Manhattan Merry-Go-Round
[Most Recent Entries]
[Calendar View]
[Friends]
Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in
Lane's LiveJournal:
[ << Previous 20 ]
| Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 | | 6:18 am |
I Miss You All So Much,,,
Hey, everybody. If you want a letter from Iraq, here's where you can write to me. 1LT Lane C. Russell HHC 155 BCT Camp Taji APO AE 09378 Now, back to work. | | Sunday, June 28th, 2009 | | 1:46 pm |
| | 11:09 am |
| | Friday, June 26th, 2009 | | 3:19 am |
Writer's Block: Environmental Confession
I selfishly breathe in oxygen, and breathe out carbon dioxide, which is contributing to global warming, or climate change, or whatever they're calling it nowadays. | | Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 | | 9:28 am |
| | Saturday, June 20th, 2009 | | 7:30 pm |
| | Friday, June 19th, 2009 | | 7:58 am |
| | 7:32 am |
Kuwait a minute, mister postman...
So, here in beautiful downtown Camp Beuhring, and even though we are quite literally in the middle of nowhere, and I'm sharing a tent with about seventy other people, I gotta say, this place is pretty awesome. The PX actually has stuff here. I've bought 10 Kuwaiti dinars, plus some other assorted currency that I plan to send home. No word on when we're going to Iraq, though. Could be a few days, could be a few weeks, suits me fine. This place is not bad for getting used to the desert. The dust concentration in the air was pretty high yesterday, which means visibility was about a half mile; on the upside, it shielded us from the sun, so it didn't get ridiculously hot like it probably will today. What strikes me most is my profound sense of disconnection from time itself. My wristwatch is still on Mississippi time, and I'll probably keep it there. My Blackberry's been adjusted to reflect the local time zone, so I'll know exactly what time it is when I need to know. But I cannot instinctively guess at the time here. THe sun also rises ridiculously early, furthering my sense of disconnection. It seems like a dream here-not particularly unpleasant, but...it's like purgatory, I suppose, if you believe in that sort of thing. Still, it's got Camp Shelby licked by a country mile. Yesterday, I had a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cone...IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREAKIN' DESERT!! How cool is that? | | Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 | | 2:48 pm |
GERMANY!
Ok, four-hour layover, five minutes left here. Keyboards configured differently here, y and z switched around among other things. So far, Germany#s nice. too bad we#re not staying. | | Sunday, June 14th, 2009 | | 8:11 pm |
Day 45
So, here at Camp Shelby, waiting to ship out. To explore strange new worlds, etc. Actually, we're going to have a brief familiarization period in Kuwait, then go to Iraq. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can see in Kuwait--the people there still like us for freeing them from Saddam Hussein's tyranny; unlike some particularly ungrateful Islamic sects that I could name ( Sunni Iraqis ). The anniversary of Saddam Hussein's execution, which we made possible, the greatest favor we ever did Iraq, Sunni Iraqis thank us by holding a "We Hate America" rally. Doesn't matter; we did the right thing. 'Cause that's what we do; not to be thanked or rewarded, but because it's right. Like we're going to bring his clone back to life and unleash him on the hapless Iraqi population? How would they learn anything? They'd just die by the thousands. Again.
I has a new laptop--another HP. I like it--it's got a larger screen, more RAM, and costs less than my last one did. It's cool, it will do what I want, and I don't as much of my computers.
I had a four-day pass last week, during which I bought said laptop; applied for a passport; bought a lot of accessories for my new acoustic guitar; paid some bills, went to church, had coffee with my pastor; saw Star Trek, Up, and Terminator: Salvation; and got stuff taken care of. I also partied with my roommates, saw my daughter Amy, and saw my family. My mom met Amy for the first time. I thought that was awesome. I've missed her a lot.
