Social Bahraini Butterflies

I begged Pinky for a pet. With apartment living, our options were limited. I suggested a great dane - they're lazy. Pinky didn't think we could train it to pee on the patio. I was in one of the open air markets last month, and there were thousands of birds. Parakeets by the hundreds of course, pet pigions, chickens, you name it. Then I saw it - a grey parrot. I'm not sure if you are familiar with the bird, but it's usually sold for thousands of dollars, live to be like 60 years old, and they are the smartest birds on the planet. There it was - in the same cage as a rooster no less. I wanted it badly. Then Pinky reminded me that it probably already speaks Arabic. It could be telling our guests to screw off, and we would never know. So the parrot was out (for now).

As a consolation prize - I got Clark and Randy. Clark Griswold and Randy Rhoades to be exact.

They came with four fish that we called 'The Crew' but after one missed feeding, the aquarium got mutinous, and two fish were eaten. It's a fight for survival in there. The turtles are only about an inch and a half long, but they provide for endless entertainment. 

Now I know it seems like that this is about to be the saddest blog post ever, where we tell you that our only friends are turtles, but that's not the case. We do actually interact on a regular basis with some of the most fun-loving goofballs I know. 

Elevator pictures are always taken on the way out, not the way back at night.  Sleeping people aren't photogenic. 

The ex-pat community is strong here, and our group of friends shows as much. It's not unlikely to find a group of 15 people, none of whom are from the same country, but all of whom are best friends. Looking around at a gathering is like going on the "It's a Small World Ride" at disney land. The guy with the shaved head in the picture above is my boss, and he's the only person I know who is actually born and raised in Bahrain. The rest of us are a modge-podge of random countries and origins, making for colorful pictures and amazing dinner parties.

Pinky was very excited for the crepe party

Real French crepes!

I think it's time to say a little more about what we actually do here in Bahrain. If you follow Pinky or myself on facebook, then I know it might seem like it's all beaches and boating. It's not. There are dance parties as well. :) Very organized parties actually. The social scene here in Bahrain is largely run by event promotion companies. Most of the big name clubs will throw big events, with themes and big name DJs (house music is big here).

Next time I'll wear high heels, don't judge my dancing shoes. 

Like I said, boating also plays a major role in the weekend plans. My favorite boating destination is Jerada. It's a sandbar in the middle of the sea, that only is above water while the tide is low, making it a disappearing island. While the timing is tricky, our boat caption knows it well, and it is an adventure every time. 

Pinky has grown quite close to these boys. QUITE close. :)

Work hard, play hard is our general motto here. Pinky is often in Saudi working incredibly hard and I... well I also do some work, but working on the inter-webs means never being tied to a location, so I think I have the better end of the deal.

The weekend office

All in all, we've met some incredible people, and we have been truly lucky with the friends we have made. Sometimes in life you just click with people, which is exactly what happened here. 

The Greatest Man I Know

Admittedly the blog posts have been less and less frequent as the Brain's and my lives have increased with activity.  Between long days at work, weekends spent boating, trip planning, trip taking, and a bit of relaxation mixed in, it has been difficult to find a schedule that is conducive to writing.  In the weeks that have passed since the last blog post, Easter has come and gone, baseball has started, and March Madness has reached a fevered pitch with only the championship game remaining.  I vow to you that we will catch up on those things in due time.  In the true spirit of blogging and being in the moment, today belongs to my Dad.....The Greatest Man I Know.

Today is Pop's birthday, 53 wonderful years old.  While I couldn't be home to celebrate, I thought I would share a few paragraphs instead.  Poppa Grizz is a true Mid-Western kid with quite an array of versatility to keep everything interesting.  He is short and stocky with legs and calves that rival professional athletes and a handshake that feels of the steel that he works with every day.  He is generally a man of few words, but warm and kind to those that know him best.  His beard over the years has evolved from the salt and pepper shaker look of the mid 90's to the near Christmas Santa-esque version you will see today.  He isn't afraid to hide those white hairs either.  He knows they stand for wisdom and wears them proudly.

More Hunter than Gatherer

Getting Buff.  Had to have at least one embarrassing picture here!

Pop is not an overly complex man.  Good food, good people, good beer, a good dog, and a good story to tell and he would never complain, not that he does much anyway.  He grew up in a time when "Take  It Like A Man" meant something and he exemplifies that statement to this day.  He is a man who will stand up for what he believes and will prove selflessness for his family.  When we were kids, he VOLUNTARILY requested to move to the grave yard shift (11pm-7am) so that he could coach youth baseball all day every day.  An hour of sleep here, maybe 2 hours there and then it was back to work to start it all over again....happily!  He has taught (and continues) to teach his children how to hunt, fish, build, respect (people and nature), party, help, and succeed.  Over the years he has always been supportive of whatever crazy ideas his children have had even if that meant seeing them less (and trust me, he always wants to see them more). He has proven to see the bigger picture and has wanted his children to take advantages of situations that were not presented to him.  I believe he is content with that, not bitter.

Still teaching as a hunter's education safety instructor ...

If you asked him what type of worker he would categorize himself as, he would probably say worker bee type.  He might also tell you he is the jack of all trades, but master of none.  He might also tell you nothing and simply ask that you come to work with him and you tell him.  His intellect goes far beyond worker bee material I can assure you.  He takes pride that his collar is blue, but won't hold a grudge for those whose aren't.  Grizz is a learner, maybe not a read a book a week learner, but a let me figure out how this thing comes together learner.  He was taught to work and learn with his hands, a trait that has carried on with all of his children.  Arguably the best thing that my dad has been for my 28 years is a teacher.  If I really boil it all down, most everything I know comes down to something that my father has taught me or encouraged me to learn over the years.

A good dog makes good dogs, here is one of the recent puppy pictures from the family dog's litter.    It's here mostly because it's freaking adorable, but also represents the compassionate side of my Father.  Photo Credit: Kally Dey

These paragraphs surely are not all inclusive of the man that his my father.  It doesn't peel back the layers of the marriage to my beautiful mother or the intricacies of being a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, or friend.  It's a brief summary if you will, of the man he is and the man I hope I can be half of before my time is up.  So cheers Dad, have one on me, but know that this one is for you.  To the Greatest Man I know....I love you and I'll see you soon.

Love,

Buzzy (aka Pinky)

Mom, Dad, and I.... Missed Amanda and Brandon on this one.