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Lorenzo's Goals for 2011

Lorenzo's Goals for 2011

I.  SPIRITUAL FAITH

This year, I will continue to have a closer relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ, Church Leaders and members, then the year before.  

In order to achieve my goal this year, I will do the following steps. 

1. I will do my Time Alone With God, read and meditate on the Word Daily. 
2. I will expand my knowledge by reading my bible and Christian related resources. 
   
3. I will participate more in Life Cell, Intercessory Prayer, and ROTV Ministry.
   
4. I will learn more about my camera and other TV media equipment, and video making techniques within the ROTV Ministry and become an expert at it. 

II.  FAMILY

I will prepare the house and grounds for Rhoda, Larraine, and Rafael Frenz's arrival from the Philippines prior to their later arrival this year. 

1. I will continue to support Rhoda, Larraine, and Rafael Frenz's spiritual, physical, and emotional needs in the Philippines.
2. I will continue to work on important documents for U.S. Immigration so that Rhoda, Larraine, and Rafael Frenz's will gain approval on their entry to relocate to Guahan. 
   
3. I will make it a point to chat with Rhoda and Larraine daily on Yahoo Messenger or Skype, but no less than 2 times a week.  
4. I will continue to tell Rhoda, Larraine, and Rafael Fren, that I love them everyday.
   
5. I will visit Rhoda, Larraine, and Rafael Fren, at least 2 times this year, and our family in Butuan City.

III.   HEALTH

I will lose 50 more pounds, and continue to eat organic healthy foods, this year.

1. I will follow the CrossFit HQ's Workout of the Day and scale it to my workout level.
2. I will eat healthy organic foods by reading labels, or growing my own vegetables and raising my own livestock.
3. I will drink 1 gallon of water daily and supplement my fluid intake with natural juices from fruits grown on the ranch. 
   
4. I will continue to see my VA social worker and Doctors at my appointed times. 
   
5. I will continue to take medications prescribed to me by VA, but look for herbal alternatives to those medications. 
   

IV.  CAREER

Within 10 years, I will have a sustainable organic ranch near Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental; and Texas, by God's Grace.  My ranch here on Guahan will be in full operation producing organic crops and livestock.

I will have no less than 3 sources of income this year. 

A.  This year, I will continue to build a successful sustainable producing ranch here on Guahan, growing organic vegetables and livestock by God's design.

1. I will grow vegetables using proper organic methods and raise beyond organic livestock that is healthy to myself, family, and future clients.
2. I will respect and care for the livestock in my care.  I am their steward, not their master..
3. I will start my own direct sales market from the ranch and grow consistent produce for my clients/customers.
4. I will plan, develop, and produce my own Value Added Products for Matua Ranch.
5. I will incorporate Matua Ranch before year's end. 
   

B.  I will establish a safety training company this year.  Also become an instructor with GCA's Trades Academy. 

1. I will complete my Safety Technician Skills Training at GCA's Guam Trades Academy this year. 
   
2. I will obtain an LLC Business license for a safety training company and to teach at the GCA Trades Academy.
   
3. I will continue to take OSHA related courses to further my skills and knowledge to become a Certified Safety Technician Instructor.
   

V.  SCOUTING VOLUNTEER WORK

I will re-establish Venture Crew 26 and Scout Troop 26 and have them re-chartered this year.

1. I will invite neighborhood teens from the Backroad Rt.15 and Gayinero Area to participate in the Matua Scout Program based on Christian Faith, Extreme Outdoor Activities, Character Building, and Leadership Training. 
2. I will "ONLY" work the position that I volunteered for: Scoutmaster/Adviser.
   
3. I will encourage parents or young Christian adults to fill needed adult leadership positions to help the Crew and Troop.
4. I will only work with youth ages between 14 and 18 years old.
   
5. I will lock out and reserve 6pm to 7pm,  Tuesdays as our meeting days, and 1 weekend a month as our adventure days.
   

I will choose a Mentor(s) to help keep me on target for my goals this year.  I will plan to meet monthly with my mentor to go through my monthly goals. 

I will remember that these are my goals for this year 2011.  Should I not meet the time line for any of my goals, I will not become discouraged.  I will simply readjust the time on target for a later date. 

I will review these goals monthly on the 1st of each month. 



Lorenzo Taitano
January 1, 2011

Unsubscribed from lots of mail lists and groups to clean up my email inbox. Getting lots of junk mail.