Anyway, I'm goint to sign off. I got a few things that need doing. | | Monday, June 8th, 2009 | | 8:20 pm |
Day 39
I've been praying a lot lately. Here at camp Shelby there are relatively few amusements; consequently, fewer distractions. Lousy for your social life; not bad if you want to catch up on your reading. Anyway, since I've gone back to church, I've tried not to do anything major without feeling out God's will on whatever matter it might be-ever since I played deaf when He warned me to have nothing to do with the woman I eventually married. It is not a matter of arousing His wrath; if I do not walk in the way He directs, I forsake the blessings He desires to give, and I grieve Him for passing up the opportunity to be blessed. The thing is, the only time He's ever spoken clearly to me was in warning me against my future ex-wife. When I'm actively seeking the way He wants me to go, it's like a scavenger hunt-He leaves me clues and hints, things easily mistaken for coincidence. I try to maintain a healthy skepticism to keep from sliding into fanaticism. I'd rather be faithless than fanatic. But I've been following the clues, and so far He's blessed me greatly, increasing my understanding and knowledge. The current project He has me pursuing has caused me a great deal of discomfort and frustration. I've been asking Him if this thing is really what He wants me to do, if I'm not just deluding myself. I'm well aware of people who claim "divine revelation" for this, that, or the other and end up making fools of themselves and whoever follows them. To date, the answer has been "Hang on a little longer." So this morning I open the Bible, hoping to get some reading in, and I doze off.when I come out of my doze, this is what I read as my eyes focus: Jeremiah 31:16 "Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy." And just like when I'd hear a voice say that my wife was cheating on me whenever I'd hear the song, "I Can See For Miles" by The Who, I felt that this verse was the answer to my question. So I guess I'll just hang on. | | Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 | | 10:31 am |
Day 26
Thought for the day: "If computers prove anything, it's that logic and rational thought are useless by themselves." From Frank J at www.imao.us | | Thursday, May 21st, 2009 | | 12:56 pm |
Day 21
My phone died this morning. This means that all of the phone numbers I had for my people are now lost. I need your help--e-mail me your phone numbers at dan_electro56u2@yahoo.com so that I can put them in when I get my phone replaced. if you want letters from wherever I end up in Iraq, include your mailing address. Have to go now. | | Thursday, May 14th, 2009 | | 10:59 am |
day 13
So, we went to the range yesterday. It was supposed to be our organization, qualifying marksmanship--until everybody and their dang mother decided to show up and turn what should have been a simple training evolution into a righteous flustercluck. I've seen better organized games of 52-card pickup. The range personnel were overstressed, and our outfit was the only one there providing range detail--people to help out with little jobs to make the flow easier. I know I got back late, I think the majority of the element made it home before I did, but I can, say for sure. Anyway, there seems to be some confusion about the time for this morning's training. I was told to be here at 6:30, and no one's here... | | Thursday, May 7th, 2009 | | 2:24 am |
day 6
It's been a day. I've got a smallpox and hepatitis B vaccination. Other than that it's been slow. I've put my favorite picture of Justin and _Sey as my phone's home screen. I miss them dearly. | | Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 | | 1:06 am |
Day 4
Here at Shelby doing laundry, shooting the bull with a staff sergeant. I kinda wish I was home right now playing Persona 4; but the fact of the matter is, if I stay home, nothing will change. I won't make any money, things won't happen in the lives of people I love, and I won't grow as a person. I just have to grit my teeth and go for it. But right now it seems that time is passing so slowly...I'd just like to hit the fast forward and get to the next chapter--but I'm meeting new people, and that's a good thing. Anyhoo, I need to sor through my issue. Good night, all. | | Monday, May 4th, 2009 | | 12:48 am |
Day 3
Think I'm adjusting to not going out at night. I'm actually surprised that I have as much free time as I do...but there was more responsibility in the last exercise. I do miss having a car, though. I miss my roommates, and the internet, and knowing I could plug in my guitars and rock, and not doing so because people are sleeping. I miss church. Right now the guys are playing poker. I played last night, learned Texas Hold 'Em. It's a fascinating game. That's about it for tonight-got an early morning. | | Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 | | 5:24 pm |
Day 2
Processing, paperwork, vaccinations...got anthrax, will get smallpox later, and Hep B booster. I'm not worried about the anthrax shot; they've had over a decade to refine it, it should be safe. Just trying to get to the next day. | | 2:58 am |
Day 1
Nothing special, just getting started. Bout to go to sleep and wake up unreasonably early. Love you all. | | Friday, May 1st, 2009 | | 2:04 am |
Last day...
My last day of freedom was a good one. I've enjoyed the love and company of my closest friends and my family for ten days, and in four hours I depart for Camp Shelby. I do not expect to be seen again for four hundred days, though I may be let out for short trips to Wal-Mart or some such. I may see you all again before I return, no way of knowing. If not, I bid you all farewell. You shall see me on LJ or Facebook, I shall update at least semi-regularly. Take it easy, and I'll see you before we know it. |
[ << Previous 20 ]
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
mrmojorisin23's journal