CPThree.us

I had a great weekend after a very long couple of weeks. I actually had Saturday and Sunday off for once. We planned a platoon outing for Saturday. We got all the fixins for a stellar cookout, and we got the gear and the platoon loaded up in the cargo truck. We headed off to the pool! I had heard about a pool on the base, but I had never seen it, nor was I that worried about finding it. I found out that there are three pools on our base here, and I played in one of them! The pool was located out on this peninsula that jutted out into Z Lake (if you look at a map or satellite imagery you’ll understand the name) with a couple of buildings arranged around the pool. The pool was known as the Australian Island Pool. All of the buildings were actually billeting for Australian soldiers; that’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me, living right on a pool. I played in the pool for about 45minutes then I was skunked. While it felt really good to be relaxing and playing in the water, I was reminded how out of shape I am and how much I need to work on my “mad water skills” Even though there was no shade within 10 feet of the pool, I wasn’t worried about it because I was applying my SPF 50 sunscreen about every 30 minutes or so! I’m crazy, but I’m not stupid. Unfortunately, some of my guys got fried like jumbo shrimp, but they are doing okay. I loaned my aloe vera gel to the worst ones and they are feeling much better. There were a handful of other people that came to the pool for a little bit, but they were considerate and stayed on their side, ha-ha. Most of them just came and laid down on the concrete and took a nap (I thought they were kind of weird).

Later on Saturday evening there was band practice for the Spanish Chapel service and I got to go to that and practice playing my new saxophone with them. I thoroughly enjoyed that even more than being at the pool. I got there early and started warming up. I ended up playing for nearly two hours! My lips hurt, but it was so good. I hope I can go back next week for practice. We’ll see what happens. It is so good to be playing again, a little frustrating, but very good. In addition to band practice I was able to go to church on Sunday. It’s been a while since I was able to go to church. It was very refreshing.

Just when I didn’t think the weekend could get any better, I got a big scoop of cool whip dropped on me with some peanut sprinkles! I got to chat with Rachel for a little while about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Then I went to sleep and got ready for classes, meetings, and missions coming up through the week.
Don’t take the little things in life for granted, everyday is a new blessing and gift.
God bless you and prosper you; until next time…

I don’t know if there are hunting seasons in Baghdad or if there is a limit, but on my last mission I heard the strangest thing on the net, “Turkey, left clear.” I was like, “Huh? what are you talking about?” My gunner replied, “Sir, there are three turkeys on the left side” I replied, “Like gobble gobble?” The Gunner confirmed, “Roger, one big one and two little ones, sir.” I laughed in amazement.

We went out our route and came back the same way and the turkeys were still there walking around the rubble of a blown up building. My gunner was like, “Man, I could so shoot those turkeys. You don’t know how much I’m restraining myself right now; I’m from Idaho for cryin’ out loud!” I consoled my gunner, “It’s alright Hughes, your doing a good job. It’s too early for Thanksgiving, you probably don’t want to eat those and there are just too many people around here this morning.” The turkeys got away that time, but I got the grid coordinate of their location so we can go back and get them later.

When we got back to the FOB and I was writing my report, I included the turkey sighting. I wrote something like, “There were three (3) Tom Turkeys operating in vicinity of (IVO) grid MB1234 5678 on the north side of the road.” I hear that my reports go all the way up to Division and get read so maybe I brightened somebodies day; who knows. Later I asked a buddy, “Hey, do you have counter procedures for enemy turkeys?” He got one of those smirks on his face like, “okay, I’m being setup here; what’s this crazy LT trying to pull.” I elaborated on my story, and he advised that with a 5.56mm round (bullet) you want to engage enemy turkeys in the neck so as not to lose too much meat, and recover the turkey back to the FOB for “proper” interrogation and processing. I was like roger that, I’ll remember that for next time. I Hope I’m not here for thanksgiving, things are looking promising to avoid that. Until next time…

Today I just received my new Soprano Saxophone in the mail! I’m very excited! I’m probably going to drive my commander nuts, but I’m ok with that. Maybe if I practice hard enough, they will let me play in the worship team at chapel. I miss those days so much… That would be really cool, to play in the worship team in Baghdad Well, I need to get to work, but I’ll practice more when I get back and try to keep you updated on my progress! God bless you and prosper you…