*** The Adventures of Steve- From a Young Reptile Catcher to an Amazon Explorer

The Adventures of Steve: From Young Reptile Catcher to Amazon Explorer to Lawrence of Arabia and airplane pilot.

Steve's love for adventure started at a young age when Mr. Holstein brought him a big red eared slider turtle. As Steve grew up, his love for adventure only intensified. He found himself drawn to Rummel Creek, where he went out to catch reptiles and fish, one wrong move could lead to a painful bite or sting.

He became adept at catching all kinds of creatures, and soon enough, his backyard was filled with 50 reptiles, riding his stingray bike for eight miles to Addicks Dam to catch turtles.

Many times while running through the Youpons Steve stopped his friends from running into a certain snake bite.

When he wasn't exploring the waters, he was out surfing the waves at Freeport, Surfside, North and South Padre Island.

Steve’s father Andy had a knack for adventure. He was an avid reader of National Geographic. Each summer Steve's parents hitched the trailer and packed up the station wagon setting out to tent camp in all the National parks. By the time these trips ceased they had visited nearly all the lower 48. Great times tent camping, catching that 1st fish and getting to see the mountains, pacific and atlantic oceans, great sand dunes to the grand tetons .

He worked hard to pay some of his education expenses, taking jobs at gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores, eventually working floors,rough necking, tripping pipe and wrenching rods for Moores Petroleum. For Steve, danger and excitement were just a part of life, and he wouldn't have it any other way. Steve's last Summer Session at TAMU was looming

With a freshly-minted degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University, Steve embarked on a journey of epic proportions that would shape his destiny in ways he could scarcely imagine. Drawn by the allure of adventure and the promise of exotic locales, he answered the call of Dowell Schlumberger (DS), an oil and gas behemoth that beckoned him to the Dominican Republic, (Note: double click links to see a preview) where he would befriend the intrepid John Sykes and embark on a quest to explore the island's many wonders.

2 weeks after graduation, amidst the shimmering turquoise waters and sandy shores of the DR, Steve and John stumbled upon a macabre sight that would haunt them for years to come: a medical school filled with lifeless, dissected cadavers laid out on open-air cement tables, surrounded by hurricane fencing. This grisly encounter left an indelible mark on Steve's psyche, but it was just the beginning of his remarkable odyssey.

After sixty days of struggling to learn the machine-gun Spanish of the DR, Steve set off for the Bolivian Training Center (BTC) to begin his new job. But Bolivia was in a state of upheaval, just emerging from a Coup d'état days before, and the Bolivian Air Force was out in full force, lining the ramp at Aeroeste with fifteen P51-Ds that had recently strafed the Santa Cruz Plaza. Despite the danger that loomed at every turn, Steve pressed on, inspecting the palm trees with bullet holes in the very plaza where he would one day meet the love of his life.

Undeterred by the chaos that surrounded him, Steve dove headfirst into his work, tackling the daunting challenges of oil well completion, cement jobs, setting casing, and running a triplex pump with gusto. With every frac job that he tackled, pushing the limits to 12,000 psi, Steve proved himself to be a fearless and indefatigable force of nature.

As he journeyed deeper into the heart of Bolivia, Steve's thirst for adventure and his unwavering commitment to excellence led him to new heights of achievement, and ultimately to the love of his life. His extraordinary tale stands as a testament to the boundless human spirit, and a reminder that anything is possible for those who dare to dream big and seize the day.

During his last semester at TAMU, Steve had met some Geophysics majors and over spring break shot Boquillas Canyon on the Rio Grande with them. They rode in a single canoe having driven from CS in Steve's car with no thoughts as to how they’d return. On day one, they hiked out of the canyon into Boquillas Mexico for a bottle of tequila. On the third day, college students floated past them in the river and gave them a ride back on their bus. Steve, a descendant of the mathematician Carl Fredric Gauss, found geophysics more interesting than calculations on mud weights and cement volume, so he quit his job and started visiting the Santa Cruz Western Geophysics operations office. His girlfriend, Maria Eugenia, helped him type up his resume in English, and he submitted it every time he visited Don Phillips of Western Geophysical in Santa Cruz.

Weeks later, Steve was hired not because of his engineering degree, or mastery of Fortran, or having taken every calculus offered, differential equations and numerical methods; but, for his summer job experience shooting corners. He had been digging ditches when the builder's site engineer failed to show, and Steve volunteered to read blueprints. He learned to shoot corners and set blue grade stakes for parking lots. When Steve returned to Western Geo of Bolivia, the last line of his exquisite resume mentioned survey experience, and that got him hired.

Steve's 2nd job in Bolivia was also both dangerous and exciting, as he worked in the Chaco Desert, an area known for its extreme climate and wildlife. The Chaco Desert is a vast, arid region that spans parts of Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay, and it is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including jaguars, anacondas, and venomous snakes. Historical note: A war fought in the early 1900's between Bolivia and Paraguay took Maria Eugenia's grandfather's life.

As Steve shoots seismic, he encounters these animals on a regular basis, which can be both thrilling and risky. Jaguars, for example, are apex predators that are known to attack humans when they feel threatened or cornered. Similarly, anacondas are one of the largest snakes in the world and can grow up to 30 feet long. They are not venomous, but they are powerful constrictors and can easily overpower humans if they feel threatened.

In addition to the wildlife, there are other risks involved in shooting seismic in the Chaco Desert. The extreme heat and aridity can lead to dehydration, heat stroke, and other health issues if proper precautions are not taken. The terrain is also rugged and difficult to navigate, with steep hills, rocky terrain, and areas of thick vegetation.

