Tis February

I'm still here.  Really no changes since Thanksgiving except I'm now working at the Pentagon.  Zena is plugging away at school and Innes Jr is waiting to go to boot camp this August.  It's been really cold with moderate snow.  I'll start updating this blog more often.  Today I took Innes Jr to a small garden center in DC.  Jr has been asking about getting a Banzai tree so we took the plunge.  Here it is coming home.  It's a Sweet Plum tree which is popular with beginning Banzai enthusiasts. See you soon.

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving because it means not having to do anything except eat, drink and relax. We were going to cook Crab Cantonese for Thanksgiving but getting crab this time of year is difficult. Instead we just roasted a 7lb roaster chicken instead of turkey. Innes Jr prepared and cooked it and did a great job. It turned out juicy and very tasty. Pictures

Zena and Cleo on Thanksgiving Day.  Zena is doing very good in school but she really needed a break from school. I love her dearly and will do anything for her.

El Chicken. Innes Jr cooked this to perfection.

This is what we use the chicken carcass for, chicken soup in the making.

I've been busy at night. It's good to be back.

As a present to myself I bought a new fly rod. It's an 8wt Sage VXP that can fling heavy flies with ease. Don't ask me how much it cost.  

Paired it with a Lamson Guru reel and Rio Gold fly line. This is the Cadillac of fly rod setups. 

Cat Tricks

Well I'm back at home and back to my old habits. I'm really enjoying myself but still working out like a mad man.  If you want to come by let me know. I'll pay airline fare.

The bar is stocked and open for business. 

Tying flies and prepping to go fly fishing. Good times. Enjoy

End of Mission

Well, the time has come for me to end my job here in Kandahar. It's been frustrating and tough but I actually hate to go. I met a lot of good Afghans who are working hard for a better life but it's a slow uphill climb for them. I won't tarnish this post with any bad comments but will say that Kandahar is the capital of Pashtunistan and things operate very differently here than other parts of Afghanistan. No matter what we do or how much money we pour into this place it will remain the same.  
 Anyways I should be back in Virginia by 1 Nov, take some leave and have a scotch. I'm probably going to get a Pentagon job and become another cubithian but I will retire within one year and start another life. I'm thinking about hitting the road for a long time but that's a decision for another time. Enjoy some random pictures.

My empty rack.  Time to move on.

I'll miss moving around the city in these things.  They're a little too big but will keep you safe.

My boys.  Took me everywhere and were always ready for anything.

Shirley, always took care of me and never let me out of her sight.

My translator Younas.  Younas was my last translator and worked out very well.  He was well educated, held no grudges and liked the work. I hope he finds what he's looking for.

Bye, for now.

Outdoor Work

Been a little too busy to update this blog so thought it was time.  We've been spending a lot of time in the city visiting provincial officials.  I'm not really sure how much help we are but we always try to help.  Some pictures of our visit to the Public Health Facility.  Health is not what I'm responsible for but I have a friend from USAID who needed to go so we planned a trip for him.

Getting ready to go.  

Got stuck in traffic.  Not good.

We got blocked in by someone who abandoned a car in front of us to keep us from moving. The place cleared up pretty quick so me and Greg got out and started walking back while the vehicles backed up.

(L-R) my sidekick Kip, Me, Dr from USAID, Afghan guy, Team Medic Greg

Lunch. Turkey, dumplings and big bread.  It was great food.  I love Afghan food.  

The guy who runs the library.  Not sure what I'm doing.

I bought this rug the other night.  It's silk and hand wove.  Don't ask me how much it cost.  I'll add it to all the other stuff I've bought over the years.  One day I'll have a big yard sale and clear everything out.  I hope you enjoyed the pictures. 

Squirt Guns

We went shooting today in the middle of nowhere.  Had fun and got to shoot-out some old ammo.  I'm no shootist but I'm pretty comfortable with it and do enjoy shooting all the ammo they throw at us. Pictures.

So my mission ends in a couple months and they finally give me a couple vehicles.  I like these MRAPs because they carry lots of cool stuff, have A/C and remote-controlled guns on top.  Very accurate and simple to operate; X-Box simple.

Ok, this is my friend and assistant Kip.  I had a write up for him but when trying to update this post I lost it.  Kip is a good friend and has been with me for a while. 

I don't usually show pictures of myself but I liked this one.   I've lost a lot of weight since I've gotten here.  All this gear use to weigh me down but now it's pretty light and fits like a glove.  I also hate wearing anything on my head so I ditch the helmet every chance I get. 

Me shooting taxpayer ammo.  Thanks!!

Kandahar International Airport

So we spent some time at the Kandahar International Airport just down the road from us.  I ran into an old classmate who works there as an advisor.  Got a great tour of the place and offers for lunch.  A couple of pictures.

The Kandahar International Airport.  Rush hour was a couple days ago.

The garden inside the airport.  Yes that's a pot plant growing and there are a few more around.  Poppies too.  Actually it's quite nice in the garden.  I told my friend I'd rather wait here than Reagan National.  No bar though but they are trying to build a Duty Free shop with stuff I like.

Cart service.  First come first serve.