Dinner, Bowling, Go-karting

A few days ago, I went out with a group for a going away. We had dinner at none other than La Terrasse where, if you've been following, you know what I had for dinner. I honestly considered trying something different, but when the time came to order, I just couldn't decide on anything special. Maybe next time...

Dinner was followed by a game of bowling. We split up into teams and of course my team won. I say that like I'm a good bowler--I don't think our cumulative score was much more than 300. What I should have said was that we didn't lose as much as the other teams. Needless to say, I think everyone tired of bowling quickly.

It was still early after we finished bowling so the consensus was to go ride go-karts. Not that a taxi ride in Djibouti isn't a hair-raising enough experience. I was having a great time for about the first 4 minutes. Then my two, yes both, back tires blew out and I had to pit. I don’t think the guy running the track wanted to let me back out, but he finally motioned me to another kart and said something about using the brake instead of sliding around every turn. What fun is that?

For some reason I didn’t take my camera out of my pocket until we were outside in the dark. So my pics for the night consist of some grainy, blurry go-karting pics.


(Giddy up!)


(Don't worry, I didn't run over the guy standing in the middle of the track)

Vroooooooooommm!

Marty

Taking a break

After a harrowing day of work the aforementioned augmentee (whom we'll call Denise--cause that's her name), Sarah (a constant thorn in my side during business hours), and I (just thought I should have parenthesis too) went out for a pizza.


(Sarah and Denise)


(Our taxi driver. I'll just call him Slim)


(I guess the blue dome light is Slim's way of pimpin' his ride. Or we're on our way somewhere for a special)

Thank you Kmart shopper,

Marty

A little busy

I haven't been anywhere except my desk for days now. We kicked off a huge multinational exercise after my last post. Everyone was gone from my office but me and the chief. We were doing fine supporting everyone downrange. We got an augmentee from a higher headquarters and were afraid we wouldn't be able to keep her busy. We were wrong!

If you have been watching any news for Africa, you probably saw stuff about the flooding in Ethiopia. If you haven't heard anything about Africa, why are you reading my blog? (For those of you just joining, Djibouti is a country in Africa)

We have had quite a bit of media attention and have done what we could to encourage it. News shouldn't be just about war and Jon Benet Ramsey. Maybe important for the bottom line for that multinational conglomeration that is pandering to the dollar, but perhaps not everyone is as enamored by "if it bleeds, it leads" news.

Long story short, It's been hectic. Fortunately the exercise has come to a close, the Seabees are wrapping up what they were doing in Ethiopia, and my desk is a mess. I think any sort of filing system I may have utilized before deteriorated rapidly, and here's the result.



Slowing down soon I hope,

Marty

Serious lack of excitement

To be honest, nothing new and exciting has happened here lately outside of work. And that isn't something I care to ramble on about.

I went to dinner at La Terrasse again last night. I got crazy and had the dinner special...again. I suspect the owner, a Lebanese woman, makes the chateau briande the night's special for all her American guests. I'm not complaining; it was delightful. I would just hope she knows Americans will eat something other than beef.

Tonight, I'm going to begin reading a new book (posted to the right>>) Tomorrow's a half day, so I will probably read until I fall asleep. Then I'll read more when I wake up. I told you, nothing new and exciting.

Bored stiff,

Marty

August 7, 1995

The Stream

As I walked along through the woods
I came upon a stream,
a stream that seemed so lonely
a stream that seemed so sad.
So I layed down by the stream
and looked up at the sky.
And as I layed there by the stream
I heard it sing its song.
It sang of spring and autumn
and of times now long gone.
It sang of deer that played along its banks,
and birds that played along.
But as I layed there longer,
the stream it changed its song,
now it sang of death and loneliness,
and of memories gone.
And when the song was finished,
a tear came to my eye,
because I just realized,
that the stream I was hearing was really deep inside.

By Shane Kinney

My brother died on this day 11 years ago. He suffered from kidney failure and ultimately succumbed to complications from it. He struggled with it for several years. Although it seemed sudden to our family, he knew he wasn't going to live to a ripe old age. It was tough for me to get past his death and my eyes are tearing as I type this. My children will never know their uncle. And we’ll never know how great he would have become. I can only imagine what he was thinking about as he approached the stream.

Rest in Peace Bro,

Marty

New Link

In case you didn't notice there's a link to CJTF-HOA on the right side of this page. I only tell you this so I won't have to continue posting links to my stories. There are a couple more stories on that website if you care. Fortunately, we have someone back in the office who is a dedicated writer so you won't see too many more stories from me.

------------------------->

Marty

Still Life

Since nothing new has been happening lately, I thought I would throw some more pictures up to keep you entertained. I took these in various places in Kenya.

After a long day at the MEDCAP, I decided to take a lounge in a hammock that was hanging from a tree. It was quite high and a little hard to get into, but I finally managed. I thought the view made some interesting lines

Some days, beer was available. These are not puny American-size beers.


This bike was one of hundreds at the Mpeketoni clinic.

These were on the island of Lamu. Looks like the US Embassy made the contribution a few years ago.

About 6 of us ate one of these scrumptious snacks for around 4 bucks total. It included a hot chai tea, several different breads and a skewer of the best seasoned meat I've had since I've been here. I think it was beef, but I could be wrong.

Otoscope one of the docs was using.


Many of the doors on Lamu were intricately carved and/or embellished such as this one. I think I'm going to find a similar door for my own home.

There were also many interesting signs hanging in Lamu.







Trying to stay sane,

Marty

Job change, sort of...

So my intention with this blog is to keep people apprised of what I'm up to. Well this is what I've been up to lately...

http://www.hoa.centcom.mil/news.asp?storyid=20060801-001

It seems my job has turned into a bit of a writer position. It's not all bad. I do get to meet more interesting people this way. I'm also sending out truthful information to the masses. Isn't this what public affairs is about?

DINFOS Trained Killer,

Marty

MEDCAP part II

Not to be redundant, but I also did a second story about the MEDCAP. Really! It is a different story.

http://www.hoa.centcom.mil/news.asp?storyid=20060731-001

I'll try to write about something else next time.


S words,

Marty