Luanda, Angola (02.19)

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Today was a nice long day.  For the first time since I got here in Luanda, we had some beef for lunch.  Today could be the start of my first day without fish in my diet.
We stayed late at the office (didn't leave until 9:00pm) as we had some work that needed to be done.  At least we didn't get stuck in traffic for 2.5 hours like the rest of the guys as the traffic is bad on fridays..  Dinner was served (and cold) but we made use of the microwave for the first time . . . and we had chicken too!  So no fish for me today!
I didn't take many pics today that I can post, but the guy in this picture is Axel (from Germany) . . . he is actually a pretty cool guy.  He has been here for a year and a half and rolls everywhere, and even runs to the house on occasion.  Rock on!
So tonight I am spending time on the patio with some of the guys that work in the field and learning so much about the inner workings of the company that I have called home for the last 8 years.  I don't think you can really learn about what a company does, until you spend time with the gang in the far reaches of the world.  I have spent time with the guys in Equatorial Guinea, Abu-Dhabi & Dubai, Canada, Mexico, and now Angola.  What a wide stretch.  I wonder where I will be going on my next trip to the outer limits.
So anyway I get to look forward to another warm night.

Luanda, Angola (02.18)

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Another day in Angola.  All these pics are either driving to or from the office.  It's not really safe to do be outside the bus.
So for lunch today I had Fish Pizza with a side of white rice and cabbage.  A hot pineapple soda was thrown in for good measure.  Anyway the pizza was called "Hawaiian" style, but no pineapple on the pizza, and it was room temperature as well.  Not the best.
Dinner was not that much better, coming to the Baker Atlas Staff House at 8:30PM I think (it should be there around 6:00 PM).  Dinner consisted of fish and rice.  Okay, I am officially tired of fish!  And before you say that "fish is great!", try having it every day in your mean, and then picking out bones from your mouth with every bite.  Oh well, just another week here on the "Africa Craig Diet" and I will be back home.
On another note, my air condition broke in my room, so it was a nice hot night for me :(

Baker Atlas Staff House (02.17)

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After work, we got to the Baker Atlas Staff House.  It might not look like much (and the pool needs some work) but I am sure it is way nicer than staying at a hotel.  I was glad enough to have a bed  to sleep on, and a working toilet (without a toilet seat though), but not having a towel for the shower is depressing.  I used a sheet to dry off after my shower.

Luanda, Angola (02.17)

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Well I finally made it . . . not too much to see, but it is much better here than Equatorial Guinea!  We flew in first thing in the morning and had a driver from Baker Hughes pick us up at the Airport.  Traffic was incredible, with mopeds and motorcycles darting all over the roads, people with on regard to their safety crossing congested streets.  What a ride.  After about 30 minutes we were at the Sonils Base at our office.

LIS to LAD

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We went to the LIS airport to have some dinner, then to catch our flight to Luanda, Angola.  I had some McDonalds and then kicked it in the TAP Airline lounge for some R&R before catching my flight at 10:00 PM local time.
Well aside from the lack of sleep on the plane, the flight from Lisbon, Portugal to Luanda was okay.  Fish was served for dinner (pass), and again some fish for breakfast.  WTH?
At least I got to edit some pictures from Lisbon, and watch the Hangover on the Mac.

Lisbon, Portugal (02.16)

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I am sitting in the TAP Portugal Executive Lounge taking some time to upload pictures from Lisbon before catching my flight to Luanda, Angola. The internet at the hotel was not working too good, so I couldn't update these albums over the last few days.
Today started out uneventful, just some packing. Bryce Findley finally arrived in today. We made a quick trip to the airport to check our bags, and then ended up catching the Metro to see some of the sights of Lisbon. Not sure when my next update will happen as I doubt I will be able to update anything from Africa. Cheers.

