So, after a wholly unsatisfying assignment petered out in Denver, fate finds me here in Manhattan. I begrudgingly accepted an assignment here because, well, frankly there wasn't anything else that really compared to the offer I was made. Unfortunately, this will mean once again spending an extended period away from my wife and daughter (oh yeah, and the dog). I had just got them moved to the Denver area, when things started flopping (note my absence from the forum these past couple months, the gestapo came down on me at work). But I rant senselessly...

With all the restrictions on methods of protection and security here, it appears I will be a rogue of sorts. I don't plan on deliberate criminal activity mind you, but it seems the sensible thing to do to, um, be prepared??? Now where have I heard that before...

I still have my usual ETS items, sans my big blades, my arsenal as it were, and a few other choice goods. Anyone wanna take a shot at giving me a little urban refresher on commuter equipment and supplies, what to have at hand in an apartment in an urban environment such as this?

For now, I am just waiting for my new employer to ship my goodies to me. I had just got my cast iron cookware shortly before I left Denver, so now I am waiting for it to show up here. Doing dutch oven cooking on my porch ought to catch the eyes of the locals (heh heh). Images of Granny from the Beverly Hillbillies comes to mind. You won't find chicken beaks and pigs feet in any of my pots, though.

Coming from 6,400 feet elevation back down to sea level to live actually feels relaxing. I find it easier to fall to sleep at night here, despite the noise and the anxiety.

One thing's for sure, this is still better than Baghdad.