I’m not quite ready to Defy Gravity, but:

I’m through accepting limits ’cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change, but ’til I try, I’ll never know…

Today we had a team meeting with our new VP from the Washington DC office. It went better than I could have hoped. It looks like I may have the opportunity for advancement to the position I have spent the last three years work towards. It will mean going back to school at some point in the near future to finish my degree (a prospect that honestly scares the hell out of me); but if that’s what it will take to move forward then I will do it.

I spent years of my life so paralyzed by the fear of failure or just not being perfect and I have worked very hard to master those demons. I won’t let them keep me from what I’ve spent most of my waking hours striving towards. I love my job and it fulfills my deep-seated need for challenge and a dynamic work environment.

I’m already taking on even more responsibility but rather than stressing me out; I’m finally more energized than I have been in a while. I am looking forward to the new challenges I have coming my way and I think that these expanded projects will allow me the opportunity to show my bosses that I am ready for a promotion.

I am truly blessed to be surrounded by consummate professionals who are leaders in their respective fields; and to have these professional want to see me succeed. I’m not used to that in my work environment…I’m used to clawing my way up every single inch. And here, I have people championing my case in ways I don’t even know about. No joke, I have the greatest boss. Not only is he brilliant but he’s got a sense of humor. He appreciates my obsession with super high heels and his comment on my new stilettos (a pair of dark grey suede and Swarovski crystal studded Giuseppe Zannotti’s):

You know it’s been a good night if you wake up with puncture marks on your chest and those shoes look like they could do the trick!

Greatest boss ever!

On a much more serious note; today is AIDS Awareness Day. Get tested. Protect yourself. Don’t become a statistic and don’t ever become complacent.

Actual reality. Act up. Fight AIDS!

So, I’m one of those starving artists, a writer with nothing in print since my high school newspaper.  But that’s okay.  Because recently, I got a taste of the glamorous life.

I came home the other day–yes, I still live with my parents, and there is NO SHAME in that!–and hit the button on the answering machine.  The thing is so annoying, sitting there…beep…beep…beep.  Anyways, there was a message saying something about “Check your email, you’ve won our contest.”  The message was for my mom, and it was obviously some sort of scam, but I gave her a call besides.  She wasn’t too concerned and told me she’d check it later.  When later rolled around, I got a frantic phone call–the local TV station had awarded us five-thousand dollars in gift certificates.  My jaw hit the floor.

So, besides the Hallmark Store, these certificates were not to the places I usually shop.  I got all dolled up and slipped into my rarely-worn slacks (I’m more of a blue jeans kind of girl) and we headed off for our first shopping adventure.

We headed into the city, and the houses we passed just got bigger and bigger.  The “mall” that this store was located in turned out to be an open-air, opulent looking, well, town.  (I found out yesterday that since I was there, they’ve started having valet parking.)

But I was ready.  I was lookin’ good, and had my game on.  You just have to know how to deal with these snooty rich types.  You have to make them think you’re one of them.  I’d seen it done in dozens of movies.

I strode in just like I belonged there, an uninterested twist upon my lips.  I nonchalantly examined the manikins in the front window, then moved on to dresses hanging along the wall. 

One of the perfectly dressed, botoxed old ladies who worked there approached.  “May I help you with anything?” she asked.

“No,” I replied, smiling, “I’m just looking.”

Oh, yeah.  The illusion was complete.  It was not what I had said, but the confidence with which I had said it.  I was in.  I had been accepted.

I heard the door jingle and saw my mom out of the corner of my eye.  About that time I looked down at the price tag of the dress I was holding.  I was expecting Abercrombie prices, maybe a little more.  After all, this was a classy place.  It was well-known for its furs. (which, by the way, I was NOT interested in.  Poor little minks.)  But the tag I held in my hand had to be a misprint.  Twelve hundred bucks?  No way.

About that time, one of the sales ladies found my mom.  “Can I help you?” she asked.  How courteous.

