Who can say no to more money? or Why am I running?

People ask me why I am running for the Utah House of Representatives. Well, go to http://gva1.utah.gov/disclosures, select PUBLIC SEARCH then select Candidates and OfficeHolders and look at the 2010-Primary Report of Contributions and Expenditures. You will see seven reasons why (large contributors from outside the district). I want a representative who is not encumbered with contributions from special interests and organizations from outside the district. District 50 deserves a representative that will listen and represent the members of this community.

There should be no doubt that I am not beholden to anybody but to those who live in District 50 (There were unsolicited donations from outside the district which I returned to sender). It should be clear that if I am elected it will not be business as usual. I firmly believe that I can be effective without compromising my commitment to not accept contributions from outside the district or any type of gift from lobbyist and special interests. I don’t want you to have any doubts about who is influencing my decisions.

If you give me the responsibility of representing you, I can, without hesitation promise that it will not be business as usual at the capitol. It is time for a change. We can do better. We must do better. I ask you to help me do that beginning next Tuesday. Thank you.

Steve Roberts
Candidate for Utah House of Representatives, District 50
www.robertsfor50.com
steven80roberts@gmail.com

Heavy Artillery

Heavy Artillery

The big guns came out last week. I am talking about money. Mailers and flyers and more signs. There was more money spent last week by the other candidate than I have spent on my whole campaign. I knew this day was coming because she had the money and that is the way traditional campaigns are run. But as I went out last night and talked to people in the district it became apparent that these are not traditional times and people are frustrated with politicians that have the time to prepare mailers but don’t have the time to talk to them. The fight goes on.



Saturday morning I volunteered at a Flag Day celebration. I was reminded that this is what I am fighting for; I am fighting so the voice of people who are willing to volunteer and sacrifice for their State and Country is heard above the money and special interests. This is a great country and great state because of people like those who were there Saturday morning honoring our flag.

Sign Wars

Campaign signs are popping out of the ground, especially for school board candidates. We are all desperate to have people see our names. I guess the fear is that a voter will see our names on the ballot and think "never heard of him". Of course the voter thinking "I have seen his signs" is not much better. There are alternatives such as standing on the corner with a sandwich board and yelling at cars as they drive by or driving up and down streets with a sound truck like they do in some Latin American countries. Any other suggestions?

I am only putting my signs on peoples yards so at least I talk to one person per sign about why I am running and why they should vote for me. I may try a business here and there. So far I have resisted the temptation to put them on every vacant street corner.

Campaign Guilt

Friday I took the night off from Campaigning and helped my Mother-In-Law move furniture. What was supposed to have been only a few hours ended up lasting until 9:30 pm. I kept thinking that I should be campaigning. I keep running into people who are not aware that there is a primary for House of Representatives District 50. There is only two weeks left. I need to talk to 25,000 people.

Hope and late nights

Hope and Late Nights

Wednesday was graduation for Bingham High School. About 780 graduates. It was an impressive group that included 22 students with 4.0 grade point averages. Principle Hicks said that over $4 million dollars of scholarships have been offered to these students.

I spent the night with about half of the graduates at Noah’s. Staying up until 3:00 am did not seem to bother them. The South Jordan Police Officer that was there to ensure the peace had nothing to do. The kids enjoyed themselves without causing problems. It was actually a very nice evening. Getting up to go to work the next morning was not so enjoyable.

Momentum--31 May 2010

Keeping the momentum is difficult. Watch any sporting event and you will see the momentum change. We have seen the same thing happen here in the Jordan School District. I went to the Board Meeting Tuesday night. The big crowds of a couple of months ago are gone. The major issues have been dodged, not resolved, and life has overtaken most people. I don’t want to suggest that people are not concerned anymore or that they are fickle. Generally they are sincere and want to be involved but they have to make choices between family, careers and being politically involved. The system should make it easier for them to be informed and to engage in constructive dialogue.