Cleaned up a bit in the ranch. Trimmed back some of the banana trees, pulled some debris cuttings to the hedgerow, and burned some wood.

Have a Blessed New Year!

Reviewing Goals for this Year, and Making New Goals for the coming Year, 2011.

Looking over my goal sheet from this year.  I did accomplish a lot.  There were some goals that I did not finish or did not even do for one reason or another. I'll have to do some reflection on those. 

All my goals either accomplished or not accomplished boiled down to availability, convenience, and available financial investment. I may have to do better planning on my goal setting for next year. 

It'll take a day or two to finalize my goals for 2011. 

ESTA...

Desert Christmas Eve Gathering.

This evening after service, I was reflecting on a special Christmas years ago.  Not the one with my wife and daughter in my wife's hometown in 2008.  This one was while I was on deployment with the 82nd Airborne Division during Desert Shield in 1990.  

Word had spread around the base camp that there would be no Christmas Eve service at the makeshift theater turned chapel.  The news from the chain of command from XVIII Airborne Corps was that, we are not to offend the host nation, Saudi Arabia, with our Christian Christmas Services.  It was actually illegal to have any other Faith in the Kingdom other than Islam.  Our Chaplains were not allowed to wear their branch insignia on their uniforms.  That was replaced by their actual rank.  

So when Christmas Eve came, we treated it like any other routine work day.  I even volunteered to pull another Sergeant's shift on guard duty, so he can call home to CONUS.  We didn't have access to call Guam back then, like they do now with today's technology.  All we had back then was snail mail and AT&T.  So I pulled the day shift, supervising a machine gun team on one of our bunkers along the wire.  It was pretty much an uneventful day.  

Later that evening after chow, our chaplain's aide told us that there was a small get-together at the helipad at 2300.  A small group of troopers were getting together to celebrate 'quietly', Christmas Eve.  My squad had decided that we would go check it out, since there was nothing else to do.  It's not like the First Sergeant was going to have our necks for breaking lights out.  

When we got to the small area of the helipad.  I noticed that it was one of our chaplains from my regiment that was leading the small group in singing Christmas carols quietly.  It was weird singing in whispered tones.  But slowly more small groups were approaching our little area of the helipad and joining us.  Someone had brought candles and we were lighting it up, one by one, in the cool desert night.  It was funny.  Our small platoon size group turned out to be two brigades in the helipad.  Every trooper standing shoulder to shoulder in this standing room only crowd.  

A senior ranking chaplain had come out, with other chaplains from the other units.  A couple of troopers brought guitars and a trumpet.  Next thing I noticed.  The Filipino workers who manned the base fire station were also there.  Our quiet singing turned out to be a loud affair with paratroopers singing in unison different carols led by the small group of leaders to our front.   I thought the MP's would come and disperse the crowd.  But they were there singing along next to us.  As I turned to my right, I noticed familiar faces, my Regimental Commander and Command Sergeant Major; next to them was my Battery Commander and First Sergeant; behind them was my Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Leader.  My Platoon Sergeant caught my eye and gave me head nod to face forward and carry on.  I nudged my team leader on the side and pointed at the command group to our right.  I guess we're good to go if the command is there singing along.  

For an hour we sang, well past midnight.  We left the helipad the same way we arrived, in small groups, back to our unit areas relishing what Christmas meant that night.  Out there in the desert surrounded by a faith that didn't like us, but we were there to protect.  That night, I knew what Christmas meant.  It was about Jesus.  And no Order, was going to stop us from celebrating the Lord's Birthday.  

Merry Christmas 

Guam High - DODEA Pacific Protecting Their Own, Retaliates Against Local Decision Exonerating Referee.

A Guam High wrestler, Ronicko Cabe  is reported to have hit the chin of an officiating referee, Joey Lopez Jr., during a wrestling match with his head. That would make that strike a head butt.  News reports state the wrestler didn't like the calls that were being made by Referee Lopez.  

Here is the first report:     

Wrestler Penalized For Assault On Ref

Here is the second report:  Guam High-DODEA Pacific's Response.

Lopez Not Permitted To Participate In DoDEA Events

Guam PDN reports that Cabe was disqualified for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. 

It seems Guam High School - DODEA Pacific is retaliating against the suspension placed on their wrestler by banning the referee from officiating at their events.  

