News From Guam

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 09:35 PM

That's OK Amos, this is a continuing comic debate between the two of us. She knows she can drink if she wants to. The only restriction I place on that activity is that she is not to drink and drive or ride with anyone who's been drinking. It seems to work as a strategy. She isn't getting away with anything so she doesn't find it as thrilling as if she were sneaking the booze.

Oh, and I've threatened to wake her early after her drunken night and speak in a loud voice and clatter lots of pots and pans while she deals with her hangover...

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 12:43 PM

Thank you, Brett!! Wonderful and you are amazing!!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 11:39 AM

Tenjiro,

Not my place, but believe me, you aren't missing anything. Stick to spring water as long as you can hold out; don't let the barbarians take over without a fight!

A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Tenjiro
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 11:26 AM

hey! *pout* but we could go to bars together and I could have a REAL pina colada!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 03:30 AM

Yep! For everyone but you!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Tenjiro
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 12:03 AM

Drinking age is 18, dad? WOOO!!! hehehe

~Amy~

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 08:05 PM

Thank God it's October! No more 12 hour days. No more lying in bed worrying about the workload. No more arguments with the contractor... well, we still have to fight with him but at least the deadline pressure is gone.

Yesterday, October 1, I came into work late and left early! I went over to Gab Gab Beach to do some snorkeling but the surf was up and the water was murky so I just went swimming instead. I wore my dive mask anyway and swam in the confines of the swimming area. That's an area that looks like a swimming pool, blue green paint and three concrete walls, ladders in and out, etc. The fourth side is open to the ocean and is only marked off with a line of floats.

Just outside the floats are a set of concrete stairs leading down into the water. It's a handy place to get in from because you can sit on the steps, put on your fins, wash out the mask and do a liesurely push off into the water.

As I was leaving the water I paused about half way up the stairs and sat down to watch the day. It's been cloudy and rainy for the last week or so and it was pleasant to sit in the sun. Suddenly a large wave rolled in and washed me off the steps. I swam away from the rocks and waited for the larger waves to subside. Then I crawled out again. My mask was gone, washed off with me never to be seen again. I looked for it but the water was too murky to see it. Damn!

So, this afternoon I have to go find another. I think the dive shp on the base is having a sale. That would be handy.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Sep 03 - 08:31 AM

The drinking age is 18 here, too but that doesn't stop lots of under-age drinkers getting into cars & killing themselves or their equally young passengers. Binge drinking is the No. 1 activity of young teenagers (or is under-age sex, tho they only have to be over 16 for that activity to be legal)

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Sep 03 - 08:12 AM

I was reading the Sunday paper this evening and saw the latest statistic from the roads. So far this year there have been 15 fatal car accidents. On an island only 9 miles wide and 30 miles long with 150,000 residents that is an incredible number. Then you have to consider that the speed limit here is only 35 mph.

But you also have to consider that this is a mountainous country with winding 2 lane roads. And the coral rock paving is mostly limestone and get very slippery in the rain. And a lot of people drink too much. The drinking age here is 18.

It all adds up to 15 dead on the roads so far this year.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 10:27 PM

It's been rainy and cloudy for the last several days. Now, with the weekend the sun is shining and the trades are gently blowing in the trees. And here I am at work. It is the end of the fiscal year and the whole office is gathered for the last push to the end of the month. This weather is just the last insult.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 04:21 AM

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.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Sep 03 - 12:58 PM

You know, Brett, most people from away who settle in places like Guam never reach the level of contact that you've been able to achieve in 4 short months. Not bad! Now you've got a place to try out some of your own music, and recycle some of our songs as well!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Sep 03 - 12:41 AM

Good one, Sins. But in today's political climate such a letter might be construed by Asscroft (as Kendall calls him) as a terrorist act and we'd all end up in Guantanamo Bay.

The reason given is that the billets assigned to the Navy are all full. There is a continuous learning program that we have to work with. We have to earn 40 continuous learning points every year. I have met my requirements and that means I get bumped from classes if I have to compete with someone who hasn't met their requirement even if the class is necessary to performance in my position.

Sigh, I have 18 months to meet the requirement. I'm not sure what they'll do if I can't.

