Led not by a fear of heights so much as a desire to return to my wife I said to Sgt. J I will go no further!!
Yesterday, a small group of us (Cpt. Arakaki, Sgt. Johannesen, Sgt. J's son, and I) decided that we were going to attempt the Ron Coleman trail in the Franklin Mountains State Park. This trail to our knowledge was not exceptionally difficult, rather it was just listed as difficult on the trail map which Karly and I aquired the week before.
The trail is registered as being 3.8 miles long spanning the park from McKelligon Canyon to Trans-mountain road with a 40 foot climb.
As we began the hike very close to the trailhead while starting the initial ascent to the saddle we went up about a 40 foot climb which was at about 60 degrees. We thought that was going to be the roughest part but guess what, we were wrong.
As we continued on the trail which went along the ridge atop the mountains we noticed that the majority of the trail was within a couple of feet from the rock face. Continuing on we reached about the 1mile mark where the trail crosses from east to west and just about got blown off the mountain. Then the fun began.
Once we reached the west face of the mountains things got sticky. It started with a 12 foot climb that was somewhat protected but still kind of scary. So we all scaled the first little bump only to find the trail was a questionable hike along a 45 degree top of a cliff face which went down about 40-50 ft. but it wasn't too bad so we passed that 100+ft and the trail got a little easier. then the ascent. We started to go up and the trail got harder. Then we reached the point where I took the picture below of Sgt. J's son on the rock face which was the easiest section of the 40 foot climb. Keep in mind we're already at 6200ft altitude and about 1500+ feet up on another rock face. So We all conquered our fear of heights and made it up that first 15ft to the window which is the picture of the city below.

The 3rd picture is where Sgt. J and I perched below the window to take in the view and attempt to keep from dying. It was from this position which I called my lovely wife and said pray for us we aren't going any further.

Call us wimps for not making it, call us whatever you want. We didn't have the proper gear, strength, stamina, nor the attitude to do the whole trail. Some time we might make it but I am not into risking my life for a good picture. I have too much going for me at home (I LOVE YOU KARLY).



Continuing on. We scaled the cliff back down and headed back to the trail head. I must say though the trail back was a lot harder. I didn't realize until the trip back with my weary legs, the fear of height and will to live kicked in that we truly were hiking on what I would in retrospect consider a truly dangerous trail.

Karly did a good job of finding out just how dangerous it was by finding an article about a death in July of 2005 which happened below the very spot where I prayed to God and turned back. Apparently that is not the only casualty that the Ron Coleman trail has taken either.
I a so very glad that we decided to turn back for our safety and perhaps next time we will have the proper equipment so that we can climb safely to the next part of the trail. Or perhaps we could convince the state park that it would be a good idea to put in a permanent steel cable so that casualties don't happen off of that rock face.

Till later. My best to all. 

For four days life was good. My bath towel didn't smell like anything. This morning once again it has the most obvious smell of amish pretzel, very yeasty. I'm not sure why they smell like that but they all do and they're fresh towels. Karly can verify this unusual occurence.

This is another group picture. I'm the one in digital camo. Can you see me? 

So after having the opportunity/experience, in my random sitting with people at the Dfac, to have lunch with two mormons (LDS) within this week I have come to some conclusions.

First, mormons hold a grudge. They do not understand forgiveness and certainly do not understand the idea of salvation by grace. They have not gotten over the mormon trail and no matter how much we (white people) would try to compensate for the movement it would not be enough. I find this to be a common theme among mormons and some of the north american indians and black people I have dealt with. They take any and every opportunity they can to try and make us feel guilty for introducing ourselves into their space/culture. We could give each of them a fortune to last a lifetime so they could live better than most "white men" and that would not be enough. Never mind the fact that the majority of the people who are holding the grudge have never in their life experience the oppression that their ancestors did and that some of their ancestors weren't even in the group that was oppressed (aka they voluntarily relocated or weren't in the picture at all). So that's enough rant on the fact that some people can't figure out reality or attempted reconciliation.

Second, this one applies to both mormons that I spoke to. They listen but do not hear. They make no attempt to understand your opinion no matter how truthful, incitefull, knowledgeable or just plain right you may be. I have a feeling it is bred into them or beaten (metaphorically) or something to not believe the opinions of non-mormons.

