Days 95 - 103

Jan 5 - 13. Yeah!! Check it out!! Triple Digits!!! Well it’s very hard to believe that I haven’t “blogged" in eight days, but in the famous words of Madeline Kahn in Blazing Saddles, "it’s twu, it’s twu!” In looking back I don’t really have an excuse except it seems like I’ve been really busy! LOL.

Back to the business of blogging. As some of you know, Beanie’s been doing really well. I think her computer-based countdown program has her somewhere around 57% complete. We are looking at a projected return date of on or about 1 April. Beanie thinks maybe a bit earlier and I thinking probably not. It has nothing to do with the fact I am playing in a Member-Guest golf tournament (I would be the Guest) with my boss the last week of March.

First of all let me assure all of you that Beanie is doing great. She once again was "invited" to have lunch at the Special Operations chow hall. Oddly enough, it was once again lobster day. She had her "usual" (yep, it's become the usual!!!) three lobster tails. Brian, which I'm sure was a gentleman's effort to ensure she did not feel self conscious, also had three lobster tails this time. Beanie thinks he did it to see if she would eat a fourth one, you know, to retain the title. To no surprise, Beanie thought about it, but her better judgement won out. Though Brian did concede that Beanie retains the title based on her body weight to lobster consumed ratio. My money says next time Brian is going down - HARD!!

When we last left our DCMA superhero she had visited a nearby school and captured the hearts of all she met (well . . ., maybe). During that same visit the DCMA team completed an inspection of the Afghan Security Guards contractors for an Army organization called the Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT). The PRT is an interesting organization. They are formed from active duty, National Guard and Reserve forces from around the continental U.S., Hawaii and Europe. They are Air Force and Army and the Airmen and Soldiers teamed together at Fort Bragg, N.C. where they undergo training in field conditions for three months. It appears they have done a bunch of wonderful thing in Afghanistan. Their charter is to assess community needs and build schools, government centers, roads, medical capability, communications facilities and basic infrastructure throughout Nangarhar. They maximize the use of local construction contractors which is a great idea as it provides employment opportunities, build business and personal relationships and really advocates and demonstrates what America represents. They are also chartered to mentor Afghan government officials and security forces to provide the people with the state representation and security they need. Quite a significant mission. I can’t say it officially, but my gut tells me that without these kinds of efforts, those great pictures Beanie took of smiling boys and girls attending public school probably would not be possible. Big time Kudos to the PRT.

During Beanie’s visit she clicked a few nice photos which are posted below along with my witty and uncompromising commentary – no really!!

To Kathy's right is Ahmad Shaw, the Guard Leader for the contract for this camp , along with several of the Afghanistan Security Guard.

Here is a picture of Brian, Beanie's ACO, with the Afghan security team.

These next two pictures are the actual PRT site. The PRT is based at an old Soviet Union R&R base. Beanie said that even though the grounds are now run down, you could still see where it was once quite beautiful. Also of interest on the camp was the Chai House (Tea House). This is the last place that Osama Bin Laden was seen in public. He loved to visit Jalalabad, probably because of the mild weather and beauty of this area. He gave a lot of money to the town and today there are many people in Jalalabad that don't believe he had anything to do with 9/ll - that it was the Taliban. My position, what's the difference!

This is an airborne view of Jalalabad as they were leaving.

This is a pic of the Afghan National Army base next door to the PRT. On a side note, the side of the building is where the Soviets would line up Afghan prisoners and shoot them - you could see the bullet holes in the wall. No wonder they hated the Russians.

You may find this shocking, but this was Beanie's kitty fix so far. Don't be misled by her delusional claims that she has been feeding a stray cat living under her container. The reality is she's been feeding the Bengal Monitor Lizard that ate the cat that "used" to live under her container. Big difference, especially if you're the cat (was the cat?).

And we'll end this blog entry with the goofiest picture award. I LMAO when I saw this cause it was so Beanie. Here is the highly coveted shoe shot (Brian, Jon, & Beanie)