds to his forehead, right cheek, right arm, upper back and right hip was stable and alert (but very much in shock). SSG Rinehart was sitting opposite of Garza, had a good size piece of shrapnel in his left shoulder, and some other minor bleeding. The most critically injured was the Iraqi soldier. This guy had sustained a GSW to his left upper thigh (no exit wound). The bullet track was more than likely down through his knee. He had severe bleeding into his thigh muscle. I watched his leg swell considerably (on the way back to FOB Ramadi). While I was getting tossed around in the back of the track I almost laid flat upon him to put a CAT tourniquet on his upper thigh. This was very difficult. The tourniquet was almost too small. He was thrashing around, I think because he knew if he was getting a tourniquet he was probably going to lose his leg. Not only that but tourniquets fucking hurt!!! I would freak out too. He started crying I assume for his mother, wife or girlfriend as I couldn’t understand him. This was tough watching him cry. I felt so helpless. I didn’t know what else I could do for this man. I just tried to keep him cool, I gave him a small amount of water and I tried to keep the dust and sun out of his eyes. I tried to tell him he would be okay.
The ride back took only a few minutes, but it seemed like an eternity. I was completely dehydrated when Garza again looking out for his soldiers when he should have been worried about himself, passed around another bottle of cool water. It felt like heaven. This gift truly out gift giving in perspective. Truly the most wonderful thing anyone had ever given me. I made sure my gunner and Parker got a swallow of it. Parker says it was great too. It’s amazing how something so simple can make you feel so good.
Approximately 58 minutes after we received the call, we pulled into Charlie Med, Parker dropped the ramp, and their litter crews started pulling my patients off the vehicle. I helped getting them off as best I could, but I was pretty well spent of all energy. I must reiterate how completely dehydrated I was. My uniform was drenched with sweat. I had sweat all the way from my head to my knees. I was soaked. I was at the point of passing out. I could barely speak initially. Standing outside the track I looked into it. There was blood on the floor, on the litters; there were the remnants of some pants and a bloody boot. I felt increasingly dizzy, so I started to stagger away from the vehicle. A couple of people from the aid station walked up to me and asked me what I saw officially. How many more wounded? Who? Marines? Army? Iraqi? What kind of wounds? What happened? How long did it take to get back? ECT….I stumbled towards some shade and collapsed. My head was spinning. One of the soldiers walked up and gave me a bottle of water; I made sure they gave one to Parker and Sgt. Maroquin. I drank that bottle fairly quick.
I also finally took my gloves off. My hands were pruned with sweat, skin was peeling off.
I took my IBA off and sat on the ground. Some female SGT came to watch over me, and told me to go sit on a bench. She tried to help me take off my top, but being the asshole I am I declined help and did it myself. I must have looked terrible when I stepped off the track, because everyone tried to take care of me too. I sat on that bench for a good long while. Parker moved the track and came back over to me. Remembering now, he was the one that had the SGT come over to watch me. Thank god. He really looked out for me. We looked out for each other yesterday. It was a horrible event, but I think Parker and I will be better friends for it.
A lot of people have talked to me about what we did. What did we do...? We did our job.
7 June 2006
Last night Parker and I again had QRF. Our shift started at 6:45pm on 6/6/06.
I don’t usually believe in stupid shit like jinxes, but our shift was doomed from the start.
At 17:30 Camp Ramadi was under mortar attack. Parker, Schroeder and I were on our way to chow…about a hundred meters from our tent. The sirens went off and the automated “INCOMING, INCOMING, INCOMING….TAKE COVER”. We dove between two Humvees. Seconds later the rounds started impacting pretty close to our position, or so we thought. Schroeder finally used that big head of his for something other than whining, he opened the door yelled; “GET THE FUCK INSIDE THE HUMVEES!!!” We jumped inside. Within seconds the attack was over. We all got out and started to look around to see where they hit. Some where between 3-6 rounds hit the FOB. About 200 meters from where we were at there was a building on fire. We all took off immediately to get aid bags/ trauma bags. I jumped in the FLA with SGTs Monk and Lewis. We drove straight to the fire. We didn’t incur any injured. Although Parker and some of the guys ran to assist the soldier who were hit it was a futile attempt. One soldier had been ripped in two, the other passed away as Myers carried his limp body in the door. In all total the mortar attack killed 2 soldiers and wounded 1. We were very lucky if we would have left and 5 minutes earlier we might not be here.
At 0300 last night PV2 Crombie was not so lucky. We lost the first soldier in 1-35, a medic. Parker and I rolled up on the scene. We initially thought we would be transporting live soldiers, when we dropped the ramp, we found out the live ones left five minutes before we got there. The ramped dropped and I followed a soldier in B 2-6 to a pile of flesh, bone and blood that used to be their platoon leader. It was horrifying. He was completely mangled, I don’t even remember seeing a face or head. He was on the ground next to a destroyed humvee. His legs were missing, as was an arm…his intestines were gone. There is no way anyone could recognize this young man. I felt awful picking him up to put him on the litter. He had a piece of metal stuck to him, through him. We tried to pry it loose but it just wouldn’t give. We put what was left of him on the litter. We slowly walked to the vehicle and put him inside. I had Parker and Sgt Wilson cover him with a blanket. His soldiers were watching us, I assumed through nvgs. I wanted them to know we treated him with respect. (Before I move on, I want to say that parker and I also walked the perimeter and picked up any body parts we could find.)
We walked back to the vehicle, because our job wasn’t over yet. I, with Parker’s help, tried to pry the next soldier out of the vehicle. I couldn’t get him out no matter how hard I pulled, he was stuck on the wires, and inner workings. I looked at this soldiers face and initially I thought he was a young black soldier. His face was ashen. His lips were pursed and swollen. I completely didn’t think it was anyone I knew. I was in a way relieved. Parker came over to aid me in this gruesome task. We decided we would have to cut off the IBA. That’s when it went from bad, to fucking horrible. The IBA came off, and we both saw his name tag. It was Crombie. Then I looked at the face. It WAS Crombie. My heart sank, my stomach turned and I felt totally flush…We both did the right thing. Parker had to cut wires before we could pull him out. His legs were mush, but we had to cut them off with medical shears, he had a massive gaping wound below his chin, the back of his head was blown out, and he had a huge gash on his back, gashed on his buttocks. He felt like 200 pounds of rubber mush. His pants were torn off exposing his genitals. All I could think of was “why?” Why did he have to be there? Why was he so damned determined to join the army, rushing off to war? For what a fucking Combat Medical Badge? Honor? Save lives? Hero status? Well, he is a hero now.
Unfortunately, someone else will tell his mother this when they hand her his flag. Fuck this stupid ass war!!! I regret every day re-enlisting. When this tour is over I will never look back.
After we loaded the vehicle, I got in the back. I rode the entire way back a foot a way from my dead buddy. I could smell the oil and blood mixture, it was nauseating at best. I choked back tears, and fought the urge to shoot rounds randomly into windows of houses as we passed by them. I tried to tell myself they were just soldiers sleeping under the blankets. Unfortunately, soldiers don’t usually bleed when they sleep. My uniform is a fucking mess. I have blood all over my IBA, my sleeves…I smell of death. Even after a shower I can’t get rid of that smell. I can’t get rid of the picture in my head. This awesome young guy, this drummer guy, always smiling, always positive. He didn’t even get the chance to hate this shitty unit as much as I do. What a fucked up world this is.
I just want to go home to my wife and live out our plan.
Tonight at 22:00, there will be an Angel Flight. I will go. I will say goodbye to another hero….to my friend.

