Fun in the sun

[aadler]

 
As is not uncommon with me, this entry is somewhat lengthy, so it’s organized and discreetly packaged within the cuts below.

First Cut — Me at Guantanamo

So, what to say about Guantanamo Bay? I volunteered for this duty because it sounded like a rare professional opportunity (and it definitely is that); I didn’t know at the time that it was considered, by those who had been here, to be a luxury posting. Even after I began to get inklings of the fact, I didn’t realize just how much of a luxury.

As far as my quarters go, nothing spectacular. What I have is clean, comfortable, well-furnished, and private. (I share a bathroom/shower with the adjoining room, but I and my neighbor are punctilious about keeping the connecting doors locked.) It’s small, though, less actual space than most college dorm rooms I’ve occupied. Minifridge ― in which I only keep bottled water ― and microwave, which I’ve had no occasion to use, and may never: I’ve always found chow hall food to be more than adequate for my needs and my tastes, and every dollar I don’t spend on food means more banked away for things the Army doesn’t provide.

The food is so good, in fact, and the portions so liberal, that I’ve taken to having only a salad for lunch, or even skipping lunch entirely. Also, I walk everywhere during my off-duty time, which helps. I haven’t done any formal exercising yet ― though I will ― but I’ve already tightened my belt by one notch simply through the measures I’m already taking.

Whether or not it’s a joke, there’s actually a sign on my street warning about iguana crossings. I’ve seen several iguanas, mostly small ones, but there are supposed to be some specimens sizeable enough to threaten small dogs. The other major local life-form that gets lots of press through rumor is the “banana rat”: I saw one just the other evening, up in a small tree nibbling on the leaves, they’re about the size of opossums and with similar coloring, patterns of black and white and gray. The thing I see most, though, are turkey buzzards. They’re almost as plentiful and visible as eagles in Alaska. And just this morning I saw a woodpecker take a try at a (metal) lamppost. All the things mentioned, of course, are protected species.

I’ll have the opportunity to learn and indulge in scuba diving. I definitely intend to take advantage of the chance.

The temperatures are warm but not excessive; low 70s to mid/upper 80s, though I remind myself we’re still in the Spring here, so I don’t doubt it will get hotter. As it happens, however, I left the States when an unseasonal cold front was passing through; it was in the 40s in Georgia and even Florida, so I’m ready to deal with some heat. Yes, the humidity makes it a potentially more oppressive heat than I experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I don’t expect the temperatures ever to get as high. Plus, we have more access to effective air-conditioning here.

Close First Cut

Second Cut — Personal Stuff

I used a phone card provided for me by the USO on my arrival, and called Susan last night. We only got to talk for a few minutes (international minutes chew through those phone-card units fast), but she was happy to hear from me. She and our son were, of course, received into the Catholic Church this past Easter Sunday; she told me she had just attended her first confession as a new Catholic, and seemed to consider it a memorable moment.

There are things going on in her life just now that may raise considerable difficulty in the near future. We both realize that, but we’re both still committed to the overall course we’ve laid out. As I was walking back to my quarters after the call, I asked myself, How did I get get to be so lucky? Anyone who knew the full facts behind the current situation would realize just how ironic that was … but I meant it absolutely, I am luckier than I ever expected to be, and I don’t want to lose this.

She had asked me to call, so I did, but we’ll do most of our communication through e-mail from now on. This will give her a taste of how it will be to have me gone periodically. She believes she can deal with that ― after all, I was ‘gone’ for ten years before reconciliation snuck up on us! ― and I think so as well. This is where we confirm.

Close Second Cut

Third Cut — Regarding Writing

My current lodgings, and the recreational opportunities available to me, had me wondering if I would be able to duplicate (or even approach) the creative capability I had in Iraq and Afghanistan. Apparently I will. Granted, I was acting under a deadline ― all submissions to remix_redux were supposed to be in yesterday, and I posted mine before official closing time ― but all the same, I was managing 1,000 words a day on a sustained basis. Something about being under orders does that to me, and I really need to learn to operate at the same capacity whenever I’m back in The World, but for now I’ll be happy at being able to do some more sustained writing.

I haven’t read any of the Remix submissions (I understand we’re on an honor system), but I did look through some of the listings to get an idea of whose stories had been remixed. I saw sroni cited, and bastardsnow, but I don’t remember spotting any of the people I most faithfully read (such as liz_marcs, nwhepcat, bellatemple … for that matter, I didn’t see my own name in there, though I understand there was quite a line to turn in stories at the last minute, and it wasn’t really down to the wire when I took my peek. Obviously, a remix by liz_marcs is likely to be of higher quality than one of liz_marcs, but that’s the stage where we are now: looking through the stories, finding names familiar to us, checking to see what kind of perspective someone else brought to one of their works. This is my first remix, so I’m ready to jump in and enjoy it as fully as I can.

What will I write next? I can’t always predict that; some stories aren’t ready to be told yet, others push their way in front of what should have been next on the schedule, frequently it goes as it wills rather than as I will it. It’s been nearly a year, though, since sroni gave me her initial draft of “Queen’s Gambit”, which was always intended to be a collaborative work between the two of us. I’d say that, unless the gods of composition decree otherwise, QG will be my next undertaking.

Close Third Cut

It was true on my last two deployments, and it’s true now: I’m where I want to be, doing what I want to do. My life is good. The biggest differences this time:

1. I’ll be here only six months intead of a year.
2. There are no groups of people running around looking for a chance to kill me, either by direct action or via remote measures (mortars, rockets, IEDs).
3. Before, I had only my kids to go home to. This time, their mother is waiting for me as well.

How did I get to be so lucky?

Comments

[ludditerobot.livejournal.com]

About 15 years ago, I had occasion to go to Haiti on a mission trip. I didn't bring scuba gear, nor even snorkling gear, but it was wonderful and perfect and even without glasses I could see over 20 feet underwater. No beaches to speak of at La Gonave. I hope the same is true for your chunk of Cuba.

And I can't wait to see what you've written.

[aadler]

I’m hoping I don’t fall too much in love with scuba diving, as I hear it’s more than a bit expensive … but I definitely intend to give it a try. Plus, I understand that snorkeling is a relatively low-cost alternative.

And I can’t wait to see what you’ve written.

And you will, if remixredux ever gets its archive open.

[sroni.livejournal.com]

Wow. I think you're family's pretty lucky too. Other than the not seeing you for awhile thing.

[aadler]

Absence is the one cost I wish I didn’t have to pay. And yet here I am.

Oh, well.

[lmzjewel.livejournal.com]

Iguana crossings?! (LOL) Now that is funny. I would sure hate to run into one of those small dog eating iguanas. (:

LMZ

[aadler]

As it happens, they appear to be thoroughly non-aggressive. They’re so accustomed to people being around, though, that they’re equally unafraid of us. One will walk right past you to get where it wants to go. Good thing I have no reptile-fear.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad your life has taken such a good turn. I'm also glad you've gotten a "luxury" posting before you go back into harm's way.

[aadler]

There are ups and downs. I’m on an up just now, but that’s not equally so of everyone in my life. All we can do is celebrate the good, soldier on through the bad. All the same, I appreciate the occasional positive from outside, such as the one you just provided.