Denied

The off-post "secret" mission to a real New Year's Eve get-together was scrapped at the last minute. I was supposed to provide security (kinda like a wingman in a bar back home, but with a gun) for Dave to meet with his future in-laws who live most of the year just a few kilometers outside our base. His future in-laws don't merit special security, but you can't go off post without a buddy here. Our colonel had approved of the adventure, but his boss, the general, nixed it. Oh well.
So instead we stayed up late, finished off the second season of 24, and I called Sarema at midnite. She was rowing down the napa river in a canoe at the time. Just kidding, but the flooding back in northern California has made international news. Anyhow, I ushered in the new year talking to my lovely wife and watching distant fireworks go off in the Kuwaiti sky.
Back to the grind. here groundhog, heEEEere groundhog...