The Garden Island, The City, and The Magic of Television

Kuai'i, Hawai'i


I know I don't usually start with a picture but I kinda promised my brother he'd see one o' these. Yours Truly, At Play in the Waves.


I'll say this the Garden Island sure beats the Hell outta the Garden State, just sayin' yeah. and how could you go really wrong with an island that has one main Road? And when you add the view from our room into the mix...yeah its good.

In my humble opinion, it is the island to go back to, it seems less commercial really, like you really are getting away from it all. And let's face it that is what we all sometimes need. So we set off in the rental car and headed one way one day and the other the next, what more can you do? I think it is safe to say that our appetite has been properly wetted for a return trip.

Coolest thing hands down of the islands has gotta be the wild chickens (seen above), I mean how cool is that? I can't wait to get some for the backyard (or course we'll have to figure out a way to keep the dogs from thinking they are little tennis balls while they are chicks). I think it's cool anyway, guess maybe I am just a dork.

Interlude: Home

Almost thought I wouldn't have anything to really say this time around, you know the Process continues... And then I turned on the weekend morning news and saw that a Drag Queen was the anchor, not that there is anything wrong with that... but I mean c'mon, yeah.

I don't know maybe I need to think the whole thing through, I won't say it's all roses and Care Bears 'round here, but... I have been trying to stay on track with myself, whatever the Hell that means. The missus and I went to The City (that is and always will be San Francisco. End of story. Not fekin Frisco or San Fekin Fran...The City.) for a night and had a good time. Did some shopping and drinking, what more could you ask for really. It's weird it's only like 90 minutes away and we seem to forget about it here. It really was like going somewhere and still being close to home. There will always be a certain magik that The City holds, for me anyway. We are going to try and go and stay a night each month or so, just to stay in touch.
If I find some pictures I will put them up later.



End Interlude

Like I said we drove around and did as many of the sights as we could. We also enjoyed actually cooking for ourselves in the condo, so graciously provided by the missus mom. T'was nice cos we had a grocery store and a health/natural food store nearby. We even took a picnic up to the Canyon (the name escapes me and trying to remain true to form even though I could look it up, I'm not going to. Suffice it to say it's the Grand Canyon of Hawai'i. Knowhatamean?)

I just deleted the picture and staying true to form I am not going to bother with bringing it back up. Remind me later, cos I have a video that I haven't downloaded to the computer yet, I know right.

We also went to the "Fantasy Island" waterfall. One thing that

Hawai'i does for you is make your marvel at the magic of television. The waterfall for example looks a whole lot bigger on the TV. Same way with Oahu and the "Magnum p.i." sights. (Oh and with The City too, here is where I can tie the interlude in. Wait for it...) you know a hunk of Road could be anywhere really and getting from one place to another can be glossed over real quick. (Here it comes...) Just like in San Francisco where a car chase can take you from the 3rd Street Bridge to the Richmond District and back downtown all in the space of a heartbeat, with nary a turn. (Gosh I hope that was worth it.)
Anyway here all the falls, there was some folks swimming down at the bottom, so that was pretty cool (for them anyway.) Chrissake I just deleted that fekin picture too, maybe I shouldn't be doing this right now...

So anyway here they are first up the canyon...

...and then the falls.



And that's it for me I gotta quit before I redo e'ery fekin thing. Not even going to spell check for Fear of deleting the whole thing...

Cheers,
g

"The Little Voice In My Head..."

Oahu, Hawai'i

Paradise? Comparatively speaking...yeah. But then again that can't be fair, by the time we got here I was like what 3 weeks out of Iraq...maybe. Still got to admit, it's pretty nice. Maybe the only thing missing (as I told the missus) was the shit weather we should have left behind, you know if you go somewhere that it is always 80 and sunny or whatever, you don't want to leave 80 degree weather back home.

The view from our window.