That's their call.  It might work for their home games.  But, what happens when the team has to go to another school for a match with Referee Lopez officiating.  It looks like they'll have to forfeit those matches.  

All this because one student/wrestler was way out-of-bounds and head butted an officiating referee.  It would seem that Guam High Officials would rather see their student/wrestler continue his assault and didn't want Lopez to defend himself.  

I've always thought Guam High had higher standards.  It does appear to be those standards have been tainted.  There are no reports that the student/wrestler was suspended from school for his actions.  Guam High sends a wrong message to it's students and wrestlers.  It is not okay to hit an officiating referee for any reason, especially if you don't like the call.  By banning Lopez from their events, it sends a loud message to their students that it is okay to strike an official.  And if you do strike an official, we will ban them from our games.  We will protect you.  That is not what sports is all about.  

Players have to understand that refereeing, although there are trainings involved, it is still the interpretation of the rules by that officiating referee.  I know...I used to referee Volleyball in Germany for DODEA and other sports associations.  As a player, you cannot see what the referee is looking at.  It's all perception.  You think you do, but you don't.  Your job as a player is to play the game the best you can by following the rules and the techniques taught to you by your coach.  

Referee Lopez has been exonerated by the MSOA.  Banning him from their events is wrong, even if he acted in self-defense.  

By banning Lopez, Guam High - DODEA Pacific took this issue from the sports arena and made this a military versus locals issue.  It's them against us all over again.  

Then they wonder why us locals don't want the military buildup.  

ESTA

Grady Phelan's Pancake Mix

Description:
Grady Phelan is a former apprentice out of Polyface Farm in Virginia. This is his recipe from his blog; Life As A Polyface Apprentice.

Ingredients:
3 cups grass-fed raw milk (I bet normal milk will do but...)
2 cups whole flour (don't use bleached or enriched... not good)
2 large eggs (from pastured hens if possible)
1 teaspoon baking powder (Not Soda... Powder)
1 table spoons lard (self rendered from hog fat)

Directions:
1. Mix milk and whole flour.
2. Beat in eggs and stir in baking powder and let set.
3. Heat skillet to medium and add lard to coat pan.
4. Pour 1/2 cup of batter into skillet and cook till bubbles raise in pancake.
5. Flip.
6. Finish cooking... add butter... add maple syrup...
7. Add fork in hand and smile on face.

Makes enough for 2 hungry apprentices.

Ranch Update 17DEC10

The weather is nice and sunny.  Strong breeze coming from the NE.  Temperature is in the mid-80's.  

The rabbitry is doing well.  The month old kits are getting bigger.  It looks like their dam weaned them off already.  Found them drinking water from the waterer and eating the alfalfa pellets.  The other does are doing well.  All nicely muscled and ready for breeding.  The buck is nice and lean.  He'll be busy soon when I start putting the does in with him.  My plan is to do it a week apart with the 3 senior does Starting on Sunday.  The two junior white does are not yet ready for breeding.  I'm looking for a white buck to breed them with.  I'll have to make a flea market run one of these weekends to the guy who sells rabbits there.    

The goat herd is now down to one goat, a polled buck.  He's a Spanish Kiko with some Alpine/Nubian percentage thrown in.  I sold the rest of the goats for a variety of reasons.  I knew I wouldn't have time for them, once I started back going to school next year.  Also, they didn't make my breeding standard, that I've adopted from attending the Livestock and Grazing Academy at the University.  

• One buck has one testicle.  Even though he successfully bred one of the does.  I didn't want that genetic in the future herd.  I need a fully intact buck for a herd sire.  
• One doe took 4 years to get pregnant.  That's to long for the meat herd that I want to establish.  Another trait, I did not want.
• Another doe was to thin and had her horn tips pointing in.  Both not a good sign.  I want well muscled goats and horn tips pointing in meant that any goat my get caught in her horns and break a leg.  I prefer wide based horns that open out.  
• Another doe was to skittish.  She would run from the slightest noise and/or movement.  She always kept her distance from me and was hard to catch when she needed to get treated.  Another trait that I can do without.  

So I was going to sell the last buck.  But reconsidered after I redid his body condition score.  He actually outgrew the older buckling and he's only 8 months old.  I'll keep him around awhile longer and use him to maintain the paddocks to keep the grass low.  I'm looking into investing in registered Boer and Kiko Meat Goats next year.  After, I am settled in with my classes.  

