Just Me's blog: "AWESOME!!!!"

Here it is, just shy of 36 hours from the scheduled time for that sweet bird of freedom to leave, and I am finding it hard to concentrated on the task at hand. I need to repack my duffel bag and suitcase, and clean. I did two loads of laundry, but that is still left to be packed. I gotta dust everything, pull stuff out and vacuum behind it, clean the bathroom, common area, defrost the fridge, clean the counter, dust the cabinets, and get rid of my computer chair, my three-drawer roll around cabinets. Oh yeah, and disconnect the crappy DVD player and get that ready for the guy to pick it up. I know why it was 40 bucks back in September last year. I have gotten some stuff accomplished today. I woke up. I made it to formation on time. I cleared Security, Personnel, and retention. My Personnel support personnel were even kind enough to update my Records for me so that it shows all of my ribbons and awards now. Now I am sitting here in uniform pants, t-shirt, and boots (I'm being really lazy right now) and avoiding doing what I need to do. Procrastination, the sure fire sign of being a genius. Why do now what you can put off till the last minute and accomplish in 15 minutes rather than days. (I'm kidding.) I'm going to get to it...I promise. Tomorrow, they come inspect my room, take my key, sign my outprocessing checklist, and then go get that final signature saying that I have completed everything and am cleared from the Theater!!!!!! I have got my ride set up for tomorrow night, am leaving early enough to get some food before getting on the plane, think I should have enough time to smoke a Cuban before I get on even. Then about 12:15 AM on Wednesday morning (5:15 PM Tuesdy night EST) I should be over international waters, and I will order two beers, take a sleeping pill, and sleep the rest of the flight (I HOPE). Granted, I still have about $35 worth of credit on my cell phone that needs to be used before tomorrow night, but hey, guess I'll come someone in the states on it. The guy that the cell chip belongs to won't be back over here until next summer time and the time will be expired. Oh well. Oh and the hallway/sidewalk sex continues on a regular basis. Got asked this morning, "How much longer?" I replied back, 42. They were like, 42 days? Thought you were down to like 2. I matter of factly stated, 42 HOURS! I got the screw you sergeant. Nothing like Hallway Sex. It's nice when you have less in hours than some have in days/weeks. Well, I'm going to get some lunch, take a nap, and then get busy getting ready to leave. If I dont' make it back, I'll post when I get back!

FOUR DAYS!!!!!!

With all the negativity, figured, I might post something positive that happened fairly recently. Back in March, I was tasked out to drive some people around from our higher headquarters in Arizona. I spent a week driving them around, and then made a record setting drive to get them to the airbase in a dust storm. This record has been tied, but not broken, even in clear weather. 43 minutes, an average of 118 MPH, from my base to the airbase. In clear weather I usually take about an hour and 15 minutes. Anyways, a couple of the people I was driving around, Phyllis and Sonya, were hoots. They were nice ladies, and just fun to be around. The full bird that was them, he was a fun loving guy, although his eyes do get wide and his knuckles white when you hit 140 KPH, and whiter as you accelerate. They picked on me the entire time for my music selection. I had old country, new country, and lots of stuff in between on my MP3 player. (thank the good Lord for the FM broadcaster that had to be retired last week.) They left to go up north, and I left two days later for R and R. Back in June, they were supposed to come back, and my Deputy Brigade Commander said I was asked for by name to drive them around again. Well, the trip got pushed back, and back some more. They came out a few weeks ago, and I got to drive them around, but it wasn't much. Just the long haul stuff. On the first day, Sonya said she had something for me, and that when she got a chance she would get it out of her suitcase. I didn't see them for a couple of days, and one day I came into work, and next to my desk was a big Lowes bag (seriously). Inside was this blanket. The note that was with it said it was just something to say thank you for the entertainment and for putting up with them. I was speechless. I finally ran into them, and I couldn't tell her thank you enough.

