Someone (it was my mother) asked me exactly what it is I do here in Johannesburg. That's a good question. Sometimes I wonder myself. However, short answer is logistics support. Long answer is I do a lot of listening. When someone has a problem with their home, I listen to what they need. When the Consul General emails me to say his bathroom has a leak and the house stinks because of it, I mobilize the maintenance staff and they move on it. When a staff member, local or American, has a complaint about how they are being treated, I listen and take action to stop it. I am basically a City Manager for the Consulate. It's not exciting work (well, sometimes it is) but it's important work. If I don't do my job correctly, then other people can't do theirs. If people are worried about their shipments, they can't fully concentrate on their jobs. If people are being harassed at work, or being mistreated, they won't be effective. Management work is difficult. If you do your job correctly, usually no one notices. However, if something goes wrong you hear about it immediately. I tell my staff that I want the rest of the Consulate to think there are magically fairies that answer requests, re-stock the supply closets, and keep everything moving.
Sometimes, though, I have to do things that can possibly save someone from being hurt or worse. Recently the Cleaners Unions in South Africa decided to go on strike. They wanted more money, and actually wanted to get rid of Cleaning contract companies. (Basically, they wanted their workers to be directly hired employees of the companies they clean for.) South African Unions are pretty powerful, but our cleaners decided they would continue to work. They didn't change into their uniforms and only stayed half a day, but they did their jobs. There were rumors of intimidation from other strikers, and that it sometimes got violent. This hadn't happened to our ladies, and they continued on like normal. This changed as one of my employees heard a group of men and women discussing how the Consulate cleaners were still working, and that they needed to "have a talk" with them.
I had heard about the "talks" some of these strikers have, and it isn't pretty. Two years ago the guards went on strike, and they ended up throwing one guy off a train because he was working. So, I took this pretty seriously. I had our motorpool drive them to another place to catch taxis, and arranged to pick them up at an alternate location away from the Consulate until the strike was over. It ended yesterday, and one of the ladies came to me to thank me. She said she probably would have been hurt, and that the others were thankful that I helped them. It definitely made my day.
Sorry for the long post, but I just figured I'd let people know what I am doing here in South Africa. Quite simply: I help people.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Photos from our day out at the Lion's Park
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| My son with the giraffe. (if you read my wife's blog, you've seen this one and the next one.) |
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| Those are Spring Boks in the background, I was told. |
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| "So you see, Simba, it is the Circle of Life." |
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| "So it's a right and THEN a left to get to Johannesburg. Thanks officer. Do you think I'll fit on the bus?" |
The difference a decade makes
I'm still trying to get the photos from last weekend uploaded. We finally got our permanent internet installed in our house, and it's working quite well. If we can keep little miss and crazy little man from pulling the cord out of the computer. Still, it's nice to have it, and hopefully I'll get some photos up.
As I was walking to work, looking all around me as if I was a film noir detective, I started to think of what a long strange trip it has been for me in the last decade. Ten years ago, I was in Suriname, one year into my tour there. I was finally finding my feet at the Embassy, had just started to work for a wonderful boss, and was a radio dj one night a week as Cactus Jack Wallace on Radio Apintie. (I still wear the t-shirt I had made with the Sranan phrase for It's been a long strange trip.) I also had just started to hang out with the members of the Peace Corps, many of whom I am still in touch with today. (Hi guys!) I would say that the year between 2001-2002 kept me in the Foreign Service. I had a great time visiting Sundi and Delicious out at their village. I drove into the middle of the jungle by myself to visit Elizabeth and Beth at their village. (I had to take a boat to get there.) I even went to French Guiana. It was the new beginning for me.
I then went to London where not only did I have a great time hanging out with the Marines and just having fun, I met the love of my life. Luckily for me, she was easily duped and agreed to marry me one year after I returned to DC. 13 months after we got married, and after a move to Luxembourg, we welcomed my lovely daughter into the family. Living in Luxembourg was easy, but work wasn't. Difficult wasn't the word I'd use, but this is a somewhat family blog. After finding out we were going to Bolivia, we had my son, who completed the family.
