Thursday Portrait

Yeah, yeah, you've all seen it before, but I think it's time for a flashback to the first time I ever came to India. Here I am in a rickshaw in Bangalore, as happy as a clam. But it wasn't all happy the first year, no siree. Let me tell you, I was ready to have my head examined after my first 24 hours in Bangalore! Talk about culture shock. The smells, the traffic, the strange foods, the cows! I am so glad I didn't go home.

So, if you wanna see the post from whence this photo came, go to Horn OK Please .

I am completely excited about going to India next Friday, and happy to report that my neck feels, well, mostly better. I guess that's as good as it's gonna get for now, but I'm banking on that nice sunshine, heat and humidity (oh and a little Vat 69) to loosen me up just fine! OK I can hardly contain myself, do you think I'm gonna get in trouble with crazy Russians this year? Why not?
You know, I usually don't post pictures that I take while on my trip until I get back because I don't want to leave my photos all over India in various internet cafe computers, so I wanted you to see who I am traveling with this year.

Meet the supercool, and totally fabulous Eileen. Eileen and I met in 1986 when I went back to New York to snatch the soon to be Mr. Susie's the Boss up and bring him back to Venice Beach where he belonged.
Eileen and Mr Ratburn actually went to the same high school, only by the time she got there, Gary had graduated already. Then in 1987, when Gary and I decided to drive to Alaska for something to do, Eileen and her boyfriend moved into our Venice Beach apartment for the summer. When we returned from Alaska, Eileen got her own place not far away, and we have been pals ever since.

Now, I want to point out that the reason that we are only going to India for 17 days is because Eileen has informed me that she "has a real job." When I argued that she was the boss at her job and should therefor be able to take as many days or weeks off as her girlfriend, Susie would like her to, Eileen wasn't buying it. Seems she's a bit of the boss too. This could get interesting.

Ok I have to get back to my faux job, or as I have lately heard it called, my JOBBY. LMAO

Have a beautiful day, people!

7India

Getting the Job Done

I'm not big on politicking on my blog, however, I'm already so gosh darned proud of him, and I am honoured to be going to India this year with Obama as my president and not you know who.

9India

Not Your Normal Musical Monday

So, this weekend Mr Ratburn and I were discussing some of the stranger songs that we remember from our childhood. Of course there are the songs that were meant to be odd on purpose like Shaving Cream and Sarah Sylvia Cynthia Stout Who Would Not Take The Garbage Out. And then there are the goofy ones that weren't meant to be goofy like, Chevy Van and Cats In The Cradle.
But then there are the super weird ones, like Timothy, a song about three men trapped in a mine. Well what do you know, only 2 make it out alive, the other one, disappeared.
I can imagine the songwriter penning this tune after a huge steak dinner or something. BURP!

Timothy by the Buoys
Trapped in a mine what had caved in
And everyone knows the only ones left
Were Joe and me and Tim
When they broke through to pull us free
The only ones left to tell the tale Was Joe and me
Timothy, Timothy
Where on earth did you go
Timothy, Timothy
God, why don't I know
Hungry as hell no food to eat
And Joe said that he would sell his soul
For just a piece of meat
Water enough to drink for two
And Joe said to me, I'll take a swig
And then there's some for you
Timothy, Timothy
Joe was looking at you
Timothy, Timothy
God, what did we do
I must've blacked out just 'bout then
'Cause the very next thing that I could see
Was the light of the day again
My stomach was full as it could be
And nobody ever got around
To finding Timothy
Timothy, Timothy
Where on earth did you go
Timothy, Timothy
God, why don't I know

And look, I found some of the band members who looked thrilled to be performing Timothy live many years later when they are all old farts and are called the Dakotas and not the Buoys anymore.



And then there's Shannon. Now, as best as I can tell, Shannon is a sweet little song about a family dog that jumps happily into the ocean and is washed away. The family is quite upset and hopes Shannon will be ok. Shannon was swept away into the ocean, you dimwits, and she is NOT coming back, EVER! Why do you think those "Peligrosos/no swimming here" signs were posted?
Now, we happen to live near an ocean that is completely unswimmable but for the bravest of wetsuited surfers, and even then, white sharks chomp on someone at least once a year around here. So, now everytime I am at that beach and I see a dog, a person, an entire family, I dont care, I start singing this song. quietly, to myself, of course.

