So finally in the Middle East. Been here for a little bit. Doing the typical in-country preperations and training in Kuwait before we head North. It's coming up. More and more intel coming in. It's gonna be some intense stuff. I'm looking forward to it. I'm worried however of some of the guys in my platoon. A couple of them don't belong here. One of them should be at home with his parents and going to school. He tries to act like he's an adult, but he's just a fucking kid. another REALLY doesn't need to be here. He's, how can I put it nicely, a walking imbecile. God Bless him though, because he's a nice kid too. Means no one any harm intentiationally. It's just I really think he doesn't have the mental capacity for some of the things that we'll be doing. And because of that, he'll unintentionally put people in more danger than they're already in. People always think that the Infantry is where all the idiots go. But let me tell you first hand. This is where the best go as well. The men that know the danger they face but accept the challenge. I agree that that without support the infantry would be nothing. But let me tell you what; after being a POG and now coming infantry, there's a huge difference in the caliber of men that are in the Infantry.

Our living conditions are going to suck. Flat out. Water Bottle Showers, Burning Shit. All the good stuff that even I figured to have already been done away with after almost 5 years in the war. Not so.

Oh Well.

Morale's expectedly high. I mean, we're in Kuwait for God's Sake. The worst thing about being here is that we still gotta PT. Ha.

And good lord have Army Women gotten uglier.

EW.

Leavin so soon

It's comin up and yet it doesn't even seem like it. But you can already sense the nervousness in people, even though no one shows it.

It's gonna be interesting as hell. I'll tell you that much.

Took our "Death Photos" today. You know, the photo the Army releases to the media when a joe dies. Well I smiled for mine. Screw lookin all serious and shit. I wanted to make a stupid face but I settled for a simple smile. Oh well.

Some pretty good videos

You know what I hate

Over 4 years into this war and STILL. People don't realize that THERE'S NO LINK BETWEEN IRAQ AND 9/11.

I even got stupid fucking soldiers posting bulletins on Myspace titled: Still want to Pull Out? And then showing pics of 9/11.

WOW....

Not a big surprise when you're Ranked 42nd in the "Quality of maths and science education" Ranking done by the OECD.

We're one ahead of Russia. The three above us? Slovenia, Macedonia and the UAE.

Are you serious.

Americans. My people are so dumb it's embarassing.

So much for Fantasy Football

Good lord, I hope there's internet wherever we're going. My Fantasy football team is awesome. Who knows what It'll be like this time around, and that's what worries, it can go from a big FOB to some rinkydink PB...who knows anymore.

Came back off max leave, had a blast. It was good to see the friends one last time. Got to see my mom, kind of awkward because we both knew it'd be the last time for a long time.

Work wise not much else going on, the rumor machine is on overdrive of course, words of half days till we deploy is in the air, that'd be nice. Got a road march tomorrow for PT. That's gonna kick all of our asses, cuz this kid's only PT was taking shots and smoking cigarettes. And of course, eating, lots of eating.

It's that lingering feeling of uneasiness that's bothering me, the inevitable transition to Iraq, these next 2 weeks are gonna be dreadful