"...clean your room!"

Quite a few of you have asked what the living conditions are like. They are butler huts, or "b-huts" for short. I still call it "the tent" even though it is not one, carry over from my days in Al Udeid, I guess.

I describe it as living in a plywood cubicle, which is esentially all it is. decent amount of space though (not as much as in the photo, I used a wide-angle lens), so I cannot complain. It is better than Al Udeid, Qatar, where I lived in a tent for 4 months. And I know, mom, it isn't clean, but it has been a long week! lol

the heat of summer...

things are heating up around here.

those *&%$ Soviets!!!

Well today's half marathon started at 0600L, a full 20-odd hours before the 'real' run in PA started. All went well, until the Mine Action Group (U.S. Army Engineers) blocked of the perimeter road to clear some old Soviet placed mines along side the road...the NERVE!! jk. Anyway, the course changed because of that, but we continued on the full 13.1 miles anyway, and am very glad I did; I ran it in 2:31:18, which is right about my average: 11min/mile. Anyway, Lance had great success as well, coming in at just over 2 hours. Not bad for almost 5000' of elevation! Here is a great article about it.

I want to thank Fred in LeHigh Valley for catering to us and who will be sending us T-shirts and finisher medals to boot.

Both Lance and I are still comtemplating/debating the full marathon on 3JUN. Maybe I will run it, and then not run anymore after I turn 30! (June 8th)...haha!!

Sorry, only this photo illustration to show (taken along the running course earlier this month)

ranger up t's

man this website has some good tshirts, especially this one: http://www.rangerup.com/miidmetee.html

busy day in the country...

The ceremony for this fallen soldier was almost 12 hours ago, but I couldn't make it since I was still at work from yesterday, a 19 hour day for me. Not sure what country he/she was from or how they died. Just know it was here on base.

new domain names...

*update*, thanks Jim. www.johndherrick.com and www.johnherrick.com now BOTH point here.

Soon, I hope to have a few more domain names pointing to this page. *jim*

"that boy sure is a runnin' fool"...

I signed up for the Lehigh Valley 1/2 Marathon, which will be this upcoming Sunday, wish me luck.

Also just signed tonight to run the June 3rd San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (full 26.2 miles), of which there is an Afghanistan version. Neat thing about the RnR Marathon is that it would be $100 to participate if I was in the States, but since they are holding a local military version, it is free...they will even have special finisher medals, etc.

I did this even though I always tell myself after running a full marathon, that it will be the last. haha! Maybe 3rd time is a charm and I will really quit after this one. :)

birthday present, part 2

...a lot of the gifts and things from the bazaar here are not even made here in Afghanistan (rather; India, Pak, etc.) so I looked for a long time to find Lindsey's birthday present, I knew it was right when I found a hand painted Beauty and the Beast matryoshka doll set. At least it hints at the *former* Russian influence of this place. Oh, and she didn't guess it with the hint I gave her.

the sexy photographer...

...for those asking what it means when you write out my address; CEXC (pronounced "sexy"), stands for Combined Explosive eXploitation Cell, and I am the sole forensic photographer.

Not much else is new, worked 9am yesterday-5am yesterday, whew. But it is paying off, experience wise and financially.

I miss everyone back home, but am doing well, thank you everyone who stays in touch, please be patient, I will write back as soon as I can!

"brick red or possibly a barn red"...

...I had the salesman, Abdul, at the local bazaar looking high and low for this exact rug. According to my mom, it needed to be "a little darker, not so bright, like maybe a brick red or barn red". I informed her that if Abdul was indeed Afghan, he has probably never seen a red brick or a barn in his life...but I relayed it anyway. We both got what we wanted, and now she has a hand-made rug headed her way. Way to be persistent, mom, it paid off! At least no one in this country can accuse us Americans of not knowing EXACTLY what we want!! lol

Keep your eye on the mailbox, Happy (early) Mother's Day!!...I hope you like it...then again, you better!! just kidding! Love you and Dad.

International goodwill

Lance (the Canadian MP, A-GAIN!) and Dave Dawson (HSA, Inc.) inside the lab.

weird weather, sunsets, quiet nights...

We get all kinds of gorgeous weather over here, thankfully the lab's spare SLR is never too far...

Pat Tillman...

Well, today has been 3 years since Pat Tillman's death. I am wearing his jersey to commemorate this. Nothing going on at the Tillman memorial USO, as far as I know. Was hoping they might have a memorial run today, like they do in the States, but no such luck.

Anyway, still working hard (still at 120+ hrs/week and still going strong), enjoying the heat and occasional cool showers. Just saw Blood Diamond last night, very good movie, I was suprised by it.

happy feet, part 2

One more photo for those picture-hungry folks. Yes, I really am that sunburned today. It was 120F today in the southern provinces (much lower altitudes)...at least it is trying to warm up back in MN, not sure about the temps in VA this week.

happy feet...

Well we all did well today at today's 10K. We crossed the finish line together, as planned. (From L to R): Kasey Wertheim (HSA), Me (HSA), Jen Truslow (USMC), Lance Gibson (Canadian MP).

Lance, "the fearless Arcadian" with a prized possesion...

Heating up, not just the weather...

Latest from the front.

birthday presents n more...

I am glad I am getting so many emails and you all are enjoying reading this. Soon, I hope to have a few more domain names pointing to this page. *jim*

Quiet week...we are all excited to do the 10K run tomorrow. Rumor surfaced today there is a USTFA-sanctioned 1/2 marathon next month that will occur here, on the same day as one in the States. We hear they are waiving the registration fee of $90, and sending over t-shirts, bib numbers, and finisher medals too. Can't wait to find out which one it is. Kasey and Scott, you might have to come back out for that one!

