M2

An update. Having recently been to CLDJ, I can attest that it is hot, dusty and smells. Was suppose to be in a KBR CLU but that got nixed so had to stay in a 3-man CLU with a shitter/shower down the way. Had to buy some cheap flip-flops for the shower; should've brought some (or an old pair of Crocs) but didn't think it was necessary. It is. Still, it's all not bad once I got the Internet hooked up (a somewhat laborious process). Be sure to bring an Ethernet cable with you and a WiFi router if you want to run any other devices off the Internet. I got the 512K connection which wasn't too slow, but during the rare rainstorms the connection has as tendency to go out; but at least I could watch videos. I didn't think the DFAC ("Galley" in Squidology) was that great but you can pick up two bottles of Gatorade when you eat there so that's a plus. There is free WiFi across the camp at the Subway, Green Bean, 11 North, etc. but you have to get an account set up to use it. Again, the process is a bit of a pain in the ass; but if you don't have connectivity in your CLU it's about the next best thing. If you're going to be TDY bring towels and if you're picky about bed linens those as well; they will issue some of each to you but keep in mind they've been well used over the years (if you know what I mean). If you're lucky you'll have a CLU to yourself; but my first night had some dude opening the door at 0130. Luckily, he thought there was an empty one nearby and he never showed up again. There is a Pizza Hut Express in 11 North, and the aforementioned Subway but remember where you are so don't expect it to be like Subways in the States. If you are going to eat at the DFAC then you may have to purchase a meal card, which can be done across the street. Look for the double-stack CLU and go to the door underneath the stairs. The CLUmart (small shoppette) is sparsely stocked and the NEX is pretty well picked over for high demand items, so if you think there is something you'll really need then bring it with you. Oddly enough, while they have Oasis water and energy drinks, none of the NEX stores had Gatorade. There was at least one water buffalo (a place to fill up bottles) in CLUville that I saw, so I just used the water bottle and used the Mio flavor bottles I take everywhere when I travel. The "Tactical Shop" has a small selection of tacticool shit but nothing you can't buy at any Clothing Sales stores in the US. Oh, and the NEX has a small selection of Chinese-made African souvenirs and of course, a fair selection of Djibouti t-shirts. Gotta say my heart goes out to those who spend 6-9 months or more here; I am sure it is easier when you're young but at my age such austere conditions are not as fun as they used to be. Still, they do try to make it bearable, they have lots of entertainment set up and ways to kill the boredom. Feel free to ask any questions... Cheers! M2

To be fair, it has been ten years....

Decade-bump! Was recently in Stuttgart, things haven't changed...

Must be you, I can see it... Chris Christie Makes Emotional Plea To Rethink Drug Addiction Treatment

Has anyone seen 'Rock the Kasbah' yet? I thought the trailers looked good, but I just read this and along with an IMDB rating of 5.1 stars out of 10 I am beginning to think I will wait for a future trans-oceanic flight to see this one...

To discus!

Maybe this will help...

Whoa! Check out that burrito selection!

In local WTF news...

Gotta be careful out there these days, guys; it's not just Thailand where you run across these...

ADMIN NOTE: Given the above, I removed Azimuth's post that quoted the Reddit comments. If anyone disagrees with that decision, please feel free to PM me about it. I sent Azimuth a message explaining why I did so, and he concurred. Cheers! M2

Damn.

Whoops!

They did exactly what I expected they would...and I love CENTCOM's hard-hitting response!

We should send the F-35! Oh, wait....nevermind!

And the guy that stopped a terrorist attack only got promoted to SSgt! Seems fair.

Even creepier!

Definitely a WTF situation! Don't do drugs, kids! M'kay?!?

Three years on and you are still very much missed, Rich. We raise a glass in your honor, brother!

Not in DC, my friend, that makes you a bigger criminal than the crackheads that attack you!

I'd love to have the SBR version of one, but with a kid starting college, the gun budget has been drastically reduced... Of course, I want to SBR one of these too...

WTF?