A Goldie Hawn Moment

So, I'm on my way... I got approval today, and am about to ship off to sunny Irbil. Actually, I've heard that it's beautiful.

My mother doesn't believe me.

Meanwhile, the forces of bureaucracy managed to converge on me, and in one week I spent 2 hours at the passport office, 3 hours at the doctor's office, and a day at jury duty. Stellar. But now I'm legal, immunized, x-rayed (and yes, I don't have TB, to no one's great surprise), and have performed my civic duty for the next two years.

And now, I am headed to a place where (regarding protective gear sizes, at least) "small" refers to anyone under 170 pounds and shorter than six feet tall. Gulp.

More to come soon...