It's finally fall in the energy capital, which one can tell because the Christmas decorations are going up on Post Oak Blvd and in Highland Village; a sure sign that the annual orgy of materialism is about to begin. Your Blogmaster has emerged from summer hiding and is once again emulating Ernie Els on the links, although with much less effect than the master himself. In other words, there is no threat whatsoever to anyone on the PGA Champions Tour, or anyone sporting a 15 handicap or better for that matter.
We have quite a few new correspondents, so here are our usual reminders in abbreviated form. You can contribute by writing to us at gsfalumni@gmail.com. You can comment on any post using the Comment tool at the bottom of each post. A current directory of the alumni is to be found in the sidebar to the right of the posts. Important note: due to technical difficulties at Blogspot, we have been unable to update the directory for this issue; so a PDF of the directory will be sent with the mail announcing this issue of the newsletter. You've just got to love new technology; every time you think you've got it nailed, something blows up. Never mind; we'll get it fixed in due course.
Ruminations
After all the hoopla of the mid-term elections, US energy policy is still twisting in the wind. Word now is that due to environmental reviews, the semi-annual lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico may be delayed to mid-2011. And of course getting an offshore drilling permit remains akin to winning the lottery. Meantime, the land drillers and their service companies in the US are quite giddy with the onset of shalemania. Except, of course, for the fact that the EPA is now investigating as to whether they are ruining everyone's groundwater. However, it's nice for a change to hear stories of farmers who are pocketing six figure royalty checks if they happen to be sitting on top of one of the aforementioned shale deposits. Just like the good old days.
To be fair, the green folks are having their own travails. The ethanol tax credit is about to expire, Ms. Boxer of California has ensured that the Mojave desert will never have one solar panel in it while she lives and breathes, the coast off Hyannisport remains blissfully wind-turbine free, and the latest estimate to hook up what good stuff does get done to the grid is somewhere north of 100 billion dollars. Now, we're all for green energy and conservation -really- but we're also just a little concerned about keeping the place running for the next 20 years while all of this comes together. As rational as this might seem, our political establishment seems to have a hard time grasping the concept.
A Close Call in Nigeria
Several of our collegues were kidnapped and at least one injured in a rebel assault on the High Island VII off Nigeria on November 8th. The hostages were freed unharmed in an apparently dramatic Nigerian JST rescue on November 17th, which we were immensely glad and grateful to hear. But boy, if you need a reminder as to exactly how dangerous certain parts of the planet are, there you have it.
The Business of the Tribe
The tribe has actually been quite busy this fall.
Christie Watt and beau Yoni Sade tied the knot on October 30 at a lovely ceremony at the Houstonian. An entire generation of hopeful suitors is grieving. A change of name has obviously resulted: you can now contact Christie at christiesade@yahoo.com. As might be expected, a major local alumni reunion accompanied the event, which involved considerable merriment. Very nice to see so many members of the tribe in one place.
Speaking of reunions, Kyna Agerton reports that the ladies of the tribe had a large dinner gathering of their own on November 18 at Pappasito's in west Houston. There were 42 of them, give or take a few. Not sure who the prime instigators were here, but we wish they would put something together for the gents as well. We apparently can't organize our way out of a paper sack on our own. Kyna and Myriam Touchard have the incriminating photos.
Long Khuu and longtime friend Huyen Dao took their vows on October 9, which was followed by a gigantic traditional feast at Kim Son. We very much regretted missing this chance to gain even more weight than we already have this year, but it was apparently a great success.
Andrew and Susan Tietz have returned from the wilds of the Far East and are busily doing what we all like to do best - homebuilding. It always sounds so great in concept. Andrew continues to work for Noble along with quite a contingent from the tribe.
Speaking of the Far East, Trevor Howard has reported in from Singapore, where he works for Premium Drilling. He invites any and all of the tribe who might happen by to come see him. Jim Long is also in Singapore; we hope that he is holding our spot at the Raffles Bar until we can return to claim it.
Harry Swanston, a well known Aggie, has announced that he has set up shop on - get this - Longhorn Parkway in Austin. There are apparently very good reasons for this, but the potential for ribbing is endless.
Meantime, Paul Law is moving to Paso Robles, CA; he claims that this is to get closer to family, but we suspect that it's to get as close as possible to the 200 or so wineries that have sprung up in mid-California. His partly restored Boss 302 Mustang will make the trip; we are anxiously awaiting news of its completion.
Jeff Shepard, with his usual efficiency, is actually nearing completion of his own homebuilding project in Reynolds Plantation, GA. This means that anyone who wants to see Jeff and wife Trisha in the near future had best do it right now, or you'll be connecting through Atlanta to do it. An embarrassingly excessive going away party is definitely called for.
A few of the tribe are moving about: Alan Breed is now at Ocean Rig, and Kevin Skipworth is now at Anadarko. Kyna Anderson is on contract with Wilson Supply downtown.
In the way of new retirees, Jay Stiles has announced that he is hanging them up and heading for the Hill Country. Your faithful Blogmaster officially retired on October 1, although I'm continuing to do governance and management consulting with my company Half Moon Solutions. Got to pay for that vacation house!
Necrology
Now for the sad news. As always our sympathies go out to the families of the departed.
Old friend Carter Newton passed away in Houston on August 31. Carter was a well beloved friend to many Global Mariners and was instrumental in promoting and mentoring the careers of many of us. A great loss.
Carl Cole reports that his brother, Stuart Cole, passed away in Houston on September 30. Stuart was a long time storekeeper for Global Marine and GSF.
To Sum Up
While there are some glimmerings of hope on the economic front in Houston and elsewhere, remember that a lot of our friends and fellow alumni have had a very hard time of it for the last few years.
We have a tremendous network - use it! If you know someone who needs a job or just needs some help, do what you can and let other alumni know when they might be able to help. When you do succeed, let others know so that they can find you. We're in it together, and collectively are much stronger than any one individual.
OK! Ya'll have a wonderful holiday season, which we hope finds you happy and comfortable in the company of your families and loved ones. We'll be back with our Winter report in early 2011. Do write about your holiday doings.
Your faithful Blogmaster and Associates