One exhilarating day, we stumbled upon a band of "Gaucho's" and my excitement was instantly peaked. These rugged men were armed to the teeth, with their trusty Winchester rifles and pistols from a bygone era, and their horses were draped in thick chaps made from two whole cow hides to protect them from the prickly 40-foot cacti. These were no ordinary cowboys, but the finest of the Chaco, leaving an unforgettable impression of unyielding fortitude in my memory that still fills me with awe to this day.

Despite these dangers, Steve is passionate about his job and the excitement it brings. He thrives on the challenge of working in such a remote and rugged environment and enjoys the opportunity to work alongside other skilled professionals in his field. While the risks are real, he takes every precaution to ensure his safety and the safety of his team, making the experience both exhilarating and rewarding

On his first day, Steve became assistant party manager with Buffalo Bill (aka George Jackson), who was found drinking in Las Vegas and hired to manage Steve's dynamite seismic crew. They boarded a four-place Cessna and flew to the Chaco Desert on the Bolivia-Paraguay border October 31st, 1980. The dynamite seismic crew of 150 obreros were mostly new hires, and would be shooting 2D seismic from Viamontes north to Camiri. The previous year's crew had been blown up because someone parked the dynamite truck downwind of the fire. Steve saw spotted leopards, black panthers, mini deer, sloths, pythons, and anacondas in the Chaco.

On the first evening in camp, Steve was handed a snub-nose .38 and told " Tejano, shoot something". Across a bean field, he made out six buzzards on a tree limb. Boom! A buzzard fell out of the tree. Five minutes later, a kid retrieved it, yelling "en la cabeza!,en la cabeza!" (in the head). About 100 obreros saw the event. Steve got to keep the pistol. That lucky shot in Bolivia generated quite a reputation that would follow and possibly protect Steve for his time working seismic field crews.

During the 1980 Christmas season, he took advantage of the opportunity to go on leave in Santa Cruz. The tension was palpable as Steve summoned all his courage to ask for Maria's hand in marriage from her father, using a language that was not his own. The words stumbled out of his mouth as Beto, like a tiny shadow, darted ever closer across the yard under a box, adding to the suspense. Steve's heart pounded in his chest as he waited for her father's response, not knowing whether it would be one of acceptance or rejection.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Maria's father looked Steve straight in the eye and spoke. The weight of his words hung in the air like a heavy fog as Steve strained to understand them. Would it be a yes or a no?

At last, the tension broke as Maria's father gave his approval, and Steve felt as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders. From that moment on, Steve and Maria began planning their wedding, their hearts filled with love and joy, and their future together as bright as the sun.

With their entire lives reduced to two suitcases, Steve and Maria set off on a wild adventure to Colombia. The transfer was imminent, and they had to leave everything they knew behind. Their flight took them to the dizzying heights of La Paz, the highest international airport in the world, perched at an altitude of 11,000 feet. As they disembarked, Steve and Maria found themselves gasping for air, their breaths coming in shallow bursts.

The journey was long and arduous, but finally, they arrived safely in Colombia. Their first night was spent at the illustrious Hotel Tequendama, where they were warmly greeted by the locals. The hotel's lush interiors, dripping with history and grandeur, were a welcome respite from their long journey. As they sat in their room, sipping on sweet Colombian coffee and marveling at the bustling streets, listening to the crowd cheering the matador as the bull fight ensued below, Steve and Maria felt a sense of excitement and trepidation course through their veins.

They were in a new country, with new challenges and opportunities, and their adventure had only just begun. The prospect of a new life in Colombia, full of wonder and discovery, was both thrilling and daunting. But Steve and Maria were ready to take on the world, their spirits unbreakable and their hearts full of hope.

As the sun set over the bustling city, Steve and Maria looked out of their window, soaking in the breathtaking views. The cool, sultry air was alive with the sounds of laughter and chatter, and the aroma of exotic spices filled their nostrils. They knew that this was just the beginning of an adventure that would change their lives forever.

Steve's job in the Amazon Jungle was not for the faint-hearted. Just getting to the base camp in Villavicencio (aka Via Bravo) alive from Bogota was insane. Taxis would drive down the straightaways between switchbacks with their foot on the gas accelerating like mad. Each trip was typically stopped several times. If it wasn't for a tow truck cable strung across the road pulling up some bus that plunged over the side, it was the Colombian military checking for god knows what. Many times Steve remembers popping the trunk and calling out "topographia, topographia, ropa, ropa , ropa" while pointing to the unopened suitcases. The “guard rails” consisted of crosses erected to honor the dead. Each switchback had a mound of headlights from old wrecks and a few candles burning.

Steve found the Amazonian jungle a place of beauty and terror, where the lush greenery hides deadly creatures and unknown dangers. For those who dare to venture into its depths, life is a constant struggle for survival. And yet, there are those who brave the wilds of the jungle, risking everything in search of adventure and discovery.

With little more than the clothes on their backs and a sense of determination, Steve made his way through the dense foliage, often sleeping on diesel sacks to keep the bugs at bay and crossing rivers in rickety dugout canoes. They know that the journey ahead will be grueling, but they are driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to explore the unknown. We were locating "fly camps" for those still to come. Like sherpas on Mt Everest, our sites would provide a lifeline for those to follow.

As they journey deeper into the jungle, danger lurks at every turn. Venomous snakes slither across their path, while poisonous insects swarm around them. The very air is thick with the stench of decay, as the jungle devours all that comes within its grasp.

And yet, these explorers press on, aging a year every month, their bodies pushed to the brink of exhaustion. They are driven by a passion for discovery, a desire to unlock the secrets of the jungle and uncover the mysteries that lie hidden within its depths.

For those who dare to brave the wilds of the Amazonian jungle, there is no greater thrill than the rush of adrenaline that comes with facing danger head-on. And though the journey may be fraught with peril, the rewards are immeasurable, for there is no greater feeling than the sense of accomplishment that comes with surviving the untamed wilderness. Danger lurked at every turn, and on top of everything else the payroll admins were crooks and taking a hefty cut of the obreros pay.

