Nib-Nub Finds a Home

For those of you reading this on facebook, the entire blogpost can be read with links, photos, etc. at the following address: henrickatlarge.blogspot.com

Well, everything went according to plan today. Well, almost everything. The brass tacks is this, Nib-Nub (aka Nibbles, Kiebler, Keebie-Weebie et al) has a home. A great weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, and now I can concentrate on the matter at hand, leaving this place, going to Europe, and subsequently the States. For those of you who I will see, well we'll have a good time over a beer and a game of darts. For those of you who I will not be bumping into this Summer, keep in touch. We can 'live the adventure' together (albeit virtually). So with that in mind, I retire myself to my quiet flat (sigh), and ready myself to finish up the last minute details of money transfers, closing bank and internet accounts, cleaning, and packing for the morning and the morrow. Sleep well.

Hey for those of you who have a blog, be it professional, or personel, drop me a line with the address. I am always in the market to check out someone's blog or posting site. That applies to twitter streams, public photo albums, Ning groups, public wikis, and Linked in networks.

Good night, Sleep tight, Nib-Nub (and God bless your precious, little, furry, head)

Underwater Voyeurism Part IV: Raiders of the lost Reef

For those of you reading this on Facebook notes, the original blog-post with pictures, hyperlinks and hyper-media, can be found at:

www.henrickinoman.blogspot.com


In honor of everyone's upcoming departure, and (some of our) permanent leaving of this place, myself and a few friends decided to go out snorkeling one last time. We went out yesterday morning (Thurs, is our Sat. The Arabic weekend is Thurs. and Fri.) from Al Suadi beach resort (about 45 min. drive from my flat). Myself, uncle Don, and George set off for Al Suadi at 7:00 am.

It was a nice morning. At the beach club, we bumped into another two co-workers, who were also planning a 'last hoorah'. We got on the boat, and took the 45 min. boat-ride out to the usual snorkeling site, 'June Island'.

The water was nice; the temperature was pleasant. The reef itself was very quite though. It was not teeming with a multitude of various species of aquatic life as it normally is. It was, quite tame, actually. There were tons of surgeon fish, Arabic reef fish, trigger fish and the like. There was a definite lack of the more exotic, rare, and dangerous variety of marine life that's usually present. The neighborhood was quiet that day. Oh well, it was indeed beautiful. The coral looked like an underwater forest, and many of the organic structures can be quite impressive, because of there size and construction. No matter, we were happy anyway.

So after having a bit of a go at this site, the boat's driver was going to take us to another place, where he said there would be turtles, sharks and such. I was actually quite sceptical. I mean, the place was quite. It could be the water temperature, the time of year etc. I didn't believe we were going to see much that day. It didn't matter, it was very pretty.

We got to the second site a small group of mini-Islands, about 700 meters from where we were at June Island. It was also quite quiet. We did however see a sea-turtle float by in the water while we were still on the boat. That was quite pleasant. We got in, and swam around. We spotted a juvenile honey-comb Moray eel, always very cool. The larger group of snorkelers spread out around the greater vicinity of the site. Within minutes my friend George swam back. "Dude I just saw three Black-tip reef sharks and some other bigger shark (turned out later to be a white/grayitp shark). One of them circled me!" That was it! Everyone headed off in the direction he just came from. He got back on the boat, and stayed there for a bit, while we all went off in search of finned-danger!

I don't know if you've ever been in the same body of water with a shark. If you had and didn't know about it, you would probably not want to know. I have seen sharks here before, but always on the horizon of your vision. They usually stay out of the way of divers and snorkelers. Preferring to be stay on the side of caution. Today, this was not the case! There were three of them, two that swam together, and one that was solo. They were each between 1 1/2-2 meters long (which is big for reef sharks, but these are protected waters, so there's lots to eat, and no one tries to catch them). I will say this about the experience, I have never seen these creatures so at ease with our presence. It was very disconcerting how comfortable they were with us, and how close to us they were swimming.

