...when am I gonna hear it?
I am so deaf it's not funny.
Thank you again, Pete Townshend.
I pretty much blame him - he started this tinnitus kick :)
I have to say that Pete is right to be concerned about the present headphone generation of kids...from the time the Walkman came out (early 80s?) ,I was plugged in every moment I could. Of course I had the volume on full blast (the better to tune out the Reagan years). Then, to add insult to injury, I used to go to small divey clubs to hear bands 2-3 times per week (before my mom days!) and I never would wear earplugs, (I wanted to hear eery note!).. So no wonder I have severe hearing loss in one ear.
It started the year "W" was elected...an omen, perhaps?
Anyway - the moral is - take care of your ears - and your kids' too!
Hoping all you guys are well,
I remain,
Yours truly in blogland,
Sue
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Don't jiggle on a rickshaw
I really must apologize for slacking off in blogland. My time has been devoted mostly to getting rid of STUFF and packing (in my mind).
The other day I was at a redlight, thinking, yeah this is boring, but contemplating my wardrobe for the next 6 months in Asia - mostly Taipei but also India.
I was having the same old "scary" flashblack - thinking back to last spring, when during a visit to India to see my in-laws, I was chastized for wearing a (sleeveless, yet conservative) dress with a "western bra" while travelling with my mother-in-law on a bicycle rickshaw. You see, an "Indian bra" (*) is really an unspoken wardrobe requirement when full-figured Western gals, (like myself) visit India.
I was called on the carpet for "jiggling on the rickshaw" which was "horribly embarrasing." If only I was wearing an "Indian bra" she would have been able to have waltzed through the townsquare with her head up, proud of her western daughter-in-law.
But no..
All eyes were upon ME, the girl with the va - va voom, jiggling her way "to market, to market."
This...brought to you by the country that gave the world the Kama Sutra, and temples laden with relief sculptures of man and woman doing it in every position known to man, woman, and beast.
I have a feeling Indians actually ENJOY sex and, the female form. I don't know what it is, just a little hunch.
So, as I was saying, this little exchange, if you will, between my beloved, embarrassed mom-in-law and I is going through my head, and I am thinking, "gosh, should I bring the ugly silwar-chemise that she made for me because it's 'less embarassing' to be seen in it (with or without an Indian bra) than a western style dress?"...and in the same split second, I see a woman, who had been jogging, but she paused and jogged in place at the previously mentioned red light...and she removed her t-shirt to reveal, a very, very skimpy jog bra... and.... my head exploded.
* An Indian bra is kind of like Madonna's "Cone bra" from the early 90s...only not as pointy. They are very flattering and Marilyn Monroe inducing (if you are well endowed).
The other day I was at a redlight, thinking, yeah this is boring, but contemplating my wardrobe for the next 6 months in Asia - mostly Taipei but also India.
I was having the same old "scary" flashblack - thinking back to last spring, when during a visit to India to see my in-laws, I was chastized for wearing a (sleeveless, yet conservative) dress with a "western bra" while travelling with my mother-in-law on a bicycle rickshaw. You see, an "Indian bra" (*) is really an unspoken wardrobe requirement when full-figured Western gals, (like myself) visit India.
I was called on the carpet for "jiggling on the rickshaw" which was "horribly embarrasing." If only I was wearing an "Indian bra" she would have been able to have waltzed through the townsquare with her head up, proud of her western daughter-in-law.
But no..
All eyes were upon ME, the girl with the va - va voom, jiggling her way "to market, to market."
This...brought to you by the country that gave the world the Kama Sutra, and temples laden with relief sculptures of man and woman doing it in every position known to man, woman, and beast.
I have a feeling Indians actually ENJOY sex and, the female form. I don't know what it is, just a little hunch.
So, as I was saying, this little exchange, if you will, between my beloved, embarrassed mom-in-law and I is going through my head, and I am thinking, "gosh, should I bring the ugly silwar-chemise that she made for me because it's 'less embarassing' to be seen in it (with or without an Indian bra) than a western style dress?"...and in the same split second, I see a woman, who had been jogging, but she paused and jogged in place at the previously mentioned red light...and she removed her t-shirt to reveal, a very, very skimpy jog bra... and.... my head exploded.
* An Indian bra is kind of like Madonna's "Cone bra" from the early 90s...only not as pointy. They are very flattering and Marilyn Monroe inducing (if you are well endowed).
