susies the boss

Thursday Portrait

2012-01-26T10:54:00.001-08:00

Today my pal Jon Wah shared this photo on his facebook page, and it just makes me weep. This photo, in a way, tells one of my India stories. This year, I could not bear the poverty, the hunger, the stray and starving dogs, the garbage, and the soot choked air, but mostly I could not bear the retirees and tourists with their money, prancing around in not enough clothing, spending their money on beer in beach shacks owned by other retirees from other lands, complaining about how expensive India has become since "they discovered it". I could not bear observing over and over, wealthy Indians placing impossible demands on their countrymen of lower castes. I cried a lot.

I won't say my trip was bad. It was just emotional, and as always, I was truly and vibrantly alive and involved in my adventure and my treasure hunt was a great success! I drank a lot of whiskey and hung around on the iPad while in Bangalore. I got to talk to a lot of my pals in the fbook world. Then I went to Goa, where there was no wifi and I was truly alone. I tried really hard to rally myself, but sheesh, I am menopausal, and I was lonely, and the poverty, like I said, and it was almost 100 degrees in the daytime, with about 93 humidity, and at night, still hot! There was noisy traffic, pesky salesmen and too much trash! Boy, what a challenge. Not to mention the mean drunks who live in that community who love to make me miserable!

Once in Delhi, I felt pretty comfortable again, and had a lot of business to take care of, such as buying a bunch of bedspreads, a tamboura for Gary (an indian harpish thingy), and visiting various pals. That four days went very fast. Truthfully, four days in Delhi is about all the ol lungs could handle. Now I have already been home for 10 days. I finally feel normal again LOL

Thank you Jon, and everyone else for sharing this photo, but mostly thank you to the man who gave his shoes to that poor woman who looks clearly moved by the gesture. I am moved as well. Be good to each other. I am glad to be back, and thanks to all of you for being here when I needed a morale boost!

and since I like to plan ahead.....

360India

Operation India A Success!

2012-01-13T09:56:00.000-08:00

I'll admit this 9th trip to India was at times very challenging, but all in all, I got what I went for, and how! More later I gotta get some sleep!

Happy New Year 2012 & Finale HNT

2011-12-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Happy New Year! Allow me to introduce myself, it's me, Susie. I am one of the "old HNTers". I haven't HNT'd in years! I'm back to say thank you OS for a boatload of fun, I really mean it! HNT was always my favorite part of the blogging week!

Now, I really gotta get busy here, because well......

....to be frank, I am right in the middle of packing for India.
You know, bubble wrap is very important when you have to pack a lot of stuff....

... but sometimes can be so gosh darned awkward!

I never travel without it.

I go to India every year for practically a month, ya know, and I take this packing seriously! Besides, I've got a lot of fragile stuff to take with me this year...
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Happy New Year HNT!

So, back in the day I couldn't wait for Thursday so I could post this weeks HNT blog creation. Then Thursday gave way to Wednesday night, when Os had to put a 9 pm deadline on posting the IM UP message on his blog. It was really cool to be able to share the creativity, to link to other bloggers, to get to know other HNTers. We really had a good time, and I have made some permanent friends from the experience.
If you want to check out some of my old HNT's they are on the sidebar over there. Expect zaniness, not mega sexy, ok? Go ahead and take a peek, it'll be fun, I promise.
Finally thank you Scott, for supporting years of togetherness, 2D style!
Whoever thunk it?
So, if you are reading this around New Years, I am in India right now. I will be sure to have an ice cold Kingfisher on the beach for you, after my dip in the Arabian Sea!
Happy Half Nekkid Thursday forever!

Ah Sweet Dancer

2011-12-14T09:13:00.000-08:00

The girl goes dancing there
On the leaf-sown, new-mown, smooth
Grass plot of the garden;
Escaped from bitter youth,
Escaped out of her crowd,
Or out of her black cloud.
Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer!

If strange men come from the house
To lead her away, do not say
That she is happy being crazy;
Lead them gently astray;
Let her finish her dance,
Let her finish her dance.

Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer!

WB Yeats

12INDIA

Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs Again!

2011-10-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Michelle in Seattle ...now who's the freak in the box?

As my three readers already know, I just went to Seattle in July! But when Michelle got a hold of a free plane ticket to anywhere in the USA, it was clear that she had to choose Seattle, because Heather lives there too! So, off I went again, and as you can see, here are Michelle, Heather and I relating to each other like we always have. Hmmn, awkward?

So then we decided to check out the view from my bedroom window of our 3 room suite! Not bad, eh?

Then we decided to put away those computers and have a little liquid refreshment.

Wow, girls, did I mention the view from my bedroom window?

Of course, the mandatory pig at Pikes shot! Fish were also shoved into the face of Michelle, who was more than a good sport. Anyone get a shot of that?

I am NOT Gnomie Gnomington! I am NOT!

We visited the sculpture park on the waterfront during a fricking wind and rain storm. Good thing I had my on long sleeve tie dyed shirt that Lime made for me!

So that's how she does it!The view from our other room.....ack!
We took the monorail to the Needle...
Freaks on the Monorail

Logo falls down and Michelle climbs on dangerous stuff after sniffing too much from that bag on the ground there. JUST KIDDING!!! Sometimes you gotta work hard to get a shot like this one down below.....

I like this shot because our hair mixed together and it looks like her hair is mine. Goodness knows, she has enough to spare! Now, if you wanna see more, you have to check out Michelle's blog because she took lots more pictures than I did!

81 INDIA

India Journey #9 On The Horizon!

2011-09-01T12:54:00.001-07:00

Goa

117 India

natchuril flea remidyez

2011-08-25T20:17:00.001-07:00

well i have a cat that doesnt flipping know how to clean herself properly and as a result she has them ....an the buggers are tryin to eat me to just today so i smothered myself in shower gel and on da place i know im most bitten >ankle< i rubbed it in evenly and they havent trouble me since and dat was a few hours ago! i just treid the salt method on the carpet and i made a concoction of salt water, mouthwash, hair conditioner, zoflora citrus spray, lemon lime washin liquid, some flea spray just a little because it can irritate skin! and the water has diluted it, these products have citric in them use any thing similar.... maybe you can modify it so u can spray, it on your beddin an furniture may be leave the flea spray or not and dilute the solution more oh and put this remedie in a spray bottle ive yet to see the resultz but i think it'll seems to be that anything acidic will work check labels.... ive got typical products which i used on my cat ... these remedies are great!

An actual persons actual words, erm, I am speechless....I cant even talk now! LOL

Forgot About Blog Again....

2011-08-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

Tossed Salads

Scrambled Eggs

RIP Amy Winehouse

2011-07-23T11:16:00.001-07:00

..and life is like a pipe, and I'm a tiny penny rolling up the walls inside....

Dear Amy,
You will live on in your music. I am sorry you lost your fight. You were just a lovely young woman trying to make it in a harsh world. Thank you for all that you have shared with us, thank you for sharing your passion, your heart and soul through your music. You were an artist who has left behind beauty that can never be lost. You will be missed, child. Fly away free now, Amy dear.

PS Tell Jimi I said hi.

Tossed Salads & Scrambled Eggs 2011

2011-07-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

The icky sticky gum wall alley
To quote my father in law:
"Only a madman would stand here!"

I just had to prove that I could.

I wish I had a hat like the rest of them!

Pig Planking

Needle Planking

Much adult entertainment has been omitted from this post.

Due to the presence of 3 minors, party in the closet til 3 am.
Woo hoo!

Hey Now...

2011-06-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

This is my 1,oooth post.

This is one of my favourite customers.

Never underestimate an Urban Prairie Girl , right, Sheriff?

Where Are You Going, My Little One?

2011-06-03T15:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just don't believe how beautiful you are, child.

Oh yeah, there you are.... :P ♥

Speedy Movie Review

2011-05-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

This film is very special. I highly recommend it.
Have a lovely day.

Remembering Melanie

2011-05-19T07:48:00.001-07:00

Thank you, Melanie - thanks for connecting, and thanks for enriching my life. May you rest in peace. May your dear friends and family find peace and comfort in all of the memories you gave them. And thank you for touching my life - there was nothing virtual about the way you enriched my life.
Mark Leslie

Thank you, Mark, for having the words to say that do not come easy for some. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Mrs. Nesbitt, You Will Be Missed ♥

2011-05-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been absolutely impressed and fullfilled by the response of our online community when another blogger was in financial need for medical bills. Many of us who have never met in real life, banded together and raised 1,500.00 for our dear online friend. I am so touched, and thank you all who responded either with cash, or support in other ways. We have really made a difference to someone we have never met in real life, but have come to really care about.
Now today, I have learned that we have lost one of our own, our Stealth Bombshell, our Melanie, and my Mrs. Nesbitt. Melanie and I had a long time running joke about meeting one day to have darjeeling together....we called each other Mrs. Nesbitt. We would go on and on about that scene in Toy Story where Buzz becomes punch drunk on tea after failing at his super hero skills.
Melanie, you were a super hero, a super mom, a super friend, a lovely spirit, a beautiful soul, and you will be missed. I do not know how your short life ended, but I know I will remember you.
Love you, Mrs. Nesbitt, get the darjeeling ready, I'll meet you in heaven one day, and we will finally have tea. Rest well.
♥♥
Melanie

Oops! I forgot I had a blog!

2011-05-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Random googleage, I have no idea...

236India

Th' Neighbors

2011-04-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

2D People Are The Best!

