My Experience during OIF

Final Word

2005-09-10T07:53:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting here about to take my computer off of the internet for good and I thought it would be a good thing to write one last post. I'm picturing this coming across like one of Jerry Springer's "Final Thoughts" that he gives at the end of each show.
It's been a long year, full of both good and bad times. Everyone here gives some to the cause and some give all to the cause. Either way I think we're all leaving here a different person. I have a greater understanding and appreciation for how some parts of the world are forced to live. Being in the states you don't think much about it and realize how bad it can be for these people. Many of you are probably questioning if we made any improvements in our year here. I know the news mostly reports the bad stuff so it may not seem like we're making any headway. I'd have to argue that though. I think we've done an incredible amount of work and accomplished more then any mathematician can add up. The things we've done here won't be read in the history books in numbers, or in statistics. In 20 or 30 years when tourists are traveling here to see places spoke about in the bible, it is then they you'll see what we've accomplished. You'll see a free country and a country in which the leader doesn't keep all of the money for himself. The people will not be living in poverty and sickness but will be prospering and happy.
Ok, I don't want to sound like a preacher. Most of all I wanted to let you all know that I am thankfully for the people who have read this blogger. It has been a great way for me to put some thoughts down and to get info out to my friends and family. I will be on the internet here and there, but not with any consistency. I love you all, and I miss you all. Also now I can say it and mean it, I will see you all soon.

Scottie

Spades

2005-09-03T15:38:00.000-04:00

Ok if you haven't ever played spades then you're missing out. It's a card game that is very common amongst people in the military and it can be a lot of fun. I'm not as good as many of the people who have been playing it for a while but I'm ok. Regardless of my skills I decided the other day that we would teach your Iraqi workers how to play. We really tried to teach them the bare minium but even that was hard. There isn't a great point to this story just don't have much else to talk about and thought I should write because soon I will not have the internet access I've enjoyed for the last 11 month. Soon I will be completely packed up and on my way back to the US. I hope this finds you all well.

Love you all, miss you all

Scott

CPT Eddy

2005-09-01T01:28:00.000-04:00

I hope this finds you all well. It is Sep 1st here and today I got promoted to Captain. I've been waiting on this for a little bit. The list came out in March and since then it's been a waiting game for my month to get promoted. There isn't a change in my job or anything like that, but I am getting paid a little more and have a little more rank to try to throw around. I just wanted to take a second to write because I really haven't been good about it lately. I have to run but hopefully I'll have a good story soon.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Road Trip

2005-08-28T01:53:00.000-04:00

Ok, as it stands now I am planning a big road trip from WA back to RI. It would be till late Nov or early Dec but I'm trying to put some thought into it. I thought I'd see what you all though. If you could stop anywhere in the US where would it be?

Been a While

2005-08-27T01:32:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know it's been a while since I've written. Sorry for scaring some of you but I've just been a little busy with all the prep for coming home. Nothing new to report really, our counterparts are slowly arriving and people are getting excited about going home. I will write again soon, for now everyone take care of themselves.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Mail

2005-08-15T14:19:00.000-04:00

Ok, if you haven't sent it yet then stop. If you send anything now it will get redirected back to WA and I will probably not see it. Life is good, just busy. Hope this finds you all well.

Love you all, miss you all
Scott

No luck

2005-08-09T15:39:00.000-04:00

Ok well I wish I had a story to tell about my life but infact I am boring as hell. I do however have a story that was told to me from a soldier that deserves repeating. So here it goes..........

So no Sh#% there (we'll call him Tom to hide is true identity) "Tom" is, it's 0230 and he realizes that he has a message he's got to pass on to his XO (me). He knows that I just took the two new people down to Pad 3 to get them into their rooms and asleep. So he walks down the hill and starts searching around the first part of the pad. Now as he decides to go to the other part of the pad he starts walking in between to bathroom trailers. It's really dark out to begin with and it is even darker between the two trailers. Well as "Tom" is walking he all of s sudden falls almost face first, it seems his leg has fallen in a whole. Now he starts to feel it getting a little wet and thinks he may be bleeding because it didn't feel the greatest falling that way. He's all pissed off, jumps up as fast as he can and goes back to his room on pad 3. He gets to his room opens the door and in a fit of rage throws his bag down and half glimpses his wet leg, no big deal, he is still worried that there might be bleeding so he goes to the latrine to clean up, when he walks in there is someone standing there brushing their teeth and they take one look at him and of course ask the question "what the Fu#% happened to you?" Of course the reply is "don't ask" so at this point "Tom" takes a really good look at his leg and realizes that it's covered in brown, think, sticky (you guessed it) sh#$! Now "Tom" is even more angry realizeing that you just fell into a sewer hole can do that to you. The guy that is already in the latrine leaves in disgust and "Tom" grabs someone's shampoo and mouth wash that has been left there and starts to pour it into his boot in an attempt to save it and not have to throw it away. At the same time he turns on the shower and then throws the boot in the shower and lets the water run into it. He then in a small fet of rage jumps partially into the shower to wash off his leg. The instant the water hits his leg it burns the hell out of him and he jumps back out. So now here is "Tom" with the back of his leg scraped up badly, the front of his leg burned and he still has shit on over 90% of his leg.

The morale of this story is, if you were complaining about your day at work or anything of that nature realize it could be worse. You could be covered in sh@#.

Love you all, miss you all

Scott

Rain Storms

2005-08-05T16:57:00.000-04:00

I just got an email from a friend of mine (Pammy D) and she was talking about a thunderstorm that is going on in RI. It made me remember something from when I was a kid that made me smile. If you don't know I have an older brother (Shannon), we didn't always get along but right now he's one of my best friends, and biggest supporters. I'm not sure if he'll even remember this but I have a very vivid memory of sitting in the back of a hatch back with the hatch up. In our drive way on Hayden Ave, we couldn't of been more then 10 and 12. We were lieing in the back looking out at the rain storm and throwing rocks, and talking. I think that is why I love New England thunderstorms. The sky changes a odd color, actually makes everything seem a different color, somehow more alive. It comes and goes, and when it's done you can go run through a puddle, do anything at all and it will be fun. I guess that will be my random thought for today, just wanted to write something and let you all know I am still here. Getting a little short on time, in fact my replacement will get here soon and that will just make it seem even more like time to go home.

Love you all, miss you all.
Scottie

Skyline

2005-08-02T18:28:00.000-04:00

It's weird how a place that can be so unwelcomeing can also be so much like home. I was on my way back to my FOB tonight and we were on what we call route Saab. There is a bridge, I'm sure it has a name but I don't know it. It was the funniest thing, as I was driving over the bridge I really took a good look at Mosul's skyline. I hadn't really ever taken a second to look at it. Normally when we're driving through the city I'm so focused on allyways and things like that that I don't take the time to enjoy the view. Not that there is a terrible amount to look at but the skyline reminded me of something. It reminded me of the ride from Narragansett to Newport and coming over the bridge and being able to see all the lights of Newport. It was a good memory to have and it definately a moment of looking at the city and enjoying what I saw.
I know I haven't been writing to much lately but I've been busy with preparations for leaving this place and some other work stuff. I'll try to get on every few days but I'm making no promises. I will say that things here have been really good and quiet (knock on wood) compared to the first a few months ago. Still some bad stuff but I don't know if that will ever stop in this part of the world. To many years of pain and problems to be solved overnight.
Ok, well I'm off to bed. I love you all and miss you all.

Scott

This or That

2005-07-27T08:03:00.000-04:00

I haven't written in a few days and I'm sitting hear trying to decide what to write about. Do I talk about the fact that the city has been pretty quiet, how it's been hotter then I've ever imagined, how a good man who I worked with for 9 months is hurting really badly back at Walter Reed Hospital, do I talk about my parents coming to visit me in WA when I return. I don't know what to talk about but I do know I'm ready to head out of this country. I haven't had as bad of an experience as it could of been, or as many of my friends have. My job kept me pretty shelterred and safe from danger. At least most of the time it did anyway. Now after 10 months have gone by I've hit a wall. My mind is just burnt out and all I can think of is going home. I should be back in WA around Oct 1 and I expect to stay there till around 15 Nov, maybe a little longer but not much. I'll head back to RI and we'll see where I end up from there. I have a plan but it still needs some work so for now I'm not counting anything until it happens. When I get back to RI I'm going to get an apartment somewhere with Matty. So if you're wondering where I'll be, so am I, you'll have to ask Matty where the apartment will be. As you can tell I don't have much to say about anything really but a whole lot of little bits about different things. If that even made sense. I hope everyone is doing well where ever this finds them.

