Bird Tree and the Devil's Land (TCB)

So there's a tree here, right near our hooch, that everyone calls "bird tree." It's shaped like a popsicle, or anything else you might think of; tall, skinny, and strange.

Every evening, before we have supper, every bird in Afghanistan comes to perch on this tree. You can't see the birds because it's like some kind of mutant pine tree, and they can go inside the foilage. When the entire party has gathered, they all start squawking like some terrible traffic jam. Everyone who walks by looks up at the tree with anger; some people throw rocks. It makes them stop for approximately 4 seconds, and then they start up again. When we first got here it used to keep me awake when I tried to sleep, but now I am used to it and they eventually disperse for the night. Soldiers come out of their tents, raise their fist and curse the tree. I laugh.

Even so, we've derived several methods that we'd use to take down bird tree once and for all. The seemingly favorite method is just to set the thing on fire and watch everything toast. Others wish to cut it down and stomp the stupid out of the thing. We could fire rockets at it, grenade it, or even poison bird tree. But something tells me no matter what is done, bird tree will prevail. So we leave it alone.

In all seriousness though, the action has died down a bit since we first arrived in the devil's land. Rocket attacks have ceased, due to the fact that those responsible for most of the recent attacks have been wiped out. Word is that there is a buildup coming, and I believe it. Those bastards are waiting until warm weather hits, and then they will come out of their holes and unleash hell. We are building up as well; there are some marines on the way to help out out. They will be a blessing.

Because of the lull, it is too easy to become complacent, even if you are in a combat zone. The edge goes away eventually when there's no bullets or rockets or whatever flying in your vicinity. I imagine if we were to be attacked right now some would just try to go about their daily business until someone threw them into a bunker with their rifle. On the other hand, there are some jumpy people around here too. Some people want to be too involved in the fighting, while others want nothing to do with it.

Some random government agency, one you might have heard of before, was here a few evenings ago. They are known as the "ones who are not here" to those, ironically, who know they are here. I am privvy to this information because when they did their "courtesy calls" in the black of night, our apaches provided cover for the entire operation. No one on our side was hurt, but I heard there were some on the other side who were not so welcoming to the courtesy. I guess they ended up having a bad night; too bad for them. To celebrate, we had Oreos.

Time drags and drags and drags and drags, and we work and work and handle our duties. Sometimes I wish for something different; I want to be somewhere on the beach with the sand in between my toes and the warm sun making my skin red. I want Ciarra to be there, fanning me (just kidding, she doesn't have to fan). I want a Corona, or any other ice cold beer pretty much. I want to lay there, and I want to do nothing. Nothing.

Well, I suppose that's all I have to ramble about. I am going to try to upload some pictures to my webshots page; if it is successful I will post the address on my next entry. Until then, keep safe, enjoy life, and do what you do.

Taking Care of Business

-J