2011-04-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

Where would we all be without the special friendships that we have made online? Thank you for being you! Thank you for opening your heart, and trusting others. Thank you for coming together when another friend is in need, we totally rock, people!
Have a Lovely Day!

2011-04-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

Happy 23rd Anniversary, Mr Ratburn! ♥

2011-04-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hee hee, one of my favorite Flintstones scenes of all time! Enjoy, and please sing along, if you dare!

Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

Pour a cheerful toast and fill it
Happy Anniversary
But be careful you don't spill it
Happy Anniversary

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

(Fred and Wilma Talking)

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

(Fred Talking)

Happy she and happy he
They're both as happy as can be
Celebrating merrily
their happy anniversary

(Fred and Wilma Talking)

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

(Fred Talking)

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

We now state emphatically
its happy anniversary
Not another day could be
a happy anniversary

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy (slow)
Happy (slow)
Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy (fast)
Anniversary!!!
♥♥~Happy Anniversary, Mr Ratburn~ ♥♥

Run Wild N Free Oaty Sue.....

2011-03-29T12:23:00.000-07:00

My beautiful Oaty has died. She had kidney disease. It happened so fast we can barely believe it's real. Oaty was only 7 years old.

The first time I ever saw her, she looked up at LR and I with those giant green eyes, began purring immediately, plopped to the ground, rolled over on her back, all the while giving us that beautiful stare! We had to have her after that.
She really enjoyed her orchard life, hunting and frollicking, and cuddling with us.
Thank you, Oaty Sue, for sharing your short life with us. We will love you always.

PS BLOGGER YOU SUCK

It's Just Clothing, Afterall...

2011-03-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd remind you all, never lock the seamstresses exit door!

I'm an Auntie!

2011-02-24T09:17:00.000-08:00

Rufus Wainwright and Lorca Cohen give birth to rock royalty

Oh my, I am so excited to learn that Rufus and Lorca, the daughter of Leonard Cohen, and lifelong friend of Rufus, have had a baby together! Yes, it's true, Rufus is gay, and he and his partner Jorn and Lorca will all raise the baby girl, named Viva Katherine together...

So cool! Cant wait to see if she looks like Rufus or Leonard! LOL
Hee hee!
Congratulations, Rufus, Jorn, Lorca, and Grandpa Leonard!

Textile Addiction Satisfied.....For Awhile Anyway!

2011-02-04T09:34:00.001-08:00

This is about half of my stash! LOL I am in heaven, people!

Oh boy, am I having fun! I hope you are all well, and have a lovely day.

An Expert In Chapati Making

2011-01-26T00:07:00.000-08:00

I hope you will enjoy the talents of these expert chapati makers.
Have a Lovely Day.

Namaste

2011-01-18T23:58:00.000-08:00

India New Years 2011

2011-01-18T22:33:00.000-08:00

Goa 2011

Well, what do you know, I am home now. My eighth visit to India was a very rich and intense time for me. I left just two days after Gary returned from being with his family as his sister passed away from a long battle with cancer. There was barely enough time to swallow that, let alone celebrate holidays and get ready for India as well.Naaz, Myself and Mommy.
This was my second time in India being completely alone. Yet not alone, because I enjoyed spending time with my lovely friends Mir, Waseem, and Naaz and Mommy in Bangalore, and also the Goel family in Bangalore, who are my fabric people. I have to admit, I can barely handle the growth that Bangalore has experienced since my first visit in 2002. I think I have finally resigned myself to the fact that I won't ever be able to bear living in a city as chaotic as Bangalore has become. I am officially over that plan.Zapping mosquitos is so much fun with you Mir!
We interrupt this blog post for this commercial message from Urban Prairie Girl.
Now ladies and gents, I have returned from India with treasures so lovely, you cannot believe! A fine selection of 100% cotton hand block printed Jaipuri bedspreads, and 61 hand picked Kashmiri shawls from Jamawar Art Emporium, Bangalore.
I also have purchased 300 pounds of Indian Kalamkari cotton, and I cannot wait to start sewing.
Ok, so let's talk about Goa. Let's just say, I am amazed how much whiskey I can consume if I am careful! Lordy be, I can put it back. And, I was proud to be told, after only the second day, that I was "brownin' up nicely, luv!" Having a tan is too much fun! This year, I spent some time with some pals I have met in past years, and also met quite a few very lovely new folks as well.
After a week in Goa, I was off to Delhi to get my bedspread stash, and visit my pals, Manjul and Sanjay Sharma at Rikhi Ram Music. Gary was ever so pleased with the swarsangam that I brought back for him from Sanjays handmade collection. Of course my trip to India would not be complete without getting the hennaed hands and feet in Pahar Ganj. But of course.
Such a good trip, I cannot wait to return. Hee hee!
And finally, do you want to see what they play before every movie in India? I think it's pretty cool, check it out. Have a lovely day.

Tan Report Salcete

2011-01-10T23:09:00.001-08:00

I am happy to say that I am looking slim, tanned and fabulous Miss Pizza, thank you for asking.
I have been lying by the fabulous Williams Beach Pool, sitting on the beach, drinking too much whiskey, going to karaoke but not singing, and generally having a lovely time.
And yes, Mrs Nesbitt, it has been 95 in the day, and 70 at night, breezy and lovely, please join me, I will have the darjeeling ready!

Hope you all are too.

I have two more days here then I will go to Delhi where it has been below freezing. Remind me next year to skip it. I wanted to come home from a warm climate not that! Sheesh. Have a lovely day.

Update with Sticky Keyboard

2011-01-04T02:57:00.000-08:00

So I am loving having the IPAD but I can't blog on it for some reason. So here I am in the internet, sticky keyboards amd all, to give you a report.
So, normally when I come to Bangalore, it takes me the good part of a week to purchase textiles and get them packed and shipped. This time, with the help of my wonderful friend, Mir, and his worker dudes, we completed the task in just three days. Well now, that left me five days with nothing to do but pester Mir and Waseem, which I have been doing on a regular basis.
I also met Mirs lovely wife, Naaz and I just adore her. I adore Mirs mommy too. What totally loving, happy and sweet people they are. Of couse, I spent one evening at Mirs house being stuffed full with Mommys delicious cooking, trying my best to clean my plate. I do not have a huge appetite, I am more like a nibbler, so these huge plates of food pose a huge challenge for me. I hope I ate enough to make mommy happy...forget it, I know I did not! LOL
One day I will bring Mr Ratburn and he will make mommy proud with his eating.
So I have bought a mountain of textiles, more than ever, and I just wanna go home and make stuff! I just cannot believe the beauty that my fabric shop makes for me, just for ME!!!!!! I cannot believe that walking into a textile shop nine years ago looking for a string to hold up my pants turned into this business, and this relationship where truly the cream of the crop in this store is ALL made JUST FOR ME!
It will take me two weeks to wash and shrink it all though! I think the textiles are going to reach my home tomorrow! Woo hoo, I love you DHL!!! And I love you Mir, thanks for your help, you are the boss!
Ok so then I also went to the home of my textile shop people, and had dinner. More stuffing self to the max with the most delicious Indian veg food ever, thank you, Mamta! And visiting with this lovely family was also a treat and a half. It was lovely to visit and see how their children have grown and all doing well in college now.
I went to Lal Bagh, to which I have dragged there Karen, Eileen, and Gary in the past. Attempted to read a book but was pestered by little school kids to the point I had to leave LOL
I have both enjoyed and sweated my arse off for the past 8 or nine days, and finally, tomorrow, more sweating as I arrive in Goa in the afternoon where I will spend 8 days hanging out drinking and visiting my pals.

Also I am getting a sore throat, I hope its just the pollution! So the convenience of IPADS also has made it possible to hide in my room a lot more as well as chat with Mr Ratburn and LR in the middle of the night, and keep in touch through facbook which has been really cool. If you saw my post this morning on Fbook, you will see that the pesky floor boys are driving me nuts, waking me up at 8 am when I have stayed up all night. Breakfst madam? Um, if I want breakfast, I know when and where to get it, I have stayed there eight times for goodness sakes. They also come to my room asking to clean it ten times a day. Thats what happens when you are a big tipper, they all want some.
Now, my motto for my life is "be the change that you want to see in the world". Can anybody guess who might have said that? I'll give you a hint, he's on all the Indian money. See one thing that really fries my head is how frightened people can be of people that are different than you. I dont understand how smiling at someone can make them feel threatened. But I will continue to smile and spread my brand of California sunshine all over the place and sometimes, I get a smile back, but lots of times not. Their loss.
Anyway the other issue, that my sister in law died right before I came to India, and Gary and I had been apart for two weeks, then he came home for just two days, then I left. I was not prepared emotionally to leave that way. Who could be after a death of a loved one? It was very difficult for me to leave, and I was a big crybaby in the security line, wiping tears all over my shirt, unable to stop. At one point in that line, I looked up and there were FIVE hands offering me tissues! How sweet was that? I took them all and it just made me cry more because I thought it was so sweet. What a damn mess, huh?
LOL so then I got here and was ok but I wanted to try to come home early because of all that happened. So this morning I went to two travel agents, made several long phone calls from a hot phone booth that had to be about 100 degrees in there, and then found out it would cost me "JUST" $4,280. USD to get home three days early. So guess what? I am not coming home early, that is ridiculous. The airlines charge $280 to change flight plus the difference in what the new flights were compared to the older ones. FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS????!!!!! I must say, planning ahead with tickets sure saves a bundle but obviously there is no more flexibility in flying.
Suffice to say that with Lufthansa airlines you are treated like a sardine barely fed, have to beg for beverages, and then there was the crazy man who tried to open the emergency door, ended up being tackled by eight stewardesses who sat on him, handcuffed him and tied him to a seat for six hours. Now that was unnerving. The man was 6'4" and drunk and violent. I was happy they took care of the man, but they did not explain to us what was happening, and left every passenger wondering what the hell? Of course, he was arrested immediately upon landing in Frankfurt, what fun! Then I had five minutes to catch my flight in a different terminal.....I ran like hell. I was sweating and panting but I made it. I also managed to tell the crew there were a bunch of ladies in heels trying to run so please wait for them. The fact that I had to do it, and that no staff offered to call ahead to help us, was just ridiculous. I just hate Lufthansa, and I hate Frankfurt airport, and I am so glad I am only 5'1" because there is NO legroom on Lufthansa.
Ok thats all for now, hope all is well. I will be in Goa tomorrow, time to get a tan!