As if that wasn't enough, the crew had to deal with indigenous people who were hostile to their presence. The crew members had to dodge arrows that flew past them as they worked to shoot seismic in the jungle. It was a perilous job, and the stakes were high. But Steve was up for the challenge, and he and his crew worked tirelessly to get the job done, no matter the cost.

Returning to the sprawling city of Bogotá, amidst the cool equatorial climate, Steve's fascination with digital signal processing led him to cross paths with the enigmatic Gene Thorne. Amidst the WGC Colombian office, where seismic data was processed with the utmost precision, Steve was mesmerized by the intricate processes of taking field tapes through edit-demultiplex, autocorrelation, deconvolution, picking velocities, normal move out, and stack. He knew he had to be a part of it all.

On his next leave in Bogotá, Steve proved his worth by showcasing his skills and processing one line from brute stack to the final section. When the processing manager, Graham Farr, returned a week later, he was left astounded by Steve's efficiency and unflinching dedication. Steve's efforts were soon rewarded as he was asked to vacate the manager's office and occupy an empty one.

Six months later, Steve's transfer to the seismic processing department was finally approved, and he was out of the jungle for good. Living in Bogotá with Maria, Steve would wake up and embark on a daily journey, walking the treacherous two-mile path to work. The bustling city streets, rife with danger and unpredictability, were always brimming with surprises.

One day, two thugs stopped Steve on the street and asked him where he was from. With a quick wit and a silver tongue, Steve replied “soy boliviano, que quieres” ( that he was Bolivian, what of it?). The thugs were thrilled and sang out, "Viva Bolivia," allowing him to pass unscathed. But on another day, Steve was caught off guard as a knife was pressed into his side, demanding money. He spun around to find two thieves no taller than three feet, who swiftly made away with his cash and wristwatch. Steve gave chase, but the little rascals darted in front of a slow-moving bus and were hit by a passing car, earning their loot the hard way.

As Steve hailed a passing policeman to report the robbery, he noticed long scratches on the officer's arm, where his watch had once been. The policeman had been robbed the day before, and they both had a good laugh over their shared misfortune. Such was life in Bogotá, a city that never ceased to amaze or surprise.

Their 3rd and last apartment was on Carrera15 and 100. A great location with a Carullah grocery in the same building. On weekends the Steam locomotive would stop at the station behind the apartment and take passengers north to the Zipaquira salt mines cathedral. Weekend trips to the mountains and down to Gerardo to go water skiing were not unheard of. But was a new adventure on the horizon?

Alas, in February 1985, having been transferred to the WGC processing center in Richardson Texas 2 years prior, Steve's world was turned upside down when he realized that his work in digital signal processing was drying up. ( as it turned out the processing center was closed and everyone laid off 2 months later) He had to find a new job, and fast. His search led him to the head of Computer Science at WGC in Houston, Juan Valonrat, who had offered him a job in Ecuador. Gary Faire, the local manager in Richardson, was anything but fair. He questioned Steve about going around him to get a transfer knowing full well he'd be laying everyone off in 8 weeks. Steve's next destination turned out to be much more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.

Two weeks later, Steve found himself on a flight to Tripoli, Libya. The very idea of flying beyond Qaddafi's Line of Death was enough to make anyone nervous, but Steve had no choice. As he boarded the plane, he couldn't help but notice the distinct smells of the airport - the scent of fuel and burning rubber filled the air, making his eyes water.

As Steve embarked on his journey to Libya, the anticipation was palpable. Every bump and jostle on the flight had his heart racing with excitement. Finally, as the plane landed, he was struck by the awe-inspiring sights and sounds of this new world. The scorching sun beat down on the tarmac as the distant sound of prayer calls echoed through the air. Everywhere he looked, there were date palms, adding a touch of exoticism to the already vibrant landscape.

Passing through immigration, Steve felt like a sheep, bleating out "BAAAA, baaa" as he approached the official. Suddenly, he heard something that sounded like "Bassbort, bassbort." Ahaha! It was the immigration officer asking for his passport! Even amidst the tension and excitement of the moment, Steve couldn't help but chuckle at his own silliness.

In those days, Libya was in the midst of a fierce battle of words between Momar and Ronald, constantly making headlines in the news. Despite the difficulties, Steve was determined to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Reagan had outlawed Libyan visas in US passports so the next day Qadafi dropped the visa requirement for Americans. It was as if fate had intervened to make his journey even more adventurous and exciting.

The night-time taxi ride to the camp was an unforgettable experience, accentuated by the driver's daredevil tactics. They were hurtling down the road at over 100mph, with the lights off no less! The adrenaline was coursing through Steve's veins as he clung on for dear life, excited for the incredible experiences that lay ahead.

As Steve settled into the Tripoli Camp, he couldn't believe who he ran into - his old pal Gene Thorn from Bogotá. The world seemed so small as many of the WGC operations staff had worked for Don Phillips, the same manager who hired Steve in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It was as if fate had brought them together again. During the many Muslim holidays Steve would travel in Libya visiting beaches to the east on long journeys. Other days he visited ruins, the cities of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, two Roman cities located on the Tripolitanian coast 10 to the west of modern-day Tripoli. They were part of an ancient triad of cities, Oea (Tripoli). Amazing sights and they had the entire cities to themselves being the only ones there!

With his family settled on the north shore of Sliema, Malta, Steve would travel to Libya for three weeks on and one week off. But the journey back to Malta was no easy feat. The flight was dubbed a "two-beer" (50 minute) flight, and passengers had to fight for that second beer before landing! And the driving was just as challenging - driving a VW Jeddah in Tripoli on the right side of the road would flip to British style in Malta. But Steve was a pro, and he knew how to navigate the island's roundabouts with ease.

