Update on the Lumpling!

Dathan and the Lumpling have become such good friends that he's revealed his true name is Phil...Phil McCrackin to be exact but Dathan's pretty sure that last name is an alias. Phil was given a top secret security clearance so he's able to go to work with Dathan and his friends every day. Boy was it difficult doing a background check on Phil but luckily everything went through ok. Now he's learning all about Army life and the intel world.

Dathan says he's been having a hard time keeping Phil quiet in his pocket. In the short time they've been over there together Phil has already realized how screwed up the Army can be. Especially when it comes to certain "people in charge". When Phil found out first they weren't getting any days off, then they were only getting half a day off once a week until they "prove" themselves, he got so angry one of his eyes popped off his head and the medics had to patch him back up! When Phil heard a majority of a certain group of soldiers got mid-tour leave dates they requested he knew that was no coincidence. Phil felt that group should've lived up to their titles and put others before themselves, but Dathan informed Phil that it just doesn't work that way. What really sent Phil over the edge was hearing how there were SINGLE soldiers who claimed they needed to be home for their wedding anniversaries to get the dates they wanted. Dathan had to stuff him in a foot locker to cool off for a few days after that. Phil is slowly learning to adapt but I wish Dathan would just let him speak up. Hey if new soldiers going through BCT are allowed to have cell phones, how much longer is it really going to be before you can tell certain people to kiss your ass without getting disciplined?

Despite all the bureaucratic BS, they are having some good times. They're getting ready to throw a pirate party for our friend Randy. I'm pretty sure this will be the first pirate party the palace has ever seen. Last week they had their first half day off and were able to get together with friends for coffee and a pipe. That reminds me...does anyone know where to get a Lumpling size pipe? Phil got awful sick after sharing Dathan's.

Dathan hasn't been feeling well lately so in order to allow him to get some rest Phil decided to go out and explore with our friends Samantha and Randy. They took some pictures and Phil said it's ok if I share them here.

Outside the Palace Phil has some extra padding, so don't worry, this didn't hurt

Sitting in the big chair in the palace

Goofing around with Chad

Hanging out on Randy's shoulder

That's it for now, but I'll be sure to update you again once I hear more from Phil and Dathan!