Day 144

Ok...I think I spelled this Afghan party time wrong...it's not "Ead"...it's "Eid". Yep, the trucks have stopped country-wide and they are gone from the base. From yesterday through tomorrow or Friday, the partying continues and then they all return to driving trucks and opening their shops and bazaars back up on our base. I dropped off my laundry this morning which normally has Afghans working it except for this one girl from up north (former Soviet Union area) and only she was there. I knew something was different when I walked into rock music playing.  "Eid?" I asked.  Sure 'nuf. I also see them in large groups walking down the sidewalk with an escort all day, every day but not one today. They really do all return home and just celebrate for this 3-4 day stretch each year at the end of Ramadan. Unfortunately, the "cease fire" that was supposed to happen hasn't happened. Last night as I wrote, we had the 2nd rocket attack in a row. This one hit the airfield and wounded an Air Force person and damaged two aircraft. No deaths, though...thank goodness.

Today was normal, pretty much. I did have an extended lunch including a Green Beans Mocha Frappe and about 3 games of Scrabble against my iPad. As the day wore on, I made a few calls back Stateside, had a conference call with my counterparts Stateside, then headed on out, caught a shuttle/bus back to my side of the base, and called it a night. Homemade pizza tonight at the dining facility...pretty good, actually. I wasn't feeling like a run was in order tonight so instead headed in for the night.

OK...anonymous. Yes...pretty much. No specifics...no dates...no future events.  All this known as OPSEC...or operational security. But, I have to say one little tidbit. It's very general but I've gotta say...today is August 31st. Surprise, surprise! It's a landmark, too. It's the last 31st of the month that I'll be in this country. The "Yellow Brick Road" is general enough and spans over 10,000 miles so it's safe to say I'll be "somewhere" on it the next time the calendar ticks across a 31st of the month. I won't be home...but I won't be HERE. Hallelujah!!! Not only am I kicking August square in the teeth tonight but no more "31st of the months." Feel good days are coming...I just know it...just gotta keep my head screwed on straight and my mind in the right place.

Not much else today...it was a decent day and one I'm ready to end and ready to seal August up. Bring it, September...you're standing in the way of good times. Move it!

Goodnight, everyone.