Well, for the next year or so it’s my home. I’m not out and about in Balad, but living and working on Camp Anaconda / Balad Air Base. One thing I can tell you is that it is F$^%**@! HOT!!! It was 121 F in the shade today, and almost 140 F in the sun. Sad part is that the hottest month of the year is August. I’m enjoying it though.

The picture is of a camel spider that was hanging around outside my hooch last week. It’s the best close-up that I’ve gotten so far. They’re not poisonous, but they’ll take a chunk out of you, and they’ll chase you too. This was just a little one that would probably cover the palm of my hand.