Despite the beauty of Malta, Steve found himself taking his R&R in Libya as life in Malta was so busy! Wonderful days at golden sands beach, visiting Saint Paul's Bay, and ferry rides to the island of Gozo. His kids, aged 1 and 3, had a blast racing their little push cars and harassing the locals and tourists alike on the boardwalks.

But as his stint in Libya wore on, tragedy struck. An Egyptian colleague of the client oil company AGOCO had not been home for two years due to his fear of terrorist hijackings. The day before Steve was set to go on leave, the colleague finally made the trip home, flying Cypress Air. But due to mechanical problems, he was rerouted onto an EgyptAir flight for the last leg of his journey. That EgyptAir flight was hijacked, flown to Malta, and sitting on the ramp when Steve landed the next evening. The Maltese commandos stormed the plane, and the hijackers threw grenades, killing 56 of the 86 passengers - including Steve's pal. It was a stark reminder of the dangers of living life on the edge.

As Steve continued his work in Libya, he found himself facing new dangers and challenges that tested his courage and resourcefulness. The political tensions in the region were at an all-time high, with President Reagan threatening to use military force against Libya. Despite the looming threat of violence, Steve remained focused on his mission, determined to make the most of his time in this complex and fascinating land.

In addition to his work, Steve also devoted himself to learning new skills, using his free time to study electronics with the expert guidance of his Syrian friend Samir. Together, they delved into the intricacies of circuitry and programming, exploring the cutting edge of technology in an environment where innovation was often discouraged.

Yet even as Steve threw himself into his work and his studies, he remained keenly aware of the risks and challenges that surrounded him. He knew that any misstep could have dire consequences, and he worked tirelessly to stay out of trouble and avoid attracting unwanted attention.

In the midst of all these struggles, Steve also witnessed the human toll of the region's complex politics and social problems. When Samir returned home to Libya with his new wife, he found his apartment occupied by squatters who had forced him out! This was how Qaddafi solved his homeless crisis….

Through it all, Steve remained committed to his mission and his passion for exploring the world and its many wonders. Despite the risks and challenges he faced, he refused to be intimidated or discouraged, and he continued to press forward with courage and determination, always ready for whatever new adventures and trials lay ahead.

Eventually, when it became clear that the danger was too great, Steve and the family returned to Houston on the 1st morning they woke up to the Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster, it was January 26th, 1986 his son’s birthday. 5 months later Steve was promptly laid off due to the tumultuous nine-dollar-a-barrel oil era of June, 1986.

In the realm of tech, Steve made a monumental acquisition for someone without work: a cloned PC-XT turbo. (8088-2 CPU ran at 3.7MHz to 7.4MHz ! ) He conquered autocad, batch, assembly language, and even usurped a multilevel marketing company data center from Al Dyer at UCI Network. life purred on…

Steve read "What color is my parachute " and called through to the hiring authority at CGG where he landed another seismic processing job. 1st thing they did was install a 50 ton chiller and then built out a Cray 1M, loaded up GeoVector and began processing 3D marine seismic surveys.

But then fate intervened when his wife plopped a newspaper ad for geophysical processing in Saudi Arabia's eastern province in front of him. The oil company then simultaneously interviewed the couple. Out of four couples that day, only Steve and Maria got the nod. Going to Saudi was a gamble, but the allure of adventure was too strong to resist. It was time to trade in the mouse for a scimitar!

The year was 1988 when Steve and his family flew to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The moment they stepped off the plane, they were hit with a wave of overwhelming sights, sounds, and smells. The scorching August sun beat down on vast stretches of barren land while the sounds of prayer calls filled the air.

For two years, Steve and his family lived, worked, and played in Dhahran. They explored the local markets and bought red grapes from the Cape of South Africa to make their own wine, a skill they had picked up from other expats who had lived in Dhahran for 50 years before them.

One day, on their way home from the market with 40 cases of grapes in their car, they hit a police traffic stop. The Saudi police were looking for someone, but the officer just stuck his head in the car, laughed, and waved Steve on. It was just another adventure in a place full of them.

Steve and his friends formed the polar bear club, diving into the frigid waters of Qurayyah on 50-degree Fahrenheit days to pass the winter time. They went scuba diving off Jana and Quran Islands, and spearfished for hamour.

Despite the challenges and the unfamiliarity of their surroundings, Steve and his family embraced the adventure that came with living in Saudi Arabia. Every day brought new experiences and opportunities for exploration, and they were grateful for the chance to immerse themselves in a culture that was so different from their own.

Steve was an expert in Seismic processing, a master of WGC's IQ system. But even with his brilliance, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The R&D department had chosen the inferior DISCO over IQ, and Steve couldn't bear to witness such insanity any longer.

Before the first Gulf War went kinetic, Steve made the tough decision to leave The oil company and return to the US. Two months later, after helping Maria give birth to their third child, having evacuated their other two children when Sadam invaded Kuwait , they flew to Houston for a family reunion. Steve interviewed and received a job offer from Cimarron Software to upgrade NASA's mission control in Clear Lake.

But before he could leave Dhahran for good, Rick Chimblo pleaded with Steve to find another job at The oil company, fearing the loss of such a valuable asset. And as fate would have it, Steve stumbled upon a plan to upgrade all mainframe terminals to PCs under “The hatchet man” Don Hatch’s control in ECTD. Don’s only PC and Networking specialist was leaving Saudi for good in 2 days and he needed me!

It was a daunting task, but Steve knew he was the man for the job. Despite the threat of an impending war, he put on the golden handcuffs again and took on the challenge of deploying and networking dual boot DOS/OS2 PC's in the Eastern Province for The oil company.

It was an adventure unlike any other, filled with the thrill of danger and the rush of technological progress. Steve's skills were put to the test as he navigated the volatile political climate and worked tirelessly to bring The oil company into the modern age.

