thegypsygirl

Anything Worth Having...

2010-12-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

Hate to make announcements. BUT, I think I need to finish my book before I do anything else.

Moving to an undisclosed location to write. Roger that?

Out.

The Final 48

2010-01-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

The last night in Pee Pee, I ended up slicing my foot on a nail that was protruding from the wooden stairs leading up to the dungeon. (Stop worrying worriers, I have all my shots, including Tet.) So, I left a nice trail of blood all over my room, and contemplated finding a 7-11 or just McGuyvering my way through emergency repair. I rinsed off cut with ghetto bidet, found some Crest White Strips, which are loaded with peroxide, and used the rest of the toilet paper to bind wound. Ran to the pharmacy the next morning and properly mended cut.

Again, went to see Winnie until the ferry and paid some guy to carry my bag to the pier. Mostly, because I could.

Slept throughout the two-hour ferry ride to Patong and felt a second surge of energy, although I was looking like a dufus because I had on one of my cute sundresses and my Ecco shoes. Couldn't wear flip-flops due to bandage/cut situation. Not sexy at ALL! I found my driver and he loaded my duffel into the back and had me sit in the front seat, right in the middle. I figured I was the last one on the van so I spread out and decided to take a serious nap. Just as I was about to splay myself all over the front seat, the van door opens and I'm pretty sure I heard angels singing because getting in right beside me was a gorgeous man with auburn hair/3 day auburn growth attached to an equally gorgeous face and fit and I started to have a panic attack on the spot. I contemplated saying something but couldn't get the words out. I started to get the courage up to say the usual "where are you from" and prayed on all things holy it would be anywhere but Sweden.

"I'm from Sweden, my name is Magnus."

Of course. Of bloody course you are and it is and I knew I was in deep doo-doo. Next thing he was going to tell me that he was 40.

"And I'm 40."

Right.

Anyway, turns out he was with his buddy Roger traveling and what not, and they were nice enough to take me out that night to a tradition Swedish dinner (Scandi's all over, still!) and actually treated me. So far from the bucket-wielding, jump-roping, up-chucking teen-fest of Pee Pee. Was starting to get my groove back in spades. Walked on beach, do the math.

The next day I had to catch a cab then a plane back to Bangkok, so packed it up, said good bye to Priew Wan and headed to Phuket Int'l Airport.

Airport/flight was relatively painless, but was feeling the cut/lack of sleep/sun/beer/etc. and was looking forward to a nice quiet evening back at Sukhumvit 23. I booked the same hotel and knew the lay-out of the neighborhood. I contemplated Koh San Road but thought better of it. The cab ride from the airport seemed unusually long, but it was a Saturday afternoon and took about half the time of my original Friday afternoon rush-hour ride. I finally arrived at Citadines, paid the cab, checked-in and collapsed on my bed.

Planning an early one, but undeterred and determined to go and have on last look. Still in the dress from the night before, I threw on my flip flops and headed out. Internet, dinner, bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide and a couple of beers with the girls at Tilac and then early bed, air-con and HBO.

As I approached Tilac, Mamasan and the girls all ran up to hug me, then showed me to a seat at the outdoor bar, where I could watch Denmark play Thailand in exhibition footy. "Perfect," I thought. "A bit a footy, a couple of cold ones and beddy-bye!"

Right. This is me we are talking about. ME! Guess what happens next?

I look to my left, and yet again, a gorgeous, tall red-head sitting there toggling between smiling at me and watching the match.

"What's in the bag?"

"Peroxide, I cut my foot in Pee Pee."

Meet Ben the corrupter. From Denmark. Tall, fit, blue-eyed Ben who looked about 25 and of course, was a wonderful, gorgeous 40.

The next thing I know he is on the phone calling all of his friends and trying to talk me into going out with them and as it was my last night in Bangkok and I will surely sleep when I die, I said "Sure."

Now, I have at least 5 new ex-pat friends in BKK, people to stay with and go-out with and that, my friends, is the beauty of travel. Thanks Bangkok Ben! MUAH!

As I completed my journey, in and out of airports back to SFO I realized something for the first time. I had finally, FINALLY realized how wonderful it felt to be in my 40's. I've never been ashamed or lied about my age...never had to really. But, something changed this trip. I have no idea what, why, how, etc. I feel so at ease in my own skin. Although, I don't feel comfortable with the extra 20 pounds that have appeared over the last few years, but that's just something easily removed. More to the point, I'm finally OK with my choices. I'm great being single. I love my independence. I'm thirsting for more but no longer searching for excuses as to who I am or why I do what I do. Could have been the air, the Buddhist vibe, or just being back on the road. I wasn't really searching for anything profound, but something found me. My mojo...my groove. And it came back with a vengeance.

It's time to finish that book.

HGGHGB-Part Three

2010-01-29T07:48:00.001-08:00

On Sunday morning, I dragged my backpack from the 4th floor of Priew Wan Guesthouse and waited for the van to take me to the ferry. I was quite happy about my decision to book through TAT because all of my transfers we taken care of in-advance so I never really had to yank out any BAHT for these minor nuisances which made the multitude of journey's bearable. After about an hour, we arrived to the frenzy of the ferry building: hotel hawkers, tour-shouters, etc. I found what I was looking for: the beer guy. I grabbed two cold Singha's and a giant water and headed to the stairs. While I waited to get herded onto the deck, I hooked up with a lovely Aussie couple on honeymoon. We quickly realized that the place to be was top-deck and set up camp right in the middle. We shared beers and snacks, and then I took a nap for about an hour until we reached the coves leading to Ko Phi Phi Island, the scene where "The Beach" was filmed. It was majestic and lovely and I was certain this would be the highlight of my trip.

"PEE-PEE"

We cruised through Ton Sai Bay leading to the pier and I was amazed at this tiny village, which I knew had been decimated by the 2005 Tsunami. It was pretty incredible how built-up I assumed it had become, because I couldn't even tell anything had happened. Some complained about it, saying it used to be small and quaint and lovely, but I had nothing to compare it to so I wasn't chuffed about it at all. I said goodbye to the love-birds and made my way through the village, asking anyone who would listen "where is the White?" which would later become my anthem throughout the entire week.

I found the White, was asked to remove my shoes, and then led up to a tiny room, which had a safe, shower, ghetto bidet, bed, air-con and TV. However, it was a serious dungeon and I counted it as a blessing because it would force me to get the hell out and venture. I gathered my usual supplies: surfer wallet in same-size black macrame bag, and mini back pack with sunscreen, two sarongs, and water...hat, glasses, lipstick. (Need to have one glamour-bit!) Five minutes in the room to chuck passport in safe, have a wee and head out!

I walked around for about an hour and tried to get my bearings, then found a great little perch by the Chao Koh PP Lodge and had a bite and a huge smoothie to try and stay somewhat healthy, then as I do, ordered a large frosty Chang. I sat in anticipation of the sunset and pondered my options. I had scheduled 5 nights and had absolutely no idea what I was in for. My plan was to find another cabana boy and sit on my arse for the entire week, but as I examined the lay-out it was becoming increasingly clear that there were no cabana boys, umbrellas or lounge chairs anywhere and my hopes of being waited on were sure to be dashed. Ah well, I just would make-do. Just as the sun was sinking, I heard, for the first time in my life, the call to prayer. Turns out, this was a Muslim Island and the mosque was right behind me. It was both beautiful and haunting and I wandered off in thought for a moment then felt grateful to have the freedom to be sitting there, with a beer, watching the sunset...alive. After all, this was the scene of a terrible natural disaster. I reflected upon it, shed a tear and left.

Back to the dungeon to shower and change for the evening, then off to see how the night would fare.

Bear in mind, this place is tiny. T-I-N-Y!!!!! You can cover the entire village in five minutes, so it starts to play tricks with your mind. Kind of like a tiny Venice. I grabbed my wallet, threw on one of my Chiang Mai dressed in search of fun. Around the corner from my place, I found a pub called the "Sportsbar," which would prove to become my "local" as the week wore on. Not that there was anything special about it, except for Winnie. Winnie the legend. A five-foot, beefy little spitfire (pictured with me above) who would prove to be my sister, friend and protector in any and all times of need. It was also great because it was full of English guys, so I could actually hold court and be understood. I was quickly becoming tired of the Scandinavian buzz around me and needed a fix.

Next, I found a little hipster bar owned by an Irish ex-pat, who was very nice but couldn't remember a drink to save his life. He was happy chatting and I was about to jump back there and friggin' start making drinks myself because it was so painful to watch. I quickly met up with two Danish girls and an American dive instructor from Seattle named Chris. We chatted away until all hours, then I went in-search of some street food and my pillow. This was the first of many night I would shout my now-famous catch-phrase: "Where is the White? THE WHITE??"

Up the next day with bikini and supplies, wandered around and had my morning watermelon smoothie from the Muslim lady with the fruit stand. Around 11 I came upon 3 lads from Newcastle, and after adjusting my ears to their accent we had a nice chat. They decided that they wanted to rent a boat and scoot out to Maya Bay and invited me along and I turned them down because I was a bit nervous going out with three strangers to a secluded spot. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Right. Of course I said yes, so we hopped on a boat and through a wave of ganja smoke via our driver, headed out to the spot where part of "The Beach" was filmed. The little cove where the Swedish guy bites it from the shark attack. Anyway, we swam around for about two hours, then through more smoke, headed back to the pier where I bid them farewell as they headed to Patong via the same ferry.

I sat on the beach, slept, pondered, wondered what it would be like to have a certain person there with me, thought better of it, pondered more then realized it was time to look for a spot to catch the sunset. I returned to Chao Koh, same frosty Chang and same call to prayer. Rinse, repeat.

Back to the dungeon, out for a quick bite, a few with Winnie and then just headed back around 9. Wasn't feeling it at all. Thought a good night's sleep would be good for me. It proved to be a great idea. I needed it. So much sun, etc. But, was already getting bored of the Pee Pee.

THE WHITE, WINNIE AND WANDERING

Up the next day, same old same old. Back to say hi to Winnie and have a wander. Was beginning to show signs of travel: lost toenail, sun burnt bum, the usual pity-party. Just as I was about to get to the internet and back to Patong, I was randomly joined by baby-faced 21 year-old Danish Patrick, who's party had abandoned him for a sailing trip. We had a few beers and a nice chat that afternoon and then joined his friends and their enclave at the tip of Loh Dalum Bay. I was used to the Danish by then quickly craving an open-faced sandwich and a Carlsburg. Nicely enough, I was invited to a birthday party for the evening, for a Danish girl named Mia who turned out to be absolutely lovely! We went to some dodgy seafood dinner and then for some unknown reason, as everyone started singing Happy Birthday, I chimed in with the "You Look Like a Monkey" version and after a bit of awkward silence, received a rousing round of applause. I have no idea what possessed me, but it seemed to endear me to the group and I was allowed to hang around for a few more hours.

After dinner, we went to a beach bar named "Ibiza" where upon arrival, were greeting by a petrol-infused jump rope, that was being spun around in hopes of drunken buffoons trying their luck at getting through it without getting burned. I didn't see one person make it through. Idiots. I would have made a fortune sitting on the sidelines with a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide, a tube of Bactroban and some gauze. The next thing I know, there are multiple "buckets" of alcohol/juice concoctions flying around and every time a straw came near my mouth, I would quickly take a swill of beer and smile. "I don't do spirits" was my other catch-phrase, because I know better. I quickly felt like I was in Cancun and started to once again, pine for Sugar Beer Bar and a dance-off with Shrek.

Walked poor swaying Patrick home, which wasn't easy as he was about 6'3" and completely bollocked. I was becoming the town mommy. Of course, that doesn't erase the fact that once again, "WHERE IS THE WHITE? THE WHIIIIIIIIIITE?" Yep, still couldn't bloody find my place, as sober and clear-headed as I was.

The Danes left for Patong the next day, which quickly became a theme for me. Probably better anyway. The prize though, Mia and I are still in touch! Sweeeet!

Thought I would give the other side of the island a chance so I went to Loh Dalum Bay and found a great little place called the Monkey Bar. It was perfect for me, all of the staff were either in dread-locks, or mohawks, or tattoo's or some such thing, but the glorious part was the Reggae booming from the speakers. It was glorious. For about an hour. While I was entertained by the parasailing extravaganza going on in front of said Monkey Bar, the smell of gasoline was getting to me, so in a huff, I gathered my things and headed down the beach. Great idea. As I looked around I noticed a sea of perfectly tanned, YOUNG, gorgeous Scandi's and if you know anything about these people they are all stunning. Every stinking one of them. How in the world does a breed of people get to be super tan AND blonde....naturally! WTF? Now I am a very confident woman and still ain't so hard to look at, but this was even hard for me to bear. Still, Ihad my moments...

(This is where I am going to insert a small, teeny tiny rant.)

Girls, and I do mean "girls." I am NOT interested in your teen-age boyfriends so please stop with the turned-up nose and stink-eye. Honestly, those days are gone. There are PLENTY of gorgeous, fit, hot, smart, sexy single men my age and I am quite happy to fish in that pond. I can think of 10 right this second, off the top of my head...two whom I would meet later, a couple in SF, my friend Nick the Greek from the Busabout days and one very sexy 38 year-old Viking who puts all those boys to shame. So BUGGAR OFF!!!

Whew, much better.

To combat my feelings of chubby insignificance, I covered myself with a sarong and found a small corner next to a Japanese couple and a fat German guy and his Thai "girlfriend."

Bored of this after about an hour, I said "sod it" and walked further down, entranced by the "Best of the Police" coming from a place called "Ciao Bella Restaurant." Nothing like "Message in a Bottle," to make one feel better about things. I sat at the bar for about 5 minutes and then this guy, oddly enough who looked like "Sting" came up and asked me if I wanted to join his group. "I'm Tom...Tom Cruise." Ok, well, later he became "Tom the collector" because he was genius for grabbing wayward orphans and bringing them into the fold. Allegedly, he played the shark-bitten Swedish guy in the movie but I'll have to re-rent to believe it.

Anyway, that's how I met my Ukranian girls, Valerie and Julia, who would prove to be one of the highlights of my stay. It was an international cast of characters, debating the world's events and clinking cups to "cheers" in several languages every five minutes. Of course, no international sit-down would be complete without the requisite "America bashing" but in fairness, these days it happens less and less. "Yes, I know Americans don't travel," I finally said "but I do and I'm here so shut your pie-hole."

The next two days went down the same way, we all met in the same spot, met at the Tiger bar at night and I still couldn't ever EVER find my way home. It was becoming a joke. I did hear later that I wasn't the only person who suffered this fate, but it still didn't make me feel any less retarded.

The last day, I went to get my feet nibbled-on by flesh-eating fish, sat around the Monkey Bar until the fumes made me dizzy, found the crew, then just hung out with Winnie. We ended up dancing together at Ibiza Beach Bar until some guy thought we were lesbians, then she started crying because I guess she liked him and I wiped her face-painted tears until the bars shut-down. I realized it was time to go.

Next day, I was feeling a bit rough, so I packed my bag and headed to Winnie's to wait upon my 2:30 ferry. Luckily, three of the London boys I had been chatting to the first night were also waiting for their ferry so, all of us green in the gills, we had a nice chat, took photos of the legend and her staff, and without regret, I finally said ADIEU Pee Pee. Nice to meet you but I think I'll pass next time. No offense, but not my scene. If I could do it again, it would be Patong 5 days, Pee Pee 2. The best bit is that I WILL be back and I WILL do it again, just my way.

Next installment: "The Last 48."

How Gina Got Her Groove Back-Part Two

2010-01-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

PATONG

The morning following the Night Bazaar shop-a-thon part deux, I immediately dumped all of my old crappy sundresses. My feeling is that when you take on weight, you must also get rid and my dresses were old and haggard anyway. My flight to Phuket was scheduled to leave at 12:35 so I had my transfer there at 11 and off we went to Chiang Mai airport. I was a little bit nervous about the time crunch but it was about a 15 minute drive and the easiest check-in of my life. I somehow ended up in business class, which is another reason book must sell. Pure Heaven! I was first in line, got to hang out in the "lounge" (which was full of stuffy-types but had free food and tea.) First on the plane, nice seat and bag first to arrive as well. It was 2 hours of bliss.

Arrived in Phuket around 2:30 and hired a metered taxi to get me to my guesthouse in Patong Beach. Never made it to Phuket Town, but will next time. (More on that later!) My cab driver, Mr. Kasam Tabjit, was in a very pleasant mood as he was headed to Krabi for some R & R with the Mrs. About 45 minutes later, we arrived at Priew Wan Guesthouse and I checked-in. It was located in a little ally just off the main road going into Patong, he didn't even know where it was, but it ended up being my favorite place of my entire trip. Run by a family, the little 7 year-old daughter gave me my keys and then her dad led me to my room which was on the top floor. TOP floor and it was hot and muggy but I was used to it after my leisurely trek through the hills of the North.

I quickly threw on my old crappy bathers and headed to the beach. At first I was a bit put-off, it seemed so cheesy and touristy and resorty and I thought I was trapped in a Vegas-style hell-hole for two days. Again, as I mentioned previously, I changed my mind for many reasons and will surely return. After all, this was a fact-finding mission and it really comes down to personal choice and one's state of mind. I booked through Vancouver Keith, the same dude from BKK, who swore I would hate Patong and love Phi Phi and my standing orders were as follows: "I DO NOT WANT SPRING BREAK OR A PLACE WHERE I HAVE TO SIT AND WATCH HONEYMOONERS SWALLOW EACH OTHER!" As it turned out, Patong was just in the middle but I had to experience things myself to make my final answer.

Walked along the esplanade and found the beach, along with one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Up there with Pacifica and Darwin, Australia. (It's the only good thing about Darwin!) It was quiet with chairs and cabana boys and I already had the following day planned: do nothing!

I found a great little shop with hats and sunglasses and cute bikini's and since my haggling skills were freshly honed, I was able to score pretty well, as I listened in on the conversation with a dude who bought some stuff before I got there. New sunscreen bottle and I was good to go. Shoved it all in my backpack and walked around. I believe this was when I posted something about being dropped in a big vat of fondue! Which, was true. It did look a little like Vegas but it was my first night and I was still trying to suss out the geography.

Bored and feeling as though I had been dipped in a vat of man-repellent, I wandered home fairly early and discovered a little outdoor joint right by my place called "Sugar Beer Bar." Same kind of vibe as Tilac, only smaller. I walked up and ordered a Singah and discovered a rather large group of gents and upon further review of the accent, realized they were from the Midlands. They were there on annual golfing holiday and the reason I figured this out was they told me they had been to Phoenix. There is only one reason to go there for 10 days and I was right. I was a bit scared at first, because I understand the whole "stag party" mentality all too well and have learned to run for the hills when I see one approach. But these guys were lovely, most all of them in their 50's/60's and hilarious to watch with the girls. I hunkered-down there for the evening, as it was close to my place and I had some serious tanning to accomplish the next day so I didn't want to wander off and get into trouble.

My plan worked perfectly, I got up early and headed down to the beach just in time to find a spot close to a potty, a cabana boy and the perfect view. The only view I didn't care for was the Euro-jelly belly banana hammock vista, but really....I didn't care. Made me look HOT!

After hours toggling back and forth between some serious drooling and walks up and down the beach it was time to head back to clean up for the night.

On my way back, I saw the lads post-18th so I stopped in for a can and the next thing I know, I'm having a dance-off with Kevin, the bloke affectionately known as "SHREK." Now, when I say he looks like Shrek, I am not joking one bit. Add the green and he literally could be living in a forest by a bog. But, as the universe often does giveth and taketh away, he was blessed with the ability to dance like Justin Timberlake. We got our freak-on to "In the Club" and I got cheers all -around for that one. It was a blast and dammit! I didn't have my camera.

The rest of the night was pretty uneventful, the hike must have caught up to me and I did have a massage which put me to sleep. I had to catch the ferry to Ko Phi Phi anyway, so I called it an early night and got my sleep on for the impending adventure ahead.

How Gina Got Her Groove Back-Part One

2010-01-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

First I must apologize for my lack of blogging during my trip. You see, I was quite literally "blogging" in my head the entire time, which probably gave the impression I suffered from acute Touret's syndrome, as I walked down the street laughing to myself and even worse, "blogging" aloud. But getting my arse to an Internet cafe when the sun was shining and there were people to watch proved to be a grueling task so I just gave-up. Therefore, I will try to channel my trip, through the haze of memory and the crinkled-up, scribbled-on bar napkins that have been suffocating at the bottom of my duffel bag for the past two weeks.

I believe I last left off after the overnight train ride to Chiang Mai, which was really quite lovely. I wish I could have been tucked into a train cabin with two cans of Tiger beer and a purple pill coming from San Francisco to Bangkok but then again, why miss out on 24 hours of China Air!?

CHIANG MAI

I walked out of the train and was greeted by a guy from BMP Guesthouse, which was to be my home for three nights. Well, not really. I decided to be extra ambitious and book a "trek" to the mountains to spend a night with natives from a tiny village or "Karen." I checked in, chucked my bag on my bed and promptly went-off for a walkabout. I walked and walked, etc, for about 7 hours. Stopping, of course, every hour for a bit of street food and a cold Chang. Finally, I arrived at a little outdoor joint called "Scott's Place" owned, obviously, by an ex-pat named...well, "Scott." As became the norm, he listed off all the things I should accomplish while there...cooking classes, massage classes at WAT POA, a visit to Old Chiang Mai, a day at Doi Inthanon, etc. As I sat there pondering the next day ahead, I realized that tromping through the woods would be a lot, and as I had a meeting with the "guides" that evening, I thought better of it and just decided to hit the famous Night Bazaar for a shopping bender. Anyone who knows me, understands that "shopping" is not on my top ten list of fun things to do, especially when haggling is involved. However, I was told that things were cheaper in the North so I planned for it.

After Scott's place, I went back to the guesthouse to find a little group gathering outside, which I assumed was the few that were trekking. There was Markus and Cornelia from Vienna, and Valerio from Italy...who was soooooooooooooo Italian. Super tan, Capri pants, espadrilles..etc. We met our guides and they gave us a list of what to bring for the trek. I had signed up for just one night and two days, but the others went for the whole three days. I was warned that the weather was colder up in the hills so I brought a hoodie and jeans, but barely took anything because I had this strong feeling that the "hike" was a typical Thai understatement. Just like the tour to the floating market, which took 6 hours and had me switching tour vans faster than changing brands of beer.

Meeting adjourned, we planned to gather in the morning at 9 so I boogied off for my adventure in the Bazaar with Valerio in-tow. Realizing that shopping alone was annoying enough, I bid V a nice "ciao" and headed off into the crowd sola to face the BAHT and impending bout of haggling, which I was dreading to no end.

Before I get to the lame way I ended up "bargaining," I must regale you with a slightly humiliating story, so I apologize in-advance if I sound crass but the details are quite relevant to the tale.. As I walked-along the streets casing my prey in my new multi-pocketed cargo pants, I realized that my travel-belly might be rearing it's ugly head and decided to make a bee-line for the nearest potty. When one is traveling in another country, one never knows about the bog situation so I found a nice mall and quickly....and I DO mean post-haste....RAN to the public toilet, which looked clean and fabulous. Ok, so I made it on-time and all was well with the universe when I looked around and discovered that, of course, there was no paper. Not that they were OUT of paper, but there was NO PAPER at all. No dispenser, no one with whom to "spare a square..." NADA. I just sat there banging my head against the wall for forgetting to bring a little roll in my pocket and wondered what the hell I was going to do. I couldn't just "wiggle" and hope for the best. I finally looked around and discovered a hose attached to the wall and it occurred to me that all of the toilet hoses I had seen were for...well, let's just call them the "ghetto bidet." So, my friends, yes indeed. I had to hose myself off and walk around with a damp bum for about 20 minutes and that is all I am ever going to say about that.