Happy New Year

IPAD Cannot Chew Gum & Walk at the Same Time or Make Blogposts, Bummer.....

2010-12-30T01:25:00.000-08:00

See You From The Other Side!

2010-12-26T08:36:00.000-08:00

Ok ee dokee, here I go, off to the airport.....22 hours of flying, argh! But you know what? In the old days, it used to be more like 36...so we are making progress. I wish you all a Sub Nava Sal!
That's Happy New Year to the rest o you!

Goodbye Sweet Judy, Our Dear Sister..

2010-12-19T23:19:00.000-08:00

Keep 'em laughing up there Judy.
♥

Are You Kidding Me?

2010-12-18T00:04:00.001-08:00

THIS IS THE WORST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN!
7India

Thursday Portrait& Etc

2010-12-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

Just a bunch of weirdos!

17India

December 1, 2010

2010-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

The rumours you may have heard are true. Today is my birthday. Let's just not talk about the numbers!
Happy Birthday to Meeee!
25India

Thursday Portrait on Saturday

2010-11-20T12:29:00.000-08:00

Quite awhile back, a couple of years ago even, I promised my devoted readers a glimpse of my old comic book drawing days. Finally, and since we built a new storage shed this summer, I have found a batch of my drawings in my stash! Of course we know that we are not blogging like in the old days, but I still have my three devoted fans. This is for you!
I drew this when I lived in Venice Beach, and I was 28, and having a very bad PMS day. See all those slashes on my arms? NO I was not a cutter. I had been working on a quilt job and the pins were super sharp, it was too hot to wear sleeves. Every time I swung that quilt around on the sewing table, I would take a cut from a pin! I was late in completing that job, and mighty stressed out!
So this was my self portrait, complete with my favorite Bazooka Bubble Gum tshirt and patched up Guatemalan pants, long crazy Axl Rose hair and no shoes, of course.

I hope this gives you a Giggle!

35India

Thursday Portrait Flashbacks

2010-11-10T10:23:00.001-08:00

Hampi 2006
Susie and Ramesh chillin'

Hee hee! Will she go to the Taj Mahal for the 4th time?

45India

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

Heatblast... I AM your father... Join me to the Darkside or else...

My niece's husband, and their offspring at my moms house tonight for Halloween. What a cool shot, right?

Christina Perri - Jar of Hearts

2010-10-27T10:14:00.001-07:00

I just love this song, and I think you will really enjoy it too. There is some incredibly passionate dancing in this video and I think you ladies will love how it ends.
Jar of Hearts, enjoy it!
♥
59India

Congratulations Are In Order!

2010-10-16T16:54:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago, my dear friend, Mir, married his lovely fiance, who I will meet in December when I get back to Bangalore. Here are just two photos from their wedding weekend, held in his family home in Kashmir. Congratulations, my friends, I wish I could have been there to share your special day.
68India

Ahhh, Monday!

2010-10-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

Dig the toeflection!
Also, I could use a pedicure if anyone is free.

Ya know, a lot of people hate Monday. The beginning of the work week, 5 whole days 'til Friday and all that. But me, I love Monday! Monday morning to me means I have the entire plantation to myself to do whatever it is I need to do. Plus, I get to stay in my pajamas and listen to music, and my favorite morning radio hosts, Sarah and Vinnie at Alice Radio.
Last week I brought home a new toy. This is a USB turntable for putting vinyl onto your computer! Just happens that Gary and I have about 350 LP's that we have been wanting to listen to for years. I still have my turntable from high school, it's 32 years old and works just fine, but so inconvenient.

Today I will spend some time putting some of my old records to the computer, starting with A for Aerosmith and ending with Z for Frank Zappa.
So, how many records do you have, and which one's would you put immediately onto your computer to listen to right now?
Alternatively, go ahead and be a smartassyoungwhippersnapper and tell me you dont own records or even still, you have no idea what records are!

Have a Lovely Week!

76India

55Flash Fiction Friday

2010-10-07T18:49:00.001-07:00

The Freak
The Strikeout King
He looks like he shoulda ridden his skateboard in after the warmups!

Tim Lincecum has had goofy, otherworldly games.
He was 97 mph with movement. You just don't see that every day.
Giants ace Tim Lincecum struck out 14 in a dominant NLDS debut against the Braves.
Get em Giants!

I noticed today that Lincecums number was 55. Cool~ and lately I have noticed that the Giants look like a bunch of freaks compared to other baseball teams. And you probably noticed that I know nothing about sports talk. These are all quotes that I heard during the game or on the computer. What a bullshitter I am for 55 today. Does it still count, Gman?
Have a great day.

Go Giants!

Ghetto Games: Sport fest a fake front for slumdog reality in India?

2010-10-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting look behind the blue walls erected to "beautify" Delhi for the Commonwealth Games. I am hoping that this fiasco will promote awareness. What else is left at this point? Sheesh what a disaster.

Thursday Portrait and A Little Laugh

2010-09-30T07:26:00.001-07:00

Hi!

"$5.37." That's what the kid behind the counter at Taco Bell said to me. I dug into my pocket and pulled out some lint and two dimes and something that used to be a Jolly Rancher. Having already handed the kid a five-spot, I started to head back out to the truck to grab some change, when the kid with the Elmo hairdo said the harshest thing anyone has ever said to me.

He said, "It's OK. I'll just give you the senior citizen discount."

I turned to see who he was talking to and then heard the sound of change hitting the counter in front of me.
"Only $4.68," he said cheerfully.
I stood there stupefied. I am 58, not even 60 yet. A mere child! Senior citizen? I took my burrito and walked out to the truck, wondering what was wrong with Elmo. Was he blind? As I sat in the truck, my blood began to boil. Old? Me? I'll show him, I thought. I opened the door and headed back inside. I strode to the counter, and there he was waiting with a smile.
Before I could say a word, he held up something and jingled it in front of me, like I could be that easily distracted! What am I now? A toddler?
"Dude! Can't get too far without your car keys, eh?"I stared with utter disdain at the keys. I began to rationalize in my mind. "Leaving keys behind hardly makes a man elderly! It could happen to anyone!"I turned and headed back to the truck. I slipped the key into the ignition, but it wouldn't turn.
What now? I checked my keys and tried another. Still nothing. That's when I noticed the purple beads hanging from my rearview mirror. I had no purple beads hanging from my rearview mirror. Then, a few other objects came into focus. The car seat in the back seat. Happy Meal toys spread all over the floorboard. A partially eaten doughnut on the dashboard. Faster than you can say ginkgo biloba, I flew out of the alien vehicle. Moments later I was speeding out of the parking lot, relieved to finally be leaving this nightmarish stop in my life. That is when I felt it, deep in the bowels of my stomach: hunger! My stomach growled and churned, and I reached to grab my burrito, only it was nowhere to be found.

I swung the truck around, gathered my courage, and strode back into the restaurant one final time. There Elmo stood, draped in youth and black nail polish. All I could think was, "What is the world coming to?"All I could say was, "Did I leave my food and drink in here?" At this point I was ready to ask a Boy Scout to help me back to my vehicle, and then go straight home and apply for Social Security benefits.Elmo had no clue. I walked back out to the truck, and suddenly a young lad came up and tugged on my jeans to get my attention. He was holding up a drink and a bag. His mother explained, "I think you left this in my truck by mistake."
I took the food and drink from the little boy and sheepishly apologized.
He offered these kind words, "It's OK. My grandfather does stuff like this all the time."

All of this is to explain how I got a ticket doing 85 in a 40. Yes, I was racing some punk kid in a Toyota Prius. And, no, I told the officer, I'm not too old to be driving this fast. As I walked in the front door, my wife met me halfway down the hall. I handed her a bag of cold food and a $300 speeding ticket. I promptly sat in my rocking chair and covered up my legs with a blankey.

The good news was I had successfully found my way home.

Just in case you weren't feeling too old today - - -

The people who are starting college this fall were born in 1991.
They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
The CD was introduced two years before they were born.
They have always had an answering machine.
They have always had cable.
Popcorn has always been microwaved.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
They never heard, "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk a mile for a Camel ," or "de plane, Boss, de plane."
They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.
Pass this on to the other old fogies on your list.
Notice the larger type? That's for those of us who have trouble reading.
P.S. Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.

Deaf Interpreter My Humps

2010-09-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

Dear lady and gentleman , may I present the incredible Ms. Pam Parham, stolen from somebody on Fbook.... fabulous!

Thursday Portrait

2010-09-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

I got a big haircut.

I also dyed my hair fuschia.
Hey, I ain't no grey haired ol' lady, nevah!

