Incoming and On the Way Home

A friend of mine posted the following on Facebook. Although it may not be funny to you, it's freakin' hilarious to me and I am compelled to save it for posterity:

I would like a word with the buffoon who designed an airplane that sounds EXACTLY like incoming. Stupid Hornets.

-o0o-

Romanians and Bulgarians

On 21 August we took Tim Horton's coffee, doughnuts and muffins to the Romanian and Bulgarian compound. We had decided to do a Unit Appreciation Event for them when we found that the Romanian military was experiencing a 25% pay cut. Owen said the colonel had tears in his eyes when we explained our purpose.

Our hosts were somewhat guarded when we arrived, and it took them a little while to loosen up; but once they were more comfortable their warmth, humor and charm poured forth. It was one of the nicest and most rewarding events we've had. I love my job.

Ride 'em Stryker

There's nothing better for USO team building than to ride in a Stryker, an eight-wheeled, 4x4-wheel-drive, combat vehicle named for two American Medal of Honor recipients: PFC Stuart S. Stryker, who died in World War II and SPC4 Robert F. Stryker, who died in the Vietnam War. We gathered at the 401st yard for our joy ride, testing the shocks, keeping a look out and staging speed sprints across, through, next to the wire and all around KAF. Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, knee-to-knee, face-to-face and chewing on sand with my co-workers and a couple of Aussies is my idea of a good time.

Pilandrome

Most of the troops have their last names listed on their blouses, but their first names remain a mystery. I introduce myself, as "Hi. I'm Bonnie." and they reply, "Hi. I'm Lieutenant/Private/Specialist/Corporal/Colonel/Petty Officer/Captain/Sergeant/Major, etc. Jones. I was eating lunch with an acquaintance who I knew from our previous discussions was a pretty interesting guy: two college degrees, a former teacher, spent time in the Peace Corps, speaks four languages . . . After a while eating together, here's our conversation:

Me: So anyway, what's your first name?
He: Robert.
Me: Cool. Do they call you Robert, Bob, Robby or what?
He: Any of those are OK.

[A few minutes of silence and eating.]

He: Did you know that "Bob" spelled backwards is "Bob?"

[Fork half-way to my mouth, dumbfounded, staring in disbelief for 15 seconds]
Me: You're an idiot!
He: [Giggling] Yeah, I know.

[More minutes of silence and eating.]

Worlds Apart

I haven't posted anything on my blog for almost three weeks. It's because:
1. My computer was broken;
2. There was nothing going on;
3. There was lots going on but I couldn't post anything because of OpSec;
4. I wrote a lot, but nothing was suitable to share;
5. I am lazy.

Mostly, it's Nos. 1 and 5.




My regular work-out buddy is very busy and working on a promotion, but I did manage a visit to the gym the other day. There are two gyms on base; the MWR gym which, rumor has it, is dark, dusty and old (also known as "The Prison Gym") and the one I go to, the NATO gym, which is huge, clean, bright, well-equipped and close to my MOD.

When I am working out I pull a curtain of hair across my face, turn up my iPod, close my eyes and get movin'! One friend said he saw me on the treadmill, and stood right in front of me, but with my eyes closed I didn't notice he was there. Apparently he spotted me numerous times and never once saw my eyes open. It's not that there's nothing/no one good to look at, it's just that I'm enjoying my music. My iPod is loaded with the eclectic music of my life: Jefferson Airplane, Peter, Paul and Mary, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Ochs, Joe & Eddie, Garth Brooks, the Irish Tenors, music from West Side Story, Milk & Honey, Evita and Pocahontas, the Stones, Israeli folk dances, prayers, disco, classical, John Philip Sousa, etc., etc. Bruce Springsteen's "Worlds Apart" (which came out right after 9/11) came on and I was really rockin'! It gets my vote for one of the best songs/performances ever.

[paste this into your browser, watch and weep]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8ARTiq4EwE

WORLDS APART

I hold you in my arms, yeah that's when it starts
I seek faith in your kiss, and comfort in your heart
I taste the seed upon your lips, lay my tongue upon your scars
But when I look into your eyes, we stand worlds apart

Where the distant oceans sing, and rise to the plain
In this dry and troubled country, your beauty remains
Down from the mountain roads where the highway rolls to dark
'Neath Allah's blessed rain, we remain worlds apart

Sometimes the truth just ain't enough
Or it's too much in times like this
Let's throw the truth away, we'll find it in this kiss
In your skin upon my skin, in the beating of our hearts
May the living let us in, before the dead tear us apart

We'll let blood build a bridge, over mountains draped in stars
I'll meet you on the ridge, between these worlds apart
We've got this moment now to live, then it's all just dust and dark
Let love give what it gives
Let's let love give what it gives