28 May 08 Care Packages and Night Shift

28 May 08 Care Packages and Night Shift

A co-worker is away on his vacation so I'm on the night shift for
about the next 3 weeks or so. Most contractors over here get a
vacation every 4 or 6 months. KBR employees get a vacation every 4
months but my company gives me a vacation every 6 months. Below are a
few pics of me in the dark. It can be difficult to take a decent pic
in the dark with a cheap camera. So these will have to do. Note my
'anti-radiation' belt. Ok, it's actually just a reflective belt and
everyone here (soldiers and civilian pukes) is required to wear one
after dark. If you don't wear one, you might be denied entry to the
DFAC or PX after dark and you can also be ticketed. Getting one of
these 'tickets' is not a good experience as it's tantamount to a
speeding ticket. In my 3 years in Iraq, I've never received a ticket
(but have gotten close!) Last night at about 12:30 AM, the CRAM (R2D2
looking automatic machine gun) went off as I was coming out of the
DFAC. It's LOUD and the tracer rounds made it look like a red laser
beam. We didn't go to Code Red so I suspect that there's a big dead
bird out there somewhere. Of course, we'll never know for sure.
Also the Brigade Chaplain came by today and gave away some extra care
packages. I know they're extra since these get distributed to
soldiers first (and rightly so). It's really GREAT to get anything in
the mail and I very much apreciate getting the care packages that I
have received.
(Thank You) I've been asked 'what do I need' and honestly, there
really are very few things that I 'need'. The Army does a great job
at providing for the basic needs here. And of course, like many
things in life, what I 'want' cannot be put in a box.
R/Chris