News From Guam

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 10:00 PM

Brett,

You're welcome to stay here as long as you like, semi-private quarters and shared bath.

~S~

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 10:23 PM

Thanks, I think I need to stay put for a little while longer. We haven't had a real chance to enjoy Guam yet and I want to try my hand at being an unpublished author (no expectation of success but I can dream). Wakana and I will keep talking about it until we nail down a plan. Her student visa is up at the end of the year and then she will have to go back to Japan to get a visitor's visa. After that, who knows? Maybe we will use our 'round-the-world trip to research new homes. One possibility is England. I have toyed with the idea of living on a narrowboat in the canal system there. If I use the rest of this year to reduce my possessions to the absolute minimum and put the rest into storage I might be able to try that.

And I could always go home to the farm and take care of my parents. That would relieve my sisters of some of their responsibility. However, I really don't want to go live in northern Maine and I am sure Wakana doesn't like that idea either.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 11:03 PM

Yes, I have a feeling you do need to stay put. Your latest update sounds like renewed energy and you generating positive forces around yourself. But if you decide to bail, hole up, hide out-- reconnoiter-- we're right where you left us.

~S~

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 11:10 PM

Hi Brett. What a lot of nasty messy stuff you both have been through! I don't envy you all that moving and cleaning at all. Yes, I think it is wise to stay where you are for a while and try to settle down.

I noticed you said that Wakana was concerned about racial prejudice in Australia and New Zealand. Now I can't speak for New Zealand, or even every part of Australia, but for what it's worth, I don't think it would be a problem around our neck of the woods. Well you've met some of us here. Apart from friendly mudcatters and folkies, Sydney in particular is very multicultural with a very high proportion of many different races. We'd love to have you both here if you ever decide to come. Come for a visit some time anyway, when you can afford to. There's still the National next Easter, if you can manage it. Love to both of you.

Jenny

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 12:10 AM

I'd like to try for the National next Easter. I will have to make that decision as it gets closer.

Jenny, you are right about Mudcats and folkies in general. However, when in Sydney last year I did run into a few people (non-folkie/Mudcats) who had nothing nice to say about aboriginals in general. I didn't hear anything about other races but my experience is that bigotry doesn't necessarily limit itself to one group. I am concerned that Wakana may have a point.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 01:53 AM

By the by, Susan, I never forget that my Mud-buddies are out there, ready with support and help as fits their abilities. And I appreciate all that comes my way. I certainly don't expect anyone to jump on a plane and come running with tools in hand. The kind words and prayers are enough to keep me grabbing at the next soot covered box and hefting it down the stairs and on to the truck.

Speaking of "tools in hand" Wakana and her mother have been astonished at what I appear to be capable of turning my hand to. I mounted the medicine cabinet and towel rods in the bathroom, repiped the kitchen sink drain and replaced the innards of the toilet, reglued one of the kitchen chairs, knew how to scrape and paint, replaced the locks in the exterior doors, and intend to replace light fixtures and electrical sockets myself. To me this is just what I, and many of the people I know, do. In Japan they make a point of calling in the experts for these jobs. Wakana seems to think she has a prize in me because of this. I tried to explain that this ability is common and that I screw things up quite often but that seems to have made no impression.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 08:26 AM

Well, she does have a prize in you, Brett!

For many good reasons.


A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 10:19 AM

Gosh Brett. Come visit me and you can show off your skills around a garbage disposal, rotted wooden windows, leaking roofs...the list is endless. I'd be impressed too.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 10:51 AM

Brett, Sydney has a small Japanese community & one of my colleagues & good mates has a Japanese wife, so I've asked him for their opinions & experiences.

We certainly do have an element of racial prejudice in Oz, but not in the circles I move in, so I look forward to his reply.

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,winterbright
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 05:05 PM

Check out British Columbia! It looks beautiful!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: bbc
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 06:28 PM

Nice & modest, too. Brett, you *are* a prize! I wish I had someone who could do stuff around the house.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 07:23 PM

Seen this yet Brett?
http://www.rollandgoseasongs.com/

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Sep 04 - 07:47 PM

That website was up and running before I left Maine, Mary, but I am surprised Charley hasn't excised me from the picture yet. Brian used to be in that picture and Charley took him out. He'd have been a favorite son in the old Soviet Union for his ability to make people disappear from photos.

