Day 138

A 14 hour workday? Yea, perhaps the longest one to date. I don't track these but when the clock is approaching 9pm and I started at 7am, it's a bit daunting. All-in-all, a productive day. The boss is traveling again so it was pretty quiet, too. Hardly anyone from the brigade walks in and bothers us, the phone rarely rings, and we just keep to ourselves. Our team is based out of the headquarters here but aren't technically attached to them. They pretty much house us and that's it. So for some in the building, we're the outsiders and treated as such. Plus, they're all active-duty Army and I'm a Navy reservist...so you can see how that goes. Our boss is active duty Army, though, so that's why we get all the attention when he's around...plus he is pretty senior.

Anyway...yet again, not a whole heck of a lot to talk about today. Ultimately, we were kept around for some high profile visitors tonight. The leadership of a Special Forces unit was visiting and I've been working with one of their special ops officers in getting them material. Tonight wasn't the night to duck out early when the special ops guys are coming over with their boss who is a full-bird colonel. Their civilian supply person from the States was also tagging along who wanted to finally meet me and hear about everything I've done out here. It was actually a really good visit and worth staying around for. It's kinda cool to brag on what I've accomplished so far and to look the colonel in the face and tell him what I'm doing for his guys...and to have one of his guys vouch for me. Sweet, indeed. I'll admit, I wanted to bring up the 30 fallen SEALs and soldiers to them because no doubt, some of them were probably carrying those flag-draped caskets back on Day 121. The conversation and atmosphere was too positive, though, and it would've been completely inappropriate. Still, I wanted to hear about some of the men because surely, some of these folks knew them personally.

Once we said our goodbyes and exchanged countless handshakes, we headed on back to our rooms...past 9pm now. A little bit of popcorn, a few e-mails (including one from Dorothy who received her Peace Lily at work today :-)))) ) and some TV. Day 138...bye bye, now. Don't come around here no more, no more, no more, no more!!!!

Goodnight, everyone.