Lisbon, Portugal (02.15)

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Well the weather was cold and rainy all day, but I still managed to get some pictures of this old city.  Not much to write at the moment, time to get on a flight to Africa

EWR to LIS

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So I tried to take some night shots . . . and some the next morning.  Too bad the engine was in all my pictures.

IAH to EWR

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Well what a great Balentime's (as Chase would say) Day.  Courtney and Chase too me to the airport and I am headed to Africa.  First stop is to Newark, New Jersey for a layover before heading to Lisbon, Portugal. I met a guy name Mike Price, who is a juggler for Norwegian Cruise (I think).  What a cool cat.  We kicked it in the IAH Continental President's Club and then I met up with David Frazier before getting on my flight.  I am in Newark with now, at the Continental President's Club here . . . Oh and there is a pic of a new ring . . . Thanks Courtney . . . L

Christmas

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Well Chase got up nice and early this morning and got going with the Christmas goodies.  Santa was good to him this year . . . On his list were Legos, some night vision binoculars, and more toys.  He was very excited for every present he opened (even some new pencils).  Courtney got some new fragrance, and plenty of bath goodies . . . even a spa day.  I got some good Amazon loving as well as some cologne too . . .
Anyway lots of pictures to share so take a look at the photo gallery . . .

Jingle Bell Run

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Well Courtney and her dad ran the 5 mile Jingle Bell Run in Houston today . . . and Chase did the kids run too! Courtney did awesome coming in first in her age group and 8th overall (of the chicks)!  Here is a link to the results.  I went to high school with Cornelio Garibay and he got first in his age group and 9th overall in the men's.
I had a good time getting some shots with my new Nikon 70-200mm lens and I think the pictures came out great.  Now to get Courtney to do some more running so I can take some more pictures.
I am so proud of Courtney, Chase, and Bob for their run . . . good job!

Back To Discovery Green

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Today I went back to Discovery Green with Courtney and Chase to meet up with the Salameh boys. I finally got to try out my new Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G lens and I was very very impressed . . .

Snow In Houston

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Well we got snow in Houston today . . . I know, not alot, but snow happens once every few years over here since we are so close to the warm Gulf of Mexico.  Anyway it just started and I will be updating the gallery the rest of the day as it snows a bit more.  I can't wait for Chase to get out of school so we can go outside and play.  He hasn't seen snow since last Christmas when he was in Seattle visiting Uncle Aaron and Aunt Kim.  In the mean time, enjoy a few snaps I took.

Discovery Green

Today Dustin and I took a short drive down to Discovery Green in downtown to try out his new Nikon D5000 and 18-105mm VR lens.  The weather was gloomy, but we did meet some fellow photogs while out on our shoot.  Lunch was at Bigs on Montrose, and the sliders left little reason to come back for more.

Baybrook Mall and the Gingerbread Man

Today we went to have lunch with my parents, then to hit the Lego store in Baybrook Mall for some Christmas presents.  We did spend some coin at the store, and while Courtney went to Yankee Candle (gay), Chase and I went to snack on some Gingerbread (Wo)Man.

Stephen's Birthday Party

This should be considered a PART DEUX to the last post, but I thought this deserved a new post.  So maybe his birthday was really last week . . . and maybe you can't even tell that this party was in the museum, or a big white garage . . . but it was fun.
The kids started the day with some drawrings (yes I said that) and some coloring, then off to see some Mummy, or just some stuff that they use to make a mummy.  Then back to the room to catch some salmonella playing with the reptiles.  When it was all said and done, we had less than 30 minutes to eat some cold pizza and some salmonella cake (yet to be determined), which was actually quite delicious (the cake, not the pizza).
Anyway here are the shots, click on a picture for the photo gallery . . .

Houston Museum of Natural Science

We went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science today to go to Stephen's birthday party and had some time to see the stuff in the museum.  Chase loved it as it was his first time to see the dinosaur goodies and the other cool stuff.  Click on Chase's face to see the rest of the pictures . . .