Deployment Day 17

Hopefully our last day of rehearsal. We ran the show and hit some touch up spots. Gigs this weekend then we are off to play somewhere other than here.

Sorry for being vague but I'll keep you posted.

LOU

Deployment Day 16

We are playing strolling shows today. Which is more a guerrilla band performance than anything. Using the one mic bluegrass style setup for when we need it and no audio when we don't.

First gig

 At security forces armory. We set up in the corner as everyone checked out their weapon from the armory that morning. Worked out nicely. They seemed to really enjoy it. We had someone tell Sherry that the music was a little old for the crowd. But they were all singing along so I don't see an issue.

 Next was for the wounded warriors across from our building. Super nice people here and they were more then happy to turn off whatever movie they were watching to be entertained.

 After a lunch break we went to the vehicle ops building. I asked where they wanted us to play. The Lt who booked us wasn't there and no one knew where so we played the small little break room.

 This one was at the wing headquarters. The General and Command Chief saw us at our other show and were really happy to hear us again. Small little place to play but everyone enjoyed.
Sorry for the distorted pictures. I'm getting better with the panorama but I need to go slower and have everyone hold still.

Our final gig of the afternoon. Super cool as we got to see the B-1 more up close. These guys fly and maintain them. They said we could have a tour of the airplane sometime. Could be neat to see up close.

A fine day of gigs indeed.

LOU

Deployment Day 15

Another rehearsal day. Nothing to report. Although after dinner we went to the band building and watched Django Unchained. Such an awesome movie and so glad to watch it again with people who haven't seen it.

Tomorrow is a gig day.

LOU

Deployment Day 14

Another long day of rehearsing. Paul and everyone have worked up a great Marley medley which I'm looking forward to hearing live. I can't help but add generous amount of dub delay but it isn't really working.

Meg and Sherry were looking for a way to have their flute close at hand so I made a couple mic stand clamps that hold them. They look pretty good. One notch above home-made.

I've been lagging on writing the blog but as of right now I'm caught up. I'll be heading to dinner soon and then finding something else to do to kill the rest of the evening.

I still don't feel deployed. I want to go home but I still feel like that is only a couple weeks away. Unfortunately not the case.

Podcasts sound like a great time killer.

LOU

Deployment Day 13

A day off! So nice. I slept in for a while and wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere. I went to breakfast with Paul and made plans to watch a movie at the band hall. Paul choice: Miller's Crossing a lesser known Coen brothers movie. And also blizzards from the dairy queen.

So I did some laundry and tuned out the system with the monitors that we are using here. Everything is working great.

The movie was pretty good. A gangster movie set in the 20s or so. I rented it from iTunes and it took forever to download. The internet is really slow on the weekend. 4 hours or so to get a 2 hour movie. But at least it worked. So I saunter off to bed. A decent day off indeed.

Left turn: The use of indeed is something I picked up after watching The Wire a few years ago. I've been saving watching it again for this deployment. I just don't know when I'll get the motivation to watch it again.

Back to work tomorrow,

LOU

Deployment Day 12

Good Morning! We are taking another group photo. One that looks more like a deployed environment.

 The sky looks nice this time of the morning. I am exhausted but this didn't take long.

Here's Paul hiding out behind the rock pile near where took the picture. He set up a defensive position.
Bics joined him later to defend the fort.....musically?

So we went for a leisurely breakfast and had to go rehearse later that morning. This time we got to use all our gear and it's sounding really good I missed what the full electric setup sounded like.

After this we get the rest of the day off and tomorrow.

LOU

Deployment Day 11

First gig.

We are playing a background gig for a potluck dinner at As Saliyah. A nice easy one to start out with.

Paul Jon and I drove the truck and had to go through customs. It took a little while as the guys in the customs office take their time.

So we started playing at 5:30 but everyone showed up at 6. We sounded pretty good and toward the end everyone was really into what we were playing. So it worked out great and was nice to get the jitters out after seeing the other band and being a completely different type of group. Also great to have a tiny little setup to get in and out with.

We had dinner in the chow hall on the base. It wasn't the best. They had a schwarma bar but it was closed.
I did spot this goofy toothpick container on the table. It had an overly excited guy on the package. He is missing his bottom teeth so perhaps he only used the toothpicks for oral hygiene.

Got to get up early for another photo shoot.

LOU

Deployment Day 10

I'm washing all my musty clothes from the pallet today. Man do they stink. My room smells even after the clothes were taken out.

