Assimilation has been Completed

I saw it coming.

I thought I could escape.

I ran.

It got Top Cat,

then Breazy,

Logo,

Snavy.

How many others have fallen?

It took Insane Asylime.

We were Hijacked.

I couldn't get away.

Resistance is futile...we are New Blogger...

Prepare to be assimilated.

Trini Tuesday-Peter Minshall

Right now in Trinidad there is a frenzied build-up to Carnival. Just like in New Orleans or Rio there is much costuming, same goes for Trinidad. The organizers of Mas Bands will start planning after Easter since basically during Lent there are to be no such fleshly thoughts or pursuits occuring. The largest and most well known will publish pictures of the possibilities for next year's costumes and member may vote on which theme they are most interested in. Once the voting is complete, the winning design is announced and orders can be taken for costumes. This time of year is the mad rush for completion and fittings. There are many traditional characters who make regular appearances at Carnival but there is also one designer who has forever changed Mas in Trinidad.

* image taken from http://www.carnaval.com/tnt/minshall/

Peter Minshall was born in Guyana but his family moved to Trinidad when he was very young. He is considered a native son and the father of modern Mas. While most mas bands dress as somewhat traditional characters or use costumes that are reminiscent of Las Vegas showgirls, Peter Minshall's designs worn by the Callaloo Company are considered true works of theatrical art and described as moving mobiles.

Merry Monarch

You may think, big deal, just some local Trini costume designer at a carnival smaller than the one in Rio or Mardi Gras. You'd be wrong though. Minshall has acheived world fame in his field and was the main designer for awards ceremonies and presentations during the 1994 World Cup, and opening ceremonies for 1992 Barcelona Olympic games, opening ceremonies for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and the 2002 opening ceremonies in Salt Lake City.

Joy to the World

His interest in costume design began when he was just a boy and his very first mas costume of an African witch doctor won him an award in a local competition he entered at age 13. In 1974 he designed a ground breaking and ethereal costume for his sister which was a sensation. In 1976 he completed his first full company costuming with the theme of Paradise Lost. Carnival onlookers watched a pageant in 4 acts parade past them and Peter Minshall's artistic vision was seared upon a nation.

Bird of Paradise

*images of kings and queens taken from http://callaloo.co.tt/kings_queens/default.HTML

Happy Trini Tuesday

UPDATE: You can find the images TTfootball mentioned here.

Top Cat Tag

Top Cat tagged me to list ten of my favorite things that begin with the Letter K. So here goes...

Kindness: We all need to show more of this because aren't we all touched by it when we receive it?

Kay, Karen, Kim, Kris, Kathy: K seems to be a popular intial in my extended family for a particular generation, all those ladies are relatives of mine.

Kitchen: Mine has always been something of a sanctuary. I had a teeny weeny galley kitchen for years. Now I have a nice big eat-in kitchen with a fabulous stove and dishwasher. I was ok with my old one, I love my new one. Cooking, listening to my music and dancing around...as long as I don't have to hurry it's bliss.

The Kingsmen: Their version of Louie Louie is just too fun. In fact, when I was a teenager 93.3FM WMMR in Philadelphia used to sponsor an annual Louie Louie parade. Anyone could enter a band or a float or anything. The only stipulation was everyone could only play Louie Louie. I can't hear the song and not want to groove on it. Isaac is my little lover of classic rock and he has figured out the opening to it on his trombone...the madness lives on!

Kenya: When I moved back here from Trinidad I had a very hard re-entry. Around that same time I met my very dear friend Regina who is from Kenya. She was here under less than preferred circumstances and had been enduring her own rough adjustment period. We just understood each other better than anyone else around us and a beautiful friendship was born. I was honored when she told me she thought I was more Kenyan in spirit than American and that she felt she could take me home and not be afraid I'd look down on anything there. She taught me some very yummy Kenyan dishes to make and we always enjoyed sipping some Kenyan chai together. I'd very much like to visit Kenya with her. Oh, did I also mention she is from the Kamba tribe? More Ks!!

King, Martin Luther, Jr.: He's been one of my heroes since I was a child. What can I possibly say that hasn't been said before...amazing man of strength and conviction.

Kids: The world and everything in it is brand new to them. I love their wonder at learning about it. I love their enthusiasm. I love seeing their minds work. I love when they can teach me something.

Knowledge: I love to learn new things. And although I can't remember where I put my keys or that I have to get a kid to an orthodontist appointment unless there are 37 notes left around the house I can tell you that Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar which is one the the world's major vanilla producers and the only place to which lemurs are indigenous. Clearly, I am a vast repository of useless knowledge. I do have an appreciation for practical knowledge too...

Kidneys: Let's face it, we'd all be in very bad shape without at least one properly functioning kidney. I'm quite fond of mine.

Knitting: I'm not especially skilled in this area. I'm a little better at crochet. I have so many fond memories of my Nana knitting something whether it was for me or someone else. I still have blankets she made and sweater sets she knits for each of my babies. When I curl up under an afghan it's like a hug from her. I would like to redevelop some skill at knittting.

Kisses: The chocolate ones by Hershey are a treat. And then there are....soft nibbly kisses on earlobes or lower lips, little pecks of kisses on cheeks or noses, airy kisses on closed eyes, tender or passionate meetings of lips, lingering explorations from head to toe with various rest stops in between....yummy!!

I think Robert Burns said it well...

To A Kiss

Humid seal of soft affections,

Tend'rest pledge of future bliss,

Dearest tie of young connections,

Love's first snow-drop, virgin kiss.

Speaking silence, dumb confession,

Passion's birth, and infants' play,

Dove-like fondness, chaste concession,

Glowing dawn of brighter day.

Sorrowing joy, adieu's last action,

Ling'ring lips, -- no more to join!

What words can ever speak affection

Thrilling and sincere as thine!

Yes, I know that was 11, not 10. When have you ever known me to do a meme straight??

If anyone wants to play along let me know in the comments and I will assign you a letter.

