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May 29, 2005 The early spring heat was really gumming things up this time. I had been sticking (literally), to one shirt on successive three-shirt days because I had no idea when I would see a laundry, and most of the laundry sites took three days to return your wash. (Yes, that is a KBR responsibility too.) Fortunately, the sleeping weather was great. The evenings were pleasantly cool and perhaps even a bit cold. I did not want to take out my sleeping bag, and I was able to sleep in short sleeves and socks and feel warm enough. My first temporary home on this past road trip was a tent on the lip of the airfield. The field was busy all evening, every evening. You see, the bad guys sleep at night. If they are awake, they can’t hit the broad side of anything in the dark anyway. But the bad guys aren’t that dumb. They know it is hard to terrorize people asleep in their beds. It is no fun to kill infidels if you can’t terrorize them a little, first. It is also better to execute terrorism in daylight because it makes for better coverage from CNN. The sleeping tent was very busy at night too. The travelers who could not readily get connecting flights had to be put up for the night. They moved into and out of the tent all night. Some were considerate of the sleeping and used their flashlights to navigate between cots; while others were a little more rude, turning on all the lights in the tent and while making enough noise to roust even the most ardent sleeper (like me). Eventually they would tire of their own noisemaking and go to sleep. It was all good though. My first stop was completed, but not complete. The percentage of success was good for baseball, but it was lousy for what I was there to accomplish. Roots were not permitted on this trip though. It was, “do what can be done” then move on quickly; or as quickly as flight schedules would permit. Finally manifested, I was partially covered in mud, fully covered in sweat and standing near a large puddle with no place to drain. There had been a rain delay for all flights, but the rain had lessened to a drizzle and there was almost no wind; just a straight down splashing of large drops. That had gone on for hours. Puddles are rare in the desert. But I was signed up; no guarantee for transport. My name was on a list that I fully understood could become meaningless in a matter of a moment. Weather conditions, mechanical problems or mission dictates could alter a flight plan as readily as any shoulder fired rocket. Was I as miserable as some of the soldiers I stood next to? No. Help had been succored from corners of the universe I was in that, under normal circumstances might not have been as available or as fortuitous. It would be a wait of several more hours though. I had hoped for a meal but I did not hold my breath for very long. I had enough candy to stave off the “munchies”. I had drunk two cups of coffee that morning and that felt like enough. I also had a leftover “pound” cake and some peanuts from the previous day’s MRE! Life was good! ------------ About the Author: Michael John McCrae has contributed over 300 articles to Useless-Knowledge.com. Email: macswordV@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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