One last post..

ok so it has become extremely addicting to post these, and I feel like I should give the jerks who have turned this into a spelling review on last stab at me when I am not hurried to post an email because of a 10 minute internet limit or something like that..
The rest of the trip went by really quick.. We did one last show in Bahrain and it was humid.. HUMID... The day after the show was a relax day for all of us, however we almost had to extend the tour another 4 days because another ship wanted us to come out and play... But.. travel arrangements could not be made due to thursday being the equivalent to saturday in the arab world..
Any ways I won't bore you talking about my plane flight and such, but what I will sum up the whole trip now...
AWESOME..
This trip was amazing, life changing, and fun..
I have yet to figure out how to put all of what I have seen, experienced, and felt into any sort of communication worthy form.. It was simply surreal... from getting off the bus in Djabuti and being surrounded by many little children just wanting food..To being surrounded by the great people of our Armed Forces for 25 days.. These guys are making amazing sacrifices every day they are there and they believe in their cause.. Rightfully so .. There is so much to this war that we never see on FOX or CNN.. And really the war effort, as cruel as it may seem at times is opening up experiences to countries that probably would still be led by horrible men were it not for us..
If any of the service men are reading this... THANK YOU... Thank you for the sacrifice you make to keep this an away game, so that my freedom is not challenged or threatened like the people over there..
Welp.. I am trying to figure out my sleep schedule now that I am on the otherside of the world, and it is time for a little breakfast to keep myself from getting tired mid-day..
love you all..
D

MIddle of the Gulf??

7-16-07
ok so the last few days I have been on the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, a Navy Ship based in San Diego.. This trip was so cool!! We were helo'd in on Monday and recieved a celebrity welcome (they had cameras, video, and hats made for us.. It was crazy.. We then got to our rooms, were showed around the ship, and then the band got to call the numbers for the weekly bingo.. Me, as the sound guy, got to ditch out on this and went to play poker with some of the pilots.. (I totally won!) Then it was bed time.
7-17-07
So I woke up way early to do one last load of laundry because I shorted my self on underware for the trip.. After doing this we took a tour of the entire ship.. We saw the Chapel,Briggs,Hangar,Amphibious Hangar,Navigation room, Captains Room, Weapons Room, okok.. it was pretty much the coolest tour ever. We then went ate lunch and set up.. Now on the ocean it was only 98 degrees... but... was also 80% humidity..
UGH.. Two soaked shirts later the show was over and it was time to go to bed..
One more performance, and two more days.. woo hoo..
Coach sounds pretty nice to me.. My own bed.. My own shower.. ahhhhhh.
love you all.

last but not least.

Welp.. It is the end of a Sunday here, and I fly out Thursday...
Now it is a 4 day event.. We are in Bahrain, and life is good.. We are staying in another hotel tonite and then will be out on a ship for a few days, returning on wednesday for one last show, and thursday we pack up and check out..
Today we took our last C-130 flight, and let me tell you..IT SUCKED.. We were placed on a C-130 headed for Djabuti, by way of Bahrain and Qatar.. I became apparent that the only reason the plane stopped in Kuwait was for us.. especially when all the Navy Men..(sea-men) hahaha.. were pissed at us because of the stop.
Well the Air Conditioner was Broken and on this flight there were about 40 of us.. The woman next to me fell asleep and then leaned on my arm.. with about all of her body weight.. And the guy behind me was pushing through his seat..
I WAS MISRABLE..
But now I have taken a nap and feel great..
Not much to report today, but all is well in the land of Hairdryers, Showers, and Plastic Bags..
Love you all, See you soon
~D

