So long Iraq..........

Damn, it's been so long since I've signed in I couldn't remember my password.

Well like the title says I’ve left Iraq. It was getting time to move on and try something different plus I needed to get registered for classes anyways. I’m going to miss the paycheck and some of the people but overall I’m glad to be back. I owe Jean a huge thanks too for getting me back in such a timely manner- thanks!

I suppose I ought to write up a “Things I learned while I was in Iraq” piece and maybe I will later. I suppose I could also speak freely about the company now that I’m no longer employed with them but what would be the point? I knew it was going to be a learning experience going into the job and it was. I expected things to be much worse than they were so honestly I can’t complain too much. It still amazes me how many folks are showing up and whining though- for all of those arriving now and complaining, you are a bunch of wimps! Get over it or go home.

So anyways, in the short time I’ve been back I’ve visited some friends, registered for classes, gotten the VW camper back, started looking for a place to stay, drank too many frappachino drinks, finished Call of Duty and the expansion pack, celebrated Thanksgiving with my family, dropped Chris’ Jeep off to get the power steering fixed and basically accomplished little else of note. I need to complete the on-line financial aid form this week for school.

Hmm, what else? Well in no particular order: Dremel Tools has excellent customer service! I sent in a broken Dremel Tool and since it was less than five years old they fixed it and had it back to me in about a week for free and even threw in a grinding stone attachment. That’s service! I didn’t get that kind of service on my expensive 18V Dewalt drill.

The Westy is running extremely well although it’s sidelined at the moment awaiting a new fuel filler gasket. Yes, the old one decided to start leaking so now it leaks fuel out the right rear fender well, particularly when making a left hand turn (the fuel sloshes into the filler pipe and out the cracks). I need to finish the headliner and install the overhead light as well as the mud flaps. I don’t see me restoring another vehicle any time soon. It’s a never-ending process where you can just keep dumping money into it.

I still need to find a place to live and a place to store my junk. Yep, my stuff is still stored on my old neighbor’s property until I can figure out where to put it. I’m thinking I ought to just get rid of most of it too. Kudos to my neighbors though, they just don’t make folks like that anymore- they are truly nice people.

I went and saw the Trans-Siberian Orchestra the other day. Wow! While they might not be exactly my type of music they do put on a hell of a show. The technical side of the show was extremely good and the musicians were all very tight with each other. It was an interesting show and I recommend it to anyone who can catch them- they are worth seeing. Eighties hair rock and Christmas music- who’d have thought of that?

Not much else than I can think of off the top of my head. Anyone with questions, feel free to ask them.