Friday, November 17, 2006

Grateful Friday

Last week I was struggling to find the courage to get out of bed, and Friday went by without any moments of thankfulness. This week, after missions to interview victims of recent tribal conflict and another up into the remote and deprived province of Ghor I feel quite the opposite, full of reasons to be thankful. Here are my top six: 1. My blues have passed and I'm again motivated, energised and ready to do this work. 2. My lovely man got back from his week in Kabul and we have this lovely, lazy Friday together before I take off to Kabul on Sunday. 3. The sun is shining again, but the past two days of electrical storms were pretty fantastic as well. 4. My family and friends are safe, with warm homes and enough food and clothes to keep them healthy. 5. I was born in a country, and family, in which I grew up with the chance to think, learn, question, participate and contribute at every level of family and public life. 6. I ran 13 kms on the treadmill this morning, starting well on my plan to get ready to run a half marathon next February. Enjoy your weekends and I hope they are filled with moments to be thankful for. x

1 comment:

Hafez of Arabia said...

For next friday:....

This Friday
24th November
7pm
Gandamack Lodge, Kabul www.gandamacklodge. co.uk

www.kabulguide. net \ www.afghanistan- fpa.net \ www.frontlineclub. com

AFGHANISTAN REVEALED
Richard Mackenzie produced and wrote the critically acclaimed film, “Afghanistan Revealed,” immediately after 9/11/2001. At a time when many — even in the news business — could not find Kabul on the map, Mackenzie put years of experience here into this compelling film that the The New York Times called "visceral" and "astonishing. " Mackenzie has been recognized with CINE Golden Eagles, National Headliner Awards and others, but “Afghanistan Revealed” may be his most honored work, winning an Emmy and other awards. The film tells the story not only of Afghanistan but also of Ahmed Shah Massoud who had fought the Soviets and then the Taliban and may have know them better than anyone outside their inner circle.

INSIDE SPECIAL FORCES
We also will have Mackenzie’s National Geographic documentary, “Inside Special Forces.” Mackenzie and his crew entered Iraq with the U.S. SF 5th Group's ODA 574, among the first troops to enter Baghdad. ODA 574 is an A Team with a heroic and tragic background. The fact that it still exists as an operational detachment is testament to the men who have endured and survived. This is the same team that was decimated — half the 12-man unit killed or maimed — when they were struck by a “friendly fire” while bringing Hamid Karzai into Afghanistan at the beginning of the latest war here. Using ODA 574 as the vehicle, the film also traces the evolution and history of Special Forces operations.

Mackenzie will be available to answer any questions.

NOTE: “Afghanistan Revealed” is 45 minutes. So too is “Inside Special Forces.” Total: 90 minutes.

Web Site: http://www.MackenzieProducti ons.com — Now With Streaming Video

More information on my blog