Da Count-The Unwicked Stepmother

This week, I'm counting my stepmother, Mary. I know many people have had less than wonderful experiences with stepparents so I am especially thankful for Mary. My folks split up when I was 6. Mary came into my life when I was 11. She has never been anything less than warm, accepting, kind, and loving to my brother and me. There were times as a teenager when I felt closer to her and more able to confide in her than either of my parents. She listens without judgement and if there is some point of disagreement she is completely gentle in offering it.

She has the cutest giggle which is so easy to elicit from her. She has never quite grown up or forgotten what it's like to be a kid. She's got a really rotten knee that prevents some of her more hearty antics but she's enough of a kid that it took very little coaxing for her to try that rope swing we used to have in the backyard. When I woke up from surgery after the zipline incident the first words I heard were my mother saying, 'At 37 years old you'd think common sense would have kicked in by now.' The next words I heard were Mary gently responding with, 'Well, I'm 57 and that rope swing was a lot of fun. I can understand why she was ziplining.' I know my mom was just worried about me and that's how it came out but I sure appreciated Mary sticking up for me in her soft way at that moment.

Mary is the one who buys my kids pogo sticks and skate boards. She's the one who got down on their level when they were small and encouraged playing in mud. She's the one who decided she didn't want to enter the grandparent competition and see who could buy the most 'stuff' at Christmas and has payed for various lessons over the years so the kids can explore different interests and develop talents.

My mom has an awful lot of skills (taught herself guitar, excellent carpenter, accomplilshed seamstress, tech guru, learned harp only about 3 years ago, is always learning something new) but has never been a cook. I learned how not to starve from mom. Mary taught me the kitchen could be fun and not to be afraid of experimenting. She taught me how to have fun there.

This week Mary buried her 92 year old mother. It was time for the rest of us to be the support to the lady who has always been a loving support to us. It reminded me that we need to tell the people we are close to what they mean to us. I told Mary and now I'm telling you as I count the sweetest and most unwicked stepmother ever.

HNT-Developing a Useful Talent

Yeah, yeah, I know I told you I'd be doing the tie dye series, and I'll get back to that next week. Tonight is Isaac's first school concert though. He started trombone in September and gets to show off a little tonight. His sisters have played their respective instruments for years and I want tonight to be a fun and special night for him too. I don't want him to feel it's any less special because we've been to all his sisters' performances. This is a first for him and I am excited for him. I had someone say they got sick to death of elementary musical recitals. Well, granted there are a lot of sour notes but I'm not going expecting professional sounds. I'm going because the kids have worked hard and I am proud of them and I hope it all helps instill a love of music. So this week I present Isaac as reflected in the bell of his horn. Happy HNT!

Weird Wednesday-Who Should Be in the Cages?

'Look, a trained chimp could do this job.' is a phrase my husband and children have heard cross my lips more than once. It is my retort to complaints about doing simple jobs. 'Mom, it will take too long/is too much work to clean my room/vacuum/load the dishwasher/etc.' 'Just go do it, a trained chimp could get it done faster.' Apparently I am quite correct...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP, Jan. 17, 2007)- An escaped chimpanzee at the Little Rock Zoo raided a kitchen cupboard and did a little cleaning with a toilet brush before sedatives knocked her out on top of a refrigerator.

The 120-pound primate, Judy, escaped yesterday into a service area when a zookeeper opened a door to her sleeping quarters, unaware the animal was still inside. As keepers tried to woo Judy back into her cage, she rummaged through a refrigerator where chimp snacks are stored. She opened kitchen cupboards, pulled out juice and soft drinks and took a swig from bottles she managed to open.

Keeper Ann Rademacher says Judy went into the bathroom, picked up a toilet brush and cleaned the toilet. Rademacher says the 37-year-old Judy was a house pet before the zoo acquired her in 1988, so she may have been familiar with housekeeping chores. Judy wrung out a sponge and scrubbed down the fridge. It took a couple of tries, but the zoo sedated the chimp, who fell asleep on top of the refrigerator with half a loaf of cinnamon-raisin bread she had pulled out of the freezer.

The zoo veterinarian gave Judy a drug to bring her around. Rademacher says Judy was groggy but fine after the episode. The zoo says there was no danger Judy would get out of the primate keepers service area and onto zoo grounds.

Did you read that? It says they sedated the chimp and presumably put her back in her cage. Are these people insane??? Poor Judy wasn't running amok. She wanted a bite to eat then she cleaned up after herself and earned her keep. She scrubbed the toilet and cleaned the fridge. I wouldn't have sedated her. I would have handed her the mop and a bucket and asked her to clean the floor. Then I'd have given her a bunch of bananas when she was done. She's cheaper help than my kids are, that's for sure! No respect for a responsible primate I say.

And I can tell you this much...if cleaning up after yourself and having a snack puts me at risk for a catching a tranquilizer dart in the butt and being locked up in a cage I'm not taking any more chances.

Trini Tuesday-You Know You're a Trini When...

Cleaning out my old desk yielded all manner of surprising finds. Among them was a book mark with this list on it...

You Know You're a Trini When...

• You reach where you're going at least an hour late.
• You point with your lips.
• You call hanging out 'liming.'
• The word 'storm' has nothing to do with the weather.
• You refer to soda pop as 'sweet drink.'
• You say 'Old Year's Night' instead of 'New Year's Eve.'
• You refer to avocado as 'zaboca.'
• You call hard candy 'sweetie.'
• You call all hot drinks (coffee, cocoa, milo, tea) 'tea.'
• You could wine and get on bad.
• You like eating doubles for breakfast.
• You wash 'wares' after a meal.
• You say 'boy' to everyone, ususally at the beginning of a sentence.
• You end a sentence with 'man.'
• You like to call people by hissing.
• You nod your head upwards to greet someone.
• You show disappointment by 'steupsing' (also called sucking teeth).
• You shorten your sentences, like 'Whayahsayin?' or 'Whahappenin?'
• You say 'twenTAY' (20) instead of 'twenTEE' like other English speakers.
• You speak of leaving your hair 'open' instead fo 'loose.'
• You start gearing down for the weekend by lunchtime on Friday.

And I'll add...You know what these things mean and find them funny.