There is some good news on the ID theft front. The credit onion (deliberately misspelled) has redeposited some of the money that was stolen. I now have a positive bank balance! Of course it's nowhere near what was there before. Take my advice, protect yourself even if the money is in a "safe" place, like a bank.

And now that the move is over I need to clean up the pick up and put it up for sale. I guess this weekend it goes on our "lemon lot". This is a place on the base where people can sell their cars. I will not be able to afford the payments once I retire and it has to go.

The Mitsuko River continues to flow strongly. Gordon and I talked about following it back to its source somewhere in the jungle behind the house. I guess I better sharpen my machete. Yesterday the mayor's office sent some loads of coral our to rebuild the side of the road where the water has washed it out. They built a speed bump dam to reroute the water to the other side of the road and then filled in the washed out area. Unfortunately they used cold patch asphalt for the dam. Cold patch compresses when you drive over it so now the water is flowing through the tire marks and is running in sheets down the middle of the road. And it is starting to wash out pot holes in the road itself. They really need to come in and place some concrete culverts to take the flow where it wants to go. You cannot stop Mother Nature. You can only make it easier for her to follow her chosen path.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Sep 04 - 07:59 PM

By the way, for those of you who have my address and phone number you should know my address has changed but the phone number is the same. Kat, the phones are working again if you still want to call. Remember to speak slowly and clearly if Wakana answers.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 07:42 PM

I have finally found my way to a computer and I can post again. The time in between has been filled with hard work and hot days and nights. I called the landlord this weekend and told him we surrendered. We would pay for replacing the air conditioner if he would let us use the rent for that. He agreed. By this weekend we may have A/C! Plus Wakana bought a sofa which will be delivered on Thursday. No more hard kitchen chairs and lying on the tile floors to watch TV.

This weekend was our first weekend where we did not have to work in the old house. I managed to stay relatively soot free this weekend. Friday night we went to KMart where we found cheap bookcases (laminate on pressboard) and we bought the lot, two double wide Cherry bookcases, one single wide Oak bookcase, and one white singlewide bookcase. We used the money Wakana's mother gave us. The logic is that we have boxes of books sitting under cover outdoors soaking up the humidity and attracting wasps looking to build nests. We have to get them out of those sooty boxes, clean them, and then... why not into bookcases where they can be accessed? I hope we have enough bookcases.

I constructed a time line of the various criminal activites that hit me lately. It was very interesting. The first activity on my credit cards happened when I was in Palau! As I see it the thief was in my house at least twice if not three times. The last time he set the fire. By my estimate he has made off with almost $10,000 in goods and cash from various merchants, my credit card companies, and me.

If a man ran down through the streets of Tumon with a gun robbing pedestrians and shops ,etting $10,000 the police would be all over him and the newspapers would be shouting the story to the rooftops. But the cops aren't interested in my little problem. The special agent who is supposedly working on the case just tells me to submit my additional evidence to the original interviewing officer. He will not stir from his desk to do any legwork. I think a TV show about the Guam police would include lots of arguing over donuts and plenty of coffee and little else. I am getting frustrated and disgusted with the whole process.

It isn't as though I have nothing to go on. I have dates and times that the criminal used an ATM. There are cameras on those machines. All the cop has to do is go to the bank and get the tapes. I also have dates and times for use of the card at KMart. KMart has the best security system on the island. It would be so easy to find the guy. I also have bank transfers and checks written to a specific person. How tough is it to find that guy and question him? Grrrr!

As a result of this whole problem Wakana and I are talking of moving to another place, a safer place. I think she would be happier in Japan but I am not sure I would be. We have considered the Pacific Northwest of the USA and the smaller islands in the Hawaiian chain. It will not happen soon but it will happen I think. More to come on that.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 07:50 PM

Brett,
Have you requested recent credit reports? Just in case your thief has gotten a bit creative with your ID. Isn't the credit card company interested in nabbing the guy? How about the bank that has to make good on the bad checks? How about a local newspaper?