I love you all, miss you all

Scottie

"See you on the high ground"

2005-07-22T06:07:00.000-04:00

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:
'Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.
'Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Before the Battle of Agincourt
25 October 1415

Bloggers

2005-07-21T08:12:00.000-04:00

Ok, well I hadn't realized how big Blogs were at first but I have been learning more and more about this new craze and I think I've even encouraged and ex to do one. Well anyway there is a young reporter named Michael Yon who has been doing an excellent job of reporting events here in Mosul. In fact I'd argue that he has done far better reporting then any of the major networks. The difference is all of his reporting has been documented on his Blog. I wanted to pass along this link. It has a ton of entries and goes back months. I hesitated to point everyone in the direction of this link because Michael doesn't hold back on what has been going on. Don't get my wrong he doesn't describe anything gory he just talks about what has happened. I tend to not mention a lot of the stuff around here in an attempt to calm some nerves. I would like everyone to take a few seconds and check out Michael's blog though. I think he deserves some good attention and I hope we see his name attached to news for a long time.

http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Temperature

2005-07-21T08:03:00.000-04:00

Ok so this place has been getting hot. I try to stay in my AC as much as possible but of course that isn't possible all day long. A couple of days ago we hit a new high of 123. I had never heard of that as a temperature outside, I thought that was how hot you cooked a turkey at. Ok, a little bit of exaggeration but you get my point. Other then the temp nothing much up here. Just doing the same stuff, working out a little, when I can tear myself away from my Xbox. Thank god I don't own one back in the US, I wouldn't ever get anything done. I know I haven't been doing the best job keeping in touch with everyone but I promise if you send an email I'll write back. Might not be the same day but I will write back. I'm going to go work on yet another spreadsheet tracking one of the aspects of my job. Bye for now.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Fatherly

2005-07-14T15:11:00.000-04:00

Ok, not that it's a big shock but I'm a fan of kids and of babies. My friend Pam sent me a link to her daughter Isabel's pictures and I happen to be in one so I thought I'd share the link. This baby is adorable and her mom is a good friend so if you have a free second check it out.
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/3/319

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Not Smart

2005-07-14T09:58:00.000-04:00

So no Sh#$ there I am playing Halo with a few buddies when we get a radio call to come see the boss. Ends up that there are 2 older gentleman from Souther California that have made the trip to Mosul to preach the word of god. Lets think about that for a second. 2 older, white, american men travelled to one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Is this smart? I think not. Either way it is good that we found these gentleman before someone not so nice did. For example, I don't know if you all remember the woman that had travelled to baghdad to support the Iraqis and show her support against the US. She got blown up in a car bombing, they didn't care what she had to say. I write about this for 2 reasons, 1 There is nothing else going on at all , 2 if anyone who reads this has ever thought about doing something similar you need to realize that it is a dumb idea. Ok that being said I'm off to another meeting, because that is what I do.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Nothing to Report

2005-07-14T01:57:00.000-04:00

I wish I had a story to tell or something to write about but there really hasn't been much going on here. Just a lot of thought and planning going into the plan for going home. I can't really say on line the date but a lot of people know and I'm sure they will spread the word. Regardless of the date I'll be heading back to WA for a little bit and then hoefully back to the greatest state in our fine nation, Rhode Island. If you are reading this and you haven't ever made a trip to RI you should take a weekend and head out. I've lived in AZ, GA, WA, driven across the country (once in the N. and once in the S), up and down the east coast around 6 times, and to a number of other states to visit friends. After all that traveling I have to say RI is still the greatest state. Sorry if I'm breaking the heart of all of our Texas readers. Ok, well I guess I should digress and get back to work. I hope this finds you all well and safe.

Love you all, Miss you all
Scott

The Tigris River

2005-07-07T08:14:00.000-04:00

If you haven't heard of it the Tigris river is one of the two most historic rivers in history. The area between the Tigris (in the east) and the Euphates (in the west) has long been thought to be the place where civilization began. It because of these two rivers that a great civilization grew, it was possibly the birth place of a number of mathematical concepts. People used to travel this area to be educated. Unfortunately times have changed and this area is not the great place it used to be. It is in the process of rebuilding but that will take a long, long time to complete. I've had the lucky opportunity to walk the bank of the Tigris and it is easy to see that is was once a great river but like this country it has gone down hill for a while and now is in a sad state. Made me think of the power of nature, the idea of Karma, and things like that. It seemed to me that the river's fate and the fate of this land have always been and will always be connected. By looking at the river I realized that it is in these people to be great. It is in these people to rebuild and strive for greatness. Maybe once again joining the other great civilizations that exist today. Ok, enough of my corny writing, I only wish I had the skills of some people I know and was able to articulate my thoughts better.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

FOBbit

2005-07-04T10:04:00.000-04:00

This cartoon appeared in a recent edition of "The Army Times". I hope I'm not breaking copy write laws but posting it but I had to because it is so funny. Many people don't ever get to leave the FOB. These people have been given the nickname of Fobbits. Like anywhere else in life we in the army like to bust people chops. Obviously the word FOBbit is a cross between 'hobbit' and 'FOB'. In all actuality not leaving the FOB is a good thing. Many of the people who do get to leave wish they didn't. Either way I thought some of you would appreciate this.

Love you all,
Miss you all

Scott

Away Message

2005-06-29T15:14:00.000-04:00

First off I have to take a second to tell you all something that I wasn't going to tell you. I'm once again single and not by choice. Other than that you're getting no info because it's really non of your business. I had to tell you though, or else this post would of made me look like a di#$.

Ok, no sh#$ there I am sitting at my computer and I decide to write to Matty's girl friend and say hi. Kate is a sweet girl who has been nice as hell to me. I wanted to write her and ask her to pass my blog address along to a friend of her's. In an attempt to spark some interest before I get back to the states. Now I know she has an away message up but I figured I'd just leave the message and she could read it later. So when I write it automatically send her away message which to my surprise is a portion of a conversation we had yesterday:

"Scott13112: I need to meet new women. I was directed to your pictures and I saw one I liked...
Scott13112: what is her deal
kissmekate1104: well shes 18 lol [he's 27]
Scott13112: it's legal

love that dirty old man!"

"now I don't care who you are, that's funny."

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Pool

2005-06-29T11:23:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd include a picture of one of our soldiers in the pool which recently opened. I wasn't going to tell anyone about it because I dont want people to think that it is a resort over here because it is nothing like that. The contractors here who are in charge of the Morale Wealthfair and Recreation (MWR) center put in a lot of time to get this pool operational and it deserves a little attention. It is good to see that even with the amount of work we've been doing lately, because it has been that busy, some of the soldiers still get a few seconds to hop in the pool and relax. Also I wanted to test this new way of putting a picture into a blog. It seems to work pretty well so I'm happy. you'll probably get more pictures now.

Love you all, miss you all
scottie

Interactive blog

2005-06-27T15:32:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'm going to try something new. I'm going to try my first interactive blog. Here is the question and I expect a few replies, at least.

IF YOU COULD SEE THE FUTURE, WOULD YOU TAKE A LOOK?...................AND WHY OR WHY NOT?

Ok, start replying.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

2005-06-23T05:54:00.000-04:00

Of all the things my soldiers could of taught the Iraqi guys that work for me they chose to teach them to throw up gang signs. From left to right: Ahmed, Ahmed (2), Rafa, Mahmut(2). There are multiple Ahmeds and Mahmuts, almost like Johns and Joes in the states. These 4 are good men and I am glad to call them friends. Love you all, miss you all. Scottie

SERKA

2005-06-23T01:24:00.000-04:00

SERKA is a Turkish corporation that provides a huge number of personnel for jobs on US bases throughout the world. They are hired through Kellogg Brown and Route (KBR) which is a subsidiary of Haliburton. Which most people have heard of because of the vice president and other politicians that own stock but that is a different story for a different conversation. Ok, so basically there are a large number of Turkish people here on FOB Courage and on other FOBs in the area. I've become a big fan of the Turkish food especially the cheesy Bread. That might be surprising to some of you because I hate cheese for the most part but the Turkish bread has always been really good.

So no SH#% there I was, down at the SERKA site manager's office for tea. He breaks out some bread and tells me I have to eat some. I happily break a piece off and start to chew on it. Well I don't know what kind of cheese this bread was made with but it was not the same kind I was used to. In fact I almost puked at the first taste of it. The good thing was I had some tea so I through a bunch of sugar in it and used it to chase the bread. I got through about half the piece they had given to me and I just couldn't take anymore. So we went on talking and I finished my tea. Which isn't hard because they always give it to you in what is basically a glass dixie cup. I could knock back like a shot if I wanted to. But anyway, I finish the tea and I start to try to say good bye when he tells me I have to finish my bread. I tried to tell him I wasn't hungry, that I had just ate lunch but he didn't care. In their culture like most of Europe and the middle east, it is rude to not finish food. So I requested another glass of tea, suped it up with a ton of sugar and started again to chase the bread with the tea. I know it's not the greatest story but I thought I'd make an attempt to get one of you too laugh. Ok, well that is all I have for the good of the group today.

Love you all, miss you all

Scottie

Correction

2005-06-22T09:38:00.000-04:00

I want to thank my friend Pammy D for taking the time to look up this correct version of the quote I made a couple of days ago. For those who don't know Pammy D she is a Prov. girl with just enough attitude. In a good way, she is also the mother of a beautiful baby girl named Isabell. So thank you Pammy D and I hope I talk to you soon.

Says Polonius to Laertes. Act 1 Scene III a room of Polonius' house. "There; my blessing with thee!And these few precepts in thy memorySee thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,Nor any unproportioned thought his act.Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;But do not dull thy palm with entertainmentOf each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. BewareOf entrance to a quarrel, but being in,Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;For the apparel oft proclaims the man,And they in France of the best rank and stationAre of a most select and generous chief in that.Neither a borrower nor a lender be;For loan oft loses both itself and friend,And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.This above all: to thine ownself be true, And it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man.Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!

long day.....................

2005-06-20T22:16:00.000-04:00

"....above all else, to thy own self be true....."

2005-06-18T10:53:00.000-04:00

So we had some visitors last night. It was really great to have a group come out to see all the soldiers and to try to make it a good night for the. The girls from the Arizona Cardinal's Cheerleaders put on a great show. They performed for almost 2 yours and the boys definately enjoyed it. I just want to thank them once again for coming out, it was great to have them.