Well, it was not a bad day at all. Started out, I swam 20 laps for PT. That’s a little over half a mile. I’m not an overachiever like one guy in my unit who swam 70 yesterday and 50 this morning. Then at lunch we had an OUTSTANDING lunch. We had ribs, some pasta, cornbread, garlic bread, cake (3 different types), homemade macaroni and cheese, two different kinds of homemade beans, and other foods. Let’s just say it was a crap pot load of food and I am quite stuffed still. Then, I got presented with my going away gift. Actually I got one yesterday, it’s a pretty nice looking Mexican Blanket that a couple of people transported all the way from Arizona to give to me. I escorted them in March, and they wanted to repay my “patience, understanding, sense of humor, and ability to drive”. Today I got my plaque from my work section. It’s a crystal stand plaque, with a picture of the projects section imprinted. It reads: SSG Jared L. Foster 10 Sep 07 to 9 Sep 08 For outstanding dedication while assigned as 160th Signal Brigade S-3 Kuwait Projects NCOIC Your professionalism and expert oversight during numerous projects throughout Kuwait resulted in greatly enhanced capabilities during OIF and OEF support. From Soldiers and Civilians of the S-3 “A Job Well Done” Before I got it, my superviser had to say a few words, and she had to keep it short. Her “Allergies” were about to flair up. Well, afterwards, as is tradition, I had to say a few words, and going into it, I knew my allergies would flair up, so I kept it short. I just merely said “I wasn’t going to single anyone out, that I wanted to say thank you to everyone for the swift kicks in the butt when needed, the mentorship, guidance, and support when needed. It has been a fast, fun, and memorable year. Thank you.” I was already told at the Awards Presentation, whenever that is, I won’t get off that easy. Of course the BDE CSM said that he was sorry he wasn’t here to provide one of the swift kicks. I laughed, he laughed. A few people had almost tears in their eyes when they came to shake my hand, and it turned into a big hug. After lunch, and all I wanted was a nap, one of my NCOs was like, hey you booked your flight yet? I was like nah, not yet, waiting to let the Rotator (military flight) to book up so I can get civilian. She gave me a number, and told me to call. I called, and spoke to a very nice Southern sounding lady. She looked for a few minutes, and I have a 13 hour direct flight (civilian!!!). Granted I don’t leave until 2345 on my first travel day, but I get there at 0645 the next day. Now just gotta make sure I got transportation from the airport. I’ll post some new pictures in a day or two, once they get uploaded to the server at work. Oh, and people now jokingly walk by me and just ask: how many days. I don’t think, flinch, blink, nothing..just matter of factly reply back (for today) 32! Oh ya’ll want some good news? I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance. Now want some really good news? 32 DAYS!

This was meant to be a response to a blog post about the flag, and inappropriate use. These are my personal feelings, and while I understand people's feelings about the flag and it's protection, I feel that I should express myself. I have read the flag code, and probably have a lot of it memorized. I can tell you the appropriate way to burn the flag after it has become worn and tattered and can no longer be repaired. I can also tell you how a Soldier is to treat the flag if the installation is about to fall. These are my feelings, and while some may get angered, and some may get happy about them, I am only sharing them because I wrote them to be shared. Unfortunately, blog comments can be no more than 2,000 characters. This is also only my opinion. While I feel a sense of pride when saluting the flag, I do not feel that we should get so up in arms about a piece of cloth that is most likely made on foreign soil. I know that if something should happen to me, my casket will be draped with the flag, and then ceremoniously folded by some of my brothers (or sisters) in arms, and handed to my next of kin. I know that there will be 3 shells from the firing party placed into the final fold of the flag, and that specific words will be spoken to my next of kin. I know that, that will become a sacred and honored flag, to be placed in a place to be cherished for the rest of my father's days, to be given to one of my children upon them reaching an appropriate age, and that regardless, I will never be able to live up to what that flag means to so many. It's not what the flag is that makes it special to me. It's not what the flag is that makes me make sure that on my right shoulder; it is always centered, always on right when I put on my uniform every day. To me, that is a piece of two colored plastic with a hook and loop backing. It is what the flag represents. The flag does not represent a nation, or a President, or even a citizen. That flag, that piece of cloth, those 13 stripes, (7 red, 6 white), the field of blue with 50 white stars--it does more. It represents each and every one of the people who live in that Nation and call themselves Americans. It represents those who have come before me, and who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It represents those who came before me and who came home, with scars that cannot be seen and that will never be healed. Those who lost a brother, a sister, a mother, a father, a wife, a husband, an aunt, or an uncle. It is for the children left at home, waiting until the next time they hear their mom or dad's voice over a phone line that is crackly and full of static. But they cherish every word, every sigh, ever moment of silence and every moment of sound. It is the young wife or husband who stand there, waiting for that eternity to pass, watching that plane arrive agonizingly slow. Waiting on their loved to come off that plane, knowing that they are tired, but watching them come running down the ramp in uniform. Moving in slow motion as they close the distance, and then feeling that feeling they have missed for oh so long. Wanting nothing more than that feeling to last forever, and then wishing they could already be at home, making up for lost time. It is for my brothers and sisters who watch their children grow up in pictures, while they do something that they have no choice in. All they knew is they wanted to serve something bigger than them, or to try and improve their life. It's for brothers and sisters, those who can no longer stand to salute the flag, or those who cannot raise their hand, but try with everything in their power. I do not protest against those who wish to use the flag as a form of expression. I protest against those who hide behind it. I do not protest those who burn the flag, but those who hate what it stands for. I do not mind the child who may not know the right to fly the flag, but those who wear the pin and have no love for it. I dislike those who's picture is always in front of it, but have no idea the sacrifice for it. I despise those who wave it when convenient, but ask something of them, and they run and hide. I do not fly the flag in my room. It is not hung inappropriately (touching the building) in front of my house. It is not a sticker on the bumper of my truck. My flag has flown over the headquarters of the Multi-National Forces in Iraq. It has flown on the moon. My flag has been burned. My flag has been shot. My flag has been trampled. My flag was flown upside down, and it was displayed backwards. My flag has been draped over every service member, police officer, firefighter, President, and Congressman who has been laid to rest. My flag, not the one on my right shoulder, flies in my heart. It is not why I serve, but why I serve with Pride. I am honored to be an American, and proud to serve the United States of America.

