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19 Mart 2023, 20:28
So it's been a long day and I'm exhausted. On today's patrol we only had two IEDs detonate on us, but thank God our technology defeated those attempts. No one was injured this time and we actually killed a couple of those bastards. I never thought I'd be so indifferent to killing until they started trying to kill me daily. The thoughts of everyone back home keep me going, but it's the dreams of you that keep me sane.
As I drag myself into my room, I put my weapon down and start to strip off my body armor. No matter how much I wear it, it never becomes comfortable... I just notice it less and less. Wonderful. Soaked with sweat thru the uniform again. Oh well, at least the laundry is free. That's my third uniform this week and it's only Tuesday. After I rip off all my patches (damn Velcro... I still think that was one of the stupidest ideas the Army has had yet, next to the beret), I throw the uniform in a pile with the other two and promise to remember to drop them off tomorrow on my way outside of the wire, just like I promised last night.
I grab my shower stuff and head to the bathroom. I guess that's one thing I can be thankful for... RHIP (Rank Has Its Privileges). On this FOB (Forward Operating Base), Captains get their own room and share a bathroom. That way I don't have to walk a half a mile to the trailers each time I need to use the facilities. It also gives me a little more privacy, especially since my battle buddy and I are on opposite patrols, it gives me a little more alone time.
I pass the mirror and stop to make sure I didn't miss any injuries that might need to be looked at by Doc again. Nope, not this time. The only injury I've had was the shrapnel wound to my shoulder eight weeks ago, and it's healing well. Who knows? Doc did such a good just with the 7 sutures that you might not even notice it. I still haven't told you because I know how much more you worry since I volunteered to give up my medical position to go out and run patrols when our mission changed. Before I leave, I wonder how much weight I really have lost. I turn on the cold spigot and wait. Been in country for nearly 6 months now and I still have that silly belief that the cold spigot might put out something cooler than 110 degrees. But at least it doesn't scald you like the hot spigot does. I finally step in and the hot water burns at first but then I finally get used to the temperature and it's almost relaxing. My shoulders start to relax and I can feel the sleep monster attacking fast. I know I've got to hurry before it takes hold so I rush thru my shower and turn off the water. I towel off and wrap the towel around my waist like I do at home. I walk back into my room and sit in my recliner. I don't know who originally bought it, but I'm glad they couldn't take it home with them. As I lay back I drift away staring at the picture of our getaway to Catalina Island...
We had finally decided it was time to meet in person. Neither one of us was quite sure of what to expect, but whatever it would be, we knew it would be wonderful. Los Angeles was ideal. I knew plenty of places in the area so we'd always have something to do if we needed it. I flew thru the night so I'd be ready for you when you arrived. You weren't sure what to expect as I hadn't shared my plans with you. I just told you to pack clothes for going out and also for the beach. When you got off the plane, you walked out and looked for me, or at least what you thought I'd look like from the pictures we had exchanged. Just when you thought something may have been wrong, you saw a non-descript man in a suit coat holding a piece of cardboard with you name written on it. Confused you walk up to him and before you could even ask, he tells you that you need to hurry because I am waiting for you. He helps with your luggage and then takes you outside. He opens the door to a luxurious Mercedes and in the back seat you find a small bouquet of flowers and a half bottle of wine with a note. As the car pulls away, you read the note: "Enjoy a drink before your next flight. See you soon. Love, Me." You pour a glass of wine and ponder where the next flight could lead. Your ticket ended at LAX. About forty-five minutes later the door opens again. The driver helps you out and you notice you're at a small airport. He escorts you over to a waiting helicopter and loads your bags. As he drives away, the helicopter starts to vibrate and you can feel the ground pulling away from you.
Your excitement is mixed with anticipation since you've never been in a helicopter before. As you get about a thousand feet up in the air, you lose your breathe with the sights. You can see LAX about 10 miles away and the beach just within your reach. As the helicopter is turning you even catch a glimpse of the Hollywood sign (a rarity in LA that the air is that clear). Then you start heading over a large hill, the Palos Verdes Peninsula. PV has perhaps even more money than Beverly Hills and as you liseli hikayeleri (http://www.hikayenedir.com) fly over the houses, you can see how obvious it is. When the helicopter gets to the top of the mountain you can see ocean on all three sides. Dead ahead, as if it's just floating in the sea, there is an island. You know immediately from hearing my stories that must be Santa Catalina Island, 26 miles from the Los Angeles coastline. You can see why I fell in love with that place.
