The year began as it did in 2008 - with me in Saudi Arabia. The project that I was involved with was at the point that I was past due and waiting to leave. They finally decide that January 10, 2009 was a good date. I booked a flight from Bahrain to Thailand.

I arrived back in Thailand and returned to my condo to a very happy girl friend - Tay - pronounced Thai. I spent a month in Thailand and then decided to return to the USA for the first time since July 2006. That is the longest that I can remember being out of the country at any one time.

I then went looking for some property to buy in the Las Vegas area as the market has been hit hard and I think there is some opportunity.

He has over 80 motor cycles stored there so a few Rubber Maid bins should not be a problem. He is a collector and the motorcycle he is sitting on is an Indian Scout and one of Steve McQueen’s favorite bikes.

Back in 98’ I had bought a 1990 Chevy Suburban that had about 143,000 mile on it. I put in a new engine and kept it running. The total miles on the ‘beast’ was upwards of 265,000 and I could see more and more personality creeping in. It was in good mechanical shape. To do a paint job would cost more than the beast is worth. There were a few other mechanical items that I had never messed with and I felt that they come due sooner than later.

So I went and bought a newer used Chevy Suburban and sold the old gray one peeling paint and all. It took a bit of haggling but I finally got what I considered a fair price for the newer one.

Then it was back to Thailand - the USA is just to expensive to live in these days for me. As usual I was in the hunt for work. Out of the blue I got an offer to go to Qatar. The compensation package is very attractive and I should be able to save some more money. I am still looking to buy a house in the Las Vegas area.

The last time that I was here in Doha was 2006. I took some pictures of the growing skyline - WOW has it changed.

Doha Skyline March 2009

My leave is sometime in late July. I hope to go back to Las Vegas and find a suitable property to purchase.

The project that I was working on unfortunately ended up with some major problems. My contract was for 6 months and there was no way that they could justify keeping around until they had gotten the problems ironed out so they scheduled me to leave the project after 6 months at the end of October. The nice thing is that they gave me 30 days notice. I have been busy sending out my resumé and have gotten a few responses. As it is the end of the year I am not holding my breath as most project budgets have been spent. Hopefully something will come up around the start of 2010. WOW is it almost 2010 - it was just 2000. Well my how time flies when you are busy and hopefully having fun.

As I am off for a while there are a couple of errands that I can get done. I need a new passport as the one that I have is falling apart after all my travels and I have added extra pages 2 times - what  mess to try and find anything in that passport. I also need to get down to Phuket - I haven't been there for about 3 years and still have some stuff stored there in the attic of my favorite hotel Casa Summer Breeze. If I have the time I might see if I can get an early bird special and go scuba diving. Below are some photos of Tay doing one her favorite activities and going to the Temple.That is all for now.

I have been back in Pattaya since October 31st. I went down to Walking Street and had a nice evening with my girlfriend Tay. I have been sorta lazy but have accomplished the task of getting a new passport.

I was back about 3 days when a company called me to go back to Qatar for another 2-3 month job. As this time of the year is usually slow so I said that I would go. They interviewed me then nothing happened for about 6 days then I get a note from their HR group and then nothing again for about 10 days. Now this is a major construction company from the USA and I was talking to Americans so I was expecting things to move a little more quickly. From what I could tell it was the client that was slowing things down. They even proposed that I arrive on a tourist visa - not a good idea if you are working in the country. I advised the company that if they wanted to hire me that a business visa was necessary to get me to go. After all it is me that is in the hot water if the immigration rules are broken.

In the meantime I was contacted by another major company in the business and they interviewed me  and had a contract offer in front of me in 1 day - contingent on passing a physical and drug test. Their job is for 6 or more months. I like more. The salary is market rate and less than I was making before but I want to work. This left me with the dilemma of how to tell the other company no when I had said yes. This created a bit of brain chatter for a day or 2 while I figured out a strategy. Well I told them no and why and hopefully I didn't burn a bridge as they will have more work coming in the future.

Now I am waiting for the visa to come through with the travel details and I will be off again. The nice thing about this new job is that I work 2 months on and 2 weeks off. For the last 2 years I have been working 3 months on with 2 weeks off. I think my girlfriend Tay will be happier with this scheme.

Well it is December 21st and I am back in Doha, Qatar on another job. I got here the 18th and had to sit in Doha for 2 days before they brought me to the job site. It is a camp job as I mentioned before. Hopefully things will go smooth and we we be here for a while.

Again I will be gone for Christmas and working.

One beautiful December evening Pedro and his girlfriend

Rosita were sitting by the side of the ocean.

It was a romantic full moon evening, when Pedro said

"Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu."

Oh no, not now, let's just look at the moon and kiss!" said Rosita.

Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu.

I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged.

"But I wanna just hold your hand, watch the moon and kiss you." replied Rosita.

Please, corazoncito mamma mia, just once please, do Weeweechu with me."

Rosita looked at Pedro and said,

"OK, just one time, we'll do Weeweechu."

Scroll down……

 

Pedro grabbed .............

 

his guitar and they both began to sing........

"Weeweechu a Mely Klistmas,

Weeweechu a Mely Klistmas,

Weeweechu a Mely Klistmas,

and a Hapi Nu Year." 

What were you thinking 'Weeweechu' ment?

Jiggle Bells Jiggle Bells ............ you know the song.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Stay tuned for more.