Medieval Torture Device...

Had the indoor bicycle trainer been around in medieval times (or bicycle for that matter), I am certain that historians would classify it as one of the most primitive and gruesome of its age. The more time I spend utilizing this instrument of pain and suffering, the more wonderful even a terrible day of riding outdoors seems.

Prior to coming to Bahrain, I purchased the Tour de France DVD set that includes all seven of Lance Armstrong's tour wins (1999 - 2005). As they are great motivation to get on the trainer, I am getting to be an expert on all seven years of his TDF domination. Cody was also good enough to send me some Spinervals DVD's (more torture...not sure whether to thank him or put a professional hit out on him) to help the time on the trainer pass by quickly.

IT LOOKS LIKE I'LL BE HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL!

Given that the Post 9/11 GI Bill's benefits are so amazing, I am planning on probably returning to graduate school upon getting out of the Navy in Oct and pursuing a Master's in Exercise Physiology through the college of Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences. I will still have to work full time, but not nearly as full time as I was as a manager with United Supermarkets. The new GI Bill covers all tuition, fees, most books and also includes a monthly housing allowance. Since I will be in a period of transition leaving the Navy anyway, this will likely be the most ideal time for me to knock out my graduate work. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for a good job in Lubbock that will give me the flexibility of putting a solid effort into school and taking care of my family at the same time...if anyone hears about something along those lines, don't be shy about letting me know!

Taking Care of Family as Families Should

I took this article verbatim from the December 26, 2008, issue of Conservative Chronicle. The article was written by Linda Chavez and really hit home to me as we make preparations to take care of Leah, and it should provide anyone in a similar situation with some good advice on doing the right thing with regard to caring for our own.

"TAKING CARE OF FAMILY AS FAMILIES SHOULD"


For the past dozen years, my family has been constantly growing until we now number 15. But this year's addition isn't a new daughter-in-law or grandchild. At 87, my mother has finally come to live with me. It wasn't an easy move for her. And the timing, at the beginning of November, meant integrating her into daily life during the holidays, when most families experience additional stress as well as the joys of the season.
Since my father was killed in an automobile accident in 1978, my mother has lived on her own in a small apartment next to her sister-in-law in Albuquerque. My dad's family has treated as one of their own for 30 years. When she could no longer drive because her eyesight was failing, my Aunt Elsie and Cousin Margaret drove her to buy groceries each week. And they included her in all family celebrations when she could no longer travel east to be with us on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
My mother's life has never been an easy one. She was nearly killed in a devastating car crash that broke her back and shoulder and left her with a hole in her skull and pins holding her ankle together. Three of her children have died: my younger sister of kidney disease when she was just six years old, my older half-brother in a car accident when he was barely 15, and another half-brother in his 50s. She has survived the loneliness of widowhood and the pain of breast cancer. Yet, despite tragedies that would have left others in despair, she has remained resilient and optimistic.
As independent as she has been, however, I've always known that one day she would live with me. I couldn't imagine shunting her off to live with strangers, even though I know this has become far more socially acceptable today than in the past when adult children assumed the responsibility of caring for their aged parents. But even as she began to lose her vision from macular degeneration and became frail with the aches of old age, she's resisted making the final move.
Finally, I quit asking and told her it was time. My aunt was 87 and couldn't be expected to chauffer my mother around much longer - and even my cousin was now in retirement, with her own health problems. And I worried that if I waited until my mother's eyesight was completely gone or until she was too sick to care for herself, the move would be even harder on her.
Her first week was difficult. She worried about the new doctors I'd line up, fearing I might insist on going into the exam with her (of course, I didn't) or that they would tell her she needed to eat differently or make friends her own age, advice she's ignored for years. But once she realized I'd let her buy her Mily Ways and shortbread cookies and wouldn't try to interest her in the local senior center, she settled in nicely.
The key has been allowing her the independence she so values. Yes, she is dependent on me for driving her on the errands, but she wants to prepare her own meals and set her own schedule. She's invited to join us in family events - grandkids' and great-grandkids' birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations - but she's also free to retreat to her apartment when it gets too noisy or decline the invitation if it involves a long car ride or she's not feeling up to it.
Most days she spends lying on the couch in her sitting room listening to the Game Show Network or Fox News Channel. She keeps the shades down and the TV volume and heat up. She eats like a bird, taking only tiny portions of meat or vegtetables, but she always has room for dessert. Her main exercise is pushing the cart through the grocery store once a week. But she remains trim and still beautiful after all these years - and more important, happy.
I can't possibly know how long we'll have her with us or what new challenges the years ahead with her will bring. But I do know that bringing her to live with me was the right decision. In an age when the elderly are often seen more as a burden than a benefit, it is important to remember what our parents have done for us and what we owe them. Taking care of each other is what family is all about.