Day 5 Iraq/Kuwait

July 14
Ok, so I woke up this morning, and was regular.. opted for no shower because tonite.. I am in the hotel that I started in.. A good shower is what this boy wanted.. We were helicoptered back into Al Asad (Iraq) and then from there caught a C-130 here to Kuwait. I got to sit on the flight deck for the take off.. It was pretty cool.. You would never guess just how close you are to other planes during this time.. We landed and met up with Justin.. our babysitter.. we went and checked into the hotel, and then went to a mall for a bite of lunch.. This may sound a little weird but this hotel that I was so up about at the beginning of the tour feels weird now.. I don't know why.. I guess that after only 3 weeks I had gotten use to the inconvience of the Military.. Having to get out of your bed, having to leave your room, and walk 400 yards just to go the bathroom.. Walk a quarter mile and reach the Dining Facilities.. (DFAC) I feel a little out of place now in the hotel..And really spoiled..
Now and for the rest of the day I am just relaxing in the hotel..Tomorrow we leave for our last country on the tour.. Bahrain.. Only four days left.. I DID IT!!! WOO HOO!!

Iraq.. Day 4...ugh..

Ok.. so the GI Cocktail didn't work.. We woke up this morning I went and took a shower.. when I got into the shower I could not find that balance where it isn't cold.. But it also isn't straight from the sun.. As I am finding the correct blend, I get yelled at by a Navy guy.. "Hey we are on water concervation here" to which I yelled back.. "Yeah is it the cold water, cause I can't stop burning myself.."
to which he replied.. "beats no water" I left the arguement there.. but really if you can't even get under the water stream because it feels like a smelting pot of hot liquid is being poured over you, you may as well have no water.. you can't enjoy it.. anyways we then boarded a helicopter... a something 53... and flew off to Al Qaim (AL Kime) This is out there.. about 15 miles from Syria.. It is where USA troup medivacs are out of.. when we got there, while on the tour of the hospital, my problem came up and they gave me a dose of Milk of Magnesia (spelling?) Yeah.. just to keep the suspense down.. it didn't fix my growing problem.. While in the hospital I actually saw a Camel Spider.. They are mean looking.. and not really spiders.. they actually fall under the Scopion Family.. But if you haven't seen one I recomend checking it out.. It is wicked..
Anyways it was time to set up and we did so.. We met some Iraqi Soldiers (special forces) that the US is training to be the future good guys in Iraq. These guys were cool, we chatted for a bit, and after a few pictures it was time to go back to the bunk and change for the gig.. (for me.. time to go back to the doc..) OH.. the doc is from Aberdeen.. Doc Benett is his name and he graduated in 1988 from my alma matter.. CRAZY EH??!! anyways here is the conversation..
me "still not goin well doc"
doc "hmmm.. well, we aren't far from invasive procedures"
me "gulp."
doc "I have one other thing I guess we can try..."
(time passes)
doc "Take one of these in twelve hour incriments as needed.. DO NOT OVERDOSE"
me "ok... so um... how long should it be before I see results?
doc "You should be on Stand-by.."
me... "ok"
Now I didn't think that it would work.. but I am amazing now... whew..
Anyways we played the show, it went well.. visited with the people of the base..
Did a call in to 101.9 to give them an update..
and went to bed..

Ok.. so Iraq DAY 3 is HERE

I realize I forgot to put this one on the last post.. here it is..

7-12-07 Iraq.
Welp.. I woke up this morning with really bad stomache pain.. got up took a shower and figured that I would just tough it out, get through the day, and by then it would be better.. We went and saw the prowler (a radar jet), and the FA-18 (a supersonic fighter jet..) By lunch time the pain was enough to stop me and make me breathe through it.. (Pain comes in spurts about 5 minutes apart)(NOT PREGNANT!!)
Well I went to the Medical center (base from MA)and got it checked out by the Urologist.. Got a CAT scan.. (using my tax dollars.) and found out that my bowels are full enough that they are pushing the bladder around, causing the cramping.. Well they gave me the G.I. Cocktail as they call it, and as I sit and write this I sort of feel like a time bomb waiting to explode.. Not sure when or where.. but I hear it is magical fireworks..
We also play a show tonite so if anything exciting happens I will be sure to write and tell you about it..
anyways.. love you all..
~D

