News From Guam

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 03:28 PM

Last Monday was All Soul's Day. I was supposed to be on Sunday but the priests were all busy with their regular services. Apparently the Catholic Church has decreed that if November First falls on a Sunday then the celebration gets shifted to the following Monday. I guess they don't want to pay overtime to the priests.

Anyway, on Saturday and Sunday the cemetaries were full of people decorating the graves of their loved ones. Sunday night many people stayed by the graves all night. Monday was devoted to prayer and masses. Unfortunately they didn't get good weather for the celebration. One of my co-workers was supposed to go out to the cemetary at lunch time but it was pouring buckets so she stayed in the office.

Wednesday night I went out for rehearsal and noticed there are colored lights still shining all through the cemetaries. It's very pretty.

Last night was my second performance here in Guam. After the rehearsal on Wednesday a couple of the Pago Bay Reefers prevailed upon me to come to Le Tasi Bistro on Thursday to perform when the band stepped down for a break. Jay introduced me and I stepped up to the mike. I started with Henry The Eighth after explaining that we were going to be doing something a little different. The whole audience joined in. They remembered Herman's Hermits and all knew the words. It was great fun. I followed that with a chanty, South Australia, and finished with Mary Mac. Thy were very kind and we all had a lot of fun.

Oops, it's almost 6:30. Time to get ready for work.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 04:07 AM

You know it's funny about the past. I served on board the USS Mount Whitney (picture here) from 1973 to 1975. I hated it. I hated the ship, I hated the Navy, and I hated the town we were stationed in. Today I made a point about going down the the dock to see her sister ship, The Blue Ridge. And I felt nostalgia creep over me like a coating of honey drooling out of a barrel on to my head. What gives? I don't understand it myself. If there are any armchair shrinks out there who can explain it I'm all ears.

But I walked the length of that ship and studied her looking for differences and changes from the old ship that I served in. I looked at the sailors walking the docks and they look so young! Was I ever that young? I can't believe it. I wanted to ask them if their mother knew they were away from home.

And there are women on board now! What an improvement that would have been in the old days. I remember six months away from home and how wonderful it was to see women again when we came ashore.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: curmudgeon
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 09:10 AM

Brett, Check your links. this is what i got:

Forbidden
You don't have permission to access /ussmtwhitney/LCC/gallery/LCC03.gif on this server.

Will try to pack up a couple shanties for you this afternoon so Charly can bring them along -- Tom

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 03:23 PM

Grumble. grumble, gripe, gripe!

Well, if you do a google search for the Mount Whitney you will find a picture of her. She's a pretty ungainly looking vessel.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 04:58 PM

that link worked here...must be a local thing..

Nice ship! from a distance, anyway...ungainly? Guess I don't know what sleek is supposed to be...

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 07:58 PM

Well, up close she looks pretty ungainly.

I forgot to mention the rehearsal last Wednesday, or actually, I only mentioned it in passing. There was a little girl there and her mother and the other two women were busy decorating her birthday cake. She was turning 4 years old. Her name is Tara.

She is typical of almost-4-year-old children. She is a bundle of energy and cute as a button. It's been years since I was able to play with a little kid and it brought back memories of how easy it is to fool them and make them laugh.

Here's a trick for all parents and grandparents of little kids. It's a game I invented and we call it Waterhole (Actually in kidspeak it's "waddyhole"). You place the child on your knees seated sideways so her legs dangle down beside your left or right leg. Then you tell her the story of the waterhole and all the animals who come to drink there. And when you use the word waterhole you open your knees and drop her into the waterhole. Of course, you make sure you don't do that EVERY time you use the word and the anticipation and the story will reward you with gales of laughter. Warning: Be prepared to do this for hours on end once you start it.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 08:16 PM

Here ya go....


A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 06:28 PM

Thanks, Amos.

The weather here has been a little weird lately. We had occasional strong winds and heavy clouds on Sunday and Monday. Last night the rain arrived and though it was light rain it blew sideways in the wind. It was only showers and now everything has calmed down again.

I heard a report from Guam this morning on All Things Considered from NPR. We get ATC in the morning here so the news is fresher than if we waited till the evening.