Day 7 proper

2008-09-15T19:29:00.003+01:00

Sometime last year Lucy and I took a trip to Marwell Zoo....Needless to say

..Lucy was yelled at for feeding this little guy a cheesey hula hoop....Well Mr Meerkat was none too happy when she stopped. POOR MR MEERKAT!

Day 7 minus 1

2008-09-15T02:04:00.003+01:00

nuff said.......

Day 7 minus 2 Saturday.......

2008-09-15T01:57:00.002+01:00

I had to come all the way to the UK to see the General Lee.....

We took a short roadtrip to the coast. Little town called Poole....and Sandbanks Beach.

It was a pleasant little place for a day out. Poole is a place I would like to come back and see again.

Hopefully these are pictures Lucy hasn't stolen again for her page...

Day 4 Where is my damn VISA at?

2008-09-12T19:37:00.002+01:00

This garden snail has a better chance at earning money right now......

Day 3...Pic-Ledbetter Beach

2008-09-11T23:43:00.003+01:00

Sometimes all anyone has to do is open their front door and find paradise. Some just have to open their eyes.

I, myself am guity of bitching about all the stuff I don't have...or wish I could do. Places I want to go to. Things I wish I could buy. I, myself am guilty of being jealous of things other people have.

Sometimes I, myself get pissed off too....at the lame things I hear people say. How great their home isn't, or how bad their country sucks. And on occasion I hear someone say something like this, and I feel sad for them. Some of them will never know paradise.

When I was a kid i grew up on the edge of it....I never even knew it. I lived in a town that was/is so beautiful...most people only dream of a place like this. A place where in the morning you can take a long strole on the beach, smelling crisp ocean air...watching brown pelicans skimming the surface of the water in search of that perfect catch. At lunch..you are taking your mountain bike through the Las Padres National Forest, swing off the rope at Red Rock...have a picnic. In the evening....have a few pints at a pub..and hit state street and enjoy a movie at the Arlington Theater.....or just sit in your garden and watch the stars.

Tonight I was just reflecting on my roots...and what I don't have at the moment. Thing is..maybe I should be thinking about what I do have....

Opportunity.

Small, nice flat...with wonderful wife.

A frig full of food.

I'm watching awidescreen tv...

I'm not too hot, nor too cold.

I have love.

I have music.

I have an XBOX.

I have my health.

I have family and a great group of friends.

More importantly...

I have someone else's paradise.....so maybe I shouldn't bitch.

Day 1 .......part 2 My beautiful wife...

2008-09-10T01:17:00.001+01:00

She will probably kill me for this one...

The guy behind the lense......Day 1

2008-09-09T23:38:00.000+01:00

Well this is the guy behind the lense...