About halfway there, you notice a few boats gathered in the waters below and ask the pilot what's going on. He explains that it's migration season and there's a pod of Grey Whales down below. Usually he wouldn't be allowed to take you for a close look, but since it's a private charter, he's happy to get you a closer look. You drop down to a few hundred feet and are amazed at such a site. You'd never imagine such a large creature and being so close to it. The pilot then looks at his watch and says that he can't be late, so he starts back towards the island. Another ten minutes and he's putting the helicopter down on the pier, which he explains is quite an oddity since they usually have land another mile away.
A bagboy grabs your luggage into a golf cart and then disappears. As you turn to chase after him, the pilot yells at you: "He's waiting for you" and throws you a key before he starts to take off again. You look at the key and it says Sea Side Cottage 103. You look around the small little town of Avalon (only 1 square mile) and see about a block off the main strip a sign for the Sea Side Cottage. You figure this has got to be the place and pick up your purse and start walking.
You can't believe how beautiful the weather is and you even take off your cover up that you were wearing earlier. It's nearly 80 out, but the gentle sea breeze makes you hardly notice. As you get to the hotel, you notice a few little stand alone cottages, but you can't seem to find 103. After some searching you see a small sign pointing down this path on the other side of this hill. You follow the sign and about 500 feet later you find a secluded cottage with its own private beach. As you walk closer you see the number 103 on the door. You turn the key and the door opens. You suddenly remember why you've come out here and your anticipation rises again. The journey was so beautiful that you had forgotten your destination.
You take a few steps inside and then you hear my voice from within: "I was getting worried you'd become lost." You drop your purse next to the rest of your bags and start searching for me. You find a kitchen, dining room, living room and bedroom, but you can't find me. Finally, you're starting to pout like a child when you see a patio door you had missed the first time thru. You open it and as you step outside you see me standing there, holding a single red rose for you. You run up and throw your arms around my neck and passionately kiss me. So much for introductions, but it doesn't matter since we already know each other so well. I return your kiss and wrap my arms around your waist. After the kiss we still hold on to each other in a strong embrace, nothing needing to be said. With your head on my chest you can hear my heart racing. We look into each other's eyes and smile. You finally say hello.
We stand there enjoying one another's embrace and comfort as we look out over our own private cove. You've never seen such a picturesque place before... and it's all ours for the weekend. Few words are spoken, but they are heavily weighted with multiple meanings and innuendos. Most of the next hour is just spent smiling and kissing. I finally tell you that you look exhausted so I lead you around the corner of the patio and there's an oversized chaise lounge. On table next to it is a small plate with some cheese
As I drag myself into my room, I put my weapon down and start to strip off my body armor. No matter how much I wear it, it never becomes comfortable... I just notice it less and less. Wonderful. Soaked with sweat thru the uniform again. Oh well, at least the laundry is free. That's my third uniform this week and it's only Tuesday. After I rip off all my patches (damn Velcro... I still think that was one of the stupidest ideas the Army has had yet, next to the beret), I throw the uniform in a pile with the other two and promise to remember to drop them off tomorrow on my way outside of the wire, just like I promised last night.
I grab my shower stuff and head to the bathroom. I guess that's one thing I can be thankful for... RHIP (Rank Has Its Privileges). On this FOB (Forward Operating Base), Captains get their own room and share a bathroom. That way I don't have to walk a half a mile to the trailers each time I need to use the facilities. It also gives me a little more privacy, especially since my battle buddy and I are on opposite patrols, it gives me a little more alone time.
I pass the mirror and stop to make sure I didn't miss any injuries that might need to be looked at by Doc again. Nope, not this time. The only injury I've had was the shrapnel wound to my shoulder eight weeks ago, and it's healing well. Who knows? Doc did such a good just with the 7 sutures that you might not even notice it. I still haven't told you because I know how much more you worry since I volunteered to give up my medical position to go out and run patrols when our mission changed. Before I leave, I wonder how much weight I really have lost. I turn on the cold spigot and wait. Been in country for nearly 6 months now and I still have that silly belief that the cold spigot might put out something cooler than 110 degrees. But at least it doesn't scald you like the hot spigot does. I finally step in and the hot water burns at first but then I finally get used to the temperature and it's almost relaxing. My shoulders start to relax and I can feel the sleep monster attacking fast. I know I've got to hurry before it takes hold so I rush thru my shower and turn off the water. I towel off and wrap the towel around my waist like I do at home. I walk back into my room and sit in my recliner. I don't know who originally bought it, but I'm glad they couldn't take it home with them. As I lay back I drift away staring at the picture of our getaway to Catalina Island...