I have noticed that I am getting to be too serious and dull on this site. I actually wrote a lengthy paper on the School Board meeting. Then I went to work out. That helps to clear the mind. I decided I need to find something good and something funny to write about each time. Especially since my niece admitted that she still reads my blog but is starting to find it a little boring.

Friday night Matthew, Sid and I went camping with the neighborhood up at the Heber Valley Camp. We arrived about 8:00 pm and shortly thereafter a snowball fight broke out. Now I don’t know why the neighborhood boys don’t throw snowballs at their dads, but they had waited until I arrived. Well I was able to gain control of the strategic ground (the snow bank) and the boys were forced to make suicide runs at the snow bank to try and grab some snow before they got pummeled. Of course they got some good shots in because it was one against twenty. That is the funny, or at least fun.

My job Friday night was to provide scones. It is amazing how good Rhodes frozen dinner rolls can taste when they are flattened out, boiled in oil and smothered in honey butter. It doesn’t get much better. 144 scones were consumed.

Attack!

I received an e-mail that questioned my motives and abilities. I thought about waiting until the morning to respond, but decided I would probably sleep better if I responded immediately. I will not post the e-mail because I don’t want to detract from the issues, but following is my response:

Representative Clark and Senator Waddoups made the point in an op-ed piece that they wrote for the Washington post that the Federal Government tends to micro manage. They stated that "the federal government is attempting to do far more than it has the capacity to execute well. Congress has inserted itself into every aspect of our lives with laws and regulations". I agree with that statement. I also believe that the State Legislature exhibits the same tendencies as manifested in the large number of laws and regulations passed annually.

What I am advocating is that the Legislature restrict its actions just as the Legislature asked the Federal Government to restrict their actions.

I also believe that there are far too many people in positions of power that believe that they are indispensable. We have seen it with the high priced bankers in New York who collected large bonuses as a reward for nearly bankrupting the country, we see it in Senators and Congressman who serve for decades and we see it in state officials. Unfortunately, they have built a system that favors the good old boys over the average citizen that wants to be involved and serve.

There are many good, intelligent, honest people in this district that could serve very effectively if given the opportunity. I believe that I am one of them. I hope to inspire others in our district to get involved and take their turn at serving.

I appreciate your comments. They have made me contemplate my candidacy and strengthened my resolve that meaningful change is needed and can be achieved. I will be an effective legislator and I won't need to over-regulate to do it.

Steve Roberts.

Campaign Finances or Closet Environmentalist

Saturday morning I sold the aluminum cans that we have been collecting. The price was $0.40 per pound. I had 36 pounds. Total was just over $14. I deposited the money in my campaign account. My wife and I have been collecting (picking up) aluminum cans for years. I have a box in my office where my co-workers put their empty cans. I do this because it reuses natural resources and it helps to keep our neighborhoods clean. It is amazing how many cans a person can find in the streets.

I can't believe it is nearing the end of April and I am worried about the weather killing my tomatoes. The plants I put in two weeks ago are all still alive, but this cool weather is keeping them from growing. I was hoping to have fried green tomatoes by the end of July, but I am beginning to doubt it will happen.

I am still campaigning the inexpensive way, talking to people. I have some very nice people that are helping. It has been interesting listening to the pundits try to explain why so many incumbents are losing. They usually try to connect it to the major parties, but I think it is because people are just tired of the same people conducting business the same way, no matter which party is in charge. We just want somebody who will listen to us.

16 May 2010

Thursday I went to a speech by Greg Bell. He started by discussing how Charles Lindbergh was an isolationist and how many of the founder fathers had slaves. His point was that even our heroes and great leaders made bad decisions. I suppose that is true but we cannot use that as an excuse to make bad decisions of our own or to compromise our principles for our personal benefit.

This week we also became subject to 338 new laws. Society must have been a shambles before all those new laws were put into place to restore order. Unfortunately an effective legislature is defined as somebody who proposes many bills and has a high pass percentage. I think we would all be better off if an effective legislature was somebody who defended the constitution and protected the rights of the citizens from a tyrannical government.

