My friend Eric PCSd here this week from Korea, so I've been taking him house hunting and to various bars and restaurants. I love showing people around, and Eric is excited to be here.
Over dinner last night, we were talking about why some people don't like it here, something I'll never understand. My conclusion is that sometimes, when people arrive in Italy, they aren't properly introduced to the country, its beauty, its people, its heritage. And you can't really appreciate something without really getting to know it. Maybe that's why I like showing people around so much--so they can fall in love with Italy as much as I have.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Monday, August 02, 2010
Got the Neighbours Staring
Things have a way of getting strange at my house whenever Cheyenne is around. For instance, one night last week, she and Mike decided it would be best if they did a 45-minute yoga routine in my living room. They were pretty adamant about it, too.
And don't get me wrong--I love dance parties. Looooove them. Especially when I'm having a dinner party and I finish off a bottle of wine before anyone even arrives and then after everyone gets there we open three more bottles and after we eat an impromptu dance party erupts with Lady Gaga on the iPod and the windows wide open. Yep, love them.
But I have to draw the line when someone puts on that damned Waka Waka song and things devolve into a conga line in my front yard. I love Shakira (particularly She Wolf), but I gotta draw the line somewhere.
And don't get me wrong--I love dance parties. Looooove them. Especially when I'm having a dinner party and I finish off a bottle of wine before anyone even arrives and then after everyone gets there we open three more bottles and after we eat an impromptu dance party erupts with Lady Gaga on the iPod and the windows wide open. Yep, love them.
But I have to draw the line when someone puts on that damned Waka Waka song and things devolve into a conga line in my front yard. I love Shakira (particularly She Wolf), but I gotta draw the line somewhere.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Tickling the Ivories
I've had my piano for two weeks now, and so far, I seem to be concentrating mostly on two pieces: J.S. Bach's Invention No. 13, and Arabesque by Debussy. They were both pieces I played in college and they came back to me pretty quickly. Now I'm just working on getting the details down. I've also been messing around with a Mozart sonata, a short Schumann Reverie, and, very cautiously, Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag. I'm trying to get works from all the different eras. The strange thing is, years ago I hated the more technical pieces and loved the romantic ones I could mess around with more. But now, I find myself favouring the more rigid ones. It's probably a good thing, as those are the ones better suited to practice.
Again, I know I won't get them as polished as they were back in the day, but I'm doing my best. Once I get them down pretty good, I'd like to try some new ones I've never played before. I still have tons of music I've never played, so the possibilities are endless. Any suggestions?
Again, I know I won't get them as polished as they were back in the day, but I'm doing my best. Once I get them down pretty good, I'd like to try some new ones I've never played before. I still have tons of music I've never played, so the possibilities are endless. Any suggestions?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
We thought you should know how special you are.
Yesterday was Cheyenne's birthday, and a huge group of us went to a restaurant called La Masiere for dinner. It was a traditional Italian meal with several courses lasting nearly four hours. We all ate, drank, laughed, and showed Cheyenne how much we love her.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Mixing It Up
Something I really missed in the desert was being able to cook for myself. True, cooking for one isn't easy, but I have guests over so often, it's usually not an issue, especially when I make something I can take to work the rest of the week. But I digress.
Even though there was plenty of variety, the food at the chow hall started to taste the same, day after day. And I found myself surfing recipe sites with the fervour of a 13-year-old surfing porn. My mouth would water at the thought of such simplicities as hummus or chips and salsa. And let's not even get into the depraved things I would have done for a slice of cheesecake.
As I was looking at recipes, I noticed a lot of them called for mixing ingredients in a food processor. I remember in the 80s when food processors were the kitchen accessory of choice, but we never had one at home, and I figured it was just a luxury I could always do without. But for some reason, I found myself browsing food processors on Amazon, natch. I ended up ordering one before I even left so it was waiting in my mailbox when I got back to Italy.
So far, I've been using it for various slicing and chopping, plus making small things like the hummus and salsa I mentioned earlier. But I can't even explain how amazing that hummus and salsa was. I'm one of those cooks that likes to randomly throw things into the pot, hoping for something wonderful to appear, and I'm usually pretty lucky. The red pepper I added to the hummus was particularly delightful. I'm sure this food processor will become more and more useful as I venture out into the cooking world.
Even though there was plenty of variety, the food at the chow hall started to taste the same, day after day. And I found myself surfing recipe sites with the fervour of a 13-year-old surfing porn. My mouth would water at the thought of such simplicities as hummus or chips and salsa. And let's not even get into the depraved things I would have done for a slice of cheesecake.
As I was looking at recipes, I noticed a lot of them called for mixing ingredients in a food processor. I remember in the 80s when food processors were the kitchen accessory of choice, but we never had one at home, and I figured it was just a luxury I could always do without. But for some reason, I found myself browsing food processors on Amazon, natch. I ended up ordering one before I even left so it was waiting in my mailbox when I got back to Italy.
So far, I've been using it for various slicing and chopping, plus making small things like the hummus and salsa I mentioned earlier. But I can't even explain how amazing that hummus and salsa was. I'm one of those cooks that likes to randomly throw things into the pot, hoping for something wonderful to appear, and I'm usually pretty lucky. The red pepper I added to the hummus was particularly delightful. I'm sure this food processor will become more and more useful as I venture out into the cooking world.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Whiz Quiz
Today, I had to do something I haven't had to do in about six years--pee in front of someone. I was randomly selected today for the Air Force's Drug Demand Reduction Program, meaning I had two hours to report to a little room and produce a urine specimen. And I'm not pee-shy, by any means, but it's not exactly easy to go when someone is all up in your stuff.
And it's so serious. I don't recommend making small talk with the pecker checker. ("Heard any good jokes lately?" definitely didn't go over well.)
The worst part is after I left, I had to pee every 30 minutes for the rest of the day. But when I mentioned this to Allyson (who's six months pregnant), she had no sympathy at all.
And it's so serious. I don't recommend making small talk with the pecker checker. ("Heard any good jokes lately?" definitely didn't go over well.)
The worst part is after I left, I had to pee every 30 minutes for the rest of the day. But when I mentioned this to Allyson (who's six months pregnant), she had no sympathy at all.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Unexpected Delights
I didn't really have much going on this weekend. The weather has been amazing, and I spent most of yesterday sitting on my balcony with a glass of sweet tea and a book. It was wonderful.
