Has it really been 5 years?

I just happened across my timeline today, and I realized that it's been over 5 years since my last post. I guess life happened, and I just kept pushing it back. It's odd how that happens. So, here's where we are today...

In my last post, I was heading home from Afghanistan to work for NetGain Technologies. That was a great gig, but lasted only 18 months before I was laid off. So what was my solution? Contracting seems easy enough, right? So I went back. I spent 6 months working in the Southwest Asia Cyber Center (SWACC) as a Systems Administrator before discovering that it was a dead-end place with leadership that was complacent to just let things to 'status quo'. That didn't work for me. So I took yet another contract with TCS to work in Kuwait at a little ol' base called Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base. It's an odd place--only 1/4 mile square, surrounded by the Kuwaiti air base. It's a combined Air Force/Marines base with very little to offer. But it was where I was.

Fast forward a year to my departure from 'The Jab' to come home to work for what I thought would be a decent job. Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong. I was hired as a Systems Administrator (surprise) for a company called Central Research. Wow...what a zero gig that was. After just a few weeks, I was once again sent on my way because they "decided to go another direction". Whatever. The job was garbage, anyway. So here we go again!

Next up, I decided I didn't want to go back into contracting overseas, so I started taking local contracts. Joplin, Dallas, Little Rock...there were several short-term gigs. I even worked for Facebook for a few weeks bringing a new datacenter online. That wasn't exciting, but it was quite profitable. But even that began to dry up. The writing was on the wall once again. Coincidentally, I received a call out of the blue from the project manager for Kuwait--he was wondering if I would be interested in coming back to Al Jaber as a Systems Admin again. As luck would have it, I was at a point where I figured "what the hell", and I set out on my way.

Here we are, back to present day, and my year at The Jab is nearly done. I have begun the job search back home once again, as I am tired of the long, hot days in Kuwait, and the 7-day-a-week schedule. I'm ready to go home and be normal again, with normal problems like flat tires and family gatherings. Life doesn't stand still while I'm gone, but it seems like it from my point of view. Nothing here changes--it's the same thing, day in and day out. But hopefully, things will change for the better.

New house in Eureka Springs

A lot has changed since I last posted. We moved from the house in Little Rock to a gorgeous home just outside of Eureka Springs, with a view that is unrivaled and no neighbors! It's been 2 years now, and I have yet to feel a single regret about moving. The neighborhood we left in Little Rock is no longer the quaint, safe place it was; it's now riddled with crime, and it's just going to get worse. I hate that the house we worked on for so many years and put so much blood, sweat, and tears into is now owned by someone else...but the decision had to be made.

The 'new and improved' Challenger at WAM3 'Friday Night Lights'

I have also made some changes to the Challenger. It's been in the family now for nearly 8 years, and it was time for some changes! So, after months of work in a half-dozen different shops, I came up with the 'piece de resistance'! The car was transformed from the bright, shiny orange to a matte finish Alice Cooper-themed wrap, complete with all sorts of lighting mods--color flow underbody and interior, color flow underhood and trunk, color flow halos for the headlights and fog lights, and even lighted badges for the grille. I also replaced the stock chrome wheels with Demon replicas, installed Eibach lowering springs, and treated the calipers and rotors to a full upgrade with paint and slotted/drilled rotors. Lastly, all of the light bulbs were replaced with LEDs, giving the sequential tail lights a whole different look. If it weren't for the patience and hard work of my under-appreciated, overworked wife, none of it would have been possible. She ran the car back and forth, made all of the appointments, and even fretted and fumed when something didn't go as planned. But it worked out in the end! The car made its debut in the 'We Are Mopar 3' show in Dallas this summer, and although it didn't place in the top 100 (out of 2000 cars), I know we made an impression. I look forward to more shows and more road trips once I'm home, and the car is geared for it.

In the end, the last 5 years have been very busy, but very fulfilling. We've endured moving to a new town, new jobs, a tornado, marriages and divorces within the family, and the death of Leslie's dad. One of the lowest times in our relationship came on that day. There will never be a complete recovery; we just continue on. The world stops for nobody, and that includes us. Tommy was a great person and a kind soul. I hope he meets up with John and they can laugh and joke about the stupid things the kids did. Two great men, gone far too soon.

I'll wrap up for today. Perhaps it won't be 5 years until my next post. I'm too old at this point to wait that long, and I don't even know that anyone reads this anymore. I just hope to put a little of my mundane life out there in hopes that you'll find your life isn't so mundane, after all. Until next time...

It's time to come home

Well, after spending the last 15 months abroad in places like Kuwait and Afghanistan, my time here has come to a close. I have six days left in Afghanistan before flying to Kuwait for a few days, then home. It's been a long, trying, HOT time, but I have made a lot of money, gained a lot of good experience, and seen a lot of things--some of which I hope to never see again. One of those things happened just a couple weeks ago--a 747 cargo plane crashed just a short distance from our living quarters. The video of the crash is here. I was awake, and heard the distinct "THUMP" when the plane hit the ground, and I was able to get out to see the huge plume of black smoke from the initial impact. What a horrific sight it was to behold. The "official" cause was never broadcast, but according to British intelligence, it appears as though the cargo shifted as the plane was taking off, causing a chain reaction that ultimately put all the weight in the back of the plane--unrecoverable, even in the best case scenario. The base was on lockdown for several days, and communications were also cut off until next of kin notifications could be made. Just another reason why I can't wait to get the hell out of here.

On a good note, I have accepted a job working in Little Rock for NetGain Technologies as a Senior Systems Engineer--basically what I've been doing for the past 15+ years, but with some new things added in. New certifications will be required, as will a button-up shirt and dress pants. Ugh. But, I guess if they're going to pay me the gross amount that they're paying, I will wear their little outfit! I am looking forward to the new challenges and the change of scenery, as sand and rocks have really become quite maddening! I'm ready for trees, grass and real paved streets! Oh...and a speed limit that's more than 25kph (12.5mph).

I have my first car show the weekend of June 8-11, and that's going to be a lot of fun! The show is in Gatlinburg, TN (outlined in previous post), and it's just for Mopar! The Challenger has been sitting, waiting patiently in his garage until I return. I have a LOT of mods to bolt on when I get home, so the first week is going to be busy!

Other than that, not much else is going on. As I've said before, this place is like Groundhog Day every day--nothing ever changes. Eat, sleep, shit, shower...lather, rinse repeat. It's the same thing day in, day out. You can't go anywhere, you can't do anything. So you just exist in a vacuum until your time is up. And my time is up! So...I will close out for now. Perhaps I'll update when I'm en route to the US with pictures and whatnot. Maybe not. Not much to see here.

