DID YOU KNOW? I'M HUGE IN..............BARNEVELD, WISCONSIN!?!?

It's official..... I have a following! My friend JD, here in Iraq, with the 101st Airbourne Division has a weekly article about his experiences in the Iraq war in his hometown of Barneveld, Wisconsin. The article is featured weekly in "The Dodgeville Chronicle". My finger incident made such an impact he decided to include it in his column. Now the world, or a small part, can read about my shenanigans! So first a little Geography lesson, where in the world is Barneveld??? Lets check the map!

JD was kind enough to give me a copy of the weekly article and I had planned on posting it here for all to see. I tried to scan it and was successful but the format was not recognized by "Blogger". Unfortunatly there is no on-line version of the Dodgeville Chronicle but I swear I am in it!! I also hear there is a fan-club forming in the area!!

WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN?

With all the success in the movie industry centered around comic book adaptations it is no wonder that the "Watchmen" will finally be making their big screen appearance March 6th 2009. This 12 part series/graphic novel written by Alan Moore and released in 1986 through DC Comics, has been hailed the "Citizen Kane" of the industry and the only comic book title in history to win the Hugo Award and be recognized by Time Magazines 2005 list "The 100 best English language novels"

Here is the official movie website:

http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/

and Wikipedia for everything you need to know about WATCHMEN:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmen_(film)

EMPIRE MAGAZINE has a few covers for their upcoming issue on the movie, they look fantastic!

So, look for it in 2009, it's gonna be incredible! Directed by Zack Snyder who brought us "300".

"..the world will look up and shout "Save us", and I'll whisper "No".

Rorschach

NEVER LOOKING FOR TROUBLE, ALWAYS FINDING IT!

Just over a week ago we were all standing around the bay waiting to go to dinner......thats supper for those reading this from up North. My young buddy Mikey was doing his usual "poking" me in the mid-section, he knows i am sensitive there and I jump when he does it. long story short, I decided to grab him around the waist and as I picked him up he swung his legs around me.....which I didn't expect and lost my balance. We fell into a T-wall that had some sharp, broken areas and my thumb got ground-up pretty good. Thankfully Mikey escaped my clumsiness without serious injury.

Still not quite sure why I am posting these pictures, they are kinda gross......as a matter of fact the Medic who sent them to meeven labled the email "gross finger". There you have it, a professional opinion.

Initially I went to the KBR Medic, Andrea. She is very cool and was going to do my stitches but the cut was not clean and very jagged so she decided to let the TMC do the honors. TMC, another Military abbrevition stands for "Troop(OK JD DAMMIT!! LOL!!) Medical Clinic". Basically someone in my position and with my injury becomes a practice dummy for young, aspiring, ER hopefuls. Dummy being an excellent choice of words under the circumstances I was seen by a young comic/cartoon happy guy (We talked about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the whole time while Andrea and the Doctor rolled their eyes) and his seasoned superior. She would show him how to administer the numbing agent, he would take a turn, she would do a stitch, he would take a turn...mess up....take it out...try again....mess up...take it out...seeing the pattern yet? Anyway, 6 stitches and 4 hours later I had been the proud new recipient of my first-ever stitches! Surprisingly not too bad, I expected much worse.

So now the pictures! Those with weak stomachs may want to look away........now!!!

YECH!

GROSS!!!

LOOK OUT!!!

HERE THEY COME!!!

There you go folks! I know what you're thinking......"It takes talent to fuck up a finger like that!!"....and i'm full of it! So, lesson learned, no shenanigans. I'll be staying under the radar the remaining time I have here in Baghdad, HQ has sent people home for far less. Just call me Thumbs, it caught on quick! Thanks for reading and go back to your dinner/supper, depending on where you are reading this!

RANDOM PHOTOS

I have hundreds and hundreds of pictures on my computer that I need to get posted. There is a lot of beauty here in the architecture and stone carvings despite the poor quality of work. So here are some points of interest around the base. Enjoy!