Last night, I had planned on relaxing and watching a movie or something, but Mike called and asked if I was down for dinner with him and Bobbi, so I decided to go. We went to a new place up the street from my house. It used to be a bar, but it closed before I left for the desert. While I was gone, it re-opened as Come na Volta (which literally translates to "like the time", but is an Italian expression for nostalgia). They didn't have a menu and when we sat down, the waiter recited everything they had available. I ordered the tagliatelle al pesto, which was amazing. On our way out, we talked to the manager, who was super cool, and I think it's a place I'll be going to again and again, especially since it's within walking distance of my house.
After dinner, we went bar-hopping in Sacile, which is fast becoming one of my favourite towns around. I met some cool people and laughed hysterically. These are the night I'm glad I didn't stay home.
Last night, I had planned on relaxing and watching a movie or something, but Mike called and asked if I was down for dinner with him and Bobbi, so I decided to go. We went to a new place up the street from my house. It used to be a bar, but it closed before I left for the desert. While I was gone, it re-opened as Come na Volta (which literally translates to "like the time", but is an Italian expression for nostalgia). They didn't have a menu and when we sat down, the waiter recited everything they had available. I ordered the tagliatelle al pesto, which was amazing. On our way out, we talked to the manager, who was super cool, and I think it's a place I'll be going to again and again, especially since it's within walking distance of my house.
After dinner, we went bar-hopping in Sacile, which is fast becoming one of my favourite towns around. I met some cool people and laughed hysterically. These are the night I'm glad I didn't stay home.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Pearly Whites
I had a physical yesterday, which took all of ten minutes, and I didn't even have to drop my pants. After that, I had a dental exam, which went equally well. When the dentist came in, she and the dental tech were having a conversation about Italians. They were totally cracking me up the whole time, and it's not easy to laugh when someone has their hands in your mouth. But my point is this: if you floss every night, your dental check-ups are a breeze.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Return of the Rentals
We have a new guy in our shop, Isaac, who was stationed with me in Japan. I've been taking him around this week helping him get in-processed and finding him a house. Today, we had some appointments with various landlords in the area with vacant rentals. The first one we saw was at an apartment just off base, and when we arrived, we were greeted by a very old, very frail looking man. He was very friendly, and spoke only Italian. I'm not fluent, but I got most of what he had to say. He showed us around the house, and didn't stop talking the whole time. He told us he was 90 years old and that he fought in World War II, greeting the Americans as they liberated parts of northern Italy. Unfortunately, the house wasn't very well kept, and Isaac and his family were ready to move on to the next one. As we were walking back out to my truck, the old man grabbed my arm and begged me to get them to take the house. He kept saying how poor he was and that if they took the house, he'd give me a few hundred Euros as a bonus. My heart just broke for this poor guy. I wished I could help him somehow, but I can't make the call on what house Isaac chooses. It was an awkward situation, and part of me is tempted to go over to that house, clean it up, and hope someone will eventually rent it. I still don't know what to think about it.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
88 Keys
I've fallen a bit out of practice on the piano, something I used to have such a passion for. It's mostly due to lack of availability, as there are few pianos around here, and the ones that are here aren't easily accessible.
When I was in the desert, I started doing a little research on digital pianos. I know they're not as good as the real thing, but for someone with a small house who moves around a lot, it's ideal. Mostly, I just wanted something to practice on and bring my fingers back to their 1994-era dexterity.
After tons of online research, I decided the best model for me and my budget was the Yamaha Arius YDP140. And when I got back home, the first thing I did was order one on Amazon. (Is there anything they DON'T have?) Unfortunately, a few days after ordering it, I got an e-mail from Amazon stating they couldn't deliver it, as it was heavier than the USPS could ship to an APO box. So I sat, brokenhearted, lusting after a piano I couldn't get.
That was, until Thursday afternoon when Rick and I were walking through the B/X, and I happened to see, for sale in the electronics section, a Yamaha Arius YDP140. I actually did a double take, then a triple take when I saw the price was only $749 (compared to $899 at Amazon).
I picked it up yesterday morning, and it's sitting comfortably in my guest bedroom. I've already dug up all my old music, complete with scribbles from Rita Roth and Diane K. Earle. I'm really looking forward to practicing as a means to relax in the evenings and on weekends. Without proper lessons, I don't expect to play as well as I did in 1994, but it's something that's a part of me, and it's been missing for far too long. See Mom and Dad? All that money you spent on my college education isn't totally going to waste!
When I was in the desert, I started doing a little research on digital pianos. I know they're not as good as the real thing, but for someone with a small house who moves around a lot, it's ideal. Mostly, I just wanted something to practice on and bring my fingers back to their 1994-era dexterity.
After tons of online research, I decided the best model for me and my budget was the Yamaha Arius YDP140. And when I got back home, the first thing I did was order one on Amazon. (Is there anything they DON'T have?) Unfortunately, a few days after ordering it, I got an e-mail from Amazon stating they couldn't deliver it, as it was heavier than the USPS could ship to an APO box. So I sat, brokenhearted, lusting after a piano I couldn't get.
That was, until Thursday afternoon when Rick and I were walking through the B/X, and I happened to see, for sale in the electronics section, a Yamaha Arius YDP140. I actually did a double take, then a triple take when I saw the price was only $749 (compared to $899 at Amazon).
I picked it up yesterday morning, and it's sitting comfortably in my guest bedroom. I've already dug up all my old music, complete with scribbles from Rita Roth and Diane K. Earle. I'm really looking forward to practicing as a means to relax in the evenings and on weekends. Without proper lessons, I don't expect to play as well as I did in 1994, but it's something that's a part of me, and it's been missing for far too long. See Mom and Dad? All that money you spent on my college education isn't totally going to waste!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Back Into The Swing
Honestly, I was kinda dreading going back to work. Not necessarily the work part or even the getting-up-early part. Just the adjusting-to-all-the-changes part. And boy, have there been changes, with even more changes in store over the next few months.
But it really wasn't that bad. In fact, it was pretty good. Wednesday was a little weird, but Thursday was spectacular. I was productive and energetic. I know not every day is going to be like that, but it's still a good sign. Today, we had a shop cookout and everyone seemed really glad to have us back.
