Today is day 8. Funny it seems the same as day seven as far as I am concerned. I told my pops that it was beginning to seem like I was Bill Murray in the movie Ground Hog Day. His reply was that in the movie every day something was learned that was used the next day. I thought that was pretty good advice. All is quiet here, and I am thankful for that. I have started to get into a routine eat, work, gym, shower, and sleep. When ever I do get a day off I have no idea of what I am going to do. Currently in my off time I go to the gym, play bingo, and game a little with some of my co-workers. Later this week I am planning on taking a tour of the Ziggurat. It is supposedly the place where humanity began, the birth place of Abraham. That is something that I have to see just to say I have been there. I hope to have pictures to show you when I get back. This week was pretty long but had some great highlights. Yesterday I got to talk to my daughter Alaska. She thinks that I am “On a Rock” when I am really in Iraq. Every day before she goes to bed her and Aspen (my youngest daughter) punch away at the keyboard to send me a goodnight e-mail. I’m not really sure what there saying but I like reading it. I have made contact through most everybody at home through E-mail. It is a great thing. The older of my sisters Sam does the same thing I do; she gets bored at work and mails everybody. I received my first package two days ago. My parents send it the week before I left. It contained Slim Jim’s, cookies, Rice Crispy treats, and some hunting and fishing magazines and a local paper. The food is a treat that goes quickly cause it just right to share with everybody. But the reading material is where its at. It helps fill the days at work that seem to stretch out forever. Well I will let every body go now and write in a day or two, I will have more to write then. The picture above is of myslef in all my gear It was taken on the plain ride into Iraq Aboard a C-130.


Esox