Miss -- and Not (to be continued)

In addition to family, friends, co-workers, members, (you know who you are),

Here are Some Things I Miss:
Batia & Aleeza (Batia, Bea, Roni and Sabla)
Golden Spoon
Morningstar Farms
Orville Redenbacher 93% fat free
Lunch at KY&L
Signal Hill
Meetings (Tuesday and Saturday)
Meetings (Friday and Sunday)
Target
Nordstrom
E-Street Radio
3719 Brayton
My Star of David necklace
Indoor bathrooms
HelpDesk!!
Ken and Sal at the front door
Lynda and cookies every Monday morning
White
Clean fingernails
Dew
Pedicures

and Some Things I Don't Miss:
Grocery shopping
Make-up
3” Heels
Driving
Traffic
405/710
Flushing (highly overrated)
Gossip
Cash
Mildew
Elevators
Squeeky door and stairs to my apartment
Alarm at 0500 on Saturday mornings
Ringing telephones and being paged
Faxes, photocopies and scanning
Opening bills

It's Not Really Now, It's Then

I’m writing this on Word and then transferring to my blog so that the events are not tied to specific dates.

We were very slow at the USO for a couple of days: no marines, two persons from air force who are attached to navy and just one army battalion in camp. Lots of time to clean up, organize, read and I even left early one evening. (Thank you Mike-E.)

It is pouring rain right now, the most since I’ve been here for the longest amount of time. Hopefully the water will settle the sand and wash away some of the dust. I hope it slows long enough for me to get to the DFac for lunch. I’ve gotten this far in life without missing a meal; don’t want to start now.

We had a party for the British contingency the other evening. I don’t know why, because there’s nothing special going on with them, but for some reason Joe decided to host a bar-b-que. We set up the grill, pulled out the food, invited 10 people and 40 showed up, which is exactly how it was supposed to happen. We had hot dogs, steak, hamburgers, chips, Monsters and soda. (Monsters are the big deal around here. They keep people awake when they don’t have time or inclination to sleep.) Games we played included Frisbee, Halo and annoy the USO employees. There was a lot of laughing in English and American. I didn’t bring my camera but Danni and Rick took lots of pictures, some of which I hope they delete, others of which I hope they will send to me so that I can share on my blog. I’m supposed to go somewhere with the Brits this week because they have a “no travel” day which coincides with my day off. Whatever they’re doing, I’m doing it with them. Gerry, Rick, Keith, Danni and Patch are like family.

Hatfield picked up two bottles of Old Spice shower soap for me the last time he was at Buhering. I so hope that I don’t forget these in the shower. I still miss my Ax.

I was talking to one guy a couple of days ago. He told me the things in life he loves the most are his wife, the Baby Jesus, Texas and the USO. He said he used to include the [Dallas] Cowboys and the Army on his list, but now it’s just down to those four: his wife, Baby Jesus, Texas and the USO. That was another day knowing exactly why I’m here.

I found Joe and Eddie on-line and a bunch of other fabulous music too. Unfortunately I cannot download. When I try, I get a notice that says the items are unavailable to me because I’m not in the USA. How the f=== does Amazon know where I am?

Leslie Jenkins sent me a box of newspapers, mostly Press Telegram. Makes me homesick. It’s good to see that the Fosters, Chief Batts, the Lowenthals and Evan Braude are all doing fine without me. Can’t wait to read “ Seen at the Scene” for the KY&L Long Beach Grand Prix party.

Life is extremely good and I am very happy here, but I do miss my sweet kids (and their significant others), sister, buddies, friends, co-workers, jobs, you and life in Long Beach a lot.

Interesting People

There's one really tall guy who came into the USO for a few days last week. I kept hearing him say to people, "Six-nine. Yeah. Hahahaha." I told him he should get a button that says, "I'm six nine; yes, I played basketball in college. The air is fine up here." He's too nice a guy to do that though. He's a lawyer with JAG. I told him he should look us up when/he gets to Long Beach but he doesn't particularly like Jones Act.