Until next time...

My time in hell is almost done!

So, the time has almost come--my days overseas now are few. It has been the longest year plus I think I've ever endured. I have accomplished most of the tasks that I set out to accomplish, but DAMN...I don't ever want to do that shit again!

My anticipated "return to reality" date is June 2 or 3, depending on when my flights land and how quickly I can get out of Indiana. Camp Atterbury isn't the kind of place that you want to stay in--it's a dumpy Army base with nothing much to do but eat at Subway or have a beer and a steak at the All Ranks Club. Either way, it's American food served in America. That is something that I haven't had in quite a few months!

I hope that I am able to retain a solid position working in Little Rock so my demobilization date sticks, but in the event that I'm not able to find work, I do have a backup plan--that I hope I don't have to use. I have already signed an extension for another 90 days, which will allow me to continue making the hideous amount of money that I'm currently making, whilst I continue to aggressively pursue a permanent position. It's unfortunate that the employment market is as dismal as it is, but I hope to convince someone that I am as awesome as I am!

The first weekend after my anticipated return home is already booked solid--I'm headed to Gatty 6.0 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It's my first official car show as a participant, but I don't plan to win anything. My car has been sitting under a cover inside a garage for the past 14 months. It's clean, detailed, and is carrying a full tank of premium fuel and a fresh oil change. I do have an assload of "stuff" that I've obtained over the past year to bolt on--simple stuff, you know! A new OEM navigation head unit, LockPick v5, a rear-view camera, a complete set of custom badges, and a bunch of other little things. It's not much, but I don't want to change the look of the car too much. After all, it was Alice Cooper's car!

The guitar, signed by all four
band members, including
some lyrics from "School's
Out".

I was recently able to procure an autographed guitar that was originally part of the sale of the car. Apparently, the broker who wrote up the sale decided he was going to keep the guitar, and he ended up selling it on Ebay. Through numerous emails and a couple of very long distance phone calls, I was able to track down the guitar, and it will now accompany me on road trips to car shows. I mean, it IS part of "the car" when you talk about the Alice Cooper Challenger, right? I just look forward to hanging out at the show and meeting all of the people that I've been corresponding with on the ChallengerForumz that I've been frequenting since I purchased my Challenger in January, 2012.

The Tisas 1911 .45

Other than that, I have also been building my arsenal of weaponry at home. Given the state of society these days and the uncertainty of the Obama administration, I believe it's imperative that we be well-armed and ready for anything. Leslie has gone through the Carry Concealed Weapon classes, and I will be going through them just as soon as I can get enrolled. I did manage to get my hands on a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, as well as a Tisas 1911 .45 semi-automatic pistol. These, along with a half-dozen boxes of hollow point ammo, and I should be good to go. The S&W pistol is the concealed carry weapon, while the Tisas is the home defense weapon. They compliment Leslie's .380 semi-automatic pistol that she carries. Believe me when I tell you--we're armed and ready!

The Smith & Wesson .40

I guess I'll close for now. Hopefully, the next time I post, I'll be home, and no longer in this God-forsaken hell hole. If I have to eat one more grilled cheese sandwich or one more ice-cream scoop of mashed potatoes, I'm going to scream. Combine that with the weekly "INCOMING INCOMING INCOMING" alerts, and you've got yourself a true hell. I have 39 days left at Bagram as of today--and assuming I have a job to go home to. Wish me luck!

Until next time....

I say 'good bye' to my best friend

Lacee's last day, doing what she did best.

This is the post that I wish I would never have to type out. Our dog, Lacee, had lost the fight against old age. She was my best friend, my relentless companion, my walking partner, and my 'rug'. She could sleep through a hurricane, but at the first hint of food being put in her bowl, it was like she had bionic hearing. Her crunchies and green beans were her favorite--but, then again, what wasn't?

She was well-traveled, having made numerous trips to visit family in Missouri, as well as a long-distance road trip to Indiana last year. She rode like a champ, spending most of the time laying on her favorite pillow, looking around like Queen Astor. She was the best companion for traveling...or for anything.

Her condition started out as just a slight limp, but within a few days, she had become almost immobile. As with many big dog breeds, her back had issues, and there was nerve impingement and some pretty severe pain. It was inoperable because of her age, and simply because there wasn't much that could be done. Surgery would be extremely expensive, and the results were unpredictable, at best. So, after spending more than a week with several veterinarians, trying different therapies, drugs and shots, we had to make the decision that nobody wants to make.

Lacee's final moments in the vet's office. The towel was
used to help carry her back end, which no longer could
support her.

We took her to see Dr. Andrea Razer, whose tableside manner and gentle kindness had always been welcome, especially in a time like this. She offered her condolences, and her soft-spoken professionalism as she administered the final dose. Taarna (Madison) was there to assist, but in her true style, she bawled and squalled like a baby.

It was a very difficult time, and being 8,000 miles away made it extremely difficult for me. She was my closest friend, and to not be there for her or with her in her final moments is a regret that I won't soon live down. I am just glad that she was surrounded by those who loved her and whom she trusted.

It's never easy to lose your best friend, but if there was ever a poster pet for rescuing, Lacee would be it. The perfect dog with the perfect attitude. Never barked, never bit, and only wanted a scratch. I will miss you, Lacee...and you will never be forgotten.

"Welcome" to Afghanistan?

So, after 11 months in the land of expansive sand and sun, I made the choice to move on to Afghanistan. This option afforded two things--a change of scenery, as well as an increase in pay. The change in scenery isn't much--mountains instead of sand dunes, and grass and trees instead of sand and rock. As for the pay increase...well, that one needs no explanation. I'm here to make the money, and the uplift is significant. My time is limited, however; I will be homeward bound on June 1, unless something drastic happens, or I can't find gainful employment in the meantime. Time will tell there.

Because life here is much like Groundhog Day, there isn't really much to report on. I did make a trip home in November of last year, and had a grand time. I reacquainted with family, hung out with my dog, and drove my oh-so-awesome car. But, like all good things, the trip ended too soon. I was back in the land of sand and rock mere days later...awaiting my final return home.

