News From Guam

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 07:54 PM

Itodakimasu - Spoken before eating. Essentially it is thanks to the host for cooking/providing the meal.

Gochisosama - Spoken after the meal. Essentially it is thanks and praise for the meal.

Note: These are not intended as thanks to a deity. Apparently traditional Japanese do not usually bother the deities and hope the deities will reciprocate.

I have pictures of the canoe under sail if anyone wants to send me their email address.

Technical note: These pictures are scanned. I emailed them to my work computer. The pictures look good on my work computer but appear dark and fuzzy on this one. Can anyone offer an explanation for this?

Personal note: Yesterday I had my first colonoscopy. It was just a screening but they had to cut out a couple of polyps. I find out more later in the month.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 09:08 PM

I missed talking about a very important date though I was awarte of the anniversary when it happened. Ten days ago, on June 12, I celebrated my first year on Guam. And three days ago, June 19, was the first anniversary of this thread. Wow! Where does the time go?

It is raining. I realize that may not mean much to you but it has been raining and cloudy for the last two weeks! This weekend my red pickup decided it was time to die. Wakana drove me to work on Monday morning and I managed to forget my umbrella. She cannot get on the base so I had to walk in and later I had to walk out to meet her. It didn't rain in the afternoon. Actually there is no word for the amount of water that fell from the sky in the five minutes I walked from my building to her car. I might have been dryer if I had jumped into the ocean. But I have rented a car to get around in and now I have to wait for the repairs to the truck.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JudyB
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 09:36 PM

Happy anniversary! May you truck runneth over....

J & C

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,freda
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 10:49 PM

happy anniversary Brett - rain is an omen of great good fortune and fertility in the Pacific - can't beat may your truck runneth over!!congrats & best wishes

freda

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 11:05 PM

Brett:

Could just be the capability of the monitor. Some are able to map fewer pixels than others, being cheaper or older, and thus try to portray the image with many fewer dots than the better monitor. It can also be the resolution the computer itself is set to use in display. It could also be the video card itself, I guess.

IF the two machines are comparable, compare their display settings.

A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 08:02 AM

My truck truly doth run over. As doth the road, the parking lots, the streams, the umbrellas, etc., etc., etc. If you look closely at the San Diego harbor, Amos, you'll notice the sea level rising from the runoff on Guam.

Thanks for the suggestion on the display properties, Amos. I'll take a look.

Today we got a notice that there are now job openings in Spain and Italy. Tempting but it is either too late or too soon.

Today I had to fill out a questionnaire so the Human Resources Office could calculate my retirement package. I wonder...

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 10:02 AM

Why is it that I now have a vision of our Brett sitting on the Group W Bench in the waiting room of the Human Resources Office, dutifully filling out his questionnaire?

I have a BAD feeling about this. Watch out for trap doors, Brett! Remember, we still don't know whatever happened to Corridus.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 11:59 AM

Congrats on your 1-year anniversary of occupancy! I will be having mine soon, too, & will report.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 06:53 PM

I have purchased my first boonie car! It's a 1991 Buick Regal with 28,000 miles on it. The paint is faded and the interior is old but it has only been sitting for the majority of the time it was on the island.

Now I will sell the pickup unless my daughter decides to move out here with her finacee. Hmmm, I am reminded of the many times I commented on parents whose kids move in with them... Do I have to eat those words too?

Just so you know, Wakana and I are using the B-word and the G-word. Some of my co-workers remarked on that at lunch yesterday when I referred to her as my girlfriend.

Here at work we are having a windshield tour of the facilities we support. The tour will take all day and visit 241 sites and facilities. We'll stop at the Micronesia Mall for lunch. I hadn't realized we had responsibility for so much.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 02:06 AM

Friday was a bombshell day. I still need to incorporate what happened before I can talk about it but it might mean a big change to my lifestyle. It was nice to have Wakana's shoulder to cry on.

The bus tour was extremely interesting. There are parts of this island that I didn't know existed. Other parts I knew about but didn't have a clue about where they were. Now I have seen much of it. Very nice.

Today we are feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Tingting. The center is about 400 miles away but we have torrential rain and the wind is tearing the trees apart. I had to take Wakana down to her place to pick up her car. It took us most of two hours to get there and back, about twise as long as usual. There is little or no traffic but the roads are full of water and pieces of trees. Some areas are quite deep.