Back to my haggling skills, or lack thereof. I realized quickly I was never going to win the game, especially because I didn't know what things should really cost. I wanted to find a local and just pay them to go with me, but that would cost me too so I just took a deep breath and went for it. It never worked. Finally, I decided to play my own game of "stupid tourist" and put my cargo pants to work. I went to an Irish pub, tucked into the bathroom (which BTW had paper) and divided my money into the seven pockets, memorizing the amounts in each. I then walked up to the vendors who had what I wanted and when they offered me a price, I just feigned ignorance and pulled out less than they asked. Worked like a charm folks, and I ended up with gifts for the family and 5 fabulous sexy dresses that served me well throughout the rest of my trip!

TREKKING

The next morning we all met for coffee and toast and jumped into the back of a truck ready for adventure. We met up with an Aussie couple Ian and "B" and, after stopping for supplies, headed up into the mountains. It was a nice drive, about two hours of back roads until we ended at a trail head, greeted by a 60 year-oldvillager wearing flip-flops and carrying a hand-made wicker basket. He proved to be our Sherpa, carrying ALL of our food and supplies. We met with a second group and headed up the "hill."

I quickly picked-up on the fact that we were in for it. First of all, yet again, it wasn't quite explained that it would be a BIG HIKE, and this was coming from every single hiker. Americans, Brits, our gang and a really cute girl from Finland. I've lived in San Francisco, hiked in Pacifica for years and climbed Half-Dome so knew how to pace myself. Not so for the hung-over, de-hydrated youngsters around me. As I watched our guide "Mr. Sayan" or "Promise" lead us up hill after mountain trail, after steep crevasse in $3 flip-flops singing "Hey Jude" repeatedly without so much as breaking a sweat, I had to laugh. After 5 hours of listening to the agonizing moans of my compatriots, we finally reached the "village."

THE VILLAGE

We arrived at the "Karen" to find three huts. One, with wooden floors, used sleeping bags and mosquito nets which was to be our luxury accommodations for the evening. All of us sleeping cozily side-by-side in our sweaty, farty, snoring glory. I ran in and quickly chose the "bed" nearest the door for air and the ability to escape. I was smart enough to down a few Immodiums on the way, as I was not going to relive the earlier potty episode in the Thai wilderness. Which brings me to the second hut: yes, the potty was made of porcelain, but it was in the floor of the hut next to a bucket of water. Essentially, one must straddle said bowl standing then squatting and use said bucket to manually flush. In hut number three was a tube attached to a hose and this was the shower. I opted for an Army bath and decided to smell as I was only there for one night and johnny buzz-saw next to me was going to have to suffer because I wasn't interested. Clearly, I'm not afraid of dirt having lived at Burning Man and Reggae, but I detest cold showers and would rather attract flies than suffer that fate. Speaking of flies, well. Use your imagination.

I did meet a little five year-old girl who seemed to take a liking to me. We played Pattie-cake and made faces at each other and then I gave her a peace-chain and I guess later-on she was spotted running around the village showing it to everyone like it was the most precious thing she had. OF COURSE I GOT A TEAR! (Thanks Joe Murphy again, for your work. I ended up giving about 20 of those away. http://www.peace-chain.com/)

As most of you know, I am a camper and love the outdoors so I was fine with the entire affair. Vienna, Italy and Finland, however, were NOT. In fact, they quickly changed their plans to leave the next day and felt they weren't properly warned about the degree of difficulty. We then sprayed ourselves silly with citronella, shared a lovely meal, downed a few beers and had a great conversation. I decided to go to bed early, as I knew what lie ahead but the rest sat up all night drinking and swapping travel stories. One crazy kid even brought a bottle of Smirnoff and downed it like it was water. I'm gagging just thinking about it. The guides, as it turned out, were from the village, and through smoke-induced giggles, one told of the wedding tradition that still has me laughing. I guess, by the age of 15, a girl is supposed to chose her mate. Her family brings gifts and he is then left to decide if he is down with that and can take up to a week to give an answer. He giggled some more, as he told us that he lives in the city and wants to marry a westerner. All of us looked away quickly and I'm still not sure if he was just trying to have a laugh but it got silent quickly.

In the middle of the night, the lad next to me quickly went from "Snoring Sam" to Cuddling Charlie," but was completely unaware of the fact so I kept trying to gently move him over but he was about 6'4" and it was no use so I just lie there, face squashed up against the hut, trying to breathe. Every time I moved he followed me so I just gave up. Then, Seattle Dave (vodka boy) kept saying something about a rat eating his banana and I thought he must have been chewing opium. All in all, a pretty restful sleep but I am used to sleeping on floors. Not so much for the rest as they bitched the rest of the way down the mountain the whole next day. Poor Markus had dysentery and begged to be airlifted out of there. "Where is the nearest road, can we just get a ride?" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Sorry mate, not that kinda place.

After another 5 hours, and a lost contact lens, we were met by a truck and all of the sudden we were eating hot food, bamboo rafting (Valerio quickly stood up and tried to steer a raft, which proved disastrous) and riding elephants. I have mixed feelings about the elephant thing, so before my PETA friends get all freaked out...I felt guilty about it. But I was alone on a baby and she was so cute. Ah well, first and last time. Enough said.

We got back into town around 5 and for some odd reason, Promise, who is around 23...I think, anyway, he told me he would take me to get a nice massage. I thought "Ok, local cat...knows what he is doing, etc." He shows up an hour later on a scooter and drives me around the corner for a massage. Then, he picks me back up and says "I'll take you to the market." I thought it would be cool so he could haggle with me but then I immediately picked up on his state of mind by the state of his eyeballs and in fairness, I support the chronic but not when I'm running around a market. So, I paid him 100 BAHT and thanked him for the ride and ran off into the night.

Had an early one, back to guesthouse and packed my beautiful new gear for the next journey: Phuket and Patong Beach, which will be in the next installment of HGGHGB.

LESSONS LEARNED:

If they say it's going to be "about 44 minutes..." double it.

Bring your own T.P. ALL OF THE TIME!

Chang Beer is stronger than the others.

Swallow as much Immodium as you can before you Trek.

If you hate to haggle, my system worked brilliantly!

Stay longer up North, if you can. It's cheap and lovely. I want to go back and take massage classes. Heck, just stay longer in Thailand.

The Accidental Tourist

2010-01-15T05:59:00.003-08:00

Alas, I have temporarily lost my edge and become what I have worked years to eschew. I have become a "tourist." In all fairness, the last 3 months of my life have been a tad challenging and I was otherwise detained mentally. Still, the feeling leaves me frustrated and somewhat devolved. Bad airline purchase, too much on hotel, Tuk Tuk rip-offs, etc.

I'm in Phuket now, summoning my strength and finally have mastered the art of haggling. More on that later.

I left this post last in the internet cafe, in Bangkok, Sukumvit, near my hotel on Soi 23. The internet cafe was atop a family run Indian restaurant, which by the looks of things was a great idea because I am convinced the computers upstairs bring in more money as I never once saw a table full, or even partially full, of diners. As I last posted, Howie had unexpectedly shown up and we quickly went for a pint then thought eating was a good idea. As I am a bit less of a "sit-down" eater here I was ok with some street food of BBQ pork and/or a big bowl of noodles but we thought it might be nice to visit Bob Vaughn at his newly opened "Los Cabos"to give him a boost. I am a sucker for a San Franciscan who is trying to make it good elsewhere, and also having been in the biz all my life just feel compelled to help out. And yet, spending 500 BAHT on two tacos and a beer gave me a bit of indigestion. (Let me state for the record that the food was amazing, so there.)

This leads me to my next point and a bit of explaining about temporarily losing my "traveler" status. I have been so busy taking care of things at home and moving, etc., that I am sure I just went into some haze when I booked said trip and continued my naivite' forthwith during the first 5 days of being here. I literally should have just walked around giving my money away for the idiotic decision-making in which I engaged. Oh yeah...laugh all of you veterans! 500 BAHT for a tuk tuk who "tuk" me for a ride both literally and figuratively. Plus, I hate haggling, as I said and am just a girl who is genetically pre-disposed to avoid arguing. (Unless I am on a debate team, or some such thing.) My frustration has finally turned to savvy and have also figured out a way to haggle. More on that later as well.

So, after Howie and I said good-bye Sunday night, I walked by "Tilac" bar, the one with the girls who loved me and sure enough they all came bounding out "gina gina" and hugging me, etc. Decided to take photos and order a beer then of course decided to buy them all shots and that set me back 800 BAHT but what the hell. I worked my whole life for tips, so I guess the tipping Karma was coming around and it was my turn.

Got a massage then went to 7-11 to buy bug repellent and a four-pack of SINGHA, then found a great BBQ street vendor next to my hotel. As I waited I just decided that they looked thirsty so I gave away three beers and kept one for myself to drink with dinner. I think they liked the beer, because for 30 BAHT I got a big slab of juicy pork long beans and cabbage. That was the beginning of the impending tuk tuk Karma that would follow me to this moment.

Slept well, got up and worked out, went for a swim and decided to go to Bo Bae market as I was obsessing on cargo pants and needed them desperately.

Was bored and suspect of Tuk Tuk so I decided to take a scooter taxi (mom, you might want to skip this part) and for 100 BAHT got on the back of some crazy scooter, went to market, procured said pants and returned without incident. I finally felt like a local.

Took a taxi to TAT office and bought more tickets and got train ticket. While I waited for Vancouver keith to organize my stuff, I thought I would meander through the neighborhood, which was industrial and a bit ghetto-ish but I like this kind of place because it is the real deal.

Saw a family sitting in a...well, cafe is too posh, but a metal hut with an old fridge and some plastic tables and a door leading somewhere. Granny, grandpa, auntie, two babies, and then mom and son came in a bit later. For 20 BAHT, I got a frozen SINGHA, which was great because it was hot and it melted quickly. The started shouting at me in Thai...it was hilarious. "USA! hahahahahah!!!!!" Yep, that's me. USA!

THE TRAIN
The overnight train to Chiang Mai was right around the corner and Keith walked me halfway...really easy and nice. I sat down with my water and a small Chang beer I bought from the family and was joined by the loveliest lady named Nancy who shared her dinner with me and then proceeded to crack open a Heineken and toasted me. This wouldn't seem odd but Nancy, or "Dr. Nongnuch Jiraveerkul" seemed quite proper and there she was earning a million points for cracking open a cold one. Brava!

Then, Paolo and Sara from the floating market tour just showed up out of nowhere and there we all were reliving the day and sitting on a train bound for Chiang Mai.

Promptly at 10 p.m. this tiny woman with a germ mask came around and turned all of our seats into beds and I slept like a little baby for the whole 8 hours. I did, I confess, have help from a little purple pill which I bought at a Chemist for cheap and I am convinced that if one needs a pharmacy or a doctor or especially a dentist, Thailand is the place to come.

As it is getting late and I'm a bit lost, I will close for now. Suffice to say that I have been to Vegas, Amsterdam...hell, I lived in a tourist neighborhood for two years. BUT, this is the most hilarious...cheesy/douchy place I have ever visited. I mean, it's so cheese that I have to laugh. Pure Velveeta. No, maybe so cheesy that it's fondue. Yes...a big vat of fondue.

Will finish up Chiang Mai and mountain tribe/trekking experience tomorrow! Did manage to buy a cool bikini. Beach all day tomorrow. ALL DAY!

2010-01-15T05:59:00.001-08:00

Wild, Weird and Wonderful Bangkok...

2010-01-10T00:41:00.000-08:00

So much to say and all of it banging around in my head like a metal sphere in a pinball machine. I'm exhausted and it's only been 48 hours. Pushing to the limits, always. Otherwise, it wouldn't be me.

I left Wednesday night, the sixth which seems like either five minutes ago or five weeks. China Air isn't what I would call the BEST carrier with whom I have ever flown, but it was cheap and other than the gaggle of screaming toddlers and the waft of the lavatory which was stationed directly behind me...(frankly my olfactory senses were put through a rigorous test, and won't be forgiving me anytime soon for picking seat 46 C.) Managed to sleep for most of it, then landed in Taipei, which is worth skipping if you are interested. Then, I got a nifty surprise..a random stop in Hong Kong. I must have been under duress when I booked my flight, as I never would have entertained that journey, which put me at about 24 hours en route. Nonetheless, I made the best of it by running to the nearest caviar booth and ordered a Stella, which in my universe, constitutes a proper "visit" or is just a half a point towards putting said city on my map of conquest. BEER = VISIT! It also cost me around $20. Still pondering that decision, but it sure went down well.

Got through immigration and customs in record time and even my bag was among the first off the plane. Walked outside to the 89 degree humidity and ordered a cab to Sukumvit...Hotel Citadines, Soi 3. Seemed easy enough but my Laotian cab driver had no idea where this was. He also had no idea that I didn't speak a word of...erm, Laotian/Thai...uh, something? He just kept chatting away which I thought hilarious so I started chatting to him in Spanish just to keep the party rolling. The only English he knew was "TOO MUCH BAHT!" and "THAILAND TRAFFIC BAD!" We sat for an hour in Bangkok traffic and I just smiled because for this girl, arriving in a new city is up there with shagging and a good meal at Frascati.

Finally arrived at hotel where I was greeted by a smiling and very buzzed Howie, who whisked me away to his friends restaurant on SOI 16 called Los Cabos. No, I wasn't in the mood for Mexican and I don't drink Tequila but I played nice because it's Howie and I was too tired to care. Met Bob Vaughn, who is a and ex-Pat from SF and a gem of a gent. Happy hour was lovely, broke-down and shared guac and chips and feasted on ribs and quesadillas. Was dying for some street food but didn't argue. That was to come.

Lost Howie to a massage, so I opted to get back to hotel room and freshen. Since I was running on fumes, I acquiesced to an early night, but needed to at least get a glimpse of this crazy city.

I quickly realized that being a Western woman in this town, well, at least in this neighborhood, I had absolutely no game. None. No one wanted to talk to me, which honestly was fine because for once I wasn't in the mood to flirt and/or stave-off attention. However, I didn't want to sit in my room so I walked over to the mini red-light area, took a deep breath, held my head up high and dove right on in.

I found a little out-door bar with about 15 working women...well, working, and stood out like a nun at a gay bar. I got some pretty odd looks but never to be deterred, I just ordered a beer and asked if I could sit down and watch the Premier League game that was blaring from the flat screen above. I paid my 150 BAHT and tipped 50 BAHT to get on the good side of MAI, who I affectionately referred to as "Big Mamma." I also quickly learned there is a hierarchy to the entire affair. Big Mamma was boss and in charge of the money. Then, there are about 5 "Aunties" who look after the bar. The next group are younger girls who bring the drinks to the tables. Finally, there is a group of girls who dress in mini skirts, go-go boots and bikini tops who dance, and well, etc. I offered up a peace-chain (in Thai of course) http://www.peace-chain.com/ and the next thing I knew, I was being massaged, my hair was braided and I became the mascot of the bunch. I decided it was my best course of action if I were to gain any respect in this world run by women. Oh, I also bought 12 shots of Whisky, which didn't hurt my reputation. I was glad I could contribute to the economy and made a few friends in the process. I also learned that I would forever be referred to as "madame." Everyone called me madame. Pronounced "Jean-Claude Van MA-damme." You get the picture.

I then took a Tuk Tuk ride all over the city for an hour and was certainly over-charged but that is usual for me on the first night in a new city with weird money and complete oblivion to the exchange rate. He even tried to take me to an expensive spa but I had enough wits about me to say no.

Bloated, beleaguered and buzzed, I went back to my neighborhood and for 400 BAHT, roughly $12, got an hour-long oily massage and fell asleep, only to wake up covered in drool and certain I snored throughout.

I then promptly passed ton my beautiful fluffy bed, only to wake up at 2 a.m., jet-lagged but oh so happy to be where I was.

I wandered out on Saturday morning, around 7:30, just to get my bearings and just in time to smell the left-over stench from the previous hours of debauchery. As I walked under the sky train, I was accosted by a "Mr. Mongkol," who as it turns out, works for the Information Ministry. He took me to 7-11 to get water and then gave me his number in case I needed his help. REALLY? Odd. but so nice. I still can't figure out what his motives were. Was he being pervvy or genuinely nice? I ran into him about 5 more times, and he kept asking me if I needed anything and then I finally said "ok, I want to go to the floating market" so he hired me a Tuk Tuk dude, named Mr. Velapon, who whisked me to the Tourism office, where I booked the rest of my trip. Then, Mr. Velaphon took me to the same spa as rip-off guy and I felt so bad that I just went and spent too much and was slightly annoyed but got over it quickly. As for Mr. Velapon, I am sure that I made a critical error in judgement when I gave him 100 BAHT and told him to go and have some lunch while he waited for me at the spa. I am now convinced that he thought, and still thinks, I was paying him for services rendered and now I am a stupid cheap American girl and forever will be known as such. Crap...I keep looking for him or at least Mr. Monkgol, to salvage my battered reputation and even worse, bad Karma, but alas, nothing I can do now.

Let it be written now and forever, I TRIED!

I proceeded to go back to my room for a 4 p.m. cat nap which turned into a 14 hour R.E.M. festival. Drank a gallon of water when I woke up, which was 4 a.m. Showered then got ready for Floating Market tour, which began promptly at 6:30.

I'm not one for tours, EVER! but the market is way out of town and it seemed like the right thing at the time. However, it turned out that we were stuck in the van for most of it, which stopped at every side show in central Thailand. Snakes, Elephants, Crocodiles, Mongoose, OH MY!

The van was comprised of two Norwegian kids, a couple dudes from the Sudan, two girls from China, an Indian guy and a bunch of Italians. Floating Market was amazing and cannot be sufficiently described through words. Will post photos upon my return. It was amazing and I ate something from every floating stall and canoe I could find. Food is cheap and tasty here and I could live on every dish. I am a big fan of soup for breakfast now. 25 BAHT= .75 cents.

After the snake show, I was transferred to 3 other vans and was starting to get a little tired of it when I somehow arrived back in my 'hood, just in time for Happy Hour and a cold Tiger beer.

This is a wacky town, and I laugh at every turn. Big German men in their sandals and Bermuda shorts dot the streets and corners, looking for fun and temporary girlfriends. Cute little Thai girls walk around in sor shorts, with sandals and VERY long toenails, always polished with some kind of decoration. One trend I've noticed is the "reverse mullet." Picture a beautiful Thai girl coming at you with long, flowing hair down to her waist. She turns around, and WHOA! Precision bob. So, I guess it's "party in the front, business in the back!"

So wacky. And strangely cute.

I'm just back from tour, about to go and gorge on more street food, I had my eye on some satay from a vendor across the street, and maybe more noodles. Who knows? I'm also going to work out at the hotel gym, to compensate for the beer bloat and general malaise that comes with the afternoon. Howie and I will share a dinner and say goodbye tonight, he is leaving for Ho Chi Minh City and I am taking the night train to Chiang Mai tomorrow where I will go on a trek and stay in a hammock with a mountain tribe. That is the plan anyway. I am also hitting the BOBE market tomorrow where I will buy some cargo pants. Need them for the Trek and will save the rest of my shopping for Night Market in Chiang Mai. SWEET! Sister and mom will be easy to shop for...dad, well. I keep looking. I have many choices, one can buy almost anything ont he street including Viagra and numchuks.

Will try to post again from CM, staying at a great guest house, where I am sure to run into a band of Aussies and some random "others." Looking forward to meeting people. Forgot what it's like to be a chick traveling solo. Don't mind it, but it's odd. Lots of stares and people telling me to either be careful, or that I am really brave. Maybe I'm just crazy.

Having a blast, finding my chi again but I've already chalked this trip up to a scouting event, a primer if you will. The next time it's ASIAPOLLUZA!!!

Hope this finds you well.

Laters!

About that Novel...

2009-01-16T15:16:00.001-08:00

Well, alas. It would seem that I have forsaken the written word all together. However, I have actually started that novel...err, Roman a clef...a fiction work based on my crazy life and travels.
The working title is "Summer Solstice" and is coming along quite nicely, although the weather here in SF has been like summer time and it's hard to concentrate when it's 75 degrees out. Especially up here on Russian Hill where it's always sunny and hot because of all the windows in our flat.
So, it's happening. I have 20,000 words so far, I'm on Chapter 10 of 30. Then of course, it will have to be edited, re-written, re-edited, re-re-edited etcetera. But, it is coming along. I realized that that is my only other real talent besides bartending, of course, and I can't do that forever.

I'll be going back to Europe this summer to finish the research, mostly to Hungary and Romania, but will visit friends in the UK as well. Yippee! Pleasant thoughts people!

Gone But Not Forgotten

2008-10-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

I thought with a broken foot I would be writing more, but alas. It made me sad and depressed no thoughts were coming to mind except getting the hell better and doing laundry. Now that I only have 5 days left until work I can see the light. I feel inspired. This is the weekend I moved here last year and it feels great. Blue Angels are in town, buzzing my bedroom window with practices every day and I am able to walk without my high-tech boot for the first time. There are several rooftop parties around today, I am going to one with Debbie Shimizu on Broadway and Steiner. Tomorrow, I am having a BBQ with Heather and Kris Peterson. Monday I am doing laundry, Tuesday buying new shirts for work and Wednesday, thank-goodness, I am going back to work! I never thought I would say this but I miss Izzy's something crazy! I want to thank my Scottish mate Hammie for luring me to Glasgow and Joelle for believing in me. Of course, mom and dad go without saying. I am ready to start traveling again and hopefully when my desk gets sorted out, writing that great novel. Hahaha. Well, let's just start with the blog!

When One Door Closes...

2008-09-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

...one goes to Glasgow!!! I have decided that since my run-in with a rather large Samoan lad at Burning man has put me out of commision for a month,

I am going to get the heck outta dodge and head off to Scotland for a couple of weeks of R & R. Where else can one sit on their arse in a pub and watch the rain fall? Okay, maybe Seattle but I don't have any friends there and since I do have one who was kind enough to host my little mope-fest/convelescence, I thought "what the heck!" I went to Scotland two years ago, but never quite made it over to Glasgow. This is one of Europe's most populous cities, with an insane night life and even more insane people. Hopefully, I will be able to understand the dialect or "Glasweigan" as it is called, and get some of the live music scene under my belt. I have to remember to stay off my foot as much as possible and I'm thinking that the local pub and a few books will aide in my recovery. I will have access to a computer so hopefully I can dowload photos as I go. Otherwise, we'll have to wait until I get back. I leave tomorrow on Aer Lingus, the Irish airline, through Dublin and arrive Monday morning at 10:20 U.K. time. If I'm lucky, I'll spot Gerard Butler having a pint at his local and talk him into marrying me. Laters!!!

Crash.....into me.

2008-09-09T09:26:00.001-07:00

Well, here is the only photo I have of myself at Burning Man....so FAR! This is the day I met a fabu chick named Crash, and when I thought I lost my camera for good, I get an e-mail from this amazing girl telling me that she has it and is sending it to me tout'de suite! This is the power of the playa at it's best. Man. So, for you non-believers out there, this is why I go to Burning Man. When I get my camera back I will write my stories. For now, I am out of work for a month due to a rather large Samoan chap mistaking my foot for a dance floor. Ouch. Funny, he has absolutely no idea. Ah, the Playa taketh and the Playa giveth away!

Night Vision

2008-08-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

I was riding home last night on the #45 bus and as we passed Van Ness approaching Polk Street I caught a glimpse of one of the most stunning moons I had seen in a long time! So, I ran to my roof and took these shots of the city scape. They are a tad blurry, but if you look to the left of the moon you can see Coit Tower. The tall building is where the mayor lives and the long street is Union. Behind Union is the Golden Gate Bridge! Imagine that, with the sounds of the cable car and fog horn in the background! Heaven!

The Burn, My Birthday, et al..

2008-08-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Change is good. It means opportunity. Right? So, as a birthday present to myself I have phased out working at the wine bar (I will remain with Ottimista on an on-call basis) and am going to have my days free to pursue my passions of writing, travel and am also going to look into starting a consierge/tour guide gig on the side. I run into so many tourists and travelers it's like shooting ducks in a barrel. I can just hop on the cable car and meet people.

First, I am going to Burning Man. Then, I am turning 42. When I get back, life will be a little bit different, but I am looking forward to the changes and challenges that lie ahead.

YELP!

