A Fortnight to Go!

Well,
Yes, I know that it's been a long while since I've posted here. My bad. Truth is that I've been pretty busy, but still no excuse.

In August, Kate the kids and I met in Hong Kong to spend my R&R with Brock, Sophia and the girls. I can't begin to describe how awesome a vacation it was. We bimbled around HK and saw what there was to see, which is an awful lot. What an incredible place. I was blown away with how vibrant a place it is, and how many people can be jammed into such a small space. And yet, while Central was a zoo, out where Brock lives in Sai Kung it was so suburban and quiet. Jungle right behind the house. A real study in contrasts. You know, every time we travel, and go see something new, I understand a bit more the bug that bit Mom and Dad years back. A good vacation or visit to somewhere you've never been is always a good bet.

Anyhow, after noting that I would like to see a bit of sea to go with the endless sand of Afghanistan, Brock found a super deal on 5 nights in Thailand for all 8 of us. It was just amazing. It was perfectly timed in the middle of our 3 weeks and was a spectacular spot to unwind in.

The best thing, though, was probably the fact that Brock and I became real friends for the first time in almost 40 years. The truth is that we never got along very well when we were younger, but after spending 3 easy, relaxing weeks in each other's company, I think that we both realised that we could be good friends. I miss his company for the first time, and that's a very good thing.

Right, I have to post this and get back to real life.
More to follow,

Kent

The Grey Cup in KAF

So, I know it's been a while since I've posted. Truth is, (and you've probably caught it from the news), we've been rather busy lately.
Anyhow, for Canada Day, besides being allowed to have a beer (!), the Grey Cup came to KAF, along with Roger Aldag and Steve Mazurak. As some of you already know, my buddy Ryan and I actually made it into the Canwest papers with a story and a photo.
So, here's how it happened:
Ryan and I had heard that the Grey Cup was coming, along with some 'Rider alumni. On 30 June, we found out that it would be on display at New Canada House at around 9pm. So at 830pm we ruck-up and walk down there. We went in, and as soon as we saw it, we bee-lined for it. Kinda like kids at the toy department at Sears. So, we were so preoccupied at looking at the 2007 and 1989 'Rider victories that we didn't notice a bunch of photographers started gathering around and taking pics of us; those are the ones that made it into the 'papers. So, after that, we noticed Aldag and Mazurak, and got to talk with them for a bit. Ryan then pulled out his 'Rider jersey because he wanted a pic of him with the Grey Cup. Well, the place went a bit nuts; Aldag and Mazurak were thrilled. Ryan let me wear his jersey for a couple of shots, so that was pretty cool.
There was an Army cameraman there as well, and he decided that he wanted to shoot some footage for the giant screen at Taylor Field for the Labour Day Classic. So Ryan and I each got to actually hold up the Grey Cup and address the crowd at Taylor Field. Everyone had better watch the Classic!!!
On Canada Day, Maz and Aldag were actually helping in the beer line at New Canada House, and they were giving out 'Riders 2007 Grey Cup ball caps. I managed to get one signed by the both of them, and I got two others that I can wear...Hey, the autographed one is going up on a shelf!

So, that was Canada Day here in KAF. Just about the best one that a 'Rider fan could ask for. Now, if Kate and the kids could have participated, well, it would have been just that much better.

Later,
K

For Harry

For my beloved and much maligned father in law:

Harry, voici un vrai 45C, et ceci a l'ombre ;)

K

Some Pics From KAF

Hi everyone,
As promised, here are some more pics from KAF. The first one, obviously, is me in my office. I'm drinking a Timmy's and eating a Pop-Tart. Our NATO 'friends' have decided that this is the official meal of the CF in KAF. The Timmy's is pretty obvious...The Pop-Tart because we get them every two weeks in what are supposed to be ration supplements. The truth is that those of us in KAF really don't need them. The guys doing the hard work outside probably do, but us back here really don't.

The second pic, for those that requested it, is a shot of our 'garden'; arguably the most pathetic patch of green in all of Kanahar province. Not only is the soil complete rubbish, but it gets really dry and hot. Not much growing there, although it's supposed to be local corn, sunflowers and wheat from Herat province.

Finally, the third pic is of a group of us at a BBQ. We were having a really nice BBQ after a long meeting, and decided to invite a bunch of other people we work with to come by. Well, the bad dudes decided to throw a couple of thumpers into the mix. Not a very big deal, but we had to go into the shelter, so we carried on there. Hey, fun is what you can make of a silly situation.

