Been Busy...

So for the past few days, I've been busy day and night learning how to drie a military humvee. That's correct. A humvee.
It's pretty good knowledge (for a change) since there's a great chance that I'll be in one many times during my deployment. I'll be doing stories on groups that go "outside the wire" and also be taking convoys from one location to another to gather news stories. So, this training was pretty good. I also got to use night vision goggles (NVG's) while driving, and I want a pair! Kidding, but they are pretty cool as well.

- - - -

My tooth is still missing. My dentist moved my appointment to Friday at 1pm, so I have a little longer to wait befor eI can speak clearly again. Luckily, I'e been taking care of myself, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem for the doc to either give me a fake one, or at the ery least, a temp to get me through the rest of my training.
Sinc eI'll be getting something to correct my tooflesssssnesssss, I will probably still be able to deploy. My dentist in Germany will make that ultimate decision. If things go with him the way they hae in the past, he'll send me. so, it looks like I'm still tapped to go.

- - - -

Today...oh today...
I got in last night (this morning) from night driving at 2am. I looked at the schedule for the next day (today), and it showed that I had briefings all day - starting at 7:30 and going until 4pm. So I got what little sleep I could, and got on with the day. THESE. BRIEFINGS. SUCKED.
As if the 6 hours of powerpoint wasn't bad enough, every single one was on subjects I had to train on before I could come TO this training! It's so redundant. We hae a l-o-n-g checklist of training (online or physical) that we HAVE to accomplish before we can travel to our CST, and then when we get here, we do the same exact training all over again. It's ludacris I tell you! Finally, when the long and drawn out torture was over, I got to come back to my bed, curl up, and just as I was about to fall asleep, I was awakened by one of our leaders telling me to suit up (put on the 70 pounds of protective gear) and prepare for weapons quals. DIDN'T I ALREADY DO THAT?!? "Wait, this time it was with closer range pop-up targets?" "Oh, I see, well then, I guess I hae to go." -- You all aren't going to believe this -- When we all got there (46 of us total), the instructors told us (verbatim, I kid you not), "You all really don't need this training. We just had the range aailable, and went down the name list."
Do I really have to say anyhting else????

- - - -

On a lighter and better note, there are only 7 days left before I (hopefully) leae this place. I say hopefully, because I still hae training to make up from days I missed due to dental appointments. Here's hoping I can ge tit all done by the 29th.

- - - -

Photos are coming, I have to find a way to transfer them from my phone to my computer.

- - - -

Vanessa is a wonderful and strong young lady. I miss her, and I doubt I could carry on like she does, given the situations she's put in. I Lub her soooo much.




ULI

TOOFLESSSSSS

Hello again.
I'm sorry it's been a few days, and I haven't written or called. I have been stuck on quarters since my operation on Thursday. That's right, I said OPERATION.

I am now missing one front tooth. The dentist pulled it, and did some cleaning of the area (see: scraping the roots, infection, and bone away from the front of my mouth), and now there's a gaping hole in my smile. At least I'm able to talk now. The day he did it, his stitches were so tight, that even attempting to speak caused great pain. He gave me meds to help, and they have. But for the past two days, I've been unable to communicate very much. I learned, though, that some people understand sign language, and others do their best to interpret what I was trying to say. It was fun - not really - but I somehow got my message across.

There are photos, and as soon as I can get them up, I'll share with you all my humiliating smile. At least they can't put me in front of a camera like this. :)

Also, "F's" and "V's" present a problem, so if I say, I LUB YOU, it's not a joke, it's just easier to say.

I'm going back to the dentist on Wednesday to get a temporary replacement. Yippie.

More blogging to come, but for now, I just wanted you all to know that I'm all right - mildly sedated - but alright nonetheless.

- - - -

Hello to my newest reader, JD. Sorry work isn't the same, but get used to it. I'll be home soon, but oly for a little while.

I understand you have a new GF...congrats!

- - - -


ULI