As I was leaving the USO last night a marine was walking next to me and asked me where the bathrooms are located. I told him I was going there (some things never change) so we walked together. (The latrines are about 50 feet from the USO.) During that short walk (30 seconds or so) he told me he was excited to be on his way back to the states but that he was going home to get a divorce. A week after he left his wife started cheating on him, they tried to work it out, but now she is pregnant (not his kid). They already have one kid and have (had) been married less than a year. I still cannot get over that his story is so common. You don't hear on the news about the horrible toll that war is taking on families; not just those who are physically injured, but emotionally defeated as well.

Stepping off my soap box; taking a nap.

Giftage, Illusions and a Mission - 25 March 2009

Last week received box from Karen K. (yay Pool Girls!!) overflowing with goodies. Now the guys from the mid-West and East coast know why we like See's candy so much. They do too. There were 3 one-pound boxes that disappeared within a few hours. We loved the cookies, brownies, nuts, popcorn, etc., etc. It's wonderful to know you are thinking of me/us and it's just way too much fun to see the troops. I wish I could tell you how much we/they appreciate your thoughtfulness.

I received my mural. Just need to paste it up on the wall. Then when I sit on the bed it will seem like I'm staring out at the ocean.

One thing that has bothered me the most since I've been at Camp Virginia are the DFac breakfast hours. The DFac is open 1100 - 1330 for lunch, 1730 - 2000 for dinner and 2330 - 0130 for midnight grub, but they are open 0530 only until 0800 for breakfast! That means if I want to eat breakfast at the DFac I need to get up at 0700!?! I work until midnight or later, come back home, read for awhile and then go to sleep. Do they really think I should get up at 0700 after going to sleep at 0130? after fewer than 6 hours of sleep? That's ridiculous! I'm filling out evaluation forms and may write a formal letter of protest later this afternoon. I cannot believe in this day and age that breakfast on an American military base does not run at least until 0900. Won't you join me in supporting this important cause?

(BTW - if I don't get to breakfast at DFac I go to Green Beans [open 24/7] and get a triple-espresso-non-fat-Chai-iced thing with a muffin. Although it's not healthy at all, if I eat that I'm not hungry [or tired] again until mid-afternoon. However, with tip, it costs six friggin' USD!) (Another BTW: McDonald's was closed for a few days for repairs, but now they are back up and running: 0900 - 0200. What a relief.)

Life goes on. I miss your hugs.
xxxooo
bon

The Name Game - 25 March 2009 (and Gel)

All of the troops that come in to the USO must sign in, but then if they want to use a phone, movie, game or computer we put them on a wait list (if necessary) and then take their ID while they borrow our equipment. Therefore we get to see most of their names. Here at Camp Virginia everyone looks basically the same (athletic build, very short hair, one of 6 or 7 basic outfits) but I've seem some really interesting last names, many with fascinating stories to accompany them. What's interesting to me is that the names come in bunches. Of course we always have a lot of Johnsons, Smiths, Rodriguezes and Gonzales, and this week we've had at least 6 Wilsons while I was on duty last night. A couple of weeks ago we had a Fitzsimmons, Fitzgerald and Fitzpatrick all on the same day; nothing similar before or since. We'll get 3 or 4 Fishers (Fischers) at once and then won't see any for weeks. A couple of days ago there were five Torreses in one evening. I mentioned something and this 20-year old kid said, "Yeah, three of us are cousins. We all joined the army on the same day and now we're all deployed together." How cool is that?? Last night we had two guys with the same (very uncommon) name. I thought someone had messed up our lists, but they were sitting next to each other on the computers. Both Marine corporals, both about the same age, neither knew the other but they both had the same last name. Haven't seen any Bachenheimers yet.

Update: Since then we've had (on the same day and that I remember) two Heimers, two Clevelands and two Justaces, none of whom are related.

On another unrelated but equally important note, I left my soap in the bathroom AGAIN! That's three times!! It's a good thing they pay me well because I'm supplying the population of Bangladesh with Ax shower gel.

Random Thoughts, Happenings and Events - 20 March 2009

We had a St. Patrick’s Day party on March 17th. The troops played beer pong, we served Irish stew, potatoes with cabbage, green beer, chips, cookies and candies (thanks to Alexis, Kathleen and Beverly/KY&L). The celebration was loud and boisterous, everyone stayed from 1900 to past midnight. They left a mess and the latrines were trashed. I think we forgot to tell the partygoers that it was near-beer because I’d swear everyone acted like they were drunk.

