Still on the Lookout for LIMDU Orders

I was certain that my orders would be in message traffic by Friday (yesterday) after talking to the LIMDU detailer and my community detailer, but I set myself up for yet another disappointment thanks to the very slow administrative chain of command. If (crossing my fingers right now) my orders are released early next week, I should be able to get everything set up to depart on the April 2 rotator...that is if everything works out correctly! I'd like to think it's the most likely scenario, but I know better than that.

On Friday night six individuals from work rented the top floor of an Irish pub (JJ's) to host a combined birthday party. Two guys from our directorate were included, so I went along. Chris Ferrante (pictured below) is a fellow watch officer, and we have become really good friends during our time in Bahrain. We had just been playing a game of pool prior to this picture. I guess it probably looks funny to see a guy on one leg trying to hobble around a pool table. It definitely affected my ability to play...not that I had much ability to play pool anyway!

Special Departing Gift for My Fine Navy Brethren

It's customary for an officer to give a few deserving individuals a token of appreciation for their "outstanding" support over the course of a tour upon departing a command. In the spirit of this fine Navy tradition, I searched long and hard for a gift that would, from the depths of my soul, accurately describe how touched I have been by the tireless dedication and pursuit of excellence that my Navy brethren have displayed. Although it was a tough decision, you can see in the above photo that I have finally found that perfect gift!

Interfax: Russia May Base Bombers in Cuba

MOSCOW – The Interfax news agency has reported that a Russian Air Force chief says Venezuela's (communist) president has offered an island as a temporary base for strategic Russian bombers. The agency reported that chief of staff of Russia's long range aviation Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev said Saturday that President Hugo Chavez had offered "a whole island with an aerodrome, which we can use as a temporary base for strategic bombers." The agency quoted Zhikharev as saying, "If there is an corresponding political decision, then the use of the island ... by the Russian Air Force is possible." Interfax reported he said earlier that Cuba could be used to host the long-range planes.

New T-Shirt to Help Make Friends

I found a new t-shirt that will be perfect to wear on campus at Texas Tech during my lunch in the free speech area. That was always my favorite place to go on campus if I needed motivation to go work out or hit the heavy bag at the gym for a while. I am quite certain that none of the dirtbags in the free speech area would object to a celebration of DIVERSITY would they? I mean that is truly what they stand for...ISN'T IT?

Making Preparations to Move

Although I don't have orders to leave the island yet, I began making preparations this past weekend for the imminent move. As soon as BUPERS (Bureau of Personnel) cuts orders authorizing my travel and household goods move I'll be ready! I fully expect to have orders early next week, and then it should (hopefully) take no more than a week to get everything else in order to leave...unfortunately I can't make appointments ahead of time without those orders. Getting my road bike packed into the travel case and all my bike tools/stand disassembled was my biggest chore. I don't really have that much stuff here in Bahrain, so it won't be difficult to pack and move.

Our Navy Federal debit cards were compromised somehow the other day, and some fraudulent charges had posted to my checking account...AWESOME TIMING. I went to the Navy Fed branch on base today to get a new card issued since I cancelled our others. They will FedEx one to the branch location here, and I should have it early next week. By the way, I didn't have a Star Wars debit card...that is simply for Cody's benefit! The funny part about the trip to the base to get a new card was that I had to walk all the way on crutches because all my friends were at work and I couldn't get a cab to show up and give me a ride. It's really not that far from my building to the base...probably around 2 miles. A cab finally tried to give me a ride when I was about 1/4 mile from the front gate...if his english was any good he heard something like, "Thanks for nothing, pal!"

The foot is doing well, although it's still pretty uncomfortable when not elevated. I am sleeping in spurts, and probably only sleep all the way through the night two times a week. Once the cast comes off and some of the major initial healing is done, I'm sure that will change for the better! I am getting ready to start putting weight on it and getting all the muscles firing again...can't stand the down time. I went to the gym for the first time since the accident this past Sunday evening. I had to use the nautilus equipment since my balance is off due to not having both legs for stability. I worked upper body for while and then used a rowing machine for about half an hour. It was definitely nice to be back in the gym and working out a little. Unfortunately, it makes me want to dive off the deep end and go back every day. One of the major drawbacks to working out with this cast on is that I can't wash my leg, and it will probably start to stink inside the cast if I continue to work out...OH WELL...too bad for everyone else!

Staple Removal

I got the staples removed from my right ankle on Tuesday, and based on the X-ray the tibia is healing just fine. When the doctor took the cast off there was a significant amount of bruising on the bottom of my foot, which he said was normal based on the injury and surgery. The new cast is made of fiberglass which will prevent any flexion at the ankle and is also much tighter when my foot swells. Sigonella approved my limited duty status and it should be about two weeks until BUPERS finalizes my orders to depart Bahrain for Lackland AFB in San Antonio.

Given that timeline, I probably won’t leave Bahrain until the end of March after checking out and arranging for my stuff to be moved. I hope that BUPERS can expedite the delivery of my limdu orders so I can get out of here sooner rather than later. I am looking forward to being back in the states and beginning rehab to get my leg/foot back to normal.