Through it all, he never lost sight of his family and their future. With every passing day, he was one step closer to achieving his dreams and ensuring a brighter future for those he loved.

By 1990 the risk of being in a war zone was constantly present. The oil company community was the largest US population in a war zone since the Civil War. The troops from the 101st Airborne had been dropped into the desert between Kuwait and Dhahran, and soldiers were a daily presence in the camp, coming through to get a meal and a shower. Meanwhile, The oil company's passport control was overwhelmed, with tens of thousands of expats in Dhahran. Passport control was a wreck and could not deliver exit visas for everyone.

As the situation worsened, Steve's friend Dennis from England made up T-Shirts with "The oil company MADE US Ku-N-WAIT, Caught between IRAQ and a hard place" emblazoned across the front. The shirt was a testament to the dire circumstances that they found themselves in, caught in the crossfire of a war that they had no control over. Despite the chaos and danger that surrounded them, Steve and his family were determined to make it through, relying on their resilience and determination to survive.

In 1991 they found themselves dodging incoming Scud ballistic missiles and standing in long lines at the gas mask distribution tent. In the midst of incoming missiles, Steve had just returned from the gas mask distribution center when he realized he had lost his passport pouch, which contained all the family's passports. Unseasonal heavy monsoon rains had washed it away, leaving them stranded in a war zone without any means of evacuation. The US Consulate issued new passports, but without a visa, the family couldn't leave.

In the midst of the chaos and destruction of the First Gulf War, Steve's family found themselves in a desperate situation. With bombings raging throughout the city, they needed to escape, and fast. Fortunately, they had a family friend who was a pilot, he was able to help them board a plane headed to Jeddah while arousing suspicion from the The oil company VIPs on the same flight.

Upon arriving after midnight at the Jeddah Airport, the family was stranded without any plan. They were just another group of refugees fleeing to the desert to escape the bombings. It was then that an oil company VP who had noticed them on the VIP flight getting out of harm's way, took pity on them. He drove them to their refuge in a foreign land - the hotel Casa Blanca.

For a week, Steve navigated the bureaucratic maze of smoke-filled Saudi police offices to obtain visas for his family and send them home. Meanwhile, he flew to Riyadh and took a bus to Dhahran, as the Dhahran airport was now military only. During his unauthorized absence, the GM of ECC had been attempting to identify the “Expat” who’d escaped to Jeddah on the VIP flight. He wanted the Expat fired for “leaving his post”. A month earlier all The oil company management had relocated their families out of harm's way and now he was upset with Steve for doing the same… The sights and sounds of war surrounded him - F15's, British Tornado bombers, General Schwarzkopf's H-47 CHINOOK surrounded by Apache gunships, A-10 warthogs, F18's, Galaxy G-5 transports and C-5's were all common sights. Dhahran was right up against the forward air base, All but the B52's that flew out of Guam to make bombing runs on Iraq before disappearing from sight.

Days later, the soggy passports were found in a parking lot. Scud missile alarms blared incessantly day and night, and the ground was littered with Scud and Patriot missile fragments. Steve's adventure in navigating the chaos of war and bureaucracy had come to a close, but the memories of those turbulent times would stay with him forever.

But despite the danger, Steve was determined to make the most of his time in this exotic land.

Pre-internet Living in Dhahran was like living in a movie. It was reminiscent of Lawrence of Arabia with its stark beauty and cultural richness. But the risks remained, and we had to be prepared for anything. We had to be vigilant in the face of danger, whether it was the threat of missile attacks or navigating unfamiliar terrain.

Despite the danger, I found time to enjoy life in Saudi Arabia. I bought a powerboat and took my kids water skiing and scuba diving in the Arabian Gulf. We made the most of our time in this exotic land, soaking in the beauty of its landscapes and experiencing its unique culture.

Leaving the The oil company gravy train was not an easy decision for Steve. But in 1998 he had to bring his daughter back home from Switzerland for high school in Sugar Land, Texas. At that time, children of expatriates had to leave the kingdom for 10th-12th grade. Despite the comforts and financial stability of his job in Saudi Arabia, Steve knew that his daughter's education was more important. He took a risk and left The oil company to work in computer systems support for Shell. It was a career move that could have ended up in disaster, but Steve was determined to reach his goal as a commercial software developer. The move was not without risk, as Steve had left behind a stable job with The oil company. But he knew that it was time to move on and pursue his dream of becoming a commercial software developer.

In the year 2000, Steve achieved his goal when he became a commercial software developer at Altra Energy an Energy and Natural Gas Trading Software provider. But fate had a different plan for Steve. In October 2000, he was rehired by Chris Hamilton at The oil company. This was a turning point in Steve's life. He had escaped the confines of Saudi Arabia only to return just before the collapse of Enron and his career in natural gas trading software.

Chris, the head of the Mormon Church in Saudi Arabia, made a surprising move by rehiring Steve to work at the EXPEC Computer Center (ECC). As the only non-Muslim religion sanctioned to practice on Mohammed's Arabian Peninsula, the Mormon Church preferred to hire their own. However, the move was made in response to Dr. Mishari's attempts to take down ECC, which Steve had helped build. ECC felt threatened and gave Steve a call.

Steve was rehired to hold the line against the planned SAP takeover of the upstream business line at the oil company, where he had previously designed and rolled out token-ring networks and IBM PC computer systems in Dhahran, Ain-Dar, Abqaiq, Udahalayah, Ras Tanura, and Jubail in the 1990s. Steve was the perfect choice to fight against the Doctor's plans.

Their efforts were successful, and they were able to stop the SAP takeover and carve out a nice support area in the Dhahran Campus. However, the oil company was not without its challenges, as they were hit with a computer virus in the early 2000s called NIMDA. Fortunately, ECC was able to thwart the virus, while the Doctor's IT lost thousands of PCs and servers. Life purred on in Dhahran.