So how Trini are you?

Happy Trini Tuesday!

Assorted weekend crap

What excitement goes on at the House of Lime over the weekend. Does this question plague your mind? If it does, you really need to get a life. If it doesn't...well, feel free to move along because I'm about to share. Come to the circle, children. It's show and tell time.

Diana has been cursed (to her way of thinking) with the same unruly, curly mop of hair I have only in red. She has become a devotee of straightening irons. She and Calypso got it in their heads that they needed to straighten my hair. Here are the results. Mr. Lime and Isaac absolutely hated it. I'd never go to the bother of doing it myself but it was sort of interesting and strange.

We also got a new desk. I have hated the old one since the day we got it and it was falling apart. It was falling apart and sagging under the strain of my impending avalanche of debris it ususally contains, though I had cleaned it off for Christmas and managed not to let it get completely awful since then. In any event, we assembled the new desk and I put everything back together. It looked so nice all neat and tidy. I had to take a picture. Of course this may be the only time in its life span when it is ever this clean so do enjoy the view. Bonus is you can see the new paint job in the background. Ain't it purdy??

For Christmas we got cable TV. Yes, I know the rest of the nation finds it weird that we are only now getting cable. Heck, our friend from Bolivia, which is the porest nation in South America, even has cable at home. So here we are just joining the 21st century and some interesting trends are occuring. Diana is absolutely thrilled to be able to watch Bonanza to her heart's content (so much for modernity). Seems an odd choice for a 16 year old girl but it beats MTV. We all have gone a bit bonkers for Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs. The girls tortured me with some countdown of 101 crimes of fashion or somesuch while they straightened my hair. Seems I have the top ten pretty well covered. I wear tie-dye, Birkenstocks with socks, have visible panty lines and still own 'mom jeans.' but in my defense the girls convinced me to buy mid rise boto cut jeans last year so maybe there is hope. I'm not giving up my birks or tie dye though and if you think i'm gonna walk around with a piece of butt-floss wedged up in my rear end you are out of your mind. Scratch that, I think there is precious little hope I will ever make the best dressed list. Ask me how much I care.....

Friday 55 & Da Count- Wake up and smell the coffee

FRIDAY 55

Yakking on the cellphone while cutting off another driver.

Bashing into me with your cart in your rush to get the freshest asparagus.

Meandering through the aisles and weaving like a drunk so no one can get around you.

Oh, look! Anchovy paste, isn't that interesting, dear?

Is being oblivious as blissful as it seems?

DA COUNT

This week I want to count awareness. It comes in many forms but the kind I want to count is the sort that increases gladness. My stepmother is great at this. You could mention in passing that you enjoyed a particular new recipe youtasted somewhere or some sort of music or that you are trying to figure out how to solve a particular problem. She mentally files it all away and at a time when you most need a boost she will demonstrate she has rememebered and surprise you with some form of what you mentioned. She's also the type who will see the suffering someone endures even when others miss it entirely. From her I learned to pay attention to what people say and how they say it.

My mom is the type who tends to be quiet. She is not quick to offer her opinion or a solution to a dilemma, but when she does she always has something pertinent to add, some key thing that other people have often overlooked or the final piece of the puzzle. She can look at an obstacle from all the angles, mull it over, and come up with a unique solution. I learned to pay attention to how things work together from her.

My son, as you know, loves bugs. I've learned how to pay attention to their amazing little bodies and marvel over them because he does. But he also has a way of drawing my attention to other things I might miss as well. Last winter we stood at the bus stop and he seemed to be staring at his feet. Then he squatted way down and squinted into the snow and said, 'Mom, did you know you can see individual snowflakes melting one at a time?' I love that he has not grown out of the wonder that often seems reserved for younger children. So there we were squatted down marvelling over melting snowflakes when the bus came and the driver looked at us like we'd lost our minds. I know she had a schedule to keep and the roads were not the best, so I was aware of her constraints and didn't mind.

I'm just glad for the poeple who ARE aware and the people who make me aware of new things, ideas, and experiences.

HNT-New Year, New Series...Tie Dyes!

Last year I did the Useless Talents Series for HNT. It's been over a month since I've taken a new picture for HNT and my mind has drawn a blank. I have however, been up to my elbows in soda ash, rubber bands, and dye since Christmas. I've been tie dying my little heart out making presents and then doing some specially requested tie dyes for pals. Wracking my poor addled brain , I decided to do a tie dye series. Now I have talen some amount of flak about tie dye not being terribly fashion forward or mindful of all the nitpicky dos and don't s of fashion. For my first entry in the series I want to prove I know how to coordinate. Though these are not ones I made myself (those will come later in the series) I present you with my matching tie dye shirt and toe socks. I mean, really...what more do you want???

Happy HNT!

Weird Wednesday-A Tale of Crapola

Many months ago, Susie decided the Hijackers would engage in crapola swapping. Over the months I have been the recipient of much crapola but have yet to do many posts with said materials of low value and even less taste. That ends today. Listen, my dears, to the Tale of Crapola...




Once upon a time there were two wee ones who decided they didn't want Susie to be their boss anymore so they ran away from her yurt. Shortly thereafter they met a magical butterfly from Snav's World. The magical butterfly told them he could take them to the end of the rainbow where they would find an incredible treasure. The wee ones hopped on the butterfly's back to begin an amazing adventure.





They flew through dense jungles.

They encountered strange giants.

When they flew under the great waterfall they knew their journey was soon to end.

At long last they arrived at....something....It was strange and they weren't entirely sure what to make of it. What on earth could it be? The magic butterlfy assured them this was the end of the rainbow and it contained great treasure. The wee ones looked at each other and remarked, 'Well, it certainly looks like the rainbow exploded on this thing. Let's go look.'

They climbed to the top of this rainbow explosion and to them it really felt like a dog's life.

After much effort they finally retrieved the prize for their long journey and hard work.....

Giant pickles???? What was that butterfly thinking???

Moral of the story: Whaddya expect?? This ain't high art, ya know! It's Weird Wednesday and the Hijackers are involved! Just be glad no llamas were involved.

