Charley, Bermuda can have its hurricanes. We've been missed by three typhoons and enjoyed two tropical storms. We are always within 72 hours of having a typhoon come ashore. We don't get all the warning that youguys get for the Atalntic hurricanes. Typhoons form in the ocean just to the east of us.

Yesterday I went to a meeting of the Traditional Seafarer's Society. We met at Manny's house in Dededo where we sat under the carport and drank sodas and beer while we talked out some of the issues the club is facing. It appears I've been drafted as a member. Not only that I have been appointed chair of the Lines Committee. My task is to mobilize my committee to take the lines of the Mailea, an outrigger canoe that is slowly rotting in the sun down by one of the hotels. For those who don't know "taking the lines" is the method whereby you record the shape of a boat. And no, I don't know how to do it but I do have two articles from WoodenBoat magazine on doing it.

Anyway, after the meeting Frank brought out some box lunches so I had tapioca and barbecue pork for my lunch. That wasn't tapioca pudding either. The tapioca had the texture of potato and I would have mistaken it for a spud except that it was yellow and had a different flavor.

While we were eating I talked with Manny and explained that I wanted to learn some Chamorro chants, especially those used while working, getting the canoe into the water, and such activities. He is interested in the project and agreed to work with me. Now I have to find my tape recorder.

Today I finally got to do some construction for the first time in a long time. I had to build a mailbox post. It went together very nicely and is now waiting for the concrete to dry before I put it in place.

Good weekend!