Saturday, December 30, 2006

Well things are still slow towards my getting the car. Paperwork is a tad bit slow here so I am still hoping she is still available when I get my civil ID. Heather has had her ID for sometime and gets her car after the Eid holidays here.

I hope this finds you all doing well and having a very merry hioliday season.

Friday, December 22, 2006


Well we are finalizing everything on our vehicles here. Just awaiting one more piece of paper from the Ministry of Defense for me. To get a loan you need a salary letter from employer stating salary and what not. Loans are based off of this and not previous history here. The bank here is putting both cars into one loan. Short term though, 2 years fixed rate. Was a fairly painless event getting this done. Received great service from the Toyota and Porsche staffs. Didn't hurt having friends like Patti and Eddy though!


Heather ended up getting the Furtuner V6 Toyota. A pretty cool SUV that is just under the Land Cruiser Prado. The thing is fully outfitted and is a 4 wheel drive. Will be nice as sometimes you need to hop a curb to get around some nucklehead or another. Attached is a picture of the car. We will post either here or on Heather's site, in a week or so, her with her new toy(ota).

Monday, December 18, 2006

Work is going well and I have numerous projects going on all at one time. I also am slowly starting to learn Arabic a bit. The basic grammar is almost exactly like English which makes the whole process that much easier. Just replace the English words with Arabic. A lot of words have religious tone to them such as to say that you are fine is to say “HAMDALA” which means Fine, or Thanks god for health.

Again a very cold day here. We received a deluge of rain the other afternoon and well into the night. The following morning many roads were flooded. Made for quite the driving experience into the office this morning.

Softball will start up after the holidays here once again. A bit too cold out for the new bat as it states not to use it below 60 degrees F. The holidays here for me will be 9 days long. I am under the local holidays where as Heather is under the American holidays. So while I am working on Christmas she will be at the spa getting all massaged and pampered.

Friday, December 15, 2006




The Hilton is just down the road from us and is a great place. It has several restaraunts to include Starbucks. We ended up at Starbucks drinkining coffee and writing our Christmas cards. The attached picture is one Heather took of me on the beach along the Persian Gulf at the Hilton.



Had a really excellent time the other night at the Kuwait Nomads Christmas Cracker. The event was black tie and included an excellent meal and dancing. This was Heathers first time to hang with Rugby folk and she seemed to enjoy it a great deal. Good times were had by all.




Prior to the nights festivities we went to the Hilton for lunch. While there we went and got our hair cut as well. I ended up getting a great facial as well. I always expected a facial to be pampering and what not but this was freaking painful. Yet it provided great results. I guess it is a fairly common guy thing to do here.




Also this night was the baby shower for some friends of ours as well so after the Cracker we headed to the shower. Enroute our cab ended up getting a flat. It didn't ruin the night at all though.




Today we ended up spending a nice quiet restfull day at the house.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

The holiday seasons are upon us once again.

I have been asked by several persons what I may like for the holidays or my birthday coming up this February. The answer to this is that I usually just buy what I want. So after thinking I have come up with a brilliant idea. If you would like to do something for me then do the following.

Go to the website for the Shinta Mani located below and donate money to them in my honor. This is an OUTSTANDING organization. It is a hotel and spa located in Siem Reap, Cambodia that is an institute for the learning of the hospitality industry. They take kids off the street or from poor regions and teach them a valuable trade. They give rice to their families. Provide them with a stipend and uniforms. They assist them in finding gainful employment upon successful completion of the course. They also provide for the community in so many other ways. Check out the website to learn more.

I hope that this finds you all doing very well and that your holidays are filled with family and happiness.

www.shintamani.com
Heather and I instead of sitting in front of the television enjoyed many podcasts off of iTunes last night. Some of the ones that were most funny to me were the “Strong Bad E-mail” cartoons. Especially one called Techno. We also enjoyed the daily “Onion” report as well on podcast. One that is right up Patric’s alley is “Ask a Ninja”, which is a video podcast.

For the Strong Bad E-mails you can also go to www.homestarrunner.com. For ask a ninja go to hmmmmmmm guess what…………………http://askaninja.com. Steve there is a great onion post about the Marine Corp out as well right now. You should check it out.

Have a happy holidays.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Kuwait Air Force (KAF) Gazelle helicopter.
Well the winter season is fully upon us. The temperature upon my heading into work today according to the radio was a very cool 10° C and Heather has a tree and we will decorate it this week.

On Thursday, our Saturday here, we have tickets to go to the local rugby chapters annual Christmas Cracker dinner. This is a black tie affair. Heather and I went out with our good friends the Patti and Eddy Cars and purchased appropriate attire for this function. Heather has a stunning new dress and shoes and I have a nice Tuxedo for the gala. Should be a good time to be had by all. Will be fun to see folks normally known for hard hitting on the pitch in their finest singing rugby songs while in black tie.

