One Week

Back from Africa, essentially for a week.

Today was a unique day. One of the best in the world took
me aside to say " bid your time- don't do the nasty nasty
thing you had intended to do, you won't regret it."

Well . . . . . the problem person was like the friend I had
about eight months ago. It was like time had been rolled
back, almost scary. It felt really good to see that what I
thought to be dead, was in fact still alive. How to explain
it is beyond me. When I'm ready to attack with all my
might, the person I used to know appears, as if by some
force of magic. It's almost as if they can read my mind
and know it's time to "back down."

M. Pardew called me tonight. She's about as dumb as I am.
She misses absolutely nothing. The only person who I live
in fear of. Imagine, me totally intimidated by someone.
From the first thing she said to me " Do you have a pen"
to this very day, she is one person who I place respectful
fear in front of E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G else. I tell you,
even the bible tells you not to mess with her. It's all part
of the attraction. Few people can control me as can she.

Oddly enough, someone is sending me IM's for the first
time since October . .

'Abend!

Day two

Second day back, feeling much better from yesterday.
Shall we say it was a trying day? It was. The day was
spent in the house hiding.

Today TWO people at church said "You went to Africa
with the President, didn't you?" HELLO?? What planet
do you live on?? Yes, my children, I was with the one
and only President of the United States of America in
Africa. Did anyone else miss that fact? Considering my
itinerary was the same as El Presidente, one should
assume/make the connection that is what I was doing
there. Can one think of ANY reason to go to Monrovia
other than following the President? I certainly cannot.

Have I ever mentioned I miss the '80's? Well, I do.
Those were such fun (and wild) days. When I think of
the things we did (SHUT UP LISA)- and the fact we
are still around to talk about them. Thankfully there
is youtube to track down all the old MTV stuff to watch
and listen to. I remember going to Joni's house to watch
"World Premiers" of music video's. Something tells me
that doesn't happen any more. Perhaps we were innocent
or naive, but it was different in those days. Many of the
pressures associated with today didn't exist in those days.
Georgetown . . . Luxembourg, Greece, Scotland . . . an
occasional stint at something insane..... I want those
days back. Madness, Duran Duran, the Go-Go's , ABC,
and many many more.

If I knew then what I knew now: Life would be VERY
different. Something tells me none of you would be
victimized by me!!

Seb: hope your feeling better. It's been quite the week.

Guten Abend!!!

Return

We're home in one piece from Africa. Thank you
for those that called, emailed, and sent text messages.
It was a good trip, and something that most folks
will never experience. The two things that stick-out
the most were Rwanda, and the pumpkin soup in
Tanzania.

Two days ago in Accra, we did a little shopping, and
I bought a piece of Kinte Cloth. It's really amazing
looking. It was NOT inexpensive, but it's so unusual
in the pattern and colors. While there is no practical
use or place for it, it serves as a reminder of a wild
"different day, different country" trip. I will do a recap
in a day or so to go over some of the gory details.

I can say that Liberia is a place I haven't a desire to
visit again- after being there twice in one day! It
would be nice to go back to Tanzania. It was so
relaxing there. Quite, peaceful, a nice breeze, and
of course, pumpkin soup. The staff was so moved
by the tip we left for them. Talk about being guilty:
We left them about ten dollars a piece. What we
waste each week on coffee and gum. They each make
about two dollars a week. Do the math.

I emailed Lisa that I'd like her to look a the memory
card from the camera and do what she can with
the pictures I've taken. We'll see.

When I got home last night, I had dirt in my pockets
and hair. It was from the stuff the helicopter and
AF1 stirred up in Monrovia!

Be good!

Kigali, Rwanda

Yesterday was Rwanda day. We flew from Tanzania over to Kigali.
The field was small and extremely remote. Not the place you want
to break down, or crash land.

Upon arrival the area residents ("natives" sounds so nasty.) were
awaiting the arrival of W. When the 747's rolled in, they had their
drums and dancers ready. They drummed, sang, and danced until
the "official" time when the President got off of the plane.

They began to play "The Star Spangled Banner." I almost lost it.
Kigali was one of the most moving places I've ever been. Over
eight hundred thousand people lost their lives there. I surmise
this is what visiting a Nazi "camp" must feel like. Part of me
thinks that this couldn't have happened in this beautiful, and
seemingly peaceful area. To hear our/that song- and be reminded
of home (and literally home- B-more), was extremely memorable.

Last night we went to the bar area to hang out- Bob Geldof was in
there - poor dude. You know the crew mobbed him . . .

Okay- time to go get some stuff for the boys. Try to behave
today........

Dar Es-Salaam

Not really, we're two hours north of the city at a little resort
on the Indian Ocean. Last night I got my feet wet, so I could
say "I've been in the Indian Ocean."

We had to go to the embassy to get cash, and saw W's motorcade
roll out to fetch him from the airport. Funny seeing cars with DC
plates on them.

The weather is very warm here but- there is a stiff ocean breeze.
From my room, the view is one of thatched roofs and palm trees.
The lizards seem to keep the bugs in check. I took a picture of a
lizard going to town on ants out in the hall the other day.

It really is nice and quiet here. I fully understand the attraction
of being somewhere where it's just laid back. Not even in South
Carolina is it this laid back. If it didn't take a whole day to get here,
and then a two hour car ride on the wrong side of the road....
I would come back. It's very clean. The people are very VERY
polite, and the food is actually good. Right now I can smell
a curry someone is making for lunch. My mouth is watering.