There are times when the blowing rain is as bad as any blizzard I ever drove through. I now understand the value of the plastic bumps they use here instead of painted lines on the roads. For the last year I have cursed them every time I bump over them but now I find that they allow drivers to keep within the lanes when the water covers the road.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 10:31 AM

"Friday was a bombshell day"?

Well, that could mean fireworks in the traditional sense, or something more ominous. What exactly confronted our hero? Was it larger than a breadfruit, or did it have more tentacles than a giant squigly? Inquiring minds and nosey friends would like to know.

Weather is relatively calm here in Maine, a bright sunny day, and wild strawberries are profuse on our lawn.

Shipping out a copy of Uncensored Sailor Songs as requested, hopefully to the right address or you might be further compromised at work.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 10:33 AM

Keep breathing, pal.

In. Out.

A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 11:46 AM

Oh dear, that was a worrying turn of phrase. Whatever it is Brett, let us know soon, eh?

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JudyB
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 01:16 PM

Hang in there and let us know what's happening when you're ready - our shoulders are a bit further off - but we do care!

JudyB

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 01:58 AM

I have tried three times to get this off to the Mudcat and none of my last messages got through. I guess it's a long ways from here to Pennsylvania.

About a month ago I signed an interest survey notifying the Navy that I was interested in retiring early. They have a new program for early retirement. This was just an interest survey. Later they will offer retirement packages and let the retiree decide whether or not he wants to go. They have a little separation incentive attached to the pack up to $25,000. They want to gather the names and then offer the package to those people who are in the areas they need to reduce.

Last Friday morning I was told the package would be offered to me. It was strongly urged that I accept it. Essentially I was being fired. This was the blow I refered to in my last post.

Over a very gloomy weekend I spent a lot of time thinking about what was said and what is available. Retiring early has always been something I have dreamed of. It would be better if I left of my own accord but I feel if I have a chance to go I should go. I am weary of the bureaubabble that makes up so much of this job. I am tired of waking to the alarm clock and worrying about the reports that are late.

My alternative is to hang on for a few more years of this crap and let it wear me down and out. I can't do it anymore.

Added to all of that was the result of my last medical appointment. Apparently I have diverticulitis throughout my large intestine. Now I start the rounds of careful diets that mark an older person. Bah! Humbug!

So, if I am to enjoy my days I need to get rid of the day job. It's just as well. Life is too short to spend my days in an office.

We had a little excitement here over the weekend also. On Friday we had some clouds and showers, not unusual, but by the evening the wind had picked up. On Saturday Wakana and I went down to the canoe to meet the gang and the wind was stronger. We abbreviated the meeting and went our separate ways. That afternoon the rain really started in and we learned that a tropical storm was on its was and strengthening into typhoon strength.

The rain poured all night and the wind blew hard. The rain spattered against the typhoon shutters like machine gun bullets, loud and hard. Our phone went out and then the power. Wakana and I sat talking by the light of a kerosene lantern for a while and then the power came back. We went to bed early. There was no power when we woke on Sunday morning. We had breakfast and watched the storm for a while and then headed out to see what was happening.

The rain was still falling heavily and the roads were full of water. When we got closer to the surf we could see huge white breakers with the wind tearing off the tops and scattering them ahead of the white surge. The sea was an angry green and white. Inside the reef there were dozens of sea birds flying low to keep station over the smaller waves in the protected areas. The streets were littered with bits of trees, branches and leaves, fallen coconuts, and here and there was the whole top of a palm. I saw people out picking up sheets of corrugated tin that had blown off their homes or sheds. Tarps were beating themselves to pieces. Our canoe was full of water and the cover was shredded by the wind.

We went to the Micronesia Mall for dinner and a movie. The house was too warm for comfort with no a/c. Afterwards we went to look at the next house I plan to live in and then to the owner to talk about what we wanted to do about it. I need to move in July. My current lease is up in August.

When we got back to my house the power was still out. There was one ominous sign. Guam Water Authority had moved a water truck into our neighborhood. That meant they expected our water to be out for a while.

There was no work on Monday. Tuesday the weather was still bad and there was a two hour delay for coming to work. Now we are back up to speed though the clouds are still thick. It would be nice to see the sun again.