All I can say is that if this is how mormons treat people in general I can not understand how anybody would join their religion. Fortunately, I have the experience of working with a few who seem to be more understanding at least on the outside. Perhaps it is their temperament which keeps those individuals able to listen or perhaps it's because they are only LDS by name and not action, I don't know but I hope by the grace of God and the Lord Jesus christ as our lord and savior that those individuals who are of the ilk of the two I have spoken to recently have an awakening that they are not practicing what their "religion" speaks of.

Anyway onto a better subject.
The above picture is a group shot of the Ft. Bliss Branch team minus a couple of individuals who were either sick or on TDY. The shot below I found interesting so I have been taking pictures of some of the unusual road signs I have recently seen that they don't teach in drivers ed.

Tank crossing!!! STAY OUT OF THE WAY!!!















Oryx crossing. Big antlers on an animal which doesn't belong here (it's not native). But has adapted well to this environment. Unfortunately it has no natural predators in the area so we the people of military have it in our job to be the predation so that the oryx doesn't destroy the desert as it is. 

I just think this is cool. I enjoy hearing and seeing the troops marching down the street chanting their cadences. It's really cool. This is an AIT (advanced individual training) group.













This is the veterinary treatment facility at Hollowman AFB. It's an old firehouse.

This is a picture of more museum pieces. These are again on Holloman AFB.
This is me with my new haircut.


I'm not going to type much synopsis of this week right now as it is late and I am talking to my wife as I type. 

Ukraine Military vehicles and camoflage
US military vehicle with camoflage.
See the difference?



Anyway onto today.
Things were back to usual for being down here. Except that I woke up late 0720. This morning I showed up and about 20min later I began my surgeries for the day. I had three spays and 2 neuters to do. I was done with those by 1230 and had a good lunch.
I got back to the hospital and things were absolutely crazy. Apparantly life blew up today as the hospital was extremely busy, the two Captains were in a conference most of the afternoon. We gained a new NCO who will be replacing Sgt. Guerra in the NCOIC position allowing him to go back to the job he originally came to Bliss to do which is help out and be a Romeo. One of the specialist romeos came back as well from leave making things even more hectic. So I sat in my office secluded from the chaos until I was needed.
I later in the afternoon orgainzed the rest of my week. Tomorrow I will be going to Holloman AFB to work and Thursday after doing commissary inspection I will head to WSMR (white sands) for the afternoon. I'm looking forward to spending time away from Bliss.

That is all for now. 

So I realized when I woke up today how the military life or the life of a salesman can be hard. I think it is harder for the person being left than the person leaving when that person leaving is going to a new location. This morning when I woke up I realized that I now have memories of Karly here. The pictures are in my head and they prompt reminders of my life away from here. The longing for companionship with my wife that is realized upon getting out of my shower/bed...is stronger after having her here. When there is no memory of having that here there is less longing and reminders.

I guess you could say that this weekend especially Karlys return to Iowa was a psychological experiment. I take it as a learning experience. I now know what it is like to "lose" someone even though I know that Karly will be there when I return to Iowa and that knowledge brings great peace, I now understand the feeling of loss which accompanies a more permanent departure (shuffle off the mortal coil). Like I said I have that peace of knowledge that I will see her again. But for a brief moment while she was in the air I believe that I experienced for a short while that sense of loss. The human psyche has an amazing compensatory mechanism which does take some time to start up. But thank goodness it does.

Wow, this is gettin way too deep and probably a little confusing. But I've attempted to explain it to the best of my linguistic ability. As you have probably guessed by reading my blog, I am more of a train of thought type of writer, spilling my ideas onto the page. Technical writing doesn't come easily and trying to explain complex emotion is even more difficult.

Ok I'm done rambling now.
All my love to Karly and the rest of my support network (family and friends). 

Here's the actual scud buster.
 

Fun pictures from the weekend. This is a patriot missile launcher located at WSMR (white sands missile range)

I thought this one was funny. The caution tape around the portajohn and the cones as she was coming out.
Caption: I wouldn't go in there if I was you!!!!

This is a sand dune folks. It's New Mexico not antartica.

I have been told by some people that it gets easier with time. I say to them, if it gets easier then there's something wrong and you need to look back to when you were in love with your wife. Karly just left to head back home where we will be back together again in three weeks. Let me tell you I don't think I've experienced anything as hard as what I just went through. It's not over yet I can tell. I love Karly more than I possibly could have imagined love could be. My lovely wife tends to be good at holding in her emotions and not crying but when she was hugging me at the airport and started crying it was the saddest feeling I've ever had. If it's supposed to get easier each time I think we both fail because I think this was harder than the first. The old saying that abscense makes the heart grow fonder is extremely true. So true that it is my firm belief that as God put us together only he can tear us apart. Karly is my one true love and no matter the distance that the world puts between us we will always come back together.