Bolivia sadly wasn't in the cards. My lovely little girl was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. We were staying in DC. Working on Afghanistan was rewarding and challenging, but also difficult. Little girl started school at the age of 2, getting on a bus everyday to ride 30 minutes, which made me sad. While it was great to be with my friends again in DC, which I very much enjoyed, it was time to go after two years. So, 12 years after joining the Foreign Service, and 10 years after realizing this WAS what I wanted to do, we're now settled in South Africa. It's different, and there are still problems, but I'm glad I stuck through the hard times. Little girl is getting what she needs in therapies, crazy little man appears to be very happy here (he just started soccer practice, as I've stated before) and my Yorkshire lass appears to be a bit sunnier.
As I approached the Consulate I realized that I had come a long way. (Not from my home which is only 1 km from the office.) But, I wouldn't have gotten here without my friends and family. Thanks everyone. I'm in a much happier place now than I was 10 years ago.
As I was walking to work, looking all around me as if I was a film noir detective, I started to think of what a long strange trip it has been for me in the last decade. Ten years ago, I was in Suriname, one year into my tour there. I was finally finding my feet at the Embassy, had just started to work for a wonderful boss, and was a radio dj one night a week as Cactus Jack Wallace on Radio Apintie. (I still wear the t-shirt I had made with the Sranan phrase for It's been a long strange trip.) I also had just started to hang out with the members of the Peace Corps, many of whom I am still in touch with today. (Hi guys!) I would say that the year between 2001-2002 kept me in the Foreign Service. I had a great time visiting Sundi and Delicious out at their village. I drove into the middle of the jungle by myself to visit Elizabeth and Beth at their village. (I had to take a boat to get there.) I even went to French Guiana. It was the new beginning for me.
I then went to London where not only did I have a great time hanging out with the Marines and just having fun, I met the love of my life. Luckily for me, she was easily duped and agreed to marry me one year after I returned to DC. 13 months after we got married, and after a move to Luxembourg, we welcomed my lovely daughter into the family. Living in Luxembourg was easy, but work wasn't. Difficult wasn't the word I'd use, but this is a somewhat family blog. After finding out we were going to Bolivia, we had my son, who completed the family.
Bolivia sadly wasn't in the cards. My lovely little girl was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. We were staying in DC. Working on Afghanistan was rewarding and challenging, but also difficult. Little girl started school at the age of 2, getting on a bus everyday to ride 30 minutes, which made me sad. While it was great to be with my friends again in DC, which I very much enjoyed, it was time to go after two years. So, 12 years after joining the Foreign Service, and 10 years after realizing this WAS what I wanted to do, we're now settled in South Africa. It's different, and there are still problems, but I'm glad I stuck through the hard times. Little girl is getting what she needs in therapies, crazy little man appears to be very happy here (he just started soccer practice, as I've stated before) and my Yorkshire lass appears to be a bit sunnier.
As I approached the Consulate I realized that I had come a long way. (Not from my home which is only 1 km from the office.) But, I wouldn't have gotten here without my friends and family. Thanks everyone. I'm in a much happier place now than I was 10 years ago.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Our weekend
So, this weekend was probably one of the more interesting this family has had in quite a while. Not only did I get to make bicuits in Africa (and they were good too) but my little man got to play soccer. I'd love to post a photo of him running around, but sadly they won't let us take photos for security reasons. He was the youngest there, and was very shy. However, when the coach told him to run, he ran. When they told him to pick up the yellow cone and bring it back to him, he did. There wasn't much kicking, but when it was his turn to run through the cones, lay on his belly, jump up and jump over two rows of cones before kicking the ball in the net, he did it easily. The coach had been worried about him being the youngest at first, and possibly planned on getting him into the younger class. However, afterwards he said he did exceptionally well, and that we could try again this week. So, score! Little man had a brilliant time, and was very happy about it. (We even have a new "soccer foot bump" we do now to celebrate.)
Afterwards we went to the Lion Park. It had Lions in enclosed pens that you drive through, but also an area where you can pet baby lions. We didn't do that, but I do have a picture (which I will post later) of little man petting a giraffe. And another picture of little man avoiding the giraffe trying to lick him. The Lions were awesome, and my yorkshire lass got great photos of them. She also got a brilliant photo of a zebra standing in front of a herd of Spring Boks. We're going to have it printed and framed, it's that good. Pudding was doing good too, and seemed to enjoy being out. Needless to say, it was a good day.
Yesterday we had a few people from the Consulate over for a little gathering with their kids. The moon bounce was put to good use, and it was nice just sitting around and having a quiet chat outside with good food and great wine. (Only 3 bucks, but it's very tasty.) Little Man ran all over the place with his new friends, and Pudding liked having new people in the house. She is doing very well!
