January 29, 2010 – After I finished loading the new post for the blog, I checked e-mail to see the latest. Whenever I read my business e-mail, I maintain my belief that technology contributes to daily stress of life. In it were usual dialog between fleet ETs and cubicle commandoes over network security with result is that the users of networks are shut out during the process in attempts to fight hackers. Of course, hackers will always be ahead as time is on their side. Today’s hackers are not the Matthew Broderick teen character from 1983 movie “War Games” but a network of sophisticated professionals, usually backed by their government, in this case, the Chinese. The stupidity of the entire matter is we are using hardware built by the Chinese while we outsource much of our technological capabilities to them in quest of cheap labor and maximum profits. Meanwhile pirating of American software continues on a gargantuan scale while stateside consumer shelves are full of Chinese made products. You cannot argue too much with your banker who holds the mortgage deeds.
News that NOAA is going to abide by GAO recommendations. After reading the e-mails, I took “LV” to get his visa photos taken. I think reality has sunk in that the process to come to the US is for real and that time for farewells will have to be met. I had three photos taken and need to go back and get three more. I will send those to the attorney in Seattle from American Samoa for his files. A few more errands on a hectic Friday with traffic in and around central market still bad. Even after switching sides to the left! Lunch for the kids and then stop at Chan Mow market for “nappies” and snacks as my niece and stepson accompanied me. After that shopping trip, it was back to the village encountering monsoon like rains in the mountain pass.
I did not know until last night that there were people from my niece’s village in that store who asked her if I was her “husband.” Either I look young enough to marry a 17-year-old or I have “sugar daddy” written across my forehead. It is something I have grown accustomed to since coming here. Being a center of gossip is not new to me. Because of this experience, I do not mind the non-notoriety of life in a big city. I guess being the only American (not involved with religion) for miles around is a novelty. You do not see Peace Corps volunteers in the villages as much as I did several years ago. I used to see them riding their bicycles to the village primary school. Outside of annual visits from the Ka’imimoana, I do not see much American presence here. I do see Chinese inroads politically (no active communist movements like the Cold War era) but more so economically.
“LV” went fishing last night with his cousins and uncle. In the morning, his aunt and other cousins are selling their catch along the roadside to passing motorists or other villagers. He steers the outrigger while the uncle and cousins fish with spears and catch lobsters, crabs, and squid. He will likely go again Saturday night.
January 30, 2010 - The weekend is upon us and another hot day to boot. Fortunately, it is cloudy and we do have a slight breeze from the ocean south of us. I was going into town in the morning to take advantage of the stores being open half day. However, several have schedules that are not in line with others so an evening trip is in the works. I need to get water, bread and some soft goods generally not available in village kiosks. Small road traffic in front of the house consists of wholesalers making deliveries to kiosks for the weekend. Most kiosks are closed on Sundays but open at four in the afternoon. My father-in-law is in the back cooking umu. The only thing I can come close to describing it would be a Luau in Hawaii but minus the pork and the festive like atmosphere that accompanies it. Cooking underneath the wood burning coals are palusami, taro and breadfruit. Oh yes, I had fresh lobster for brunch. I did not go into town and just relaxed. It rained most of the day so it was cool. Hot by our standards but cool.
January 31, 2010 – Woke up early and saw the smoke was lazily drifting over the village. The sun was out so it was going to be hot. I went to town in the morning to pick up the niece who spends Sundays and Monday mornings here. The afternoon consisted of going to the beach at Brenda’s Fales in Tafa Tafa. The water was nice and warm as it is in Samoa all the time. The beach was not crowded and we stayed there for about two hours. Rainsqualls were in the distance and the beach area was cloudy. Since this beach is not far from Lalomanu I had expected some serious damage or rebuilding. It looked as if it was never touched. Rentals of fales decrease from 40 to 30 tala. Tomorrow consists of another trip to the photographers for another set of three visa photos and a trip to the US Embassy. I need to know of minors are required to go through rigid interviews like adults. Afterwards, a trip down to the Internet café for the latest and greatest of weekend e-mails, a peek at Facebook and updating the blog until my next trip later on in the week.
Talofa from Samoa
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