Cajun, this is Reaper. Immediate hot extract at .....

That's is what I've been saying again and again for the past two weeks. I have been playing Al Queda terrorist and desperate Team guy every day and night, trudging through the beautiful bayou's of southern Mississippi for way too long. Isn't it funny how beautiful bayou photographs are, but when you are actually down in it amongst the fauna, you can't wait to get extracted? Actually, I take pride in the fact that I have become quite comfortable in the mud, next to moccasins, gators, hogs, and banana spiders. When guys come out from Cali and Virginia to join us in some training, it is humorous to hear them ask nervous questions about the wildlife down here. I speak about it very matter-of-factly, but truth be known, I was just as nervous two years ago. Especially when your standing in 3 feet of water, at midnight, with no moonlight, by yourself, and a gator rolls the water 20 feet from you! To say the least, it can kick your imagination into overdrive.

Anyway, I am not looking forward to leaving the girls, but I have to say, I am a little glad to be getting away from the command for awhile. Also, it will be nice to get some time to work on my thesis for a change. I hate the idea of doing it, but I know I will be happy when it's done.

Sophia gave us another scare this weekend. At least I was worried. She ran a fever for two days or 103.5. I was thinking another UTI or ear infection...maybe pneumonia again. But it appears, with onset of a rash, that it was Roseola virus. Luckily, Angie got to experience the urine sample via cathetarization. I chose to go to the hospital to have Sophie's blood drawn. I tend to be a little more "assertive" with incompetent lab techs who don't have the balls to admit they can't draw from an infant. I HATE assholes who keep trying their best to draw from a baby, and think they are being valiant. This time, said idiot stuck Sophie once, and when she could not draw blood, I asked her to call the NICU. She said, "Okay, let me just make one more atempt at the other arm." I said in my adorably cute and respectful way, "I was just asking to be courteous. Maybe I should put it a little differently. The only way you are going to get blood from this kid today, is if you get a NICU nurse down here....now. (Insert sinister smile)" Idiot said, "Okee-dokee!"

Civilians don't get sarcasm.