I'm going to have to learn to play Dead Dog Cider for sure.

I was thinking about that "level of contact" the other day. I've been so absorbed in my job since about the middle of August that I have been able to do very little beyond going to and from work. I even had to leave work early yesterday so I could get some groceries into the house.

But as I drove home one evening I reflected on those on the base who do nothing else but stay at the base and surround themselves with other military. They never see the real Guam. They don't meet people like Nando, Anita, June, Norma, Ellie, Manny, Frank, Maria, Vince, Jerome, and the other Chamorros I meet. They enjoy themselves, don't get me wrong, but they don't really get a sense of what it means to be on Guam. It's just another temporary place for them.

Then there are the people (ha'olies (sp?)) who live here and don't mix in with the community. One guy I know has been here 8 years and I don't believe he has any Chamorro friends at all. I could be wrong, I don't know him all that well, but it would be a sad commentary if it were true.