Have A Lovely Day
100India

♥

2010-09-11T11:52:00.001-07:00

Remember

Forgive

Hope

Thursday Portrait

2010-09-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

Mr Ratburn was chasing me around with the camera the other day, and it turns out the lighting was just fabulous. I just totally love this green grass in the middle of fall. Actually, everything is pretty dry and brown around here by now, but this is a well tended and well used championship ~~soccer~~ football field!

Whadd'ya know? I'm outstanding in my field again!

Have A Lovely Day!
108India

Standing In The Alpha Beta Parking Lot...

2010-09-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

I was listening to Cake this morning, which got me thinking, how many people actually even know what "standing in the Alpha Beta parking lot" is all about? Now, I don't mean the Cake song, I mean what is an Alpha Beta anyway?

Alpha Beta was a chain of California supermarkets started by Albert and Hugh Gerrard. Alpha Beta began as a system of organizing the groceries in the store in alphabetical order.

Ok, I don't remember the condoms being in the same aisle as the carrots and cookies, but hey, if it worked for them....

Alpha Beta was the place to get ice cream, bananas, and kittens from the Honduran family who would always sell them outside of the market in a cardboard box.

My absolutely favorite memory of Alpha Beta was driving by this sign at night. During the daytime, that sign was as drab and rundown as the rest of my so cal town, but at night, it was glowy, psychedelic and animated. I thought it was just about the coolest thing we had going on!
The Alpha Beta was also right across the street from my elementary school, so I suppose further imbedded it into my brain. (the one I went to 4th and 5th grade in anyway, I went to 7 schools between K-12, but thats another story)
Did you know there is even a Facebook page for former Alpha Beta employees? WOW!
Alpha Beta Grocery Store (Facebook)

This Alpha Beta was in La Habra, CA

This one was in Costa Mesa. It's easy to tell where the stores were located in the pics, because they put the town name on the front of each store. This one says Harbor, but So Cal locals know what they really meant, Costa Mesa.
So of course Alpha Beta was bought out by Lucky/Albertson/Lucky but that doesnt mean anything to you since you shop at the AM/PM or Piggly Wigglys, right?
By the way, before I go, the silliest name for a grocery store is not Piggly Wiggly! It is a store in BC Canada called Overwaitea! Now, I couldn't help notice the massive sizes of cookies, cakes, pies, sodas, breads etc, sorta like Costco....hence the name OVERWAITEA?
That's not the real reason, here is the real reason.
Have a Lovely Day!

A Local

2010-08-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

It's not very often we see praying mantis around here, so I thought I'd capture it!
click to biggen

P!nk - Glitter In The Air (GRAMMYs on CBS)

2010-08-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

I was not a fan of Pink before I saw her performance at the Grammys this year. I thought she was just some loudmouthed drunkard chick. After that Grammy performance, I was sold. I listen to this song every day. I watch this video everyday too. It brings tears to my eyes. What a lovely song and what a fabulous performance.
If you havent seen it, please watch!
Now, that trapeze stuff is really appealing to me. I have been looking for a local trapeze class to take. I wonder if they accept nearly 50 year old chicks? I look like hell in a leotard...sigh.

♥

Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Closed your eyes and trusted, just trusted?
Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face and said, "I just don't care"?

It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg
The sun before the burn
The thunder before the lightning
The breath before the phrase
Have you ever felt this way?

Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
You're whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?

It's only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table
The walk before the run
The breath before the kiss
And the fear before the flames
Have you ever felt this way?

La La La La La La La La

There you are, sitting in the garden
Clutching my coffee,
Calling me sugar
You called me sugar

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight?
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself will it ever get better than tonight?
Tonight

Have A Lovely Day!
126India (:P)

55 Flash Fiction Friday

2010-08-12T21:02:00.001-07:00

Ghana market was hot and sticky. Aisha put her basket down to get a better look at some of the coconuts and papayas that the flies liked just as much as she did.
"It's too hot to shop today," she whined. Walking back to Sia's house, the basket felt heavier than when she had left.

Oh, doncha just love a stowaway? I wish. You know, I would have 20 kitties if I could, it's true. I have this friend that says there is a disease called toxoplasma gandhi that you get from cat scratches and stuff, which makes you want to have too many cats! ...well, I don't know if that is true, but if it is, I must have it. :P
All is well in No Cal. We have not had a summer worth a plugged nickel, and I know it's because of that bloody wolcano! I do not care, I hate being hot, but I will tell you one thing, my garden is a disaster. Anyway I am a little rusty on the 55 action, I hope I done ok!

Have A Lovely Day!

Ok Now She's Shamelessly Stealing Newspaper Articles!

2010-08-08T00:27:00.000-07:00

Stolen from the Bangalore Deccan Herald:
Woman storms another male bastion, becomes porter
Sanjay Pandey in Lucknow
When megastar Amitabh Bachchan sang ‘saari duniya ka bojh hum uthaten hain’ (we carry the load of the entire world), the much popular song in his mega-hit Bollywood blockbluster ‘Coolie’, he must not have imagined that a woman could also carry the load of the world on her head...

One cannot help remembering the song, when one sees 35-year old Mudra Devi, clad in red salwar-kurta, with loads of baggage on her head and shoulders at the Agra Cantonment railway station in Uttar Pradesh. Sporting ‘Badge number 21’ on her right forearm, Mudra Devi, a mother of three, cheerfully carries the load and could be seen competing with her male counterparts both in speed and agility. Mudra, who joined the ‘predominantly male-dominated profession’ in June last, has become a familiar figure for the passengers frequenting Agra Cantonment station, which is an important junction on the Delhi-Mumbai route and is always teeming with people. Mudra’s day starts early. “I have to be here (at the station) quite early as many long distance trains arrive in the early hours”, she said. She works in two shifts-both day and night like her other male colleagues. “It allows me an opportunity to earn more”, she added. On whether she ever faced any problem while working at nights, Mudra replies in the negative. “My male colleagues are always ready to extend all possible help”, she said. Of course, Mudra did not choose the profession of coolie, which is considered to be a male domain, out of choice. It was ‘more out of compulsion’, she points out. “I came into this profession for the sake of my family”, she adds. Mudra’s husband Khedram works in a shoe factory in Agra. The family was finding it very difficult to make two ends meet with his meagre income, she said. “We faced a lot of problems in properly feeding our two sons and a daughter”, she said. To lend helping hand to her husband and supplement the family income, Mudra worked with the district forest department as a contract employee. “The salary was too less”, she remarked. Just when she was thinking of switching jobs, she came across an advertisement for recruitment of the coolies and Mudra applied without hesitation. Mudra, an eighth class pass, was able to secure the job of the coolie quite easily. “No one expressed any doubt about my ability to perform to the job of a coolie”, she said. “My husband even encouraged me to take up the job”, she added. Initially Mudra was a little bit apprehensive. “I wondered if I would be able to do the work.... carry the baggage to the satisfaction of the passengers and how will the male coolies react”, she said. She, however, overcame her early hesitation with sheer determination and hard work. “The work of a coolie demands hard labour and honesty”, Mudra went on to add. Fortunately, the male collies are protective towards Mudra. “They treat me as their sister and daughter”, she said. On whether the passengers prefer male coolies simply because they could carry more luggage, especially the heavy loads, she said she never encountered any such problems. “In fact I feel that the difference between the load carried by men and the women is not much”, she said adding that she approached a passenger only after making sure that she could carry the load. Although Mudra Devi has also to look after her home and cook food for the children, she gets full cooperation from her husband and the children. “Every member lends helping hand to me”, she said. She is now happy because she is able to earn sufficient to take care of the needs of her family. “It’s a job where one can earn sufficient provided you are ready to work hard..... I have been working in the night shift only to augment my income”, she points out. Mudra has no immediate plans to switch the job. “I am quite satisfied with my work and want to continue as a coolie in the near future”, a smiling Mudra said.

Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs!

2010-07-29T10:07:00.001-07:00

Hanging out in Seattle all week!

Fun hair!

First person to correctly identify the location of this shop gets a prize.
Man Pies is not a gay bar...

I have been taught properly by the locals that this is THE snack to have while in Seattle!

I saved you some!

Little Rita kicks BUTT on her very first wakeboard ride!

Ok we had a fab time in the great northwest, more pics later!
Have a Lovely Day!

Bieber Fever Hits The Urban Prairie!

2010-07-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

You know, there's trendy, and then there's talented and trendy.
What a cutie!
♥
Have A Nice Day!

Thursday Portrait

2010-07-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

Harvey Pekar, disgruntled and underwhelmed writer of illustrated literature, has passed away at age 70. My hero....gaaaackkk!

If you want a fun way to know more about Harvey Pekar, please check out the hilarious film about Pekar which was made by none other than Robert Crumb and Terry Zwigoff, called American Splendor. It stars Paul Giamatti, of Sideways fame, and it's a hoot, I promise. Now, if you love comix, then you will love the American Splendor series which goes back to the early 80's! (yes, I have them ALL!)

Did you know that Harvey Pekar appeared on the Dave Letterman show a few times and each time, WOW what a scene?! You can find those goofs on youtube... here is just one and it is hilarious! Now what I love about Pekar and what he does best is poke fun at everyday life. One of my favorite schticks of all is when he writes about the strange things people buy, and conversations he overhears while in the grocery store line.
There is so much information on the internet about grumpy old Harvey that you could explore, i'm not kiddin'!

RIP Harvey, ya done well.
Although.....chances are you'll find somethin' to grumble about in heaven.

Have A Lovely Day!

