It goes well, or well enough, and I am "home" in an electronic sense: I can now visit my two fave pages, RBD and Lurker Lounge. For some reason, the censor program no longer blocks the sites. Yes, I am still drinking Waaaaaay too much coffee.
Won't be back in Texas for another few months, hopefully less than two. We shall see. One never knows how this Operation will change direction and tempo. Thanks, KoP, for the carpet roll, but let's keep it under wraps for a bit, saving it for when I can say, for certain, that the Rogue has Returned.
I am working about 10-14 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it is just fine with me. Makes the time go by, I have immersed myself in what we are doing. I still have a few opinions, go figure, in re why-we-are-in-Iraq-in-this-fashion-here-and-how-we-will-get-out that I keep to myself, there being little we at this HQ can do about it besides doing our job as well as we can.
From a professional perspective, it is satisfying. I will say that I no longer question our continued military presence in one perspective: there are plenty of assholes here who need killing, the carbomber's mentors and teachers for one. But ENOUGH on that. Need to keep this all smiley. :-)
I feel that I am being useful here. Have earned a measure of respect from a couple of generals, most of my peers (a few find me to be a complete pain in their arses, what with my insistence on "credit is irrelevant, team success is all that matters" and "quit your whining." The propensity to flame has carried over into RL, it seems, though we try to laugh as much as possible). Some great folks here.
On the "damnit I miss the kids and the dearly beloved Mrs Occhi" I can only say that I endeavour to persevere. So do they. Got the Missus some nice gold stuff since it was a pretty decent price: fine craftsmanship. She does deserve it, I daresay, though I am not like some folks here who buy a few thousand dollars worth of gold.
On the "wish I were playing the World of Warcraft beta" with my son playing along with me, it's just tough beans. Life takes funny old turns.
On the health score, I am still smoking, about a pack every three days, and since we are allowed to, drinking a few beers about half the days of the week to bring on the sleep and even out the strain. Tonight we have arranged a "curry night" in honor of a couple of our Brit compadres, and with the good offices of a nice local restaurant run by a man from India . . .will be a nice break. We may get a little tipsy, but I will be in bed early, as I will be on watch, which is
not for the hungover.
I see that you, Sirian, are back dabbling at D2 with a friend or two, that is nice.
Fun is where you find it.
Hope to rejoin in the fun and games soon, will be taking some leave this fall when I get home.
And then, back to training young men and women how to fly, in preparation, quite possibly, for coming over here and delivering a bit of "Love From Above." Tough love, I guess.
Warmest Regards
Occhi
. About 80 charges later, Baal was removed from service. 
Silly prime evil...he was backed into the top corner of of the middle area, and kept blasting me with his mana burn---which had no effect. Gadgets don't need mana!
). 