Looks like I can add earthquake tremors to my list of real-life environmental experiences. On Thursday, my friend Paul (Canadian guy) and I were having some coffee on the second floor outdoor patio of a building when my cup started rattling. Looking around, we didn’t see any of the things that might make my cup, or as we realized, the building rattle. We laughed it off. Later that night at Canada House, the same time as the Budweiser incident, we all felt the building move a little more. With no way to tune into a TV or radio to check it (even if we did we don’t speak Dari or Pashto), we were left to our own conclusions and certainly no knowledge of a Richter measurement. We already know this area is known for seismic activity and would feel cheated if we didn’t have some now and then. On another environmental note, it rained all day yesterday, which made today one incredibly clear day. The rain cleaned out much of the dust (particulate matter) in the air, known as rain-out. The detail in the mountains was more than noticeable compared to normal days.
I had a good day today providing a lot of information about the army to other directorates that need it. Apparently, the spreadsheet and analysis I put together is useful for many of the plans and operations going on. Tomorrow’s another day. I’ll have my standard briefing to the Commander and many others and then follow it up with a more detailed briefing to the Chief-of-Staff and around 6-8 other generals. Good times.
My friend Jeff, one of the Afghan 5, recently emailed me a picture (see below) he took of me before our last training convoy in Kuwait. It is before dawn, that’s our humvee in the background, and we haven’t showered or shaved in two days. Actually, our showers consisted of excessive use of baby wipes. I am wearing the Interceptor Body Armor (IBA) that you see in the papers and I have referred to before. We wear it every time we leave base and on flights in country. One gets used to it.
11 comments:
My computer has been down all day because Comcast has some sort of outage.However I was still able to get your blog. I'm glad you are doing things that seem to be making a difference. Keep up the good work and impress the 8 or 10 generals you have to impress. I guess you have found out what your Jah really Are and you can move ahead full speed. You may even end up with having a "prime"!!
Talking about weather we seem to have basically the same weather here in NJ that you have in Kabul. Yesterday it was rainy and today a bright sunny sky.It seems to work that way alot. Maybe I've discovered something like Al Gore and I'll get the Nobel Prize and I can run for President! I'll call it Global Drek!
Tomorrow we go to see Stacey and Aaron. Stacey says I have to give him a special Grandfather whippin! You know what that is. Amy and Sami will be there too and you know how he loves them! All I get is $40 for lunch.I get no respect!
Hey Ithan,
Maybe you can get New Jersey professional development hours for the time you spend experiencing and noticing environmental phenomenon like earthquakes and rainout!
I like the way "APRIL" looks on your blog table of contents. More time done and that much closer to coming home!
Jane
Ithan,
Can I borrow that body armor this week? Send it overnight please...Parent/Teacher Conferences are Monday through Wednesday this week.
Anything you'd like me to pass along to your AP Enviro kids? We've got a month to go...time moves too quickly here, hopefully the same can be said for you and your family. Before you know it, you'll be here complaining about heat, humidity, and air conditioning bills!
Had Mil Ed on Thurs...brings new meaning to the few, the proud. Not getting enough action from my honors classes...too worried they should put Amnesty Int. or Viking Vol. on their college transcripts.
Speaking of college, April 14th is the deadline for Joyce Sherman Scholarships...email me if you want to find surrogates for your nominee.
How about them Pirates?
Sean
So the earth moved? That’s how Stephanie and I felt Saturday while canoeing in Pennsylvania Elk country/county. I was telling her things like paddle faster, pry, etc but she kept ignoring me like any good teenager – until we hit the rock. The gunnel reached the water when my brace righted the canoe. It would have been a very cold swim. We did see about ten elk.
The first earthquake I remember was as a freshman at Penn. Who would have thought Philadelphia has earthquakes. More recently (when the kids were young) we had one in Reading. I was sitting in the family room when the slab began to shake like a train was going through. As with any normal parent I was sure the kids had caused it. North of us some houses were damaged.
Our weekend canoeing went well except for some of the meals. The restaurant near Clearfield where we ate had poor food. I won the contest guessing what my entre was with “some kind of meat”. The waitress took it back. Later that evening our family won the Trivial Pursuit game. We would have won faster, but Stephanie kept rejecting my correct answers in favor of her less than correct ones.