2005-06-18T10:49:00.000-04:00

Visitors:

Squita Net

2005-06-13T16:19:00.000-04:00

So here in Iraq there is a little mysquito problem. I mentioned it about a week ago well some nights are good and some nights are bad but last night and tonight deserve a little attention.
So no Sh#$% there I was getting into bed, which involves crawling under a mysquito net to stop me from getting bit. Yeah that didn't work. So I get in bed role over and I'm not there a min when I feel a mysquito bite my arm. I then pull my sheet up to my ears and try to go back to sleep when I'm bit again, well needless to say this little guy was pissing me off. He bit me about 5 times before I killed the son of a bi#$%. Well tonight I'm not taking any chances. For whatever reason there is an abnormally large amount of mysquitos in my room. So I've gone and got 'OFF' from my supply room and I've covered myself in it. The funniest part is it's working. I'm not getting bit at all. So maybe there is a good night's sleep in store for me. I'll have to let you all know tomorrow.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Daddy's gone

2005-06-13T16:02:00.000-04:00

When daddy is gone the kids will play. Well the boss is gone and oh are the kids playing. In fact I can't handle them at all. I've lost a Humvee, had a kid shoot himself and no one is listening to a word I say. In fact I have been getting my butt chewed daily for all kinds of stuff. I really don't know how I'm going to make it till my boss gets back. Ok, so no sh@#$ not a bit of that is true. Sir, if you are reading this I hope you have started the beer count and I hope I get a few "ok, so no Sh#@$ there I was" stories. We're managing fine here and making stuff happen. You left some big shoes for me to fill and I'm doing my best but I can't wait for you to get back. Not because stuff is going wrong but because you have to many meetings on your schedule. Well sorry for everyone that reads this and doesn't find the humor I think my boss man will. For everyone else life is good and I will be home before you know it. Oh and I want to thank Nicole. She helps me keep sain and I don't think she ever realizes it.

Love you all, miss you all

Scott

2005-06-08T13:01:00.000-04:00

Ok, after many requests here is a picture of Nicole and I before my Fraternity's Alumni Formal. This was taken on 29 April, During my block leave.

Birthday Wishes

2005-06-08T07:22:00.000-04:00

WARNING: If you are not prepared to read a sappy blog please turn back now.

Nicole,

I wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. I wish I could be there but you know I can't. I miss you very much and I next year we'll do something special to make up for it. You mean the world to me and I love you very much. Have a fun time going out tonight, I'm sure Eddie has some big plans. Write me when you can.

Love you Harder.

Yours

Working hard.

2005-06-05T10:16:00.000-04:00

I just thought I'd take a second to explain to you all how hard somepeople are working here. Now I will never claim that work hard, most of my tim is spend right here behind my computer. There are some people that are working their asses off. For example I have a sergeant that is working 0600-0900 building overhead cover that will prevent mortors from destroying the living containers that people stay in. Then he works from 0900-1700 doing his normal daily job then goes back from 1800-2100 and does more work on the overhead cover. That is pretty much a 15 hour work day. It is soldiers like that make me proud to be in the US Army.

Love you all, miss you all

Scott

Public Service Announcement

2005-06-04T07:15:00.000-04:00

Please take the time to listen to this announcement. Thank you.

http://www.softlab.ece.ntua.gr/~sivann/pub/swf/may02-smilepop-soapbox4.swf

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

"where's he going?"

2005-06-01T17:25:00.000-04:00

"No where, he's going no where!" For those of you who don't know that is a quote from the movie Boondock Saints. So what is the reason for the quote? I never thought you'd ask. I had mentioned to some people and briefly in a post that I might be getting a new job. Well that has been figured out and the answer is NO. I will not be heading anywhere execpt back to work. On the work note, things are going well here for the company right now. Starting to get busy with reports and what not so time is starting to fly. Also today is the June 1st and that is an important day because it is exactly 1 week till Nicole's birthday. So if you have your number be sure to call next week and wish my angel a happy birthday. Ok well I think that is all for today. I'll try to find something funny for tomorrow.

Love you all, miss you all

Scottie

2005-05-31T19:03:00.001-04:00

Can't wait to get Lasec surgery.

2005-05-31T19:03:00.000-04:00

This is my artistic attempt at showing my rank and uniform, plus my tool (the computer) and the "phish". Gaby said I should show some picturs of the "phish" so here they are. I miss you all and I love you all. Things are going well here. I'll have some new pictures soon.

Update

2005-05-27T13:42:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd put out a little email and let everyone know I'm doing ok. Back to playing basketball a few days a week, that helps to make the time go by and to keep stress down. Even though with the way I've been shooting I should be stressed. Other then basketball not much going on. Rumors of a new job are floating about but there is no solid answer on that yet. I'll keep you all informed as I find out anything. What else do you all want to hear about?........the it's getting hotter everyday. Not looking forward to Jul or Aug, sh$% I'm not looking forward to leaving my AC tomorrow. Ok, well I guess I'm done for today. I hope everyone back in the states has a great long weekend. Justin keep her safe on the bike. Mom and dad hope you get some yard work done.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

10 years

2005-05-25T13:54:00.000-04:00

10 years isn't much in the grand sceem of things but in a person's life 10 years is huge. I got out of bed today and almost fell over. It's funny 10 years ago I could play basketball for hours. We'd go to "the Rec" and be there all day, or at least it seemed that way. I know it was hours though, we'd play 4 or 5 hours of basketball and never be sore the next day. Now I play two hours of basketball and I'm dead the next day. Limping around whining like a baby. Not much to talk about today and no random tangents, just wanted to let everyone know I'm still around. I do have a quote for today, not sure who originally said it or wrote it but I like it.

"The difference between men and boys is the lessons they've learned."

Love you all, miss you all

Change

2005-05-24T17:02:00.000-04:00

WARNING

The following Blog might hurt your head. It is full of rambling and thoughts that probably can't be understood at all. Not even by the person writing them.

I'm not sure if I can touch on this suject and even come close to making any sense on my feelings. I think it is a good idea to start with a definition:

"Change =
To cause to be different: change the spelling of a word.
To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform: changed the yard into a garden.
To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch: change methods; change sides. "

It has been decided that I will be switching jobs soon. Not sure how I feel about it. There is a lot to the story of how it happened, sort of what I would consider a messed up situation but that doesn't matter anymore. "What's done can not be undone." I'm not sure where that quote if from but its a quote from a movie or something.
Ok, now for my random thoughts, actually I think it is more of a conversation that I've had with myself, or at least that is how it is playing out in my head.
Q: Is change good?
A: Inherently, yes

Q: But is it always good?
A: No. It can definately be bad.

Q: But does that lead to good in the long term?
A: "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger"

I'm a huge fan of saying "everything happens for a reason and things always work out best" and I believe it full heartedly.

Q: So why do I fear change?
A: Uncertainty?/hardship?/things getting worst?
A: I guess I'm not sure why I fear it.

Q: But if I really believe in "everything happens.......out best" then why fear anything at all?
A: Human nature, the human psychy (not how you spell it I'm sure)

Q: Do I even believe in all these saying?
A: ?????????????????????????????????

There is no end to this random blog, none that makes sense really. I'll put some closer on it but it really isn't closed at all. If you took the time to read this I'm sorry. Had to put thoughts on paper, well not really paper but you know what I mean. To make it even more confusing I'm going to end with something a college Prof. Said to me. He was a Management 410 teacher but to listen to him teach you would of thought he was teaching psychology or phylosophy.

"When you hear someone speaking about someone else, you are learning nothing about the person they are speaking of. In reality you are learning about what the person speaking believe, what they think, or how they feel."

Prof. Sanjiv Duggal

University of Rhode Island

As always:

I love you all, I miss you all

Scottie

PS Nicole, you'll never guess what it is. It will be there in a day or two.

Flying Devils

2005-05-22T09:24:00.000-04:00

There aren't a lot of insects that warrant any sort of attention here except for the mysquitos. I grew up in Rhode Island which is known for some crazy mysquitos. For example my senior year of high school we had a week of school cancelled due to "killer" mysquitos. The mysquitos in the area were known to be carrying (I think it's called) eastern insefiline disease, or something like that. Because of all the wet land near my home of Tiverton there are a large number of mysquitos so the two factors caused some issues and resulted in spraying insecticides. This has actually happened a few times in recent years. So you'd think I could stand a few mysquitos. NO I can't, the mini-dynosaur mysquitos here are driving me insane. These little monsters seem to have found a home in my room and I am having trouble wearing shorts in my room without being eaten alive. I've put a mysquito net around my bed to help me get a good nights sleep because these things are waking me up in the middle of the night. They're rediculous! So now whith a net, a bug zapper, and some tape around any whole in the wall, door, etc I think I'm going to be ok. Tonight will be the first night with all the new precautions so I'll let you know how it goes. Other than that nothing new here really, it is getting warm to say the least but I think we'll be ok.

I miss you all, I love you all
Scott

PS Love you Nicole.

2005-05-21T07:11:00.000-04:00

How big can a male cheerleader get? These two rather large gentleman are two of my best friends and members of an allstar cheerleading team. I never feel like a small guy till I'm around them. PS They both are dating 5' 100 lbs cheerleaders.

2005-05-21T07:08:00.000-04:00

The Future of America.
When I was home I had the opportunity to go talk to my cousin Marissa's class about Iraq. The kids were full of questions and they made it a very enjoyable experience.