Oh, and today is the lovely Snavy's birthday so go wish her a very happy day and if you want to see her present it...er....he's been hijacked.

Trini Tuesday-Queued Up

Last week the lovely and literate Logo made a post about how much she hated standing in lines. I left a comment that I am now going to milk for all it's worth post-wise, mainly because I just haven't had time to get together the post I wanted to do.

Lines or queues are a strange phenomena in Trinidad. At certain times and places they are rigidly enforced and adhered to, like at banks or the grocery store register. In most other situations they are more or less (ususally less) suggestions that are entirely ignored. I'll never forget the first time I flew BWIA, the national airline. At the gate we all sat placidly waiting for boarding. The announcer stepped up and began to say, 'We are now boarding rows......' BAM!!! Every Trini, regardless of seat assignment, was queued up, in a fashion, and jostling for position. I'm quite sure I saw a grandmother damn near run over a baby to get her spot. Meanwhile the Americans and Brits sat in stunned silence at the melee before our eyes. It's all about who can get there first and maintain their hold.

Once I waited for a maxi taxi in the pouring rain. There was a little old lady with a cane next to me and I was conspicuously pregnant. The rest of the folks waiting were all able-bodied men. The maxi pulled up and all the men crowded past us as quickly as they could. I seem to remember the old lady sticking her cane out in front of me as she grabbed the last seat the men who had pushed ahead of her had left.

Once I was at a meat counter in the grocery, waiting patiently because I was 8 months pregnant and did not wish to be elbowed. I'd been there long enough to know this was a real possibility. I thought there had to be someone who would recognize I was there before they were and graciously step aside to make way...or the butcher would say..'Yes, miss. I see you are next.' No such luck. Finally, I got wise and decided to use whatever means I could to get my order and get the heck out of there. In true Trini form, I stood there, rubbed my belly and proclaimed loudly and in my best accent, 'Well I tink I about tuh make dis baby while I standin up waitin on all yuh.' The crowd parted like the Red Sea before Moses.

Happy Trini Tuesday!

The Old Neighborhood

Ok, so this talk of community got me thinking....

Let me introduce you to the neighbors I had when Diana was a baby. And like Dave Barry says, 'I swear I am not making this up.' We lived about 2 blocks down the hill from the college Mr. Lime and I attended. There was a long row of duplexes in close proximity to each other lining our side of the street. Our walls were paper thin. Our first wall sharing neighbors were a bunch of toothless rowdies with about 5 kids. The day we moved in they sat on the porch and watched us slackjawed as we carried our things into the house. The mother apologized for her youngest daughter's behavior in advance stating, 'She's bad cuz her daddy's an injun.' Isn't that a lovely way to introduce your child? I heard that refrain often enough along with the most vile language aimed at anyone who wandered in. After about the millionth time of the explanation, I suggested alternate theories of why the child was a bit of a handful. When they moved shortly thereafter I offered to help them carry boxes.

The neighbor on the otherside was Harry. He had grown up in an institution for epileptics and as a result he lacked a number of social skills. He was also hard of hearing and ALWAYS had a wad of tobacco fermenting in his mouth. You learned quickly to speak loudly enough for him to hear you because when he leaned in close and gave a loud, 'HUH???" the unique and pungent bouquet of a day old mouthful of chaw was staggering. He was a kind fellow though who just needed some attention.

On the other side of Harry were Jane and John and their 10 yr. old daughter Amanda. They were great neighbors who would do anything for you. Jane and Amanda liked watching Diana. John was a talented carpenter who collected guns and stockpiled military MREs. Any time we were planning a trip of more than an hour's drive he'd load us up on MREs 'just in case.' I think he genuinely enjoyed dehydrated food, bless his heart. One summer day that was ghastly hot he and Mr. Lime decided to line the back of John's pickup truck and fill it like a pool. The whole neighborhood thought we were bonkers when our two families sat in the 'pool' cooling off.

The next duplex down the street had a family in each side. One family had 2 young boys. We were all convinced the toddler was destined for the WWF or something. Every appliance had to be bolted down after the kid pulled down both the TV and the old fashioned heavyweight microwave. The other family made me cry. The mother was 23 and having her 4th child. Her oldest one was 8. The girl was mildly retarded but as sweet as the day is long and desperately in need of some love. The mother's husband hated this girl and there was no end to the verbal abuse that went on. I let the poor kid spend as much time at my house as her parents would permit just so she could get away and do something normal like bake cookies or play board games or be read to without having that awful man hounding her. She adored Diana and Diana adored her.

Across the street were two interesting houses. One was a halfway house for the state mental hospital. Most of the time the residents were quiet, some were friendly, others wanted to keep to themselves. Every now and then there was someone that definitely added spice. Next to that house was a mobile home which was inhabitted by a guy who drove a BMW. That irony just cracked me up. He was a character as evidenced by his favorite shirt...covered in small cartoon illustrations of skeletons in various sexual poses. Hahaha. Then again, I probably just envied his sense of fashion!

On one end of the street my favorite professor lived with her family. One the other end of the street were a couple of duplexes rented out to college students. The students always made things interresting. Once when I was conspicuously pregnant with Diana I was in the back of the house washing dishes (barefoot, pregnant AND in the kitchen , hahaha!). All of a sudden there was a strange dog in my kitchen, then a drunk guy, then another drunk guy, then Mr. Lime in hot pursuit. One of the drunks slurred, 'Hey man, where's the party?' I looked up, swung my belly around, and asked if it looked like we were having a party. They staggered out and down the street to the right house. After that we kept the front door locked on Friday and Saturday night.

So tell me, what was the most interesting neighborhood you ever lived in and who were your most interesting neighbors?

Da Count- A Community

DA COUNT

One thing I love about blogging is the sense of community that occurs. I've said it before but when I began blogging it was a creative outlet that I assumed would more or less be confined to the few people I knew from Yahoo trivia rooms. I truly could not imagine anyone else bothering to stop by here or if they did, bothering to return, or if they did, bothering to comment...