This Just Makes Me Smile

2010-07-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

click to embiggen

All the sons I didn't have!
Hampi 2008

Thursday Portrait

2010-07-06T20:39:00.001-07:00

Here is my crazy hair. I don't know if I like it or not!

New skirt for my shop and favorite boots.

I would not dye my hair if it were this color, would you?

Shasta daisies, my favorite.

My dahlias. You know, I do not have a green thumb. Thankfully, dahlias come back double.
Anyway, I hope you are all having a wonderful summer. I am. I got a new shed made for my stuff. Now Gary will turn my little yurt into a mancave, stay tuned! I told him, Lime, that he needs a pink barbie tv to make the mancave complete. It is all I can do to not make curtains and froofy things for the yurt now that it is empty agian, but that will never do for a mancave!

Have A Lovely Day!

The Things I Get Talked In To...

2010-07-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

So Little Rita wants to dye her hair. Thing is, her hair is this awesome shade of natural honey blonde coolness that no dye bottle color can top, and she's also about to try out for a gig as a junior dance instructor, and wild hair is a no~no. Still, she managed to appease her urge to dye some hair by making me the ~~victim~~ elected candidate.

I will show you the rest after I get the red stuff scrubbed offa my face!

Have A Lovely Day!

Friends from Goa

2010-06-27T13:28:00.001-07:00

You know I am itching to get back to India again!

Have a Lovely Day!
181India ;)

The Cats Are Away....

2010-06-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

Mr Ratburn and Little Rita are off to Flarhida to visit the relations for a week. I have lots of sewing to do, but, I will still be spending some time watching chick flix, drinkin, chatting on the phone and computer, taking out the trash, wasting time on fbook and other various get it trouble ables. Today I drove to SFO and back to deliver them to the plane, the traffic was horrendous and I ended up on the east side of SF instead of 19th....that meant another 45 minutes in traffic on top of the regular routine, 5 hours total for that drive! Then I stopped on the North side of the GG Bridge for a most breathtaking view, but didn't stay long, it was absolutely freezing on the bridge. (I do love living here...)
That was enough work for today...

Right?
The travelers have just called from Dallas/Ft worth...!
I'll be right here chillin!

Schools Out, For The Summer!!!!

2010-06-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

Little Rita is off to high school!

This proud mom would like you to notice the gold ribbon with bronze medal which means she is an honor graduate, woo hoo yes I am proud! Little Rita also received a citizenship award, and a presidential academic award signed by President Obama. Way to go, kiddo!
Hey I am allowed to brag, I am the mom.
And by the way, she is wearing heels so I am not that much shorter than her, yet.
So, here we are, another summer on the way. Thing is, we haven't had much sun as of yet. In fact, it is still raining in Northern California, which is quite odd for June. I blame the mighty volcano. In fact, it was completely humid today which is so strange for the west coast, I was sweating my ass off all day, and no, it wasn't hot flashes.
Hope all is well in blogland, and please see below for the cutest Soul Sister ever!
Have A Lovely Day!

LIPDUB - Hey Soul Sister - UVIC 2010

2010-06-04T17:37:00.000-07:00

VERY CUTE WATCH ME!

Nanci sings, Deadwood,South Dakota

2010-06-03T23:41:00.000-07:00

When I was in my mid 20's, I got really into Nanci Griffith. She was just a little sweetheart. I loved her music. Of course, no one else but myself in LA would admit to liking Nanci Griffith, and because of that, I saw her live about 12 times, 3 or 4 times in the front row of little clubs and even in the front row of some well known dive on Hollywood Blvd whose name slips my mind.
Now the first time I heard this song, it brought tears to my eyes, and tonight while I was browsing on Youtube, actually looking for some Kate Wolf music, I ran across this performance.
It's lovely, and it still brings tears to my eyes, only this time, Little Rita saw me tearing up, poked fun and me and the song. She was, no doubt, waiting for the mandatory rap solo which never came.
I hope you will enjoy this as much as I do. Tell me if it makes you cry.

Justin Timberlake - SexyBack ft. Timbaland

2010-06-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

Ok wow this is a pretty sexy song.... ;)

Soldier of Love

2010-05-23T21:42:00.000-07:00

I'm really loving this tune right now. After all these years, Sade is still making lovely music. Enjoy!

Happy 5th Anniversary, Os! HNT!

2010-05-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

HNT #1 Little Rita Face, originally posted on September 29, 2005
(age 8)

Little Rita Face May 18, 2010
(age 13)

So here I am, posting an HNT again after not participating for a couple of years now. But back in the heyday, I wanna tell you, I posted some rad HNTS. They were not such sexy HNT's, but fun and imaginative instead. (ok, there were some sexy ones, but you're gonna have to search) In fact, I am the self proclaimed Queen of Absolutely Creativisimo HNTS's, and if you don't believe me, check them out, they are all listed in my sidebar. I have linked some of my favorites here as well. My god, that was vain, but really, they are so cool!

Anastasia's HNT

UP HNT

Jodhpuri Chai Party HNT

Pilfered Paper Hospital Gown HNT

Ok, that's enough, if you wanna see em all, check the sidebar. So now, I want to say, congratulations, Os, for creating something pretty damn cool. I enjoyed participating for years, and having a creative outlet like that was fantastic! Now, I don't blog that often because I am working hard, saving up for my daughters college education. As you can see, time really flies, next thing you know, she'll be 18...
Happy HNT 5th Anniversary, Os!

Thursday Portrait

2010-05-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

Me, the gnome, modeling a couple of my new skirts.

Oh, is it Saturday? Well then, we are either 2 days late or 5 days early, depending on how you look at it.
Have a lovely day!

A Susies The Boss RERUN: Theresa Gets Her Head Back

2010-05-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Originally posted in 2007, I ran across this and thought, well why the heck not post it again! We don't have many Barbies left in this house, just the ones I managed to save from amputation. Enjoy!

by Little Rita & MomHello everyone, Dr Chelsea here. Welcome to Half baked Hospital! I hope you enjoy our tour.

Today we will be undergoing a very difficult procedure......

Meet Theresa. She has come here today with a terrible brain trauma.

Now you can see my lovely Nurse Karen prepping the body for surgery. "Nurse Karen, bring me the head of Theresa on a platter!"

Wrong head!

Nurse Karen has retrieved Theresa's head, now we may begin attaching!

Voila! The operation was a success!

Nice job with the bandages, Nurse Karen!

Ogette, Ivy and Cross Dressing Ken Ken, who have come to pick Theresa up from the hospital after surgery, wonder why the doctor is lying on the floor.

"I've fallen and I can't get up, and I've dropped my hammer!", yells Dr Chelsea.

Not one to be upstaged, Nurse Karen makes sure to have the last laugh.

Ta~daaaaaaaa!

Due to Theresa's emergency surgery, Musical Monday will return later in the week.

Thursday Portrait

2010-05-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we had our local yearly small town parade. LR played the clarinet in her school band. This weeks portrait is LR and I after the parade, strolling through town. You are not imagining it, she is 4" taller than me and still growing. Her feet are bigger than mine as well. I like that, she can't ~~steal~~ borrow my shoes anymore!
Now, LR just thinks outgrowing her mom is totally cool, and she points it out on a regular basis. Don't think I haven't noticed that she has inherited Garys stringbean physique vs. the panda bear option.And finally, LR has taken to comparing me with this little creature. I have told her, gnomes are only men, but she persists. Did you know the travelocity gnome doesnt have a name? LR and Gary call it Susie. ARgh! and, Gary made his own little stationery set, which consists of the travelocity gnome in greyscale, 4 inches high, and I am now finding little gnome notes all over the house! For the record, I am 5'1", that is NOT that short!
Do you think I could cash in on this name the gnome Susie thing?

Have A Lovely Day!

Still Think It's Worth The LOW PRICES?

2010-05-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

Walmart To Pay $27 Million Over Hazardous Material Dumping In California

SAN DIEGO - Prosecutors say Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle claims of improperly handling and dumping hazardous waste at stores across California.

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced the settlement Monday involving more than 20 federal, state and local prosecutors and environmental agencies.
She called the settlement one of the largest of its type in the United States.
Dumanis says Wal-Mart employees were caught illegally storing and dumping hazardous waste at 236 stores and distribution centers across California.

If you need more convincing, please watch Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price
You can rent it on Netflix.
Support your local businesses!
Have a Lovely Day!

Thursday Portrait

2010-04-28T19:49:00.001-07:00

Flashbacks from Hampi '07

Gman told me that I haven't posted in 10 days. Ok, Gman, this one's for you. Now, I gotta get back to work. Hope all is well in blogland.
Have a lovely day!

Apple Blossom Time!

2010-04-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

Greetins' from the orchard!

Those redwood trees were knee high when I moved here....

Have A Lovely Day!
(achoo!)

Thursday Portrait

2010-04-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've taken a photo where I am not making a really stupid face, or one that doesn't showcase my panda bear figure (I plump up right quick -post India starvation diet!) Finally there is this one, and I apologize for the little bit come hither look, Mr Ratburn took the picture, and well, ya know....

Happy Thursday!

Too Many Eggs!

2010-04-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

"do you want the last egg?"
"oh no! Oh no! No, no!"

"honey, can you believe we ate 36 eggs?"
"Yep"

"honey?"
"yes?"
"You're sleeping on the couch tonight."

Have A Nice Day!

Overheard

2010-04-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

Fortunately, and unfortunately, we are having a lot of work done on this house that we have been living in for 18 years. The house really does need the work, but what a pain in the arse. Now I finally understand why my neighbors in their starter mansions complain when they are having "the kitchen redone".
"My goodness, there is dust on just absolutely everything! I am going to have to get the drapes professionally dry cleaned after this reeemoe!"