Then my illusion shattered.  “Well, this is what’s going on,” my mom replied.  I turned slowly, groaning inwardly.  “See, I’m not used to shopping in this kind of place, but I won this gift card…”

My fun was over.  I’d been found out.  No more pretending to be a spoiled little rich kid or a rising country music star.  Back to plain-Jane starving artist for me.

So, what was in store for the rest of my shopping trip?  Check back soon for my famous charade, part II.

click the image to see full-size

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DIALOGUE
Between Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Charade” (1963)

IMAGES
Christopher Lee and Caroline Munro in “Dracula A.D. 1972” (1972)
From Google and Brian’s Drive-In Theater

I spent a good amount of time yesterday, posting additions to this blog.  I wanted to give it life and body.  I wanted to help explain my message and my mission.  What I am so worked up about.  Why Feminism matters today more than ever for the good of men and women alike.  And then a great man sent me a great Tweet and showed me another great man who really gets it.  This brilliant artist put everything I want to say in a form so beautiful, so sublime, that I am not sure I could ever write enough to match it simplicity and beauty.  I can only reference it, and tell you that you must see it.  We all must understand this message, and do something about it.  So, with no further a-do, here is the earth-shattering wonderful short video from visionary artist Andy Huang. It is entitled Doll Face, and it has left me speechless.

the beast

So I’m upfront in the car with the other one and our buddies A, B and M (why couldn’t she have a name beginning with C?) are in the back. Exiting the Four Season’s car park by Anse Soleil there’s a hill that we’ve had no problem with before – but untried with extra passengers.

The car huffed…it puffed…got halfway up and it rolled the way down.

Like the start of ‘Shameless’ when he shouts ‘Scatter’ we all leaped out (not the other one obviously) and still the car rolled. The other one applied handbrake and footbrake and the little blighter still rolled. Finally, it too had had enough and stopped. The car behind us – yes there was one – patiently watched the comedy caper unfold and the other one got the car up the hill and off we went.

 Into a ditch.

The other one, perhaps distracted by our previous mishap, didn’t notice a ditch at the right of the road as he was overtaking a car faffing in front. He pitched the front right wheel right into it and what with the extra weight, there was a loud thunk as the rear hit the ditch too. We scattered once again and the other one sheepishly trundled forward to where he could safely rev himself out.

We spent the rest of the journey apologising for the Mr Bean-like car capers, worsening our reputation when we realised that the petrol gauge looked awfully low and I started stressing about which of the five petrol stations on the island we could make it to without running out. I think we came across as a bit car calamitous but knowing how tin pot it is, you worry that the slightest thing will cause it to fall apart. Like Tom and Jerry – the cartoon begins with a dripping tap and ends amidst the floating debris of what was once a house.

I love the shower scene in Charade.. and if I could find it I would also add the final scene!

// Oh I love you Adam, Alex, Peter, Bryan, whatever your name is.

So.  I couldn’t believe it.  My hubby saw it.  He’s a marvel that way, always seeing what I miss.  Love that man.

Anywho…

We’re overseas right now and watching foreign TV.  I’m working on my computer in my comfy-clothes, probably not looking my best right now, and he says: “Change..change your bra!”

Strange thing to say, right? Rife with peril for the male.  He’s brave that way.

Instead of ripping his heart out with my fingernails, I decided to be calm and rational.  So I asked him just what the heck he was talking about.  Which proves that PMS doesn’t run me..I run on it!

So here’s what my hubby meant.  ‘CHANGE,’ the actual word is now a registered trademark (Actually it seems it has been since 1995.)

Yep.  You heard me.  TRADE-mark.  As in selling ‘Change.’  So I think, OK, maybe you could sell ideas for positive change in society, change in lifestyles, change of technology..I dunno some good change.  Nope. It turns out CHANGE (R) is a company that sells bras…  YES–BRAS–LIKE FOR YOUR BOOBS.  Don’t believe me? Link here:

Change is Good...and comes in A-cup through EEE-cup; in a variety of colors and styles and even has lace!

