First spider caught....

Well, its another beautiful day here in Afghanistan. Spring has come and gone, the rain has stopped, the grass is turning brown, it's over 100 degrees and climbing, and the spiders and scorpions are out. Yes, we caught our first camel spider out in our motor pool. I think one of his back legs is broken, but we are trying to keep him in good health until we can catch another scorpion and then we will have a battle royal to the death! I know it sounds bad, but it is great fun and cheap too. I am working on setting up the arena for the battles, and we are starting to build up our contender pool. I will keep you all updated as the bouts begin. Oh the other pic is of my brothers company he used to work for a long time ago. Didn't they go bankrupt? Well, they have a lot of their conex's over here. I have been receiving every ones mail and packages. Thank you a lot for them. Try to limit the chocolate, as it gets horribly melted and ruins everything else in the box. thanks to my mom for sending stuff for the kids at the schools, and of course my wife and kids for all the homemade goodies and finger paintings. Also, thanks to anyone who has sent stuff to us through www.anysoldier.com. You are all loved and appreciated for the support over here. Things are well, and we are staying busy and trying to adjust to the heat. It got up to 115 one day according to my watch, which is very accurate. I do love my suunto. Anyway, hope you are all doing well, and I think about you all daily. Keep us in your thoughts as well. Happy late birthday dad!! Russ.

A Day in my life....

HELLO FROM AFGHANISTAN ONCE AGAIN. I THINK I WILL SHOW YOU A LITTLE INTO THE DAILY LIFE I LIVE HERE. ONCE A MONTH OR SO, WE GO OUT AND SHOOT AT THE RANGE. WE ARE VERY LUCKY HERE, AS WE HAVE A SMALL ARMS AND CREW SERVED RANGE HERE. THAT MEANS WE CAN FIRE EVERY WEAPON THAT WE HAVE. VERY GOOD TO KEEP UP ON THAT KIND OF PRACTICE. YES, THAT IS AN ASV. WE HAVE THOSE AS WELL NOW, SO I AM ABLE TO SHARE MY EXPERTISE WITH ALL THE JOES ABOUT IT. ONCE A WEEK, WE HAVE A BAZAAR THAT COMES AND TRIES TO TAKE OUR HARD EARNED MONEY. THEY HAVE SOME NICE THINGS, BUT YOU HAVE TO BARGAIN WITH THEM. IT’S THE CULTURE. IT IS FUNNY WHEN I SEE OTHER SOLDIERS PAY THE ASKING PRICE. IT WILL BE FUNNY WHEN I GET HOME AND WALK INTO FRED MEYER OR SOMEPLACE AND SOMETHING IS LABELED $19.99 AND I SAY $12. THEY WILL BE LIKE NO IT’S $19.99. I LIKE THE BARTERING; IT MAKES THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE MUCH MORE FUN. THE PIC OF OUR OFFICE IS MY DESK WITH A CAPTURED TALIBAN FLAG I GOT FROM ONE OF MY AREAS. KIND OF A NICE MOTIVATOR FOR THE CAUSE. ALSO GOT A CANDID PIC OF ME EATING SOME MEXICAN FOOD. IT IS NOT TOO BAD, BUT DEFINITELY NOT HOME COOKING. WE KEEP BUSY DOING MISSIONS, BUT WHEN WE HAVE FREE TIME, WE LIKE TO PLAY SPORTS, READ, GET ON THE INTERNET, AND JUST KIND OF CHILL OUT. WE USUALLY GET ONE DAY ‘OFF’ PER WEEK, SO THAT IS NICE. WE HAVE A BARBER HERE, AND HE DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB. THERE ARE ALSO SOME LOCALS HERE WHO DO OUR LAUNDRY, AND ASSIST OUR COOKS. OTHER THEN THAT, THINGS ARE GOOD HERE AND IT IS GETTING A LITTLE HOTTER EACH DAY. IT WILL REACH AROUND 140 IN THE SUMMER. KEEP THE LETTERS AND GOODIES COMING. LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL. RUSS

Just a normal day...

