Yesterday was fairly easy, I had spent the night at the Iraqi camp but because of an eye abrasion had to take it easy. I had a chance to speak with the Iraqi commanding officer but really stumbled with my use of the Arabic language. He was rather pleased at my efforts, and I liked that.

On the convoy back, or shall I say, combat patrol, we passed the usual Iraqi children and the driver of the Humvee made some pretty offensive comments that I won't repeat. It's very frustrating when one wants to tell someone to "Shut the hell up!" but I've got a long way to go and must not get into personality clashes, they're usually not productive.

I would like to let the readers know about life on an LSA (Logistical Support Area). It is very different than life on a FOB (Forward Operations Base}. Here at LSA Anaconda we have a movie theatre, Burger King, Subway, Pizza Hut and a soon-to-open Taco Bell. We have two olympic size swimming pools, a huge gym, 24-hour internet access, air conditioned rooms, bus service, pool tables and Playstation rooms, and a 24-hour department store or PX.

Our DFAC (dining facilities) offer things like cold cuts, salad bars, soups, chicken, steak, burgers, dogs, corn dogs, 7up, Dr. Pepper, Coke, root beer, Pepsi, tea, coffee, juices, ice cream, cake, pies, lobster, ribs, veal, pork chops and lasagna. You get the picture. Most of the people here, about 30,000, are safer here than in the states. I know it's safer here than on the streets of Oxnard on the weekend nights.

The Iraqi FOB where I spent the night had a gym, two hot meals a day and four internet terminals. They had no hot water and can get trucked into Anaconda once a week, but the U.S. troops there prefer it that way because of all the distractions at the LSAs.

Rumor control says we may be home in November. I do not believe the Army expected us to be doing so well at this point. Fact is, there are so many of us here we just keep bumping into each other. It's typical of the Army. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. In this case the "it" is soldiers. And by the way, on this LSA there are thousands of civilians making big bucks for things like pumping gas. Maybe I can get a job with Hallibuton when this is over.

Today's Arabic lesson is - Tah Al Hehna, Come here