I wonder where the half-hour goes

It's been...not very long at all since my last update - a few days. But it feels like longer. I'm in country now; got here a few days ago. Generally I think this place is what you'd expect. The base I'm on is enormous, and without a means of transportation (yet) one of the challenges is the amount of walking you do. I've probably been averaging 8 miles a day, not counting my morning run. Actually, the problem is less the amount than the surface you walk on, which is usually either a fine dust/dirt or gravel made of fist-sized rocks. Not good for the weak-ankled. But even though I'm sore, I'm already starting to get over that as my body adjusts.

Ok enough complaining. The best way to describe this place is probably to give you "a day in the life"...at least so far.

I get up really early, even by Marine Corps standards. I'm usually out running by about 4 AM. I run 3-4 miles around a nearby construction site. Then I head back to my room to pick up my shower stuff. I live, currently, with 9 other guys in a room no larger than 400 sq ft. But I'm never there except to sleep so it's not too bad, and it should get better once the units we're replacing head home (I'm excited for them - they've worked hard and deserve a break).

Showering involves a treck to the shower tent or trailer (former = hot water, little privacy; latter = cold water, better privacy). Then back to the room, dress and head to chow. While the heads (bathrooms) and showers leave something to be desired, the chow hall is great. Good selection, food generally edible or better, fresh veggies at the salad bar, decent amount of healthy options.

From there it's off to work. So far this has involved a lot of trecking around, as I've said, since I don't have regular phone or e-mail access (yet) and my job involves coordinating with lots of other units. I try to wrap up my day around 5 or 6 pm and track down some of my friends for dinner. They're about to take over 24 hour ops at their jobs (in shifts of course), which makes me appreciate my freedom of movement and ability to set my own agenda that much more. I'm thinking a two-hour siesta after lunch every day.

Finally, I commence rack ops around 8 or 9 pm, and start it all over again the next day. In country, every day is Monday.

As far as my job, I can't share much in detail but I definitely have enough to keep me busy. I'll be here for at least the next few weeks getting to know my areas of responsibility on base, and then branch out to other places to take a look at what they've got going on. I know this is comically vague but even things that might be OK to share in person are better left off the Internet, obviously.

Well I think that's about it. I've got very limited Internet and phone access for at least the next few weeks, so it will be a while before I can post pictures, etc. If you want to send me stuff, I've posted my address previously, but there isn't too much I need. The PX (base convenience store type thing) is like a trip to a medieval bazaar, but I can generally find what I need, with a few augments sent by mail from my family. Since I don't have Facebook access though, if you want to be in touch, e-mail or this blog are the way to go (leftofrightsite.blogspot.com for those reading this on FB).

Oh, if you're wondering about the title to this post: it's currently 7:20 AM local, and 10:50 PM Eastern. Why Afghan time is a half-hour off from the rest of the world is a mystery to me, but it's a fact that seems full of potential as a metaphor.

Is this where the 1/2 hour goes?