tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-168670052024-03-23T11:09:20.170-07:00The Desert Excursion: 365 days in Iraq - a 24/7 Soldier MedicI have left my home in Minnesota to serve with the US Army in Iraq.nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-30349542241272686962007-07-07T10:46:00.000-07:002007-07-07T10:51:15.468-07:00Well folks, here it is. The is my last official blog from the Middle East.<br /><br />It has been a long road but finally we can see the end. Our bags are on our backs and we are headed home. It has been lots of fun sharing this whole experience with everyone and I have enjoyed all the comments and e-mails from all of you.<br /><br />Thanks to all of you that kept in touch, sent letters or packages, and thought about me. I hope to see many of you when I get home.<br /><br />See you in the states,<br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com86tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-40552732094582193792007-06-15T02:10:00.000-07:002007-06-15T03:02:44.543-07:00The Waiting GameAnother long break in the blog. . .<br /><br />Next month I will be coming home. As exciting as that may seem for people at home, for the majority of us here it will be a nerve racking experience. Believe it or not, but I have more anxiety when I think about coming home then I have ever had while I have been here. In short: we are scared.<br /><br />Inevitably, almost all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">discussions</span> with my fellow soldiers at this point leads to talking about home. They chat excitably about what their plans are, where they are going to school, who they are coming home to, their jobs, their kids, and their spouses. Then they proceed with caution and nervous voices as they talk about what all those things actually mean. What <em>am</em> I doing when I get home? Who <em>will</em> be there when I get home? Will life be the same as it was before?<br /><br />So, with only a few weeks left the tension is building and our patience is running thin. It's almost like punishment when you don't have any work to do because then your mind is relegated to thinking about home and the anxiety sets in again. I can only go to the gym so much and the rest of the time off I sit and stare at the ceiling. Most our our things are gone and the two bags left are ten minutes away from being packed. Now it's a waiting game and we are trying to find anything to make the time pass by unnoticed.<br /><br />More next time,<br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-4946211977537317122007-05-17T02:56:00.000-07:002007-05-17T03:37:59.236-07:00The Eye of the Sandstorm<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3LNnw3vSxIJSpD9eBIqzIkF2pOx7VpxiXwVl1w5-1rbW1hjVJa73aeWXb0q_vYj1UZsP_dZwL4sflgtiHNHdaXIdsi4j_Oms6kuGipTQ6_av81w7HTgc5IlJ3X3XrJ43Jdzj/s1600-h/IMG_1861.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065467021409703794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3LNnw3vSxIJSpD9eBIqzIkF2pOx7VpxiXwVl1w5-1rbW1hjVJa73aeWXb0q_vYj1UZsP_dZwL4sflgtiHNHdaXIdsi4j_Oms6kuGipTQ6_av81w7HTgc5IlJ3X3XrJ43Jdzj/s400/IMG_1861.JPG" border="0" /></a> One of the best sandstorms I have seen in the past 13months here. The sky is actually orange.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">Well things are certainly interesting here lately in Iraq, but then again that is par for the course I suppose. I wish that I could talk about what has been happening but I will have to limit my narrative to those things that won't result in my blog being shut down by the "man". </div><br /><div align="left">We had a wicked sandstorm here the other day that undoubtedly is the worst I have ever seen. The storm actually left a silty layer of sand and dirt throughout the whole area. Stepping out of my room in the morning it felt as though it had snowed because you could actually see trails through the rocks where people had walked through the sediment that accumulated after the storm. You couldn't go so much as 20 feet without being completely covered head to toe in sand and yet even the shelter of the hospital couldn't provide relief. Our emergency room, halls and ward looked as though an explosion had shook the whole hospital into a cloudy haze. </div><div align="left"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065475933466843010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEibKDWEZkOAFT1kntFxomMoc7QfRP-O4HbC1FSZ6c88dvWQxQ4IsSfIyM8XR1V1PiBh6tihnuPi20SZTv76ohIT8snCA5AfzEdkNvJuJuisE_AfyzJaoLnjVQr0htshIBfMT/s400/IMG_1854.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="left">I noted earlier that I have started boxing in addition to my daily workouts and I have to say that I am really liking it. I sparred for the first time last week and once this week also. I am getting a hang of the concept but it takes a while to really be comfortable out there one on one with somebody punching you. One bloody lip and and a bruised nose later I am ready to go again.<br /></div><div align="left">As this deployment winds down we hope that we can prevent as many losses as possible. It would be a shame to come this far to lose somebody now but we came close recently and that is something we would hate to have. It has been almost eerily inevitable, if you believe in superstition, that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">you will</span> go the whole tour without a death and then just as you are handing off the mission to the next unit it happens. Sure, we have lost soldiers in our brigade within the other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">battalions</span> but we have yet to lose one in our unit. So goal number one still remains: bring everyone home. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Anxiety is slowly setting in to those who are thinking about home. Next month should be our last, and for most the idea of going home is just an impossible thought. Are they really going to send us home this time? Most of us have held to the theory that we won't believe it until we are on that plane ride home and even then I am not sure I will be able to grasp the reality that I am heading back to the real world. What is that like again?</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Pax,</div><div align="left">Nick </div><br /><div align="center"></div>nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-22068164484518299372007-05-08T03:50:00.000-07:002007-05-08T05:25:27.734-07:00An Oasis in the Middle East<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaadf_06-GElAVy52VhOzNG2wAi1QrZf47smWtmxQyPbdD0Zp7ZNfX_7GUWzgyk2TCM_i6BvE7p6wSNS1FD7VK7VkhAdhyQFlSQiRKCS6h8XpBfVrEMfOXxN8bWeDX6yDAH9Q/s1600-h/Qatar+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062150942512015346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaadf_06-GElAVy52VhOzNG2wAi1QrZf47smWtmxQyPbdD0Zp7ZNfX_7GUWzgyk2TCM_i6BvE7p6wSNS1FD7VK7VkhAdhyQFlSQiRKCS6h8XpBfVrEMfOXxN8bWeDX6yDAH9Q/s400/Qatar+042.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>After another long break from blogging, I come writing again from beautiful Iraq; sunny skies and 115 degrees.<br /><br />After plugging away through 12 months here and with the extension added we were allowed on pass for four days to Qatar last week. We had a great group of us from our unit going and needless to say we had a spectacular time together enjoying a calmer portion of the Middle East. It was almost surreal to us at first that we could actually go out in public without weapons, body armor, or armored vehicles. People didn't hurl insults at us, they didn't glare, and they weren't trying to kill us. It was an altogether great feeling to be accepted as a human being again without the stigma of soldiers in uniform; we were just there to relax, and the work of the soldier was put aside.