"All Quiet in Sadr City?"

The mortar and rockets attacks stopped for over 24 hours. There has been much discussion about the supposed cease-fire arranged between al-Sadr and the GoI (Government of Iraq). And I must say it has been a quiet piece of time with little interruption from indirect fire. Usually we get 5-10 attacks a day. Yesterday and last night, none. But all good things must come to an end.

This morning I was up taking a shower after a good run. I usually get up around 4:30 a.m. It is really quiet and there is a stillness that makes for a relaxing workout. Iraqi mornings are fantastic with a cool, gentle breeze, combined with the dry air which allows you to not break a sweatno matter how hard you run. But little did I know about the sweat that was heading my way. While I was showering after the run what should I hear but the "incoming" sirens. Now I tell you, it is a tough choice, rush out to the bunker naked yet safe, or to just accept fate and finish your shower? A buddy of mine had just gotten out of his shower and had lathered up his face for a good shave when the alarm sounded. He had not yet dressed, but had taken the time to wrap a towel around himself. So there we sat in the bunker wrapped in towels, covered with shaving cream, and with others who had rolled out of their beds in various states of dress. We have pictures, but sadly I cannot post them for security reasons. Iraq is such a funny place.

And then all was quiet again for the entire morning. But of course I was working so was not to be interrupted. But at lunch time, a couple of other officers stopped by my wing of the Palace to invite me to lunch.

You know that is the thing about mortars, they seem to come at the most inopportune times. So we were eating lunch, and because it is such a beautiful Iraqi day, we took our meals to the picnic area outside of the fortified dining facility. That proved to be a mistake. We were having a nice discussion and enjoying our all-American burgers and fries, with the only menace in the area being an agressive bird who was an obvious al-Sadr supporter. And right in the middle of a great big bite of cheeseburger, just when I had begun to chew, the "incoming" sirens went off. Well I have never seen a picnic area clear so fast.

In a few minutes the "all clear" was sounded, but it had been a total loss. The bird had achieved what Al-Sadr had not...my cheeseburger was gone, not as a result of indirect fire, rather from the other "criminal".

So while the GoI may have declared a cease-fire, I have not.