While it pains me to do this, I feel it’s the best decision. The frequency I can post on here until I get home will be sporadic, at best. Plus, I’ve been informed that posting via e-mail on a government computer comes up jumbled and encrypted. Therefore, I feel it’s in my best interests to put “the wax” on a temporary hiatus. But don’t worry. I’m keeping a little journal of thoughts and occurrences over here, so I’ll have plenty to write about when I get home. Oh, and you better believe there will be pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. Take care, everyone. I love you all. See you in January.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Step Aside
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Dusty Trails
Well, I've been here for a week, and this is shaping up to be the most
interesting deployment yet. The base is HUGE and there is so much going on here. There are about twenty utilities troops, but most of the utility work is contracted out to Kellog, Brown, & Root (KBR), a subsidiary of Halliburton. (Way to reap those wartime spoils, Mr. Cheney!) Therefore, most of us have been loaned out to other shops. I've been helping out the heavy equipment shop (aka Dirt Boyz...yes, they really spell it like that) and operating the airfield sweeper. It's kind of lonely and boring, but there are worse jobs to have, so I really can't complain. We work twelve-hour shifts, six days a week. I've been working days, but soon, I'm going to be switching to nights, which should be a welcome break from the heat.
The living conditions aren't too bad, either. I live in a small (12' x 15') room, referred to as a "pod," with one other guy. It's air conditioned, and I have an actual bed and a wall locker. It's a fifty yard walk to the showers and latrines, and maybe a half mile to the chow hall. And the food is pretty good. Not a lot of vegetarian options, so I eat lots of salad. A brand new gym just opened in the middle of camp, and there's a well-equipped recreation center with pool tables, air hockey, games, and movies to rent.
As for "the wax," I can't access it directly, so it looks like I'll be e-mailing my posts; therefore, I can't edit things once they've been posted, so if something is inaccurate or misspelled, we'll all just have to deal with it until January. My apologies. I'm doing my best to take lots of pictures, but the landscape isn't very exotic. Regardless, I still promise a nice photostream once I get home.
If you'd like to get in touch with me, my e-mail address is:
curtis.sutton@blab.centaf.af.mil.
And if you feel ambitious enough to send a letter, here's my mailing address:
SSgt Curtis W Sutton, USAF
332 AEW / ECES / CEOU
APO, AE 09315-9997
E-mails and letters are greatly appreciated, but your prayers will help most of all. As with any deployment, there are sure to be unforeseen circumstances and occurrences. I'll do my best to post on here, as well as send out individual e-mails and maybe even a phone call or two; but if you don't hear anything for a while, please don't worry. I'm in good hands, and have every confidence God will bring me home safely. I hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all terribly, and can't wait till we can all drink/snowboard/socialise together again in January. Late
interesting deployment yet. The base is HUGE and there is so much going on here. There are about twenty utilities troops, but most of the utility work is contracted out to Kellog, Brown, & Root (KBR), a subsidiary of Halliburton. (Way to reap those wartime spoils, Mr. Cheney!) Therefore, most of us have been loaned out to other shops. I've been helping out the heavy equipment shop (aka Dirt Boyz...yes, they really spell it like that) and operating the airfield sweeper. It's kind of lonely and boring, but there are worse jobs to have, so I really can't complain. We work twelve-hour shifts, six days a week. I've been working days, but soon, I'm going to be switching to nights, which should be a welcome break from the heat.
The living conditions aren't too bad, either. I live in a small (12' x 15') room, referred to as a "pod," with one other guy. It's air conditioned, and I have an actual bed and a wall locker. It's a fifty yard walk to the showers and latrines, and maybe a half mile to the chow hall. And the food is pretty good. Not a lot of vegetarian options, so I eat lots of salad. A brand new gym just opened in the middle of camp, and there's a well-equipped recreation center with pool tables, air hockey, games, and movies to rent.
As for "the wax," I can't access it directly, so it looks like I'll be e-mailing my posts; therefore, I can't edit things once they've been posted, so if something is inaccurate or misspelled, we'll all just have to deal with it until January. My apologies. I'm doing my best to take lots of pictures, but the landscape isn't very exotic. Regardless, I still promise a nice photostream once I get home.
If you'd like to get in touch with me, my e-mail address is:
curtis.sutton@blab.centaf.af.mil.