2008-07-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is a rant about the website "YELP." For those of you who don't know, YELP is a website that allows average people to review restaurants, nightclubs, retail outlets and other establishments. For the most part, the reviews are impartial, honest, fair and accurate. Since I used to write reviews for the newspaper and also do TV reviews for KRON TV, I understand the nuances of the whole process. But, for the record anyone and I mean ANYONE can review any place, any time. Your granny, your stalker and even your dog. Hell, it could even be the drunk at your bar. So, they can't be taken seriously all of the time. Sadly, many employers and owners take these literally and it can really affect someone's status on the employee food chain. Things like "oh the bartender had a nice ass." Gee, thanks, while that helps one's ego immensely, it does nothing for the standing of the place. Another example, someone mentioned that Izzy's recieved a 42 on a SF Department of Health inspection...(as did several OTHER Marina restaurants.) What this A-hole blogger FORGOT to mention is two-fold.

First, we were inspected several times over the last few years and received scores in the 90's. Then all of the sudden, we drop to a 42. That simply means that the department had some serious malfunctions......... Secondly, we were told what to improve upon, worked our asses off to engage in such improvements and then got a 94! A hard-earned 94. No one bothered to mention this for quite some time and I think someone that works for us had to do it which compermises the integrity of YELP all-together.

On a personal note, some douche....oops, I mean dude named "Allan B." recently complained about the two "female bartenders" at Izzy's because we were discussing a tipping situation in front of other guests. While I would like to say that Mr. B. is absolutely correct in being offended and it is unprofessional to mention these matters aloud, what he failed to understand was that we weren't really complaining about the tippers but the SYSTEM which taxes us based on what we sell. So I have to pay the government every time someone buys something from me. In essence, if you buy $100 worth of food and drink from me, and don't tip, I pay 8% anyway, then I have to tip out, so I looooooooooooooose money. Furthermore "Allan" a bar is a different place than a table. We talk, and that is why people sit there. So, "Allan," the next time you want to complain, get your facts straight. And, "Allan," on behalf of all the "female bartenders" at Izzy's, you are MORE THAN WELCOME to only sit at the bar when ERIC is working. BE MY GUEST! DO IT! I BEG YOU! laters............

Alexis Van Gelder

2008-07-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Pronounced... "AH-LEX-EE." Van Gelder. Mom is British. Dad is French, with a Dutch last name. He was born in France and moved to the USA when he was a youngster.

This is my new roommate. I love him. He is the little brother I never had. Alexis is an Air Force pilot, and his rank is Major. He flies air tankers and re-fuels fighter jets. We are going to find him a wife and then I can be an auntie. Yippie!

Misogyny

2008-07-05T09:18:00.001-07:00

Misogyny: /mɪˈsɒdʒəni, maɪ-/Pronunciation[mi-soj-uh-nee, mahy-] –noun, hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women.

Well, I suppose hatred could be a little too strong, and dislike...well. But mistrust! AAACK! The blatant disregard and objectification thereof and general apathy towards...yes, that is it! I love my job and most of my co-workers and adore 95% of my adoring public but I tell you some of the men/bosses/guests and work for make me want to bleed through my eyeballs! If I am silent and just work it's "gina, why are you so quiet?" If I engage in what I deem to be meaningful conversation, I am ignored and feel like Charlie Brown's teacher. If I fight for what is right, or try to convince the powers that be of something I deem to be important to the business I am dismissed as "uptight." Well let me tell you brothers that while I will never get credit for my insight I KNOW I AM RIGHT! Of course I signed up for a Steak House gig, full of testosterone and chest beating, so I knew what I was in for. I'll just turn to this little blog as my ultimate catharsis so I can keep some semblance of sanity, and continue working hard, making beautiful drinks, charming my guests and looking hot in my lululemon yoga pants! Whew. I feel better already! (I really do look hot in those pants...)

Sleepy 4th..

2008-07-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

Ugh, I'm exhausted. We've had a little shake-up at work so I am pulling double-duty/10 hour days and still working at the wine bar this Saturday and Sunday. No worries, it's still relatively profitable even though everyone has left town for the hills or some such thing. I think I might have to close tonight again, after opening of course, but if I get out on time I can scoot to the top of Vallejo Street and watch the fireworks over the Ferry Building. If not, I will crawl into bed and sleep until I have to be at work tomorrow morning for my 14-hour Saturday. Sunday morning will probably be dead, but then again most people that stayed here in town will be hungover and in need of some serious soakage. I'm going to hang on to the Ottimista job for a few months so I can pack away some money for travel. I'm going to open a second account strictly for savings, so I have the travel one that I can see building and then the second one for a nest egg. Anyway, so as not to go completely mad I am also going to take every-other Sunday off starting this fall so I can enjoy a 3-day weekend twice a month. I want to enjoy my time and money as well, and living in this amazing apartment in this beautiful city it's practically mandatory.

The decorating is slow-going, mainly because Alexi and I are still getting through the basics of cleaning and organizing. We also want to have a big housewarming/BBQ soon but not until we get the place in order. I really want to paint, but I'm not sure that is allowed. I can't see why the landlord would hate free home-improving, but who knows. Also still need to start planning for Burning Man.

I've scheduled a facial for this morning and trying out a new place called Rosewater on Union Street. That should at least get me through the weekend and help me relax for a couple of hours. Have a safe weekend and don't even THINK about getting in your car after drinking!

Today...

2008-07-01T20:13:00.001-07:00

Today. What a great day! It was my second day off in a row, which most Tuesdays are. Nothing really that special to report. Only a minor frustration which, as they should, prompted me to think outside the box.

See, I have to wear a tie to work, which I hate. I'm sorry, but women are not meant to wear ties! But, it is a part of the Steakhouse tradition, so I comply. Only the skinny ties look normal on me because I am not that big and I have no Adam's apple to contend with. So, I went to H & M to buy ties and was going to take them to a tailor to fix. Long story very short, Andres Georges the French tailor on Sutter street was not too keen to shorten my tie, even though he said he would on the phone. I went back to H & M to find some skinny ties and instead, some skinny guy said they had no skinny ties. Frustrated, I went outside and decided to catch the cable car from Union Square to my house. When the cable car approached outside of Saks, the conductor told all of us to return to the Powell Street turnstile and wait in line. "I just wanna go home," I announced. "Get on the back honey," said the conductor. And off I went.

On the back I met Ben, a 20-year veteran cable car operator, who not only let me ride for free, but informed me that if I got a $45 MUNI fast-pass, I could ride the buses and cable car anytime for the entire month! Jeez, that is awesome, because the cable car stops right outside of my apartment and goes all the way to Union Square through Chinatown. I can hop aboard anytime I want and be downtown in minutes! Plus, I can ride the bus anytime to work, downtown, to North Beach, Ocean Beach, Richmond, Golden Gate park, etc! I reckon I will make up for it in about 2 weeks, since the bus is $1.50 and the cable car is $5 one-way. It's $10 for a cab just one-way downtown! So, while I make this short story incredibly and arduously long, going through the tie debacle inspired this entire lesson in SF public transport! I promptly went to Cole's Hardware today and bought myself a MUNI fast-pass and now I'm set until August... Oh, and as for the tie situation. I went on-line and bought 5 ties at $7.95 each, and they will be delivered to my door next week. I guess I will have to take the cable car to H & M and return those big, fat ties! HA! I win!

Rooms with a View

2008-07-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

This first photo is of what I see every morning when I wake up. Of course, it varies based on the amount of fog that is hanging over the city, but that's what I love. I literally open my eyes, pop-up and smile. I still keep pinching myself. I can't believe this is where I actually live. OMG! Yesterday, I woke up and took my laundry around the corner to the Missing Sock laundry mat, practically in my pajamas, and did 5 loads in one hour. I walked to Union Square and bought some new ties for work. I hopped on the cable car, stopped at a market and bought dinner. Came home, bleached my Chuck Taylors, watched VH-1's top 1oo songs of the 90's...(that was a great trip down memory lane...) then I walked to another market to get salad supplies, and made a beautiful bone-in pork chop on my George Foreman grill. Finished the laundry while I watched the sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge from my living room (and if I look to the right I can see Koit Tower) did the dishes looking over the Presidio, walked over to Swenson's for a cup of chocolate chip cookie dough, took a long hot bath to the sounds of the cable car passing-by, said goodnight to my fish Ace and Gary then went to bed looking out at Sutro Tower. What a difference a year makes....

Coming Back Soon...

2008-06-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been complete crap about blogging and yes, I say this all the time. However, I have new inspiration! I just moved into an amazing flat in Russian Hill, with views, a huge kitchen, living room, dining room and a massive bedroom that features a window that looks like a postcard. So, once I set up my desk and settle in a little, I am hoping to finally, once and for all, start blogging again. I just got back from my dad's and moved a load of stuff here and found this little creature living in his house. Say hello to Lily. She is 8 weeks old and is dad's new companion. Meisha, his other cat, isn't so sure about her but I tell you if I could have pets I would have hidden her in one of my boxes and stolen her away. Isn't she adorable! I ended up getting two Betta fish, Ace and Gary. Pic's to follow.

Still Here...

2008-04-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

Although my dedication to blogging is sad and laughable, I am definitely still here. I usually think about what I want to say while I'm out, and then when I get home I realize I have to get ready for work, iron my shirt or get back on Craigslist to continue the search for a new living arrangement. Which, is slow-going and frustrating. Either the place isn't really what I want, where I want, what I want to spend...or the person somehow feels that I would be a horrible flat-mate. It's like being through sorority rush all over again. I hate it.

So, that is what I'm up to these days. I was offered the bar manager position at Izzy's but I have to turn it down because it would suck the life out of me. (They want me to be a real manager too, which will NEVER happen!) So, I will continue working there and at Ottimista on the weekends. Basically, I work Wed, Thurs, Fri from 3 to 11. Saturday, I work from 10 a.m. to midnight, straight through...then I work Sunday brunch. So, I have 72 hours straight hours away from work, which I think is one of the most enviable schedules in San Francisco right now. The money seems to be steady, and with the Beer and Oyster Festival, Union Street Fair and Mother's Day coming up, we should be busy. I'm going to try and take a little vacation (3 days...) and go to Vegas or something, just to relax. Then, I am thinking about Burning Man again, although I will definitely do things differently this time. My next big trip will be for Christmas. Venice or Buenos Aires. hahahah.. Who knows? For now, I just have to find an apartment and keep working and saving. I would have $2500 more dollars right now, but Uncle Sam came to call and I had to write a massive check. Icky. Stupid, but c'este la vie!

Awww...geez.

2008-04-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

I can't believe what a lame-ass I am. Well, okay, I can definitely act like one. I realized that I have problems writing every day because I used to work in radio. And, everyday I would get all this funny crap out of my head, and out through the airwaves. Now, I'm just talking to myself or whoever is sitting at my bar. I need an intervention.

One -thousand, six-hundred and seventy....

2008-02-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

Dollars. That's the amount of the check I just wrote to pay-off my DUI fine.

Twenty-Two. The days since I have abstained from alcoholic beverages.

Four. This represents how many classes I have left to fufill my mandatory alcohol awareness program.

One. The sigh of relief I am saving up for, as I wait to exhale.

Zero. The number of tears I have shed during the last few weeks.

Wow...things are looking pretty bright and of course, I am extremely superstitious, so I don't want to jinx this. There are way to many Muni Buses and mini-coopers running rampant in this city to catch myself off-guard. However, the clarity of mind, the joining of the gym, the steady work...is allowing me to find the kick-ass girl inside me who has been missing for a few years. Leading me to my new favorite number: #41. The year my life begins.

Whew...

2008-02-21T11:03:00.000-08:00

Just a little update today...It's been a while, but honestly I've been so exhausted over the last few weeks, getting to bed and sleeping was an actual goal.

I was re-hired at Ottimista, I guess they missed me. They needed someone to work brunches, which is perfect for me because I still work at Izzy's 5 nights a week and that seems to be working out quite well. So, I decided to quit Betelnut, which kind of sucks because honestly I had the most fun there. I love all the people that work there and miss them a lot. But, working 3 jobs is nutty and made me nutty and that is bad. (I did the 3-job shuffle for about 2 weeks, and there were around 10 doubles in the shuffle...the 10-double shuffle. WHEW!

In the mean-time, I'm off alcohol for Lent...(no, I'm not a praticing Catholic, but quite superstitious and wanted to challenge myself to do something that is good for me...) I'm also training for the Bay to Breakers race which is May 18th. I was running 5 miles a day last year, so With a relatively set schedule, bartending and serving, and training and sleeping and not drinking and finding my own place to live, I should be back on track soon. Now, I have to schedule a couple of days off to reward myself. I'm dying for a road-trip...I just have to find a partner in crime.

San Francisco Days...San Francisco Nights

2008-01-08T22:03:00.000-08:00

I didn't really think I'd be crawling into another monkey suit to make a living, but it's true. This is an image of my nighttime gear...for Izzy's. The daytime outfit, well is too rediculous to describe, let-alone find any photo. I'll have to do the job myself, but I'm too tired right now. Suffice to say, the "coat" I have to wear could be used in a feature on opium dens from 1860. In short, I'm "Hop Sing" from the long-running TV show "Bonanza."

So, not much to report, the holidays were a total blur, I worked and trained and trained and worked and Izzy's is still okay but I think I'm now not so popular since I am getting shifts and the people that were there before me aren't thrilled about it. Management likes me however, so I guess that's all that matters. And, of course, same at Betelnut. I got the schedule I wanted and some people don't like and that's too bad so I just have to toughen up and work. Can't make the same mistake I did last year, investing too much emotion into my jobs. It almost did me in.

Dad was able to make his way into the city for Christmas Day and we had a lovely lunch down on the Wharf. Then, Howie and I joined some of his friends for Christmas dinner and it was lovely. We've been spending a lot of time together, he really has become a great friend. I'm not sure how my life would have gone without him around these past few months, but it seems like I have a good mate for life, one who understands the lure of travel, who gets the restaurant industry and who is right in-line with me on all fronts political. He's a good egg.

Off to bed, I luckily only have my morning shift tomorrow so I can get some errands done after work and get some rest, as I have 3 doubles in a row this weekend. That's 12 hours my friends, with 15 minutes in-between jobs. Yippee!!!

The Days of Wine and Roses.....

2007-12-26T19:00:00.000-08:00

are over.....

For now. Yep, worker G is back, in full regalia, days, night, working, saving, working. My life of temporary leisure has come to a screeching halt. So take a good long look at this relaxed, smiling girl and realize that you won't see her again for exactly one year. One Year.

Anyway, I am spending the next week or so in training and trying to figure out if Betelnut will be good for me. I wish I would have had the bollix to ask Melissa for brunches at Ottimista, because honestly they were really easy and I would have worked 2 days and made the same money that I will in 4 or 5 at Betel. Still, it's good for the rezzie and even if it doesn't work out, it was a good experience. Ta for now, must get to the notebook and study, even if my roommates are having a raucus fiesta out in the living room.

Loving Life, Izzys' and Howie at the mo. Oh yeah, must write about him and my Christmas dinner tomorrow. Hehehehehe. Fun stuff.

Izzy's....

2007-12-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

Last night was my second night training at Izzy's and it went off without a hitch. Sadly, I have to train for 3 more nights before I get on the floor and start making money. No big deal I guess, the new management wants to make sure the new people are up to scratch. Since I am the only new person, I guess that means me. No worries, I already have shifts the next two weekends, Friday and Saturday nights I am the closer. Fantastic! It was pretty dead last night and we still sold around $1600. I can't even imagine if it's busy. The food runner, Enrique, is a bulldog...literally. The dude can carry 5 plates at once. Insane. The kitchen guys are awesome, the line runs smoothly, they don't yell at us or try to make us feel retarded, like at some other places. (The Peasant and the Pear comes to mind...) This place is like Piatti in that regard, the line guys are heroes. The guy who trained me, Michael, couldn't have been sweeter. So patient, interesting, complimentary and mostly he trusted me to take care of his tables without hovering. The bartenders are totally cool, Bernie is hysterical and Adam is just a good-looking 20-something dude. Didnt' really bond with him yet. Joelle, a server who has been there for years, is so sweet, she actually talked to me when I went in for dinner and then ran up to me when I started with a hug and a "welcome." Robin, Steve and Tom round out the cast of characters for the blokes, and Emily and Lauren are sweet girls in their 20's, who actually asked me if I wanted to go out with them last night and hang. Wow. I still can't get that from Ottimista, which by the way, I get to say CIAO to today, as this brunch shift is my last. So, I will take advantage by eating a breakfast pizza at 50% off, and drinking a glass of Nicholas Feullette as my shift drink. Might as well sip the best as it's free. My plan for Izzy's is to try to stay under the radar with management, do my job, keep my sales high, my tables clean and my guests happy. The menu is so bloody easy, I have it memorized already. Another bonus is that I have tasted almost all of the wines on the list, so that is less work. By the time I start training at Betelnut, I will have finished training at Izzy's so my head won't be so chalkers full of info. Whew. I think Betelnut is going to be a little bit more intense on the training end, and the wine list is much more complex. However, since I will be working just lunches, I don't think it's going to be that much of a drama.

So, it's off to Ottimista to work with moody Lorraine today. Usually she's in a good state when she has been partying the night before and still has a buzz. If she is totally hungover, it will be a nightmare. Who cares, I'm outta there and off to where the people are nice to me. I've been scheduled to work tomorrow night and Monday night, Christmas Eve, at Izzy's so I can't make it out to my dad's for Christmas. That happened at the last minute so it looks like it will be a quite day here at the homestead for Chrissy. Not to worry, I remember living in Montreal and I was alone for Christmas and frankly it was glorious because Christmas sucks ass anyway...such a pain and bloated, stressful full-of-expectations crap-a-thon that I could skip for an eternity. I may just rent a couple of movies and go to the Bell Tower for dinner. Or better yet, buy some groceries and hunker down in my hovel, since the roomies will be off doing family crap. A nice little Christmas dinner with me and my new teddy bear sounds like a dream...because I assure you, once the new year rolls around there will be no more peace on my earth...only good will towards my bank account!

And the Winner Is...

2007-12-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

WAIT! We have a tie!

After careful

consideration (which means I just want to cover my ass) I have decided to take on both places. By day, I will be wearing a funky Asian-inspired waiter coat that looks like it was designed for a re-make of Rin Tin Tin. Seriously right out of an opium den. Oh well. Money is money and this place rocks. For Izzy's, it's a penguin suit without the bow tie. White shirt, black vest, black slacks, and a men's necktie. So, the only chance of looking half-way cute is by doing up the hair and wearing make-up. Once I get more comfortable with the menu and the computer, I'll start chucking the contacts in and batting my eye-lashes around.

I started last night at Izzy's, and I'm still in shock thinking about the way I was treated. Some of these people have been there for 20 years, many of them at least 10 and most 2-5. It's quite nepotistic, the waiter gets his daughter a job as a hostess, she moves up to server and eventually bartender. So, it came as quite a shock to the entire crew that I walked-in off the street and immediately snagged a gig at one of the busiest and most popular joints in the city. It's kind of like an institution. Anyway, as opposed to Ottimista, these people welcomed me with open arms. Everyone was interested in me, where I come from, what I did before, etc. Even the cute little 20-something year-old girlies were totally sweet, complimenting me on getting the job and promising to help me find shifts, places to go, and offering help with whatever I need in the days to come. I'm the new kid on the block, and as opposed to being looked at like a total retard and treated like an imbecile, I walked on a red-carpet that had been laid out by the entire staff. The one caveat, is that the Sam, the owner, needed some investment help, so he harnessed a dude my age named Joe, to bring in some cash. Joe, in turn, brought in a "hammer" named Mark, who is an old-school GM...kind of corporate-y, like the Bobby McGee's managers. Probably my age or mid-40's, wears a suit, and throws up SOP memorandi faster than people order Izzy's au-gratin potatoes. It's no big deal for me, I haven't been around all these years to witness the inmates running the asylum. Apparently, in just the last 2-3 weeks, the hammer has come down and crap is hitting the fan. I'm cool with it, I just want to work. I'm cool with the rules, the SOP's, the changes in things...and of course, it's all proprietary so I can't mention details...as I found out in SOP #4. Fair enough, I just want a job...a good job. A place where I can do my thing, make a little money, make some friends and continue my journey.

As for Betelnut, I start next Wednesday morning at 9:30. I haven't really mentioned that I am working at Izzy's yet, but since they are open for lunch, I'm hoping to do a Piatti type-thing and so lunches there and dinners at Izzy's. I have to start lunches at Betel anyway, so if I can get in and train, and they see how focused and serious I am, maybe I can just ask for lunches and they will be happy and I can do both and be loyal to MYSELF for a change.

Finally...Ottimista. Honestly, I really don't have too many hard feelings. I think they really don't know how to treat people, I think it reminds me of high....no wait, actually JUNIOR high school. I did my best, sold my arse off, was good to the guests and tried to fit-in. Alas, it just didn't work out. There are really cool people over there and of course, I'll miss working with Howie...it's fun to flirt with him while I work. But, he might be coming to Izzy's soon. Who knows.

He's another story.

That's it for now. I work again tonight, training with a guy who has been there for 20 years. It kind of reminds me of the Bar B Barn days...that was such a good gig and everyone was so nice to me there as well. It's like the beginning of something wonderful, I can just tell. I have to believe that 2008 is going to kick ass. In the mean-time, my last day at Otti is tomorrow, and I work with Lorraine, so I hope that it will be fun. This all depends on her mood, of course, but it could be another $150 in my pocket, or it could be a disaster. Doesn't really matter, it's only 5 more hours, a few bucks and a paycheck. And, that's really how I have to look at it anyway if I am going to re-build my media empire to bigger and better heights.

Be Careful What You Wish For...

2007-12-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

After being paranoid and losing sleep all last week about getting screwed at Ottimista, applying for work and not getting called back, and a general preoccupation with my impending state of fiscal emergency, things may be looking up. I decided to take a long walk to the GGB, and meditate on my Montreal experience and turn to what usually helps me through these times of duress: trust the Universe. Seriously, it always provides. Sometimes, of course, it provides heartache, disappointment, fear, doubt, sadness and confusion. This is good. We have to experience this stuff so we appreciate the good times and remember that it's all about balance. I also think that these times of self-doubt HAVE to teach me just the opposite; not to doubt myself. After all, I have overcome a lot and also built a little tiny empire for myself. I am the empress of my destiny. Sure, the DUI has done my head in, but the tough part is almost over and while being on probation blows...seriously can't even jay-walk for 3 years...

I digress....

So, I pulled my head out of my arse last week and printed up a bunch of resume's. Now, I have to start by saying that I went to this new Kuleto property called Epic Roasthouse, per Howie's suggestion, on Friday December 7th to fill out an application. http://www.epicroasthousesf.com/

Then, when I didn't hear back, I started the usual stalking procedures and nothing. Nada. Couldn't pay someone to call me back. I should point out that this operation is a two-restaurant extravaganza at Pier 26, right under the Bay Bridge. It's massive. Well, go to the website and check it out. It looks amazing but one could get lost in the shuffle.

Anyway, no one would call me back. So,back to the day I just threw the spaghetti at the wall and waited for something to stick. And stick it did. I realized then that personally dropping off resume's in a business suit will usually garner a response and that is just what happened. I was promised something from Izzy's Steakhouse right off the bat. Then, Betelnut called me for an interview and Patrick from Palmetto practically begged me to start right that instant. Then, to top it all off, Epic finally called me after almost 2 weeks for an interview that is scheduled for next week. Good Lord, that place is like Disneyland...huge, crazy and I would certainly be a number at best. It is, however, always good to start at a new place because everyone is on an even playing field. That said, I now have a big decision to make: Izzy's, Betelnut...Betelnut or Izzy's or both? Izzy's is only open at night and there will be virtually no training, but they are not on the computer system that I am used to (Aloha) and so it will be a bit of a pain at first. They are crazy busy and I will start making money right away...huge money. The check average per person is around $40 and that is being conservative. Betelnut is slammin' busy, insane. But, I have to wear a goofy outfit and put up with a lot of crap. Apparently the owner is a bit eccentric. If you want to know the truth, I would much prefer to work at Palmetto because we get to wear jeans and black shirts and white aprons and the computer system is Aloha and the people are super cool and there is no side work. It is, however, hit and miss when it comes to being busy. I hear the brunches are real busy.