Anyway to caption the picture above and to fill in on the weekend since I didn't post for the entire time as I said I wouldn't, I will sumarize. Friday, pick up Karly (yea) go eat good Mexican, go to Bliss hotel for shower and unpack, tour Fort Bliss with Karly. Go to PX to get ACU pants, go to Class 6 for toasting champagne ($5 bottle on sale but still good), drive around outside of Bliss some. Go to makeout point on scenic drive where Karly sees her first foreign country and is amazed by the sea of lights that is Juarez after dark. Drive onward on scenic drive to ridge road. Head toward loop 375 which runs along border so Karly can be really close to Mexico but unfortunately never enter. Get lost in East El Paso. Finally find 10 and head back toward base. Eat dinner at Senses do Brazil churrascaria (which beared a resemblance to real churrascarias but left a whole lot to be desired). I'll be honest the meat was good but I've had better churrasca in a podunk backwater village in Brasil for 10 Reales ($4) maybe I'm a little biased so I need to try other American versions but my first impression was not so favorable as they haven't figured out how to do it right yet. I digress, back to hotel for bed.

Saturday, get up 6:15AM shower get ready and eat breakfast. Go to commissary to get cheer laundry detergent. Ft. Bliss museum was the first stop. On to trans mountain road. Get off at top for some hiking. Decide to go straight up canyon, find out two hours later that it's a long steep rocky hike. Gave up 250ft from top when I started causing a rock slide on my 50+ degree incline ascent up an older rockslide, and Karly started getting afraid of the height. Towards the end the hike was more consistent with rock climbing than hiking. Anyway, made it back to bottom after letting Karly have 10min head start so she didn't get crushed by a rock that I sent plumeting down the hill. Got in car headed to Mesilla NM for lunch. 30min wait at restaurant decided we were too hungry and went on. Found a middle eastern/mediterranian restaurant with what was quite probably the best chicken Karly or I had ever had. Head to white sands. Get on road which heads northeast and see 38mi to national monument. Randomly stop at dept. of interior campsite/national park within the mountain range due east of Las Cruxes and due west of White sands (town). Head to White sands town which is actually the military base. Go through the high security to get in. Visit the VTF and see a whole bunch of missles. Drive on to the natn'l monument. Drive around on the cool road which they have to plow the sand off of every day (it's gypsum sand so it is truly white as in the pictures). We were reminded of Iowa except it wasn't as cold. Headed to Alamagordo NM on the way to dinner which was south of El Paso. Headed southwest on 58. Made jokes about the prison inbetween White sands missile range and Ft. Bliss and how a prisoner would be foolish to escape and that we could just see the headline (military declares training excercise for escaped prisoners. ADA and infantry have had live fire authorization) he he he. Go through El Paso and head down 10 to Fabens exit and "North over overpass into desert" as the specific directions state on how to get to "Cattlemand's steakhouse". Had really good steak and sides. Got back to Bliss late.

Sunday, Wake up 0715 get ready and go to breakfast. Church at 0900. Pack at hotel. Lunch at 1115 at the officers club. 1400 airport, 1430 security, 1515 Karly heads off on her way to Ames (ter, tear, tear). Just the thought of her departure brings the emotion back.

Karly at national recreation area.

Casing which held original atomic devices which destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Karly found the flying saucer. It's true, they do exist. Area 51 beware.

Here is where I am. This is Fort Bliss taken from satellite images off of google earth. Bliss inn is where I had to run to the other day from bldg. 5016 where I abide and am currently typing from.

This is a picture taken from an elevation of 5280 ft in the Franklin mountains state park. This location is just off the trans-mountain road which connects East El Paso to west El Paso. I hiked about half way up the mountain before discovering that it was too cold to go any further (my camera froze up) and I started getting a headache which was likely do in part to the altitude and a slight head cold I've had as a result of the desert temperature fluctuations (30's in the morning and 60's in the afternoon).

These are some pictures of the VTF at Fort Bliss. I admit they're not very exciting but alas it is where I work down here.

So Karly (my lovely wife) is on her way from Georgia to El Paso as I type. I am extremely excited for her arrival but I just have to wait. I'm not sure what we will do for tourism and such but we're really good at the whole fly by the seat method of having fun. I will not be posting untill she departs as I don't want to waste any of my time with her by typing.

