Lyra Jane, that so sucks. I still have some contacts among the Beltway Bandits, so feel free to contact me if you are interested.
And there are possibly worse things than being unemployed...like being a midget in Cambodia. Or especially a member of the Cambodian Midget Fighting League. [link]
The Apple Pan is yummy.
Curse you wee Perkins for bringing up the Apple Pan! Now I want pie. More so than usual.
The jiujitsu instructor I had that was big into the talking part of self-defense was that way because he was a cop, and he was very conscious of needing to convince any witnesses that you are the victim here. So you had to find the perfect pitch to make the attacker back down without making witnesses think you were being too aggressive. It got tedious, more practicing delivery of your lines than martial arts.
So one time, instead of "Get away!" or whatever, one of the senior blackbelts said "Hey, is that your blue Volkswagen in the pa---" and launched himself at the assailant. He had the guy tied into a pretzel before anyone realized what had happened, and had climbed up another student and perched on his head. It was beautiful. The instructor's rage was nice too.
I did the eye contact thing yesterday, actually. A guy had been sitting in a car parked at the curb for quite a while, and just after I passed the car he started it up and drove off, turning the first corner so as not to drive past me. But he couldn't make the turn immediately, so I made a big show of staring at him and writing down the plate number. It's not exactly what they teach us in anti-terrorism training, but the whole point is to make the bad guys think you are a hard target, so they go pick on someone else.
So tired, can't sleep. Too hot. It'a a million trillion degrees. I need to move to a colder climate.
I think we were in the low 60's today. We had a little rain, but it was nice in between. And, we have a music festival this week, so absolutely fantastic music every day, about half of it free. And I got to go on a cruise, sip wine and munch nummy appetizers while listening to live classical music with my favorite cellist, and a wonderful violist and classical guitarist. We had nature accompanying the music with light rain and sunshine at the same time. Bliss.
t /gloating
It's not often I get to gloat, I have to take advantage of it when I can.
Also, hi. How is Greece?
Also, hi back! Greece is hot. Not as hot as Phoenix/Tuscon, but in the 90s. And still boring, but I've signed up for free scuba lessons at the embassy next month. I doubt I will ever get to go diving, but at least learning how will be fun.
Sometimes living here sideswipes me, tho - I was out on the balcony pulling the shutters closed at sunset last night, and the sun was blazing orange, setting over a jagged range of mountains, and I suddenly thought that 2000 years ago, another woman might've stood just here and watched the sunset, just as I was. And then I thought, actually, someone has seen the sunset over those peaks every day for thousands of years.
Whoa, dude.
Raquel, that link... um... I can't even... gah.
That is a cool thought, Raquel.
Scuba is fun! When you come back to CA, maybe we can all go on a dive.
I was out on the balcony pulling the shutters closed at sunset last night, and the sun was blazing orange, setting over a jagged range of mountains, and I suddenly thought that 2000 years ago, another woman might've stood just here and watched the sunset, just as I was. And then I thought, actually, someone has seen the sunset over those peaks every day for thousands of years.
My gloat was the shortest gloat ever. It is now officially over. Wow.
Aurelia, I ate a tamarind ball today. It was yummy.
Now I wish I was in Greece.
I ate a tamarind ball today. It was yummy.
Yay.
That reminds me that I need to make it to the post office tomorrow.
My gloat was the shortest gloat ever.
No, continue to gloat. I'd trade with you in a second. Music and cool weather and a little rain in exchange for dust, heat, and boredom!
