Sunday, January 6, 2008

05 January 2008: Joe knows NFL playoffs

Some days I just don't have much inspiration for an entry. Being deployed in Iraq is definitely not a life of exciting adventure every day. As a matter of fact, there are long stretches of boredom and routine. Unlike a Hollywood war flick, every day isn't filled with explosions, gunfire, and combat. Even Joes that go out on patrols or recons every day will tell you that it's more routine than exciting. That doesn't mean it's not dangerous. It just means that the normal patrol is uneventful. Although my team doesn't go out on patrol, or conduct recons, we still have days that stand out as one where danger was too close for comfort. By the same token, we have days that don't stand out at all - today for example.

My primary focus was working on the continuity book. Another day passed without any word on awards. I'm feeling more at ease in that regard. Awards may actually be complete.

At lunch I sat near a bunch of Joes who were all hyped talking about the NFL wild card games. There's ESPN Sportscenter, and then there's Joe. Joe takes sports to a personal level. He knows everything about every sport. What's even more amazing is that Joe knows every professional athlete personally. Joe never "speculates" on matters of sports. He knows. Do you want to know who is going to win a game? Ask Joe. Do you want to know how your fantasy running back is going to play? Ask Joe (your fantasy running back is a personal friend of Joe). Are you confused about a call on the play? Ask Joe.

Joe also gets very animated on sports issues. I was trying very hard to listen in on their conversation. Every one of them was talking, every one of them was loud, and every one of them knew the deal. I think half of them were convinced the Steelers were going to win. The Steelers lost. It had to be Divine intervention. Joe is never wrong.

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