happy new year

helo everyone .happy new year from all in england

Happy New Year!!!

Hi all!

Well its New Year's Eve, and not a champagne bottle in sight. Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait to celebrate that too.

I've been working on my New Year's resolutions. I have only come up with one:

1. Do not be in Iraq this time next year.

I'm kind of stuck on this one.

Anyway, I'm in better spirits than I have been. Not sure why, maybe it has something to do with the tsunami. I mean, ok, I'm thousands of miles from home, surrounded by people who want to kill me, and all that, but at least I haven't lost everything in about 30 seconds, watched my family get washed away and killed, or not even know where my family is (uhh, you all are still where I left you, right??). Kind of puts perspective on things.

Anyway, Happy New Year everyone!!!!!

Myron

Peekaboo..

I see you!! Had a VTC with Viv last night. It was good to see her (literally). Wish we had had more time, but we have to steal the moments we can.

I'm getting confused at the moment. We have Internet computers in the office now (installed last weekend). They are slow (very slow) but that means I am checking mail and the blog around two-three times a day, so I read stuff here and think I've replied, then wonder why my reply isn't there.

Its cold here as well, I got up and could see my breath this morning outside. Very foggy as well.

The dollar continues its slump against all other currencies, saw a news report where its going to continue for the next few years, and get worse. Not good news for those of us trying to make a living overseas, as my buying power has decreased.

Anyway, I had better get going. Love to all.

Myron

Brrr It.'s cold

Hello all, hope everyones ok. As you can tell by title it's cold and windy here. Had frosts for past few nights now the wind is very cold (could do with sitting by your log fire Doc). We had a good Christmas, not quite the same as usual but we made the best of it. Give Amanda and John our best wishes also the newly weds although we didn't meet them. John, Gran thinks she saw you on tv a couple of nights ago, you know what she's like she is always right. We are just about all turkeyed out and Dad is ready for some good ol fish and chips. Take care of yourself . Love and best wishes to you all Mum and Dad G .

Yet another morning

Hi all. The weather here is incredibly unsettles. We had a foggy/cloudy Christmas Eve, then rain on Christmas. Then Boxing Day was bitterly (for here) cold, and then yesterday was very windy. Don't know about today, haven't ventured outside yet.

Suprised at the Jason marriage thing, but it sounds as if I'm not the only one. I wish them all the best. Age difference marriages can work (::cocking head to hear murmur of assent from wife::) if the two are smart enough to work around any issues, which I'm sure Jason is, and I'll have to take dad's assessment on his wife.

Going to see Viv tonight on a video tele conference, so I'm excited at that. Still no word on extensions or anything, although I can pick up some juicy gossip and speculation from the other JAC people when I see them tonight.

Anyway, take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron

Boxing Day

Hi all. Its Boxing Day now. Christmas went by in a daze, felt like I was on a skidpan with the accelerator stuck yesterday, spinning my wheels, lots of activity, but not seeming to go far.

Had a suprise visit from a VIP yesterday, won't say who at the moment because of security. I did get a little present out of the visit though, not much, but special to me.

Had reformed turkey breast, not so nice stuffing (mmm...bacon and mushroom stuffing), and some veggies. No bread sauce or yorkshires, so it wasn't as good. And no Bailey's!!!

Told Viv last night that I had a sudden realisation...I'm not going to get to play silly buggers this Christmas or New Year's. The humanity of it all...

Anyway, I'd better go.

Love to all;

Myron

greetings

Happy Christmas to all Love from Viv,Mum and Dad, Nick, Ann , Gran, Tony and Flip, Molly,Karen and girls , Sue and Steve and boys

Bloody Hell...It's Christmas!!!

Morning everyone. Well, my stomache seems to have settled a bit, but it must have taken something out of me, because I overslept by an hour this morning. Its ok, I just skipped a shower (I didn't really need it).

I got a pleasant suprise, a package from the guys up north with some official stuff from the JAC (headlamp and mossie netting), and a whole bunch of goodies (candy and whatnot). So I had a Christmas present, of sorts.

Still waiting for the packages to show up, its not looking good at the moment.