Leave

2005-05-10T12:18:00.000-04:00

Ok, leave has come to an end. I'm sitting at my parents and I have less then 24 hours till I get back on a plane. This has lead me here to reflect for a moment and put some thoughts down in writing.
First and foremost I want to talk about Nicole. For those of you who don't know and that is a few of you, Nicole is my girlfriend. This is a new thing so don't be to surprised. Not that Nicole and I are a new thing but actually being together again is a new thing. We dated years ago and due to immaturity it ended, but now we're both in a better place and I couldn't ask for a more incredible women. She has made this leave the happiest two weeks in my life and at the same time the hardest. After these two weeks returning to Mosul is going to be much harder then I ever imagined and I can't wait till the months go by and I am home again. Nicole I love you.
I also want to take a second to apologize to the people I didn't get to see. I ran around a lot and tried to fit as much into the two weeks as I could but it wasn't enough. Zoe you're the best and in Oct or Nov I'll come meet the baby and the husband; Kate Marie ever time a story was told about Brewmasters your name was in it and those were the best times of my college life, I'll come see you in Boston as soon as I get back, hopefully the Celtics will be doing as well as you; Pooh wish you could of made it to the formal, the fraternity isn't the same for me with out my pledge brother; there are a lot more to list but I don't want to bore you all.
For the friends that come and read this site, I'm sorry I've been boring and I promise it will get back to being something you want to read everyday and on that note................

No Sh@# there I was at my parents house for a family BBQ. There are a lot of cousins in my family and I'm somewhere in the middle. A lot of my cousins have kids and they decided to bring them all for this BBQ. At first they were all afraid of me and I can't say I blame them, they've seen me maybe once in the last 7 or 8 years. There is always that one brave kid though and this day was no exception. Ashlynn meat me for the first time last aug when I was home and she did not fear me then or this day. She wanted to beat me up and she lead the kids in a coordinated attack. The came from all sides and with various weapons. There was a garbage can lid (plastic) and a stick, two hoola hoops, horse shoes, sand, etc. These kids meant war, I fought off the first wave and went running for my life, in the nature of fun I decided to jump up and grab a branch on the tree in the back yard. In a tarzanish nature and swing around the tree, for entertainment of the kids of course. Well they got entertained alright, I jumped grabbed the branch and the branch then broke off and hit my square in the head. I tried to be strong and keep going but the kids stopped me and made me go get a band-aid. They felt bad about the blood on my head for about 5 minutes then wanted me to come play again. So we're in my living room and I now have four or five kids attached to my neck and arms. 4 was one short of what I needed though because little Stevie (3 or 4 years old) decided to find a new weapon and picked up a crocheying (I don't know if I spelled that right but you get the idea, it's a big needle) needle and headed directly for my eyes. Thank god one of the adults in the room was watching and stopped him because all I could do was watch as he ran at my face. So, all in all I made it out of the day with minor scratches to my head and slightly larger damage to my ego. I'll post a picture when I get back and get them off of my camera. I hope everyone is doing well.

Love you all, miss you all

Scottie

PS Nicole you're the greatest thing ever. I'll give you a call when I get back to Mosul and let you know I'm there safely.

Kuwait

2005-04-24T06:07:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'm currently in Kuwait. I fly sometime tonight for the states and land on mon. If you are looking for me I'll be at my parents for my two weeks at home. I'll have my dad's cell but I don't know the number off hand. This will most likely be my last post on here for a couple of weeks so everyone stay safe.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

United States

2005-04-19T07:36:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I leave here in 4 days now and that puts me back home in the United States in 6 days. I can't wait to come home and see you all. I know I havent' written since me discussion with Anonymous (Hassan). I know there were a lot of reactions to what he said and I wanted to ask people to continue to feel free to write but not to insult the man. He has a view on life and on the world that we will never have. It is his right to voice his opinion and I hope by reading my site regularly he learns that not all US soldiers are murderers. Him reading this site shows that he at least cares to learn how I feel about the situation and that has to be respected. Hassan I do ask that you don't put any more replies insulting my soldiers or myself though. I will block your replies if I have to but I'd rather not.

Ok on to happier subjects. The alumni golf tournament will be a good old time, sounds like a lot of people will be making it this year. I thought I had plans for the day after golf (sun) but it seems I was wrong. My plans were moved to the following sun so I'm looking for something to do. Maybe a few people over my parents, a couple cases of beer, some horse shoes and a trip to a "club". If you have any suggestions please shoot me an email and let me know.

Lastly I wanted to let you all know of another website that is a great sorce fo info about my unit and what we are doing here in Iraq. www.strykernews.com If you ever have a few free minutes check it out.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

"ken Park'

2005-04-13T18:05:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'm looking for anyone who has seen the movie "ken park". If anyone has seen that movie can you please explain to me the meaning and point of it. If you haven't seen it imagine the movie "kids" but with more sex and a more obscure meaning. I just watched it and I'm lost, no clue what the point of it was. Reminded me so much of "kids" that I'm sure the same guy made them. Probably not but they're that much alike. Neither movie is that great but both show a true side to kids today. I can't believe I just said "kids today", but it's the truth. Today's kids are into some messed up sh#$. Ok, well if you don't like, borderline pornographic movies about kids doing messed up sh#$ then don't rent this movie. If you enjoyed the movie "kids" then go right out and find this movie. If you have respect in any sort of lord all mighty, do not let you kids rent this movie. That is just my opinion though.

Love you all, miss you all

Scottie

PS 9 days till I leave here,11 or 12 till I'm home.

2005-04-11T17:57:00.000-04:00

This is one of 4 palace like building here where I live currently. This complex is one of mulitiple that Sadddam kept throughout his country. This isn't even one of the larger ones. The man lived in excess.

2005-04-11T17:55:00.000-04:00

I've posted this picture before but I post it today for a different reason. I want you all to look at the children and what constitutes their yard. Would you allow you children to grow up like this? If you were a power full ruler who could do anything he wanted in his country would you allow your people to grow up like this? In the other pic you see how Saddam and his sons lived. In one of their many palaces. These men made gold AK 47s instead of fixing problems in their own country. In a country where the majority of the people live in filth like these three little angels, the ruler lived in excess. Sometimes things are just wrong and need to be fixed. Sometimes the end justifies the means.

Discussion #1

2005-04-11T05:08:00.000-04:00

Anonymous said...
First, English is not my mother tounge, so I can't be as good as u people are in using this language.But i conveyed my message successfully and thats matters.Second, im not an american.Scott!, what facts do you want?. You said you are trying to give people their rights. I appreciate that. But will u please waste your time to answer these questions precisely.1 -Was war the best way to give people of Iraq their rights.?2 - Is a human right more important than a human life.While giving people their due right you took their right to live.3-Americans said Iraq could attack us,Iraq is a threat to our security.Is not it ridiculous? How can a state like Iraq can be a threat to America. There is no comparison between the states at all. America is the strongest state in the world. Tell me how can Iraq be a threat to America?4-Few months back american intelligence has declared that the report on Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq was wrong. Also the forces stopped searching for them since they did not find any. what will u say about it dear.Keep in mind that America used the WMD as the base to invade Iraq. after that it started human rights crap as the reason.5-UNO stopped America from taking this step but it said we dont need directions from UNO or from any country.Why is that america enforces restrictions on other countires but unwilling to have on herself?6-What human rights you people were granting to Iraqis in Abu Ghrarib jail.Now dont ask for facts. The whole magazines and newspapers of the world are full of the pictures and stories of the bravery u showed in the jail.6- Last but not the least. Why is it always America who has security problems from other samll countries, why is it always Aamerica who wants to give peopple their rights,why is it always America who has problems with Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Egypt and many other countires.?I personally appreciate the freedon people have in America.No other country gives that much rights to its citizens.waiting for the answers.
Monday, April 11, 2005

Reply: I'm not sure why I'm going to reply to these but I will anyway.

1. It is my honest belief that war was the only option in Iraq. It was a common practice of Sadam to kill members of his own country. To avoid all attempts to search for WMD and it was known that he supported terrorism. There would of been no war if Sadam had allowed proper inspection in this country and if he had treated his own people with any level of human decency.
2. There is nothing more important then a human life. I wish I knew the numbers but I'm sure the number of people that have been killed by Iraqis planting IEDs, VBIEDS etc is far more then the number of people killed by US forces. Also with that Sadam killed thousands of his own people, thousands. Is that not alone enough reason to take him out of power. He tested chemical weapons on his own people. He tortured Olympic athletes if they did not perform up to his standards. Or how about the men who have captured US soldiers and beheaded them. In what world is that ok?........Have you ever seen a beheading?.......It is the most unholy thing I've ever watched. No matter what reason you give for it.
3. Iraq attacking the US straight out is of course ridiculous. However do you remember 911? The US was attacked, and is still open to attack, because of how we open ourselves to everyone. You say you are not a US citizen. Have you visited the US?.......Many non citizens do. Many terrorists do, that is why we are threatened. Saddam supported terrorism, I don't know if that fact can be argued.
4. It's true, we thought there were weapons of mass destruction here in Iraq. It is likely that we would not of been under that impression if there was no so much resistance to the UN inspectors. We had no way of knowing for sure if they were here or not but to take the chance there was and it could be used to kill more Americans or anyone for that matter. Be it Iraqis' or anyone else that Sadam decided should die.
5. The US did go on its own and disobey some guidance from the UN, I can't argue that. This move was made only to protect our own people. The people who live and work in our cities everyday. The US government decided that there was a risk to our freedoms and protected that. That is one of the things that has made us a great country.
6. I wish as much as you that it wasn't America who went out and fought for others. Why did the Iraqis not fight for their own freedom? why did they allow themselves to stay under the rule of one of the most evil men in history? why do a lot of small groups find the US so threatening. We don't randomly decide that we are mad at people and go blow them up. However that is often the case in our country. Everyone has the right to be free and decide for themselves how they want to live. I'd love to have our people sit in the US and not help anyone and not fight wars. Being the most powerful country in the world comes with some added responsibilities though. Have you seen the movie "spider man"? There is a great quote in that movie. "With great power comes great responsibility"!