So lets talk about the handymen. Besides being here too early every morning, playing an annoying classic rock station in my yard, leaving cigarettes butts and taco bell wrappers around the yard, parking on the grass when I have a gigantic driveway, and dropping nails and screws all over the place for my tires to find, they are also slow as molasses. And since they are doing a lot of work on the roof, they keep popping up in every window! We live in the country and some of our windows do not have curtains, either. So, at least for my pain and suffering, do you think I could get a little of this to look at while they have invaded my space off and on for the past two months?

Of course not, I get two of this:
Ok but I have to admit, they can be pretty funny. Why, just today I overheard these two lovelies:

Young handyguy, proudly showing off his work to oldtimer handyguy:
"What do you think of that?"
Old timer (with front teeth missing so he whistles)
"I think it'ss crap!"
Young: "What's wrong with it?"
Oldtimer: "Everything!"
Young: gasps
Oldtimer: "well then, don't assk if you don't wanna know!"

Then later, the young guy is on a ladder and says to oldtimer:
"Can you do me a favor?"
Oldtimer :
"I don't do no favorss that involve me being on my kneess."

Have a lovely day!

Sing It With Us, Now!

2010-04-03T15:01:00.001-07:00

Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hopping down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppityEaster's on it's way

Bringing every girl and boy
Baskets full of Easter joy
Things to make your Easter bright and gay!!!!

When you wake on Easter mornin'
You will know that he's been here
'cause you find those chocolate bunnies
Hiding everywhere! OH!

Hippity, hoppity, happy Easter day!!!!!
Have a lovely Easter, everyone!

Thirsty?

2010-03-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

photo by Karenji '08

Another one from the "some things are worth repeating" category.
I have gotten tea from this ahem, tea stall in Delhi, several times over the years, and it is the best tea ever, costs rs 5 (12 cents?) The tea is so hot it will rip the skin right offa your lips! Thats how you want your tea in India, that way you know the germs are dead!
Have a lovely day!

Greetings from Agra!

2010-03-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

This is our hooligan salesman pal, Vikram aka Vikky. He could sell you a part of the Taj Mahal, he could!

No, I'm not really in Agra, just wishing I was. If I was, then I could pop over and ring Mona's doorbell in my ghetto salwar! (Remember I told you, I was horribly out of style this year in that thing, and Mona even called it a nighty, ack!) I'm not sure if this worked or not but I think it's funny that I appear giant and the tower is, I don't know, it looks like I am going to rip it outa there and run off with it....and it's a little perverted too....

A little guy that hangs out by the TajAnother little dude, maybe Vikkys brother I cant remember.

So I have been really busy, I am happy to say. I know I am a terrible blogger and not visiting you and all, but I have to do my work, I just do. Besides, Little Rita is not so little anymore and has to go to college in just four more years. ACK! That is expensive.I hope you are all well out there. For some reason, my India pictures are all out of order and all over the computer, plus, have you noticed the painstaking way you have to drag photos 3 inches at a time around the post? Being a visual person, I really hate that, I do. It is totally cramping my style.
Have a lovely day, I will be sewing....

Uh Oh!

2010-03-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

Some Things Are Worth Repeating

2010-03-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

I posted this a couple years ago on my blog, but hee hee, it just splits my lentils!
Enjoy!

Oh! To Be A Sacred Cow In Goa! (and other Goan stuff to look at)

2010-03-13T11:20:00.000-08:00

Hangin' out with the Scots!

The sign reads "Please keep this area clean, thank you" har har! (Oh man, I just wanna be walking around at night on the beach with just a bathing suit and summer pants, dont you?)

All is well, working hard, got the flu, got a haircut, hope you are well.
All photos in this post were taken by Keri.
Have A Lovely Day!

HMC

2010-03-08T08:02:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's a little long but I promise, full of handsome surprises!

Just In Case....

2010-03-07T23:04:00.000-08:00

...you're in Old Delhi and need a little assistance.

Goa, Goa!

2010-03-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

I had planned to show you Goa today, but blogger hates me, so I will be back another time to try again. In the meanwhile, enjoy this lovely Goan sunset

Almost As Good As Shatner...

2010-02-24T17:10:00.001-08:00

OK I just love this. Hope you will too!
Here is the "original" in case you have never seen it.

Grandmother! :O

2010-02-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

...the white sheep of the family?

On my visit to the Taj Mahal in January, I noticed this Muslim family watching me from a short distance, and smiling at me. They were young and already had a handful of kids. The mamma smiled shyly from behind her burqua and the father walked up to me and put the baby in my arms and said, "grandmother." Well, most American women might be insulted but I know by now that at 49, I am well old enough to have become a grandmother in India.

So, as usual, a photo session happened, and here it is. I hope you will enjoy it.

Perhaps it didn't bother me that I was called "grandmother" because I know I will most likely be older than 60 before Little Rita has kids.
So, what is up in my life now that I am back?
Well, I have been truly inspired by my trip to India and the fabrics that I have brought back, so I have been sewing my arse off pretty much. In addition to that, one of the most fun things that happens when I get back from India is that I get phone calls everyday from people that just cant wait for the market to begin in April, that have to see my shawls and bedspreads, NOW! I just love that! So naturally, the best of the stuff is slowly disappearing already. And yes, I cannot help it, I am already dreaming of my next trip, which will be in December. That will be my 8th trip to India, and I will leave the day after Christmas again since that maneuver saved me $900. on my flight.Ok wait, but back to reality. Is there one? Currently, I am contemplating the concept of purchasing real estate in Goa. And um, so is Keri, so to heck with reality. I hope you are all well.

Oh Hot Damn...(giggle, giggle!)

2010-02-14T18:47:00.000-08:00

Yo, I am so tough, lookit the music I'm listening to! (Rolls eyes at self)

Delhi Stuff

2010-02-08T23:43:00.001-08:00

My other car is a rickshaw!

While in Delhi, I always have to visit Dilli Haat, a wonderful place to shop for clothing, shawls, bedspreads and handicrafts from all over the subcontinent. Also there you will find lots of dancers and music, as in these pictures that Keri took while visiting Dilli Haat.

A short film of the dancers at Dilli Haat. The kid seems a lot more interested in getting his rupees for every photo taken than he is in his dancing. Well, he didn't catch us, the little whippersnapper!

Three salesmen show bedspreads to shoppers.

Now waitaminit, that's not a salesman back there, that's me digging through all those bedspreads for the ones that catch my eye!
One day in Delhi, we went to Karol Bagh on the new Delhi metro, which was pretty cool. We were in search of a salon called Looks. Once we got there Keri got a pretty lousy pedicure and I received the most awesome scalp and neck massage that I have ever had in my life! :P

Giggle! This sign is about 20 feet by 10 feet on the metro platform!

A short little film about being squished on the Delhi metro.

This picture snapped on Kingfisher Airlines, the best airline in the world as far as I am concerned!
Next stop, Goa.

Have a lovely day!

55 Flash Fiction Friday

2010-02-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

This 55 was inspired by another friends blog post about hanging out in a hotel room alone. Now don't get all shocked because I wrote a 55 finally! :P

I love a hotel room to myself. TV remote in hand, a little Black Dog, I watch fun stuff like doggies playing outside six floors below...traffic noise slowly dies down...curry smells waft up from three restaurants which never stop cooking...highway on my plate. Worthless hard flat pillow causing me to drink more.

Have a lovely day! 325India (just kidding) (ok,well only sorta half kidding!)

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

2010-02-02T19:06:00.001-08:00

These wild parrots were trying to nest outside my hotel room window in Bangalore. So beautiful and fun to watch.

This is Mirs mom and me hanging out at Mirs house, where I was invited to dinner one night after Mir closed his shop. Upon meeting his mom I was greeted with the warmest hug and kissed on both cheeks like the French do, and then hugged some more. There at Mirs I tasted a wonderful meal of mutton, 2 delicious types of chicken and rice, yogurt, and onion, carrot and cucumber salad. When I first arrived, Mirs mom asked me if I wanted some juice and of course I said yes, thinking mango juice, yum! To my surprise, I was offered a little platter with a small glass of coca cola! We all started giggling because it was clear that Mir had tipped off his mama that I was a soda drinker. I thought that was a really sweet and fun thing to do for me, and I really enjoyed the soda and the thought behind having gone out to the local market and bought soda, which in any Indian, or in this case, Kashmiri home, is a luxury item.

The very next day I saw a solar eclipse and here is a photo of the eclipse reflected on a water tower. After I saw this, I ran home and buried myself up to my neck in cow dung! :P

Mir and I before the wheeling and dealing and many cups of tea.

Doing business with Mir always involves a little baksheesh.

Mir thinks that this one of a kind, hand carved and hand painted antique Kashmiri swing with brass chains belongs in my red yurt! What do you think?

Lovely treasures in Mirs shop.

More lovely treasures from Mirs shop.
Have an awesome day!

City Market, Bangalore

2010-01-28T20:03:00.000-08:00

I spent about an hour in a neighborhood called City Market, in Bangalore. It was not at all what I expected. I expected more like a farmers market and vegetable bazaar, but what I found was an incredible neighborhood packed with vitality. I shot all of these images in about a 3 block area. Wow, what a dramatic neighborhood!

This bamboo is used for handmade ladders and building scaffolding.

Making samosas.Sweet shoppe

These guys are selling Indian music cds.

