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The Final Countdown

location: Camp Wilson, Twentynine Palms, CA
mood:     anxious
music:    Five Finger Death Punch - Hard to See # (1)
  1. 🎵 Heavy metal. From the War is the Answer album, released in 2009. More info from Wikipedia.

Sadly, I'm not listening to the song by Europe that my update is coincidentally titled, so I'm putting that one to bed right now. Although, it would be pretty badass if I actually were listening to it.

The past several days have been complete and utter bullshit. Saturday consisted of driving out to the mountain ranges and setting up something called a FARP. Don't ask me what it is, because I have no fucking idea. In addition to setting up the FARP, we had to set up an entry control point, which consisted of dragging out concertina wire 500 yards from the ECP itself. Not to mention setting up massive sandbag barriers commonly known in-theater by the company that makes them: Hesco. Suffice it to say that Saturday was filled with nonstop work.

Sunday was no major exception. Although we were pretty much done setting up the FARP and everything associated with such a place, we had classes about things we already received classes on, ranging from weapons classes on the crew-served weapons like the .50-caliber heavy MG to classes on searching people and vehicles within the ECP. It was a long day of receptive classes.

Monday was the first day of excitement, with us beginning the training evolution. I don't feel like going into detail, but the day started early as hell (3:30 AM early) and lasted until late at night.

And finally, today. A repeat of yesterday, but at a faster pace and not as long. Well, not as long for me, since the operators got to leave the site early due to early run commitments tomorrow. After we got back to the moor pool, we hastily cleaned the trucks and were secured for the rest of the evening. So what did I do with the spare time? Email, Facebook, my daily QC fix (had to read Monday and today's comic) and of course more lies and deceit to Josh. That occupied only about an hour, where I then left to shower and type this update.

At least I did find out good news: I have a near-set-in-stone date for leaving: Saturday, 8 AM local. Should be getting into Beaufort around 4 PM Eastern, so I'm hella excited about that. Not to mention, I have a general gist of what I'll be doing for the last couple days: a couple runs and breaking down stuff at the motor pool. Friday should be a lax day for me, with the buses arriving at 11 PM that night to take us back to Riverside in order to catch a fight out of this hell.

With that bring said, that's a generalized update for the past couple days. I would call it quits now, but there's one more thing I feel the need to address.

Amidst the poor sleep quality I had over the past couple days, I managed to recall my dream from last night. And to much surprise, Lorraine was involved! Here's what I recall:

I was down in Florida visiting Kirk and Eddie. For some reason, I neglected to tell Lorraine, but somehow she found out. She called me and was like, "So you didn't tell me that you were coming down here!" I apologized and offered to make it up to her by inviting her to a little get-together we were having at Eddie's house. Not being one to miss out on a good time, Lorraine agreed, but only if I drove to pick her up. And of course, I did. I mean, come on. Me not driving? Get the fuck out.

Next thing I recall, alcohol was introduced, but since Eddie knows me better than anyone, he brought out Bud Light beers for us to consume. Eddie and I wasted no time opening a beer and going to town, but Kirk was reserved and Lorraine even more so. After a while, Lorraine agreed, at which Kirk decided he should get going. Apparently, I didn't hesitate to see him off, and he was gone just like that.

Some time later, Lorraine felt that it was her turn to go, but didn't want to go back alone. Being the gentleman he is, Eddie offered to take her back, at which I quickly interjected and said that I'd take her. An of course, Eddie agrees, since he knew that I know Lorraine better than he does. Drinking aside, we got in my car and started driving.

Before I knew it, Lorraine and I were outside her house. Just like the day I spent with her earlier this month, I got out and walked her to her door, where we shared a moment to exchange a good, long hug. After the hug, Lorraine asked me how I felt about her. I told her exactly how I felt (of which, the details are in previous updates), then she said the following:

"Look. I like you, and that's not something I can lie about. The past couple times we've been able to hang out have been awesome. But I don't know if...."

It was at this point that I woke up to start the day today.

I personally feel that dreams are nothing more than what the mind wishes would happen. In theory, does this mean that I wish the dream I had last night would happen? Maybe not exactly as imagined, but absolutely. The way the dream ended seemed more like a realization rather than an imagination; maybe that happened because I don't know how Lorraine feels about me? Or maybe I wish I knew how she feels? Either of the above could be true, but it's not like I'm desperate to know. For now, I think it's best to let time do it's job. If I'm supposed to know, I'll find out when it's time.

And speaking of time, it's time to sleep. Five in the morning comes way too fast around here.