More Carrier Landing Photos

While I was already busy goofing off and doctoring photos, I decided to combine a few sequence shots of one of the hornets landing. It was amazing to see all the launches and recoveries while on board the Theodore Roosevelt...a real treat!

Layton Christmas Party

It was wonderful to have all the Layton clan back in Lubbock at our house for a big Christmas party in 2008 (present company excluded of course...regardless what the photo above portrays). The kids apparently had a ball getting acquainted again and playing their hearts out. Mamaw and papaw spent most of the evening with their great grandkids, while (most of) the adults played a taxing game of Pictionary (Guys - 1 / Girls - 0...better luck next time). I hope to be present for all future Christmas parties beginning next year...I'll try my best! Merry Christmas!

The Perfect Christmas Job

Since I am looking into the possibility of working for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), I thought I might apply for this position helping Santa Claus...seems like it'd be pretty exciting.

http://www1.nga.mil/Newsroom/TopStoryArchive/Pages/GEOINTSantaClausUsesNGAtoTraveltheGlobe.aspx

Trip out to CVN 71 - USS Theodore Roosevelt

On Sunday morning two co-workers from NAVCENT and I flew out to the USS Theodore Roosevelt for an opportunity to do a crew swap with some N2 folks on board. It was designed to give us an opportunity to place faces with names of crew members we would be supporting during their deployment and vice versa. It was a great idea, and it actually worked out even better than we had initially hoped.

We had an opportunity to work with the folks in CVIC and SUPPLOT (intel centers on the ship) as well as having some fun watching flight ops on sever different occasions both during the day and at night.

The COD (carrier on-board delivery...C-2/GREYHOUND) took us from Bahrain, through Qatar to pick up a few more passengers and on to the TR in the North Arabian Sea. All the planes on the carrier have the ability to fold up to make space on the flight deck and in the hangar bays. It is amazing to see the COD and the E-2C begin to fold their wings up almost immediately upon landing so the ground crew can begin to maneuver them out of the way to allow for the next plane to trap.

Everyone had to wear this flight gear during the trip to and from the carrier. It consisted of the helmet ("cranial"), goggles, and a horse collar which is just a flotation device in the event of a water landing/emergency.

CVN 71 - USS Theodore Roosevelt

One of the hornets getting ready for a launch...I am pretty sure I could sit and watch these guys fly all day long and never get tired of it. I wish my eyes had been good enough to allow me to fly for the Navy!

The catapults that launch the aircraft are steam driven, so once the planes are launched you can see lots of steam coming from the deck as the catapults retracts and gets set to launch the next guy in line. You can also make out the arresting wires in the bottom right-hand corner of the picture below. There are a total of four arresting wires to give the pilots ample opportunitiy for making the trap before having to power back up, take off, and come around again for another try. The tension on the wires are set to a specic tension prior to each landing according to the weight of the aircraft approaching. There are huge hydraulic drums below the flight deck that apply tension to the arresting wires. The arresting wires looked to be (just glancing) about 1 1/2" in diameter.

The view from this lower platform is spectacular.

Below are a couple of night landing shots...hard to see the plane because of the slow shutter speed, but the effect of the lights screaming in through the darkness is pretty neat.

