Total Slacker

Yep, it's happened. I've gone at least a week without posting to my blog. I'd give you some good excuse, but It's all the same. I actually did some work over the last week, but not enough to justify my paycheck.

We hosted a conference here over the last 4 days. Wait, you're surprised we hold conferences here? So was I. But I've come to realize that Al Udied is the dividing line between the real area of operations and the rest of the world. On one hand, they give us hazardous duty pay and put us in desert camouflage, but on the other hand, we can go downtown and eat kabobs and enjoy 3 beers a day. The only thing that prevents dependents from being here is the facilities. Build some base housing and a DODs school and they could move right in. It's as nice if not nicer then Incirlik.

Still working out a lot more then usual. Not sure if its good or bad, but I've gained 5 or so pounds since I've been here. My belt hasn't gotten any tighter, so I'm hoping that's muscle weight. I started doing crossfit workouts a few days ago. Those are the real deal. Always seen those guys/gals in the gym and was happy I wasn't them. I'm going to give it 3 or 4 weeks to see how it goes. So far it's been pretty good, but I'm curios to see how my cardio holds up with such short workouts.

Alicia and Lucy just got to Arizona, so they'll be spending the next two weeks spending my money on things they 'need'. So much for making money on this deployment.

Downtown Doha

Took a break this weekend from working out to go to downtown Doha to enjoy some local cuisine and visit a few of the shops. We ended up eating at an Iraqi restaurant. Much of the grill food was similar if not the same as Turkish food. Basically, it's grilled lamb or chicken served with bread and vegetables. Really, you can't screw that up. Anyways, since I knew that would be good, I tried something else and it was lousy. It was basically a bread ball with rice, chicken and lamb stuffed inside. It was very bland and there was a limited amount of meat in inside the bread. Not a restaurant I'd visit again.

We stopped to get some authentic Italian gelato. I got a scoop of pistachio and a scoop of stracciatella (chocolate chip). It was as good as any I had in Italy. I imagine I'll stop there anytime I'm in the vicinity. After that, we went to a cafe and smoked some hookah's. I had an orange flavor, that wasn't too bad. It was my first time, but now I see why it is so popular. It's like smoking, but in a much more relaxed manner. Still wouldn't buy one, but I'd be up for smoking another while out on the town.

Beard Update

Not much to update aside from my beard. I'm still here in Qatar, doing my best to stay busy. I spend a lot of time at the gym and watching reality tv shows on MTV.com. I started a masters class on Monday, but that isn't very time consuming. A couple hundred pages of reading and 3 or 4 pages of writing a week. I have more then enough time for that.

My beard has moved beyond the itchy stage to the annoying stage. I'm pretty sure I've gotten food and drink stuck to it on a couple of occasions. I sort of have an under beard going more than anything. Either way you look at it, it's not a good look for me.

Glad to see my family is doing well, but I wish I was back there instead of here. Lucy's birthday is only a couple of weeks away and I'd sure like to be there. I think it would be easier to accept if I was a little more productive. Good thing is, she won't remember the fact I missed this birthday.

Joys of Technology

Got to say, that without the advances of today, I'd be pulling my hair out by now. It's hard for us to even contemplate now, but where would we be without portable computers, high speed internet, video messaging and telephone calls that are all but free.

When I first moved to Alaska, long distance phone calls back to the states ran me about ten cents a minute. A two hour phone call would cost over ten dollars. Now, you can download skype and call anywhere in the world for less then three cents a minute. Not only that, if the other person has a computer, you can video chat with them for free.

Aside from that, I have access to countless movies and tv shows for free (legally). So I don't have to worry about missing My Big Fat Loser or any other reality shows. They are free online anytime I want to watch them.

No Beards Allowed

I’ve been cut off and or not served booze for a number of reasons. Once, I got into a thumb wrestling contest, was clearly the winner, but the girl I was thumb wrestling, pulled her hand back quickly, and struck a candle on the bar which then flew into the back of the bartender. She ran away like a coach roach when the lights come on, but I sat motionless with the bartender looking at me like I tried to light him on fire with the stupid candle. I told Tim and Paul what just happened, but less than five minutes later, the bouncers were telling us ‘you guys are always welcome here, but you need to leave’.

Tonight, I went to the ‘officer’s lounge’ on Al Udeid to meet some of the Air Force Logistics Officers stationed or TDY here. I went to the bar to order a beer and was asked for my ID. The Airmen behind the bar said “the general’s policy is that you have to be in uniform”. I tried to explain my situation, but he wanted to see some sort of letter. I produced said letter to his amassment and got my 3 beers.

When I was 18, I always thought a little facial hair would make it easier to get served. Now that I finally have some facial hair, it’s harder to get a beer.

Wasting away

Let's just say that I haven't been gainfully employed over the last 2 weeks. Most of my time has been spent researching Pakistan, staying current on the news, eating and working out. I'm not complaining in the least bit, but everyone wants to feel needed just a little bit.

My 2nd to last masters class starts on Monday, so that will give me something else to occupy my time, but for right now, it's just me, wikipedia and the weight room. The good thing is, my beard is in the 'Unemployed Guy' stage, so it at least it's a match.