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062151513742665730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJupb2Fi_RlDtMdSnG-OItuEh9PcWUxqJJiL-c1ADWjbWDfkx1Fw6mR4Z_dBEEj5UXBSj_gHSvD8trvPhalvkwNUEu51KoSr_S6919JUhkdhO-ZTOisJnrtfjbo6NQjUo8uuH/s400/Qatar+019.jpg" border="0" /><br />The beautiful country of Qatar that is famously known for it's early pearling endeavours and more recently their oil production is one of the richest countries in the world and quite modern by western standards. We were able to eat some great food, swim, see the Persian Gulf, and enjoy a little bit of the culture. The country is very small but rapidly rising and their racial diversity is near what you would see in urban America, with workers from the East and West migrating there for business prospects. The trip was definitely a highlight of my deployment here so far.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062153931809253410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpv6Tktcrac5jKyGII0TtnfY5OQ-ubG7YQ4oC8GfM3vwPKiK8g9aPxL41-Zp1mn3QA9mldQfRFuvTvKn2jRhP9sHNgHBDcLtDTCgN1w4BFu2wgOLLQkpjppcvqeEbhnYvTOEOd/s400/IMG_1817.JPG" border="0" /><br />And now we are all back to work, and in our heads we still dream about all the fun we had. Now our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">focus is</span> on how nice it will be to finally go home and trade our military life for the stark contrast of the civilian world. What a relief that will be and yet nerve racking at the same time. We had our "60 day out" redeployment brief the other day warning us about the things we are to expect upon going home. Some of it was serious, but most was quite comical. ". . .Watch out when operating lawn mowers, you haven't used them in a long time. . .Be careful swimming, you may not be as capable as you used to be. . ." And somehow this is ironic considering we have been carrrying and operating multiple automatic weapons, watching the highways for road-side bombs and hoping that a mortar or rocket doesn't fall on our laps while we sleep. Call me crazy if somehow a weedwacker just doesn't sound too daunting at this point.<br /><br />Now I am not saying officialy or un-officially when we are coming home because I don't have the right to do that but I can say that we are packing three out of four of our bags in connexes by the end of this month. I will say that I am thinking I will be enjoying August in Minnesota and maybe even a couple weeks of July. Take that for what it is worth, but I can't say.<br /><br />Enjoying the wonderful Iraq summer,<br />Nick</div></div></div></div>nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-90999376819815309842007-04-12T03:27:00.000-07:002007-04-12T06:09:03.455-07:00April showers bring May. . .Sandstorms?<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCK4mj950CcBSx44_Go71izTSBOznWAGf-kweO4doH9-3OSa2-EvMSx89MYulGLzKq3OF68_fTpJJ5q3qXgxCgyKI_mCiYafJLoPVyC99Pzb-olJJSs4X7jnfLIueBpyvnjMQg/s1600-h/IMG_1646.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052525968958475986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCK4mj950CcBSx44_Go71izTSBOznWAGf-kweO4doH9-3OSa2-EvMSx89MYulGLzKq3OF68_fTpJJ5q3qXgxCgyKI_mCiYafJLoPVyC99Pzb-olJJSs4X7jnfLIueBpyvnjMQg/s400/IMG_1646.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Well friends, it has been quite a while since my last post and I suppose I have wet your appetite.<br /><br />With the temperatures rising and the days getting longer, the soldiers are beginning to scatter like camel spiders as soon as the sunlight begins to show itself. It is still relatively "cool" right now with temps in the 90's but soon enough we will be experiencing the full wrath of the desert rays.<br /><br />Congrats to all the new units that have heard about the new extension orders for all Army deployments increasing from 12 months to 15. Since our unit has already been extended and we are nearing our 21st month on deployment I have little sympathy, however, I would never wish for any unit to go this long. With the Army making the new deployments 15 months, and like I said we are near 21 months away from home, the Army is shattering it's reputation and it's attempts to make this war appear like progress is being made.<br /><br />First, taking a National Guard unit such as ourselves, and deploying us for nearly two years away from families, school, and occupations is ludicrous. Then, expecting them to deploy after only a year back home just puts the icing on the cake. The Army is going to lose many veteran and young soldiers alike, including myself, as a result of this decision. Second, National Guard families are not like Active Army families and the impact of these prolonged deployments will diminish the support of the families and in turn the soldiers' commitment to this military.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052487533296144050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitifg5up74EKVKrNXqj1SrZuFcdK0-WbSPiSh6OI0CDD55Q8vRwCSm0wfwoaLpQW7outd93hcImmpnpcCIjlFrhSZkE4cwlgYYyPpRaqwX1_Zim8KKyOgmJtvLGmGMWLTGSZRa/s400/IMG_2983.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Today's Iraq Tip: Watch your boots when things get bloody, it's hard to wash off.</p><p align="left">Until next time,</p><p align="left">Nick</p><p align="left">Book Recommendation: <em>Henderson the Rain King</em>, Saul Bellow</p></div>nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-90151540463954740492007-03-25T20:23:00.000-07:002007-03-25T20:31:12.899-07:00Bryan McDonough - We Won't Forget.<a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1733954595">Memories of Bryan</a><br /><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" width="430" height="346" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="m=1733954595&type=video"></embed><br /><a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=1733954595&title=Memories">Add to My Profile</a> <a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home">More Videos</a><br /><br />It's been over three months now and I still cry every time I watch this. I will never forget Bryan or any of our other soldiers for the rest of my life. No matter what you think of this war, just remember that good Men and Women are putting their lives on the line, and some pay with their life; it effects us all.nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-20491607733387801542007-03-13T12:24:00.000-07:002007-03-13T13:13:57.921-07:00Martius iam?<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvBgOMstU9u5sPhcGEt0RU2Czfri_ZyJvCi0Tybi_ycWPCDk8uUCRGI_6I5aJR8ghkssintNYwpqQG6T07Hq3iQh4ilbzwPdVxBtIAX7vkMxLs0fHPPrn_I_03Uo2mkADZ1hK/s1600-h/IMG_1544.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041504283628103362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvBgOMstU9u5sPhcGEt0RU2Czfri_ZyJvCi0Tybi_ycWPCDk8uUCRGI_6I5aJR8ghkssintNYwpqQG6T07Hq3iQh4ilbzwPdVxBtIAX7vkMxLs0fHPPrn_I_03Uo2mkADZ1hK/s400/IMG_1544.JPG" border="0" /></a> Emily and I in the ER </div><br />So it is March now. If you may recall, this is when I arrived over here a year ago. More pointedly, March 14th was the date that we were supposed to hand over our missions to the unit replacing us. In effect, you could say that we now begin our official extension. I won't lament any further than I already have in the past, just quickly making the notice that, arguably, we have served our required time here; for most, March 21st will landmark the year and a half point for this deployment. The question now is, will our extension to support the "surge" in troops actually get anything accomplished? Only time will tell, but even then the answer will be murky.<br /><br />Life in the ER is quiet here for the most part. Most of the time we see the common ailments, sprains, kidney stones, infections, cuts and so forth. Occasionally, such as the other day, we had a patient with a gunshot wound to the neck which would be the most excitement I have seen in a few months.<br /><br />Spring is upon us and the key feature is the sandstorms; dust inhabiting every corner, falling lightly upon anything in our metal can that we call a room. We had one that lasted for nearly 24 hours last week and is was not a pleasant experience. Do we really have to stay here for another summer? It was bad enough to go through one summer here, but a second time? Luckily, I work the night shift and I haven't had to deal with the temps that are rising during the day. Nonetheless, we head into the wicked climate of the desert summer soon.