Bonne Annee!!!

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2011.  Even though I am posting at 1:49am I am still the first to wish everyone a Happy New Year! ("Bonne Annee!" in French).  It is pretty cold here...no snow like in El Paso....but very cold.  So I guess you are wondering what I did for New Years.

 I started off New Year's Eve at work...and I will be back there in about five hours or less....but I did have some fun.  At work we had a James Bond marathon in the background (if you need a wikipedia link about James Bond...then WOW) I left around five and went to a BBQ with the AF Communications guys....CommBots.  We ate T-Bone Steak and I had a slice of a rib.  I am glad that we decided to BBQ because the generator to the Dining Facility for the Americans went out so dinner chow was delayed and I don't they really couldn't make a main course only sides.  But the BBQ was good.  After that I went with the Engineers and watched some more James Bond and then played Taboo (I will link that one since some of you True Believers might not know what that is) It was actually the first time I played it.  My team won both times even after we switched...I am not saying anything...but I happen to be extraordinary at every board game I play.  Fact.  After playing Taboo, I went to hang out and smoke cigars with the Army Comms guys and rang in the New Year.   I had an Alec Bradley Tempus.  It was pretty smooth.  Yup smoking cigars and drinking du l'eau. (that's water...at least its named Kristal)  (I also yelled "Happy New Year Kapisa!!!!" over the walkie talkies and then promptly turned mine off....hahaha....hahah....snort.....haha) What is really cool about being up in Afghanistan at this hour of the night (because it is the darkest country in the world)  is that the choppers that were flying over let loose their flares!  It was definitely a site.  Kinda like fireworks.

There are somethings that I miss in America during New Years.  Last year I was in Las Vegas at Carmen Electra's New Years Bash.  I do miss hanging out with the family...whether it be at Ate Nanette's house or Tita Letty's house.  I miss playing guitar for everybody.... I didn't do that here because its awkward playing guitar for a bunch of dudes.  I especially miss the food. (shout out to that soup that Tita Letty makes that I really don't know the name of it, but its good anyways)  I also miss Mommy Minda's adobo and flan (oh how I miss Flan)  What about the all night Mahjong tournaments (Jai alai!)  I can't wait to get back.  I hope that everyone back home has a Blessed Year with much hope and cheer. 

So I really don't know what to have for my New Year's resolution.  I am going to be in Afghanistan for more than half the year....I mean I am here serving my country helping rebuild a country thats seen war since 1979.  Oh, well I will think of something. 

Bonne Annee!

JoJo

Do They Know It's Christmas in Afghanistan?

So this is my first Christmas in Afghanistan…I know that it is not Christmas yet, but bare with me. I am in very holly jolly spirits even though I am celebrating this holiday in a Muslim country (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan). I know that I sound crazy, but hear me out. Imagine that it is the day after Thanksgiving, and you are not worried about the hustle and bustle (where did that phrase come from?) of Christmas shopping. Think about a life without the cheesy Christmas commercials on Television telling you to buy Buy BUY! The Coca-Cola ones are fine because they bring a sense of nostalgia with a classic picture of Jolly Old St. Nick or when they illustrate the true spirit with those loveable polar bears. Enough about media overexposure in America, and more about spending the holiday season in Afghanistan.

The reason I am so jovial is because the peace and quiet has left me to my memories. My favorite part of Christmas is hanging and viewing Christmas lights. I have spent the holidays in many different places (mostly in Texas) but what I miss most about the majority of my old homes is the different ways each city celebrated the most wonderful time of the year. (Are you sick of my Christmas song references yet?)div>

I will begin the Christmas Light Walk Through Winter Wonderland with my hometown of El Paso, Texas. I don’t know the name of the street, but we would always caravan out to Eastside El Paso and marvel at the lights inspired by friendly neighborhood competition. My favorite house was the all-blue Dallas Cowboys house. I also remember going to Downtown EP with my Grandma and waiting for the giant Christmas Tree to be lit up. The lights in downtown have definitely been expanded to the rest of the park. One other unique thing about the Sun City (because I haven’t seen it anywhere else yet) is the Wells Fargo (a.k.a. State National or Norwest depending on how long you have lived in EP) building having its windows colored to make the shape of a Christmas Tree for all driver’s viewing pleasure no matter what state or country you come from.

My first holiday season spent away from home was in lovely Lubbock Texas as a student at Texas Tech University (WRECK ‘EM) I know I skipped Los Alamos, New Mexico, but I don’t remember much about it except being poor and cutting down our own tree in the woods….actually I remember going back to El Paso for both Christmas and New Years. Stream of consciousness tangent over and back to Lubbock. My living experience at various locales in the US of A leads me to the conclusion that the smaller the town, the bigger the emphasis on Christmas Spirit. Every Techsan and Lubbockian (I am a wordsmith) looks forward to the Carol of Lights Ceremony.  This is an annual event where the whole town of Lubbock flocks to Texas Tech’s Campus for a Holiday light extravaganza! Every building is wrapped with lights from the Science Quad to the Engineering Key to the Admin Buildings. The paths in Memorial Circle are lined with Luminarias and the ceremony is topped off with Carols from the Texas Tech Music Department. The Dean of Music sounds like old man winter when he sings his frightening (as least to me) rendition of “Oh Holy Night”. Another guilty pleasure for Christmas Light Lovers is the breath-taking visage of a small town just outside of Lubbock known as Ransom Canyon during the holidays. I swear that when I first saw this visual feast it was like hearing “Journey” for the first time. Never have you felt more pimp then when you took a girl out there blindfolded as a holiday surprise and sipped hot cocoa. ;-)

The next stop in my memory banks is San Angelo, Texas. Do you remember what I said about small towns? Well, San Angelo does not hold any punches in this occasion. There is a house on “N Street” that was uprooted from the North Pole and planted in this small Texas Town. The Griswold house is not in the same league of holiday lighting expertise. You can even venture through the inside of the house and see generations of Christmas Spirit through hundreds of stockings and snow globes. The real magic from San Angelo comes from a drive-thru light parade that hugs the Concho River.  Before entering you are given hot cocoa and tune your radio to a special commercial-free radio station and experience the things Christmas dreams are made of in the heart of Texas. 

Finally we end our journey in San Antonio, Texas. I know that I am only describing Texas sites and sounds, but this is where the Air Force has taken me so far….did I join the Texas Air National Guard? Back to San Antonio…this is a metropolitan area, so the inherent Christmas spirit giving birth to light competitions is few and far between. However, I happened to live less than 2 miles (lucky me, it is like destiny) from the feature micro city of Windcrest. You are probably wondering how I can talk about San Antonio and not mention the biggest attraction of the city, the Riverwalk. The fact is, is that I rarely go to the Riverwalk…but here is a picture anyway. 

The magic in San Antonio isn’t represented in lights, but it is more experienced through the camaraderie that my squadron has during the holidays. We have constant Christmas parties and events. I was even the “Most Untalented” winner in 2009 because I practiced. (Who practices to be untalented? Only yours truly who is by nature spectacular)

I hope that ya’ll (family and friends) enjoyed sharing a couple of merry memories with me. I am sure to have made some of you feel nostalgic and mushy. Since I am on General Order 1 out here in Afghanistan have an Egg Nog (with a shot of Jeremiah Weed) for me.

Joyeaux Noel!

JoJo

Book Review: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

I have finished reading the The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and I have to say that it was a fairly enjoyable murder mystery.  I haven't actually read a murder mystery in about seven years.  That was the good 'ole days when I was a librarian at Franklin High School.  Yes, I was a librarian my senior year of high school.  I had the extra time and it gave me an opportunity to order the books that I wanted.  I was a big Thomas Harris (He created Hannibal Lecter) fan because he wrote a lot of crime solving books.   I like books where mysteries are solved by the main character putting puzzle pieces together and discovering conspiracies.  Consequently the Hannibal Lecter Trilogy were the last murder mysteries, much less recreational reading that I did since now. 

Back to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo...it was a fairly easy read about an investigative reporter solving the murder of a girl nearly forty years earlier.  Don't worry I won't reveal any spoilers. (its not my style)    When I picked up my Kindle and started reading, I was a little surprised by the main theme of the book.  This book was originally written in Swedish with the title "Men Who Hate Women".  This title was more in line with the contents of the book than the American title.  From the Swedish title you can gather that it was a novel about crimes against women.  It wasn't American Psycho bad, but it was graphic enough.  The interesting part of the story was that the investigation is performed by a financial crimes reporter.  This contrasts the FBI agents that are the main characters in the Harris stories.  He took on the case because his reputation took a big hit because he lost a court battle to a major financial corporation about on of his reports.  The other main character was a girl (with the Dragon tattoo) who perform background checks for a security firm.  They were tasked with solving the missing person mystery that happened on an island in the 1960s by the Grand-uncle of the girl.  He suspected murder, because his family was as twisted as they come.  I do not want to reveal the story, but it is an understatement that the family in the novel has a couple of skeletons in the closet.


My one critique of the book, is that the climax of the story occurred when I was about 75% through with the book.  (I know 75% because my Kindle keeps track...and it does my laundry j/k)  At that point one of the main character's ethics are challenged and some readers might feel disappointed.  The last quarter of the novel is spent settling the score for one of the main characters.  However, I did like how the last pages of the novel read.  The author ended the story on a very realistic note, after building up the reader to think that the story was going to be very cheesy.    I think that Steig Larsson is a pretty good author...to bad he died earlier this decade.  Decade, wow, I wonder what this first decade will be remembered by?  Probably the Afghanistan and Iraq wars sadly and probably Lady Gaga.  Oh well, 2011 bring it on!!!

Stay Frosty,

JoJo

J'en Peau Plus De Cest Connarries!!!

Tis the season to be jolly right?  I know I know, but this is my blog and I will complain if I want to, plus I haven't updated my blog in almost two weeks.  I have been super busy here.  Mainly because there exists a JTF (Joint Task Force) that has taken over the PRT and benefits from the by-products like a normal eukaryotic cell benefits off of the small mitochondria.  Maybe if the liaison officers attached to the JTF were worth their weight in gold.  No offense to the Reservists that I know, but wow do reservists suck.  Active duty military is just more squared away.  Being that they are reservists you do get a motley assortment of characters.  The leader of the pack sounds like the golfer from Winnie the Pooh, and he is about as tall.  Think of the way Humphrey bogart talks.  My counterpart from that team has a lisp too, but not the manly one.  (You know "not funny haha, but funny -----") I think that if they weren't in mine and the PRT's business they would be tolerable.  I just hate that they haven't been trained in the PRT mission, but they think that they can dictate the actions.

Back to Happy go-lucky JoJo.  I did get to make a holiday shout-out to Texas Tech for the upcoming bowl game.  (Wreck 'Em Tech) I hope they beat who ever North Western is...does anybody even know where that is?  I am glad that the Cowboys beat the Colts, but at least Yuck Yuck isn't coach.  Is Tony Romo still injured?  BTW these aren't rhetorical questions.  You as "True Believers" can comment on my blog posts.  I am playing the guitar when I can.  My new guitar is ok....Its a Squire (by Fender) Dreadnought acoustic.  Its a little rough on the fingers but it gets the job done.  I hope that I can bring it back home and add it to my axe arsenal.  I currently own three guitars, but I have also sold back three, so this is my sixth guitar.  Weird to think that I have been playing since I was roughly 13 years old.  I am learning French if you can tell by the title.  Please don't translate that if you don't have a sense of humor...or if you have children that are just learning how to read. :-P

It is pretty monotonous here...kinda like Groundhog's Day (if you don't know what movie that is, then you are missing out)  I have pretty much finished all major TV series in the last month.  I have thus far watched, Weeds, Spartacus, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and I have begun Heroes.  Heroes in my opinion is a knock-off of X-men that has watered down Biology and Psychology stats worked into the script.  It is somewhat interesting though.  I have started rambling...so I will sign off and come back when I have something more interesting to write about.  (Probably when it snows and I have pictures or Christmas)

Stay Frosty!

JoJo