Scattered thoughts
I haven’t written in a couple of days. Not because I didn’t want to. Time seems to slip away, even here, and before I know it, it’s late and I didn’t get to everything that I had hoped.
This BLOG is becoming more than I had expected. I had imagined that it would be something that I hadn’t tried before. Something with a new sparkle in the computer world. I suppose it’s not new in the true sense of the word, but new enough and certainly to me.
I actually find myself thinking, during the day, about what I will write when the day is done. I guess, I kind of look forward to the way it documents what I do here and maybe in some way, it’s therapeutic and helps me deal with the days stresses. In short, it’s good way to close out the day and put my mind at ease.
Yesterday, we had an aircraft come into a 100 hour service. One of the requirements for this service is that we install computer equipment on the aircraft which gathers vibration measurements from sensors mounted in specific locations. The process requires a maintenance test pilot to run the aircraft with the measuring equipment mounted externally. Most of the time, the test pilot takes his place in the left seat and a mechanic or crew chief sits in the right front seat. I decide to put “Bear Cub” in the front seat this time. I remember my first time sitting in the front seat with the aircraft running. It’s such an awesome feeling when the test pilot says, “you have the controls.” For five or ten minutes, the mechanic holds the controls while the test pilot takes the measurements with the computer. It may seem that I am exaggerating, but the feeling of power, while just sitting there being in total control of that awesome machine, was overwhelming to me. I wanted “Bear Cub” to have that same experience.
When the testing was finished, I saw that I had accomplished what I had set out to do. “Bear Cub” was grinning ear to ear and had taken another marked step down the road of his life. It’s a marker that he will never forget. It may sound like nothing to you, but it’s a feeling that’s indescribable. A great feeling of power.
Yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday. It seems to me that the Army holds this day in higher regard than any other day of the year. I have been deployed several times during Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and other special days but it seems that no matter where we are or what the mission, there’s always time for the Super Bowl. Since the game was televised on Armed Forces Television, the commercials were edited out. While you were seeing the newest Budwiser commercials, we were learning how much trouble we will get into if we sexually harrass another soldier. While you were watching the newest Rebock commercials, we were learning that drinking and driving could cost your military career. It just didn't seem the same without all of the great commercials.
Since we are eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time here, it was a 2:30 AM kickoff time here in Iraq. The unit arranged to have a “party’ with some food, soda’s and non-alcoholic beer (we call it “near beer”) from the mess hall. If we desired to attend, we were SUPPOSED to be able to report for work at noon today. At 8 Am this moring, the knocks on my door began. Where’s this? What are we going to do about that? Where is this part? On an on. Nobody would leave me alone. The plan to sleep in was only wishful thinking. So much for the “best laid plans of mice and men…”
I have more to write but it’s late. There’s always tomorrow and seems to be no shortage of material to write about. I feel like my thoughts were scattered on this post. I’ll do better next time. I promise!
It was suggested to me that I provide a contact address for feedback. If you would like to write, feel free to email me at merlin@rixnet.net
For now… I bid you a good night!
Somewhere in Northern Iraq,
“MERLIN OUT!”
posted by Merlin @ 10:18 PM
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