So now we know, ladies, change is not only coming..change is here!

Don’t get me wrong, I love a lacy bra as much as the next man, but somehow my dream of a brighter future for women took a hit when I read quotes like:

At Change, we respect your natural beauty. That’s why our lingerie doesn’t dictate how your body should look or promise a whole new you. What it will do is give you a variety of styles in a fit that feels just right. It’s all about feeling beautiful. So feel free to express yourself. To explore the different facets of your femininity. And the woman within.

This is the philosophy behind Change and the key to our success.

 

The people at Change (R) were even nice enough to plan my week for me:

Every day, a new Pair...oooh I'm giddy!

It makes a girl warm inside to know that someone is looking out for her this way. And the people of CHANGE (R) are committed to ensuring our ongoing happiness.  They state it clearly in their Motto:

YOU. ONLY BETTER.

So now you know.  Your cup size DOES matter.  If we are going to have any CHANGE (R) in our lives, we should consider a Balconette.

There’s even a new line out for 2009 called CHARADE – ’nuff said.

I’d feel short-changed, except that might make me sound a little bitter.  After all, it’s probably nothing.  I just need a better bra.

…and that’s a Penny for Your Thoughts

I feel the same as the author of the article. Outraged at the charade Obama pulled by making sure he had a photo op being present when our brave heroes serving this country came home in their coffin. He might has well have put the bullet in our fallen heroes,  by not giving our troops what they need to fight this “war of necessity” as Obama calls it. Shameful person is all this person is, using our brave for his own personal and political gains.

Source: Canada Free Press

Obama: Saluting for the Cameras

By Alan Caruba  Friday, October 30, 2009

Presidents engage in all kinds of ceremonial events. Every Thanksgiving, they “pardon” a turkey so it doesn’t end up on the White House menu. They make sure they are photographed with the winning teams of various sporting series. Every Easter they can be found at the White House Egg Roll accompanied, I have always suspected, by a Secret Service agent in a large bunny costume.

The other evening, shortly after midnight, President Obama made sure to be photographed standing in line with military personnel and some civilians in attendance as the dead, including three drug enforcement agents, from Afghanistan were returned home at Dover Air Force base. Our military casualties are received in a solemn ceremony few except those in attendance ever witness.

Presidents have never participated in this ceremony. The caskets are a too vivid reminder that part of their job is to send troops in harm’s way. President Bush preferred to meet with the families of fallen heroes.

When 241 U.S. military were murdered by a suicide bomber in Beirut on October 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan attended a ceremony at Camp Lejeune to speak of his grief and anger. Three months after the bombing, he pulled out U.S. troops.

The bombing, authorized by Iran and carried out by Hezbollah, foretold of the way our troops would be attacked by an enemy that would not meet them on the field of battle, would not wear a uniform, and preferred fanatical Islamic self-sacrifice as an instrument of war. The ultimate attack was al Qaeda’s 9/11 against civilians.

President Obama wasn’t there to honor those fallen soldiers or marines. He was there to be seen saluting.

Obama was there because, during the campaign he had used the war in Afghanistan as a way to criticize former President Bush’s decision to depose Iraq’s dictator only to find himself in unforeseen and ill-considered circumstances that required years and a change of strategy to redeem.

Afghanistan, said candidate Obama, was “a war of necessity” whereas Iraq was “a war of choice.” Only now, nine months into his first term, Obama is finding it very difficult to make a choice, to determine the “necessity” of conducting the war in Afghanistan or whether to withdraw from it.

What bothered me, as someone who served in the U.S. Army, was the way Obama was using those returning dead to “send a message” that he was very serious about the decision he was about to make.

The strategy concerning Afghanistan was handed to him by the existing Bush administration in a report prepared for his assumption of the office. His hand-picked general in the field says we will lose without increasing present troop strength.

