Last time I posted, it was after 10 straight days without a mission. Well, another 10 days have gone by and I must say...this is getting ridiculous. Must be some sort of non-flying record for a medevac crew over here. So in my continuing quest to find ways to pass the time productively, I find myself getting desperate. I already mastered juggling, Rubik's cubes, read over 15 nonfiction or historical fiction books, learned a whole new repertoire on the guitar, mastered the "Enter the Kettlebell" challenge, lost 15 lbs, learned everything I could about politics, the Supreme Court and the NFL. And here's my latest...
So for some reason this compound enforces a blackout at night- no lights. I think it's absurd because it has been here for YEARS...the locals know exactly where every building is on this compound, how many people come and go and when aircraft land and depart. If they wanted to, they have all the info they need to land precise mortar or rocket attacks, so I don't think any light will 'give away our position'- but that's not my call. Since I live at night, I have spent the last month wandering around in the dark, with only the stars to guide me. If I stare at the stars and use my peripheral vision, I can begin to make out the subtle changes in the shadows that identify the rooftops (when a star disappears, there must be a building between us). So I have spent many hours staring at the stars. One day I decided to start paying attention. Started connecting the dots. Like a good Eagle Scout, I knew the Big Dipper and can always find the north star. Briefly dabbled in this when I found myself in South Africa and had to leard how to navigate in the southern hemisphere by the Southern Cross. Now I have researched and studied and can identify almost a dozen of the major constellations, map out their boundaries, even relate the Greek mythology surrounding them. Orion was always a favorite (similar to my name), with Sirius at his heels, attacking Taurus with his red eye, with the Seven Sisters over his shoulder. They are being overlooked by Cassiopeia, the queen on her throne. Ursa Major and Minor have always been there, and my most recent addition was Scorpio. Even the moon has caught my attention. I can point out the major features and show you where they landed and where the US Flag is posted.
And yet, in my descent into Nerd-ery, I am still quite content and proud of myself. The heavens are an awesome spectacle of precision and organization.