Dust Storm - April 26,2005 

At A Pooh Pace

Howdy Ya'll,

Okay, so I have what has been dubbed as a "Pooh Pace" when I walk. It is used to describe the casual pace I keep when endeavoring to get anywhere. The secret to successful Pooh pacing is to start early and enjoy the walk.

Most everyone, when first experiencing the Pooh pace, is agitated at first, which is understandable, given there lack of appreciation for my pace. Soon, though, they all adopt the pace and learn to take their time. It starts with casual walks to meals, for which we leave nice and early. Before long it permeates their entire day.

This policy has yet to fail me.

That being said, I have managed to adopt a Pooh pace in addressing these blog updates, but I have not forget completely. I just have to plan ahead a bit better to get these things in on time.

So, what can I tell ya'll about these days? Oh, Aggie Muster was awesome again. This year was more meaningful than the last for those of us able to repeat Muster in Iraq. Last year had the first time appeal associated with it, but this time it was much more personal and relaxing.

By the end of the day my batteries were recharged and I went back to the camp smiling. There is nothing like a group of Ags to provide good company. That was definitely my last Muster in Iraq, so it was a good finale.

We had a great dust storm the other day. I saw it coming as we were walking back from the DFAC, and everyone finally figured out why I where that bandana everywhere. Nothing like a mouth full of sand and grit to clean out the bandana isle at the PX.

Okay, I'll let ya'll get back to your day. I hope everyone is well. Take care of yourselves.

-Pooh out.

Tanks Alot! 

Aggie Muster 2005 

Visit From Rummy

Howdy Ya'll,

Well, looks like we got ourselves a visit from Rumsfeld this past week. Of course no one was privy to the info until after the fact, but I was out on a morning run while he was apparently having breakfast, and the apaches overhead should have tipped me off.

Anyway, that's about all the excitement to report, but things are going good. Oh, happy April 15th to everyone finishing up their taxes today. Even I pushed it to the wire, and I'm normally so good about getting my filing done early. Foreign Earned Income tax exemptions were out of my realm of understanding. CPA's are wonderful people.

I would like to leave you with a profound observation, so here it goes...

The Middle East satellite broadcasters do not share the censorship affinity as their counterparts in the States. This is readily apparent is the showing of classic Looney Toons featuring guns and knives, suicides, violence smoking, drinking, and all those other things which were evident back in the day when cartoon reels where shown before the main feature, and targeted toward adults as much as children.

This is merely an observation, as my only benefit from it is that I've gotten to see some good old toons that haven't been aired back home for awhile. Although, I will agree that some of it is not child friendly. No wonder the baby boomers are so weird. Today's cartoons are tame in comparison!

Okay, not all of them, and that concluded my profound observation.

I will leave you with some new pictures.

-Pooh out.

The Cabana Walk (to the DFAC) 

Pooh Bear & The Hut 

Around The Palace 

The "Flintstone Palace" 

Change In The Weather

Howdy Ya'll,

The weather changed this evening, and I decided it was a good time for a blog. Along with a very probably short cool front, the weather around here seems to be changing.

I won't get into specifics, but if any of you follow the news you will no doubt learn about the problems some of the bigger contractors are finding these days. Controversy, media opposition, rednecks, and insurgents. I don't know if it's really any different than normal, but it will be in the forefront soon enough. The summer is coming, and they know that ratings are hard to keep until there's a little shock value on the TV. Of course, I don't know if it's really all that off base of a perception. The truth is that things operate over here much as they do in the states, but for some reason people like to pretend that corruption and greed shouldn't infiltrate an endeavor with good intentions. No matter, because things are still getting done over here, and this is becoming a better place. Today was another Iraqi holiday. They seem to have quite a few, but I guess they are due some catch up.

In the mean time, let's take a look at another couple of pictures from Victory. These are pictures that I've actually taken.

On another note, God bless John Paul II. Regardless of one's theological persuasions and leanings, no one would disagree that he is an amazing human being. Brilliant and giving. As the world prepares for the changing of the guard, we can only pray that someone is found to fill such big shoes.

-Pooh out.