Okay- the connection here is very slow, so I will sign off.
Tomorrow we blast of to Rwanda. That, my friends should be
interesting!

Bloomin' Crocus'

The white and yellow crosus' are blooming out in the yard.
All it takes is a little warm snap (like we had last week)- and
bang~ flowers in the yard. This means Spring may be just
around the corner.

At 0430, I awoke in a panic. How prepared am I for the
impending trip? After going over what has been done:
I'm as ready as can be. While I still need to finish packing,
that can't be accomplished until the schedule has been
finalized. That should "go down" in the next day or so.

Now, y'all know I am not a youngster. Y'all know I've been
livin' here for my entire life. For the first time in my life,
I never ever remember the politicos being here in Maryland
to push for their camps. Seems to me, that for once, the
seventh state is being recognized for what is here. It's
always something that amazes me. We may not be a big
state- but we do have some things going on here that
definetly deserve a look-see.

B.G. & E. are building a new smoke stack at Brandon
Shores. Last week when I saw it, I just thought it was
a perception thing making it look so big. Yesterday
I was on 695 at Wilkens Avenue, and could see the
monster from there. It is NOT an optical illusion-
it's a new standard in big smoke stacks!

Tonight's dinner will be an International Culinary
delight. Nothing from the 'States. Ready? Go!
British Baked Beans, Italian tomato paste, Israeli
garlic and basil, and the "crowning jewel" lamb
hot-dogs from Iceland. Being a lamb FREAK,
it's easy for me to go crazy over them. Saturday
night I had lamb in Annapolis, and some great
(and I do mean G-R-E-A-T) Margaux. Odd how
I get dragged into food prep. Dinner, dessert,
and vegetables all ended up as my responsibility.
Good thing I can cook!

Friday I went to the car show with Jeff. Even though
we haven't seen each other in a year, it was like we
had been together 15 minutes ago. He's as close to a
child as I'll ever get. After the car show we went to
Batemans in Severna Park (A.K.A. Snootville)- where
Kym hooked us up, and we met Miss Rachel. No one
ever wonders why they keep us separated. We are
capable of getting into trouble no matter where we
go. Miss Rachel didn't dissapoint. Thought I would
need to restrain her. It was fun.

Thank-God the primary is tomorrow. I want them
to all just SHUT-UP.

Be good my children!

Big Brother is watching

It appears I have a secret admirer. A person at HDQ
has been reading my blog. When they read the last
post, like a fog horn went and spread the word that
I knew about the award.

Allow me to thank you for ruining the day for not
just me, but for everyone I work with that were so
disappointed that the surprise had been lost.

Thank you for allowing me a night devoid of sleep,
and for the interrogation I received several times
regarding who it was that slipped up. Unlike you
I kept my mouth shut and will continue to do so.

I hope it made you feel super good to destroy what
should have been a very special day for me. It makes
no difference to me that you read this. Often it is
easier for me to write what I think, rather than saying
them.

Be certain: Big Brother is watching.

Off to Hartsfield

Tomorrow is off to Hartsfield, Atlanta, Georgia for those
that don't know.

Now, I was told it was for a meeting with the folks from
the White House Charter. While that has since been
added, it was originally for a COMPLETELY different
reason.

World Airways has a program called "Ambassador
Star" that is given out each quarter. Guess who won
the award? It was supposed to be a surprise, but
someone let it slip, and when pressed, admitted that
I'd won the award. It comes with a plaque, a pin, and
a five hundred dollar cash award. I just want the cash!
The award is given to the person who shows the
spirit of World Airways. ME?? Uh huh.

So I gotta be a good boy and act surprised! We'll see.
EVERYONE knows I am loathe to be surprised. Few
things irritate me more than a surprise. Don't like 'em!

I'm still clogged up. It seems that I can't kick this thing.
Part of me thinks it must be some sort of allergy. Who
knows.

Okay- gonna call U.N. and with luck sleep again tonite!

Be good!!!

It's Official

In 9 days it's off to Africa for me. This will be trip number 3,
and fortunately not repeating any of the previously visited
cities. While not looking forward to doing any of this, I do
know it will be "beneficial" for me to go. In fact, I believe
that was the actual word used.

Still not feeling well. Gotta be better by Wednesday, as
they're flying me to ATL to do the first meeting with the
Charter Broker. It's gonna be a down and back- that
makes me VERY happy. The level of service and demand
on the crew will be quite high. This is the first trip in
a long time where we (World) have provided this many
people to support a trip like this. The times are goofy,
and the schedule is hectic- but whatever.

Today I dragged out the "good" World Phone. I plan
to take a back-up phone too. Not gonna take any
chances whatsoever. Find the passport, camera, and
the pepto! Africa, here I come!

OH, and it's nice and quiet around here since the
"problem" left for Seattle!

Out to Africa

It appears that in a few weeks I'll be off to Africa.
We'll see. The last several trips planned this far out
have not happened. Athens, London (twice) Rome,
none happened- planned too far out.

Right now it's 9 days in Africa. Go to the White
house web site to see what/where the trip is going.
So far I can think of about 4 folks who have backed
out of it.

Today was a visit to Downs Park, then off to 'Nap-
town. Came home for "about 20 minutes" crashed
and slept for almost 4 hours. Guess someone
needed some sleep. Now, will I sleep tonight?
This cold has really been a thorn in my side.

It's been a pretty ordinary day so far . . . . .