Anyone in the industry would understand my pickle: I would be knee-deep in condiments at Izzy's and ankle deep in roll-up's at Betel. Sidework always blows and that was one thing about Piatti that I hated. That is corporate though. Ugh.

Still beggars can't be choosers and I need the money and a foray into the SF industry. Now, I have a few forays and need to decide this week. Maybe I should throw a dart at a wall and hope for the best.

Cuand Je Abitez Au........

2007-12-14T09:59:00.000-08:00

It was about 16 years ago that I was living in Montreal, in a tiny flat on Rue Hutchison...right in the middle of the McGill Ghetto. I was 25 and working at the Bar-B-Barn rib joint, on Rue Guy, right down from the Old Forum. I can't believe it has been so long, but then again, I can't believe I'm 41 and in the exact same boat. (I also can't believe I look so young in this photo...It is my student ID from McGill)

See, once again I am starting over with nothing. It's not as dire as in 1991, when I had $5 Canadian to my name and was eating rice and beans. I had just left Freddy and had no job, no prospects and no friends. But, I had my freedom and the desire to make something of my life in what seemed an impossible situation. Going back to the states with my tail firmly tucked up under my legs, was NOT an option. So, I answered an ad in the Gazette, calling for a parking lot attendant at the Bar-B-Barn, a very popular rib joint that catered to the whole of the city, including all of the visiting hockey players playing the HABS on any given night. Even as the recession rolled-on and affected Quebec and the rest of Canada quite severely, the BBB still managed to pack 'em in day and night and I thought if I could just park cars and make some tips, I could dig myself out of the canyon and be on my way to saving myself from poverty and most of all, shame.

So, early that October morning, I put on my woolies, and headed off to Rue Guy, determined to talk my way into that gig and I wasn't going to take no for an answer.

I arrived first, and as I filled-out my application I noticed the line of other applicants forming. All dudes, they looked like they were applying as security for Celine Dion. Still determined, I waited for the interview and was greeted by none-other than the owner of the place. An English-speaking Jewish man from the East End, he sat down and just looked at me...then the application, then back at me. Yikes, it didn't look good.

"So, are you telling me that you are applying to be a parking lot attendant?"

"Um, yes and I think I am the best one for the job because I will work hard and do what ever-"

"Do you know what it's like to park cars in the snow?"

"Um, well no bu-"

"Do you know what it's like to park cars for angry people...you know fights can break-out over cars!"

"Um, well..."

It wasn't looking good. And just as I was about to slither away and make a plane reservation to get outta Dodge, a miracle happened.

"So, what is your name....Gina?"

"Yes."

"It says here that you have bartending experience. Well, this is your lucky day, do you know why?

"Uh, well I think you are about to tell me."

"This is your lucky day for 2 reasons....One, I like you...you have chutzpah. And two, our bartender just quit 2 days ago and so I am hiring you as a bartender and we are going to find a couple of serving shifts for you because I like you. It took a lot of moxy for you to come here today and try to park cars. So, you can eat for free until you start to make tips and you can wear your uniform for free and we will just take it out of your paycheck. Got it?"

I almost started crying. "My French isn't perfect..."

"Don't worry, I don't speak a word of it. And neither does most of the staff. Just know ribs, chicken, fries, beer. That's all you need."

Holy Crap. So, I did it. I started at the Bar B Barn, I worked using French and English, I made great money and only got in trouble once, because I was free-pouring a whiskey. I ended up getting a ton of regulars and friends and meeting professional athletes. I met a cute guy named Francois and started up a fling..god he was beautiful...anyway..I digress.

The point of this whole diatribe, is that I am trying to get my head back into that space. I remember thinking "if I can dig myself out of this mess, I can so anything!" And I did.

I am now almost broke and as I mentioned in my last blog, Ottimista isn't really helping matters by taking away a shift. So, it's time to get humble again. Granted, it's much more difficult at 41, I'm feeling totally old and outdated compared to all of these young hipsters around here, but I decided to print a bunch of resume's and cast a wide net....who knows, maybe I just might catch something.

Holidazed...

2007-12-12T21:14:00.000-08:00

Ahhh...my first Christ-mas in San Francisco. I have to say it hasn't made me quite so annoyed this year, although my day out with Lola was bittersweet. See, it's a year ago this day, the 10th, that I came home from Europe. I tried not to think about it too much, there's really no point. I just have to think about the future and will myself to get back to normal and start traveling again. Wow, this year took so much out of me, sometimes I feel like I don't have anything left. But, hey, we all get that way...especially this time of year. I know I'm not the only one who went through it in 2007...and that at least makes me feel a little bit better about things. Only 20 more days until 2008...which will be my best year yet.

I decided to make it an annual tradition to meet Lori in the city for shopping, gossip and lunch. This was the first of many to come. We started out in Union Square, where we trolled for skin-care samples until we were completely annoyed at the pushy sales people in the make-up departments and decided just to admire all the beautiful clothing in the windows that I can't afford. Around 2, we headed up to Rose Pistola where darling Howard was working behind the bar, and treated us to a sip of champers and a chocolate cake for Lola's birthday. He didsn't know that she is allergic to chocolate, but it's cool because it was more for me and he didn't hesitate to help us finish! Yum. It was a really fun, relaxing day. We could have fun in a padded cell together...we always do! Happy Birthday Lola...

The rest of the holidays are kind of a drag because I lost a shift at work...don't know how that happened, I feel like I have been doing well there, my sales are high, the guests seem to like me and I haven't lit the place on fire yet. Rumor has it that one of the girls that used to work there needed some holiday money so I am the sacrifical lamb. Great. I just decided to make it my full-time job to get a full-time job. I put in a few applications this week, and haven't heard back from anyone. Reminds me of the Montreal days. I was down to my last $5 and eating rice and beans when I landed the Bar-B-Barn gig, which changed everything. I realized then that I can do anything. It gets a little harder as one gets older, but I can't give up. Just can't.

I still feel like I don't really fit in yet, and while my only friend here, Howie, is always calling to make sure that I am okay, he never really has time to hang out with me so I have been pretty lonely of late. I did meet a cool girl named Jenna and we are trying to find a time to hang out soon. My DUI classes are every Tuesday until March, and to be honest, they aren't so bad. The people are so cool there, and really understand what I am going through. I suppose I should get my arse in gear and blog that whole adventure. It really has changed my life and I am hoping that when all is said and done, it will be for the better.

Errands...

2007-11-19T20:53:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons I love living in the city, is that you can just step right outside your door and complete all of your daily errands, without getting into a car, stepping onto a bus or hailing a cab. Everything one needs is right around the corner. Sure, there are some neighborhoods that are much more residential than mine, like the outer Richmond or the Dogpatch, but really, within the 7 X 7 miles of this fetching little city, popping out for some ice cream or toilet paper usually requires nothing more than throwing on your Uggs, jacket and a beanie. Then you are more than ready to run the neccessary 2 blocks to the corner market.

Today, I hiked from my house to Trader Joe's, which is located on Bay Street, right down from Fisherman's Wharf, where I bought about $60 worth of frozen food and cheese. I hiked back up Bay, which I must say is quite a workout when you have $60 worth of frozen food and cheese in your backpack. I then dumped off my frozen food and cheese and proceeded up another hill to Polk Street where I bought neccessary items at the Walgreens, then went next store to Real Foods, which is kind of a red-headed step kid to the Whole Foods, and bought my produce and eggs. I then went back down the hill to chez mois, dumped off my produce and headed out for a stroll along Union Street where I bought a nice hot vanilla coffee and checked out the boutiques. Nice. I just love it here. It reminds me of when I lived in Montreal, sans car, and was fit, happy and ready to take on the world!

Also today, sadly, I learned a tragic story. Last night, a girl who worked at Park Chow, this is another one of the Chows, was celebrating her 21st birthday with a bunch of people from Park Chow and after many cocktails...fell off the roof and to a tragic end. Ugh. Shock, sadness...more shock. I didn't even know the poor darling, and I only write this because I realized that it could happen to anyone. I have a roof and have shared a cocktail or two up there, so the new steadfast rule is NO MORE DRINKING ON THE ROOF! I have pretty much given up the hooch anyway, but this poor dear had her whole life ahead of her and just because of one mis-step she is gone. My heart goes out to her family, and all the crew at Park Chow...I didn't know you Rebecca, but I am sure you will be terribly missed. I am going to go over there tomorrow and bring them some flowers...I don't really know what else to do.

Tomorrow I am also going to go and buy a new pen and journal. I have been so remiss in recording my thoughts...but if I don't get them out of my head I am going to go mental. I guess I have to confess I have been a little bit lonely out here in the city, it's hard to meet people and I am getting really tired of meeting people at the bar. That is to say, since I have spent the better part of my life working in bars and restaurants, this always seems to be my comfort zone. It's easy to sit and talk to the bartender because I am one. And frankly, I wouldn't have met Howie or gotten my job at Ottimista unless I did go the the bar, but, I have decided to try my best to get out and maybe join a club, or some group or something. I am going to try to adopt some good habits and chuck some of my crappy ones. Otherwise, one day, after one of my little adventures, I'm going to wake up in Seattle with a bumper sticker on my forhead. While it would probably be a funny and interesting tale, it's time I try to focus and tell the tales I already have experienced. So, yes, get them out of my head, on to paper and out into the universe. Believe me, I have enough for a series of articles, if not a trio of books. So, tomorrow, it's off to buy a journal, then to Park Chow to try and show some support. Once, in the CHOW family, always in the CHOW family.

Wine Girl...

2007-11-19T11:45:00.001-08:00

...okay, not really. But, since my last blog I am pleased to report that although I didn't ace it, I passed my wine exam. I think I may have "over-studied" because I knew way more than was asked, but I didn't know some key elements. Now that I have taken my first test, I will know what to study for next time. BUT! The best part about the exam, was after the written element, Don gave us a blind tasting of three wines and I was the only one to guess any correctly. I got 2 out of 3, and no one else did. Wow, I felt like I kicked some serious ass because I'm still not sure if they are really diggin' me there. We'll see.

This week, I am studying Tuscany and my head already hurts from exhaustion. Again, a new skill set. After this, I will be able to go into any Italian bistro and talk to my guests about Vino Italiano...that is, if I can impress the manager who does the interview. I am going to start looking for a second job soon, and haven't decided whether I want to stay in the same style of restaurant, or take the easy route and get myself to a tavern. Time will tell, I still have to finish my DUI crap (more on that later) and then settle in to my new life here, working 2 jobs, saving and trying to make back the money I have sqaundered on partying and my DUI.

Won't be doing much for Thanksgiving, doesn't really matter I guess. I got invited to an orphans dinner by one of the bartenders from work, but there will likely be drinking involved and it doesn't really interest me. There are a couple of places here in town that offer a Turkey Dinner, like Perry's on Union Street or the Bell Tower on Polk...but how sad that I would show up alone, so I might just volunteer at a soup kitchen or go to the Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz. I might just go down to the Wharf and watch the sunrise anyway, and reflect on all things for which I am thankful. For sure, I am thankful that I didn't lose my mind this year...although I came quite close. I'm thankful that I haven't gone off the deep end...and that my heart, head and body seem to be in one piece. I'm thankful that I have friends who love me, miss me and still keep in touch with me, even though I have chosen to go through the bridge and across the tunnel to find a new life in San Francisco. And, of course, I'm thankful that I still have both of my parents and I know they love me very much.

Vino Italiano

2007-11-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

Today, I am doing something I haven't done for quite some time. Literally. It could be at least 12 years, since I studied for an exam and if memory serves it was to be a Notary Public. Wow, and I say this with absolute glee...TIMES HAVE CHANGED! Whew...

As reported in a previous blog entry, I am now working at a trendy Italian wine bar in the Marina named Ottimista. As would be expected, I am charged with having a decent grasp of Italian wine. I need to start by saying that I do have a decent grasp of wine and convinced the owners during the interview that whatever I didn't know I would learn. After all, I have been in the business for most of my life, and how much more difficult could Italian wine be from Californian or French?

I'll tell you.

California has around 60 grape varietals, which means there are grapes then sub-species of grapes and so on. France has around 90. Italy, in all her glory, has around 1000. Mille. I was handed a 500 page book called "Vino Italiano" and asked to study, get to know, browse and memorize its contents so that I may have a better grasp of the regional wines of Italy. How the hell I intend to pull this off, I have no clue. But, I have been studying day and night and hopefully at some point this is going to sink in. Lombardia, Luguria, Veneto, Alto Adige... yada yada. Ironically, the clientele at Ottimista, by and large, couldn't care less about the varietals, regions, climates or even the price of the wines. They want to know if it's sweet, dry, red or white. In fact, a sexy wine glass full of cranberry juice with a new Prada hand-bag and a Marina girl is ready for action!

So, I have been playing the studious one all week, making notes, flashcards and coming up with all kinds of word-association tricks to memorize this stuff and at the end of the day, if I blow the exam, at least I'm developing a new skill set. I know that I have done my best and that my guests appreciate me. Mostly, it reminds me how much I love to read, learn and act a lot more clever than I really am! Now when I go for that next job interview, I can actually fake my way through with proper jargon instead of faking foreign words with a decent accent.

Roof with a View

2007-11-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm finally settling in to my mew digs here in Cow Hollow. I'm on Franklin Street, just between Broadway and Union...complete with washer and dryer and rooftop view. Today, I can't even see the house next to me, but these photos were taken the day the blue angels dropped by for an air-show, exactly one month ago today. This is just about the amount of time I have been frolicking and flittering about the city like some crazy tourist. I haven't stopped smiling every since. It's a good thing I got a part-time job, because I would have surely squandered all of my savings on fun.

I've already made a few new friends, mostly the local bar-keeps, since this is the way that I find work. I went to the Bus Stop on Union Street the first few days I was here, and met Paulie, a BeanTown transplant who then introduced me to Howie, another Bostonian and local bartending legend. Howie turned me on to Ottimista, a trendy Italian wine bar on Union, between Laguna and Octavia and I have been working there ever since. It's pretty challenging, because Italy has over 1000 varietals of grape, and compared to California's 60, it can be pretty daunting. But, the crowd is great and super nice, despite the whole "Marina" reputation of being snobby. I have had more pleases and thank-you's from guests than I can remember.

I am going to be looking for a second job soon, first I have to clear up my court issues, and I supposed that the next blog has to be a red flag warning to all of you thinking about drinking and then trying to drive. It will mess up your entire life for at least a year, and dash plans that you may have had for months. My DUI prevented me from going to Europe, and cost me around $8000. Now, all those shifts I worked day and night to save all that money are really for nothing except paying off a bad decision. SO DON'T DO IT PEOPLE! I'm begging you. Although, on the bright side, I am living in one of the greatest cities on Earth, and never would have otherwise. So, bad decisions and crappy luck can turn into positives if you try your best to see them.

Sadly, Howie, my guardian angel, is leaving for a while. This 53 year-old bald jewish man, who has looked after me since my arrival, is taking off for warmer weather. I have a bit of a crush on him, I must admit, but just like me, he is a free spirit and has to fly. Oh well, birds of a feather.......

Starting Over...

2007-11-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

I promised myself that I would at least throw down a few words today. Suffice to say, the last two months were more difficult, crazy and ultimately exhilarating than the one before my last post. I have moved to San Francisco, where every day is like...well, I would say Christmas morning, but I've never much liked Christmas morning so let's just say it's like arriving in a city for the first time. I'm working, sharing a flat and starting to get re-invigorated. I feel kind of stupid for not writing, but the truth is, I've been so ovewhelmed that I just couldn't get over here and do it. Hopefully that will all change and I can share my wonders with the 3 people who actually read this!

FINALLY!

2007-08-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

Wow...it seems like, well, yesterday that I started my countdown to Burning Man and as sure as the sun rises and sets...again and again, the time has come. I think I started at around 190 or so days, and today is the magical number 1 !!! It's crazy and scary and wonderful and exciting...everyone keeps sending me off with a "be safe" refrain, which is sweet of course, but after running around Europe alone for so long this should be a picnic. A whacky and wild picnic, but we must all remember...these are my people, my tribe, and surely this is my element. I have been a self-described "festivarian" for well over a decade and will likely continue that course throughout the rest of my life. I hope to have loads of photos, memories and new friendships by week's end, and of course, heaps of stories. So, that said, I will return next month, one year older and hopefully light years wiser...

For more info on the event, go to www.burningman.com

Transitions...

2007-08-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

This image is a reflection of exactly how I feel right now. Like, the last 9 months have been a total farce...a blur...and I have been living my life in some horrible dream state. Of course, this is me "Simpsonized," (cool, huh?) but you get the point. I could just scream right now, and am in between bouts of horrible crying and "it could be worse," sort of moods. Of course, it always could be worse and it's during the crying spells that I remind myself of just how much worse it could be! Whew!

Because of some unforeseen events and some really horrible judgement on my part, I won't be able to get back to Europe like I planned. I am planning to dedicate a blog for each reason, not that anyone really cares, but it's cathartic for me to spill my guts, to confess, to let go and of course, move on. Burning Man is a mere 10 days away, and the playa is calling...The Man burns on my birthday, which in and of itself, should be an incredible catharsis.

In a nutshell, I quit both of my jobs...on the same day. Just quit. I have never done that before but I was insanely unhappy...being stuck in Stepford will do that to a girl. It's not that I didn't like the places or the guests or the food or the menu's, or even my co-workers. It's just that when I realized my plans had hit the shitter, I could no longer pretend that I wasn't suffocating. I was suffering for the ultimate prize: back to Europe, back to Italy and back to something... Yet, now, I realize i wasn't running towards something, I was running away from something. (Of course, I was running towards someone but he called and announced that I was no longer welcome due to the unforeseen event of falling in love with someone else. Ahhh, la vita bruta. So, I just looked around and thought " I have been suffering to save my money, and I have saved and now I am going to take a couple of months off to get my soul back, to pull my head out and actually make a plan.

My Uncle Jerry Quilling passed away last week...bless him. I love my Auntie Pat and all of my cousins, so just for the record, I am so sorry and I love and miss you all!

I also have another issue hanging over my head, which I will deal with in another blog. As expected, it's a huge issue. Bigger than broken hearts and lost jobs...but one that needs it's own column space.

So, here I have been, a little cartoon caricature of myself...floating around pretending to be happy and absolutely miserable all the while. Ho freakin' hum.

So, onward and upward.

~I am going to Burning Man!

~I met a really sweet new friend named Luca, who is from Northern Italy...Balzano to be exact. He is my age...and studying Cognitive Sciences at Cal. Who wouldda thunk! I love him, he is such a new and fun friend and keeps me sane. They are out there, my Euro friends...we went on a motorcycle ride up to Point Reyes last week! It was a blast and I will supplement the next blog with photos...

~I might go to New York City to meet my friend Nick, the one I stayed with in London!

~My friend, David, from Glasgow, is coming to stay with me for a week in September!

~I met a new photographer friend and we are going to work on some projects together!

~I am going to sell my car and move to San Francisco, where I am convinced my chakras will be purified and I will get new inspiration. So what if I have to wait a year to move to Italy? It's best that I take my time. I am going to get my TEFL certificate and bribe someone to marry me. NEED THE EURO PASSPORT! (Any takers????)

So, we move along...and there we will be.

"G" is for Gandhi...

2007-07-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I wouldn't call myself Gandhi just yet. In fact, never, but my alter-ego "G-ho" is on hiatus for now. Believe it or not, this certified party girl has decided to live a life of celibacy, sobriety, and piety. hahahah, forget that last one, that'll never happen...but suffice to say the miles of running every morning have done something to my brain and I am a certified nerd. No boys at all (get up off the floor...) so I am about as sexually active as a condom in a nunnery. It's best for now, just on a break. It's not so much my crush on the beautiful one, it's just I am waiting for someone cool...I guess. As for the booze, I'm trying to lose the beer gut and the hangover isn't good for the running. Suffice to say, I'm getting strong and lean and by the time I hit the Playa, will be looking better than I have in a long time. I can't make any promises about kissing cute boys there, but I can at least say that it will be worth the wait! Still working like a crazy girl, in-between shifts right now...it's been about a week since I've heard from Mr. "E" and I am convinced he likes to do this to make me insane. It's usually just about the time I am ready to give up on him that he contacts me. Little shit. Shit shit shit. It's okay, there are plenty of cute boys in Italy to play with...trust me. Off to study my italian...bed early tonight, after a long bath in lavender, sea salts and cream.. Ciao!

This picture was taken in Athens, just after I was scolded for taking photos of the chicken little near the acropolis...wow what a beer gut! IT'S GONE NOW! YYEEHAAWWWWWW!!!

Going Mental

2007-07-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.................................Okay, I'm never going to gripe about being "too busy" because we all make decisions. I decided to work 6 days a week, to run 5 miles a day and to stick to my type "A-minus" personality. Me, all by myself. So, if I am tired or going crazy I have no one to hold responsible but myself. That said, I only have 41 more days until The Burn and in the big picture, it ain't that long. I have such an incredibly challenging week ahead of me, well, in my own mind, one that doesn't stop! I feel like I'm in finals everyday and it's a far cry from this time last year when I was trippin' down the road in the Tiergarten in Berlin, dancing to 50 trucks blasting electronica at the Love Parade...my only responsibility was getting home...which I think I couldn't even manage. I can't wait to get back to that lifestyle! And, if I decide to come back and work again (of course so that I can travel...) then, i will be much better at it, as now I have the formula down!

(These images are of the Love Parade...random party-goers, the 3 Dutch guys I hung around with, Rolfe, my mowhawked cab driver and some gay dude who wanted a pic with me!)

Anyway, work is nuts...and I'm studying Italian in-between shifts which is fun, a lot is coming back to me but it will come flooding back, I'm sure, once I land on Italian soil. Speaking of, I am going to look into flight beginning of August, but likely will wait to buy my ticket in Sept, as the travel will be cheaper and I want to fly directly into Venice. I'm planning to leave between October 1 and 4, wish me luck!

For now, I just trudge along, my only thrill coming from random chats with "the beautiful one" and the final Harry Potter book, which is due out next week! The Order of the Phoenix was great, can't wait to see it again~

Ciao...for now.

Running Towards the Burn...

2007-07-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update, as usual not much to report...plugging along with 46 more days until I stop working two jobs and hit the Playa with Lori and Luis...haven't been to Burning Man in 3 years...seems like longer. Last time I went alone like a retard, and was pretty miserable. I was trying to nurse a broken heart and thought by being a rebel and getting out there it would help...I ended up watching my birthday balloon blow away the minute I got in the gate and accidentally parked in the rave party arena so I never got any sleep. I did manage to meet an English girl named Emily (pictured with me) who was on her overseas experience and it in turn, re-inspired me to do the same. This is when I decided to get serious about travel again, and thus here I am.

Still running most mornings, I bought some new socks and switched to my trail shoes which have helped with ankle issues immensely. I'm also seeing a slow but steady decline in the beer belly and that inspires me even more. I run the Lafayette Reservoir twice, which in essence, is about 5 miles. I am still walking the steep hills, but I am hoping to run the entire thing by the end of the summer.

Off to work in a couple, I have 9 shifts now which seems to be enough. Have managed to chuck a fair amount of scrilla in the bank and am just working to buy some necessary items for Europe. I finally went for my eye exam and will get new glasses and contacts shortly. I also started my Italian refresher course yesterday and I'm happy about that. It's competing with Harry Potter at the mo, re-reading "The Half Blood Prince" so I can be up to snuff when "The Deathly Hallows" arrives on my doorstep July 21st! Yippee! Ciao!

The 4th...

2007-07-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

I'm not one for most holidays as anyone of you who knows me well already...well, knows! Suffice to say, however, it doesn't take much for me to show up for free food and beer. So, I spent Independence Day in Danville, aka, a day in the life of the Stepfords, hanging out with 5000 children and the people I work with at the P & P. (Pictured are Rod and Natalie and their kids Zac and Zoe...I'm also with my long-time pal Heather!)