I want everyone to make sure that they have a good Christmas. Yes, I know I'm a very long way away, and not in a nice place, but I am alive, fed and watered, and doing as well as circumstances allow. Don't be sad, be happy that your not one of those families that have lost someone, or one of those guys who is having to cope with having lost limbs. Me, the only thing I've lost (so far) is time with my loved ones, and you guys are never far away from my thoughts.

Everyone have a Happy Christmas. Those of you who can drink, have one for me, and toast to God, Queeen and country.

Love to all.

Myron

T'Was the morning before Christmas..

..and all through the palace, not a creature was stirring, except the guys on night shift...AND ME!!! I've got a bad stomache at the moment, I think I ate something that didn't agree with me. I've been cramping something fierce, and going to the toilet about five times more often than normal. Been getting me up at around 0100 the past few nights.

I got mail yesterday. The package with the laundry detergent in it made it. I can now have Christmas, because I have chocolate covered cherries and candy for masochists and perverts (also known as Toblerone).

Spent yesterday morning getting my computer unscrewed. It was taking forever to log on and off. I didn't actually start working until after lunch.

Received a quick e-mail from Mum G, but didn't get a chance to reply, so I will say hi here.

Anyway, breakfast is calling. Will post agian tomorrow to wish everyone a Happy Christmas.

Myron

Worried...

Hi. I am extremely worried about Viv cutting her service, as that means no phone and no internet connection. It will make it extremely difficult for me to communicate with her if she does, until she can get an alternate in place.

Other than worrying about that (worry, worry), I am doing ok. It does not feel Christmasy at the moment. I'm still awaiting packages to show up that were sent three-four weeks ago, so I am anxiously awaiting each day.

Anyway, I've got to get going into work. Hope everybody is doing well. Love to all and sundry.

Myron

Hi everyone

Hi everyone just a quick note to let you know i'm having my internet and house phone disconnected. I'm having problems with the provider so it might be sometime before you hear from me. Hope everyone has a good christmas love viv

we are home

hello all, well we made it back ok . it was a good flight but arrived to damp weather. we had such a wonderful time we will be talking about it for a long while,been busy wrapping gifts, shopping and such like so still got pictures to show round .hoping to make nut crescents today ( hope they turn out as good as yours Margarette), thank you again for having us it was great. how are you doing John, wish we could get you fish and chips but promise you the biggest bacon butty you have ever seen when you get home. everyone sends love . mum and dad G

Over there, over there...

Well, its another day here. The weather can't make up its mind, day before yesterday it rained (this country smells when it rains, too). Yesterday was fairly warm, and today is cool. So we are going back and forth. Got a Christmas card from David yesterday, his humour was somewhat muted, I think he has gotten a grasp of what I am going through, and has adjusted. I shall have to write him in the next couple of days.

Glad to hear the trip went off ok. Not that I was worried, except maybe that Pop would get arrested for outrageous behavior.

Received the translation, thank you. Now I have a more difficult task, if you can figure it out, can you translate the same phrase into Greek characters? I know, its a bit weird, but we're trying to design a hat for the deployment (kind of a momento), and we have all sorts of ideas kicking about.

Anyway, I have to go to breakfast. Take care.

Myron

Need linguistic help

Morning all. Hope the gift exchange went fine, and everyone has nice presents.

After the mad scramble on the assessment, everything seems slow, real slow. We are supposed to go to the range on Sunday to do pistol work (instead of Saturday), and Monday we get to go shoot our rifles (which I really need to do, as I have only shot it to zero). So I get to make lots of noise.

I need a favour from Dad, if he can (which I have no doubt he can). I need a translation of the phrase "Our business is your business" into latin. Either blog the answer, or I'll get it when I phone tonight.

Anyway, I'm doing fine, a bit worried about Viv's ear kicking up again, but other then that, its another cold day in Iraq.

Take care of yourselves.

Myron

Morning

Morning. Netscape e-mail is down at the moment, can't even log on. So I figured I'd say hi to everyone.

My big assessment project is done and finalised. Not as good as I'd like it to be, but then I'm NEVER satisfied with anything I write, so that's not unusual. The boss was happy with it, and it went to the Commander, so I'm guessing it was good enough to be seen. Its supposed to be published to the world at large today, so its out of my hair.

Went back to my normal research yesterday, seemed much slower after the mad scramble of doing the assessment.