I couldn’t arrange to meet anybody on Saturday and couldn’t understand why until Suzanne and I went to the nursery to buy plants. I think the whole town was buying vegetable and other plants. If all those plants grow we will be awash in produce in the fall. We should be able to get pollution credits for all the carbon dioxide that will be consumed by all those plants. I am definitely going to have to exhale more.

12 May 2010

It was nice to have a weekend with good weather to work in the yard. We had the neighborhood cleanup which is always preceeded by a breakfast. we are like a roving band of garbage collectors. We did make one delivery to the DI.

My oldest son came over to help in the yard then the neighborhood kids came over to "help" in the back yard. The garden is now mostly ready for seeds and plants, now all that is needed is a decent stretch of global warming.

Bingham's soccer team won their first state game in a shoot out. I can understand why many soccer fans take drums and cow bells. In close games there is a lot of tension, it would help to have something to relief the tension. Next game is friday at Davis.

3 May 2010

Last week I had to fix the starter on my van, change out a battery on Matthew's car and get the passenger side window on Zack's car fixed then I spent some time with my Wife, who has been a little neglected over the past month. Friday night Matthew and Sid had their final home soccer game at Bingham. It was a very well played game, unfortunately Copper Hills won 2-1. But it was a fun game to watch. So I didn't spend much time on the campaign.

I am getting some excellent suggestions on how to proceed next. This week I will be contacting delegates to see if they would be willing to help.

I meet some High School friends for lunch today. Only one lives in the District, but they were all very supportive. One had been on the Riverton City Council. He had some interesting views about the Legislature. He is a little cynical. I am hopeful that honest people with no desire to benefit personally still have a place in the legislative process.

Post Convention

My brother and I arrived at the convention at 7:30 am with my sign and umbrella. I was disappointed to that all the prime space was taken by state candidates with the big money. I found a space south of the middle doors and we got set up. As the delegates began to arrive it became obvious that the only people we would see would be the people going to the Home and Garden show. I had asked some neighbors to come hold up the sign so when they arrived we took the umbrellas and moved to an area near the main door. My wife came and one of my sons classmates came so I recruited them to hold umbrellas. The children loved the candy that the other candidates were handing out, they certainly prefer high budget campaigns to low budget campaigns. I was able to talk to several delegates, including a few that I had not meet before.

After the convention started the waiting began. I talked with two other candidates from other districts, both first timers. After awhile I stopped reviewing my speech and went into the breakout room and read. All three district 50 candidates ended up in the room waiting. A delegate came in and told us he had a group of delegates that wanted to talk to us so we went into the convention hall and had a short discussion. After a few minutes the convention divided to the breakout sessions. I was having a discussion with three delegates so we stayed until the hall was almost empty. When I arrived at the breakout room the session had started and it was time for my speech. It would have been nice to be able to catch my breath, but there was no time. Three minutes may seem like a long time, but it seemed like I had just started when the 1 minute left sign went up. I had practiced my speech many times. In front of the mirror it was about 2 minutes 50 seconds. But when that 1 minute sign went up I knew I would not get to the end, so I skipped my favorite part, went to the conclusion and finished just under a minute.

The voting was stressful. When they announced that I had received 35 votes I thought it was over, then 42 for Mrs. Newbold and 34 for Mr. Jarrard. I was stunned. They went straight to the second vote. Fortunately, there was a young lady there with her mother who was standing in the back during the vote so I stood by her and we talked about singing in the choir, she was in Madrigals, I did not make Madrigals but I did sing in the Acappella Choir in High School. I am grateful that I could take my mind off the vote.

Now it is on to the primary. At first I was feeling a little overwhelmed, but Monday I checked my e-mails and found that some people had offered to help. Now I am thinking that we can do this. I don't have to do it alone, I don't want to do it alone, it will be much more fun and rewarding running in a group. I have a few things that I need to get in place, like setting up an account for donations and getting a few volunteers to manage the finances. It is full speed ahead.