We stopped at Penn State and saw Jerry on the way home. Midterms are over so he’s in a good mood. Stephanie used the time in the car to study.
No one remembers the quake we had in Lake George. It was very early in the morning and the house started shaking. Since we know thar the foundation of our house is poured cement an a solid massive rock this is tough to do. After Mom and I got over it we laughed and calmed Fella who liked sleeping with us anyway. We found out the center of the quake was north of us in near Blue Mountain or is it Blue Water Lake. So we get to the song by the "Brothers Four" Blue Water, Blue Water, Blue Water Line. If you haven't got a quarter the you aughter give a dime. If everybody gave then we could save the Old Blue Water Line!
Sean, my Senior AP kids should be emailing me their final college decisions at some point, I hope. They may need a reminder.
I remember the story about the quake at Penn, but not the one in Lake George. Good movie line about the meat, I use that one here quite often.
I started some trouble with a major command near us because of my brief yesterday, but the fire has been put out. It was my usual, people misinterpreting what I say. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and wonder who the enemy is.
I won't have email access for a period of time as I will be travelling. Hopefully, I'll have some interesting things to post when I return. There are other topics I'll put out as soon as I get a bit more time. Take care everyone and I'll be fine.
Ithan,
Will do...I'll see them on Wednesday.
BTW, Steve Dentler and I are auctioning of ties ~ yes, those hideous ones I (mostly) got as gifts from former students as well as college ties that haven't seen the light of day in a while ~ the proceeds of which will be donated to Afghan women in the form of microloans. It is through an organization that was started by two 9/11 widows. We thought the auction would add to Steve's annual "Save the World" fund. I'll email you some of the results, but suffice it to say, the kids have all gone above and beyond. It's a small thing, but the kids feel like they are doing something good which in the end is what it's about.
Sean
Hi I,
Boris here. Sounds like you are having a rockin’ good time over there. The only quake I ever felt was in Tokyo a few years ago, it was a little scary since I was sitting in a coffee shop on the bottom floor of a 40 story hotel at the time. Aside from the low rumble and things shaking around, everyone just stopped in their tracks and waited for it to stop, then just went on like nothing happened when it was over. I think I was still shaking for a few minutes !!!
I did a 25k trail run this last weekend called the Hog’s Hunt. Nice flat mostly single track trail in Huntsville State Park (Huntsville, TX). Finished in 2:05 and change. The best part was when I was done I got to wave and cheer for those in the 50k going out for their second loop. I’m typically in the long group but each spring for the Hog’s Hunt I always do the mini run.
Too bad you can’t get out and do some recreational hiking in those mountains. I went on line and looked at some general photos of Kabul, aside from being quite dry, it looks like some good hiking could be found once you get off the valley floor.
By the way can you tell us what part of town you are in? Or is there some unacceptable risk associated with that?
Take care of yourself,
Boris
4/9/08
Hi Ithan, enough talking to you. I want to meet “Grandfather” at your welcome home party.
Grandfather, My husband was actually in Blue Mountain Lake when the earthquake occurred. It was during a weekend canoeing with a bunch of guys from work. I don’t know if we owned our home up there yet or not. He’ll have to refresh my memory.
Sean, I heard the tie auction is hot and heavy with top $$ going for a Pooh tie. Father’s day gifts????
Back to Ithan, You should be used to administrators who target one
underling at a time. I’m sure you have support in the Stan as you do here.
Good news. Took my mom to get her income taxes done-the only way one can get the Presidents Economic Incentive Package. Her lawyer only charged her $20. I know you all want his name and phone #.
Parent conferences going well since I’ve been home sick all week missing all of them.
Take care,
Terry
Ithan! Sean Cannon is such a delayed reaction - he just gave me your website...LOL!
You and your family are in my prayers. PLEASE let me know if the wife needs anything - I am at her call especially if there's something she needs from Ft. Dix.
Take care of yourself. I am proud to serve with you!
Yoshi Lassiter
Quote: (Winger to Ox) Yoou're a lean mean fighting machine!
Post a Comment