Shannon by Henry Gross

Another day is at end
Mama says she's tired again
No one can even begin to tell her
I hardly know what to say
But maybe it's better that way
If Papa were here I'm sure he'd tell her
Shannon is gone I heard
She's drifting out to sea
She always loved to swim away
Maybe she'll find an island
With a shaded tree
Just like the one in our backyard.....

Ok that's enough, you don't even need to hear the rest! It is a really sad song. Why anyone would want to remember such a terrible incident that way, I just dont know.
And then there's the song about a rat. Oh my god, why? We all should have seen it coming back then. There was just no way that man was going to turn out normal, was there?

Ben by you know who
Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you, my friend, will see
You've got a friend in me
(you've got a friend in me)
Ben, you're always running here and there
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go
(you've got a place to go)
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben
Like Ben
Like Ben

Argh! That was completely awful! So, what horrible songs do you remember from your past?
Have a lovely day!
11India

Thursday Portrait

When it comes to sewing...I'm out standing in my field.

(hee hee that outstanding in my field joke has cracked me up all my life!)

Have a lovely day!

15India

Musical Monday

Nelly Furtado perfoming Say It Right in Mumbai ,Woo hoo!

I just love this song. It's so darn cool, and from Mumbai, well, you know I love that!

All is well, hope the same for you.

Happy Monday.

17India

30 Second Movie Review

This film is fabulous!

The music is powerful.

The colors, wow.

Must see it now.

Thanks, Mike.

19India

As you all know, I am looking forward to getting back to India! It is going to be my quickest trip ever, just 17 days from start to finish. I wish I didn't have to rush, but that is the way it goes this time around. I have been thinking about all the people that I am NOT going to have time to see this year.

I will miss Kish and Mamu this year because to Mangalore I am not going.

Believe it or not, even after last years hair greying adventures in Jaipur, I am so sad that I won't have time to see Aslam and his neighbors which all happen to be related to him.
I will miss hanging out in Abduls drum shop in Hampi.

And I wont have time to see Ramesh and his cousin, Ramesh.

I will miss Varsha too.
...and even Sushma and Mahesh....(yes Mahesh and I are drunk in this picture, so what?! :P)

I won't even have time to rendezvous with Ronaldji on the Delhi-Agra Highway! Sigh.........
Have a lovely day!
22India

Musical Monday and Whatnot

~from my front porch, 6 am~

Wow, would you believe it? We are having a warm spell in California and for the past 2 days, we have enjoyed temps in the high 60's. I knew today was going to be especially awesome when I went outside at 3 am and it was almost balmy. Ok, I said almost, but there was a warm breeze, a full moon, and I didn't fall on my butt on the frosty deck either!
Today is gonna be swell, a high of 70 expected, no snow or rain in sight. You cannot move here, you will hate it. We are all too weird in California for you.
In other news, Little Rita is still crutching along. On Wednesday she gets another Xray to see how it's healing and then the doctor will decide if she can start putting weight on that foot yet. She is eyeing her 3" dance heels and I told her, forget those for awhile. Poor gal, by the time she gets off these crutches, she will have outgrown those shoes.
We have been watching lots of tv to pass the time, and have just finished season 4 of Project Runway, the one where Christian, the annoying little fag, wins. Now, while I do think he is/was incredibly talented, he was also a totally arrogant little shit during the show, so while I am happy that he won, I do hope he has grown up since season four aired. I have no idea how many seasons behind I am.
We have also been watching Survivor, the one with Richard Hatch, loved it! He did deserve to win, pity he's in jail now for tax evasion. What a big dope. We watched the very first Amazing Race, and that was totally awesome too! We have a lot of catching up to do! Next up, Survivor Australia.
Now while most of you might think Project Runway would be my choice of reality show to be on, truthfully, I would much prefer to be on Survivor India, or Amazing Race, India! Hee hee...you could, you know, start out by being dumped into the Arabian Sea with only cans of water and some dry chapati mix...I would fare pretty well once I got ashore. I know I could never the handle the pressure and cutthroatness of Project Runway but I wouldnt mind being the older hippie gal that makes the rice and sews some castaway clothing for the bunch on Survivor! I'd be that one trailing behind in the races, except for when they needed a teeny agile thing, I would then come in quite handy! (Like that time they had to thread a person through a ropes course, I really want to do that!)

