Just like any other small suburban town except:

25 Oct 2009 Sunday - A Suburb of Baghdad
The Victory Base Complex (VBC) is comprised of several bases and camps.  You can think of them as neighborhoods or communities within the town/base.  Each community has its own eating area, shopping, laundry, living areas, and services. VBC is on the outskirts of Baghdad that has a population of 7 million people.
VBC is like any other suburb of a large metropolis except:

• There are green suits carying weapons everywhere.  The soldiers must carry their weapon at all times.  They cannot get into the dinning hall without them.  Even when they work out they carry them to the Gym.  In my Yoga class, the weapons are laid next to the yoga mats along with their shoes.
• Large concrete walls that look like upside down Ts surround every building or group of buildings.
• Buildings with windows have sand bags stacked up in front of every window.
• You cannot go anywhere without your security ID badge.
• The Infrastructure like water pipes, sewer pipes, electrical lines, telephone lines, communications cables, satellite dishes, and microwave towers are visible. They are not buried in the ground, strung across high poles, or hidden by bushes and trees or other barriers.
• Few people have indoor plumbing with water, toilets, or showers in the building where they live.
• No Alcohol of any kind is sold on VBC nor in Iraq anywhere.  There is probably some on the black market but that is unknown to me.
• There are portable toilets throughout the base and special buildings for latrines and showers inside a perimeter of T-Walls.
• No dating, no holding hands, no public signs of affection. None!
• There are no individual kitchens or laundry rooms. At least, I have not seen any. You cannot cook your own meals and cannot do your own laundry.
• There are no children who live in VBC.
• About 90% of the population are men; one women for every nine men.
• Oh, I almost forgot…. every now and then a rocket or missile is launched into VBC and explodes.

Like any other town there are:

• People going about their daily activities – working, walking, biking, riding in cars and trucks, providing services, hauling goods, exercising, etc. 
• Office buildings where people work.
• Eating places and restaurants.
• Fitness Centers that are very busy.
• Swimming Pool.
• Shops.

Another Day In Paradise on Victory Base Complex.  Read on.....

I am not in Kansas anymore, no matter what the sign says.

Caterpillar helps the base generate electricity.

Reminders that we are in a Combat Zone. 
Buildings with windows have sand bags stacked up in front of every window.

A Bunker along the side the road and more T-Walls.

However, the good news -- there are latrines all over; plenty of them. You never have to stand in line.

And the crap has to go somewhere....

Arriving BIAP

17 Oct Sunday – Checking into luxury accommodations in Iraq

I have not written in my blog since I arrived at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) on 17 Oct. I flew from Ali Al Salem Air Force Base in Kuwait. We flew on a C130 Airplane.

The flights are not scheduled for the same time each day so no one knows exactly when they will take off or land at destination. I waited at the passenger terminal until they called my flight. I waited from about 4pm until 4am when we took off. A couple of flights before the one I was one were canceled. I arrived at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) about 6 am on Sunday Oct 17. One of the guys from my office picked me up and drove me to my CHU where I will make my home for the next 12 months.

A CHU is a Containerized Housing Unit which is a shipping container with a hole cut for a door and another hole in the wall for the Air Conditioning Unit. The inside is lined with paneling for the walls and ceiling and square tiles for the floor.

I work in a data/tech center that is only a few blocks from where I live so I can go back and forth easily as needed.

I will have more to write about living on the base in the next few days.

All my best,

James

I could not take pictures of the airplane that I flew in so the pictures below are from the Internet. Soldiers and civilians flew on the same flight. The picture below of the inside seating arrangement is representative of how we sat when we flew.

C130 Aircraft

Below is a picture of the outside of the Chu where I am living.

Below is a picture of my bed inside the Chu where I live. Note the 50spf sun block, herbal tincture, David Baldacci book, ITouch, and phone.

Below is an inside picture of my room from the other end showing the desk and closet. Note the Yoga Mat and bag. There are two bedrooms inside the Chu. I have one bedroom and my Chu mate has the other bedroom.