And yet, here it is a little more than a year later and not only have people come by, returned, commented, etc, but I've gained a sense of community. I've noticed that there are circles and cliques just like anywhere, some are open to newcomers, some are a bit tighter. There are also unwritten rules about how people are expected to conduct themselves. There is an etiquette and a social structure just as with any group....ok, I'll let the sociological analysis stop there but you get the idea.

This week, in the wake of Betcha's death, I noticed that it just didn't matter what circle anyone was a part of..everyone cared. The community came together to offer support to the members who were suffering. It wasn't distant neighbors running across the fields to bring a casserole. It wasn't a small town coining together for a barn raising. But it was a message travelling through an extended grapevine and even people far down the line responding with kindness in ways that helped the ones who needed it most.

This week, I'm counting the sense of decent community that exists here....and how real THAT is in addition to the friendships that occur on an interpersonal level.

Can This Be Real?

Os has suspended HNT for this week due to the tragic and untimely death of one of his friends who was a big participant in HNT. I've seen several other posts regarding Betcha's death and to those who knew her well I offer my heartfelt condolences. It is so very painful to loose a friend in the prime of his/her life. It's hard to grasp the reality. It's strange to add to the pain the inability to express condolences to the deceased's family because a relationship was limited to online interaction and a certain anonymity was retained for whatever reasons. There seems a lack of closure.

Some would say that friendships formed online can't possibly reach the depth they do face to face. Some would question why or how a person can become attached to another who is only ever represented by a bunch of digitized bits and bytes. My grandmother had a penpal in England for 20 years before they ever met face to face and yet they considered each other dear friends. Mind you, this 'relationship' started in the days when paper and pencil letters took a couple weeks to make it across the Atlantic. No one thought that was a questionable manner of making friends. I know married couples who became engaged after meeting each other through programs that encouraged civilians to write letters to soldiers overseas. These are strong marriages with partners who have endured lovingly for decades. People hear that and say, 'Awwww, how romantic.' But speak to people of your online friend and they look at you like you've gone mad.

I've read some of you when you've shared about various trials and tribulations. More of you than I can recall have said things to the effect that the sharing and support you've received online has been of immeasurable benefit and blessing to you. Some of you have even said that your online friends were of greater comfort and help than the people surrounding you. I know I certainly have received my share of kindness, compassion, laughs, and encouragement from all of you at the times when I've most needed it most. For that I am truly and deeply grateful. I don't think we are all manufacturing this out of thin air.

I'll admit, in my 3D life I don't mention many of you to the people around me because I've gotten the 'gees what kind of desperate person must she be' response. Mr. Lime and my kids have a vague idea about a couple of you (actually, my kids have more of an idea than my husband) but he has said he has no interest in hearing anything about the people I correspond with because 'it's not real.' Now, I told him when I started this blog, but when discussing it a couple weeks ago he said, 'What's a blog? What do you mean you have one? Why?'

So I have two lives, the 3D one, and the online one. There are points at which I wish there were some intersection and points at which I wish to keep the two entirely separate. Regardless, a friendship that nurtures, sustains, encourages the best in another person, and shares the good and bad is real...no matter the context. I thank all who have extended theirs to me. I offer my sympathy to those who are grieving now.

THE FABULOUSLY WEIRD AND ENTIRELY ORIGINAL FOOD MEME BY LIME

Since I have done the '5/6 weird things about me' meme FOUR TIMES I have had to come up with a lot of weirdness. I did notice during the review of past weirdnesses that I have a lot of food related weirdness going on. I also noticed that many other people seemed to respond strongly to the food items as well, or at the very least find them the most amusing. Then, my pal, Mark, decided to create his own Christmas meme. Then I was joking with James about some of our various food oddities and quipped I might make an original food meme. He actually encourgaed this madness rather than poopooing it immediately. Now I am uninspired in all other manners so you are getting...fanfare please...

THE FABULOUSLY WEIRD AND ENTIRELY ORIGINAL FOOD MEME BY LIME. Tada!!!

I have zero idea how to track these things other than to ask you to let me know if you choose to engage in this particular brand of meme insanity and ask others to do the same at your place should you choose to accept this mission. Now, on to the fabulously weird entirely yadayadayada....


1. Canned peas: tasty and economical preserved veggie or olive drab pellets of vileness?
Put me down for chalky, putrid green gunk resembling festering rabbit droppings. Fresh peas, on the other hand, are quite a treat.

2. Mayonnaise: delectable artery-clogging condiment or revolting mass of congealed gunk of unknown origin?
My own theory is that it is comprised of snail trails and snot... eggs indeed...hah!

3. Sauerkraut: great topping for a hot dog or vomit-inducing social repellent?
Do you know how this stuff is made? They shred a head of cabbage, put it in a crock and let it rot. Then they scrape off the top layer of mold before they scoop some out to eat. And I haven't even discussed the stench...Pass me the barf bucket!

4. Head cheese: tasty deli meat or the remnants from a bad sinus infection?
"Alex, I'll take 'Truth in Advertising' for $400."

5. Explain your theory on who would actually eat pickle and pimento loaf.
Very hungry people who have no functioning taste buds.

6. What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
If it's a mint ice cream one with the dark chocolate coating I'd jaywalk at the very least.

7. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?
Listen I know the owl goes, 'Slurp, slurp, slurp, crunch.' People, it should have been suck and crunch. Who licks a teeny little tootsie pop, you suck them. Besides, I don't think owls produce enough saliva to be able to lick properly. Not to mention, I've dissected owl pellets (that's not poo, it's the stuff they cough up that they can't digest) and I never saw a trace of any tootsie pops...And how Kojack made his last forever I certainly don't know.

8. While we are on the subject, how do you eat your cream cone?
Long licks all the way around the base working up to the tip then gently suck the end into my mouth and swallow. Lick up any dribbles left over.

9. What kind of ice cream cone is best?
Standard airy waffle cone for soft serve ice cream. Nice sturdy sugar cone for the hand dipped stuff.

10. Organ meats?
I like my liver secreting, my kidneys excreting, and brains are NOT for eating. I will not eat them from a pig. I will not eat them from a cow. I will not eat them anyhow.

