28 September 2006, Well, another day has passed, tomorrow will be a week since I was back in Oklahoma. I took my first algebra test two days ago. Of course, I'm afraid to go check to see if the instructor has graded them yet. I have homework that's due on Monday and I haven't started it yet. I'm still working on recovering from the long trip. Anyway, I have some more pictures for everyone who cares.

The next two show one of the projects we tackled when I was home. I just wanted to do something special for the girls.

The last two pictures are of my family having dinner one night and my daughter and I at the State Fair in front of one of the Clydesdale horses from Express Personnel. I have great friends there, so a shout out to Dana, Tricia, Margaret and Ester.

I'm certainly ready to get back home. I guess some day. Anyway, be safe and have a good day.

27 September 2006, Home Sweet Home, although I’m back here in Afghanistan, I will have memories of my leave time home. On the plane ride back from Kuwait to Afghanistan I had a thought. Yes, yes, don't worry, I didn't hurt myself or others around me. However, I remember a time in my National Guard military career when I had to spend two weeks away from my family a year, now I just get two weeks with them. Where did I get mixed up?
Anyway, my time back home was splendid! Here are some pictures. As you might be able to see and for those I did go and visit, I stopped shaving after my third day home. The rebel inside came out.














Mrs. Dub and I at the Western Days
Parade in Mustang.

Miss Dub and I at school for camo day.















Working with my neighbors
tractor. Looking at a tractor at the State Fair.


This will do for today. I have some more pictures to add on tomorrows blog. Be safe and have a good day.

24 Sept 2006, Well, I'm not in Oklahoma anymore Toto. I'm back in Kuwait now waiting on a ride back to Afghanistan. Yeah. Right now, I'm in this MWR building using a computer. Let's say I haven't seen a room like this in the military before. You enter the building and it's kinda dark. It's painted purple and has those hanging beads everywhere. The lady working there is sitting in an old VW van shell inside the building and it's painted all flower power like. Another bus shell is in the building being used as a movie room. The rest of the room is covered with couches and pillows. The only thing missing is a guy in black with a microphone telling dark poetry.
Well, my time home was great!! Once I'm back at Phoenix I will post some pictures. I did very well in not overeating this time around. In fact, the scales show that I actually lost weight while being back home with the family. I only made a couple of stops to see people and spent most of the time with my family. I have the feeling I've been away too long since my wife keeps referring to Afghanistan as my home.
The trip back here was interesting to say the least. I flew to Dallas where half of the people who went on leave departed from. We met up and boarded our plane. As the plane began backing up from the terminal it died. We had to be pushed back up to the terminal and had to wait for someone to come jump start the plane. I actually heard the pilot trying to start it at one point and heard that noise when a car won't start and the battery dies... whoo-whooo-whoo---whoo---who--------wh. Yeah, I'm feeling good about this flight. Can I take a bus? So we get to Atlanta where we have change planes (YEAH). Well, they tell us we have to have this boarding pass (which is just a piece of laminated paper) or we can't board the plane. (Hmmm, ok). So they hand us the pass at the doorway that opens up to the tunnel that is connected to the plane. So I have to carry this pass from one doorway to the next doorway or I can't get on the plane??
Well, we finally make it and all is well. Well, that's about it for now. Once I'm back home I will post more with pictures. Be safe and have a good day.

07 Sept 2006, part 2 of Where in the World is Sgt Dub. At last report I was in Kuwait. This apparently stumped a lot of people back home. Good. Today's 3 clues are, #1; This state names it's airport after those who died in airplane accidents, #2; this state will be celebrating it's centennial of statehood next year, #3; I'm currently on a 5 acre lot just outside of town. Yep, I'm back in Oklahoma!! I decided to sneak in on the family and spend a little time at home on leave. Nobody, to include Mrs. Dub was the wiser. I landed yesterday in Dallas at 1100 hrs, made a mad dash to the American Airlines counter where they had an earlier flight leaving at 1155 hrs instead of waiting for my flight at 1515 hrs. Simple math shows you I would have been stuck in Dallas for 4 hours. Well, at 1130 I had a plane ticket and was checking in my bag, they wanted me to wait while they scanned it. (Let's keep in mind that the military has already seen to it that I couldn't have sneaked a quarter back without them knowing it) Well, they found something they couldn't identify and I had to unlock my bag. Now, it's 1134 when one of the security guys decides to come talk to me.
TSA: You coming or going?
Me: Just getting in from Afghanistan on leave to see my family.
TSA: What time does your flight leave?
Me: (Looking at my watch) 21 minutes
TSA #2 : We found this Algebra book, ????
Me: Yes, I've avoided it for 22 years now, but am taking a college course in Algebra
TSA: Well, they got your bag now, come with me.
With that, we bypassed the long line at the x-ray machine as he took me to the front of the line and I got through. Then it was a brisk walk through the terminal from one end to the other. I get to the gate, American Airlines then looks at my ticket, (I see my name flashing on the monitor behind her with a message of upgrade) I'm thinking maybe it was just the change of flight. Nope, the lady behind the gate counter mentions I'm at the back of the plane. I told her I had mentioned I would ride in baggage if they could get me on this flight. She says that won't work and upgrades me to 1st class. Thank you American Airlines.
Next, I get to OKC, rent a car, and drive to Mrs. Dub office. Yep, no one still knows I'm here. I arrive at the receptionist desk up front. She of course immediately recognizes me and asks how I'm doing. I tell her fine. She then stops and with a quizzical look on her face, asks, "What are you doing here?" I tell her I'm here to surprise my wife. Well, low and behold, Mrs. Dub is out to lunch. This starts in motion most of her office coming out to see me and phones calls being made to get her back to the office under some other guise. They tell me she's in the parking lot now, they have me sit around the corner at the security desk about midway in the hallway. Mrs. Dub comes in the front door. "You have a package here from Afghanistan" (Mrs. Dub in the background) "My present has finally arrived." She walks around the corner to see most of the staff standing around in the hallway and she looks over at me, freezes in her tracks with astonishment and then ran over to me. It was good. So now all of you know what the heck I have been up to this last week as I tried to make it back home. I have my cell with me so feel free to call, we don't have any big plans. I will be here for 2 weeks before returning back to the stan. Be safe and have a good day. I am.

