Day 16

8/17/90 Friday, 0950 hrs. Finally got a call from the American Embassy. Roy Johnson is now our warden. He said the warden system had completely fallen on its butt. I told him the Brits were doing okay and being contacted daily. Score one for England. (Found out later, that his wife is a Brit warden and a friend of Sarah's) No one is recommending that we move to the hotels, as requested by the Iraqis “to facilitate our safety.” Bull! They only want to make it easier to round everyone up. We are staying put.

I was listening to Voice Of America on the radio this morning. General Horner is commanding the US forces in Saudi. He's a pilot and Vietnam Vet. Says he and the senior officers do not like war, but the attitude of the younger people is different. He said they felt like they were on a football team, but not being used in the game. I guess they're primed for a fight. I'm almost ready to join the local resistance. I feel so helpless. I can't speak the language, don't have any weapons, and can't get word to you. The warden (reminds me of your mother's nickname. I'm actually smiling.) said that there would be a meeting at 0800 tomorrow, to collect the latest list of names. He said there would be an 800 number in the States, for those inquiries about our status. I know that you knowing I'm still alive isn't going to ease your troubled heart a whole heck of a lot. I'm sorry you have to be subjected to this. Someone had better damn well compensate you (hopefully us) for going through this trauma. It’s hard not to be angry about being here. I think anger is a better emotion for this situation than depression, so I will be angry.

I was doing well at the SAS, physically speaking, but I noticed yesterday that my gut is poking out. So, I did 40 sit-ups this morning. I also went up on the roof and did 25 push-ups, some jumping jacks and some running. Maybe I should do that at night. No, scratch that. Don't want a stray bullet to find me up there.

[more poetic thoughts]
Living in fear
someone get me out of here.
Don't want to die
without knowing why.

Oh yea, I almost got a chuckle from the VOA journalist who said something about an "Iraq gas attack." Of course, joking aside, that is a real fear for us all. The only hope for us, would be that the use of such evil weapons would be on the war fronts. I will pray to God, that He bring up the greatest sand storm, to counteract and dissipate the chemicals before the innocent bystanders are struck down. But none of us are totally innocent, are we? Boy I miss you. I had a dream last night. I think it was about Jenny. In my dream I had to spank her or something. Probably from feeling that Carrera should get smacked once in awhile. I think Wanda and Adrian are wearing down though. She actually gave her a little smack yesterday. First one I saw since I've been here. It was long, long overdue.

1600 hrs. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Three big explosions. Even shook the house. Sounded real close. Up on the roof, something was smoking to the northwest. But we think the firing occurred from the gulf area. Just another day of captivity.