The first thing I will say on this matter, is that being in the water with Sharks, no matter what species, or what size is scary! The most notable thing you realize when watching them is how perfect they are in there environment. How majestic, how graceful. One big, toned, muscle slicing through the water with such power and grace. Their sleek lines, like that of a high-end sports car. I think this is what a submarine designed by Ferrari would look like! You are also acutely aware of how not suited to this environment you are. You can't help but feel vulnerable after watching these things glide effortlessly through the reef, cruising the coral. Every time they passed near us (usually under us, which is terrifying in itself), I would get a rush of fear and adrenaline. We were in the water with them for maybe 45 min-1hour. Going out to where they were, swimming back to the boat, telling others what we just saw, and then returning. It was a hell of an experience! I never want to be that close to a carnivorous underwater predator again! But, I must say, this was the perfect note to 'go out on'. The perfect end to a great season of snorkeling.

Fish On!

Underwater Voyeurism Part III: Bride of Al Suadi

Well, in the time I have left, I’ve been trying to squeeze-in all the things I really like one more time. I’ve got one more trip on the ‘big-boat’ tomorrow. Hopefully it’ll be a great time. Here are still a few species I hope to see. I would really like to see dolphins, Whalesharks, and especially lionfish (they’re really cool). Yesterday, I went out with some friends to the close islands. These are the ones a kilometer of shore fro the Al Suadi resort. It was nice. There was a bit of a current, and a little tough to swim through, but the current stirred things up and everything was out feeding. There was a lot of ‘pretty fish’ (like Nemo) out. For some reason, there was a billion of the little, square, Arabian boxfish. There was also a lot of surgeonfish, angelfish, triggerfish, and reef-fish. Right under the boat, there was a sea anomie, with a clown fish living in it. It was exactly like Finding Nemo. It was actually pretty cool. I also saw a dead turtle under a rock (sad, but it happens).

Well one of the things I have been thinking about, related to snorkeling, was what exactly I like about it. I must say that it totally saves my sanity, and is always a really peaceful experience. It ‘zens’ me out on the weekend, so I’m ready to face the week. I think that it really ‘tunes out’ the world, makes you focus on the world around you. You end up living life, in that moment, entirely through your eyes. You are completely focused on the processing of the visual data before you. You don’t really have the time to think about anything else. In fact, you don’t have time to think. You are just processing. If you try to comment on what your are seeing as you are seeing it, you’ll miss everything. Because of this ‘refocusing’, your inner monologue quiets down, and is reduced to a whisper (if at all). I have rarely experienced myself being so ‘in the moment’ before. I believe this is the reason that I do it so often, and that I enjoy it so much.

Well, I’m off to ‘fight the good fight’. Have a good time in the ‘free world’. With any luck, I will have a new post after tomorrow, describing all of the wondrous and strange things I’ve seen.

'The Kieb'

Ok. Well its been a great long while since I've kept my 'little secret'! I must admit I have been hiding something from all of you for the last seven or eight months. What is the cause of this dishonesty you ask? Well, fear mostly. I was afraid of the comments and admonishment I would get if everyone knew my 'little secret.' Well folks, it has been eating me up for a great long time, and I think I am ready to come clean (drum roll)...

In late November of last year, on the way to work, a colleague of mine (riding in the same car) spotted something moving in the rubble of a nearby construction site as we were passing by. Upon closer examination, we saw a small black, furry object scurrying among the cinder blocks and debris. We stopped the car, got out, and took a closer look.

What we found was a small puppy. No bigger than a Tonka truck. All black, with a patch of white on her chest, With two 'white socks', one partially pulled down on her front quarters.

Well that was the beginning of 'Nibbles'. She was very into 'mouthing' things (hence not just a witty name). The first few months of her 'puppydom' were absolute hell. She would sleep all day, I would come home (wanting to relax), and then she would be all ready to play (which in her dictionary means 'bite'). I would go to sleep , only to be woken up by 'nibbling' of my toes, by said dog.

She is very bright. She learns quickly, and is a rather pleasant (if not indefatigable) animal. I will miss her. This week I need to find her a home. She's pretty awesome. I must say I owe two individuals a hell of a lot in the way of 'raising' her. Marie-Therese Leroux, and Donald Shokes ('uncle Don). They have both been as influential in her life as anyone has, and in many ways are indispensable parts of this 'dysfunctional family'. Hats off and much gratitude to both.

