As much as I hate countdowns I have to do this...37 days until I'm out of here and on my way home...The time should fast pretty quick because everyone is keeping up gainfully employed with the coming elections and Ramadan.  Speaking of the election there are 42 canidates running for the Afghani Presidency and all indicators are points to Karzi getting re-elected.  Anyways Leave me some Love...Cya Kyle...

When the cool night breeze blows through your hair and howls through the mountains and silent sleeping valleys. When the moon is full and brightens the land in pale light and the empty clouds drift across the starry night; what do you see, what do you feel?  Do you feel the freedom of the wild?  The peace and serenity of the calm and natural?  Do you see the Ghost Riders in the Sky (Oh Johnny Cash how we miss thee)?...Cya Kyle...

  Since FDR fireside chats to Voice of Americas world wide broadcasts, radio has kept generations tuned to radio recievers.  The isolation and location of the Hindu Kush provides the perfect environment for the embracing of radio.  In some places the radio receiver is the only contact with the outside world.  In my case short wave radio is a cheap way to pass time and stay informed during long stretches in the mountains.

I purchased a Tecsun Green-138 AM/FM/SW (Short Wave) Rechargeable Radio for $30 off the local economy.  Cheap and efficient to the point I already have replaced the antenna, but has done well bridging cultural and language boundaries between us and the ANA (Afghan National Army).  In a nut-shell we drink chia and listen to Pashtun/Pakistani Music (I don't have a clue to what they are singing about).

Even though we're submersed and surrounded by Afghan Culture the radio receiver has been able to pick up a multitude of English stations over Short Wave band.  These stations are BBC World Service, CBC India, China Radio International, Radio Canada International, Voice of America, and Voice of Russia.  BBC World Service offers a wide variety of world news and true insight into how much the Brits hate their government.  CBC India is a Christian Station broadcasting top music hits with the key phrase "Music with a Message."  China Radio International is propaganda to spread cultural understanding for the Chinese people and their government.  Radio Canada International is Canadian propaganda.  Voice of America is American propaganda.  Voice of Russia is Russian propaganda.  I think I'm seeing a pattern here...Well Take Care and Leave me some Love...Cya Kyle...

Well it's back to the mountains and has been over 110 degrees this past week.  These scorching temperatures really have me missing winter and North Dakota.  It had me thinking would type of weather I prefer and why I do.  In the end I figured out in a cold climate you can always throw on an extra layer or just go inside.  In hot climates it's either shade or toil in the sun (A/C can be a rare commodity).  Regardless being raised in those hellish winters probably had alot to do with it.  What do you prefer extreme hot or extreme cold?

PS  The mountains are on fire...Burn Baby Burn...Cya Kyle...

I'm locking up my computer and hiding my movies...I got 5 books to read and it's time I put the ax to the grind stone...

I finally have a fast enough connection to post...yes I know it's sad.  Well it's nearing the end of Holy Week with the passing of Good Friday and rememberance of the crucifixion.  With the coming of the Easter Vigil and the celebration of the Holiday, I would like to wish everyone a happy Easter.  Whether you're working, hunting for baskets and eggs, trying to catch that wascally wabbit (which is as elusive as the jackelope), or commemorating this day with family, friends, or parish.  Enjoy and don't eat too many cadbury creme eggs and chocolate bunnies...Cya Kyle...

One day closer to home...See you in September...Cya Kyle...

So once again my sporatic posting is aparent, but not without just cause.  I'm currently out of the states and no my second and hopefully last deployment to Afghanistan.  When it's done I'm done as well.  I'm already taking care of the necessary issues to attend school in Indiana.  If everything works out I'll be a freshmen at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis Fall 2010.  18 months to go til then...Well I'll post when I can...Stay Safe and Leave me some love...Cya Kyle...

What is Freedom to you...What is your American Dream??