Anyways, aside from pudding's cold, things are ok here. I've finally gotten the computer and the tv sorted, so that's a positive. Hopefully this means we're finding our way to normal.
Afterwards we went to the Lion Park. It had Lions in enclosed pens that you drive through, but also an area where you can pet baby lions. We didn't do that, but I do have a picture (which I will post later) of little man petting a giraffe. And another picture of little man avoiding the giraffe trying to lick him. The Lions were awesome, and my yorkshire lass got great photos of them. She also got a brilliant photo of a zebra standing in front of a herd of Spring Boks. We're going to have it printed and framed, it's that good. Pudding was doing good too, and seemed to enjoy being out. Needless to say, it was a good day.
Yesterday we had a few people from the Consulate over for a little gathering with their kids. The moon bounce was put to good use, and it was nice just sitting around and having a quiet chat outside with good food and great wine. (Only 3 bucks, but it's very tasty.) Little Man ran all over the place with his new friends, and Pudding liked having new people in the house. She is doing very well!
Anyways, aside from pudding's cold, things are ok here. I've finally gotten the computer and the tv sorted, so that's a positive. Hopefully this means we're finding our way to normal.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
A Walk to Work
I may have mentioned it before, but we live so close to the office that I walk to work every day. (Making sure I take a different route each day and leaving at different times. Safety first.) I didn't think this was such a big deal, but apparently it is. The person who lived in our house prior to us walked on occassion to work, but not all the time. When I told my staff that I walk to work, some of them looked at me like I'm crazy. In fact, most of them look at me like I'm crazy. One of them openly questioned my sanity.
"Don't you know about the crime problem here in Johannesburg?" he said.
The answer is yes, of course I do. Crime is something we are always aware of here. We get extra money due to the crime. They show us videos of smash and grabs, and every time we have a newsletter, there is a section on crime. One of the hotels nearby had a mugging in their parking garage last week. So, yes, I'm aware of the crime. But I take all of the precautions when walking that I'm supposed to, and I think this does help a lot. I'm not predictable, I take different routes, and I am always looking around me to make sure I'm not being followed or about to be attacked. Plus, as someone here pointed out, I have something else working for me. I'm a very big white guy walking down the street in Johannesburg. A criminal is probably thinking one of two things: That guy is either 1) totally clueless and an easy mark; or 2) A man looking for someone to start something. They don't know which I am, and will probably not risk it. Plus, I'm usually in a suit, wearing sunglasses, and looking around me all the time. I wouldn't want to mess with me.
The one thing I do miss is my music. For at least the last 5 years I've always had music pumping ino my brain while going to work. It's cathartic and helps clear my mind for the day. Music has always been a large part of my life, and I miss that. (Can't have earphones on if you're supposed to be listening for tell-tale signs of attack can you?) Now I'm alone with my thoughts, and let's be honest that's a scary place sometimes. If you know me, and you must if you're reading this, I'm a bit weird. Ok, I lot weird. So, my thoughts can drive a person crazy, let alone me. So, I continue to plan for my watch factory that I would have if I ever won the lottery. I think about how Descended From Darwin would be a killer name for a band. And, I think about what I can be doing better for my family.
Oh well, at least I'm getting exercise, right? And little man starts soccer tomorrow. Lots to do, and three years to do them in.
"Don't you know about the crime problem here in Johannesburg?" he said.
The answer is yes, of course I do. Crime is something we are always aware of here. We get extra money due to the crime. They show us videos of smash and grabs, and every time we have a newsletter, there is a section on crime. One of the hotels nearby had a mugging in their parking garage last week. So, yes, I'm aware of the crime. But I take all of the precautions when walking that I'm supposed to, and I think this does help a lot. I'm not predictable, I take different routes, and I am always looking around me to make sure I'm not being followed or about to be attacked. Plus, as someone here pointed out, I have something else working for me. I'm a very big white guy walking down the street in Johannesburg. A criminal is probably thinking one of two things: That guy is either 1) totally clueless and an easy mark; or 2) A man looking for someone to start something. They don't know which I am, and will probably not risk it. Plus, I'm usually in a suit, wearing sunglasses, and looking around me all the time. I wouldn't want to mess with me.