One of the great things about her, is all the cool things we call her. She has received a lot of nicknames in the past 8 months. I think a lot of them are great. Here are a sample of some of her aliases:

Nibbles
Nib-Nub
Kiebler
Kibbles
Maggot
Keebie-Weebie
Kiebler-Khan the Conqerer
The Kieb
and the list goes on....

Well this is a little shout out to a great animal, outstanding individual, and generally really entertaining companion. You will be missed. But I'm really glad I got to save your life.

of Billies and Nannies...

Well, now that time is getting short here, a lot of it is being allotted to reminiscing, and reflecting on the past ten months. The things I liked, the things I disliked, and that which was just so bizarre and alien that I couldn't even pass judgement on it.

This post is dedicated to an animal that I grew to like and respect, while I was in Oman. It's a member of the animal kingdom that often gets looked over and dismissed. Though this animal has a great many fine qualities. I would like to take a moment right now to extol the virtues of the common goat (Capra aegagrus hircus).

First of all, they are really cute. They sometimes have crooked horns, lazy eyes, unkempt hair, but they are extremely engaging in their appearance, and their cool, dismissive attitude toward most things.

They are steadfast. When they have something in their head, they go toward it with tenacity and vigor. We could learn a thing or two from these 'tenacious' creatures. If they see a branch that they can get to by standing on your truck, they will do so, without a hesitation. They will climb a tree if what they want is in it. They are also gregarious. I have seen them eat everything from leaves, thorny branches, rotting garbage, and even plastic. One must respect a creature with such a diverse and accommodating intestinal track, and digestive fortitude. Mother nature's garbage disposal unit, on hooves!

They are also, contrary to popular belief, quite intelligent. One might argue that the goats here are the smartest creatures in Oman. To put this to a test when compared with the local inhabitants, one must just watch both creatures cross the road. Only the goat will look both ways! Although both creatures don't seem put immediate family outside the dating pool (as evidenced by the obvious congenital disorders apparent in both species) The question is, who learned it from who?

One day I hope to be in an economic position to afford myself a few luxuries. A little piece of land that is mine. A rocket-car, a bionic prehensile tail, and a 'gaggle' of goats to amuse me. Maybe, if God smiles on me...

Note: For those of you who are viewing this through facebook, the original post, with links and pictures can be found at:

http://www.henrickinoman.blogspot.com

Arabia on the Lockdown...

As I sit in this coffee-house in one of the many malls in Muscat (the capital city of Oman), I start to reflect on the events that brought me to this coffee-shop in particular, as well as the source of my face-splitting headache I am now trying to drown with a Cafe Americano. These two things are intertwined.

But, any attempt to explain the former, or its connection to the latter, must start with the explanation of one thing in Arabian culture... CONTROL.

I started the day doing some errands. Then I was drooped off at one of the many malls (by my friend Marie, who went to class). I was going to kill some time, go onto the Internet, and perhaps even read a book. It was here that the trouble began...

What you have to understand is that control is the main aspect of of any-and-everything in this region. It's not control like a master and slave, its control like as in access. Everything locks, everything has a key, and you have to go to someone and get access through them. There are limits to what you can get to, what you can access, and when you can access them (if you are allowed at all). For example, there are locks on refrigerators, anything with a door has a locking option. It is bizarre! I am actually surprised that keys themselves don't have keys to operate them.
Well back to my story, I went to Costa (the British equivalent of Starbucks), which I usually enjoy (coincidentally, I almost never go to one of these Cafes to use the Internet, this might be my first time). Well, I try to log-on, (it is important to note that you must purchase something, your log-in codes are printed on the receipt). I then go through a half-an-hour ordeal of my OSX and my my Windows operating system not being able to get on the net. For some reason their was a problem with my machine being able to navigate the proxy and security page , which limit access to their Internet connection. After a lot of dumb-looks from the employees in response to my questions, I decided to leave and try on of the other numerous coffee-shops in the mall. I first had to go to the hyper-market and get some Panadol (headache medication) to fight of the useless stress headache, which was creeping up the right side of my head. After getting the needed remedy, I decided to check my options (there are many coffeehouses here because of the cultural aversions to places to go in public, coffee-houses have a cultural and historical place, so the transfer from West-to-East in this case was easy... enter Starbucks, Costa, Second Cup and others)

So I mentally go over the major options, of which I regularly partake in on a weekly basis when I am in Muscat... Then something dawns on me... it'll probably be the same in all of these places. The common mentality is that they are so scared of someone accessing without their permission, that they spend a lot of money on these very sophisticated log-in protocols, which are hooked up to their cash register, as well as all being set-up to work exclusively with Windows, that if they just kept it open, they would actually be saving money. But then again, people would have access to the Internet (a dangerous thing for non-Westerners) unchecked! We cannot have that!

