Week Forty-Five: Curry Favours

Do you know what is delicious? Thai Green Curry. Do you know when it is even better? When I don't have to make it. Do you know what makes it better still? When it is not out of a cardboard box. These are the things that keep a person sane. Good food made with love by someone else. Which in my case is always a good thing. I've heard they are thinking of outlawing the phenomenon of me cooking. Because while I beg to differ, I've been informed that nuking things is not cooking.

Day 1 (309): 13th of October
Somehow this being a short week (again) makes things more stressful. For example, finding oneself at work on a day off, attempting to do something useful to get ahead of things, is enough to make one wonder how Life went so wrong. Probably just me - after all, I was that girl as a kid. You know, the one who did all her homework, read lots of non-assigned books for fun, and lived for extra credit. Being the grown-up (sic) who feels compelled to go in on a free Monday for several hours to help people sort out something she knew would confuse them, is just the way these Things end up. Damn them. The Things. Can't I just spend the day on the sofa re-watching Gilmore Girls or The Blacklist? Or get someone else to do Things? Oh, wait. I'm much too stubborn to not do Things myself.

Looking down from the roof where I took the above photo.

Day 2 (310): 14th of October
Another Tuesday pretending to be a Monday. Oh, and Naples didn't get the message that it is OCTOBER. We had nice and cool(ish) all summer. Last year I broke down and turned on the A/C one night when it was just too painfully hot to sleep. This year hasn't come close. But now that we are in what ought to be the cool down (and too soggy) start to fall and winter, the heat has to turn on. Way to be late to the party. First, this happened.

Then, this happened. Whatever might happen next?

Looks like we won't find out. Here is a flower.

Day 3 (311): 15th of October
You know what is nice? Hot tea with milk in the morning. Even better if it comes with Hobnobs (or the generic equivalent, they are really almost as good, flavour-wise). Better still if I don't forget it by the kettle so it steeps for half an hour and then gets cold. Smoky hazy day today. Every word in that ended in "y." Hmmm. Webby yellow flower weed. Those words all had "w" in them.

My focus on this one was all over the place. But the light was neat.

Day 4 (312): 16th of October
Have I mentioned I hate Thursdays? If not, I hate Thursdays. This one had dental evil, earthquake drills, increased force protection measures, multiple meetings, homework, and late night airplane travel. Actually, that last bit was rather nice. Mostly because it took me First Class British Airways the hell out of Naples. Buh Bye.

And hello to my cheap and cheerful (but not dodgy) little hotel "room." Vague resemblances to Depression-era lodger spaces are totally accurate. But it's nice enough and close to where I need to be.

Day 5 (313): 17th of October
Traipsing about London is grand. Busy, as it is rather a large city (in case that comes as a surprise). Talking to artists is usually grand, except when they are snobby, or the not-listeny kind of people. Then it is rather less grand. But Chinatown is fun. Bad place to go when one is hungry and has eaten nothing but a sausage roll all day.

OK. That one was silly. This is better. So is finishing the day with lovely family who are splendidly kind and fun to be around (and feed me beer and curry). Really don't know how my cousin does it. She really is Super Mum. Anyone who can raise three young humans and keep all their myriad lives in order truly is a hero. Why do you think I don't do it?

Day 6 (314): 18th of October
So many walks of shame. But not really, I guess, as there seemed no shame in any of it. I felt bad at making my poor cousin-in-law (is that a thing?) get up at ungodly hours to take me back to the train station after I drank all the family beer, ate all their food, crashed in the guest room, and probably filled the children's' heads with horribly corrupt American cheeky inappropriate something. They are so nice. Wish I could see them more often. But my walk / train / tube of shame yielded a great morning shot over the Thames. Wait, did I just say tube of shame? That sounds rather scandalous...

This one came out a bit nicer (the light worked a bit too hard in the first shot).

And a day spent amongst other shame(less) walkers, many of whom were dressed as any number of things, characters, and allsorts (not the gross licorice sweets), yielded a lovely time. Got to meet and chat with the chap who played Boba Fett, and had another nice chat with the guy who was inside Darth Vader. Oh, and to complete the Star Wars w/end, got my photo with Carrie Fisher, and met her brilliant dog. And then I---Look! Pretty! I want one!