The Guinea Flock took a hard hit last month.  9 of the older keets died from the Brown Tree Snake.  I put them out in the outside ground brooder to early at the ranch.  That was my fault, bad judgement.  I should have waited.  Now, I have 3 keets left.  I'm leaving them in the brooder until they gain their pearl feathers.  The first group of keets are now mature with nice pearl feathers with helmets and watles to match.  The two older guineas are roosters in the circular pen.  The female that was in with them died, reasons unknown.  I was able to catch my alpha breeders, a rooster and hen.  I know I have a hen in with the young keets.  I'll have to wait until she's older to actually tell her apart.  So the flock is currently at 7 birds.  I may have to order keets from Metzer Hatchery next year to upgrade my flock's bloodline.  

I bought some seeds for my garden.  I'll be planting beans, melons, sunflower, lettuce, pechay (bok choy), onions, and marigold.  I'm going to put my organic training to the test now.  I did grow organic cherry tomatoes last year, and currently  still growing organic bananas.  Now, I'll have to keep actual records for my organic production.  The marigold above is not for eating.  It's for insect control.  Plus, I like the colors.  I was looking for eggplant and winged beans, didn't find any.  I'll start working on the garden beds next week during the mornings.  Since, I have class in the afternoons, until Wednesday.  

Still haven't received word if I passed the Organic Inspector Basic Course with IOIA.  Patiently waiting on that.  I'll be working on the new ranch goals for next year before the year's end.  

ESTA.  

Morning Appointment at the VA Clinic.

I was able to visit the new VA clinic this morning.  My first visit since it opened.  Got there pretty early, since I had left an hour before my appointment to bypass the construction traffic at the Tri-intersection in Barrigada.  Now they have a security guard in the lobby.  That's a new one.  

I did the normal in-processing, filled out the form and turned it in.  Sat down for close to 45 minutes.  The movie on the TV was 10,000 B.C., which the security guard turned the volume because he thought it was to loud.  I wasn't paying attention to it anyway.  I thought my appointment was to see the clinic psychiatrist.  But I was surprised when I was called and went to see a new doctor from Hawaii.  

He asked the same old questions.  I gave the same old answers.  Then he checked my right knee and my lower back.  You know, if these guys only read my medical file they would find all they needed to know in there.  Yes, I damaged my right knee during a volleyball game, that we call combat volleyball in Ft. Bragg.  Yes, I broke my lower back in a car accident when I was ordered to retrieve a paratrooper from his house for beating his wife.  I don't understand why I have to keep repeating the same thing every evaluation.  READ MY MEDICAL RECORDS!  

Anyway, the Hawaiian doctor told me that it'll take anywhere from 3 to 6 months before the Benefits Office does anything.  That's just to long for me to wait.  I did not hesitate when the first Gulf War happened.  I answered the call.  I gave more than 100% of my time to the military.  I served with Honor.  And now, that I need this disability upgrade, not for myself, but for my family.  I'm told it'll take 3 to 6 more months.  And they still may not approve my request.  

Everything with the VA is wait...  It is so frustrating.  

I did have questions for the doctor.  But what was the point in asking them, when I already know the answer.  

My chances with winning the Washington State Lottery is a lot better than waiting for my disability rating.  

Twitter...Twitt...Twitting...Tweet...Tweetering--Why I don't?!

A friend of mine sent me an email 'suggesting' that I get on twitter.  That was over a month ago.  I'm sorry for the late reply.  But, I've been thinking about it for a long while.  As with any decision I go through the pros and cons decision making process.  It wasn't really that hard the first day after I thought about it.  I had decided not to do it.  But I had failed to send my reply to my 'friend'.  So I got a followup email 'suggesting' that I 'really' should try out twitter. 

Let me try twitting here on my blog first to see how it works, okay. 


TWEET:  In the bathroom taking a dump.  Smells like roses! 

TWEET:  Just picked my nose.  Got a crusty on my finger as I'm typing this!

TWEET:  Saw a guy hit his wife.  Went up to guy and beat him up!

TWEET:  Punk cut me off on Marine Corps Drive.  He's lucky I don't have my gun with me!

TWEET:  Had a great lunch with my Pari' with his chatmak.  I wonder if Mali' will read this.

TWEET:  Mali' invited me to dinner with her chatmak.  Hmmm, Pari' is lucky!

TWEET:  Some girl busy putting making up on at the stop light.  Light is Green! 

TWEET:  Guy talking on his cellphone runs into truck in front of KFC!