WELL IT’S ANOTHER GREAT DAY HERE. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 90’S AND LOWS IN THE 60’S. UP ABOVE I HAVE A GREAT PICTURE OF THE SUNRISE ON THE MOUNTAINS NEAR JALALABAD. THAT IS A HUB FOR ACTIVITY AROUND HERE. WE GET SUPPLIES, MAIL, AND WHAT EVER ELSE WE CAN ACQUIRE WHILE WE ARE THERE. THE OTHER PICTURE IS OF ME LYING ON THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK, TRYING TO ENJOY SOME SHADE. I THINK MY MEDIC TOOK THE PICTURE BECAUSE I DIDN’T KNOW UNTIL I DOWNLOADED MY PICTURES. THINGS ARE GOING GOOD HERE. STAYIN BUSY AS ALWAYS, BUT ALWAYS FINDING WAYS TO RELAX. I DO ENJOY ALL FEEDBACK ON MY BLOG, AND MAIL AS WELL. WE COLLECT ANY EXTRA STUFF WE GET LIKE HYGIENE ITEMS AND SNACKS AND PUT THEM IN A COMMUNITY PILE. ABOUT ONCE A WEEK, USUALLY WHEN I GET MY HAIRCUT, I TAKE A LOAD OF SHAMPOO, SOAP, AND SHAVING CREAM TO THE ASG, (AFGHAN SECURITY GUARDS). THEY REALLY LIKE IT. THEY DON’T GET PAID A WHOLE LOT, SO WE HELP THEM OUT HOWEVER WE CAN. THEY ARE GREAT GUYS, AND THEY HELP PROVIDE OUR SECURITY. GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO TAKE CARE OF YOU. THEY ARE ALL GOOD GUYS WHO WOULD GIVE THEIR LIVES FOR US AS THEY HAVE DAMN NEAR DEMONSTRATED MORE THEN ONCE. WE ARE LIKE A BIG INTERNATIONAL FAMILY. WE PLAY CRICKET WITH THEM AS WELL. I AM STILL LEARNING ALL THE RULES, BUT IT IS FUN. THEY TALK AS MUCH TRASH AS WE DO, BUT YOU CAN’T UNDERSTAND IT HALF OF THE TIME. THE LAST PIC IS OF THE “GENERAL” AS WE CALL HIM. HE HAS BEEN BUILDING THIS GROTTO FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW, AND IT IS TURNING OUT NICE. IT WILL HAVE SOME TREES AND A SITTING AREA THAT OVERLOOKS THE CAMP. WELL, MORE TO COME. LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL. RUSS.

the aftermath....of a flash flood

Well, we survived the flash flooding from a few days ago. i can only show you a few of the pictures due to op-sec and force protection issues. But I will explain these as best as I can. The one on the left is of some of our hesco baskets, which are 4x4x8 feet tall. you can see the water line reaches almost to the top of them. This was on one of the side which took most of the water run off. It basically hit the wall, filled up and moved until it found a weak spot, the area in the right pic, and BAM, punched a hole. It washed over our HLZ (helicopter landing zone), and washed over a road and more hescos. The damage was quite extensive. But, we got it all cleaned up better the new, so no need to worry. Plus, it probably won't rain like that for the rest of the year. It has been getting warmer here, as the highs are still in the 90's most days. It does cool off to the mid 70's at night. Yeah, at night here it is as warm as it gets back home. Anyway, all of us are doing well and are working on our farmer tans. Yes, we are looking dark and tan on our arms and face, but the rest is still a little white. It is still green here because of all the rain, so I am enjoying that while it lasts. I am sure that it will all turn brown soon enough. Well, if you all didn't know, Ang and I bought a lovely house in Eugene. As soon as she gets some pics to me, I will post them. It is a lovely house as I have seen it on the web cam. The web cam is the best thing ever. I get to see and talk to Ang and the kids. That is a great motivator and morale booster for me. Well, I also signed up for www.anysoldier.com, so if you all want to show some support for me and other troops, go to that web site and see how to help. Also www.operationac.com is another one. I love and miss you all very much and thank you all for the support. Until later, Russ.