Did I mention they had fireworks? This is the view from our Lanai (balcony/terrace) I was okay until the grand finale, one right after another in a valley of concrete, glass, and steel.

Was nice though, got to see some of the place where TM, TC, Rick, Higgibaby and the rest hung out. I know that "magnum p.i." was a TV show and therefor not "real" yet you can learn a lot about life and the meaning of friendship there. T'was a crying shame to see the way that Robin's Nest has gone to pot though. I mean seriously someone is missing out on a goldmine there, you could charge admission to check out the guest house and all that (I know I'd pay, can't be alone can I?) but whoever owns the place has let it rot. The main house looks like a fire hit it and everywhere else you look everything is overgrown and out of control. We waded our way to the tidal pool and peeked over the fence, no sign of Zeus or Apollo.

The Missus and I at Mr. Master's tidal-pool.

Robin's Nest. "Oh my God!" if only Higgins see it now.

We stayed at the military owned facility the Hale Koa, and got to play our new game of "Guess the Service" ya see everyone there is in some shape or 'nother attached to the military. So we'd sit with our drinks at the bar and it'd go a little like this...

"Retired Navy," I'd say to the Missus as we watched a bearded beer bellied buy with a baseball cap stroll up.

"Specialist," she'd say back as we watched a young woman try and deal with her two kids as her husband played with his phone.

"No, no." I'd offer. "She's a E-5, he's an E-4. She's never been to school, but has somehow risen above him."

And we'd laugh, I am sure this will be lost on some of you, but the present and former military people are pro'ly having a bit of a chuckle too. We've all done it somewhere; at a restaurant, shopping, whatever. And chances are it has been done to us as well, no matter how much hair or beard we put on even in our civilian clothes something shines though.

Interlude: Home

I did the same thing I do everyday today; started the coffee, grabbed the paper, and put out the flag. I reckon some folks this is one of the only day's they put out the flag, and good for them I guess. It makes a difference even if it is only a couple times a year where we actually force ourselves to think about the times and how they've changed (and how they've changed us). That is the thing I guess not only how much the world has changed in 9 years, but how much we've each of us changed, I know I am not the same person I was, you know what they say though, "All that ever stays the same is Change." Am I a better person now? I'd like to think so, but I recognize that I am also a more damaged(Bear with me on this one, I know "damaged" isn't the right word. But it is like trying to explain the difference between alone and lonely, or good and bad... they are all different sides to the same coin. So don't focus on the damage focus on the change... the perspective if you will, where I can see new and strange chinks in my armour. Fekinell, I hope this makes sense to someone.) person too. I won't lie to you or myself, it wouldn't be fair or true to the changes that we have all gone through.

I don't want to sermonize or get anyone worried that I am not alright. I do the best I can day-by-day just like everyone else. Just last night I was watching "Dukes of Hazard" not exactly high-brow drama (or comedy for that matter) but there was a nice sense of comfort there. The best part (until I thought about it...) was that it seemed like Waylon Jennings was actually talking to ME (...of course that is when I thought that if he really was he would probably say, "Hoss, why don't you get off your ass and work on your music." Guilt felt, I played around for about an hour.)

Day-by-day, yeah. Don't worry about me, there are way too many things in this ever changing world to worry about besides me.




End Interlude

The Missus and I did get to see some of the typical tourist sites, and some that probably aren't on anyone's map. We checked out some beaches that are either off the beaten path or inaccessible without the ol' Military ID. Which is cool, say what you want about the military they have done pretty good by their people by having all these damn places around the islands...just wish more people knew about them...

Here's another tip, if you can go to the Flea Market at the stadium. Best bargains on the whole damn island. We saw the same stuff at the stalls back where the tourist were for like 50% higher or more. Everyone wants to bring something back (or have something brought back for them, etc etc) and if you leave it to the capitalist they'll take your arm, your leg, and whatever else they can get a hold of in-between. So stick it to the man.

Oil still leaks out of the Arizona, just in case anyone ever forgets.