Last night I went over to hear the Pago Bay Reefers rehearse. We had a big feed of spaghetti, eggplant lasagna, and brown rice and eggplant, and then the band settled down to work. It brought to mind all the Roll & Go rehearsals I've been to where the confusion was the preeminent condition. They talked set lists and the attributes of various songs and compatibility of placing one sang next to another, and how long it's been since they played this one or that and who was the lead on that song and what key it was in, etc., etc.

After the band finished I was invited to do a few songs for them. I trotted out a few favorites and we sang them together though I know very few songs that anyone else knows. They invited me to play during the 15 minute break during their regular Gig at Le Tasi Bistro. Also I was invited to play a live set at the local Public Radio show during Jay MacDonald's folk show on Tuesdays. So I guess I am up and coming, so to speak.

Early in the evening, when I was the first to arrive, I noticed the hostess had some unusual tattoos on her hands. I asked about them and she explained she is a Chamorro Master Craftsman in tattoo. It turns out she did the tattoos on our navigator's legs. She and he are spirit siblings. This is after all a small island. I think I'm going to talk to her about getting a traditional Chamorro tattoo.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 09:04 PM

Brett,
Do they give you a reason for disapproving it? Spell your name wrong, maybe? Classes are full? Or the processor just doesn't like you? I know it's the US military but they should still give you a reason. Or maybe your boss should handle it if it is important to your job performance. For all you know, they may have a rule that you can't fly back to the States before completing six months in Guam.

Maybe if you explain to them about the Getaway, they will make an exception. Maybe we can help and start a chain letter on your behalf.
Maybe...
SINS

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 06:06 PM

Thanks, gang, it helps to hear from you at this time. Right now I am so tired that I cannot process the bad news. We are working long hours but it feels like we are running in sand.

After that class was disapproved my boss told me to put in for the same class whereverr it is offerred. The system only allows 3 applications at a time so I put in for 3 more places and dates. This morning there were messages from all three disapproving the application. I don't know why they couldn't be so efficient with my first application.

What's really funny is that I need the class to be certified to do my job at the full performance level. My boss was complaining about it and suggested they might want to send me home under some kind of warranty clause. He was kidding of course.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 04:35 PM

Well, that's a bummer! But we'll see you in Sydney in November. Maybe we can smuggle in an appropriate gift from the folks at the Press Room.

"Yes, Mr. Customsman, this stuffed toy is a gift for an old friend. Yes, it does have a lot of legs, and, yes, those eye stalks are rather unusual. No, I'm not quite sure what to call it...but if you pull that string, maybe it will tell you!"

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: curmudgeon
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 01:42 PM

Sad news indeed, Brett; you must be too smart to need any silly classes. But, no fear, we will drink a round to your health at the Festival this weekend, and sing a shanty in your honor. Just let me know what you'ld like belted out.

be well -- Tom

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 12:02 PM

Damn it, Brett! I was looking forward to seeing you. We'll be sure you get pictures and a toast will be made in your honor.
M.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: MMario
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 12:01 PM

I get confirmation on Mystic and you move to Guam...I get confirmation on Getaway and you class gets canceled. I think you are avoiding meeting me. *grin*

gotta find the humour somewhere, yes?

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 11:57 AM

Oh, Brett, I'm so sorry! You will be missed!

Barbara

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Lana
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 04:55 AM

I'm sorry Dad, that really sucks. :-(

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:18 PM

Oh, POOH! To set you up that way and almost assure you that it was on! Not fair...(who ever said the govt. was fair)

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:06 PM

Bad news! My class has been disapproved so I will not be going home in October! Bah! Humbug!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 05:34 PM

Another thing I learned at the meeting on Saturday is that Charlotte Shelob is a banana spider. There were several like her in the rafters of the carport but none as large. Mine host reached up with his finger and tickled one our of the center of her web. They are harmless.

Apparently there is a wolf spider here on Guam that gets very large. One of the guys indicated a circle about two inces in diameter to indicate size, legs and all. They talked about how Guam supposedly hass the highest population of spiders in the world because the snakes have eaten all the birds that eat all the spiders. There aren't that many different species just lots of spiders.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 11:39 AM

Oi, ya, too bad about Brett -- he's been recycled, ya know, ya....it was an accident, sure, but too bad, ya know...

