Hello All,

Well it's official, I'm a light-weight. I'm not sure how many beers I drank and I'm positive that I don't know how I got back to the barracks. Not a good thing but at least it's out of my system, and my head is killing me. Did hangovers always hurt like this?

The weather here is beautiful. Rain without mud is great and the evergreen trees are marvelous. I know that I bashed on Wisconsin a year ago but right now I'm in love with the place. Mostly for the weather, but let's not rule out the lack of camels and filth of Iraq. The very best part for me is looking up at a roof instead of a tent. Beds are good but knowing that the roof isn't going to leak or fall down is the best.

I've been craving super nachos for about 6 months and last night I tore-up a plate and went looking for more... but the beer had me and that was the end of that.

Did you know that the bar in the airport in Shannon, Ireland is open at 5 a.m.? That bartender made a pile of cash in tips and the ride got a little bit easier to boot.

Right now I've just finished pushing paper to get out of here and am headed back to the barracks. I need a nap. And a shower wouldn't hurt either...

I love you all,

Will

Hello All,

Well now, here I am (again) in sandy Kuwait. Here I am (again) washing government equipment. Here I am (again) preparing to prepare to go home. I'm not going to dwell on the similiarities of this trip and my last experience in Kuwait because I don't want to jinx what I percieve as good karma, let's hope my dogma doesn't run it over!

Let me tell you about Iraq, and why it's better than Kuwait. Yep, you read it right, Iraq is better than Kuwait for one reason: it's the wild west and nobody messes with you. The rules are those meant to protect you and the chicken-shit of everyday Army life goes right out the window, which is very nice. In Kuwait however, the small minded/powerpoint driven micromanagement driven Army of One (that one and the one I'm in) is alive and well. Flourshing actually. Too bad I don't have time to tell you all about it... but I will as soon as possible. Actually, we've got a pretty good "live and leave me the hell alone or else," attitude going on here at Camp Victory and it is suiting everyone pretty well.

Things are moving well. No exact timelines yet, but that is to be expected. We've got to stay flexible and ready to move on a moment's notice. The wash racks are pretty busy considering that there are only 120,000 troops tring to get the hell out of here. I know that I have quite a few things I want to say before I go but you'll all have to wait...

I love you all,

Will

Hello Everyone,

Goodbye Iraq. By the time you read this I'll be in Kuwait doing what every soldier learns in basic training. Cleaning. The Army is huge on cleaning and I'm a little confused by it all. I mean, the Army always puts us in messy situations full of dirt, sand and lots of other crap and then wants everything to look like new. Well fine, just as long as YOU know that's an old piece of crap and I know that it's an old piece of crap I'll make it look like a fine piece of Army equipment worth the tax payers cash.

But the real reason is so that we don't bring any nasty Iraqi bugs home that will screw up the US ecology. That is a good reason to clean the hell out of anything (I like to eat). Well, I'd better get going, it's time to load the truck.

I love you all,

Will

Hello All,

I'm so short you have to dig a hole to kick my ass! I'm so short I can parachute off a dime! Yep, less than 20 days to 365 in theater and I'm stoked about it. The replacements are here and even though their command seems to be dragging their heels a bit (see Typical) the train-up has begun and packing as well.

There is a common fear, however, that we are not quite done yet. That we'll get jerked (again) and find ourselves facing another mission in someplace that isn't home. I guess we're all used to it and most don't want to get their hopes up, but I'm trying to remain positive on this.

It's still quiet here, kinda spoiling the new guys but that's ok. They will get to learn all the fun and games in their own time anyway.

I love you all,

Will

PS - buy stock in Budweiser.