The storm was named Ting Ting. We got 17 inches of rain out of it over two days setting the record for Guam for the wettest June on record. It was great fun but not for everyone. There are some fools who think they are masters of the planet. One man died after being swept off the reef while he walked near the surf. Two more are still missing after they went out into the surf in outrigger paddling canoes. Darwin continues to prove his theory.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 01:59 AM

I guess persistence pays off.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 03:07 AM

This is Change. But there is nothing else in the universe! So...yo, heave and haul. This one is one of the most interesting ones I've heard of! It is easy to believe after a certain number of repeats of pattern that we have outfoxed Change. Even tempting!

But it ain't happening!

:>)

I wish you joy in all the instants of it!


A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,Freda
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 03:38 AM

Good luck Brett - I long for the day when I retire and have started working half days in anticipation. enjoy your blues skies and the rainy ones too..

freda

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 03:43 AM

Brett, I have never regretted accepting early retirment the second time it was offered to me. When you feel like you do (and I did by then), believe me, the game isn't worth a candle. If the money works out OK, take it, I've never been happier. (But I'll miss your Guam stories!)

RtS
(now spending LESS time on line, much to busy enjoying myself!)

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 08:25 AM

Rogr-

From what Brett says about "the next house he plans to live in" he may not be thinking of leaving Guam, just his current day job at the naval base. We should be able to look forward to years of new adventures from the South Pacific, as we log into Mudcat from our squeaky office chairs.

I note that the Google Ads below are suggesting "beautiful rain chains" and "motorcycle rain gear."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JudyB
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 04:15 PM

Thanks for the update, Brett. It is always upsetting to hear that your services are no longer required. I remember back when you were trying to decide if it was worth the likely aggravation to live in what might be close to paradise – the job did sound even then as if it would be close to impossible, although the location sounded wonderful beyond belief.

I also wouldn't be surprised if one of the factors against you is that (gasp!) you go off the base and hang out with the locals! I'm quite sure that's not the normal practice for the folks working on base, and I'm equally sure that there's an ingrained suspicion about anything that's out of the norm.

I'm also a bit jealous. One of the women I'm working with is retiring in October, and listening to her plans is making me eager to make some of my own – though I've got probably another 4-5 years before it's possible for me to retire. But time does pass more quickly when you get to be our age. I don't know how your finances will be, but I bet you'll be happier working a couple of evenings a week in one of the book stores or even "do you want fries with that" than you are now. And you can't tell me that the stress of your job isn't responsible for some of your medical problems – maybe not directly, but all that stuff adds up!

Do keep us posted as your journey continues.

   Hugs from afar,
   JudyB

P.S. Is the new house you're considering a quaint little bungalow in the suburbs...?

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 07:11 PM

Thanks for all the support. I need it.

I understand about change and I even welcome it now and again. After all that's why I am in Guam instead of spending my winters shoveling the white s--t. And I am getting used to the idea of being retired. I think I might have a ritual burning of the alarm clock on October 1.

Roger, I am not planning to leave Guam, at least not in the immediate future. The house I am moving into is indeed a quaint little bungalow in the suburbs. And it is half the rent of the place I'm in now. I am also selling my pickup truck and getting out from under that car loan. I hope to be able to save enough money to be able to make annual trips out to see the other islands.

Plus I have a wedding to help pay for. My older daughter (Mudcatter Lana) is getting MARRIED! OMIGOD!

The direct result of THAT shindig is that I will be in England in August of 2005. Look out England, here I come! And being retired I should be able to spend as much time there as my money will keep me going.

Other plans include taking Wakana on a tour of the USA. She has never been there and would dearly love to see my home country. Plus I have to go to Japan and see her home country. I want to ride the cross country train across Australia. And she wants to ride the cross country train across Russia.

All this adds up to meeting many more Mudcatters and seeing a lot more of the world.

So, yes, I am getting used to the idea of leaving the day to day grind and living at my own pace for a while.

As to how I will make my way. Besides the retirement income I plan to follow the advice I have seen in this thread. I will turn these pages into a book about moving to Guam. And I will follow that with other writing projects for as long as I can keep it up.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 03:46 AM

Sounds a great plan, Brett, look forward to meeting you when you get to UK if possible!
RtS
(I promise not to sing!)

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:16 PM

I am pretty excited about going to England. My one and only visit was back in 1973 when the ship visited Plymouth for a few days. But I have started my "...Coming to England!" thread. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends I've never met before.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:20 PM

By the way, Roger, I'll be disappointed if you don't sing. Every singer brings a bit of him/herself to a song. You just have to look past the performance faults to see it. I learned that from four years of helping to run a coffeehouse back in Maine.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:52 PM

Roger has often asserted he has a voice just made for a Mime, but I don't buy it. I think he is hiding his light under a bushel, or a peck, or whatever...