As for the kids, the boy has finally entered college after being out of high school for a mere 5 years. I hold my breath for the time being, as history hasn't really worked in his favor too much. He did manage to pick up a vehicle that is 100% his, and not something that some apathetic bag of protoplasm had bought for him to let him use and abuse at will. We shall see how it goes, but each day that passes simply adds to the hope. The girl...has a much different story. She has bounced around from house to house, living nowhere for more than a couple of weeks, using her friends up like old toilet paper, destroying friendships over made-up drama, and lying like there's no tomorrow. My hope for her is that she'll eventually tire of the lifestyle of a gypsy, but at this point, I don't know. I did provide he with financing for a car, which went south almost immediately. The car was repossessed and repurchased, all within just a few short weeks. As I said...hope isn't very high right now, but we must soldier on.

I wish I could say there's more to report, but other than the minor day-to-day bullshit, it's just eat, work, sleep. Once I'm closer to being gone, I'll exert more effort. Want to see pictures? They're either in my Picasa album or on my Facebook/Google+ page. That's all I have for now. Until next time....

Summertime in Kuwait is about to be over!

Well, it's now been ANOTHER 90 days. I promised myself I wouldn't get behind on my blog, and we see how that went! So much has happened...where shall I begin?

Since my last post in June, we've endured a "typical" Kuwaiti summer with highs in the upper 120s and lows in the upper 90s to low 100s. We did have a few days over 130°, but I survived with little more than a good sweat. Odd thing about the extreme heat--when I'm outside and the temperature is around or above 120°, my hands actually get so hot that it feels like they're on fire. I mean, to the point where I run them under "cold" water. I put that in quotes because, during the summer, the cold water here is around 120°-125°. That's what most households set their water heaters to! The hot water here is truly HOT--they typically set the 50 gallon tanks to 180°, so hot is REALLY hot! You never use the hot water during the summer, and only small amounts during the winter. It's crazy, I tell you!

Album of pictures from the
Mediterranean cruise

I did manage to knock a few things off of my bucket list this summer. Leslie and I went on a Mediterranean cruise, and what an awesome experience! We had 2 stops in France and 3 stops in Italy before returning to our port of debarkation--Barcelona. Although my phone was stolen at the Barcelona airport upon my arrival, everything else went pretty much like clockwork the rest of the week. The Hotel Catalunya was amazing, the cabin on the ship was amazing, and the food--holy shit--the food was AMAZING! There was just SO much of it! If you've never been on a cruise, I highly recommend it. Royal Carribbean isn't the cheapest, but they make up for it with amenities like you wouldn't believe--amazing Broadway-style shows, an ice show like no other, customer service that was second to none, and just an overall A+ experience. I sound like a commercial, but it really was just that damn awesome. We had fun every single day, and saw amazing sights like Pompeii, the leaning tower of Pisa, downtown Florence, the Pantheon, Mt. Vesuvius, the French Riviera, and a host of other sights. I took a lot of pictures, but Leslie tells me that pictures without one of us in them would be "less interesting", so forgive me if my photos are "less interesting" because I was just snapping picture after picture in awe.

Upon my return to Kuwait, I found out that we were moving into different accommodations. Notice I didn't say "better" accommodations--just "different". It's still a CHU, as they're called here (Containerized Housing Unit), which basically amounts to a box with doors. They have air conditioning, but when the dust storms hit, the dust just blows right in through the window units. We had a really bad sandstorm just 24 hours after we had moved in, and I came in after work to find all of my stuff--laptop, Xoom, TV, bed) covered with a very heavy layer of talcum-powder-fine dust. So I spent the next 3 hours cleaning, washing and meticulously dusting my electronics....only to have the storm intensify overnight into a full-blown blackout sandstorm the following day. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this place?

So that brings us up to now. Nothing much really changes here day-to-day. The temperatures are finally falling to mid-70s at night and lower 100s during the day, and the cold water is now actually not scalding hot. I will be taking pictures and video of everything as soon as I move back to day shift. As much as I prefer the night shift (7p-7a), it is a highly sought-after time slot, and my time was short. I will be back on nights as soon as someone leaves, which shouldn't be long. Turnaround at this place is tremendous. I've been here 6-1/2 months, and we've already lost 1/2 of the staff that was here when I got here in March. That's just a small sign of how much this place sucks.

To answer a few questions I've gotten via email--no, I have not cut my hair yet. It is about down to the middle of my back now. I'll cut it after I am moved back to the states for good and donate it then. Another question--yes, it REALLY DOES get to be 130°+ here during the summer. I have a couple of pictures on my Facebook page of the thermometer on my bicycle reading well over 130°. Although it only got that hot about a dozen times this summer, it was enough to convince me that I don't want to live here on a permanent basis! Another--I plan on being here until August 1, 2013. I don't think I can take much more than that. That will be a year and a half, and that's certainly enough for me. Last one--my "room" is about 12'x22', and it is divided roughly in half. I have the front half (with the door and the tiny window), so my actual space is only about 9' wide and maybe 10' long. A metal bunk bed, 2 wall lockers, and my 'personal stuff" (TV, laptop/desk, small refrigerator, microwave) are the amenities that we have. Entertainment is to download movies and TV shows to watch on days off. That is life in Kuwait!

Until next time....

Kuwait--the first 90 days

So I've now been here for about 90 days, and what a time it has been. In those 90 days, I've been through the gamut--from injuries to entertainment to everything in between! Here's the Reader's Digest version:

• Toby Keith in concert
• Ambulance ride to Camp Arifjan for what could equate to bad heartburn, thanks to an overzealous co-worker
• Studying for certification exams
• Passing the COMPTIA Security+ exam
• Weekly dust storms of epic proportions--50mph winds with sand and dust so heavy you can't see your feet
• Thunderstorms that would dwarf a typical thunderstorm in the US--complete with purple lightning!
• Sprained ankle so bad that it looks like a broken leg

And that's just the first 90 days! I look forward to what Kuwait has for me in the next 90 days!

As far as things go, it's been moving as fast as I had hoped it would. There is very little to do here, so boredom becomes your worst enemy. They have movies every day, all day long...but how many times can you watch the same crummy movies? Because we're 25 miles from the nearest--anything--you have to find a ride anytime you want to do something or go somewhere. It typically takes many months to get a Kuwaiti driver's license, at which point you become everyone else's chauffeur, which is also a curse. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.


I have been studying for certification tests in order to move from Service Desk to System Admin. That's the whole reason I came to Kuwait in the first place, and if my recruiter with ITT/Exelis hadn't been such a stark raving idiot (that's Shelley Haymaker, in case you were wondering). I just told her to get me on a plane and I would do the rest. At that point, after eight months, I just had to get moving before the window of opportunity closed. So, with the COMPTIA Security+ exam out of the way, next stop is my MCITP: Server Administrator, then finally, the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator. The second is the BIG certification--it's the hardest, but can lead to the most open doors. The first certification takes two tests, and the second takes three. It's fortunate that there is a considerable amount of down time here to allow for studying, as there is a LOT of studying to do! I'll just be glad when that part is done.