Still, there are things that need improvement. The lazy ones are still lazy, and the workers are still working. Some programs have fallen by the wayside, mostly due to lack of manning. When I see things I don't like, my first instinct is to fix it; but I realise I might be stepping on someone's toes, so I ask around before acting.
Another adjustment I'm feeling is all the extra off-duty time. I've been working such long hours for the past six months that I'm not used to getting home from work and still having all this free time before bed. Yeah, it's a good problem to have, but it will take some getting used to.
I know it will take another couple weeks before I'm totally reintegrated back at work, and that's fine. I just don't want to become a work-zombie, getting up and doing the same thing every day, like in the desert. There's really no such thing as a solid routine at home station, which is a good thing. Routine makes time go by faster, and I want to cherish every moment I have here in Italy.
But it really wasn't that bad. In fact, it was pretty good. Wednesday was a little weird, but Thursday was spectacular. I was productive and energetic. I know not every day is going to be like that, but it's still a good sign. Today, we had a shop cookout and everyone seemed really glad to have us back.
Still, there are things that need improvement. The lazy ones are still lazy, and the workers are still working. Some programs have fallen by the wayside, mostly due to lack of manning. When I see things I don't like, my first instinct is to fix it; but I realise I might be stepping on someone's toes, so I ask around before acting.
Another adjustment I'm feeling is all the extra off-duty time. I've been working such long hours for the past six months that I'm not used to getting home from work and still having all this free time before bed. Yeah, it's a good problem to have, but it will take some getting used to.
I know it will take another couple weeks before I'm totally reintegrated back at work, and that's fine. I just don't want to become a work-zombie, getting up and doing the same thing every day, like in the desert. There's really no such thing as a solid routine at home station, which is a good thing. Routine makes time go by faster, and I want to cherish every moment I have here in Italy.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Last Supper
To celebrate my last day off work, Cheyenne, Chelsey, and Mike took me out to dinner last night at Cellini's, a great restaurant in Sacile with outdoor seating that overlooks the canals. As we were finishing our meal, it began storming, which was great because our tables were covered and it really cooled things off quite a bit.
It was a quick, violent storm, and after the rain stopped, the sun was setting and the light was reflecting off the clouds, giving the whole piazza a crazy orange glow. It was kinda surreal and absolutely beautiful.
I'm so lucky to have friends that are always down for impromptu adventures (read: photo shoots). Man, is it ever good to be home.
It was a quick, violent storm, and after the rain stopped, the sun was setting and the light was reflecting off the clouds, giving the whole piazza a crazy orange glow. It was kinda surreal and absolutely beautiful.
I'm so lucky to have friends that are always down for impromptu adventures (read: photo shoots). Man, is it ever good to be home.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
All Good Things
Today is my last day of R&R, and I have to say, my time off has been great. I was hoping to get my house totally in order, but I did a little too much relaxing, so there's still a mobility bag in my bedroom with uniforms in it. And tons of dirty laundry. And boxes in my garage. I don't care, though. It will get done eventually.
To celebrate the end of our freedom, Steven and Berg came over last night and we drank and drank and smoked Berg's hookah and drank some more. By the time I went to bed, I was feeling pretty light-headed, but it was a good time. I felt the effects of the hookah on my run this morning, though. It's definitely not something I'll make a habit of, but it's a nice, social activity that everyone should try at least once.
To celebrate the end of our freedom, Steven and Berg came over last night and we drank and drank and smoked Berg's hookah and drank some more. By the time I went to bed, I was feeling pretty light-headed, but it was a good time. I felt the effects of the hookah on my run this morning, though. It's definitely not something I'll make a habit of, but it's a nice, social activity that everyone should try at least once.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Jess & Me
This morning, I went over to Cheyenne's for a little farewell breakfast for Jess. I don't know why, but just the way Jess says things makes me bust out laughing. She's like a humour magnet. She's on a flight to Madrid right now, and then back to the States tomorrow. I'll see her again in December for what's become our bi-annual friendship booster shot, but even that seems too far away. Gonna miss ya, J!
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Kickin' Around
Last night, a big group of us decided to go to the Sacile Piazza because they had a big video screen set up for the World Cup matches. Jess has spent a lot of time in Spain, so we were all kinda pulling for them.
The evening began earlier with dinner at Cheyenne's, which included lots of wine. So the trip to Sacile was an adventure in itself. Thanks to Chelsey and Jess for staying sober.
After we parked, we took a shortcut to the piazza through some buildings, and came across this beautiful scenery. I can't believe I've spent so much time in Sacile and never seen this.
So we decided to take advantage of the scenery with the first of many group photos of the evening.
We sat in the piazza and Cheyenne broke out more wine. That's when things started to get a little fuzzy.
By half-time, we'd grown tired of the piazza, but still wanted to watch the game, so we strolled through the streets, stopping in random bars. We eventually ran into Mary, Melissa, Andy, and a bunch of their Italian friends.
We started taking tons of random pictures, which sometimes, after lots of wine and Mojitos, can be a bit of a disaster, but this group of pics ended up turning out pretty good.
This one was totally random, and there's nothing I don't love about it.
I've always thought Jess has the best facial expressions, but Andy's is...I mean, how does he get his eyebrows to do that?
It was a great night, made even better by Spain's victory. We all crashed at Cheyenne's place and felt mysteriously refreshed the next morning. Jess kept us in stitches, and I wish she could just move to Italy permanently.
The evening began earlier with dinner at Cheyenne's, which included lots of wine. So the trip to Sacile was an adventure in itself. Thanks to Chelsey and Jess for staying sober.
After we parked, we took a shortcut to the piazza through some buildings, and came across this beautiful scenery. I can't believe I've spent so much time in Sacile and never seen this.
So we decided to take advantage of the scenery with the first of many group photos of the evening.
We sat in the piazza and Cheyenne broke out more wine. That's when things started to get a little fuzzy.
By half-time, we'd grown tired of the piazza, but still wanted to watch the game, so we strolled through the streets, stopping in random bars. We eventually ran into Mary, Melissa, Andy, and a bunch of their Italian friends.