Anyway, there is apparently a brain disease that kills Chomorros. The report is of the solution to the mystery. The bats they eat feed on the accacia seeds which contain a neurotoxin. The toxin accumulates in the bats and then accumulates in the Chamorros who eat the bats. I'm looking forward to talking about it at the lunch table tomorrow. No bats please, pass the salad.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Barbara
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 10:07 PM

Yes, Brett, I heard that on NPR this evening and came here intending to tell you to stay away from roast flying fox when you sample Chamorro cuisine. Of course, since the introduction of rifles to Guam, they're an endangered species (says NPR), so probably not the centerpiece of the feast these days.
Stay well,
Blessings,
Barbara, and say hi to Judy and Charlie for me when you see 'em.
I went to college (MSU) with Charlie.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 02:00 AM

Ah, but Barbara, it's worse than that. They don't roast them. The boil them intact and eat the whole thing! One of my work friends recounted how her mother likes to eat the wings right down to the bone. I have eaten some strange things since I got here but there is no way I could keep my supper down if someone brought boiled fruit bat to the table.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 02:09 AM

The other thing I'm trying to wrap my mind around is this ideea of being frantic before a vacation. You still have plenty of time, almost a day and a half, to get ready. I fly out on Thursday afternoon. Today I put up the typhoon shutters so the house will be protected while I'm away. On Thursday morning I will do my laundry, fold it and pack it and haul the duffle bag up to the airport for checkin by 1:00. Nothing to it.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 02:20 AM

Charley! I just read in the thread on the November Shanty Sing that everyone is coming down with colds. If you are carrying any of those germs you can stay right the hell away from this hemisphere! If I get sick after our trip I wll never forgive you and never let you live it down! So call up the airline and tell them you've been banned from travel and have to stay in the frozen north!

Where's my surgical mask...

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 04:27 AM

Same here, Charlie. We've just thrown off the dreaded lurgy. Just leave it there.

BTW Brett, when the Chamorros eat the bats, does the brain disease send them "batty"? I guess that comment is in rather poor "taste".

The idea of boiled fruit bat is pretty revolting! I promise the dead animals we have on the BBQ will not be bats. I can't make any other promises though :-)

Jenny

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 04:36 AM

The smile on my smiley went on the next line - grrrrr. Little buggers won't behave :-(    :-o    :-)    ;-D

(Note to self - always preview)

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 09:36 PM

Brett, let's see how calm you are by this time tomorrow. I can't believe anyone can stay that casual about packing for a trip. By the way, how does the time zone in Guam compare with our daylight saving time here? Right now it's about 1.30pm on the 12th.

Jenny

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 09:53 PM

G'day JennyO,

I don't know if Brett has skived off already, but Guam should be only 2 hours behind Sydney/East Coast Australia (or maybe 3, since they probably don't have daylight saving at their latitude).

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 10:50 PM

Hi Bob,

By my calculations he won't be leaving till tomorrow night. Yes I thought it would only be a small difference, something like what you said. Thanks for that.

Jenny

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 12:01 AM

I haven't "skived off" yet. I leave tomorrow evening. According to my handy dandy little pocket gadget (Palm Pilot) we are 1 hour behind you.

As for being casual about traveling, I spent too many years married to someone who couldn't do anything without worrying it to death. I enjoy having a casual outlook on life. If I forget anything, well, I probably didn't need it anyway. Who cares if I can't brush my teeth fot 17 days...

I'm saving my excitement for the trip and that is building. I seem to be having a little trouble concentrating on the work today. I'm not sleeping well either. Hmmm, could I be worried and not acknowledging it? I think not. I think I'm excited about going to the Land Down Under.

Plus I'll be crossing the Equator for the first time in my life. All my life's experiences have been in the northern half of the globe, mostly in one half of one hemisphere. Now I will venture into austral incognito.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 06:39 AM

G'day Brett,

You would indeed be only an hour behind us ... and that's because you won't be on Daylight Saving in Guam - which doesn't work in the tropics! I did not realise that Guam was that far east of the Philipines ... you are almost due north of Port Douglas (well ... ~ 1' 30" west).

We'll see you soon(ish) ... free of jet lag!

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 07:02 AM

Brett - if you leave your toothbrush behind you can buy one here - our shops sell lotsa' good stuff! Not that I think you are one of those insular Americans who don't know anything about other countries. We have only been adding to your existing knowledge by telling you about the drop bears & the bitey things that abound in Oz. Did anyone mention the stinging jellyfish & other creatures found in northern seas?

While I was still working in the call centre of our Federal Govt agency I received an email from a researcher in an American organisation who had obviously confused Australia with Austria! I politely replied saying we can't help you with what you need. She responded that if we ever needed any information from them to please ask. No thankyou, I thought to myself.

