Wi-Fi Thief

9/10/09

"Thou shalt not steal" seems clear enough, but is surreptitiousl tapping into another's wi-fi stealing? How can it be stealing if the person/company whose network you are using is not really losing anything? Legally, I don't think so yet. And isn't sharing what you have already paid for and what you already know can be used by the entire universe the charitable thing to do? Then why does some neighbor of mine decide to turn off his/her wi-fi during working hours after more than two years of leaving it on?

You may say I should pay for my own internet connection and you probably would get a lot of support. But I say if he/she does not want a secure network, then why go through the extra effort of turning it on and off? After all it would give others (me) pleasure with no sweat of his/her back. Isn't it better to give...?

What does this have to do with my readjustment, you may ask? It is just the way the whole notion of what is mine is mine is creeping back into my life after trying to cope in a communal society for the past two years. As for what does "Thou shalt not steal" mean? It is for others more or less noble to ponder the question. In the meantime, I am just going to confine my internet usage to when my neighbor comes home, or walk across the street to the library, or heaven forbid, get my own internet service.

I Miss the Children

9/9/09

As I walk and bicycle through the city and suburbs or listen to the sounds from my window, I realize something is missing- children. In Samoa children are everywhere, seemingly more numerous than flies. Their laughter and joy still ring in my ears as they enjoy a freedom of which they are unaware. The glee playing with a deflated ball, pushing a piece of wood with a stick, or robbing a neighbor's tree of mangoes is reflected in their smiles. They guard and protect one another in their unsupervised world, a world where they are considered "Gifts of God" rather than a financial liability by fearful parents who want to rush them to adulthood.

Mango raiding party.

Selling fish

Boys at play

Caring for a baby sibling


Samoan jewelry

What's Next?

9/8/09

The slogan on my Peace Corps ball point pen reads, "Life is calling. How far will you go?". Well, we went. Now what?

My feet feel frozen in concrete, unable to move in any direction. What difference does it make whether I attribute this state to retirement, Peace Corps, or my own reticence? Sure there are things to do, people to meet, activities to fill out the day. I may be riding my bicycle around the park bike paths, pushing the remote channel changer, or setting out to read every Pulitzer Prize winning novel, but these actions just fill the time between sleeps. Indeed there is pressure to step in where I was before, but of course time changes all things and what was in no more.

At one point in my life, I vowed to be a Taoist monk, somewhat in jest, somewhat seriously. Taoism espouses there is an unforced, natural way of things. Just show patience and the Tao (Way) naturally occurs. Well, here I sit with both Mary and me wondering "What's Next?" Just how far we will go is up to the Tao. The one sure thing is that something will happen. C'est la vie.

Macaroni & Cheese

9/5/09

For my son-in-law's 30th birthday, my family went to one of those pretentious restaurant's that play Italian language lessons in the restroom, Romano's Macaroni Grill. I really wanted macaroni and cheese, but it was not on the menu. The server said they do make macaroni & cheese for children; for adults they could make a double order of shell macaroni topped with Velveta cheese.

I have yet to get a handle on my native land.

Brown University

9/4/09

While researching past studies on obesity/diabetes/hypertension, I found similar work done in Samoa by a professor at Brown University. After seeing my data, he called. We spoke for over an hour about the results and people we had in common. He was in the process of getting approval from Samoan authorities to return to Samoa this fall to conduct further research on the genetic components of obesity/diabetes/hypertension. I said I was available. He said he might need someone to go to Samoa who has recent experience there. You never know, do you?

Ahoy Mate

9/3/09

38' Island Packet Sailboat

I have never spent more than one night at sea, yet the call of the Seven Seas beckons my fantasies. The memories of the "yachtees" and "cruisers" in the Apia harbor just reinforce my desires. Then I get a call from a Peace Corps Volunteer in Samoa saying he has found the boat for me. All I need to do is buy it, learn to sail, and he will join me for an epic voyage. Mary and I are ready to proceed, then I go to sleep.

What is it about sleep that crushes daydreams? Soon the forces of reason take over and the realities of living so far from the sea drop anchor on my hopes.

But alas, my friend encourages sailing lessons on Lake Superior. If you can sail Lake Superior, you can sail anywhere. The last class next week conflicts with a family event. I just have to wait till next spring or seek out an ice-free port to live.

Cornucopia

09/02/09

Ah, the glut of late summer fruits! Strawberries, blueberries, plums, melons, sweet corn, and the queen of them all, peaches. It is as if the heavens opened, dropping all its bounty at once just before the winter winds blow.

This bowl in the morning, topped with a dollop of yogurt and banana as a reminder of the tropics, makes the road back a little bit easier.