notice of my vacancy

[solypsist]

Might as well post this now. Like Tom Sawyer, I have an unexplainable need to witness my own funeral, so here goes:

In three days I board a flight to Iraq. I will be there minimum 14 days. I asked for a photo assigment there last year and the clearances came through two months ago (I had been procrastinating) but now is as good a time as any. I have purchased body armor, been medically approved, and have confirmed the paperwork. My stuff in my apartment is boxed up and stacked in the center of the room for easy disposal just in case. My part of Backroom moderating will be covered by other staff until my expected return.

I'm going because I'm curious and want to see things for myself. Two weeks is hardly enough time to be thorough, but I'm hedging my bets and going with the shortest allowed deployment for me. I have issues with this war, and what better way to put my money where my mouth is than going there.

Keep in mind I'm not a journalist; I'm a fashion photographer. How I managed to snag this gig when my portfolio consisted mostly of studio shots of Japanese girls in avant-garde clothing (see below for example) is unknown to me.

Huzzah!
Jason