IBOL ]I[ came and went, as did Ramadan. It was a strange month in which to be in Baghdad, both for the holiday celebrations that shaped the events of the country, and the ongoing debate over whether there would be a continued US Forces in Iraq after 2011.
The hundreds of bundles sent to Afghanistan, as part of the 3rd iteration of IBOL this year, were met with open arms and dropped from airplanes to locations all across that country. Ditto for the special project bundles. Ramadan was a great, great month, and with all my thanks, I am happy to say a very productive one.
But that being said, I’ve closed the shutters on IBOL. After Ramadan had blown through Iraq like a hot breeze, I packed up and snuck home to a tropical island for some much needed R&R. And to surprise my son, for his birthday and in conjunction with Lifetime’s TV show, Coming Home. Supposedly, they’re off editing it now, and supposedly, they’re planning to use our sordid tale. They said something about us being funny or something. I’ve no idea when it will air, but really, I’m more interested in getting home to watch it with them in my own living room with my family at my side.
Will there be an IBOL 4? I’m not planning on it. I think to do another one, I’d have to head back out to the wilds again, and with all things being equal, I’d just as soon sit and sip mojitos. Do I still think about it? Absolutely — I read articles like this one and think to myself, hmmm, I bet we could help him out. But for now, I I’m more focused on closing up Iraq.
If you need me, I’m on Iraq. Enjoy your late fall and the seasonal changes.