A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 11:33 AM

Sure sounds like fun, Brett, but watch out for the slide toward the compost heap. I mean if that's the end to your story at your young age, we're all going to have a hard time keeping a straight face while telling the story to the rest of your friends and family at the memorial gathering.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 03:50 AM

I can't believe I forgot to mention the Pago Bay Reefers! Last Thursday I went down to Le Tasi Bistro for dinner and to listen to the band. I'd heard there was "wierd music" at Tasi Bistro. I'd also heard that the restaurant was expensive. And it is medium expensive. I had a German beer and a shrimp pasta dish and paid $25.00. Desert was included in the price and I chose a cappucino cheesecake.

The band was not bad. They played old folk music and Beatles tunes in a kind of bluegrass/tropical blend of styles. The played Big Rock Candy Mountain, Rocky Top, as well as the Beatles tunes. They have a guitar, bass, steel guitar, banjo, fiddle, accordion, and mandolin. They sure seemed to enjoy themselves.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 03:42 AM

I have a telephone! I am sitting at home checking in on the Mudcat. How lovely.

Yesterday morning, Saturday, I went to the regular meeting of the Traditional Seafarers. We were to meet at the canoe and work on carving new yahms for the outrigger float. Many was also going to teach us a chant for keeping away squalls while at sea. Larry had suggested that we include a lunch. When I got there at 10:00 one of the guys was cooking steaks on a wood fire while two others were busy at a work table.

Now, I want you to understand and picture the scene. We were gathered under a carport though the area under the roof was much larger than a regular carport. Built into the back wall was a BBQ grill for a wood fire, a set of propane burners, a work counter, shelves for cooking pots and utensils, and a sink made out of a bathtub. The bathtub is raised up to a working level and cemented into the wall. There is a working table, an old free standing bar, and an eating table knocked together with 2X4s and plywood. The trade winds find there way into one side of the shelter and out the other. Unfortunately they are not strong enough to blow away the house flies that swarm everywhere.

Pots of food began to fill up the eating table. I noticed the green fruit. They look like green orange no bigger than a pingpong ball. I asked and they told me the name but it was a Chomorro word and I cannot remember it. They gave me half on one to taste and it was similar to lemon. They were using it to make fine dene.

And that brings me to the differences in foods. Up till that morning I knew and liked fine dene. And I knew it was a brown sauce that included vinegar and soy sauce. This version of the sauce included neither of those items! This version was a golden color and tasted of the lemony green fruit and the peppers and spices that make fine dene so tasty. But it looks and tastes nothing like the fine dene I had gotten used to.

Then someone handed me a plastic container full of cut up raw mackeral, including the heads and fins. Others reached in and grabbed chunks and started to eat. I reached in and took a small piece. To my amazement it didn't taste like fish at all, but then it did. This was a form of fish kelaguen. As I have said elsewhere in this diary I don't like kelaguen. But this was excellent. Once more, a difference in recipe. Another plastic container came around with cut up chunks of raw octopus (octopus kelaguen), bright red and rubbery but delicious. There was another bucket full of taro and manioc. More familiar dishes included rice and the BBQ steaks. There was also some BBQ fish, skipjack they said. It was an awesome meal.

After I had eaten I was told to throw the food waste into the compost heap. I stepped down on to the wet concrete step. There was a slick coating of algae and I slipped. I put my other foot down on to the ground and hit the mud which gave me no traction at all. The next thing I knew I was rolling into the compost heap. The rest of the gang came running but the only ting injured was my dignity. Once we ascertained my lack of injury we all had a laugh at the dangers of composting. I had to rinse the mud off my leg and sneakers. When I drove home I had to remove my shirt because it was crusted with grime from the heap.

Unfortunately Manny was late and I had to leave. It is September and that means I cannot have my own weekends. I hate September. Some day I will retire and/or change jobs and I will learn to like September again. I used to love that month.

I went home to shower and change the headed to work. There I found the gang hard at it. When the locals heard I'd had octopus kelaguen they were jealous and impressed.

So that was my weekend. The only other thing to report was the little earthquake I noticed a few minutes ago. Like a big truck rumbling by.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 10:41 PM

We had some soursap at lunch today. It is a sweet fruit that tastes a little like lemon flavored watermelon. The texture is soft and mushy. The outside is green with raised points. Very good!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 09:27 AM

Did you pack your snow shovel! Here in Maine we're gearing up for our first frost.

Have a nice downpour...

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 04:00 AM

By the way, I just learned at lunch today that the record cold temperature on Guam was about 55 degree F. I'm glad I brought the winter coat. Where's my ice scraper?

Actually my ice scraper is next to my front door. Every once in a while I touch it and say, "Not today, buddy."