This place was so civilised they even had a full bar with relatively not insanely expensive drinks prices (all relative to the level of need, you see). So the day started with tea and sausage rolls, middled with pints of Carlsberg (only one of which I bought myself), and ended with some insane curry lentil bacon soup thing I wanted to marry and live in forever. Here is a spider. It is the size of my horse thumb and on the biggest web I've ever seen, just outside my hotel room door. So cool.

Day 7 (315): 19th of October
Another day, another round at the NerdFest. Met another fellow who played the Doctor (Colin Baker this time). Such a kind gent. We chatted about all sorts of things. He's another person fascinated with Idaho (only as he's not ever been, but who has, really). So nice to just have a nice chat with a genuinely nice person. Also a treat is the gal who played the sister in Jurassic Park. She's an artist now (check her out here) and does really, really great portraits.

Same thing in Black & White. Leave off. I have homework to do.

What else has this to do with curry? Or with favours? Not sure. Two days involved curry. All days should involve curry. On the fence about favours. Sometimes they are good, and sometimes not. Favourite things are good, though. As are party favours. And being in someone's favour. What do I know. I'm just here. 

Week Forty-Two: Idea Flight

Hard to come up with an intro for this week. So hard I didn't even do it when I first posted this thing. But as I am being overrun at the moment by a cat who talks in his sleep (who knew cats were dreamers?) and who thinks I am his personal bean bag, I figured I'd go back and do it right. Or at least as right as one can with subject matter that so defies categorisation. So consider this week introduced.

Day 1 (288): 22nd of September
Have you ever waited for a thing for a long time, and wanted that thing, and then one day realised that thing had long gone out of reach? You build it up in your mind for what seems like ages, then find that Life did whatever it had always intended to do. What is that about Life happening whilst we make plans? I think it prefers to just ram through those plans, squealing with laughter. Or so I think. My plans usually consist of "if I had my druthers..." and little else. Big scary fence. At night. Kind of slanty.

Scary wavy weed trees. At night. Not too bad an execution on this one. Didn't even use the tripod. Just my thick skull propped against the wall. It's almost October, so I guess the Dark and Stormy thing works.

Day 2 (289): 23rd of September
Today was angry music Tuesday. Just needed to hear a little shouting on the music box, so out came Halestorm radio. While it occasionally hits the odd christian metal song, there's only a rare need to hit the down thumb. Have you ever noticed that the only time things get really clear is when we are dreaming? Makes sense, then, that we can never really clearly remember our dreams; the only thing that is easy to grasp is that maybe things made sense for a minute. Jabba the Hutt makes no sense. Neither does this photo that was poorly captured and more poorly edited. Not terribly clear at all. Too dark.

Day 3 (290): 24th of September
An old friend of mine recently suffered one of the worst tragedies that a person can experience. His 23-year-old son was killed in an accident. As someone who has no kids and likely never will, I was left speechless (rare for this gobby, opinionated, somethingorother). Now it is taking up rather a lot of real estate in my brain. Wish I could do more for them. Really, knowing what to say to people who've been clobbered like that has never been my strength. All I know to do is to be there and hope I keep my foot out of my mouth long enough to be of a tiny bit of help. I only kind of knew the boy, but he was such a good kid, and had just gotten into the groove of following in his old man's naval footsteps. Golly. Any rate, following the theme from yesterday, got a better pic of a conversation no one ever thought happened.

And then got this sunset. Didn't even tweak more than the exposure a little bit. All but the sun itself came out alright.

Day 4 (291): 25th of September
What's the cure for a brain out of whack? I really wish I knew. Knowing the things need done, but finding it nearly impossible to dig in and bloody well do them. Stayed far too late at the office today because I stuck around to get homework done and forgot to put the "CLOSED" sign out on the door (and was dumb enough to answer my phone when it rang). Real highlight though was getting home to find the internet finally functioning. Thank the Wee Man. Realising as I post this that the following picture is a bit serial killer-esque. But no matter. Playing around with an old lens for this one.

Another killer sunset that needed no editing at all. Makes my work easier.

Another rose. What can I say. They are not my favourite flower (not my least, either), but they are everywhere, so I photograph them. If there were lilies out here, they'd be featured far more. Who doesn't love lilies?