We started taking tons of random pictures, which sometimes, after lots of wine and Mojitos, can be a bit of a disaster, but this group of pics ended up turning out pretty good.
This one was totally random, and there's nothing I don't love about it.
I've always thought Jess has the best facial expressions, but Andy's is...I mean, how does he get his eyebrows to do that?
It was a great night, made even better by Spain's victory. We all crashed at Cheyenne's place and felt mysteriously refreshed the next morning. Jess kept us in stitches, and I wish she could just move to Italy permanently.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
A Thousand Puppies Licking My Face
Cheyenne has been in Chicago for a wedding, and flew back yesterday. Jess also flew in yesterday and will be visiting until Saturday. I got to pick everyone up at the airport. Seeing Jess always makes my heart feel like it's on a sugar high, and I love that feeling you have when you're at the airport, waiting for someone to come out, and the anticipation is about to make your head explode. Jess's flight got in a couple hours before Cheyenne's, so after she arrived, we had some time to get cappuccinos and share about what's been going on since we last saw each other in December.
I love the kind of friends you can not talk to for months, and then when you see them, you're just as close as if no time had passed at all.
I love the kind of friends you can not talk to for months, and then when you see them, you're just as close as if no time had passed at all.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
"Please, mind the gap."
You know what they like to do in England? Drink! And I did my best to fit in with the British all weekend long.
I flew up late Wednesday night. Steve picked me up, but he had to work Thursday, so I just mellowed out. Thursday night, a group of us went to Cambridge to hit some pubs and check out the scene.
I'm not sure how many pubs we hit up, but it was a lot. The other guys had to work on Friday, but we still managed to stay out pretty late. On the way back to the car, we stopped for food. I'm not normally a drunk eater, but I had one of the best veggie burgers of my life there.
We got lost on the way to the car park, walking down alleyways and over bridges; and for some reason, Steve thought he was Spider-Man.
The ride home was interesting, to say the least, but you'll have to ask Steve about the details.
Friday, Steve and I took the tube into London. Our hotel was right on Trafalgar Square, in the heart of Westminster. I wasn't really into seeing all the historical sights; however, we were only a couple blocks from Big Ben...
...and Westminster Abby. We spent Friday afternoon walking around, dipping into pubs, eating, and watching World Cup matches.
Friday night, we met up with Eddy and James, and went out dancing. It was really crowded, and we all ended up getting separated.
I left the club and found myself roaming the streets of Soho, so I decided to take pictures of myself in front of famous landmarks.
I randomly ran into Steve, so we continued roaming the streets, talking, eating, and people-watching. Then we noticed the sun starting to come up, so we took a rikisha back to our hotel.
Steve and I woke up late Saturday and started walking around the city again. After the best breakfast of my entire life, we headed to Oxford Street for some shopping. Coincidentally, it was Gay Pride weekend in London, and the parade was going on.
The parade went on for miles, and there were so many people that came from all over. It was like a huge city-wide party filled with people drinking, dancing, and enjoying life.
Saturday night was more pubs and clubs, only this time we were joined by Brian and Damien. I got kinda lost and ended up across the Thames where I stopped in random pubs and talked to locals.
Sunday, Brian, Steve, and I went to Camden for some shopping before heading back to Brian's place in Cambridge.
My flight left early Monday morning, so we decided to crash at Brian's place, which is near several pubs. We were joined by Andrew, and ended up staying up all night, drinking and laughing. And somehow, somebody convinced me to do Tequila shots. The person next to me on the plane was probably thinking, "Who is this guy, and why does he smell like a bar bathroom floor?"
It was an amazing weekend, and even though I only saw a small part of London, I really fell in love with it. I really can't thank Steve enough for taking me around and showing me a great time. I'll definitely be planning more trips up to the UK in the future.
I flew up late Wednesday night. Steve picked me up, but he had to work Thursday, so I just mellowed out. Thursday night, a group of us went to Cambridge to hit some pubs and check out the scene.
I'm not sure how many pubs we hit up, but it was a lot. The other guys had to work on Friday, but we still managed to stay out pretty late. On the way back to the car, we stopped for food. I'm not normally a drunk eater, but I had one of the best veggie burgers of my life there.
We got lost on the way to the car park, walking down alleyways and over bridges; and for some reason, Steve thought he was Spider-Man.
The ride home was interesting, to say the least, but you'll have to ask Steve about the details.
Friday, Steve and I took the tube into London. Our hotel was right on Trafalgar Square, in the heart of Westminster. I wasn't really into seeing all the historical sights; however, we were only a couple blocks from Big Ben...
...and Westminster Abby. We spent Friday afternoon walking around, dipping into pubs, eating, and watching World Cup matches.
Friday night, we met up with Eddy and James, and went out dancing. It was really crowded, and we all ended up getting separated.
I left the club and found myself roaming the streets of Soho, so I decided to take pictures of myself in front of famous landmarks.
I randomly ran into Steve, so we continued roaming the streets, talking, eating, and people-watching. Then we noticed the sun starting to come up, so we took a rikisha back to our hotel.
Steve and I woke up late Saturday and started walking around the city again. After the best breakfast of my entire life, we headed to Oxford Street for some shopping. Coincidentally, it was Gay Pride weekend in London, and the parade was going on.
The parade went on for miles, and there were so many people that came from all over. It was like a huge city-wide party filled with people drinking, dancing, and enjoying life.
Saturday night was more pubs and clubs, only this time we were joined by Brian and Damien. I got kinda lost and ended up across the Thames where I stopped in random pubs and talked to locals.
Sunday, Brian, Steve, and I went to Camden for some shopping before heading back to Brian's place in Cambridge.
My flight left early Monday morning, so we decided to crash at Brian's place, which is near several pubs. We were joined by Andrew, and ended up staying up all night, drinking and laughing. And somehow, somebody convinced me to do Tequila shots. The person next to me on the plane was probably thinking, "Who is this guy, and why does he smell like a bar bathroom floor?"
It was an amazing weekend, and even though I only saw a small part of London, I really fell in love with it. I really can't thank Steve enough for taking me around and showing me a great time. I'll definitely be planning more trips up to the UK in the future.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Surf & Turf
Yesterday, Cheyenne, Chelsey, Nate, and I went to the beach in Lignano. It was more crowded than I thought it would be on a Tuesday, but we managed to acquire some prime real estate. We even rented boats from an old Italian guy and floated out in the Adriatic.