Obama’s presence that evening was about perceptions and imagery. It was his way of trying to influence public opinion about his failure to act.

Increasingly, questions are being raised about his campaign statements and presumably his commitment to pursue the Taliban and al Qaeda in a vigorous fashion. The enemy knows it and it too is doing what it can to influence public opinion; they have stepped up the killing of American troops.

Frankly, knowing that he had never worn the uniform of his nation, it bothered me that he would stand there in the dark giving a salute. The closest he ever got to wearing a uniform and saluting in his past was when he was in the Boy Scouts—the Indonesian Boy Scouts.

There is something coldly calculating about using the returning battle dead to try to bolster an image of patriotism and commitment to military action, but that is what this President is all about, the image of things, statements about things in which he does not believe and intends to “transform.”

Charade [1963] [d. Stanley Donen] [s. Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau]

I found this film for $1 and the packaging it came in looked like something you would find at a flea market.  I am a huge fan of Cary Grant but I had not seen any Audrey Hepburn films but I am well aware of her work.  So of course I bought this film not sure what to expect.  But with Cary Grant in it you are sure to get a decent film at least, the guy is a legend.  What I witnessed was possibly the greatest screen couple of all-time.  Every scene Grant and Hepburn were in it was absolutely perfect.  The witty dialogue is so great and I was hoping I would find out they did more films together but sadly they did not.  So this is all we have of them two working together which really makes it even more special.  The exchange they have in the opening minutes of the film is up there with any scene I have seen.  The dialogue is top notch and the delivery of subtle humor is perfect.  But on top of this, the film is an amazing thriller.  So many twists, potential twists, who’s who, etc.  I love this film and would say it is the best $1 I have ever spent on a film.  I will continue to find more Cary Grant films, one of my favorite actors of all-time and am very interested in seeing more Audrey Hepburn, who was fantastic here, in the future.  Fans of either of the two leading greats need to see this, as well as fans of great cinema as well as old classics.  This is a film Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of and it even features a much younger than I have seen before Walter Matthau.  Do yourself a favor and treasure this classic.  5/5

If any movie star is a testament to the timelessness of classic film, it is Audrey Hepburn. For well over five decades the actress has been the symbol of everything sophisticated, chic and classy. Today she is the evergreen goddess whose little black dress, flawless taste and unearthly beauty remains a benchmark for high fashion—something that, unfortunately, overshadows her very solid body of work as an accomplished actress. Because it is her truly rare sincerity of character, her kindness of heart and sparkling spunk that dazzled audiences then and remains infectious to this day.

This weekend, LACMA’s film program (miraculously saved from the depths of despair) will kick off a tribute to one of Hollywood’s geunine leading ladies (for Audrey was a definitive lady) with a retrospective entitled Audrey Hepburn: Then, Now and Forever. While showcasing her well known classics  Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Breakfast At Tiffany’s and My Fair Lady, the program will also include the roles that defined her as a quality actress, specifically the spine-tingling thriller Wait Until Dark and the deliciously sexy mystery romance Charade.

From the LACMA website:

“Perhaps the most beloved actress to emerge from the postwar studio system, Hepburn had brains, style, charm, class, and great timing. Eisenhower and Marilyn Monroe were the competing images of a newly suburbanized America, but for audiences excited by a flood of images from a rebuilt modern Europe, Hepburn was a revelation: she represented the aristocratic tradition rebottled as a hip, slim European girl with American-friendly qualities—such as spunk and wit—and old-school manners, particularly toward her elders. Hollywood took note and Hepburn was paired with many of the biggest male stars of the previous decade in a series of beautifully written comedies and romances that drew audiences into an idealized and sophisticated world.”