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Life is a Daring Adventure or Nothing at All
I haven't been posting much - been frantically preparing for a 6 month stint in Taipei. I've told some of you in blogland that my family are moving to Taiwan, temporarily.
My husband is trying to start a new company with one of his company's customers.
So we will live in Taipei from February - August, then, if this new start up is a sure thing, we'll go back sometime in the fall (?) and live there for 1-2 years!
I've been spending alot of time on-line, trying to find a school for Anjoli. I think I found a good one. It's small, in a beautiful area called Yang Ming Shan. It's a very exclusive area - so let's hope we can find affordable housing! I'm sure we will.
When I'm there I plan on studying Mandarin, hopefully taking classes in Chinese Medicine, tai chi and Qi Gong. I also want to take cooking lessons - even if they're given by friends. (We know one family there - they're WONDERFUL people). I'm bringing my guitar and keyboard...I want to take piano lessons along with my daughter. I think I'll have lots of time to study music and finish songs I've started. I hope!
Thank God for this blogging business - 'cuz I'm sure I'll get homesick after a month or so!! I'll be sure to post regularly when I'm there, I promise!
(The above picture is a view from the Su-Hua Highway on the east coast).
Friday, January 06, 2006
Ruminating on Rumi
Don't let your throat tighten
with fear. Take sips of breath
all day and night, before death
closes your mouth.
Pale sunlight,
pale the wall.
Love moves away.
The light changes.
I need more grace
than I thought.
~Rumi
with fear. Take sips of breath
all day and night, before death
closes your mouth.
Pale sunlight,
pale the wall.
Love moves away.
The light changes.
I need more grace
than I thought.
~Rumi
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
O Christmas Tree!
Ok it's not the 12th day of Christmas yet, so I can still post these pictures! It's been hectic around here, so now that the troops are at work and school, I can share these. Our tree was a little crooked, but still pretty!
These are two of my favorite ornaments.Not that I'm vain or anything, but they revolve around, well, ME! The first one was given to me by my roommate when I was a freshman at the University of Rhode Island in 1980 (yikes!). She christened me "swho" because I am a Who freak. The second I bought in Quebec City when my husband and I were living in Montreal back in 1996. We both thought it looked like, um, ME!!! Yeah, I'm such an angel. ;)
These are two of my favorite ornaments.Not that I'm vain or anything, but they revolve around, well, ME! The first one was given to me by my roommate when I was a freshman at the University of Rhode Island in 1980 (yikes!). She christened me "swho" because I am a Who freak. The second I bought in Quebec City when my husband and I were living in Montreal back in 1996. We both thought it looked like, um, ME!!! Yeah, I'm such an angel. ;)
The Wall Part 2
Ta da! Yes, I know all of you have been waiting with baited breath for a follow-up to my "Stripping for Pleasure" post.
Well, my friends, wait no more.
A few weeks ago, our dear friend Scott took us one step closer to creating our dream kitchen by putting up our wallpaper! He did an awesome job. It really looks beautiful. It took a good 4 hours to do (including beer breaks!). He is so patient and meticulous (unlike moi). My kitchen is slowly taking on a bistro look!
You know you have found a true friend when they put wallpaper up for you!
We are very lucky to have a friend like him. THANK YOU SCOTT!!!!
The finished product
Anjoli, her friend Kristen and Kristen's dad, Scott.
The Power of Eternity
I started my New Year with a bang. Yeah! I came home from Boston on New Year's day -a day early because I missed my sweeties so much...
While I was on the plane I set my new watch (I never wear them but Sujoy gave me one for our anniversary) back to central time while I was flying. Ok - so I get to Houston and have to walk five miles to my connecting flight - what a horrible airport. The gates aren't in order - it's very confusing. So anyway, I got to the gate but it was super crowded, so I found a chair, made some phone calls home, then became quite engrossed sending a text message to my friend Laura who I want to get in touch with badly - I missed her call while I was away. So...while waiting, I hear all these calls for Palm Springs over and over...so I went to the desk at the gate and saw "Palm Springs" on the board...OMG, I couldn't believe it - I missed my freakin' flight! Turns out I set my watch 1 hour back instead of two! Duh!! And I was looking at my cell phone and I noticed the time was different, but I thought it was my cell phone that was wrong (yeah that GPS is so unreliable) and not my watch. Oh the ego, Sue! Get over it. I'm never wrong! Nope. That's the Leo in me, I guess.
