DAY 133: 7 JUN 08

Well aside from my stomach things have been pretty good. I slept in today and really got the best sleep I have gotten since getting back from Qatar. Yesterday I got a haircut and dropped off that care package to the guy that works at the dining facility. I gave him gum, writing paper, and my old shoes. He was not there though so I have to try to find him to shake his hand at dinner tonight. The guys were getting on me about the length of my hair as the Air Force and Navy have the most liberal regulations when it comes to hair and I take full advantage. Only issue is that downrange everyone is in HOOOAH mode which means everyone keeps their hair shorter than usual. Everyone except me. But now that we are passing 100 degrees each day it’s just easier to have it shorter. I told Michelle I will grow it longer once fall sets in and I am in Germany.

Last night the sports show was good and fun as usual but unfortunately they kept having bad weather in Vicenza Italy where our signal is relayed so we kept getting cut off. It still was fun and we gave away the signed Tiger Woods driver and polo shirts as he sent them to us, Iraq, and a ship in the Persian Gulf. For those who do not know Tiger Woods late father Earl was a retired Lieutenant Colonel form the Army. So Tiger against any political worries does support the troops. This makes me feel good but makes my feelings on Tiger in general a push because he recently said no one cares about hockey anymore which is BS. Anyway it was a fun show and I look forward to playing our new liners next week. As you can see 7 FOOT 6 INCHES Shawn Bradley, who retired from the NBA recently, stands behind me in our TV studio today. I always wanted to meet him and see what 7 foot 6 looks like. Anyway I did not get to see him stand straight up as his head hit our ceiling. Still though you can see how tall he is! I told him about our church as he is a Mormon and he joked to me that Sidney Rigdon came back! I did not get it at first but then laughed. I have come to the conclusion that the Mormon Church does not even teacher the history of what occurred between the quorum of twelve and Sidney Rigdon (Joseph Smith’s first counselor) when Joseph Smith was murdered. For people who like history and are renowned for this lineage, and book keeping, it is ironic to me that they do not go over this part of their spiritual heritage. It would be like a Catholic not knowing Peter was the first Pope! It’s neat to think that from that debate in Illinois over 150 years ago to now two men could meet in Afghanistan and still stand on two sides of the debate! Anyway it was nice to meet him and the other NBA and WNBA players. They voiced a liner for our sport show which I always appreciate. Now onto a few odds and ends.

First I would like to mention that the reason I am wearing old people sunglasses in my pictures is because they are ballistic rated in case I would ever be in some time of explosion and also they are great for the Middle Eastern sun. You can make fun but they get the job done versus designer glasses that while may do fine in the Pittsburgh sun would not do much here. Also I talked about a crazy funny man from Mississippi that I met and well a friend sent me a picture of him and me. I thought I would include it. Its looks as if there is an outside chance that I may be home for Christmas. I want to take leave in conjunction with my upgrade training at Ft. Meade which is 3 weeks in and of itself. Thing is that the next class is not until January so I may be able to take leave before hand and be home for Christmas. I am not sure and will not have these issues worked out until I get back to Germany. I do know that the Penguins open the 2008 – 2009 NHL season in Sweden in October and I would like to go. Tickets are outrageous but I think I may make it happen. We shall see. I guess that’s it for today. I need to go find that Afghan guy, eat, and then come back and study for E 5 with the software I bought. I test as soon as I get back. Ok everyone have a great day.

PS: Tomorrow I will write about our 4 Star General Mosley and the Secretary of the Air Force getting fired!