Saturday Night Lights

Tonight I decided to live dangerously and venture out on the town on my own. It was not that late, 7:30 pm, but I was going to forego the usual hotel room blues and go out.

I chose the venue, got the rental car from the guys, and headed out. Solitaire.

Peanut shells on the floor, loud country music, dim lights, and lots of young people drinking and having what they consider to be a good time. Several TV monitors were arranged around the room, most with some sporting event broadcast silently for all to see. One a baseball game, another a boxing match, and soccer on a couple others. It certainly was different from the usual environment I find myself in on a Saturday night.

The young ladies swirled and stomped as they line-danced to the cowboy crooners. Young men and women, both, staggered their way from table to table to talk with their friends or make their way to the restrooms. All were having what I am sure, as I said previously, they thought was a great time. Some, sadly, due to the consumption of so much alcohol won't even remember this fine evening.

What was I doing in such a crazy environment, so many miles from home and without my wife? Well, it is a wild and crazy place, Texas Road House, on a Saturday night. But I have to eat a nice steak dinner once in a while. Don't I?

TGIF

Well, it's Friday. TG.

We are tired, dirty, and battered. Two and a half weeks on the road this trip. We need the weekend to recover.

But, even though I complain about the rigors of the road, there is one aspect of this job I really like: when we are on site, like we are, we are in the real world. We see equipment, aircraft, and activities that, in the plant all the time, we only read or write about.

I love that. This week was no exception. I saw two types of aircraft flying around. One I have worked extensively with in the past but have not seen for a long time and one that I've only read about. It was cool.

OK, so much for the little boy in me. Now it is time to take two days off and relax.

I Know, It Is A Dry Heat

It reached 88 degrees today and we were outside all day to be scorched by the sun. It was boiling hot as we crawled all over the equipment to try and fix some irritating problems. Dry mouth, dry skin, and hard work. Every time I leaned over the water droplets streamed down my face. I looked really nerdy with a handkerchief covering my head underneath my hat. It took both (and a periodic changeover between two others as they took their turns drying in the sun) to keep the head dry.

Day over, work accomplished, I returned to the hotel exhausted.

After dinner, I decided that a good soak in the hot tub would be super on the pulsating legs, so I stepped outside to take a dip.

It was so relaxing to watch as the blue, cloudless sky changed colors from shades of blue to pink, yellow and white the closer you got to the horizon.

It is a mystery to me how the day can reach such high temperatures and yet the evening breeze is cold enough to bring on chills until I completely dried myself off. The desert is a mystery to me.

Tomorrow, it promises to reach into the 90s. Lucky us.

God's Canvas

Another beautiful piece of artwork in Bisbee is the result of man invading the earth to mine for copper and other minerals. The open pit mine has colorful lines and patches from all the different minerals in the soil. I just love the red pools of water. I just wish the sun would have graced us with its presence. I am sure the colors would have been really outstanding with the sun out.

I Wish I Were Talented

If only I had a real talent.

We were admiring some expensive artwork in a gallery in Bisbee this weekend when the lady working there told us to go next store and see the wonderful graffiti artwork. It was beautiful.

These artists are very talented. I wish I had a little bit of their talent. Too bad they are wasting it on graffiti.

A Visit to Old Post Ft Huachuca

After about 25 years absence from Ft Huachuca, I can barely recognize the fort or Sierra Vista. It makes me wonder what the old Buffalo Soldiers who served at Ft Huachuca in the early days would think about all the changes if they returned now; over a hundred years later.
The fort has kept the old post area restored for historical reasons. The old buildings and the museums let those of us coming around in modern times see what they lived like.
They give me a nostalgic feeling when I see them. Not of having lived in them. But of every cowboy and indian movie or TV show I saw as a kid in the fifties and sixties.
Hi Ho Silver...

Borders

I have visited three military museums during my travels this year. At the museum on Ft Huachuca I saw my third piece of the Berlin Wall that was torn down to further democracy in the world.

As Americans we feel this a great milestone in history. I found it ironic that two days later, as we walked toward the Mexican town of Nogales, from the US town of Nogales, we saw the wall erected to keep the illegal Mexicans from entering the US.

The Old West

During lunch today we drove down by the original post area established when Ft Huachuca was an isolated western outpost. Although restored in modern times, the stables and old buildings are still in use as residences and office space.

I can remember when I was stationed here, we passed these old buildings on a 15 mile hike with weapons and ruck sacks. They were magical then and still stir the imagination.

When Marj gets here we will visit the Buffalo Museum and take in its exhibits. It is supposed to be a really good museum. I can't imagine, as I stare out into the desert around our training area, what it would have been like to have been a soldier here when the fort was first built.

We stand out in the sun for a few hours and then return to our air conditioned training room. We drive in an air conditioned car to the dining facility and eat a hot meal with cold drinks and lots of desserts available (in air conditioning). We return to a hotel where a maid has freshened up the room, pick up our clean laundry from the desk, and sleep in the comfort of air conditioning.