<br /><br />Until next time,<br />Nick<br /><br />P.S.- Recomended fiction reading: <em>Darkness at Noon</em>, Alfred Koestler; <em>Lolita</em>, Vladimir Nabokov; <em>Catch-22</em>, Joseph Heller.<br /><br />Non-Fiction: <em>Into Thin Air</em>, Jon Krakauer; <em>Marley and Me</em>, John Grogan.nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-13746377954771959472007-02-26T05:41:00.000-08:002007-02-26T09:40:37.389-08:00AgonyDespite the fact that I work everyday in a war zone thousands of miles away from my family and friends, my most depressing point this week was somewhere else: the gym.<br /><br />I stepped into the gym for the first time since getting sick two weeks ago. For the week and and half that I had been bed ridden I hadn't even thought about wanting to get out of bed, let alone lift an arm or a leg. I hadn't eaten the whole time I was sick and I was just able to get food down my palate when I decided it was time to get back to work. I stepped on the scale. I knew it wasn't going to be good, it wasn't. I had lost 15 pounds as a result of the infection and the resulting surgery. I didn't have 5 pounds to spare, let alone 15. My sanctuary was turning on me.<br /><br />I began my workout and realized from the start that it was back to the basics. I couldn't lift nearly what I had before and it took every ounce of energy I had in me to persist through the sets. What had once been a place of calm, a place to burn off energy and release steam had become a place of perpetual torture and torment, with the weights becoming the tools of the torturer. Needless to say, I did not enjoy the workout.<br /><br />Update: I am eating persistently now and I can even taste the food, although I am not sure that is an improvement at all. I haven't taken a day off since getting back to work for few reasons, but mainly that I have nothing better to do. My avid reading addiction has been helping to pass the time and my attempt now is to read the top 100 novels of the 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> century before I leave here. I have read 12 so far, but I am limited to the books that are here so I have had to order many to be sent. To keep pace, I have calculated that I must read a book almost every day. For this to be accomplished I am going to need a steady flow of books so I must get on the ball.<br /><br />Regards,<br />Nick<br /><br />P.S.- I am using a list published by the Modern Library, the Board's Choice for guidance on the novels.nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-9462806441146366182007-02-19T07:56:00.000-08:002007-02-19T08:49:00.646-08:00What a week!It has certainly been an interesting week and a half since my last post. Let me fill you in.<br /><br />The morning after the golfing extravaganza I awoke with a sore throat. I knew right away that I was going to get sick, I don't get sick often. Thankfully I didn't have to work that night so I tried to relax as best I could, drinking water and taking my multivitamin, hoping that I would beat this one out. Little did I know that my efforts never would have a chance to fight this one into submission; I began to run a fever.<br /><br />At first I was just generally miserable: sore throat, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">myalgia</span>, malaise, and fever. The fever was keeping me up all night and I was popping <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">acetaminophen</span> like candy, but the fever was getting the best of me and eventually it shot up over 103 at which point I decided it was time to get seen and get some antibiotics. The doctor saw Strep Throat and so I grumbled and started taking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">amoxicillin</span>. I have had this before and at least I knew the antibiotics would help me kick it fast and I would be back to work in a couple days. I assumed too much.<br /><br />Just a day after starting the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">amoxicillin</span> I noticed that my throat was actually getting worse and I couldn't hardly speak with such swollen glands. I hadn't eaten in four days now and I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">beginning</span> to feel weak, ready to submit to this horrible monster. My fever was going down but the swelling was more prominent than ever, I couldn't open my mouth more than a few centimeters, and as a rather peculiar side effect to the infection, my salivary glands were on overdrive. I was paralyzed, fever ridden, and drooling; time to see the doctor again.<br /><br />The diagnosis this time was clear: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Peritonsillar</span> Abscess. I needed to see a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">ENT</span> specialist and so it looked like I was going to go for a helicopter ride to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Balad</span>. We found an accepting physician there and I was put on IV antibiotic therapy before I headed out on the chopper about six hours later.<br /><br />Then next morning I met with the physician and it was clear that I needed surgery. Four hours later I was put out and under the blade. I came to about an hour later dazed and struggling to get myself into a bed in the ward. I don't remember if I went to sleep or not but I was quite relieved that the swelling that had been in the back of the throat was mostly gone now. I spent the next two days after that on IV antibiotic therapy and on the third day I was discharged. Now I was unto the biggest challenge yet: trying to make it back to home base.<br /><br />I didn't have my ID card, a uniform, or a weapon, not a great start to get a flight. It was time to get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">McGyver</span> again. I scrounged around the hospital and assembled a uniform from old Air Force tops and bottoms and found a pair of boots. Lacking the essentials that characterized me as military, I blended in as a civilian as I found my way to the ID card office. After sweet talking the clerk, she assured me that she could get me and ID the next day, I was in business. I had to cajole my way through security to get back into the hospital and the next day I claimed my new ID card.<br /><br />0400 this morning- I walked my happy butt to the Passenger Terminal at the airfield in my newly assumed identity and carrying my armor and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">kevlar</span>. No flights to my base, but there was hope that the Army could get me there in a Sherpa. Yes, it's a called a Sherpa flight. I made it to the Sherpa terminal just in time and two hours later I was riding in the small prop plane they call a Sherpa. I am back now and in just a few hours it's back to work, and it feels good. It felt like a month, but I am back to health.<br /><br />Oh so relieved,<br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-27077539001920421492007-02-08T00:18:00.000-08:002007-02-04T06:15:45.957-08:00Fore!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqsGyEEEPTc6FhA32XGSPEgHCQ-I8yWuri5hJ8trTfgeEWFZ66ZppP3Rq_24FlSEBufgggkqywmtPjI7cEBmnW03N5SQHNl4QkDZxVY_OTEyy-5PFt8qaUGuTBbPBT5Ua3ozV/s1600-h/IMG_1595.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5029076794903812418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqsGyEEEPTc6FhA32XGSPEgHCQ-I8yWuri5hJ8trTfgeEWFZ66ZppP3Rq_24FlSEBufgggkqywmtPjI7cEBmnW03N5SQHNl4QkDZxVY_OTEyy-5PFt8qaUGuTBbPBT5Ua3ozV/s400/IMG_1595.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Forget running, just golf! Mike and I went out this morning after getting off work and did some golfing. Some random person back home sent a hodgepodge of sports items and as it so happened they sent seven different golf clubs also. To our dismay however, they didn't send any golf balls. So Mike went online and ordered 100 used golf balls and had them shipped over. Day in and day out we waited for the package to get here and then it finally arrived. We were so excited that we went out right after shift at the hospital. We climbed out unto one of Saddam's old hangars and swung away on a small pile of dirt.