No CHUsing Roommates

I'm sure most of you are wondering what the living conditions are like over here.  They are actually surprisingly good, although you might expect that after being here eight years.  We've certainly sunk enough money into this country to at least have decent lodging!  The vast majority of people live in a CHU (Containerized Housing Unit), which is a 25 foot long, 10 foot wide, 8 foot tall box with one door, one air conditioner, and one ceiling light, two beds, and at least two wall lockers for storing stuff in.  Most people use their lockers as the dividing line between their spaces, and over the years they have accumulated TVs, fridges, desks, lamps, etc.  Some of the Army soldiers here on one year tours really spruce up their areas, adding flat screen TVs, carpets, and even barbeque grills outside (you can buy all this stuff at the Base Exchange, even meat for the grill).  My roommate is Chris, an Army Captain who volunteered to come back on active duty after he separated a year or two ago.  He's an Engineer officer as well, although that means something different over here.  When he was here last, two or three years ago, his job was to do route clearance.  Pretty much the most dangerous job in Iraq.  These guys drive in armored vehicles ahead of convoys looking out for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and even trying to get themselves blown up so that their buddies behind don't have to.  He's been blown up six times, and I think he actually enjoyed it.  He likes to fly hang gliders, climb mountains, and ride motorcycles, so his lifestyle is pretty extreme.  I tried explaining that I think it's perfectly fine to climb down a mountain after taking the trouble to climb up, but he would prefer to jump off and fly down.
Although he's a really nice guy, we don't see a lot of each other because he works nights.  Since I'm at work all day we don't even overlap except for briefly in the morning sometimes when he's coming home from work and I'm leaving.  I love it, because I'm a light sleeper and in the past I've had roommates who made it a nightmare to get to bed and stay asleep.  I don't envy him working nights, but I think it works out for both of us.  Here's my bed.  A huge upgrade over the one in Qatar, wouldn't you agree?

And this is where I sit to compose these missives:

Eventually I will have to move out as we continue our efforts to close down our bases.  Hopefully I will be promoted before then so I can possibly have a room to myself.  One of the perks of rank is that you sometimes get to live alone.  Well see what happens...until next time.