It was about 140 degrees Farenheit by 8 a.m. and never managed to cool down. The best part of the day was seeing Heather and Kris Peterson, who are as close to family as I have around here. I drank too much, ate too much and passed out around 7 p.m. Thursday was spend standing around work, as everyone was either hungover, out of town, or eating left-over BBQ. Last night was okay at work, and after a really good night's sleep and a 3- mile run, I feel better than ever. (It's way too hot out to run after 9 a.m. so I have to get up early if I want to do my usual 5 miles.) I'll do my best tomorrow, although it's Saturday...my longest day of the week. I close Piatti for lunch and then P & P for dinner. That's a mighty 12 hours, but usually is quite profitable. Let's hope! Today I went and got an eye-exam, new glasses and a prescription for contacts. Finally, I may look hip again. We'll see. Only 50 more days until Burning Man, and another 5 after that until my birthday. After that, just a few "I" dotting and "T" crossing and it's off to Italy. Bought a map today, and it's going on my wall SUBITO!!!! Ciao!

Blahhhhg...

2007-07-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

This is going to be one of those mundane filler blogs, because I am trying to blog everyday, to stay in blogging shape for when things actually get interesting. Suffice to say, I am still working my little arse off, had a relatively good day for a Tuesday lunch shift, made a few bucks and ended up talking to a dude who is VP of Clear Channel. He was trying to suck me back into radio. He knows all about me, it's crazy. Dear God, don't let an offer come up right before I flee to Europe. No! No~ Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Starting my Italian course this week. Also running the Rez a lot...and, going for my eye exam Friday, so no more dorky specs, and hello contacts!

Had a pretty good weekend money-wise, as I said I won the Cakebread Chard contest and still have yet to see the booty, although Rod did give me a $100 bill. Did a catering gig on Saturday night and dropped a few cards and a hint about organizing trips to Italy. Then, after I went to the Magnani/Wrenn compound and saw a bunch of CC Times Features peeps and got newly inspired to keep writing while I travel. Lynn Carey is convinced I am going to marry a gondolier and then write a novel based on the gondo memoirs. We'll see. Remember Lynn, they are not just Venetian, they are Italian...and therefore the world's biggest scoundrels. ( I am pictured here with Lynn...)

So, here I am, less than 3 months from leaving and I still want to leave now. I would, but there is Burning Man and money to save. I can't believe there is so much to do before I go! Tomorrow for the 4th, we are having a BBQ at work...the restaurant is closed so we can just hang out with eachother for a while...without working!!! Am going with Heather and Kris Peterson and will see Mel and John Phillips alon withg lots of drunk Danvillians making complete wankers of themselves. (Lame cougar-types as well! AACK!)

We start the Rombauer contest tonight. Wish me luck and come visit... Ciao!

Wine Selling Champeeene!

2007-06-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

Just a few bits a pieces to report today...it's been about a month now that I have been running the Lafayette Resevoir each and every morning before work and I must say, it is finally starting to pay off...I'm losing a teeny bit of the carefully crafted beer gut I attained during my Euro Beer Fest of 2006, and feeling a bit more energetic lately. It helps when I girl works 12 hours a day...speaking of work, I am well on my way to winning the second wine contest of the summer. Last month, I sold the most bottles of Peju Cabernet (I'm pictured at the winery with my trophy) and this month I am well ahead of everyone else in Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay. Next month is Rombauer, which is going to be a real challenge because it is easy to sell and the prize is a weekend in Yountville, including dinner at Bouchon. Rombauer is affectionately known as "Danville Crack" so my peers are going to be in the hunt, and no one wants me to win again. This will be my biggest challenge yet. (Pictured are some of my co-workers and I up in Napa for a "field trip" wine tasting to Peju, Cakebread, Keenan and Rombauer, June 11-2007)

A final thought, my mentor and friend Jack Moore has just opened a super cool restaurant in Lafayette called "Metro." For those of you in the Bay Area, please stop by! For the rest of you, please check out his website at http://www.metrolafayette.com/ It's nice to know that my friends are flourishing and also, great to know that I can always come back and have a place to work. Ciao!

Girl Gone Wild

2007-06-26T22:48:00.000-07:00

In an effort to save my pennies and get back to Europe, I have been extremely frugal with my spending. Alas, this has been a good thing: I finally reached my goal of $10,000 and with only 3 months left, I think I can get it up to $15,000. However, I looked around my closet and quickly decided that I do, indeed, deserve to have underwear that aren't ripped, full of holes, etc. So, I just went to Vic's Secret and blew $300 on various and sundry knickers! I am happy to report that I do not have one ounce of buyer's remorse and can't wait to get out and buy some new jeans. I also threw down for 2 pair of Ecco's and bought a new camera to replace the one I lost on Saint Patrick's Day. Still, with said 90 days left of work, I think I can still achieve my financial goals. I am also set to plunk down a cool $1000 for new contacts and glasses, but totally worth it...the ones I have look like Jan Brady's.

That's it, really. Nothing major, just waiting for The Burn and my return to Italia. I am starting Italian lessons this week, just a refresher course, hopefully once I get back there, it will come back to me like it did last year. Ciao!

Still Plugging Along

2007-06-15T00:06:00.000-07:00

As usual, I feel as though I have absolutely nothing interesting to report, however, I have been up to Napa wine tasting and I did get to see the Police reunion tour stop at the Oakland Coliseum last night, so life isn't so full of work and more work. The Police deserve their own spot in the Blog, the show was incredible, clean, uplifting and fun. Thanks to Melissa and John for providing the tickets and thanks to Stacy for driving and to Kim for loaning me $20 because the ATM line was a mile long. Stu, Sting and Andy kicked serious arse, just the three of them, starting with Message in a Bottle, of course, and chucking out randoms like "Walking in Their Footsteps," and "Driven to Tears..." among others. Would follow them all summer, but of course, there is money to save and plans to make. Today at work was well, challenging at best, day shift was easy...tried my cucumber/lemon water and saw a potential Italy client...otherwise, made $173 hard dollars and had to stay late because of some girls who decided to throw cigarette butts all over the ground outside. Can't think about these details, trying to keep my eyes on the prize and planning to run my two miles at the Reservoir tomorrow, meet Lori for breakkie and then organize my crap...in other words, purge my old ghetto clothing and start planning for my escape to Italia. Must buy a map. Til then, laters!

BAD BLOGGER!!! BAD!

2007-05-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been an absolute shite blogger these days, and in fairness, I have nothing really new to report. But, I am going to try try try to keep a daily journal since no one is reading this anymore anyway. I'm going to finish out the summer working, go to Burning Man, which starts in 75 days and then head to Italy where I will take a chance on love, life and finding a job. If nothing else, I'll be living there for a while so it's all good.

New Best Friend

2007-03-19T23:13:00.000-07:00

In short...didn't get touring job, but I think it is for the best as I have much to do before I go back to Europe. Also, decided to stay around and work instead of follow my impulses and head to europe now. Finally, got a new laptop. This entry doesn't really even deserve a photo, but I will install one anyway. It is me, in all of my glory, climbing Half Dome. Laters!

First Big Test

2007-02-26T17:12:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I am actually doing this, but I have decided to apply to be a Trip Leader for a company called Backroads, based right here in Berkeley. www.backroads.com

If chosen, I will be flown to Italy and France for training, which will begin in April. In just one week, I need to learn how to be a bike mechanic, brush up on my foreign language skills and make a presentation about something I have never done! AUGH! Anyway, I really don't have my hopes up, but I think it will just be a good idea to see how the process is done, meet other like-minded guides and travelers and practice! So, I have gone to the web to get my biking material and dug out my old language books to brush up on Italian, Spanish and French. I hope that if I do get the gig, I will be based in Italy, but I'll take any European city at this point! If this doesn't work out, I will still continue to work at the two "P's" and the other "P" and save and get to Italy in the Spring and then work the summer, hit the Burn for my birthday and then by this time next year be chasing my dreams and a flock of boys all around Europe!

Ciao!

Fast and Detox and Cleanse...Oh My!

2007-02-06T08:55:00.000-08:00

After consuming enough beer in Europe to supply the entire Texas A & M Greek system for one year, I decided it was time for a detox. So I dusted off this photo to inspire me and remind me that I am much more attractive when I am not playing Homer Simpson's stunt double! This week, actually starting today, I am going on a liquid fast for about 4 days. This involves tons of water, vitamins, tea, juice and organic, low-sodium chicken broth and infinite discipline. I am allowing myself as much sleep as possible as well, and the only exercise will be my endless wandering around the two restaurants. After that, I am starting on proteins and vegetables, with some fruit, heavy grains and low fat dairy for the next few weeks. I am even going to give up beer! (Yes, I know and a comet will be smashing down upon earth any day...) However, it must be done. I feel like it's time to transform my body back to it's glory days so I can act like a 40 year old, but look...well, not like one. Wish me luck for I will need it by day three. Wish my roommate luck as she will have to put up with my moods. Wish the whole town of Danville luck for no matter what they do, they still have bad fashion sense. Wish Italy luck, for I will be knocking on it's door at the peak of my health and fitness craze and man, those boys are in for it! Ciao!

Update...

2007-01-29T09:39:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it's been a month since my last update. Frankly between not having much to say and being in sort of a haze it's probably a good thing. It's also been a challenge mentally lately, as I have been experiencing a great deal of trouble reassimilating to life back here. At the end of the day, it's not so bad but I honestly feel like one does after a break-up...a little lonely, disoriented, confused, sad and living in my own head instead of out in the world where the sun shines. Luckily, after an extremely emotional and challenging week, I feel like I am back on track and ready to get on with the task at hand: stay busy, make money and get the hell back to Europe!

I spent the first two weeks of the year house-sitting which is fun at times, because it's like living in a hotel. The house was big and beautiful with three little kitties to keep me company and access to a computer, big comfy bed, wine cellar, etc. On day 2, however, as I was firing up my car to go to work, the clutch went out. So, I just thought, "Okay Universe, what the ....." Well, the "U" heard my plea I guess and as I looked to my left, the Honda CRV parked in the driveway just sort of winked at me and summoned me over. The owners of the house were kind enough to let me drive their car until I could save enough to repair my car. Of course, it was a whole month's rent, but who's counting! So, back to house-sitting. It can be fun, but it is also tough because your crap is scattered everywhere, you can't really leave at night and well, it's just not your place. But, it allowed me to postpone paying rent for 2 weeks and for that I am eternally grateful.

I then moved in to my new diggs in Lafayette, home of the resevoir, The Round Up and CHOW, the place into which I poured my heart and soul for almost 3 years. I found a little room to rent from Lisa, my supermodel/super mortgage broker flat mate, who owns a condo here in town. I did this because at the time the powers that be at CHOW were hinting around at hiring me back...however the powers that are decided that I was not a good fit there anymore and did not extend an invitation, as it turns out. So, I have no real choice but to live here. At first, I was having regrets/second thoughts...etc, because I could live at my dad's for free and have access to a great computer/windows live et al (I miss my friends from overseas and it helps to be able to talk to them!) but I am really starting to fall in love with this place, as it is nestled in the middle of a patch of redwood trees and easy access to the freeway. Lisa is a total sweetheart and at only $600 a month plus utilities...well, I can't really beat it. My little dorm room is perfect for me, and I have even created this crazy sleeping chamber out of the alcove that is meant to be a closet. It's grand! I haven't slept so well in quite some time and it reminds me of being in a bottom bunk or in a tent which of course, means I am in heaven somewhere in my dreams. Of course, the walls are covered with maps so I am inspired at all times.

I also started a new job at a place called Piatti, which is down the street from the P & P in Danville, or as I like to call it...the land that time forgot. (More on that later..) It is an old standard, which has been around for almost 10 years and serves great Italian-inspired food using local ingredients. www.piatti.com I finally stopped my training yesterday and so now I am working two full time jobs and should be back in the black by the end of the month. Of course, I will need bi-weekly massages again and fortunately there is a massage therapy place right across the street from my flat so it will be easy! So, Piatti is good...people from Danville seem to be quite easily impressed so my ability to bullshit comes in handy. They are also lost in a fashion time warp of members only jackets and snake-skin pants, which gives me great fodder for keeping my mind occupied as I drone my way through endless days of slinging pizzas and opening bottles of wine. I recall how I was living in Danville 13 years ago and was inspired to write a letter to the editor of the Contra Costa Times begging that they hire a local fashion writer to "release people from the bonds of spandex and blue eye shadow." That writer turned out to be me...and I have to say I had absolutely no impact on them what so ever, for you can still see the Burt Reynolds Smokey and the Bandit mustache bandied about and huge bleached-blonde hair trying to fit it's way through the door. Again, amusement for me and that is all that matters. I just have to catch myself before I let out a great guffaw in the middle of the dining room the next time I see a table full of comb-overs and gold pinkie rings...don't need to get fired before I start... Oh, and as for P & P...well I got a bit of a promotion and now I just bar tend full-time. I'm starting to get a good regular crowd and shamelessly promote myself for more business. If you are reading this and live in the area, stop by! I work Valentine's night which should be off the hook. All singles only at the bar for dirty martini's and other fare. I'm making a Cupid's Arrow of pomegranate and vodka. Yum yum.

As for my love life...hahahahahahahaha, well, of course there isn't one. Which is another reason that Danville will be good for me. There is no one in town under 50, and if there is, they are married with 17 children and sell houses. I won't even be tempted with it and this will help me focus even more. Plus, I am still hooked on someone from my travels...not in a weird obsessive way, I just miss a certain someone and I can't get him off my mind and no one even comes close. Frankly, I don't see how anyone could...my guy is close to perfect in every way and I can't be with him and so I just work and try to forget. Of course, I won't forget the time we spent together but I'm certain he has already forgotten about me. Oh well, the life of a gypsy isn't easy..but it's my life and I wouldn't have it any other way. Ciao...

I Got A Raise!

2007-01-01T17:27:00.000-08:00

Which has nothing really to do with this picture, except every little cent goes towards me getting the heck outta here and back out to the places I love! This is the little Chicken around the Piazza San Marco in Venice...the land of pigeons! (Okay, people...these are like rats! You are putting rats on your heads! AUGH! STOP IT!)

Anyway, finally starting to make some money and the tips are dribbling in. And, as of today, minumum wage is $7.50 an hour! Up from $6.75 so thanks Arnold or whoever came up with that one! I will be house sitting all week and working and looking for a second J-O-B so wish me luck!!!!!!!!! CIAO!

MERRY NEW YEAR!!!

2006-12-31T12:43:00.000-08:00

Hope this finds you all well and looking forward to a new and wonderful year. For me, 2006 has to go down as one of, if not THE BEST year of my life. I met so many amazing, beautiful people and wandered through incredible cities and countries. I can't believe it's coming to a close...I have to admit I'm a bit sad and have been melancholy the last couple of weeks...BUT! I am looking forward to spending every waking hour trying to create ways to get back out there! Right now, I am just trying to make money to get back on my feet and next week I am going to look for a second restaurant job to get this process rolling ASAP.

I had a meeting with a mentor last week, Dennis Eroken...who is an amazing entreprenuer and friend. www.e-agency.com and he was kind enough to listen to my babble about starting my own tour company and shed light on my ideas so I am going to get started right away. The start up cost is pretty minimal, I figure with $15,000 maximum, I can pay for my tour management course, buy a new laptop, market myself and get back to Europe for a test-run. There are tons of grants out there, which I will look into, but until a windfall blows in my direction, I will be plugging along, saving my tips and working to get the capital I need. Just in case there are any eccentrics out there with money to donate, well I won't say no. Anyone? Retired travelers perhaps? No shame here, folks. Just asking.

I am also looking into other tour companies to work for, but the course is first...won't even know what to put on a resume at this point. "LOVE TO TRAVEL...HIRE ME." Probably not.

So, off to work at the P and P tonight. I actually like it there, very nice and pretty easy. Housesitting next week as well until the 12th of January. Will flood the East Bay restaurant scene with my resume and hope for the best.

Feliz Nuevo Ano everyone. Be safe and sane and above all...GO SOMEWHERE THIS YEAR! It just might change your life...

My Christmas Wish...

2006-12-25T15:45:00.001-08:00

What I wouldn't give to be in Venice right now. Ugh. So, since my Christmas DAY wish won't come true, unless Captain Picard miraculously appears and beams me over...it is my New Year's resolution to get back as soon as I can. Oh, and if you are wondering, my wish is somewhere in this photo. Can you guess what it is? Merry Christmas everyone and happy travels! LATERS!

Back to Reality

2006-12-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

Ugh. The dreaded "R" word has crept up and taken a bite out of my arse. Oddly, I am back in crazy work mode and ready to get down to business. Just landed a great restaurant gig at a great little place called "The Peasant and the Pear," in Danville. www.thepeasantandthepear.com

For those friends who are not from the San Francisco Bay Area, Danville is a very quaint little town about 35 miles east of SF, about 10 minutes from where I grew up, went to high school, lived, worked, etc. I actually had a stint as a server at a place called Fat Fanny's when I was about 19 or 20 and have worked all around this area in various establishments while I pursued my illustrious (ha!) career in the media. Now, I'm back to the grind, hoping to save for my next travel adventure and make some contacts for leading tours through Europe. I also have a couple of house sitting gigs and will be moving into a condo on January 15th with a supermodel named Lisa. (Okay, she isn't really a model, but she should be!) So, the only task I have left to complete is getting a second job during the day, which I hope will be CHOW since I know the menu and have basically trained almost everyone that works there. The shifts will be the hell ones, Sat/Sun brunch and hopefully Thurs/Friday a.m. as well, but who knows. They have been slow to get back to me which is understandable, since the holidays can be murder around there. If they can't manage to get me some shifts soon, I will have to offer my services elsewhere.

So, that is that. A little Christmas with dad and Kate, a little housesitting, working New Year's Eve, taking care of various animals and quickly having no social life to speak of. No bother, I just spent the last 9 months having enough social life for 18 people. LATERS!

Tattoo...me

2006-12-18T20:49:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's real. This is my new tattoo...done in Prague, October 26, 2006. I've wanted it for a long time and frankly was tired of getting henna all the time, which faded and ended up costing more than permanent ink . I guess it was just a culmination of the most daring adventure of my life and one that I will never, ever regret...or forget. EVER!

Lo$t Wage$

2006-12-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

Another Vegas weekend is in the books and as far as they go, this one was quite tame. It was Lori's #* birthday and since she is the quintisenntial V-Town gal, we thought it only fitting to decend upon sin city for a girls weekend of drink, dance and debauchery. However, as we found out, the week before Christmas isn't really the time for items 2 and 3, simply because most places either shut down, pare down or the populus is just well, down.

We arrived on Friday around noon to find that the MGM Grand (Lori's sister Carol works in the VIP Lounge) was hosting the annual All-Star Cheerleader competition. If you are unaware of this phenomenon, it can be best described as a thousand perky little rug-rats in tight pony-tails, short skirts and glittery make-up that can be seem from Neptune. Throw in the random outbursts of chants and dances and you have a hotel full of purgatory for any adult who wanted to get away from their kids, which included our entire entourage. I was just annoyed at the fact that they would wear spongy rollers around in public, with their hair pulled back so tightly that it gave ME a headache. It wouldn't have been so bad if any of them had ever stayed in a hotel before, but in true "we've been let out of our cages" style, it was (1) pushing all the elevator buttons, (b) bursting into song at will and (III) jamming up every snack bar and vending machine this side of the Venetian. Anyway, at the end of the day, I was at least happy for them, it must have been great to be that young and get to go to Vegas especially the ones from every little podunk town in the US. Note to all, however, don't go to the MGM this week of the year...all the clubs and half of the restaurants were closed. Same with many other places so I guess just choose wisely.

Anyway, Lori had a great birthday weekend, we went to the Spa and had an amazing Sushi dinner at the Wynn...went dancing, got elbowed in the head by a couple of bouncers, and crashed early Saturday night. Friday stayed out dancing at Mandalay Bay...pretty much it! I did take photos of the strip and can't seem to download them because I used my old camera. Ugh.

Not much else to report. Honestly. Off to find work tomorrow...The $500 I have to my name won't last. Ugh.

***One crazy note***

Had breakfast at CHOW today and ended up sitting next to Clint Eastwood. We had a nice chat and when he left, patted me on the back and said "take care, kiddo!" LATERS!

New Photo

2006-12-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

I've decided that I am tired of looking at the same stock photo that once was my publicity shot for The Bone Morning Show. Frankly, I am most happy and content just as you see me here: Guinness in hand, sitting in an Irish Pub in the middle of London surrounded by friends. CHEERS!

CHOW Madness...

2006-12-13T12:57:00.000-08:00

After flying from Orlando, sleeping in the baggage claim department at SFO, taking BART and a cab to Melissas house, hanging with the Nicky and Eryn...Jake and Bosco...laughing with John and having accute insomnia I managed to somehow make it to the annual CHOW Holiday party at Cafe du Nord, in the Castro...San Francisco. Here are the only shots I could manage, other than a couple that came in a shot glass and tasted strangely like Jack Daniels. Thanks to Tony G. for the ride home, and frankly, opening CHOW in the first place! It was great to see everyone, so many new hook-ups I can't even believe it! Really.... Huh, not this girl. My only new hook up with be a three-some...me and two jobs for the next few months so I can plan my next adventure. Off to Vegas this weekend and then will try to get serious about life next week. LATERS!

Back in Cali

2006-12-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it..seems so surreal. I'm officially back in California, sitting at my dad's computer in the office, in Ripon, in Cali. I don't really know what I think of it all, but it's reality and it bites.

Not that it isn't great to see dad. It is. My sister Kate seems fine, she is actually going to school these days which is dandy. I stayed at Melissa's house with her hubby and kids Monday and Monday night, went to the CHOW Christmas party. That was a hoot, always is. It was great to see everyone again and the usual fan fare of crotch-grabbing, ass-slapping and tongue-shoving was ever-present. Ah, I miss those days. Sort of. Would rather be traveling.

I've had a bit of a rude-awakening with a stupid credit card situation, but basically I opened a credit card with United Airlines so I could charge and get credit for future flights. Turns out, I had a balance of about $20 left after I paid the flight off. Of course, I never looked on line to see what was up, so they sent notices, late fees and various other crappy news and then closed my card. GREAT! I haven't had a stupid credit card for 10 years and now I have a blemish on my credit report. Anyway, yet another valuable lesson learned. The second lesson is that I should have canceled my Cingular account last Spring and entered the world of pay-as-you-go SIM cards. Lastly, I should have gone with my guts and bought my round-trip ticket for December as I originally wanted. Instead, I had to buy a whole new one. These little lessons have cost me about $1000. Oh well. Live and keep learning.

Today I have to get my car up and running, keep unpacking and re-pack for a weekend in Vegas. Vegas you ask? How can I afford Vegas? Well...I can't. I was going to take some cash out of said United Miles Plus card, so I have absolutely no idea how I am going to manage Vegas. At least my plane ticket is all sorted and I have shampoo, toothpaste and face cream. Slap a sexy little number on, tote the hip-flask and I am all set! It's Lori's birthday this week, and she is a big Vegas girl, so that is the point of party. Will let all hang loose this weekend and then most likely start working next week. Ugh. Not that I mind working, but I don't know where to live, where to work, etc. Anyway, will just chill this weekend and then start thinking about it. Need to also work on my CV. So, with all that said, I guess I should stop blogging and get my ass on the phone! LATERS!

BetaBlogger

2006-12-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more photos from my trip. Still at mom's here in Florida, but off to Cali this afternoon for the final leg of my journey...for now! I am trying out this new blogger format and I have to say BRAVO blogspot! It's much easier to use, edit and add to previous posts than ever before! Wish I would have had this capability before, but alas, will make up for it when I get to dad's this week and hopefully can make a new and better gypsy tale. For now, I will say goodbye to the little pasture on the hill, to my FLA relies and to mom. LATERS!

New Photos...Post

2006-12-10T05:42:00.000-08:00

Say It Ain't So...

