Getting back into the swing of life in Iraq

I have great work hours while I am here at the Embassy. Go in at 2pm and get off by 10pm. I have all morning to work out in the gym or go on visits around the IZ (International Zone). I woke up this morning and walked around the compound to see if anything has changed. Just a few more potholes around the place. As I decide it is WAY too hot to be walking around, I head back to my trailer. Just as I am about to step on the porch, I heard a woosh and explosion overhead. I guess Joe Rag Towel Head in his multi colored man dress snuck a mortar round in on us. No one was hurt and no damage other than the guy next to me diving into the rocks. New guys...Jeez... There is a way you can tell if it is on it's way to you or if it is going somewhere else. Of course I won't share that secret here, but it works. The guy in the rocks knows the method now.

You have to wonder what would make someone want to tear up their own country and kill their own people. I can't imagine being so fanatical about religion it driving me to kill someone because they have a slightly different belief. I was raised in the Episcopal church. When the Baptist missionaries or the Jehovia's Witnesses come knocking on my door when I am sitting down at the dinner table, I may want to kick them in the pants but not kill them. We all know they are fanatical about some beliefs. (I wonder if you can dance at Samford) I just can't imagine taking the life of a father or mother or child just because they do not share my beliefs. Maybe I should go home, blow it up, burn my yard and tear up my cars so the tax collector will stay away.