I was a little worried doing the Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial thing that I might loose it. Part of my brain kept telling me, "it's too close." I wouldn't miss it for the world though, like I give a rat's ass if some other tourist sees me breakdown. I didn't though, but I was considerable moved, and I did come close. You see out at the memorial where all the names are engraved, there's this little bench in front. On this bench are the names of the survivors whose last wish was to be interred with their shipmates. Wow, right? Just like the oil that keeps bubbling up from the wreckage, people's hearts and minds stay with these men who gave so much and never even knew. I guess if there is justice somewhere in the world, they do know... as long as we never forget I guess the world will always know.

I guess I've covered enough ground in this ramble, I'd better go now. I can hear the balladeer saying, "Better late than never, son. But don't loose 'em, keep 'em coming back for more."


Cheers,
g

The Process

Home

That is what it is though, really... a process. The re-integration process they call it, and there must be several steps, cos I'm not really sure where I am in it. Or where I ever will be, but such is life, yeah... no easy answers.

So far I've done the usual; trouble sleeping, grumpiness, a nice quiet evening with family, a trip to Hawaii, and a blow out party in the backyard. Pictures of the last two events to come (gorra find the camera first) as for the other ones... well we'll just leave them as they are.

I really don't have much to say (without the pictures anyway) but just wanted to sit down and write something. Maybe just that I am alright, not great (but when was I ever) and it has been good to be Home, to be seen, and to get back to Life. I've had great moments (and a few ugly ones, but he less said about that the better, yeah) with the missus, friends and family, and even alone. So thanks to all for yer support and understanding.

Alone... I guess this deserves a little something to be said. It is different (understatement) here alone actually feels alone, there you always knew you were surrounded by folks and chances are all you had to do was stick yer 'ead outside and there'd be someone there. The noises from next door usually cemented that without really trying or meaning to I guess. But so did the TV, that is the weirdest thing when I think about it now. I know I must have complained about AFN and the idiotic PSA/commercials that they had on there, but they really let you know where you are. I didn't really miss the TV commercials that we are used too, upon being back I can confirm that they are as lame as the AFN ones. But alone, yeah... it's weird but it's good but it's bad. Know what I mean? Cos I don't really know, not yet maybe not ever.

I guess it's all part of the process.

Pictures and words of the adventures to come.... promise.

Cheers,
g

Special Guest Star...Me

Home

I know it seems weird to say, but i's like I'm a "stranger in my own home town" everything seems the same and yet... I don't know I imagine everyone goes through this at sometime or other. I reckon I did last time too, just differently. I's a little like on the Soap Operas where the announcer guy comes on and says, "Tonight the part of Greg will be played by..."

I's all part of the the reintegration process and all that though, that will undoubtedly take as long as it takes. Don't get me wrong here, everyone is great, being back is great. There just seems to be something hanging 'round me, some fog or shadow that I can't explain or shake off. Don't worry about me though all will be right in time.

Here's a little video from the Helicopter flight towards home.

Cheers,
g

A Time of Leaving: Part the Second- Jolly Ol' Style

London
I hate London, is that wrong of me? Oh well, lemme break it down the best I can. First there are too many tourists. I know technically we were tourists too, but that is besides the point. I think that everyone once they step outside their little boroughs feels like a tourist. So when people from West Ham go to Chelsea they feel like they don't belong. Seems that way too me anyway. Plus heard to much fekin French being spoken. Truthfully I will take listening to Arabic over French anyday. Maybe it is just me but London is just too much like LA for me, or even New York. Too much snooty shite, fer this Northern lad.We did have fun, our apartment was fekall small, seriously it was practically no bigger than the bed. T'was also way more expensive than our place in Liverpool. But truth be told we were a little tired of the vagabond life at that point and knew we had to get back to near the Capitol to fly out anyway.


We did do some cool stuff though. Took a boat all the way down the Thames to the flood gates. Which are quite the marvel of technology. Here are the big beasts below.