12 February 2010

On Thursday I left Haiti and crossed through no-mans land again. That place always amazed me. I was also amazed at the change that occurred in Haiti between Friday when I went in to Thursday when I left. The long lines at food distribution locations were gone. People were still picking up food but there were short lines and it was very orderly. People were clearing rubble, cleaning the streets, digging foundations and building more permanent structures. Large tracts of land have been cleared by the US Army and people were being given the materials to build temporary structures. The line at the US Embassy which we passed everyday was very short, just a few dozen people compared to a line that stretched down the street on Monday. Banks are open. US AID has a program called work for cash. They hire groups to clear streets and rubble for $5 cash per day, payable at the end of the day. There is heavy equipment around the city moving rubble. It would be nice if they fixed up some of the roads while the equipment is around.

I was disappointed that the one man road crew was not working yet when we drove by Thursday morning. I was ready to make his day.

One of the biggest tragedies of the quake could be what happens to the young men in the picture. They are all returned missionaries and were in school. Now the schools have collapsed and they are worried that they will not have the opportunity to finish their schooling. The one on my left JP gets married on March 1st.

Thursday after arriving in Santo Domingo I went to the Area Office and worked until almost six. Friday morning there were a few more things to do at the Area Office before running off to the airport. I was able to order take out rice and beans con pollo which I ate while waiting in the check-in line at the airport. I am on the last notch on my belt, if I don’t get a good meal soon I will look as bad as I did the first time I returned from the Dominican Republic.
Apparently there is a place on the blog for comments and questions. I will try to find that and answer any questions, other than that this is it. I hope it wasn’t too wordy or preachy. Monday I will go back to being an American Trucker.

PS. On the emigration forms I completed yesterday when entering the country it was acceptable to put American as my nationality. Why can’t I put “American” as my nationality on the census form? You should try it. You will find they don’t like it.

10 February 2010

This will be my last night in Haiti. I feel a little sad at leaving but there is nothing left here for me to do. The members have been great. The warehouse is up and running drivers have been trained and are making deliveries. They are extremely capable and hard working.

I had a humbling experience this evening. I worked all day with 5 young men, all returned missionaries. At some time, I know it was well after noon I decided we should stop for lunch. I was pulling out the MRE's and the young men were looking a little rescind to another lousy meal. I asked if there was a place closeby where they could buy a lunch. They agreed there was so I asked how much it would cost to feed all five of them, as I pulled out a $5.00 bill. PJ said it would cost $15. I hesitated but gave them the $15 and they took off. We worked until dark. As we were driving back to the old mission home PJ asked if we could take a small detour and drop one of the young men off. Of course there was not a problem. We turned up a bumpy dirt road that dwindled to a single lane (not that strange for Haiti). We stopped along a group of tents that were surrounded by a two rail two by four fence. Robert got out. PJ said that he lives in one of the tents. An older gentleman came over and we shook hands. He introduced himself as the bishop of the local ward. PJ wispered that he also lives in the tent city with several other members of the ward.

It just so happens that PJ is getting married on the 1st of March. I couldn't ask where he was going to live.

On a brighter note, I have noticed an encouraging trend the last couple of days. People are beginning to cleanup and rebuild. There is a cash for work program the some government or group is sponsoring. There are groups of people in orange vest working to clear rubble and debris. There were more lights as we drove home tonight. Odney says that 40% of the city has power. I get the sense that Haiti will be better than before when it is rebuilt, assuming the government or some Hugo Chavez type doesn't get in the way.

I keep promising pictures. Last night I thought I would have to reneg on the promise because I lost my camera...again. But today as the young men were leaving for lunch I happened to look on the toilet box (a long and sordid story) and there was my camera. So there will be pictures. Don't worry, I use the toilet boxes for garbage cans. They work quite well.

Anyway, I think it has been two days since I showered so I am going to shower before going to sleep.