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 05:47 PM

LOL! As I brushed my teeth last night I got to thinking about third world countries and hard living. I could imagine my host's indignation if I got to Australia and innocently asked if the tap water was pure enough to drink. I figure I'd be ridden out of the country on a rail.

But many of my fellow US citizens figure they are the only developed country on Earth. We can be so ignorant.

Yes, I have heard of the bitey and stinging creatures in your oceans. If you haven't read Bill Bryson's book, In A Sunburned Country, he goes on at length about how many ways there are to die, or at least suffer horribly, in Australia.

Ho-hum, it must be time to do my laundry and pack. Australia, here I come!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 07:52 AM

this week's New Scientist has a very interesting article about box jellyfish (familiarly known as "box jellies" - how cute!). Seems like they & similar fatal & near-fatal stingers wander around the northern seas all year around, not just in summer & autumn as formerly thought.

bye for now
sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 08:07 AM

Too late to frighten him any more, Sandra. He would have left by now. Has he heard about the deadly blue-ringed octopus? (just in case he checks in while he is in Port Douglas, mwuhhahahahahahahaha ;-))

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 09:24 PM

I'm here. And what did I see when I bought the local paper. Large picture, front page, a man holding two large box jellyfish, stingers as they're known locally. What have I done?

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 11:25 PM

Brett - and others- have you read Edward Kanze's 'Kangaroo Dreaming'? He and his wife, both naturalists, systematically roamed all the states and both territories in search of Australia's unique wildlife. They logged hundreds of critters they had never seen before. It's a great read.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,Brett
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 08:50 PM

I'll check it out, Ebbie.

Yesterday was quite a trip. I wandered downtown looking for a newspaper and some brekky. I wandered into several likely looking estyablishments before I found a "news agent" who had the Cairns Post. Then I headed over for breakfast. I was hungry and ordered the big breakfast. I won't do that again. It included sausages, bacon, steak, eggs, some kind of fried potato cake and toast. Good thing I was in no hurry!

While I sat there little birds kept flying in through the open door to peck at crumbs on the floor. They were very funny. Then two women came in with a video camera. One of them kept filming the other. They were having a good time. At one point the camera panned around the room and I looked up in time to see it settle on me. After she put it down I waggled my toast at her as if to say, "Naughty girl!" We shared a smile and went back to our own lives.

After brekky I headed down to the waterfront park. I stopped to talk to shop owners and tour operaters. People are very friendly here. Down at the waterfront I examined St. Mary's Church and walked out on to the town dock to photograph the harbor and mountains. Then I found a picnic table in the shade of a banyan tree and lay down to rest my feet and listen to the birds.

There are birds here! The town is alive with the sound of birdsong from the screech of the lorikeets to the warble of the magpie larks (lark magpies?). Guam's bird population has been decimated by the tree snakes and the countryside is largely silent. I am surprised at how much I have missed simple birdsong.

A I lay there I heard sirens and a fire truck halted in front of the Court House Bar. I photographed that too.

Then I wandered back to the hotel and took a swim in the pool which was cool and refreshing. I went back to the room, played my guitar, read for a bit, and took a nap. What luxury, or is it decadence?

When I woke from my nap I found a gale going on outside. I went out to enjoy the rough weather. There was no rain but the wind was very strong. I headed for the beach but was sidetracked by a walkway that climbed a hill. I headed uphill and arrived at a very lovely overlook that gave me a dramatic view of the whole of the Four Mile Beach. With the wind and the waves it was wonderful. The trail ended in a rough road so I followed that back into town. It was my first introduction to undeveloped land n Australia.

I found a grocery store where I bought some water and fruit drinks. Then with my backpack weighty with my purchases I headed for the hotel again.

I kicked back for a while then headed out for some supper. There is a seafood restaurant near here called Coconutz. It was closest and I was tired so that is where I went. I order Morton Bay Bugs and a mango daiquarie (sp?). The drink arrived, dark yellow with a crown of fruit, a cherry, slices of lime, lemon, and pinapple, and tall palm fronds sticking out the top. I couldn't help but laugh at it. The other diners grinned and laughed too when I aksed the waitress where to start on the drink.

I ended up in a conversation with the couple at the next table who were very interesting in their own right. He works as an engineer at one resort and she manages another. They have 6 acres up in the hills where they keep horses. Eventually they joined me at my table while we aited out the rain. Did I mention that showers eventually arrived with the gale?

The bugs were good but not good enough that I would pay that kind of money for them again. They were expensive. The drink was not that good. I guess I'm not a fa of daiquaries.