On a separate note, Abu Ghrarib prison was a sad moment in our history. There is nothing about that situation that makes it ok. That however is not the standard that is upheld in the military. It is the exception to the rule, and actions have been taken to correct and prevent any further actions of its kind.

I write to you as a soldier and a US citizen but also as a human being. I tend to simplify things so bear with me for a moment. Was Sadam evil?.........did he do things that were evil?........is that alone not enough reason for him to be taken out of power? A teacher once told me that it can be argued that Sadam was as evil as Hitler himself. The difference is the size of the armies and the power they controlled. If Sadam had controlled an army that equaled that of the US, where would he of stopped. Would any country of been safe? The things that man did were wrong. It is a good thing that he is out of power. In years to come the world write about the war which freed Iraq. There will be positive stories and negative stories, but that is the way of the world. You choose to believe what you want that is your right. I enjoyed this discussion and I wish you the best. I don't know if I convinced you of anything, I'm sure I didn't. I just hope you read my reply and give it a thought as I did yours.

To everyone else who reads this, remember that it is your right as a human being to believe what you choose. If you think the war was wrong then be willing to say that and explain why. If you believe it was right then defend that opinion. Just don't ever be afraid to speak your mind. If that moment ever comes, then all the men and women that have given their lives in all of the wars the world has ever fought is for not.

Anonymous

2005-04-09T08:13:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure how many of you read the comments that people sometimes leave about my posts. I found one today that I think needs some special attention. Here it is and I want you all to read it and then scroll below it for the rest of my reaction.

Anonymous said...
"whatever u do , ho much lives u save...we hate u.u are fighting a baseless war.no reason at all. u urself created the mess,killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people and now u say we save lives.thats bull shit. there are far worse and terrible truths about u ppl in iraq then the samll things u r telling. "
Friday, April 08, 2005

My initial reaction was one of anger. This person is an idiot, has no clue how to spell, type, even comprehend normal human thought. I did however really start to think about it, and I'm glad that this person wrote. Part of what we are doing here is giving people in this country the right to say what they want. A right that people in the US sometimes take for granted. It is obvious to me that this person has no grounds for anything he says. He's probably never been in a situation anything like this. All the same, it is his right to say what he wants. I just wish he had the courage to say who he was. I have no respect for a man who doesn't have the courage to state his mind and stay behing it.

To whom ever wrote this:
You are a coward! Whenever you would like to engage in an intelegent conversation about the topic please email me. My email address is sweddy@yahoo.com. If you decide to write please make sure you have facts to back up your argument. I do not have a lot of time to waste talking to a person who disrepects the people that protect the rights they use so freely. Your comments and statements are unfounded and uneducated. If you are that unhappy withe US government I suggest you leave. I am of course assuming that you live in the US and understand that there is nothing forcing you to stay there. I'll even help you pay for the plane ticket to whatever country you decide is better then the US. In fact I'll happily pay the entire fee for you to fly here to Iraq.

Scott W. Eddy
1LT, IN
Executive Officer
HHC, 1 BDE, 25 ID

and god damn proud of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.................and a wake up.

2005-04-06T15:03:00.000-04:00

When people in the Army count down things they tend to say however many days and a wake up. I'm not sure if everyone understands that but I'm going to attempt to explain it. I'll be home on the 25. Today is the 6 that leaves 19 days. Most people would say "I'll be home in 19 days". However people in the Army, probably most of the military say "I'll be home in 18 and a wake up" because I'll be home on the 19th day. I don't know if that makes sense but I really don't have anything to talk about and I thought it would be a great way to say that I'll be home soon.

Actually I do have something to talk about. Who reads the Washington Post? Well if you don't I'm glad if you do then this will make sense to you. 1 I'm dissapointed in what I thought was a good newspaper, for two reasons a. putting a twist on something that is strictly used to improve upon already existant equipment and b. for writing an article that was nothing more then a couple of people whining. I really thought the Post was a better paper then that.

For those of you who don't know there is something called the C.A.L.L. or Center for Army Lessons Learned. See in the army we look at everything we do and try to make it better. This center basically looks at what we can improve in everything. From very simple things like uniforms to things such as vehicles. Some how the Post got an document from the CALL that talked about the Stryker vehicle. In this article they discussed some things that could be improved. Now before I go any further I want to state that the Stryker is, in my opinion, the greatest vehicle the military has ever had. It has saved countless lives here in Iraq and recently saved the life of one of my best friends. The Washington Post took an article talking about improvements that could be made and printed an article about how bad the Stryker was and how it was putting our soldiers lives at risk. I want to tell you that that is absolute bull sh@#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then they later published an article about "a bad relationship" between my BDE and our supier unit TFF (task force freedom). Basically there has been a couple of growing pains between the two units, which is common and understandable. The Post wrote an article that was equivalent to some kids calling each other names and whining. Purely whining.

Ok well I guess I did have something to write about. If you haven't read these articles or even heard a word about them then good. If you have please ignore the fact that they exist. I have lost all respect for the Washington Post and I will never spend my money on that paper again. Ok I guess I'll get off my soap box and go back to work. I hope everyone back home is good. I haven't been that good about writing lately and I promise I'll get good again when I get back from leave. Right now my mind is just focused on going home.

I love you all and miss you all

Scottie

Music

2005-04-05T17:13:00.000-04:00

Since I've been here in Iraq I've aquired a taste for some music that I never used to listen to. Don't go gettering over excited, I still refrain from listening to country. I have however started listening to the Counting Crows and Joh Mayer. I don't know what everyone's opinion is of these two but I've found some true enjoyment in their music. I was thinking the other day how I used to laugh at the people who appeared on TV saying things like "the dixie chicks helped me get through the tuffest time in my life." Now that I've been here I will still laugh at those people because there is no need to go on TV and say stuff like that. I do understand it a little better though. I've been listening to a ton of music and it helps a lot. I'm kind of at a loss for things to talk about. I'm pretty much sucked at keeping up with this blog lately and I'll try to improve but with leave coming up it's hard to think of anything but home. For those who dont' know I will be home on either the 25 or 26 of April. I can't wait to see you all.

Miss you all, love you all
Scottie

English

2005-04-02T16:58:00.000-05:00

First a thought, then a story.

Thought: Ever notice that no matter where someone comes from, when they sing in English, they sound American. Examples: The Beatles (most of the time), TATU, the spice girls, Craig David, etc etc

Story: So no sh#% there I am, Mosul Iraq, a BBQ at the KBR (American civilians who work for the military on construction type things). I'm enjoying myself having an incredible steak. There are US Army soldiers, American Citizens, Iraqi citizens, and Turkish Nationals that work for KBR. Well this guy picks up a guitar and starts to play. I have to say this man had some skills, some soul, he seriously deserves a record deal. He is singing with a slight southern sound to it. He's singing country songs that a lot of the people there knew but if you know me I had no clue. So when this guy is all done I ask about him. Ends up the guy is 100% Turkish, he works as a translator. You hear him speak on a personal level and he has a thick accent. You hear him sing, he's Garth Brooks.

Ok, well I'm off but I want to remind everyone that at this moment I have 20 days till I go on leave. I should be hitting the TF Green airport sometime on the 25th of april. See you all soon.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

2005-03-30T02:49:00.001-05:00

PFC Jose Chacon (armorer/supply clerk) firing the 9mm.

2005-03-30T02:49:00.000-05:00

SGT Nate Spencer (my NBC NCO/Driver)and the AK-47.

2005-03-30T02:48:00.000-05:00

Ok, so yesterday was a good day here in Iraq. My soldiers and I went to the range and did some 9mm and ak-47 trng. The AK is a very famous russian made rifle that is often used around the world. It is known for being easy to use, very reliable but not very accurate. I just thought I'd send some pictures and let you all see my soldiers and I relaxing at the range.

Home

2005-03-22T10:38:00.000-05:00

Ok, I have to be carefully what I say over the internet but I wanted to let everyone know I should be home on the 26th of April. There is a chance that it will be the 25th but it is more likely the 26th. I will not know the time till the day before most likely. So I'll have to call a few key people that will disseminating the info. I love you all and miss you all.

Scottie

Update

2005-03-20T03:25:00.000-05:00

Ok, I know I haven't been very good about writing as of late. I don't really have an excuse either. I wish I could say I was busy but that would be a lie. I thought I'd just take a second and let you all know what I've been up to. I spent yesterday writing letters to some classes and to some people who have been really good about writing. I had a stack of letters and cards that was unbelievable. Today is sunday, which is a very religious and spiritual day, so for me that means basketball. While on the subject of basketball, who has been paying attention to march madness?.......I'm pissed I was hoping (wishing is more like it) that BC would make it to the championship against Uconn . Was that to much to ask?......to let the N.E. completely dominate every major sport this year. The Pats, the Sox, the Celts (and yes they are on a 7 game winning streak, and on top of their division), and college too. We're just showing the New Egland dominance. Other then this I haven't been doing to much. I'll email or write when I get a better idea about leave. I miss you all and love you all.