All the building, living quarters, dining hall, gym, and offices are surrounded by T-Walls. T-Walls are large concrete walls that protect the building and people for explosives and shrapnel of incoming rockets and mortars. Also the windows of the buildings are covered with sand bags for the same reason. Below is a photo of T-Walls.

Unspoken Enemies – Sun, Dust, Wind

16 Oct 2009 Friday – Still in Tent City; Air Force Base Kuwait

Sun, Dust, and Wind are dangers in the desert of the Middle East and I had no briefings from the military.  I had briefings on explosives, security, safety, and first aid but no briefing on dust, sun, and wind.  Fortunately, my Yoga training helps and Neti Pot help.

In Kuwait, with no dangers as in combat zones, the greater enemy to overall health is the sun and dust. The local residences have known for thousands of years how to protect themselves.

Most Kuwaiti men wear a dishdasha, a floor length robe with a center robe opening which is put on over the head. The three-part headdress of the Kuwait male is also very functional. It provides shade during summer, it can be wrapped across the face during sandstorms, and its end can be twisted up like a turban if the wearer is doing manual work.  Below are pictures from the Internet.

Kuwaiti women dress in western clothes, However their traditional clothing, such as the thob (a straight-sided long overdress), is still used for dancing on festive occasion. When in public many local women cover their chic western clothing with an aba, a head-to-toe silky black cloak. Some women may also wear a burga, a short black veil that covers the entire face.

All my best,

James

Breathe
Energize
Stabilize
Transform

On my way to Victory Base

15 Oct 2009 Thursday - Tent City; Air Force Base Kuwait

Earlier today (about 7AM) I wrote, “I am ready to go to work in Iraq” and “Today, I hope to be transported to another Kuwait base for a flight out but I am not optimistic; maybe tomorrow and then on to Iraq on Saturday or Sunday.”

Two hours later I was told to pack my stuff. I would be chauffeured to my apartment to check out and then to the villa across town to be picked up for a ride to the Air Force base. On arrival at the base, I checked in, submitted my passport for processing to obtain authority to leave, and assigned luxury accommodations in a hot, canvas tent with 15 other guys and no running water.

I am back in Tent City, that I wrote about on 3 Oct, with the same luxury I experienced last week on my previous stay. Just like the Boy Scouts or Camp Wood. The price is right – free room, meals, air transport, and luggage transfers. I also get to wear my body amour on the flight. Whoopee!!!

My authorization to leave will be issued in the morning then I will check in at the travel counter to be listed and scheduled for a flight to Baghdad International Airport. 

Visit the following web sites for more information about Iraq, Victory Base, and life on base:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Victory
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,96060,00.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/abu_ghurayb-cc.htm
http://honeymooniniraq.com/
http://yogiiniraq.blogspot.com/

All my best,

James

Breathe
Energize
Stabilize
Transform

Recruiting IT Engineers - Middle East

15 Oct 2009 Thursday

I am the Operations Manager for a regional operations and network center near Baghdad in Iraq and I need help. I am looking for IT Engineer/Specialists with four or more years experience as a Network and/or System Administrator and security certifications.

For Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait we are looking for qualified, experienced IT specialists and engineers for systems, networks, telecom, and security. The pay is good, no taxes on the first $90,000, the living conditions are decent, and the people you would be working with are excellent.

The work is fast-paced, dynamic, and never routine. You will work, workout (first class fitness center), and study for certifications. You will support the military effort, increase your skills, enhance your resume, obtain certifications while earning a high pay. The primary customer is the US Army.

Certifications are desired but not required for all positions. They need to be obtained with in the first 6 months.

If you have IT experience, a positive, can do attitude with high customer service aptitude, please contact me.

Applicants must be able to possess a secret clearance and pass medical examination.

Please refer the following web sites for more information about Iraq, Victory Base, and life on base:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Victory
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,96060,00.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/abu_ghurayb-cc.htm
http://honeymooniniraq.com/
http://yogiiniraq.blogspot.com/

All things considered, these are great jobs with a lot of variety and then don't include carrying a weapon or going outside the military base on a daily basis.

If you are interested, please contact me for more information.