The one thing I do miss is my music. For at least the last 5 years I've always had music pumping ino my brain while going to work. It's cathartic and helps clear my mind for the day. Music has always been a large part of my life, and I miss that. (Can't have earphones on if you're supposed to be listening for tell-tale signs of attack can you?) Now I'm alone with my thoughts, and let's be honest that's a scary place sometimes. If you know me, and you must if you're reading this, I'm a bit weird. Ok, I lot weird. So, my thoughts can drive a person crazy, let alone me. So, I continue to plan for my watch factory that I would have if I ever won the lottery. I think about how Descended From Darwin would be a killer name for a band. And, I think about what I can be doing better for my family.
Oh well, at least I'm getting exercise, right? And little man starts soccer tomorrow. Lots to do, and three years to do them in.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Some of our stuff arrived!
For those of you that aren't in the Foreign Service, you will never know the joy of receiving shipments. People say getting your household effects is like Christmas. You forget some things you had, and it's like opening presents! Well, if HHE is like Christmas, then receiving your UAB (un-accompanied air baggage) is like your birthday. You get lots of stuff, but not as much as Christmas.
My lovely wife got her shoes, which is great considering it's dropped into the low 50s here and she was wearing sandals. My daughter got dolls and her indoor swing, which will be a BIG help in getting her a bit more calm, as swinging is very helpful for children on the Austism Spectrum. My son got his booster seat, so now he won't have to sit on his knees to join us at the table for dinner, and we can keep him in one place. He also got a new Thomas DVD, clothes and his beanbag chair that looks like a car. Both kids got the bouncy castle we bought before our aborted move to Bolivia. (I was going to set the record for highest moon-bounce in the world!) I got Trader Joe's Multi-grain baking mix from which I can make biscuits and pancakes, my drill and tools and some more clothes. Needless to say it won't make the place feel just like home, but it'll make it somewhat more familiar for the kids. And for the parents too, for that matter.
In other news, I just signed Cubby (my wife's nickname for my son) up for soccer lessons. Saturdays we'll get him ready in his uniform, and I will too because a parent has to be there with him, and he will go out and be a part of the mass chaos that is under-4 soccer. When my lovely Yorkshire lass asked him if he wanted to play soccer on Saturday, he answered: "Yes, and basketball." Yorkshire lass commented he'd be better off in soccer due to being a shrimp. Maybe, but people told Spudd Webb he couldn't play basketball and he won the slam dunk competition, right? And at GW, Shante Rogers played point guard at the (supposed) height of 5 foot 4 inches. (He couldn't have been much taller than 5 foot, though.) So, we'll see if he's a Michael Owen, a Spudd Webb, or just Cubby.
My lovely wife got her shoes, which is great considering it's dropped into the low 50s here and she was wearing sandals. My daughter got dolls and her indoor swing, which will be a BIG help in getting her a bit more calm, as swinging is very helpful for children on the Austism Spectrum. My son got his booster seat, so now he won't have to sit on his knees to join us at the table for dinner, and we can keep him in one place. He also got a new Thomas DVD, clothes and his beanbag chair that looks like a car. Both kids got the bouncy castle we bought before our aborted move to Bolivia. (I was going to set the record for highest moon-bounce in the world!) I got Trader Joe's Multi-grain baking mix from which I can make biscuits and pancakes, my drill and tools and some more clothes. Needless to say it won't make the place feel just like home, but it'll make it somewhat more familiar for the kids. And for the parents too, for that matter.
In other news, I just signed Cubby (my wife's nickname for my son) up for soccer lessons. Saturdays we'll get him ready in his uniform, and I will too because a parent has to be there with him, and he will go out and be a part of the mass chaos that is under-4 soccer. When my lovely Yorkshire lass asked him if he wanted to play soccer on Saturday, he answered: "Yes, and basketball." Yorkshire lass commented he'd be better off in soccer due to being a shrimp. Maybe, but people told Spudd Webb he couldn't play basketball and he won the slam dunk competition, right? And at GW, Shante Rogers played point guard at the (supposed) height of 5 foot 4 inches. (He couldn't have been much taller than 5 foot, though.) So, we'll see if he's a Michael Owen, a Spudd Webb, or just Cubby.
Monday, August 15, 2011
This is Africa?!?
If you're in Johannesburg long enough (in my case three days) you'll here some ex-pat use these initials: TIA. It stands for This is Africa. It's a friendly reminder that no matter how nice a place Johannesburg is, you're still in Africa. Rolling power outages? Check. Crazy driving with no respect for the law or red lights? Check. People bothering you at your car window for change or trying to sell you something you really don't need while driving? Check. Strikes by the municipal workers and the union for cleaning staff? Check.