Scottie

How to prepare for a deployment to Iraq

2005-03-14T05:56:00.000-05:00

First off I have to say that this is the greatest explaination of the environment here that I've ever read. Please take the time to read it and if something doesn't make sense ask me.
1. Sleep on a cot in the garage, with twenty strangers. Don't let themshower beforehand.
2. Replace the garage door with a curtain.
3. Six hours after you go to sleep, have your wife or girlfriend whip openthe curtain, shine a flashlight in your eyes and mumble, "Sorry, wrong cot."
4. Renovate your bathroom. Hang a green plastic sheet down from the middleof your bathtub and move the showerhead down to chest level. Keep fourinches of soapy cold water on the floor. Stop cleaning the toilet and peeeverywhere but in the toilet itself. Leave two to three sheets of toiletpaper. Or for best effect, remove it altogether. Pour a cup of sand aroundthe floor for when you get out. For a more realistic deployed bathroomexperience, stop using your bathroom and use a neighbor's. Choose a neighborwho lives at least a quarter mile away.
5. When you take showers, wear flip-flops and keep the lights off.
6. Every time there is a thunderstorm, go sit in a wobbly rocking chair anddump dirt on your head.
7. Put lube oil in your humidifier instead of water and set it on "HIGH" forthat tactical generator smell.
8. Don't watch TV except for movies in the middle of the night. Have yourfamily vote on which movie to watch and then show a different one.
9. Leave a lawnmower running in your living room 24 hours a day for propernoise level.
10. Have the paperboy give you a haircut.
11. Buy a trash compactor and only use it once a week. Store up garbage inthe other side of your bathtub. Once a week burn it in your back yard, withyour windows open.
12. Have your sewer lines back up into your back yard for three day everyweek.
13. Wake up every night at midnight and have a peanut butter and jellysandwich on a saltine cracker.
14. Make up your family menu a week ahead of time without looking in yourfood cabinets or refrigerator. Then serve some kind of meat in anunidentifiable sauce poured over noodles, use at least a tablespoon of salton your plate. Do this for every meal.
15. Set your alarm clock. When it goes off, jump out of bed and get to theshower as fast as you can. Simulate there is no hot water by running outinto your yard and breaking out the garden hose.
16. Once a month, take every major appliance completely apart and put itback together again.
17. Use 18 scoops of coffee per pot and allow it to sit for five or sixhours before drinking, use two table spoons of sugar.
18. Invite at least 185 people you don't really like because of theirstrange hygiene habits to come and visit for a couple of months. Exchangeclothes with them.
19. Have a fluorescent lamp installed on the bottom of your coffee table andlie under it to read books.
20. Raise the thresholds and lower the top sills of your front and backdoors so that you either trip over the threshold or hit your head on thesill every time you pass through one of them.
21. Keep a roll of toilet paper on your night stand and bring it to thebathroom with you. And bring your gun and a flashlight.
22. Go to the bathroom when you just have to pass gas, "just in case." Everytime.
23. Announce to your family that they have mail; have them report to you asyou stand outside your open garage door after supper and then say, "Sorry,it's for the other Smith." And have your deliver man deliver it to a randomneighbor for you to search for it everyday.
24. Wash only 15 items of laundry per week with half the soap called for.Roll up the semi-wet clean clothes in a ball. After a week, unroll them andwithout ironing, proudly wear them to professional meetings and familygatherings. Pretend you don't know what you look or smell like.Enthusiastically repeat the process for another week.
25. Go to the worst crime-infested place you can find, go heavily armed,wearing a flak jacket and a Kevlar helmet along with seven of your friends,in Humvees with machine gun mounted on top. Set up shop in a tent in avacant lot. Announce to the residents that you are there to help them.
26. Eat a single M&M every Sunday and convince yourself it's for Malaria.
27. Have a vet inject horse medicine into you, once every month and convinceyourself it's for Anthrax
28. Demand each family member be limited to 10 minutes per week for a moralephone call. Enforce this with your teenage daughter.
29. Shoot a few bullet holes in the walls, and the roof of your home forproper ambiance.
30. Sandbag the floor of your car to protect from mine blasts andfragmentation.
31. While traveling down roads in your car, stop at each overpass andculvert and inspect them for remotely detonated explosives beforeproceeding.
32. Fire off 50 cherry bombs simultaneously in your driveway at 3:00 a.m.When startled neighbors appear, tell them all is well, you are justregistering mortars. Tell them plastic will make an acceptable substitutefor their shattered windows. Have your family crawl under their beds for anhour before yelling "all clear"
33. Drink your 'powdered' milk and sodas warm.
34. Spread gravel and clay throughout your house and yard.
35. Make your children clear their Super Soakers in a clearing barrel youplaced outside the front door before they come in.
36. Make your family dig a survivability position with overhead cover in thebackyard. Complain that the 4x4s are not 8 inches on center and make themrebuild it.
37. Surround your house up the roofline with sandbags.
38. Place Concrete barriers in your driveway so you have drive in an "S"pattern before you park you car.
39. When your 5-year-old asks for a stick of gum, have him find the exactstick and flavor he wants on the Internet and print out the web page. Typeup a Form 9 and staple the web page to the back. Submit the paperwork toyour spouse for processing. After two weeks, give your son the gum, in adifferent flavor.
40. Announce to your family that the dog is a vector for disease and shootit. Throw the dog in a burn pit you dug in your neighbor's back yard.
41. Wait for the hottest/ coldest day of the year and announce to yourfamily that there will be no heat/air conditioning that day so you canperform much needed maintenance on the heater/ air conditioner. Tell themyou are doing this so they won't get hot/ cold.
42. During your work day have your electricity turned on and off randomlythroughout the day.
43. Just when you think you're ready to resume a normal life, order yourselfto repeat this process for another six months to simulate the nextdeployment you've been ordered to support.

Home

2005-03-13T11:11:00.000-05:00

Due to a lack of subjects to talk about I thought I'd talk briefly about coming home. No dates are set or anything that cool, but I should be home around the end of april. I wanted to invite everyone to the airport. Not sure how I'll put out the word to everyone but I'm sure you will all talk when one of you hear it. I will however be going directly to my mom and dad's house for the remainder of that day and night. I will also be having a beer, or three and relaxing. You are all more then welcome to come hang out there and we'll make plans from there. Oh, there is also an alumni formal and golf tournament the 29th and 30th. Ok, this was mostly to let people know I was still around. Love you all, miss you all

Scottie

PS. Thanks to everyone who has sent a package, I have more junk food then I could ever want.

Medics

2005-03-07T23:01:00.000-05:00

There are a few days in the course of life when you get to see a person or a group of people do something amazing. Today was one of those days. It started off a lot like every other day but around 1700 we recieved a call that there were 2 casualties coming into the FOB. At this point I usually head to the aid station and help to organize my soldiers to block roads with their vehicles. We do this to help the medevac go as fast as possible. Well today wasn't he normal medavac. Today the 2 casualties ended up being A.I.F. For those of you who don't recognize that abbreviation it stands for Anti-Iraqi Forces. Yes, the bad guys. Some of the medics were aware of this and some weren't but it really didn't matter. Even the medics that were aware of it worked on the casualties as if they were american soldiers. It was that fact made me realize how great of a thing it is these medics are doing. Regardless of the situation that brought these men to the AID Station. Regardless of who they are or what they believe in. The medics do whatever they can to save these people lives. This is truely an example of people at their best. Helping other because they want everyone to live, because they think life itself is valuable. Even if the person they're helping doesn't respect or care for them. These medics and every other medic in the world are amazing people.

No news

2005-03-01T23:24:00.000-05:00

Well I haven't written in a while because, to tell you the truth, I haven't had a thing to write about. But no news is good news, especially out of this place. Everyone here is holding up well, we've had a quiet couple of weeks (knock on wood). I'm looking forward to taking leave eventually and I can not wait till that. It looks like I will be busy but that is no surprise. I am looking forward to spending time with everyone and a few people in particular. Ok, enough of my ramblings I will let you all get back to your lives and everything else. I will try to find something to talk about soon.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Alumni Golf/Formal

2005-02-25T06:39:00.000-05:00

Ok so I got word of an alumni formal and golf tournament. I figured I'd shoot an email out and see how many people responded. Holy cow, in a couple of hours I had 8 responses. I sort of expected it, actually expect a lot more in the next couple of days. With a lot more trash talking also. Well for those of you who are Beta alumni the formal will be Fri the 29th of april and golf will be on the morning of the 30th. I hope to have a good showing of alumni. I have to run.

miss you all, love you all
Scottie

Horror Movies

2005-02-19T14:44:00.000-05:00

Ok, I am a horror movie fan. I've seen an huge number of horror movies and I sat down to watch a couple new ones last night. These two ended up not being the normal horror movies and they warranted a post. The first movie I watched was M. Night Shamalan's "the village", with all the commercials and most of the movie you'd think it was a suspensfull movie that involved some supernatural creature of the night. Well to some dissapointment and some interest that was not the case. It ended up being more of a commentary on american society then anything. So that movie will no longer ever be classified as a horror or suspence or anything like it. The second movie was "madhouse". This movie was "fight club" meets "the shining". It ended up being a decent movie, despite the quality of acting and the slightly creepy edge. It's funny, the best way to judge of horror movie, is if it gives you that slightly nervous feeling afterward. This movie barely did that but it did. If you don't want to admit that a horror movie has done that in the past then you're lieing. You just get done watching a horror movie and you have to go do something out side in the dark and for a brief second you're a little nervous. You know you've been there and done that. Ok, enough rambling, life is peachy and today is sunday so there will be much basketball this afternoon. I guess that is it for now, I miss you all and love you all.

Scottie

New Jersey

2005-02-16T23:05:00.000-05:00

So no Sh$# there I was, 2300 (11pm) and my vehicle needs fuel. We pull into a fuel point on the FOB Marez and there is no one in sight. I get out and take off the fuel cap, at that point I start to see to glowing balls flying through the air. My first thought was aliens, but that quickly disappeared and I realized it was two Turkish gentleman running at me. These two are in a dead sprint yelling and waving their arms. You'd think I was in danger or something, the way they were trying to stop me. The first one runs up and motions for me to move, the second grabs the nozzle and starts to fill up my veh. It sort of reminded me of NJ where they don't' allow their citizens to use the gas pumps because they're afraid they will hurt themselves.