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 03 - 01:20 AM

Brett, wonderful descriptions, again!! And, so glad you're going to learn some chants, too! Thanks so much for sharing!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Sep 03 - 06:26 PM

What a fun weekend. Saturday I headed up to Dededo to join the Seafarers for wood cutting. Unfortunately it started to rain and being as how I have not yet managed to get the wipers fixed I had to pull off into a convenient parking lot, which just happened to be in front of American Music.

American Music is a good size music store with plenty of acoustic guitars and small sampling of electric guitars and bases, a bunch of keyboards and the miscellaneous extras that every decent music shop should include. Since I was stuck there for an indeterminate time I wandered in to look at the guitars. They have Taylor, Gretsch, Yamaha, and a few others. There is also a selection of ukeleles. I asked and they agreed to let me play around with a few of the guitars. The Gretsch had a nice lively sound. I've never been a fan of Taylors but that's because they are so ubiquitous.

I arrived at Manny's house just as the heavens opened up again. There were several people already gathered under the carport. Obviously we weren't going to get any wood cut that day. We conducted a business meeting instead, talking over the rain, thunder, and the military jets flying circles overhead.

The best news at the meeting was that the Solo had turned up with her crew safe and sound. Solo is another large ocean canoe. She set out with a crew of five for Pikelot to hunt turtles. No one had seen her since and she was five days overdue for her return. As it turns out she met a long liner (fishing boat) who offered them a tow. They accepted but there was a misunderstanding of destination. There are two islands with very different names on the charts but the Chamorro names are very similar. The crew asked for Pikalot but were taken to West Felial which is called Pikel on the charts. They had a tough time getting back to where they belonged.

The rain kept on all afternoon. I persuaded my wipers to work finally and made my way home.

Sunday was pretty so I headed out. I needed cleaning supplies and a set of shelves for my towels so I headed for the Exchange. I stopped at the furniture store on the base and bought a table for $119.00 so I can now eat my meals like a human being. Then I headed home.

Along the way I realized that I hadn't really had any adventures lately so instead of taking my left for Cross Island Road I took the long way home, around the southern tip of the island. I drove down through Agat, Umatac, Malesso, Inarajan, Talafofo, Ipan, and Yona. All along the way I saw crowds of cars at houses as families gathered to barbecue and talk.

Before I got to the village center of Umatac I saw a turn out labeled "Mountain Overlook". I pulled off to take a look.

I haven't adequately described the mountains of Guam. They are pretty spectacular. Sure, they don't hold a candle to the really dramatic ranges in the world but they can hold their own in any comparisons you'd like to make. Where I stood I was in a semicircle of rough high peaks and deep gorges and valleys. The higher and steeper ground was covered by grass and looked from a distance like a covered of green velour. The lower ground was covered by jungle and looked for all the world like green woolly sheepskin. There is very little open rocky ground. Where the rocks show through they are black patches grinning out through the green covering. Where erosion has scoured away the green the dirt shows bright brick red. Trust me, we are talking one beautiful sight.

On the hills overlooking Umatac I saw another turn out. I pulled in to find I had discovered Guam's Viet Nam Memorial. It wasn't much to look at but the view is very nice. There is a covered cabana and there were a couple of young men playing guitars and singing while they sat on the stone wall looking down on Umatac Bay. I listened, while pretending to look at the view, until they started to drop notes and I realized I was cramping their style so I moved on.

In Umatac I saw a family fiesta going on and stopped to watch fishermen working their nets in Umatac bay. Just before the old Spanish bridge (which is neither old or Spanish) I saw three carabao lazily pulling at grass from tethers. I guess I have to agree with my daughter. They are kind of cute. They aren't really black, or maybe they are but they must also be really dirty. They are a kind of dusty brown black color.

I wanted to stop at the Inarajan Pools but they were crowded with another fiesta going on in the cabanas so I cruised on by. I was getting pretty hungry and every once in a while I would float through the smoke of another barbecue. I started to have visions of a plate full of barbecued pork, beef and chicken. I determined to stop at Jeff's Pirates Cove for lunch.

