Mr. Cameron Getting Seasick

I dedicate this post to Tom (last name withheld).  I ran into Tom this week and he asked me why I haven't been blogging.  It feels great to know that I still have readers out there.  So this one's for Tom.  And by the way, I write on behalf of myself and not as a representative of any organization.

I'm in the Guam airport waiting for my flight to my next destination. It is windy, windy, windy. The island is abuzz because James Cameron is on island in preparations to dive to Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the world's ocean. I don't think Mr. Cameron will be attempting his dive this week, however. It is really windy and the ocean is choppy. He's a few months early if he wanted the best weather, but I'm sure the ocean will calm down eventually.

So what should Mr. Cameron do while he waits for nice weather?

I have an idea! He should go to Saipan, gateway to the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument!

But seriously, I've been contemplating an Open Letter to James Cameron (I'm sure he'd read it!). National Geographic has been putting together excellent videos on the upcoming dive, but Youtube videos on Guam take about 15 minutes to load, even longer on Saipan, and are near impossible to watch on the outer islands. In an ironic twist that seems to happen a lot in this part of the world, people in developed countries have a better idea of what's going on here than the people actually living down the street from the harbor.

That bums me out.  Mr. Cameron is not just diving to the bottom of the trench, he's diving into the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.  His expedition has the opportunity to bring attention not only to the area, to these islands and our surrounding ocean, but also to the plight of our marine protected areas, and our efforts to take care of our ocean.

Mr. Cameron and his Rolex sponsors have rubbed shoulders with Delegate Sablan in Washington, DC, so he has done something to reach out to us, but I wish we could get him to come to Saipan to meet the people that made the monument a reality.  So many people put their livelihoods and their good reputation on the line for the monument, and many of the supporters were pounded -- and continue to be pounded --with undeserved criticism.  Why, in just the last week, one of my "fans" sent a nasty email about me to leaders throughout Micronesia.  One day I'll probably use his letter as proof that I did something good, but in the now it is giving more grey hair.

One of the hopes and expectations was for research and exploration to come to our shores.  And while it is super exciting to see the renewed interest in the monument, it is disappointing that the people on Saipan are not a part of the adventure.

Marshall Islands Shark Defender

I've been in Guam this week attending the 17th Micronesian Chief Executive Summit.  I no longer intertwine my professional and personal life on this blog (hence all the posts about running), but here I am with two great shark champions.  On the left is Minister Tony DeBrum of the Marshall Islands and in the center is Senator Carlotta Leon Guerrero of Guam.

First Swim

I had to work, so I didn't run the 5K this morning.  How much does that suck?  Oh well, I've still got Tagaman in three weeks.  Speaking of Tagaman, I got my first practice swim in today.  I swam an unknown distance in Tumon Bay in 31 minutes.  I'm planning on my 2000m swim taking 60 minutes, even though I'll probably finish a bit faster.  I swam that distance in 2009 in 56 minutes without training, so I figure that with minimal training I'll be just that much faster.  55 minutes?

Swimming is hard.  I don't like swimming.  Running is much better.  I'm not really sure how you're supposed to do it, which I know sounds stupid.  And how do you keep from drinking mouthfuls of salt water?

I've got three weeks until Tagaman.  The goal is to swim every day between now and then.  And no booze.  But I'm going to eat whatever I want.  In fact, I want a cheeseburger right now.

Honorary Paramount Chief Branson or Governor for a Day Cameron?

The people charged with marketing Saipan to the outside world are incredibly bad at marketing Saipan to the outside world. In a world dominated by social media, the destination still doesn't have a major presence on Facebook (70 likes!), Twitter (47 followers!), Youtube, Flickr, Pinterest, and the list goes on. They don't even have a Myspace. And the MVA website looks like it was designed in 1999, right before the tech bubble popped.

With that said, it is no surprise that MVA and the rest of Saipan is letting a great marketing opportunity slip through their fingers. There are four, not one, not two, not three, but four, count them four, unique, individual, different teams competing to be the first person at the bottom of the Mariana Trench in 50 years.

A blog about ocean issues called Deep Sea News calls this the biggest deep sea exploration news in 50 years.


James Cameron, director of Titanic and Avatar, and Sir Richard Branson, super rich English dude, have been in the news these last few weeks about their individual teams' attempts.

At the same time, there are people on Saipan tripping over themselves to play the Monument Blame Game. There is new found interest in the Mariana Trench for one reason and one reason alone: The Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.

And nobody on Saipan understands this, and the people in charge of marketing the island can't figure out how to leverage this golden opportunity to their advantage. So here's an idea, Governor Fitial and Delegate Sablan should put aside their differences for about 15 minutes and issue a joint challenge: the first deep sea exploration team leader to present a rock from the bottom of the Mariana Trench to the people of Saipan, gateway to the Mariana Trench, will be made an honorary paramount chief of the Chamorro people. That person will also get to be governor for a day, and will enjoy a home cooked meal from both first ladies. The meal will consist of island delicacies Saipan is known for, such as chicken kelaguin, and something made with breadfruit, all served with local tuba.

I'd create a website and a Facebook page and send certified letters to each of the four teams, followed by a press release highlighting the natural wonders of the Marianas. You better believe it would get media attention.

And although I am Saipan's most popular blogger since ever since, I can't do this for you. It has to be the governor's office. I'll even let them take credit when it happens.