Leave when you can. You will both feel better on friendlier turf. i didn't have that much grief in NYC!

SINS

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: curmudgeon
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 08:47 PM

Brett -- So sorry about your losses. But, listen to Sinsull re: newspapers.

I don't know about Guam, but every paper I've written for would have been delighted to run your story. Simply compose a "press release" and send it to all the papers; then get ready to answer questions -- Tom

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 09:28 PM

I am currently waiting for a credit report. Apparently it is a free process when you are the victim of ID Theft.

Thanks, Tom, for the idea on how to contact the papers. I've been thinking along those lines but didn't know how to do it. I cannot imagine calling the newspaper offices and explaining my story to the first fifteen people I have to talk to. Unfortunately the local paper may not be a good choice. There is quite a "good ol' boy" network here. Everything is tied up in families, government, corporations, and the newspaper. It all depends on how the newspaper family is getting along with the government family.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 10:45 PM

Brett-

For your amusement try accessing the MP3 files of the new C. Fox Smith poems I've set to music on my personal website. I particularly recommend "Port o' Dreams." Then Masefield's "Hell's Pavement" not so bad either.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 11:15 PM

Okay, Brett, thansk for the phone info. I've a few days off from watching my grandson, etc., so will try to call in the next couple of days.

Re' the newspapers. Since it is a territory(?) of the US, maybe some major/mainstream USA papers would be interested...maybe that kind of "press" would shame them into doing something about catching the idiot. Are there others who have suffered the same? Would they be willing to talk about it, too?

Good luck with the books and bookcases...seems to funny to think of a KMart over there.:-) A move sounds like a good idea, too.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 07:12 PM

This KMart is advertised as the biggest in the world. Hwever, I think they exagerate. It isn't all that big.

I have been taking a lot of leave lately, stretching the definition of sick leave so I can use it up before my retirement. However, the last three work days were truly sick leave. I'd been feeling bad in the evenings and Wakana finaly persuaded me to go to the doctor's office. They only confirmed my own self diagnosis, pneumonia, again! It was a very mild touch, we caught it before it got too bad. So I was out of the office for three days and Wakana wouldn't let me do any work.

I have ten days until I retire and I have to admit I am not enjoying the anticipation. It's pretty scary.

Not much progress on the robbery, ID Theft, arson front except that the fire department ruled the fire "accidental". I don't know how that will play out in the long run. I have an idea that I may be facing a civil suit from the owner with him expecting me to pay for repairs. I'm afraid he can squeeze this stone all he wants but he ain't gonna get any blood.

On the good news front we now have a sofa. It's amazing how civilized it feels to sit on a sofa and watch TV or read a book. We managed to find one long enough for me to lay on for naps. I like that. Wakana paid for it but came up $5.00 short so I made up the difference. Now I claim it belongs to US and she challenges me to pick out the .005% that is mine. She says she'll sell it to me if she decides to go back to Japan (a recurring joke between us, we both claim we are "going back Japan!") and I tell her not to bother, I'll help her get it to the airport... We have a lot of fun with that.

As for further good news we are to get air conditioning tomorrow! Now that will be the heighth of luxury, movement without breaking a sweat! Sleeping without a fan blowing on you. Doors and windows closed against the cry of the roosters and the continual barking of the dogs. Dry walls, towels, and surfaces. Sigh, what a great daydream. I will dare tune up the guitars and when I play them I won't stick to them.

Wakana saw me playing around with my pennywhistle and got interested. She dug out another of my D whistles and I showed her the fingering. She has been playing around with it trying tunes she knows. I also found my pennywhistle instruction book and pointed it out to her. When she first picked up the whistle she looked for the thumbhole such as you would find on the recorder or maybe on some flutes. I need to ask her about that. Maybe she can play a Japanese flute and I just don't know it.

Back to work.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 07:35 PM

Brett-

Check my website for "Port o' Dreams" if you dare:Click here!