The screening schedule is as follows:

October 23       7:30 PM Roman Holiday
October 23     9:40 PM They All Laughed
October 24     7:30 PM Breakfast at Tiffany’s
October 24     9:35 PM Two for the Road
October 30     7:30 PM Sabrina
October 30     9:35 PM Love in the Afternoon
November 6     7:30 PM Charade
November 6     9:35 PM Wait Until Dark
November 7     7:30 PM War and Peace
November 13  7:30 PM My Fair Lady

Hope you can make it, dah-ling … and so does Cat!

Audrey's Holly Golightly with Cat - Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1962

Foreign Ministry says received messages from Moscow that it won’t support Security Council discussion on UN report accusing Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza

Roni Sofer

Russia has made it clear to Israel that it will oppose a Goldstone Report discussion at the United Nations Security Council or at the International Criminal Court in Hague, although its representatives voted in favor of adopting the report accusing the Jewish state of committing war crimes at the UN Human Rights Council, Foreign Ministry officials told Ynet on Sunday night.

The remarks were made in a meeting between Russian Ambassador to Israel Peter Stegney and a Foreign Ministry official. The ambassador relayed messages from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Ministry sources said.

Anti-Intellectual Al Gore's Pick & Choose Science Propaganda, Rejected By The Nation Of Russia

Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon on Saturday expressed his deep disappointment over Russia, India and China’s vote in favor of adopting the report.

Stegney noted that Russia had voted in favor of passing the report to the UN headquarters in New York “because it had no choice,” and even blamed European Union countries. According to the ambassador, the EU tried to ease the resolution’s wording, but failed “due to the stance of Western countries.”

Stegney stressed that Russia believes Israel should investigate itself. “The most important thing is that the peace process won’t suffer,” the Russian ambassador said.

State officials said that Stegney had slammed the Goldstone Report, saying that “it includes statements that do not relay on facts, but rather on subjective estimations.”

America Has A 'Bilderberg Dysfunctional Media Malato' At The Button -> Whoa To The Republic - Whoa To The World!

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is expected to examine the messages conveyed by Moscow and decide how to act, in light of his attempts to reach an understanding with the Russians before the Geneva vote and his desire to improve Jerusalem’s relations with Moscow.

YNN

As from today, and every Monday after this I am going to to a weekly review of the blog and other blog posts which I found interesting and well worth the read.

Reviews

Up (2009)

The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Love Happens (2009)

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)

17 Again (2009)

Charade (1963)

Other

Nine Release Date Change

Toy Story 3 (2010) Trailer

FlashForward

Cary Grant Week

Nicholas Sparks Novels turned Movies

Bloggers

Cinematic Heaven & Hell posted Top 10 Romantic Comedies of the Decade

Fandango Groover’s Movie Blog posted Top 10 Movies of the Decade & Across the Universe Review

M.Carter at the Movies poster To Kill A Mockingbird Review

The mOvie Blog posted Growing Old in Hollywood

Blog to watch

The Imaginarium of Doctor Paranassus - A group of fans trying to ensure the film gets a big release in the US and latest news posted.

I managed to get a head start to the Cary Grant week on Sky Movies, as “Charade” is on anytime TV so it made for a good movie to watch when I woke up early on a Sunday morning. It was very charming and funny, no I am not just talking about Cary Grant I am referring to the whole movie.

The basic plot is romance and suspense in Paris, as a woman is pursued by several men who want a fortune her murdered husband had stolen. Who can she trust? The woman is Regina Lampert (Audery Hepburn) was befriended by Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) but did he want the money too? With Tex Panthollow (James Coburn) and others on the case trying to track the money down.

This movie really was made up from a fantastic cast and it was brilliant to see some of the actors in their younger days those being James Coburn and Walter Matthau, whom i’d only seen in more recent movies. So was very good to see them back in the day to put it. Audery Hepburn was her usual elegant self, some fantastic outfits were worn by her in this movie. Cary Grant was very charming, and so funny as well. Hepburn and Grant had fantastic chemistry with each other on screen you could really not ask any more from them both. They really responded well with each other, which was delightful to watch. Who would not want Cary Grant saying this to you “How about making me vice president in charge of cheering you up?” – everyone would love to have Cary cheer them up.

