My next story is NOT about omelettes and my eating habits. I’m waiting for an opportunity to get a picture of an omelette here, but yesterday I had my meals in locations where cameras aren’t allowed, so I’ll make a special trip to the dining facility where cameras ARE allowed in the next couple days. Hopefully I’ll have that story available soon.
On Tuesday morning I came off shift and met some folks with whom I work the night shift for some beverages at the social tent near the facility where I work. We are given a “ration card”, which we keep with our ID card and places that serve alcohol use the card to track how many beverages we’ve consumed in a day. We’re allowed to purchase/consume 3 beverages per day here.
Tuesday morning was the first time I’d broken out my ration card after having been in country for 12 days. A British officer made me up a yummy gin and tonic.
A very potent gin and tonic.
After that drink and a couple Savanna Dry Ciders, I made my way back to my dorm. First I stopped and had some breakfast, then wandered* back to my room.
*Feel free to gather from this story that I wasn’t quite sober at this point.

From 2009 01 10 Southwest Asia

What you see pictured is an example of two dorm trailers, similar to the one I’m staying in. I don’t live in either of the ones pictured here, but you need to imagine over 100 of these buildings all over the living area. Lined up in sets of 12. Not decorated, brown from the dust, only identified by the placard on the front, reading “Building 12345, Billeting”.
I walk into my building, go to Room 5, insert the key, and can’t unlock the door to get into my room. I really fiddle with the key! After about 15 seconds of this, I look at the name placard** on the door.
Oops…
Not my room — not my building! Thankfully, the owner of the room was on day shift and wasn’t there.
I eventually found my room, and immediately went to sleep. I’ll be avoiding British-made gin and tonics from here on out, I think.
**We’re required to put a tag on our door with our rank, name, office, phone number, and what time you’re on duty. This is how I know the person in Room 5 of the building next door was on day shift.
Coming soon: Combat Omelettes and my windblown adventure ride across base in the back of a Toyota Tacoma!