Afterward, we walked to the bar at the end of the pier for drinks and snacks.
I managed to get back some of the colour I'd lost since I left the desert. It was a lovely, relaxing day, and I look forward to going back next week.
However, tonight, I'm flying up to England for a few days to hang out with some friends. I probably won't be posting again until I get back on Monday, but there will be pictures-a-plenty. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July!
Afterward, we walked to the bar at the end of the pier for drinks and snacks.
I managed to get back some of the colour I'd lost since I left the desert. It was a lovely, relaxing day, and I look forward to going back next week.
However, tonight, I'm flying up to England for a few days to hang out with some friends. I probably won't be posting again until I get back on Monday, but there will be pictures-a-plenty. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Baby's Got The Bends
The past few days have been absolutely wonderful. Going to dinner with friends. Sleeping in my own bed with the windows open letting in the cool Alpine night air. Shopping at Ikea with Cheyenne. Making a citrus daiquiri cheesecake (and it totally tasted like a daiquiri).
I've had a few in-processing appointments, the last of which was today. It was mostly a bunch of briefings from people telling us how we should feel after we get back from a deployment. The Air Force refers to this time as "decompression," which sounds ridiculous to me. I now have two weeks off to forget about all things work-related and enjoy the life I've been missing out on for the past six months.
Also, my internet at home isn't working, so posting will be sporadic until it's back up. Thanks for your patience.
I've had a few in-processing appointments, the last of which was today. It was mostly a bunch of briefings from people telling us how we should feel after we get back from a deployment. The Air Force refers to this time as "decompression," which sounds ridiculous to me. I now have two weeks off to forget about all things work-related and enjoy the life I've been missing out on for the past six months.
Also, my internet at home isn't working, so posting will be sporadic until it's back up. Thanks for your patience.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Back In Wine Country
Nate picked me up this afternoon and took me back to my house. After dropping my bags in my living room, I immediately took off my shoes and walked around my yard barefoot. It was amazing.
Even after the plane landed, I wasn't as excited as I thought I'd be about getting home. But as we drove through the Italian countryside toward base, my heart kept beating faster and faster. And as the mountains came into view, I couldn't stop smiling. And when I got in my truck to take a drive around Budoia, I let out a squeal of delight. It felt so strange and so comforting at the same time.
After some in-processing over the next couple days, I have two weeks off to relax, reorganise, and reintegrate before going back to work. It's going to be a full two weeks with a trip to England and visit from Jess, and I might go back to work more exhausted than when I got home; but it will totally be worth it.
Even after the plane landed, I wasn't as excited as I thought I'd be about getting home. But as we drove through the Italian countryside toward base, my heart kept beating faster and faster. And as the mountains came into view, I couldn't stop smiling. And when I got in my truck to take a drive around Budoia, I let out a squeal of delight. It felt so strange and so comforting at the same time.
After some in-processing over the next couple days, I have two weeks off to relax, reorganise, and reintegrate before going back to work. It's going to be a full two weeks with a trip to England and visit from Jess, and I might go back to work more exhausted than when I got home; but it will totally be worth it.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A Perspective of Levity
I'm getting ready to get on the plane out of this place, but before I go, I just wanted to thank a few people for making the past six months easier.
First, my crew: Rick, Paco, Halligan, Diaz, Steven, Steve, G, Aaron, Pretzel, and Joel. You guys were the ones that did the real work, and made my job easy. You faced innumerable problems came up with solutions I never would have imagined. I did my best to take care of you guys, and I hope you look back on this deployment fondly. Or at least not negatively.
Next, MSgt Marquis: you are the epitome of leadership. You came into a broken situation and steered the whole team in the right direction without losing any of us. You handle things calmly and logically, and people always know what's expected of them and where they stand with you. You led by example and taught me volumes.
Also, Mom and Pop: I know you enjoyed our Skype chats as much as I did, ("It's like talking to Curt on the TV!"), but you have no idea how much it kept me going. Everything from Dad telling me about motorcycles to Mom reporting the local gossip, it made me feel like I wasn't in the middle of the desert. Can't wait to see you guys in December.
And finally, Cheyenne, Chelsea, Jess, and Danielle: No one has ever been so faithful in writing letters and sending packages, especially ones made with so much effort and creativity. It made my heart smile as though a thousand puppies were licking my face. Plus, I know my house and truck were in good hands in my absence. Italy is never going to be the same after you leave.
An added "thank you" to everyone out there who sent up prayers for my safety and sanity. They were obviously heard as I haven't stuck my head in the oven. At six months, this is my second-longest deployment ever, and it was far from my easiest; but it's definitely been a learning experience, and I hope I can use everything I've learned in the future. Not just at work, but in my daily interactions and relationships. Thanks again, and I guarantee my next post will not be written in Qatar.
First, my crew: Rick, Paco, Halligan, Diaz, Steven, Steve, G, Aaron, Pretzel, and Joel. You guys were the ones that did the real work, and made my job easy. You faced innumerable problems came up with solutions I never would have imagined. I did my best to take care of you guys, and I hope you look back on this deployment fondly. Or at least not negatively.
Next, MSgt Marquis: you are the epitome of leadership. You came into a broken situation and steered the whole team in the right direction without losing any of us. You handle things calmly and logically, and people always know what's expected of them and where they stand with you. You led by example and taught me volumes.
Also, Mom and Pop: I know you enjoyed our Skype chats as much as I did, ("It's like talking to Curt on the TV!"), but you have no idea how much it kept me going. Everything from Dad telling me about motorcycles to Mom reporting the local gossip, it made me feel like I wasn't in the middle of the desert. Can't wait to see you guys in December.
And finally, Cheyenne, Chelsea, Jess, and Danielle: No one has ever been so faithful in writing letters and sending packages, especially ones made with so much effort and creativity. It made my heart smile as though a thousand puppies were licking my face. Plus, I know my house and truck were in good hands in my absence. Italy is never going to be the same after you leave.