9 February 2010

Where to start. The days are starting to stream together, literally. The Americans are used to working during the day so we start around 7:00 am but the Haitians want to work in the evening, at least with the food distribution. So our days are long. But we are making good progress. The Bishops are accessing the needs of their members and making arrangements to either pick up the food or have it delivered. For the most part the deliveries are orderly. Saturday night we delivered to a Chapel that literally had tarps hung over the top of the whole parking lot, which was about 50' x 100'. They Bishop organized the men into a line and we passed the food down the line which snaked into a class room. The women stood around and made comments. Pretty soon we had a little chant going on, du ba du for heavy bags that required two men to lift or o ba o for light bags. I am sure I have the spelling and pronounciation wrong but the ladies would sure laugh when I would yell out du ba du.

Yesterday I went to the border again. No mans land was astonishing. There was a continuous flow of people carrying amazing quantities of food and liquid. There are boys with wheel barrows that get paid for carrying goods from no mans land to the Haitian side to be loaded on tap taps. You have to understand that there is nothing about it that would make it easy. It is not a paved road but a rocky dusty bare strip of land. The wheel barrows are not new but look like they have been rebuilt and patched together several times. The boys are not big and strong but look to be about twelve and slightly undernourished. And the traffic, I can't describe it in a sentence. And the noise, honking talking, banging, literally sensory overload.

There are many small miracles occuring, I think I am becoming desensitized to them. For example, the delivery truck went to Jacmel last night. They left here at 7:00 pm (it gets dark around 6:00 pm) and they returned about 5:00 am. Of course the house is all locked up, but one of the guys woke up with the thought that he should go open the door. So he went downstairs opened the door and the delivery truck pulled up. Doesn't seem like much to you and me but to Neal and Jean Philipe and Roberto it was a relieve to be able to walk right in and collapse.

Got to go the day is taking off. Sorry.

7 February 2010

Sunday morning in Haiti. There will not be any pictures today, not because I lost the camera, which I did but what was lost has been found. Actually Thursday was one of those days when you just want to sit down on curb and cry. By the time I started to drive for the border at 5:00 am on Friday I thought that I would never see the camera, the GPS or my sun glasses again. But through the day friday they just started appearing, so I do have a camera and I am taking pictures but I was just planning to post when I got back to the Dominican Republic.

Getting back to the Dominican Republic is another issue. Late Friday night, as we were evaluating the situation it was decided that I should stay here next week, rather than go back to the Dominican Republic on Monday morning. I not sure when or how I will get back over there, I am booked on a flight for Friday afternoon which may get changed to Saturday.

I left most of my stuff in the Temple housing in the Dominican Republic because I thought it would be a short trip so I am going to need to find someway to do some wash or they will not let me come into the mission home. Matthew and Kimberly would understand what the smell is like after sweating for two days in the same clothes.

I have seen the Hotel Montana, thats the one that had about 10 floors that just pancaked. There are other buildings here and there and even one or two areas where there are several buildings that have collosapsed. I have not been West of Port-a-Prince or even to the central or west side, just east side. I understand damage is worse to the west. For the most part it appears life is back to normal. The roadside stands have bread, fruits and vegetables. The streets are full of vehicles and people, the business of staying alive is open. Probably the most visible thing is the new shanty towns which are going up, not the normal wood pole and tin one room hut but a variety of tents.

We are learning that there is a cultural that need to be respected. We were thinking that we make food deliveries during the day, after all unemployment is over 80% there should not be a problem with labor. However, making food deliveries during the day leads to riots. So the "volunteers" come to the warehouse after dark, we load the trucks and make deliveries in the dark.

Another problem is we give out 125 lb bags of rice thinking it should last a small family for a couple of weeks. The problem is they have no way to keep 125 lbs secure. The whole culture is and has been for many years day to day. The concept of a two week supply is foreign and impracticle.