Iraq (Day 2 and Day 3)

7-11-07 Ramadi, Iraq
Well today was a great day.. We woke up, showered (if that is what you call it) and then went out and about. We got to take a tour/sit in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and then it was lunch time.. After lunch we went to the place where the show was to be held to set up and soundcheck. The building was recently damaged in a car bombing incident.. (Just the concussion from one mom.. don't worry) We would have probably been better off playing in a very large cave.. seriously.. I haven't felt the best the past few days, I will write more in Day three about that.. So we soundchecked and then played the show shortly there after.. When the show was done we finally got to eat and while we were an man from the Army came up and talked to us.. He has been here for over a year, searching for mines.. He came up and told us that his day was going terrible and he was way down, he was missing his wife and kids and has seen a lot of people in his crew get hurt, and just hearing music made him feel a little bit better about the day.. THAT IS WHY I CAME.. I know that I am not actually playing the music.. But I am playing a role in a much bigger picture, and what I am doing for only 25 days these guys do for 120 days (Air Force), 6 months (Marines), and up to 18 months for the Army.. If all I have to do is run sound.. Man.. that is an easy way to make someones day a little brighter.. After that we packed up and were Helicoptered (at night..)((Mom... You cannot see the helicopters at night, unless they are about 200 yards away))back to Al Asad where we will play on Day 3 in Iraq..

~D

Iraq (Day one)

7-10-07 Flight to Iraq
Ok, so if you are at all worried about me being here.. don't read beyond this..
GULP..
Our flight left out of U.A.E. at noon directly for Al Asad in Iraq.. This was a Marine KC-130 J.. (Kerosene/Cargo 130 J type..see I am learning)
I GOT TO FLY IT!! The pilot invited us up one by one and explained the HUD, and then let us take control of the plane for 10 minutes or so.. It is really touchy and responds well.. Then we had to put on our vests as we flew over Iraq.. We did a Combat Landing into Al Asad.. Quite frankly I was ready for worse.. And I think I have had worse landings flying Southwest, but hey it was like a rollercoaster at times.. When we got into Al Asad we got to meet the crews of the Harrier, and the A-10 (war hog) and take a tour of the plane.. the A-10 is a machine gun with wheels.. 30 millimeter rounds.. huge bullets.. We then got fitted for Kevlar and Helmets and got onto a Heavily Armored, Heavily Armed (two 50 cal machine guns) Helicopter and were flown into Ramadi.. Check your maps folks.. I am in a suburb of Baghdad..
Crazy eh.. well I am into day two of Iraq and all is well..
Hope you are all doing well.
catch ya soon..

Last Day of Djabuti, All of U.A.E., Travel to Iraq..(Long one)

Ok so.. The U.A.E. was filtered internet so I couldn't get on, but I kept notes, and a lot has happened so this one could be a novella..
So.. here we go..
7-6-07 Last day of Djabuti, travel to U.A.E.
Welp.. I woke up this morning feeling good went to the bathroom and when I got back the tent was still pitch black so I couldn't get dressed. So I decided "when in Rome" I laid down with the idea of going to sleep.. I felt something on my leg.. as a guy we have leg hair and sometimes they get twisted and untwist.. this is what this felt like so I gave it a brush.. 5 seconds later.. my upper leg.. UPPER UPPER leg was on fire.. stinging like crazy.. I jumped out of bed and ran to the shower and began to check myself.. sure enough 3 bite marks.. all of them on the leg, one of them close enough to important man stuff that man stuff was in the radius of sting.. Worried about my boys I went up to the infermary and talked to a nurse.. She gave me benedryl and said.."bug bites sting worse here.." ok.. now I would like to point out that if this were on my lower leg I probablly would have ridden it out and not worried about it.. But.. it was my future children we were messin with.. Anyways all still here.. stang all day though.. I feel better now.
Anyways we went to lunch and then caught our C-130 which was a little more comfy to Qatar.. When we got into Qatar we had problems.. I HAVE NOW OFFICALLY BEEN DEPORTED FROM A COUNTRY!!!! WOOHOO.. Our orders from the milatary said nothing about our trip being routed through Qatar and the government requires that all passangers go through customs.. So the military's solution to this so that we didn't go to prison.. Fill out the deportation papers and deport us to U.A.E., they are supposed to deport us back to Djabuti, but Qatar has no clue where our planes go..
So I have been Deported..
We finally arrived in U.A.E. at 3a.m.
This is a posh base.. It has all cement, a pool, a nice stage, a nice dining hall, and laundry facilities..