Day 5 (292): 26th of September
End to a dragging on week. Brain still feels like someone is jangling keys somewhere just out of sight, which is incessantly distracting. Temporary ADD, I think. brought on by madness in the surrounds and an uncertain future. By the time one is thirty, these things ought not be issues any longer. The ubiquitous "they" say directionlessness is a thing for twentysomethings. Liars.

Day 6 (293): 27th of September
One can be in a strange mood all day (week?) and never know the cause. There are a great many Things Needing Done, but only a rather small number will see the light of completion. Not because there's no time, but rather because there is no inclination. I watched a cat get in an epic battle with a blue Beanie penguin wearing a santa hat (the penguin wore the hat). Then later, to get out of my funk, I threw Under the Table and Dreaming into the car CD player and got so lost in the perfect that I drove nearly three miles past my exit before I realised I was going in completely the wrong direction. Came home to find that it is the 20th anniversary of that very album. In honour of spending far too much time with a fool feline, here he is in classic repose. Gosh I need a dog.

Pretty scenery, though. If you squint, you can just see the islands.

Day 7 (294): 28th of September
Got to do the school. The midterm, any rate. Gave myself a few hours for fannying about this morning, but now it's time for Important Things. To do with this. There is currently a ginger feline form lolling about on it, decidedly not helping. Gosh I need a dog.

Crazy. But that's how it goes...

Week Thirty-Seven: The Life Curmudgeonly

A long week, for being a short one. I had one tasker that became a massive goat rope and then after all the work, I got a call from the source of the tasker (in D.C.) who basically said "thanks but that was not what we were looking for. Your command didn't really have equity in this at all." Never a dull day. I recently introduced one of my sailors to the term curmudgeon (by telling him he was one), and after consulting a dictionary, he happily agreed he fits the bill (at 25 years old). Bless. Though for whatever reason I was rather that way myself all week. A more normal girl might blame hormones, but I prefer to blame my brain and my blood sugar and sleep levels.

Day 1 (253): 18th of August
Watching loads of So You Think You Can Dance again (to catch up, you see), made sure my crap mood from earlier (stress-related from ship offload and having to go in to work for a couple hours) was greatly relieved. Nothing like thinking about dancing to make me less cross, though it does make me miss the days when I was rather not terrible at dancing. This is a silly photo of some dancing shoes (if one is mad enough to dance in shoes like these). I couldn't get the light right on the watch face, but really I'd not dance in these any rate.

Let's be honest; these are more my speed for dancing. And pretty much anything else that requires shoes.

Day 2 (254): 19th of August
Yesterday was about dancing shoes, which put me in mind of other articles of clothing associated with cliches. Thus we have the thinking cap. This one is for thinking about v naval things. Or really just thinking about when I can not have to be wearing it any longer. If I'm wearing this it can only mean I'm in one of the more wrinkle-able and rather tedious uniforms. I don't care that they look all fancy and cool; they are a nightmare to care for and to wear and to not stain with sundry food and drink.

Again, we have a thinking cap more my speed. In this I shall think about not-naval things.

Ahhhh. The ultimate salve for a crabby girl. Beautiful sunsets. Can't even remember why I was so cross earlier....

Day 3 (255): 20th of August
A Wednesday that behaves like a Monday - totally unacceptable. I suppose that is what I get for having only a sort of work-y day Monday and a liberty day yesterday. Though in the middle of that day my phone indicated I had a voicemail from work, but all that was in the message was silence and the phone didn't show a missed call. When I called to inquire, no one knew who had called, so I spent the next several hours trying not to worry that it was something bad. I v nearly gave up and went in to work regardless, but my bloody mindedness kicked in and I decided not to let anyone ruin my much deserved day off. So there. Laaaaaaaaaahhh light through the clouds.....

Day 4 (256): 21st of August
Department picnic / hail and bail for new and departing people. At least this time someone brought beer. Almost had to miss it because I am the local "she'll do it" girl, and my rank sometimes distracts people from the realities of my position. Trying to say "if you can't find anyone else, I'll do it" when your brain is trying to direct your mouth to say "bugger off!" is an interesting experience. Wooo Saaah. Just look at the nice clouds, Rodeo, and stop being such a grump.