There is an open field next to the warehouse. Yesterday a wonderful humanitarian flew in with a helicopter touched down, threw out a quantity of food and took off. A riot ensued. The sureal thing is that along the street there is food for sale and people are usually able to rustle up enough to get something, but free is free. Look at what we Americans do the day after Thanksgiving because there are some great bargins. We are all the same basically.

Anyway, I did see Julee yesterday and delivered the care package of Pringles, Oreos, Jello Pudding, Corn Nuts etc. She was happy to see the supplies but had to be careful to stand up wind. The 82nd Airborne is on the other side of the soccer field so they are nice and secure. One of the cable companies has set it up to broadcast the Super Bowl on a large white sign. The US military is an impressive. Organized, diciplined, neat and large.

I ate an MRE last night which is actually pretty good except the rye crackers. They call Neal blan, which means white, but they don't call me white although it is a pronounce farmers tan.

I would answer your questions but I don't see any so I will close.

I did not get a chance to write yesterday, I am trying to get some equipment purchased and into Haiti by Friday, looks like it will happen I just need to remember to figure out how to get back on Monday. I tell everybody that I will just take a publico, they say “hay no Roberts es muy peligroso”. Anyway yesterday was busy.
Here are some pictures of the country that I took on Monday. It really is a beautiful country. Life for Dominicans that live in the country is different than the city, but I guess that is true just about anywhere. I know the people in Bicknell live differently than the people in Draper if just because they can’t shop at Costco every weekend. When I see the conditions that the country people live in with the almost complete lack of any modern conveniences I am tempted to feel sorry for them, but maybe I shouldn’t. I remember a gentleman that was called to the Salt Lake inner city mission telling me that he had to learn that walking into somebody’s house and saying “you need a new couch, we can get one for you” is rude. Instead he had to learn to focus on providing the help that was requested. Jared gave me a book about a doctor in Haiti who told about how in the 1960’s the United States had a program designed to send machine oil to Haiti. Most Haitian didn’t then nor do now have machines that need oil. They tried cooking with it but concluded it was of inferior quality to the cooking oil that they already had so they would just discard it.
Well, I should stop preaching. This is what happens when you spend too much time alone, although I am not really alone.
I moved out of the Hotel and into the patron housing today. There is a washing machine so hopefully I can do some wash tomorrow, my white shirts and dark pants are starting to look like missionary clothes.

Public transportation for the country folk. Notice the power pole. It is not to carry power from the city to the country, but to carry power generated in the country to the city. The country folk don’t have much electricity, they either can’t afford it or don’t have the appliances that would use it. Kind of makes you think that the wind and solar farms and coal and nuclear plants should be in the city where the people that benefit also deal with the generation. Oh well, preaching again, sorry.

2 February 2010

Sunday I had no free internet access and I am too tight to pay Mr. Marriot for the privilage. Yesterday evening as we were racing for the border in the dark I thought that it would be the second day that I hadn't posted and that maybe somebody would be concerned (you can ask around, hopefully somebody was concerned or noticed). Anyway I got up at 3:30 am yesterday to meet a plane load of cargo at the airport. The hour was not a problem since I was experiencing certain intestinal challenges, which I am happy to say were not much of a challenge during the day because I did not eat or drink anything until late in the afternoon.

The plane was an experience. First it sat on the tarmack for almost an hour before they let it park. Then rather than unloading it when there was not much going on they waited until everybody showed up for work then they unloaded the cargo staged it and loaded in the trucks in all the conjestion. The unloading, staging and reloading actually took 6 hours. We actually had the product cleared through the Dominican Customs and cleared to take it to Haiti before the product even left the plane. The pictures indicate what a mess it was.

