A FEW THOUGHTS TO CLOSE 2008 AND LOOK AHEAD TO 2009....

Well, it is 23:14 in Baghdad, thats 11:14 pm to all you non-military people out there. I got this last minute urge to say a few things before the New Year rings in. I have been absent from the blog lately due to a lack of "positive" events to write about. I apologize for this to any loyal followers of the blog...........yeah, you......over there in the corner! I see you! LOL!

Seriously, lately things have been stressed around these parts and for a lack of better verbage...people have been "bitchy". It appears with the new administration getting ready to step in and make waves of change throughout the world, many people over in this part of the globe are fearing change, because change will bring about a loss of jobs in this region. Since the economic downfall in the US began, this place has been a haven of sorts, staying largly unaffected by the financial woes back in the states. The security has been stripped from our jobs with all the talk of change and withdrawl. There is one saving grace on the horizon for those choosing to work in the Middle East......and ...its...................Afghanistan!!! So go West young man! Or East, North?? Hell, i'm American...I have no fucking clue where Afghanistan is compared to Baghdad. I just get on the planes thy tell me to. Long and short of it is most of these jobs will be moving there. BTW Afghanistan is East of Iraq, thank god for google!

So, 2008, what did it mean to me?

Overall I would have to say 2008 was a bad year for me. This year saw a drastic change in my way of life. my pilgrammage to the Middle East was my choice so I will not complain, however, it is a mind-numbing expererience that will change a person. For better or for worse is yet to be seen, I have not been around the people I love enough yet to display any changes. I do feel different, during my short trips home I felt very out of place, almost uncomfortable. It was an odd feeling, mostly because things are so regimented here and while I was home I was not on the "schedule" I follow here. There is very little to occupy your time other than work. Mostly when I get free time I sleep, thats never a problem.

2008 is definitly not a year I would want to forget, I made a lot of friends here in Baghdad and I will always remember that. Overall, it will be remembered in a positive way, but at the same time, I would love to be home.

Looking forward. 2009.

Much of the same seems to be in my future, definitly finish this contract. There is a possibility I will change companies this year while I am here. That could also lead to a position in Afghanistan or Kuwait. The money is better so I really don't care where I am sent, as cocky as it sounds, I've been shot at with rockets and wether it is here or there I have a feeling the experience is the same. So life has taken on a long-term outlook, don't expect any major changes in the next year. If there are you can always visit "Sandland" to find out about them.

I'm now on Facebook, it has really impressed me with how easy it is to catch-up with people you may have lost touch with. I have re-connected with many friends and family. On a sad note I searched for a good friend of mine from whenI first moved to DC, Daria Markowski. She passed away 2+ years ago, after she left the DC area and moved back north, she was from NY state. I was, and still am, astonished and saddened. She was a major factor in my life for a few years, we had so much fun it should have been illegal....matter of fact...well, anyway. I'll never forgive myself for losing touch and in essence, losing her. She was a gem, full of life and vitality. In retrospect i have not REALLY had fun in life since, it has all been pretty humdrum since her. She was that full of life.

So now it is 23:59, or for you non-military people out there reading, its midnight. 2009. Happy New Year to you all. Best wishes to you and your loved ones.

My resolution for 2009..............try to be more optimistic.