Hot samosas, anyone?

Bollywoods next stars.
All these photos are taken by me, so there.
Have a nice day.

I Had A Dream, A Crazy Dream...

2010-01-24T16:58:00.000-08:00

Here we are at Agra Fort hanging with handsome young men! Woo hoo!

So, one of the things that happens to me after I return from India is that I have lots of really weird dreams. I am so disoriented, and the jet lag is so bad, I just am out of my mind. In fact, I don't usually remember my dreams at all, but these are so weird they are unforgettable.

I thought I would share the two oddest dreams with you.

~
So, in this dream, Gary and I were out front of the Taj Mahal in a car which of course is total nonsense because you can no longer drive a car to the Taj! I was changing my clothes for some reason, but had only gotten the old clothes off. Suddenly, I am out of the car in only my chaddis (that's panties only, madam!) This was of course attracting way too much attention so I began running away but ran into the Taj grounds. But of course a police officer grabs me and suddenly I was in the Taj office in trouble because I didn't have any clothes on. Gary had my clothes, and why he didn't come with me I sure don't know. I was left waiting in the office alone, so then I escaped the Taj officers and went running back to the car, just in time to see Gary driving away! I began running down the street still in just chaddis looking frantically for Gary, when suddenly India turned into a suburban street in Florida.
Then I broke into someones house to get clothes and she caught me and called the cops! I managed to get away from her and began running down the street again, still mostly naked because I didn't get any clothes before being caught. Next thing I know I am in someones bed..I don't know whose, then one of my friends sons came into room to tell me that his mom had had another abortion (totally nonsense, no abortion in real life and I have no idea why that part was in the dream) then Gary finally shows up and I was of course furious at him for leaving me mostly naked at the Taj Mahal.
"Where have you been! I am now a fugitive from the law!"
"Why?", asked my runaway husband.
"Because I got caught running down the street in only my underwear!"
And he said, looking quite surprised, "why did you run down the street in your underwear?"
"Because YOU had my clothes, where did you go? Why did you leave me in the street with no clothes?"
To this he calmly replied, "Oh, I waited for you and you didnt come back so I went out for a couple of beers!"
Then I woke up.

Then there was this one.
~
I was in the Hong Kong airport and my flight was delayed so the airport hostess was bringing me to a room to sleep in. "How wonderful", I thought, "I can get some nice sleep before that 12 hour flight to San Francisco." The room was dark, and the hostess turned back the covers for me and I got in. Just as I began to relax I noticed there was a dark skinned man with no shirt lying beside me in the bed. I think he was Indian but might have been Chinese.
"Hmnnnnnnn, something is not right about this", I thought, "why is there a strange man in my bed?"
I continued to lie there and even tried to sleep but couldn't get that thought out of my mind that this man should not be here, and where the hell were his clothes?
"This is wrong, this is just wrong", I thought.
This is when I began to wake up, and realized that I was in my own bed at home, and that man had suddenly turned into Mr Ratburn, with no shirt on.
Whew what a relief!

Of course another thing that happens when I get home is that when I am half awake, I say silly things like I did the other day. Mr Ratburn woke me up from a nap so that I didn't sleep all day long, and I mumbled something like, "so do we have time to get to work in Bangalore today?"
That is when I noticed Mr Ratburn staring at me funny like, and I said, "did I just say something stupid about Bangalore?"
To this he nodded.

Argh! Jet lag is a bitch!
I hope you are all well.
Have a lovely day!

Surf's Ups, Dudes!

2010-01-22T16:52:00.001-08:00

THis is a noisy video so I had to take it off, sorry bout that!

We interrupt this India thing to show you something rare. Surfing under the Golden Gate Bridge! Rarely are waves large enough to surf there, but it's no surprise as we've had flash floods, thunder and lightening and 8-10" of rain in one day! Wowee!

Raining Cats and Dogs, Elephants and Rhinoceroses, Bulls and Bears Too!

2010-01-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

Oh man, this was the best meal I had in India! Thank you Mirs mommy! (it's true I have forgotten her name....I just called her Mommyauntie)

Mirs daddy, me, Mir and his mommy eating a most delicious dinner!

Shiva Kumar, one of my favorite "floor boys" at my favorite hotel in Bangalore.

Preem, my pal in Delhi. Preem means love, and he is such a dear.

OK I am home and now we are having flash flooding, thunder, lightening, mudslides and expecting 8-10" of rain today alone. I have slept 3 hours because of jetlag and the rain was so noisy it kept me awake. Do I wish I was back in India where it is warm and sunny? Naw...happy to be here.
Here are some random pics from my trip.
Have a Lovely Day!

Hello, Mirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

2010-01-18T20:44:00.000-08:00

Waseem and Mir

I'm home now!
I miss you two already.

Highway On My Plate

2010-01-16T20:23:00.000-08:00

I suppose I oughta make a post! So, what happened is that Keri stayed in Goa 4 extra days, came to Bangalore, spent the night, and then left back to Goa the next morning. I swear, she didn't even make it out of the hotel before deciding to go back. Now, I think I have told you, that Keri has blonde hair that is nearly white, fair skin and blue eyes, and is also quite curvy. The men here took one look at her, and they all started short circuiting! See, everyone in India thinks I am half Indian, and I like to say that I am, it works well here, I don't get stared at so much, and the people can relate to me a little better. So for me this isn't so tough to fit in. For Keri, it was clearly impossible.

So back to Goa she went for the rest of our trip. So the past few days I have been wandering around Bangalore on my own. Yeah, true, I have been here 7 times, and I love it here, but I was looking forward to sharing it...oh well.
So what have I done in the past three days? I went to a fancy movie theater and saw 3 Idiots, a blockbuster film which made back all their money in the first weekend it came out. It is really quite groundbreaking for an Indian film, with very little Bollywood sneaking in. Yes, of course, there has to be some Bollywood action in every Indian film, but the singing and dancing was minimal and really sweet. Kareena Kapoor looks adorable in her dorky glasses which she only takes off to have a good cry, and the main character in the film reminds me so much of someone I know in Mangalore. This film is about 3 college lads and their adventures in India. Even though the entire film was in Hindi, I still got it, and wow, what a film it was. When it makes it to the USA I highly encourage you to see it. With subtitles of course. 3 Idiots gets 4 out of 5 sewing machines for a rating from me!
While I was waiting for the film to start, I enjoyed watching the entire city of Bangalore freak out over a solar eclipse! Wow, what a rare treat. I sat outside on a patio of a coffee shop, and viewed the eclipse from a reflection on a water tower. Hundreds of people were so excited to watch this, while at same time thousands of people who believe that eating and going outside during an eclipse is a bad idea, so the streets were filled with celestial wonderers, while the goofball superstitious hid inside. Ok, now this is funny but also not...I read that in some villages people believe that if you bury your children up to the necks in cow dung during the eclipse, they will be removed of all their sins and impurities. Now apparently, last solar eclipse, or lunar eclipse, or something, the police in one of these towns which I cant remember the name, came along and found a bunch of little naughty kids buried up to their necks in cow dung and ordered them to be removed. The police also forbid the parents from doing this again, but this year, the eclipse found a handful of buried naughty kids again and cops had to remove the poor buggers! OMG what a country this India is. Also there was a man that buried himself up to the neck in garbage to do the sin removal thing. I don't know how pure he is today, but I do hope he got a full bath after that!
Additionally, because of pure ignorance, there were quite a few cases of burned out retinas the following day, from people staring directly at the sun during the eclipse. I knew that was going to happen. In fact, during the eclipse, I saw a bunch of teens staring right at the sun and I just couldn't stop myself, I ran over to them and told them how dangerous that was, and that they should stop at once. Thankfully, they listened to their American Auntie! Their retinas are thanking me today.
Ok then I went over and hung out with my pal Mir, in his lovely new shop. Mir has been reading my blog and reminded me that I haven't yet talked about his beautiful large, elegant, delicious, sumptuous, lavish art gallery of kashmiri handcrafts. It is 5 times the size of his old shop, and on a lovely corner where the breezes wrap around the building and make it a nice place to hang around and shop of course. Later that night, Mir came to my hotel and we had dinner at Alampur, home of the famous Gobi Manchurian, which is a Chinese spiced cauliflower dish and a specialty at Alampur. I am telling you, if you are ever in Bangalore, you must try Alampur, it's a fabulous restaurant.
After eating Mir and I wandered around Bangalore in the night but since the President of Ireland is staying at the Taj West End, a 5 star hotel near my hotel, there were at least 75 cops guarding the entrance to the Taj West End. They made us walk out into the street and not on the sidewalk. Sheesh, last time I heard, the President of Ireland isn't a hunted man, but good job, cop boss, he is quite safe. In fact, Mr Pres. is still at the Taj West End so I cannot leave my hotel until the president of Ireland says so. Seriously, the street is blocked by cops, lots of them! It's humourous.
Once I escape the confines and safety of the cops protecting the Taj, I will get to City Market for a photo taking day. City Market has colorful fruits, vegetables, meats, handicrafts and what not. I hope it will make for some lovely pictures.
Ok so yesterday I went shopping on Commercial Street, Bangalores famous shopping area which is composed of 4-5 streets running parrellel and then a long street on each end. There is also a mosque in the Commercial Street area and so I was treated to the sounds of the call to prayer. Really, it is lovely. Now, here is something I noticed about the shopkeepers in Commercial Street. Most are Muslims, some are quite lovely, but many of them are quite abrupt and make you feel a little unwelcome. I am here to tell you, that in all of India, this is the ONLY place where I feel a bit out of place and prejudiced against by Muslim people. Everywhere else, I am met with love. So, I am thinking this Commercial Street is a very tight knit Muslim community, and indeed, if you peek beyond the shops, you will catch glimpses of the women in their homes and courtyards, and see that they do indeed live here, as well as work here.
No matter what is going on with those sorts of feelings of indifference, Commercial Street is always a bargain hunters paradise filled with endless South Indian treasures. I had a great time getting lots of goodies for my Little Rita.
Ok then, I came back and fell asleep at 4:30 pm for 5 hours. Since I am leaving tonight and will be on other side of the world in 36 hours, it doesn't really matter when I sleep. I am going to be messed up anyway, with a 7 hour flight, a layover in Hong Kong, and then a 12 hour flight back to San Francisco, so sleeping where and whenever is not a big deal.
So I am off to take some pics of veggies, fruits, and meats hanging around from hooks, erm yuck. But I am hoping for some rocking pictures. My heroes, Rocky and Mayur

Oh I want to mention my favorite Indian TV show, which is called Jai Hind with Rocky and Mayur, Highway On My Plate. Something like that. It is a show in which Rocky and Mayur travel the world in search of foods like that Andrew Zimmern guy. But man, these two guys are hilarious and the food looks fabulous. Catch it if you can.
Have a lovely day and thanks for traveling along with me!

