It's Official. I Am Now Unemployed. (don't worry, not a sob story)

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
21

Hey, thank you all for the comments and support!!

I would have written sooner, but I just got my internet account set up here. One thing you may find of interest, Subway Prophet, is that we no longer have to book calls and wait several hours before the island operator calls us back and puts the call through. We can dial out direct, AND we have our own, FREE, internet provider set up here. It is a 56k dial-up, no high-speed, but what the heck, we can still surf the web. At work, though, we do have high-speed connections, but as this is an Army installation, excessive use for personal stuff is frowned upon.

So, Subway Prophet, I am sure we crossed paths many times 1984-1987, and never k new each other. Not sure how old you are, but you might have had my daughter in your classes. Too funny.

Thank you, Caprese for the kind words and interest.

Winston Smith, you just don’t know how much my heart goes out to you. Such terrible choices and difficult times. I really appreciate your generous words, but it was a hard-as-hell choice for us. I can’t tell you how many times I looked in the mirror and asked myself, “Have you gone INSANE?!” I have been very humbled by the speed with which this opportunity presented itself, too…it really knocked the anger out of me and was very humbling, which was a good thing, as an international relocation is not something to do in haste, anger, or arrogance. As I have said before, you really need to be careful what you ask for. Hopefully, when the time is right, you, too, will be able to gather up your sweet loved ones and get out of Dodge, too, to a better place without all the stress and snarkiness. I will keep you in my thoughts and will always hope for a change for the better for you all when the time is right.

OK, time to see about joining the Kwaj Scuba Club. Thanks again to all!

22

I forgot, Subway Prophet mentioned differences. I won’t take up bandwidth by trying to turn this into a home-town update thread, but I will mention a few things I’ve noticed so far. For more, my email is in my profile.

The Richardson has been revamped and has digital sound and all. Movies Saturday, Sunday, Monday I think. (The Rich is our outdoor theater. Kinda a cool way to watch a movie.)

The Yokwe Yuk club is still open, but only the lounge area. The kitchen was condemned a few years back and they haven’t revamped it yet. I think they are stuck in a do-we-tear-it-down-and-rebuild-or-renovate loop.

There are some new house typed here now. They have frame-built housing in addition to the concrete block housing, and also “dome homes.” They’re on a concrete pad, it looks like, and have some kind of fiberglass or acrylic “walls.” Due to the curvature, I’d imagine that hanging pictures is…well, different. I also hear that the rain is really loud on those structures.

In addition to the 6 o’clock siren, they also play Reville (sp? sorry) at 7 am, and Taps at 9 pm. I kinda like it.

They also quit artificially using the same days as in the USA. (We’re West of the International Date Line) But to saty in sync witht he states, our work week is now Tuesday thru Saturday, with Sunday and Monday off. We’re a day ahead, so this coioncides with the Monday-Friday USA work week. This can be a little confusing. :wink:

Yes, you still have to have military orders to travel here. You also now need a passport even if you are a US citizen. (Used to be, it was not a requirement)

Due to the popularity of internet shopping, Macy’s and Macy’s West have less stuff to buy, but still an acceptable selection. Ten-Ten has been relocated and has a bigger selection, including fruit and produce. (Of course, Surfway still has the best selections)

The BQ (Bacherlor Quarters) is now single occupant. No more roommates if you’re here on unaccompanied status. I’m in one right now, until I get a house assigned to me before my wife joins me after the pack out.

That’s about all I’ve seen this week. I have actually been surprised at how little things have changed in 19 years.

23

Wow. I am kind of overwhelmed after reading this. It’s one of those strange little otherworld places unlike anywhere else in the world. It’s also pretty unusual for someone to go back after leaving. (When I was a kid I thought Gonzo’s song in the Muppet Movie was about Kwajalein. Now that I’ve grown a bit, I still do. “Part heaven, part space” indeed!) No one, and I mean no one, around here knows what the place is like. My wife, who has never been there, pointed out that I have a special attachment to songs and stories about exile, and speculates that this is why. I think she’s right.

You’re just the third person from Kwaj I’ve come across since I left the Rock in 1991. Just seeing someone mention the Richardson is making my heart race.

So… You’ve been there almost a week now? How’s the ritual sunburn going? :cool:

Thanks, I’ll use it! Probably send you something in a day or two. I know you’re busy with other things right now anyhow. :slight_smile:

Stop it. You’re making me cry! :weepy:

Seriously though, and I suppose I’m saying this for the benefit of others reading this thread… this is one of the most common things to say about Kwaj. I don’t know if it’s because it’s just the place it is, or if this statement holds true everywhere. But for all the artificialality (and artifice) about Kwajalein, there’s something lasting about the place.