Today was very fun.
I had the opportunity to get M9 qualified. So I did. The process started yesterday with PMI (primary instruction) where I learned the basics of the weapon. Then at 0600 we left this morning for the range where we would live fire and if we were good enough we would qualify. We got to the range and it was quite a set up. I of course have never been to a military range before so it was all new to me. But the area was quite picturesque with a mountain backdrop on a desert sage brush and cactus foreground. Right in front of us we had a row of 20 firing positions with 7 pop-up targets on each. The objective of course was to hit the target when it pops up thereby making it fall down.

I was in the second group for qualification. The first group was security guards from Beaumont who had to qualify. We loaned them our kevlar and watched as they attempted to get it done. Unfortunately, I can say that I don't feel very secure when it comes to Beaumonts cops. Fortunately they aren't MP's and they generally don't have to even carry a weapon because it took most of them 2 tries to qualify.

Anyway, my round commenced and I have never shot an M9 (9mm) before so I was a little wary of the weapon. We had one shot for familiarization and no practice with loading or unloading. Thus my faulter when I was reloading on the 2nd target run.

So to make the story short. I qualified so all is good. I also learned that larger groups follow more of the hurry up and wait theory of military service. When I'm with just the VTF things happen fairly quickly but today I think we spent most of our time waiting on people to do what should have been easily accomplished in half the time that it took. But I guess that's why they do training so that those who are inefficient can become more proficient. I just wish more people would be self sufficient rather than having to have things given to them with a silver spoon. Intuition is a good thing.

BLOGGING WITH PICTURES BY PAUL
So I forgot the tripod and Karly isn't bringing much luggage so I had to use what I have available as a tripod. In this lovely case it's my outstretched arms. This is me in my ACU's and berret(sp?). This is me happy and smiling as usual.







I'm having trouble figuring what format I have set up here so you'll have to deal with my random locations for text vs. pictures. This is a "more appropriate" military type of picture. I am serious as you can see. I am a very serious guy as all of you know. The sunglasses are to look cool but they also do a good job of blocking the sun. This pic was taken from on top of my mini kitchen (aka fridge, freezer and microwave combo).







Next picture is of a howitzer. This is an older artillery piece which is on display at the newest of the Fort Bliss museums. They don't have good displays of the current weapons mostly because they are still very functional and being used in places such as Iraq. I thought this was appropriate because Fort Bliss is the current home of the Army ADA or Air Defense Artillery.




We have a project going on currently to take pictures of all the MWD's which come through the hospital at Ft. Bliss. I like the idea so I shall share the first really good shot I have with the world. This is Dino. He is a MWD (military working dog) who is currently on his way to Iraq to serve our troops. All dogs being deployed currently go through Ft Bliss on their way out.











That is all for now. I like this whole picture thing and I hope that you do too

I'm back.
So I'm finding it not so easy to find time to post on a regular basis. It seems I have three missions while I'm here. Firt is to work which entails studying for boards, doing the general things veterinarians do, and learning about the military and the intricacies of what I will be doing when I graduate. Second is to study for boards away from work, and third is to keep in regular communication with my lovely wife. Way back on the list is blogging.

So anyway, I'm doing well down here. Life is going fairly slow, I really miss being with Karly. Fortunately when I'm at work there isn't any time to be missing her but when I get home things get a little dicy but that's ok.

So I just got a phone call from Karly!! She was pulled over on her way back to our place from picking the Caddy up at her folk's place. Apparently Karly's dad never got the lesson on twilight sentinel and was wondering why the lights didn't turn off when he got out of the car so he turned them off manually without knowing that they would just shut off after about 30 seconds. So back to the recent. Karly didn't get a ticket but she did get a warning for not having the lights on.

Back to life on base. It's fun. I enjoy seeing the troops out marching. It's very interesting going to the Dfac and seeing about 100 M-16's in pyramids outside being watched by a couple of soldiers. It's quite interesting and enjoyable. I'm finally getting used to being saluted and called sir, but I'm still working on calling my superiors sir/ma'am but fortunatley there isn't a very large percentage of the military who I need to use that language with.

Life is good!! Karly is visiting on Friday. All is happy.

The saga of the keys.

It all began last night around 2000. As I was sitting at my computer chatting with Helen in Champaign, I realized that it was getting to about the time when Karly was going to call. I looked around for my phone and realized that I had left it in the car. So I gathered my car keys and a room key and headed to recover my phone.