2006-12-06T07:10:00.000-08:00

"There is no unhappiness like the misery of sighting land (and work) again after a cheerful, careless voyage." ~Mark Twain, 1865

Well, the time has come. I have left the sanctity of my crazy life in Europe. Got on a plane yesterday from Heathrow and now I am back at mom's house here in FLA... A bit shell-shocked, culture-shocked and just all-around shocked, but am determined to start a new life in Europe, hopefully as a tour guide, English teacher or renegade warrior. First I must deal with the reality of bills, responsiblity and a J-O-B. Ick.

My flight from London was incredible, in fact, it was the best one that I have had in long time. Trust me, take Air India anytime you can from Europe to the States. The crew was amazingly nice, the Heneken was free, and it didn't even smell like curry! They were late, however, so I missed my connection in Chicago and poor mom and Auntie T had to pick me up and we didn't get home until after midnight. Oh well, that's travel for ya!

Going to do some proper laundry, eat some of my favorite foods and go to visit Gran at some point today. I'm here until Sunday, then I am off to Cali until the following weekend, then I'm going to Vegas. Must wean myself away. Thinking about Venice in January...crazy I know, but must go and see my Gondo again, he invited me right as I was leaving and well, can't say no to Eros. Ever.

Anyway, will spend the next few months getting my bank account up to par, researching tourism jobs, and may apply to a program in SF that trains tour managers. (Thanks for the tip, Alex!) Also hoping to apply to Backroads, a company out of Berkeley who handle tours in the U.S. and Europe...wish me luck.

I was just looking at the pictures of the chicken and I miss that little guy...ugh.

Mom's computer will not allow me to download my photos without considerable strain so I have to wait until I get home. Until then, the gypsy keeps moving...LATERS!

Life in Streatham and Beyond....

2006-11-23T04:34:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to report that I am having a jolly time in London this go-around, as I have figured out the trains and tube, found a pub that sells lager for £1.75 and made friends with Raj, a dude that owns the dollar store around the corner just down from little Somalia here in Streatham. (I go in to buy cheap toilet paper and washing powder and when I present my own canvas bag, he likes to "charge me" .30p extra!) Ha! You know you have arrived when.....

Been also making a habit of buying all day travel cards so I can explore London like a little vagabond tourist. A couple of weeks ago, I went to Covent Garden on a Friday and managed to make it back to Streatham, as the last train from Victoria leaves around midnight, and let me tell you mate! You do NOT want to get stuck trying to find the right bus or paying £50 for a cab! The weekend after, I went on a proper outing with the girls and had a Sunday brunch at Vicki's house, the girl I roomed with this summer! Then, I went with Lisa Cullen to Islington up North, by the new Emerates Stadium, which houses Arsenal, one of the top Premiere League footy teams. We went to a proper pub with local fans and then to her house where I was treated to a Sunday dinner and the usual "what is wrong with the world and how should I solve all its problems" conversation.

I also visited my mate Penthouse Pete in Bournemouth last weekend, which is a seaside town on the Southern Coast. As we are both flat broke, he being house poor and me just being poor, we bought a flat of Carlsburg, watched DVD's, made pasta and walked along the cliffs just South of Poole. Lovely. Thanks Petey!

Bernie has made his way back from Ireland, and while he is going through Post Ireland Depression...(Something I will suffer when I go home...Post Europe Depression...) he is working with Dan Harris and his company I.T.@Home and hoping to make some more money so he can go back to Ireland and rejoin Ultan John in their quest to sign a record deal and tour. www.ultanjohn.com
Otherwise, he could moonlight as a chef, as I have never tasted such amazing Irish Stew in my entire life! Thanks Bers!

Also met another friend here in the neighborhood, Mr. Nick Smart (don't laugh it really is his name) and he lets me pop 'round his flat for tea, laundry and HOT showers! (Sorry Bers, your shower...well, you know. I just think it is haunted.)

Finally, will end my time in England going down to Southampton for a proper footy match, they are playing Birmingham and I CAN'T WAIT! YYYyeeeeeeehhhhhaaaaawwwwww!!!
God love my other mate Andy, spoiler rotten of all human-kind! Thanks mate, you rock!

Next week I hope to have a proper night out with the girls and boys and say goodbye London style to Europe and the most wonderful 8 months of my life. Ugh. Can't cry now, I still have 2 weeks left! Then, it's off to Florida to visit mom and Pignone clan, then home to SF where I will crash the CHOW Christmas party and try to actually find a j.......jo..............J-O-B....oh god help me. laters...

New Photos and Update

2006-11-10T03:57:00.000-08:00

These are some new and old photos from Greece...

Still in London, will be going home around the first week of December and wow. I have such mixed feelings. I really want to stay here, not go home, pretend I have no pressing issues, make believe that I have another $5000 in the bank and tell myself that this glorious experience isn't coming to an end. Alas. Reality BITES!
But, the one thing that is keeping me going is knowing that I am going home to sort out my crap, save money and return next year. Seems like a long time, but I plan on working as many jobs as I can and THAT....should keep me busy.

Went to Oxford last weekend, it is a magical little place I tell you. Planning on seeing London this week and then off to the South to see my friend Penthouse Pete in Bournemouth next weekend. Finally, will end my journey in Southhampton to see a proper footy match for the first time. After that, ...sniff sniff...back home.

Murphy is coming back from Ireland next week, so I will be living with not one, not two but THREE boys...I can't wait to see him. Dan is trying to hook me up with a proper Thanksgiving dinner and then we are going to have a house party to celebrate Murphy coming home, mourn my imminant departure and take the piss out of Christmas. We are calling it the "un-Christmas...Christmas party!" Finally, someone who hates Christmas as much as I do. Yippee! I am going to LOVE this.

Anyway, trying to find some friends to play with my last few weeks here...should be interesting without a damn phone. Oh one last thing...I could have just used my phone and gotten a sim card here. God I am retarded. Oh, go and see Borat.

LATERS!

Back In London...

2006-11-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

Here once again at Murphy's pad in Streatham and now sharing the flat with Dan Harris, who went to uni with Bernie and Paul Schumway, who was an original back in the Spring. I have set up camp in the dining room, on the futon with every blanket and sleeping bag piles on top of me.

I was hoping to blog my little heart out here for the next couple of weeks, but Dan is living here and running his computer design company from this office, so it looks like I will have to wait until I get home. Which, sadly, will be in the next few weeks. Ugh. Can't believe it.

I spent some time in Amsterdam, a night in Berlin, and 10 days in Prague where I was looking into taking a TEFL course. This is a Teaching English as a Foreign Language class that gives one a certificate to teach English anywhere in the world. So, I will go home, work, sort out some issues and then head back ASAP. The Busabout thing never materialized, couldn't get a Visa and at the end of the day, the people who worked there were kind of cliquie and snobby and I didn't want to join that kind of group. It's a long story, but I will say that there were a few guides and drivers that I just loved and I won't forget how nice they were to me. Best to get off the bus anyway, and start something fresh and on my own.

I am off to Oxford for a couple of days to meet up with a friend I met in Amsterdam. Should be spliffy! I am trying to see some of the English countryside before I take off and next weekend I am supposed to go to Bournemouth to visit my friend Penthouse Pete who is a lifeguard trainer dude. He's a right crack, that one.

Okay, must get my beauty rest, tomorrow is a travel day! LATERS!

Ode to a Friend...err...Chicken

2006-11-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

Here is a little tribute to my companion, who was sadly abducted by a band of crazy Australians in Cinque Terre. There are many more photos of him all over Europe, but here is a sampling. I miss him terribly, but life goes on...

HAVE YOU SEEN ME?

2006-10-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

Well...I guess it was inevitable that my little mascot would eventually go missing. Ugh. I miss him already, but the oddest aspect of it is that he was abducted in the very last city on my loop. Granted I am still traveling, but have already been to these places and so...I don't know. How fitting. I have several case scenarios regarding his disappearance. 1) A wild pack of Aussie boys grabbed him and duct-taped him to a ceiling. B) A wild pack of Aussie grabbed him and hung him from a bridge. III) He is actually alive and decided to stay in Cinque Terre and trust me, I would do the same if I could. It is absolutely stunning.

So, here's to you little chicken...err. Little. For keeping me company throughout, for being my spokesmodel/mascot and for having the nerve to stay in Italy. Maybe I'll see you again there someday. CIAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Firenze

2006-10-12T03:05:00.000-07:00

Ciao ragazzi! Here in Florence, the capital of Tuscany and in true form, it is stunning. The main Duomo is just a work of art, it looks like it is made of candy. It's a lot smaller than I thought it would be and walking around is quite easy. I am staying in a hostel at the North end of town called "Sette Santi" or, "seven saints" and it is in an old monestary, so I am in dorm rooms where nuns and priests used to sleep! Not the hottest accomodations I have ever had, but much better than the campground/Busabout accomo's. Icky.

Pretty much have seen the whole city now, the statue of David is insane! Jeez, again that Michelangelo! Such attention to detail, I guess he used to cut up dead bodies to study them for his sculptures.

Food here is wonderful, last night I had a tortellini al brodo soup with Chianti. Yum. Not too expensive either. However, there is a cafe by the Academia Museum that is so rank. Flat beer and microwave pissa. STAY AWAY! The worst part was the £11 I forked out. I spent less most days in ROME! Finished my book, "The Other Side of the Story" by Marion Keyes, get it! Today just going to chill and hang out with my dorm mate, James, an Aussie kid...some kind of footy player back home and taking a year off to travel, god love him. I remember the first Aussie James I met in 1998...he inspired me to travel and now I am doing it! Here's to you James Rosenwax! (In fairness, he turned out to be a right jerk, but nonetheless!)

Not much else to report. I do love that I can get beer out of the vending machine for £2. Saves heaps! Off to Cinque Terre tomorrow and then to Nice. Gonna he weird to be in Prague again. Can't wait! Oh, and happy birthday Heather Peterson! You have officially joined the ranks! xoxoxox CIAO!

Greece Pic's and Missing Busses...

2006-10-11T03:03:00.000-07:00

Greetings all from Firenze! Thanks to one gorgeous babe named Emily Drucker and her fabulous camera, I was able to download some recent photos from GREECE! This was where I met several new loves of my life, including my new BFF Amber, Tracy the superguide of the century, and another 20 amazing people that I wont ever forget!

I can't believe how completely lame my posts have been, so sorry for that. Again, the computers in Italy are lackluster at best, expensive and hard to come by. In Greece, well, I'm sorry, not going to sit inside when the beach calls! Plus, when doing the Islands a la Busabout, it't basically "get your bags, get the bus, get the ferry..." Then, of course, there is tons of Mythos to drink, Flying Bananas to ride and Flaming Lambourghini's to consume!

Anyway, I am going to conquer Florence today and tomorrow, then off to either Cinque Terre or Nice, still up in the air.

OH! Funny story. In Siena, I was saying one last goodbye to the Piazza di Palio, and gave myself about an hour to get back to the bus. I took the citybus #10, which I had done for 2 days. HOWEVER! It was the wrong city bus #10 and I ended up in another town! With only 45 minutes to spare, I commandered a red Mazda with two dudes and begged them to take me back to Lo Stellino so I could get my bags and get on the BUS! Thank goodness I am in the land where men love women, because I didn't even have to dredge up the fake croco tears, although they were about to be real because had I missed the bus, I would have had to stay in Siena 2 more nights and while it is a stunner, Florence was calling! Ah, Italia. Speaking of, must get out of this dingy internet cafe and go stare and David's naughty bits! CIAO CIAO!!

Piccy's include, Yanni's bar in Paros with the gang...Ambuh, love of my life, Ambuh and Justin...hottie in training, me in my best camp outfit in Ios and Sunset in Mykonos! Thanks Em! You are a peach!

Ciao Roma!

2006-10-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Ciao Belli Ragazzi!

Rome...well, of course! An ancient and thoroughly modern city with 5 million people, 4 million Vespas and 3 million horns honking at all hours of the day and night! Totally different from Venice, such a sleepy little tourist town with barely a suit in sight...here, you can find gorgeous Roman men in their Armani suits riding Vespas to beat the band and stunning women in high heels and Dolce and Gabbana, riding...you guessed it! Vespas! Busses, taxis, Smartcars, Mercedes! The whole lot. I thoought I was going to meet my maker at some stage, but started getting in to the swing by putting up my hands and yelling "MA! Vavangulo!" That seemed to save me on more than one ocassion.

The first day out I got to the Vatican and did the obligatory Vatican Museum...by the way, the only museum I would wait and pay for, but had to see the Cistine Chapel...And, in the end it was worth it, but I tell you. Here is a clue. GO LATE! I was gobbled up and spit out by every tour group from around the world. It was so hard to see stuff because you want to look up at the Frescos and here comes a swarm of Koren tourists, all listening into headsets, looking up and taking photos of every relic from 55 B.C. on! Augh! Had to leave after 3 hours, but the Chapel itself was incredible. Don't know how he did it, that Michelangleo. Hooked up with some cool girls from Cali, but they had their heads in the guide books too much for me and had to escape. Sweethearts and full of info, but one almost got hit by a Jaguar because she was regaling the entire life of Raphael. Would rather google it at the end of the trip, frankly. In fact I haven't even looked at a map since arriving to Italy. Not once. Have just used my nose and the metro schedule. Landed safely everywhere, and then some.

After the Cistine, went to St. Peter's Square, perved on the Swiss Guards in thier little clown suits...(hot though) and then got yelled at by another because I went down a wrong street and I guess they take security seriously, guarding Il Papolo and all. Don't see the big deal, but then again, millions of visitors come here each year and kiss feet, hands, fountains...icky. Hope they have some antibacterial spray or something. Wandered off to the Palazzio Del Popolo, although I found that out later, it just looked appealing. Ended up at some other monument and decided that Rome is chalkers full of weird statues and fountains...mostly of naked men, which suits me fine, but...ahem! Some kind of homo erotica was definitely the order of the day! Too many fig leaves, I say, if you are going to do it, do it 100%!!!

Oh, also perved on the embassy guards, all so hot and tall in thier uniforms. Why this little hippie has all the sudden gotten a craving for the military is beyond me. Which brings me to my next point.

CIAO BELLA!

I am certain that this goes on all over the country, and to a fair extent in Venice, as I witnessed. But so far, the whole "Ciao Bella" phenomenon has been quinticentially Romanesque. I don't know how these guys get anything done! You just walk buy anyone, taxi driver, construction worker, lawyer, storeowner, banker, husnad, father, priest! It's not only Ciao Bella, it's "Ma, che cosa, grazie a dio que ci sonno le donna cosi!" Translation..."Oh my god, thank you for women like this...blah blah." Even the guys guarding the national bank and embassy with assault rifles manage to whisper under their breath "Madonna mia, che bella donna!" Crazy. Can't take it seriously, they cast a wide net and you could be wearing a potato sack, have warts and weigh 350 pounds and you would still get the same thing. Oh well, good for the ego, I guess. And the pocket book.

See, this phenom has bourne some fruit for me. I swear, I just go and have a beer somewhere and the owner, barman, waiter...brings me free food! And, then another beer! Then it's "weara are-a you-a fromma?" Then, again....che bella donna! Ciao!" Love it. Have spent very little money here. Weird.

Yesterday, unbeknownst to me, the public transit system went on a strike. So, I caught one bus to no where, and decided to try and walk back to camp. Well, I think I almost ended up in Bologna, because I walked for about 4 hours, down side streets, ally's, almost ended up on a freeway and then back again. Missed the only bus for another hour and gave it up and decided to...right, go and have a beer and think about my options. Well, sitting next to me were Fedrico and Diego, two Italian marines who were semi-retired, just still working in the military here in Rome. They said "wera are-a you-a fromma" and I told them, they started singing to me and asked me, among other things, "why-a donta you-a hava boyfirenda?" etc. etc. Then, when I told them I was lost and the busses didn't run and the metro was closed, you know what? I got a 3 hour tour of Rome, by two Romans, with dinner and beers at thier local hang out. Then, I kid you not, a drop off with kisses on the cheek and "ciao bella!" (Probably married...so good for them for going home!...yes, never marry an Italian, they are scoundrals!) But, they were perfect gentlemen, and I have seem Roma as the Romans...Friday afternoon rush hour traffic from an actual car, two guides who spoke NOT A WORD OF ENGLISH!!!...which was actually good because I had to strech my brain...Grazie Ragazzi!

Today, got lost again, said my goodbyes, saw the Trevi Fountain, ran the Spanish Steps, took one last look at the Colesium and now I am back at camp using up the last minutes of my internet time. My computer has been stuck on 27 minutes for the last hour so I am going to pass it on to someone else as soon as I pay some bills.

Off to Tuscany tomorrow, in the form of Siena, the Fiorenze. After that, Nice, etc. Sad, so sad to leave. I love Italy. Ugh, love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CIAO BELLI!

Venezia

2006-10-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

Here I am back in Venice after 2 weeks in the Greek Islands. Still perving on the Gondo's, loving Italy and getting ready for Rome. My Italian gets better with each passing day and I fear that I will never want to leave this magical place...ever!

Suffice to say that my posting has been lackluster at best, I am completely exhausted, mentally drained and my money is running out faster than a keg at a frat party. Alas, I will have to get home sooner than expected, but will stay in London at Chez Murphy while I go through interviews with Busabout and plan the next phase of travel. I assure you all, there will be a next phase and if I get get a UK back account, somehow, I will be able to work for this company which will make me extrememly happy. If not, I will figure something else out. Always do.

Am going to finish with Italy in about 2 weeks, then head back to the North, where I plan to conquer Amsterdam properly...injury-free...then back to Berlin to say hi to Om and the Bayer-Phfol family...then back to Prague to say hello and goodbye to friends, look into work there in case Busabout falls flat, then back to London to crash the year-end party in Shepard's Bush and wait around for interviews. Also going to try to head to Bournemouth and Sheffield to see more of the UK and then, with head down and tail between my legs, will head back to San Fransisco where I will sit in Chow for 3 days, eating everything on the menu. Go Oakland, BTW, just finally looked at the standings. Wow, a whole season without baseball, who would have thunk.

Greece was amazing, I met the most incredible bunch of people, mostly Aussies, and my new BFF named Amber...I love her, she is only 21 but we were somehow separated at birth. Love you Bitchy...miss you tons.

Off to perve for one last time at my Gondo's, I would marry one if I could. Met one named Eros, the skinny dipper guy, what a sweetheart. Alas, he is off in China at the freaking world canooìe championships. Life on the road is crazy, fleeting and difficult at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. LATERS!....ciao.

Italy, Greece and Internet Issues

2006-09-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

I am currently in Athens, Greece. It is a massive, sprawling city where the national pastime is to honk at eachother as loudly as possible. I went to the Acropolis today and some lady yelled at me for taking a picture of my chicken. Yep, welcome to Greece! At least in Germany where I don't speak the language, I could read the alhpabet. Alas, Greek sounds very similar to Italian so I have picked up on a few things, but so far, it really is all Greek to me.

I wrote a massive post about Ireland, even published some photos but I hit a glitch in the system and it all floated out into cyberspace. But, to move on at least past my last post from 2 weeks ago, I am posting anew and while it will be short, it is at least fresh.

I am in so much passionate love with Venice. Can't explain, but the city, the view, teh vibe and the MEN! Can't get enough and I am going back after Greece for a few more days because I am addicted. Had 2 free gondeliere rides, including one that floated by Christina Aguilera eating dinner, and took a speed boat ride at midnight that resulted in a skinny dip under the moon! Won't ever forget that one, and I think it is the top five most memorable moments of the last 5 months so far.

Getting to Athens was a different story. I took the cheap route, which involved a 20-hour ferry ride from Ancona to Patras, a 3 hour bus ride from Patras to Athens, and then a navigation of the Athens public transit system that would have made Magellen want to put his head in a wood chipper. Suffice to say, what would have been a 3 hour plane ride took about 27 hours. HOWEVER, I have a great story of sleeping on the deck, playing cards with the United Nations of Ghetto dwellers and trying to find the hostel with Lisa and Kobe, two Aussie girls and Mike from Liverpool, who actually carries an iron in his backpack. VERY metro. Love him.

Ireland was magic, especially the North, and hopefully I can re-cap soon. Saw the pope in Munich...that was crazy. The Germans have public safety down to a tee. Decided that I am going to move heaven and earth to get a job with Busabout. Must live and work in Europe and it seems like a great company to work for.

Off to Mikonos tomorrow, then Paros, Ios and finally Santorini. Still living in denial about the 32 hour ferry ride back to Venice, but this time I will prepare by bringing my own booze and food. LATERS!

Eire

2006-09-08T09:38:00.001-07:00

Eire

2006-09-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

DUBLIN

I couldn't have picked a better place to spend my 40th than the Island...Ireland. This wasn't so apparent when I first arrived and to be honest, I wasn't so sure that it was going to live up to expectation.

I arrived in Dublin on a Tuesday night, fresh from 3 nights in Paris, and before that 3 weeks in Spain. I was spent to say the least. I arrived around 5 p.m. and splashed on a cab, because at that stage I was sick of public transport and just wanted to chat with a local. This was a success but €30 Euro later, I probably should have taken the bus because it would have dropped me right off by the hostel.

I booked a room at Barnacles in Temple Bar, which used to be a great location when I was there in 1998. However, if I had a dollar for every Irish person I met, I would be destitute, living in the streets. The only locals were working in the pubs and they just seemed bitter and over it and this tells me that it is like any other big, buzzing city...too many tourists, too expensive, too loud, too busy. Used to be that when you would go into any
My room was a different story. It was cluttered with the United Nations, including a Brazilian guy, 2 American girls, 2 Israelis dudes, 2 French girls, a guy from Belgium and a 19 year old Japanese girl, who must have been frightened out of her mind at the likes of us. The Israeli boys and French girls were so loud and drunk, they kept us all up until 4 a.m. and I had enough! I moved to the common room after giving them a piece of it!

Anyway, I was gutted when I arrived because I thought Murphy wasn't going to be able to meet me because of the Electric Picnic so I was in a crap mood, grumpy and feeling completely sorry for myself at the prospect of hanging out in Dublin for 6 days with nothing to do but drink expensive Guinness and grumble about no one talking to me, but Murphy came through and I booked a bus to Galway and off I went to see the countryside. Along the way, I passed "Horan's FAmily Butcher Shop" which I saw 8 years ago. It used to be Horan Brothers but at least they kept it in the family.

ELECTRIC!!!

The bus was late to Galway and by the time I got to Murph, he was trying to get all over to arrange Cd's, get buttons, and get back to John's to arrange the CD'S, then get down to Stradbelly for the Festival. We had a lovely dinner with Caroline, Tre (11), Josh (7) and little Mia (1 and a half) and they even had a baby Jack Russell that I was about to put into my backpack and never look back! Those kids are the best kids ever and if I could I would be the governess. Adorable!

The Electric Picnic was a bit of a blur, but I will say that I had an amaying time and in true form, I rang in the new decade at midnight with a shot of Jamieson and a can of warm, cheap beer! Perfect! And, being at a festival, setting up a new tent in the dark, trying to pee in the bramble bushes and plotting a way to bum rush the whole event (I didn't have a ticket) was apropos for the gypo, who would have rather been no where else!

The Picnic itself was great, so many acts, so many people, so much mud and rain, and even a comedy tent! I got to see Michael Franti and Spearhead on Saturday ane not only was it one of his best, but the crowd absolutely loved him! I was such a jackass, going mental in the front row, screaming "san francisco!" the whole time.

I also met the coolest chick named Avril, who is a stilt walker and performance artist. When she and her friends busted out a real live Father Ted episode, I thought I was going to wet myself! I ended up "blagging" my way in, which in Irish slang, just means scamming my way in by borrowing a few wristbands and then giving them back. People were all too willing to oblige...seems going anywhere on the blag is an Irish National pastime! Brilliant! Except when they hire the Scottish company to run security. Dont mess with the Scots! I got thrown out on one occasion, but managed to talk my way back in.

After the fest, Murphy my hero, drove me all the way back to Dublin then drove all the way back to Kinvara...probably 4 hours total. God love him...thanks!