We started for the border with Haiti just after 2:00 pm. I have explained the traffic here so you have a sense of what it is like to drive here. Well, the gentleman driving and acting as security is a captain in the police force so he didn't worry about speeding and after a time I didn't worry either since there are no hospitals en-route and no ambulance service I figured a quick sudden death would be better than laying in agony along some road in the Dominican with a bunch of people standing around watching. We made the border before dark and passed through no mans land which is literally no mans land. It is about 200 yards long and is not claimed by the Dominican Republic or Haiti. This first picture is taken from the Dominican side, notice the soldiers at the gate. The second is no mans land. Getting into Haiti was not a problem, there were a couple of officers but they didn't get out their seats, they just waved. No mans land and the road into Haiti is only two feet about the level of the lake, which is rising so they have to add fill regulary. That means the road is in bad shape even for a Haitian raod. The Dominican Colonel said the gate to get back into the Dominican would be locked at 8:00 pm which gave us just under two hours to get to the facility the Church is using deliver the product we had and return. Well, we didn't make it. It was a little disconcerting to be sitting in no mans land in the dark hoping you did not have to spend the night. Everybody checked their guns (I was not with members of the church and two of the guys had guns). The Captain got out and went up to the gate to see if there were soldiers around, which it turned out there were and after he talked a bit they agreed to let us pass.

Dominican towns and roads can be confusing at night. There are no lights and the main road never goes straight through town. Fortunately, Dominicans don't go to bed early. Even after midnight there are people milling around a Colmado or the central square. We asked many people how to get to the Capital. After missing one turn and going into "town" on a dirt road we were told how to get back on the main road without reversing our path. Fortunately we had four wheel drive which was needed to get through the mud hole in town. Anyway, I got back to the hotel around 2:30 am this morning.

A word about organizations that don't normally provide that then try to provide aid (like the Celebrities that sing songs for a Haitian Relieve Fund). Without an organization in place the aid doesn't reach the people that need the help. Donations would be better used if given to an organization that had operations in the country before the disaster. At the airport in the Dominican there were thousands of tents and a few vehicles donated by well meaning organizations that shipped the product but had nobody in place to actually receive and distribute the product. The donations are for all practicle purposes waisted.

Finally, if you have not fallen into a deep sleep yet I have included a picture of me taken on Saturday just in case you are worried that I have gained weight or something. All you northern climate dwellers note--no coat or jacket.

30 Jan 2010

Finished up late last night and was expecting to be up around 3:00 am to go to Haiti, but when the plane which was waiting in Miami for clearance to land in the Dominican got clearance they found a hydraulic leak, so I was able to sleep in. I had just gotten back to my room from excercising (yes, got to stay in shape) when the phone calls started. There are some items in the Dominican that we are adding to the air shipment which is now scheduled for tomorrow. So my plans of having a break today are gone, oh well, it is too hot to enjoy very much. If it was colder, say around 32 degrees then that would be good weather for visiting the beach.

Anyway a picture of the Elders and Sisters and Kahow's son. They moved half a 45' container of 125 lb bags of rice from one container to another. The missionaries are great, but a forklift and dock would be good also. Later that day a smaller truck came with 125 lb bags of beans, but we had no elders. The locals wouldn't let me carry the bags on my head like they were because the said my neck wouldn't hold up.

Now a few road rules. First there is not a problem with texting and driving here and little problem with talking on the cell phone and driving for one simple reason, survival. If you don't focus on the road it will eat you up.

Rule: fast moving traffic has the right of way, in slow moving traffic do what you need to do, it will all work out.

Rule: Use the space available, don't be wasteful. Notice the bus on the wrong side of the road. A cop was directing traffic at the intersection so he just waved the bus into the right side of the road. No harm done.

Rule: Don't commit to the right lane, the publicos and buses will stop anywhere as well as people will just park. Correllary: Don't commit to the left lane that gets blocked by cars turning left, keep your options open (besides a bus may be on the wrong side of the road.

Finally a comment about telephone. They are sooo yesterday. There was such a demand and it is so difficult to keep it all straight. Just get a cell phone.

The pace of life here is great, everybody has someplace to go but the journey is part of the adventure.

29 January 2010

I completed some negotiations today for the purchase of a few items. Once I had approval I gave the information to the Dominican Brothers here who "reviewed" the cost with the vendors and were able to secure a little better price. I wonder if it would help if I had them do that for me in the states.