I got to the phone pretty fast despite the rough gravel and lack of sidewalk on this end of the building heading to the parking lot. When I returned to my room much to my surprise, my key didn't work. Now this isn't such a big deal when the front desk is downstairs, but here on base the front desk is all the way across base. So I called the desk with my cell phone and headed in my pajamas and shoeless across base to the front desk. When I entered the lobby they greeted me with the keys saying you must be the Lt. that called (as I had told them I was shoeless). I said great and headed back to my abode.

I got back here and tried the new keys and, you guessed it, they didn't work either. So I called the and they sent someone to help. I headed to the car because the wall outside the room is itchy (it's lined with wool carpet, deceptively seventy's looking despite how modern the rooms are). There I sat and talked with my wife until the service vehicle showed up. She rekeyed the room and let me in. Yay!!

So I had a wonderful and peaceful sleep and woke up around 0630 for PT. I got into my PT uniform and headed out the door with my orders, my military ID and a key to the room. Then I realized that I left my reflective belt in the room (this is supposed to be mandatory for running on base). So I turned around and slid my key into the lock and once again I was surprised to see a red light instead of a green light and a click. Needless to say I was a little upset. This time I was caught outside of my room with no car keys and no cell phone. Fortunately there's house phones in the hallways so I go to the nearest one and dial what I thought was the desks number. I got some funny beeps and no rings. So I guessed I got the number wrong. I headed over to the breakfast room in the building next door and found the worker there (a very friendly elderly Italian immigrant whos story I'll tell later) and asked if she could help me get into contact with the front desk. She informed me that I need to dial 9 to get out (this was very pertinent information). So I dialed and there was only one person at the desk and she couldn't leave to bring a key. That's when ding the bright idea came into my head that I was in PT clothes and should just run over.

3 miles later I realized that altitude can play a major effect in ones endurance as I huffed and puffed into the lobby 24 minutes later. Fortunately for me the staff grows at 0700 so there was 4 people working now. The nice legal Mexican immigrant who helped me and gave me new keys was also nice enough to give me a lift. This was good because I wouldn't have made it back in time for breakfast had she not helped. This time the keys worked properly and cross my fingers I hope they should be good for a while.

Ladies and gentlemen we have culture shock!!
I've had it before and I'm sure I'll have it again and right now I certainly have culture shock. So you ask why is this culture shock? Well I'll tell you. El Paso could also be known as Mexico. There are more Mexicans in this town than Americans I think. It has an air of Mexico, the restaurants are all in spanish, the people all speak spanish, there are about 25 radio stations, of which 3 are all in english, it is pretty much mexico except higher prices. Ft. Bliss is however a little haven of Americans. The majority of people here are not Mexican.

More culture shock. MILITARY. Holy cow things are more different than I ever imagined. Today I've been called sir more times than I think I had for the rest of my life prior to this. I was saluted by a number of soldiers and when Cpt. Arakaki and I were out getting me straightened away with the accounts office, we visited the food inspections section where we even had a soldier stand at attention when we entered the room, that's the first time that's happened to me.

More on the shock thing. This evening as I was going to the mess hall I was greeted in the parking lot by no less than 50 privates dawning M-16s and getting ready to march. I'm guessing they marched over to the mess hall after a day of training and marched to somewhere to end the night. Well then I entered the mess hall and it became obvious very quickly that I was definitely the highest ranked soldier there. Fortunately I was going incognito in civilian clothes. This probably made it easier for me to sit and talk to some people. Anyway, after dinner, which was very good, I headed back to my suite. Yes, I said suite. It is complete with 3 rooms, a large bedroom with the desk I am on and a queen sized bed, a bathroom with a large shower, and a large living room with a 30" TV and DVD player. The only thing I'm missing is a full kitchen but instead I get a fridge, freezer and microwave combo.

So my first day was fun. I did a couple of physicals, proved my phlebotomy skills, and was in charge of anesthesia on an MWD who was having his tail removed due to a chronic wound. I was given the small "spare office" to be mine while I'm here, it has a nice desk and computer with a comfy leather chair. I will likely be studying in this office regularly.

Till later, I must talk to the love of my life now.