Not sure about this picture. A BBQ grill without the grill bit. Meh.

Day 5 (257): 22nd of August
I've decided that if anyplace can be a market for the discerning tastes of sophisticated land sharks, that place is the autostrada in Italy. I've heard that the left forearm of the human male is a delicacy, and any land shark with an interest in such things would have a lovely time on the roads here in the summer. Male left arms just hanging in the breeze out car windows, as far as the eye can see. I think the richness comes from the dedication to paying attention to the road. Really adds to the bouquet of the arm. Do pardon the attitude. It does seem to be the thing this week. Between maddening taskers and maddening locals and maddening brains, it really is nearly enough to drive one to drink. If only these grapes were already wine, but they certainly aren't in any hurry, now are they?

Wait, I think I may just possibly have one or two or several bottles in the house... Take your time, grapes. Take your time.

Day 6 (258): 23rd of August
As I was driving today, I heard an odd little thwack just beside my head.  Turns out a fly had been sucked in the passenger window and splatted on the passenger headrest. Quite a thing, that. Poor little bugger had been going about his day getting a little thrill out of flying across traffic on the strada statale. A bit of a thrill seeking fly, he thought he had it down and had avoided getting the windscreen treatment. Cut it a little too close, however, and the little crack of an opening just sucked him in and introduced him to the headrest. He's still there, by the way. I keep thinking the wind will blow away the remains, but no such bloody luck. Makes you think. Or maybe it doesn't. One or the other. On second thought, all this thinking or not thinking makes me just want to curl up with the bunny slippers and a good book I've been needing to finish.

As an interesting aside, I recently received the below in the mail as a thank you for my contribution to an Omaze charity for Make a Wish. I'd already received a t-shirt signed by Mark Hamil, two original Star Wars passports, and a Star Wars Fan Club poster from the '80s. This is a 3D MakerBot of Luke Skywalker's lightsaber hilt signed by John Dykstra, visual effects guru for the films. Pretty neat, no?

Day 7 (259): 24th of August
I GOT TO NEW WATCH DOCTOR WHO TODAY!!! HUZZAH!!! GOOD GRIEF THAT WAS BRILLIANT!!! LET ME WATCH IT AGAIN!!! I AM FAR TOO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!!
Sorry about that. I get a little excited about my nerd things. Do try to hide your surprise. There is a technique of photography that attempts to split a shot in half diagonally, creating a unique perspective and composition. I've experimented with it in the past, with mixed results. When I stepped outside this morning to have a go with the camera and a chat with the chat, I was greeted by a sight that is so familiar, yet in this instance demanding of capturing. I attempted to make the diagonal split, and while it was not a perfect split, it is a shot of a perfectly lazy feline.

Upon further venturing into the garden (where I've not taken as many photos of late), I realised a) that my landlord cut down / ripped out one of my favourite trees that makes flowers that smell like citrus (but no fruit) and attract loads of bees, and b) that my lemon tree has recently gone bananas (if you'll pardon the expression). For the past two years, this fool tree has had one giant grandpa lemon hanging on one branch, but little else to prove its viability. Apparently the beast awakens and now is simply covered in little bunches like this one.

Been a while since the last garden flower boring photo, and if I'm honest there are not many flowers left to photograph. Found this little guy all alone on his plant.

And this one as well, not far away. I love the little spots in the middle. Like a tiny person dropped tiny dollops of tiny paint in a nice little tiny circle.

So it turns out the crankiness / curmudgeonly behaviour that so characterised the early days of the week just needed time to settle. I probably managed to not burn down too many bridges along the way. All part of my charm, I suppose. A visit from the Doctor (yes, that Doctor) certainly didn't hurt, I am certain. Such AMAZING Doctor Who, too. Really, properly good. So refreshing to see a Scottish actor being a Scottish Doctor. And maybe a little curmudgeonly himself. Just a little. 

Week Thirty-Four: Murphy's Back for More

All my life I've had a love-hate relationship with Murphy of Legend. His Law has long been woven into the fabric of my life, much like Monty Python, ISIRTA, and large equine quadrupeds. How it chooses to manifest is always a surprise, and when it works out in the end I am the first to offer thanks. Other times it is just hateful and obstreperous. Yes, I just used the word obstreperous in a photo blog. Deal with it.