James

Ready to go to Iraq

15 Oct 2009 Thursday

I am ready to go to work in Iraq. I have spent the last 4 days in the central network operations center and the regional operations center for Kuwait. The central network center for the Theater has responsibility for the entire area of Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and few surrounding countries. The regional center has responsibility for Kuwait.

Forward bases and camps have Information officers (IMO) and Network Service Center (NSC). Technical problem (incidents) for systems, networks, and circuits are recorded in Remedy and solved at the lowest level possible. If incidents, problems, service requests cannot be resolved or completed at the local level they are escalated to the regional centers. There are regional centers in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. As needed, problems are then escalated to the central operations center in Kuwait.

For the last three weeks I have in-processed, trained, watched PowerPoint presentations, been briefed and watched other people work. Now I am ready to go to work. I continue to be enthusiastic and energized about the position in Iraq.

The Iraq team is working short-handed so one of my top priorities will be to recruit more people.

Logistics and transportation take time. Today, I hope to be transported to another Kuwait base for a flight out but I am not optimistic; maybe tomorrow and then on to Iraq on Saturday or Sunday.

All the best,

James, Yogi In Iraq

From canvas, dust, and no A/C to marble, high rise, beach front, cool comfort

08 Oct Thu

Yesterday (07 Oct Wed), I was moved to an apartment with a view of the Persian Gulf in the Indian Ocean. I was told that less than 6 years ago this area was desert. Today, it is booming with apartments, shopping malls, homes, a luxury Hilton hotel, and new building construction.

The apartment has two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen, and large living room on the 8th floor of a 13-story apartment building. I have this spacious apartment all to myself. The building includes a workout room with sauna plus an outdoor swimming pool. There is a Starbucks on the front side. Out the back door is a small Indian restaurant and a small grocery. About a mile along the beach is a large shopping area with exclusive indoor malls that include a larage grocery store, product market, fish market, and meat market. There a many US brands in Kuwait City including US cars, fast food restaurants, franchises, food products and clothing.

On Monday I was staying a 16-bed canvas tent with no electricity and no air-conditioning. On Monday night the generator was fixed so my last night the light shone brightly all night but I was cool. By Wednesday I had moved to a spacious apartment and no roommate. Wow!!!

I will be in Kuwait for a few days for training then on to Camp Victory in Baghdad.

First Days In Kuwait

06 Oct 2009 Tue

It is hot, dusty, and windy again on the 2nd day at the base somewhere near Kuwait City. Mid afternoon, in the dusty haze the sun looked liked a full moon on a cloudless night. A few hours later after the sun set, a full moon appeared. The dust is everywhere. I woke with dust in my sinus and mouth. I am glad I brought my neti pot and I know yoga breathing techniques to clean it out.

It is hot for us but cool for the locals in the nineties Fahrenheit.

For two nights we have no had electricity. Tent City is powered mostly by huge Caterpillar generators but there are a few of another brand. Only one generator broke down. It must not have been one of the Cat generators. The is still electricity and air conditioning else where on base, just not in our row of tents.

The heat does not bother me so much. I practice Yoga daily throughout the day with brief sets of meditation, postures, and breathing techniques. I work out once or twice a day on the elliptical when I have time. I drink lots and lots of water; it seems like a gallon every hour. There are water bottles in refrigerated cabinets every where. At night, I take the natural hormone melatonin and sleep like a baby through the night even with no air conditioning and people coming and going all night long.

On Tue Oct 6 (the third day) at 5:15 am we meet to eat breakfast then leave the base and travel to the company's villa for all day company orientation and training until about 1830 (6:30 pm). Once again we were briefed on safety and General Order Number 1. GO #1 generally states that we must follow the laws of the county we are in. It is a crime to have in your possession or to drink alcohol. You can be thrown in jail. It is against the law to show affection like holding hands or kissing in public. One women was thrown in jail for kissing her boyfriend in public. The jails are not very nice - very crowded conditions, no air conditioning, limited bathrooms, and no food. Someone has to bring you food every day. No pornography. This is very strict. One man had his camera confiscated because he had a picture of his wife in a bikini. No prostitution. Any one engaging in sex for money is considered to be in violation of international human trafficking laws so the penalties can be severe. No animals as pets on base. And, of course, no drugs. Like any other country and every city of the US all of this is available on the black market. However, if you are caught you may be thrown in jail and fired from the company.