"NORN IRNE"

I have always wanted to go to the North of Ireland, I hear the people are lovely and the history has always fascinated me. These are a very resiliant lot, fighting on both sides for what they believe and I just wanted to see for myself...

I will save the history of each town and the troubles for another blog, as I am tired from being on the computer for 4 hours...but the highlights of my trip were:

Learning about Bloody Sunday in Derry...Trying to Irish Dance in Derry...Seeing the murals in Belfast and ultimately, meeting two special forces policmen in Belfast, dancing until 7 a.m. then going to breakfast...all the while trying to understand what the hell they were saying! The Northern accent is devoid of most vowels and if a vowel is used, it is muddled and chewed up! Thus, Northern Ireland, is...Norn Irne. It's that simple. The lads were trying to teach me the accent and I just decided to start mumbling...would have been easier!

Will be in Munich tomorrow night and will try to finish the Ireland story. Am so tired, will be in Italy and Greece until mid-October so I must go and finish preparing for that. LATERS1

"In Murphy We Trust"

2006-08-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

...or is it the universe? Geeze, I'm almost 40 years old and I still can't manage to trust the damn universe!!! It will provide. So will Murphy. After me completely fretting (and feeling utterly sorry for myself to no avail) Murphy has come through and I will be going to meet him in Galway after all! It will be a glamourous day of picking up posters, collecting C.D.'s from a manufacturer in Limerick and then packing up the band so we can camp on the side of the road and head into the Electric Picnic! I think it will be lovely, and much better than sitting here in Dublin, crying into my Guinness. Speaking of Dublin, so much has changed since I was here last, it's way more expensive, people are too serious and frankly, it's now just like any big city. To think I came all the way here to meet every Spaniard that ever lived! That's right! All of Spain is here in Dublin on holiday. Ugh. I am going to spend the day regrouping, finding bus stops, organzing my accomodations, changing my accomodations, and basically trying to pull my head out so I can get ready for the 3 hour bus ride to Galway tomorrow.

Another crazy thing that happened yesterday, as I was on my way from Paris to Dublin, one of my favorite Reggae bands, "Israel Vibrations" came in and were on the same plane as me! I am going to see them tonight at Crawdaddy's here in Dublin. Wow. I was agog like some crazy groupie, but to thier credit, they travel like the regular folk, despite their having to do so with the remenants of polio, walking on steel crutches.

Also, on another note, I was informed today that the Celtic Cross tattoo I wanted for my 40th will not happen. "Too small," they said. Well, that's cool. I'll go ahead with another one as planned, but it will have to wait until I get to Berlin again, because they are well known for being safe and clean and reletively cheap. Prague is a no-go. Don't trust the sanitation....

Okay, well off to continue the re-group, going to take a break and have a pint of Guinness, then make a home made dinner in the fabulous kitchen here at Barnacles, then play tourist for a couple of hours in trendy DUB-town. LATERS!

Back in Paris...

2006-08-07T03:44:00.000-07:00

Here I sit in an internet cafe, where lo and behold I have managed to procure a keyboard that isn't French! Whoo Hoo! I'm back at the Avenir hotel, in the Monmartre district of Paris, getting my bearings and preparing for 10 crazy days in Ireland. Turns out, Murphy is going crazy because UltanJohn is playing the Electric Picnic and so I may not get to see him after all. Fair enough, I'm so proud of him for getting that gig (he is managing the band now) and the Electric Picnic is Ireland's biggest 3-day music festival. It's a mini-Glastonbury, only more green and little more Irish. No worries, I am sure I can get into some fun in Ireland, although it is expensive, it will be the perfect place to mourn...I mean, celebrate, my impending 40th birthday. I suppose I could have saved money and stayed here on the continent, but the reservations have been made, schedules written down and well, it's Ireland after all. I plan to drink plenty of Guinness, get a tattoo and visit the North, which has been a dream for quite some time.

I have been trying to post the last month and have a slight neck ache from being on the computer for 2 hours, so I think I will have to save Spain updates for Ireland. I know it's better to post as I go, but sometimes, it's better to do than to write. I have notes, memories and of course, Google in a pinch.

I'm leaving tomorrow for Dublin, the airport is WAAAAY out of town so I have to get to bed early and get up early and do things like laundry, grooming, un-pack...re-pack...shower, get tickets ready. I caught up with the Bosnians last night and had a pasta feed while we watched "Law and Order" in French. Sad to say goodbye again, I think I will treat myself to a bowl of French Onion soup, a croque monsieur and a half carafe of red at the Marmitre, a little joint accross from my hotel. Why not, it's my birthday week and I could use a hot meal as it has been raining for 6 days now.

***Quick note, I am in the internet cafe/call center and this haitian woman is screaming at someone at the other end of her phone call...very irritating...yet interesting.*** Wait, there is another one doing the same thing so I guess they are like Russians and Italians, they just "yell" to get their point accross.***

I have to report that I did a minor...well I was gutted so I will have to say "major" travel rookie screw up. I wanted to fly from Dublin to Munich so I could catch the bus going to Venice but I didn't look hard enough and ended up booking a cheap flight to Salzburg, so I have to catch the bus there and go on stand-by, get to Munich...thus losing my deposits on all accomodations and rebooking...then off to Venice around mid-September. Alas, Airlingus flies right to Munich the day I need, for cheap and I am screwed. Lesson learned, never give-up because flights are cheap! Crap, oh well. I'm off to check train times to Beauvais Airport, transfer my ever-dwindling funds to accounts and well, have that precious bowl of French love. Will try to post in Dublin, will cost an arm and a leg, but since I will be there for a few days, I will have plenty of time. LATERS!

San Sebass

2006-08-07T03:43:00.000-07:00

Well, here I sit in an internet cafe´in San Sebastian, the Basque region of Spain and the last 15 days have been a crazy ride. Barcelona was a blur, should have stayed longer, Valencia was amazing and Madrid was also a blur...so much night life and tapas! This is by far my favorite and I could live here easily. The town itself is surrounded by three beaches, each with a view of small mountains and a statue of Jesus like in Rio. It was sunny the first two days and now it has been raining since yesterday. I slept on the beach one night with a bunch of French people and it was perhaps the most amazing night time view I have had in weeks. I wish I had the temerity to keep writing but there is a whole town out there to visit and since I leave tomorrow I want to go and have a last look. The people are amazing , the pinchos are incredible and the fresh hard cider is not to be missed. Tonight I am going to eat these pinchos (tapas) until I burst and since there are more bars and restaurants per capita here than anywhere in Europe, it won´t be a problem. Ta for now, sorry I have been the lame blogger, but duty calls. At least I have taken notes and will try to update in Paris, but the keyboards are a nightmare so I don´t know how that will go. I tell you though, you will lose me again in Ireland. That´s just how it goes. LATERS!

Avignon

2006-08-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

Here I am at one of those frustrating French computers once again...the keyboards are all over the place so I have to peck away and it takes forever! Anyway, I am currently in Avignon in the Provence region of France, slightly Northwest of Nice. It's your typical fortified European town with the obligatory castle, cobblestone streets and outdoor cafès. It has a papal history dating back to the 1200's and before that, a place for sailors to gamble and reunite with their favorite "special" lady....of the night. Legend has it, the term "Red Light" originated here. Legend also has it that the popes were all required to live in Rome after this period because they may have been dabbling in the debauchery.

I've been able to relax a little here and regroup for Spain as I am quite certain that I won't be sleeping in Barcelona and Valencia will be a total beachy blur from detoxing and sunning myself at the topless beach! When I was in Nice I was able to download photos in advance and go back in to edit and add stories so they will end up in order but I won't be posting in order because Paris requires a LOT of detail and Nice et, al was just a blast and requires some special attention as well. Oh, and Lauterbrunnen and the Swiss Alps...mamma! So I will try to catch up at a better computer and I also left my notebook in my room and there is a crazy lockout from 2 to 5 p.m.

This has been a couple of fun days, I got a bed for 10 euro per night at a campground and will no doubt need the money save as I have just spent $1000 on booking tours and accomodation for the next 6 weeks. And, of course, LA Bartha is going to cost a LOT! Oh well, that is why I am here I guess. I also hooked up with a few fun folks at the campground. Jen, a divorced mother of two who went on Busabout with here daughter for 5 weeks...totally cool chick from OZ, raised in Malaysia, boarding school in Scotland. Puts me to shame! Then, 2 Canuks... Andy the teacher who will literally talk to anyone! He is like a force of nature, quite kooky and yet loveable. Next we have Mike from Vancouver, 18, just out of high school, totally green and just muddling through from town to town getting ripped off but having the time of his life. Markus from Schwiez and two German dudes are biking around Europe and then Sara and Fabio, a brother sister duo from a tiny town in the Italian Alps. We threw down a few at the Irish Pub last night and said our good bye's this morning.

Off to BarTHElona manana...probably will be M.I.A. until Valencia. ADIOS!

Nice, etc...

2006-08-07T03:32:00.000-07:00

Nice is....NICE! This blog finds me in Nice August 4-8th, and while I was kind of apprehensive driving in, (the city is massive and the streets torn up due to a tram project, I ended up having such a wonderful time! This was due in part to the great weather, views and topless beaches (yippee!) but mostly because I met some of the nicest people of my whole entire trip!

Nice is a massive city on the Cote d'Azur, and while it is not a tiny little village like the rest of the neighborhood, it is a great starting point to all close cities, like Monaco, St. Tropez and Cannes. I was able to go to all three by train, as the station was right by my hotel. For about $6 Euro, you can go to any coastal town on the train and the trains run about every 1/2 hour. I have already written about this, in the next blog, but suffice to say, this a an amazing region and if you have the money for a yaught you will fit right in. Oh, you also have to be the color of a redwood tree.

The beaches in Nice are also rocky, which I liked. No sand in your bum, and a bit of a massage as you sun yourself, although this is where I lost my bathing suit top so I have been winging it with tank tops, macrame' halters and anything to cover me up until I hit the beach.

The first night we all checked into the hotel and went to the beach for a midnight picnic. Our Dutch tour guide, Jules, proceeded to serenade us with his guitar and we all drank cheap wine and ate cheese. (Yes this is a theme in France.) We stumbled back around 2 a.m. and it was good because I was due to go on a cruise around St. Tropez the next day.

The cruise was pretty cheesy, it ended up to be more of a booze cruise than a real cruise, and it was run by an Irish guy with a bad sense of humor...it rained like crazy and we just sat there, looking at these mansions, drinking warm beer. It was $17 euro and I wouldn't do it again.

I also met a ton of really cool Aussie couples, including Belinda and Brad from Melbourne, David and Nadia from Perth who will be popping in and out of stories, and a Spanish guy who I just called "map guy" because he was so anal about his maps that it just became annoying. He was our roomate and came for the Stones show but ended up guiding us around with his damn maps. He came in handy but couldn't sit still long enough to enjoy where his damn maps were taking him! I did, however, realize there are 2 kinds of travelers. There are the map people who are great to have around but you want to leave them eventually, and there are the non map people (that is me) who can read a map, but find it more enjoyable to follow the wind. Sure, if you want to see every single sight, the map is good. If you want to chill, find little treasures and people watch, the map is lame.

The last day I went to Cannes with map guy and a lovely couple I met in a pub at the last minute as I was walking home from the Old Town after a couple of beers. Maja and Stefan are from the very North of Sweden where they...yes, are reindeer herders! They had never been out of their country, and they were absolutely adorable! Complete toe-heads, of course, indigenous Swedes who were the salt of the earth. They have invited me up to their village to help herd and slaughter their reindeer, and if I can I will. I bet that would be quite a hoot! Of course, it would be 80 below and I would have to wear a reindeer suit, but completely worth it!
We went to Cannes together, and while Cannes is lovely it is again for the rich and famous and since I am neither, I suppose the one day event was plenty.

All in all, I loved Nice and would go back in an instant, this time I would also go to Marselles, but I will explain that one later.

Lauterbrunnen

2006-08-07T03:30:00.000-07:00

Leaving Paris, I was a little sad because of the friends I had made, but over the moon at the opportunity to visit Switzerland. I had heard so many wonderful things, the natural beauty, the cleanliness and the precision with which the Swiss run their country. As we drove the big blue bus through the Alps, I knew I wouldn't be dissappointed.

As I got on the bus, Janine, my Kiwi roommate from room # 11 at the Avenir, ran up to me and said "what happened to you!" I explained the Bosnian wedding story to her and the fact that I just disappear when I feel like I am going to have an amazing experience. The wedding story reached far and wide and the only part I regret is not having my camera...I never take my camera out at night, so I am pictureless.

We drove down through France and into Switzerland which took about 8 hours in total. We stopped in Bern, the capital and discovered it was Swiss day so it being a legal holiday, nothing was open or happening except for the ubiquitous firecrackers being set off by teen age boys. (They are the same everywhere!) Since I missed my bus in Paris due to said wedding, I had to miss Bern, but every report I got was that it was fine, Bern is lovely but not too exciting. It is quite lovely, another gorgeous European town with little chateaus, centuries old buildings and a river running through. I took a few photos and jumped back on the bus, looking forward to "Lauters."

As we arrived in Interlaken, I felt like I was back home in California. Just like the Sierra Nevadas, all these little towns have lakes and valleys and mountains, but unlike Cali, this place is green year-round. The bus pick up point is a campground called "Camping Jungfrau" right in-between two mountains, each with impressive water falls and dotted with Swiss chalet homes, restaurants and stores. It reminded me a bit of Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome and El Cap as the backdrop....but GREEN! I was a little worried about a campground, since I have no equipment, but we were afforded really cute 4-person cabins for $15 Swiss Francs per night, which worked out to be around $12 U.S. dollars.

This was a time for me to chill out, enjoy nature, take hikes and eat ROSTI, the local specialty. It's basically hash browns with different ingredients like ham, cheese, bacon, onions, mushrooms...you name it! Imagine all the things you could put into an omlette or a crepe...Same concept but with gooey, buttery hash browns! I also indulged in a gorgeous fondue with my cabin mates, for about $20 U.S. dollars I had my fill of bread and cheese, 2 glasses of wine and some Swiss chocolate! I also ventured out for about a 5 hour hike, and viewed the awesome Alps from a local trail. It was sunny the first day, then rained like crazy and it felt like autumn but was perfect for the scenery. I avoided the cost of the extreme sport activites, but they host a variety, including parasailing, skydiving and river rafting. If you are also in the mood and have the money, you can pay around $150 Euro for a train ride to the Jungfrau, or "Top of Europe." This is the highest point in Europe with a restaurant and train station and on a clear day, you can see the entire Alps from top to bottom. I skipped it, but the reports I got back were cold, snowy and foggy...but worth it. As the first night was "Swiss Day" still, we were treated to a host of fireworks right up against the mountain with the waterfall as a back drop. It was incredible, and while the Swiss have a reputation for being staid and quiet, they really know how to celebrate thier day.

As for the people I met, it was pretty quiet here, lots of European families on holiday, in fact, I think the whole of Europe was represented at the campground, tons of kids and scout groups as well as extended clans who camp there each summer, complete with caravans, campers, satellite dishes and fishing gear. I did meet a group of base jumpers...that's right, they strap on their gear and jump off mountains...and they were interested and a little bit crazy. I guess you would have to be. I kept wondering "why would you wear knee pads and a helmet if you are going to crash, you are going to crash!" But, I guess some of the landings can be rough, especially when the angry farmer comes after you with a machete as soon as you land on his property. I did meet one cat named Branden from Pleasant Hill of all places, who was just released from active duty in Iraq and was off to do private work in Mosul. We had an interesting conversation and I ended up giving him a Joe Peace piece, to put in his pocket for good luck.

After 3 nights and 2 days of Rosti, fondu, hiking and taking it easy, it was time for Nice and since my friend Debbie lived there, I thought I would splurge and stay for 5 nights. It would turn out to be a great decision.

Lifestyles of...

2006-08-07T03:17:00.000-07:00

...the rich and spoiled! Here I am in the beautiful French Riviera, just a gog over the wealth of St. Tropez, Monaco, Monte Carlo...et al. Nice is lovely, a bigger city than I ever imagined and somehow I thought the beach was right here...full of sand and topless beauties. Just have to take a train to find that! I keep thinking of Deb and the fact that she lived here, what a smart girl. She is always 10 steps ahead of me but live and learn!

Been on the computer for an hour and a half, the internet is cheap here so I am taking advantage but I am getting weary as I have booked as far ahead as October for Rome and am going to Greece for 10 days starting the 18th of September. In between, I will cry in my Guinness for my 40th in Ireland, and after will spend 2 nights in St. Johan in Tirol, Austria, then onto Venice for 5 nights, Ancona for 3 then take the ferry to Athens, or fly or something. I also need to find a way from Dublin to Munchen...I thought it was as easy as booking Ryanair or Easy Jet but neither fly direct. Will try again.

Paris was absolutely fantastic, will blog the details but suffice to say I was abducted by a band of crazy Bosnians and ended up at a wedding and think I might have married a ninety year old grandma, the Vodka was flowing and just like the Ukrainians, they don't take no for an answer!

Must run now, am getting tired of sitting here while the sun is shining and there are rays to catch and promenades to traverse! LATERS!

Gay Paree...Encore!

2006-07-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

Bon Jour du Paris! I write this blog on the 28th of August, about a month after I was in Paris last. I am in Paris again, but this time it is just a stop over on my way to Dublin, and I found an internet cafe' with an English keyboard so I can blog until my fingers bleed and hopefully catch up on the last months adventures!

The second time around in Paris was, to say the very least, much better than the first time. I avoided any and all tango lessons this time, along with the Sacre Coeur which I just enjoyed from my hotel room. I decided to change hotels as the Andre Gill was not only a prison, but run by a women who calls herself "madame" and well, she is an absolute nightmare. She makes all Parisians seem happy and smiley in comparison. (in case you didn't know, Parisians are neither happy nor smiley.) I refused to give her my money and please if you are in Paris ever, do yourself a favor, avoid the Andre Gill and go straight to the Avenir, right next to the Metro "Anvers" in the Montemartre district by the Sacre Coeur. Okay, sure it's the red light district...but it is a great hotel, cheap and right down the street from the Moulin Rouge. The staff is very friendly and each room has a balcony that overlooks the street.

The first night I arrived back in Paris after being in Prague, Berlin and London for EVER, I decided to put on a sexy dress and head out to find some fun. Sort of a mistake, since you can't even walk down the street in a potato sack without every man, dog and tree shouting "bon soir!" If you make the mistake of saying "bon soir" back, you will be harassed and followed and thank goodness I am bold and say "piss off" but for those with less fortitude it could be daunting. So, I ducked into an Irish pub to get some relief and found out that it is one of the hippest placed to meet people in the neighborhood. People from all over drink there and if you can stand to pay $7 Euro for a pint ot Guinness, the conversations are well worth it. I met a bunch of Serbian kids from Australia, who in turn were meeting Serbs from Serbia and we all started chatting about the placement of kids during the Baltic wars and apparently, it was Australia and France who took the lot. One girl I met was about 22 and had been sent to Adelaide in 1992. Wow. So, we chatted and then I walked to the loo when I was accosted by a bunch of Bosnians and so we all started dancing and the next thing I know, I am in an apartment by the Stade du France with cousins, girls, boys, brothers, sisters...dancing to Bosnian music, drinking hot cocoa and smoking weird cigarettes until about 6 a.m. The apartment belongs to a guy named Naimi and his friend Bullim, both 20 and HYSTERICAL!

At this point, they turn to me and say "would you like to go to our cousins wedding in the country?" All this in French as they don't speak English and I say "sure...as long as I am back by tonight because I have a bus to catch in the morning!" So, off we go in a caravan, which included my ride in a blue Subaru driven by a crazy Albanian guy. Well, we get to said wedding about an hour later and I am still wearing my dress from the night before, and if you want a mind blowing wedding experience, I highly reccommend one in Kosovo! I ended up drinking Vodka, eating all kinds of weird food, mostly meat, dancing to insane Bosnian folk and techno music and I think I might have married a 90 year-old woman with a beard and a body to match! (She was about 4 foot 10, and 300 pounds!) Of course, they didn't let me go home and I missed my bus the next day, had to hang in Paris for 2 more days but it was worth it as this was one of those experiences you cannot buy in a gift store.

They got into thier side of the war a lot, I just listened and thought about the Serbs I had met a few nights before. A lot of these kids were also refugees accepted by France and ended up here. There are still a lot of wounds and bad blood, but apparently Bill Clinton is a national hero in Kosovo. Take that Anne Coultier and Bill O'Lielly! Ha!

Finally made my bus and was on my way to beautiful Switzerland...had to miss Bern but ended up in Lauterbrunnen for 3 nights and that story continues next. LATERS!

London...and Beyond

2006-07-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

HOT SUMMER DAYS IN STREATHAM

I'm still in London, finishing up my packing and paperwork to continue on to the next leg of my journey! Been here about a week now, living with two adorable English girls, chilling at Bernie's house in Streatham Common. It's been a pretty relaxing week and considering the craziness of the last couple of months I think it was much needed R & R. I've tried to update my blog as much as possible, mostly just uploading photos, doing laundry and COOKING! Oh, how I miss preparing proper meals, which never happens on the road. I've been on a spinach and feta cheese kick, drinking proper English tea and have even managed to keep my beer intake to about 2 a day. (I know!) Mostly, because of the depressing fact that whenever I go to the ATM to withdraw cash, it gets doubled. I took out £50 the other day and my back docked me $96 US. Nice. So, I just putter around the yard, chat to the girls and watch telly. I did manage to find £40 that I had tucked away in my drawer here so that was fun, as I could actually go to the store and buy some food and a four-pack of Carlsberg for about £2.50. BRILLIANT! I have enough to kip up to the Pied Bull for a couple of pints, which has to be done to celebrate my impending departure. This time, I won't return, (knock wood, fingers-crossed) until around November.

THE GIRLS

I'm staying with Vicki and Charlotte, both just out of UNI and in their early 20's. Char works for Merril Lynch here in London and Vicks has just taken a job with a tech recruitment firm...she starts on Monday so we have been hanging out round the back garden chatting about life, ex-boyfriends (sniff sniff) and various beauty regimes. They are anxious to get started on thier careers...whilst I...the elder, am happy NOT to be working and find it highly overrated. Alas, I suppose I will have to return to it one day, but I can't bear the thought of it right now. CURSES!

CANTEBURY

On Monday, Vicki and I took a train to Cantebury with her ex Phil, the tri-athlete, and walked along a beautiful English country road before ducking into Phil's dad's pub for a pint. This is where we met 2 of Phil's 5 brothers, Alex the moody chef and Joe, the flirty 18-year old who is off to New Zealand to conquer as many Kiwi girls as he can in one year. Sounds a little blah, but I have never been out of London except to watch the countryside roll by on a train to Edinburgh. We then strolled through Cantebury, a lovely medeival town with cobblestone streets and the famous Cathedral where the Archbishop of England keeps his post. This is also the town upon which Chaucer wrote his famous "Tales." On the way home, the train was stalled due to an "unfortunate incident" involving the police and a person at the front of the train. So very English...apparently, someone tried to jump. Yikes.

The rest of the week I sat in the back talking to Char about life...Vick's about life, Char, Vicks, Vicks, Char. We can't seem to get together the three of us, but we did have a girls night out last Friday, which is why I have been sequestered at Chez Murphy, as I blew my whole week's budget on dinner, drinks, clubbing and a cab ride home.

OFF AGAIN...

Tomorrow I leave for Paris first thing out of Victoria Station in central London. We take the Busabout Bus to Dover, cross the channel and then head into Paris to arrive around 5 p.m. local time. I decided that I would change my tactics a little bit this time...I'm staying in a different hotel, I'm getting out of the Monmartre neighborhood and NO TANGO LESSONS AT THE SACRE COEUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm only there for 2 nights anyway, so I am going to lay low, drink some red wine, eat some cheese and get the hell outta there!