An added "thank you" to everyone out there who sent up prayers for my safety and sanity. They were obviously heard as I haven't stuck my head in the oven. At six months, this is my second-longest deployment ever, and it was far from my easiest; but it's definitely been a learning experience, and I hope I can use everything I've learned in the future. Not just at work, but in my daily interactions and relationships. Thanks again, and I guarantee my next post will not be written in Qatar.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Slow Roll
Last night, I invited a few guys from the team out for pizza. It was my way of saying, "Thanks for making this deployment not nearly as bad as it could have been." Our team is made up of guys from all over, and it's always nice to meet people I connect with an levels deeper than work. Case in point: Ron shares my tastes in music and film, and I really enjoy our conversations regarding such things as Elliott Smith and Reality Bites. And even though we'll be parting ways on Tuesday, I have every confidence we'll continue these discussions thanks to the glory of the internets.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Goooooaaaaal!!!
I just returned from my morning run, after which, I stepped on the scale and nearly freaked out when it read 149.6. A mere three days before my deployment ends, and I finally reached my goal. I'm sure when I get back home, I'll add a few extra pounds, but I really don't want to get back up to what I was before. A happy medium around 160 suits me fine.
Oh, and one more thing...Today is my last day of work.
Oh, and one more thing...Today is my last day of work.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Anticipation, Shmanticipation
You'd think that since we only have six days left, I'd be all joyful and excited; but for some reason, I've been really on edge and short-tempered. I had hoped things would slow down a bit as we prepared to leave, but it's actually the opposite. I have even more to take care of, and when other people can't keep up, I get frustrated. Some of my guys weren't prepared for the day, which set me off on a mini-rampage of cold dialogue and curt responses. Later in the morning, I realised it was just ridiculous and made apologies for my rudeness.
On a related note, it's strange how I'm not that excited to get home. I mean, a month ago, it was all I could think about. But now that the time is at hand, I'm pretty numb to the whole idea. Maybe my mind is fatigued from thinking about home. Maybe I'm so deep into my routine that the whole thought of out-processing and flying just seems like a huge inconvenience. Maybe the friends I've made here are making me want to stay. Maybe it's because JoAnn, Cheyenne, Chelsea, Dan, and several others won't be there when I get back. I'm sure once I get on the plane, though, I won't be able to stop smiling.
There have been tons of changes back at Aviano, and there will be even more after we get back. I'm very susceptible to post-deployment depression, which is often induced by job stress. It should kick in by the end of July, and I've found the best way to get through it is to stick with a routine, work hard, exercise a lot, and be around as many friends as possible. I hope I remember that advice to myself when I can't get out of bed.
On a related note, it's strange how I'm not that excited to get home. I mean, a month ago, it was all I could think about. But now that the time is at hand, I'm pretty numb to the whole idea. Maybe my mind is fatigued from thinking about home. Maybe I'm so deep into my routine that the whole thought of out-processing and flying just seems like a huge inconvenience. Maybe the friends I've made here are making me want to stay. Maybe it's because JoAnn, Cheyenne, Chelsea, Dan, and several others won't be there when I get back. I'm sure once I get on the plane, though, I won't be able to stop smiling.
There have been tons of changes back at Aviano, and there will be even more after we get back. I'm very susceptible to post-deployment depression, which is often induced by job stress. It should kick in by the end of July, and I've found the best way to get through it is to stick with a routine, work hard, exercise a lot, and be around as many friends as possible. I hope I remember that advice to myself when I can't get out of bed.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Switch Face
Yesterday afternoon, I went into Doha with Lee, Eddy, and Brandon. Lee got switched to night shift last week, so we didn't leave until 4 PM, but we didn't have any less fun. After some light shopping at the mall, we headed downtown to eat at the W Hotel.
We liked the food and the ambiance so much, we ended up staying there the rest of the evening. Brandon's sheltered, southern upbringing made him the king of unintentional one-liners. When the server brought my after-dinner espresso, he asked, "Whut the hell izzat?"
After dinner, we moved from our table to the lounge for drinks. I had the best Mojito on the planet, but stopped after that because I was driving. The rest of the guys wanted to indulge a little more, which included shots, something Lee wasn't sure he could handle.
Our very attentive bartender was named "Earth," (He said his sister was "Venus.") and he made the guys very happy, perfectly mixing the drinks and even lighting the B-52 shots. It was another great night in Doha, and it's kinda sad to think this was my last trip here for a while.
We liked the food and the ambiance so much, we ended up staying there the rest of the evening. Brandon's sheltered, southern upbringing made him the king of unintentional one-liners. When the server brought my after-dinner espresso, he asked, "Whut the hell izzat?"
After dinner, we moved from our table to the lounge for drinks. I had the best Mojito on the planet, but stopped after that because I was driving. The rest of the guys wanted to indulge a little more, which included shots, something Lee wasn't sure he could handle.
Our very attentive bartender was named "Earth," (He said his sister was "Venus.") and he made the guys very happy, perfectly mixing the drinks and even lighting the B-52 shots. It was another great night in Doha, and it's kinda sad to think this was my last trip here for a while.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Common Thread
Today is my parents' 41st wedding anniversary. It makes me so happy to tell people that my parents are still married. I can't even imagine the two of them not together. They're so comfortable around each other, and they compliment each other perfectly.
So this year, I'm trying a little experiment. I wasn't sure what to get them, so I decided to do make them mix CDs. It may sound a little high-schoolish, but it's kinda my way of trying to bridge the generation gap. I enjoy making mix CDs for people, and I put a lot of thought into each one. But this time, it was even harder. I have an extensive music collection, and I wanted to find particular songs that are not only special to me, but that they might appreciate, as well.
