It was about 1730, when I slipped away from the office, skipping chow, to spend an evening watching TV.

Monica sent me season four of Smallville.  I’ve got a goal to watch the entire series this year–it is realy worth it.  What a great show! 

I have been in a cave hiding from the show since it began to air in 2001.  First, because I didn’t have time to watch it.  When it first came out, we watched it a little but life took over.  Then, I wanted to watch it all with Monica–but we were never together long enough..and I’m sorry Superman, but we chose Jack Bauer over you.  So, the time passed by and the seasons came and went.

Now, I am watching it ALL.  I understan that there are seven in the series, so I’m well on my way–unfortunately, I’m going to be here long enough to watch it twice.

So, I went to my CHU and watch the first disk and then went to sleep.  (I did get called away to counsel someone during the middle of one of the episodes–so I am truly always available.)

I woke up this morning to the smell of a nearby brick factory–no running today–*SMOG ALERT*

During Y2K, there was much talk about how to properly stock your bunker when the world came to an end at Midnight, 1 January, 2000.  The lists were collections of necessities to take care of you and your family for the long haul.  They included staples like canned food, bottled water, and emergency radio equipment.

During a recent rocket threat, my friends and I came up with our own list from inside our bunker–not for Y2K, but for Y2 Hours?

This is our list: 

DVD Players

Breakfast to-go plates (which would actually violate the “food that’s 5 minutes out of the chow hall will kill you” rule).

Ipods

Lawn Chairs

Fans Air Conditioners

Yoga Instructor (yoga would be hard in the IOTV or flack vest, but why not?)

Cappuccino Machine

and Chris…who slept though the entire event–way to go!…

One of the first lessons I learned from my last deployment was to figure out where to put all of my stuff to carry to the shwoer. 

I don’t have much–shampoo, body wash, shaving cream, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and my wash cloth. But, it is too much to carry all in my hands.  So people carry more to the shower than that–for whatever reason.  Where do they carry it all.  Some carry it in a plastic bag.  Some carry it in a ACU pouch.  I carry mine in a plastic box.  It does pretty well.  And my stuff fits perfectly.

So, if you are thinking about sending out a care package–think about how your Soldier is carrying their gear to the shower.  It may prove to be the best gift they have gotten–especially it the plastic bags is beginning to rip.