Packers - Bears Game

I unfortunately will not be able to watch the game tonight. I will try to get my updates via the web as often as I can. It is a big game. Always is and most likely always will be.

Something Quick

It is relatively warm so far today. I came into work and it is in the low forties. Predictably the temp doesn't drop more than fifteen degrees fro the time I arrive to the time I leave. There are exceptions to that rule though. I am listening to Turn to Stone by the Electric Light Orchestra at the moment. My boss is writing up my "evaluation" this weekend, we call them Fitness Reports or FitReps.

I received some Christmas card in the mail today, from the Fauls, Hansons, Langs, Youngs, Dice and Singhs. Thank you for the cards. If I already didn't say mail will be rerouted here shortly so please do not send anything more this way, to prevent the delay.

I myself stood in line in the post office for a couple of hours today and didn't get seen because sleep was becoming more important. I will try again in a few days, after Christmas, it then may be better.

I thank eveyone who comments on this blog, the little interaction here helps. And it is the little things.

A Day in My Life

The alarm clock starts going off around 1745. The snooze lasts for four and half minutes and the beeping varies each time. At 1800, the duty turns on my lights and makes sure I am awake. I roll out of bed with my Green Bay Packer shorts and find my slippers and a sweatshirt. I gather my hygiene bag, a towel and some fresh skivies and trek to the showers. The shower trailer is about forty yards from the building that I sleep in. It is usually dark when going from here to there, the path is mostly muscle memory now.

By 1815 I am done shaving, brushing my teeth, and showering and am headed back to dress for the day. Since it has been steadily getting colder I have been donning more clothing. I put these "polypro" bottoms on that are similar to long johns but not as warm but are always itchy. Then socks, a sweatshirt, a fleece, then my MARPAT (MARine Disruptive PATtern) trousers and blouse. I will pack up my backpack that is also MARPAT with whatever extra items I feel I might need, this may include an outer fleece garment, camera, goggles, neck gator (like ninja mask) fleece cap, inner gloves, outer gloves, scarf, and any food items that I may want to snack on throughout the day. I put on my interceptor vest, my M9 holster with magazine pouches( at the same time I will add my M9, pistol, and attach it via my lanyard to my interceptor vest), then Gortex MARPAT jacket and my Kevlar helmet.


On my way out of the building, at about 1835, I inform the duty with my identification number and where I am going. No names are ever spoken. I use a bicycle to ride to work everyday so I will also put a reflective belt on my body as well as my backpack. I use about two kilometers of road and about two and half kilometers of rough terrain to get to the compound where I work. There is at least one gate in which I pass that requires positive identification before proceeding. Total distance is a little less than three miles.


I arrive about 1845 at the mobile facility unit that I work in. It is a complex configuration of metal boxes attached together. We work in the same type of buildings in the rear(garrison). For the next fifteen to thirty minutes I will receive a pass down of the days events and any pending issues that are still in play. The computer I use is a hot seat computer, meaning it is used all day long by one Marine, then when the shift ends the next Marine from the next shift sits down and uses all night.




My job is to ensure overall coordination and control of workload priorities for the Maintenance Department. I maintain a close working relationship with all supported squadrons assigned to MAG-29 (Marine Air Group) and I resolve problems affecting aircraft readiness. I monitor and expedite inductions and repairs of aircraft components and resolve inventory problems with the Supply Department.

For the next several hours, I ensure the priorities of the squadron are actively being entertained. I "visit" every maintenance division within MALS-29's (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron)compound. I have found from experience that being present in ones workspace is better than calling or email. I will visit, in not in any particular order(keeps them guessing), GSE(Ground Support Equipment) which has tow tractors, stands, cranes and other like items; AVI (Avionics) which works on electronic and electrical components of aircraft such as radios, radar, weapons controls; A/F (Airframes) this division has three sides, hydraulics, metal, and tires( I don't know why it is split that way); and PP(Power Plants) all engines for aircraft and items that have bearings that don't already go to one of the other divisions.

Sometime at about 2300ish, I coordinate efforts to bring approximately 15 vats of food to the compound and chow is served from the Marines of one of the divisions to the night crew Marines and Sailors. Most eat this meal here at the compound. Myself and a few other bike, some walk, and the few that have vehicles will drive to the DFAC (Dining Facility) and the closest one open is about six kilometers or about three miles from the compound. Before entering any place where the military gathers at there is positive identifications and weapons clearing.

