As most people who know me realize, I am deployed right now. Things are not quite as easy when you are deployed as they are back home. There are many things that you just don't have regular access to and take for granted when you are home. Things like scanners, faxes, and reliable internet.
There is a system that myself and one other guy needs access to. It is not a big deal system or anything like that, just something we need that will make our jobs easier in the deployed location. There is a particular form that needed to be signed by three people in three different locations in two different countries in order to get this access. Fine. It took three days go get this done and sent back, even electronically, but we did it. Yay us.
Today, I get the following email:
Ilisa,
The copy that you sent was illegible and *** didn't want to accept it. Can
you please try to send me a clearer one? Thanks for trying.
Stan
************************************************************************************
As I am sure you can only imagine, here is the response I sent:
Stan,
I am not directing the following rant at you, obviously.
But are they SHITTING ME???? Do those people at *** KNOW where **** and I are??? They are lucky to have gotten ANYthing at all from us. It's not like we have faxes and scanners at our disposal whenever we want to use them. Neither **** nor I even have a dedicated workstation! I have to use my HOME laptop for half the shit I send out for crying out loud and I am LUCKY to have internet access at all! Half the time even THAT doesn't work!
I cannot believe that in a deployed situation, those people are going to give you shit and get anal about some administrative paper-pusher bullshit that was probably called out by someone who has to justify their existence somehow. Now *** and I, who aren't even in the same vicinity as one another, are going to be the ones forced to jump through hoops to get "legible" copies. IS THAT REALLY WHAT THEY ARE TELLING YOU??? My god!! It isn't like we are asking for the keys to Fort fucking Knox, here. Perhaps I will be better off sending the signed copies via CARRIER PIGEON.
************************************************************************************
Heavy heavy sigh. My public service announcement for the night...Don't send out emails when you're angry.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
A night out!
Last night I had to opportunity to eat out at a restaurant. The place is called Monal and it is located 3900 feet up in the Margalla Hills in Pakistan. It is the largest restaurant in the country and the scariest drive I have ever been on.
Growing up in NY, there was a place in New Paltz that took you though some mountain roads as you went up towards Kerhonkson. There was one spot in particular that had a hairpin turn. Used to be a test of driving skills to make your way up. Then I got here.
The almost 4,000 foot drive up the mountain was like the hairpin turn of New Paltz on crack. I had to pop my ears about 7 different times, and I believe that I came close to heart failure at several points along the way (both up and down the mountain). To say nothing of the wild boars, monkeys (yes, monkeys), and foxes running in the road.
When we finally arrived at Molan, and got past the guards with automatic rifles, it took my breath away. It was the most beautiful restaurant I had ever been too. It was almost completely outdoors and we chose to sit at the farthest edge of the seating area with a spectacular view of Islamabad at night.
The food was excellent. I had a chicken spinach crepe dish that was scrumptious. As the night went on, we were all quite cold, even though they had fire lamp heaters at our table. So once we were done with eating, we were pretty eager to get to the warmth of our vehicle. Personally I spent the walk to the car mentally preparing myself for the journey back down the mountain. Eeek! My hands were sweaty even before we were half way down. hee hee!
I wish I had some pictures for you, but it was dark outside and I didn't bring my camera. We do intend to go there again at some point and I will take my camera for sure when we do. You could probably google some pictures of the place too.
Growing up in NY, there was a place in New Paltz that took you though some mountain roads as you went up towards Kerhonkson. There was one spot in particular that had a hairpin turn. Used to be a test of driving skills to make your way up. Then I got here.
The almost 4,000 foot drive up the mountain was like the hairpin turn of New Paltz on crack. I had to pop my ears about 7 different times, and I believe that I came close to heart failure at several points along the way (both up and down the mountain). To say nothing of the wild boars, monkeys (yes, monkeys), and foxes running in the road.
When we finally arrived at Molan, and got past the guards with automatic rifles, it took my breath away. It was the most beautiful restaurant I had ever been too. It was almost completely outdoors and we chose to sit at the farthest edge of the seating area with a spectacular view of Islamabad at night.
The food was excellent. I had a chicken spinach crepe dish that was scrumptious. As the night went on, we were all quite cold, even though they had fire lamp heaters at our table. So once we were done with eating, we were pretty eager to get to the warmth of our vehicle. Personally I spent the walk to the car mentally preparing myself for the journey back down the mountain. Eeek! My hands were sweaty even before we were half way down. hee hee!
I wish I had some pictures for you, but it was dark outside and I didn't bring my camera. We do intend to go there again at some point and I will take my camera for sure when we do. You could probably google some pictures of the place too.
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