Love you all Miss you all
Scottie

Arabic

2005-02-13T17:15:00.000-05:00

I really don't have much to talk about but I've had some people request that I do an entry. I guess I haven't been exciting enough lately. I'm actually glad about that though, because when things are quiet here that means things are good. There are a lot of signs that things are getting better here. The one that comes to mind is the fact that people are not as afraid to come work on the FOB. We have been having a lot of people come back to the FOB for a job and that means I have to brush up on my Arabic. I say that as if I actually know any when in fact I know about 5 words. I know a few key phrases and they really do help. It's amazing to see how happy someone can be when you try to speak their language. So here is the first instalment of arabic word for you all: (the spelling might be off but close enough)

Afwan=Thank you
Zen=fine
anshala=god willing
marjaba=hello (more of a formal version)
salam a alaquoom=hello
alaquoom a salam=the reply to hello

Ok I know, not the most exciting blog ever but I promise they'll get better.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

2005-02-10T08:07:00.000-05:00

Ok, so no sh#$ there I was, hanging out in my room when I get a knock at my door. It's my armeror PFC Chacon covered in snow. No kidding it was snowing in Iraq. I had heard rumors that it might snow but I never imagined it to actually come down like we were in New England. So we play a littl catch in the snow and then head out to lunch. On the way we meet a young soldier, about 18 years old, from Louisiana and has never seen snow. So this kid has come to Iraq, known to be desert and he has seen snow for the first time. Now you tell me, is that a memerable way to see your first snow?...

A DYNASTY

2005-02-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

Yes, it is official the New England Patriots are a Dynasty. To be remembered with teams like the Cowboys, and 49ers. It is even more amazing that they did it in this time of free agency and salary caps and all that other bullsh#$. It was great to see the boys do so well though. I was the only Patriots fan last year when they were in the superbowl and now this year I was almost the only one, there have been a couple of converts in the last year. I watched the game in my supply room with a full house (about 6 people), and plenty of food and drinks (crackers and water). I have to say this is one of the most memorable super bowls I've ever watched. I Hope all is well back home and around the US. Things here have been good as of late and I hope it stays that way. Even the rain stopped last night in celebration of the patriots.

Love you all, Miss you all
Scottie

2005-02-05T04:30:00.000-05:00

People have their opinions about fraternities and if you have known me for a bit I'm sure you realize I am a huge fan. Here is a good example of why. The fall 04, pledge class of Beta Theta Pi and URI decided to send me a gift. They used their own money and time to put together a paddle for me. 13 guys I've never met but I feel like I have so much in common with. I'm looking forward to getting home and meeting all of them. Until then I'm going to leave this paddle on my wall as a reminder of some great men.

Mechanics

2005-02-04T20:23:00.000-05:00

Ok, so as the XO (executive officer) for my company I'm overall incharge of maintenance. That includes weapons, radios, etc, but especially vehicles. Now if you know me you know that I don't know the fist thing about working on cars. I won't even try to deny that, however I have the pleasure if having a group of mechanics attached to my company that are great. These guys work all day on some of the most messed up vehicles you've ever seen and if it wasn't for these guys I would be screwed. I just thought I'd take a second and say a little something about them. I'll also post up a couple of pictures for these true heroes, who keep people alive by doing a great job everyday.

2005-02-04T08:34:00.000-05:00

Rebuilding a motor.

2005-02-04T08:33:00.000-05:00

The Doctor is in.

2005-02-04T08:32:00.000-05:00

These guys work together to make everything work. Even if it does take a hammer.

Slippers

2005-02-02T12:28:00.000-05:00

I find comfort in the smaller things a lot of the time. For example, slippers. Not a big thing, just a pair of cheap slippers can make you so happy. I recieved a package from my mom and aunt last night and it had slippers in it. You should of seen some of the people drooling over them. It's just nice to be able to sit back hang around and strut around in a pair of slippers. Ok, as you can tell there isn't a lot going on here so I have nothing to talk about. Thus the conversation about slippers. I just wanted to make sure I posted to let everyone know things were good. Wish I had a good story but I don't. I do want to congradulate my supply sergeant Lisa (Lisette) Hiscock, for her engagement. For those of you that know her, you know she's a great person who deserves someone good. Bye for now.

Love you all ,miss you all
scottie

Voting

2005-01-30T13:24:00.000-05:00

People always talk about how important it is to vote. Well that sort of takes new meaning when you get to see a country vote for the first time. You have to realize that the people they are electing right now will write their equivalent to a constitution. Can you imagine being around and part of the process that chose who would write the declaration of independence and our constitution? I'm in a job where I get to have a good idea of what is going on around the entire city of mosul and I'll tell you what, scared or not people are coming out to vote. The lines are long, there has been some small attacks, but people are voting. I don't know if the news will report it well, god I hope they do, but they'll probably just criticize the fact that we helped to much or we did this wrong and that wrong. They probably won't mention that there is no driving allowed in the city right now to make it safer, and these people are walking to the polling sites. They won't talk about our friend Mamut, who is a 21 yr old kid, who lives and works on the FOB and who today went out and voted. Today has really shed some light on what we're doing here, the fact that it has always been the right thing, and continues to be the right thing to do. This country needs help but it will build itself back up, it will be slow a process but today it took a huge step in the right direction.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

2005-01-26T03:43:00.000-05:00

Count the number of kids. It got worst.

2005-01-26T03:42:00.002-05:00

"you sexy woman"

2005-01-26T03:42:00.001-05:00

Metrosexuals in Iraq?....you'd think it was the N. E.

2005-01-26T03:42:00.000-05:00

They can be a little helpfull.

2005-01-26T03:41:00.001-05:00

Let the swarm begin.

2005-01-26T03:41:00.000-05:00

Looks innocent, doesn't he?

Dahuk Trip

2005-01-26T02:30:00.000-05:00

I had a request for more pictures so here they are. All of them are from my trip to Dahuk today, we shopped all day and picked up a lot of necessary supplies. The only bad thing in Dahuk are the kids. They swarm like bees to honey but they're slightly more annoying. All they do is ask for money, sort of like the bums in NYC. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

2005-01-25T15:27:00.001-05:00

Snow?.....in Iraq

2005-01-25T15:27:00.000-05:00

MSG Albino

2005-01-25T15:26:00.001-05:00

Shop

2005-01-25T15:26:00.000-05:00

Waterfall

2005-01-25T15:25:00.000-05:00

couple of Majors

.......sort of famous.......

2005-01-24T22:25:00.000-05:00

I guess I'm sort of famous now. I hadn't realized quite how many people have seen my website till the last couple of days. There are a few incidents that made me realize this. First things is that I received an email from a guy in Texas, I don't feel like looking up his name so we'll call him Tex. I have no idea how Tex came across my website but I guess he checks it pretty regularly and the other day he was getting frustrated with some shit and something I said must of helped out because he wrote to say thanks. The second and third thing that made me realize my almost fame happened today. Unaware to me my boss' wife found my website. She did a search for his name and my site popped up and she's been reading since and from what I hear I'm quite funny. Also my 1SG's wife has become aware of it. Not sure if it's the wives talking or something else but I guess a lot of people have been reading. I guess now I'll have to continue to be funny as much as possible, I don't want to disappoint.

I wrote all that just to tell you a story. It's not really a story as much as it is something that made me laugh. My parents are awesome and have been putting pictures online on ofoto so that I can log in and see the pictures. Well they just got down with a huge snow storm in RI, for those of you that were clueless. My parents sent pictures to help me realize I'm not missing to much back home. Well one thing was a little odd in one of the pictures. My dad was shoveling a walk way, I know you're thinking what is funny about that, be patient I'll get there. So he's shoveling a walk way but it's not in the front yard, not heading toward the cars, not heading anywhere really. He's shoveling a walk way in the back yard for the dog. My parents have a little ankle biter named Sammy (he's adorable) and he would probably be buried in less then a foot of snow so they had to shovel him a walk way. It's actually quite common around my house because we've owned a lot of little dogs. I just had nothing else to talk about so I thought I'd see if this would make anyone laugh. Ok that is it for today I have to head off to the gym and try to get big. I'll try to put up more pictures now that I have a digital camera. Hope all is well with everyone.

Love you all, miss you all

Love Scottie

2005-01-24T10:57:00.001-05:00

The walk way

2005-01-24T10:57:00.000-05:00

The walk way.

Out of the loop

2005-01-23T17:28:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't written in a few days, my internet has been down. Sort of kept me out of the loop. The good thing is it gave me a story to tell.

So no sh#$ there I was, it's been raining for about three days straight and I have to make a small ride down the road. Don't worry mom, it's after the IED Sweep and after curfew so no one is out. Besides the AIF is completely solar powered and don't like the rain. It's something to do with being clean, they're really against it. So anyway, I'm driving down the road and the water is slowly starting to cover the road. No big deal so we continue down the road and the water contiues to get deeper. Now please keep in mind my post from a few days ago, the roads are normaly lined with trash but that was not the case on this day. The roads had trash floating down them. Well the water continued to get deeper and deeper until it reached about 2 feet maybe 2 &1/2. So now I have water flowing into my vehicle up to about my calf and we're not talking clean water we're talking, diapers floating, car tires, food, etc. Infact our headlights were covered in water, we looked like a sub. Well we get through all of that and stop at our location. We get out to find.......no joking now, 100% serious......an orange and a diaper stuck to the front of my vehicle. Needles to say we took a different route home and I immediately took a shower and then went to bed.

PS I'll be up tonight at 0200 to watch New Englad kick the shit out of Pittsburgh, so Shannon keep the phone near by for the celebration call.