In the 2010s, an IT admin account was taken over and used to schedule a script that deleted the partitions on upwards of 100,000 workstations and servers belonging to the Doctor's IT systems. However, ECC had zero systems hit by this, as they had denied IT administrative access to ECC systems.

It was later discovered that the SAP project lead was lining his pockets by collecting paychecks for ghost employees he had hired all over the world. Years earlier in 2000 the same clown was in charge of collecting membership at the Half-moon bay yacht club. He was fired from the position when it was determined he was lining his pockets by giving membership to anyone who would pay far exceeding the limits placed on the various fleets.

The oil company after discovering his exploits under SAP politely moved him to Bahrain but he remained on retainer for a year or two. Meanwhile, the oil company kept rounding up and firing his lieutenants.

Steve's journey was not easy, but he was determined to succeed. He had faced challenges and obstacles, but he never gave up. His journey from Saudi Arabia to Texas and back was a testament to his resilience and determination.

Steve is a man of many passions, a true adventurer at heart. He lived for the thrill of pushing himself to new heights and exploring uncharted territories. From sailing the high seas to flying high in the sky, Steve was always seeking out new challenges.

With his Hobie Cat 17 at his disposal, Steve was a force to be reckoned with on the open water. He would spend hours sailing over the shimmering waves of Half Moon Bay, "flying a hull", the wind in his hair and the sun on his face. But that was just the beginning of his aquatic adventures. Steve was also an experienced diver, taking three day Red Sea dive trips several times a year on the Dream Diver with his colleague Rene Seco. He loved nothing more than exploring the depths of the ocean, discovering new species and uncovering hidden treasures.

In 2003, Steve's thirst for adventure led him to the skies. In just 29 days, he earned his private pilot's license, soaring through the clouds with Mrs. Gupta out of Weiser Airport while on vacation. But that was just the start of his aviation exploits. He even soloed RC flying the same month, a feat he found to be even more challenging than flying a real plane. Steve was a true innovator, building and flying tens of RC aircraft at the Dhahran Airbase and The oil company camp.

Steve was always looking for new ways to challenge himself, and his interest in programming led him to create a Europa simulator in Unity3D. This allowed him to sim-fly his very own Europa XS.

But Steve's thirst for adventure wasn't limited to the air and sea. He also took up snowboarding in 2008, traveling to Faraya Lebanon with his son for a thrilling ride down the slopes. Andre Sassine was a great help in getting him started in Lebanon. And when he wasn't shredding the snow, Steve could be found busting tricks windsurfing across half-moon bay, having collected a full quiver of sails and masts, including one JP 90 liter sinker and a 130-liter floater board.

In 2014, Steve took his love of aviation to the next level, buying his very own Europa XS and flew it to Oshkosh several times for the AirVenture event. Steve was always pushing himself to new heights, never content with standing still. Even in retirement, he continues to pursue his passions, growing grape vines, fruit trees, fishing (not catching) with Mike McBrien, kayaking the colorado, hunting at Kean Ranch, and spending time with his beloved grandchildren.

Steve is a true adventurer, a man who never let anything stand in the way of his dreams. He lives life to the fullest, always seeking out new experiences and pushing himself to new heights.

Addendum?

It's 2024 and as of June 15th I can legally transmit on HF Amature Radio bands.

Earned Technician, followed minutes later by a General class FCC license.

Callsign K3ANO

Latitude: 30.3237 / 30° 19' 25" N Longitude: -97.9879 / 97° 59' 16" W

Grid: EM10ah

Salam alaiykam!

كيف حالك يا حبيبي؟ kayf haluk ya habibi?- How are you my dear?

تمام؟ tamam? - Is everything alright?

الحمد لله alhamdulillah - Praise be to Allah an expression of gratitude

هل نا وقت القهوة؟ hal na wagt al-qahwa? - Is it time for coffee?

أيوا aywa! - Yes!.

Whahahahahaaa…!

Steve’s internet pen name:

StevoKeano

Advice for the kids :

"Find something you like doing and make it your own."

While I never faked anything, I would not be afraid of the saying "Fake it till you make it!"

to ensure NO ONE avoids their love of something just because the were not born masters of it.

"The heart has it's reasons to which the reason knows nothing." Pascal

Music I cut my teeth on:

BOOKS

The Hobbit
Lord of the Rings (trilogy)
New and Old Testament

Films and people

My octopus the teacher
Graham Hancock preYounger Dryas civilizations
Michael Levin regenerative medicine.

Experiments:

The double slit experiment: Electrons go through each slit at once as a wave yielding an interference pattern, but, if a detector logs which slit the electron goes through a normal distribution results as if electrons were tennis balls. Possible interpretation: transformation from a probability (wave) to an actual electron (particle) is an expensive process and the universe conserves energy only forming particles when observed.

Photos 2002-2010 ish

Stories I linked to; but,edited out:

(back) 1980: Steve just surveyed his first complete loop. Running all the elevations around the loop his mentor was surprised as he said Steve's elevation was only off by an inch! This was the day when the surveyor had one level ( theodolite) on a tripod used to “shoot” an elevation of a rod held at great distance which was then recorded on paper. This was followed by moving the theodolite to where the rod man had been and recording a new elevation. To do this for a 5 mile loop over hilly terrain within 1 inch was amazing.

(back) In 1981, my old field crew received a reassignment to Putumayo. It was a dangerous area, and tensions were high between different political factions. My friends, who were part of the crew, came by my office one day to tell me a story that left me shaken.

They told me that while all of the expatriates were out of camp "bar hopping", a group of shining path gorillas paid a visit to the field camp. The situation was tense and dangerous, and my heart raced as I listened to their tale. One of my friends had been down by the river when he saw smoke rising in the distance. Intrigued, he inched closer, trying to see what was going on.