TWEET:  I'm running out of things to Tweet!

TWEET:  Just read above, again!


I prefer blogging.  Twitting/Tweeting is just not my thing.  It's bad enough I see guys grab their phones in class the minute it goes off, then runs outside to take the call or read their text.  If I wanted people to know what I'm doing every minute of the day.  I'd be in a reality show. 

I do have a cellphone.  But, that's only for my wife and work related issues.  Everyone else can email me, message me on Facebook, or hit up my comment section here on Multiply. 

I'll leave Tweeting to the birds. 

ESTA. 

Raising Up Larraine.

Being a long distance parent is not easy.  Normally, I would say, 'yes', to whatever Larraine wanted.  I guess the distance and me not being there physically reigned on my decision.  Later on, I would learn from Rhoda, that she had told Larraine, no.  However, since our daughter is techno savvy with the computer and cellphone.  Larraine would get a hold of me on chat or text me via her mommy's phone to get my approval.  Without knowing the background of the situation, I would, of course, say yes, to my little girl.  So this went on for awhile.  When Rhoda said, no.  Larraine would get a hold of me knowing I would say, yes.

One day, Rhoda discussed with me the situation about Larraine getting a hold of me.  It was primarily my fault for not talking with Rhoda regarding why Larraine wanted certain things.  So we discussed Larraine's needs.  And since, Rhoda was there to actual see the situation first hand, I would defer to her judgment.  I have learned to stop saying yes to Larraine.  Now, I would tell her that her mommy and I would discuss it and let her know 'our' decision. 

Today, I called Rhoda to see how things were going over there.  Rhoda told me that Larraine wanted to join a dance contest.  The entrance fee was $40.  I said, "That's too much for an entrance fee, especially for young children".  Rhoda had talked to Larraine earlier and gave her a choice, the dance or a remote car (yeah, my girl is a tomboy) that she wanted.  Larraine wanted both.  So Rhoda and I had discussed it.  I told her that whatever she decides, I'll support.

Later, Rhoda gave Larraine the cellphone to talk with me.  After we had talked a little while.  Larraine asked me if she can join the dance.  I told her that her mommy and I will discuss it and let her know.  After Rhoda got back on the phone with me.  She informed me that our daughter was still upset.  She was hoping for me to say, yes. 

Apparently, Larraine had been practicing for this dance contest for awhile.  I'm not even sure what type of dancing style will be judged.  But, she's looking to competing and trying to win.  I'm glad that she's trying new things in school, especially for her young age.  I never thought about dancing contests when I was in 2nd grade. 

Anyway, Rhoda and I discussed it some more.  I didn't like the idea of forking over $40 for a dance contest for children.  Rhoda's plan is to have Papang (her dad/my father-in-law) bargain with the teacher to lower the fee for Larraine due to unforeseen circumstances with the family last month.  If it's $10, then Larraine may dance.  If not, then she'll have to learn that she can't have everything she wants. 

I used to laugh when Rhoda would tell me that I'm in Larraine's hands.  At first it was a compliment.  Of course, I would do anything for my children to keep them happy.  But, when it starts interfering with Rhoda's decision in raising our children, especially when I'm not there.  It puts a bind on things.  Most importantly, when it comes to discipline. 

I'm still learning.

Amazed...

I'm taking one of the last courses for my Core Subjects, which happens to be Construction Math.  It is really basic general math subject, Junior High School level type math.  Going through the material yesterday during class was nothing more than a refresher for me.  BUT, it amazed me how some of the students were having a hard time trying to figure the measurements of a ruler during the class exercise.  I was like, "Are you serious?". 

My grandfather taught me how to use the ruler when I was a young boy going to elementary school.  He was a really good carpenter and sheet metal worker.  I really didn't have a choice in the matter when he wanted me to cut something either a piece of wood or conduit for a house or ranch project that he was working on.  I had to know the exact length of what I was cutting. So he took the time to teach, not only me, but my cousins how to use the ruler. 

Converting metric is easy, as well as standard rule.  IMHO, I believe we (in the USA) should move to the metric system.  It so much easier.  Anyway, back to the subject at hand, using a ruler should not be that hard.  Especially in construction, wasting material because you measured it wrong is not an excuse. 

I really wonder what how the rest of the class will do when we move into angles and fractions next week. 

I really should test out. 

