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I spied another tree
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Christmas trees of Dubai
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Almost gone.....
I'm on a plane in 12 hours to Dubai and then home on Thursday. Zach got this pic from the job fair so here it is. Cant wait to get home for a few weeks. Hooters, Meat in the smoker and family are just a few of the things I cant wait to get into...Later...JB
Getting Close
I'm only 3 days from heading to Dubai and 6 days from being home....So excited. Job Fair tomorrow should be fun. I hope we get some good guys and girls. We will be hiring about 9 or so new people for the Nerd Herd. I hope I get a few pics from it and will post tomorrow. Sunday will be balls to the wall but I wont really care knowing I'm out of here the next day...Later..JB
Bummer
I was so excited after waiting up until about 2am when I got the email saying I was selected to be able to order early from Notion Ink. I clicked on the link to only find out it will ship in 6-8 weeks. The problem is Ill be back in Kabul then so I didn't order it. Guess Ill wait for it to be available or order it before I go home next time. Also $50 for shipping is stupid. I also thought maybe order it and if I find something better or it in a store I can cancel it. But they charge your card when you order and charge you to cancel it. I have a lot of faith in the product but not willing to give them my money for 6-8 weeks. I do think it is the best thing out there so Ill wait......sigh....Later...JB
WTF?
Ok....WTF...It says pre-Order now but then under this picture in their blog it says....Well not yet I will have to wait a few hours....They are such teases....Later...JB
Adam getting undressed..LOL
Notion Ink is such a tease. The ADAM tab is so close but yet so far away. I have been following this thing for far to long and it might be going on sale tomorrow...I hope. It almost looks like it is doing a stripe tease..mmmmm So frickin sexxxy. I think it is covered in red because it will look good under my Christmas tree. If not Christmas just wont be complete...lol...Later...JB
The strip tease continues. They are mean at Notion Ink. Please remove the loin cloth and let it free. You will feel better. Put it on sale already.
Radio World Artical
I did an interview for Radio World while in DC a few months ago and here it is, RoIP
Nerds Gone Wild..Kinda
Well tonight was another one of the Tech Team dinners. Everyone brought a dish of food and I provided a nice roast beef. A great time was had by all and now that the mess is cleaned up Ill post a few pics. We have a ton of great photos but Ill post more later. 13 more days and Ill be Home....Later....JB
What's Going On
Well to sum it up Not Much. Got a few new pictures of hank today so I will share them, Thanks Kyle. Looks like Ill be heading to Dubai on the 12th of December for a Sonicwall training course and then catch my flight to home on the 16th for the holidays. This weekend we will be having our next Tech team dinner at my house here so I'm sure we will 
have good pics and stories from that. And an upcoming job fair on the 11th. Well I guess we do have some stuff in the works. I'm Still waiting for Notion Ink to get there act together and quit teasing about the ADAM and put it on sale, but that could be a while yet...Later...JB
16 Days and Counting
I can feel the Christmas leave count down now. Cant wait to get home, Setup the tree and get the smoker fired up. Kyle was saying that Hank is opening his eyes now. So soon he will be all over the house chewing on everything....Cant wait for that...Later...JB
Papa and Son
Scotter and Hank on the couch. Scotter looks like he is wondering what the hell is this thing? The puppy is almost the same size as the proud Papa. Hank will be 2 weeks old tomorrow.
Happy Thanksgiving
Well it is here at least. We are going to try to do a turkey dinner here and invite a few people over. Ill post pics of our dinner later....JB
Bad Boys, Bad Boys...LOL
This is a good story about a new show in Afghanistan. Funny part is the ANP here doesn't do squat, and some are cops during the day and thugs at night. Well I hope it works out for them.
