TC the Terrible

In the past few months I’ve come to take some stuff for granted over here.

For starters I’ve gotten used to not paying for simple things; like dinner and bottled water.  We’ve got water sitting around here by the pallet all you have to do is walk up and grab a case.  Twelve bottles, two liters each free for the taking.  Take two cases if you want.  More will show up tomorrow.  And meals are free.

Today for lunch I had rib eye steak, fried shrimp, green beans, corn on the cob and sweet tea.  With watermelon for desert.  All for free.  Granted it wasn’t Ruth Chris but it tasted pretty damned good.  If I’d have wanted more I could have simply walked back through the line, or got a box to go.  Either way, still free.

And gas.  Gas is free too.  My truck hasn’t been less than half a tank since I signed for the truck from the motor pool.  Naturally the truck was free.

Cable TV is free, all seven channels of it.  It’s not HD but it is free, and there is always sports on at least one channel.

I’ve also gotten used to the heat.  How hot is it in Iraq you ask?  Do this at home and you’ll understand.  Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees, stick your face in the oven with a blow dryer aimed at it on high while throwing sand in your eyes.  That’s what happens when you step out of the room.  If you can mix in the smell of a port-a-john being emptied then you get the full effect.

I’ve gotten used to springs in the mattress poking me all night.  I’ve gotten used to having to do math before I call people to make sure it’s not the middle of the night where they are.  And I’ve gotten used to waiting ten seconds between when I ask a question and the person on the other end of the line hears what I asked.  I’ve gotten used to Internet that makes my old dial up modem look fast.  I’ve gotten used to the mail delivering on Sundays.  I’ve gotten used to knowing what day of the week it is by what is being served at the dining hall.  I’ve gotten used to wearing long sleeves, long pants and boots in 120 degree heat.

What I can’t get used to the Ground Hog day effect.  Every day is the same as the next.  And I don’t know how to change that.