Across Three Januarys

Ahhhh.

The last day of the month.

I will go to work today and cross "31" off of my calendar, and another January will be behind me.

Just that much closer to Jack Bauer coming home.

Good News from Iraq: 31 Jan 2008

From MNF-I, Busy Roadway Reopens in Baqubah.

BAQUBAH — A busy roadway was re-opened by the Iraqi government during a ceremony in the Shifta district of Baqubah, Iraq, Jan. 28.

Kharesan Street, a main roadway linking northern and southern Baqubah, was re-opened for use by civilian vehicles. The roadway was closed due to numerous attacks against civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces in the area, including improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire.

Once the area was cleared in a joint effort between the ISF and CF, the road was reopened.

“We celebrate this day by opening this road,” said Diyala Iraqi Police Chief Gen. Ghanem Al-Kurashi during a press conference before the ceremony. “We thank the people for cooperating with the Iraqi Police and the Iraqi Army.”

The ceremony was attended by General Ghanem, Baqubah Mayor Ahmed Hameed and local village leaders.

“Opening this road helps the people get to the markets and will help the city become stable,” said Ahmed. “We are especially thankful for the Iraqi Security Force’s assistance.”

Han Solo

1977: Newport Beach, CA. Star Wars was playing and a former Navy man took his daughters, 10 and 5, to see it in the BIG theater. That was a life-changing event for me. It was the day I first fell in love. And his name was Han Solo. Sigh.

Oh, the fond memories. Yes, I fell in love at 5. Since that day, I have loved men. I think I love just about everything about men. The way they think, the way the walk, the way they talk, the way they dress, the way they smell. Maybe I should qualify my statement some more. I love manly men, scoundrels with a heart, bad boys who do good.

One thing is for sure, since Jack Bauer left over 2 years ago, there has been a dearth of testosterone in my life. It is very sad. Before Jack came home on leave in November, the biggest dose of exposure I had gotten was in Las Vegas hanging around the milbloggers. They did a very good job of acting like manly men and bad boys, but of course, deep down they are just a bunch of softies (shhhh, don't tell them I said that). So they totally qualified.

Unfortunately I am down in another testosterone low patch. No one at work qualifies. There are no men at Pilates, and the men at yoga, well, I just won't go there. And quite frankly, online exposure doesn't count.

Softball season isn't for months, so men aren't running around all hot and sweaty, and I am not about to start hanging out in bars just be around guys. Besides, I don't have that kind of time.

So what's a girl to do?

Good News from Iraq: 30 Jan 2008

From MNF-I, CLC turns in weapons cache (Baghdad).

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Concerned Local Citizens turned in a cache of rockets to Coalition Forces in the Rusafa Security District of eastern Baghdad Jan. 28.

Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, reported the cache contained 10 rockets and handed it to the explosive ordnance detachment personnel at Bab al Sheik Joint Security Station for disposal.

On Cards

I started writing cards for our wounded Soldiers in Germany (through Soldiers' Angels Germany) back in May 2007 after AWTM posted about the opportunity and the need. I was just reading back through some of those first few posts. I would have never thought I would have written this many cards. At one point I was hoping to send 200.

This got me thinking about the roles we play in one another's lives. I doubt AWTM would have thought she would have inspired someone to write this many cards and how much this has helped me. And in the other direction, I am sure my cards have been read by more than a few Soldiers. But the impact any of my words have, I don't know. I hope a butterfly or two has touched someone, made someone smile, lightened the mood, eased the pain, the loneliness, the disconnection if for just a moment.

I sent out 30 cards on Saturday.

Running total: 751

Good News from Iraq: 29 Jan 2008

From MNF-I, Iraqi Civilians Lead Troops to Explosives Cache.

RAMADI — Iraqi civilians helped Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces discover numerous caches 60 kilometers northeast of Ramadi Jan. 24.

Acting on information provided by locals, the Iraqi Army alongside Company B, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment discovered four caches, including the largest cache found in the Thar Thar region in 2008.

The combined four caches included 2,550 pounds of homemade explosives; 10 pounds of plastic explosives; three mines; 1,500 feet of detonation cord; two mortar tubes; more than 300 rocket propelled grenade warheads; six 120mm mortar rounds; four 107mm rockets; and one heavy machine gun.

One cache of RPG rounds and mortars was found buried in a large water container in an abandoned sheep pen. Based on its location, the cache could have been used to supply insurgents in three provinces with munitions.

“The cache provided bomb-making materials and RPGs for the Saladin, Baghdad and Anbar provinces,” said Lt. Col. Michael Silverman, commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment. “It was big, new and the best attempt to hide them since I’ve been here.”

A military explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the munitions on-site with a controlled detonation.

Did you hear it?

