January 14, 2007 2:45 am by Ray Moser.

What do you do in a place where there is nothing to do on your day off?  This is certainly a question worth it’s “wait” in gold.

This was my first entire day off since arriving here on December 20th.   I slept in until 8:15am local time.  Then, I ate a quick and light breakfast and then hit the gym.   Afterwards, I showered and then grabbed my camera (A pentax K110D) and walked the central part of the base to take pictures.   Ever since the dawn of digital, I’ve become quite a photo buff, hence the purchase of the digital SLR.   Notably, I walked to the Pat Tillman USO and took pictures of the facilities and his Jersey. 

Then Lunch.

After lunch, I spent some time playing my PSP game, Brothers In Arms D-DAY (I think).   Then I grabbed my SLR again and hit the road North all the way to the North PX and took pictures of the mountains along the way.  

I do need to point out that it is unlikely that I will post very many pictures here in the interest of Operational Security.   The Internet is open to everyone including the enemy.  So family and friends will be able to see the pictures via CD-ROM eventually.   No one else can.

After the trek north, I returned to my BHUT and grabbed my Clancy Novel.  I went to work and sat in the MWR room and finished it off.   We have nice couches and lighting so it was a good choice.

Then, I went to dinner and had steak and ice cream.

Afterwards, I walked dinner off and then headed to the day spa for my weekly massage.  

After the massage, I chatted with the wifey on web cam. 

The End

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January 8, 2007 2:24 am by Ray Moser.

Hi folks,

Well, here at BAF (Bagram Air Field), many people have arrived to replace those who are leaving.    The people who are leaving are selling off all of their comfort-related items like heaters (uh, opps, we don’t have heaters here..), televisions, refrigerators, shelves, lights, bicycles, etc.

So, I have made some purchases to make my little room in the hut a little more comfortable.   The first thing I obtained was a ladder so I could get in my bed.   My bed is like a loft, and it’s a little over 5′ from the floor and there is no way I’m getting into without killing myself.

One of the guys here who is leaving sold me a really nice hanging light and a clip light so now, I can see even when the main lights are out.   I also purchased a set of plastic drawers, a chair and a rug.  

Eventually, I’ll get some sheets, but right now, it’s so cold, I sleep in my cold-weather sleeping bag and my wooby (pancho liner).  

I’m still looking for a bicycle so I can get some good riding in.  It’s about 8 miles or so around the roads here and it’ll be fine as long as I don’t get run over by one of the truck drivers.

The bicycle can wait though.  It’s so cold today, my fingers turned numb.  I mean, it’s really cold.   I estimate it to be no more than 5 degrees outside at the moment.  But, it is clear with no precipitation.

That’s all for now.

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January 1, 2007 11:51 am by Ray Moser.

Yup, nothing out of the ordinary today.  We worked yesterday and today.  In fact, we work every day.

 However, for added celebration, at work, we counted down to “midnight” Eastern time and we dropped a ping-pong ball from a chair to the floor.   That was about it.

I think we have something like 345 days left until we leave.   So, nothing much to look forward to.

The food is starting to taste gross because there is so much of it.  There are a number of dining facilities here, but the best one is run by the Army.   Believe it or not, they kick some serious butt in the kitchen.   It is by far the tastiest I have had in a long time (as far as military food.)   Friday is “special” night and they really cook up some good stuff.  While the other chowhalls have steak and crab, they make killer lasagna.

Since this is a multi-force contigency here, there are dining facilities from other nations besides the USA.   The Koreans, Egyptians and UAE have distinctive dining facilities.   I’m scoping out methods to scam my way in or to somehow get an invitation.  Nothing like ethnic home cooking to make things taste good.   Also, there is another Army dining facility that I have not visited but will let you know how it works out.

There are a couple of PXs here (stores) where you can buy things.   It’s pretty limited and you really can’t special order any items.   I spoke to the manager because I would like to buy a long-range Bugout Bag, but they cannot order it for me and if they did, it would take 4-6 months.  Then, the manager told me that last month, 12 of their connexes were stolen as they made their way through Pakistan.   That’s why there isn’t a lot of goods on the shelves.   Don’t get me wrong, the PX has plenty of stuff, just not a great selection.  

 I hope our stuff doesn’t get stolen.   It has happened to other units.  We still haven’t received our boxes of goodies that we packed before we left Ft. Dix.

Work today is pretty hectic.   Can’t seem to find all the stuff I need, but will get it done.  I’ve already seen next week’s schedule and it is 3 times the amount that I have this week.  Can’t wait!!!

 Anyway, I hope all of you have a great happy new years!  And Dave, hope you feel better.   Sorry to hear about your situation.   

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