11. Why would anyone contaminate perfectly divine chocolate with shredded coconut?
Because they are either sick in the head or trying to punish me.

12. Then what should I do with this lovely bunch of coconuts?
Make some delicious Trinidadian Coconut Bake or make some killer spicy Thai food.

13. Give me your thoughts on brussels sprouts.
All the ghastly power of a head of cabbage concentrated in horse pill form.

14. And artichokes?
I have absolutely no idea whatsoever how to handle an artichoke. They look like some alien life form, but they do make tasty dip. Gees, maybe they ARE an alien life form and I am dipping my cracker in alien liver pate or something.....

15. Invertebrates as a food source?
Ok, I know if I haven't cause at least mild consternation by now this is where I will have people ranting at me but......... NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! If it doesn't have a backbone I have a hard time even thinking about eating it....except for crab legs in which case I will run down your grandmother as she hobbles across the street on a walker in order to get my fair share. I've eaten lobster and shrimp just to be polite but clams, scallops, mussels, snails, and dear god *shudder* oysters....there ain't no friggin way. I cannot even be in the same room when Mr. Lime and my son eat raw oysters. I'm gagging right now. I swear I didn't do it, but I fell over laughing when he found someone had painted his oyster knife blade entirely in purple nail polish. Tommy, in case you're wondering, I'd be willing to try crawdads...they sorta look crabbish enough to consider.

16. Describe a properly cooked and adorned hot dog.
Ok, I had some serious hot dog related weirdness as a child in that my parents tolerated me eating them every night for a year when I was a preschooler. Now that I am grown I am sort of hot-dogged out BUT when I do have one I like it grilled until the skin is black then on the bun with ketchup and diced onions. Cheese is ok too. Boiled hotdogs are gross and if you really want to disturb me you know how I feel about sauekraut...

17. How did Wonder Bread get that name?
Because I wonder how they can even consider it bread. Gimme some nice hearty 100% whole wheat bread or some multigrain stuff that has actual flavor and nutritional value.

18. What possessed anyone to look at the droppings of a palm civet and think they should search through it for coffee beans to roast so they could market it as the highest priced coffee in the world?
Someone was so addicted to coffee they'd inject it directly into their veins but was nonetheless a marketing genius! I am so glad I have never acquired that addiction but wish I had the busisness savvy.....hhmmm, I think I will go looking at lemur droppings for cacao beans to process into obscenely expensive chocolate.......

19. Twinkies: irresistible junk food or indestructible weapon?
I read about some biology teacher who kept an unwrapped one on his chalkboard tray for 30 years. It never got moldy. The ants never went after it. It just petrified. I think that says it all...

20. What is the best use for olives?
Pressing them to make oil or else sticking them on the ends of your fingers to use as puppets.

21. Normal watermelon or seedless?
Normal, of course! How else can I win the seed spitting contest???

22. Have you ever had caviar?
No, but I'd try it although I wonder what made someone say, 'Gee, I think I'd like to put whatever that fish just shot out its rear on a cracker.'

23. Tell me about a flavor experiment that went horribly awry.
Mr. Lime tells the story of being about 10 and wanting to taste what amounted to a cannoli made of baloney and whipped cream. Last month Isaac decided he wanted to duplicate the experiment with sliced ham.

24. File this under 'why bother?'
When Isaac was a toddler/preschooler he would refuse to eat dinner at the table. He'd push the food around his plate and pretend to eat it. The second he got down from the table he'd scavenge UNDER the table for anything his sisters had dropped on the floor. If perchance he found some fossilized Cheerio cemented to the floor by stale milk from breakfast that I had somehow missed cleaning up, he would chip it off the floor and eat that too. I was quite tempted to forego plates and utensils for him, keep one spot on the floor clean enough for surgery, and smear his dinner across it each night before the rest of us sat down to eat like civilized humans.

25. What is one dish you tasted because it looked irresistibly delicious but it turned out to be really revolting?
That would have to be chocolate spaghetti. It was at a potluck dinner and it looked chocolate and smelled of chocolate. Hey, I like pasta, I LIVE for chocolate...let's give it a whirl...I don't know what else was in it but it was really quite vile. It was two great tastes that did NOT taste great together.

Well, folks, there you have it...the first original food meme by yours truly. I could be obnoxious and tag every single one of you since no one else has EVER done this meme before but I'll just toss it out into the blogosphere and see where whimsy takes it. Just let me know if you did it....and ONE MORE THING....if you do it, add a question to it and let me see your perspective on something else.

Trini Tuesday-Whey De Panman?

In Trinidad, now that Christmas is past we begin the build-up to Carnival! There are so many things that occur but not the least of which is the final preparations of steel pan orchestras which will competeand provide the background for all the wining in the streets. If you live near a panyard you'll live your life to the soundtrack of rehearsals as the music fills the neighborhood.

One of my early Trini Tuesday posts explained the roots of Steelpan. Another one explored the importance of Calypso as an artform and social commentary. Here's a terrific video that is a great example of both that addresses some of the cultural shifts regarding pan musicians and the artform. You can see the traditional panyards and some shots of steelpan construction. Don't worry, it's not documentary. You'll be wanting to wine dem hips along with a couple lovelies who make an appearance too.




And here is another video that has some great shots from around the island, from the capital to the beaches. It also gives a good view of the bowl of a steelpan so you can see how the individual notes on the pans are shaped in the metal. Keep in mind tuning occurs with a blow torch and a hammer and mallet. Amazing, no?



Happy Trini Tuesday!

UPDATE: Here is one link to current information on steelbands in Trinidad.

Finally a Useful Ad from Gmail!

Last week, I posted a comment at Snavy's mentioning a very unfortunate incident involving Isaac, Diana at her surliest, and an industrial sized bottle of pancake syrup. A regular reader who does not have a blog emailed me requesting the story behind my comment. I happily obliged with the following which I am posting with the reader's permission...