As he got closer, he witnessed something that left him shaken to the core. It was the end of a political speech, followed by the assassination of our client from Equipetrol. The whole thing had been orchestrated by the shining path gorillas, who were known for their violent tactics.

The danger of the situation was palpable, and my friends were lucky to have escaped with their lives. They told me that if I had been there with them, my life would have been in grave danger. It was a chilling thought, and it made me grateful for my decision to leave field work.

As I sat there listening to my friends' story, I couldn't help but feel a sense of suspense and danger. It was clear that the situation in Putumayo was volatile and unpredictable, and that the threat of violence was always present. It was a reminder that in times of political upheaval, even the most mundane activities could quickly turn deadly.

(back) 1982: In the tumultuous year of 1982, the M19 guerrilla group wreaked havoc in the streets of Bogota, Colombia. People lived in constant fear of the next attack, never knowing when or where it would strike.

One day, a bomb exploded in the southern part of the city, shattering windows and sending debris flying in all directions. The terrifying news spread like wildfire, causing panic and confusion among the residents. And just when they thought it couldn't get any worse, another bomb went off in the northern part of Bogota, leaving devastation and destruction in its wake.

As the chaos and mayhem intensified, the Mayor of Bogota realized that something had to be done to restore order and prevent further damage. His solution was radical but effective - he outlawed any news coverage of the M19 guerrilla group.

And so, the people of Bogota lived in ignorant bliss, unaware of the danger that lurked around every corner. They went about their daily lives, never hearing about M19.

When the time came for our departure in '83, we breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to be leaving the danger and uncertainty behind. As it turned out the M19 turned up the heat after our departure with a string of car bombs leading to years of mayhem in Bogota.

(back) 1980: In 1980, Steve found himself in between jobs while in Santa Cruz. Seeking adventure, he ventured to the river Piraì and trekked across it before climbing a steep cliff. As he reached the summit, he was met with a startling surprise - a large, black lizard staring directly at him. Standing on its hind legs it was nearing 3 feet tall!

In shock, Steve froze as the tegu lizard suddenly turned and ran at an incredible speed of around 20 mph, snapping branches in its wake as it disappeared into the brush.

Later on during his hike, Steve came across a family whose breadwinner was bedridden due to sickness. Remembering the Spanish-English New Testament he had brought along, he gave it along with some cash to the man's wife, hoping it would bring some comfort to the family during their difficult time.

1981: Steve, having a job to complete, had to fire one employee for his unwillingness to drive his vehicle to the location the crew needed to go. He never had to fire another person during the rest of his 43 year professional career.
(back) 1985:Steve was living in a 4 plex within the larger WGC compound. They passed the off hours eating pistachios, playing sand volleyball and making beer. One day while at work, the 4 plex AC failed and all the beer bottles exploded leaking beer into all 4 apartments. PU.
(back) 1986: In 1986, Steve, Joe Chote, and Gene Thorne had an electrifying hobby - astronomy. They spent countless hours each night gazing at the awe-inspiring North African night sky, which was pitch black and perfect for stargazing. But their hobby was not without its challenges.

Undeterred, they continued their star-gazing escapades, and soon enough, Joe brought back a telescope disguised as a can of tennis balls. With this new equipment, they witnessed the breathtaking spectacle of Halley's Comet, a lunar eclipse, and even managed to catch glimpses of distant galaxies and other celestial objects.

Their hobby was not without its share of excitement either. On more than one occasion, their stargazing escapades coincided with the city being plunged into a blackout due to fears of a potential bombing by Ronald Reagan. But for Steve, Joe, and Gene, this only provided an opportunity for unparalleled views of deep space and galaxies, making their hobby all the more thrilling.

1986: A pair of brothers in the port city of Valletta Malta would give Steve items requested by the compound's chief in Libya. So on return to Libya Steve had to hand carry all the food items to Libya. This was never a problem; but, simply part of the job. These same brothers had Steve's family belongings packed and air freighted to Houston at no small expense! Should have been by sea NOT by air!
(back) 1986: Are you kidding me? Picture this: Steve's driving his beat-up 1978 Caprice Classic on a Sunday morning with his two kids in the back seat. As he approaches Braes Bayou, he stops at a corner and checks both ways. Then, he pulls out making a right turn when out of nowhere, a yellow cab comes hurtling around the blind curve and cuts Steve off.

But that's not even the craziest part. Steve, who's barely scraping by on one paycheck, floors it and revs up his Chevy's 4-barrel carburetor to match the yellow cab's speed. And just when the yellow cab tries to cut him off, Steve gives it a good ol' American muscle car punch, lifting the right rear corner panel of the cab and sending it spinning into the median.

Unbelievable, right? But that's just how Steve rolls. He drives off to the next stoplight, waiting for the cab driver, who's now hopping mad. But Steve just looks at him, cool as a cucumber, and tells him to tell his boss that Steve routinely takes his kids on Sunday morning drives, hunting yellow cabs. What a character! More Vehicular Mishaps.

(back) 1986: Steve's older brother informed his friend Al Dyer that Steve was at home without a paycheck, writing batch programs on his computer. Al, who needed to increase the computer staff at UCINetwork from one to two, learned about Steve's skills and decided to interview him. During the interview, Al discussed Hash indexes with Steve and how they could facilitate the quick location of patron records. Eventually, they implemented a 6-level multilevel payout scheme where patrons could add 6 friends below them and each of those 6 under them etc. That capped a patron's network to 6 raised to the power of 6 or 46,656 patrons. If each patron in the network purchased 1 item a month worth 10 dollars the top patron of his network would receive a healthy paycheck! . Steve programmed monthly paychecks that displayed a patron's 6x6 matrix listing the size of each node in their multilevel network.