And if you feel ambitious enough to send a letter, here's my mailing address:
SSgt Curtis W Sutton, USAF
332 AEW / ECES / CEOU
APO, AE 09315-9997
E-mails and letters are greatly appreciated, but your prayers will help most of all. As with any deployment, there are sure to be unforeseen circumstances and occurrences. I'll do my best to post on here, as well as send out individual e-mails and maybe even a phone call or two; but if you don't hear anything for a while, please don't worry. I'm in good hands, and have every confidence God will bring me home safely. I hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all terribly, and can't wait till we can all drink/snowboard/socialise together again in January. Late
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Sun and Sand
Well, I made it. After countless hours on plane rides with layovers in Maine, Germany, and Qatar, I'm finally at my destination. The trip was pretty uneventful, but I managed to get a few cool pictures on the C-130 today. I don't have my work e-mail yet, but as soon as I do, I'll be sure to get in touch with everyone. I hope all is well with everyone. I'll write more later.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Leaving on a Jet Plane
My bags are packed and I'll be heading out the door in a few minutes, but I wanted to post once more before I leave home. Thanks to everyone who came out last night for the final going away dinner/drunk-fest. It was spectacular. I took so many pictures, and rest assured, I'll post them as soon as I can.
I can handle the heat, the long hours, occasional mortar attacks, and all other chaos that comes with deploying. But by far, the worst part is saying goodbye to everyone. Believe me, the next four months are going to fly by, and before you know it, it will be mid-January, and I'll be back in Utah ready to have some fun. By that time, just looking at a bottle of Makers Mark is going to make me a little light-headed. I can't wait.
See you soon.
I can handle the heat, the long hours, occasional mortar attacks, and all other chaos that comes with deploying. But by far, the worst part is saying goodbye to everyone. Believe me, the next four months are going to fly by, and before you know it, it will be mid-January, and I'll be back in Utah ready to have some fun. By that time, just looking at a bottle of Makers Mark is going to make me a little light-headed. I can't wait.
See you soon.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Farewell Ride
Caleb and Tanya threw a surprise going-away party for me last night. They invited everyone, and it was super fun. Sarah cooked some vegetarian enchiladas that were spectacular. Drinking and hilarity ensued. Thanks, you guys. I'll have so many memories to smile about while I'm away.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
My Autumn Reading List
"Lunar Park" by Bret Easton Ellis - Mr. Ellis is genius.
"Haunted" by Chuck Palahniuk - Should be creepy, but in a fun way.
"A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
"A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey - Just to find out what all the hype is about.
"Electroboy" by Andy Behrman - Jay recommended this one.
"In Cold Blodd" by Truman Capote - Capote was pretty good, so I'd kinda like to get the back story.
"Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser - I've read several excerpts from this one, so I'd like to get the whole story.
"Finnegans Wake" by James Joyce - Don recommended this one.
"Brokeback Mountain" by Annie Proulx - It's only 55 pages.
And, of course, Air Force Pamphlet 36-2241, aka The PFE - I'm going to be testing for Tech (again) a couple months after I return. I'd better be ready.
It's ambitious, I know, but I have a strange feeling I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands in the desert.
"Haunted" by Chuck Palahniuk - Should be creepy, but in a fun way.
"A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
"A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey - Just to find out what all the hype is about.
"Electroboy" by Andy Behrman - Jay recommended this one.
"In Cold Blodd" by Truman Capote - Capote was pretty good, so I'd kinda like to get the back story.
"Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser - I've read several excerpts from this one, so I'd like to get the whole story.
"Finnegans Wake" by James Joyce - Don recommended this one.
"Brokeback Mountain" by Annie Proulx - It's only 55 pages.
And, of course, Air Force Pamphlet 36-2241, aka The PFE - I'm going to be testing for Tech (again) a couple months after I return. I'd better be ready.
It's ambitious, I know, but I have a strange feeling I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands in the desert.
All-American Birthday
Yesterday was Nick's birthday, and he invited us all to help him celebrate the event. Our first destination was Gino's, a total dive in SLC that had karaoke. Karaoke is always fun, but the total trashiness of this bar made it even better. I met lots of new people, and we had a great time singing. Nick performed his staple, Neil Diamond's "America," but one of the highlights was when Jeanette and Erin sang Nick's favourite Britney song, "Crazy." It was priceless.
Nick was even treated to a lap dance from this nice lady. I'm sure you can see why it was his best birthday ever.
After Gino's, we went to Club Sound for dancing, and closed the place down. I ran into so many people I hadn't seen in a long time. It was great. Thanks to Nick for inviting me to his wonderful birthday celebration.
Nick was even treated to a lap dance from this nice lady. I'm sure you can see why it was his best birthday ever.
After Gino's, we went to Club Sound for dancing, and closed the place down. I ran into so many people I hadn't seen in a long time. It was great. Thanks to Nick for inviting me to his wonderful birthday celebration.
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