Getting Chased by Wild Geese

What a last couple of weeks for me! I lapsed into a typical period of malaise where I seldom write, call, or communicate in any way - mostly to stay afloat amidst the many plates I had spinning. Sorry for the lean posting, but here's what has happened to me recently:

• 3 big projects at work, with 3 different sets of people. It's the old high school/college situation of all your professors assigning you huge assignments all at once because they don't know the other is doing it. For the last month, my three-man section was down to two people (one went on his two week vacation, which turns into 3+ weeks with travel), and for the last week it was down to one: me (The other guy went on vacation too). I inherited their projects :)

• I was studying for the CISSP exam (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) - it is a certification that helps both in the civilian world and in the military, as it is an industry standard Information Security certification. Unfortunately, the test is fairly comprehensive, though reasonably deep that you can attempt it with a fair shot of studying.

• I am applying to stay on Active Duty with the Army, stationed with Autumn. I have been debating doing this for years, but our situation in Maryland with my contracting job, house, etc was better than I would have gotten in the area with the Army. In El Paso, it's a different story - I'm not sure I can find a job when I get back! Besides that, I have other reasons which could make a post of their own, the most important of which is that with a civilian job I will be split three ways (job, Army, home - four if you count school). I am stuck in the Army no matter what for three more years, minimum, which is the amount of time they require you to serve if you apply for Active Duty like I am. I'm not leaving my wife, son, and Tita for some job or the Army, so the job's pretty much the only thing that can go. Anyway, the application process is insane - I had to get a physical, take a Physical Fitness Test in 110 degree heat, produce every shred of documentation on myself in the Army, and I had to do it all ASAP! Bastards.

• I've been harassed by semi-domesticated geese on the way to work. Actually, this wasn't that bad ...
  

Yeah, so the title wasn't for nothing; I saved the best for last:



These guys are seasonal guests of the lakes that surround the Al Faw Palace and its satellite buildings, in one of which I work. They were here for a couple weeks when I first arrived, along with some other fowl, but they left when it got cold. It more than warmed up by the time they came back.

On my way into work from the chow hall, I pass by the path in the pictures, and the geese demand their "toll". That many geese usually chow down three or four pieces of bread or a couple croissants in only a few seconds, and they are pretty aggressive about collecting; I wonder if the Port Authority of NY & NJ knows about this technique. When one spots you coming, it makes a distinct sound that alerts the others to get up and surround you. Once you are surrounded, they cock their heads to the side a little, mainly to get a good view from the eyes on the sides of their heads, and the caucauphony of honks begins. If you cough up enough bread, they leave you alone on their own, but if you don't have anything, prepare to wade through the mass of geese ... and don't fall down!