Something I am not fond about...
I am currently in Sociology with Excelsior University. The last reading we were assigned had a term to describe a worker that would deliberately slow his/her efforts to decrease productivity on purpose! (known as soldiering, a person soldier) When I read this term...I was actually irritated by its use in this manner. Maybe it's just me...maybe. What are your thoughts?
20070126
20070110
What do you say to something like that? Honestly...
I already have you curious as to what I am going to talk about don't I? America. One word meaning freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. A goal actually reached by some of the Iraqi men, women, and children. They leave entire families behind in search of this dream, that under Saddam was unthinkable. I want to share a story I heard today from one of the Iraqi guards I work with, his name will not be mentioned, for reasons you all know.
I came to work today, not looking forward to it, as usual. Guard duty is NEVER a fun task. There is some joy found in the conversations with Iraqi guards while manning the gate, however. Their English is broken and trying to understand what they say sometimes is a more difficult task than you would think. Some get by with the most basic of dialogue, and are understandable. The gentleman I refer to now, usually is quite jovial, uplifting all the guards with song...and sometimes even dance. (dancing behind barracades of course - out of sight)
On this day...a somber look invaded his gaze. Their was no happiness in his demeanor, and it is quite easy to notice that he was not himself. I asked him if there was anything wrong. He tells me this...
A man he knows had been in America for twenty years, and came back to help his family. The militia kidnapped him, and posted a ransom of 25,000 dollars. They told the family that if they did not pay, he would be killed. This guard sold everything he had...car, household furniture, clothes...to try to raise this money to save the man he knew.
He found out today that it was all in vain.
The worst had already happened. The man that was his father.
All I could do was put my hand on his shoulder and tell him I was sorry. What do you say to something like that?
I already have you curious as to what I am going to talk about don't I? America. One word meaning freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. A goal actually reached by some of the Iraqi men, women, and children. They leave entire families behind in search of this dream, that under Saddam was unthinkable. I want to share a story I heard today from one of the Iraqi guards I work with, his name will not be mentioned, for reasons you all know.
I came to work today, not looking forward to it, as usual. Guard duty is NEVER a fun task. There is some joy found in the conversations with Iraqi guards while manning the gate, however. Their English is broken and trying to understand what they say sometimes is a more difficult task than you would think. Some get by with the most basic of dialogue, and are understandable. The gentleman I refer to now, usually is quite jovial, uplifting all the guards with song...and sometimes even dance. (dancing behind barracades of course - out of sight)
On this day...a somber look invaded his gaze. Their was no happiness in his demeanor, and it is quite easy to notice that he was not himself. I asked him if there was anything wrong. He tells me this...
A man he knows had been in America for twenty years, and came back to help his family. The militia kidnapped him, and posted a ransom of 25,000 dollars. They told the family that if they did not pay, he would be killed. This guard sold everything he had...car, household furniture, clothes...to try to raise this money to save the man he knew.
He found out today that it was all in vain.
The worst had already happened. The man that was his father.
All I could do was put my hand on his shoulder and tell him I was sorry. What do you say to something like that?
20070107
Yet another wonderful seven days of armor bearing guard duty. It seems like just yesterday, I set my vest and helmet down, just to pick it right back up again. -SIGH-
I think I might let everyone in on a little secret that I must keep from all of you. You all know where I am...and the prospects of danger here. So it is not a surprising fact that every day is not roses and sunshine. Here is my inner workings on the whole matter:
The less you know = the less you worry
The more you knew = I guarantee the worry factor would increase
I ask only for your support, thoughts, and prayers. My thoughts are on Cheyenne...coming home...and the next chapter in life. "Until the next blog..." -taking a bow, tipping my hat-
I think I might let everyone in on a little secret that I must keep from all of you. You all know where I am...and the prospects of danger here. So it is not a surprising fact that every day is not roses and sunshine. Here is my inner workings on the whole matter:
The less you know = the less you worry
The more you knew = I guarantee the worry factor would increase
I ask only for your support, thoughts, and prayers. My thoughts are on Cheyenne...coming home...and the next chapter in life. "Until the next blog..." -taking a bow, tipping my hat-
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