There's a few other newly arranged songs on my website that you might also find interesting if you've got something that plays MP3 files.

We had a nice session at the Press Room yesterday if you'd like to check that thread. Tom looks and sounds real good.

Hang in there!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 06:56 PM

I finally have some positive news. As of yesterday we have air conditioning in our house. The guitars positively sighed with relief. I know I did.

Wakana and I are both healing and the work of bringing the books into the house continues. Yesterday I found some old treasures that I'd forgotten I had. Plus I found a box of things belonging to my younger daughter including a wrinkled dress and a bunch of Christmas ornaments. AND her diary! Muahaha! She better hurry home! (Of course, I would never read your diary, dear!)

It poured rain night before yesterday and I worried about the pile of stuff out under the eaves. However, there wasn't much damage. I did finally take a close look at my guitar cases, the two I could reach. They had been in the fire room. They are toast, warped and the skin is bubbled. The combination of heat and moisture has rusted all the metal fittings. I guess I'm in for replacement of those babies before I can travel with the guitars.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 07:20 PM

Well, another shoe dropped yesterday. It must be one of Charlie's squids. I got a bill from a credit card I used to use back in Maine. I haven't used it here in Guam at all and had it carefully squirreled away. Now it is maxed out with purchases all over Guam. Sigh.

This has reawakened Wakana's fears and insecurities. It just makes me tired. Last night I had to call yet another fraud department and I will soon have to fill out yet another set of papers. This fraud department is in Wisconsin so I have to stay up till 11:00 PM to talk to them. No bed until midnight. Double sigh.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 09:29 AM

Maybe this cloud has a silver lining??

Surely now your local police or whoever will start looking at camera records in stores? Get those Wisconsin folks harassing the Guam folks.

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 07:36 PM

Yesterday the newspaper ran a story about my problems. It took up most of page 2 complete with graphs showing the effect of ID theft on the economy and on people. It didn't say anything about the police not working on it. Actually it implied the police were actually doing something. I guess the newspaper isn't going to shake anything loose.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 08:17 PM

Brett,
Maybe this is the angle for your book. Anyone can write about life in Paradise. You have the inside story on when Paradise turns into Hell. Theft Identity is hot right now. Get busy writing. Or maybe you can devote one chapter to it. Any news on the Credit Report front?
Mary

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 08:24 PM

Actually I was worried about finding an emotional high point for the book. After all anyone can write about paradise but you need something to hook the reader and make them worry too. The reason good news doesn't dominate the TV news reports is that good news isn't news. So now I need to craft the story to lead the reader into a sense of crime on the island getting closer and threatening me. The crescendo of the story and the next to the last chapter will have to be the ID theft and fire. The last chapter will be our recovery and whatever happens next.

I received two credit reports. No new accounts that I can see. I think we have this nipped now though I thought that before and more bad news rolled in. One of the items on the last credit card bill was a purchased credit report though I don'tknow who the report was for, me or the thief or one of his friends. I am worried about that.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 09:04 PM

And the ports that look the finest, turn out somehow worst of all,
For I lost my chum in Rio, in a Dago dancing hall,
And I lost my bloomin' heart once to a wench in Callio,
And I lost my youth in 'Frisco, so many years ago.

From Port of Dreams by C. Fox Smith

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, still in Baltimore

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:36 PM

Well, today is my last Monday. From here on out I will never again suffer through the end of the weekend. After Thursday every day will be Saturday.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:38 PM

By the way, two interesting items arrived in my mailbox today, or at least I first saw them today. The first is from a friend. The other is from the web site A Word A Day.

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body,but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy shit...what a ride!"

schlimazel (SHLI-mah-zuhl) or shlimazel        noun        Someone prone to having extremely bad luck.        From Yiddish, from shlim (bad, wrong) + mazl (luck). A related term is Hebrew mazel tov (congratulations or best wishes)

You can refer to me as the schlimazel.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 08:13 PM

By law you have a right to know who has requested your credit report. Contact the agency that billed you for a name and address. Don't wait. In the wrong hands that information could be the beginning of a new set of thefts.
SINS

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 08:17 PM

Early retirement from the day job last year was the best thing I ever did - I just do the music now mate , So All The Best of Luck and I hope it all goes smoothly for you from now on .