7-7-07 U.A.E. (Day one)
Conditions here are about as hotel like as the military gets I think..
We woke up, showered, and then went to meet the General. General Wells is a nice man, the only man in the air force who was selected from flight school to fly the F-16.. the first version F-16.. He told us alot about the support they provide from this base and all the great things they do, and the cool stuff we would get to see..
On this base they have the U2, the Global Hawk, KC-10, KC-170, C-130, and the one plane that has the satelite spinny thing on the top.. The rest of the day was pretty much normal for me now on tour.. We set up, sound checked and played two shows, one at 8pm, and one at 1am for the swing shift crew who never gets to see shows.. It was the least we could do.

7-8-07 U.A.E. (Day two)
TODAY I WASN'T THE FIRST ONE UP!!??? But I was number two.. I woke up and had lunch on the Flight Line! We got to have the Airforce Backlot tour. Got to see all the planes up close and personal.. This was so cool.. We found out what all the letters mean in front of the plane number, and such.. man I have a cool gig!! When we got back I went to church and then we went into AbuDahbi.. Before going we were briefed on customs and culturs in the city.. First the band members had to remove their earrings..(oh do I have funny stories), second, when in the city do not show the soles of your shoes because you are telling people that they are below dirt, They talk close (no hula hoop) accept that.. The city was cool, we ate at this restaraunt that served real arabic food and it was delicious.. On the way home we were talking to the Major about his thoughts on the war he put it simply.. he said "For those who think we shouldn't be here tell them this.. We are over here in the Middle East simply to keep terrorism an away game"
I think that was a good one.. I liked it..

7-9-07
Well I woke up and did my laundry.. The guys.. Still not up.. Big Suprise eh? Our flight was canceled today.. not much to say.. I am almost done reading my book..Watched a Vollyball match between the Firemen and the Police.. It was crazy! Like the pro's.. that is about it..

Camp Lemonier (Djabouti Day 3)

Ok.. today was amazing, humbling, and exhausting..
I am so blessed to be raised in America by a hecka cool ma and pa..There are so many little things I have the oppertunity to take advantage of in life... My blessings are many..We woke up this morning and headed into down town Djabouti.. ok.. there is poor, and there is poverty, and then this.. Grown men wearing flip flops that could fit my sister, women and children walking around this dirty town barefoot, and worst of all children begging the minute you step off of the bus for something to eat, or a drink of your water...lots of them... People shouldn't have to live like that.. And the worst thing of all with the children is you can't give the water, or the food to them because they will get completely beaten up for it by someone older.. All of us wished we could have planned ahead and grabbed a couple cases of water..
It is like back in Washington when you throw bread to one seagull and all of a sudden you have 50 coming at you.. It is just heart breaking, but at the same time it forces the realization of all the oppertunities that I have been given right down to the fact that I have never had no option but to starve.. Man.. It was a lot to take in..
Well we went shopping downtown.. these guys are hustlers.. big time.. They quote a price that is insane and you barter with them back and forth until you get the price you want to pay for the item.. its so easy. We also went to a 7 star hotel.. YEAH IN A COUNTRY THIS POOR A 7 STAR HOTEL EXISTS!!
Well we came back to Camp Lemonier and played the show, nothing too eventful else happened..ooohh.. Remember the sound guy I talked to when I first came into town, who well.. Expected less.. Yeah.. he asked me about what I was doing with my drum mic's to get them sounding so good.. (stretch, yahn, ruffle chest..) He told me that before we got there my reputation through the company had already gotten to him..
(Anal SoundGuy who is really good...) woohoo!!
AND IT RAINED!! ok so for only like 5 minutes which means that the mosquitoes are going to be out full force tonite.. but it rained in Djabuti..Mosquitoes stay away..
So tomorrow is a travel day and I am not sure about the acomidations at the next base.. but U.A.E. is where we are headed..On a C-130... Life is great.. I can't complain..
Love you all.
~D