Did you hear the sounds of angels singing last night at about 2045 CT?

A miracle happened.

I folded AND put away, hung up ALL my laundry.

A miracle indeed.

:D

Good News from Iraq: 28 Jan 2008

From AFP, 9,000 'Awakening' members ready for Iraq military training: US. (h/t LWJ)

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Some 9,000 members of anti-Qaeda "Awakening" fronts in Iraq have been screened and lined up for training as regular police or soldiers, the US military said on Sunday.

The number represents more than half the 16,000 or so Awakening members, many of whom are former Sunni Arab insurgents.

They have applied to join the regular Iraqi security forces after having been recruited by the US military to fight Al-Qaeda in their own backyard.

Military spokesman Rear Admiral Gregory Smith told a news conference in Baghdad that the rest were still waiting to undergo screening and for openings in police colleges and military academies.

"Around 9,000 members of the Awakening have been entered into a process in which they are in a queue to begin their training programmes," Smith said.

In western Anbar province, where tribal leaders in September 2006 launched the first Awakening group, effectively putting Al-Qaeda to flight, another "10,000 to 20,000 ... have already gone through a training programme and are serving as police officers or members of the army."

US troops have for the past year been working closely with former insurgents they call CLCs or Concerned Local Citizens, who are paid 300 dollars a month to patrol neighbourhoods and man checkpoints.

Their numbers have swelled to some 80,000 members of a total of 130 CLC groups countrywide, according to latest figures from the US military.

Of these, 80 percent are Sunni and 20 percent Shiite. In some neighbourhoods the groups are mixed.

Smith said only 20 percent of the 80,000 wished to join the security forces.

He acknowledged that Al-Qaeda had made attempts to infiltrate some of these groups but did not think it had made much headway.

"I don't think there has been a tremendous amount of infiltration of the Awakening groups," he said.

"There have been attempts to do so -- we recognise that. We also recognise that the Awakening groups are well-led, are well-civilised and (have) a strong tribal and communal connection.

"They know precisely who their members are -- our forces work very closely to weed out individuals who show the least signs of disloyalty to the overall efforts."

Al-Qaeda, he added, "clearly sees these Awakening groups as a threat to their existence" and could try to intimidate people not to join them or existing members to quit.

Care Package for the CTU Gang

I am sending off a couple of care packages to Jack Bauer and his gang at CTU. I got some positive feedback from the gang on the last shipment so I am trying to out do myself here.

Yesterday's care packages included:
5th season of the Sopranos
multivitamins

Then I hit Harry & David
Moose Munch - Dark Chocolate
Moose Munch - Caramel, Cashews, and Almond
Moose Munch Bars - Milk Chocolate; Caramel with Cashews and Almonds
Sesame Sticks (oooh how I love these things)
Crater Lake Crunch
Chocolate Truffles - Coffee
Chipotle Cheddar Cheese Straws
Classic Dipping Pretzels
Pretzel Dipping Sauce - Apricot, Mango, Wasabi
Chocolate Pretzels

Jolly Ranchers and Laffy Taffy (kids are so punny)

And I finally got fed up and I am sending the doggies. I let Moo put the one that looks like her in her mouth to get it more like her. And then I rub the doggies all over with them so I could pick up some of their dogginess to send to Jack. :D

Good News from Iraq: 27 Jan 2008

From MNF-I, CLC provides tip to cache, roadside bomb (Baghdad).

ABU GHRAIB, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, attached to the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, found a cache in an abandoned building approximately 20 km. north of the Abu Ghraib district Jan. 18.

The cache consisted of .50 caliber small arms rounds, 70 mm rocket warheads, a rocket launcher, a surveyor’s tripod, a motor base plate, other small arms munitions and various grenade parts.

Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry , 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division acted on a tip from a Concerned Local Citizen, and found a deep buried improvised explosive device in the same area Jan. 19.

“Bravo Company’s cache and improvised explosive device finds highlight the pressure from Coalition Forces, the Concerned Local Citizens and Iraqi population against terrorists and the continued success in disrupting Al Qaeda in Iraq operations,” said 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment spokesperson Maj. Jon Pendell.

Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers are conducting offensive operations in support of Operation Phantom Phoenix to kill or capture al-Qaeda and other extremists in order to deny them rest and sanctuary in the city of Baghdad and the surrounding rural areas.

I'm getting old

My birthday isn't for a few months, but today, I am feeling old.

I was listening to NPR while running errands today, and I heard the cracking voice of an older woman talking about electronic voting machines. She meant to say "touch screen" but instead she said "touch tone." And that got me thinking.

