Barry, you'll be happy to know that I should be able to keep up with you at the Getaway. I'll be hopelessly jetlagged and midnight will seem like early afternoon to me. As for island life, it is different. But it isn't too far from the way I like to live. I was never one to hurry unduly and that seems to be the norm here.

As for buying a boat, I'd love to. But there is no market here. The last two typhoons have pretty much decimated the local fleet. There are wrecked boats all over the island.

Today was a bear. I went out at 9:30 AM to arrange for the utilities for my house. I started at the personal property department where they told me my household goods are now on the island! They can be delivered next week! I am almost there.

I then headed for the Guam Power Authority to get the electricity hooked up. I have heard that this day would be difficult, that the lines would be long, that the employees would be difficult and that I would rue the day I started down this road.

But I arrived and found a sign up sheet. I hadn't even finished signing in when the next service agent called me in.

That was the last good thing that happened to me all day…

To get utilities on Guam you need a written authority from the owner or realtor. So the agent called up the last occupant who was listed on my authorization sheet. However that occupant was listed in the computer as being at 152B Bishop Flores Drive. My house is 152B Felixberto Drive. The agent calmly announced that my authorization sheet had the wrong address. Well, I knew better and I "discussed" it with him for a while but he was adamant. Apparently his computer had imposed its own reality o the world and he could not be dissuaded. He told me I had to go to the realtor and get the address changed.

I left there and went over to the Micronesia Mall for lunch. I don't think I mentioned the indoor amusement park at the MM. It has a kid's roller coast and a loop the loop ride using a bicycle type seat instead of a car type seat.

After lunch I headed down to the Guam Telephone Authority. I got there and there was no sign to tell me where to go or what to do. Finally a woman pointed out a gadget where I could take a numbered ticket. I waited for about an hour and then they finally called my number. Unfortunately they only whispered the number so I almost missed my chance. We filled out more paperwork and made all the right decisions. And then I had to pay the bill. That sent me to a nice long line where I stood working my way through to where I could give up $110 so they can install my telephone at some point in the next two months.

I then headed down to the house. I had to get the number off of the electrical meter. Now I know I've mentioned before how long it takes to get from place to place on Guam. It's at least 15 miles from the MM to my house. So what do you think, 20 minutes? 25 Minutes? Well, it's more than 30 minutes. The traffic and the slow speed limits make the difference.

But it was worth it. When I got to the house the first thing I saw was the single biggest wild spider I've ever seen in the center of a web that ran from the balcony to the flower boxes on the ground. She was amazing. Her abdomen was bright yellow, her thorax was grey, and her legs were orange. The only spiders I've seen that were bigger were pet tarantulas. I'm so sorry I didn't have my camera with me.

But I got the number from the meter and headed back to the power authority. By then I was running out of time. It was getting late. Fortunately it turned out they are open until 6:00 PM. I signed in and started waiting again. When I finally got to see an agent he did the same thing the previous one did. So I handed over the meter number. That did the trick. However, when he was done the computer confirmed they'd be installing power at 152B Bishop Flores Drive. I hope they can find it. And I hope they send the bills to the wrong address.

With that it was time to hook up the less important utility. I headed for the cable company. When I located it, after quite a search, I found the lobby was packed with people. There was a seething mass of humanity standing in line and watching a TV monitor. That was the final straw. I couldn't take any more. I abandoned my quest and headed for the barn.

Today started the Micronesia Fair down by the Chamorro village. I stopped there to buy a present for a friend. She has qualified as a midwife, passing all her exams and fulfilling her internship. So I got her the videotape and book on the patteras of Guam. They are the traditional midwives. I'm sure she'll love it. Anyway, while there I got a glimpse of the celebration. I'm really looking forward to getting back there. Also, the Traditional Seafarer Society is going to be cutting wood for canoe repairs on a ranch up in Dededo. Should be a fun weekend.