We had finally decided it was time to meet in person. Neither one of us was quite sure of what to expect, but whatever it would be, we knew it would be wonderful. Los Angeles was ideal. I knew plenty of places in the area so we'd always have something to do if we needed it. I flew thru the night so I'd be ready for you when you arrived. You weren't sure what to expect as I hadn't shared my plans with you. I just told you to pack clothes for going out and also for the beach. When you got off the plane, you walked out and looked for me, or at least what you thought I'd look like from the pictures we had exchanged. Just when you thought something may have been wrong, you saw a non-descript man in a suit coat holding a piece of cardboard with you name written on it. Confused you walk up to him and before you could even ask, he tells you that you need to hurry because I am waiting for you. He helps with your luggage and then takes you outside. He opens the door to a luxurious Mercedes and in the back seat you find a small bouquet of flowers and a half bottle of wine with a note. As the car pulls away, you read the note: "Enjoy a drink before your next flight. See you soon. Love, Me." You pour a glass of wine and ponder where the next flight could lead. Your ticket ended at LAX. About forty-five minutes later the door opens again. The driver helps you out and you notice you're at a small airport. He escorts you over to a waiting helicopter and loads your bags. As he drives away, the helicopter starts to vibrate and you can feel the ground pulling away from you.
Your excitement is mixed with anticipation since you've never been in a helicopter before. As you get about a thousand feet up in the air, you lose your breathe with the sights. You can see LAX about 10 miles away and the beach just within your reach. As the helicopter is turning you even catch a glimpse of the Hollywood sign (a rarity in LA that the air is that clear). Then you start heading over a large hill, the Palos Verdes Peninsula. PV has perhaps even more money than Beverly Hills and as you liseli hikayeleri (http://www.hikayenedir.com) fly over the houses, you can see how obvious it is. When the helicopter gets to the top of the mountain you can see ocean on all three sides. Dead ahead, as if it's just floating in the sea, there is an island. You know immediately from hearing my stories that must be Santa Catalina Island, 26 miles from the Los Angeles coastline. You can see why I fell in love with that place.
About halfway there, you notice a few boats gathered in the waters below and ask the pilot what's going on. He explains that it's migration season and there's a pod of Grey Whales down below. Usually he wouldn't be allowed to take you for a close look, but since it's a private charter, he's happy to get you a closer look. You drop down to a few hundred feet and are amazed at such a site. You'd never imagine such a large creature and being so close to it. The pilot then looks at his watch and says that he can't be late, so he starts back towards the island. Another ten minutes and he's putting the helicopter down on the pier, which he explains is quite an oddity since they usually have land another mile away.
A bagboy grabs your luggage into a golf cart and then disappears. As you turn to chase after him, the pilot yells at you: "He's waiting for you" and throws you a key before he starts to take off again. You look at the key and it says Sea Side Cottage 103. You look around the small little town of Avalon (only 1 square mile) and see about a block off the main strip a sign for the Sea Side Cottage. You figure this has got to be the place and pick up your purse and start walking.
You can't believe how beautiful the weather is and you even take off your cover up that you were wearing earlier. It's nearly 80 out, but the gentle sea breeze makes you hardly notice. As you get to the hotel, you notice a few little stand alone cottages, but you can't seem to find 103. After some searching you see a small sign pointing down this path on the other side of this hill. You follow the sign and about 500 feet later you find a secluded cottage with its own private beach. As you walk closer you see the number 103 on the door. You turn the key and the door opens. You suddenly remember why you've come out here and your anticipation rises again. The journey was so beautiful that you had forgotten your destination.
You take a few steps inside and then you hear my voice from within: "I was getting worried you'd become lost." You drop your purse next to the rest of your bags and start searching for me. You find a kitchen, dining room, living room and bedroom, but you can't find me. Finally, you're starting to pout like a child when you see a patio door you had missed the first time thru. You open it and as you step outside you see me standing there, holding a single red rose for you. You run up and throw your arms around my neck and passionately kiss me. So much for introductions, but it doesn't matter since we already know each other so well. I return your kiss and wrap my arms around your waist. After the kiss we still hold on to each other in a strong embrace, nothing needing to be said. With your head on my chest you can hear my heart racing. We look into each other's eyes and smile. You finally say hello.
We stand there enjoying one another's embrace and comfort as we look out over our own private cove. You've never seen such a picturesque place before... and it's all ours for the weekend. Few words are spoken, but they are heavily weighted with multiple meanings and innuendos. Most of the next hour is just spent smiling and kissing. I finally tell you that you look exhausted so I lead you around the corner of the patio and there's an oversized chaise lounge. On table next to it is a small plate with some cheese