The old soldiers worked outside, drilled, or patrolled all day with no air conditioning anywhere to retreat to. They travelled on a rough leather saddle mounted on a dusty old horse in the heat of the sun. They probably ate pretty bland food and rolled out a bedroll at night to sleep. And often, they probably had to sleep beside that same horse, in clothes that only got washed once in a great while.

As much as I can't imagine what their lives would have been like; they would have never thought how ours would be either. Ironic.

I will blog about the museum and post pictures this weekend.

Just One Word

First full day of teaching. I only have one word to explain it...HOT. HOT, HOT, HOT.

Desert Foilage

Why Not Take A Little Walk

When I was a young soldier here at Ft Huachuca (30 years young), I used to run everyday with my Army unit. I would also run with my wife sometimes in the evening. One Saturday some soldier friends talked me into running the equivalent of a 10K with them. It was the longest I ever ran in one time and the last time I did.

So, today I decided to WALK the same distance to celebrate the day when I was energetic enough to run at least once a day.

I started out at 9:15 am and with a stop for lunch and browsing through the local Hastings Book and Music store I returned to the hotel at about 2:15 pm. I walked from the hotel to the Main Gate of Ft Huachuca and back to the hotel.

I've posted proof with a photo of the pedometer. And also a few more photos of desert foliage from along the way (see next post).

Now, pardon me while I lay down and recover from this foolishness...

Odd Finds

I love to find products with funny names. I found this at the local Target store.

There is Beauty All Around

One of the things having time on your hands does is force you to notice little things. Whether it is the lack of quality programming on TV or the lack of quality restaurants, you notice.

I have spent much more time listening to good relaxing music on my Zune and taking photographs of 'things.'

In an effort to avoid the four walls of the hotel room, this afternoon I took a little walk to the mall about a half mile from the hotel. At the bookstore, I picked up the May issue of National Geographic with brilliant color photos of China and her people. I sat on a wooden bench, listening to the melodic voice of Natalie Cole, and read. It was actually quite relaxing to tune out everything around me while enjoying the controlled climate within.

On the walk back in the hot southern Arizona sun I started noticing the desert plants along the way. Even though I left my 'good' camera in the room I snapped off a few photos with the standby.

I thoroughly enjoyed their simple beauty. Ironically, since they sit in vacant lots along a busy roadway, I am probably the only person to notice their beauty which for most of them is fading as they wilt and die. And the sounds of Natalie accompanying this walk made it even more spectacular.

OK, Now What?

OK, now what? We had to go in to work early this morning for 3 hours. After that, we visited several stores to buy miscellaneous supplies that we need for the three weeks. Then, back to the hotel.

It is only quarter to one. Now what do I do?

That is the dilemma on the road. I complain if we have to work on Saturday...I complain if we don't. What gives?

Since Marj is coming down for the holiday weekend, I don't want to go out adventuring this weekend. I need a pastime that I can do on the road that makes me feel productive in the off hours. Besides eating.

Knitting anyone?

Help! I Am Alone In A Grocery Store...What Do I Do?

Since we are staying at the Candlewood Suites and have kitchenettes in our rooms, we decided to go grocery shopping to fill our cabinets and fridges with food for the week.

All of a sudden, I found myself standing in the middle of the potato chip aisle, all alone. I was like a five-year-old, separated from mommy. I looked around at the colorful bags full of vinegar chips, cheddar chips, jalapeno chips, Cheetos, those ones with ridges, and every other kind of deep fried potato snack you can think of...

Panic set in. Help! I cried out. What do I do now?

My job has always been to follow the wife around the grocery store and nod my head every once in a while when asked about a product selection. Then, after a few minutes I could drift off to the magazine aisle or the DVD department.

Who ever imagined I would have to fend for myself one day?

After the panic subsided, and I realized she was many miles away, I slowly came to my senses and filled the cart with groceries. I am not sure, though, what food group Hostess Cupcakes fall in. I can't figure out if M&Ms are considered a main dish or a side dish. And, is ice cream a vegetable or a fruit?

On the road....AGAIN

Home for a short four days and on the road again. This time I am in southern Arizona. I was actually stationed here over 20 years ago. I am excited to see what has changed.

The trip down was ok. Flying down in one of those small CRJ commuter jet seats is not very comfortable, but that's OK. What really bothers me is the airline itself. Skywest, and Delta Connection, in my recent experience, have run down, dirty aircraft. They overbook most flights, and if the flight is full there is a good chance they will put your luggage on the next flight. It happened to me a couple trips ago and it happened to my friend this trip.

And, flying for the fifth trip since January, most of them on Delta and Delta Connection airlines, I am sick of the crackers, Bischoff cookies, and peanuts they offer in coach. Please, come up with something that actually tastes good.
I have dubbed the $25 fee for a second suitcase, the "Executive Salary Surcharge." The airline executive's exhorbitant salaries could be lowered to something realistic instead of charging us for a second bag. I know, they claim it is higher gas costs.

I guess I should just be happy they got us here safely.

I Should Have Known

Microsoft informed me that a software update was available for my Zune and that Service Pack 3 was ready for Windows. Like a sucker, I automatically began the updates.

Two days later, it is now almost 11pm on the east coast, I am waiting for the last 35 files to load on my Zune.