Fortunately there is a laundry room near the band hall so it's real easy to do laundry while we are rehearsing.

And rehearse we do. We are using the one mic setup for now. We have a gig this friday at the other base near here.


The other band left last night but didn't fly out until this morning. They left us a bunch of stuff. Among them some fake moustaches. Here's Brandon's Groucho.

LOU

Deployment Day 9

Another day of rehearsals and waiting for the pallet. I got word that it would be ready this morning. I got up early to go get it. I called to see and they said it didn't get on the morning truck. So I wait around for the afternoon truck at 4pm.

After waiting and calling about the 4pm truck I find out that it didn't end up on this truck either. At this point it getting to be too long to wait any longer. I tell them that I'd be heading over there that evening and wanted it to be on the evening truck. I call ahead and cant get an answer. So we load into the boxer van and head over to the shipping yard. They didn't know where the pallet was so we went out looking for it on the truck.

I spotted it on the truck. Finally it's here. They go get a forklift driver and he comes out to take it off the truck. I sat in the yard talking to him and he offered to let me drive the big tractor forklift. I told him I'd have to come back and learn to drive it.

The folks over at the shipping yard on the night shift were so helpful. They were all super interested in our gear. We said we'd try and make it over for a short show. Hopefully that will work out as well.

I opened up my uniforms and they stink. I think they got wet while they sat out in New Jersey. Laundry day tomorrow.

So we didn't get back to the dorm until 2am. So tired but we got our stuff. Huzzah!

LOU

Deployment Day 8

Another rehearsal morning. I really like this band the music is fun. I'd like to keep it going after the deployment but I think it is not meant to be.

I noticed this in one of the bathroom stalls. I can't believe it's still here.

It's kind of gross to think that these walls haven't been touched in at least 5 years.

I also got news that our Pallet arrives tonight. I'll be able to pick it up tomorrow. Huzzah!!

I don't have anything else going on today. If anything is blog worthy happens I'll update otherwise see you tomorrow.

Current as of today.

LOU

Deployment Day 7

Monday. Time to go to work.

Here's Bics B-randon, and Meggles waiting for eggs. So somber.

We had to attend the right start brief this morning. This is just plain awful. Most everyone giving a presentation mumbled and gave very limited info with jumbled slides that went by way to fast.

Later I went on a sight visit to where the first gig is going to be. The lady driving us there got so lost at every turn. I think we made 6 U turns.



We had a rehearsal using what gear we have here. We are also working on the bluegrass one mic technique. It requires a bit of dancing around the mic but it sounds really good.

Here's Sherry and Meg with a blurred Paul.

And a shot of the group around the mic.

First gig is in a few days. Hopefully it will go well.

LOU

Deployment Day 6

Lazy Sunday.

Hanging around the band building. We've been digging through the inventory. I got a chance to talk to Leo. He will be here after me so I was giving him some info on how the deid is now a days.

We've been playing a game for a while. It's naming who would play you in a movie about your current adventure.

J Bics said Will Patton for me. Mel's friend Sean said that I look like this guy as well. When I get my suit I'll have to recreate this photo. Although I don't have much hair anymore.

What do you think? The moustache will be here in about a month.

LOU

Deployment Day 5

Another day of getting things fixed in the band building. Still hoping the pallet will get here soon.

Otherwise a boring kind of day so with nothing much else going on.

I went to see Full Spectrum again. (Again required) They were playing at the British pub called Churchill's. We will be playing there soon enough.

Here's Paul with a dollar stuck to his head from all the sweat. It was so hot and humid.


Night.

LOU

Deployment Day 4

So after waking up earlier than I'd like I decided to head over to the band building and comb through the gear to get an idea of what I can use here.

I walked in and found a real mess. The repair shop was cluttered as all hell. I went to replace a driver in one of the speakers. It took me an hour or more to find an allen key that would actually fit.

I decided that the repair shop was going to be a pet project. This place really needed to be cleaned and organized.

So I found the boxes of mixed tools and separated the tools into a couple categories. "Turny" screwdrivers and such, and "Squeasy" Pliers, clippers, etc. Now I won't have to hunt through the building to find the tools I need. I wonder how long this will last.

Also my gaff tower is still here!

So I switched out the speaker. Then started looking at everything that said broken. I fixed two amp that needed simple repairs. I  don't think any one actually took the time to open these up and work on them.

The building is looking a little better. I'm hoping to do some more work on it soon as it needs all the attention it can get.