The dust storms here are absolutely ridiculous! They come out of nowhere, with the worst one hitting in the middle of the night on May 3. Known as a 'Haboob', these storms are crazy! May 3, the winds were hurricane-force (75+ mph), and carried enough dirt to completely immobilize a vehicle in a matter of minutes. The air conditioners struggled to keep the rooms cool, but required washing over the course of the next few days in order to clear the pounds of sand out of the coils that accumulated in just one night. We have since had several "lesser" storms--but don't let that fool you. Even the lesser storms can get ugly fast! Last week's storm shut down the base for two days--the trucks that haul water in and sewage out couldn't drive, so things turned ugly really quickly. The toilet sources here are typically porta-potties (known as 'the hotbox'), and when they go more than 24 hours without a little maintenance, it becomes quite a mess. But we survived once again.


Summer has arrived, even if the calendar doesn't say so. It's been at least 110º-115º here every day since mid-May, with highs reaching as high as 125º so far. It's early for such temps from what I understand, so this summer looks to be beyond 'extremely hot', more like 'deadly hot'. Predictions by the weather team here, you ask? Looks like 140º or more will be common. I'll never complain about Arkansas summers again!


That's it for now. Time to get back to work. Until next time....

Is it vacation time yet?

The first month in Kuwait has come and gone, and I don't have a whole lot to say about it. The place is still dull...boring...and very flat. I have made my way into Kuwait City to visit civilization, so that was a welcome break. The 360 Mall is quite a treat--found a nice steak house there, even though there is no alcohol served. Which brings me to my next thought...

Leslie and I have planned a Mediterranean cruise for this summer, and I gotta tell you how excited I am about it. We had spoken many times about visiting Europe during my stint over here, but never could really come up with a good plan. I suggested a cruise just because it seemed like the most affordable method of visiting, eating and sleeping in the shortest amount of time. Ireland and the UK will have to wait until I have completed my rounds over here...but we will be back! As it stands, we'll see places like Rome, Pisa and Barcelona, which we'd otherwise likely never get to see. I will also get to spend time with Leslie...and by that time, being without alcohol and "female companionship" for half a year will ensure that we'll be spending a good bit of quality time together! But that's enough about that...I'm sure she'd appreciate such references on a public forum.

While I'm here, the "computer geek" in me is forcing me to get my certifications updated...not just because I want to, but because it could afford me the opportunity to advance here and make buku dinero, while also making me more marketable when I return to the US to search out a job. Oddly enough, as I browse the classifieds from Kuwait, I find that the job market isn't really just bubbling over with opportunities. What does that mean for me? Depending on the opportunities available in the US when it's time for me to fly, I may or may not be staying here longer (UGH!). As unpleasant as that sounds, the money I'm making here is certainly plentiful enough to make things just a bit more bearable--JUST A BIT. Soldier deployments are typically a year or less in most cases, and as I've always said, if it's good enough for them, it's certainly good enough for me. And I'm making considerably more than most of them do!

So, that's all for today. I'll update again with some pictures when I have something different to show. Until next time....

A month at Camp Buehring

It's now been about a month since I flew out of Little Rock, en route to this place they call a "Camp". I've seen plenty of tents, but this isn't what I'd call FUN! The work here is gruelling--it takes a while to adjust to 12 hour days, especially when you spend those hours locked in a windowless room, taking call after call, listening to people drone on about this and that. I guess the best part is, I'm getting paid, and getting paid WELL. It could be worse--I could be one of the soldiers stomping around in that horrid sand, getting paid a fraction of what is deserved. But I digress...

On a good note, Leslie and I have managed to secure our Mediterranean cruise in July. We'll be cruising out of Barcelona, Spain, on Royal Caribbean's "Liberty of the Seas", en route to destinations like Nice and Provence, France, Florence, Rome and Pisa, Italy, and good old Barcelona! It's eight days of sun and cruising, with plenty of fun and food and adventure for anyone. I'll be posting lots of pictures from that trip--bet on that! It may not seem like much, but when you're away from friends and family for such a long time, you really look forward to things like this. Besides, how many people get to see such sites in their lifetime? This is exactly what we had planned when I took this position in Kuwait--to travel and see the world. And so it begins!

On another note, I have made mention of how absolutely trashy this country is. I've been as graphic as I could, but without seeing, you may not be a true believer. So, I took the liberty of recording a little video while we were driving down the highway the other day. It's an HQ video, so you can freeze it at any point and see just how utterly disgusting this place is. I actually shot two videos--you can't see all of the trash properly in a single video!




Welcome to the world of Kuwait and all of its trash!

That's all for today. Until next time....

We have arrived at Camp Buehring

After the chaos and insanity that got us here, we've finally made our way to Camp Buehring, formerly known as Camp Udairi. Here, we find a whole lot of nothing. A huge air strip that is extremely busy with US Army Apache helicopters flying constant sorties, billeting in the form of "shotgun"-style trailers--a hallway down the center with four rooms on either side. Each room should hold 2-3 people, but because of the troop drawdown in Iraq, some of the rooms are stacked up to 4 and 5 deep. We were one of the fortunate to be assigned to a room with 5 people. Oh, joy.

Look closely and you'll
see several dead camels
on the side of the road

The road to Buehring is anything but scenic. Mile after mile of blowing trash, sand, and dead camels. No, they didn't die naturally--they're just really slow, and the vehicle traffic on this lone highway is very high and very fast. You almost have to chuckle a little thinking about a big, slow camel making its way across the highway--I mean, there isn't a single tree or bush to "hide" them, so exactly how is it that these huge animals are able to surprise you walking across the highway? You can see miles ahead of you, yet there are dozens of dead camels scattered all along this highway.

A bit of trivia for you--the highway we're on (Highway 80) is known as the "Highway of Death". This is the road the Saddam Hussein (no relation to Barack Hussein Obama known at this time) took his Iraqi troops down when he invaded Kuwait's oil fields. Camp Udairi was actually taken over by Iraqi troops for several months, but was riddled by US troops and their "bunker buster" bombs, which penetrated the French-built bunkers that the French guaranteed to be 'impenetrable'. I guess that didn't work out too well for them. But I digress....

