1045pm rounded up passengers for the bus to Rhino staging area. One guy missing, found him out-cold-asleep in the lounge. Startled him when he woke up. Debriefed passengers, no laptop bags inside the Rhino vehicles. I followed the bus out in the luggage truck. First time driving, John gave me a run down on all its features. Great vehicle to drive, easy and smooth. Dropped people and luggage at the Stables. Soothed a couple people who felt they'd been misdirected earlier and therefore missed their helicopters. Drove back to Compound.

1130pm went to chow hall for midnight rations. Made a sandwich. Toasted stale bread. Talked to Ruben the Ugandan security guard at the back door about Africa. He thinks Malawi is a very poor place and very remote. He describes his home as a modern city. I believe him. His weapon is pointed at my knee and shin the whole time.

1200am back in office, forgot to take coffee from chow hall. Talked to Roger, four incoming passengers. Checked news for debate info. Prepped for Rhino pick up, photocopies and keys.

Between 1200 and 100am waited for Roger's call. Coworker Trent listening to Motown and R&B slow jams in other room on headphones irritating me - singing out loud like a birthing donkey. Called him on his phone from the six feet away and told him his singing sounded like a car accident, he was quiet for five minutes then started again.

After 100am, left early for Rhino run pick up. Stopped at PX tent for a Power Bar.

Stood in line behind two soldiers buying soda and chips for the super bowl in a few days. Took forever, as they had to split the charge on two different debit cards. Drove down to Striker.

Arrived at Striker Stables. Some guy in a white suburban blocking out my parking spot up front. Stood by till some guy waved me off like he owned the place. Cursed him and drove off.

Stopped up the road at Green Bean little coffee trailer on Striker for a coffee.

Nepalese guy working inside was really nice. "Sorry, no lids sir."

Back to Stables, white Suburban gone. Got my spot.

Around 230am Rhinos arrived. Found three passengers.

On road back to the Compound saw a pack, maybe four, coyotes just off the side of the road.

300am, back at Compound, took body armor and racked sets remaining on the floor.

Ran back into office to catch the debate.

300am to 530am watched debate. Trent interrupted; don’t remember now what he said.

Ran to bathroom and somehow peed on my shoe.

700am back to chow hall for breakfast. Talked with Ruben from Uganda again, this time about how much he is paid and the injustice of it. He told me the laborers in the chow hall, all of which are from India, Nepal or elsewhere in S. Asia make only 300 dollars per month. Its less than two dollars and hour. We're both disgusted. "Americans don't know about this" I told him.

700am to 1200noon staying up to prepare for switch to day shift. Worked on logs.

1230pm went for lunch. First sandwich in months on good bread, nice.

100pm went for haircut. All barbers are guys from India. On the way out noted a blurry green tattoo on young soldiers bicep. A "Bad Boys" surf graphic that's been out of fashion since the early 90s. Strange, he's too young and it's too old. Skinny freckled arm with big blurry green lines.

Outside, air is crisp. Sun is soft warm, breeze is cool, just like winter at home. I feel like I did as a kid fresh off the school bus on a Spring Friday. First real sunshine in three months is very nice.