I ended up making three albums--one for Dad, one for Mom, and one for both. Here's the track listing:
Dad's Mix:
1. Grandaddy - Now It's On
2. Blur - Coffee & TV
3. Eagles Of Death Metal - Heart On
4. Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
5. The White Stripes - I Want To Be The Boy
6. My Morning Jacket - Off The Record
7. Telekinesis - Coast of Carolina
8. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
9. Interpol - Evil
10. The Hold Steady - The Weekenders
11. The LIbertines - What Katie Did
12. Modest Mouse - Missed the Boat
13. Arcade Fire - Wake Up
14. Elliott Smith - Junk Bond Trader
15. The Shins - Saint Simon
16. Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
17. David Gray - Babylon
18. The Strokes - Someday
19. We Were Promised Jetpacks - Moving Clocks Run Slow
Mom's Mix:
1. The Ditty Bops - Walk Or Ride
2. Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama
3. Dirty Projectors - Two Doves
4. Tegan and Sara - Take Me Anywhere
5. Feist - I Feel It All
6. Beth Orton - Love Like Laughter
7. Tilly and the Wall - Falling Without Knowing
8. A Camp - The Bluest Eyes In Texas
9. Florence + The Machine - My Boy Builds Coffins
10. Mates of State - Like U Crazy
11. Lucinda Williams - Right In Time
12. Morcheeba - Let Me See
13. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You
14. PJ Harvey - Good Fortune
15. Saint Etienne - Lose That Girl
16. Santogold - Lights Out
17. She & Him - This Is Not a Test
18. Elliott Smith - Waltz #2 (Xo)
19. Jenny Lewis - Rise Up With Fists!!
20. Sleater-Kinney - Lions And Tigers
Parental Mix:
1. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly
2. Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
3. St. Vincent - Laughing With a Mouth of Blood
4. Josh Rouse - Winter In the Hamptons
5. Stars - Ageless Beauty
6. Visqueen - Hand Me Down
7. Belle & Sebastian - She's Losing It
8. Radiohead - High And Dry
9. Broken Social Scene - Stars and Sons
10. Ida Maria - Morning Light
11. Vampire Weekend - M79
12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Way Out
13. Beck - Lost Cause
14. Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet
15. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)
16. Coldplay - God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
17. Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own
18. The Dandy Warhols - You Were The Last High
19. Fountains of Wayne - Valley Winter Song
20. The xx - Islands
I don't expect them to like every song on their respective albums. Maybe they'll switch up and prefer each other's more than their own. I just hope it will be something we can bond over when I go home for Christmas.
So this year, I'm trying a little experiment. I wasn't sure what to get them, so I decided to do make them mix CDs. It may sound a little high-schoolish, but it's kinda my way of trying to bridge the generation gap. I enjoy making mix CDs for people, and I put a lot of thought into each one. But this time, it was even harder. I have an extensive music collection, and I wanted to find particular songs that are not only special to me, but that they might appreciate, as well.
I ended up making three albums--one for Dad, one for Mom, and one for both. Here's the track listing:
Dad's Mix:
1. Grandaddy - Now It's On
2. Blur - Coffee & TV
3. Eagles Of Death Metal - Heart On
4. Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
5. The White Stripes - I Want To Be The Boy
6. My Morning Jacket - Off The Record
7. Telekinesis - Coast of Carolina
8. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
9. Interpol - Evil
10. The Hold Steady - The Weekenders
11. The LIbertines - What Katie Did
12. Modest Mouse - Missed the Boat
13. Arcade Fire - Wake Up
14. Elliott Smith - Junk Bond Trader
15. The Shins - Saint Simon
16. Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
17. David Gray - Babylon
18. The Strokes - Someday
19. We Were Promised Jetpacks - Moving Clocks Run Slow
Mom's Mix:
1. The Ditty Bops - Walk Or Ride
2. Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama
3. Dirty Projectors - Two Doves
4. Tegan and Sara - Take Me Anywhere
5. Feist - I Feel It All
6. Beth Orton - Love Like Laughter
7. Tilly and the Wall - Falling Without Knowing
8. A Camp - The Bluest Eyes In Texas
9. Florence + The Machine - My Boy Builds Coffins
10. Mates of State - Like U Crazy
11. Lucinda Williams - Right In Time
12. Morcheeba - Let Me See
13. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You
14. PJ Harvey - Good Fortune
15. Saint Etienne - Lose That Girl
16. Santogold - Lights Out
17. She & Him - This Is Not a Test
18. Elliott Smith - Waltz #2 (Xo)
19. Jenny Lewis - Rise Up With Fists!!
20. Sleater-Kinney - Lions And Tigers
Parental Mix:
1. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly
2. Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
3. St. Vincent - Laughing With a Mouth of Blood
4. Josh Rouse - Winter In the Hamptons
5. Stars - Ageless Beauty
6. Visqueen - Hand Me Down
7. Belle & Sebastian - She's Losing It
8. Radiohead - High And Dry
9. Broken Social Scene - Stars and Sons
10. Ida Maria - Morning Light
11. Vampire Weekend - M79
12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Way Out
13. Beck - Lost Cause
14. Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet
15. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)
16. Coldplay - God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
17. Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own
18. The Dandy Warhols - You Were The Last High
19. Fountains of Wayne - Valley Winter Song
20. The xx - Islands
I don't expect them to like every song on their respective albums. Maybe they'll switch up and prefer each other's more than their own. I just hope it will be something we can bond over when I go home for Christmas.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Light At The End
Stan is a utilities guy by trade, but when we arrived here from Italy, he was told he'd be the unit deployment manager (UDM). It's a total office job, and Stan wasn't too happy sitting behind a desk all day. The advantage is that he's the guy who makes plane reservations for us when we leave. As this rotation comes to a close, he's had a drastic increase of people jumping their chain of command and barging into his office asking when they're going to leave. It's gotten to the point where he just blurts out a date just to get them to leave. However, since we're all in the same shop back home, he's been keeping our bests interests in mind.
Yesterday, this e-mail exchange took place:
Stan: 22 June at noon
Me: Going through Germany?
Stan: Yep.
Me: Thanks. I see a cheesecake in your future.
So, it looks like we'll be leaving here a week from Tuesday. And just like the trip here, we'll have to go through Germany to get home. I'm not sure how I feel about that part. I mean, a night or two in Germany could be fun; but I really just want to get home and sleep in my own bed.
Still, we're all relieved to finally have a reserved date. Now I can start packing stuff up and sending boxes home. I'm going to do my best to keep my head in the game, but it's not going to be easy.
Yesterday, this e-mail exchange took place:
Stan: 22 June at noon
Me: Going through Germany?
Stan: Yep.
Me: Thanks. I see a cheesecake in your future.
So, it looks like we'll be leaving here a week from Tuesday. And just like the trip here, we'll have to go through Germany to get home. I'm not sure how I feel about that part. I mean, a night or two in Germany could be fun; but I really just want to get home and sleep in my own bed.