The story takes quite a few twists and turns with a few deaths along the way as the search for the money hots up, who will save the day? I bet everyone can guess who that will be. I have to admit that I really loved the reference to “My Fair Lady” with Cary Grant using “On the Street where you live” after he took Audrey Hepburn back to her apartment. Even though Hepburn did not star in the movie until a year later, maybe this was just a little hint of what was to come? But yes that was a very geeky movie fan moment from me, as I noticed it straight away.

I think this was a very good movie to start off my Cary Grant week, as he was fantastic in it. One of his last movie roles as well, he was 59 years old in this movie but really did not look it. So I am now looking more forward to the other four Cary Grant movies I have sky+ for the rest of the week.

I was very excited and happy when I first saw the new Sky Movies magazine when I came across a Cary Grant week which was going to take place in October. Well that week is almost upon us and I will have Sky+ working hard with recording all of the Cary Grant movies which will be shown. While I adore Cary Grant I have only seen him in two movies, so really need to catch up.

Schedule for next week:

Mon 19th  Notorious
Tue 20th  To Catch A Thief
Wed 21st  Indiscreet
Thu 22nd  Houseboat
Fri 23rd  Operation Petticoat
Sat 24th Charade
Sun 25th Father Goose

I was quite shocked to see that one of my favorite films is not in the list “An Affair to Remember”. But any way I am very excited to watch all of these movies, so next week is going to be Cary Grant reviews week as well.

The Three Irish Girls group on Ravelry is having a KAL contest in preparation for the holidays, so most of my former blogging time has been spent trying to work my way down a list of knitting goals before November 15th.  The list?  Way, way overambitious on my part.  Four pair of socks, part of a shawl and a baby garment in about two months.  Not. Going. To. Happen.  (Especially since I spent two nights knitting on a hat that isn’t even on the list.)  Nor am I any sort of a contender in the Most Socks Knitted category.  But.  It is making me focus more on finishing things instead of starting half a dozen and letting them sit, and that’s a good thing.

The first thing off the list is the shawl.  It went to live with Christine for her birthday.  I bought the yarn to make her socks a long time ago, but after trying three different patterns I decided that it didn’t want to be socks, after all.  It became this, instead:

The pattern is Multnomah, the yarn is Woolarina’s Silky Wool, and it worked up into a shawlette that’s just big enough to serve as caulking around the collar of a coat.  I loved knitting it, but blocking the scallops was not so much fun.

The second thing off the list are Charade socks.  They’re knit with Three Irish Girls Kinsale in Petit Fours and Icing, the same yarn I used for my nephews baby blanket.  The yarn was just as nice the second time around.

These are just little ankle socks, meant to use up leftover yarn, and they were knit toe-up so that I could add in the contrasting heels.  I used a no-wrap short row heel, which I hate moderately less than the normal wrap & turn short row heels, but I don’t think toe up socks will ever be my things.

The other interesting thing about these socks is that I knit them on Kollage’s square needles.  I can’t honestly say I noticed them being easier on my hands (and I still prefer two circs), but the square shape really did seem to make the stitches more even and uniform.

Next up: Through the Loops’ Socktoberfest Mystery Sock, and finishing the renegade hat.

Sparky the Fire Dog was loitering around the hardware store this weekend as a part of the October Fire Prevention theme.  Being part investigative reporter, I decided to check out Sparky.  Sparky the Fire Dog is a fake and the American Red Cross is perpetuating this charade on children and adults alike.

First, for several hours, Sparky walked in front of the store within ten feet of a fire hydrant.  Not once during the afternoon did Sparky hike his leg and washdown the fire hydrant.  This is proof number one that Sparky is a fake. 

