Building A Better Iraq

Hello and welcome to Tool Time,

I am your host Dan "The, I shouldn't have tools man" Zirbes. If you know me you know that I am not a carpenter by any means but, I found myself building things this week for our new shop. The hanger was re-wired while I was on leave and we can move back into it now. As you see in the picture behind me, we are still in the framing stages of our new shop but I decided to build a work bench for it. I measured, cut, and assembled it all by myself and it was level........AMAZING!!!!! If you know me at all you know this is well out of my realm of expertise. I don't build things but, I thought I'd give it a shot and it turned out ok. So I then proceeded to make shelves for a pantry and close it off with a door and that turned out ok also. Maybe I missed my calling.......NOT! It is kinda fun to do though on a very part time bases.

Besides the building, not too much has happened this week. It did rain twice this week and turned this place into a mud pit again. It takes a week to dry out and make it ok to walk around without getting mud all over your boots wherever you go. Till then Jesse and I keep a chair by the door to remove our boots so we don’t get mud all over the room. Also, we have our "Path" we walk to and from the bathrooms so that we avoid as much mud as possible. It is kinda fun watching everybody hopping over puddles just to get to the bathroom. I do miss indoor plumbing for that reason. Maybe I should build myself a bathroom in my room? Naaa…..Not only would it look like crap, it would smell like it also.

On that note, I will sign out now, fade to black and leave you wanting more. So, till next week...........Stay Classy!!!

Dan

I Have A Dream.......

Hello and Happy MLK Day Everyone,

As I sit here and write this BLOG I sez to myself, self (That’s what I call myself when I'm alone) what do you dream about? Lately, I dream of home because I was just there with my beautiful wife for 15 great days. Also, I guess I screamed in my sleep thinking I was getting bitten by a shark and woke up my roommate in the process. It's not quite the same dream Dr King had but at least I do dream.

Now to the real world.........This week I was able to get back into my routine. Sleep, work, drink lots of coffee, and going to the chow hall. I did make it over to the East side of the FOB a couple of times this week. The first time, I went to a Turkish Cafe to have lunch with a couple of friends. It is a nice change of pace from the chow hall and it feels like you are n a real cafe for a little bit. The second time was today to go to the Iraqi Bazaar. They sell movies, TV show sets, and electronic equipment for pretty good prices (Don't worry Sarah, I didn't buy anything today. I just looked.) It is always like a little adventure to go over to the other side of the FOB from time to time.

I do want to say thank you to Wendy Pettus and the Shea family for the care packages I have received this past week. The Guys in my platoon see me get the boxes and they hover as I open them to see what goodies are inside. The other platoons are coming into our shop because they know the people that send us items send the "Good Stuff". So, thank you for your support and do know that all of the items are very welcome.

That’s it for this week, there isn't any more. You can stop reading now, the post is done. It’s like watching the credits at the end of the movie, nobody does. Have a great week and I'll talk more nonsense next week.

Dan

I'm Back!!!!!

Hello Campers,

Well, my leave is over and I have to say that it went by too fast. Sarah and I had a ball in Mexico and also being with the family and friends. I wish I could have seen everyone but time is kind of limited and Sarah comes first. She was able to take the entire time off from work so we could be together the whole time. We went to all of our favorite restaurants and places to hang out. It was like I had never left. I know that Sarah will carry on in my absence like she has already before my leave. She has been doing so great while I've been gone. It was sad when I left but Sarah was strong and we kept saying "Only 6 more months to go". The first 6 went by quick so I expect the same for the last 6. If you want to see the pictures from my leave you can visit my Facebook page under my name.

Things are getting back to normal here in Iraq. Poker night was tonight and it is always good to hang with the guys for a night of cards. As you see in the picture I am showing a straight flush. I did this because it will be the only time in my life I will have one and I had to stage it for a picture. Well, the sun may shine on me sometime in my life to get one but as of yet it hasn't happened. Luck was not on my side tonight but there is always next week.

It is also still wet around here from when it snowed on Friday. I just missed seeing the snow but I did get to see the aftermath. The whole post was like a mud pit. Today was the first day I didn't have to scrape mud off my boots before going into my room. I hope the rainy season ends soon so we don't have to worry about the mud any more. Oh well, its like they say "War is Hell". Who knew that hell has tons of mud also.

I've rambled on enough for one post. I hope everyone had a great holiday season and I will talk to you all again next week.

Dan