I totally forgot a few posts back when I mentioned getting a little caught up on movies...I found a gem: Stranger than Fiction. I really enjoyed it and think it allows Wil Ferrell to make up for Kicking and Screaming, lol!

Thank you Aunt Pam for the snacks; today, the lab is full of fat and happy people, including me! When I get home, don't be suprised to see me come visit you in NOLA. :) The weather here is starting to remind me of the South, it was about 85F today, and warming up fast! I am enjoying it.

I am missing my car, but that is not a big deal, it will be there when I get home...can't wait to get it out on the racetrack again. Sent the pic from my April 2 post to www.tangodown.com and they said they are going to put it on their website since a lot of the gear on the M4 is from their site.

My oldest Niece, Lindsey is having a birthday soon, I got her a nice present, and sent her a teaser picture of it, I am sure she can't guess what it is, though. Lindsey, take another try:

And no, it is not a DVD, rather something handmade.....don't worry Lizard, only 10 more days until you get to open it.

I once knew a mef addict...

...just kidding. Actually, I have been taking Mefloquine once a week as I was prescribed for anti-malarial purposes, but I am starting to think the negative side-effects I think I am experiencing outweigh the lone benefit of staying Malaria free. So I will be switching to the daily Doxycycline this weekend, I expect I will do much better on that.

On a lighter note, I am enjoying the work here, we are very busy.

Also, keeping an eye out for a Reserve unit to join, still have my sights set on 4th Combat Camera Squadron at March ARB, in Riverside, California. Will be emailing them soon to see about open slots. Thanks Josh for the help with that decision.

Also, I am very excited that a friend from my old unit in Minneapolis will be headed to my present location within 30 days. Can't wait to see you (see first paragraph in this entry before outprocessing the 934th ASTS)!

Very soon, I will take some pictures of the mud huts the locals live in to show you what it is like or if you want to see any specific pictures of what it is like over here, just ask.

Still looking forward to run the 10K saturday....anyone from back home wanna join me?? jk

Easter evening...

Our Canadian MP coworker, Lance is a little down tonight since 6 of his countrymen were KIA today, Easter. Not sure if he knew them or not, will find out tomorrow when/if they release the names. Hang in there, buddy. A really rough day for Coalition (ISAF/NATO) forces in general too.

Also, the blast we heard/saw earlier today was a mine field being cleared, we later found out. This is the most heavily mined country in the world, and the base still has plenty of mine fields (example is seen in the pictures in the last post).

On a lighter note, the dining hall (army speak: DFAC) had a nice Easter dinner, which reminds me how I love the turkey here (and mac n cheese, and ravioli, but that is a different story!). Also, I had two pieces of cake. I figured after the 13 mile run today, i deserved it. Also, they had Jelly Belly jellybeans too...someone planned it nicely. :)

Watched The Prestige today after the run. Good, but think I liked The Illusionist a little better. Last night we watched The Departed which is a top 5 crime drama in my book. The night before that, we watched 300, also very good!!

I hope everyone is doing well and has/had a blessed Easter.

Easter run...mortars...etc...

Interesting attempt at our Sunday run here at Bagram...we went to run our 'normal' 8 mile loop, and after about 2 miles, it was blocked off. So we turned around and went the other way, then we found a way to go the entire 8 miles...then we figured we may as well go to the North PX and back, and make it a rough 13.1 miles total (calculated by our Candian, Lance...Lance, are you sure you werent thinking kilometers!! jk). Anyway, Lance and Kasey Wertheim can now claim they are half-marathoners, and as for myself, it was not the 1st time I had run this distance. All told, it took us just shy of 3 hours. Not a bad pace if you ask me, then again, I am the reason they didn't finish it sooner, at least I never quit. :) Also, we heard/saw what appeared to be a mortar round strike the central part of the base, so far we haven't heard any word about it.

At this point, I am cleaned up and I just ate so now it is off to the B-hut to watch a movie and then take a nice little nap. Beautiful weather today too, probably about 75F and sunny. Anyway, here are a few pics from along the way.

*yawn*

Happy Easter.

email

The best email to reach me at:
johndherrick@yahoo.com

Happy Easter...

Yesterday was Good Friday and tomorrow is Easter. After an early 8 mile run, I will be going to church...then to bed for a nap. We may also go on a photo hunt near the base perimeter as there are plenty of things to photograph out there.

Like most times when deployed, the holidays always seem quite a bit different when you are away from home, but true to form, they always make you appreciate being home the next time.

Going to run a 10K (the "GWOT TROT"*) next Saturday for the All-American Airborne Association (82D Abn). I don't run that often, so it should be a good time to back into it a little bit.

*GWOT: Global War on Terrorism

"Mortars, earthquakes and jokes, oh my!!"

This week just keeps getting better and better...my alarm clock today: a 6.2 on the Richter scale. No damage on the base, but it could be felt as far away as Pakistan, even India.

Hopefully next week is a little quieter around here.

Tillman USO...

Went to the Pat Tillman Memorial USO yesterday. Very nice facility. Saw his jersey (Cardinals, not ASU) and helmet on display. Will like to leave a 934 CF patch up on the wall before leaving here.

Afghanistan article...

Interesting article about Afghanistan. Thanks, Jim.

New Humvee, new vest, etc...

Our Humvee just got uparmored (500# doors!), and I recently was issued a new tactical vest, so I thought it would be appropriate to get a new picture with both. So far, my job has not taken me "outside the wire", and it likely won't...so do not have any illusions that I am in danger all the time. Most days I am in the lab with the camera, shooting away.