A plane load of supplies was supposed to arrive this afternoon, we would then take it to the border and cross first thing in the morning, make the delivery then get out before dark. The plane has not arrived yet but there is still a possibility.

We have been loading another truck of supplies here at the area office. All by hand. Do you have any idea how many 125 lb bags of rice and beans fit into a 45' container. The missionaries from the MTC came over in the morning and spent a little over an hour. Kahow's son was with the group. He said to tell his mother hello. He looked good. I have pictures, but the attachement is in the hotel room, so maybe tomorrow if I don't go to Haiti.

This afternoon we have been loading with the local young men. It was much easier with all the missionaries. Many hands is better. Even better would be a forklift.

Last night for dinner I had a green salad. I noticed a stringy thing that looked like a thin slice of bad meat. The waiter said it was egg plant. I had never seen stringy gray eggplant, but whatever, I ate it and it wasn't bad. Today I ate my rice, beans and chicken later in the afternoon so I shouldn't need to eat tonight.

If I don't post tomorrow it is because I am returning from Haiti.

28 Jan 2009

Today was busy. Spent the morning looking at trucks to send to Haiti then spent the afternoon on inventory and supplies for a shipment tomorrow.

Interesting event: Two Americans stopped by. One has a house near San Pedro that he has opened up to Haitian that are recovering from injuries, but cannot stay in the hospitals here because of capacity issues. They are funding the operation out of their own pockets so they asked if we could help. We loaded up two vans with supplies such as hygiene kits, newborn kits and first aid kits. They had been to Haiti today with a group of doctors that had flown into the Dominican Republic for a day trip to Haiti then a vacation in the Dominican. This gentleman that took them was not impressed with the sightseeing doctors. He is going to e-mail me some pictures tonight, so there will be something to see tomorrow. Thanks to all those who have donated time and materials for the hygiene kits.

A note about driving in the Dominican Republic. Three lanes means up to four cars abreat unless at a traffic light then it can be up to 6 depending on the size of the vehicles and the condition of the shoulder. The best roads do not have lines painted--fewer restrictions on where the vehicles have to be in relation to one another.

Also, I took a picture of a three car left turn. I messed up today, I was in the lead or upstream position and was not aggressive enough at cutting off the on-coming traffic.

Finally, for all you cold weather folk, I took a picture of the Caribean Sea (ok, that is the second word that I tried to use but was unsure of the spelling, if Mrs. Stewart the english teacher wasn't reading this I wouldn 't worry about it--where is the spell check?). Sorry, there just happens to be a tractor in the picture.

Sitting in the airport late at night is not an exciting experience. The few people that are not trying to sleep are huddled around outlets on the outside wall with their electronic devices plugged in like some sort of life line. Others try to sleep but all the seats have arm rests, which are necessary during the day when the airport is crowed so that strangers can sit next to each other without making eye contact or conversing. Late night fliers end up trying to sleep sitting down draped over the divide like a rag doll or laying on the hard floor.

My three week supply of necessities weighed 65 pounds, not including my back pack and carry on. You don’t want to know what an overweight bag costs to fly international. I Should have checked two bags and broke up the weight. I thought I was doing good to get everything into these bags. They will be lighter on the return I hope.

I could go on but reading the babblings of somebody stuck in an airport at 12:30 am is definitely not going to be at the top of anybodies list. Good night.

First Post--Monday 25 Jan

Good news and bad news, first the good, the mission is getting clearer. I attended a meeting with the first medical team to return from Haiti. Their report was sobering but helped to clarify our direction. The bad news is that it was suggested to hold our cards close to avoid any undo attention.

The real purpose is to get the blog up and let everyone know how to find it. Kimberly will be monitoring this so I will try not to be too dull.

I want to thank my publisher, Lauren Roberts, who made all the connections (and I just noticed used that title "Steve-o", but oh-well what can I do?)

TAFN (anybody who figures that out gets a price).