Chilly nights, busy days

Sappers on standby

Earlier today I was enjoying a quiet lunch at the Dragon DFAC (yes, they all have names) when I realized the music playing in the background was '80's hits in elevator format. Seriously? Has it really been so long ago now that '80's music is relegated to elevator music status? Not only was I disgusted at this thought, I could also remember how each song is supposed to sound and when they were released. Doing the quick math in my head I pondered on the thought that its been 23 years since that amazing decade came to an end. Most of the songs on the '80's elevator playlist were as old as 30 years. I have reached an age that I would have thought ancient back when I was in high school. How do I know? Most of the "Dragon DFAC Big '80's Elevator Experience" were songs of my high school days. But at least I don't feel ancient at all. All I have to do is look around Bagram and I see contractors who are so old they would have been old when I was a high school kid. No matter the age, everyone in the Dragon DFAC plowed through their lunches to elevator versions of the songs of my teenage years. I'm probably the only one who even took notice of the music. 

The weather has been quite pleasant of late. I would compare it to fall in the North Carolina Piedmont. The nights are getting crisp - perhaps high 40's. The days are a comfortable mid-70's. I believe I can speak for everyone when I say it would be great if the weather would stay like this year-round. But it doesn't. We can all see the snow that's now capping the higher peaks in the distance. Winter is coming. With it comes not only cold temperatures, but rain and snow. There are no "snow days" for the bad weather. We'll work right through whatever comes our way. I just hope the heater in my hooch works fine. I'll find out soon enough.

My days have been averaging anywhere from 12 to 18 hours of intensive work. There is no let up in sight either. I've found that I am cursing the person who invented Microsoft Outlook. My schedule fills up practically before I can even come in. Everyone wants to meet right now and whatever their business is it takes priority over everything else going on at Bagram. I have fallen into the standard deployment routine of work, workout, eat, sleep. Compared to previous deployments though, this one has my routine on super steroids. I can take comfort in knowing I have eleven more months of this to go. The Red Sox are in the World Series. It's been 45 days since I last had a beer.