It's been a while since I've gotten on here! Things haven't been so bad for me in Afghanistan... I acquired one the SEALs side-by-sides out here to get around in, since they took our NTVs (non-tactical vehicle), so that's been pretty fun! As a helicopter crew chief on the FOB closure team, I've been learning a lot of things that have absolutely nothing to do with my actual MOS! It's been a lot of fun out here over the past month. Everyday, I go to the ECP to pick up my local national RTCH (rough terrain container handler) operator and escort him around the FOB to move containers. I've had more interactions with local Afghans in the past week than I've had during the entire time I've been here so far! They're not ALL bad, but they do ALL stink! They like to try to get over on us, but I've learned their tricks! Their "holy month" has just started recently, so from sun-up to sun-down, they do not eat, drink (not even water!), use tobacco, or listen to music. This tends to make them cranky and lazy. I had to separate a couple the other day, after they began to talk shit to each other and slap at each other. I had my hand on my M9, waiting for someone to do something stupid! Well, nothing major has happened yet, but the perimeter will soon collapse down to the new and final footprint. We'll see what happens then!