My son, my darling son who is the 'easy child' because he is much more even tempered than either of his sisters have ever been, especially now that they are both hopped up on hormones....sweet as the boy is, he is unbelievably accident prone. Imagine a big, loving St. Bernard who thinks he is a lap dog and still a puppy, that's my boy. To back up a bit, he was in a bit of trouble last night because we have made the computers password protected and not given the kids the password due to some abuse of privileges occuring. Enter Mr. Lapdog who figured out the password and decided to use it. I walked into him logging onto the computer. He very wisely confessed and displayed sincere and appropriate contrition. However, as we tried to change the password it seemed there was some sort of problem because someone also tried to enter a new one before us. We are unsure as to who because the boy also told his sisters the password and they are not as prone to repentance. I forgave him and explained at length why we have this rule. Daddy was somewhat less forgiving. So the boy woke this morning still feeling somewhat under scrutiny. Oh, I should also mention the boy is notorious for missing his bus so we have insititued some new procedures to deal with that....nonetheless he missed his bus yesterday morning.

This brings us to this morning when the boy awoke and shuffled out to the kitchen where he was disappointed to find his cereal was finsished. I went to retrieve the frozen waffles he didn't know we had, much to his happiness. He pulled the ill-fated bottle of pancake syrup from the fridge (may I note this was not the typical sized bottle. No sir, this is a giganto bottle I got from the warehouse store). In the 2 steps from the fridge to the kitchen table the bottle slipped to the floor and the bottom of it burst out sending a flood of syrup over the freshly mopped floor. I groaned as I saw it and he stood there paralyzed in fear for his life as the flood spread. After a moment, he dutifully began to clean it, but given that it was soon time for his bus and he had yet to eat, brush his teeth, and put on shoes (keeping in mind that shoelaces are one of the mysteries of his universe) I said he was excused from cleaning this mess.

Enter one surly 16 year old girl. I am kneeling on the floor with the trash can nearby so the sludgy paper towels can be immediately dumped. Of course, I am right in front of the fridge because I planned it all that way so as to maximize her inconvenience and resulting irritation. She attmepts to open the fridge with me in the way and steps into a spot I am still trying to rid of a sticky residue and I tell her to please wait a minute. She snarls that I should move unless I want her to miss her bus and have to drive her. I suggest if she intends to miss her bus perhaps she ought to get down and begin making herself useful in the cleaning process. For some odd reason she was not receptive to that.

Moments ago she lost all of today's privileges, tv, computer, phone for the evening. A smart remark extended it to tomorrow and ANOTHER sassy retort lost it for the rest of the week. Grrrrrrrrrr



The reader's response was...
THIS is a "classic" -- and should be the subject of a blog entry (if not right now, then sometime when you're trying to think of something to write about)! I love the way you described the "personalities" involved as well as the "actions"!


I was compelled to share...
Ok, I came back and reread this to assess its viability as postable material. When I did, I found the following Gmail generated ad in the sidebar...

Internship in Nepal $799Internship in Nepal, India Thailand, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenyawww.ifrevolunteers.org

perhaps I have found the remedy for surly teens??

HNT-Best of Lime Edition

Yes, I know I am a week late. I had guests last week and so you get my recap this week. You'll all live, I'm sure. And if you won't then make sure I have an address where I can send a sympathy card. I am lousy at superlatives so you get more than one favorite from me.

This first one I liked because it is an angle of myself I had never seen before. I was shocked to find that I have sorta ok legs when you check from the right angle. I also loved the black stockings against the colorful curtains.

Ok, technically in this next shot we have the worst of Lime but this one just cracks me up. The one with the spoon on my nose also makes me laugh but this one wins for sheer expression. It was to show how I feel about 5 am mornings. It was taken at that time. And damn if it doesn't capture my sentiments perfectly.



This was my first attmept at anything artsy. It is with my grandfather's guitar and in honor of him. I was pleasantly surprised by how it came out. I think he would have liked it.



This one is one my daughter captured and I just love it. I think she did a great job and I think this picture best expresses who I am....looking at the world from a strange angle and having fun refusing to grow up.



This one fills my heart with happiness. I love the way it shows my son's dirty but gentle little boy hands while he is marvelling over something that fills him with awe and wonder. It captures much of who he is, my gentle giant.

So which one is your favorite? Or is there another one you remember that you wish I'd included?

Happy New Year and Happy HNT!

Weird Wednesday-Well that explains it...

So, what's your sign? You crash here often?
By Naomi Kim

TORONTO, Dec 13 (Reuters Life!) - Never mind how careful you are behind the wheel or how long you've been driving, the signs of the zodiac may be bigger factors behind your ability to avoid car crashes -- or why you have too many. According to a study by InsuranceHotline.com, a Web site that quotes drivers on insurance rates, astrological signs are a significant factor in predicting car accidents.

The study, which looked at 100,000 North American drivers' records from the past six years, puts Libras (born September 23-October 22) followed by Aquarians (January 20-February 18) as the worst offenders for tickets and accidents. Leos (July 23-August 22) and then Geminis (May 21-June 20) were found to be the best overall.

Even age, another variable for determining insurance rates, is less of a consideration to researcher Romanov. The cutoff line for being considered a higher risk driver is 24 years of age; 25-year-olds are considered not-high risk. "I'd rather get into a car with a 24-year-old Leo than a 25-year-old Aries," Romanov said. Leos, described along with the study results on InsuranceHotline.com/a10.html, are "generous, and comfortable in sharing the roadway." Aries, on the other hand, "have a 'me first' childlike nature that drives Aries into trouble." "I wasn't believing in it before," said Romanov, "but I would think twice before getting into a car with an Aries."

Now, listen...I've got at least some anecdotal evidence that suggests otherwise. My husband, his mother, and my grandfather are/were all Aquarians who are described at the site as ' impulsive, and ruled by the Planet of speed and rebellion. Aquarians need to get a better grip behind the wheel.' I have to say all three of these people are the safest and slooowwweeesssttt drivers I've ever been with. Mr. Lime is meticulous about following speed limits as his his mother. My grandfather, may he rest in peace, was known for his maddening tendency to drive well UNDER the speed limit.