STORY
STORY
Notion Ink Adam
Notion Ink launched there new web site last night Notion Ink. If this is half as good as they claim I will need one....need=want...lol...Later...JB
True mission of TSA
This might be hard to read but is pretty good
. If you click on the image it will get bigger and easier to read....Later...JB
. If you click on the image it will get bigger and easier to read....Later...JB
Hank at a week old
I can see from the pics that he is getting bigger. But as Kyle says he has a buffet and doesn't have to fight for a tit. I have a little over 3 weeks and I'm home for a 3 week break....Later....JB
Another Week Done
This has been a very boring week here. With Eid and the pre-Eid holiday going on nothing was getting done, All the shops are closed, No one at work. But I did get some time to do some research of a lot of things and catch up on reading at the office without being bothered every 10 mins. I know at home it was anything but boring with the surprise of a puppy arriving. Well Less then 30 days and Ill be there to enjoy the family and dogs.....Later....JB
Hank
Hank looks like he has been eating well. Fat dumb and happy living the life a puppy should. I got my tickets to go home and arrive on the 16th of December in time for Christmas. It will be great to be home and spend the holidays with the family. it will be a nice 3 week trip and then back to the grind here in Kabul. It will be a busy time when i get back....Later....JB
It's a Boy
Our new pup from Zookie and Scooter is a boy so he has been officially named Hank by Kyle. I like the nane as it is something a man can yell and not sound like a sissy doing. From What Kim and Kyle are saying Hank and Mom and Dad are all doing good. Zookie is still very protective of Hank and wont let Scooter have visitation rights yet...lol. I'm sure it will all work out soon and they will be playing all together and raising hell....Later....JB
Another option for my new toy
While doing research today I found this Android Tablet that will be coming out sometime soon. Looks like it will be a contender for my new toy too. Notion Ink Adam After getting an HTC Desire Android phone a few months back I'm so sold on this OS and think it will be one to reckon with. In the last few months Android has outsold iOS in the phone market and I think it will do the same in the tablet market too. But hell I have been wrong before...Later...JB
More Puppy Pics
Here are a few more pics Kyle sent me of our 2 day old puppy and the proud mom. They still think it is a boy so I'm sure a name will be coming soon.
New Addition
I guess miracles do happen. Our Black Lab and our Miniature Dachshund just had a puppy. I guess it is a Dachsador? I saw it on Video Skype a bit ago and is cute as hell. Hope to have pictures and more info later....JB
Archos 101 Delayed
I want one but they are delayed again. Not that I can get one here in Afghanistan. They should be available when I get home for Christmas...hint hint hint. Archos Web Site
I cant wait to get home for Christmas. I missed it last year and it sucked. About 35 days and Ill be home and putting up the tree and getting toys for Kim and Kyle, and maybe even Little old me...Guess I better not forget the dogs too....lol....Later....JB
I cant wait to get home for Christmas. I missed it last year and it sucked. About 35 days and Ill be home and putting up the tree and getting toys for Kim and Kyle, and maybe even Little old me...Guess I better not forget the dogs too....lol....Later....JB
New Things
We have a new boss in town for our new project. He has very cool and I look forward to working with him.
We also have a new Pizza place in town, it stole all the stuff from Pizza Hut but is called The Pizzeria. Not as good as Pizza Hut but better then most here.
We are going to leave at 4 today and go Coat shopping for a few of the new guys that just got here that didn't bring a good coat with them. I have to go because I know the shop owner a little and might be able to get the price down a bit for them. Anyway things are looking up here and we are plowing away at the stuff we need to get done.....Later....JB
We also have a new Pizza place in town, it stole all the stuff from Pizza Hut but is called The Pizzeria. Not as good as Pizza Hut but better then most here.
We are going to leave at 4 today and go Coat shopping for a few of the new guys that just got here that didn't bring a good coat with them. I have to go because I know the shop owner a little and might be able to get the price down a bit for them. Anyway things are looking up here and we are plowing away at the stuff we need to get done.....Later....JB
I forgot
Got a new mattress the other day and it is so much better then the other one I had. I can tell you I don't miss getting jabbed in the ass, shoulder and other body parts all night.....Later....JB
Another day another $
Been a full tilt morning getting budgets together for another project. We had a staff meeting today to introduce the new Chief of Party here and then some local Kabobs. Shelly, our new boss brought me a few quarter pounders from Dubai so that was a nice treat to have for lunch. Even nuked they are better then most if not all burgers here. Talked to my Dad this morning and that was good. Well back to the grind....Later....JB
Feelin' Better
I went to the house at about 11am from work and took lots of pills and feel better today. I slept for about 17 hours off and on and what a difference it made. Just hope I'm over it for the most part now....Later...JB
Feelin' Like Crapola
When I got back to Kabul a lot of people were sick. I told them to stay away but still got the crud. Might be a short day today and back to bed for me....Later....JB
He Must Die
That rooster has a more confused sleep clock then me. He was wanting to wake everyone in the hood at 3:26am. My mission is to find him and cook a pot of chicken noodle soup. The hunt is on....I just need to find the bastard now....Later...JB
Fricken Rooster
I have a very confused rooster across the street from my house here in Kabul. At about 4:30am it starts going ape shit thinking it is morning. Aren't roosters supposed to crow at sunrise? It may end up being chicken soup if it keeps this up. Later....JB
Back in Kabul
It is getting colder here and the power is acting up again. Love it when the power goes out and we don't have any heat. The power company here is clueless when it comes to fixing power problems. All the wire in the town is too small and when they get a burned out wire and when they find it they just add another section of too small of wire and maybe put a little electrical tape on it and leave it to the weather to bust again. Maybe some day they will figure out this doesn't work....Later....JB
After 13 hours
A packed 13 hour flight later and I'm in Dubai. Having a goodnight beer a.d to bed.