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

2010-01-14T03:10:00.000-08:00

It's never a good thing when I post this picture, but

at least I'm not in Haiti.
I have nothing to say, I want to come home.
Get the cheeseburgers and fries ready, Mr Ratburn!

Motorcycle Kitty Gang, Here I Come!

2010-01-12T21:41:00.001-08:00

Ok wow! I just am so giggly over last night events, but first let me just tell Ian that of course you may have a shawl for your lovely Jan. When I get back we will set up the camera and I will show them all to you and then you can pick one out. I have 80! :P
So, last night I got on my best little ghetto salwar kameez and hopped in a rickshaw and headed over to Mirs shop to meet him. (Ghetto salwar is what I call the cotton inexpensive ones, and believe me, I was highly aware that I was not dressed in the height of Bangalore fashion. These women are on top of style and prefer super glitzy stiff cotton and polyester, tight arms, overly decorated salwars in solid colors with mega gold trims. They are totally uncomfortable! I hate them. So, there I was, in my Jaipur ghetto salwar kameez as comfy and happy as a clam!)
Ok where was I? So when I got to Mirs shop which was supposed to be closing at 8pm, his worker told him that he was expecting a customer at 9:30, so we had to stay and wait for them. But of course they didn't come! So then Mir and I jumped into a rickshaw and headed to his home. His brother and friend who also works at the shop were already home by the time we got there, having rode the bikes home.
So there I met Mirs mama, and daddy, who I met on Sunday, and we had the most delicious meal of rice, chicken, mutton, yogurt which they call curd, salad of onions, carrots, cucumbers. My goodness I thought I was going to burst I ate so much but Mir and his mama kept insisting that I eat, madam, eat! Man, I was trying my dangdest to clear that plate but I just couldn't do it. I have to confess I have never eaten mutton before because, well, baaaa baaaa baaa! I just can't stand the thought of eating sheeps! But guess what? It was delicious! Tasted a little like a wonderful Italian meatball! Maybe when I get home I will finally try a lamburger!

Then Mir and his brother Wasseem whipped out my camera and we took some really fun pictures which I will show you next week. We made some videos too. I was told that it is time for me to update my camera since I have had it "every year in India, madam!" What can I say it takes great pictures, just not quickly.
So then Mir showed my pictures of his fiance and their engagement pictures. They will be married in the summer and Mir has invited me to his wedding in Kashmir. WOW do you think I oughta go? That would be a trip, wouldn't it?
Ok so by that time it was quite late and so Mir and I hopped on his bike and headed back to my hotel. By that time of the night there is no traffic and so it was completely a rush breezing through the streets of Bangalore! We got a little bit lost because Mir doesn't come to this side of Bangalore often, but that just made the ride longer, and fun!!!!!
Now Mr Ratburn says I need a leather jacket so I can join a motorcycle gang. He called it Motorcycle Kitties! LOL Well yes, that is about my speed. Plus, it will take a teeny little motorcycle for me to be able to reach the ground while sitting on it, so yeah, I would look kinda kittyish!
Oyyyyyy I love Bangalore!!!!! Keri will come tonight and then we will finish the complete blowing off of her head by introducing her to Bangalore traffic and insanity. Also, we intend to eat ourselves silly for the next 4 days.
Hope all is well! Have a lovely day.

Born To Be Vild, madam!

2010-01-12T03:56:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo, yes it is me with the crazy ratty hair and broken glasses here! I have just gotten off of a crazy motorcycle ride afterall. Now, in Bangalore it is at last and "thanks god", "compulsory", for the driver of a motorcycle to wear a helmet, but not the passenger. Hello? Is this because passengers have harder heads? So yeah, I was just a little nervous when Mir nearly squeezed us between two busses, and maybe a little more nervous when we darted diagonally across many lanes of congested traffic, but still it was fun. Oh, did I mention that I had a 16 kg bundle squeezed between myself and Mir? A package so large that I was afraid I was going to fall off the back, and my chin had to rest on the top of the package!
It just took us 2 post offices, and 4 hours to handle this matter! Now as you know, in the USA, you go to the post office, get in one line and are waited on one at a time, no matter why you are there. In India, there are no lines, no signs, no window designations that one can clearly see, and every one just squeezes to the front of the line regardless of how long you have been standing there. So, at the first post office we were told the fee to ship, given the forms, and weighed the package. After 20 minutes we were told they could not accept cash or credit cards at this time of day! So Mir got really pissed off with the post office lady and I ended up kissing her ass to save us! Then we had to get on the bike again and find the other post office on Museum Road which would take our package and cash. Well, finding that post office took nearly a half hour but it was really thrilling being on the back of a motorcycle WITHOUT a helmet, eeeeeek, in only sandals. I really had to visualize a safe bubble. Thats how I do it. A bubble...a big pink bubblegum bubble I am in and noone can pop it!
So we get to second post office and are told that we have to wait til 4pm, please sit down. So we sit down and in the meanwhile the counter is flooded with people that will NOT wait til 4 pm, so that put us, the first ones to arrive, behind all of them. Ok now this is funny. In India you have to sew your package into fabric because by the time a cardboard box reaches you in the USA, it is as flat as a dosa! That's pancake for you non Indians. :P SO then they give us these labels to stick on and a little pot of glue! OMG I was laughing my ass off about that glue. So, there is Mir, behind the counter, using his fingers to glue a label on the fabric package, and they also made him write everything that was on the label on the package as well, in case the label falls off, madam.
God, I just wanted to fall on the ground laughing at these people. Finally, we got this damn package mailed and in it, 60 awesome kashmiri shawls! Line up, ladies for first pick. I will be home next Tuesday and it's first come, first served! I am sure the package will get there before me, but if not, shortly after. Oh, in case you are wondering....$155.00 USD to ship 15 kgs to my house in 6-10 days, approx half of what it costs for DHL or FedEX but obviously taking up a lot more time.
In the meanwhile, I also have 60-70 kgs of textiles working on being shipped but not by the post office. I am just going to suck it up and pay DHL prices. It will save me days of work it looks like.
Now Mr Ian, I noticed you said it's ok for me to bash Southern Brits! That would be Londoners, naah? So no scouser bashing, ok sir! Look, Mr Ian, I am just pointing out that in Goa, these people retire there, drink gallons of beer all day long, tan their hides to the consistency of leather, lying on the beach ALL DAY LONG, drink themselves silly every night, then come home barf their brains out and do it again the next day. What fun! And to top it off, they think they own the place. And to top it off, the are MEAN to sweet happy gals like me. I would call that a whole bunch of sour grapes. I wouldn't call that Brit bashing, its just the facts, sir. Anyway, I am done with Goa, next year I am going to Kerala.
So I have gotten a ring for my boyfriend, Mr Ratburn! Now I can make an honest man out of him.
Lets see, what else. Tonight i am invited to dinner at Mirs house, so that will mean more hair raising motorcycle journeys through Bangalore City at night. Gulp, erm, and wheee! at the same time.
Now, yesterday I spent $1,000. on fabrics and boy was that fun. I am already excited and inspired about what I will make when I get back. I save my $$ all year and then come here and spend it all. It is so exciting I cant tell you. I lost track of how many meters I have bought, but I will tell you this, $1,000 buys a lot of kalamkari, madam! I ran out last year, so hopefully I will have enough to last the year out this time.
OK so what else, Keri is coming tomorrow night from Goa, and I think Bangalore will blow her mind. I cant wait to hear about her adventures in Goa without me, and show her my favorite places in Bangalore. Hopefully I will have this massive shipping of textiles out of the way before she gets here.
I am in my favorite room in my favorite hotel in my favorite city in India. What could be better than that? Also, I have slimmed down enough that my pants are falling completely off, and this is a good thing. I was getting rather portly. Good thing I have brought a belt this year.
It is 6 pm om Tuesday night, rush hour, and horns are blaring mightily out there. Bangalore is the honkingest city in the world!
I hope you are all well. I really am about ready to come home, but as soon as I get this shipping done, I will be free to do some fun stuff like take Keri out for beers at Pecos, go to Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, and MTR, that place where you get 12 courses for 2.00 betas!
Be well! Love you all and thanks for traveling along with me.