It has been an interesting week. My replacement went home after he landed in Kuwait, and my vacation to Ireland had to be canceled.

Instead of getting upset, I used the opportunity to help secure my daughter's future. Instead of coming home for good, I'm only coming home for a month and then right back over here to Baghdad.

That's right, another year in the desert for me. But on a brighter note, I just read a little while ago that our team opens the season on national TV against the Mets. Even better is that my birthday is April 1 (no laughing). So as long as my AFN is working, I can celebrate the World Champs in style...at 3 o'clock in the morning.