You may remember, almost a year ago, I said something to a few people about a friend of mine who was Army Reserve and had been shipped to Oklahoma to prep for Iraq. Well, it turns out that he's been over there since January and no one told me.

Okay, we're not really close or anything. But you'd think his brother, or his sister, both of whom I'm fairly close to, would have e-mailed me.

suzieboz - it's Noel. Remember Noel - Maura's brother - who I kinda almost sorta dated but not really? Yeah. He's in goddamned Iraq.

I was hoping the Powers That Be would have sorted out this mess over there before he actually got shipped over.

The fucked up thing is, I know in my heart that he's having the time of his life. This is what he's wanted since we were in high school. I almost feel bad for feeling so bad about this!!

Whatever gods you hold dear, please say a quick word for the safety and sanity of my friend Noel.