We also went to Greenwich where the time is told and all that. Even Jennifer hadn't been there so that was cool. Looked around at the exhibits and did the whole touristo thing and took pictures on each side of the Prime Meridian, the missus represented the West and I the East. She looks very serious below doesn't she?


We also saw a play in the Theater District whatever the Hell that is called again. Sorry but to me London is just a gateway to better things. but the play was pretty good, called The Warhorse. I's 'bout a boy an' his horse during World War One, and yes we both got a little teary eyed. They used puppet like things and they really had the horses movements down, you could actually suspend belief enough that you'd actually stop worrying about the people pulling the strings.

We ate Falafel almost everyday at the place where Jennifer used to go when she studied there. Took in a coupla museums and all that. Walked around a lot, cos the HQ was really too small to do much else in. And of course we had our share o' pints.
That's another thing too, none of the pubs felt like "yer local" they all seemed packed and like nobody cared about anybody but themselves and the people they were with. I guess London really feels like a city full of strangers, all moving self importantly through their little worlds. Like the Underground is nice and all but really it is fekall 'spensive. Like I said I don't see me spending a lot of time there anymore, gimme the north and the Pool of Life.

One more picture for you all. This may seem like nothing special but remember we hadn't seen planes in like two weeks. Might not seem like that big of a deal if you aren't from somewhere there is a big ass international airport (I mean Sacramento still seems too quiet to me sometimes having spent so much time on the San Francisco Peninsula) but fer chri'sakes there are 3 major airports 'round Londontown.


There we are finished and strangely enough the next time I write dear reader I will be at home. Crazy I know seems like a million years. But worry not about getting bored, even being home will be an adventure for awhile. That and we do have Hawaii next and the big Welcome Home Bash on Labor Day. I want to say thanks to everyone who kept me going and stayed with me to the end, both on the home front and here. You know who you are, you are the People... my People.

Thank You Goodnight!
Cheers,
g

A Time of Leaving: Part the First - Iraqi Style

Book One:
"Like a Ghost Town"

No shit there we were... the last men standing. The unit is on their way home but someone must tie up the loose ends. Matt asked me and how could I refuse, this was it really to finish, to put the period on the end of our sentence (in more ways than one really) in history.

I know, I said I'd never set foot on this monstrosity, but I felt like it was finally gonna get used by Soldiers. We really couldn't resist sitting in the custom made chairs (for the previous Brigade Commander and Command Sergeant Major {Hence the Eagle-not a Star})

We finally got to pack, you know that stuff that everyone else did a week ago and move out of our room. We thought we might as well shrink our footprint. So it was down to the compound to the Executive Trailers, so indoor plumbing for a day at least. Bed bigger than a coffin all that good stuff. But with no one around it was like a ghost town, all we were missing was the tumbleweeds. There were the hangers on (the people who decided it would be a good idea to stay with other units) scooting around who came to scavenge from the wreckage that was left behind. No one really offered to help us with anything, except Eraser Zero but since we really hadn't seen any of these folks for a few days anyway who cares? And it was a little like the Fall of Saigon too, as the time wasn't really published for everyone to leave, and it was pretty early in the AM too. But that is why we were there right, make sure all the T's were dotted and the I's were crossed.

For One Night Only, my own personal toilet and shower.

Of course we had to repack at least once when we got down to the compound, so we didn't get a lot of sleep in our wet CHUs, but when I had to pee I didn't have to walk fek all around to do so, worth it, same with the shower.

Here's the worst road on base, that they couldn't bother to fix until we left.

Book Two:
"Turn the Lights Off When You Leave"

Trips to the incinerator made, keys sorted and turned in, stuff mailed off, arrangements made for the connexs (that should have really left a couple of weeks ago) to head on their long sea journey home. Check, Check, and Double Check, yeah now it's starting to feel real. Long days of getting all this stuff done and figured out are all worth it, cos now we can go go go. Hanging out with the truck drivers and working on Iraqi Sign Language 130 degree heat, frustration, and whatever else all worth it. Watching those big boxes get lifted really gave me feeling of true something...completion, closure, reality... can't really put my finger on it but there it is.

