bONES

home at last peeps ! * no more dust (YES! it's raining here today) * no more working for a huge company that is over there to make money (and lots of it) off war * no more dead birds everywhere (before I left the camp was littered with dead birds...avian flu, west nile, chemical attack..fuck who knows) * more green plants * more freedom of movement * more friendly temperatures * more HAPPY

Mr.SomethingSomething are doing a really cool-sounding show on Saturday, Sept. 20: The show is free, and starts at noon. that does sound cool!

same here! I like all of the musical genres mentioned in the article, so wtf ?

there is ANOTHER ramp ceremony tonight cbc story here and here This sargeant was supposed to go home in a couple more days. The death and sadness never ends in this god forsaken land. It's so tragic that our fellow Canadians are dying over here. Every soldier I have met and worked with here have been top notch, stand up guys. Two more days and I am free from this hell. I think we ALL need to come home! peace

I'm coming home folks! This place is just too much fuckin' bullshit for me to handle any longer. I submitted my letter of resignation today and leave this prison next Wednesday. Tonight there is another ramp ceremony for 3 more Canadian soldiers that were killed yesterday. Two of the guys were 21 and the third was 23, with 5 others injured in the attack. story here The project manager of this shitty company I work(ed) for just came to me and told me I wasn't welcome on HIS parade (referring to the ramp ceremony). I didn't know this was about YOU was my reply...but that's fine! Coming here was maybe one of the worst decisions I have made recently, but I gave it a shot and tried my best. One of the best decisions I have made is to get the hell out of here before it eats away at my soul. Looking forward to getting back to teaching in TO and having my freedom back. I've got stories to tell if any one has media connections Later bones

[color:purple]was it this that did it for them Easy Answers Samson & Delilah-> Way To Go Home, Wave To The Wind

I know you! I've seen him (but not since `89) He was great, but was I strongly affected..no I'd say the only bands/performers who have really strongly affected me have been The Smiths, The Grateful Dead & Radiohead but have fun if I were home I'd be hitting up Garaj mahal instead

ya, I brought my camera and just posted a few pics in the Skank photo forum check them out here the first pic is the area where I work (Land Equipment Maintenance Yard)...that's a sand storm blowing in over head! snapped a pic of me in my new turban..it is Ramadan after-all there's a shot of the weather-haven tents we live in, another with the mountains in the background, the sea cans I inspect, etc. have a look if it interests you peace bones

no one here has heard of Sparks? I thought for sure some skank would be hip to their music.

today has been my best day here yet, and it's only 11:20am ! my luggage gets here tomorrow (guaranteed I am told) and I just got back from the Afghan Bazaar (market). I spent a bunch of money but felt good about supporting the local people. They were all really nice and spoke English very well. All men though...no woman allowed. I bought a couple big chunks of Lapis Lazuli and a full on Afghan outfit...the dress/shirt thingy...those funky short pants and a turban...AWESOME! Wish I was at Grateful Fest to sport the new threads. I'm not even noticing the heat today. Anyway..off to lunch then it's back to work for a few hours. cheers

um..I really don't think anyone cares about what's said on this board unless it's me talking about stuff that goes on here. the $5500 is what it costs to get us here and back again. If I were to quit I am responsible for all costs incurred. All the money I am making is going into my bank so I can build a sweet cabin in the spring on my property. I'm getting used to the noise..not a problem for sleeping. Last night we had a bbq and got to drink beer..well, 2 beers (but they were tall boys)..wahoo! There is a market today where Afghan locals come in and set up shop...just like a Grateful Dead show..haha later

my tent mate and friend here at KAF keeps going on about this band Sparks. He's crazy about this brother duo and has been telling me about their 21 albums in 21 days shows over in England, to promote their new album Exotic Creatures Of The Deep I'm not familiar with them at all but he insists I'll dig them. The internet here is painfully slow so I haven't bothered to check them out on youtube or anything. Is anyone here a fan? Before I was known as bones, my nickname was sparks (at least to some who know me as a welder). Got any good Sparks trivia I can impress him with?

how was it? or is it about to start soon?

well to be honest it has been one hell of a rough start for me here. I still don't have my luggage and likely won't until I go back to Dubai in a months time to write my sea can inspector exam and pick it up myself. the company I am working for pretends to give a shit, but they really don't! Two days after I arrived here the military police and their dog found a pipe and some hash hidden outside of the tent I was assigned to and I was investigated by the MP's just because I happen to be in that tent. I have never been through anything like that before and was kind of scared shitless by the ordeal. We are told that our internet activity and phone calls are monitored so I have been quite reluctant to mention anything about it. I was read my rights to have access to a military lawyer, etc and was asked a bunch of questions about something I had nothing to do with. This place really feels like a big jail in the middle of the desert and I think it was probably a big mistake giving up my cushy teaching jobs in TO and taking on this contract. My co-worker has had enough after being here 3 weeks and is headed home on Sunday. It's costing him about $5500 because he broke his contract so that definitely is NOT an option for me. If anyone else is considering coming here for work, I would honestly advise against it..even if the money is good. I am getting a little more used to the heat, but it is still brutally hot every day. It has been sunny and over 45 degrees everyday that I have been here. I don't think it rains EVER. I have met some good people here though. It is wild to see all the soldiers with big guns slung over their shoulders constantly, but I guess I am getting used to that as well. This has to be the dustiest place on earth and everyday when I finish work and take my shower I blow Afghanistan out of my nose. I hope I see a camel spider or horned viper snake soon..something to kill the mundane. Appreciate Canada folks...it SO beats living over here. Anyway...tomorrow is another day. peas bones

Sunday night looks like it was great also...

