Week Forty-Seven: The Facts of Life

This week's episode brought to you by the makers of Trivial Pursuit. The top butterfly flight speed is 12 miles per hour. Some moths can fly 25 miles per hour. And people wonder why I'm afraid of moths. Demented little insects that can flutter dementedly faster than I can easily move myself are something to be feared.

Day 1 (323): 27th of October
Africa is bigger than the United States, China, India, Spain, France, and several other countries combined. But as they say, mo' landmass, mo' problems. Carney Park was burning tonight.

Great photo from Pozzuoli. Had to borrow glad rags for a Ball.

Day 2 (324): 28th of October
The Mongolian navy consists of seven people and one boat. Happy Tuesday.

This one came out great. I love the unplanned shots that just seem to work.

Day 3 (325): 29th of October
In ancient Rome, when a man testified in court he would swear on his testicles. I don't think we've come all that far. Science wonders why humans only use a small portion of their brains. I think it's a sample size problem. too many men were studied, and it is well known that little thinking is done with the brain. Ohh pretty. I miss my Mini.

Ahhh, the joys of commuting at dusk.

Day 4 (326): 30th of October
The United States has never lost a war in which mules were used. It turns out that going to sleep at 2230 and waking at 0230 to listen to Game Seven of the World Series leaves one rather less than alert during the day. Despite my elation at the win for the Giants (even years are the thing), I needed two cups of tea, two cups of coffee, and half a bag of chocolate covered espresso beans to reach a level of cognizance that met the minimum requirement to do my job. Also was asked several times if I was sick, several times if I was upset about something, and a couple of kind souls informed me that I looked rather tired. So kind of these random individuals to look out for my health and inform me of my apparent condition. I call this "Sun through rainy windshield."

And this is "Moon plus star." I'm nothing if not creative.

Day 5 (327): 31st of October
The past-tense of the word “dare” is “durst.” I think that means the past-tense of "fare" should be "furst." If only because of the confusion it would cause. If the Internet cannot use the right form of "there" or "their," just imagine. Read a great article this morning extolling the virtues of ghosting. It was music to my eyes. Many a time have I been chided for buggering off from a party without saying anything. That was the plan for tonight's party. A couple hours, a couple beers, a couple hellos and I'd be gone. Haha. Best laid plans. Foiled by that A-hole Alan Keilborn Holl. Ah well. Fun regardless. And I think I've satisfied my social appearance quota for at least six months. Here is a cool photo of the moon in the afternoon.

And the sun in the sundown time.

Day 6 (328): 1st of November
It is forbidden for aircraft to fly over the Taj Mahal. Another day, another set of glad rags. The Marines really know how to put on a party. Great grub. Great tunes. Almost enough to distract a person from those she tries to avoid but who end up everywhere. And when one's defenses are down thanks to the Mother of All Hangovers, distractions are welcome. Gosh I'm a grump.

And apparently Hangover Photos look just like Day Before Hangover Photos.

Seriously. Get a new muse, Rodeo.

OK, something that isn't just like the the crap from yesterday.

Day 7 (329): 2nd of November
Cats sleep 16 to 18 hours a day. I believe it, as there is one draped across my person as I type. It is truly remarkable how a human brain works. Particularly when combined with those pesky things called emotions. Someone whose presence used to elicit a smile and positive thoughts can become someone whose presence brings out nothing but urges to simultaneously flee and cause bodily harm and make snarky comments. Really wish I were better at things like saying and doing the right thing, or saying slash doing anything. Nope, when confronted by a complex situation, I usually follow the example of the great Br'er Rabbit. And that typically ends up with me laughing because it's the only thing that makes sense. Any rate, enough of that nonsense. Here is the view from my hotel this morning. Such a lovely morning.

A duck’s quack doesn’t echo, and no one knows why. Just proves that ducks are really aliens.
Your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end. All the better for wagging.