They’ve put a barrier at the end of our “block,” between me and the latrine. When I stumble (no exaggeration) to the bathroom at night I have to zig/zag on the way (zag/zig) on the way back, and it’s 64 steps instead of 60. Is there no end to life’s challenge?

I ordered a really cool mural for my "apartment." It's 12' x 8.5'; a picture of a porch and the ocean. My friend asked me what my roommate thought of the mural. I guess I should tell my roommate before I put up this huge picture.

We have new USO shirts for SWA. I told Jonathan I had a bit of an issue wearing this shirt with the bright flags of Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait and Afghanistan stitched on the front. I told him I was going to take my shirt to one of the embroidery shops (two here at Camp Virginia) and have the Israeli flag embroidered at the top. ========= We had to call two teams of paramedics to revive Jonathan. When he came to, he asked me not to put the Israeli flag on anything. I guess he thinks that’s not a good idea.

I have "respite" for two days in April. Instead of going to some fancy hotel, I'm going to take April 8 and 9 to hopefully attend Passover seders at Camp Arafjahn those two days. Good timing. Send matzo, macaroons, haggadot, candies, etc. I'll find a way to make my own kugle, tsimmis and charoset. Joe said he'd go with me and be an honorary Jew for a Day (or two).

They will do our laundry for free here. However, the laundry place is pretty far away (10 minute walk) and you need to give them 24 hours to do the laundry and when it's returned the clothes are not dirty, but they sure don't smell clean. There's also some weird Arabic markings on my sox; or maybe that says "Hanes;" it's difficult to tell. Anyway, I'm going to go back to doing my own laundry. (There's some in the dryer right now.) The machines are close, I don't need to be naked for a day and my clothes smell good. I can do one load of whites with only two socks in it if I want.

Was chatting with this guy (24 years old) while he was sitting at the computer. I asked him if he had done a UTR. He said no because his son is too young and his daughter lives in a hospital. His five year old daughter has cystic fibrosis, cannot talk because of the trach and probably will live in hospital for the rest of her short life. He showed me pictures of his kids and seems to have a great attitude. Then he told me that cystic fibrosis is hereditary and that he had the carrier gene. He said 11 days after his daughter was diagnosed his wife left him with a note taped to the TV that said, "I will never forgive you for what you've done to our daughter." His son is from a second wife who left him in October telling him that she didn't like that he was away so much [in the Army]. I know every story has two sides and I know I'm hearing the twenty minute version, but it seems this scenario is waaaayyyy too common for the military. This guy doesn't (seem to) feel sorry for himself, he's just matter of fact about the whole situation. I was eating lunch with him yesterday and one of his buddies comes by and says, "So, how are the wife and kids." OK. So that was a bit awkward. His face fell, but then he recovered. This guy is due to leave today, but we the only think I can send with him is prayers. I told him I was going to put him in my blog too (without his name). He said that was ok.

Signing off. I need to eat lunch early since I work 1400 - 2200 today and Sunday (instead of my usual 1600 - 2400). cheers; be well; take care; lots of hugs; send prayers for our troops.

xxxooo bon

The Reasons - 19 March 2009

Cliché alert – cliché alert – cliché alert – cliché alert – cliché alert – cliché alert.

Almost every day someone will ask me why I’m here working at the USO in Kuwait. I tell them that I was volunteering at the USO @ LAX and really enjoyed it, so I decided to request an 18 month leave from my job(s), take a 50% pay cut, sublet my apartment, return my car and fly to a country where I (Jew/sabra) am definitely not welcome to share a small hut in 130 degree summer heat because I thought it would be fun. I’ve been at Camp Virginia exactly five weeks, and to tell you the truth, it is fun. The days are pretty much all the same, except my once a week day off when I have time to do laundry. We are a small group of USO employees on a military base with 80% of the personnel changing daily. We get our limited world view from AFN/CNN and the Stars and Stripes. So what’s to like?