Love you all, miss you all

Scottie

Dahuk

2005-01-18T13:43:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd take a second and tell you all about a short trip I took, to a little town called Dahuk. Dahuk is about an hour north of Mosul. It is a Kurdish city, if you don't know there are a couple large ethnic groups here, one of them is the Kurds. So these people are so different from the people in Mosul I couldn't believe it. We went up there to go shopping at Mazi Mart, basically an Iraqi Walmart. The first thing I noticed was the fact that they were in the process of cleaning and renovating the streets. That is something we're used to in the US but around here it is a sight to see. Here in Mosul the streets are lined with trash, burned out cars, dead animals, you name it. They don't have a good infrustructure developed and they don't take a lot of pride in their city here in Mosul, but in Dahuk they actually were making an effort to make their city look nice. The second thing I noticed was that the people really were happy to see us. I'm sure it is because we were there to spend a lot of money but it was still nice. So this city is a small piece of sanity in a very insane country and it is somewhere I hope I get to visit again.

On to the next topic, I was able to watch the Patriots kick the Colts ass. That was a very nice thing to see and I am looking forward to seeing them kick Pittsburgh's ass this week. The game is on around 0200 here next week but it will be my pleasure to stay up and watch it.

Love you all, miss you all
Scottie

Nothing really new

2005-01-13T19:56:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone. I don't have much to say really. I'm coming up on day 120, that will be the 16th of this month. Things are busy here but I'm sure you all have been watching the news and understand the gear up for elections. If you haven't the long form short is, these elections will name the persons that will write the first constitution in iraq. They will be the people who decide who gets to vote, how the voting will be done, etc. This is pretty big. The one huge problem which we're here to help with is the security of the voting. The AIF (anti iraqi forces) are threatening to kill anyone who votes. Nice of them isn't it? This unfortunately is a real threat and we are doing everything we can to ensure the elections have the highest turn out possible. Other then all that life is peachy. Food is still good but after eating the same thing each week I could use so mix up. Some mcdonalds or wendy's perhaps. You all know what is going to happen, I'm going to come home on leave and eat all kinds of junk and gain back the 24 lbs I lost since I've been here. Plus a few more lbs and I'm going to come back to Iraq and have to lose it all again. Whatever, who cares I'm going to eat a ton of food when I get home. Well I guess that is it for todays little rant. I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up so well but I'll try to be better about it.

Love you all, Miss you all
Scottie

Dinner

2005-01-07T00:24:00.000-05:00

Well I had to wait till now to post this because of security reasons. Now that the gentleman is gone I can tell you all about it. So no sh#$ there I was, minding my business, trying not to do any work when I get a radio call. "5 (that's me) this is 6 (my boss)", "6 this is 5", "yeah you are from mass originally correct?", "roger (that means yes)", "roger, you have to be at the dining hall at 1800 tomorrow for a dinner", "with who?", "I can't say over the radio come by my hooch and I'll let you know", "roger". Ok so to make a long story shorter I ended up having dinner with Senator John Kerry. Well, me and everyone from mass that was on my FOB which ended up only being about 14 of us. I actually had the pleasure of sitting immediately on his left side and I have to admit the dinner conversation was really good. We of course all discussed the war and Iraq. But none of that matter. We had a young kid, a private, about 18 sitting with us and it was a really good thing. The kid has been out doing all the stuff you all hear about. Driving around shooting at people and looking for the bad guys. That isn't what matters either, half way through dinner the kid interrupts the conversation to let us know he has to go and ask for a picture with Sen. Kerry. They take the picture and Sen. kerry sits back down. The private leans over to shake Sen. Kerry's hand and no sh#$ spills an entire glass of water all over the person to Sen. Kerry's right. I was so happy I was on the left. The Staff Sergeant had to walk out of the chow hall about 15 min later looking like he pissed his pants. We all got a good laugh out of that one, including Mr. Kerry. Ok, that is my big story for the day. Hope everyone is doing well. All is good here, been a quiet couple of days really.

Miss you all, Love you all

Scottie

Nothing

2005-01-05T19:29:00.000-05:00

I really don't have much to talk about. I just know I haven't written in a few days and thought I should. I've been running a little crazy here, had a few new people come in and it kept me busy. I guess the big news is the elections coming up, should be interesting to say the least. The only other itneresting thing that has been going on is me stealing music from everyone I know. I currently have over 5000 songs on my computer, about 29 gigabytes. To bad my ipod can only handle 20 but I'll figure it out. Ok, other then that I hear things are ok back home. I'm looking forward to seeing some patriots games once the playoffs start and I'll talk to you all soon.

Miss you all, love you all
Scottie

Happy New Years

2005-01-01T16:17:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone I just wanted to take a second and write and say happy new years. I've had some pretty good ones in the past, even some I don't remember because they were that. I've also had some bad ones too. By far this was not the worst of them. I celebrated with a bunch of my soldiers by singing Karaoke and having "near bear", non-alcoholic bear to be more specific. So happy new year to you all and I hope everyone sticks to their new years resolution.

Love you all, miss you all

Scottie

News Reporters

2004-12-28T14:52:00.000-05:00

Ok, I really have no love for the modern day news or news reporters. It seems that to often they hide behind that saying "it's news and people have the right to hear it". I have a prime example. For those of you who don't know, last week there was a tragic insident here in Mosul. There were a lot of people hurt and in need of help, YET you still have pictures of people at the scene being helped. My god, isn't there a point when you put down the camera and stop thinking about how much money a picture is worth and try to help your fellow human beings. I can not for the life of my understand how in this world or any world it is ok to sit there and take pictures while people who need your help could be dieing. Also there is another part of reporters that pisses me off. Mr. Riraldo Rivera is a famous one for this. When you are privy to any sort of information about the military you have to use a certain level of intelegance to know if you should discuss it. Case in point: Mr. Rivera discussing future operations on TV. Good Idea? HELL NO. All someone has to do is see that broadcast and now american soldiers lives are at risk. What we do is hard enough but when you give the enemy information about what we're going to do or how we are going to do it you cost people their lives. Here is why I mention it. Last night I had to pick up to reporters from a organization that will remain nameless (CNN). Those two dumb asses were caught taking pictures inside of the Marez dining hall after being told not to. They also reported the times for memorial services. That is retarted. Now if we were to stay with those times, it is very possible that some of the insurgents would now know where and when to attack. That could possibly cost hundreds of more people their lives. How is that ok, how is it ok for a news reporter to do shit like that. It isn't just here either it has happened mulitiple times and they continue to hide behind the right to free speach. Well I'll tell you what I don't think that it is about that or the news getting out because it is the right thing. These jack asses are thinking about making money and about winning pulitzers. They can go home if you ask me. Ok enough of that I should calm down. Everyone take care.

Miss you all, love you all
Love Scottie

Christmas Greetings

2004-12-25T14:54:00.000-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I miss you all and I hope you are all having a good xmas. It is a quiet christmas here for obvious reasons. I have recieved a ton of emails and I dont' know if I'll get back to everyone so I thought I'd take a second to write on my blog. I will try to keep up with it better then I have been. I know I've been slacking. I hope that you all enjoy the family and the presents and I hope that you all get a little snow so if has that xmas feeling. If you know anyone that doesn't check the internet let them know I say hi and I miss them. Shannon give Gabby a call and let him know I'm doing ok and I still have the di. It is a rainy day here today but not as cold as it has been so I guess I have nothing to complain about. I'm going to go, you all take care. I miss you all, I love you all.

Scottie
#112
~kai~

Guess I have to talk about it.

2004-12-23T00:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, I guess now that it is in the news there is no way for me to avoid talking about the news out of here in mosul. First I want to offer my condolences to all the families and friends back in the states. There is a captain here who I respect greatly and he explained it like this. "When you're trying to catch a wild animal, even as harmless as a cat, and you get it trapped in a corner. You know you're going to catch it but you also know when you get close that you will more then likely take a few scratches." I don't want anyone to think I'm lessening this incident at all. It is an amazingly tragic event. I hope that some of you find some comfort in the fact that the animal is in a corner and has it's claws out. We took a big scratch but it's about to get caught and we'll be rid of it for good. Ok with that said, I want to say thank you for writing and being concerned. I don't want you all to worry about me I'm doing well. I have a christmas tree, 3 stockings, more junk food than I can eat, a couple bows, a few tinsley things, and a lot of good friends back home that keep me happy during the holidays. I love you all and miss you all. Enjoy your holiday season, Shannon you and Mark go to Willabees and have a game of pool on me. Everyone else please have a drink for me and say a prayer for the families around the world that have family members here.

Scottie

IPOD

2004-12-22T04:07:00.000-05:00

I have finally come into the next generation. I am a proud owner of an IPOD. This thing is one of the greatest things I've ever owned. I love music, try to listen to it constantly and all kinds (minus country). I just thought I'd share that. The new MP3 technology is great. I also just wanted to write because I haven't written in a while. I'm been busy, work is hectic and haven't been afforded a lot of time to bullsh#@. I want to wish everyone I Merry Xmas. I am with you all in spirit and I am full of christmas cheer (actually candy canes, M&Ms, and many other delicious candys is actually what I'm full of). Thank you all again for the packages they help out a lot. I also greatly appreciate all the emails and letters. I can't wait to come home and see you all. I'm waiting on sendind xmas presents. I want to catch some of the online sales and since i waited till the last minute they would of been late anyway. Some things dont' change no matter where I am. Bye for now.

Love you all Miss you all

Scottie

PS Jeff, I hope things are good. I got your email and instantly started writing this. You're a good man, I miss you.