Goodies for Iraq

Hello all,
I'm putting together a package of goodies for Matt's cousin who is also stationed in Iraq (see blog post below). I currently have about 10 DVDs put together and I was planning on getting some chocolates for Easter. If you would like to pitch in some money, or have some WB/Disney goods, please let me know. I plan on sending this package by the end of the week on 3/16/07.

Thanks! mowie

care package iraq

Hollywood - this is crap, but it is the best I have in me.

Due in part to the success of an earlier entry, Captain KJ and I requested that Mr BUA write one final guest blog a couple of days ago, before his planned departure. After many hours of packing far too much Army issued gear and preparing for a journey home that takes way too much time to complete, he spared a few moments to throw something together. With that I let him leave you with his own parting words…

There is something bittersweet about leaving. As you head out the door you know you will miss many of the people, but at the same time you really do not want to stay a second longer. Anyone who spends time in the military learns that there are always new people rolling in and veterans heading out. It is a funny thing -- one day you are the replacement learning the ropes and the next thing you know, you are the guy who everyone goes to for information. How did this happen? Hollywood doesn’t even realize it but he already is developing his crustiness and will soon be looked upon as one of the veterans here. Eventually he too will ponder what he will take away from this place. I know after I leave here the dark times will fade and only the good memories will remain. It is our way of survival in life. Somewhere in those memories will be Hollywood, Captain KJ, John Squared, GSL, the future congressman, Lee Marvin, Ninja Squirt, TAM, Swordman, and a host of other colorful and entertaining characters. There will be happy dances and trips to the DFAC for some pie and coffee at midrats.

In my time here I have watched more news than ever before. I have gotten to know all the cable news anchors. And I must tell you quite frankly – news in America doesn’t really tell you much. It focuses on three or four key stories and runs them into the ground. And many of those stories hardly qualify as news. I now know all about Anna Nichol Smith’s death, Britney shaving her head, American Idol and a great variety of other stories that really don’t impact my life in any way.

I know Hollywood is hoping I would write some sort of spiffy send off. Truth is I am tired at this point – mentally exhausted from trying to understand this place called Iraq – and I just want to go home to my wife and kids. I wish I could tell you I did something exciting, but I didn’t do much that would even make for an interesting made-for-TV movie. Still, if I made the place a little better, I think that was enough. I will save spiffy for the marketing man. I have to go find a cure for a brain cloud.

Be well and support your troops.

Mr Bua

military green zone iraq

Fair Winds and Following Seas…

On my arrival here at HQ I was introduced to Mr. BUA (One LTjg Navy Type) and subsequently informed (after the fact) he was to be my sponsor, at least for the rest of my initiation. This was the beginning of a profound friendship both adversarial and supportive in nature. (Just for the record Mr. BUA’s name comes from his tireless often times thankless job; The Battle Update Assessment.) Though here only four months, he was wise enough to guide me in certain directions and provide coverage from things a green-horn couldn’t begin to comprehend. And while he tried his best to assist me in the ways of this new world, he also quickly became aware of just how much a handful I actually am - as in a lot. For his patience I will always be grateful. Thank you Mr. BUA for a job well done… I couldn’t have had a better sponsor.
Today was the last day of his 6 month tour and its time for me to say farewell to yet another shipmate and friend. I will miss our MidRat debates - our high-brow discussions over low-brow marketing techniques and profit vs. art. I will miss the long “laughing till we turn blue” conversations over the observations of folks who, while at war, are really not at war at all. I will definately miss the many back and forth references to Joe vs. the Volcano. "Where is my head? Where is my head?..." And I will miss the way you just make fun of my Wile E Coyote impersonation: Running out in the lead - sprinting off the cliff - turning back in sudden realization of my mistakes - holding up a “Yikes!” sign - and then waving as I shoot to the earth to the inevitable sound of “Poof”. Fair Winds and Following Seas Mr. BUA – Our paths will cross again.

What do you do with a 100lb. brain?

I’m starting to feel stabilized in my new position. There are a couple of hick-ups here and there but all in all, complaining helps no one and only serves to create discontent among the troops. The one thing I’ve learned in my short time in the military is change is constant. I know enough by now that if I’m at all ”comfortable” in my position then something’s wrong and change is imminent. Typically I embrace change but the trouble I’m finding here is that my situation tends to go from bad to worse and after 7 moves in 2.5 months I’m more than a bit gun shy. My recent motto has become NAVY - Never Again Volunteer Yourself! A slogan I’ve learned from my Academy grad friends. Today I was informed by my boss that I am being head-hunted (yet again) by another group. She’s not too excited… Not all that sure I am either. I am a good fit for Strategy and Long Range Planning. Sure enough, I was called into a room and interviewed for a new job. While it sounds exciting and it gets me into the fight I am still reluctant to leave my folks behind and as I’ve mentioned before, I’m already burned out. All I hear is that these guys are the elite group reporting directly to the “Big Guy” and that they tend to work longer hours than anyone in the group. Not a good thing to hear when you’re already surging 16 to 18hr days. The trade off? These guys are in the fight. There is potential for travel and yes I saw their products… They are really good. The position affords me an opportunity to execute some of our strategies, gets me out and about among the Iraqi people, challenges me to grow in other areas and puts me in a position to replace a PhD. Now titles don’t mean much to me but it is flattering they chose me as a possible candidate to replace that sort of 100lb brain. I’ve met the guy and believe me he’s really cool but I have to add… who ever heard of an Army PhD? That’s sort of like military intelligence - it’s an oxymoron. I am too tired to make the decision. I fall back to the needs of the services – I leave it to senior leadership decide where I provide the best bang for the buck!