I finally figured out that I liked USO @ LAX and I like USO at Camp Virginia so much because there is an abundance of humility. Most of us are here because we are doing something for someone or something else. We are not goody goodies (at least I’m not) and I’m sure every single person at Camp Virginia has his or her own personal motive for being in the military or working at the base. Because or despite that, it seems to me there is an incredible overflow of humble people. Even the TCNs who empty the latrines, rake the rocks, fix the lights and clean the tents seem to be in a grateful mode. They are all genuinely friendly and gracious – and no Jordan, they are not just nice to me because I’m female.

I love getting boxes from home and sharing with the troops. It is so heartwarming to watch the soldiers when we make popcorn for them or deliver candies, snacks and cookies. Every one of them seems so happy, elated and overwhelmed. It’s beyond the troops’ comprehension that they
are doing us the service. They are so delighted with the support. Every time someone asks me how much something costs (use of the phones or Internet, calling cards, X-Box or Play Station game time) and I tell them that everything in our building is free, I see a half second of incomprehension; it takes them that long to catch on that the USO is for their benefit.

It’s amazing to me how much our troops are doing for us, how proud they are to serve their country, how much love they have for their post, how young and innocent most of them are and how much they truly do not realize their huge contributions.

I wish you could see what I see. Cases in point:

1. Almost everyone says a silent prayer before eating.

2. Alexis, Kathleen (USO@LAX) and Beverly/KY&L sent Girl Scout cookies. I gave a few boxes to some marines who were playing dominoes. They were so eager to choose their favorite kind, i.e., peanut butter, purple ones, Thin Mints, lemon cookies; every one of the 5 got their own box. You’d have thought I bought them each a car! They protected the cookies like a beloved friend, not wanting to let go and very reluctantly sharing. They could not tell me enough how much they loved, supported and were grateful to the Girl Scouts and how happy they were to have GS cookies. They couldn’t stop talking about how wonderful the Girl Scouts are.

3. I was restocking the water fridge. One 19-year-old came over to tell me in his charming Southern accent, “This USO is wonderful. Thank you ma’am. I really appreciate everything you do for us.” (The feeling is mutual sweetheart.)

4. The USO was closed yesterday for a very much needed computer upgrade. I went over to get some movies and when I stepped out the front door there were 7 soldiers who were very upset that we were not open. They explained they were in camp for only one day and really wanted to check out our USO. One guy said to his buddies, “I guess I’ll have to buy myself a shaving razor.” I went inside and got two bags of snack mix, two bags of blue corn Doritos, 7 USO courtesy kits (with shampoo, lotion, lip balm, etc.), 7 disposable razors and 7 beers (non-alcoholic). When I brought them out the guys they said things like, “Thank you ma’am. We love you. You cannot know how much we really appreciate this.” They also said, “You are our hero.” I told them that they had that part back ass-wards. Amazing that it takes so little to make so many people so happy.

5. This afternoon I put out a bowl of chips for some guys playing Scrabble. One jokingly asked, “Do you have any dip ma’am?” I emptied 4 bags of ranch dressing into a small plastic bowl (left over from the party two days before) and put it on the table. The pandemonium was incredible. Again, you’d have thought I bought each of these guys a car.

The Windy City - 10 March 2009

This morning got up to go to breakfast. It was so warm I didn’t know if I should take a jacket, so I compromised and put all my stuff is in the pockets of my KY&L vest and wore that. Thank heavens, because when I came out of the DFac after eating breakfast for 27 minutes, the temperature had dropped 20 degrees and a sandstorm had kicked up. Which is why I’m typing this on Word and then transferring into my Blog. No Internet in a sandstorm. When I got to the USO our cleaning guy (Soli) was waiting for me to open up. He was all bundled up and was wearing a mask to protect him from the sand. I gave him hug and let him in to he could begin clean. Turns out it wasn’t Soli (it’s his day off) but some other guy I’d never seen before. He was glad he got a hug though.

Goodies Galore - 16 March 2009

OK, the computer issues have not been fun, but I did receive three boxes today. One from Amazon with some books I ordered for UTR; one from Ms. Alexis Lewis (the second from her!) with GS cookies and Trader Joe's snacks. GS cookies are already gone; they disappeared minutes after their arrival. We do love Rolling Stone, One huge box from Kathleen Salmas from USO @ LAX. I've never even met Kathleen but I love her already. Huge bags and boxes of cookies, candies, popcorn and more cookies. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The troops LOVE the snacks. Quite a few have said to me that they really like the USO at Camp Virginia because it feels comfortable, like home. You ladies sending supplies rock, rock, rock.

