So, the Park City trip was fun, the conference was informative, the Utah skiing was incredible (especially with Maya on the last day), and the Sundance film festival was a unique experience which will remain with me for a long time.

Back in Georgia now, and I have received some not-so-great news about my deployment. (Before I get too far into this, let me state that Army regs do not allow me to state specific locations on this site, so if I sound vague below, it is intentional.)

I was originally slated to deploy to a nice base which has fairly good standard of living (hereafter, “Base #1″). I am filling the second half of a particular deployment position (a “tasking”), and the doctor who is serving the first half has kept in touch with me throughout his deployment, and has enjoyed Base #1 quite a bit, and has felt safe, reasonably comfortable, and (possibly most importantly), has had good internet access. I cite internet access as important above all else, without the least amount of facetiousness. It seems to me that internet access, and all that it affords (connection with family via e-mail, webcam, websites/blogs, etc; entertainment; education) is the great material quality-of-life improvement that has taken place since the last U.S. war (Desert Storm, a.k.a. Gulf War I).

Just before I left for Park City, I got word that due to vagaries of rank, I may end up with the company in a higher-ranking position, but on a base (”#2″) which is not nearly as desirable. Specifically, there is more action, more dust, and less internet access at Base #2.

Regardless, I have no right to complain, as this will be my first tour in Iraq (as opposed to most of my non-medical military friends, who have already gone more than once). Also, my accommodations are almost certainly going to be better than the great majority of soldiers who have or will serve in this war.

But still, I sure hope I end up at Base #1.