Sadly I have to report that my laptop has suffered a casualty. Yesterday my video card died causing my laptop to become a very large paperweight. What would be a one or two day turnaround in the US is a month long odyssey here in Iraq. My laptop is on a flight back to the US for repairs. Luckily, I can use a work computer to blog and Facebook.
One of the lessons I have learned in Iraq is "Don't get hurt". For some strange reason, we have not built a large hospital in Iraq. It is a little amazing to me that we have 250,000 Americans in country but there is no major hospital. We do have clinics and Combat Surgical Hospitals for trauma but nothing to handle medical conditions that crop up in any population. I have known of a couple of people who have had issues with their knees or backs. There is no place in Iraq to treat them so they have to be flown back to Germany or the US for treatment.
Hey Mark,
Sorry about your laptop. Maybe you will get it back soon. Can you still play all your "games" on your work computer?
It is really hot here too; probably not nearly as hot as there. Are you staying cool?
Good deal about the Iraqi soccer team's game. Did you get to go watch it? Or even want too?
Time is passing so hang in there. Still praying you get to come home early.
Ann
Posted by: Ann | July 16, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Well, one or two day turnaround for your laptop here -- hmmm, don't know about that. But one can always hope.
Haven't seen you say anything about a certain baseball team in a while. Don't worry, football minicamp starts soon, then preseason (kinda a waste, but watchable) and then it's football time. Thank goodness!!!
Plus, each one of those things means time passing and closer to you going home -- and that's most important. Even more important than football.
Posted by: Kath | July 18, 2009 at 03:13 PM
@Ann: Most of my games are on the XBOX so it's not a problem. I am staying cool as long as I don't have to go outside. It has been a bit cooler over the last 7 to 10 days. We have only been in the 107-110 range, not much hotter than Dallas...
Posted by: MidnightMustang | July 19, 2009 at 09:04 PM
@Kath: I am hoping that Dell can turn around, especially since I bought the better service package with it. Back in the US, I use it for my development machine as well. So I bought the best service contract I could get.
The Rangers are in a bit of a skid. But, they are doing much better than anyone expected. You are right, football is right around the corner. Since I am a native Dallasite, I bleed silver and blue.
Posted by: MidnightMustang | July 19, 2009 at 09:07 PM