<br /><br />While some may say we have too much time on our hands or that we spend too much time on the base, we disagree. To that we have only one response: we did our time out on the road, saw as much as we want to see, and now we are extended. So now it's time get comfortable and enjoy life on the FOB. I have also decided to begin another endeavour here.<br /><br />Starting next week I will be publishing a second blog. It will have nothing to do with Iraq but instead will be a blog concerning topics in science. I have e-mailed a few friends to join in and to co-author the site. It is my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">prerogative</span> to have a topic posted weekly or bi-weekly written by different authors of the site. The topic can simply be objective or the author can take a stance and voice their personal views on the topic. Then, readers/authors/visitors will have the opportunity to comment, critique, and voice their opinions. I guess you would call it salon of sorts. As soon as I have decided on the site I will post it here.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Pax</span>,<br />Nick<br /><br />P.S.- If anyone is interested in writing on the new blog, (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">i.e</span>. is interested in writing some articles related to science) please e-mail me.<br /><br />P.P.S.- Mike and I eventually were booted from the top of the hanger after we apparently almost hit someone. FORE!!!nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-10087003456792529182007-02-01T22:49:00.000-08:002007-02-01T23:38:41.009-08:00Four Miles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZk2g3o8_MakulpcAcPErMAtELlgk6rpwxbcqqd_dt_0mK3N6OIbGmjjF6RpKUaHzZ8kFVudCLDGzz76SIwVxaO3iK49fL6wnOSVwMkfhaeiOrM3y3Q3ENHw70r5RV4YWp27W/s1600-h/IMG_1535.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026825824779985778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZk2g3o8_MakulpcAcPErMAtELlgk6rpwxbcqqd_dt_0mK3N6OIbGmjjF6RpKUaHzZ8kFVudCLDGzz76SIwVxaO3iK49fL6wnOSVwMkfhaeiOrM3y3Q3ENHw70r5RV4YWp27W/s400/IMG_1535.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And the race begins, literally. Mike and I have decided that we are going to run the half-marathon in a couple months here. Every few months they host a marathon on post that coincides with the ones at home. The last marathon was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">ING</span></span> Miami and I think the next one might be the Boston. Anyways, we decided to run a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">pre</span></span>-marathon 4 mile run to see where we stood. As one may see from the picture, Mike (on the right) looks as though he might need to start out slowly. In fact, we decided that we would have to "train" at a snails pace here for the next few weeks to break in our running legs. Although I would like to run the full marathon, my regular workout doesn't give me the time to train for running, so a half marathon (13.1 miles) will have to do.<br /><br />I really enjoy my work here now. I spend nights in the ER with some friendly soldiers of the 466<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">th</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">ASMC</span></span> from upstate New York. Ironically they are very similar to Minnesotans, I even daresay they share the "Minnesota friendly" attitude. Mike works nights in the Intensive Care Ward so we spend most of the night enjoying the quiet hospital.<br /><br />A <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">recommendation</span>: "The War Tapes". This is a film that I saw when I was up in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Balad</span></span>. It is a film that was shot entirely by soldiers while they were on deployment. Since we shared the same mission as them, watching that film was like watching the memory of our convoy missions playing through my head. It is an honest film, untainted by the media or a Hollywood producer. Watch this if you want to see what my first nine months were like here, but beware, the film is real footage and, as such, has graphic scenes of the reality of war.<br /><br />You can buy the film here: <a href="http://thewartapes.com/">http://thewartapes.com</a> . It won the Best Documentary at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Tribeca</span> Film Festival and was the winner of the Best International Documentary of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Britdoc</span> Festival.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Pax</span></span>,<br />Nick<br /><br />N.B.- The "beer" in my hand is actually a "near beer", NA Pauli Girl. If only it was real. . .nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-38386180827438783402007-01-22T08:41:00.000-08:002007-01-22T09:34:56.876-08:00The Numbers Game447- days away from home<br />10,728- hours spent thinking about home<br />2- fire extinguishers used<br />7- job titles since arriving in Iraq<br />7- mission changes<br />2- times sent to combat stress therapy<br />32- books read<br />135- patrols/convoys<br />2- tires changed<br />3- vehicles stuck in mud<br />250- patients treated<br />53- times urinating on the road while on mission<br />1- brooms broken over roommate's arm<br />142- highest temperature reached<br />32- lowest temperature reached<br />3- longest straight days without sleep<br />56- muffins eaten at the DFAC<br />1- times our A/C has blown up<br />3-pairs of boots worn through<br />300- stress relieving visits to the gym<br />2- times vomited on<br />800-trips to the chow hall<br />50- times it was too hot/too cold/too far to walk to the chow hall<br />2- years of school missed<br />8- letters sent home<br />20- number of digits still on my hands and feet<br />122- pictures/posts to this site<br />15,349- visitors to this site<br />?- days left here<br />1- times I have said, "I love Iraq". (It was a joke)nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-25520554705486469292007-01-11T09:00:00.000-08:002007-01-11T09:24:27.128-08:00A Change of PlansNothing in the military is a certainty, you learn that from day one. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Semper</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">gumby</span>; always flexible. That is more true than ever today as I tell you that I won't be coming home when planned.<br /><br />A passing soldier stops to ask a question:<br /><br />"What's the big news on base?" queries the soldier.<br /><br />"We just found out that we are being extended. . ." is the response.<br /><br />"Now everything makes sense. Everyone looks like they are going to cry."<br /><br />As a result of the call up for more troops in Iraq, the 1/34 Brigade Combat Team is being extended in Iraq for an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">unannounced</span> amount of time. We are in our 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">th</span> month of this deployment and it looks as though it may just turn out to be a two year tour. Nothing is set yet but we have heard rumors about a July return date now instead of the planned March exodus.<br /><br />All around base you can feel the misery that the soldiers are feeling. Laughter, sadness, and anger <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">surrounds</span> the conversations and mood when you greet someone. Plans shattered, most soldiers are frantically trying to talk to their loved ones that are thousands of miles away. They have to try and console their families and themselves at the same time, a quite difficult task.<br /><br />Many will be missing weddings, school graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, and vacation plans. We all knew that we were going to be making <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sacrifices</span> on this deployment but we never expected a two year deployment time, easily one of the longest deployments for any unit yet.