Hi all, thought I could get a quick message out while on a lunch break. Army food is tasty. I believe it is sooo good because it has a shelf life of a 100 years (and thats after it has been opened/cooked).

We had some sun shine today for about two hours (first time since my return). I guess I won't get scurvey now...there's always a positive in the day.

Ground hog day is still continuing.... Though it will soon take on new meaning in a few weeks. Yea for me. Was able to get to the gym yesterday before they closed. Haven't really been working to hard on the weights but that will change with the change of scenery as gyms will be open 24 hours a day. Any who... was able to play some more racquetball and even score a couple of wins. Woo hoo.


Gotta get back to getting the digital bad guys.

Hope you are having a good day. (found out today was Sunday...enjoy the rest of the weekend)

back to ground hog day

Just like the movie. Every day is the same. Actually the break was really nice. besides seeing friends, riding both bikes, DBR and Harley; I spent a great 4 days with the family. I have some fond memories.

Back to the army: The day went really fast as I had much catching up to do before our next exercise. I also found out that there is now a huge group of racket ball players. Most of my section among some others. So now the work and work out plan is getting more exciting. Played tonight for two hours and got a good work out in. The work is good, but the workout is what gets the blood pumping.

Speaking of which, Gave more blood today literally. My HIV was within two days of being good for the year. Now it is. I personally got a chuckle out of it since I have given blood or gotten a shot of some kind for the last 3-4 SRC's (soldier readiness center).

Well now that the fun part is over (my pass), I look forward to getting on with the mission and getting to the real task at hand, not that I hate FT. Lewis, but it is not a place I would choose to live. Once I get an address I will forward it on thru the bike club and home as OPSEC (ask andy) is important and I kinda keep a suedo identity here (No...I am not bat man...but still king of the downhill).

Enjoy the day.

MOON ROCK

What a great night. Went from the airport out to celebrate the biking season with friends. Thanks for the warm welcome. Had to have a bowl of the wild rice soup...my favorite...since I don't like soup (you figure that one out, I gave up)...and will miss the Headwaters 100(they have the best wild rice soup).

Everyone was in great spirits (or had lots of spirits) and ready for the road. Congrats on a good kickoff. Keep the wheels turning and the wind at your backs. I look forward to seeing you all again and getting on the bike.

Enjoy the summer and fellowship of the ride

MUG shot

Originally grew the moustache for a couple of reasons: Because I can... and because I wanted to see what color it would be. It's still red. I was going to shave it off but have gotten so much ribbing that now I have to keep it. I was never one for peer pressure unless it was suitable.

I have read in a previous blog a good reason to get rid of it for a short time anyway. I am sure it will be back and most notably thicker since this is only a week and a half's worth of growth.

Going to a regular schedule this week and should be able to keep up with the blog a little better. Haven't had the time the last couple of days since work hours have been long. I need to get the camera out and get a few pics just to capture the area that we are in. I will say that I have never experienced so many changes in seasons in just one day! Yesteray there was 1 inch of snow followed by a few hours of sun followed by a few hours of rain, then just plain ole cloudy and chilly. The scenery is nice but I would'nt want to live here.

Lucky for me that I'll be moving on to warmer pastures. As far a work goes; we are working well as a group. There are times we get on each others nerves but the guys I'm with don't let things bother them too much. we seem to be getting into a good rhythm and each training event gets smoother.

Hope you guys are having fun.

Exercise

The military acronym for exercise is somewhat different than the civilian meaning. Here it means going to work for longer hours because you are practicing new systems, people..etc. It usually involves at a minimum 12 hours of work for days upon days. Not the exciting going to the gym and getting fit exercise; that is upon top of the work exercise.

In it now and the saying here is "embrace the suck" Not that life is hard or difficult, just not the ideal conditions. If you embrace it now it won't be so pain full later. Actually the work is going well and though the hours can seem long they are going by fast. So no, I am not complaining, just keeping you up to date with the fun and excitement that happens with the military life.

Working on the deployment moustache. Am happy to report that it is mostly red/brown. Was kinda expecting more gray (which would be fine) or multiple colors, but looks like it did last time. Still hasn't improved my looks but short of surgery, not worried about that. Have saved about 30 seconds off the shaving time though.

Hope you are having a great day.

Love that Raquet Ball

Whew...getting back into the groove here. Work and workout. Just finished a 3 hour raquetball/workout session after a 9 hour day. I attempt to move weights around when I am not on the court (which is a lot..cause I am not the best at the game). Games are about 15 minutes roughly, with the winner taking on the challengers. Tonight I even won a few :) We played a lot of cut throat (3 people on the court with the server against the other two) which makes the game that much harder and lots more movement. It's a great fast twitch workout.



We are starting to click as a working group. The section I am in is pretty tight. We have known each other for many years (some as many as 20 years) and what is great about our group...we work well together. Yes we give each other crap as much as possible, but it's because we have developed friendship and trust with each other. We know when to play the rank game and when to poke the bear. I call it staying grounded...but I am happy to be with this group this trip. The work is so much easier when you have a common understanding and everyone is working as a team to do the right thing; and we are going down that path.

Hope you are having a great day

Back in Ft Lewis...YEA :(

Well, my week long of training is done and I am back in Ft. Lewis. I will have to say that Leonard Wood never seemed so nice. The school house went out of their way to ensure we got what we wanted from them and the accommodations were...Lets just say, I lived in a palace compared to here. Yes I am spoiled but it is nice being able to have your own shower and bathroom. Because of my rank I had a nice suite. It is the small stuff that makes life bearable sometimes. Glad I had the opportunity.

I saw some pretty amazing wrecks on the way to the airport today while in MO. They had maybe 3 inches of snow while were leaving. The base was pretty much closing down for the day. While on interstate 40 (lucky for us) all the accidents were on the opposite side of the road. There was at least 25 miles of backed up vehicles and I lost count at 15 the number of semi's, cars, and trucks that were piled together in some from of wreckage along that span of highway. I only saw one wrecker and maybe 3 police cars. Those poor folks were going to be there for hours and hours. I did see a group of kids playing hackey sack next to their vehicles.

Happy trails.