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Time to Fly
Its been a good trip, I got to go home for a week and then a week in DC. But as all good things they must come to an end. Heading to the airport in a little bit to take a nice 14 hour flight to Dubai for a day or 2 and then back into Kabul. It will be good to see the guys there but as always my heart will be in Texas....Later...JB
Packing up
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32 Hours to go
32 Hours or so and I get on the first of 3 planes to work my way to Dallas. I fly the lovely Safi Airlines (They are not so good but none of them are from here) to Dubai and then a 4 hour layover. Catch a United flight to DC go through Customs and off to the next gate to catch another united flight to Dallas. The trip is about 27 hours not counting the time I have to waist in the Kabul airport going through all there BS, But such is life.
Zookie..
She is all the protection one needs...She is a great dog
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3.5 Days
3 and a half days and I get on a plane for Home for a few days. I'm sure Ill have TB (Tired Butt) when I get there but, not meant to be a pun, oh well. Then it will be time for Family, Bikes, Football and the Smoker.
1 week and counting
About a week to go and Ill be home for my short visit. But short is better then none. The Internet has been on and off all day here and has made it hard to get stuff done. Went to Afghan Fried Chicken for a truly mediocre Lunch today. Well its about quiting time for the day and I'm ready for some kick back and relax time. It will be a relaxing weekend in the house with the source of stress gone now. Some will know what I'm talking about.....Later....JB
Beach in Dubai
This was shot when David and I went to the beach in Dubai. It looked nice but was way to hot and humid to be enjoyable. But it is better then Afghanistan anytime.
Short Clip
Here is another short clip from the ferry dock befor we left. You can see the lovely Botel and a sub in this one.
Gettin in the groove
I'm back in Kabul and getting back into the groove. We have tons of work left in the 5 weeks left in the project.
I'm so relieved Kyle is doing better it has taken a lot of stress off me. I miss my wife and son so much but I will be home in 2 weeks for a short visit and then meetings in DC. Hope to get in another Marcus football game.
Ill update some later and add a few pics from Amsterdam if I can get them off my new phone.
Later....JB
I'm so relieved Kyle is doing better it has taken a lot of stress off me. I miss my wife and son so much but I will be home in 2 weeks for a short visit and then meetings in DC. Hope to get in another Marcus football game.
Ill update some later and add a few pics from Amsterdam if I can get them off my new phone.
Later....JB
Been A While
It has been a strange trip home. Lots of good times and some not so good. Found out Kyle has Diabetes and that was a heavy load to take but now we at least know what is wrong with him. He is getting better day by day. I will be heading to Amsterdam on Monday via Dubai.
On an unrelated note this explains a lot about Afghanistan to me...Click here to read, I'm sure there are other places to but WOW.
Later....JB
On an unrelated note this explains a lot about Afghanistan to me...Click here to read, I'm sure there are other places to but WOW.
Later....JB
Back in the USA
Landed in DC about hour ago. Good to be back on free soil. I'll be catching a flight to Dallas in about an hour. Can't wait. Slept most of the flight from Dubai thanks to some meds. Almost there see you soon.
At the Dubai airport
Got here a bit ago and just had some Marry Brown fish and chips..was very yummy
In Dubai...Heading Home
Spent the night and today in Dubai. It is so hot here it is crazy. I was in such a hurry to get home I forgot to pack a shirt to wear tonight on the flight. So i waled down the street to get one and it was like walking in an oven. Got the shirt but first had to go to McDonnalds. Priority's first. Any way Ill be landing in Dallas in about 24 hours and am so looking forward to it. Just talked to Kim and it is supposed to be hot there too. But it is home and Texas so what else would I expect there....Later...JB
Wow a new plane
This is a nice plane safi got. About time. Even a little leg room...amazing..talk to you from Dubai....JB
30 hours and counting
I'm out of Kabul on vacation on 30ish hours. So in need of a break after the last few months of high paced stuff going on. I get home Sat and am so excited to be there....Later...JB
3 and 1/2
On a positive note I get out of here for a break in a few days and am so looking forward to it....Later....JB
Thief Strikes Again
6 Hard Drives, 2 memory modules and a processor are missing this morning from our offices. When we came in this morning there was 6 of the 7 computers in my training room were missing parts. And of Course we stooped searching people last week because they thought it wasn't fair and they thought we didn't trust them. And of course nowbody knows anything.....Again
I am so pissed right now about this and it was avoidable but someone decided to let them have another shot at more of our equipment. And now we have to fix another 6 computers and spend money on things we shouldn't of had to.