Half-way back to the house from the
bathrooms. Loving the landscaping!

Upon arrival at the barracks, I can't say I'm impressed. They're arranged in a sort-of rectangle, with the bathrooms being the center of the rectangle. In other words, some of the housing is a pretty good jaunt to the bathrooms. My house is such a place. It's on the corner, so it's the FURTHEST away. Try making a run for the border at 4:30 in the morning when you've REALLY got to go, but it's 150 yards away! I guess it's not bad, but it makes for an interesting wake up in the morning.

The view just outside the T-walls in
front of my billets. Not a lot to see here.

There are several pods of these portable buildings, each housing anywhere from 25-40 people. They're surrounded by six foot 'T-walls', which are intended to block drive-by bombers or suicide drivers trying to crash into the housing units. These T-walls are usually painted up by the troops who spend a rotation at this God-forsaken hell hole, and some of them get pretty creative. That, coupled with the porta-potties scattered all about the campus, make for a very...interesting...place.

So, that's about it for this trip. I'll try to get more pictures as I can, but they're very much frowned upon in most places on base. I'm not really sure why, as Google Maps certainly has no problems showing it all...but whatever. Until next time....

Training week in Mahboula, Kuwait

The ABC Towers in Mahboula, Kuwait

When we last spoke, I had just arrived in Kuwait, and we had experienced the wonders of Ali Al Salem. Well, my contractor, ITT/Exelis, has procured apartments in a downtown area in Kuwait City known as Mahboula. So, we are shuttled in a nicer bus (still with curtains drawn) to these apartments, not knowing what to expect. There were 19 of us, all of differing ages, experience levels and job statuses. We arrive at the buildings, and WHOA! There, we find two 18-story towers, with glistening marble floors and all the trimmings. We would be housed on the 2nd and 3rd floors, with our group split mostly in half.

The strip mall in front of the towers

McDonald's, with a Play Place!

Hardee's and Baskin Robbins

The apartments were 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with plenty of furniture for everyone. The biggest drawback were the bunk beds in each room. The apartment was made to sleep 18, but we were lucky to get by with only 10. So, we each claimed our bunk, then set out to explore. Across the street, there was a strip mall, which housed a McDonald's, a Hardee's, a Baskin Robbins, a Starbucks, and several other American cuisines. We also had a Domino's Pizza next door, as well as a Buffalo Wild Wings directly in front of our building. Down the street, there was Taco Bell, Burger King, TGI Friday's, Chili's and a host of other American delights too numerous to name! It was like I never left home!

Talk about a motley crew!

Every day, we would wake up very early, do our morning routines, and be on a bus by 6:30, headed across town to our training center, which was actually a 3-story home in a residential part of Kuwait City. We would be downstairs, taking tests and filling out the necessary forms to ensure that we could not only stay in Kuwait legally, but work for the US Army legally, as well. Lunches were fish and chicken every day, but in different forms. It was a very deliberate process that concluded on time--surprising, considering we were a day late because of the airplane incident. Our last day in class would be Friday morning, and we would conclude just after lunch, at which time we were divvied up to be shipped to our respective final destination, be it Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar or Kuwait. Some were on their first tour, but several were on their 2nd, 3rd or even 4th tour. Most were headed to Afghanistan, some were off to Iraq, and a handful were headed to Kuwait. All in all, not a bad bunch of guys.

Outside our window at 9:00am

Outside our window at 12:00 noon

Our departure from the villa was delayed by two days due to--you want to guess?--a dust storm. This one blew in so fast that we weren't even able to make adjustments. We woke up to crystal blue skies, but within just a few short hours, visibility was down to nearly zero. It lasted for a day and a half, but we had to get out on Sunday, because the next group was going to be there within just a few minutes. So we made our exit, passing the next incoming group on our way out of the parking lot. What an adventure!

Now, it's off to Camp Buehring...a very remote post located just eight miles south of the Iraq border. It's not close to anything, and it is completely cut off from the outside world. There are no trees, no grass, no bushes...basically, it's just a camp in the middle of hell. More on that in my next posting. Until next time...

Welcome to Kuwait -- the first days

So, it's been several months since I last posted, and there's a reason for that. I've been preparing for my journey to the Middle East--Kuwait. As of March 3, I am officially a resident of that very place. So I figured I would give you a chronology of my trip, as best as I can.

Camp Atterbury
What can you say about Camp Atterbury? It's HELL on a stick! This is where all of the contractors from all of the different companies go to get their medical, dental and other clearances to deploy to Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar and Kuwait. There are hundreds of them processed through every week! Some will make it, others will not.

Rows of bunks at Camp Atterbury

So, we arrive on this sprawled out, 36,000 acre post after an oh-so-eventful plane ride, and a bus ride that would rattle the fillings out of a corpse. We're given our billeting, and told to "move out smartly" to our assigned areas. So I pick up my giant duffel bag and my computer bag, and I'm on my way. When I arrive, I'm less than impressed. Row after row of bunk beds, all stripped of character (and linens). Canvas mattresses? Where are we, prison?! We're given sheets to make these bunks, along with a thin wool blanket. We'll make do, right?

My bunk

It snowed the first night. The winds howled in at 25mph. It was 25°. Did I mention that the door latch was broken, so the door wouldn't stay CLOSED? But we made do. My bunk was the first one by the door, so I got to experience the cold winds first hand. Is it really that hard to close a door?

The only redeeming quality--the All Ranks Club. We could walk there and have a few cold beers, a great steak, and play a little pool. The club was where you'd go after you got evening chow, simply because you were headed to a country where alcohol, pork and fun were all illegal. May as well get it in while you can!

As our time at Camp Atterbury drew to a close, we were quickly herded into buses and carried to a large concrete and steel building on the outskirts of the post, where we were to wait for our "Chalk" (another name for "bus ride shift") to depart. However, upon getting all 300+ of us into this building, we were informed that our plane had a problem with the air recirculating system, and that the parts had to be flown in from Baltimore. What did that mean for us? You guessed it--14 hours sitting in this aforementioned concrete and steel building. There were no padded chairs, and the floors were terribly dirty from the mud that had dried from all of the boots and feet that had plodded in.

Where we stayed for 14 hours

So, as we spent the entire night in this building, we were informed that our "Chalks" would begin departing at 4:00am. Yes, we'd spent the entire night in this building. We were exhausted, hungry, and by this time, pissed. I managed to snap a picture of the pleasant conditions we were kept in--plastic tables, folding chairs and concrete floors. Awesome job, Atterbury!