Now I am in the internet cafe and ready to explore some more. I tried to get on a tour but that one was not going anywhere until later and I want to be here when Charley and Judy arrive.

Back into the fun!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 16 Nov 03 - 05:52 AM

Charley and Judy arrived while I was seated on my balcony playing my guitar and enjoying a beer. It was a lovely reunion. I haven't seen them since I left Maine in June. We had a nice dinner and this morning shared the experiences at The Habitat, a walk through jungle aviary and zoo. Charley had great fun feeding the wallabies and kangaroos. We got up close and personal with a small freshwater croc, and met the cassowary.

Then we went to the Port Douglas market. Unfortunately my feet were done in and I still had to walk up through the town. But I wandered around. At one booth with glasswares the proprietor sat with a guitar in his lap. He plays with another man and their current interest is bluegrass. He said his partner was at another booth up the line. As I wandered up there I heard banjo music and then a familiar voice. Charlie had found the banjo player and they were swapping songs.

I visited a few more booths and then staggered off to the hotel and the swimming pool. Then a nap revitalized me.

By the by, I have discovered a book called The Salmon Of Doubt. It is a collection of Douglas Adams smaller works, newspaper columns, articles, speeches, etc. It is very good. It also includes the ten chapters of the latest Dirk Gently novel he was working on when he died.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,james bryant
Date: 16 Nov 03 - 10:34 PM

dear naemanson, i stumbled across youre site while surfing the web... and it warmed my heart,in 1985,i spent 6 weeks in/on Guam,playing there with a rock/metal cover band called WWIII..., i fell in love with the island and have never forgotten it...,your site brought back alot of beautiful memories!...i remember cocos island, and a place called talofofo falls, we played at a big club called ''the pescador'',it was behind a place where they had legal cock-fighting..., i ate alot of oriental food there and learned to love japanese food9is the 'flamingo inn''still there? unfortunately whenever i hear about guam in the news here in texas, its bad,typhoons, snake infestations,a bad plane crash there several years ago,but your site was good...,i hope you get this message..my e-mail site is '[e-mail], God bless you and ''thanks for the memories'' james.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Lana
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 11:38 AM

Hi Dad!
It sounds like you're having a blast! :-) I'm very glad to hear you're having such a good time. Tell Charly and Judy hello from me. :-)

I'm doing fine, my friend Sara from Gettysburg just visited and we had a great time, shared gossip and got caught up on each others lives, i hadn't seen her in about a year and a half!

Talk to you soon,
Love
Kelli

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 08:47 PM

By now Charley and Judy are on the bus headed for Cairns Airport and Sydney. I head out in another hour and a half.

Port Douglas has been a wonderful experience for someone who has never really had a vacation before. It wasn't until I read Bill Bryson's book that I realized why people vacation. It isn't necessarily supposed to be time you take to visit family or build a new stable or workshop. Apparently it's OK just to go somewhere to enjoy yourself and see places you've never seen before.

I got my pictures developed yesterday and washed my laundry. I'll be arriving in Sydney with clean clothes and fairly rested. I figure I'll provide a detailed report on this vacation on the NEws From Guam thread.

As for the Sydney folk, I'll see a bunch of you this evening at the Harp!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 08:49 PM

LOL!

Maybe I'm not as rested as I thought. I THOUGHT I was posting to the Oz Foray thread!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 02:29 PM

Freshen up.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 05:38 PM

My vacation is winding down. Only two more nights and then I head for Guam. I don't know how I will manage to get back into the working mode. Sigh, now I know why I wanted to be independently wealthy.

Once I get home I will post my adventures in Australia. After all, by then it WILL be "News From Guam".

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 06:23 PM

Just wait until you see your "in bin" - you'll get back into working mode! Hope your desk hasn't collapsed under the weight.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Dec 03 - 12:53 AM

Refresh?

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Dec 03 - 03:57 AM

Brett has returned safely to Guam.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Dec 03 - 08:21 AM

I am indeed here. And still tired. Why is it we take vacations to relax and then return from them exhausted and needing to rest?

This may be the end of my travels for this year. I was supposed to go to headquarters next week (in Hawaii, for those who need to sympathize (sp?)) but that may have been canceled. I should find out tomorrow.

And I need to write up my excellant Australian adventure too. I may even buy a scanner so I can out some of my pictures up somewhere. I have one of Charley that he offered me money NOT to share. How much ya got there, Charley?