I never heard the call because the gate was to my left and I have severe hearing loss in my left ear, thanks to Pete Townshend. (Kidding!) I have tinnitus something fierce !
So I flew standby - didn't make it on the first try (they told me I did, then they yanked me off the plane - cruel and unusual punishment! wah!) but the second time I just squeeked in. New Year's Day is INSANE to travel...oh man I was praying like CRAZY that I didn't have to spend the night in the airport.
I owe God big time!
While waiting for my last standby flight I called my sister (yes I set my watch correctly) and I told her that I had our father (who art in the hospital in pretty bad shape) sign a Power of Attorney form. I incorrectly called it a "Power of Eternity" form...and I thought to myself, well, that's a cool slip, because
there really is power in eternity.
I've had a rough year - lost my mom last year, now my dad has cancer. So I've been thinking alot about death and thinking about my life...mistakes I've made, wasting so much time, taking people for granted...I've been in panic mode lately, quite fearful about the future. I'm reading a really great book that's helping me though...It's called the Power of Intention
by Wayne Dyer. He talks about death and the soul, and I believe, as he does, that the soul never dies. We are eternal - and earth is our schoolroom, and we just keep coming back until we get it right - that is, when we learn that we are not separate from God. Knowing that we are eternal makes life in the present much easier, I think. I just can't wait until I get to that place where I no longer worry, because when you realize that your are Divine - worry and fear will no longer exist.
I don't know if that makes sense to anyone, but it does to me!
While I was on the plane I set my new watch (I never wear them but Sujoy gave me one for our anniversary) back to central time while I was flying. Ok - so I get to Houston and have to walk five miles to my connecting flight - what a horrible airport. The gates aren't in order - it's very confusing. So anyway, I got to the gate but it was super crowded, so I found a chair, made some phone calls home, then became quite engrossed sending a text message to my friend Laura who I want to get in touch with badly - I missed her call while I was away. So...while waiting, I hear all these calls for Palm Springs over and over...so I went to the desk at the gate and saw "Palm Springs" on the board...OMG, I couldn't believe it - I missed my freakin' flight! Turns out I set my watch 1 hour back instead of two! Duh!! And I was looking at my cell phone and I noticed the time was different, but I thought it was my cell phone that was wrong (yeah that GPS is so unreliable) and not my watch. Oh the ego, Sue! Get over it. I'm never wrong! Nope. That's the Leo in me, I guess.
I never heard the call because the gate was to my left and I have severe hearing loss in my left ear, thanks to Pete Townshend. (Kidding!) I have tinnitus something fierce !
So I flew standby - didn't make it on the first try (they told me I did, then they yanked me off the plane - cruel and unusual punishment! wah!) but the second time I just squeeked in. New Year's Day is INSANE to travel...oh man I was praying like CRAZY that I didn't have to spend the night in the airport.
I owe God big time!
While waiting for my last standby flight I called my sister (yes I set my watch correctly) and I told her that I had our father (who art in the hospital in pretty bad shape) sign a Power of Attorney form. I incorrectly called it a "Power of Eternity" form...and I thought to myself, well, that's a cool slip, because
there really is power in eternity.
I've had a rough year - lost my mom last year, now my dad has cancer. So I've been thinking alot about death and thinking about my life...mistakes I've made, wasting so much time, taking people for granted...I've been in panic mode lately, quite fearful about the future. I'm reading a really great book that's helping me though...It's called the Power of Intention
by Wayne Dyer. He talks about death and the soul, and I believe, as he does, that the soul never dies. We are eternal - and earth is our schoolroom, and we just keep coming back until we get it right - that is, when we learn that we are not separate from God. Knowing that we are eternal makes life in the present much easier, I think. I just can't wait until I get to that place where I no longer worry, because when you realize that your are Divine - worry and fear will no longer exist.
I don't know if that makes sense to anyone, but it does to me!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year Everyone!
First of all, my apologies for my rant and negativity.
It was very disrespectful, and I was going to delete it, but maybe it's best that I reveal my true self, warts and all. It's not all peace, love and lollipops all the time for any of us, right?
I actually had a good visit with my dad, and my cousin and her boyfriend were so supportive of me. They live in a beautiful house that they built last year in Plymouth, MA on Cape Cod. I stayed with them and my cousin lent me her car. It snowed last night...I DROVE in the snow. OMG California has spoiled me. It was fine - no skidding.