Also I have just got my new softball bat and glove in and am dieing to get onto the field. I hear Steve after years has now purchased a new glove and bat. Actually we may have the same bat. I have just picked up the 27.5 ounce Mayhem Jeff Hall edition. I was looking at others but the Dubai tourney is very ASA strict so all bats must comply with the 2004 ASA ruling. The glove is a SSK and only has 4 fingers. The pinky and the finger next to it share a finger in the glove. We’ll see how it works after she is broken in.

For those interested and having not seen them please click on the link to Heather’s website and view the pictures of our villa here in Kuwait. Reservations are still available so call now for a real heck of a deal. Spare room has a king size bed and a full bathroom and tub.

Hope this finds all of you, our friends, having an enjoyable time where ever you may be. Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 02, 2006

And now for the new restaraunt review for Mahboulla, Kuwait.

WASABI is now open and I have already been there 3 times. They have a huge menu. The staff is excellent. The food is superb. You have several seating options: normal tables, tepanyaki (cooking in front of you on the grill) and a couple private rooms for you and your friends to take off your shoes and enjoy the food. The ambiance is best at night as the lighting is very nice although should be enjoyed no matter what the time of day.

RUBY TUESDAY is also open next door. After hearing from several folks that the meat is often under cooked and needing to be sent back we ventured there none the less. Yes indeed we had an individual with a steak in dire need of a little more flame. Service though I thought was good. Time from drink order to reception was very good. And the pasta I ordered was enjoyable. Over all not bad just reccomend until you hear further to stay away from red meat.

Down the street it appears a Duncan Donuts is going in. Not a place I am rushing towards nor do I think I will be going there at all as I am just not that big of a donut fan but if it is your cup of tea then looks like you are in luck. Although if donuts are your thing maybe you should try Mr. Baker or one of the many other very nice pastry shops in the area.

Monday, November 27, 2006



Here is the playlist of songs I listen to on the way to and from work:










  1. Remember the Name-- Fort Minor

  2. Faint-- Linkin Park

  3. Ocean Avenue-- Yellowcard

  4. Crazy-- Gnarls Barkley

  5. Mr. Brightside-- Killers

  6. I Write Sins Not Tragedies-- Panic! At The Disco

  7. This is Acid-- Voodoo & Serano

  8. Secrets-- 4 Clubbers

  9. Mix-- DJ Tabla

  10. Lebanese Blonde-- Thievery Corporation


My Commute is about 20-30 minutes depending on the lights. Attached is the photo of the car we are awaiting. They can't neccesarily hold her for us so lets hope she doesn't sell before we buy her. I have a few more weeks left as I am unable to buy anything until I have been here for 90 days according to law here.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Well all is going well. Looks like we are planning on a softball tournament in Dubai in April if anyone is interested in coming. Actually Kwaj guys if you can get enough guys to come you should. Can get you the website. Do as the teams here do and get a sponsor to pay for it. Maybe Space-X Steve????? Just a thought. Put their name on a jersey and come on over.

The fences are a bit short it seems here. Like 240 in right and 290 in left. All I know is most you guys could rock the fields here!!!! But thats the Kuwait field here.

Weather has started to chill a bit as in the AM I have to turn the heat on in the car. Once the sun has a chance it warms it up for the most part.

Friday, November 10, 2006


Well Heather and I had a good weekedend together. She had microsoft exchange class all week so was off her normal schedule and able to share the weekend with me. We ended up at the mall doing some shopping and just hanging around.

The weather is starting to get cold. Soon they say we will need jackets during the day. Very nice weather right now.

Looks like we are going to be getting the Porsche. I am quite excited. When we move back home or where ever from here she is an item that will travel with us. A picture will follow once we have signed the deal and have her in our parking spot here at the villa. Not sure if Heather likes the car more or the ever present shit-eating grin on my face. She is a 2004 Carrera. Heather says I have to name her but we shall see.

Well hope this finds all of you doing well. Feel free to book tickets and come and visit.

Sunday, November 05, 2006


Well I must apologize for the lack of posting lately. Things have been hectic here getting things fixed here in the house and getting paperwork taken care of for the civil ID, drivers license and what not here.

Heather and I ahve been car shopping. Looks like Heather is looking at a Rav4 Toyota. They use to be small but the new models are actually quite large. She likes the idea of a SUV with the craziness of traffic here. That way if she gets hit she is in a big SUV and not a small car. I on the other hand am looking at Porsche Cayman, Porsche 911 and Audi Sedans. I like the idea of speed here as it seems to be the way to keep from getting hit on the highway. Again like I have said before driving here is crazy. Ferrari and others send cars here before they are released worldwide as they know how the driving is here and how the folks here like speed and cutting in and outta traffic. Actually I have just about everything on the road here that has ever been made. I am amazed at how many Bentleys I have seen here. They are everywhere and cost over $200,000 each.

Heather and I got a really cool hookah though. It is built into a wooden table and the tubes are hidden with in. The tobacco is a flavored sticky substance. Grape, strawberry and the like flavorwise. If the picture ends up loading then the one on the table is a small seperate hookah.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Things are going well.