Help, Helpdesk! Help!! - March 12-16, 2009

This has got to be one of the most frustrating weeks ever. The worst part has been my new computer. I tried to buy one last week, but the only one the PX had to sell me was the floor model. I waited for the PX to bring one in from Camp Buhering, but there was a sandstorm and the roads were closed, my purchase was delayed a day. I finally got the computer I wanted and LH said he would bring some programs for me but he had some family issues, so he was also delayed one day. Then the programs were on but I had to purchase a prepaid Internet card, but the store was closed for lunch -- the only time I could get there. The next day I purchased my monthly Internet pass, but alas, when I got everything to my room, nothing worked. I went to the PX to figure out what to do. I attracted a meeting of six "knowledgeable gentlemen." One told me I needed a split so that Bettie (my roommate) and I could use the Internet at the same time; one guy told me I just needed another cord; one guy told me I needed a longer cord; one guy told me I needed a router; one guy told me there was nothing wrong with my computer or Internet, I just needed to move; another guy said he had an Ethernet switch in his shop, I just needed to follow him back there. Seriously. It was a 25 minute cluster f--k! I did the only thing I possibly could have done under the circumstances; I bought a pair of black Crocks (shoes) and left.

Two days later (today) I spent 45 minutes at the Wataniya phone/Internet shop while the guy there tried to get my computer to work. He spent most of the 45 minutes on the phone with another guy from India. Couldn't get it to work. I finally took my computer back home, started it up again and it worked -- for awhile. Before it shut down, that is. It took me 3 minutes to get onto the Internet, 2 minutes to get to my blog and 45 f---ing minutes to get to my blog in English. OK. I admit, I'm a little pissed and frustrated. JUSTIN! JOSE! CHRIS! I'm sending you plane tickets. When can you be here?

Now I'm trying to put pictures onto my blog, but they won't load without shutting down my computer and when they do load, they load go to the wrong f---ing blog page. OK. I admit, I'm a little pissed and frustrated. Oh. Sorry. Did I already say that? F--k! I have some really cute pictures to post with some really clever captions. Heaven knows if anyone but me will ever get to see them.

Now I'm going to do what anyone would do in such frustrating circumstances. No more shoes; I'm going to eat dinner. Until Justin, Joser and Chris arrive -- watch for smoke signals and/or watch for smoke coming out my ears.

Did I say "love to all?" xxxooo bon

Pictures

I took lots of pictures and had clever captions for most (if not all of them), but I cannot figure out how to put into posts and/or include captions.

I am tearing out most of my hairs.

Hanging with the Brits - 9 March 2009

Went into town with the Gerry, Patch, Danni and Keith, troops here from the RAF/English Army. Keith drove us to his villa and then we took two cabs to the Marina Mall. Keith told Abdul the cab driver to drop us off at Hard Rock Café and then we could walk along the water to the mall. Abdul insisted that the Hard Rock Café was no longer there so we drove around in circles for an hour. Finally got dropped off at the mall and then we walked along the water to the Hard Rock Café, which indeed does exist, for lunch. Beautiful weather and a lovely afternoon. All of the merchandise in the mall is very expensive; even the accessories at Claire’s starts at about $15. The items are marked in Kuwaiti Dinars (“KD”) so it looks like it’s not that bad, but then when you convert the price into USD it’s pretty scary. I bought some hair gel for 3.15 KD and when I figured it out I paid over $10 for the hair gel. I said something out loud and one lady in line said to me in English, “Don’t do the math. You’ll just be depressed.” Since I was with the Brits they were converting everything into pounds and then into dollars. Way too confusing for me. I continue to believe that Kuwaitis may be among the worst drivers in the world.

My energy started petering out mid-day because I’m getting a code in by dose. That may explain the extremely large bigredgoddamnit which has taken up residence covering most of the left side of my face. Really!!! Shouldn’t it be wrinkles OR pimples; never both??

Going to the gym. Need to turn over the computer to someone else. Hope to buy mine today. I went to get it at the PX on Sunday, but they only have the floor model. They will get me one from Camp Buhering. Sneeze, sneeze, sneeze. Hachuoo. Later.