Well, I have a confession to make. It's a dirty, naughty confession. I was a BAD boy today. VERY VERY BAD BOY! Last week was hell. Pure hell. I worked my ass off last week. I even worked on Sunday. I worked way late on Saturday, late on Thursday, and brought work home every night. I left early on Friday. Yeah, naughty me. Well, here's the worst part of it. Today, I DID NOT GO TO WORK! No, I did not play hookey. Well, sort of. I went in at 0500 and got the great joy, honor, and pleasure of being the male observer for a urinalysis. For those who do not know what I am talking about, I got to watch men pee in a cup for a drug test. Luckily we gots a small unit. I was back in my room by 0600. At 0750, I was standing tall, proud, and in civilian clothes in front of the company with the AC in one of our NonTactical Vehicles cranked about 3 yards away. I had some Chris Ledoux on the MP3 Player, CRANKED! My shotgun was so not looking forward to the country music. Oh well, he should have driven. OH WAIT!!!! He didn't do the site recon. (we did a site recon/route recon/security assessment yesterday, and then had dinner at Applebees, part of me being a bad boy.) By 0900, we were sitting in the conference room, enjoying a fun class given by the Chaplain. By 1000, we were back for the second part of the class. By 1100, we had taken our last break, and were in the last part of the class. I am a type D C personality, with parts of I and a little S thrown in. At Noon, we broke for lunch. Had an awesome meal. Oh wait, best part, FREE! The Strawberry Juice I drank all morning, FREE! I left the restaurant about 1245, had to grab my backpack, and get changed into my Speedo. Yes, I wore a speedo today. A pair of blue speedo swim trunks. (I'm not stupid.) Then, I waited for a few minutes, and finally, I was called out. I was lying on the table, and enjoyed an OUTSTANDING hour and a half full body chinese massage. Started at my head, went down to my hands, down my body to the toes, and then on my belly, and it started again. Reflexology was thrown in for about the last 15 minutes, and that tightness that had been there for about 2 weeks, is gone. I FEEL WONDERFUL!!!!!! Then I spent the next 2 hours hanging out in the Spa area, enjoying the turkish bath, the ice room, the dry sauna, the steam sauna, and the tropical shower. The spa rocked. About 1545 I got out, took a shower, and went and roamed the shops. I bought a new case for my cell phone, and then got ready to head back from the Kuwait Hilton Resort to base. Today was just an awesome day, and the kind I needed. The price on the massage was actually cheaper than it is stateside when you do the conversion, and was worth every penny, or fill if you think in the terms of Kuwaiti Dinar. Just had to confess my horrible actions of the day. I took the day off, for me. (command support was given two weeks ago, plus my supervisor rode the bus out there.) I was the trail vehicle, and because of my knowledge of the areas and how to get around, I was specially chosen for today's "special" assignment. I need to plan my next massage already.

CAUTION: Bragging below, but I figured that with all the negative I have posted, it should be allowed. Well, another cool example of life in Kuwait. Today, I had lunch with one of my buddies. I was told that they were playing a new movie tonight, and that they were giving out tickets starting at 5 PM. So at 4:40 PM, I left work, showered, threw on some shorts and a t-shirt, and headed over to the Community Center. I was in line, and the guy was briefing us, that the people in line needed to be warned, there were only 120 tickets available. I went to text my buddy, only 120 tickets, HURRY! My cell phone rang, and it was my 1SG. I had sent the text to my 1SG. So I called my buddy, and told him to hurry. I was about number 35 in line. So we kept standing, and waiting. Finally about 5:50 they started handing out tickets. As I walked back down the line to talk to my buddy and see if he was going to dinner. He said yeah, and so I stood in line next to him. He turned out to be number 110. Well, then we finally get back to the Community Center and to the theater, find a couple of seats, and then one of the Officers from US Army Central comes out and gives this whole long spiel. Come to find out, this movie opens in the US on July 2nd. It has not been shown ANYWHERE else. We got to see the world premiere of Will Smith's new movie, Hancock. IT WAS AN AWESOME MOVIE!!!!! It also has Jason Bateman and Cherlize Theron in it. It was a great movie. Hilariously funny. Unfortunately, Will Smith did not make it in time for our showing, but for the second showing, he was supposed to be there. Even without the star, it was a great experience, and well worth waiting in line. Just another way that Sony and a few other big names in the world still support the troops, and I am sorry, I am now a fan of Will Smith for life. I am now a loyal Sony consumer. Oh yeah, and Sony and Texas Instruments DLP upgraded the theater projection system and surround sound. We are now digital!!!!!! Just had to share an AWESOME experience. Me, I'm doing good. Counting down the days. Cold Beer is calling. Plus we have a Chaplain's retreat off base to one of the resorts in country on Monday. Oh yeah, and I am going! Had lunch with a contractor at their location on Thursday, which was fricking AWESOME! The food was OUTSTANDING! And the meeting was productive.