A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From:
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 05:37 AM

good onya, Brett - life in a tropical paradise (tropical hurricanes you can do without?) with a lovely lady & travelling around the world sounds ok.

I'm counting the days till I retire (very scary stuff cos I am sooo good at isolating) in 3 years. All I hope is my job lasts - 1 sit in one desk & do 2 completely different jobs, & one is supposed to be centralised (ie. taken away from me!!) in August. My boss's boss knew nothing about this, neither did her boss, the Director & we dunno what is happening. As state offices are supposed to give bits of their budget to the winning office when it happens & our office doesn't have money for this job (I didn't know that cos I get paid each fortnight!!) I dunno what is happening.

live each day as it comes is a good philosophy, so I just wait.

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 12:39 AM

Carpe Diem is as good a philosophy as I know as long as it means "Sieze the day". I have a sneaking suspicion that it really means "Fish are gods"!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: freda underhill
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 03:10 AM

the train trip from Perth to Sydney is a long one, Brett. It took me three and a half days, and every 10 hours or so i got to see the excitment of a bush or something. its basically just one long horizontal line through the desert. The one from Darwin to Alice Springs could be an interesting one, its not so long (maybe a day and a half) and takes you to the red centre. they have a folk festival somewhere there in June. but my trip was over twenty years ago now - who knows what they've worked out since then?

you should try and get here for April/easter next year. the National folk festival is not to be missed. and if you decide to do that one, its worth trying to book accomodation in Canberra ahead of time, like in the next couple of months, to ensure you have it, unless you and Wakana are comfortable in a tent.

best wishes

amalina

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 11:05 PM

What a weekend. On Saturday my friend Olga got married. She has been in a high state of stress and tension for the last few weeks in preparation. I knew she and her fiancée had sent out 1500 invitations so I wanted to see what a big wedding was like.

Wakana and I started out late already. We followed the directions provided with the invitation and arrived as the wedding seemed to be coming to an end. However, as we approached the wedding party to render up our congratulations I realized the bride was NOT my friend. We were at the wrong wedding!

Back in the parking lot Wakana saw a friend and we asked her if the wedding was here. Oh no, she replied, that one is in Agana Heights. Someone else chimed in to ask if it was the one in Barrigada. No, Wakana's friend was sure it was in Agana Heights. There seems to be a network of information on weddings here. Did I mention how small the community is?

We found the church and slipped inside. The wedding was in progress but we hadn't missed much. The priest was late. The ceremony was long and impressive as Catholic ceremonies are wont to be. The church was beautiful with a wooden rafter ceiling and bright colored windows (not stained glass, these were panels of colored glass). When they finally came down the aisle we blew bubbles and wished them well. They released white doves and drank a glass of something golden-yellow.

We made our way to the reception at 6:00 to find a sight that I will long remember. I have not had the pleasure (?) of knowing many wealthy and influential people. I guess I have led a sheltered life. But this reception opened my eyes to a lot of rather mundane things I have long ignored.

The reception was at the groom's parents' house. Finding a place to park was a chore but we found one. Then we walked up to the celebration. There were three big white circus type canopies spread out on the lawn. There were benches and folding chairs neatly arranged on the lawn in and around the canopies. Some of the benches proudly proclaimed that they belongs to Senator Quintata. Others belonged to Senator Cruz. Senator Cruz personally welcomed us to the party. She seemed to be one of the officials keeping the party moving.

Down the center of the middle canopy was the food table. It must have been 50 feet long! And it was groaning under the weight of the food stacked up on it. There were four kinds of kelaguen, chicken and beef barbeque, roast pork, pancit, potato salad, bread, chicken adobo, taro, breadfruit, pepper steak, bananas cooked in coconut milk, salmon steaks, grilled tuna, and at the end of the table sashimi (raw fish). The sashimi had been filleted from a tuna, cut into small pieces and then decoratively rearranged on the tuna. The food line then snaked around to the next table where you could get ham, roast beef, and pork from a piglet that had been cooked whole. On the other side was the desert table with pies, fruit, cake, and wonderful little muffins.

Off to the right, under another canopy was a table that offered hot dogs and hamburgers, cotton candy, and soft drinks. Beyond that was the wet bar. It was NOT a cash bar.

