Nous Arrivons
On 3/21 or is it 3/22...
We arrived in Paris after a hellish long plane ride from Chicago to Zurich. And my biggest fear came to pass.
Not only were there 8 hours of babies crying, and kicking petulant children. My American-sized body refused to fit into the Lilliputian-sized euro seat. So, 8 hours of non-movable metal arm rest pressing into my left hip, a middle seat arm rest that defied folding back all the way, and no room for legs in between. No sleep. No sleep.
Even before the flight left Chicago, noted several things:
1. Cultural differences permit men to plunge the index finger to the second knuckle in search of boogery snacks;
2. Older American tourists wear white athletic shoes;
3. Be afraid if your pilot starts building up speed down the runway in preparation for lift-off then stops suddenly. Ours did. And right at the point where the altitude read 666. No lie.
Disoriented and not a bit cranky, we arrive in the City that had one week before been sweet 60's but now wore a grey, rainy mask of a uncertain early Spring.
Not wanting to give in to exhaustion, we press on. Thirty pictures and 2 crepes later to write, plan day 2 and collapse.
Downright Un-American
Since when did it become un-American to debate public policy or express dissent of any kind with our religious, political, and community "leaders"? Is the Constitution of the United States simply a convenience that is trotted out or set aside, as needed?
Sadly, an even cursory review of this nation's history shows me the answer is "yes". Believe as the "leader" and his sycophants say (or at least do nothing to counter it) or risk be shunned as un-American, un-patriotic or worse -- invaded and ravaged economically. In the name of American-style "democracy".
Is the author of this
blog un-patriotic? You be the judge. However, I think he what is engaging in is VERY American.
Shock! The Monkey
The IA-SIG I belong to had only a couple of entries -- typical for a Saturday afternoon. One of them caught my eye, though. It said that, as of a couple of weeks ago, The Monkey (a.k.a Webmonkey) was dead. Really, most sincerely, dead.
Read all about it at
Wired: News
Long Live The Monkey!
Inferior Decorating
Most of my friends know that I am an interior decorating nut! I mean, can we talk about color, mood, lines, textures, and lighting or what? And, truth be told, I ready and willing to do some serious damage on other people's dime.
That said, I can't help but express some appreciation for the creative way in which The Non-Expert in a recent "Morning News" article found to furnish a New York apartment. It's the ultimate in street trash-to-treasure. Take a look:
http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/how_to/the_nonexpert_urban_furnishing.php
Syndicate Me!