Then there is my Cancerian dad who is described as 'They’re homebodies, and consider the roadway of drivers their extended family. But they’re a moody group, and would be the ones to honk at you for no reason at all.' Well, if you regard alternating between completely ignoring your family or shouting comments about suggested sexual activites for fellow drivers all while driving at top speed as good family behavior I guess this is dead on accurate. Oh, and that homebody thing? No, he loved driving in the Champs-Elysee madness and admires Beijing drivers who he tells me have no actual rules about right of way other than 'He who has the biggest cajones has right of way, even if it's a bicyclist going up against a Mack truck.'

As a Libra I supposedly 'Crave balance and consensus. Libra doesn’t like to make snap decisions. But rush hour traffic is not a time for seeking driver approval, or for being indecisive.' Apparently I am also the most prone to accidents. Personally, I can't stand to be behind someone who doesn't seem to know where the heck they are going. 'Hhhmm, should I turn right or left or maybe I should just slow down and block traffic completely while I get my map out and call on my cellphone for help.' This sort of driving makes me want to shout, 'Would you DRIVE already!!!' Just pick a turn and go or else pull over while you form a committee to assess the choices.

We're just not going to mention that I had three accidents in three years. Shaddup! None of them were my fault.

Stolen from Logo & Snavy

*UPDATE: I've fixed the date on the post (I have such observant readers...can't get a thing past them) and added something else I stole. I'll try to be more original tomorrow.

I've been told I need to post something already. My brain juices are not flowing. The blog muses have gone on vacation. I will be entirely unoriginal and brief so as to not torture you all excessively. I hope everyone had a happy New Year.

This meme is designed to be answered in one word.
Describe ...

1. Yourself: enigmatic

2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse: plegmatic

3. Your hair: erratic

4. Your mother: pragmatic

5. Your father: emphatic

6. Your favorite item: treasured

7. Your dream last night: pleasured

8. Your favorite drink: unmeasured

9. Your dream car: motorcycle

10. The room you are in: painted

11. Your ex: tainted

12. Your fear: restraint

13. What you want to be in 10 years? older

14. Who you hung out with last night? youngsters

15. What You're Not? downbeat

16. Muffins: eat

17. One of your wish list items: sweet

18. Time: fleet

19. The last thing you did: blog

20. What you are wearing: togs

21. Your favorite weather: warm

22. Your favorite book: transformed

23. The last thing you ate: food

24. Your life: good

25. Your mood: feeling

26. Your best friend: healing

27. What are you thinking about right now? sleep

28. Your car: heap

29. What are you doing at the moment? yawn

30. Your summer: gone

31. Your relationship status: nonplussed

32. What is on your TV? dust

33. What is the weather like? gust

34. When is the last time you laughed? night

35. What do you think of memes with missing or odd numbered questions: blight



JANUARY
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?Same as every year...I resolve not to make resolutions.
2. Who kissed you at midnight?No one.
3. Does it snow where you live?Normally, but so far this year I can count the flakes I have seen, and I don't mean that weird guy who hangs around the mini-mart.
4. Do you like hot chocolate?You are kidding right?
5. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?No, not too interested either. Have youseen that crowd? Whaddya do when ya gotta go potty?

FEBRUARY
1. Who was your Valentine?That would be Mr. Lime
2. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your class?Yes
3. Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not?Of course! I'm from Pennsylvania, we care deeply about lil Punxatawny Phil

MARCH
1. Are you Irish? Probably not. My great grandfather immigrated as a child with his family during the Potato Famine though.
2. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?Yep
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day?Went to the local parade as always since my daughter marched in it.
4. Are you happy when winter is pretty much over?It hasn't even begun in earnest yet. How can it almsot be over?? Besides, in Pennsylvania April blizzards are not unheard of.

APRIL
1. Do you like the rain?Yes, as long as it is not leaking through the roof and there is some sun now and again
2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year?No
3. Do you get tons of candy on Easter?Nope.

MAY
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?I can't pick only one.
2. Do you like the spring?Yes
3. Finish the phrase "April showers": prevent April body odor
4. What is the first color you think of when you think of Spring? Purple

JUNE
1. What year did/will you graduate from high school? The year I finished my course requirements
2. Did you realize nothing special happens in June?I beg your pardon??? Calypso was born in June, my Dad was born in June, it's Father's Day, school lets out for summer vacation. I dunno what you're smoking

JULY
1. What did you do on the Fourth of July?I can't remember
2. Did you go on any vacations during this month? Went to Maryland for a few days
3. Do you blast the A/C all day?Naw, only if it is beastly hot. I'd rather have the fresh air from a window if it's not disgusting humid. If it's beastly and humid it's AC all the way though.

AUGUST
1. Did you do anything special at the end of your summer?Nope
2. What was your favorite summer memory?Watching my girls really enjoy being sisters while we were in Maryland
3. Did you have a sunburn?Yes. Can you say crispy Lime in Aloe Vera Sauce?
4. Do you go to the beach a lot?Not as often as I'd like to.

SEPTEMBER
1. Did you attend school/college in '06? yep
2. Who is/was your favorite teacher?My second grade teacher when I moved to a new school after Dad left. She was able to gently retrieve things from the shattered little kid and see there was something of value in there and encourage it.
3. Do you like fall better than summer?Most defintiely

OCTOBER
1. What was your favorite Halloween costume?Mine, I dunno? But when diana was about 4 and I had no money I made a cool costume of a cat out of paper bags and paint.
2. Did you trick or treat or go to a party??We go back to the old neighborhood
3.Did you dress up? Yes, as a harried mother of three

NOVEMBER
1. Whose house did you go to for Thanksgiving?My mom's
2. Do you love stuffing?Yes! But potato filling is even better!
3. What are you thankful for?Way too much to list here

DECEMBER
1. Do you celebrate Christmas?Yes
2. If not, what do you celebrate?We also observe Hanukkah
3. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?No
4. Get anything special this year?I got a crossword puzzle that is too big to fit on the land in Australia I now own. I still think it's hilarious.
5. What do you want this year?Lean in close I'll whisper in your ear
6. Do you like cold weather?In its season