The hard part of being away…

I’m certain you’ve noticed I’ve been “off the air” for a few days. I moved offices and some things around here aren’t simple. Getting my systems back on-line was yet another one of the real challenges. Luckily for you I’ve been writing all along just unable to complete my access. It’s good to be back; enjoy the reading.

Today I had to say so long to Free… He’s the attorney who took pictures with Dave and I on the New Years day - cigars and all. His tour ended and he is returning home. It’s amazing how close you get in such a short time. I will miss him but know that I will see him again in the near future.

Update: New Subscription Tool

I updated the subscription tool on the left hand side. Please subscribe to get email notifications of Matt's new postings! He tries to post on a regular basis and it means a lot that you guys are reading.

Thanks! mowie.

Leave it to my sister to brighten my day with frustrations…

Today I received three very large packages from home. They contained all sorts of cookies and brownies from my sister. This is a birthday surprise. She cooked some tiny cookies with my mom a month ago and noted that the quarter sized cookies were not adequate for soldiers in Baghdad and decided I needed large cookies. This is reasonable I suppose. Large cookies! OK no problem but what I thought that meant was a couple maybe a dozen 2 to 3 inch diameter cookies. What the hell? Did you have a cookie bake-off? After all, how am I going to eat 25lbs of baked goods? Office dwellers can graze on this bucket of sugar goods for a month like cattle at a trough. Sure we have a large office here but this is enough to feed an entire division of ground troops for a week. It turned into a heck of a logistical task just giving these things away to the troopers walking through the passageways. One of the tins was bigger than my head. Never one for subtlety (don’t know where she gets that from) I can imagine the smile on my sister’s face when she finds out what an event this turned into… I even found myself “marketing” these things as “fresh-baked”. Which Mr. BUA responded “Have you no shame?”… “Well they were fresh baked at one time or another!” He rolled his eyes and ate the brownie. I will forever remember this as the Baghdad Cookie Incident. Thank you Sisterine! ;-p

Now this is a great surprise…

For the second year in a row I find myself on active duty in a different country on my birthday. Today I requested and received the day off to relax. My intent is to sleep all day… To my surprise several other folks have different ideas. Instead I was treated to a day out and about around the IZ with friends; from the crossed sabers, to FOB Liberty, to the Chancellery to raise a flag. Follow that up with a huge email campaign from friends and family and then a surprise birthday party from my hoochmate… complete with birthday cake, a DFAC full of warriors and State Dept Types singing Happy Birthday and a wrapped gift from the Haji shops (DVDs of BattleStar Gallactica). Thank you Dave, Ryan, and Katie for not letting me sleep through the day and forcing me to have a little bit of fun in an otherwise peculiar location. Thank you mama and daddy for the obvious reasons. And I especially want to call out the wonderful elf (also known as my girlfriend) who continues to surprise me day after day with all her generosity of time and loving support from the home front. Something tells me she had a heck of a lot to do with the spamming campaign that filled my email box as well as the great blog posting on the site. It’s easy for folks to forget that there are two of us on this deployment… I may be facing the physical challenges here in the combat zone but the she’s facing the same day in and day out challenges vicariously through me at home. The isolation is the same for us both. It means a lot to me, I love you darlin.
Like last years Birthday party at the sushi boat shop this yeas birthday is memorable. I suppose I am well on my way to living 99 different years instead of the same year 99 times. You all gave me a wonderful day that I will keep near and dear for the rest of my life. Thank You!

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Matt!
Though you aren't home with us, we hope that you're having a fun filled day off from work with your buddies. I'm sure if you had it your way you'd be spinning donuts in a hummer just to see how dusty it can get over there. Gotta love ya crazy Texan! Happy Birthday!!! PS: Shout out to Mr & Mrs Breedlove, thank you for bringing Matt to this world :)

Deep down inside, I’m still just a boy who wants to play war…

Today at lunch we were treated to a real combat moment. It’s really nice outside these days so my battle buddies and I have taken to eating out near the pool. (Yes Virginia there is a pool. I told you HQ was posh.) Anyway as I mentioned earlier Farhd al-Qanoon is in full effect and all the firefights and explosions make this seem like a real combat zone. Last night I couldn’t even sleep with all the commotion. Hell, it seemed like the scene out of Apocalypse Now with all the helo activity zooming (very low) over head. Sure we have our morning VBIEDS and rockets but those aren’t really organized campaigns. As Capt KJ and I were eating I heard the now very familiar sound of a Marine Corps COBRA helo flying over head. It had a ton of altitude which I thought was odd. Then the most amazing thing happened… It made a quick 180 degree turn dropped low from the sky and when it was almost directly over our table it fired off a series of salvos at a target across the river. Puffs of black smoke poured out of the rocket canisters as it zipped on past the compound. Moments later we heard a few booms but I couldn’t really tell if that was the rockets striking or something else. WOW! I know on the other side of that firefight there is a raging hell of fire and destruction but the kid in me still finds fascination with all these “toys”. As Marines always say that Cobra pilot was out to “Get Some!”