<br /><br />With my chin up I sit here and ponder the implications of an extended stay. You just can't make this stuff up.<br /><br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-57746438587319257822007-01-05T04:56:00.000-08:002007-01-07T09:13:33.181-08:00Back "Home"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ94eVxAD0zbBV9X91q0e53F8X2LcK1kvrl7gbCW_b8FOgOTUdckzLlL6-t4l0zi4s0scZEVnkppgxfp5a_3EhaH8Ric8nMlB2ta4Duj4770OPGHmhM6mVht7MOl0fxszOGsLa/s1600-h/IMG_1495.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5016541643875416418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ94eVxAD0zbBV9X91q0e53F8X2LcK1kvrl7gbCW_b8FOgOTUdckzLlL6-t4l0zi4s0scZEVnkppgxfp5a_3EhaH8Ric8nMlB2ta4Duj4770OPGHmhM6mVht7MOl0fxszOGsLa/s400/IMG_1495.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I returned back to my home base on New Years Eve and started back up with my prior missions just two days later. I can't say for certain but it looks as though I will be getting a mission change again, but I will still be here counting the days until our replacements come. I think it's safe to say that counting months are over and now we will be counting days (days sound better than months to me).</div><br /><div></div><div>It's five days into the new year and already I am hoping spring comes early. I saw some frozen water on the ground the other day, if I remember correctly it's called ice but I can't remember ever being warned that the desert had ice. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Balad</span> was a great experience and I will miss the work along with the people that made the job so much better to go to. </div><br /><div></div><div>I had a months worth of mail waiting for me here including all of my Christmas mail so that was something nice to come back to. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">received</span> so many letters that I wouldn't have time to even send out thank you letters. So, thank you to everyone who sent me a letter or package.</div><br /><div></div><div>After making an appointment with a physical therapist at the hospital I went in to get my finger looked at. A pain in my PIP (proximal inter pharyngeal?) joint had been recurring for the past two months or so. After they looked at it they think it may be a torn ligament, but they also suggested that a dislocation had caused the tear. Needless to say, I grimace <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">every time</span> that I have to grasp or pick something up. They don't seem to have any solutions for me, and I have that going for me.</div><br /><div></div><div>The girlfriend, Carrie, is in Egypt right now and I am sure that she is probably enjoying this region a lot more than I am. Maybe I can hitch a ride there?</div><br /><div></div><div>So embrace the new year and prepare, for this is the year that I return home.</div><br /><div></div><div>Nick</div><div><blockquote><br /></blockquote></div>nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-9670346264426770132006-12-22T19:57:00.000-08:002006-12-22T20:44:34.703-08:00Merry Christmas from Iraq<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtDr9tzHs0N4ovVLRx92usUCQQUhO-2XXwMnEWIZ4F86pg1KPOZfCDAaacvnWsFVWrrtLuSceGQ8Wr_8DwauNzWETs96yAqEgyU1C2_GNwyAFUi2b9ncu_J4UTnz5bqNJrJyT/s1600-h/IMG_1457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011571276857037122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtDr9tzHs0N4ovVLRx92usUCQQUhO-2XXwMnEWIZ4F86pg1KPOZfCDAaacvnWsFVWrrtLuSceGQ8Wr_8DwauNzWETs96yAqEgyU1C2_GNwyAFUi2b9ncu_J4UTnz5bqNJrJyT/s400/IMG_1457.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:0;"><br /></span>Well the holiday season is more than upon us, two days until Christmas. December went with the blink of an eye and it won't be long until the New Year. The mornings here carry a chill in the air as the temperature of this desert winter drops into the 30's at times. I actually enjoy the mornings with a sense of nostalgia as I breathe in the cold air through my nostrils and then exhale slowly to catch the sight of my breath in the air. This of course can't compare to the winters that I'm used to back in the midwest where I would be sitting out on the ice, fishing until I got bored or was too cold. This will be the first winter in my life without snow and without ice fishing.<br /><br />So what will I be doing this Christmas? Working in the ER at Balad of course and hopefully enjoying some food at the DFAC. Maybe make some hot cocoa and reminisce of times past, or go caroling throughout the ER all day long.<br /><br />Life here in Balad has been great. I like the work and the people I work with are quite enjoyable. For the Air Force medics it's their job here, for me on the other hand it's a vacation. I would gladly spend the rest of my tour up here but command is sending me back to my home base to go back on patrols with the rest of the unit.<br /><br />Merry Christmas everyone,<br />Nick <span><br /><br />N.B.- The picture above is of me suturing up a gunshot wound to the back of the head.<br /></span><br /></div>nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-90309623052264974332006-12-15T08:33:00.000-08:002006-12-15T09:34:48.037-08:00Greetings From Balad<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfxjxgPT8YIM-wJMkWoxFsBQwPK-_FmL6CcIe0MYK8kXXk9M-3jdRlhoUH7m0yE8gUlWrsj3OsHNNpS7PnB8cxLZkIuOkrI-p8TySvsbckoJ5JKTK3TqkEEHOJ5tSw8x6aFl-/s1600-h/IMG_1451.JPG"></a>I recruited some fellow Army to play a friendly game of football</div><div align="center">vs.</div><div align="center">the hosting Air Force ER team.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfxjxgPT8YIM-wJMkWoxFsBQwPK-_FmL6CcIe0MYK8kXXk9M-3jdRlhoUH7m0yE8gUlWrsj3OsHNNpS7PnB8cxLZkIuOkrI-p8TySvsbckoJ5JKTK3TqkEEHOJ5tSw8x6aFl-/s1600-h/IMG_1451.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008803379517617170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfxjxgPT8YIM-wJMkWoxFsBQwPK-_FmL6CcIe0MYK8kXXk9M-3jdRlhoUH7m0yE8gUlWrsj3OsHNNpS7PnB8cxLZkIuOkrI-p8TySvsbckoJ5JKTK3TqkEEHOJ5tSw8x6aFl-/s320/IMG_1451.JPG" border="0" /></a> (me on the right)<br /><br /><div align="left">Well I finally have good news. </div><br /><div align="left">I have been moved to Balad to work in the Air Force Trauma Hospital for a month. I have been here since the 4th and should be here for the remainder of the month. I have been put in the ER for the first half of the visit and so far things have been great. </div><br /><div align="left">I have seen and learned so much in the past ten days and I can't even begin to describe how great it is to finally do my job. Not only that but I have been able to pick up a huge wealth of knowledge from these Air Force folks on how they operate their hospitals. All the equipment is new to me so I have had to learn a whole new set of equipment but the basics are the same. In the Army I rarely have the opportunity such as this to work in a fully capable trauma center and see the traumas that we see here. Most of my work medically speaking has been in the field and so it's a little different to be on the receiving end as we get the patients from the choppers after they have already been worked on.</div><br /><br /><div align="left">I will be here for the month so that would include Christmas as well. Although I didn't really come up here with anyone in my unit I have gotten close to the rest of the ER team and I am loving it. Although they only spend four months here I try not to give them too hard a time (I guess that's the Air Force for ya).</div><br />Alright folks, until next time,<br />Nick<br /><br />Result of the football game: Air Force-42 to Army-35. It's a sad day. </div>nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-6300427327731438102006-12-05T04:22:00.000-08:002006-12-05T04:38:24.933-08:00Another Fallen Friend<span style="font-family:arial;">It is with a sad heart that I write this post.