I can't stop sneezing! I've been sneezing every 5-10 minutes for the past 4 hours. It's fucking annoying! It started after I finished my two mile run for the PT (physical training) test, and hasn't stopped. I took two Alegras, two Dayquils, and two Tylenol alergies, but none of them worked. I need some Benadryl bad, but they dont sell that here. Hopefully this stops soon- I have mission later, and won't be able to take any meds cause they'll make me drowsy.

On a good note I passed my PT test with a 290 out of 300. i got a hundred on everything but the run (needed to run 2 miles in 13:00, but i came in at 13:40). Today was the first time i've run since i've been here, so a 13:40 isn't too bad.

39/40- I'm surgical with my rifle. We went to the range this morning, and despite having to sit in the heat for two hours (it was 95 degrees by 8 am), it was great. I've been on force protection for the past week, and prior to that I was down in the IZ (international zone), so being able to take out some aggression on paper targets felt good. If you've never been to a shooting range before you should go. Most only require you pay a flat fee to use their guns (maybe 10 bux at most), and you buy how ever much ammo you want to use (look to pay about 20 bux total).

It looks like I will be here through the elections- again (I was here during the last elections too). After that I should be packing up and moving south to a new FOB or camp. This month seemed to move slower than the others. Maybe because we haven't had as many incidents, or maybe because I was on force pro all month, either way its another one down. 

number 16 isn't always a good thing: http://www.tomdunn.com/karma.html

we're number one! my FOB was deemed the safest FOB in Iraq. now why am i still walking around in IBA and kevlar when places that get attacked everyday get to wear softcaps?

things have been more of the same around here, and actually i dont really have anything to write about. its hot as hell, but you knew that- 125 in the shade. shits still blowing up, and people are still getting killed. we had two memorial services last week. i didnt go to them because i didnt know the soliders that died and because i had force protection. speaking of force protection, the air force should be taken off the gate immediately! they are in charge of check-point 7 which is the outermost cp and is right next to a major road. well the other day a big-rig type truck was coming through gate when suddenly another car drives up and starts to shoot up the truck. these idiots just stood there and watched without firing a single shot- they had two .50 cal's at that gate too (for those that dont know what a .50 cal is, its a very big machine gun), but to my disbelief it gets worse. cp 7 got in major shit for the incident i described above, so they promised to be more vigilant from now on and like any good war the insurgents gave them a chance to redeem themselves. a car was slowly approached the gate, they waved it off but it kept lurching forward. they continued to wave it off, but i kept coming. it was about 150 yards out so they decided they better fire a warning shot. good i idea right? normally yes, but in this case no- they fired the warning shot into someone else's leg! idiots! they family in the car realized that this wasnt the entrance to Ahkmed's goat, crab juice, and camels and quickly busted a U-turn.