post entry

Things are beginning to settle into the routine of un-routine. The weather remains remarkably temperate and as we were laboriously told by the weather forecaster in his excruciating brief, it will become more and more mild. January promises highs of 64 and lows in the low 40’s. Appears I picked the right time to visit the desert.
I’m must admit I’m already tiring of the tent set up. I know, I know, I only lasted three days and nights before I had enough. For those of you who know me have heard me say many times I will not have another roommate less it be my wife. I spent two hours the first night building what has become known as Fort Riddle. I stood four cots on end and attached sheets to create a room of sorts. The next step was furniture. Some army guys were getting rid of the things in their rooms. I managed to find a small wooden nightstand of sorts with shelves and partitions. Then I found a small rug to place next to my bed and cover the concrete. Next I found several beer posters.
This foraging and construction of the small room amidst the rows of cots earned me the reputation of a looter to the jealous and the guy who gets things to the same. All in good fun. The whole thing has a very real flavor of Apocalypse Now – minus the hanging dead and worship from the locals. Okay, it is nothing like Apocalypse Now, but it was the best I could manage.
The food here is actually fairly decent. Not my Mama’s homemade or fresh ahi, but palatable. Infact, tonight was surf and turf; a slightly over boiled piece of steak and lobster tails. The army must know something about moral (or if you are in the business, p.m.a. – positive mental attitude). Not only do they have a very diverse cornucopia ranging from salad bar to fried foods, they have an ice cream bar. I mean seriously, an ice cream bar. Thank God for the gym. Looks like I’ll be spending significant time at both. A beauty of sorts. The balance. It’s a conservation of energies I suppose.
Thus far it has been death by powerpoint, but beginning tomorrow we start our under instruction time. It will be nice to actually start.