Saturday I may be going to the range. They are doing a course and qualification for using a .45 pistol. The guys teaching these things are real experts, so hopefully I get to attend, not that I'll have much call for it back in England.

Come across a food crisis, I need some decent sausages, or a bacon butty. Fish and chips would be nice as well. The food is good, don't get me wrong, but its monotonous, the same thing day in and day out.

Anyway, I'd better go. Still no word on the extension meeting, although I'll ping the Major on it today. Will also try and call at my normal time.

Take care of yourselves.

Myron

Restrictions and other madness

Hiya all.

Glad everyone had fun yesterday. I was pinned down with production yesterday, didn't get to the range, and still haven't finished the assessment. I do however have over 100 pages of reference material, which I spent yesterday collecting.

Got a bad cramp in the middle of the night in my left leg, so I was awake fairly early waiting for the pain to go away. No idea what caused it.

Got a package (Christmas/care) from the guys at work. Best part was a copy of Wired (a glossy technophile/programmer magazine). I am such a geek! The gang is doing well, and a few of them even miss me (odd that.).

Anyway, I will try to call tonight to talk to everyone, although as usual, the phone lines have to cooperate.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Love to all.

Myron

I'm back!!

Or more precisely the computers are back (hurrah)! Been busy this weekend, with one of those periods where you go a hundred miles an hour, look back, and wander whats been accomplished. Panning out to be a busy week, have a big assessment to write, and the range to go to, among other things today, and more later in the week. Fun, fun, fun.

I have started going to the gym, trying to make it a regular thing. Want to get up to running 2 miles in 15 minutes, which I should be able to do by the time I leave here.

Anyway, its off to breakfast. Glad everyone is having a good time.

Take care of yourselves.

Myron

Mail, guns, and other weirdness

Hi all!

Well, I got my razor and blanket yesterday, so the mail is slow, not lost. I was getting exceedingly worried for a bit. Now I have more packages to look forward to, and my face is smooth as a babies bum.

Monday, we are going out to the range to shoot our M-4s, and if they can scrape together ammo, shotguns and .45s. Never shot a .45 before, so it should be interesting.

Anyway, need to go and eat. Have fun!

Myron

Glad they made it

Glad the flowers got there, say it with flowers is what they say.

No, the mice are on two seperate systems, both classified differently, so they can't communicate, let alone mate. Now if I can just get that extension lead of Viv's, I can get some stuff done on the computer.

As I told Viv, I had an early night last night, was feeling a bit under the weather. Hopefully I'm not getting a bug that has been going round.

Things here are quiet, although I've been keeping busy. Started going to the gym this week.

Will try and call this afternoon your time.

Take care of each other.

Myron

Flowers and Tears

Dearest Son , the flowers arrived today. What a delightful surprise! Thank yow so much! They are so beautiful I put them by Our Blessed Mother. Beautiful as they are , they are no substitute for your presence.Dear one, you know how much you mean to me and that I love you so very much! Yes, I did cry. Take care of your self. All my love with prayers Mom

From Mum G

Thanks for the lovely flowers I know you understood how I felt about flying but i'm very glad I did. We have been made to feel so welcome, enjoying every minute. Taking plenty of photo's to bore you with. Even made Viv take a picture of a cop on the freeway. Take care of yourself love mum and dad G

From Mum G

A Big Thank You from Atlanta

Thank you very much for the flowers that was so sweet and thoughtful of you. Mine and Mum B's arrived sort of at the same time. The delivery guy dropped mine of and went to leave then we saw him reversing back down the drive with mum's. Mum G's came by fedex slighty later in the day. The house looks so pretty with all the flowers but it lacks something very important YOU!! Thanks again your so such a sweet, kind, caring husband. Love you lots Viv.

Mail call!!

Hiya! Well, the package with the mice and thumbdrive got here. I was getting exceedingly worried that all my post had bee diverted because of the FOB 51/ FOBCENTRAL change. Now that I know mail gets through I can await the arrival of the umpteen trillion packages Viv has sent, which are going slow because they are MPS. Oh well, maybe before Christmas (2009).

Thank you very much. They are exactly what was needed.

Hope the presents got there ok, I am always worried being away from home doing stuff like that.

Time's up, people are waiting. Got to go.

Myron

They're there...And I'm here

Glad they made it there intact. Terribly sorry to hear that Mum's sciatica is acting up, hopefully it calms down.

