Inside the RNC

Looks like setup is going well.

The Capitol, Pre-RNC

No protesters yet. Let's hope all goes smoothly.

Sunset

The Fight for the Information Domain

Hellfire vs. Mud Hut

"Here's the plan. First squad will secure the perimeter while second kicks down the door throws in the flash-bangs simultaneously avoiding and booby traps and enemy fire as they storm the building." said the Infantry.

The Apache pilot says, "You need an easy button."

Image from OKC

As we wait here at the Oklahoma City Airport for our flight back home it looks like there's a different kind of homecoming going on just outside on the tarmac. At first I thought that this plane would be loaded full of Soldiers or Marines just returning from a long tour in the desert, but none got off the plane. Then from out of the cluster of cars on the right, came the hearse.

Here it comes...

Today is expected to be the hottest day of the year for Fort Sill with a high of 108. What a great day to have a 45 minute long formation midday on an unshaded field.

The good news is that someone was smart enough to get several exceptions to policy on the uniform allowing sunglasses, Camelbaks and the usual position of attention modified to "at ease" which allows the Soldiers to drink the water in the Camelbaks.

Still, this day is not going to be pretty.

Note to Self

Avoid the Ramada Inn. I could go on for several pages on why, but will simply say that from now on I'll opt for somewhere that doesn't feel like the overflow area of a trailer park.

Atomic Annie

A quick shot from the Fort Sill Museum of the US Army's infamous Atomic Annie. If you're drawing a blank, this video should help.

Traffic in Chicago

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the (nice guy) in or travel office who moved us from our original flight to this one. You see, rather than flying from where we are to where we need to go, you decided that our first flight should go into one of, if not, the worst airports in the US (Chicago/O'Hare). With traffic at the gates, we are forced into a full sprint to make it to the opposite side of the airport and our next flight.

But wait, they can't pull away from the gate until the traffic behind us subsides. Twenty minutes later, well, at least we're on the taxiway, in line. Now comes the flight to not where we want to go, followed by an allmost two hour drive through the wasteland side of Oklahoma to our destination. Best of all, we'll have the chance to do this all again on the way back!

So, here's to you travel guy. Sleep soundly knowing that the few dollars you were trying to save will be quickly outweighed by lost time, productivity, tollway charges and fuel costs. But don't worry we'll save our receipts.