Sunday, December 17, 2006

What A Day

Here Cliff demonstrates the proper Army decompression technique after ending a seven day week, (just before beginning the next seven-day week).

And here he demonstrates the proper response and Army discipline resulting from getting stuck (by me) four times up and down his arm. While they had to "fish" for my vein, Cliff only broke the skin one time in one place. I had to poke the poor bastard four times to get a "flash".

A flash is when the blood spurts up into the "flash chamber" to let you know you've hit paydirt. - - - That's not entirely true - I hit pay-dirt on my first go, only the tiny catheter, which is left behind after the initial stick - got kinked like a garden hose on one of Cliff's vein valves. We had to withdraw it, which did in fact reveal the bent kink, but meant that I had to stick my buddy three more times, from his wrist to his bicep.

Hands were shaking like a leaf. I would not make a good infidel-throat-slitting jihadi.


Cliff took these of me shortly after O'Reilly in my annual tradition of photographing myself on my birthday to provide a pictoral aging animation. I've done this for ten years or more, and in that time - I've aged twenty. Here I am enjoying a "Green Bean" Frappe. Green Beans are on almost every base, and provide a much needed luxury I'm quite sure the vetrans of America's other wars didn't have . . . But they could drink and chase women - so stuff it Russell, and Mann!


Regal, Conquering pose. Evoking Captain Morgan. Whatever is in my head?

16 comments:

DirkStar said...

Merry Christmas!

Keep your head down, will you?

skeet said...

Aloha Greenery! Dirk was kind enough to post a link, so I've wandered over to check out his recommendation. I've read over a month of your posts and have to say I'm in awe. Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) for all that you do. I cannot imagine facing the daily challenges that must become routine to you and those who serve with you, and doing it so far from home and family.

It appears that I'm a day late, but Hauoli la Hanau (Happy Birthday.) I love your tradition of taking an annual picture on your special day. Not one I think I'll take on, though, as at my advanced age it would be like watching my face and figure succumb to gravity in slow-mo!

I'll be back to see what's up with you and your freinds from time to time, if you don't mind.

Best to you!

Craig D said...

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas, as well! You cut quite a figure in that bottom pose, I must say! I won't comment any further as, well, sounds like you've been needled enough!

MasterQ said...

Followed Dirk over here. Keep up the good work and those posts coming. btw, merry x-mas!

Em said...

A great blog documenting the daily life over there. Can't wait to have everyone home safely! Take care!

Cinderella said...

Dirk sent me here..and I am happy that he did!! He is a sweet guy!

Thank you for everything you are doing to protect me and my family!

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

God bless!

Jay said...

Merry Christmas!

Stay safe!

Max and Me said...

Happy Holidays to you! I came from Dirk's place...he is a great guy. I bet you are gonna get a lot of visitors! Thank you for all that you do. I will be by to visit again.

Kat said...

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!!! We appreciate you and are proud of you!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Hello! and Merry Christmas!

dirk_star sent me to say Hello!

Actually, the pleasure is all mine. I was tickled that he had stumbled around enough to find you.

Thank you.. for all you do.

Be safe.

Smalltown RN said...

Well Dirk star sent me your way. What a great blog..and guess what I am a nurse and I get to start IV's all the time. But I sure do remember the first one I did. OMG, I don't know who sweated more me or the patient.!

Hope you had a Happy Birthday!

Cheers from British Columbia Canada!

skinnylittleblonde said...

I love your regal, conquering pose & beleive you could conquer the world. Plus I know those green beans give you much needed energy, to back that pose up with some might! Happy birthday to you & wishing a Merry Christmas. God Bless, Peace, Love & Stuffed Stockings!

KSHIPPYCHIC said...

Thank you kind sir, for all that you do for those of us at home in the US... There are no words to properly give kudos for what you are doing. I wish you a Merry Christmas, as much as you can have away from home, and a safe journey on your way to get back home.

russkal said...

You would be surprised at how far Dirk's reach can go to.

This comment, from instance, came all the way from the Philippine islands.

Now I may not be directly affected by the war you're going through but I know enough that people like you, soldiers fighting for peace, deserves our deepest gratitude.

So thank you.

And may you have a Happy Holidays

whimsical brainpan said...

LOL! I love the pics! A belated Happy Birthday.

Anonymous said...

Mastin,
First, I am enjoying your blog! You are a great writer. We will be thinking of you tomorrow at the CMCC party.
I think Russell and I both had green bean frappe often, except we called it ham and slimey's out of a green can. We actually called them another less than acceptable word that I don't want to publish.
Merry Christmas
Ralph