Touch tone. When was the last time you heard anyone mention a rotary phone? Would anyone born after 1980 have any idea how to use one? I had a phone in my room growing up. It was a heavy, black rotary and it was not plugged into anything. But I remember how heavy it was, and assuming I could pick it up and swing it, it would have been broken bones for whoever came in contact with it.

Man, those were the days. Sitting on bed in my sun-filled yellow room with the orange carpet, dialing, literally, no one and talking for hours with out a care in the world. Or at least that's how it seems now.

What happened to the morning?

I forgot to set my alarm to get in time for yoga at 8:30 AM. I guess me and doggies needed extra sleep. We finally got out of bed at 11:30 AM. So I missed Weight Watchers as well. I can't remember the last time I slept that much.

Good News from Iraq: 26 Jan 2008

From MNF-I, Concerned Local Citizens Work to Rid Their Areas of IEDs.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER — Concerned Local Citizens in Sabbah Nissan, a village southeast of Baghdad, led Soldiers from Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery to a weapons cache near the group’s headquarters last week.

Soldiers from the 789th Ordnance Company (EOD), from Ft. Benning, Ga., were called out to destroy the munitions along with remnants of an earlier cache turned in by the CLCs.

Since last November, CLCs have frequently taken the lead in uncovering extremist caches in the areas around FOB Hammer.

“It’s great to see the citizens of Iraq stepping up and taking charge,” said 1st Sgt. Michael Parker, from Geriee, Ind., first sergeant of Battery A.

The effectiveness of the CLCs in Sabbah Nissan has allowed Battery A more opportunities to provide water, food and school supplies to the 11 villages that the group represents and protects.

The cooperation between CLCs and Battery A is one of the reasons the area around FOB Hammer is secure, said Capt. Chas Cannon, from Moultrie, Ga., commander of Battery A.

“The Concerned Local Citizens provide us the ability to rid the roads of IEDs,” Cannon said. “They have expert knowledge on their neighborhoods and have prevented munitions from falling into the hands of extremist.”

The 1-10th FA is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

Me Day

Taking the day off work. Getting a massage and a pedicure. Hitting the salad bar at Whole Foods for lunch. Then probably taking in a movie. I am thinking 27 Dresses looks about my speed today. Then grocery shopping and a nice healthy yummy dinner. Ahhh. What a day.

Now I just need to rush around here, get the house in shape for the cleaning lady, shower. Gotta get running so I don't miss my relaxing time. :D

Good News from Iraq: 25 Jan 2008

From MNF-I, MND-C Soldiers find 2 caches in 2 days.

BAGHDAD – Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, found two separate caches with 75 120 mm mortar rounds, one bag of mortar propellant and one bag of mortar fuses Jan. 17 and 18 near Jisr Diyala, south of Baghdad.

Company D Soldiers responded to two similar reports from Concerned Local Citizens, according to 1st Lt. Daniel Bell, from San Antonio, Texas, executive officer for Company D.

Bell explained local citizens found the caches and reported them to the Concerned Local Citizens, who in turn, informed Company D.

“This is definitely a step in the right direction,” Bell said. “We have good people in the area that are very proactive in finding things that they know need to be cleared out of their communities. They are not just doing it for themselves. They are doing it for the betterment of their country.”

Company D, 1-15 Inf. Regt. is attached to the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment and is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning, Ga. The unit has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

I got nothing

Pooped.

Tired.

Wipe out.

Sono stanca.

Good night.

**snore**

Good News from Iraq: 24 Jan 2008

From MNF-I, Farm Business Revival Holds Key to Anbar’s Economic Recovery.

RAMADI — Reviving agricultural enterprises that have deteriorated from years of sanctions, conflict and neglect is crucial to the economy in this region in western Iraq, U.S. and Iraqi officials here said.

“I’ve seen several (poultry) growers who have returned to production during my seven months here, and more will return as things continue to improve,” said Marine Maj. Daryl F. Remick, an agricultural planner with the Fallujah-area provincial reconstruction teams.

As a farmer’s son and poultry specialist, Remick is keenly aware that raising chickens is but a single link in a complex chain of activities that can make or break farmers. “We have to evaluate the entire agricultural value chain for al Anbar,” he said.

Assessing a value chain means considering not only what is taking place on the farm, but also looking at how farmers receive inputs, such as seed, fertilizer or poultry feed, and how they market the products they produce, he said. Identifying weak links in each agricultural product’s value chain is critical for making that industry profitable.

U.S. military civil affairs personnel and civilians embedded with provincial reconstruction teams interact with local communities, investigate where the value chains need upgrading and recognize restorable agribusinesses. When several enterprises fitting this description were identified by the Ramadi PRT’s embedded personnel, Navy Cmdr. Kevin Anderson, detailed to the State Department, and Marine Maj. Lee Suttee, a Marine Corps civil affairs specialist, requested members of the Inma Agribusiness Program visit the area. Inma is an Arabic word meaning “growth.”

