Monday, January 26, 2009

TV on iTunes

I have discovered that TV programs on iTunes.  I guess I always knew they were there, but at home it didn't make sense to buy them.  I just remembered the other day that you could do it and here it makes a little more sense.  All of the network websites that let you watch the latest episode for free don't work over here.  They can tell that I am not in America from the server that I am going out of and apparently those programs are only authorized to be watched in the US.  That means I have to pay $2 per episode.  There are only a couple of shows that I like well enough to pay that much, but it is nice that it is available.  This certainly ain't our daddy's war!

What that means is that for the last couple of days I have been downloading episodes of my favorite programs that I have missed over the months.  Each episode take 8 to 10 hours to download and uses up just about all my bandwidth.  That's why I haven't posted anything lately.  Blogger doesn't like slow connections and won't let me log on when I am downloading.  I took a break tonight so I could write something.  

I have been on another mission.  This one only lasted one day.  That was nice.  It was to escort cranes and trucks that were removing a section of barrier that had been damaged the week prior in an attack on an American convoy.  No one was hurt, thank goodness.  It was another mission to the dangerous part of town.  Everyone was on edge.  The week before we had infantry support who cleared out area and provided overwatch of our position while the workers worked.  This time it was just us.  One of our trucks reported receiving gunfire, but we are not sure if they were just a little jumpy.  Everyone came home safely.  The truck that was supposedly hit is not from our unit, but was there to help the crane operators know what to do so we couldn't check afterwards to see if there were in fact bullet holes in the truck.  

For a while I had to direct traffic around the construction site from my turret with my spotlight and some chem-lights.  There was an Iraqi police officer that reluctantly tried to help.  After helping with a couple of cars that didn't seem to get the message at first, I threw him a honey bun from the turret.  He seemed happy, and was a little less reluctant to help after that!  It's all about making friends. 

We have had some time off and will have some more after our next mission.  It's nice having a couple of days between short missions.  I don't like it when it is a week off then a week on.  Time is passing quickly now though and I am already starting to think about coming home on my leave in about 6 weeks.  I am a little nervous about coming back when it is done though!

5 comments:

Sherry said...

So, do you need another ITunes gift card? We can send one right over.......Glad to hear that it's come in handy.

Jenni said...

I'm glad that you are safe and finding ways to productively occupy your time. I think TV time counts as productive here, given the circumstances.

Jenny said...

Well I think I'd probably be friends with just about anyone who threw me a honey bun, so way to go.
Don't forget to download "The Office" if you can. It kills me.

We love ya and are glad you're safe and at LEAST somewhat entertained by today's fine programming! ;)

Josh Grimmett said...

I usually don't ask for things, but I am going to milk this veteran thing for all it's worth. Yes, iTunes gift cards are a great thing for a soldier!

Michael said...

Gotta love it - honey buns and soups - the currency of inmates and soldiers alike!

These trucks are armored, right? What does the caliber have to be to make bullet holes in one of these things?