Heather should be here on Sunday. May not get a chance to see her for a day or two as she gets picked up by the company and taken to Arifjan, the US military post. I do not have a pass for that base yet.

Still looking at apartments but the ones I am interested in for Heather and I are very swank. 3 bedroom 3 bath over looking the Persian gulf and across the street from the beach or restaurants depending at where on the Gulf Drive here. And fully furnished.

Right now the mosques have sermons/prayers going over the loud speakers and I am listing to them as I type. Every mosque plays them and there is not an inch of ground in town or in your apartment you can not here them. I don't mind and adds to the unique-ness and ambiance of the region.

Every little thing is unique here even down to the Doritos here. I have two bags. One is goat cheese and sesame seed the other is pepper and tomato. Very good too.

Cars are crazy here. Every thing from old 60's mustangs to Ferraris to cheap Japanese cars. I found a mint Ferrai 348 Spider for $15,000 US. Not going to get it but damn tempting. I guess car repair is so painless here. They will even come pick it up. Insurance is flat rate roguhly across the board and covers everything. All you need is a police report. And if you go to the car and find a ding then drive to the police and get a report. The driving is listed as the worst in the world. Everyone drives like it's NASCAR here. Cutting each other off at 80 mph+.

Flights outta here seem cheap. Can go to Dubai for the weekend for aroun $75 US and that is roundtrip flight and two nights hotel.

Not everything is cheap. Apartments if you have to pay and company does not cover are very expensive. Luckily we have an allowance for this.

Generally I am very happy and there is so much to do and keep me busy. Of course once Heather and I are settled I will be even more happy. Should be able to take several vacations a year so keep us informed if you are going to be in the region and we can meet any of you. Also welcome to come and visit here!!!!

Can't wait to move back home to Kwaj at some point though. I feel it is home. Wish I could have taken all of you with me when I left as you are my family. We will never lose touch. Or at least we had better not. Worst case in 20 years we should have a boat shack reunion somewhere and all meet back up. I would be up for that more than a High School reunion.

TOM

Sunday, October 01, 2006


Well here I am in Kuwait. Got to love a place that charges more for bottled water than for a tank of gas. Gas costs are about 76 cents a gallon. Work schedule is great during Ramadan. I work 4.5 hours a day. Also looks like I have a week long holiday the end of the month and with weekends at each end that means 9 days off. I love being salaried now. Well drop me a line at rangerat@gmail.com and let me know how you all are doing. More picts to follow. This was just a kwickie out the window of the temp apartment they have me in for the time being. You can see the Persian Gulf in the back ground. Many of the places I have been scouting for Heathen and I are across the street from the water and have a Starbucks close by.

Monday, September 25, 2006


Nice Dinner

Well my folks and I went out for dinner with a friend of the family whom we affectionately call grandma. She was very close to my grandfather before his passing.

Dinner was pretty good. Grouper, scallops, shrimp and what not. The place was called Johnny Leverocks. It was located next to two marinas and right on the water.

Only a few more days and I will be off on a long as heck trip across the sea to Heather's and my new home for a while.

Remember to keep in touch and make sure to send some picts once in a while. Attached to the blog is a picture of my folks and I here in Florida.

TOM/EOD

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Well all the paperwork seems to be done and I am just buying the last few things that I feel I may need for the next few months in Kuwait. I should be flying out of here on the 28th and should be in country on the 29th. I really have no real clue what to expect but when I get there I will fill you all in.

The folks are doing fine. Had the opportunity to see some family and take them to dinner which was very nice. Tomorrow I think I will be off to see a movie, most likely the Talladega Nights movie with Will Ferrell.

Last night around the corner someones car got absolutely totaled and they had to land a helicopter to pick up the wounded. The car got slammed into on the side and spun 360 degrees. Damn I miss my bike.........hahahahahaha.

Trying to stay away from the fast food but did go out to Ruth's Chris the other night.

Well I gues thats it for now. Take care and keep in touch. RangeRat1@gmail.com

Friday, September 15, 2006


Well I will be off to close my account with IT here in a few short hours and then will head to the plane to fly off island until such time as Heather and I decide to come back home to Kwajalein. It has been a helluva run over the past 6 years. Alot has happened while here.

  1. I met my one true love and took her as my life partner, wife.
  2. I have had the opportunity to dive some of the best reef and wrecks available in the world. I have met some of the best people and friends that I have ever had the pleasure to say will always be a part of my family.
  3. I got the opportunity to spend more time with my brother and help him to find employment out on the island as well.
  4. I have fished with out fishing pole using nothing but parachute cord and lures.
  5. I have partied and drank like a rock star.
  6. I have played for quite possibly the world's greatest Softball team on the face of the earth. You don't have to retire my number Steve.
  7. I have had the opportunity to coach some fo the best gals around in soccer and softball.

I could continue to list but that would take me forever. Let me just leave you all with I will miss you all and hope that we all continue to keep in touch and to meet up when we can as we all make our ways throughout the globe. Kwajalein Atoll is shaped like a boomarang and my gut says we will be back at some point in time.

TOM