I am so pissed right now about this and it was avoidable but someone decided to let them have another shot at more of our equipment. And now we have to fix another 6 computers and spend money on things we shouldn't of had to.
Lock Down....AGAIN
There is another conference going on in Kabul. This time 60 nations will have reps here. Can you imagine the Rock, Paper Scissors that went on figuring out who had to come here.
INFO ON CONFERENCE
So it looks like more days will be lost on the program that I'm sure we will have to make up. Had an odd thing happen the other day. A hard drive came up missing from a computer. The culprit opened the computer, removed it and put the cover back on. It was found missing when the next person came in to use the studio and the computer wouldn't boot....go figure. We were searching everyone leaving the building but that has stooped now because everyone was complaining about it and upper management said to not search people going out. So I guess it is what it is now.
Ill be at the house working for the next few days and home in less than 2 weeks...Later...JB
INFO ON CONFERENCE
So it looks like more days will be lost on the program that I'm sure we will have to make up. Had an odd thing happen the other day. A hard drive came up missing from a computer. The culprit opened the computer, removed it and put the cover back on. It was found missing when the next person came in to use the studio and the computer wouldn't boot....go figure. We were searching everyone leaving the building but that has stooped now because everyone was complaining about it and upper management said to not search people going out. So I guess it is what it is now.
Ill be at the house working for the next few days and home in less than 2 weeks...Later...JB
T Minus 16
Ill be leaving Afghanistan in 14 days and be home in 16 days. Cant wait for the time at home.
It's been a few days...I Know
Well we made it back from training in Dubai and since then I went to Gardez for an Evaluation of another RTA AM Station. Not sure why they want Am stations here, They cant afford to run them.
Below are a few picture I took on the base in Gardez. As you can see Sears and Wal-Mart and moving into Afghanistan now. At the Wal-Mart they wouldn't let me use Kim's employee discount card and sears doesn't take Sears Credit cards. I guess some of the troops missed home a little to much and renamed the shops. Was fun to see.
Day one in Dubai
Day one is over and our minds are full and we have 2 more days left. The hotel is fantastic as always and nice to be able to do some walking around. The meals at the hotel are great but I think we will be going to junk food out for lunch. Junk food low level light is on and a 1/4 pounder is needed. I think we have about 10 hours of video so far and will make a movie of the training for future use...well back to it...Later...JB
Maybe we will go
After sitting in the plane for 45 mins we taxied to the runway to wait another 10 min they say we are going back to the ramp to check on a problem....so hate this stuff. Will update if we take off...late..jb
Waiting at the airport
We made it through all the strip searches and are now waiting on our flight. Cold beer in 4 hours. Later.....jb
Post number 101
I know who cares. Not like Larry King doing his thing for 25 years but I thought it was cool. I'm sure most of the posts I put up are BS but so BS it...LOL. This evening we are going to Dubai for a 3 day training class. It will be good to get out of Afghanistan for a few days and refuel. All be it mostly beer fuel. Ill post some pics from the training and Dubai over the next few days. Who know maybe Ill make it to 200 in less then the 2 years it took me to get to 101...Later...JB
UnBlocking
It looks like some sites are coming back online. I hear Face Book is working normal again and Twitter is back on the blog here for me to see. I guess they are refining the filtering and narrowing down the sites that are blocked.