Later on, after Steve started working at CGG, he consulted a few times at UCINetwork. To prevent this from becoming a regular occurrence, Steve set his consulting rate at $300 per hour.

(back) 2003?: In the early 2000s, my friends and I often frequented a Japanese restaurant located above the Oasis Compound in Khobar. It was a beautiful penthouse setting, with great food and nice people. The compound also boasted an official-sized ice skating rink, which we occasionally visited.

However, our sense of security was shattered when a group of terrorists targeted the compound. It was a shocking and terrifying experience. The attackers found it an easy target and launched a vicious attack, culminating in a Saudi transport helicopter landing on the roof of the restaurant live on CNN.

I remember looking out of my 6th-floor office building at the compound, wondering if we were next. We used to park in the garage and walk through, being waved in by a guard sitting in a chair. Little did we know that this sense of ease and comfort would soon be shattered.

The terrorists attempted to get into several of our friends' compounds, but were successfully rebuffed. However, their next target was Oasis, and unfortunately, they were successful. The attack ended with the terrorist group slaughtering every man and woman they could find before leaving the scene with some poor soul tied to the bumper of their car.

By the time we saw the CNN live footage, it was a recovery operation. The scene was chaotic, with ambulances and emergency services rushing in to help. The attack left us all shaken and fearful for our safety. It was a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in our midst, and the uncertainty of life in such turbulent times.

(back) The Mission Inn had been serving bacon and beer for all in the Arabian Peninsula, and we were enjoying it until that despicable "Madeleine Albright" got in the way. She saw that non-military personnel, including us, were allowed to eat dinner there, and in a moment of sheer spite, she revoked our officers' club access.

It was a slap in the face to all of us who had taken in our US soldiers during Operation Desert Storm and stayed behind to get the oil out. We were in the middle of a terrible situation, with oil fires burning and choking our lungs, and yet we were no longer deemed worthy of access to the club. It was a gut-wrenching feeling.

Who was this "Madeleine Albright" to dictate where we could or could not eat? It was an insult to our service and our sacrifice. She had no right to take away what was rightfully ours. We were angry, and we had every right to be. That bitch had no idea what we had been through, and yet she had the audacity to treat us with such disrespect. It was an unforgivable offense, and we would not forget it anytime soon.

(back) On what would become the final night of Scud ballistic missile alarms blaring in Dhahran, Steve was working deep in the oil company's data center building servers to be deployed in Udhailiyah. When the alarm sounded, he had nowhere to hide and ignored it, continuing to work. It was around 9 pm when the building shook from a thump that Steve felt in his bones.

Unbeknownst to him, a Scud missile had landed in a barracks behind the Souq’s grocery store, a place that Steve frequented weekly. A coworker had just exited into the parking lot when the missile hit, and he described the calm February evening transforming into a dust-filled mess as the shockwave blasted through.

Earlier that day, a crew of US National Guard had been directed to bivouac in the warehouse. It was Saddam's final missile, landing in some random spot, not on the airbase as most did. One of the National Guard members, a female scientist sent over to observe the oil fires, had gone to take a shower and survived, while all the others were killed.

The gravity of the situation was palpable, and the fear of what could have happened weighed heavily on everyone's mind. It was a stark reminder that danger was always present, even when things seemed calm. The loss of life was a tragedy, and it was a reminder that every moment was precious and not to be taken for granted.

(back) In 1995, a high-rise building called the Twin Towers was constructed in Khobar, intended exclusively for Saudi families, but they refused to live there due to the building's design. The tower had only one elevator, and the Saudi families demanded separate elevators for men and women. During the war, the building was full of US soldiers, and it became a target for terrorists who wanted to blow it up. They parked a water truck full of C4 explosive in front of the building and set it off. Although they missed their target, they managed to cause significant damage to the building, leaving behind a hole over 50 feet deep in the ground. Fortunately, an alert guard noticed the truck and notified everyone just minutes before the explosion. Steve was in Dhahran when he felt a sudden jolt, but he was unsure what had happened. A friend visiting a car dealership closer to the tower witnessed all the huge glass windows shatter. As a result of this incident, someone in Steve's group was taken away for questioning because of their last name, but later returned to work unharmed. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats faced by those living and working in the Middle East.
(back) In 1985, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was preparing to surprise the world by landing the Olympic Games in Tripoli. He had built a sprawling Olympic village complete with stadiums, training facilities, and housing for athletes. While the construction was ongoing, there were regular soccer games held in the stadiums to keep the facilities active and showcase them to potential visitors.

However, it wasn't just athletes and sports enthusiasts who were drawn to the Olympic village. Gaddafi also saw an opportunity to recruit soldiers for his military. During one particularly large soccer match, Gaddafi's military unexpectedly blocked all the exits of the stadium by driving dozens of military transport trucks onto the field.

What happened next was nothing short of cunning. Soldiers jumped out of the trucks and began rounding up all persons of military age who were in attendance at the match. Within minutes, they had trucked them out of the stadium, and nobody knew where they had gone. It wasn't until six months later that rumors began to surface that these individuals had been conscripted into Gaddafi's army.

This move by Gaddafi was a clever and strategic way to recruit soldiers for his military without drawing too much attention or controversy. By using the guise of a large soccer match, he was able to gather a group of people who were of military age and likely in good physical shape. The suddenness of the operation also ensured that there was little resistance or pushback from the crowd.

In the end, while Gaddafi did not land the Olympic Games as he had hoped, he was successful in recruiting soldiers for his military. This operation demonstrated his ability to think outside the box and use unexpected methods to achieve his goals. It also highlighted the cunning and resourcefulness that Gaddafi was known for during his reign in Libya.

“You're in the army now”!

A vacation in a foreign land Uncle Mommar does the best he can