Snap

This whole deployment thing is not as easy as it looks. We're all wound tight as a fiddle string. I think the anticipation is worse than what the actual deployment will be. 

Funny thing happened today. When I called the folks who will cut my orders, they seemed to be oblivious to the fact I was even going. Imagine time ticking down to the wire and I don't have orders to go. I wouldn't have known of their oversight, but I figured I'd call them anyway--mainly out of paranoia. Remember: just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me!

Tomorrow I'll be firing the M-16. I hope I shoot expert again. Especially since I came so close on the M-9 two weeks ago...damn my eyes.

I spoke today (via email) with Ric, the guy I'll replace in Baghdad.  He's been fantastic about helping me out, answering my questions, and telling me things I'll need to know as I prepare. In fact, he went the extra mile and offered to sell me his mini fridge and his TV at a bargain basement price. And he even gave me the bike he kluged together from parts...free! Based on his description, the bike sounds like a piece of work, but he loves it, and I'm sure I will, too.

With only a week left at work before I start my leave, it's becoming quite real to me now. "Deployment" in the abstract has now become "deployment in three weeks."  Snap!