So, here came 4:00am. We were herded onto the buses like cattle for the hour-or-so-long drive to the Indianapolis International Airport, where we would be queued up like cattle (notice a theme here?) to have our bags checked in and our passports validated. This process would take upwards of two hours. Then, we would head to our gate and proceed to wait another three hours before our plane was ready to fly.

Beef tips and mashed potatoes--dinner

We boarded our plane, a World Airways MD-11, which was 10 seats wide in the middle. Comfort was adequate, considering it was a 12 hour flight. Movies played on screens that were green and out of focus from age, and everything rattled and squeaked. The meals were "OK"...with the customary, "Chicken or pasta?" question coming several hundred times over the course of our flight from Indy to Leipzig, Germany. The meals weren't bad...a little bit institutional, but not bad. By this point, we were nearly famished, so we scarfed it down, like it or not. It was survival food by now.

Leipzig came and went in a blur, with the customary 'bier' purchases coming fast and furious, as it was the last imbibings that we'd be getting for quite some time. We were there for about two hours, then it was back on the plane, headed for Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Ali Al Salem

Our arrival was uneventful, as expected. However, there was a dust storm underway, which became painfully evident as we flew in--everything was blurred by the dust and the strong winds, and the dust was unrelenting. The best part of the whole trip was, upon our deplaning, some Army guy came on the plane and got on the loudspeaker, proclaiming that they needed "40 people" to help with the bags. To those not paying attention, this was quite unexpected. We were to unload our own baggage? What kind of place is this? Then I remembered--we're on a "Mil Air" flight, which is synonymous with "no frills". I was unable to take photos, as they were strictly forbidden in and around the airport. Not really sure why...but whatever.

We were then loaded on to buses with carefully-closed curtains, so as to keep the "Hadjis"--the name given to native Middle-easterners--from getting a bead on passengers, just in case they weren't American-friendly. We were driven quite some distance over numerous speed bumps and near-hit traffic incidents to Ali Al Salem, the camp designated as the transient distribution center for Kuwait. Nearly everyone processing in or out of Kuwait, Iraq or Afghanistan typically will process thru Ali Al Salem. Here, we're met with row after row after row of tents. Not just tents, but AIR CONDITIONED tents. My best count is that there were 216 of these fine tents, each with a 5-ton AC unit. We would be assigned a tent at the very back of the pod, with only three people bunking in a tent big enough to house 24.

Tents at Ali Al Salem

Dropoff point at Ali Al Salem

Rows of generators for the tents

Off in the distance, you can see
rockets aimed directly at Iraq from
Ali Al Salem

More of the tents at Ali Al Salem

We would find water to be plentiful, as there are 'water stations' sprinkled throughout all of the camps in Kuwait due to the extreme heat and very low humidity. There are also smoking stations nearby, and everything is surrounded by 'T-walls', which are 6' high cement walls meant to deflect a blast from a bomb, or to prevent suicide bombers from driving a vehicle into heavily occupied areas.

As we met with our ITT contacts, we discovered we would be leaving this canvas paradise for a "villa" in downtown Mahboula. This turned out to be a nice place...where we would spend yet another week. We would be bussed to training during the day, then we would fend for ourselves to get dinner and ensconce ourselves in the Kuwaiti culture. But that's for my next blog entry.

Until next time....

Karma for me, or karma against me?

It has been a long time since my last post (as usual), but I just had to get on here and tell a story. I recently received an email from a technology headhunter that has the potential to change our lives forever--in a GOOD way. We have always been one to believe in karma, and this is no exception.

You see, we always try to do the right thing--we obey traffic laws, we pay taxes every time, we donate time and money to charities, we help those who want to help themselves, and we work really, really hard. We don't ask for anything that we didn't earn, and we're all about playing it fair--good or bad. So, I got an email last week offering me the possibility of a job. Not just "a job", but this is a job that could potentially pay as much as FIVE TIMES my current salary. Yeah...that's a 5, as in, the number after FOUR. The catch? It's in Afghanistan, supporting our military men and women stationed there, maintaining their networks, computers and laptops.

The job hasn't been given to me as of yet, but I have made it through the first stage. My former military time has pushed me toward the front of the line for stage 2. I am hopeful that the fact that I'm willing to relocate right away will put me at the front of the line, as a lot of people just don't have the desire to go to a country in conflict like Afghanistan.

Let me tell you something. For that kind of money, I believe it's worth it. First off, if it's good enough for my military men and women, why isn't it good enough for me? I ask them to protect me, so the least I can do is make their life a little less stressful, and maybe allow them a little family time on Skype. It also affords me the ability to get almost completely out of debt in the span of one year. That alone is enough for me. After scratching and scrounging for every dollar we have, it's time for us to relax and enjoy our lives. This could be the opportunity to do just that.

So, I will update you soon enough with the outcome. It could be good...it could be bad. Let's hope for the former! Until next time....

The end of an era

May 24, 2011. The day 18 years in the making. My daughter finally graduated from high school. In what could be classed as one of the poorest-coordinated ceremonies ever known to man, the ceremony is held on a Tuesday night, scheduled to begin at 8:30. At 8:50, the people are still coming in, but they start anyway. The speakers are brief, the diplomas are done...and then comes the scholarships. They could have just read the number of recipients and the total amount awarded, but NO...they read each and every scholarship awarded to each and every recipient, including college name, city and state. Keep in mind, this is a Tuesday night. We leave at 10:45 because we're just exhausted. At 11:45, my daughter pulls up outside. The ceremony went on until 11:20! Congratulations, LRSD, on your ability to screw up something as simple (and sacred?) as a high school graduation. God, what a bunch of morons.

Then I come to find out that my first born, who signed up with the Air Force just over a year ago, is coming home--permanently. No explanation as of yet, but since when does the USAF just "send people home" during war time? Especially those that are only one year into a six year enlistment?! Yeah, there's something rotten in the refrigerator. But we'll delve more into that later.

I told him years ago that his path couldn't be more parallel to mine...and damn, if that's not the truth! The difference--I had a work ethic, some pretty good job skills, a little motivation, and the desire to get a college degree. He has none of those. Call me an asshole for saying it, but as I always say, "It ain't mean if it's true." So, he's coming home next week, just under five years before his enlistment is due to end. What does one do then? Move back in with mommy, get a part-time job, and make another half-assed attempt at going to a community college to earn an associate's degree in something. Yeah...this has disaster written all over it. But I digress...

