(no subject)

[aadler]

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This and that, behind the cuts.

First Cut — Military or Semi-military

When I first arrived at Guantanamo, I asked the translator (Arabic) who works in our office if he or his friends could set me up with a Farsi speaker, to help me extend and maintain my language proficiency. That was three months ago, and no luck so far. I was hoping for perhaps an hour a day of practice — supplemented, in theory, by my private studies — but the only possible candidate works the shift opposite mine. I’m beginning to consider suggesting a few hours each weekend; allotted carefully, it could cover about as much time, and it would certainly be more than I’m currently getting.

I’m already showing weight loss (and a half-inch reduction in my waistline) from my new commitment to diet and regular exercise. Heartening, but only the beginning. I used to be able to train up fairly quickly to the APFT, but lately it’s taking longer and longer to do so. Apparently I’m at the age where fitness can no longer simply be recovered; it has to be maintained, through consistent effort and attention.

Close First Cut

Second Cut — Fanfic Related

My work on “Queen’s Gambit” continues at a steady 500 words a day. I used to hold myself to a 1,000-word daily minimum, but lately I have less time to spare. I more than tripled the word count on “God Save the Queen” (sroni’s precursor to “Queen’s Gambit”); QG started out bigger, so I can probably count on the rewrite expanding to at least 30,000 words. Which, at my current rate, would have me finishing sometime in August.

Slower than I would prefer, but at least it will be done, after languishing for the past year.

In a phone conversation with my daughter, just before I left for Afghanistan, I lined out a dozen fanfic stories I already had in mind. I’ve done fourteen stories since then, and still have twenty-odd others waiting for me to get to them. That’s enough to occupy three to five productive years, and no telling how many new ideas may pop up in the meantime.

I really do intend to write for publication sometime in the near future. For the moment, I’m still on the fanfic wagon.

Close Second Cut

Third Cut — Personal Stuff

Since the conversation I recounted earlier this week, I haven’t spoken with Susan. When I do, I don’t know if I’ll try to address the issues she raised. Some things can be properly handled at a distance; others, it’s better to deal with them in person. We had a good year; three months of separation, and she’s having the beginnings of doubts. Whether to discuss those doubts before they can grow, or wait until my immediate presence can make a difference … I don’t know which way to go on that, and suspect I’ll make my decision on the fly, responding as things develop.

Close Third Cut

Next week will contain the July 4th holiday. When I was in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the Army, it went something like this: “Today’s the Fourth of July.” “Okay. Next?” It’ll be interesting to see what the Navy — outside a combat theater — will choose to do for such an occasion.

Signing off for now.