Today I got a copy of Alison Freeman's new album, Chanteyman. It made me laugh with pleasure to see it. Then listening to her pure voice and those old songs we all shared got to me. I had to pull off the road to let the tears come. This wasn't homesickness, I think. But I did have something that needed to come out and her CD triggered it.

By the way, she's done a lovely job on the CD and I recommend those of you in New England to go out and buy a copy.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 08:16 PM

It's December in Guam. Christmas looms on the horizon. The decorations brighten the roadsides, little lights swaying in palm trees. Somehow I can't get it through my head that I have to go Christmas shopping. The weather is warm and sleepy and the landscape is green. There just is no sense of urgency even though the holiday is only 22 days away.

But this weekend I must get out to the Chamorro Village and maybe down to Gef Pago to find presnts for the family. This year my presents will be unique assuming I can decide who needs what.

When I got back to the office I had over 390 emails waiting for me. I have it trimmed to about 200 now and am still working my way through the system.

Ah well, back into the pit!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 01:59 AM

I have once again fallen victim to the criminals on Guam. When my laptop was stolen I had to cancel my bank account and open a new one. Since then I've been waiting for my ShareChek Card and my new checks.

This morning before work I went into the website for my bank account to check on balances and start the process for paying my bills this payday. I noticed there were purchases over the last few days using my ShareChek Card, the one I never got.

Sigh. This morning I canceled the card and ordered a new one. This one will be mailed to my office. Apparently they took the card from my mailbox. I wonder what else they've been lifting. If only they'd take the bills and pay them...

I get to talk to the police again this evening. When I called this morning the cop on dispatch remembered me! This is getting old and I am finally getting beyond annoyed.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 08:47 AM

bugger - & even more rude words if your bank holds you liable.

I was planning to ask you for your address cos I have a great chrissy card for you, but the card is not for them, so could you email me your work address. I've had a Post Office box for years (decade?) cos of potential burglars. They are welcome to take the occasional junk mail that comes to my street address!

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 09:27 PM

Well, the dry season has definitely arrived. The skies are clearer than a month ago. Those clouds that are up there are small puffy things that give definition to the blue bowl of the sky. Yesterday afternoon I realized why the hills looked funny. The humidity has dropped and I am seeing them clearly for the first time. The days are cooler and the nights are very pleasant.

I'm having a tough time getting into the holiday season. There is no climate trigger to get me thinking of Christmas. The scene outside my window is green and blue and lovely but it doesn't conjure up images of Santa and his reindeer. Some places have strung bright colored lights but lights in a palm tree just don't carry the same connotation.

But I do have to get out to the stores this weekend. I want to get some local crafts for my family. My little nieces will get grass skirts and the little coconut halter tops that go with them. I need to send T-shirts from the Traditional Seafarers Society to some family members as well as other bits and pieces. My college daughters want the universal present, money. And I need to look around for other things to box up and send home.

Merry Christmas/Happy Chanukka/Happy Kwanza/G'day

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennieG
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 02:07 AM

Brett - we always have a sunny hot Christmas - doesn't everybody? Although today Sydney is cold, windy and rainy, just like the weather on the day of the BBQ and Jenny and John's place. Except today is colder and windier I reckon. And there was I walking home from the station in just a t-shirt and skirt, bare arms freezing, 15 minutes is a long walk sometimes!
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 04:26 AM

Hi Brett. It sounds like you are having lovely weather there at the moment. I thought the weather was starting to settle down here, but it seems we are at the mercy of a series of storm cells at the moment.

The cycle of hot days followed by thunderstorms is not unusual here at this time of the year - our summers are not hot and dry, but hot and humid - more of a monsoon season. What I am finding unusual, though, is the cold. There have been spectacular thunderstorms for the last two days, yesterday starting out sunny and hot, but today has been cold, raining, windy and miserable all day. I think it is definitely colder than the day of our BBQ.

Here's how the Daily Telegraph saw it:

click on 'view today's front page'

There was also this story and this explanation

Much as I dislike extreme heat and humidity, right now it's a little too cold for my liking.

Jenny

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 07:29 AM

JennyO - I was making rude comments about you reading the Daily Telecrap when the link crashed me out. Pleeeze stick to better papers in future.

Today we has lunch at Doyles on the Wharf - yummy food & good company but drizzle everywhere. We travelled there in the ferry & saw lots of drizzle & greyness. At least the ferry ride back was clearer & we could see some scenery. We had a window table & they all praised me as if I had arranged the table, all I did was make the booking. I watched a feeding cormorant, swallows flitting around, seagulls in their proper environment (they do not belong in the Cross or the CBD) & several pigeons out of theirs.

