Have fun (and luck) in Iraq.
My mousecursor seems to have a little talisman of its own on this site. Weird.

I know (see the pictures of Naples).
You can count my ‘Good Luck’ in.

Return savely.

Be careful and good luck. Return safely.

;-)

please be very careful, whatever our differences I don't have to tell you that you must know I care. in fact so much that I'm tempted to ask you not to go. at least stay indoors after dark, could we agree on that one?

Arnon, please be careful!

@ All

Don't be so melodramatic. The man has gone to Iraq before, hasn't he?

When will you enter the dessert? I

n your NRC collumn you wrote about that You want to be the disaster. Is Irak a good place to experiment? Maybe you schould wait a little longer, because this is the week of disasters. Or are you over this whish ?

Good luck in Irak. I'm curiuos of your experiences during this journey will find it's way into a new novel....

If Arnon's mother would ever die, he knows his readers are ready to take over her role.
They even do this before her death.

I once asked (on this website) what he has learned from interacting with his readers. I believe the answer that I suggested involved the word dissapointment. Now that his readers are taking upon them the role of his mother, I wonder what kind of emotions that provokes.

I don't have the wish or talent to take on me the role of his mother. Someone near to him advised me to look at him as my beloved and younger brother. Well that is a relationship I find very pleasing.

Pjotr, being in direct contact with a famous writer and giving ourselves the liberty to dote over him makes us feel like we're special. Please, just grant us that ;) Apart from that, no doubt the concept of this blog will find a way into one of Arnon's stories. Does he ever do anything without a (writing) reason?

@ Noa
Damn, I hadn't thought about that yet; i guess it's too late now to take some comments back :o)

Arnon

Do you believe that good-luck charms go beyond heartwarming symbolism? Or is that the reason why you have more talismans in your laptop bag... superstition can make it difficult to leave a talisman behind.

@Pablo, just say Pablo is not your real name ;)

Pjötr

If you'd start a blog and you were going to Iraq I'm sure a few people would wish you a safe journey, don't worry.

Denns
What do you say to people who lost their beloved ones in Iraq. Just don't say anything its too melodramatic. IThis won't be an ordinary touristic trip I suggest. It's normal to wish somebody a safe journey. I normally wish it to my neighbour, friends and collegues. You ever heard the word empathy?

To have not just one, but two women who love you so much.
Lucky you.

@Dens, melodrama leads to bestsellers.

I'm sure that Mr. Arnon's trip will be slightly different than that of privates.

Nevertheless Arnon, you will become an honourable member of the Sons Of The Desert (me, I am only a Son of the dessert)

Dens

FYI this is my first trip to Iraq. (I have been twice to Afghanistan.)

@Arnon, my uncle -an American diplomat-was posted in Kuwait during Gulf War I and after the invasion he was lifted out of his bed and held hostage in Baghdad. I don't know, you see pethaps why I just really hate to see you go there. Somehow, everything is connected.

apologies for my mistake.