This sparks you see flying in this second night shot is the arresting hook scraping the deck as the pilot is attempting to catch one of the wires for a trap. It all happens so fast it's hard to catch. If the pilot misses the trap he/she has to power back up quickly and cruise out the other end. It happened a couple of times while I was watching.

When the tankers are getting ready to launch, they have to hit full afterburner in order to take off with all the extra weight. It is really a spectacular sight to see at night, because there is a 10-15 foot flame coming from the engines prior to launching and then off it takes off.

Run Across Bahrain

Last weekend five other friends from NAVCENT and I ran a 10-miler from the eastern to western shores on the southern end of Bahrain. It was a fairly challenging cross-country course across what seemed likely endless sand dunes and rock piles. We were bussed over to the eastern shore and took off running back to the western shores where everyones' cars were parked. There were 3 water stops along the way, and it was a pretty nice afternoon of running since the temperature was really nice...probably never got above 70 degrees.

Everyone finished up strong, and we managed to swing through a McDonald's drive-thru on our way back to the base. There is nothing like a greasy double cheeseburger to satisfy the hunger you build up over a good run. I'm still looking into bringing McDonald's on board as my endurance sports sponsor at some point...stay tuned for more!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

I purchased a Christmas Tree at the NEX to spice up my flat a little bit around Christmas, and by a little...I mean a little since my tree is only 18" tall. It does have lights, but they only run on 110V, and since I don't have a step-down transformer they will remain unlit. It's a fun tree anyway and makes my middle-eastern surroundings seem a little more cheery around Christmas!

By the way...Merry Christmas...not Happy Holidays...Merry Christmas!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...Almost!

I am sure that everyone already received our Christmas card in the mail, but on the off chance you didn't...here it is! I sure hate to be away from my family and friends during Christmas, but this will probably be the last year for that! I submitted my resignation (request for release from active duty) letter two weeks ago and will be seeking gainful employment elsewhere around Oct/Nov 2009. We've just got too many things happening with our family to be running all over the world...plus I just can't stand being away from my wife and kids.

I hope to see everyone (briefly) around March/April when I come home on leave, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of everyone once I am back in either West Texas or Northeastern New Mexico for good! I love ya'll and hope everyone has a great Christmas!

Cody Hanson...You're an Ironman!

Congratulations to my cousin (in-law) Cody Hanson on completing his first Ironman a few days ago at Ironman Arizona 2008. He came screaming across the finish line in 14:36:05. His dedication to this goal can probably only be matched by other professional athletes, and I am very proud of his accomplishment. His determination and character in making his dream a reality has truly taught me a lesson about continuing on toward your goal no matter what stumbling block may cause you to want to quit.

We're proud of you Cody...great work!

New Secretary in Town?

Well after eight years of having a Secretary of State with integrity and class, it appears we are going to have a new sheriff in town...none other than (as the "Reverend" Jesse Jackson says):

Hillary "RODMAN" Clinton

Trip to the Camel Farm

I took a trip with the MWR travel office today which included both a trip to the camel farm and a chance to travel out on the King Fahd Causeway which connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.

The camels were broken into two groups, the first of which is pictured below. These guys were tied to a stake with about ten feet of rope which really limited their movement...pretty miserable if you ask me. The second group was in a smaller pen, but at least they could move around freely. The guy working in the pen said they rotate those guys back and forth.

This guys looks like he likes me, but that was not the case at all. He was trying to get away from me as soon as the picture was snapped.




Below is the King Fahd Causeway restaurant which sits right at the gate to the Saudi side of the causeway.

This is the view of the Bahrain side.

...and this is the view of the Saudi side.

The covered structure near the middle of the picture is the gate you pass through to head into Saudi Arabia. I decided not to make a break for it today...the guards are probably less lenient than those guarding the Texas/Mexico border...maybe another time!

You can't go anywhere in the world without seeing the good ole' golden arches!