Still, we're all relieved to finally have a reserved date. Now I can start packing stuff up and sending boxes home. I'm going to do my best to keep my head in the game, but it's not going to be easy.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Separate Ways
Captain Joo is our Aviano troop commander, meaning he's the highest ranking guy that came here with us from Aviano. Other than a few exchanged pleasantries, I hadn't had much interaction with him until last August, when we travelled to Germany together for an exercise. He ended up being one of the coolest people I know in Aviano.
Here, he works in engineering, so I don't see him very often; however, when our paths cross, we always have good conversation. He told me a few weeks ago that he'd volunteered to extend his deployment for three months up in Afghanistan. Obviously, he's pretty dedicated. He'll be at a tiny FOB (forward operating base) in extreme field conditions, but this is the kind of stuff he lives for. He left today, so last night, some of us Aviano guys got together for a few beers to send him off.
Take care, Captain, and be safe up there. We'll see you back in Italy.
Here, he works in engineering, so I don't see him very often; however, when our paths cross, we always have good conversation. He told me a few weeks ago that he'd volunteered to extend his deployment for three months up in Afghanistan. Obviously, he's pretty dedicated. He'll be at a tiny FOB (forward operating base) in extreme field conditions, but this is the kind of stuff he lives for. He left today, so last night, some of us Aviano guys got together for a few beers to send him off.
Take care, Captain, and be safe up there. We'll see you back in Italy.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Inducing Hyperactivity
Things never really get boring at work, and various people on our crew try to make sure of it. For instance, this afternoon, Ron, Nick, and Steven were talking about their Rip-It addictions. (Rip-Its are the energy drinks available for free at the chow hall.) I'm not a fan of any kind of energy drink (unless you count coffee), so I steer clear of them. These guys, however, would most likely go into delirium tremors without that saccharine carbonation ingested every hour. And being guys, they tend to get competitive, and somehow the idea came up to see if Ron could drink ten Rip-Its in three minutes. The cans are eight ounces each, which, altogether, is like drinking 2.36 litres.
Nick kept time and Steven filmed. Ron started off strong enough, finishing four in the first minute alone (and belching after each one), but by number six, he was struggling. He managed to choke down seven and a half cans, which is still nearly two litres, and a very impressive feat. And he probably won't sleep for at least four days.
Nick kept time and Steven filmed. Ron started off strong enough, finishing four in the first minute alone (and belching after each one), but by number six, he was struggling. He managed to choke down seven and a half cans, which is still nearly two litres, and a very impressive feat. And he probably won't sleep for at least four days.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Speaking and Geeking
I should seriously work for the UN or something. My negotiating skills are unmatched. Case in point: there have been a few minor altercations between people at work the past couple of days. It's obvious the five plus months we've spent here are getting to the guys, and all anyone can think about is going home. People are making irrational decisions and lashing out. I have to be the voice of reason and work out compromises. It's working so far, but I wonder who's gonna be the peace-keeper when I go batshit crazy.
Speaking of batshit crazy, I stayed up way too late last night. Why? Because Steve Jobs gave the keynote address at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference yesterday, and it didn't start until 8 PM here. Normally, I'm asleep by then, but nothing was gonna tear me away from finding out about the new iPhone. And it was totally worth it. Now I just hope it's available in Italy sometime soon.
Speaking of batshit crazy, I stayed up way too late last night. Why? Because Steve Jobs gave the keynote address at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference yesterday, and it didn't start until 8 PM here. Normally, I'm asleep by then, but nothing was gonna tear me away from finding out about the new iPhone. And it was totally worth it. Now I just hope it's available in Italy sometime soon.
Monday, June 07, 2010
Toes In The Sand
Yesterday, I went downtown with Stan, Steven, Rick, and Diaz. It was all the utilities guys from Aviano, and it was kinda my way of saying "Thanks for a great deployment." We spent most of the day at the InterContinental Hotel, right by the bay.
The water was pure blue, but we spent most of our time by the pool where we could get a little relief from the heat in the shade.
It was nice and relaxing, and I somehow managed to avoid a sunburn. Steven, however, wasn't as lucky. We left around 4 PM and headed to the souqs for shopping, hookah, and dinner. All in all, a grand day out.
The water was pure blue, but we spent most of our time by the pool where we could get a little relief from the heat in the shade.
It was nice and relaxing, and I somehow managed to avoid a sunburn. Steven, however, wasn't as lucky. We left around 4 PM and headed to the souqs for shopping, hookah, and dinner. All in all, a grand day out.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Stonecutters
I got a crash course in masonry today. We had to tear down parts of the shower walls to install our valves, so we had to build it back. Normally, this would be a carpenter's job, but we're at a job stoppage until the carpenters catch up, so I decided to help them out a bit. The end result wasn't pretty, but it serves its purpose.
Also this week, one of our new guys, Knight, sewed on his Staff stripe. It's traditional to tag on stripes, which basically means to punch the living shit out of the recipient. You know, so the stripes stay on. I think it's kinda ridiculous, but everyone else sure seems to enjoy it. Except for the guy with bruised arms, of course.
Also this week, one of our new guys, Knight, sewed on his Staff stripe. It's traditional to tag on stripes, which basically means to punch the living shit out of the recipient. You know, so the stripes stay on. I think it's kinda ridiculous, but everyone else sure seems to enjoy it. Except for the guy with bruised arms, of course.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Flying By
I put new contacts in today, as I do at the beginning of every month. And as I did, I thought, "These are the last contacts I will wear in Qatar." And then I giggled a little.
In the past few weeks, we've gone from "We're leaving next month!" to "We're leaving in a month!" to "We're leaving this month!" I was worried productivity would slow down, but it's been almost the opposite. Everyone is cheerful, energetic, and getting along great, which is surprising considering how hard we've worked in such close quarters for so long. I'm thrilled with my team, and they continue to exceed expectations.
These last three weeks are gonna be a breeze.
In the past few weeks, we've gone from "We're leaving next month!" to "We're leaving in a month!" to "We're leaving this month!" I was worried productivity would slow down, but it's been almost the opposite. Everyone is cheerful, energetic, and getting along great, which is surprising considering how hard we've worked in such close quarters for so long. I'm thrilled with my team, and they continue to exceed expectations.
These last three weeks are gonna be a breeze.
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