The bride and groom were on a stage at the end of the middle canopy. Well wishers would mount the stage and greet them, deposit the wedding presents at the far end of the stage and rejoin the merriment. They were already up there when we arrived and they were still there two hours later when we pooped out.

Wakana and I took our place in line and began the long slow shuffle to the food. There were children all around us and old friends talking about everything from fishing and the weather to the local news and gossip. By the time we reached the end of the food tables we were showing the real stress capabilities of a Styrofoam plate and the balancing act required to carry one. We sat with some of my coworkers and tried to talk while the live rock & roll band tried to keep us from hearing each other.

And we ate. Oh God, did we eat. By the end of the evening I was too stuffed for words and regretting my sinful gluttony. We rolled our way to the car, drove slowly home avoiding as many of the bumps as possible, and dragged ourselves into the most comfortable position possible. We slept deeply and woke still full.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 08:50 PM

Probably beyond the bounds of my South Beach Diet.

Certainly, you now have a keener appreciation for "gluttony," you sinful beast, you!

Sigh!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 09:56 PM

It was beyond the bounds of any diet including the famous see-food diet where you eat any food you see.

Today was supposed to be the day I made my decision on retiring. I haven't seen the calculations for the annuities so I asked for a one day extension. I have a guesstimate made using the on-line calculators but that leaves so many unanswered questions.

Last night I lay in bed thinking about this decision and the associated ramifications. I thought of the bills that would need to be paid and the possibility of not being able to afford to leave the island. I thought of all the things I could do if I kept my job somehow (it is a possibility). Then I thought of how much I hate certain parts of my job, the bureau-babble that comes down from people who have no idea what they are doinng but think they know what's good for me, the early mornings and long work days, the fires we constantly put out and the arguments with contractors and clients.

Then I thought of the two friends who worked as long as they could and then died shortly after retirement. And those who retired as elderly men and spent their retirement getting sicker and sicker. I don't want to follow that road. I want to enjoy the days that follow this one and the next. I want to wake without the alarm clock and go out into the sunshine without a hurrying need to get into an office where I have to sit all day while life goes on outside.

I am tired. I feel bone weary. It is time to make a change in my life and try new things. It's time to sit in the sun and enjoy the smell of the flowers. I want to swim in the warm ocean and revel in the sighing of the breeze in the saw grass.

Life is waiting for me...

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 12:06 AM

Jaysus, Brett, you're waxing awfully poetic about this. Beautifully, also. I am sure you will make the best choice! Congratulations.

That wedding sounds reminiscent of a birthday party I went to years back, thrown by an orful wealthy family one evening in Guadalajara -- heated tents, and long groaning boards and mariachi bands of the first order, and a bucking mechanical bull stand for all comers. There's something to be said for occasionally finding out how the Very Wealthy pass their hours! :>)

A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 02:45 AM

Ain't life s'poze to be poetic? I sure hope retirement can live up to my expectations.

I didn't finish my description of the weekend. On Sunday Wakana and I set out to find the KAL Memorial. This is a black obelisk put up in memory of the victims of the crash of the KAL jet in 1997. You can see it from across the vally when you drive over Nimitz Hill and you can see that a road goes right up to it. We were determined to drive over and see it. We first tried to get there from Chalan Pago. We ended up at the Ordot Landfill. Then we tried a side road and ended up at Leopalace Resort. The gate guard told us we had to get there from Nimitz Hill. I didn't remember any road that would do that but we headed over there.

On the way we stopped to look at the old Spanish fort, Santa Aguedo, that tops the cliffs in Hagatna. There are three old cannon up there, filled to the muzzles with old cans and trash. The view is spectacular. Off to the north you can see all the way to Ritidian Point. To the south the view ends at Anigua. But the water is a rich tropical blue and green and the white surf pounds on the reefs making it a marvelous blend of color and action. At our feet was the Agana Boat Basin. They don't have marinas here, only boat basins. Inshore of that was the whole town of Hagatna running up to where it becomes Tamuning and farther up the coast the big hotels in Tumon.

Coming back from the view we stopped and bought a green coconut from the vendor. We talked about coconuts, the weather, tourists, and fiestas. He notched one end with his machete, turned it over and used the notch to hold it steady while he clipped a small piece from the other end. This resulted in a small hole into the milk. He added two straws and handed it to us. Once we finished the milk he took it back and slice off a piece of the husk to form a spoon. Then he chopped the coconut in half and used the "spoon" to remove the meat. He added soy sauce and put a squirt of wasabi on the rim of the husk. Wakana used the spoon to cut the pieces smaller, dipped them into the soy and the wasabi, and we ate them up. Good stuff!

