Kaz back home!!

Yay!! Kaz returned last Saturday night after a lot of travelling. He has started his final class for his teaching license and I continue to groom at home.

I know that I have not updated my blog in a while but I am almost done fixing up the old dog salon and anticipate having a bit more time when that is finished.

More pics and updates to come.

Kaz back in Qatar

A few little tidbits of information for everyone concerning Kaz. I know there are more stories to tell but I'll save them for Kaz to share.

He and the quintet he has been playing with had the opportunity to play for the troops and President Bush on his tour of the Middle East. This all happened in Kuwait. I've added a new link from NPR. At the end of the interview you can hear the guys as they play some classic Queen.

He's back in Qatar now and will be returning home soon. Jade and I are very happy about that. It will be great to share some of the parenting duties again although I have to say that Jade has been a doll while her daddy has been away. I really couldn't ask for a better child.

Jade had her 6 month check-up yesterday. She is now 14lbs.8oz and 25 1/4 inches long. She is doing well and as I have said before, loves her food. She's developed quite a personality and conveys a lot through her facial expressions. She's fairly easy to read.

More news to come and hopefully I can put on some new photos soon.

Kaz, was in Iraq, now in Kuwait

Here's the latest info on Kaz. He spent about a week in Iraq and said it was very sobering. One night he was in leftovers of Saddam's palaces, the next in a what could have been described as a 3rd world prison (i.e. sleeping in tents, very little heat). This is probably the scariest place they will have visited.

There were troops that had been there 15 months or more. Knowing what it is like to have your loved one away for a couple of months seems minute comparatively. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to have your spouse gone over a year. I have a new found respect and awe for families who do that successfully.

Kaz is now in Kuwait, which seems much better and much safer. As more info comes I will continue to report.

Kaz in KYRGYZSTAN

Kaz is now in KYRGYZSTAN. He said when they landed there was 4 inches of snow on the ground already and it was pretty cold. It borders China and so far, all is well. More updates to come. I have also added another link to a video of the guys playing in Djibouti, Africa.

Kaz in Afghanistan

The newest news from Kaz...he's in Afgahanistan. Other than that, there is not much to tell. He says he's really bored at their current location- bored enough to learn how to play bridge! The last few places he has been they really packed the schedule tight. Evidentlly the days are too freeing in a place where there is so little to do.

I'll keep the reports coming as I get them. As for me, I just keep praying for his safety and those with him.

Kaz Photos

I have added a link to some photos of Kaz in Djibouti, Africa. If you have a chance, check it out. Also, I know Kaz would love to receive some mail so if you are so inclined, I can e-mail you his address in Qatar. It takes about 7-10 days to get there.

News From Kaz

We've been in the United Arab Emirates for a couple of days now, and the difference between this location and the one in Africa is striking. This is an Air Force base, and instead of staying in tents, we have hardened facilities. The building are nicer, and there are paved roads and sidewalks everywhere.

We took a trip to Abu Dhabi, and the city was in every way different than Djibouti. The city is the cleanest city I've ever seen, with water surrounding it that rivals the Caribbean for color and clarity. There are all types of people here; East and West, old and new. The city is very wealthy, and we saw many palatial buildings that just took our breath away.

We have not performed outside of the base, but have played the pavilion/cantina twice and Christmas carolled around base and during meals. The base (Al Daphra) is almost entirely Air Force personnel, and they have been more receptive than their Camp Lemonier counterparts. We have been treated like royalty and have gotten behind the scenes tours of the base; they fly everything from refueling planes to reconnaissance aircraft, as well as house fighter planes and foreign fighter planes.

I've had quite a few new experiences, more experiences to come.

Message From Kaz

Hello from Africa!"The capital of Djibouti is Djibouti. Don't tell me I've never had a coke before." This is my first time in Africa, and it is just how one envisions it, but with trash strewn about everywhere. We are stationed at Camp Lemonier, which is a marine facility with all military branches and foreign military and civilians. It's the kind of place that makes me glad I joined the Air Force; everything is run down and old comparatively. But it is a resort compared to the country outside.

Yesterday we played four performances; Christmas music for breakfast and dinner at the dining facility and performances at two different bars. We played some"party music" at the bars and my arrangement of 80's tunes went over pretty well (when was the last time you heard a brass quintet play Bon Jovi or MichaelJackson?" The last cantina we played at had foreign nationals that received us particularly warmly. We got a limbo line started with my trombone as a limbo stick (as it was being played). I'll try and get a copy of that picture to Kim so she can post it on the blog.

We went into the city of Djibouti today. It is not very large, but very poor. We went shopping, and I have never been accosted quite like this before. Three people at a time would come up to you to get you to come to their shop. They won't take "no" for an answer. They were friendly, but very pushy. We saw the Red Sea from a distance, and it was the only place that did not have trash around it. As much as I have liked playing for troops, I'm looking forward to performances at villages and schools. The main mission of this base is to develop relationships with the surrounding communities through humanitarian efforts to prevent the spread of extremism. This is probably one of the most useful things I can think of for a trombone (besides a lamp!).

All the best from Africa, and I'll write more in the near future.

Kaz Update

Here's the latest from Kaz. He is now in Africa. I am not sure how long he will be there of course but he has been able to call a couple of times. He says it is warm and sunny and they have to watch out for the snakes at night. They played 4 gigs today so they are being kept pretty busy.

He seems to be doing pretty well despite the distance. So far the most unusual thing I've been told is the side effects of taking some anti-malaria medication. I guess it can give you vivid nightmares. Kaz said the first night it definitely did.

I've been sent a couple if photos since they have been gone so I thought I would post one of their rehearsal. It must be quite different playing in a tent instead of a building.

Kaz Update

Kaz has made it safe and sound to the Middle East. From what I understand things are going well and the guys have already played a promotion ceremony. I have had the opportunity to talk with him a couple of times since he's been there and he has some e-mail access but as he travels that can't be guaranteed.

Some descriptors from Kaz: really bright, a lot of sand, food not so great, everything open 24hrs.

I will pass along more information as I receive it. He won't be able to tell us where he is going, only where he has been in the interest of secure travel.