Catching up in Kuwait

 
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.

Marking time

 
What I said about remembering Kuwait as being hotter?

I spoke too soon. The wind still helps — helps a lot, in fact — but it’s gotten HOT the last few days. I don’t have access to a thermometer, but when the wind that keeps sweat from collecting on me feels like it’s coming directly from a furnace, that tells me something.

(I’m not speaking figuratively. I did a summer job, thirty-some years ago, that had me working with actual furnaces. I know how it feels to have my face right next to the vent from one. This is very close to that. Very close.)

More than that, the power to our tent went out four or five times yesterday. I’m uncertain on the exact number because I didn’t hang around; I didn’t have any actual duty, our training seems to be pretty much done by now, so after the first hour in the dark with the tent getting steadily hotter, I went down to the MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation) center to wait things out in decent cool. Repairs were slowed by the fact that yesterday was apparently the birthday of the prophet Mohammed, so many if not most of the foreign civilian workers had the day off. Eventually they replaced the entire generator.

For the past two days I’ve worn the PT uniform (physical fitness: gray t-shirt, black shorts, running shoes). It’s lighter.

I picked up a wireless access card for ’Net use, and do my browsing now from the Starbucks next to the dining hall. Only real problem is that everybody else goes there for the same purpose, so it’s usually crowded.

There’s really not a whole lot for us to be doing right now.

Did I mention it’s hot?