Continuing on our way to Nimitz Hill we stopped to take a look at some old WWII Japanese caves that formed the last headquarters for the Japanese on Guam. They were closed up with a locked gate but Wakana has been in there and she says it goes way back into the hill. She says there are a couple of kilometers of caves in there.

We headed up the only road off of Nimitz Hill that looked like it MIGHT lead us in the direction of the KAL memorial. It lead us north however, continually climbing Mount Tenjo. Soon we began to see wonderful views through the high growth of vegetation on either side. We emerged in a neighborhood of very expensive houses still climbing the hill. We could now see radio and TV transmission towers ahead of us. The road changed to gravel under our tires and finally we stopped where we could see deep puddles ahead. There was an opening in the vegetation with rich red mud showing where the four-wheelers had been playing. The land beyond looked firm so I pulled the pickup in there. The vista was a wide mountain valley full of jungle and grasslands. Way off on the other side we could see the houses that line the Cross Island Road, my way home every evening. There were slashes in the valley where the dark red soil showed clear. Wakana says the soil has concentrations of bauxite that retards the growth of vegetation. The slashes certainly look natural.

We had a little trouble getting out of that spot. The mud was very slippery and I had to make a couple of runs at it before we slid back on to the road. On the way back down the mountain we could see the long view of the northern part of the island. The land is rough with deep valleys and steep shouldered ridges, green with jungle and grass. Far off to the east we could see the Pacific Ocean. At one point we could see both the Pacific on our eastern side and the Philipine Sea on the western side at the same time. It was an amazing view.

By then we were tired and we headed back to the house. We stopped briefly at Polaris Point to view the carnival and get some flavored shaved ice. Then home to rest and relax. A very nice day.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From:
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 03:28 AM

wonderful descriptions of events & views as always.

enjoy your retirement

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JudyB
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 02:34 PM

Hearing about those wonderful views reminds me of a practical thought - I remember a ways back where you described taking friends from Guam to areas one could only get to if someone in the party was working on the base - make sure you have all the photos you need of those areas before you turn in your magic card! I think your book really must have a photo section in the middle! You describe things so that I can almost see them - but once in a while, I'd like to really see them, too! (Of course, in a few more years, when I can retire, too....)

   JudyB

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 08:29 PM

Well, my friends, I did it. After long consideration and many calculations I put in my request to retire. In 86 days I will give up the day job I have held since 1981. I will be gainfully unemployed as of September 30. I will have a ritual burning of the alarm clock on October 1.

This is a scary decision but one that is fraught with possibilities. Just last night I was talking with a friend who is building a big twin hull power boat. It is built for range, not speed, and he plans to use it to visit the various islands of the South Pacific and carry small cargos and the mail that sometimes takes way to long to get where it is going. I told him I would soon have plenty of time if he wanted a crew member. He said I was welcome aboard.

Ah, what more could I ask for? Life will be good. Sleepng until I wake up, a little exercise in the morning, some work in the afternoon, plans, dreams, and an occasional nap. Someone pinch me, I think I'm dreaming.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 09:16 PM

Damn, Brett, don't tempt me. How much is that boat costing your friend to build, all told?

A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 10:47 PM

I have no idea on how much he is spending on it. I believe he said it has aluminum hulls and twin engines though it will be normal to cruise with only one. I will add more details as I hear them.

Sure you don't want to throw it all over for a life in the tropical islands?

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From:
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 04:24 AM

congratulations!! see ya next year @ the National??

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JudyB
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 10:51 AM

Wow! Wonderful!! Congratulations, Brett!!!

One of my former bosses is having what looks to me like a wonderfully successful retirement. I think he had a sense of the way the political winds were blowing, and wanted to leave while he was at the top, and did. He had detailed plans for the first 6 months or so - trips to take, old friends to visit, and so on to keep from falling into a funk or being so overwhelmed with all the possibilities that he never did any of them. And he had some thoughts to look into for the following year. It's been 12 years since he retired; he looks a little older (don't we all) but is still active, involved in the community, traveling when the spirit moves him, and doing great. I think it compares favorably with your stories of folks who decided to stick it out - and with your solid core of a plan for the trip to England and your somewhat looser thoughts about trips to the US and Japan, it sounds to me as if you're right on track to move into the kind of happy, productive retirement my former boss has. I hope I can do as well when the time comes....