On another note, I did finally get that knee surgery I've been needing so desperately for so long. As it turns out, my patella groove (where it articulates with the femur and the tibia) has worn all of the cartilage off, and it's now a bone-on-bone articulation. The reason my knee would 'lock' when it sat stationary was because of this highly-painful condition. So, he went in and cleaned that up as best he could, repaired a couple of cartilage tears, and vacuumed out all of the 'trash' that had accumulated in the 20 years since my ACL/MCL repair in 1992. As it stands, I'll probably have to have the knee rebuilt (again) in 3-5 years...but at least I can hold out a bit longer before it comes to that. What a mess.

Hail from the storm on 4/19/11

Tornadoes, rain (LOTS of rain, floods...this has been the story this spring. More off all of these than we've had in a very, very long time. Spring isn't quite over yet, but perhaps all of the bad weather will be. I'm not ready for the 100º+ temps this summer, but at least we've made it to June without any extreme heat. And if that wasn't bad enough, we had a HAIL storm that knocked holes in the roof! Here's a picture of the hail--it's HUGE! And yes...we're getting the roof replaced. Thanks, Shelter Insurance!


With that said, I think I'm done for now. Summer is coming, and it's going to get hot. Wow. So, until next time...

Life and its curve balls

So, here it is, April of 2011. Where are we now? When you look at all of the trappings of the "typical family", you wonder...what if this is as good as it gets?

We now possess four cars. Four. Why? Because we feel some incessant need to drive? No...because that's what we do. We buy stuff, whether we need it or not. We live in a house with a (low rate) huge mortgage, we work at least a half-dozen jobs each, and we still find that we're only a couple of paychecks away from being flat-ass broke. Is this the "American way" that everyone seems to proclaim? How? Since when is working every fucking day of the week, 12 months a year, considered the "American way"? When is it OUR time? But I digress...

You see, it's that credit monster. We like our credit, but we hate our credit cards. Does that make sense? That's like hating your drug dealer, but loving his drugs. Hypocritical, at best. But yet, we continue to worship the credit gods, sending them thousands and thousands of dollars a month, in hopes that the illusive 'payoff day' will soon come around. In some cases, it has. We're not nearly in the bind we were a couple of years ago, but we're still in pretty tight with those high-interest death cards.

So where does it end? Do we win the lottery and pay it all off? Or do we just continue to pay like lemmings until we either die or a rich uncle leaves us a huge inheritance? Meh...I guess time will tell.

I've found myself feeling rather melancholy this week after receiving a photo montage DVD from my sister. It was a photographic chronology of my other dad's life, set to some pretty sappy music. I find myself missing him every day, and the DVD simply brought it home. I called my mom and talked to her, only to hear that she has begun to shed some of the trappings that she and John had accumulated in their 35 short years together. Perhaps that is where my whole mood comes from. I am rapidly approaching that "middle age" mark, and the family that I so desperately want to spend time with, I find that I can't because of my financial obligations at home.

My memories of my childhood and seeing those pictures flash by...simply makes it all the more bigger. My kids are growing up and moving on, and I wonder if I have had as much quality time with them as John had with the five kids he raised. The worst part? I know the answer is "no"...

Alas, my lifestyle is calling. I guess the "Cat's in the Cradle" now, and it's time for me to go to work. Until next time...

Snowmageddon...followed by Snowpocalypse

Well, it's certainly been a good year for winter in Arkansas. We have what the TV people are now calling a 'major snow event' on January 9, bringing a whopping 6" of snow, along with some really cold temps, keeping us socked in for a few days and giving us some snow days to make up at the end of the school year! It was certainly a nice surprise to see the glistening snow on the ground, even if only for a few days. But alas, as it goes in Arkansas, the snow was gone within a few days, and temps soared into the 60s and 70s within a week.

Fast forward to February, when yet another 'snow event' rears its head. This one skirted north of us, leaving us with only an inch or two of snow, which was gone the next day. It was sloppy, it was slushy, it was too warm. Again, it's Arkansas--not so rare here.

Just as the meteorologists are saying that would be winter's last big blast, I checked the models. They disagreed. Several days later, another 'major snow event' bore down on us, bringing us another 6" of snow, but dumping two feet on some just north of us. Really? Two feet of snow? In Arkansas? And the kicker--temps dropped to low teens, then to single digits, assuring the snow would last for a few days. Three more snow days are in the books, and people are beginning to complain about cabin fever, icy driving, blah blah blah...

Just color me 'happy' for seeing any winter at all! Lots of cold temps and 14" of snowfall over the past month? Yeah, I'm good with that. Which is probably a good thing, since they're predicting 70s and sunny within a week. Sounds like winter is losing its grip. I'm sure we'll see some more 'minor snow events' before it's all said and done, but as far as 'major'...I think that should be it. BUT, it's still very early in the Arkansas winter, and this place is known for some really odd extremes. I say BRING IT ON...even if it doesn't show. I love this shit, and I don't care what anyone says!

Anything else going on? Nope. It's been a slow month. We've had 6 snow days, and it's been very busy in between. New York City trip is coming up in a couple of weeks--that should be fun, since I've never been! With that said, I'll wrap it up. Until next time....

Last one of this year!

It's really been five months since my last post?! Wow...I guess I've just been busy!

So, what's been going on...let's see...the house is finally done. The remodeling hell is complete, and we're now moving all of the built-up crap that was in the house to points elsewhere--Ebay, Freecycle, giving it away, selling it. I just want it gone. We've made hundreds off of what we thought was useless stuff that had been piled up around the house for months (years), and it has gone to keep up our oh-so-high standard of living (/sarcasm). Either way, it's over, and the result looks fantastic. I'm quite pleased with the results. Hell, I may even post some pictures on my Picasa page. Maybe.

Also, since my last post, I have come and gone from St. Vincent. As it turns out, the job could have been done by a trained monkey, and anyone who knows me knows that I don't do well with mundane, repetitive work. I left there about a month ago, and have now moved on to work for the Girl Scouts state headquarters in North Little Rock. Aside from all the idiot comments, the job is really a good fit for me. The pay isn't what it was at St. Vincent, but the satisfaction is 10x more. I get to build an entire network from several bits and pieces patched together with rocks and sticks using current technology, rather than 10 year old operating systems running on 15 year old equipment. I am also the "head" of the IT Department, for what that's worth--it's a two man operation! I don't have the pressure of getting something done NOW--I get to move forward at a reasonable pace, making sure there aren't any mistakes from leaving something out in a rush, and when I'm done, it runs like a million bucks. So, the career stays on the same path, just using a different vehicle.