I woke this morning and discovered my last doe is limping. When she is walking around and doesn't see me, she looks fine. Hmmm...I don't think she wants to leave the ranch.

I'm glad that it's fellow ranchers, who I know, who are buying up my goats.

My goddaughter, Rissa, is cooking porkchops for lunch. Smells good!

Because I Can...

I don't understand my family here.  Not one of them wants to help with the ranch.  Which is fine by me.  Or, when they do try to help.  They do things that I don't like or want them to do.  There were promises of help that never happened.  It doesn't bother me. 

What bother's me is when I start selling my livestock, some members ask why?  Well, first off, they're my animals and I can do whatever I please with them.  Second, unless they have some type of financial and/or physical labor investment, they don't have much say. 

My wife and I decided that it's time for me to go back to school to better my career opportunities to support my family.  Starting in January 2011, I will not have time to take care of the goat herd.  Managing a ranch is labor intensive.  Most of my family will know that if they actually helped me with the ranch, but they don't. 

I realized that my study time is less than I should have allotted for it.  I noticed that last week while I was participating in the Organic Inspector Basic Course.  That course was similar to taking a full load of classes at the university.  It was very intense and demanding of my time. 

Going back to school will not be fair to my herd of goats.  They need to be moved twice a day if not more.  It will not be fair to me, compromising my studies.  With deep reflection, this is the better choice.  My animals will be taken cared of by ranchers that I know of.  When I do get back into it, in a year or so.  I'll know exactly where to buy breeding stock.  I still have my rabbits and Guinea Fowl to take care of on a small scale. 

I do have long term plans that I've discussed with Rhoda.  I have been networking with breeders in Hawaii concerning the Kiko and Boer Breeds of Meat Goat.  In a year or two, I'll have a whole new herd of meat goats to manage.  My primary ranch, in the back family property, will be open for operation.  Best of all, my family will be here from the Philippines to help me. 

There's a time for everything. 

ESTA...

Frens's Starting his Chore Training Early.

Rhoda was telling me last night during our chat about a funny event regarding our son, Fren. 

While in our kitchen, Rhoda told Fren, who is 1 years old, to scrub the floor.  Without hesitating Fren started to scrub the floor with the coconut husk with his foot, while holding onto the shoe rack to keep his balance.  His grandfather and aunt were laughing when they saw him start scrubbing the floor. 

Me, I can only imagine. 

My kids are so funny. 

Downsizing to a sustainable small-scale ranch operation while I complete my courses.

Almost done with my Core Subjects at Guam Trades Academy. Only two more courses to go to finish off. Already working on my Skills course.

Julian Assange is nothing more than a terrorist. He should be in the next cell with Bradley Manning. I wonder how much his bounty will be.

Buzz on internet: Incident with Wikileaks is nothing more than the USS Pueblo, again. This time Cyber style. Conspiracy theorists at it again. LOL... The internet is truly entertainment.

View from the Lens of my Camera -- Delta Cam.

I've been with the TV ministry going on two years, this coming March 2011.  I started out as the cameraman for Bravo Camera.  Now, we call that camera, Charlie.  I've been on Delta Camera for a long time, now.  I forget when I first started operating Delta cam months ago.  Being in the TV ministry is fun and challenging at the same time.  I really enjoy doing what I do during our Sunday regular morning service. 

It wasn't easy moving to Delta Cam.  My focus shots are not of the pastor or whoever is giving the sermon for the morning.  My focus is the audience.  I mainly get head shots, one or two shots, a group shot of three or more, and reaction shots.  Reaction shots are the hardest because I have to time my shots with the pastor's sermon.  Trying to catch people responding to his questions or jokes, or when the sermon gets powerful and people clap in response, and/or cheer with a chorus of Amen's or other suitable reply, is hard. 

What was the hardest part of operating Delta Cam is not getting the shots for my director to record.  But the physical part of actually standing up during the whole service.  In the beginning it was hard.  I had back spasms during the service as I operated the camera.  But, I had a job to perform for the ministry.  I wasn't doing this for myself.  We have to get the Word out through our ministry.  So as time went by, week by week, I grew stronger.  The pain was less to where it is no longer bothering me, now.  I prefer operating Delta Cam to any other camera in the studio (sanctuary). 

I have always wondered if the congregation actually realizes what I realistically see on my monitor.  A minority of the congregation look like goats or cows chewing away on their cud as they listen to the sermon.  Some are subtle in their movements.  While others want to make it known, maybe to me, that they're expressively chewing their gum.