04 Sept 2006, Where In The World Is Sgt Dub?? Well, if I remember how the game is played, I give you 3 clues. Clue #1 It's currently 125 degrees, dusty, and windy. Clue #2 I just had a Big Mac, fries and a sprite. Clue #3, Saddam Husein invaded this country back in 1990. Yep, that's right, I'm in Kuwait. Why, well, I can't tell you that.
All is well and I'm doing fine. On a different note, I went to the gym yesterday and weighed in at 245 lbs. Yeah!! A lost. I worked for an hour and a half, concentrating on aerobics, then a few weights. I had tuna for lunch again and finished off the evening with a chicken sandwich. Bagram wasn't much to write home about. Neither is Kuwait at first glance. I'll keep you updated on what's happening.
It's Labor Day back home, so I hope most everyone is enjoying a day off from work. I know Mrs. Dub and Ms. Dub are. Speaking of Ms. Dub, she seems to think I need to talk more about her. Well, as she starts helping me with my algebra homework, which starts today, I probably will. She's back in school now, for the summer she spent most of her time writing stories. The stories weren't that bad, mainly covering a cartoon show she watches. Her biggest problem and I blame my genes for it is her spelling. Lucky for me the computer has this thing called spell check. It saves my behind. Well, time to go for now. Be safe and have a good day.

03 Sept 2006, well, I'm still in Bagram. My plans were postponed by a bit, so I'm pretty much just sitting around. I had a lite breakfast, tuna for lunch and worked out at the gym for 1 1/2 hours. I'm keeping up with an hour of aerobics and the rest in weights. I did weigh in at 245 so good news there!! We had an official weigh-in for the Army, I weighed in that day at 249 lbs so by Army standards I'm only over by 65 lbs. Yeah, I think they need to reconsider their standards a little bit.
I'm making progress in my Algebra class, of course, it doesn't start till tomorrow, but I can access the web site now. So tomorrow will be the real test, homework assignments. Hopefully the class will go by smoothly and with torture involved.
Last night we watched "American Dreamz" at the MWR building. At best, it was an attempt of a spoof with a serious note. Right before that we watched part of a comedy set with Carlos Mecina. I agree with a lot of his humor, even though he used foul language and poked fun of most races.
We are looking at a 60% chance of thunderstorms today, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain. Like I mentioned Bagram is dusty, dirty, filthy, yuck. The temps are still in upper 80's - low 90's so no complaint there. The next couple of days will be hard pressed to put up a new posting, so bear with me. Not much else to report on this end. Be safe and have a good day.

02 Sept 2006, Well, I better type fast. I'm in Bagram right now. I'm on a computer that self destructs in 30 mins, and I only have 15 minutes left. Talk about pressure. What am I doing at Bagram Air Field? Well, I'm on a secret mission of course. For those of you who remember Bagram, well, it's bigger but still just as dirty. After seeing Manas Air Base, I really expected more out of Bagram.
This last week was long and rough. Some of you have heard already, thanks to LTC Y, and I will tell the rest of you now. This last week, I went to another camp for a meeting. Well, when you arrive on a camp you have to clear your weapon at the clearing barrel. To put it short, I had my head in my 4th point of contact and didn't remove my magazine prior to pulling the trigger. A "pop" and then a cloud of dust resulted. I do believe at least 3 British soldiers had to go change their pants. Well, of course, no one was hurt, just my pride and dignity. I had to spend time with our own clearing barrels for 3 days back at Phoenix for 3 hours each day. Some people found this fascinating and took pictures. These people are the ones who don't know me very well, and probably think this is the pinnacle of my mishaps. For all those back home, you know better.
On an update for my weight lose. Well, I'm still sitting at 247 lbs. We have increased our workouts to 2 hours a day with at least 5 days a week. I'm looking better and reshaping areas of my body, just not dropping any weight yet. Bagram has a decent gym so I'll be heading over there today. I'll try to update you on what's happening as I can. Be safe and have a good day.