Sunday, April 25, 2004

So my routine pretty much went to shit. Starting last Monday, all of CE has gone into 12 hour shifts with no days off. Apparently, some big projects came down and nobody's going to stop until they're done, by golly. Luckily, I'm still working at the water plant, but now it's from 7 AM to 7 PM. My reading time has been cut considerably, and playing for praise and worship at the Chapel is just not going to happen. But you know what? I'm somehow not really bothered by it all. My circumstances are different, but my attitude is the same. And I figure they can do whatever they want to me while I'm here, just as long as I'm home on time.
Some other interesting developments: we've had some crazy weather the past few days. It started last Thursday with a big dust storm. That was pretty nasty, but we had no idea what was in store for us. Friday evening, we had what would basically equal a hurricane. Tents were flying everywhere. Hail was falling. I spent most of the evening tying down tent flaps. But yesterday was the total mac-daddy of insane weather. Sometime around 5 PM, we had some evil looking clouds coming in from both directions. I went back into the water plant when it started raining. I was going about my business when I looked into the back section, and noticed that the entire tent was off the ground. I started shutting down the ROWPUs, and then stuff started flying all over the place. I was dodging flying hammers and stuff when Max and I decided it would be best to take shelter in the bunker. Anyway, after everything passed, the tent had shifted about 6 feet, and there was word another storm was on the way. So we got pretty much the entire CE squadron out there to help us recover. The next storm didn't do as much damage to the water plant, but the electricians had a hell of a time.
Anyway, that's my story for this week. Stay tuned next week when you'll hear SSgt Johnson exclaim "Auntie Em! Auntie Em! It's a twister! It's a twister!" Until then, take care. No worries. God Bless.

P.S. I just want to thank everyone for all the e-mails, care packages, and prayers while I'm over here. It's impossible for me to show enough appreciation.

Sunday, April 18, 2004

Yep, so things are going pretty smoothly here in Iraq. I've gotten myself into a pretty good routine. I get up and go to work everyday at 4:45. I'm done around 2 or 2:30, then I go for a run at the gym, then shower, then hang out or read for the rest of the evening. The stress has gone down, and I'm not as homesick anymore. Last Sunday's Chapel service went pretty well. We had a rehearsal last night, and this week should be even better. I'm still having strange dreams, and I think one day in the not too distant future, I'm gonna read my dream journal and laugh for a really long time. Oh, there's one really cool thing I've been forgetting to mention. Before I came over here, I'd heard that this base was really close to the ancient city of Ur (the supposed birth place of Abraham) and this really old building called the Ziggurat. Well, it turns out that the base is right on top of all that stuff. I walk out the door of my shop and see the Ziggurat. They offer tours over there, but I haven't had the chance to go yet. I'll be sure and take lots of pictures when I do. The whole mustache situation is proceeding according to schedule. I now have hair on my upper lip, and I think it looks pretty retardo. But, I told Brad I'd do this, and now it's just become a big joke. I'm avoiding all cameras like the plague in the hopes that no one outside of this country will ever see me like this. I'm trying to e-mail people as much as I can, but computer time here is limited. I thank you all for your prayers. Take care. No worries. God Bless.