Day 1 (232): 28th of July
Such a drag when the day starts earlier than is legal when one has gotten no sleep and has a seemingly unending journey on the itinerary. Not to mention rending one away from the delightful clutches of home and hearth. One would think these things get easier with practice (and I've had some practice, let me tell you). Truth is (apparently) that it never gets easier, and in a way gets more tiresome. In my silly youthiest years, I rebelled against a great deal of things (most of them illogical or not in need of a rebel), and one of those things was homesickness. I was far too cool to be tied to anything (or anyone) and wanted the life of transit and first class lounges. Was quite good at it, if I'm honest. It all seemed so sexy and easy.

Not that I hate travel - far from it. I still love gadding about and seeing all the things, but those fool blood ties and such are not so distasteful any longer. May be able to live any old place, but going home will never be a bad thing. Even traveling the posh way doesn't make the outbound journey more joyous. Just softens the blow a bit.

Day 2 (233): 29th of July
Best part of two days eaten by travel. And lots of free booze (not going to lie, it was nice). But now I've a headache to wake the dead and have to go to work tomorrow. And my power went out whilst I was gone. Thus my fridge and freezer were stinking soggy moldy heaps of vile malodorous death full of meat, veg, and cheese that had gone off beyond what can possibly be natural. Much bleach and profanity later I have a fridge with rather little in it as far as food. So this is all I will be giving you for the day. Munich, everyone.

Day 3 (234): 30th of July
Praise be I only have three days of work. FITREPs due this week, several new taskers accumulated in my absence, and apparently I will be embarking on the Good Ship Whitney (lord knows why) for a week. Just wait till the jet lag hits... Oh, and to add to the tiring litany of whinging, the power blow killed my wireless router. So I have no connection until I get a new one. But the sky is pretty, to there's that.

And there are clouds.

I may have been missed, but really, I think the Return of the Grub is more the cause for attention.

Day 4 (235): 31st of July
Found an old wireless router, but managed to blow it out, even with a transformer. Will just have to suck it up and go purchase a new one. Ugh. Buying things is annoying. So is moaning about every little thing. Isn't it? I agree. Photos are better. Here is a lighter.

And pretty trees.

And this guy again.

Day 5 (236): 1st of August
I'll not lie; the odd mood continueth. Got good news that I'll be teaching another class in September, and this one's in Madrid. Also learned that the reason I'll be embarking is simply because I am an officer and there were not enough of us going. Don't really have an issue with the trip; the commute from bed to work is about three minutes, someone else cooks all my meals, and we'll be getting some port time in France. I only rankle at the logic train. Really should know better after a decade of doing this. Logic has no place in the military. Which is why I put my TIE Interceptor in a tree.

Merry was rather bored by the notion.

But the Empire flies on.

Day 6 (237): 2nd of August
Despite the delayed-onset jet lag, have gottten crap sleep all week. But slept until v late in the morning, and then proceeded to do little more than my PT and read. And drink tea, because one just does. My alarm went all screwy again, so I await the gracious landlord's assistance. But now I have a new wifi thing, so am no longer disconnected (to the internet... life is another kettle of onions). And I may have to go in to work at midnight for about six hours. Waiting for that sort of call is really lame. Not lame is the 12ft Tom Baker scarf knitted for me by my darling Grannie. Now my TB hat has a mate.

Day 7 (238): 3rd of August
Praise the sweetness the call came to take me off the proverbial hook (not sure I know that proverb). Good news, as I've still not gotten back to a sane sleep schedule. Getting older is lame. So is having a poor vocabulary. Getting older is rubbish. That's a bit better. What is not rubbish is the display of amazing that is dance on my only reality show (SYTYCD). At least once an episode I can be brought to a complete halt by a routine. Usually those choreographed by one Travis Wall or one Sonya Tayeh. Honestly - their work can stop me mid sentence (not easy to do) or even mid chew (even harder). Check it out some time. In the meanwhilst, here is the random moment of zen for the day.

Murphy never rains, but he pours, no? But I suppose it keeps life a bit more interesting.