The main entrance of the JVB (Joint Visitors Bureau) Hotel

Two stone murals on a building the Australian Military occupies.

Some detailed work at the MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) Building.

Al Faw Palace

There is some nice foliage and flowers around here after all!

This is a carving Saddam had made depicting the USA sending humanitarian aide to Iraq.

K911!!! STOP OR MY DOG WILL LIFT HIS LEG!!!

A couple of months ago we inspected the K9 unit on South Victory. The kennels are located about 1/4 mile down the road from our station. Of course, being an animal lover I thought it to be a great photo op. A big thank you to all the trainers for bringing out the pups. K9 "working dogs" are not merely a pet, but usually a specific breed of dog with the ability to learn and perform a set of tasks. These gifted animals train on a daily basis, wether it be to detect explosives or cadavers, they are utilized as a valuable tool in the war on terror.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_dog

Military working dogs first officially entered the service in 1942, although they were utilized in the first World War (1914-1918) in what became the Armys first K9 Corp. Today the dogs, who have an actual military service record book, are commonly described as, "More than a dog, a soldier, a partner." In World War II, 436 scout dogs walked scout patrols overseas, often detecting enemies at 1000 yards, long before men could be aware of them. During the Vietnam War nearly 4000 dogs were employed and officially 281 were killed in action. As of 2004 there were 2300 dogs employed by the Department of Defense, a majority of them being German and Dutch Shepards. Enjoy these pics of my new best friends!!

We had a great time hanging out with the dogs and their handlers, although you must understand their purpose and what they are capable of doing, in a social atmosphere these pups just want their belly rubbed just like you and me.....er, I meant like our dogs....woof!

I can never say no to kisses!

Sportin the "Doggles", these are actual eye-wear designed for Canines and utilized by the Military for the harsh iraqi climate

Please can I keep him, he followed me home from the Mosque!!!


This is where the phrase, "Dog-faced Soldier" must have come from!



The team.

Pam and the Pup.

Another Team.

Playtime is over..............

FRIENDS ON THE F.O.B.

Anyone who has been keeping up with the blog has read in the past that the Military loves to abbreviate! It's almost comical at times and I usually have no idea what they are talking about. I just nod my head in acknowledgment. F.O.B., I learned about two months ago, it stands for Forward Operating Base. Basically, F.O.B. Victory is where I live.

I have had the pleasure of meeting a passel (thats for you Mikey!) of great people here on the VBC, Victory Base Camp so i'd like to share some pictures with you. Last names and rank will be left out, some people, like Lori, don't like their picture taken so I, on occasion, have to be sneaky! Enjoy!

Brian, Weed and Joel


Soldiers at a Firehouse BBQ

The former Victory Mayors Cell, out of Ft Meade Md!!

Pam, Top (Howard County Fire Chief) and Lori


The Lord Darth Vader, an actual Sith lord....I believe he is in interrogations, water-boarding don't look so bad now! He's been eating too much DFAC food like me!

Some Very Lovely Aussie Ladies (Slummin it) with Greg!

Cody fell asleep on dispatch and Smitty wrote"I Love Wolffie" on his forehead! LOL!!

Fellow Contractor Blogger Chris from Balad

http://www.chrisiniraq.blogspot.com/

My own private security detail!!

Smitty, repairing my DVD player for me

"MY TRUCK SMITTY!!!"

JD, one of the real heros over here in Iraq!

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!

hinHappy 4th of July everyone! Things here on the VBC are decorated Red, White and Blue and the BBQ grills are full steam ahead ( I have a sneaking suspicion the fireworks won't be going off around here). I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends. I may be here for work but there are thousands and thousands of people making holidays what they are. Through their selfless dedication and bravery they mold a better future for we as Americans and countless other nations around the world. please think about their sacrifices, past and present and show them thanks when you can.

Now being the STAR WARS Uber-geek I am, I found this picture and had to post it. Enjoy!