I was happily surprised when they told me I would be staying in the villa and staying in Kuwait for another week of training. I no longer had to stay in Tent City. All of us were transported back to the base. While every one else turned in their passports for processing so they could leave the next morning for their assignments, I packed my bags for the villa.

Remember, one duffel bag of 60 - 70 pounds with all my equipment, another duffel bag with all my clothes and personal times about 50 pounds, plus my back pack at about 25 pounds. I was carrying 135 pounds in three bags on my back with the strap of my personal bag broke. On the first day I purchased and set of sheets and a bath towel. This little bit of extra weigh caused the strap to break??

The villa is a beautiful, fully furnished, two story home. Two large rooms for group training, a fully equipped kitchen, three bathrooms, laundry, three large bedrooms with 4 - 6 single beds. No bunk beds, than you. Upstairs balcony. There were 6 guys staying there. Large living where we watched the newest Star Trek movie on DVD. It is really good. I had watched it at the movies. It was good to see it again.

Arriving Kuwait

03 Oct Sat - Kuwait

After 18 hours of travel time from Ft Benning, GA with two stops, we finally arrived at the Kuwait city airport on Saturday. We could not leave the plane until all of us (nearly 400) were checked for flu symptoms to ensure no one enters the country with the H1N1 flu. We were also checked at Ft Benning before we could board the plane.

An hour later, I walked down the ramp and breathed in dry, hot, dusty air. The air quality in Kuwait is 7 times worse than California. This is definitely the desert. Fortunately it was not too hot - in the nineties.

I placed one boot then the other on Kuwaiti soil for the first time. We quickly boarded buses for a short trip to a break area with port-a-potties, bottled water, and picnic tables under a cloth screen for shade. We had a nice view of the desolate desert on the other side of the bunkers. We had to stay inside the bunkers and, of course, wait.

None of us knew why were waiting. Probably to process and clear our baggage through customs. We watched the sunset through the dusty sky. After an hour wait, we boarded buses and waited again.

I am here to serve the US Army and therefore serve my country. While I am here in theater, I am on Army time, not my time. When I have to wait, I wait.

We finally arrived at the base and met the company representatives. There are 30 of us. We sat through another briefing - a short one about the rules and General Order Number 1. Then another formation - three lines behind each of two trucks. I am not sure what the Army calls it but I would call it a bucket brigade; a very efficient way to unload the trucks with over 1,000 bags.

Then I saw it - Tent City. Every residential and many other buildings are tents. The living quarters are tents with 8 bunk beds for 16 people. They have electric lighting and air conditioning but no plumbing (no running water). There are separate building for the Latrine and Showers. Inside the tents. the lights must stay on all the time since people are moving in and out all day and all night. All contractors and military to and from Iraq and Afghanistan come to this base before they are transported in or out. Tent City is for transients only.

The living conditions in Tent City remind me of a modernized Camp Wood in Elmdale, KS only much bigger. In Baghdad I will have better accommodations. I hope?!?!

On Friday, Oct 2, the day we left Ft Benning. We had to turn in our bedding/linens before 6 am. Then at 7am we had to be in formation with our bags. Contractors are allowed only two duffel bags; one for our personal stuff and one for the body armor, helmet, and gas mask. Plus we could have a carry on that fit into a measuring box. If yours did not fit, you had to ship it back home. The Army is very specific to ensure the plane can take off safely with full passenger load and excessive baggage weight for all the soldiers and their gear - equipment and arms.

All four hundred of us waited on buses until all the bags (about 1,000 duffel bags) were checked and inspected by the dogs, then loaded into trucks for transport to the plane.

After 11 hours of flying and a stop over in Maine, we arrived at the airport in Germany. The differences between the Maine and Germany airports were stark and distinct. In Maine, we were welcomed by about 50 representatives from the Maine Troop Greeters. They were there to shake our hands and give us encouragement. An enclosed concourse walkway connected the plane to the terminal building. We waited in what appeared to be the general terminal area but on retrospect it may have been a separate part of the terminal building. This airport was very nice, comfortable, and convenient. It was as nice as any US airport with free wireless, shops, and a restaurant serving Maine lobster.