At Malesso I saw a substantial road running off to the left (inland) and a sign saying "Hilltop Store Pugua 6/$1.00". I turned left. I drove uphill for what seemed like an hour. In Guam when you drive uphill you are really driving uphill. The roads can be so steep you feel yourself pressing back into your seat. This was like that. At the top I came out into what had once been a promising housing development. There were roads curving here and there and the view was staggering. If not for the utility poles it would have been worthy of a postcard. Spread out below was Cocos Lagoon with the great Pacific Ocean out to the distant horizon. Unfortunately no one had bothered to finish building the neighborhood. There were a few houses and one under construction but mostly the area was open grass land.

I followed the roads around until one dead ended in a field. I parked the truck and got out. Off in the distance I could see a knoll that looked as though it promised a view. There was something that looked like a blue-green couch balanced on the top.

There was a car track running through muddy ground in the right direction so I walked out, slipping in the mud and avoiding the puddles as best I could. Closer to the knoll the ground was drier. The grass is not your standard lawn variety. This grass is tough, wide bladed, and grows to knee and waist height. I could feel is cutting at my bare legs and was glad I'd worn my sneakers instead of my sandals. Note to self, shorts are not the right outfit for wading through the grass.

At the top of the knoll I found the remains of at least two bonfires and many empty beer cans. The blue-green object was indeed a couch hauled there, I suspect, as the ultimate make out spot for the view is superlative. At my feet was the village of Malesso while the Cocos Lagoon lay with its blue and green water out to Cocos Island and surrounded by the surf pounding on the reef. There were sailboats moored and a jet ski made silent curves across the surface. In the distance I could hear roosters crowing, you are never far from chickens on Guam, and the rattle of the grass in the breeze. From somewhere below came the tiny roar of a weed whacker. The breeze was warm and the sun was hot and the day was gorgeous.

The rest of the trip was nice but had been overshadowed by that view. I blew by Jeff's and headed home to put my new furniture together.

Today at lunch we talked about Malesso and how that village was named after the esso, the juvenile rabbit fish. I learned that the Chamorro have many names for fish. They apparently have names for the different stages of development. I looked in a Chamorro-English dictionary the other day and noticed that the entry for fish runs on for at least a page and a half. It's like Eskimos and their fifty words for snow.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Sep 03 - 06:26 PM

Oh, daughter dear, I forgot you were reading this. Please forgive your father for trying the local lifestyle including the DRUGS! *grin*

Actually betel nut is something the island peoples have used for generations. There are special cutters, they look a little like scissors, for cutting the nut and rousing the kernal from the husk. Then they cut the kernal up into pieces and pass them around. Apparently it gives you a mild rush. It didn't seem to affect me.

The more dedicated (or addicted) of the betel nut chewers add lime and tobacco and wrap the whole thing in some kind of leaf. Yesterday at lunch Nando mentioned that the people of Palau chew the nut when it is green because they believe it is stronger. Nando says it is only more bitter and harder to chew.

I can only say it must be a learned taste. And I don't think I have what it takes to learn that taste.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Tenjiro
Date: 11 Sep 03 - 04:45 PM

Whats a betel nut? Oh, guess what dad? I get to play D&D again...fun huh? I found a group here in lynchburg at Lynchburg College that has invited me to join. *wicked grin*

~Amy~

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 11:06 PM

We just had another fun lunch around the big table. I had fried chicken and rice with fine dene sauce from the little cafeteria downstairs. They put more hot peppers in their fine dene so my rice was spicier than usual. Plus there was a jar of some condiment that took off the roof of my mouth when I tried it. I passed it to one of my companions who calmly spooned a bunch of it on to her tuna fish sandwich.

They got to talking about various foods they had eaten and described one of Guam's favorite dishes, fruit bat. Apparently these bats, which are endangered now, are stewed whole, wings, fur and all. One woman described her mother eating the wings. And the young man at the end of the table, a Philipino, told of seeing someone preparing dog for dinner. He described how they bashed it on the head and were burning off the fur when the dog woke up. Not a good topic for the dinner table.

We topped off the meal with betel nut. I managed to chew mine up but felt no rush or other effect except that my mouth dried out and my saliva began to run fast. I had to rinse my mouth several times to get it out. I don't know what they see in that stuff.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 09:49 PM

Ground breaking stuff on both fronts, Brett!! Hooray on ya!


A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 09:12 PM

This reminds me of the tale of the retired Colonel, who being offered a great assortment of eggs, rashers, sausages,kedgeree, toast, etc., was wont to exclaim:

"You call this a breakfast? Bring me a plate of underdone roast beef and a tankard of ale!"