However, sometimes there are things that make you look up and say, "This is Africa?!?" Yesterday we went to a park here, Mushroom Farm Park. Nice little playground, decent walking area, not too far from home. Next to it is a giant hot-air balloon sponsored by Hyundai. You pay them and they take you up in the balloon. It's very popular.
Next to the park is the Raddison Blu hotel, which houses the Planet Fitness Platinum Club. Probably the nicest gym I've ever been inside. That place made me want to start working out. (Haven't joined though. Yet.)
After we went to the park, we traveled to a new shopping area. It's got a large grocery store named Pik N Pay Hyper. I love that the large grocery stores here are called Hyper. It makes me laugh everytime. They also had a restaurant were we went for lunch. The food was amazing, and my lovely Yorkshire lass had a hot chocolate made from Lindt chocolate that was to die for. As I sat back and groaned after the meal and watched the man pull his Ferrari out of the parking lot, I found myself saying, "This is Africa?"
However, sometimes there are things that make you look up and say, "This is Africa?!?" Yesterday we went to a park here, Mushroom Farm Park. Nice little playground, decent walking area, not too far from home. Next to it is a giant hot-air balloon sponsored by Hyundai. You pay them and they take you up in the balloon. It's very popular.
Next to the park is the Raddison Blu hotel, which houses the Planet Fitness Platinum Club. Probably the nicest gym I've ever been inside. That place made me want to start working out. (Haven't joined though. Yet.)
After we went to the park, we traveled to a new shopping area. It's got a large grocery store named Pik N Pay Hyper. I love that the large grocery stores here are called Hyper. It makes me laugh everytime. They also had a restaurant were we went for lunch. The food was amazing, and my lovely Yorkshire lass had a hot chocolate made from Lindt chocolate that was to die for. As I sat back and groaned after the meal and watched the man pull his Ferrari out of the parking lot, I found myself saying, "This is Africa?"
Sunday, August 7, 2011
South Africa arrival
I know the blog has been dormant, but I've decided to start it up again to let everyone know how we've been doing. We arrived on the 2nd, and luckily all of our luggage arrived in one piece. (This can be a problem from what I've heard.) We were driven to our new house which was fantastic. Apparently I know have a goldfish pond. Didn't know that before. (We've got a gate around it, but little miss will probably find a way to open it unless we padlock it, which we will.) The house is great, and a bit quirky, but something we think we'll enjoy living in for the next three years.
At the same time, we were a little scared of the surrounding areas. I mean, I've definitely heard horror stories about being in South Africa. It was with this trepidation that the next morning we went out in search of a chemists (or drug store for the Americans reading). During the day time, it is a quite nice area, and safe enough for us to walk to the local shopping mall for a poke around. Let me tell you, they could pick up Sandton City mall and place it in Tyson's Corner near Washington and no one would bat an eye. It's a HUGE mall with numerous stores that are very high end. Good coffee places too, which are necessary for my wife and I.
After we got our car on Friday, we went looking around the area. What a beautiful place! We're now extremely excited about being here and seeing all the sights. Sunday we went to Sisulu Botanical Gardens and got to see not only the waterfall but the eagles that live there as well. Fantastic day, really.
All in all we're looking forward to the ride. Little miss is a bit cautious about the move, but our crazy little man is doing just fine and seems to really like it here. Soon we're signing him up for soccer lessons, so that should be a hoot. Hopefully I can update this regularly along with some photos.
At the same time, we were a little scared of the surrounding areas. I mean, I've definitely heard horror stories about being in South Africa. It was with this trepidation that the next morning we went out in search of a chemists (or drug store for the Americans reading). During the day time, it is a quite nice area, and safe enough for us to walk to the local shopping mall for a poke around. Let me tell you, they could pick up Sandton City mall and place it in Tyson's Corner near Washington and no one would bat an eye. It's a HUGE mall with numerous stores that are very high end. Good coffee places too, which are necessary for my wife and I.
After we got our car on Friday, we went looking around the area. What a beautiful place! We're now extremely excited about being here and seeing all the sights. Sunday we went to Sisulu Botanical Gardens and got to see not only the waterfall but the eagles that live there as well. Fantastic day, really.
All in all we're looking forward to the ride. Little miss is a bit cautious about the move, but our crazy little man is doing just fine and seems to really like it here. Soon we're signing him up for soccer lessons, so that should be a hoot. Hopefully I can update this regularly along with some photos.
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