March 8 - Meetings and Eatings

The USO was closed all day Sunday so we could take care of some “administrative matters.” I came in to make some phone calls and use the computer. A few times during the day I heard people trying to get in. One guy tried to open the door and then I heard him yell MXXXXR FXXXXR!!!! I guess he was a little disappointed that we were not open.

Starting at 1600 we had a short training and meeting and watched the Man Caves show featuring Camp Virginia USO. The producers had coached Jonathan in what to say and how to act; they forgot to tell him to blink. It’s pretty funny if you get to see it.

After the meeting we went into town to 7 Seas Restaurant where Jose bought us dinner. On the way we passed a motorcycle gang, 8 guys riding crazy on their Harleys. One guy did a wheely starting up in 50 mile per hour traffic. He was up for four seconds (I counted) and was wearing street clothes; jeans and a t-shirt. No helmet; no leathers. Scared me spitless.

We had: Fresh pita, still puffy from baking in the oven, crisp cracker things, pistachios, simbusa, hummus, babaganoosh, grilled eggplant, pickles, olives, peppers, felaffel balls with pistachios in the middle, fried beef pastries, cheese straws, seasoned potatoes, French fries, fried cheese (like Tsastiki), shrimp, fresh vegetables including radishes, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and onions, tabooli, and green salad

for appetizers!

We also had she-sha: hooka with strawberry/mint flavored tobacco. (I was the only one who did not take a hit.) Mike-E did not know the tradition: puff, puff, pass. He claims that’s not the tradition. You’re supposed to keep it for 10 minutes each. At least he is. Mike’s going up in smoke.

The main dishes were grilled lamb, beef, 2 kinds of chicken and fish.

Dessert was a huge bowl of fresh fruit with nectarines, oranges, bananas, grapes, plums, apples and kiwi and of course, baklava.

We obliterated the appetizers and took almost everything else in huge “doggie bags” back to camp. It was all beyond delicious and fairly healthy, if you think about it – I’m trying not to think about it.

We returned about midnight along with 100+ trucks in a caravan bringing supplies onto base. Each and every one of them had to be inspected by security.

Shocking - 4 March 2009

As you know, I have that little fridge in my room. One day the power on Pad 1 where I live went off for a couple of hours, so it blew the fuse in the converter box into which my fridge was plugged. I bought a tiny fuse at the PX and decided I could fix the fridge/plug all by myself.

Note to self: Unplug adapter BEFORE attempting to fix fuse box.

I broke one plug in the wall and the fridge still does not work.

Shit.

March (not April) Showers - 5 March 2009

I was heading to the ladies' room the other night and I heard some weird noise, like very tiny horses coming down the gravel road. By the time I turned around the downpour was upon me. I had seen it advancing up the road. The rain with lots of lightening lasted 3 minutes, the exact time that it took me to take the 60 steps to the bathroom, use it and then take 60 steps back to my room. My clothes were soaked. That was it for the rain. It was good though, because the next day was really windy, but we didn't have a sandstorm because the rain had settled the sand.

I take a shower every day in shower No. 4. Since I bathe before I go to work in the afternoon I have the whole area to myself. Contrary to posted instructions, I do not take a combat shower, but leave the water on the whole time. It's quite nice except that the control is mid-body level. At least 2 times during every shower I turn and hit the nob with my elbow. Suddenly I turn the water off, or turn it hot-hot-hot or ice cold.

Day before yesterday I went in with my little net/ball/fluffy thing but my shower soap was not sudsing up. I couldn't figure out why since it was sudsing just fine the day before. Turns out I was taking my shower with hair conditioner. I don't know that I got very clean, but the hair on my arms was silky smooth, had lots of body and was very manageable. Note in pictures that the bottles are similar, but not identical. It's a mistake anyone could have made. As you can tell, there's not much going on. I left all of the excitement back in Long Beach. Cheers.

The Emerald City - 2 March 2009

Joe took me in to Kuwait City to pick up some things for the USO. The roads seem well paved and modern, but there are a lot of accidents. Saw at least three in a 45 minute period. The sand on the road is really dangerous. It acts like water and if there’s enough, which there usually is, the cars hydroplane.