Week Twenty-Seven: Once Upon a Mountain

One upon a mountain, a gallant young Naval Officer spent the majority of a week teaching a course in Bavaria. Despite the somewhat long days and long walks to and from the class location, it was a highly restorative week. Teaching something she enjoys to people genuinely interested to learn is such a rewarding experience. Here's hoping more of these trips are in her future. The world needs our hero(ine). International liaising and things, you know...

Day 1 (183): 9th of June
First day of the class and I'm seriously questioning my sanity in climbing the bloody mountain on Saturday. Between the twenty minute walk from the hotel and the lack of air conditioning in the classroom, my back was rather cross after the first hour of instruction. The only recourse was to go back to the hotel after the rest of the lectures, drug up and pass out. Gosh I'm a wimp.

But the flowers were so pretty...

Day 2 (184): 10th of June
There is something about Bavaria that makes me feel as though I've stumbled across a film set in progress. I keep looking for the camera crew that must certainly be just out of sight. It's the sort of place where one can hear actual cowbells on actual cows. Walking to the base in the morning was celebrated with a soundtrack like a metallic waterfall. One might think there was a stampede imminent, but the constant racket is just from grazing calmly on a hillside. Who knew. My breakfasts with bacon and Michael Jackson (on the radio-thanks, German rock station) are followed by strolls through landscape out of some famous painter's daydreams. I can suffer through this as long as I am needed. Even with the churchbells every fifteen minutes.

Honestly. Look at the scenery.

Really, just look. Like a set. You can really find parts of O-gau that exist completely in monochrome. Totally bizarre.

Day 3 (185): 11th of June
As one walks through the lanes of this quaint little haven for nature and dirndls, one may feel as though one is viewing candidates for high honours at the Chelsea Flower Show. The amount of effort put into the average garden is truly impressive. Maybe it is just for show and to keep the whole Bavaria picture going, but any rate, it is marvellous and distracting enough to cause fits of clumsiness. What is this odd thing? The whole bush together is amazing, but I've no idea what to call the clawy flowery thing.

Even the weedy bits draw the eye. These are the tiniest little daisy things I've ever seen. Each face is the size of a dime.

Day 4 (186): 12th of June
Damn, I have to leave too soon. Our heroine (yes, there's a heroine... do keep up) has so much left to do, but alas the call of duty rings ever true. So many more meals to conquer and beers to sample. So many more mountains to ... erm... well... observe from a safe distance or from a nice gondola. But in the meanwhilst, there is this little guy.

And this view. Really rubbish, eh?

It is hard to take good photos of people's gardens without looking dodgy. But Lupins!!

Day 5 (187): 13th of June
Last night's storm ought to have made the pollen in the air go away, but the flora around here seems to have taken the rain as a cue to produce more of the sneeze-inducing stuff. The other result was a simply gorgeous morning with low clouds rolling over the mountain and the colours even more vibrant than before. Best part about summer is that the sun is already high in the sky by 0600. In this case, that is also the time that the previously mentioned bells in the Catholic church a block away give the village a wake up call. Probably something the locals don't even notice any longer. Like the trains that crash through my grandparents' tiny town several times a day. Back in Naples, it is time for more fireworks. Must learn to take better fireworks photos.

But the full moon looks rather neat through the misty clouds.

Day 6 (188): 14th of June
Another Saturday back in Naples. But someone else is cooking dinner and all I have to do is arrive and be my oh so charming self and drink Pimms. Shame about the view though...

Not sure what to say about this. Just, well, Naples (OK, Pozzuoli).

Day 7 (189): 15th of June
Happy Father's Day! Apparently Italy did well in some soccer-related international event. It certainly explains the wallpapering of the Naples region with Italian flags and the fireworks in excess even by Neapolitan standards. Any rate, it is getting late and my internet is lame. Here is a lemon from my tree.

With that, the travels of our intrepid protagonist come to a close (for now). We'll see you again next time.