Secondly, I walked up to Sparky and took a long sniff like all good dogs do when in doubt.  I have never smelled any dog that wears White Diamonds perfume.   Sparky reeked of estrogen and smelled a lot like one of the ladies at the local Red Cross office.  This is proof number two that Sparky is a fake.

Forget Sparky, but please remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarm.  Be careful when using candles and space heaters.  Stop fires and save lives.

1. Hell week is finally over. This was one, long stressful day. More on this later. If I don’t fall asleep, that is.

2. We were so stressed. We knew we needed to do something fun. So my friends and I went to have pizza and then karaoke. The following people came: me, my bestfriend Alyssa, Kristine, Done, Jenny, Tal, Nikki, Nej, Pam, Rev, Giov, Vic and  Cob.

3. We were basically the same people who went to the beach two weeks ago.

4. Vic and Cob are in 3rd year. But they’re friends with Giov, Jenny’s boyfriend. And honestly, he needed male companion.

5. We had pizza. Then while waiting for the others, we loitered outside the Karaoke place.

6. We played charades for about 1 hour. I think I laughed at least one week worth of stress away. That was the best part. I acted out Ninja Turtle. They didn’t get it. I acted out Ninja and Turtle. They thought I was acting out a Hunchback. Seriously. It’s rapidly becoming an inside joke. I have a feeling I’m going to be Ninja Turtle for a little while more.

7. I liked Cob. Note the past tense. I was kind of glad he was there. But I felt a little awkward.

8. This is so high school.

9. Karaoke was super fun. There was one point where he looked at my direction as he sang the last line of a song. I forgot the line and the song. Seriously. To think I could have treasured the moment. I tried. But my mind kind of blocked it out of my memory. All I know was it was a nice line. But it was nothing.

10. Parted ways with the rest. Had dinner with some of the girls. One of my friends asked Done if there was something between her and Cob. While singing a song, Cob was looking at Done. Two of the girls had noticed.

11. Ouch.

12. Done denied. I kind of believed her because as far as I know, Cob had a crush on this girl from another department. In fact, maybe they’re even texting each other now. Cob’s always with his fone. I mean, what else could it mean?

13.  I’ll gauge my Ouch Level at around 4/10. That’s basically just a pinprick. Which is a good thing. Because it’s not fun always being the girl who liked the guy who doesn’t like her back.

14. I’m sleepy. This was a great, one-of-a-kind day. I’ll treasure it. Thank you, Lord.

Did you think because we go to the same school, you know me?

Or the occasional hangout makes us cool?

My story has only just begun.

Don’t let the looks fool you!

Don’t think that because you see a smile on my face, that I am happy.

It’s a front, a lie, a charade.

I may look timid and honest, but I’m not.

Ever heard of the phrase looks can be deceiving?

I’m happy, mad, and sad all at the same time.

Everything you see here is not.

I feel as if I’m going to explode.

I feel rage and disappointment.

These feelings are overwhelming me.

I’m tired of all these lies.

Why can’t people see and understand me for who I really am?

No one can handle the truth.

You think you know me. Ha!

What you think you know hasn’t even scratched the surface.

I am a mystery to you, my friends, and my family.

So I called the man about the car. It hadn’t yet made its way to the garage and our money hadn’t yet made its way to our account (see money transfers). So that was ok. I called again and this time our about to be car (subject to the repairs made) was delivered back to the school for our expert’s scrutiny – and the other one’s as he hadn’t seen the car being otherwise employed. Luckily, he approved.

Our eagle eyed expert noticed that one tyre hadn’t been changed so back it went with a next day appointment made for exchange. This was done and we found ourselves the owners of a 7 year old, £5k priced, Daihatsu Charade. I’d say proud but I don’t think that quite covers the emotion felt. Still it meant we could say goodbye to our rental car and its battery problems and hello to our new car and…

Having sent the first Charade off, the experts very kindly checked out another older and cheaper version. Living life on the edge, this too was subject to the same egg tapping test, surviving unscathed (cheer). Having been taken for a spin, my experts engaged in a lively chat in Creole, identifying a few things to be fixed (boo), namely a couple of new tyres, oil leak and battery clean. They also negotiated the price down to 95,000 rupees (cheer) just under our budget. It was agreed. They would get the car spruced up (cheer), we would arrange for the money transfer from the UK…oh yes (boo).