Why do I fall for the Microsoft update scam?

Every update I think I've ever performed of a Microsoft product has caused me great headaches. My Zune could not be recognized by my PC. I had to completely wipe out everything on my Zune and then it wouldn't sync nor would it turn off. It just sat there on the instruction screen telling me to sync with my PC. Annoying.

Several hours of Internet research and computer file/registry magic I just might have come back up to normalcy.

I hope next time I get a message from Microsoft that something has an upgrade, I will be smarter and research everything that WILL go wrong, then have all the contingencies in place to make the process go smoother. At least maybe take only one day and not two to recover everything.

Thanks Bill Gates...

Signal Corp Museum

We visited the Signal Corp Museum on Ft Gordon this week. I was impressed with the displays. My favorites were the piece of the Berlin Wall (like we saw at Ft Bragg) and the crucifix made by a Vietnam War POW. The crucifix was made from scrap leather and electrical wire insulation.

Military communication has come from signal flags, signal mirrors, pigeons, switchboard and telegraph wires to satellite communication.

Notice that the lizard we saw on the wall of the museum has some plastic wrapped around its body. Some how it got stuck in it and has been wearing it ever since.

Game Day Thoughts

It is a fun experience to visit a big league ball park and watch the best of the best play nine innings of Major League Baseball. Names like Glavine, Jones, Griffey, and Arroyo are right there in front of you and not framed by a TV screen.

Turner Field is beautifully manicured with grandstands that seem to reach to the sky; it must be an awesome sight for the little kids to behold. Everything seems ten times its size when we are kids.

$50 for a ticket, $4o for a program and souveniers, $12 for parking, $3o for food and drink, and none of that includes the $50 worth of gas it took to get from Augusta to Atlanta and back.

Was it worth it? You bet. But it is all so impersonal.

Fans scream out, "Go get 'em Tommy" when Glavine takes the mound. They chant, "Chipper, Chipper, Chipper" when Jones takes the plate. They scream from the heights of the stands at a great distance from the players, but that is as close as they get. And most fans can't even afford to go to all the home games.

I'll take Minor League Baseball any day, where a game doesn't take a whole paycheck to get the full experience and fans call out players names because they interact with them on a personal basis. The highest seat in the stadium is still closer than most of the good seats in a major league ball park-and you can even sit in the same section as an owner or the General Manager. They may even know you.

Americans spend millions of dollars every year to sit in the nose bleed sections of arenas, rinks, racetracks, stadiums, and ballparks. It's time they looked into minor and developmental leagues.
For my money, that's where the fun is.

Game Day - Pregame Photos

Game day is not only the thrill of the game, but getting to Turner Field and taking in the majesty of the ball park and pregame festivities.

Happy Birthday to Me?

A 12 hour old Krispy Kreme donut, a YooHoo chocolate drink, and an ice cream sandwich; my birthday celebration.

Pork bulgogy and several assorted kim chi dishes at A-Ri-Rang Korean Restaurant in South Augusta; my birthday dinner.

Both; alone.

It was great to hear from family, kids, and my sweetheart throughout the day. Birthdays are mean't to be spent around those you love. The last two years, ironically, I have been in Georgia for my birthday. Atlanta last year and Augusta this year. Maybe next year I can arrange to be at home.

Braves 14, Reds 7

I spent the day with some close friends: Chipper, Tom, and Junior. Over four hours round trip, expensive ball park drinks and food. Add some very, very hot sun. Great day. Here are a few pictures. More about the game tomorrow.

Challenge Coins

We had a special surprise when the unit commander visited us today. He presented both of us instructors with a unit challenge coin. Challenge coins are a military tradition. For an explanation of what challenge coins are, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin.

The photos show both sides of the coin. I have purchased one from each base we have visited. This is the first one actually given to me in the traditional handshake way.

P.S. Tomorrow I drive up to Atlanta to see the Braves play the Cincinnati Reds. Gonna be a great day and game. Now if only I can sleep.

Memory Moments

I find myself comparing life today with my past. Little things seem to trigger memories. Being on military bases again brings back memories.

I carry a backpack with me when we go outside to train on the equipment. It contains important notebooks full of information to assist me in teaching. It also contains a flashlight, a Leatherman tool, and a Buck knife in convenient pouches attached to the outside for easy access. Another pouch contains a spare pair of eyeglasses, my camera, and memory stick.

While getting my camera out of that pouch I noticed the tag inside, "Made in Vietnam." It is ironic that today I carry my training tools in a backpack with a pouch made in Vietnam attached to it.

I spent my youth watching neighbors and friends go to Vietnam and engage in combat. They risked, and some lost, their lives against the North Vietnamese Army. It was all in the fight against Communism. As youth we spent our young lives worrying about the time that we might have to go over and fight. Fortunately, before I could go the war ended.

Today we trade goods with the Vietnamese. Does that mean we were successful? I don't really know. What I do know is that that seeing that label inside my pack as it sat in the front seat of a military Humvee provided me one of those memory moments. Too often I wonder what I have accomplished on this earth. Memories give me feelings of having been somewhere. Memories make me think it has all been worth it.