Weasel Driving

I had a chance to drive a German weasel! It was awesome. It is essentially a mini-tank. . . .


Dani at a Dingo - different German vehicle.


My wonderful Weasel driving instructor - Rosey.


Rosey showing Dani and Björn the in's and out's.

Dani getting additional instructions on how to drive.

Dani waiting for Jan, Björn and Rosey to be ready for their turn to drive. This gives some perspective with regards to the size of the weasel. It's just so cute.

The weasel gang - Dani, Björn, Jan, Rosey and Brad.

Portland Adventures

I made a trip to Portland to visit college friends for the weekend. It was a wonderful time!


Erica and I ensuring that Maddie is thoroughly brainwashed by the age of 1. This was the cutest little kid story we found at Costco.


Maddie was busy cheering for the Beavs - they won that weekend.

Again, just too adorable to pass up!

Tim and Ilana got a puppy! She's good training for the real thing. . .

And so well behaved in a park, no fence, no leash! Blue will need some lessons . . .

Heidi and Dwight Summers' Wedding

Love Story: Heidi Baldwin married Dwight Summers. . . . Beautiful.

The flowers were amazing - Katrina does such great work!

The ladies - don't ask what drink number that was for any of us!

Project Management

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He lowered his altitude and spotted a fisherman in a boat below. He shouted to him, 'Excuse me, can You help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am.'

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, 'You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.9720 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.'

The balloonist rolled his eyes and said, 'You must be a Contracting Officer.'

'I am,' replied the man. 'How did you know?'

'Well,' answered the balloonist, 'everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me.'

The man smiled and responded, 'You must be a Program Manager.'

'I am,' replied the balloonist. 'How did you know?'

'Well,' said the man, 'you don't know where you are or where you're going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but, somehow, now it's my fault.'

Logar . . . .In the winter!

Random photos that are just too gorgeous to not share . . . . These are from the Logar province!

Dani's Going Away

After a year at Qalaa House as an ANP project manager, we had a party to say goodbye. Little did I know, less than 2 months later I would return - but this time to Kunduz. :-)

Chief's Visit to Shank Area Office

WOW! I'm really far behind on getting blogs out there. . . Since these photos were already loaded into the system, I figured I would post this blog officially.



Dani and the Chief of Engineers, Lieutenant General Van Antwerp.



Lt. Gen. Van Antwerp during our flight. So calm and relaxed.


During our trip we had an amazing lunch at one of the contractor's camps.

Focused.

The flight - the Contractor gave COL Magness a cloak. Thought I'd try it on over the body armor :-)

The feast!

COL Magness and the contractor - notice the cloak!

New offices at FOB Shank. Luxury!

Great ceremony to dedicate the new FOB Shank USACE facilities, but also to present the medals (including the purple heart) to several soldiers.

Presentation of Fleur de Lis to USACE NCO!

Purple Heart recipients.

Convoy brief by USACE's very own Force Pro.

Flight brief - fully geared.

The bosses!

About to land - and away we go!

Views of Kabul city.

National Police Training Center - Flagship project for ANP.

Here I am briefing the NPTC project layout, success and challenges.

VIPs in route - once again, chatting with LTG Van Antwerp.

Green valleys! The patchwork is beautiful from the air.

Successful day!

COL M and Dani