In contrast, the German airport was not comfortable starting with an outdoor walkway to the ground and a bus ride to a separate terminal area. The plane parked way out on the tarmac away from all other gates and planes. We seemed to be on the back side of the airport out of the way from other passengers. The floors were stone, not carpet and the chairs were not padded; the ceilings were uncovered; the walls bare except for a couple soccer (football) pictures and a art display of paintings about angels. No free wireless; the cost was .13 euro per minute.

It Is Only Tuesday

29 Sep 0600 Hrs Tue

It is only Tuesday but I feel like I have been here a week. This is the 5th day so I guess that it has been a week. Huh?

I woke up again at 4:45 am to get ready for 6 am Formation. We have two or more formations per day. A Formation is when a group gathers and forms into lines (ranks) for a briefing and to walk somewhere - either up the hill or on the bus.

The CRC is processing over 300 people this week.

Today the bus took us to Medical Screening. The Army validated our medical records. All of us had physicals weeks ago. The Army double checked our paper work. They ok’d our dental forms, checked our vision, fitted our gas masks with optical inserts from our prescriptions, as needed, verified 3 months supply of drugs (meds), gave us more shots including Anthrax and Influenza.

At 1000 hours I wait for transport to another building that looks like a large warehouse on the inside. This is the “hardware store” where I will pick up my equipment. The equipment consists of helmet, gas mask, body armor, and a duffel bag to put it in - about 50 pounds. Not equipment that you would find in your neighborhood hardwood store.

In the briefing the instructor said all the stuff would fit into one duffel bag, but I tried and tried outside on the parking lot in the hot south Georgia sun with about 200 other contractors. Finally it was all in. I think I had my workout for today.

They told me 50 pounds but it feels like the max of 70. I packed all my stuff in one duffel bag but I will have to take it all out, assemble the 14 pieces and put it on to ensure it is correct. Then I will to repack the duffel bag for the third time.

At 1300 I finished checking out and packing my equipment. I missed lunch at the dinning hall so I picked up a MRE. (Military Ready to Eat meal). It is not bad if you are really, really hungry. I was not that hungry.

At 1700 the Army reps (the cadre) reviewed me in my body amour with all 14 pieces. I passed so I was done for the day.


Army Security and Safety

Security and safety are very important and highly emphasized by the US Army.

They want all personnel - solders, DOD civilians and contractors to be safe. The training the includes information about worse case scenarios. There are briefings on topics like what to do if you are taken hostage, how to assemble and wear body amour and protective gear, legal advise on wills and power of attorney. There is more training about explosive devices (IEDs and bombs), combat fist aid for chest wounds, abdominal wounds, head wounds, instructions for medical evacuation, how to take care of a fallen teammate under fire from the enemy, and booby traps we could encounter.

On my last assignment in Iowa, I worked on an Employee On Boarding system for state government. We did not need to include immunization vaccines, security clearances, how to be a hostage, how wear body amour, how to make a last will and testament nor instruction on combat first aid. However, the training this week does remind me of safety training at Union Pacific Railroad where workers in the field can be in life threatening situation if they do to not work safely.

I have to remember that the Army briefings are for the worst possible situations. As an computer/network systems contractor I could be in harms way but that is unlikely. For the most part I will be supporting the vital communications need by those who are in harms way every day.

Considering all the requirements and the need process 300 - 500 people during a week, the process is efficient and the people are courteous, helpful and proficient.

Arriving Fort Benning, GA

25 Sep 2009 - Fort Benning, GA

I arrived at Fort Benning about 4:30 PM (1630 Military Time) after a 2 hour drive from Atlanta.

Fort Benning was established is 1918 and is named for Major General Henry L. Benning. Known as the "Home of the Infantry, Fort Benning is a US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) installation. The installation is home to the U.S. Army Infantry Training Brigade, U.S. Infantry School, Ranger Training Brigade, Airborne School, and School of the Americas.

