Yummy.

In an effort to further demoralize Soldiers, they have closed the cafeteria for lunch. Now, we're left to MRE's. It's not that bad... we could be eating them for every meal.

I've been wondering how the MRE's stay preserved for so long. For instance, what kind of chemicals are used to give mayo and tuna a shelf life of 10 years? Also, how come the M&Ms don't melt after sitting on a pallet in the desert for weeks or months.

Let the fun begin!

Well, we made it to Ft. Lewis without a lot of trouble.  Weather is nicer than the midwest, and by that I just mean warmer.  Cool and rainy but I would rather have that than cold and snowy.  We've been busy getting MORE equipment, doing paperwork and getting shots.  So far the hardest thing has been getting up at 3:30 am to do the above things.  Hopefully when we start training for real, at least we'll get to sleep later.

We've gotten a lot of new stuff.  Improved body armor, and fire resistant uniforms are just part of it.  Although I will say that if I actually have to use fire resistant anything, there's a serious problem, unless it's my computer that catches on fire  (or my typewiter - right Steve?).

Anyway, nothing too exciting yet.  Internet access is on a sporadic basis.  I can get it in the barracks, but my computer doesn't have a decent enough antenna to pick up a good signal.  Hopefully in another week, I'll have access to post to this and check emails everyday.

Stay tuned!

Last day at work

Tomorrow is my last day at work. As much as I'm looking forward to my little adventure in the Middle East, it is hard to say good bye to everyone. I really like the people I work with, even if I don't like my job all that much. I've also gotten a lot of support from my coworkers, even if they don't understand why I'm going, and from the management at Perot Systems. Today at our department meeting I was presented with an autographed copy of Ross Perot's autobiography. He actually took time to write me a note after being informed that I was deploying. It was very cool.

It's very wierd. I feel like I'm about to enter a new stage in my life. It's kind of like getting a new job, only a lot more intense. It's a good feeling.

thought of the day

I found this on another Soldier's blog...sad but true:

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM.

Twitter

In the interest of using all internet resources available to communicate to everyone, I've signed up for a Twitter account. I actually did it quite a while back but really haven't used it.

Twitter is a microblog capable of posts up to like 140 characters. Just quick little updates, but you can subscribe to peoples' blogs and "follow" them. If you're interested, go to Twitter.com and search for muchocheko. Unfortunately I think you have to sign up for the service, but if you want to, I'll try to post. I probably won't use it too much but it's there as an option if I need it.

Check this out:
http://jaypeeonline.net/news/student-uses-twitter-to-get-out-of-jail/

test post

just a quick test post from my psp. keyboard stinks.

Early 09

Hello all. Hope everyone had a good holiday season. Just a quick update on my ever changing military status. I officially transferred to the Minnesota National Guard in September of 08. No, we're not moving there; the unit I transferred to is going on a deployment in early 09 and I wanted to be a part of it. Why would I volunteer to go to war? There are a bunch of reasons I'm doing this ranging from career experience, to tax free money, to just something I want to do as a life experience. Basically I don't want to be one of those people who goes through life saying "I wish I did whatever when I had the chance."

Anyway while I'm gone, I hope to keep this blog going. I should have regular access to the internet, so stay tuned. I should start posting stuff from in country around early May.

Feel free to send email to both my military and gmail address.

Dan