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">From the Associated Press, 5Dec2006:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br />MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota National Guard paid tribute to two soldiers from the same unit who were killed by a roadside bomb that injured two other member's of the Guard's contingent in Iraq.<br /> Spec. Bryan T. McDonough, 22, of Maplewood, was driving and Spec. Corey J. Rystad, 20, of Red Lake Falls, was a passenger in the Humvee on patrol near Fallujah when the bomb went off Saturday.<br /> Both men were assigned to B Company, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry, based in Crookston, and had deployed to Iraq in March.<br /><br /><br />Bryan was one of my dearest friend Sean's cousin. Sean is stationed with me here and we have know eachother since joining the guard. I first met his cousin in Camp Shelby, Mississippi where we were all mobilizing together. He was an outstanding guy and dedicated soldier.<br /><br />Sean had been keeping tabs on Bryan since we have been over here and had always been worried about his safety. We knew that he was in the thick of the battle over here and it seemed liked Bryan was dodging danger day in and day out.<br /><br />My condolences go out to Bryan's family and friends. I can't describe the heartbeaking feeling of knowing a soldier that has been lost here, let alone Sean's cousin Bryan.<br /><br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-31799329177957270412006-11-29T13:41:00.000-08:002006-12-02T05:16:08.071-08:00December Here We Come!<div align="left">After a rather uneventful Thanksgiving here everyone is getting on their merry way to prepare for Christmas. See, if you just keep focusing on short increments of time here, time can pass by rather quickly. It's a trick we use and it works rather well - so bring on December!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Oh night shift, how cruel you are to me - only Ranch flavored sunflower seeds can get me through your time of dark, cold nights. I don't know how other people do it, but to change shifts every week can be a real strain. The night shift is the worst, we all seem to struggle and when we get back in the morning we can't sleep because the sun is up. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I don't have any really exciting stories for you guys this week. I was racking my brain for ideas but nothing popped into my head. We did, however, find a ton of unexploded ordinance from some bunkers of Saddam's army the other day. As you can see we had a little bit of fun playing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">archaeologists</span> for the day.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7869/2058/320/190164/IMG_1403.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center">Don't Play With Unexploded Ordinance!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Have a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">great </span>day,</div><div align="center">Nick</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">Post Scriptum- Next post I will be sharing some thoughts about someone near and dear to me. She knows who she is. </div><div align="center"></div>nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-91274206626723938142006-11-22T21:20:00.000-08:002006-11-23T00:48:59.939-08:00Turkey Day in IraqWell, it's Thanksgiving finally. This is the second Thanksgiving in a row that I have been away from home as a result of this deployment. The good news is that it will be the last.<br /><br />As you can imagine, I won't be having the day off but will be out and about "detecting and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">deterring</span> enemy activity", as it has been stated. So, the holiday season starts today and although our team is away from home at least we are here together. We go out together every day and so we give thanks that we have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">each other</span> to watch our backs. And although we are here, every day we see the conditions that people live in around here and we know that we are truly lucky to have the conditions we take for granted.<br /><br />I give thanks for my family and friends that haven't forgotten about me while I have been gone. I say thank you to all the soldiers that are here serving instead of sitting idly at home questioning and criticizing this war. American soldiers are helping people here in ways that no one in the world could or would, dare or choose to do. We couldn't do it of course without the support of our family and friends at home, so thank you to everyone back home.<br /><br />So as I have promised my truck that we can start the Christmas carols after Thanksgiving, today will be the last quiet day (Eric has been whistling them since July). Time to shower and put on my boots, it's time for work.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving,<br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-20396238671142216052006-11-16T00:04:00.000-08:002006-11-16T00:48:24.830-08:00Brrrr. . . . .Winter is here.<div>Hello everyone,<br /><br />I just switched my blog over to the new style so if there are any problems viewing the page let me know.<br /><br />I haven't written in a while because there hasn't been a whole lot going on around here to talk about. My birthday was a few days ago, but it wasn't anything real significant. Thanks though to those people who sent birthday wishes and cards. I must have received over 30 cards in the mail mostly from people in Arizona. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Hmmm</span></span>, I think my mother must have been out telling people to write me again. . . .<br /><br />We are halfway <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">through</span> the month, and if <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">calculations</span> are correct we will be heading home in about four months. Four months left out of an eighteen month deployment! The good news also is that we will be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">de</span></span>-mobilizing at Fort McCoy, WI so we will be close to home. I guess most of the focus around here is on the time because we can see the home stretch coming.<br /><br />It took me quite a while to read the first book I ordered from B&N last month: <em>The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature</em>. It was a very thought provoking book that contained many <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">interesting</span> conjectures on the theories of the why humans reproduce as they do. More interesting to me however were the thoughts on human nature and how we develop the human characteristics that we have. The reading level is elevated as you need some biology background to grasp some of the concepts presented, but if you take your time you can still enjoy the book. I'd <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">recommend</span> it to those of you interested in or studying biology/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">anthro</span></span>/etc.<br /><br />I am 3/4 the way through <em>A Brief History of Time</em> by Stephen Hawking and I will let you know how that goes. So far, it has strained my theoretical physics <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">capabilities</span> and sometimes I find myself having to re-read and spend a lot of time visualizing some of the concepts.<br /><br />Oh yes and the weather of course. I mentioned a while ago that we were heading into the winter months and I can safely say that we are there now. It was down in the 40's the other day with highs in the 60's! Combine that with the rain and the mud and we have had some miserable days out on the road. Our gunners have had some miserable times up in the turret and the inside of our trucks have been full of water. You have to love the weather here, going from too hot and dry, to too cold and wet. I guess that is just the way it goes in the desert. No need for the air conditioner any more!<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7869/2058/320/IMG_1371.jpg" border="0" /><br />Have a great weekend!