The holidays are upon us now, and for the first time in three years, we actually have seasonal decor in the house. Five Christmas trees, garland, lights, sparkly things...they're all out in all their glory, and I couldn't be happier. It's been much too long, and the depression of not having Christmas decor was becoming quite obvious...and overwhelming. It actually looks better, because the house looks better. With the exception of the destruction that Centerpoint Energy has wreaked in my front yard, the landscaping has improved, the inside of the house has most certainly improved, and the lowered credit card balances also improves things. It's almost like...home.

So, I'll get back to work now, and perhaps now that I have my house back, I'll be able to post more often? Who knows...but I do know that the 'mightymichelob.com' domain will soon be retired, to be replaced by either 'aaronhoyt.info' or 'aaronhoyt.com'. At 43 years old, it's time for me to simplify, and one of those changes will be ending the nickname websites--mongrelcam died long ago, mightymichelob will soon follow.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year to all...and if you think I'm going to even acknowledge Kwanzaa, you're out of your mind. That's something made up by "African" Americans to further segregate them from Whitey. So bite me, Kwanzaa...it's either Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah...or you can stick it. I'm out...until next time...

LRSD finds even more to waste money on

I don't write very often, but when I see the DUMBEST people in the world blowing money on some stupid consultant to come in and tell them that everything they're doing is OK?! What the fuck is that? Hey, LRSD school board--YOU ARE ALL IDIOTS! I've been to an LRSD board meeting, and it resembles a monkey fucking a football. That man-beast in charge of the board...I've seen better heads on a corpse! There's not enough collective intelligence in the entire board to tie a velcro shoe! Jesus tapdancing Christ...this makes me want to go out and just go postal on the entire board! How goddamn stupid can you be?! NINETY THOUSAND DOLLARS to work 36 days A YEAR??!! Are you fucking KIDDING me?

You ass clown waste of space. Katherine Mitchell--you need to be drawn and quartered for all of the money you've wasted. You should be thrown to a pack of angry pit bulls for being so arrogant as to drive that district into the ground! YOU ARE A WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT. Please...do the world a favor...die in a fire.

Little Rock School District board meeting on agreement for special services - todaysthv.com | KTHV | Little Rock, AR

One door closes...

So, my last day at UALR is "officially" tomorrow; however, I haven't been 'working' there since before spring break. Why? Because, as a system administrator, they know that I have the POTENTIAL to be quite destructive--access to sensitive areas of the campus in the wrong hands can be devastating. Fortunately (for them), I'm not a malicious-minded person. I just left quietly, utilizing the time they provided for me--with pay--to find other gainful employment. Thus begins the next chapter...

I begin working at St. Vincent Hospital in just a couple of weeks as a part of the Client Computing team. The kicker? I make a full 20% more than I was making at UALR! And the best part is, not only do I have a supervisor who's ego will fit within his own person, I don't have to listen to the ignorant asshats bicker like 5-year-olds in faculty meetings! I've never seen such an open display of pathetic egocentric-ism in my LIFE! Contrary to what these morons believe, the world does NOT revolve around them! There are billions more just like them, and with the exception of a small handful, their egos are self-contained. So, I guess the old adage that "When one door closes, another one opens" certainly holds true here. I just thank GOD that I'm getting out of there with my sanity.

Finally, my son graduates from Air Force Basic Training on May 7, and it looks like I won't be able to attend due to the timing with my new job. The AFB is in San Antonio, which is about a 9-10 hour drive. The graduation events begin on May 6 (a Thursday), with the commencement being held on May 7. Missing two days within a week of beginning a new job doesn't look too good...so it may just have to go without my attendance. As much as it pains me to miss, I am hopeful that he knows I'll be there in spirit, even if I'm not in body.

That's it for now. Until next time...

Long time, no see

It's been quite a while since my last post, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to jot some things down. SO much has happened since my last post, it may take a while!

First and foremost, I have re-established a relationship with my son. He left for Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB on March 9. While at the MEPS station in Little Rock, the entire Porter clan showed up for the same reason I was there. However, after Trevor's swearing in and his subsequent departure, I asked the entire group to speak with me outside--in an attempt to try to repair the cluster fuck they had made of my children's' lives. They shunned my daughter because she 'chose' to live with me and showered my son with gifts and material shit to buy his silence. Silence from what, you ask? I would love to say it, but social etiquette keeps me from it. Venture to say...it wasn't anything good.

So anyways, after making my request, the red-headed pig slut, Charlotte, stomped out, saying she had nothing to say to me or "that girl", referring to my daughter--her niece. Her father then began spouting out obscenities and garbage and posturing like he was some bantam rooster. But, as my ex-wife and her sister, Robin, began shouting at them, it became clear how it had all played out. Trevor's head was a mess because of the hatred spewed forth from those obscenely overweight, useless protoplasmic asshats. He couldn't win, regardless of what he did. Now that he's moved on (and moved OUT), that seems to have changed almost overnight. This is truly a great thing. And because karma has been on my side lately, I shan't wish bad things on those who choose to remain angry. I believe that their karma will take care of them in fine fashion. Then again, God has pity on fools and drunks...and these morons don't drink...

Next development is, UALR has decided to release me from employment due to budget cuts. They can build a $30 million building, but can't pay my measly salary? I smell a rat, and its name is Obama...but I digress. I have some very hot leads going on, one of the best being at St. Vincent Hospital--right down the street! My potential supervisor would be my mentor, Don Rehak, a guy that I spent a tremendous amount of time with, picking his brain and learning everything I could about computers. He got me started and showed me the ropes in an 'intern' sort of fashion, paying me a meager $50 a week. But, the benefits of that internship have kept me afloat for the last 15 years. My hopes are that it works out and I'll once again be working with him. More on that in my next post--advising as to where I landed.

Other than that, we're just status quo. The remodeling job has now gone on for two full years, leaving a portion of the house in disrepair for the entire time. The kitchen is 97% complete, the dining room is about 90% complete, but Madison's bedroom is left--and it's the least work of all! Money is the factor, and unstable work status isn't conducive to running up a big tab at Lowe's. Once I'm settled back into employment, we'll wrap it up and move on to the next project. Gads...two years?!

We recently celebrated our 5-year anniversary on February 27, and a half-dozen March birthdays, including Leslie's on March 31. It's been a busy time, even if it doesn't seem like it! So, with that said, I'll close out. Summer is coming, and so are the $400 electric bills. Oh, joy...

Until next time...