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 10:21 AM

I'm aware I have less than 3 years till retirement - fancy only having 4 days to go!! No doubt one day I'll start counting the days.

sandra

Actually it's 2 yrs & 5 months

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 10:30 AM

Brett-

Yep, Monday is just another day!

Happy trails!
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:01 PM

Last Tuesday!

Yesterday I got an email reminding me of a meeting scheduled for Friday. I wrote back explaining that I don't work on Saturdays and they'll all be Saturdays startng on Friday. The kid who sent me the message is only getting started in his career and he doesn't seem to appreciate the joke...

Coming to work this morning I was stopped at the gate. It seems my pass had expired and I had to get a new one! Talk about adding injury to insult. I had to go to the Pass & ID office and get a temorary pass to get me through the next few days.

I was up late last night working on ID Theft materials. Yesterday a work friend mentioned that she'd told her husband about my problem. Her husband works for the police department (not the same one) and he mentioned it to Senator Quinata. The Senator wants to meet with me. I guess things might start moving now. However we are 43 days out from the crime and I think the trail might be pretty cold by now. Stay tuned for details.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:08 PM

Go, Brett, go! Full speed ahead!

~S~

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:33 PM

Brett,
Your retirement got me rummaging through my papers. I was pleased to find that I am vested in two retirement plans totalling ...TAHDAHHHH!...$425/month. That plus Social Security and I will be making more then I have made in years. But I am 8 years and one month away from it. SIGH!
I need a Sugar Daddy.
Enjoy!
Mary

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 09:06 PM

Sins, I've heard that from a number of women. Apparently sugar daddies are hard to come by. Of course, if you judge by your competition (young, blonde, given to skimpy clothing and vacuous looks) then you may just want to keep on working for a living. At least you can look your cats in the eye and tell them you are there for them.

Well, I have an appointment with Senator Quinata on Friday. This should be interesting.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 11:07 PM

I just took another package of material to the police. The Special Agent had told me to deliver it to the original interviewing officer so I took it to GPD. They wanted me to take it directly to the special agent. I thought I was really going to have to express my frustration but they finally decided to receive the package. Sigh, any more interest on the part of the police and I may just have to hire my own detective to handle the case for them. Bums!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: freda underhill
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 11:17 PM

Brett, i am so envious of your imminent retirement date. please enjoy your freedom heaps! lots of us would like to be where you are!

best wishes

freda

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 11:31 AM

Brett-

Don't forget to inquire about the ATM videotapes; hopefully they haven't been erased. However, the perp may have taken the trouble to wear a GWB mask, a frightening thought...

Happy last Tuesday at work, or is it already last Wednesday?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 03:40 PM

Don't let retirement fool you, Naes...there's loads and loads to do around the house, to see and do together...you'll have a blast..congratulations!

Good to hear there is finally some interest in helping you with the thefts and arson, too. It's about time!

Sorry, I haven't called. Each time I've thought to do so, it's been the wee hours of the morning in Guam.:-) I'll make m'self a note.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 06:35 PM

Last Wednesday!

But not a happy one. Last night another shoe dropped. The owner of the old house called to ask me to pay for the damages. I refused so he is now suing me. I can expect to be served soon.

Sigh. I keep thinking about Typhoon Chaba and putting up the typhoon shutters in the wind and rain and yelling challenges into the storm. What a foolish think to do. At the time all I knew was that the house had been burglarized and burned followed by a typhoon. I thought I was in as deep as I could go.

This is tearing up any happiness I could find in retiring.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 10:07 PM

You know, Brett, it's probably your old Landlord's son who's been ripping you off and torched the place.

Hope you didn't tell him where you moved to.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 04:07 AM

996

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 04:07 AM

997

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 04:08 AM

998

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 04:09 AM

1000! I thank you!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 04:09 AM

Had you fooled there eh? This is the 1000th.