So right now, it’s about halfway through the first quarter and I still cannot stop thinking about that National Anthem performance by Christina Aguilera. I feel embarrassed over it for some reason. I mean seriously!? I thought some rap artist was going to break in with the turntables scratching, yelling, “REMIX!” Maybe if she wasn’t spending so much time trying to sing it all different and original she’d remember that it’s the words that count!
So now for blog stuff. After getting into the battle rhythm a bit and getting an understanding of how I will spend the rest of the deployment, I can now breathe a bit easier throughout the day. All of the routines of work, gym, downtime, etc. are beginning to feel less forced and more natural. The rain finally ending helps.
Being more “part of the group” has helps too. On Friday, SSG Phoenix and 1LT Glitz shared their coincidental birthday and we celebrated by grilling some hamburgers and drinking some near-beers. It was nice to pretend to feel normal… We kept shouting, “Birthday Bash Oh-Leven” like some truly stoked college kids. We even wore some very masculine and in-no-way-goofy looking birthday hats while we sat around and watched some TV. We have a self-deprecating but happy attitude about letting loose in small ways when we can.
The same went for tonight when we were able to go up to the DFAC for a few ACTUAL beers. Stories of home flowed just like the beer from those two little cans. It was a privilege as much as it was a tease of normality. It reminds me of the scene from “The Shawshank Redemption” when the main character is able to get a few beers for his fellow inmates in exchange for doing some tax work. Except it’s not prison, it’s Iraq.
All the better though, it was fun. Some of our soldiers also played some football earlier today to unwind for the game. It’s great to see soldiers try to be normal Americans over here in the desert. We were going to watch the game over at SSG Phoenix’s but they tired out and I’m sure I will soon too—especially if Green Bay runs away from their 14-3 lead. Well, I suppose I have to watch the halftime show at least. (Update. Halftime show was a trainwreck and yippee the game is close at 21-17 packers. No sleep for me tonight.)
I got a package from home today. Highlights include a few Nintendo DS games (awesome) and a 4-pack of my beloved Sugar Free Rockstar. Just in case you are reading this and don’t understand, Sugar Free Rockstar is like crack to me. If you are reading this and have any means to send me some Sugar Free Rockstar, please do so. Smiley face. But in all seriousness, getting a package is a true boost to morale. It could’ve had toilet paper, pencil shavings, anything, and I would’ve loved it.
As for events coming up, I will be doing an inventory of my equipment here and at my platoon’s several out-sites. It should be a good start to working with my PSG, SFC Grump, who arrived on Thursday. We haven’t gotten to work together much yet, but I can tell he knows his stuff. He is a bit jaded, but I think we will work well as a team. My bright-eyed, idealistic notions of the Army are contrasted by his salty discontent with some of its ways. I think he can give me an idea of the realities of certain methods while I hope to wake him up to the realization that he’s not retired yet and should try not to be such a grump all the time! His humor reminds me of one my uncle’s and in that way I am able to relate to him (he’s married and has kids so there really isn’t too much to start with!) Apparently he’s a fan of my alma mater though. Good in my book! More on SFC Grump later.
For now stay tuned for a couple pictures of my settings here at COB Home.
Happy Super Day.
