Well, it has been a while since I posted anything here. Today was not a good day to be out in Baghdad. Around 0700 Sunday the 18th, rockets and mortars were sent off in the general direction of several u.s. military posts. fortunately, no u.s. or other coalition personnel were seriously wounded. this type of attack is referred to as IDF - InDirectFire. It is not pleasant, but not as effective as planted IEDs - ImprovisedExplosiveDevices - which target convoys or foot patrols, etc. An Iraqi min of finance was targeted by an IED, but he made it safely, though one of his bodyguards was wounded. sadly, 5 bystanders were killed. just remember, that is what our enemies are like - total disregard for human life and a willingness to murder innocents.

as for us at the embassy in the so-called green zone, we have not had IDF in a while - though a few stray rounds have sent people scurrying from time to time. "the bullet you hear didn't kill you" is my attitude on the stray rounds.

On a lighter note, I had to visit the British Embassy today. Much like ours, that is the security is very serious and intense, and it is a bad idea to upset a Gurkha, but, drum roll, they have a tennis court! So, now I try to figure out how to worm myself an invitation to play tennis there. i mean, how can I be a diplomat without playing tennis. of course, gallows humor, lobbing one on this court might take on a whole new meaning.

the work remains very interesting, and I am getting out a bit more, though the security provisions, necessary of course, to make an office call in the red zone are time consuming and onerous. but, it sure beats returning home in a zippered plastic bag.

a bit too much gallows humor, but this was inspired by watching the town hall meeting at state to discuss directed assignments. someone, i think his name was croddy or cruddy, said that sending us to Baghdad was a "potential death sentence." well, yeah, but life is a potential death sentence, or rather, it is a death sentence - i don't know of anyone who has lived forever. i do take mr. croddy/cruddy's point, but I think he is off base. is it more dangerous here than in d.c.? sure it is, but it is not so dangerous to call this a death sentence. yes, u.s. civilians as well as military have died here, but not many, so the odds are not so great that one can call it a death sentence. i just felt his whole speech was whiney. having said that, i am sympathetic to those who see no reason to serve here because of family obligations - but to complain about the danger, well, stop driving the beltway or i-95 if you want to be safe.

weather now is beautiful. keep that in mind for when tourism returns. cool, crisp mornings in Baghdad. not too hot at midday, and the mud-producing rains have not started.

went recently to the ar rashid hotel. best not to go alone - abductors are lurking looking for some revenue. abductees are a commodity to be traded like oil futures. scary. but, if accompanied, quite a nice place with a cozy coffee bar and lots of overpriced trinket shops, and, one very good carpet shop.

okay, that's all today from the banks of the Tigris.