Wow, I see it's been over a half year since I updated this. And now I am actually on my way back to the states. I'm in Kuwait now waiting for the freedom flight tomorrow ( Read more... )

Ramadan was July 20th to August 18th, with Eid on August 19-21 ( Read more... )

The thing that strikes me the most is the carnage that occurs routinely here in Afghanistan, and the people back home seem just plain unaware. I thought I'd get lots of anxious queries on a daily basis. Nope. I know the Kabul-based western reporters are publishing the news articles. I guess none of my relatives are reading them ( Read more... )

The air pollution is really bad today. I have a sore throat and swollen glands and my voice is hoarse ( Read more... )

The garden is blooming! Must be all the leftover coffee I feed it:

Afghanistan leads the way! Our Congress critters should introduce similar legislation ( Read more... )

Life in a combat zone:

After 2 months I finally had a reason to get off Camp KAIA and visit ISAF headquarters in downtown Kabul. Nobody leaves without a reason. I have been longing to see something new. It makes me wonder how anyone can survive years in prison, noplace new to go, nothing new to look at. There's a small park at ISAF HQ, full of ( Read more... )

I’ve been in Afghanistan 6 weeks now. My circumstances have changed and I feel like it’s safe to put a toe outside the fannish closet. I’m a Reserve officer who’s been on active duty for the past 11 years. Recently I left active duty and I’m in Reserve status again ( Read more... )