Then there are those, for lack of a better term, who I call, the nodders.  It seems this small group stayed up late on Saturday nights and occasionally nod out during the sermon.  And only catch themselves, when they feel the jerk of their head falling forward.  The other tenacious group is what I call the sleepers.  There are not very many of them.  Maybe for the same reason as the nodders, this group stayed up a lot later than they should have on Saturday night.  It's not that hard for a nodder to become a sleeper. 

It used to be funny catching someone nodding out or sleeping.  I admit...I used to suppress my laughter many times when I would catch anyone through my lens, doing one or the other.  A couple of weeks ago, it stopped being funny.  It's hard getting a really good shot and framing it, and then to notice there is a sleeper behind my main subject of focus within my shot.  I would have to abort the shot and look for another one.  Can you imagine if that shot was recorded and aired on our ministry page on facebook?  I'm pretty sure the editor would catch it before it made it to final production.  But on the off chance a nodder or sleeper did slip into the final production teaser and then aired. 

I wonder if the pastor would allow me to mount an air-soft rifle to my camera to shoot the nodders, especially the sleepers, from falling asleep.  That would keep them from nodding out or sleeping. 

All in all, the rest of the congregation are alright, especially those who sit up front towards the pulpit.  It's only a small group towards the back and in the middle right that makes it challenging to get my proper frame for the shot. 

The way I see it, if I have to stand up during the whole service operating my camera.  At least, those in the audience who are sitting comfortably should stay awake and listen to the message the pastor is bringing forth in the Word of God.  Anything less is Tai Respetu,  not just to the pastor or whoever is speaking, but to God. 

Power Nap

I didn't realize how tired I was.  I knew I was exhausted from the weeks training at the university.  After returning from the Trades Academy this morning.  I did some catching up on the internet, enjoyed some lunch, and then took a power nap.  That was supposed to be for an hour.  Woke up a couple of hours later.  Just enough time to feed the animals before the sun went down.  Feel refreshed.  

What part of "NO", don't they understand?

For over a year, many people on this island have been protesting to the firing range plan along a stretch of Route 15, locally known as the "Backroad to Andersen", between the Guam Race Track and the Nelson Family Compound.
We went to the townhall meetings and voiced our concerns.  Many of us wrote letters against the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.  Yet, the Department Of Defense has the gall to send a deputy secretary here on a "listening tour" and trying to make a compromise with island leaders in regards to their firing range plans in village area of Pagat.  We said, "NO", back then.  And, it's still "NO", now. 

Here's my message to them again.

Keep your Firing Range inside your own bases!  No more land grabs! 

Organic Inspector Basic Course

This week I was able to participate in the Organic Inspector Basic Course at the College of Agriculture and Natural Science Building at the University of Guam.  Since the first day, it was a very intense course with lots of information handled to us.  The class started at 8:00 am and getting out after 6:00 pm.  It was like that the whole week.  The daily homework had us burning the midnight oil.  Sleep was starting to be a challenge up until the last night.  Where most of the students had little sleep or none at all working on their field reports to turn it in this morning. 

This course was the Crop Inspection portion of the basic course.  I would have to take the Livestock portion and Handling./Processing portion at a later date. 

My class was diverse as the subjects that were being taught.  There was Felix from Palau, Jackson from Pohnpei, Soko from Fiji, Valetine from Chuuk.  The rest of the class was from here on Guam.  Majority were from the college itself.  A couple of farmers and gardeners rounded out the class structure. 

My instructors were Luis from Costa Rica and Garry from Canada.  They are instructorsfrom the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA).  They have so much knowledge in regards to the Organic Farming Industry in both the National Organics Program (NOP) and personal experiences as Organic Inspectors.  That, I have learned so much from them.  It was a fun but intense class. 

I now understand that Organic is bigger than Organic Certification.  It makes it a lot easier for me to transition from a conventional ranch to an organic ranch.  I thought it would be hard.  But, seeing the perspective from my instructors viewpoint, makes it a lot easier.  Especially, when I now personally know what synthetics are allowed and what non-synthetics (aka as natural) are prohibited in the organic certification process. 

I am praying that I pass this course and earn my certification as an Organic Inspector.  I will not know my official results for a couple of days. 

I recommend this class to anyone who would like to become an organic inspector.  The knowledge will also help out in your farm/ranch operations.