<br />Nick<br /></div><br /><div><br />Post <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Scriptum</span>: I haven't mentioned the Vikings because I am worried about the comments I will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">receive</span> from the Packers fans. Does somebody want to tell me what's going on with our team?</div>nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-1162823938683423362006-11-06T05:51:00.000-08:002006-11-06T06:38:58.936-08:00What? That's my seat!We as <em>homo sapiens</em> share a lot of characteristics with our animal ancestors. Humanity is filled with habit and routine; all you have to do is take a look at the things that you do every day that just come naturally.<br /><br />Every day I wake up and go to the bathroom, this is a given for most people also. I eat breakfast, go to work, eat lunch, back to work etc. Granted these are things that must be done and almost everyone does, however, let's take a look at some other things that sociology takes interest in.<br /><br />When you go to a class you generally pick a seat located in the room for a reason. Whatever reason that may be, you will generally choose that exact seat the next day if no other person is sitting there. It is so innate in the desire to choose the same spot that I have found myself upset to find someone sitting in <em>my </em>seat. Of course I can adapt and take a seat nearby and just scowl at the individual for the whole hour until they get the point, "hey dude, you're in <em>my</em> seat".<br /><br />Alley cat brown Sketchers shoes, crest toothpaste, New Balance 717s, and Listerine. What do they have in common? When I run out of these things I simply go to the store and buy the exact same thing again (Particularly with the Sketchers. I have bought that same pair of shoes since freshman year of high school). Oddly enough, they are either shoes or hygiene products, but that's besides the point and I'm sure Freud would have something to say about that.<br /><br />It is that drive to be comfortable that makes people want some things to stay the same. Change can't always be good; sometimes you just want to order that same great meal every time you go to the restaurant. The list goes on and on and everybody has their particular habits.<br /><br />One of my habits here has been to use the same bathroom stall and shower every day that I have been here. It's like the classroom, "What? There's somebody in <em>my </em>shower!" Sometimes I just have to go and wait somewhere and then come back so that I get the stall that I want. Call it what you will, but I know that everyone has their routines also.<br /><br />Well today, after getting off of work, I headed to <em>my </em>bathroom. I did the usual routine, I put on my flip-flops and trudged through the rocks and went to the third stall from the end; <em>my </em>stall. Luckily it was empty, so I went in. About five seconds later there was a knock on the door and I heard this Indian accent, "bathroom cleaning". I know you are picturing this guy in a turban with his cleaning gear knocking at the door.<br /><br />I promptly answered, "Yep, I'll be out in a sec'". He asked again and I replied the same way but he still would not listen or come into the bathroom to start cleaning. I was confused but just washed my hands and walked out, that I when I saw the smirk. Oh yeah, one of those, 'I am smiling because you are about to be embarrassed' looks. He points to the freshly painted sign next to the door and it read "Female Latrine". Not to be made fun of I asked when they put the sign up and they said it had been earlier in the day. I made the remark that they needed to put up some yellow caution tape or something because I think most guys will probably do the same thing I did.<br /><br />I rounded up the other guys and we started a protest:<br />"There aren't even any females around here!"<br />"So I have to walk to the next bathroom? Thanks!"<br />"Yeah, nice"<br />"Nice signs, I am sure everybody will see those. . ."<br />"Give the women the other bathroom. This one is ours!"<br />"Yeah, give em' that smelly one over there (pointing)"<br /><br />As you can see, it wasn't just me who was concerned about losing their bathroom, it is a human phenomena. Anyways, I guess I will have to find a new stall and make it my new routine. Let's just hope I don't stumble in the wrong bathroom in the middle of the night and scare some girl when I go to the urinal.<br /><br />Adapt and overcome,<br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-1162126960321023642006-10-29T04:25:00.000-08:002006-10-29T05:11:52.346-08:00The Joys of LifeIt has been a while since my last post and when my mother is asking me what's going on I figure that it is time to write.<br /><br />The past two weeks have held the usual comings and goings of work over here. Along with that come the ups and downs, including my mood which went from contentment, frustration, depression, and even led to me being quite irate for a while. All of this in the period of two weeks and I honestly didn't have anything good to say on the blog.<br /><br />Today the writing will make you happy, sad, and possibly disgusted. It will be graphic yet simple and will be true to my goal of the blog: to provide insight into the life of a soldier on deployment in Iraq. Here goes. . .<br /><br />I can't remember the last time I was sick. I have had allergies plague me daily but nothing has really put me down in a while, that is until this morning.<br /><br />I woke up bright and early before the sunrise to a foggy, mist ridden sky. It was like all normal mornings except that I was hot, possibly even sweaty. It was quite the awkward feeling and it took me a few minutes to realize that my stomach was being twisted into knots. Most of you know the feeling, it's the one that makes you say, "uh oh". It was too late. I waddled in my pajamas to the bathroom to, um, well, use the toilet I guess I'll say. After ten minutes of torture, I began the slow saunter back to the room so I could go shower and get ready for work; I wasn't sure going to work today was a good idea.<br /><br />When I met up with the rest of the team I didn't mention my problem immediately because I didn't see any need for concern and I thought I would save the embarrassment, but then I overheard the others. "How are you feeling?" one asked. "I was up all night hovering over the toilet!" he replied. "So was I", said another. "Just what the heck is going on?". Uh oh, sounds like we all ate some bad food. As people slowly showed up to work we realized that one person wasn't coming in, two had been up all night vomiting and I was in my condition. We decided to drive on because we had to mission to accomplish that day.<br /><br />As we headed out onto the road everyone was weary of what lay ahead, the possibility of getting sick on the road and having to stop. Well as it turned out we had to stop four different times for vomiting and bathroom sessions on the side of the highway. There was nowhere to hide, you just hopped out and let it all go for everyone to see. People who had felt fine that morning were now joining the rest on the side of the roadway. It was quite the sight but we finished the mission and made it home.<br /><br />When I got back, Chris who had gone out with us the other day came up to ask if I was sick. I found out that he too had been up all night with all of the same symptoms and was cursing the food we must have eaten. Two days past we had stopped at the Sheik's house for lunch and the sheep must have been tainted because it was the only thing we all ate. In total, six out of nine on the team had gotten sick as a result and so we still don't know what tomorrow will bring, except that we won't be going out with everyone sick.<br /><br />That's the story folks. Take it for what it's worth. People want to know what a soldiers life is like, and sometimes their stories from war will sound just like mine. Living and working with the same people for this long brings out the best in human nature and sometimes it brings out the worst. You see it all and you take what you can from it, then you move on.