I'm also going to see the band from Langley again. (Not because I'm required to, Although I am) hang out a bit and then call it a day.


Turny AND Squeasy?!

LOU

Deployment Day 3

Good Morning.

I woke up at 5am and could not sleep anymore Damn this time change.
It's still early as I write this. Hopefully not too much going on today. Hopefully I'll know more about the pallet.

I was given an operations cell phone. It's interesting as it has the Arabic writing on it as well as the English. It has great cell signal. Which makes me wonder if I can get a burner sim card for my phone. It would cost a fortune though.

Saving now - Break in story continuum.

Not much happening today. I was on the phone for a couple hours tracking down the pallet. It's still in the US. I'm hoping to get it here soon. We need the gear!

We went over to do laundry at the new dorm buildings. They are pretty nice. Especially the bathroom in your room part. Here is the main hallway. It might as well be a college dorm.

The other band that's here. "Full Spectrum" played at the fox bar. They have a lot of energy and are a fun party band. The lead singer Quez is really great front man. Our band is nothing like these guys.

More tomorrow.

LOU

Deployment Day 2

So this was really a stretch over a couple of days but it doesn't count if you don't sleep and you're cranky as hell.

Breakfast at the hotel with Brandon. I am waiting for my mother to come by so we can go to my sisters house.

My Grandmother came with my mom as well which was great. We hung around my sister's place until she got home. I needed a pair of sunglasses so we did a little shopping. Grandma bought me the glasses after a bit of an argument. (She wouldn't let me)

We then head back to meet up with Dan and head out for dinner. We went to Dragon Best. In case it wasn't obvious it is a chinese restaurant. I was out of my depth here. I ordered the chow mein which I assume is noodles. Instead I got a plate of onion and sprouts. It was tasty but not what I was expecting. Either that or I've been very wrong as to what chow mein is.

After dinner Mom and Grandmom took me back to the hotel to head off to the airport.

Left turn. While I was having mystery chinese food Ben, Paul and Sherry went to see the U.S.S. Torsk. Ben sent me a picture of Paul working on his Navy walk below deck.

Back to the good part.

So we get to the airport and begin the waiting.

Waiting to get on the crowded flight from BWI to Germany.
Waiting around the airport in Germany.
Waiting in Italy to leave again.
Waiting for this damn plane to get there already!!!
Fortunately the last leg of the trip was a very empty one. I had a row of 4 seats to myself as did everyone on the plane.

So we arrive. It's still day 2 or day 1 in country.

Then we wait some more.

Wait to go through customs.

Wait to move the bags.

Wait to fill out forms.

Brandon couldn't make it.

We arrived at around 2am local. I didn't get my back through and have a bed to sleep in until 4am. We got going at 11am to start in processing. It feels like 2 days because of the nap but still the same day.

We get our badges, computer access and all the other things that we needed. (Cash Card)

All the while I'm calling around the base to find out if our pallet has arrived.
So far I can't find it. I'm waiting on some more information so I'll probably be on the phone for a while.

I did get a chance to call Mel which was nice. I'll be making rounds to call more folks once our schedule slows down a little.

Well...end day 2. See you tomorrow.

LOU

Deployment Day 1

Deployment has begun. I still havent adjusted to it. I still feel like I'll be home in a few days.
I don't know if thats a good thing or a bad thing. I suppose we will see.

Nate sent me La Fresh to be the unit Morale and Hygiene Monitor. I'll think he will do well. (Geooeoo)

So we all flew out of Sacramento early in the morning. We are all rather tired.

We made it onto the plane without issue. I fell asleep pretty quickly thanks to the binaural beat app I had. It really put me to sleep. Of course booking through military flights means I had a great middle seat. Hopefully the rotator flight will be more comfortable.

So we arrive in Baltimore and get checked into the hotel. There wasnt much choice in food so hotel dinner was enjoyed by all.

I going to meet up with the family while I'm in Baltimore tomorrow. Then I'll be deployed for real.

LOU

Gig Pic

August 2 with Possum Whiskey.(Yonders Undercover)
This was the first time I took out my entire audio rig. It worked great!
I'm mixing on my ipad with the x32 controller.

LOU

Pallet Buildin'

I finally got this together and with the help of a few bribery doughnuts it was done.
Matt and Robbie helped me build the pallet we are sending over for deployment. It came out pretty small. It should be easy traveling while we are over there. Now let's just hope it makes it over there before us.


We shall see.

LOU