Here is another letter from Steve, sounds like the dessert is taking its toll.
Today,I called in sick,so to speak,a sort-of "Steven Beuhler's Day Off".I slept late,ate a leisurely breakfast,something I never get to do,dropped off my laundry,and headed over to Camp Victory,a mere 20 minute bus-ride away on the other side of Baghdad International Airport,and the place where I did my training when I first arrived.One of the U.K.electricians that I went through the training course is now an instructor,and I popped in talked shop with him for over an hour,and am now in a good coffee shop,doing what I took for granted just a few months ago-absolutely nothing.These days,I.never have the time to do nothing.
Mark Cunliffe,my class mate,who also,bunked next to me in our tent,is a master electrician,who after retiring from the British army five or so years ago,had been working as a superintendent for a firm near London.He was offered a job with KBR,and after asking his employer if he could come close to matching the offer,came returned to the middle-east,where he'd spent considerable time while in the military.During our training,the other U.K. electricians referred to him as "Buzz Lightyear",for his gung-ho military demeanor.Some meant it in in jest,others to mock,but there's no doubt he is right where he should be, teaching.He was originally slated to be at a remote prison for captured Iraqis in the southern part of the country,but the powers-that-be,thankfully, rescued him, and are putting his talents to better use.That would have been the equivalent of being exiled to Siberia.Between our grueling three-hour classes during training,he could "school" us
Yanks, in about ten minutes,on what we had just spent the previous session trying to grasp.
There have been,as many of you probably are aware of,some high-profile electrocutions, to both soldiers and civilians,here in theater.Some are possibly my employers' fault,some are not,but regardless,I'm here trying to make a difference,attempting,along with many others,to raise the bar in quality of installation and maintenance of the facilities on this base.Even if you don't agree with the mission,the people here need the support of all the folks at home,and the last thing they need is to worry about is whether or not it's safe to take a shower.
The installations that occurred early in this conflict were done haphazardly,with a "Get it done with what you have on hand" attitude,and that ,in a war zone.What they had on hand was plenty of cheap,untrained labor.Stuff was made to function,quickly,but the "temporary" became permanent,and much of it remains as originally installed - ,unsafe,not grounded,or at least not grounded properly.People have been killed or injured as a result.As originally installed,the work was SUPPOSED to have been installed to one of two Code standards,our National Electrical Code,and the British Standard.In fact,most was installed to a Third Code standard,the infamous Iraqi Code,a.k.a. No Code Standard Whatsoever.They apparently had no understanding of grounding/bonding,it's purpose, (To make the circuit-breaker trip quickly during a short circuit and save your hide),and,at any rate,"It is what it is ".What it is,is a mess.
Today,after reconnecting with Mark,he invited me to continue my training,and since I'm so close,I really want to do it.It would be a sort of continuing education class where I am trained to train others,on a monthly basis,as to theater-approved installation/repair methods,as well as the proper use of the specialized test equipment we utilize.He invited me to be in a "Train the Trainer"class.I'll be given a refresher course as well as some more advanced training,plus I'll be critiqued on how I teach others.I want to challenge myself,and go for it.Imagine,me a teacher!If it happens,I'll be the first to toss a spitball at myself.
I am so grateful to all who think of me,or pray for me and my family.In the tough economic times our country and our world are experiencing,I'm thankful God has given me a way to provide for my family.As I've said to some of you,what an emotional,joyous reunion when I get to see my family and friends again.I've crammed so much into this day,having getting up at 3:30,having a quick jog,and, after coffee in bed,went to the medic to get my medical slip to turn in.A sort of visit to the school nurse.I've been prescribed one day of bed rest,Yaa,right!It's still just mid-afternoon.There are a few books awaiting mt attention,and of course I need to taunt those unfortunate co-workers still on the job.Though I can't respond quickly to all your personal emails due to my poor keyboard skills,I rush to my computer three times per day to hopefully read yours.Keep 'em coming.
Steve
God Bless. 
Tim http://yblockguy.com/
350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor
tim@yblockguy.com Visalia, California Just west of the Sequoias