I am listening to my new & borrowed CDs - very pleasant (tho not as pleasant as a singing session).

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 09:08 AM

Sandra, the Telecrap had a very dramatic picture of yesterday's storm building up. First one I've bought in ages.

I'm more interested in what you said about the link crashing you out. Something very strange happened to my computer about the same time. I'll send you an email.

Jenny

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 07:44 PM

Geeze, Brett-

You should have flown back to Maine with us. You'd really be in the Christmas spirit right now with the temperature below zero Centrigrade and the weather people screaming about the one to two feet of snow we're expected to get this weekend. But I digress...

Nice to be home with our own kitties and the pet mouse.

Hope Judy makes it back on Sunday from her organizational meeting in Oklahoma.

Hug a coconut tree for me, would you? And give it a good shake.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Dec 03 - 07:31 PM

Charley, this time of year the only thing that might fall out of a coconut tree is Christmas lights.

Now let me get this straight. Australia and New England are having crummy weather?

The snow storm in the northeastern US is all over the news (National Public Radio). I listened to the reports and decided it was a good day to go to the beach. I spent most of yesterday shopping and now I have to find the last of the presents and some boxes big enough to carry them. Do you know how much room a grass skirt takes up?

Last night my neighbors (the ones I think have been robbing me) had a birthday party for their two year old daughter. They invited me. I was of two minds on that score. It is custom to invite neighbors to a fiesta. It is an insult to refuse to go. Yet I don't trust or like them. Sigh, this must be what it's like to be an adult. But I went along, leaving my wallet behind. I sat in the living room and talked to the old man, Mr. Cruz. It was interesting to see how he was treated. He was the patriarch of the family. Every newcomer went straight to him first and greeted him. Apparently he lives in Saipan now but was down to visit on the occasion of the birthday party. As I watched they placed the birthday girl in her high chair and set the whole cake on the tray before her. Then they took pictures while she scooped frosting into her mouth. Then they lit the candles and did the same thing! We sang Happy Birthday. They had a second verse that everyone else knew and sang along.

The Lord has blessed you,
The Lord has blessed you,
The Lord has blessed Mary,
Happy birthday to you.

Then they filled the pinata and took it outside for the kids to break. The house and dooryard were full of screaming excited children. It's been a while since I have been through that and I took my leave shortly thereafter.

I have also encountered another interesting facet of life on Guam. Do-it-yourself criminal investigation. The police department cannot enter the Navy base to interview credit union employees and gather evidence on my stolen check card so I have to do it myself. Tomorrow I'll go over to the bank and get them to run a detailed list of the purchases and the dates and times they were made. Fun!

All this talk of snow has made me cold... no, wait! I just have the air conditioning set too low. I guess I'll go off to the beach to warm up.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Dec 03 - 10:41 PM

Hey Brett! No 30'Christmas trees? No removing doors to get it into the house? No placing six blue ornaments on one branch?

Just a thought - is there a local organization to whom you can pay a fee for protection? You are off limits? You know, where Nunzio lets everyone know that you are off limits? Just a thought.

I am being held hostage in Chicago. Training.Home to Maine next Friday.

Wonder if lobsters ship well...
SINS

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Dec 03 - 07:43 AM

Well, for all my talk of good weather and going to the beach I didn't go. Not too long after my last post the clouds moved in and the skiesopened up. It didn't rain all day but it was cloudy and threatening. sigh.

Sins, are you trapped in Chicago because of the snow or are you there for a while? You used the word "training" so I assume you are getting an all expenses paid tour of the mid range hotels in Chi-town.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Dec 03 - 10:00 AM

I FEEL HAPPY! i FEEL HEALTHY! I FEEL TERRIFIC!!!!!
Sorry about that, Brett. Part of the training.

You guessed it. Up at crack of dawn, buffet breakfast, lunch break plus two 15 minute breaks, and endless studying. How is anyone suooosed to feel happy and healthy on four hours sleep in a room with a stranger?

I followed your Australian trek even though I didn't post much. I was there back in the 70s and thought the place heaven. Someday, I may go back. Right now I can't get past aching to see Portland Head Lighthouse and my own little spot of heaven.

Your theft problem is really upsetting. Just a thought - Nanny Cams can be hidden to pick up wide angles. At least you will be able to identify the thief. It would be a shame if you kept your neighbors at a distance only to discover they aren't involved.

Time for a PO Box, I think.Or a really mean dog.

More later.
SINS