Of course all that was left then were a few emails and phone calls before we turned all that stuff off, I guess besides being a good friend that was my real job, shutting the network down (and I gorra say it felt kinda good too, that) and collecting up everything that still had to be turned in. So I locked the back gate, something that pro'ly hadn't been done in years, neither of us had ever seen it closed. The we burned our last batch of nonsense and made a final sweep of the compound and locking the front gate said, "So Long Suck Hole!"



Now all that was left was sleeping on metal benches at the airport and hoping we could get an early flight out. Helicopter, airplane, pterodactyl... we'd have taken anything. It was still 105 at 2200 or so when we headed out to the airport for the last time, and though we wouldn't quite be leaving Iraq yet, that was okay too. We were shaking off the shackles that had bound us (of course we traded them in for uncomfortable metal benches and the bruises and aches and pains that went with trying to "sleep" on them and headed to meet up with the rest of the company.

And when we finally did get there (we almost made the first flight out, but they only had one seat) the lads (Tim, Top, and the Bomber) were very thoughtful and had gotten us a CHU to sleep in so that we didn't have to go to the tent and General Population. A few hours later we were actually on the plane that would take us out of Iraq, until the 20 year reunion at least.

I have some pictures and video from the helicopter ride across Iraq to the Wild Wild West that I will have to put up later. Till then...

Cheers,
g

"Ringside Seats... There's A Rumble In Brighton Tonight"

Brighton - Hove
Day ? Is it Monday?

Brighton isn't the Brighton that Jane Austin wrote about... if it ever was. Once the playground of royalty and the rich,Brighton is now...


I's not bad or anything, just different than what either of us expected. Like I said the missus knew about Brighton and the like from ol' Jane, me I expected nothing I guess. I don't even thing the Brighton alluded to above is even the "right" Brighton. But since we were down south might as well take it all in, "don't know when I'll be back again" and all that. Guess I am just a northerner at heart, Northern California, Northern Brition, northern Iraq was okay too, you know if you like brownish gray snow. But (as usual) I digress...

Simple fact is that it's matchday, and we are trapped (pleasently though) in ol' Blighty so why not back to the Promised Land to watch the Reds take on the Hammers? I asked, I mentioned it more than once... not that we had a bad time in Brighton, but... I know, I know get over it yeah. Okay as of now i won't mention the fact that we shoulda gone back to Liverpool. (Well maybe once more, but it will all be in context, promise.)


We had a good walk around though, checked out the pier and all that. Didn't really get caught up in the games or attractions, but I reckon we simply aren't those kinda folks. Yeah no sand on this beach just these lovely sand coloured rocks.


Best part though was the fact that once we finally found a place to watch the match, we got to do so in our own private lounge. Or so it seemed, they said they were going to be showing it upstairs at a Whetherspoon's but they hadn't opened the velvet rope yet, The missus being who she is once the clock struck she was over the rope and up the stairs. Clocked out a couch right in front of the giant tele, and I eventually brought up the ale. I didn't see where she went at first, and was thinking she was coming back. She came and got me eventually and we took our seats to watch the Reds hammer the Hammers. Only thing though (yeah here it comes again) we saw all these empty seats at Anfield and inspite of our good fortune we felt a little homesick. The picture at the top of the blog (the banner, if you will) is actually taken from that night. That's me reaching for a Bombadier as the Men In Red score.

Tonight I will download the last of the Iraq pictures and get ready to close down that chapter. Still a couple days from the Capitol to ramble on about as far as Jolly Ol' so stay tuned if you want to hear the venom and frustration that is London.

Back in the states as of way too early today.

Cheers,
g