At it AGAIN
We got this email a while ago from our Internet service provider:
Dear valued ANS customer,
As per instructions by the Afghan Ministry of Communications, all Internet Service Providers are hereby mandated to begin filtration of any websites falling under the following categories:
Alcohol
Dating/Social Networking
Gambling
Pornography
If you have any questions regarding these recent changes, please contact the Ministry of Communications
So again we will be fighting the Internet demeans. So far they haven't blocked our email exchange server...Hope they get it right this time. Also hope they don't block my blog...lol...Later....JB
Dear valued ANS customer,
As per instructions by the Afghan Ministry of Communications, all Internet Service Providers are hereby mandated to begin filtration of any websites falling under the following categories:
Alcohol
Dating/Social Networking
Gambling
Pornography
If you have any questions regarding these recent changes, please contact the Ministry of Communications
So again we will be fighting the Internet demeans. So far they haven't blocked our email exchange server...Hope they get it right this time. Also hope they don't block my blog...lol...Later....JB
iPhone is unlocked on OS4.0
After a few months for messing with it I was able to unlock and jailbreak my iPhone. I also installed OS4. It seem good so far but slightly sluggish then before but it is just a 3G. This was way to long coming...Later....JB
Blocking
I guess they couldn't figure it out and I'm sure we weren't the only org complaining to them so turned it off again. I'm sure they will be back at it as soon as they figure it out or think they have figured it out. Anyway all is back to as normal as it can be for now...Later....JB
Afghanistan at it again
Tonight they started blocking all kinds of web sites. Not sure of the rime or reason of how they picked what to block. Some of the major sites blocked are Facebook, some banking sites and of course all the porn sites. But for some reason they have blocked our email Exchange server. I'm sure ours isn't the only email blocked. My blog is still working so I will keep everyone up to date on here for now. Also my rockinrose email address is still working so if you have it email me on that. Just another day in Afghanistan I guess...Later...JB
Pizza Kabul Style
Today we were able to get on Camp Eager's here in Kabul. On the camp they have a pizza place. I ordered a Ham, Mushroom, Artichoke and olive pizza.
Look at the picture and you can see why I posted it. I guess I assumed all the ingredients would be all over the pizza. I never thought it would be i item per 1/4 of the pizza.
Also got tot go to the BX and get some food at a decent price and not pay the stupid prices that are starting to creep up here at the local markets. For example a box of cereal costs about $9 locally, Soup about $4-8 a can. Some local markets are really taking advantage of the internationals that are working here. But I guess that is free enterprise. Been real quiet here for a long time and it is nice.
Next week I get to get out for a few days and go to Dubai for a training session be put on by Digigram for us. It will be nice to get out for a few days. Fast Food....mmmmmmmmmm....Later....JB
Look at the picture and you can see why I posted it. I guess I assumed all the ingredients would be all over the pizza. I never thought it would be i item per 1/4 of the pizza.
Also got tot go to the BX and get some food at a decent price and not pay the stupid prices that are starting to creep up here at the local markets. For example a box of cereal costs about $9 locally, Soup about $4-8 a can. Some local markets are really taking advantage of the internationals that are working here. But I guess that is free enterprise. Been real quiet here for a long time and it is nice.
Next week I get to get out for a few days and go to Dubai for a training session be put on by Digigram for us. It will be nice to get out for a few days. Fast Food....mmmmmmmmmm....Later....JB
Back to WORK
Lock down for Peace is over and we are back to work. It was so boring just sitting around the house for 3 days. During the lock down I watched 2 seasons of Cold Case, Worked on a mapping website and that's about it. From all reports I saw nothing happened during the lock down with the exception of the stuff on the first day in the morning. It was a total waist of time and I'm sure it cost us another few days on getting this project done. I guess better safe than sorry.
Day 1 of Peace Jirga Lock Down
Let me start by saying this event is on the other side of Kabul and not anywhere near my Guest House. The Peace Jirga started with Rockets being fired at the event, Good thing they don't know how to fire or aim them correctly. We have heard reports of several rounds of rockets being fired at the event venue but nothing hit and no injuries. They started as the president was addressing the Jirga.
Here is a good article on what it is all about if you care.
Ill update more on the big lock down for Peace....Later....JB
Here is a good article on what it is all about if you care.
Ill update more on the big lock down for Peace....Later....JB
Lock Down for Peace
Looks like we will be locked down for a few days in the name of peace. The Peace Jirga is going on in Kabul over the next few days and most roads will be closed for VIP movements. So Ill be working from home and maybe get caught up on some long lost sleep. All is well here just stocked up on food and water for a long weekend in paradise....lol...Later JB
IT Training Class
We just finished up another IT training class for some of our techs from our partner stations. We had a great group of guys this time and they all learned a lot. Here are a few pics from the latest Graduates from the Internews IT Training Class in Kabul Afghanistan. A special thanks to the Internews IT staff for teaching the class and doing another great job.
Clearing Customs
After over 5 months of bright red tape we were able to get our equipment out of customs. It was sitting out in the weather all winter long at the Kabul Customs facility at the Airport. I know we are going to have some issues but we will find a way to deal with it. They all wanted bribes to clear the gear but we didnt do it and that is why it took so long. So this was shot the day we got it out and had it trucked to the office.
Whos Watching Me
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