The last half the night is similar to the first half as far the duties and responsibilities. Everyday the computer systems shut down for about half hour. Once every week the power goes down for some darn reason or another. This happened yesterday the temperature in the mobile facility dropped 22 degrees in first fifteen minutes. Luckily, the power was only off for about forty minutes. Close to the end of my shift, I produce reports of the progress of the squadron and update any pending issues. I consult with a representative of the Supply Department about lag times for consumable parts and update statuses as needed.

By approximately 0650 the day shift will be here and I give my pass down and hand over the day's reports. My computer is hot seated and I don all my gear for a bike ride back to the building where I live.

Once arriving back to my living quarters I inform the duty of my identification number and he will log me in. At this point if I need to do any tasks such as pick up or drop off my laundry and the laundry facilities, go to the PX (Post Exchange) for any items of need, or go to the Post Office to mail items off. I usually read for about an hour or so and by 1000 I am ready to sleep. On random days during random times during the day the "Big Voice" which is an early warning device with loud speakers on it, will go off and sometimes repeat instructions. It is called a "Big Voice" for a reason. I try to get about six hours of good solid sleep, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.

RevGals Friday Five: It's Almost Christmas

RevHRod of RevGals writes:
I have debated with myself for weeks about today's Friday Five.
Self 1: It should be deep and theological.
Self 2: But it's almost Christmas, it should be fun and warm and sweet.
Self 1: But your last Friday Five was sort of silly. You should show your more serious side.
Self 2: You worry WAY too much!

So after consulting with my fourteen year old daughter, we're going playful, pals o' mine! I love stories, so I hope you'll tell some about your favorite Christmas memories.

~~

1) What was one of your favorite childhood gifts that you gave:

When I was 16 I found this beer stein that was a boot at a rummage sale for 25 cents, I have wrapped it and gave it to my father that Christmas.

2) What is one of your favorite Christmas recipes?
Peanut Squares
This is a catch all desert, good at anytime during the year. I think the recipe is cutting angel food cake into squares, add frosting to all sides, then add crushed peanuts to the sides. Done. It is like the best "guy" recipe.

3) What is a tradition that your family can't do without? (And by family, I mean family of origin, family of adulthood, or that bunch of cool people that just feel like family.)
I really have no idea. I will end up giving my sergeant some time to attend mass, then it is back to work.

4) Pastors and other church folk often have very strange traditions dictated by the "work" of the holidays. What happens at your place?
I may sing some carols until my sergeant can't take it anymore. Maybe a tad longer than that.

5)If you could just ditch all the traditions and do something unexpected... what would it be?
Visit another country.

35 Degrees

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part IV

Typing is a little harder to do with this thing on my arm/hand. So if it looks like the number of posts dropped from me, then a duh factor should be applied.

When I try to stray away from a politically comment, the following my be construed as one. It is not, it is an opinion.

I keep reading about universal health care for the US. I think it is a bad idea. In essence, I have universal health care while being in the military. Yes, I am seen when I have a problem, but I have learned to go when I really, really need to go see a doctor. Just because, I am seeing a doctor doesn't mean this doctor is a general practitioner, but he or she is a doctor of something. There are speciality doctors placed in the correct speciality, but to be seen in one, you have to go through "your" unit doctor and that means he or she may not think you need to go. That equates to fun. Also, in my opinion, every doctor I have seen seems to think everyone is a hypochondriac. So while you are telling your problems or showing or whatever, the care provider thinks you are lying. Yea. And God forgive you if you think you know what you need and tell the provider, because they will promptly let you know that they are the doctor not you.

I am just saying that I think universal health care is a bad idea. Let us think of something else.

Drifting

When growing up when someone mentioned drifting it was always during winter and it was always snow. Today, there has been some "light" drifting. While coming into work today the wind has picked up substantially but it isn't a sandstorm per se. Our temperatures here have been hovering the low forties for the first few hours and dropping down into the thirties at the peak of the night. While transversing to the chow hall for "lunch" it is always surprise going through the drifting sand.

Fun.

Cheesehead

For as much of a cheesehead that I am you must admit I have not been shoving football very much. This season I posted about what I wanted and it should have been what I needed. Then I ranted on the what "it" means and I don't think everyone was getting my dictionary like I did. Thanksgiving went well then the gift lists came shortly thereafter. I talked about the game another time about a week or so later, but that was it. The self-restraint has been crushing me. We only have 4 days until the greatest rivalry.

December's 300th Comment

CDP has made the 300th comment of the month. Congratulations!

You are now entitled to my imaginary snowflake droppings collection!

