Stuck...

Well, the sandstorm has hit here in Balad. No flights in or out all day yesterday. Just in case, we got up this morning to report for a 3:30am showtime. But, alas, the flight this morning was cancelled also.

The air tastes of dust. The eyes are filled with dust when you go outside. Although it is daylight, all the streetlights are on, but visibility is limited to 10 or 20 yards... So, although we have been working pretty hard the last couple days (visiting, networking, brainstorming and the like--it's the brain storming that takes a lot of energy!)--today will be pretty mellow. After waiting for an hour to make sure the flight was cancelled, we went back to the office and checked e-mail and read the news until the chowhall opened at 6am. Actually, I got to IM with Peg and the kids (we are having a girl come January--excellent news that I got two days ago!!) for a bit. The connection is too slow to allow video or audio chat, but text chatting is nice too. Unfortunately, the Marines back at our base in Al Asad don't allow IM, among various other things! So, this was a welcome chance to hook the Mac up to the network and get my connection on...

Later today, another meal in a chowhall that is pretty damn good--better than at Al Asad anyway. But, nothing compares to what they have at Camp Victory where we spent the day on Saturday--that place had some seriously good eats. One entire section of local and Indian food--some outstanding curry over rice--heaven. Because I promised no more bathroom entries, I won't tell you about the bathroom in Sadam's Summer Palace--maybe I will just post a picture of it...

Time to go see what I can accomplish on this day of down time...