Finally Found a Place To Hang My Hat

At long last I found a flat that I will be calling home for the next twelve months. It's in a brand new high-rise building called Juffair Skyview. Juffair is the name of the area in Bahrain where I'll be living. It has a really nice gym and pool, and although it's a small place, it's the perfect size for me. It's right around the corner from a really popular American restaurant called "Ric's," as well as the Al Jazeera Supermarket where I'll likely do all of my shopping.

There is a decent size pool on the first floor...not big enough to do laps, but good for lounging around in the sun (of which there is no shortage).

The gym at the Skyview is really nice and will provide me with a great alternative to working out on base if/when my work schedule is more hectic.

Not all of the houshold furnishings are in the apartment yet, but they will be coming very soon. There are still items such as a TV, sound system, curtains and bedding that will be arriving prior to me moving in. There are two bedrooms, but the spare will have a large computer desk and that's where I'll park my bike maintenance stand.

The kitchen is pretty small, but again, it's only me. The washer/dryer is also in the kitchen and as you can see it's all in one unit...we'll see how well that works!?!

Master Bedroom

Second Bedroom

This is one of two bathrooms...this is the master bath.

A Day at the Souq

I spent the day walking around doing some window shopping at the mall, the gold souq, and the big grocery/department store called Geant (last picture was taken there). A souq is a commercial quarter in an Arab city...it could be focused on jewlery (gold souq) or any other type of goods. The marketplace on base is called the "freedom souq." It's a place where the prices on items are all negotiable...I had so much fun bartering and then leaving if I couldn't get something for next to nothing.

There is even some American flare in the eating establishments in Bahrain. I am thinking the guy at Fuddruckers wouldn't be able to wear that outfit at the Lubbock store unless it was Halloween.

Who can resist a day out on the town without hitting up a bike shop? Not me!

The streets were much busier a few minutes prior to this photo, but the calls for prayer came over the loudspeakers of the mosque right down the street and many people closed up shop or stopped shopping and went to pray. I was going to try and get a video so you could hear it and see the people leaving, but I didn't get it done...will try again later!

These three shots were taken in a mall called Gold City, and the name tells the entire story. The stores were filled with gold jewlery...some more obnoxious than others.

Many stores sell pipes called shishas (shee-shas) or hookah pipes that people use to smoke flavored tobaccos. It's apparently a very popular thing for everyone to do...the pipe is filled with water, and the water actually filters the tobacco smoke rather than a cotton filter like on a cigarette. You smoke the tobacco through the really long tubes you see attached to the middle of the pipe. The really expensive (and preferred) shisha tubes are made of camel skin...definitely different!

This picture was taken just outside the entrance of Geant, which is a really big department/grocery store similar to a super Wal-Mart. Do you get the idea that someone is trying to sell Fanta Sodas?

Welcome to Bahrain!

The flight from Norfolk to Manama was long but definitely still bearable. We stopped in Portugal, Italy, and Greece before finally arriving early on the 30th of Oct...sorry it's taken so long to put something up here about the trip. The shot below was taken as we were flying over Egypt about two hours away from landing in Manama, Bahrain.

We dropped a few folks off (and picked a few up) at each stop as well as taking on fuel and food for the remaining legs. The longest stop was probably in Italy where we spent a little over two hours, but each of the others was only about an hour and a half. The plane was packed leaving Norfolk, so there wasn't much room to spread out and get comfortable...it would have payed to have first class on a trip like that...as long as I wasn't paying!!!

The sky was hazy all morning after the sun came up, as you can easily see from this picture taken right before we landed.

My sponsor booked me at the Gulf Hotel upon arriving. The Gulf Hotel is a very famous 5-star hotel in Manama and not really very far from the base (approx. 2-2.5 miles). The rooms are pretty nice and the rest of the hotel is first-rate (if you're into the first-rate sort of atmosphere...which I am not). One of the big drawbacks is having to pay an outlandish rate for internet access (10BD/day...which comes out to $26.67USD). I am eating less to compensate, which may end up helping me out in the long run since the weight-ins for the physical readiness test are closing in on me.

My hotel room window provides me with a great view of the Grand Mosque which I fully intend to tour during one of the upcoming weekends...probably after I settle in and am fully qualified to stand watch.