Day-in-the-Life

There are "Day-in-the-Life" articles that squadrons here have submitted and is posted on the following website by PAO (Public Affairs Office):

http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/forward.asp


A side note about the article about MALS-29: The pictures do not go with what that Marine does.

For my readers here I will do something similar within the next few days. (I will enclose some pictures too.)

Control

Sometimes I really hate my job.

My job has interactions with lots of people, who all want something.

My job is about control.

Actually, I hate this job most of the time. I hated this job before I received it. Now I am in it and I still hate it.

No one likes the guy in this job. No one likes this job.

It has been a long year.

Way Too Early For Christmas? Part II

We figured it wouldn't have lasted on the door.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part III

It is probably a good thing I am not left handed. (Or am I?) Anyway, I lied (fourth time ever) to HotCup my day wasn't the same as the others. Today, instead of sleeping, I spent it will a bunch of other Marines and soldiers who had one problem or other that their unit doc couldn't figure out. The consensus of my problem was I strained some tendons or ligaments so I need to "immobilize" my hand. Ha Ha....Ha.

So what was done, was they, the army guys at the hospital here, casted my arm, cut it in half, and then put it back on using this stretchy wrap stuff. The idea is I can remove it for hygiene purposes. Makes sense to me.

Time of wear is supposed to be six weeks. Well, if the time table holds true( keep your fingers crossed) I will be stateside by then. Yea!

Sand Gets In Every Crack

Everyone keeps asking about the sandstorms and what it is like or what they look like, so here are some photos that I hope with answer most of your questions.

Now, like I have posted before sandstorms do not only happen during the day, they also happen at night. The big difference is at night there is no warning. It just happens. And pictures don't turn out like these did.

Side note: Bicycles do not like sand either. Bad sand. Bad. Bad.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

I love a PB & J sandwiches. A key ingredient is bread. I hate healthy bread. When someone offers a PB & J sandwich with healthy bread I take it and eat like I would normally, but I really enjoy it with white bread. I have had a jar of peanut butter and jar of grape jelly for about five months now. Every now and then I take a spoonfull of each and savor it. It would have been great to make a sandwich. I have no way to store bread for any length of time and there is no bakery down the hill so it isn't even a request that I can entertain. Just sometimes, I wish I could have a PB & J.

Clock

Same clock, same place.

Is it strange that it changed or that I took a picture?

Nerd

Originally saw this at IdentityMixed's blog and figured what the hell. Who knew?

Preferred Mode of Travel

This is my mode of travel throughout most of the base here. The headlamp and reflective belt are mandatory items for night riders such as myself. The rear lamp in my opinion is a must for night riders. Your day gets progressively worse if you are run over by a convoy of 7-tons (big truck that weighs seven tons empty and with no armor) or water trucks.

The next souls to occupy the base will need to buy some new bikes. I have been through eight front wheels, three frames, four back tires (repacked the bearings twice), six pedals, and two seats. Parts have become hard to come by. I have modified a few parts to get me to the end of this deployment and I would be happy to get five bucks out of it by the time I leave. Rear tires are the scarce piece, so if you would be coming this way I would bring two back tires from a junk yard, so you could keep one for yourself and trade the other for the rest of the bike.

I am sure I look funny when riding down the boulevard with my interceptor vest(the "bullet proof" thingy) and Kevlar (helmet). There are few of us that travel with bikes.

Christmas for Everyone

If in the giving mood to a soldier, Sailor, airman, or Marine please consider donating to one of the charities on my sidebar.

USO (United Service Organizations)
Soldiers' Angels
Operation Gratitude
Any Marine

There are many more but I am partial to these, since these are the ones that brought home to me and my Marines while we have been deployed.

12 Days of Christmas

I had some down time today, so being the curious person I am, I researched what are the twelve days of Christmas are and what was so special about it that someone wrote a song about it.
Well, turns out there is a lot of stuff going on about it. I know all of you can look it up for yourselves via Snopes.com or HowStuffWorks.com or Wikipedia and find all sorts of stuff. I am including what I thought was interesting, the symbolism of each day. Enjoy.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Jesus Christ
Two Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens - The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity
Four Calling/Collie Birds - Four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Five Golden Rings - First five books of the Old Testament
Six Geese-a-Laying - Six days of creation before God's rest on the seventh day
Seven Swans-a-Swimming - Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Eight Maids-a-Milking - Eight Beatitudes
Nine Ladies Dancing - Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
Ten Lords-a-Leaping - Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping - Eleven faithful disciples
Twelve Drummers Drumming -Twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed