5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell off and bumped his head, now it's four little monkeys jumping on the bed.....

That is what happened this week figurately speaking as we lost one of our monkeys, affectionately known as the Silveback Monkey Emeratus. CPT M or Doug E fresh redeployed (that is Army talk for taking the happy plane home). These events come and go in a deployed environment, much like people coming and going in an airport. Although this time, when I heard the C-130 roll down the strip about 0800 or so this morning, I knew it was our Silverback riding the vine in the sky home. Doug E if you are reading have a safe flight and may all of your drinks between here and there be cold and contain booze. We are now down to four little monkeys with two wannabes. It will not be the same. I have included a picture of the five monkeys and the rest of our WTF gang. Another wild and week of the wierd has almost come to an end. I can honestly describe this week as WTF. Anyway enough rambling and code talk.

It is really heating up here in Hajiland. The high today was 98 with a heat index of a 108. What am I going to do when it really gets hot? I am still working on getting outside the wire to see how the other half lives. I still have about 118 days or so to figure it out. The monkies continue to perfect the art of apple fishing. Apple (kiwis work better as they travel through the water faster) fishing is basically luring a bunch of Sadaam's mutant type fish from his lake of death to the surface with oatmeal, tortillas, apple jacks, Oreos and other assorted office goodies. After doing that we atempt to hit said fish with the apple core or other fruit of choice. It is built into our work day that each morning and afternoon we try such a feat. There is one big fish. We call him big Jake. He has a brother named Fat Fred. Each day we attempt to lure them up and each day the mock us. They are wise to us. The last couple of days have been spent winning their hearts and minds so to speak with just feedings. While this may seem chidlish and somewhat cruel to an outsider, it provides many hours of laughter and breaks up the duldrums of "war." I also have another Haji Day to look forward to tomorrow. Happy Haji Eve to all who are reading.