In the UK, our most recent car purchase was the subject of some excitement; the car having been made this decade and costing nearly two grand – more than we have ever spent. We briefly considered importing it but with duties apparently astronomical, we took the advice given to buy in the Seychelles. What we didn’t realise was that this would mean spending at least £5k for a car that runs reliably. Like we have that kind of money lying around…

Luckily, a few months ago a relative insisted, honestly really insisted, that I take some money. Nobly resisting (being unaccustomed to having relatives’ liquid enough to know the etiquette involved) the relative jettisoned etiquette saying I should keep the money for their funeral expenses. Difficult to argue that one and so far their wishes have been upheld.

But sod it, we need a car.

Sorry.

After school today the other one tried to start the car and the battery was flat. Sound familiar? It must be that the hire car hasn’t a very good battery or maybe the side lights that were switched on in the foggy mountainside morning were left on all day. I wonder which?

The car was jumpstarted by a colleague. I only wish the same could be done for brains.

It nearly killed me believe it or not

Hire car – part one.

Apparently, I can be named as the driver on the car along with the other one. Lucky me, a dependent  free zone, so though I can’t work, I can endanger other people’s lives on the road, happy days.

Hire car – part two.

Having been in possession of the car for, what, less than 24 hours and my big psyche up to take the wheel (at least a little go), I find the battery flat, completely. How can this be? I don’t think its related to the dashboard being lit up and possibly the ignition not having been  turned  off properly and left all night, with the other one having  been so far the only driver, but let’s skip that trifling matter…

What a charade – my near death experience

On hearing our plight, others helpfully advise that we could try and jumpstart the car by starting it downhill, though I think the battery’s gone pretty much the way of the dodo. However, the other one wants to give it a try and so he rolls it to prime position at the top of the hill with me (little known for my caber tossing or tearing of phone book skills*) at the front of the car. Common sense prevails briefly as I protest that my skills are not being put to their best use, not in 30 odd years having ever single-handedly stopped a car from rolling down a hill even if it is only a Daihatsu Charade. The other one suggests that I let the handbrake go instead but being car shy and wary of causing his early demise, what with a new career in the Seychelles beckoning, I foolishly opt to stay where I am, arms outstretched, valiantly posed to save the day.

Handbrake off, and if I possessed the ability to push, I think I could also have given walking on water a crack but we’ll never know given that the window of opportunity was extremely narrow being that I was running backwards, car bearing down upon me, the other one frantically trying to run alongside and pull the handbrake while I meanwhile am yelling, god knows what but it wasn’t ‘ please could you stop the car from killing me if you don’t mind thank you, you’re ever so kind, careful you don’t put your back out’. Luckily, the other one makes contact with the handbrake and I get to live another day and plot to wreak my own revenge, recalling sage advice from a friend of a friend from years ago – mashed potato in trouser pockets, weapon of choice for the woman scorned. Still gets me every time, I thought I was mad…

Mind you, despite having cheated death, I find myself in the position of being asked to let the handbrake go, as two plucky volunteers, a barely made it teenager and girl, have stepped into the fray to push the car, quite possibly they are better at tearing phonebooks than me or evolving my definition of mad.

Evolving my position of non believer is the fact that my quandary is solved when a car comes up our drive that only contains two mechanics come to fix another car. Unbelievable. Battery is salvageable, they move the car, hire company replaces battery (allegedly) and job is done.

Oh how we laugh about it now.

*phone book tearing must now be much easier as who’s in them? And what has happened to the strongest man/woman competition?