So, I look around and see this place called Coffee Republic. Not too big, I've seen ti before other places (maybe one or two), though not a commercial giant like the others I have mentioned. I decide to give it a try. First good sign, Indians working there (Indian firms are much better run and operated than their Omani counterparts, with a more Western understanding of many things, including business models and so forth). I ask if there is Internet, they say 'of course'. I order, as k if I have to pay first, they give me strange looks. I ask for a user name and password, they say 'sit down'. I give them dumb looks. I say 'I want to use the Internet'. They say 'sit down'. I repeat, being sure they have not understood me. The repeat. I say 'what do I have to do to use the Internet'? They say, 'DO you have your computer'? I say 'yes'. They say 'Turn it on'.
I am very happy...
Needless to say this place is full of people enjoying coffee and other goodies with their laptops open, where Costa around the corner has a few older ex-pat wives in it. Well I think the moral of this story is self-explanatory and self evident. I love this place!

So Far.....

Well, it's getting very hectic in my life... lots going on. Getting all my ducks in a row to leave here, setting up the next job, and all that entails, as well as planning my vacation. There is so much to do, I don't know what to start with. But, right now I've got some pasta sauce, cooking on the stove, I just had a nice glass of Shiraz, and I would like to focus on a few things I really have to be appreciative for. There are some things that I have experienced, done, and generally become acquainted with that I must 'give a shout out' to.

I've really become a fan of South Africa. I got to tell ya, a lot of things, yes, great things come out of that place. Due to the current political/racial situation in South Africa, you will find many South-Africans abroad. These are some of the finest, hard-working and kick ass people I have come to know. They are definitely a people among peoples. One of my favorite is my 'friend' Marie-Therese. A totally rad person, possessed of a viscous intellect, an amazing cook (your probably wondering whose teaching me to cook Indian, Thai and so forth... well now you know, and I must say a phenomenal writer (check out her blog at teacher-research-tightrope. She has a amazing sense of humor and a great accent (even if you can't here it on her blog. A lot of the things I have learned here have been from her. I cannot express what exactly I owe her, it is a debt that is so staggering I prefer not to think about it. Anyway, I wish that all of you have the opportunity to meet her some day in your travels. You don't know it, but your lives a little less rich if you haven't had that opportunity.

Also, I have become a big fan of S.A. fruit, and juice. The fruit that comes out of that place is amazing. Also, the juices made from said fruit is also wonderful. Check out a brand called Ceres. Its great, and I must say the flavor outstrips most of the juices back home (yes even those fancy-pants organic types). It totally rules.

South African wine is also a big fan-favorite with me. I never thought about it when I lived in the States, but man they really have some amazing wines. When I was back in Boston, I was becoming a big fan of Australian and NZ wine. Not that I find the Austro-Asian vino wines bad now, but I think that many of the S.A. wines I have tasted here are vastly superior to those from Aus. and NZ. One in particular I have become a huge fan of is Two Oceans. I'm particularly a fan of the Shiraz. You should all go out and try some. There is a Region called Stellenbosch, which has a very good reputation for its 'fruits of the vine'

Also I want' to give a shout out for a few products that I have become a big fan of since I've been here. First VPN's. This little thing makes it possible for me to enjoy things like Skype, racy photographs and Pandora radio in situations, which would normally not allow them. Go VPN. I suggest that any traveller, thinking about a jaunt more than two months, take getting a VPN like Surfbouncer, or Witopia It's a great tool. Also Pandora radio, which makes listenign to great music soooo easy. It's like they know me!!!!
Well there are sooo many things I would like to point out, but I think it's time for my second glass of 'Two Oceans' Shiraz', not to mention my sauce smells like it's done... so until next time.