I wish I were IN Have fun y'all I hope Kevin busts out the short shorts for Captain Sunshine

planes & guns (no it's not a band)

life is so unpredictable (((((for his friends & family))))

so the military police were apparently through our tent the other day with the dogs. I was at work at the time and knew nothing about it, but two of my tent mates are being sent home today. I am finding that there are always tons of rumours floating around (people love to talk) all the time. The story goes that they were drinking and someone ratted them out. When the dogs came through they sniffed out a pipe and that was that...going home! They don't fuck around here! I only met the guys briefly and haven't got the real story from them, but I can't help but feel for them. It will likely be an expensive mistake on their part with possible trouble back home if the RCMP get involved. This place is kind of like jail in the middle of a freakin' desert! Today I get to drive my first right handed vehicle..should be interesting! It is hard to get a solid nights sleep here as there are always planes taking off and guns being fired at the shooting range, even at 3am. I still haven't heard a bloody word about my luggage either, and I appear to be the only one interested in finding the damn stuff. Oh well, another day another dollar. Most people take Sunday off here (but I am working), so today I plan on spending most of my time in the air conditioned Sea Can office studying for my exam and taking it easy. peace bones

haha...no opium for this guy thank you very much! I don't do drugs..you know that. yesterday better not be the norm for me here. I had to go to my first ramp ceremony. those are held when a soldier(s) is killed, and a few days ago 3 military engineers were killed when they drove over an IED (improvised explosive device). It was incredibly sad to be there and many tears were flowing as we stood on the runway watching the coffins being carried to the plane. They were draped in Canadian flags and there was a bagpiper playing as the pallbearers carried the bodies. I still feeling like crying to be honest, but I just keep telling myself to be strong and everything will be ok. Other than that I had a great day. Instead of putting me in the welding shop, I have gone directly to Sea Can (container) inspection. I am being flown back to Dubai around the 24th of September for a few days where I will write my examination. It's one of the best jobs in the whole camp and I am pretty freakin' stoked to be offered this opportunity. My co-worker is from Quebec City and is an awesome guy, so my days are fun and educational at the same time. I am just on my lunch break now and need to go back to work (we work 6 days a week here). I will write more later. Oh ya, have I mentioned that is is fawkin' HOT here? 48 degrees celcius today! It's tough being outside all day in these temps. Anyway...ciao for now skanks much love bones

hot! looks like you may have to wait until I come home for my holidays for the batmaniac

it's bloody HOT here! I love the heat of summer, but this is something that I have only experienced before in Vegas and that was in mid July. Folks keep telling me that it has cooled down considerably but it's going to take a bit of time to get used to this weather. The evenings are really nice though. Last night we took a walk to the boardwalk, got a coffee from Tim Horton's and watched one of the playoff ball hockey games here on the outdoor arena. Still no luggage, so I've had to buy some stuff from the American PX. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that it will show up at some point. The food is pretty damn good for cafeteria style and we can eat as much as we want, so I hope to gain a shit load of weight There are a lot of people in KAF, both soldiers and civilians from several countries. It all seems like organized chaos to me right now. I'm living in a weather-haven tent that has 8 rooms inside (roughly 10' X 10'). Everyone I have met so far seems really nice and happy to be here. This is like nothing I have ever done before so I am enjoying the trip so far. Anyway, just thought I would check in and say hello. Time for a quick nap before dinner. peace bones

Bob...you and Mellie are my family and I love you both a great deal. Thank you everyone for your well wishes, it really means the world to me. Anyway, I am here in Dubai and it's freakin HOT! My luggage is lost somewhere so I have no clothes, but hopefully it will turn up at some point. It has already been a crazy experience. I just got in from a club here where I was solicited by a lovely Ethiopian girl. She kept pushing for me to take her back to my hotel room. I declined in fear that when I awake in the morning my wallet would be gone. I leave for Kandahar in the morning so it's time for me to climb into bed. Nice to check in and read your post POG. I will keep you folks updated on my life inside KAF (Kandahar air field). btw...I did not enlist in the military. I am working as a (welder) civillian contractor supporting the Canadian Forces at the NATO air field. peace all bones

well, I finally have a few moments to comment on Friday nights show. that will go down as one of my live musical highlights of my concert going career. it was incredible before the band took the stage! I say that because I was there with POG & Mellie who turned me on to Radiohead in the first place. Also, had POG not bought me a ticket I likely would not have been there. When we reached our seats I was pretty stoked how close we were and I could get out of the rain. Running into KevO was awesome! I hadn't seen the guy in years and not only did we have a little time to catch up, but he miracled me that sweet wrist band for the pit :thumbup: thanks brother! I was still in the beer line when the band started, so I was a little disappointed to miss 15 Step & Reckoner (one of my faves off In Rainbows). I couldn't agree more! I had said to Bob & Mellie at the hotel before the show that Videotape was probably my least favourite song on the new album. Live it was absolutely beautiful...so glad they played it. I was hoping for a Like Spinning Plates, so that was good. Songs I REALLY wanted to hear but weren't played; Myxomatosis 2+2=5 National Anthem Fake Plastic Trees Paranoid Android ...oh well, next time I hope What a special night. Thanks Radiohead Thanks Bob & Mellie Thanks KevO cheers to good friends

do you still have said ticket? I have a friend who'd LOVE to take it off your hands