JudyB

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 12:11 AM

Hang in there Judy, you and Charley are pretty spry. I expect you two will continue to spry your way around after you retire. Of course, Charley has always been retired... or he's always been working at a stealth job.

Sandra, I expect I'll get to the National next year but all my plans are up in the air right now. I'd like to get some information on renting a caravan/camper or something for the festival. Otherwise we can tent out.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 02:20 AM

After a year of retirement, a friend of mine reported, Not a bad day yet!
May yours be the same.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,sandra
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 03:58 AM

Brett - local (ie Canberra) caravans are almost impossible to get, but hiring a camper elsewhere & driving there would be easy. It's only a 3 hour trip from Sydney.

see ya

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Jul 04 - 10:55 PM

Yesterday we officially launched the Quest. She was beautiful in her new coat of red black and white paint. He waited by the shore as we milled about, talking, selling meals and drinks, taking pictures, and entertaining the people who had turned out to see him go back into the water. The dancers showed up. There were 60+ of them and they danced and sang for our proa.

Then, at 1:30, he slid bravely into the water and floated there while the crew got the rigging finished up and prepared him for the sea. They sailed off and promptly ran aground. They got him off and continued out the harbor mouth where a problem with the rigging left them drifting until the fetched up on a little beach at the harbor mouth. Finally they got things squared away and off they went.

The second trip went smoother though our friend Al, a sailing captain by trade, was on board. As they sailed by one of our number shouted out, "Al, sit down and shut up!" He answered, "It isn't in my nature!" Apparently he made a number of comments on how to "improve" things that were not taken well by the rest of the crew. Sigh. Such things happen in groups.

The last trip went out with only one skilled canoe man on board. We were worried about that but Al was there and he was skilled with sailing and handling boats and Frank had been out several times so we decided they would be fine. They were out for a while and when they returned I heard Al comment to the others that what happens in the boat stay in the boat. Three of the crew were suspiciously wet. And the ep-ep was broken, a two inch piece of wood neatly snapped in two. They came in for a great deal of ribbing and had to explain themselves.

It seems they were having trouble with the balance of the proa. Al wanted to sail it with the tam out of the water. At one point while shunting the sail Frank fell off the boat. Later they lost a paddle and Brandon dove in to retrieve it. Then, in trying to hike out on the ep-ep to maintain the balance Paul fell against the ep-ep and it broke under his not inconsiderable weight. pitching him into the sea and nearly capsizing the boat.

They will have a number of lighthearted accusations and jibes over the next few meetings. It may take them a while to live this one down.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 03:33 AM

Not uch to report these days. My friends in Portsmouth, NH, may groan when they hear of the message I got earlier today. It was an email from the office in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard offering me the supervisory job back there. Imagine my living in the Kittery area and having all that music so close to hand.

But the message was too late. I have already applied for and been approved for retirement. And besides, I REALLY do not want to shovel snow.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 03:52 AM

Onya Brett. I think you have made the right decision. Life's too short.....

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 12:01 PM

Brett-

We all know that if you accepted the job at the Kittery-Portsmouth Shipyard, as soon as you had wrapped things up in Guam and were flying back to the States the U.S. Congress would have pulled the plug on the base.

I think you're making an inspiring choice. I'd retire too, if anyone had been thoughtful enough to have hired me.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 12:57 PM

I think you will still find plenty to write about, Brett -- just because you are cutting off a huge amount of boredom out of your life doesn't mean you have to replace it!! Just fill it with lively curiousity and new discoveries, man! And music!!

A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 07:37 PM

One thing I do NOT expect after October 1 is to be bored. There are so many projects that need more time than the occasional evening hours I have been able to give them so far. One is to build my workshop. I will have a shipping container moved on to the property and install insulation, electricity, windows, and light. It won't be much but it will be good enough for my uses. I need to build an Adirondack loveseat so Wakana and I can enjoy sunsets from our front yard.

And I want to write. I long to write. I have been using this thread to dip my toe in the river of words and I find I like it. There have been story ideas, fiction and nonfiction, swinging though the vines that fill my mind. It's time to capture them and get them caged on the printed page.

One friend emailed me worrying about what I might find to do while retired. I reassured her that I would find plenty to do. Between trips to the other islands, Japan and Australia, I will also be flying around the world next year. If I don't find the inspiration I need at home I will find it in the adventures yet to come.