South of Columbus, Georgia, it has an active duty population of 34,834. This includes both active military and reserves. It covers 181,626 acres of land including open water, ponds, streams, and rivers. The Chattahoochee River divides Fort Benning between Georgia and Alabama.

I checked in at the CRC, dropped my bags in the assigned locker, walked back to the car, and drove back off base with Cherri and Magy for dinner.

Training for civilians and military preparing for the middle east in conducted a the CONUS Replacement Center (CRC). The full name is Continental United States (CONUS) Replacement Center. The mission of CRC is to receive and process individual non-unit related personnel (NRPs) of all branches and components, civilians employees, contractors and units for deployment to and re-deployment
from theaters of operations in various locations across the globe.

Week in Atlanta

21 Sep 2009 - Atlanta, GA

The biggest challenge this week is deciding what personal stuff to stuff into one Military style duffel bag of specific dimensions that includes clothes, personal items, toiletries, towels, and linens for 6 months and weighs less than 50 pounds.

The average temperatures in Iraq range from higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August to below freezing in January. This time of year the climate is dusty and HOT (80 - 90 plus degrees) but winter is coming. The temperature is cold in the winter. 90% of the precipitation falls between December and April up to 3 plus feet in some regions. It is cold, wet, and muddy during the rainy, winter seasons. I have to pack or buy summer and winter clothes that includes weather resistant, sturdy shoes/boots.

According to Military rules, contractors are allowed 2 duffel bags. The other bag, supplied by the military, includes the parts and pieces of body armor, helmet, mask, and first aid kit that weighs between 50 - 70 pounds. Oh…. by the way, I think I have to carry my person bag of 50 pounds, body armor bag of 60 pounds plus a carry-on backpack of 20 to 30 pounds. Fortunately, I do not have to carry it far.

When the packing was done, the duffel bag was stuffed with 50.5 pounds of stuff. In addition, I prepared two priority mail boxes for shipping when I have a military address - an APO (Army Post Office). I can buy sheets, towels and toiletries plus clothes at the PX (Post Exchange) on base.

I still do not know the military base in Iraq where I will be assigned.

The other challenge is to determine how I will communicate with family and friends. My 5 - 6 year old laptop computer is nearly worn out with frayed electrical wires, broken/bent plastic on the back, and internally does not perform very well. Cherri is not a computer user.

The solution was an iPod Touch for me and one for Cherri. What great technology! And a new PC! There will be wireless internet available but Verizon does not have cellular service. I may have to purchase a different cellular service. I will determine the best option after I arrive.

In the meantime, email, Skype, and Google Voice are available.

Cherri is now online and high tech!

Visiting Nick on the Guadalupe River

19 Sep 2009 - San Antonio

Working in Iowa while living in Georgia made it difficult to prepare for an extended period over seas especially in a combat zone. I took off a week early to prepare for the trip.

Before I left, I wanted to see Nick (my son). He lives in Austin. San Antonio was a good place to meet. I arrived in San Antonio after a two hour flight from Atlanta. We drove to Gruene Texas along side the Guadalupe River.

The Guadalupe River in the hill country of Texas is 230 miles long and dumps out in the San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The upper river is a smaller, faster stream with limestone banks and shaded by pecan and bald cypress trees. It is a popular destination for whitewater rafters, canoeists and kayakers. Conditions on the river can change rapidly.

German farmers became the first settlers of what is now known as Gruene in the mid 1840s. Ernst Gruene, a German immigrant, and his bride Antoinette, had reached the newly established city of New Braunfels in 1845. He decided to purchase land just down river and built the first home in Gruene. As the number one cash crop, his cotton business soon brought 20 to 30 families and the town of Gruene was born.

Today, Gruene is once again a thriving community, but for decades it was little more than a ghost town. The authentic, turn-of-the-century look and feel of Gruene has been preserved. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and many of the buildings have been awarded a Texas medallion from the Texas Historical Commission.

For the our weekend, the water level was up after heavy rains the week before. The rapids were fast and rocky as we maneuvered our sit-on-top kayaks down the river.