You KNOW I cannot wait to get to India but for today I am celebrating California! Enjoy.

24India!

.....from a painting that I adored at Chitra Santhe', an enormous art exhibit held on the last weekend of every year in Bangalore. Thousands of talented artists from all over India in a lovely street fair, and you can buy all their art too! Awesome.

28India!!!!!

Politburo was a band.....

Hee heee heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

OK the second guy from left is a friend of mine when he was just a teen. Can anybody tell who it is? Of course, now he's just a dirty rotten old scouser....

Hi

LOL it's that pose again!

Do ya like my new skirt?

Today. Sunday, was a good neck day. I am counting on this chiropractic heck being over before I go to India. It has been a month now of off and on neck pain hell. Taking anything stronger than over the counter stuff has resulted in a couple of major barf o rama fests as well. Such fun. Sorry Gman.

In other news, Little Rita tripped while running through the house on New Years Eve and broke a bone in her foot. She is now sporting a black heavy boot cast. I cannot wait to see the medical bills.

Of course we did not know it was broken and so after comforting her, went out for a night of carousing, leaving Little Rita and a friend home alone for 5 hours. By the time we got home her foot was entirely black and blue. Oh man, I felt like a heel (ar ar ar). Now that bootcast is a pretty heavy thing for an 82 pound kid to be lugging around, so school, complete with it's many ramps and classes spread all over the campus will be quite a challenge for my girl. Sigh.

As for India, I am beyond excited and I have decided to extend my trip by two days so that I can get some goodies in Delhi. The treasures that I find in North India are well worth the bit o' extra cash it will cost me to change the ticket. My only regret is that I will be sending Eileen home from Delhi by herself. I am more than feeling bad about that, however, when I presented her with the opportunity to extend her trip by two days and that she would get to see the Taj Mahal, she reminded me that she has a "real job." A what? I am a brat, I know.

Mr Ratburn, Little Rita and I had lots of fun on this winter break. Tomorrow LR starts back to school crutches and all, while Mr Ratburn will enjoy time off til Wednesday.

I am sorry I have not been around to your blogs lately. I am not supposed to be on the computer at all because it's terrible for neck pain....argh!

I hope you all had a lovely and relaxing holiday.

Happy Monday

32India

Happy New Year

35India

Holiday Recap

On our way to deliver pies. We didnt wear red and green on purpose. No, really! Cats kno that the papur is bettur than the giffs!
Hello folks. I hope you had a swell time with your relatives and there was no coal in your stocking. I am so happy to announce that at my last visit to the chiropractor, something good happened and I am feeling like 95% better! Instead of taking advil constantly like I have in the past three weeks, I am down to taking it just a couple times a day. Perhaps it was that gadget he strapped around my chin and then pulled really hard. I felt my neck pop a couple of times, and maybe after that I was even a skoshe taller. I just hope that horrible pain does not come back, I have had enough, thank you.
We had a totally mellow and fun Christmas day. It was a little weird being around here instead of Bangalore, but I enjoyed it. We were pretty grateful for the simple way we chose to celebrate, just the three of us, for when we surprised our friends by barging over on Christmas morning with a blackberry pie, we found the mama of the house standing in the hallway in tears. Apparently, her big sister had once again sabotaged the family get together so that she could have it "her way." After some necessary comforting of the mama, Mr Ratburn, Little Rita and I then went out looking for some cheeseburgers and fries, but got no results, so we headed home and made our own.
Later on, Mr Ratburn and I got a chance to check out the ice shot glasses, my absolutely favorite gift which you see in the photo above. Ok, I admit, I am a little more than excited about the ice glasses in the video, but I just can't help it, they are so dang cool! And, you will see I am trying not to be too loud, it's about 3 am and our yurt is not soundproof! (Goodness knows what the neighbors have heard through the walls of the yurt!) Just more crazy drinking exploits....
Enjoy!



PS Doncha just hate it when you wish someone "Happy Holidays" because you want to include whatever it is they celebrate and they come back with a slightly rude "MERRY CHRISTMAS", as if that is the ONLY celebration that matters, and darn it, they want you to know it! Or that it doesn't matter to them that we have Kwanzaa, Hannukah and Winter Solstice all at the same time as Christmas and some of those things might matter to some of us?
Merry Whatever!