Personally, I could be quite contet with either -- Tom

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 06:25 PM

Hmm, sawing a famous watercraft into sections doesn't seem to be the best idea, Charley. The Mailei is considered the fastest of the sailing canoes. She regularly made the 45 mile passage between Guam and Rota in only 4 hours.

I learned something interesting today. Last Monday there was a notice that soup and sandwiches would be avaiable on Wednesday. I ordered an egg salad sandwich and a cup of soup figuring that would make a nice lunch.

Today the food arrived. I was at my desk this morning when they called me down. I was surprised to say the least. It was 8:00 AM and I had my soup. I asked about this and they explained it was for breakfast. I explained I had already eaten cereal, toast, and orange juice for breakfast. the woman made a face and told me that was no breakfast. Here on Guam soup and sandwiches are for breakfast. She laughed at the idea of having them for lunch.

I love the differences between places and peoples.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 10:01 AM

Brett-

Maybe you can speed up the process of "taking the lines down" with a digital camera. At least that should give you an accurate profile of the canoe's overall dimensions. Then you could saw the canoe into cross-sections and photograph each one...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 02:55 AM

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!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Sep 03 - 10:20 AM

That's very kewl about the chants, Brett! I didn't know you were going to make it to the Getaway. That's wonderful!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Sep 03 - 09:03 AM

Brett-

Whatever happened to your truck,or are the windshield wipers still misfiring?

You're lucky that you didn't pick Bermuda. There's one Hell of a hurricane baring down on that island now.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 05 Sep 03 - 02:55 AM

Too cool! I just talked to Larry and heard confirmation of something I heard elsewhere. There are a whole bunch of chants used by the Chamorros for moving the canoes into the water, for blessing the canoe, for calling the wind, etc. Tomorrow I am headed up to meet with the Seafarers. I hope to collar Manny and get him to teach me a chant or two. Maybe I can assimilate it in time to bring it to the Getaway.

So there! Music at last.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 12:36 AM

True, Kat, Oz is just 'round the corner. AND there is the FSGW Getaway to plan for as well. That coincides with my daughter's fall break from college (in Virginia) and a class I have to take in Maryland. Coincidences are great! Sometimes the Goddess Of Time comes down on your side.

I'll be better once I can access the web from home.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 11:27 PM

Brett, sounds like you've got the moving-in-honeymoon's-over kind of blues, but the good news is, once you've settled in, it smooths out and you can pick up the adventuring again, maybe not as intensely, but still getting out.

I often get after Rog because we've been here over a year, still have things to "go through" and haven't done half of the things we've meant to, but...we do let the dust, dirty dishes, and other housework wait to get out and have some fun on the weekends. I know what you mean about not wanting to do anything after work, though. He's the same way, by the time he gets home and has dinner he just wants to rest and relax.

Have you heard of any more music events to plan for? And, just think...your trip to Oz isn't really that far away!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 10:53 PM

Ah yes, the sweet smell of manure, liberally spread behind the tractor. I remember driving the tractor and spreading the manure when I was a kid. What a job. We had to do it that way to keep the manure pile from getting large enough to spontaneously combust and burn down the barn. I have vivid memories of standing on a large pile, in the winter, forking the manure out to find the hot spot. My hands and head were cold but my feet were hot from the fire burning in the heart of the pile.

I really understood being in hot sh*t that day.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: bbc
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 10:12 PM

Hey, Brett,

I saw my 1st tractor pull at the fair. At 1st, it seemed kind of dull, but then I started to get into it. This was a smallish fair, but we had a good time. If I want to smell manure, though, I can do that from my new home (fertilizing all those corn fields!)!

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 09:29 PM

And, no, I will not be downsized, rightsized, or any size other than triple extra large. I am in a career field that the Government cannot do without. They are stuck with me for the duration.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 07:01 PM

That's the problem. I haven't been doing anything at all. My adventure has been sunk by the torpedo of the mundane. It's amazing how much of our day is eaten up by such a simple thing as life in a house. When I was living in a hotel room with few possessions and no kitchen (and maid service) I had all kinds of time to get out and see the island. Actually I NEEDED to get out of that room. Now, with a house full of possessions and a kitchen and cooking and cleaning and a job that eats up 8 to 10 hours a day I am back in the same rut I tried to escape.

Note to self: There's no need to escape the country to escape the rut. Just ditch all your possessions and move into a hotel.