Camp Lemonier (Djabouti Day 2)

Two words..."Gold Bond".. It is pretty dang hot here.. and humid.. humid humid...
So I have been consistantly waking up before the band, and this day was like every other.. I woke up a good 4 hours before they did.. I think my body knows that if I shower that early I can enjoy about an hour before it starts to get sweaty hot.. At least here.. So far this is the hottest place.. I would say I have gone in order.. from the coolest feeling to the hottest..
Well.. I woke up at 6 this morning wide awake showered, ate breakfast, and then started to wash my clothes.. I then threw my clothes in the dryer, enter Rob and Alex, the first band members awake at ten thirty..After doing laundry we went to the DFAC to have some lunch.. So it is the Fourth of July.. and I am on a Marine/Navy Base.. (This base is featured in this months Esquire..(Angelina Jolie is on the Cover)and also in the first few minutes of Shooter... If you are interested in seeing where I am at check those out...
I am a little timid to say much about this base because there are people that people don't talk about here.. They don't exist..
We got to go to the Armory today and get a tour..I got a pic of me manning the .50 cal, and holding a saw.. pretty cool if you ask me.. those guns are heavy...
I also learned a lot about the Marines today too.. For instance in the marines there aren't any medics.. See... The Marines are a branch of the Navy, and the Navy provides the medics for the Marines.. They are called ducks..
Anyways we say some cool weapons in the Armory, and learned how are tax dollars are wasted, and used well..
Well we did that and then I was ready for a rest.. So I went back to the bunk and read my book a little.. (i overheated..)OH speaking of overheating.. I bought a pair of shoes for this trip.. I got them at Ross and didn't pay a whole lot for them.. but..the sole has melted a bit.. and now has re-hardened concave so it feels a little weird when I walk.. Anyways..I like bikes.
So then it was show time, we did the show, had to stop in the middle for taps..
but all and all it went well.. Tomorrow we are being taken into the capital of Djabuti!! and to a cheeta reservation.. pretty exciting eh??
welp.. time to sleep...

Djabouti (Day one)

Djabouti, pronounced "jah-boo-tee"... ok.. so set down your hair dryers.. jump into the hot hot hot shower, and put a plastic bag over your head... there is Djabouti.. You are now here with me..
To get to Djabouti we woke up at 7am for our Millitary Air Flight at 10am. We got to the airfield and got customs stuff wrapped up and then went and got some breakfast.. If you are wondering why we left so early.. read yesterdays blog.. Customs.. that is why.. Welp.. we boarded the C-130, the Air Force's Prop plane.. and were off.. Wanna know what this is like?? Catch a flight from New York to L.A. on a bad lawn chair turned sideways.. I will be honest though it wasn't as bad as I expected.. I have actually flown comercial that was more bumpy..
We got to Djabouti and de-planed got our gear and then headed off to the venue..
I got the "oppertunity" to spend a little time in a room with their sound guy while he told me about the gear available.. (oh dear)
Learned some facts about here though.. We are here primarily as P.R. helping dig wells, build buildings, basicly just to help.. This is because Somalia is about 18 miles South.. Remember Black Hawk Down.. ok well the idea is make good, show them that we aren't the white devil, and sooner or later Africa will understand that we aren't the bad guy, and will take some initative to help us flush out the bad guys.
like Qatar a small number of the population is actually....Djaboutians? Majority are refugees from the contries surrounding..
Anyways we set up our stuff tonite, and I get to do laundry tomorrow... YAY!!
I am feeling a little sick.. I am going to bed to try to sleep it off..
~D

