Catching up in Kuwait

[aadler]

 
So, here I am in Kuwait.

I honestly remembered it as being hotter. And that was when I was here in April, not July. I suppose the difference comes in two parts. First, I had forgotten the constant wind, which substantially ameliorates the impact of the heat. Second, our facilities are quite a bit better than in 2003; that is to say, we have air conditioning in our living areas, so that after a walk from one place to another, we can settle in and cool down again.

We aren’t supposed to be here for very long; eventually we’ll finish up the different things that have to be completed here, and move on to our duty stations. As of our arrival on Sunday, however, we are officially in a combat theater, and paid accordingly. The rules are what they are, but I’m probably in more danger in any large American city than I am in Kuwait.

Internet access is available, but with limits. First, there are about two dozen stations in a single trailer, with people always waiting in line; second, we’re allowed only half an hour at a time; third, the connection is slow enough to further reduce what can be accomplished in that thirty-minute block. I had time to take a quick look at remixredux09 (which is now open for reading), to check the response to my remix submission and to find and read the remix done for me.

It’s interesting. Someone chose “All Ye Who Enter”, and did it in a series of ten linked drabbles, all told through Drusilla’s POV. My own story was covered in one of them — the eighth — and the others dealt with various events and episodes from Season Two. I identified references to “School Hard”, “Lie to Me” (two drabbles for that one), “Surprise”, “Innocence”, “Killed by Death”, and the aftermath of “Becoming”, Part 2. There were also a few that were unlinked to canon episodes, just serving as accent and characterization.

As far as artistry goes, this is probably the best remix that’s been done from any of my stories. The story is “Abandon Hope (the Mary Quite Contrary Remix)”.

I wish there were other remix stories I could recommend, but due to the ’Net access problems previously described, I haven’t had the ability to read any of them.

So, I’m most of the way now to Iraq. And — counting the completion of “Queen’s Gambit” — I’ve already finished two Buffyfics. This could be a good year.

Comments

[draconin.livejournal.com]

Have you considered using the half hour access to simply save the stuff you want to read onto a thumb drive to read later off-line? Or is the download speed so slow that this isn't feasible either?

[aadler]

I did something very like that for a few days but, yes, the load speed was too slow for me to accomplish much.

Fortunately, there was an alternative approach. A local vendor (approved for on-base operations) sells wireless access cards, and for a very reasonable price I picked up one that’s good for the time I expect to be here. As of now, I’m making my entries at a Starbucks.

Right. Combat theater.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

I'm currently in Israel and they seem surprised that our group is handling the heat so well. Fact is, it's the same temperature it is back home with more breeze. :) I'm experiencing the same Internet problems however, so I shall just wish you well and hope to read the remixes when I get back.

[aadler]

Which, I see, you’ve now done, and happy I was to get your feedback.

Heat … I suppose a lot of it is attitude. My memory proved me false, and I was expecting a lot more heat than we got, so it wound up being easier for me. And, of course, the prevalence of A/C this time through doesn’t hurt.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

A/C is always a major plus.