It's official!!!
I'm off to ADT.
I flew out this morning at 8:15AM after a greuling 4:45AM wake up. I can tell you it wasn't easy leaving Karly's arms. I was full of emotions, happiness, anger, fear, unknowing, glee... Leaving for the first time after getting married was a lot harder than I thought it would be. But I have survived, and our tie apart can only bring us closer in the end.
So now I am writing from Phoenix airport. Can I mention I love having a laptop with wireless. It's awesome, I'm writing to you from a sports bar in the airport, how great is that. Anyway, my flight leaves at 1311 for ElPaso which will be my final destination. I have no idea what to expect but I was reassured by a Seargent that I met on the plane. She works with soldiers at Camp Dodge letting them know what's going on when they come for training. She was very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of this kind of excersize and made sure I knew a little of what to expect and how to go about getting things done. She and a group stationed at Camp Dodge will be shipping out to Iraq in June so I wish them the best. She is extremely excited to be serving her country and the good of the Iraqi people even though she will be leaving behind her husband and children.
I'll write again soon.

Ok so switching days and nights officially isn't fun.
Just comming off of the night shift for three weeks. I'm currently attempting to turn my self back around to a normal schedule. So far I have been getting up at 7 with Karly which is good because starting next week I do PT at 6 MT so 7CST is actually 6MT which is good. However, about 1300 hours I get an overwhelming urge right now to take a nap. Unfortunately I have succumed to said urge the last two days and ended up being out for a little longer than I wanted. Oh well, I'm sleeping through the nights ok now and it should get better by the end of the week.
Till later

I smell like rumen!!!
So I've been very fortunate the last couple of days. ICU double scheduled the overnight shift on small animal critical care 8PM-11AM. The barn (large animal) has been extremely busy lately so I was called in to assist with the barn dutys. This is the preferred option for me so I was glad to take up the call of duty and switch to doing what I love rather than doing what I tend to find mundane.
In other news. The rumen thing. Tonight we have a cow with chronic bloat. She has a surgically placed fistula to releive the bloat which generally works. However, there can be one complication. When the normal gas cap is removed by a cow overeating and overdrinking the fistula can easily get plugged. This happened to the cow tonight (the overeating is probably why she's a chronic bloater). So about 3AM I was reaching my fingers into the hole. When it got unplugged a stream poured/shot out of the hole. I definitely decided that she had too much in there when under pressure I was able to get almost 15 gallons of fluid and contents onto the ground (yuk). So anyway she felt a whole bunch better and is chewing her cud again. Horray!!

On other notes.
Life is good, I love Karly, my parents are coming to help empty the 6th and Grand apt. this weekend. I have next week off, oh and did I mention LIFE IS GOOD.

I got all nostalgic tonight.
This evening Karly and I went to see End of the Spear, a movie about first contact with an indiginous tribe in Equador. All I can say is that it brought back memories and a sincere desire to go back to Brasil and visit my Xavante friends. It's been too long since I've been there. I can only hope that upon my return that Ci da Nares is still alive so I can visit my old friend who was there at the Xavante first contact in 1947. I still remember one of my favorite moments was sitting on a hill by Rio das Mortes fishing for bait pirhania with Ci da Nares by my side coaching me. We were casting the line with no rod (as it should be done IMHO). After about 10 casts and 3 fish I felt something funny. Then I stood up and started dancing around as I started feeling little pricks all over my legs. Ci da Nares just laughed and laughed, then he came over and helped brush the ants off of me and gave me the words of advice. If you're going to sit on an ant hill don't wear long pants.

I really want to go back. Of all the people I have met around the world the Xavante are the most sincere and amazing people I know. Their vast knowledge of the earth amazed me and I long to learn more of it. I hope to return soon.

Tis my first night on the large animal overnight shift (aka horse shift). It is soooo much nicer down here. The general attitude is better and things are alot more fun.

Tonight inbetween hourlies we watched The Adams Family movie. It's really fun having an LCD projector in the Equine rounds room. It sure beats just surfing the web and doing homework. Which by the way I got my first ICU homework done already. I was told that most people can't do it on the overnights but I seem to have adjusted to the time fairly well and was able to think clearly through the first set. Tomorrow I shall tackle another.

I should be getting my first (regular working) uniform today. My ACU's are scheduled to show up later this morning. I'm lookinf foreward to trying them on though the thought that it will be the most common thing I wear for the next 3+ years is somewhat frightening. I think I'm going to enjoy the military though. If nothing else we will certainly be good at packing and getting rid of useless things.

My last thought for tonight is my personal view that CPR in cat's and dog's is probably not something that I would consider necessary. If you do have to do CPR the prognosis for survival more than a week is grave. About 4.1% of dogs make it out of the hospital and 9.6% of cats and that's just making it out, we don't know what percent really survive the first week away but my guess is that it's pretty low. There are other reasons but I'm not in the mood to rant so I'll let it go.

Till later