39India

Happy Holidays, Y'all!

Pardon the rerun, but Mr Ratburn and I make cute ornaments, dontcha think?

I'm off to the mall with Little Rita to soak up some holiday fun. I can honestly say there is NOTHING in the mall that I want since I shop at ETSY, but LR likes to hang out there and since I am able to act accordingly so as not to embarrass her, I am still allowed to accompany her , I might as well enjoy it while I can.

What I'd really like to do is stand above Santa on the upper level and drop mini chocolate chip cookies on his head. Now that would be fun.

I've just come back from the chiro. This is my 5th visit and I think we finally got that painful spot to give a little. Last Friday, he gave me this silly thing to wear on my neck! I feel like an African princess while wearing it, neck extended skyward.

Have a lovely day!

45India

Thursday Portrait

I haven't had time to fiddle with my camera in awhile been in the mood to smile pretty for the camera so today you get what's inside my head. As if you didn't know, I always have India on my mind, especially images of mahouts standing in the festering Yamuna! (My apologies, Monaji.)

Karen sent me this picture, cannot remember where it came from,but I just adore it.

And here's another favorite of mine, also from Karenji.

I would normally be in India already this time of year, so I am missing it. I cannot imagine wanting to trek around with this neck pain, though. I have 7 weeks to get rid of it!

Have a lovely day!

49India

Pain In The Neck Update....

**Ok would you believe it, it's 20 degrees outside and still NO SNOW! Drop the other shoe, willya?** Sure, go ahead and saw me in half while I stand here calmly! Oh wait, he seems to be woeing just a little. Now, tell me, if you were being sawed in half would you stand there calmly? NO! You would scream really LOUD.

Until 2 weeks ago, I had no idea what CHRONIC pain was all about. Now I do. It sucks. End of story. I am struggling through a nice stack of work that I am truly grateful for, but to then spend all my earnings on Chiropractors...ARGHH!!! My head feels like it weighs 50 pounds because my neck doesn't want to hold it up. I need some brain scaffolding! Truly, I do have a large cranium, which has never been too much of a problem until now.

In other news, I can't get that stupid Coldplay song out of my head. You know the one, I'm not gonna say it because then I'll be in trouble for planting it in other peoples brains. Maybe that song is what's causing all this pain!

We are having lots of fun "doing Christmas" this year since I am not going to India until February. You won't believe it, but even Mr Ratburn took LR to a tree farm and sawed it down himself! Oy his poor mom mighta rolled over in her grave, but let me tell you it was worth it for Gary and LR to share that experience, and I got a good chuckle at the thought of my jewish hubby at a Christmas tree farm, proving you're never too old for firsts.

It has almost snowed here a number of times this week. I say almost because after all, snow in the bay area is not normal. We did get some fun hail in San Francisco and here too, and this morning it was about 25, and my car door was frosted shut. Come on, just snow already!

Now, I have lived here 17 years, and it has only snowed once, for about 25 minutes. That was in the middle of the night and we all got up to play in the snow at 3 am. It was lovely.

I hope all of you are well out there in blogland. Pass the vicodin.

Have a lovely day!

50India

Thank Goodness for Chiropractors....

Too many rupees have been spent in an all out effort to get the Barefoot Mistress' spine back into a straight line! It's....still.....not.....there.....ArghhHHHHHH!!!!!!!

(Why is that lady's breast out?)

Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

55India

OK now thats three years in a row that 55 days has landed on Flash Fiction Friday

Happy Birthday G~Man!

This one's for you, Rocket Man! :P

I hope your birthday is fabulous, Galen!

New Music, Yay!!!!!

I love getting ahold of new music, don't you? This is Katie Costello.



Of course, my pal that turned me onto Katie Costello is a bit odd, and this is the tune he chose to share with me first...



The neck kink is getting worse. I'm dyin' here!

Have a lovely day, I will be attempting various neck relieving yoga poses...
58India

Happy Monday

I ate three fortune cookies on my birthday...

You are surrounded by true friends.

Soon, you will receive pleasant news.

You will find your horizons suddenly broadened.

~

I have a terrible kink in my neck. I cannot blog or sew or anythinggggg!!

Have a lovely day!

59India