The Delta Forum Lounge Thread Everybody is Welcome! 2005-2018
Feb 3, 2007 | 10:56 pm
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My world here is rather insular, so I don't see a lot of the little things that are surely going "well". I can only comment on those things I see and experience personally, and most of that is not so good. We recently dismissed all our Iraqi workers and replaced them with guys from the Philippines. We just couldn't trust the Iraqis anymore. We kept finding them with cell phones, although they were not allowed to have them; and things kept disappearing...night vision goggles, satellite phones, etc.
As most know, the military is gearing up for a crackdown in Baghdad. That has driven many of the trouble makers North to Bayji. The insurgent activity has picked up a lot and the US Army is convinced that they are NOT Iraqis, because they 'work' in all weather conditions. There's very good sniper operating in Bayji that has taken down a couple of US soldiers from FOB Summerall in the past few weeks (82nd AB). He's a high priority for obvious reasons.
Lost my virginity
last weekend when I was part of a convoy that was attacked by an IED. Our lead security element spotted the device just in time to order evasive maneuvers. We crossed the median into the oncoming lanes of traffic (which we often do to avoid stopping on the highway, thus avoiding ambushes). As we were crossing, the trigger man realized we had spotted the device and set it off. It detonated just behind my truck and just ahead of the truck behind me. Thankfully, there were no injuries and no serious damage. Our gunners tried to get him, but he was too far away and on the move by the time we spotted him. We don't get many gimme's here, so we all felt pretty lucky.As my current contract is almost over, I am looking at options for returning to the states soon, but will save that discussion until I get a better grasp on the specifics.
Feb 3, 2007 | 11:06 pm
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I think I have an extra one (or two), and I don't feel I need it right now, so will pass it your way. Feel free to pass it on, if you have someone else who needs it more. 
If it was that easy, I would definitely send it on.... also to the Canucks in Afghanistan.......
I think lots of us feel so many things when we read your descriptions, we are afraid to ask, but we really want to hear how you are doing. ^
If it was that easy, I would definitely send it on.... also to the Canucks in Afghanistan.......
I think lots of us feel so many things when we read your descriptions, we are afraid to ask, but we really want to hear how you are doing. ^
Feb 4, 2007 | 2:10 am
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Feb 4, 2007 | 2:14 am
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They need to rest up so they can find a liquor store tomorrow.
Except for Cholula, who is retired. He can never get enough rest.
Except for Cholula, who is retired. He can never get enough rest.
Last edited by MikeMpls; Feb 4, 2007 at 2:27 am
Feb 4, 2007 | 2:19 am
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Evolution is kinder to some species than others. Beavers just stay in the lodge for a couple years and the brothers & sisters mate with each other. Apparently they need some practice before they venture out into the real world and try to find some beaver. If Dov were a beaver, he definitely would be kissing his sister for a year or two. 
Hmmm.... curious about what you might have responded....
But there's another fact about the VI Marmot that you need to know. Apparently, most of them will stay in a colony in a small group of family units. But about 1 in 3 teenagers (around 2 years old for a marmot) - male and female both - will head off in search of marmot love in the nearby mountains.
Now, the sad thing is that once they head off, they don't give up easily. So if they don't find their dream marmot on the first mountain, they will head off to another ... and another.... and another....
You get the idea, I am sure. And since they are a diminishing population, the chances of meeting up with another like-minded marmot were getting slimmer and slimmer. Especially since they only have about 4 months to meet up and get things going before ... whammo, the rains hit and it's time to dig a big old burrow again. And now they have to dig the burrow all by themselves!
It's all very tragic, isn't it?
So, it's a good thing that science can get them together somewhere, even if it's on the lowlands and of course, they don't feel like they are on top of the world while they do it. They weren't sure the marmots would actually go for it. But apparently, lust won out over low-altitude sickness.
So.......
I'm off to make myself a big old martini right now. It's going to be a SeaBreeze Martini, 2 oz of almost any old kind of vodka, 1 oz of not-from-concentrate ruby red grapefruit juice and 1 oz of cranberry juice.
Mmmmmmmm!!!!
Here's to marmots!!!!
But there's another fact about the VI Marmot that you need to know. Apparently, most of them will stay in a colony in a small group of family units. But about 1 in 3 teenagers (around 2 years old for a marmot) - male and female both - will head off in search of marmot love in the nearby mountains.
Now, the sad thing is that once they head off, they don't give up easily. So if they don't find their dream marmot on the first mountain, they will head off to another ... and another.... and another....
You get the idea, I am sure. And since they are a diminishing population, the chances of meeting up with another like-minded marmot were getting slimmer and slimmer. Especially since they only have about 4 months to meet up and get things going before ... whammo, the rains hit and it's time to dig a big old burrow again. And now they have to dig the burrow all by themselves!
It's all very tragic, isn't it?
So, it's a good thing that science can get them together somewhere, even if it's on the lowlands and of course, they don't feel like they are on top of the world while they do it. They weren't sure the marmots would actually go for it. But apparently, lust won out over low-altitude sickness.
So.......
I'm off to make myself a big old martini right now. It's going to be a SeaBreeze Martini, 2 oz of almost any old kind of vodka, 1 oz of not-from-concentrate ruby red grapefruit juice and 1 oz of cranberry juice.
Mmmmmmmm!!!!
Here's to marmots!!!!
Feb 4, 2007 | 6:59 am
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Feb 4, 2007 | 9:13 am
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Playmates eh
Feb 4, 2007 | 10:00 am
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Feb 4, 2007 | 11:09 am
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Feb 4, 2007 | 11:25 am
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Feb 4, 2007 | 1:53 pm
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Dovster are they actually showing the Super Bowl over there are you seeing some fencing match instead?
DLFan...what are your Super Bowl options?
Finally, Stevie Nicks is on TV and old and fat and as hot as ever.
DLFan...what are your Super Bowl options?
Finally, Stevie Nicks is on TV and old and fat and as hot as ever.
Feb 4, 2007 | 2:00 pm
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Feb 4, 2007 | 4:23 pm
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I have two stations showing it: ESPN is providing it without commercials (only those promoting itself) and METV (Middle East TV) is showing it with the commericials but the reception is poorer.
Feb 4, 2007 | 4:26 pm
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Hmmm... I think there is a game of some sort on today, right?
The Victoria Independent Film Festival is on, and I'm thinking seat selection should be pretty good for today's features......
Touchdown Tea
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 part vodka
1/4 part tequila
1/2 part rum
1/2 part gin
1/2 part triple sec
1 1/2 parts lemon-lime Gatorade
splash of cola for color
orange juice for taste (optional)
PREPARATION:
Fill a punch bowl with ice.
Pour the ingredients into the bowl using the ratios given in the recipe.
Stir well.
This punch is best served over ice.
The Victoria Independent Film Festival is on, and I'm thinking seat selection should be pretty good for today's features......
Touchdown Tea
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 part vodka
1/4 part tequila
1/2 part rum
1/2 part gin
1/2 part triple sec
1 1/2 parts lemon-lime Gatorade
splash of cola for color
orange juice for taste (optional)
PREPARATION:
Fill a punch bowl with ice.
Pour the ingredients into the bowl using the ratios given in the recipe.
Stir well.
This punch is best served over ice.
Feb 4, 2007 | 7:31 pm
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