If there is a market day tomorrow, I will try to get some shots and post them up. The market is a really great place, and lots of fun. You can get some really neat stuff there, and goodness knows, I've purchased enough of it myself!

Take care,
Kent

Another Sunday!

Well, it's another Sunday here in KAF. Actually, the running joke around here is that it's just another Monday. Every day is another Monday. The truth is that I actually forget what day of the week it is most of the time. We all mark the days by the date which is more efficient! And when someone is getting short, they mark them by the number of "wakies" left. Actually, there are a number of these nifty Excel calendars kicking around which calculate the number of days you have left, how many you've done etc etc, and they all have graphs and pie charts to show your progress. My fave is called "The Donut of Misery", which is a circular graph (shaped like a donut go figure!) which changes title depending upon how many days you have to go before you head out on the Herc home! Anything to keep morale up!

Kate and I have booked all of our dates and stuff for Hong Kong. We (the kids, Kate and myself) are going to HK to visit Brock and Sophia and the girls. We've never been, so we decided that it would be a good idea for us to go. Brock and Sophia have been there for years, so it's about time. We will be meeting there in a few weeks time, and it's going to be outstanding. Brock's talking about the eight of us going away to a beach somewhere. Sounds fantastic to me, considering that I've seen enough sand for a lifetime, but no water to go with it!

So I had intended to post up some pics of me and the gang, but I can't seem to get the digicam to pick up on the USB. I'll come up with a cunning plan (thank you Baldrick) and try again later.

Take care all,
Kent

First Month Done

So there we have it, my first month is done; only five more to go! So far, it's all been going fairly well. It's still hot and dusty, but the work is pretty good, and the guys in my office are great. A good mate of mine is actually down into single digits before he leaves. He's from Halifax. He owns a sailboat which he keeps at the Bedford Marina, and he's going to get her out into the water when he gets back. I made him promise that when he leaves here, he will take two pictures and send them to me. The first one will be of him on the beach at Fujairai with his first beer in hand. The second has to be of him in Halifax Harbour, on his sailboat, with a Halifax landmark in the background. Mark is an awesome guy, and I will miss him being around, but he's done his time and deserves to enjoy summer in Halifax.

So I think that I've mentioned that I go to Mass on Saturdays because it's the Canadian priest who presides. Father Lloyd would be pleased, because for the last two Masses, I've been 'drafted' by Father into being a Minister of the Eucharist and a Reader. I have to admit that I was a bit worried about being a Minister of the Eucharist, but it went off just fine. I particularly enjoyed being a reader. It was the second reading for the Feast of Corpus Christi, so it was short, but it also gave me a bit of latitude for inflection. All good.

The photo above is one that Nicole took when she, Mark and I went out to the village. I put it in today because I think that people who complain that Afghanistan isn't 'our war' need a bit of a reality check. I always hear that we are in Afghanistan because the Americans asked us to be (as if our gov't can't make up its own mind). Honestly, we need to be here to help this country get back on its feet. Truth is, these kids in this photo really need our help. Without the Gov't of Afghanistan and ISAF, this place would be in a very bad way. Just think about it.

Take care and God bless,

Until next time,
Kent

The School

So a couple of days after I landed, Nicole, Mark and I went to visit a school which is just outside of the KAF, but inside the second perimeter. Here I am with a group of the children. They really love having their photos taken, and are real hams...Much like one of my beloved uncles (Hi Doug!!!)

The first photo is of the apartment block where the families live, and the second is of the 'village' bakery. Basically this is the village where the chaps out of the local ANA base live.
Later,
Kent

Hey Again!

OK, sorry it's been a while, but we're keeping busy here.

Thanks for the comments Karen and Mosey; it's good to know that someone is reading this stuff!!!

So, I know that I said that it was hot before, but that was nothing. We've started to hit 40 in the shade, and let me tell you, it's brutal! I had to use the 'portaloo' AKA 'blue rocket' today, and for the first time I know how the colonel in "Bridge on the River Kwai" felt when he was locked in the oven ;)

That said, my mom managed to send her extra camera (it's pretty sweet, because it's really small and light and fits well in my shirt pocket) so I'm going to try to see if I can post some photos on the weekend when I get a couple of moments.

Apart from that, the bad dudes have tried to land a few 'thumpers' into the camp, but as my Aussie co-worker says: "no worries mate!" Of course, one worries that they will get it right one of these times, but, well, enough said.

Well, I'm going to post this up, and on the weekend I will try to get a couple of pics up.

Take care all,

K