Dinner over Iraq

I lean forward in my seat as I gaze out on the desolate plain that is Northern Iraq. We're at FL370 over Kirkuk watching the sun set to our right and a thunderstorm to the left. Down below the clouds I can see the bright pinpricks of light that are oil fields burning off natural gas. It is quiet here in the cockpit, made even more so as the the dark races across the sky and blue fades to grey and then black. Other airplanes are visible with their flashing position lights as we make our way across Iraq. Above us is a British Airways 777 visible at the same time is a unknown tri-jet using a Reach callsign. We are all headed for the Persian Gulf and this airways across Iraq is the shortest route.

Soon the lights of Baghdad and all the fighting down there will pass off the right side of the airplane. Baghdad is visible as we pass it by. Sometimes on the frequency we hear aircraft being cleared to change to a tactical frequency to do whatever missions they have been assigned. I watched this documentary on PBS about a family living in Baghdad before I left New York. Life just seems precarious there as people just try and live their lives. The violence covers all aspects of life - from shopping to staying in their house. I hope that the US decides that democracy will do better without the military presence and leave.

After more gazing out the window, I lean back and work on my dinner - Lasagna was the choice I made tonight, although I had the choice of probably five or six meals to choose from. The pasta plus a roll and some fruit made for a complete dinner. Tomorrow as we come out of Dubai we should get middle eastern food - always tasty.

Michigan wins over Michigan State. In this day of connectivity and internet, I was able to listen to the football game over the internet while being in Korea. If I had had a slingbox I could of watched the game. ESPN is a big network, but not big enough to make it onto Korean cable tv. Michigan seems to be on quite a streak this year - I think this win makes Michigan's record at 6-0, which is pretty respectable.

It is nice to feel connected to home by listening to the football game being played in Ann Arbor from around the world. I can imagine a beautiful fall afternoon in the "Big House" with friends or just working in the yard listening to the game on the radio. Fall is a great time in Ann Arbor. Warmish days and cool crisp nights. Trees are turning but it still is not cold enough for a winter jacket. Snow is still a month or two away but the holidays are approaching.

For some reason I'm getting really excited about Thanksgiving. I will be home for it - a minor feat in it self - but I always like the weather, the food and the enjoyable time with the family that happens at Thanksgiving. Last year we had family over for Thanksgiving which went very well. This year we are thinking of doing the same thing so that will be nice.

I'm waiting in Korea for our airplane to arrive from LAX. It has been delayed 12 hours for some unknown reason. I had it all planned - fly to Anchorage, go to Fridays and watch the last half of the Michigan game, go to sleep, wake up and fly to JFK, limo to La Guardia and airline home. I'd get home late, so I'd make a few extra bucks.

Now with the plane being late, all that is shot. I will still fly to Anchorage but just switch planes when I arrive and deadhead to Columbus, then go home from there. I am not sure if I will drive or airline as there aren't a lot of flights on a Sunday night out of Columbus that get me into Detroit. We'll see how it goes.

Until next time - enjoy your fall weekend!

Back to Anchorage... it's like that movie, Groundhog Day.

I'm doing the same trip again and again. It is a moneymaker, so at least I'm making some. But it is getting repetitive. I'm back in Anchorage having just come from Seoul and I'm headed back to Seoul tomorrow morning. I'm getting pretty familar with the route and what to expect. I even know what the controllers are going to say next.

I'm also exploring the city in Korea that we stay in: New Airport City. We found a gym, a walking trail and a walking/hiking path up a hill as well. We also found some places to eat and drink and we're figuring out the bus system to get into Seoul. So spending more time in Seoul (or more correctly, New Airport City) is actually getting to be nice.

I've been talking to CB this morning - each time I talk to her I get about ten minutes of conversation then someone else calls - I've got plenty of time so she goes and talks to them then calls me back. Still - the conversation lacks, continunity. It might just be that she's got a busy day today and that's it. Still - things sound well at home and we're planning a weekend away in Traverse City the week I get back. Traverse City is a beautiful place and with the changing leaves it should be really spectacular. We went last year and had a nice time. We'll probably go to the vineyards that are up there and buy some wine.

I'm looking forward to it.