On the way we passed a lot of American restaurants. Some had the name in English, others I could tell what they were by looking at the logo:

Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Carl’s Jr., Friday’s, Applebee's, Hard Rock Café, Johnny Rocket's. The menus are similar to the menus in the States, but the prices are much higher, as is most everything in Kuwait. I saw a lot of BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguars, a couple of Ferraris, lots of SUVs, but no – absolutely none --- older cars. For sure I didn’t look at the other drivers as I did not want anyone to follow me home, even the guys in the Ferraris.

The grocery store was like a well-stocked Ralphs’s; lots of fruits and vegetables. They had 8 different kinds of dates; all delicious so we took some home. Parking was atrocious.

We then went to Marina Center which looks just like every mall in the US. We were there after 2200 on a Monday. I asked Joe why it was so crowded. He said it's because the people have nothing else to do. There are no clubs, etc., so they shop. The stores were mostly high-end and the prices ridiculous. The items seemed a little expensive until I realized they were in Kuwaiti Dinar (KD), not American dollars. It's about 4 dollars to 1 KD. So the merchandise is really expensive. I saw Foot Locker, H&M, a store that had only Rolex watches, Hugo Boss, Liz Clairborne, lots of jewelry stores, Claire's (?!), and stores I did not recognize. May be because we don't have them in the States or may be because I don't shop at the high-end malls. I did not see Victoria's Secret, Tiffany, Bulgari, Gucci, Louis Vitton. We got some Cinnabons and headed home through the rush hour (2300?) traffic and multiple pile-ups on the road. Joe is trying to show me the ropes so I can drive into town by myself, but that's a definite negative for now.

The USO is now open 1000 to 0800 -- 22 hours a day; We're almost ready to open and there's about 30 troops outside waiting to come in, so I guess I should sign off.

Toby, Leorit & Ariel -- I loved the phone call!
Alexis L. -- thanks for the magazines, snacks and candies!

Off to the gym and library. Hugs, kisses, love and regards to all.

Jellin' - February 27 - March 2, 2009

Seems like we’re getting some semblance of normalcy around here. Two of the three new ladies arrived. One (Bettie) is my new roommate. She’s a southern belle from Alabama, a couple of years younger than I am. Another (Joan) was previously working in Kuwait and wanted to stay, so she applied to the USO. For some reason Kristine’s papers got messed up and she didn’t arrive until yesterday (four days after the others). My usual shift is 4:00 p.m. to midnight. I’m growing into that too. I have most of the day to fart around. I was going to go to midnight chow and get a take out box so that could be my breakfast for the next day and I wouldn’t have to get up. However, midnight chow is less like the buffet on a cruise ship and more like what you’d get at midnight after a night of drinking; lots of fried foods, pizza, etc. So I guess I’ll need to get up early if I want to eat breakfast, and heaven knows I never miss a meal. Except yesterday when I slept until 1300.

I’m feeling more confident at the USO and talking to people. Played Scrabble with a couple of guys; lost dismally. Played Skategories with three from Hawaii. Won!

Spoke with one kid for 3 hours the other night. Seems he’s got a wife who’s cheating on him, one kid that’s not his and one kid that might not be his. Unfortunately, his story is more common than it should be. The other day Big Mike told us that there was one guy who came in desperate for a phone card. He said his wife was having a baby and he really needed to be with her by phone. Mike said that he gave the kid one of our extra phone cards because he felt sorry for him, after being in Iraq for 15 months. I said that if the soldier was in Iraq for 15 months and his wife was having a baby, he might have bigger issues than finding a phone card. No one laughed. (Actually, the soldier had been home on leave, but the joke still should have been funny).

There’s one guy I talked with at the USO (Sam) and then ate with him a couple of times. He eats really healthy, so he's good inspiration. He wanted a ccalender that I had, so I told him I had one in my room and I would bring it to him tomorrow. He said, no don’t bring it tomorrow, I won’t be here until Thursday or Friday. Me: “OK. Where are yuou goiong?” Sam: We’re running a miission in Iraq.” Me: “Huh?”

I was writing this on Word in the dark because the power is off. Now the power is back on so I can transfer into my blog, I hope.

Later.