<br /><br />Smiles from Iraq and Happy Halloween,<br /><br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-1161035438483542342006-10-16T13:49:00.000-07:002006-10-17T06:55:39.400-07:00I Believe They Call It RainIt rained today. The last time we saw rain here was in April and we hadn't seen a cloud in the sky since. It is actually comforting to see the lightning and feel the thunder; it brings hope that this place is not as desolate as it seems. Although I welcome the rain, I know what inevitably follows. Water plus sand and dirt equals mud, and I'm talking about mud that is thick enough to build walls out of. We trade the hot and dry for the muddy and humid days, I 'm not sure which is better. This is a turning point however, because this means we are hitting the wintery rainy season and we are over halfway home.<br /><br />I have been having quite a bit of fun lately with one of my new books I ordered, the Iraqi phrasebook. Although it is pre-war written it has many useful phrases in it, however, it is the rest that are a lot of fun. "I want to visit Baghdad, where can I buy a bus ticket?", I say to a little boy in my best Arabic. He laughs and then I come back with another one, "I got hit by a car, my arm is broken!". Although the children are usually confused by what I say, the adults seem to get my humor and amuse me by correcting my horrible pronunciation. Because the book is written in phonetic Arabic you would think that you could just read the guide and pronounciate the words but that is not how it works in this language. If you say just one part of a word wrong, or emphasize the wrong part, it can take on a whole different meaning.<br /><br />Sean has come down from where he has been up north training the Iraqi army on medical classes. He's only here for a couple days but it's good to see him and he seems to be doing well. He reports that the Iraqi soldiers are actually quite proficient at their jobs, well at least in regards to their medical capabilities and training them has been quite interesting. He should be returning here for the rest of the tour by the end of the month.<br /><br />Our air conditioner has been on the fritz again lately making plenty of strange and sometimes loud noises. Soon enough though we probably won't need it as the temperatures during the day are slowly dropping as we hit the winter season. Cross you fingers, we don't need it to blow up or start on fire again (kidding about the fire, but it did blow up that one time).<br /><br />Time to go to work. Valete.<br /><br />Trudging through time,<br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-1160425305503010032006-10-09T12:54:00.000-07:002006-10-09T13:21:45.756-07:00A Close Call and a Pissing MatchHello everyone,<br /><br />For some odd reason I am in a good mood at the end of my day here. I just got off of a 13 hour shift and you would think that I would be quite annoyed at this, but surprisingly enough I am quite chipper. I think I have given up hope that the hours may go down and we might see relief, so I just bite the bullet and wait.<br /><br />Quite funny actually, at the end of our shift we came upon another coalition (US ARMY) vehicle and we immediately recognized it as friendly. We proceeded past it and kept on rolling but they eventually stopped one our trucks and "inquired" into why we were there. I say inquire because many words came out their mouths that I can't write on this blog, apparently we were intruding into <em>their</em> area and they didn't like having us around. After choice words were spat between our trucks we headed back home to end our shift and received a radio transmission on the way. We were told that our entire team was to report to the headquarters.<br /><br />When we arrived it was clear what the call was about. Basically, HQ had a call that there was a tussle between the two units and a higher up person was pissed that we had come into their area. After explaining that we were ordered to go into the area by command, and telling this individual from the other unit that their soldiers were slacking on the job he was none too pleased. It was a pissing match that we came out on top of. We found out later that this unit had apparently mistaken us for the enemy at first and was going to engage us. It's a good thing they didn't because they would have had a hard time explaining how they engaged three other US military vehicles that clearly didn't pose a threat. Not the brightest bulbs on the tree huh?<br /><br />In other news, much has happened in the world of Minnesota sports since my last post. The Wild won their first game I believe, the Twins were swept in three games, and I didn't get to see the Vikings game but I heard that it was a close win. Sorry Packers fans, if it's a win your looking for you may be waiting for a while.<br /><br />Now I am drained, and I'm off to dream of a better place.<br /><br />Have a great week everyone,<br />Nicknbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16867005.post-1159854103503058822006-10-02T22:12:00.000-07:002006-10-02T23:05:22.546-07:00The Weekend UpdateHello everyone,<br /><br />After a brief stint back up in Baghdad last week we have been back to business here with our usual routine. Sleep has really been a hard commodity to come by lately, even when I have the time it's a failed attempt. This may have to do with the fact that I haven't had any set hours and so my body can't seem to fall into any rhythm; work when I have to and sleep when I can.<br /><br />I woke up this morning to my alarm buzzing and not knowing where I was. Have you ever had this happen to you? I had been dreaming about home and apparently I didn't want to be here because it took me at least ten minutes for me to grasp that I was still sitting in Iraq. As you might guess, it left me in a sour mood for the beginning of my day.<br /><br />The Vikings lost again yesterday, I don't want to talk about it but it may explain my foul mood yesterday while out on mission. On a good note however, the Twins have secured the AL Central Division and have home-field advantage against the Athletics with the first playoff game tonight. Good luck to them.<br /><br />I bought some books yesterday from Barnes and Noble, finally cashing in on some gift certificates from the years past. They include:<br /><br />Nonfiction-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/used/product.asp?EAN=2699609239638&x=5001310">How to Seduce Pleasure and Titillate in Classical Latin</a> </li><li><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?EAN=9780060556570&x=2901310">Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature</a></li><li><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?EAN=9780071435116&x=2901310">Iraqi Phrasebook: The Complete Language Guide for Contemporary Iraq</a> </li><li><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?EAN=9780641722226&x=2901310">The Sound of Paper: Starting from Scratch</a></li><li><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?EAN=9780641735523&x=2901310">Darwin and the Barnacle: The Story of One Tiny Creature and History's Most Spectacular Scientific Breakthrough</a></li><li><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?EAN=9780553380163&x=2901310">A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes</a></li><li><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?EAN=9780385479424&x=2901310">Survival of the Prettiest: The Science of Beauty</a></li></ul><p>Fiction-</p><ul><li><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?EAN=9780641692420&x=2901310">Winter Range</a></li></ul><p>I thought I had ordered more than one novel but it seems that I will be doing a lot more reading to learn than entertain. On top of that, I am taking a Latin refresher course online via the Rosetta Stone method and also a class on Orbital Mechanics (Satellites) to try and keep my brain active.</p><p>Have a wonderful week everyone,</p><p>Nick</p>nbopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00592162392151558489noreply@blogger.com3