| Hello from Baghdad (word from Ripintou) (again) [message #163573] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 16:58  |
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Crimson
Messages: 7429
Registered: February 2003
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Karma: 0
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General (5 Stars)
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Hello Everyone
Yahoo is unblocked again so I'm able to get a word out. Many sites are blocked so we're unable to visit many sites that we want too ... including gaming sites 
The 12-16 hour days catch up to me every once in a while but I somehow find the energy to press on. Reached the half way point so I'm hoping it's all down hill from here. The night for me starts at 7pm so I'm usually up by 5pm to get ready and find some chow and a smoke. Live in tent city so it's a small 1/4 mile walk to work, it may not be far but with 30ish lbs of gear on and 122 degrees ... it takes its toll. Get to work and regroup my relaxed focus to the mission focus and prepare for a long night. After shift is over and work is done, time for the walk again, shower, read and usually asleep again by 9-10am.
Had a near miss the other day ... A 107mm rocket fired by an insurgent landed 15ft from where I was working, fortunately it didn't go off but it did drill itself down 7ft into the ground ... talk about counting your blessings!!
The temperatures are getting hotter even at night, sometimes in the 100s at midnight ... phew! See plenty of different insects here including camel spiders, scorpions, sand flies and many weird looking critters. You have to keep good hygiene here or the bugs will find you.
Many of the Iraqi people/military/police risk their lives/families working with us, but I don't turn my back on them. As well as the US forces we have the fellow British here, Australians and other European countries all working together to help Iraq get back onto its feet. We're still loosing soldiers every day ... I really hope this dwindles to a stop. We're getting lots of support for the troops back States and it's deeply appreciated, so those who have donated something or even said a kind word ... Thanks!!
I've taken many pictures of which I'll show upon my return but here are some for now -
Take care all and keep the flag high!
Ripintou
(Dave)
I'm the bawss.
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| Re: Hello from Baghdad (word from Ripintou) (again) [message #163592 is a reply to message #163591] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 19:08  |
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Blazer
Messages: 3322
Registered: February 2003
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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General (3 Stars)
Administrator/General |
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| Nodbugger wrote on Sun, 17 July 2005 22:00 |
120 isn't even that hot.
When my dad was there the hottest day was 147.
He calls us all wimps for being hot in this 95 degree weather.
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120 Isn't even that hot? What are you smoking? We have had triple digit temps here in Arizona and I can assure you it is indeed hot. As for 147, I really doubt that.
"The hottest temperature on Earth ever recorded most likely occurred in Death Valley, California during 43 consecutive days between July 6 and August 17, 1917. During those days, the temperature was over 48 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). The national weather service recorded 56.7 °C (134 °F). The date reported there was July 10, 1913."
[Updated on: Sun, 17 July 2005 19:10] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Hello from Baghdad (word from Ripintou) (again) [message #163593 is a reply to message #163573] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 19:09 |
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Crimson
Messages: 7429
Registered: February 2003
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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General (5 Stars)
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That's bullshit, and I'm saying that as someone who lives in a place with a similar climate, but more vegetation and routine 115 degree weather. 120 IS that hot and it's difficult enough to get out to your car in that heat, much less walk a quarter mile while carrying 30 pounds of gear.
I'm the bawss.
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| Re: Hello from Baghdad (word from Ripintou) (again) [message #163595 is a reply to message #163593] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 19:23 |
icedog90
Messages: 3483
Registered: April 2003
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General (3 Stars) |
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| Crimson wrote on Sun, 17 July 2005 22:09 |
120 IS that hot and it's difficult enough to get out to your car in that heat, much less walk a quarter mile while carrying 30 pounds of gear.
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EXACTLY. It felt the same in Palm Springs, we hated leaving our car it was so damn hot. It was pretty humid too, so I know I haven't felt anything yet, but I'm going on vacation down to Nevada in a week and it's going to be HOT.
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| Re: Hello from Baghdad (word from Ripintou) (again) [message #163599 is a reply to message #163573] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 19:39 |
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Hydra
Messages: 827
Registered: September 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Karma: 0
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Colonel |
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Screw arguing about temperatures; can we get back to the subject, please?
(Crimson, if possible, please forward this message to Dave)
Dave,
I don't know if you're a religious man, but I'm praying for you and all of our overseas troops. You're going through hell so we back in the States don't have to. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I feel cheap in just saying these words; I only wish there was something more I could do (too young to sign up myself). If there's anything any of us back in the States can do for you or any of our troops, let us know.
Thanks immensely, and I hope you return safely.
Your friend from the RenForums,
Nick (a.k.a. Hydra)
Walter Keith Koester: September 22, 1962 - March 15, 2005
God be with you, Uncle Wally.
 (<---New(ish) Prayer Group Forums)
 (<---Archived Prayer Group Forums)
[Updated on: Sun, 17 July 2005 19:39] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Hello from Baghdad (word from Ripintou) (again) [message #163611 is a reply to message #163599] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 23:00 |
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Crimson
Messages: 7429
Registered: February 2003
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Karma: 0
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General (5 Stars)
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| Hydra wrote on Sun, 17 July 2005 19:39 |
Screw arguing about temperatures; can we get back to the subject, please?
(Crimson, if possible, please forward this message to Dave)
Dave,
I don't know if you're a religious man, but I'm praying for you and all of our overseas troops. You're going through hell so we back in the States don't have to. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I feel cheap in just saying these words; I only wish there was something more I could do (too young to sign up myself). If there's anything any of us back in the States can do for you or any of our troops, let us know.
Thanks immensely, and I hope you return safely.
Your friend from the RenForums,
Nick (a.k.a. Hydra)
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It's been sent. 
I'm the bawss.
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| Re: Hello from Baghdad (word from Ripintou) (again) [message #163613 is a reply to message #163593] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 23:26 |
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DarkDemin
Messages: 1483
Registered: March 2003
Karma: 0
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General (1 Star) |
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| Crimson wrote on Sun, 17 July 2005 22:09 |
That's bullshit, and I'm saying that as someone who lives in a place with a similar climate, but more vegetation and routine 115 degree weather. 120 IS that hot and it's difficult enough to get out to your car in that heat, much less walk a quarter mile while carrying 30 pounds of gear.
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30 pounds is bad enough think about when they are going into combat with over 80 pounds of gear.
oh and those camel spiders are scary things. I know a guy who keeps spiders and milks their poison. (spiders scare the shit outta me) and he doesn't even like them.
[Updated on: Sun, 17 July 2005 23:29] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Hello from Baghdad (word from Ripintou) (again) [message #163620 is a reply to message #163573] |
Mon, 18 July 2005 03:40 |
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Walrus
Messages: 382
Registered: February 2003
Location: Good old England
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Commander |
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I'm glad to hear that he's doing ok. I must admit that high temperatures do me in pretty quickly, I have no idea how he could be dealing with that and being shot at. That and being in a tent. I hate tents.
Good luck mate.
It's a pity we can't put together some sort of community care package for him.
One Last Time
"England expects that every man will do his duty"
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