I've got some pretty serious GI distress right now. I'm told this is normal when you first show up, but combined with the jetlag it's really knocked me out. I'll write more when I'm back on my feet.
On the upside I'm told that Uday's lions are here in the Green Zone. There are some relatively new cubs too. I'll have to be sure to check them out at some point. I hear that they're nice and big -- after all they grew up on human flesh (Uday would often throw would-be rivals to his lions). We actually work right by his Pleasure Palace, it's now being used by the CPA and I'm assured that none of Uday's many women are to be found there.
Speaking of women ... there aren't any. Well, there are a few but would be suitors literally line up just to talk to them. I saw this really annoyingly good looking guy the other day (you know, the kind of guy you wish would leave the party so that you could get some attention again) dropping all of his game, going way out of his way, seriously chatting up a woman that I don't think he would have imagined dating back in the US. Yeah, I'm being superficial but it's a fascinating phenomenon. I wonder how long that guy has been here and if his fate awaits me.
I will note that I got a pleasant surprise by the chow line when I saw a figure come into the CPA from the outside wearing fatigues, flack jacket, helmet, M-16, side arm, etc. -- just like the other hundreds of people milling about -- when the helmet comes off, long blond hair falls down onto her shoulders and the fair features of her face are revealed. My conclusion for the day: chicks carrying guns are hot (assuming they're not really mad and pointing the gun at me). Either that or I've been here too long already.
Oh, btw, it turns out that I CAN GET MAIL/PACKAGES. Even better, it only costs regular USPS rates to send me stuff (hint, hint). I can't post the address here but e-mail me and I'll send it to you.