After about 4 hours and through the last set of rapids just before the take out point my kayak hit a rock and turned sideways. Sideways is the worst possible position dashing down the rapids. Boom! The side of the kayak hit another rock, the boat flipped. I tumbled out. I watched the kayak and life preserver jacket sped down river as I struggled in the current. I remembered to keep my feet down stream as my butt hit each and every rock.

At the bottom of the rapids I was treading water and watched as Nick ran them in fine form. Then he started after my boat and gear.

I still had my paddle in my hand as I looked up to see a bunch of diners standing at the balcony rail watching and pointing. I did not realize until then that I was their dinner entertainment. The restaurant owner built an outdoor dining area just above and overlooking the rapids. He must have known the sound the water would soothe his patrons and ever now and then provide unexpected but anticipated excitement has hapless Kayakers tumbled out and over the rocks as they are separated from their boats.

Last Days In Des Moines

Yesterday (9/16) I wrote on Facebook – “at 8pm I am walking out of the Hoover Bldg on the State of Iowa Capital Complex -- my last day. I have a customer meeting in the morning then on my way to Atlanta, Ft Benning, Kuwait and then to an assignment waiting in Iraq. Wow! What a detour on my journey of life."

Thanks so much for all the replies and best wishes.

One of my yoga teachers replied that “there is no detour...only the journey; thinking of you and many blessings. jai!” She is right, there are no detours; there are many twists and turns, curves and straight-aways on the journey but not detours.

Another Yogi friend replied “I will practice Tonglen the entire time you are away. Best wishes.”

According to wikipedia, Tonglen is Tibetan for 'giving and taking' (or, sending and taking), and it refers to a meditation practice found in Tibetan Buddhism. In the practice, one visualizes taking onto oneself the suffering of others, and giving one's own happiness and success to others. The function of the practice is to: reduce selfish attachment; increase a sense of renunciation; create positive karma by giving and helping; develop loving-kindness and compassion.
Another friend wrote: "The journey is the best part. Remember to enjoy it!"

Others replied with:

“May God go with you, Jim... blessing your every endeavor... beautifying your horizons... and guarding your pathways... Best wishes always...”

“Take care and live it up!”

“I'm sure your detour will be memorable. Try to keep us apprised of what's going on! Good luck and God bless, Jim.”

“Please stay in touch and let us know how things are going. Safe journey and good luck.”

“Take care and safe journey to you. Life is such an adventure.”

What great replies from good friends!!!

This morning I finished packing 8 boxes for shipping by UPS, packed my bag, and walked out of my apartment in Sherman Hills for the last time.

I am now preparing to drive to Omaha, sell my car, and fly one-way to Atlanta. This weekend I am flying to San Antonio to visit my son Nick. We will spend the weekend on the Guadalupe River in the hills of south Texas.

My herbalist in Omaha called me today; she is shipping the herbs for a fall internal cleanse as the regular practice in Chinese medicine and to offset the potential negative impact of all the immunization shots I had to take. To keep my immune system strong I am taking Echinacea, Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), and high doses of Vitamin C in powder form.

The biggest challenge next week is to pack 6 months of clothing, toiletries, towels and linens in a duffel bag that weighs 50 pounds or less. Also, I have to pack for the cold weather of winter.

All the best,

James

Email to Family Sep 2 2009

Hello, Hello!!

I am sending this email to all the family email addresses that I have. Most of you have heard by now that I accepted a position with a company that provides technical support in network operations, security, and communications to the military deployed through out the world.

My assignment will be in an regional network operations and security center (RNOSC) at a military base in Iraq. I have been working with the company for about 6 weeks, fully researched the position, the company, and living in Iraq. Last week I passed the medical clearance and today I received notice that I passed the security clearance.

I have given two weeks notice on my current assignment in Des Moines.
My last day in Des Moines will be Thursday 9/17. I will drive to Carmax in Omaha, sell the Jeep and fly to Atlanta on Fri 9/18. On Sat9/19 I will fly to Austin to see Nick and return to Atlanta on Sun 9/20.