The drive into Boston this morning was SO beautiful. All the bare trees covered with snow. Just heavenly. I love the smell of snow...
My dad is ok - but he contracted a very nasty staph infection from an IV that was inserted incorrectly...and it's awful because he complained about pain and swelling early on, but his concerns were ignored (natch) and it wasn't addressed until the infection got out control and his hand ballooned. So he's angry and I don't blame him. Staph is highly resitant to antibiotics, so now they're playing the "let's try this antiobiotic" game - he's on a second one for 2 weeks. It really worries me, because antiobiotics wipe out all the good bacteria and before you know it your're looking at infection after infection...and his liver is already compromised. It's pretty scary. And he can't re-start his treatment until the infection clears. The first round of treatment was effective - the tumor responded to it, so that's hopeful. They used a biological agent instead of chemo, so that made me feel good. I know chemo is helpful, but I have mixed feelings about it. It can destroy the immune system, as everyone knows, so many people die from infections, rather than the cancer itself.
I wish he would consider alternative or rather, "complementary" natural therapy, but he won't have any of it. Oh well.
He was happy that I came and I took care of him as best I could - went shopping for pjs and slippers, etc (those johnnys are hideous!). He was thrilled. He kept saying the slippers I bought him were "sexy!" hmm... I even bought a toe nail clipper and scissors and clipped his toenails (YUCK! but I used surgical gloves). So that makes up for my mean post, right?
He's a pain in the butt, but he's actually a good patient. He just talks too much and asks a million questions. I'm sure he drives most of the nurses crazy!
I wasn't able to talk to his doctor (or any doctor). His oncologist was away - but she'll be back today, I think, so I'll know more in a day or two.
I'm flying back today...one day early. They're supposed to get more snow and I don't want to get stuck here - my daughter has a school performance this Wednesday and I can't miss that! Plus I'm volunteering in the Green Room -that should be fun!
I wish only good things to all of you...and if you are lucky enough to have healthy parents, give them lots of hugs!
It was very disrespectful, and I was going to delete it, but maybe it's best that I reveal my true self, warts and all. It's not all peace, love and lollipops all the time for any of us, right?
I actually had a good visit with my dad, and my cousin and her boyfriend were so supportive of me. They live in a beautiful house that they built last year in Plymouth, MA on Cape Cod. I stayed with them and my cousin lent me her car. It snowed last night...I DROVE in the snow. OMG California has spoiled me. It was fine - no skidding.
The drive into Boston this morning was SO beautiful. All the bare trees covered with snow. Just heavenly. I love the smell of snow...
My dad is ok - but he contracted a very nasty staph infection from an IV that was inserted incorrectly...and it's awful because he complained about pain and swelling early on, but his concerns were ignored (natch) and it wasn't addressed until the infection got out control and his hand ballooned. So he's angry and I don't blame him. Staph is highly resitant to antibiotics, so now they're playing the "let's try this antiobiotic" game - he's on a second one for 2 weeks. It really worries me, because antiobiotics wipe out all the good bacteria and before you know it your're looking at infection after infection...and his liver is already compromised. It's pretty scary. And he can't re-start his treatment until the infection clears. The first round of treatment was effective - the tumor responded to it, so that's hopeful. They used a biological agent instead of chemo, so that made me feel good. I know chemo is helpful, but I have mixed feelings about it. It can destroy the immune system, as everyone knows, so many people die from infections, rather than the cancer itself.
I wish he would consider alternative or rather, "complementary" natural therapy, but he won't have any of it. Oh well.
He was happy that I came and I took care of him as best I could - went shopping for pjs and slippers, etc (those johnnys are hideous!). He was thrilled. He kept saying the slippers I bought him were "sexy!" hmm... I even bought a toe nail clipper and scissors and clipped his toenails (YUCK! but I used surgical gloves). So that makes up for my mean post, right?
He's a pain in the butt, but he's actually a good patient. He just talks too much and asks a million questions. I'm sure he drives most of the nurses crazy!
I wasn't able to talk to his doctor (or any doctor). His oncologist was away - but she'll be back today, I think, so I'll know more in a day or two.
I'm flying back today...one day early. They're supposed to get more snow and I don't want to get stuck here - my daughter has a school performance this Wednesday and I can't miss that! Plus I'm volunteering in the Green Room -that should be fun!
I wish only good things to all of you...and if you are lucky enough to have healthy parents, give them lots of hugs!
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