No. There Is Another.

Good it was. See it you must.

-Pooh out.

Spousal Optimisms

Howdy Ya’ll,

I just want to take some time to dote on my wife, if you will allow me the indulgence. There are so many things I absolutely love about her, but one of her most notable characteristics is her optimism. A few days ago she relayed to me a story that illustrates this fact rather pointedly. More importantly, she was unaware of the fact that she is only more endearing because of these examples.

As most of you are aware, she teaches kindergarten, and as she came to the close of her last full week of the school year, she gleefully celebrated their “last Friday” of the year. Of course, one of her teaching associates felt compelled to remind her that they still had three more days in the following week to survive.

“Yes,” she rebutted, “but this was the last FRIDAY! There are three more “last days” to have. Last Monday, last Tuesday, and last Wednesday!”

With this explanation she was undoubtedly confused as to how this “obvious” fact could have eluded the others. This is exactly why I love her so much. While everyone else drudges through their remaining days counting down to the final day, she smiles through many milestones of success. She is amazing like that.

I will keep this story in my head as a constant reminder throughout the next two months. While I still have a good stretch remaining here in Baghdad, I can confidently and enthusiastically celebrate the fact that I will never again have another May in Iraq, and June will present the same milestone!

The moral of the story is that you have to find the optimistic side wherever you can. If you can celebrate the finale just yet, celebrate the intermission. Even if you’ve only finished Act 1 of a four Act play, remember that you already have one under the belt. You will find a reason to be happy almost everyday, if you try hard enough.

As for me, I’ve got 15 more days to R&R, and I’m as happy as can be.

-Pooh out.

Dehydration Anyone?

Howdy Ya'll,

Well, yesterday I came precariously near a severe lack of water. Okay, so I decided to go running in the evening, in lieu of dinner, so I left the office around 1700, changed clothes, grabbed the headphones and set off for the open road.

It all sounds so pleasant, which it was but about two miles into the run I noticed that not only did I not feel the heat of the low sun, but had also not broken a sweat. Now, you are all aware of the simple fact that I'm not a small guy, nor have I ever lacked the ability to perspire profusely. That fact being painfully evident, I knew there was cause for alarm. It was not long after this revelation that I really began to feel fatigued beyond the normal "fat guy is tired from running" fatigue. I started the math:

Feeling of cold + No perspiration + Fatigue = I drink too much diet coke and not enough water!

That being realized, I B-lined it to the DFAC to grab a cucumber salad, a fruit salad and a liter bottle of water. After soaking all that in, I headed back to the camp. Only then did I start sweating. Yeah, I guess I was thirsty.

Okay, so this wasn't the most adventurous of stories, it reminded me that I am currently living in a desert and that I'm not impervious to the elements. In fact as I type, I am working on another big bottle of water. These are the exciting times to be had in Baghdad.

Everyone drink up and stay healthy!

-Pooh out.

Professionally Speaking

Howdy Ya'll,

I know we all feel this way sometimes, so why not confirm our suspicions with verification from the good ol' Merriam-Webster Dictionary.


Main Entry: 1pro·fes·sion·al
Pronunciation: pr&-'fesh-n&l, -'fe-sh&-n&l
Function: adjective

1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace

2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs (a professional golfer) b : having a particular profession as a permanent career (a professional soldier) c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return (professional football)

3 : following a line of conduct as though it were a profession (a professional patriot)- pro·fes·sion·al·ly adverb

-Pooh out.

That's Logic

"I know what you are thinking about," said Tweedledum; "but it isn't so,
nohow."
"Contrariwise," continued Tweedledee, "if it was so, it might be; and if it
were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."


-Pooh out.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

Howdy Ya'll,

Today is a shout out to the folks that bore my bear butt into this little world. Without giving away years and ages, they've been married longer than I've been alive, and they haven't killed each other yet, so they are doing a great job.

When they were my age, they already had two rugrats running around the house, and the third one was days away from wrestling herself out into the world. Yes, they were crazy, but we love 'em still.

I have a great date suggestion for the two of them. Star Wars Episode III comes out in a week, and unlike me, they don't have a good reason for not seeing it in the theater. I can hear my mother groaning at the suggestion as she reads this, but it could be fun. Hours in line together, and a couple of hours together in a theater surrounded by Star Wars geeks that aren't paying any attention to anything but George Lucas's greatest work ever. It's a win-win situation. She will finally get him to sit down without moving for a little while so she can hold his hand, and he can re-affirm that his girl still likes him enough to go to a movie she hates, just to be with him.

Anyway, life is good. I got me some Texas music playing, and I can practically feel the wind against my face as though I were cruising southbound on 35. God's country, I'll be home one day.

-Pooh out.

Lucky Dog. Pretty Dog. Good girl. 

Beware The Competition

Howdy Ya'll,

I thought I would point you in the direction of a new blog being posted by a friend of mine who also happens to be experiencing this big beautiful war zone with me. While I give him much grief over the fact that he never frequents my blog site, I'll make him feel even more sheepish by advertising his link right here on this page. I'm horrible, I know. Anyway, he is usually a great source for good humor, so enjoy.

www.xanga.com/kdorm

On another note, I purchased and watched Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" which I found most entertaining. I would suggest you all do the same.

-Pooh out.

Meditation Anyone?

Howdy Ya'll,

Okay, so I know why so many people have begun studying meditation. Actually, I can only surmise as to their reasons, as I have not adopted the practice myself, but I'm considering it.

Now, I would guess that my work experience is not unique or exclusive to work in Iraq. My guess is that all of you would agree that sometimes a day can just wear on you, and you can think of nothing better than escaping the day to de-tox.

Well, today I had one of those days. It wasn't particularly upsetting or stressful, but still busy and wearing. I have the benefit of being walking distance from my room, so I did manage to sneak out of the office long enough to savor the quiet solitude of my little bunker for a short while. It was during this interlude that I realized a short meditative session would probably do wonders to the psyche.

I can only imagine how hard it is to escape the world for those who live and work in big cities, which is why meditation seems so popular with the city folk. The question remains what defines meditation.

I suppose that we all meditate and escape in our own way, focusing our minds and energies on those activities which clear our heads and recharge our batteries. The challenge, though, is finding a means of completely clearing your thoughts of the day to a level of carte blanche so that we are free to completely relax.

Without getting philosophical or long winded, I would imagine we all have our means. Whether it be music, exercise, hobbies or the like, something is there to empty the head.

Now, the irony in this blog is that by posing the question, I have achieved the opposite effect by introducing a though provoking topic to all of you. Hmmm....

A philosophical enigma. How do you ponder with an empty head? It's a tough one.

-Pooh out.