DAY 70, WEEK 10

That's right, I have officially completed 10 weeks (miles) of my 26-week (mile) journey. For you non-runners out there, let me explain the importance of finishing mile 10 of a marathon.

10 miles down means double digits. It also means you've hit your stride, you've made significant progress and you're closing in on half way. The weak have fallen back significantly and you have a good feeling of how well (or how not well) you will finish.

Anyway, enough of the running talk. Most of you could care less. Some random thoughts:

Lately, I have had an overwhelming sense of, "Okay, I've seen everything there is to see here. Time to go." I really don't know how the Army dudes can stay for 12-18 months. That has to be absolutely brutal.

I found three guys who like to play Euchre ("you-ker"). I had never played before. I describe it as a much quicker version of Spades. We play every other night or so before we go to bed. We're not allowed to play for money, but bragging rights go a long way around here.

I don't recommend playing basketball in steel-toed boots. I think I'm going to loose both my big toe nails this week.

It took two months, but I am officially tired of facebook.

Many of our drinks are served juice-box style, milk included. We have to have our weapons when we go to chow. Imagine how funny it is to look around at hundreds of soldiers with M-16's and 9mm's sipping 8oz of juice/milk through those tiny little plastic straws. It makes me laugh every day.

Kellogg, Brown, and Root (KBR) is one of the large contractors my unit oversees. They're here to provide logistical support at the bases. KBR has 75,000 employees in Iraq and Afghanistan. You read that correctly: SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND.

Hannah (8) sent me an e-mail the other day. She said, "I like my nickname (Hannie). I like yours too, Bill." Best e-mail I've gotten since I left. There's something really funny about having my 8-year old innocently call me by my first name. Guess I'm easily entertained at this point.

109 days to go.