Am going to try and call today, probably around 1 your time. I don't know how it will go, because all the bases in Atlanta are reserve bases, and I don't know what the DSN operators are like, or when they work.

Seems strange being here when everyone else is there. Oh well, worse things have happened at sea, eh?

I'm still busy at work, although I've gotten a bit of a routine going at the moment, so its not so hectic, which is good.

Anyway, stay safe everyone.

Myron

Hi from Atlanta

Hi sweetheart just thought I would let you know that we arrived safe and sound. Mum and Dad love it here and are fascinated with the birds. I hope you don't get tagged to stay another 6 months life is quiet without you. Anyway everyone says hi and send there love. Take care of yourself and keep busy it makes the time go faster. Viv

Another Sunday...

Its Sunday again. Got to have a video teleconference with Viv last Friday. It was good to see her. Strange because, while I've spoken to her, not seeing her has made me forget mannerisms.
I hope the flight was ok for everyone. Trans-Atlantic travel can be so hard.

I got an e-mail yesterday from the JAC Major who is taking care of the guys here in Baghdad. It was a forwarded Sitrep from the director of Operations back at the JAC. CENTCOM has requested extensions and a second iteration from the joint commands. Considering what happened with the Qatari crew (us showing up and them not having a job for us, so they shoved us wherever they could), I'm not sure what Gen Jones is going to do. Homebase is aware of the situation, so we shall see what comes of it. Unfortunately, due to my not leaving the JAC until 2006 makes me a prime candidate to be extended or sent out again. But, it ain't over till its over. Fingers crossed Gen Jones is so pissed at CENTCOM for lying to him, that he either reduces our commitment, or eliminates it.

Anyway, I'd better go. Love you guys. Take care.

Myron

Sorry

In the whirlwind of car bombs and long days, I completely spaced Moe...mea culpa. I'll try to (quickly) step you through it.

Have her go to www.blogger.com, go to create a blog. She'll create a userid and password. Do not have her complete creating a blog, just get the userid and password in.

Someone who is a team member (one of us) goes into setting on the dashboard, and goes to members, fills in her e-mail and invites her in. She will get an e-mail telling her she is invited.

THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! If this is being done all at once (eg she is there on your computer) make sure she logs off of Blogger and closes the browser.

When she gets the e-mail, she clicks on the link, inputs her Blogger userid and password, and accepts the invitation. One of the team members then goes into settings under members (I think) and gives her full permissions so she can post.

Hopefully I've remembered all the steps.

Viv and I hopefully have a video teleconference set up for tonight, so comms willing, I should see her.

Other than that, and a couple of long stretches, I'm good at the moment.

Myron

getting close

Hello all, glad to hear you got your shower john, Hows the snoring now still getting complaints?. I gave Viv lots of TLC and she is a lot better thank goodness. Molly seems to have a foot fetish at the moment as soon as you sit down she is all over your feet, shes as gorgeous as ever. I have never known a week go as fast as this last one , if I was panicking then I don't know what I'm like now. Still as I say it will all work out. Take care John we all miss you . everyone sends love . Mum and Dad G. See you in three days Mum and Dad B.

I'm back....

Not that I went anywhere. I just had a few days where, for one reason or another, I could not get on a computer. A few things have changed around here since then.

The old guys have pretty much gone, and I am now the new guys property. They are treating me well, although a couple of them need to learn how to play well with others. They have built a wall around their section (literally!) claiming that they do super uber-secret stuff that the rest of us can't see. I hate to disillusion them, but I have a higher clearance than they do, and probably know more about what they do than I care to. Anyway, its ticked a few of us off, but I laugh at them, and tell them that if I hear any moaning from back there when they have the door closed, I am dumping a bucket of cold water over the wall, sensitive equipment or not!!!

They have started doing food again in the palace, except for Sundays, so I am ok at the moment. Keep in mind that the mail starts getting real slow in the buildup to Christmas. Speaking of which, another change, in my address substitute FOBCENTRAL for FOB 51.

I have also moved rooms. Still sharing, but we have a lock on the door, and our own private bathroom. They are also quieter than the other guys.

Anyway, I have to go get breakfast. I will talk when I can. Take care of everyone else.

Myron