Update

I realize now, as i start this entry, that most people that used to read my blog most likely gave up on it a good while back. Discouraging you might think... think again. Not only am I going to update you, I also plan on dazzling you with my recent life experiences. I should probably inform you all that I am no longer in Afghanistan. I have in fact returned to the very spot where this Blog was started. Manas, Kyrgyzstan. I've been here for a few days now, and will be leaving early tomorrow morning. I will not be traveling comfortably on a commercial flight back to the US of A like I did coming down here though. Aparently several of the airline companies that used to fly the US troops in and out of country have gone, or are in the process, of going bankrupt. So sad to say, I will be flying in a C-5. Not comfortable, infact, saying that a C-5 is comfortable would be like saying Adolf Hitler was a rude man for doing what he did, which in my opinion was a bit more than rude. So as I sit here and prepare for my WWII comparable flight back to the states, I cant help but think about all the things I will miss about being deployed, because believe it or not, there will be plenty to miss. For example, stray dogs that become like a family pet, late nights playing cards with the guys, sitting in a guardtower for three hours talking to your friends about everything and nothing. These are just a few of the many things I'll miss, but obviously, being deployed doesnt compare to being back home with family and people that dont want to kill you. So in closing I just want to say that this deployment has been a learning experience and a good thing all things considered. I cant wait to see you all again.

-Allen-

Merry Christmas

Happy holidays everyone. Im not quite sure what we are doing down here for christmas, prob a mission or something :S Im sure there will be a nice big dinner like we had for thanksgiving. Nothing makes an Infantryman happier then a huge plate of food. Its starting to get really cold here. Not snowing at Warrior yet but its getting alot closer, plenty of ice around though. Hopefully soon the snow will start falling so we can put things on hold for a bit, still pretty tired out here. I hope everyone has a great christmas and a happy new year. Cant wait to come home and spend the next one with you guys. Take care and enjoy life.

-Allen-

Water Sports

Yesterday me and five of my buddies signed up for a Water Sports tour here in Qatar, so we drove into downtown Doha and pulled into a pier where there were several traditional Dowh boats anchored. We got on board and the boat started too slowly but surely make its way towards our destination somewhere in the middle of the Persian Gulf. Apparently, Qatar with its disgusting amount of money, decided to build an island called The Pearl. Its still under construction, but we got to see it the way it was so far, and it was impressive. We slowly cruise by "The Pearl" and finally anchor about 300m off the beach nearby and start having fun. I jump in and immediately regret having my mouth slightly open as i impact the water. That water is saltier then any other ocean I have ever been in in my entire life. We get in, swim around for a few and then get on the jet skis, which was even more fun. The ultimate "Sport" if you will though, is of course the giant inflatable hot dog ride. Being drug behind a boat on that thing was brutal and fun at the same time. Every time I wiped out I skipped and rolled and slammed all over the place, it was awesome. I got a nice tan going and we got to eat some traditional Qatar food on the boat and basically just enjoyed a great day in the Gulf.

-Allen-

Festive Times

So I figured Id finally get around to doing a new post. The internet at Warrior is atrocious and so its a pain too do this, but now I'm in Qatar on R&R pass to get some rest. The good news is that the internet here is actually really fast. So, here I am after waiting in Bagram for 10 days on a ride over here, the day finally came. As far as I know, this place is built for R&R and R&R only. Its a pretty big area and so far it looks really nice. There are several tours and such that are available, so I plan on going on a Water Sports Venue. Basically they take you into Doha, the capitol of Qatar and they have jet skis and other water sports available, all of which takes place in the Persian Gulf :) Should be a lot of fun, i don't think too many people I know have been in or near the Persian Gulf. And it should also be mentioned that I have managed to scrounge up a very nice attire for the aforementioned occasion, that occasion being the R&R itself. I dont have any pictures but Ill try my best to describe this glorious clothing selection. I'll be wearing my running shoes, some North Face shorts, a Womens History Month t-shirt, and to top it all off, the cherry if you will... a black blazer that fits perfect, almost as if it was hand tailored to my exact measurements. So there you have it, soak it in, as I don't recommend taking it all in at once, it might be harmful to you and those around you.

Now for the more serious matters. I have been insanely busy with patrols and such in the past few months, which is part of the reason why I haven't updated this thing in so long. Nothing big to report, just a lot of long miserable walks and days in the sun. Cant say too much here so Ill keep it relatively short. I hope all is well with everyone at home, and I cant wait to come back and see everyone again. Stay safe and take care.

-Allen-

Home Never Seemed So Far

For the last five days or so I have been trying to make my way to Bagram Air force Base, and finally yesterday I made it. It was a short two hour ride in a Chinook which could not have been more uncomfortable. But, I am glad to be here because this base is like a small city. It has a DQ Burger King, a bunch of nice stuff I haven't seen in a long long time. I haven't even tried the BK Lounge yet in fear that my intestines will explode in a fit of unparalleled joy, which would be bad. So now I just sit and wait until I can find a bird that will take me to Kuwait so I can fly on home to Cali and enjoy my short period of beautiful freedom. I am extremely tired, I'll have to admit, so i better go find my bunk and get some rest. Hope all is well and take care.

-Allen-

Satanic Vehicle

I have come to the conclusion that the devil himself made the US Army vehicles. A few days ago we left to go on a pretty big, and as far as i know, important mission. So of course, seeing how I'm a driver I had to PMCS (Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services) the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) to make sure it was in tip-top shape for the beating ahead, so I go down to the Motor Pool to get some help from the mechanics. Come to find out, there are all sorts of leaks and broken... things all over the place. I go back and tell my leaders about the HMMWV and they tell me to get it fixed as good as possible because we need all the vehicles we have. Considering the fact that I had about three hours before we got going, I didn't get a whole lot done. A few hours later we were rolling out the gate and onto Highway one, the only highway in Afghanistan, which wasn't bad on the truck at all, untill we had to get off the road that is. After about one hour of driving on the oh-so-charming dirt roads, the vehicle started acting up. It barely had any power, so going up a 3% incline was like climbing a rock wall, almost impossible. Reverse on the other hand didn't even need an incline to crap out on me. I could be sitting parked somewhere and the second I shifted to reverse the vehicle simply died on me, couldnt be more annoying. Let's just say maneuvering around the bumpy terrain got pretty difficult without much power and no reverse... At one point I was being towed and the "A-frame" (No idea what it is) broke completely and scraped along the ground. It was a HUGE piece of metal, I was pretty intrigued at the crappyness of it all. We ended up sitting in an open area for nine hours waiting for someone to come pick up the truck. All I can say is, luck must have been on our side since we didn't get attacked once the whole time, and we were pretty much sitting ducks.

Anyways, there's even more to be told, but I will hold off because I'm not too sure what all I am allowed to say on here, so keep your eyes open. Hope all is well with every one, and take care!

-Allen

Update

Just a quick hello to let you know I'm still alive. Way, way, way to tired to write anything too detailed so I'll leave it at this. Keep you updated as much as possible.

-Allen-