Once again, I had to look at a calendar to figure out what day of the week it was- we don't get days off, rather blocks of time in every 24-hour period off, which is not too bad. Besides, the work is both demanding and not demanding. We are currently working internal security on this base, meaning we have to confirm that people who are coming in and going out are in fact allowed to do so. We've been pretty fortunate that there has been little trouble with this, but given the odd nature of this position, it doesn't pay to get complacent. But hey, it pays the bills- at least, I hope it does! It's strange how you learn to adapt to changing demands and schedules. I usually roll in around 1130 or midnight local time, then am up at around 8 to hit the gym, maybe eat breakfast (coffee is generally an acceptable substitute) and get on with whatever the day may present, then on to duty from 2 PM to 10 PM every day. Lather, rinse, repeat. It's been a little bit of a strain, not working for the Army, I'm pretty well used to that by now, but rather being this far apart from the people I love. Tabatha, my dearest wife, is back in Connecticut- in some ways, things aren't that different, me being stationed in Oklahoma, and yet the distance between us is much greater. Some days you just put your head down and get on with the business of just getting through the day- other days, you realize, it's not that long- like almost everything in life, this too, will pass.
It looks like the war in Iraq is soon to be officially over- did we ever declare war in the first place? Remember, the power to declare war on another country does not lie with the President- rather, Congress has the final decision to vote on a declaration of war. In President Obama's last speech, he claimed there is a 'renewal' in US leadership, and that the fact that we are now withdrawing from Iraq proves this. Well, yes and no- granted, we are able to do this, and didn't miss the deadline, though this deadline was set before Obama took office, so credit where credit is due on this one. It is, however, somewhat reassuring to know that this deadline will actually be met. The 'green machine', as a certain member of my chain of command puts it, grinds on. Usually said machine is referenced when we need to perform the time-honored Army tradition of CYCA- Cover Your Commander's Ass. But at any rate, such is the way of things- one does not get to be the best squad in the division by slacking off.
Here in Afghanistan, it's pretty much business as usual. The country really is quite beautiful, apart from all the civil unrest, and the people, though with some cultural idioms we westerners find odd, are decent folks in their way- one must avoid that condescension so common during the time of the British empire, secure in our civilized superiority. The Afghanistan people have been living in their country a lot longer than we have, and seem to be doing ok there. There are also dust storms, though lately the rainfall has pretty much taken care of those. Though I have to say, I've experienced a thousand times worse in New Mexico.
Though I have to admit, I miss my home in the northeast of the US. I've been a lot of places, seen a lot of incredible things, but the only sight I really want to see is my own dear wife, my own dear home state, and the knowledge that at least I've made it this far. After this, I know the fight isn't over, but it's a small victory in a long war. And besides, I wouldn't trade this life for anything- everything happens for a reason- it falls to us to determine what the lesson in this is, and, as Marcus Aurelius put it, as of each particular thing, what is it in itself. Soon enough we'll be returning if not home for all of us, at least back to our home country- I'll be glad to be back on native soil again! At some point too, I'll need to trade in my old car, and find a place to stay, though not really in that order. I'm hoping to invest in a decent and large vehicle, one capable of driving around our two large dogs, and one also capable of crossing the distance between Oklahoma and Connecticut, when I get out of the Army, or, failing that, reenlist for a duty station closer to home. But regardless, the next step is becoming clear- to be permitted a small melodrama, sometimes the way forwards is the way back. Hello to everyone in the US, and I hope you're doing well! Time waits for no man, and this is both a positive and negative. This is far from the end of this spin of the wheel, and I'll see you all again! And of course, make an effort to keep writing, so you can track the thrilling details of my non-adventures. Stay well, and don't drink the Tenafly Viper!
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