The program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, is working to restore Iraqi agribusiness, a sector estimated to support 27 percent of the population. During a recent two-day tour in and around Ramadi, the Anbar provincial capital, Anderson and Suttee escorted USAID’s Ron Curtis and David Smale and Inma party chief Herschel Weeks to several private-sector agribusiness investment opportunities.

The group listened as three farmers described the same “weak link” problems. Day-old chicks are expensive and often require costly shipping. Farmers must use costly imported feed of unknown quality. Immunizations and veterinary care are expensive, and disease-testing labs are unavailable.

“Inma wants to make sure that the feed and other needs are in place for the farmer to make money,” Weeks said, “and that there is a market for the products.”

During the summer, the provincial sheiks council requested PRT assistance in re-establishing a competitive local poultry industry. Available, affordable feed looked like the best first step in the process. Inma’s maize-growing demonstration project introduced hybrid seeds and precision planting to local farmers. Iraq’s traditional maize yield tripled, and by planting between the annual wheat crops, farmers used their fields off season and produced much-needed animal feed, Inma officials said. ...

Read the rest here.

A dog's life

Man, do my dogs have it good. They slept in yesterday morning. On my bed. While I got up and did my morning routine. Usually they start moving around a bit the closer it gets to me feeding them, but yesterday, nope, they were happy to stay in bed until they heard the kibble being rattled around. Silly poochies.

Then they decided it was too cold outside. And they convinced me to let them stay inside where it would be nice and warm all day and the bed and the couches would be super soft and comfy. I told them they could stay inside on one condition: They had to fold the laundry.

So I went off to work, knowing that the doggies would be warm on a day when the temperature was not going to get above freezing and that my nemesis was going to be taken care of.

And after a long day of slaving away over a keyboard and after a tough hour of Pilates chair class, I was expecting to come home to a sparkling clean house, as if the doggies were going to team up with Mr. Clean.

So imagine my surprise when I came home to doggies all rested up and piles of laundry. And an unplugged computer. Hmmm.

Then they snuggled with me all night, as if nothing was wrong. It's a good thing these spoiled babies are cute.

Good News from Iraq: 23 Jan 2008

From Iraq Updates, Iraqi economic growth to hit 7 pct. (via LWJ)

Iraq’s economy is on track to reach GDP growth rates in 2008 of 7 per cent, driven by oil price movements, economic reforms and surging foreign exchange reserves, said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week.

The upbeat assessment is based on a meeting convened in Washington between the IMF and the Iraqi Minister of Finance Jabr Al-Zubaydi, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) Al-Shabibi, Minister of Oil Al-Shahristani and other senior officials from their banking community.

According to the IMF, “The fiscal stance [in Iraq] was successful in containing current spending, but fell short in the implementation of the ambitious investment program, which, combined with the difficult security situation, prevented the envisaged expansion of oil output.

“Rising oil prices, however, more than offset the production shortfall, thus helping to preserve fiscal sustainability. High inflation was sharply reduced by appreciating the exchange rate, tightening monetary policy, and controlling current government spending.”

An unexpected bonus was the rapid jump in net international reserves to A$23 billion, which are expected to climb even further during the year as Iraqi authorities make provision for massive inward investment flows in this year’s budget.

Offsetting the 7 per cent GDP growth is inflation which is in two-digits. But it’s now falling due to improved capacity. Meanwhile their currency is currently loosely pegged to the greenback on a “crawling” basis, meaning that even in Iraq you are not safe from sub-prime contagion.

On the governance front, the Iraqi authorities are aiming to strengthen public financial management and central bank accounting frameworks while also restructuring two of largest public banks. Meanwhile improving oil sector oversight arrangements are also on the agenda, especially with oil production expected to jump to 2.2 million barrels per day. These governance reforms include re-establishing the Iraq National Oil Company and reorganising the Ministry of Oil.

But in one of the IMF’s more bizarre statements, they complained that, “there are some delays in data provision and weaknesses that hamper economic analysis.”

Blue Monday

Well, it wasn't just me or my imagination. No wonder I was tired (and I actually fell asleep at work while typing). Yesterday was supposed to be the most depressing day of the year: Blue Monday. I heard about it on NBC Nightly News last night. (The link to the segment wasn't up at the time of this post, but I'll get it up later.)

I decided to take the night off from other work, Pilates, and household responsibilities, and I read a bunch of blogs and went to bed early. It was very nice.

Oh, and I am taking Friday off and getting a massage and a pedicure. Maybe like, Bon suggested yesterday that I go somewhere pretty and warm, so maybe I'll head back to the butterfly house and maybe the botanical gardens.

Teetering back up. :D