Qatar.. (a three day story)

The first base that we were in Al Udid (AL YOU-Deed) had super filters on all of the computers so I had to take a few days off, but I kept notes and am still alive to write about it.. (haha.. there is no danger....yet)
Here we go..
Day 1 (Saturday June 30)
Well, Allen was still sick, when we got to the APOD (air strip) we took him to the doctor on base.. he was hooked up to another IV and was diagnosed with a virus in his intestine.. (Wash your hands people) So we had to take a later flight which was ok.. we were put on a C-17.. for you information types that is not the super huge one.. but you can fit a Black Hawk helocopter on it.. (It is the second biggest cargo plane in the fleet.. The pilot (a girl) told us that they throw a football around or a frisbee on long flights.. It is huge!! While waiting for this plane to arrive all of our gear sat on the tarmac waiting.. it got so hot that some of the cases warped, some of them melted a little..While waiting I learned some cool facts..
a)Qatar, pronounced "Cud-er", is populated by 20% Qatar citizens..80% are on as private contractors, or the workforce from other countries.
b) It has only a 7% crime rate compared to the mil bases 17%. This is due to public punishment..
c) When we get to Iraq... We have to perform a Combat Landing..(or controled crash as the army calls it.) One told me "have your barf bag ready." oye...

Ok so we got to Qatar finally.. went though customs. Found out they are more picky because they want to show people of usa that they are in charge. they do not allow any outside magizines to come in..
Well we got to the base and pretty much got ready for bed.. we took a look at the venue..nicknamed the "bra" for obvious reasons when I finally saw it..
On this base Al Udid it is a coalition base housing 17 different nations next to us Americans.. EVEN KIWI's
Good Night..

Day 2 (Sunday July 1st)
So we are sleeping in a tent city.. yup in an air conditioned tent..with rats..
Well if I haven't told you what Qatars Climate is like.. Grab your hairdryer and go back into your bathroom.. turn the hot water in the shower on hot.. shut the door.. let it get steamy in the room.. do the hair dryer thing again..
Basicly.. Stuff onions and celery up my butt and put an apple in my mouth cause I am in the lords confection oven.. and I am one baked ham..
However if you wake up at 5:45.. It is perfect.. 86 degrees.. untill 7.. when it is too hot..
On this base water is shipped in..So we get to take combat showers.. 30 seconds to get wet..turn off water..lather...2 min thirty seconds to rinse. As I said earlier the internet is way filtered..
I went to church on the base..It was a great meeting.. the bishop talked about how he was able to go home for 2 weeks and how he was so thankful that his family supported him, and that he was so gratefull that his wife and kids were willing to sacrifice for him.. It was touching because never once did he talk about his sacrifice,or his service..
After church it was time to feel out the "bra" and set up the sound. Oh boy was my work cut out for me.. This stage had all the challenges of an out door stage with the acoustics of an indoor stadium.. I worked a little too hard, with a lot to little water in 108 degrees, and got a little sick becuase of it.. but after a few waters and a military hydration pack..(gross) I am good enough.. (a little headache.) Oh boy.. I made it sound good.. but man my ears are fried, and I am a little irritated.. Good Night.

Day Three (As Salya)
As Salya, pronounced (ah-sa-lee-ah)is the destination for todays journey.. We wake up at 7 to find out that we have to wait because Qatar is being even stricter today with the customs thing.. Finally at two the bus arrives and brings us to base with a little stop on the side... Remember how we had to go through customs on day one?? well.. had to do it again on day 3.. got here.. set up.. played a show.. This base is known as a r & r base.. today we had a group from Washington who are stationed in Bahgdad and on a 4 day R&R.. This was a good gig, met some nice people..
I am really tired though.. and need to go to bed..
and if you have made it this far in this post.. so should you..
Tomorrow..... Djabuti..
Peas out..