During the week of 9/21 I will prepare to leave. On Friday 9/25 Cherri and Magy will drive me to Fort Benning in Columbus, GA for processing. In about a week I will fly to Kuwait for a week or two then on to my assignment in Iraq. I do not yet know the base where I will be stationed.

I am excited and nervous about the assignment. I am glad that I can be in a position to support the troops and the war on Terrorism.
The contract I accepted is for 12 months. I have 6 weeks vacation during the year so

I will be back in the states in about 5 - 6 months for a few weeks then return to Iraq for the second half of the year.

You can contact me on Facebook, Linkedin, by email and by Google voice. I will also have Skype. I may have a cell phone but not sure.

Please forward this email to any one in the family who was not addressed.

All my love,

Aug/Sep 2009 Milestones/Itinerary

Aug 24 - accepted position in Iraq
Sep 2 - obtained Security Clearance
Sep 3 - gave two weeks resignation notice to QCI and State of Iowa
Sep 4/5/6 - flew to Atlanta for weekend then back Des Monies for work
Sep 12/13 - weekend in Des Moines, Shirley, Julies, Jan, Maryann visit
Sep 17 - last day in Des Moines; Drive to Omaha
Sep 18 - sell car; fly to Atlanta
Sep 19/20 - visit Austin; see Nick
Sep 21 - 24 - prepare to deployment to Iraq
Sep 25 Fri - drive to CRC at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA
Sep 26 - Oct 1 - Ft Benning CRC In-Processing; fitting of your TA-50 gear;Classes; Medical/Dental Screening
Oct 2 Fri - Begin flight to Kuwait

The Time is Near

This weekend is that last Saturday and Sunday I will spend in Des Moines. I am leaving on Thursday 17 Sep. The weather is gorgeous - mid 70's, blue skies, bright Sun, just a few clouds. Gorgeous!!

I woke at 4:3o am thinking about my life changing journey to Iraq. Of course, working in Iraq will be a huge change from working/living in Des Moines and commuting to Omaha each weekend. Beginning in a few weeks I will be working/living somewhere in Iraq and commuting to Atlanta every few months. I know in my heart that living is Iraq for a while is the right thing for me at this juncture on the path of life. Where it leads I am unsure but there is reason.

As the time draws near for me to leave Iowa and begin my journey toward Iraq, I am beginning to feel a little trepidation and uneasiness. I think this slight nerviness caused me to awake so early.

At 6 am I was finishing my laundry at the Laundromat and called my sister Julie in Wichita. She is an early riser. My other sister Jan is driving Julie and my Mother (Shirley) from Wichita to Lawrence, KS to visit her son at KU and pick up her daughter Maryann for the trip to Des Moines.

I walked and walked from my apartment to Yoga in Park at Gray's Lake, to the bank, to the State Capital Complex to work a couple of hours and back to my apartment to get ready for my mom, two sisters and niece visit. I really appreciate them for coming.

Yoga in the Park led by Bridget and Stephanie was awesome. There were about 200 yogis attending and practicing. The difference between a good yoga teacher and a great yoga teacher is the great yoga teacher makes a personal connection to every student in class - a touch, an alignment, a gentle instruction. In an hour class, Bridget connected with all 200 students as she walked on the grass through the rows of yoga mats.

When I rolled out my mat and took off my sandals, my feet and my sandals were yellow. It liked like I had spilled Turmeric and walked barefoot through it. Wondering how that happened, I quickly wiped the sandals and my feet off in the grass. Teva announced that something in the grass, a fungus, produced a harmless yellow powder that sticks to shoes and feet.

My family arrived about 5pm. We toured around Sherman Hills where I have lived for the last 2 years, downtown Des Moines, the state capital campus, Gray's Lake and the Water Works Park. We enjoyed a great dinner and conversation outside on Court Ave. Many improvement have been completed in downtown Des Moines during the three years I have lived here - along the river the east village, Brenton Skating Plaza for ice skating, the pedestrian bridge and Court ave area and the park west of the new library.

On Sunday we meet for breakfast at the Drake Dinner. We hugged, kissed, and the left at 10 AM.

I am on my own this afternoon so I decided to start this blog.