Sunday, April 11, 2004

Happy Easter! So, I'd like to write a novel about the past 10 days I've spent in Iraq, but I don't exactly have a lot of computer time, and the time I have is mostly going to be spent writing my own EPR (it's a long story). So, I'm switching back and forth between this window, and the one with my EPR, so if this entry seems rather random, that's why.
I've been a little stressed out since I got here, and I'm not really sure why. I'm working in the water plant, which is cool. But we're kind of in the middle of nowhere. We don't even have a phone out there.
Tonight will be my first night of playing with the praise team at the Chapel, and I'm looking forward to it. Things should go smooth.
I've been having really wacked out dreams since I got here. It's gotten to the point where I'm now keeping a dream journal that I update as soon as I get up in the morning. The strangest one involved me appearing as a guest on the David Letterman show along with Janet Jackson. Strange.
I've been hitting up the gym every afternoon, but I'm skipping today to get some work done. Plus, most people are off on Sunday, so I know it will be way crowded. I was there running on the treadmill yesterday and the power went out.
You know, this is the third time I've been deployed since I've been at Misawa, and never, ever have I wanted to come home as badly as I do now. I don't know if it's because I miss everyone back in Misawa, or because I still don't really know anyone here yet, or because I really have no faith whatsoever in the purpose of this stupid war. I get home after work, hit the gym, shower, and then don't leave my room for the rest of the night. I'm not feeling my usual social self. The upside is that I'm getting a lot of reading done. I'm kind of forcing myself to go to the gym, because I think if I don't, I'll just waste away. It's the only thing that keeps my drive going.
I saw Brad at lunch the other day, and we decided we're going to grow mustaches. Personally, I don't think there are many things a guy can do to make himself more unattractive than grow a mustache. I mean, they work okay on some people, but overall, they're just too cheesy. Regardless, this is a way for Brad and I to just do something goofy to pass the time a little quicker. We're going to try it for two weeks, and see how it looks. But don't get your hopes up. I will be avoiding all cameras so no evidence will be left for anyone.
Okay, so I really need to concentrate on my EPR, so I'm gonna close. I hope everything is going well with everyone. Here's a brief list of people/things I'm praying for right now: Jean-Marie and her leg, Don taking care of his family, this whole Iraq situation, my friend Jason and his spiritual quest, Jimmy and Abby, Dan and his last semester of college, Jim and Nik and their whole household. Okay, Imaboutabeupouttaheeyaallinyagrill! Take care. No worries. God Bless.

Monday, April 05, 2004

So, here I am in Iraq, and it's pretty cool. Tent city is really nice, but it's rather shocking to see everything else. Everything the military hasn't built is pretty much in shambles. You wouldn't believe the number of Iraqi buildings we've blown up. The country is rather barren. Looking out, it's hard to believe this is in the middle of the fertile crescent.
As far as work is concerned, I'm currently working in the water plant operating the ROWPU (Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit). It's a pretty good job to have. It's not hectic, but it keeps me occupied all day long. I go in at 5 AM, and I'm off by 2, so I have my afternoons free to hit the gym.
I went to Chapel last night, and they're in dire need of a pianist, so I told them I'd help them out. Most of the Chapel staff is from Nellis, but I don't think we have any common acquaintances.
Anyway, there's lots more I'd like to write about, but computer time here is very limited, so please forgive me if I slack off on my blog over the next three months. Also, I don't have access to my mac.com e-mail account, but you can e-mail me at curtis.sutton@tlab.aorcentaf.af.mil. My mailing address is
Curtis Sutton
407 AEG / ECES
APO, AE 09358
I hope all is going well with everyone. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers. Take care. No worries. God Bless.

Thursday, April 01, 2004

One more thing: I've recently developed a liking to the term "wax" as a verb, such as to enlarge, heighten, or magnify. Hence, the change to my blog's title. Please feel free to give input on this exciting change. Laters...
So, here I am in Kuwait. Please allow me to give a brief narrative on how I arrived here. Well, upon leaving Misawa, we flew to Seattle, and I got to hang out with Abby, which was totally cool. We ate at this really great Mexican restaurant, went to Krispy Kreme, and then chilled out at Borders for a while. Also, while I was there, she called Jaq Harris on her cell phone and I talked to him for a while, too. The next morning, we left for Atlanta. The first night in Atlanta (Saturday), I went downtown to this really cool dance club and pretty much stayed there all night. On Sunday, me and a few other guys went to a couple malls downtown. They had an Apple Store and an Armani Exchange, so I was a very happy boy. We left Atlanta Tuesday morning, and eventually got here, only to find we didn't have a flight to our destination. So we've been chilling out here since Tuesday night. Luckily, we found out this morning that we'll be leaving this afternoon. I'm so ready to get to our destination and just start working.
Anyway, I should have an e-mail address when I get there. But until then, feel free to e-mail me at currtdawg@mac.com. Sleep has been something I've been getting in small doses lately, so my brain is a little fried. I'm sorry I can't think of anything smart or introspective. I'll try to write more once we get settled in and stuff. Take care. No worries. God Bless.