From there I head to the Swiss Alps, first to a sleepy college town called Bern and then onto Lauterbrunnen, which is alleged to be one of the extreme sports capitals of the world. I am staying at a place called "Camping Jungfrau" right near the Trummelbach Falls, which is stunning this time of year. After that, I head to Nice for 5 days, then to Avignon, in the South of France. Next, I go to Spain for about two weeks, splitting my time between Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid and San Sebastian. From there I spend four days in the wine regions, including Bordeaux and the Loir Valley and after that one more night in Gay Paree. I will then fly to Ireland, where I will spend a couple of night in Dublin before heading off to Kinvara, County Galway, where I will spend my 40th birthday weekend with Bernie, his family and UltanJohn, as they are playing a 3-day event called "Electric Fest." I can't think of a better way to spend it, he is just like family to me and if I can't be at home with friends and family, this is another home with friends and family. After that, I will visit Belfast and the North, before heading off to Munich, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Greece, back to finish up Italy and then WHO KNOWS????? Maybe a bit more Southern Germany, maybe Budapest, London or back to Prague. Can't say, I have so many rivers to cross until then, anything can happen and I hope it does.

I'm not sure how the internet will be on this next leg, but I will try to post as much as I can. I finally figured out how to post multiple photos, but still can't upload. Maybe I will have luck in Ireland. Now, there's a thought!

Must spend the rest of the day grooming, packing, mud masking, hair conditioning and e-mailing. Will have a nice dinner tonight with Vicks (Char is out on the town) and then bed early for the ungodly call-time of 6 a.m. Tomorrow is a long travel day, so I have to juice up the I-Pod and prepare to grin and bear the ferry, bus ride and annoying service stops that will permeate the day. If you get a chance, please e-mail! I'll need the company for sure. LATERS!

Berlin Photos

2006-07-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

These are the first round of photos I took in Berlin. These include the famous fan mile, which ran from Brandenburg Gate to the SiegeSoile, and other various photos I took around that time. A few random fans, the VERY thourough, yet polite special POLIZEI boys, a random dude assigned to clean up (I took the photo to show an example of the hard working German people...hehehe, okay I hid in the bushes and perved on this one, but can you Blame me! And, he is not gay, they assigned military volunteers for this...) Of course, a pic of a beer with the chicken, this is where I used to eat my doner kebap right by the TV tower in Alexanderplatz...kissing the cup and a few of my friends from OM, the Nepalese restaurant downstairs from the flat in Tiergarten. Oh, I can't forget just one of the hundreds of Romanian gypsies who play the same tune on their accordians ALL OVER TOWN! Can't get away from them. OYE!

Prague...The Return

2006-07-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the photos I took from my second journey to Praha. Otto is in the yellow sweater, which I think he wore every day...Petr is the cute barman, there is my little bed from my hostel room at the A & O in Praha 7, a photo of the neighborhood hotdog stand (they are literally everywhere) a guard from Prague castle, Charles Bridge, Prague castle, the shrine to Chateau bar where I sat everyday, a view of the city from the highest peak and a bit of the footy madness from Old Town Square.

First Trip to Prague

2006-07-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

These are photos from my first trip to Praha, when I was only able to hobble around, drinking beer and taking photos. These include, the Aussies I was hanging out with, Liverpool Sean (black spikey hair) drinking absynthe at midnight, Alex the gingerbearded Welsh barman and 2 teen agers that were trying to hit on me. (Actually, they were 20, I made them show me their ID, but they didn't speak a word of English, it was quite amusing! ENJOY!

AUSTRIA

2006-07-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

Here is beautiful Austria! I spent my time divided between Vienna (Wein) and Salzburg. Both are equally as beautiful, but in totally different ways. Vienna has amazing regal architechture, opera and culture where as Salzburg has sensational vistas, an old fortress and a small town feel. And, I must say that it is truly VIENNA, and not Paris that is the city of lovers! I've never seen such a display of PDA in my life! (For those not in the know, it's publice display of affection!) Everyone, but everyone is making out! Wicked!

Scotland Photos

2006-07-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

1-Scottish Tan
2-Saucy Mary's, Isle of Skye
3-Portree
4-Local Billy Bob and His Welly's, Isle of Skye
5-One of Many "Glen's" Where one of Many Battles Were Fought
6-Eileen Doonan Castle
7-Clan MacDonald Territory
8-View from Edinburgh Castle

Random Photos

2006-07-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

Since I have had only slight moderate success with publishing photos, I have decided that I will just have to post them four at a time, but I will do so from each city and try to put them in cohesive order. Since this was just a test...

#1- Chicken with a beer from Salzburg
#2-With crazy Aussie Footy fans in Munchen Beergarten
#3-With the SWAT team "Polizei" in Berlin at Fan Fest
#4-Kissing the CUP!

Back in London

2006-07-21T04:52:00.000-07:00

Safe and sound here at Murphy's place, complete with 2 new housemates! Murph is still in Ireland, probably until mid-September so he has rented the place to two lovely English girls, Vicki and Charlotte. Both are just out of uni and in their early 20's and really sweet. It's weird being here with girl energy, but I like it! It smells nice and the place is spotless!

Had a fairly easy travel day, my friend Ben took me to the airport via the brand shiny new Hoptbanhof to the airport express and then Shoenefeld Airport. The flight on Easy Jet was pretty uneventful, save the annpying pushing of crap perfume and gadjets. Oye, let me sleep! I arrived in Luton, which I thought would be closest to Bernie's house, but I discovered that just because an airport's name keep coming up in the train schedule, it doesn't necessarliy mean that it is close. £11.25 and an hour and 20 minutes later, I arrived in Streatham, where I promptly dragged my earthly possessions into the Pied Bull and enjoyed 2 frosty pints of Foster's on the back terrace. I have to admit, it was music to my ears to actually be able to understand the conversations around me.

After about an hour, I grabbed the keys to Murphy's flat and headed down Streatham Common, dreaming about a cup of tea, a couch and a session in front of the telly. As I walked up the steps, I noticed that the plants had grown tremendously in the last two months and thought "oh, I should trim those tomorrow," and fumbled for the keys. Of course, as my luck with European keys dictates, I couldn't get the damn stupid lock open! Now, you can imagine that after a long train ride and two frosty pints, my bladder is screaming at me to open the door but to no avail! I looked at the overgrown plants and thought "okay, you have two options, you can make a fool of yourself by wetting yourself or you can make a fool of yourself by wetting the plants!" As it was dark by this time, I went for plan B because, well...I just did. Key still not working, I chucked my luggage into the other bush and tried not to panic. I thought about the two families I had met when I was here last and decided to find them and knock on the door for help. But, I couldn't find the houses and the address was in my luggage so I went BACK to the door and lo and behold the lights were on and there was giggling coming from within and I was saved once again. Vicks was on the phone with Bernie and they were laughing and I was kissing the ground and then we all went into the back garden and had gin and tonics and smoked cigarettes and probably woke up every neighbor on the street. It was brilliant!

So, here I am still missing Berlin and Prague, but ready to move on. Vicki is going to take me to Canterbury on Monday for a little English country excursion and probably we will all go out tonight for a girls night in Covent Garden, but otherwise, I am lying low, taking vitamins, eating vegetables and drinking tea. I'm going to run out to the market to buy some supplies today and then probably just rest up and look at a map to see what lies ahead. I'm also going to try and give an overview of the cities I visited with photos this time. I can't see to figure out how to go back and insert photos with stories, but I have plenty of time for this in the next few days. It's a million degrees here, so I will keep outside activities to a minimum. LATERS!

Ein Ich Ben...

2006-07-20T02:34:00.000-07:00

Berlinine! I can't believe I am leaving yet another wonderful place! It's really hard to get into a city unless you are there for at least a couple of weeks, one week just doesn't seem to do it and even two is hard. You know you are a part of the scenery when 1) you see the same people in random places and B) people recogize YOU and say hi. Crazy. My family Bayer-Pfhol has been so wonderful to me, my little bedroom with terrace, a great shower (which I won't see for months) and the neighborhood friends I have made I won't forget. I have to be better about pictures, I finally figured out how to take my own photo with another person, though, so now I just have to figure out how to download without begging for help. Missed one of Basti and he is now in London so maybe we will see eachother. I won't miss the gypsies and their damned accordions, geeze! On the trains, bridges, town square...I didn't realize there were so many accordions in the world! And, all playing the same song. GET A NEW TUNE PEOPLE!

I spent the last couple of days just chilling around here, taking my walks from here to Brandenburg gate and into town. I managed to get out to a lake the other day and swim, it was gorgeous and no one seems to mind if the suit comes off. Gotta love Europe.

I'm off to London for the weekend and then going to start planning the next phase of my trip, which should include Switzerland, Nice and Cote d'azur, most of Spain, and maybe Ibiza for my birthday. Who knows...must be diligent in Barcelona, I hear it's famous for pick pockety types.

Going to take one last look around the neighborhood, have a shower then off on the
S-7 to Schoeonefeld Airport where I catch a flight to Luton, London. Bye Berlin! I'll miss you! LATERS!

The Love is Back!

2006-07-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

I knew I would be lost for a few days, but I have to say that I survived it well. I went to see Damian Marley with Fritz, who loved it by the way. We went to small venue with about 200 people tops, and despite the lack of air and 100 degree sauna-like conditions, it was one of the best shows I have seen from him. He played for well over 2 hours and I was jumping up and down like a crazy woman. Everyone of Fritz's friends went to Summer Jam, which is a huge event with about 60,000 people and over 100 bands, so the fact that we were 100 feet from the stage made us all that much cooler. I was so excited, that I went out to the squatter's bar and hung out until the sun came up. This is a famous building that was abandonded and taken over by squatter's and artists some time in the 80's. It is a multi-level place, with art, music, about 8 bars and a beach with tiki torches out the back for the summer. Some local developer wanted to buy it, destroy it and get the prime real-estate dollar because it is in a posh area, but there were protests from all kinds of Berliners, so he gave up and it stands as part of the culture of the city. Thank goodness, it's really cool.

Next day, Friday, I met with Spikey, Bolton, Babs, Lo's and Disco (yes, you must understand that ALL Australians have nick-names...) and we got tickets to a party called "The Love From Above" which was a kick off for the Love Parade. Paul Van Dyk came back to finish the event and it was awesome. I lost the Aussies some where in the crowd but ended up meeting some hilarious Dutch guys (Isn't that weird) and hung out with them all night and then went to breakfast. We met up again later at the parade, which was nothing like I imagined.

LOVE PARADE

The love parade started sometime in the early 90's as an event that would bring East and West together and show solidarity for both sides of the city. It starts at the Brandenburg Gate, wh

The Dude...In Berlin

2006-07-13T03:31:00.000-07:00

Still hanging out in B-Town, still hot and still loving it! I'm trying to condition myself to sleep in so I can stay up all night for the Love Parade festivities, so it's around noon on Thursday and I just got up. Still groggy from yesterday...well which morphed from the night before. I guess it was Tuesday when I went to the Open Air, which is a concert and movie series by the Berlin Cathedral and Museum. They were showing The Big Labowski outdoors on a giant screen for 7 Euro. So funny, I was rolling, but not after a made a complete dork of myself trying to set up my lounge chair. These German guys became so annoyed with my sad display of stupidity that they just came over and did it for me.

Oh lord, I just sat there babbling in English, saying I was sorry and a complete retard. After that, I made it around to the Ost Zone, which is one of the only Eastern Block bars still left in it's original form. There are all these posters of Marx, Lenin, Trotsky...etc...and it's cold and metal and kind of dirty. My kind of place! Had a beer and just started wandering around for a while when I discovered a little bar called CCCP. It was all red lighting inside and red chairs, decor, etc. Sat there and had a beer, while Rob Zombie's horror flick "The Devil's Rejects" played on a loop in the background and Vlad the owner/barman spun techno and house. Next thing I know, these people walk in, very tattoed, dancing and smiling. There were 2 guys and a girl and then the girl Janet, tells me to join them and the next thing I know there is Vodka sitting in front of me and she tells me that her boyfriend Oscar and his friend Drago and she would like me to join them at her house. Hmmmmmmmmmmm, well, I assure you the idea was not about playing Monopoly, so right about then, Anton the Russian born barman from Cypress sort of rescues me and I just say, "Oh, right, I was here to meet my friend Anton!" and dodged that bullet. We ended up watching the sunrise, eating kebabs and watching SouthPark reruns at the bar.

I ended up walking home around 9 a.m. and took about 5 hours all over the city. Bought some much needed supplies, and then sat and stared at the old Eastern-style apartment buildings. So drab and dreary. What a concept to know that less than 20 years ago this city was divided and a wall separated half the populus. Wow.

Off to CheckPoint Charlie Museum today and then I'm going to see Damian Marley with Fritz. Love Parade starts tomorrow, Michelle "Spikey" from the Scotland trip is joining me tomorrow, with her Kiwi boyfriend Pug. Hope to post soon, but I may get lost for a couple of days...love parade and all! LATERS!

Berlin...So Far

2006-07-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

I'm finally starting to settle into life here in Berlin. It's a really beautiful city, with a rich history...a part of it quite tragic but many parts really lovely. The people are very friendly, healthy and serious. I can hardly find any garbage on the street, and nary a cigarette butt which will make Joel very happy. There are parks everywhere, mostly along the River Spree and out side of the city center, or "Mitte" and the public transportation system is outstanding. Actually, one of the best I've seen. There is the U-Bahn, which is the underground metro system that runs throughout the entire city and beyond. There is the S-Bahn, which is the overground train system that is easy to catch and runs all over as well. Then, there are also trams and buses that run continuously throughout the day, and a one way on most will cost around 1 Euro, depending on your destination.

I'm staying in Tiergarten, on the West side of town right on the river Spree with the Bayer-Pfohl family, in a beautiful flat, in a quiet, yet centrally located neighborhood. They are cousins with Carmen, my good friend who worked with me at CHOW. Joaquim, is the dad and is a family therapist and Fritz is 17 and plays in a band. Carla is the mom, and I didn't get to meet her because she is back in Buffalo visiting family. Originally, I was going to house-sit, but Fritz's band won some competition, so Jo and he stayed behind for the finals and then they will join Carla later in the month. They are really sweet and helpful, but I rarely see them...we just pass in the halls, but I have run of the flat and the computer, which is amazing! I was originally going to check into a hostel for the Love Parade because I thought it would be more central, but apparently it ends right down the street, so I cancelled and will stay to the 20th, and then off to London to regroup and then start another adventure here on the continent. I'm going with Fritz to see Damian Marley on Thursday, he's never seen him and loves Reggae. I sprang for his ticket because well, they are putting me up and also he went and got them and is taking me to the club. Yippee!!! He is also going to download my photos onto CD and then hopefully...fingers crossed, after 5 weeks of no photos uploaded to my blog....maybe I will luck out and GET ER DUNNNN!!!

OM

I have also met the sweetest people from Nepal, who own a restaurant called "OM" which is Nepalese and Indian Food. A couple of guys in their 30's own the place, Bazmati (I call him Bazi) and his partner who's name escapes me so we will call him Max. Max is married to a German girl named Carol who is an absolute doll, she is an actress and of course, helps out in the restaurant. So, the funny thing is, on the first night I arrived I went out and came back to go to bed when I discovered that the keys were funky euro-style and I didn't know how to work them (just like my Amsterdam/park bench experience...) so I went downstairs to have a beer and wait for Jo to get home. I get in there and immediately they are asking me where am I from, and telling me about how they love San Francisco and have another beer and how
"N E P A L" means "never-ending-peace-and-love" and giving me more beer. So, Bazi walks by and notices my "OM" tattoo and tells everyone to come and look at it so the next thing I know all the waiters and cooks are coming out to look at my tattoo. Ever since, I am accosted on the street, dragged in, given free food and drink and asked to come back anytime. Baz is relentless in his pursuit, however, and it's kind of funny...I have never been pursued by a Nepali guy but in all honesty, he is really cute. He's got long curly hair and brown eyes, really modern dude. Not for me though, but it's fun!

THE FAN MILE

So, the CUP FINAL! Wow, I can't even believe there is no more footy. I am jonesing for a match, but I have to say, I am over the chanting, face paint and flag waving. I think my last update was the night that Germany won 3rd place and Berlin erupted into a frenzy. The next day, I went back to the "Fan Mile" which is a fan fest that each German host city put on for the duration of the Cup. This one ran from the Brandenburg Gate to the Victory Angel which meant they had to close off the Strasse de 17, Juni, which is the main thoroughfare through the city. I still can't imagine the massive planning and execution this required and am amazed that they pulled it off. There were tents galore, a ferris wheel, beer gartens, giant screens, speakers, porta potties (.50 cents to use, but clean) food, naked people painted in flag colors, beach volleyball, disco's, and millions of people from all over the world. It was a once in a lifetime deal, alright, and I' so glad I had my wits about me enough to make it here.

I went to the Fan Fest on the last day around noon and had no idea what I was in for. The German football team showed up to thank the fans and I was right there! It was hot and crowded and people had been on the beer since early that morning so they were especially rowdy, but not aggressive. German flags everywhere, weird costumes, face paint, and the songs! These people will sing to anything. They just start the song with "Deutschland" and follow it up with "it's hot out today" or "let's drink another beer" all in German of course, but someone was telling me and I was completely cracking up. And, it's to the same melody everytime and it will eternally stuck in my head.

As the day passed, I walked through town and purchased my much coveted "doner" kebab and bottle of Beck's and took photos of footy fans from around the globe. I can't wait to upload them! Then, I went back to the flat, was accosted for another beer at OM, took a nap, then got into combat mode for the big finish.

I-TAL-IA!!!!

As I walked the Fan Mile for the last time, I was once again struck by the international crowd. Literally people from all over the world, speaking so many languages, dancing to the same music, all there for one reason: to see Italy play France in the final. It must be like the Olypmpics, but unlike the Olmpics which has so many events, this is one event that the whole world watches at once.
I would say the crowd was 50/50, mostly because so many Germans were going for France since they lost to Italy in the semi-final. It was impossible to see on the big screen because I'm vertically challenged, but I found a place inside with a TV. The catch was that it was literally 500 degrees in said Chateau, so I had to keep going outside. Now, as you may imagine, people have been drinking beer in the hot sun for hours so when I say thousands of completely smashed people, I am making an understatemnt. Singing the damn songs, leaning on eachother and at one point, this German guy was so smashed he was doing the wobbly dance with a beer and almost fell on me. Luckily, I had the good sense to stick to Coca-Cola all night because I knew it was going to get ugly. Then, of course, Italy won in penalty kicks and that was that. No more cup, no more footy and NO MORE SONGS!

WRONG! The songs continued throughout the night, into the morning. I was out dancing until about 8 a.m. walking through all these party tents they had set up all over the city and they just didn't stop driving around with flags, chanting, getting hammered...the whole shabang. It was an experience alright, but if I never hear another stupid football song, it will be too soon. That is, unless I can somehow make it to South Africa for World Cup 2010...hehehehe. What can I say, I am addicted.

Good God!

I ended up meeting some nice German guys who looked after me while we all ran around under the beautiful full moon and into the morning. They were going to show me how to get back to the S-Bahn but one had to stop at his place and get some things for work, so we all stopped at his flat. Okay, for all you FRIENDS fans, have you ever seen the episode where Ross dates Rebecca Romijn and her apartment is the most disgusting hole on the face of the planet? Right, so times that by infinity and well, this is the flat of one German guy named Ben and I said "dude, if you ever even think about bringing a girl back here...well, you are never going to get any action because this is the most foul, disgusting hovel I have ever seen!" I mean, I can't even describe it, it would take too long. It looked like a combination of your dirtiest neighbors garage and a frat house after a party. Lordy, I was afraid to use the bathroom because I thought something would jump out and bite me! Yikes! I made it out alive and came back to the palace on Kirchstrasse, by the Spree, next to OM, my home for 10 more days. Whoo Hoo!

DESERTED

Yesterday I made it back to the ruins of the Fan Mile and it was a complete disaster, but so interesting to know that it was jammed the day before. People were just kind of walking around, dazed and confused and all of the sudden I look around and every German guy disassembling the scaffolding and other buildings were shirtless and gorgeous and I didn't have my camera and started drooling and stuttering and decided to run back to Chez Bayer and grab my camera because I needed someone to witness the perfection of these men! Soooo stereotypical, but nonetheless absolutely gorgeous. Tall, buff, tan, shirtless, no chest hair, blonde spikey hair...ever freaking one of them! So, I got the camera, walked all the way back and from the bushes, started taking pictures with my telephoto feature. Oh mamma. I have one that would stop traffic. Can't wait to blow it up and put in on the ceiling of every bunk I stay in for the next few months. Of course, I didn't even think about talking to any of them. German guys are not like the Czech boys, they are quite aloof and into themselves. Very friendly, but the situation must dictate why and how you would strike up a conversation. It can't be forced or pervy. Of course, the Love Parade will be a whole different beast, as it is an implied situation designed to bring people together. (Can't freaking WAIT!)

OM...AGAIN

I ended my evening at OM, but I think I was a little bit tricked by Mr. Bazi. As I walked home and he accosted me, he told me that there would be a Nepalese/Indian dancer at the place around 7 and that I should come for dinner and see. Fine, I wanted to eat there anyway, and this time pay because I felt bad that they never charge me. I get there promptly at 7 and ooops! It's a private 60th birthday party for some German man and his family of 40. Oh no, not to worry says Bazi, you just sit here and I'll take care of you. The dancer walks in and Carol is there and Rajendra, who works for the Embassy, and I say..."okay, I can wait." Well, the dancer doesn't go on until 9:30, and despite the coconut milk soup I was being fed, I'm starving and getting buzzed on some Nepalese grain alcohol that keeps appearing out of no where and they are so busy with this party and before I know it it's 1 a.m. and I almost left but I felt bad because they are so nice! Anyway, we sat down to a nice family meal but by that time I was too tired to eat, but I had some curry and rice and watched Bazi devour a whole plate of rice and lamb with his fingers.

Today, I've just been trying to catch up on e-mails and post. Still in my jammies, drinking tea but will take a walk to the river and sit in the sun for a while. It'S freaking hotter than hot out, so I will continue to sweat and smell and pretend I don't. Tomorrow, off to take pictures of the Reichstag, CheckPoint Charlie and the Book Burning Square, among other things. Also hoping to get back to Ost Point, my communist bar that I discovered the last time I was here. I would also like to find a book about the Wall. Crazy. Chances are, I will be accosted by Bazi, so might change my route. LATERS!

DEUTSCHLAND!

2006-07-09T02:25:00.000-07:00

This will be a quick one because I need to go exploring today, but I made it to Berlin, and last night it was pandemonium all over as Germany beat Portugal for third place. You would think they won the cup, they were freaking out! All night parties, honking horns, but very tame compared to what would have happened if England won. Lots of security too, SWAT teams everywhere. I will post more later, but am finally starting to get my head out of Prague but my heart is still there. Oh, speaking of...I have a Guy Pierce barman update! Of course, on my last day there, the one guy I have a crush on for 3 weeks...asks me out...HELLO! After our stroll to Old Town, we met up again, and of course he offered to smoke a spliff with me, that is somehow the Czech ice-breaker, so we smoke and he is talking again and then says "I would like to maybe go to the park with you sometime and maybe take a bike ride." AUGHHHHH!!! Oh well, I told Otto to put in a good word for me and that I would see him next time I was thete. Must run! LATERS!

Sniff..Sniff......

2006-07-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

Kafka once said of Prague, "It is like a dear mother, this little city, but this mother has claws." So true.

So, it is with great sadness that I leave my little home here in this amazing and sexy bohemian city. I love the Czech Republic and I love the Czechs...they are such sensitive, passionate people and i gurantee that I will be back one day.

I also realized that I am probably a crap travel writer because I don't really write about history, buildings, currency, geography...granted I inquire and know all about it, really. But I am just so much more interested in meeting people and understanding language, culture and attitudes that this is all I investigate. I would rather pay $3 for a beer and sit in the local pub than pay $3 for a museum tour, one that I could google. You can't google conversation or interaction. So, I guess I am just going to have to write my private journals and either write a fiction novel based on my experiences or just keep waiting tables every other year to save. Howeve, I will do my best to impart some of what I have learned in another post. The Budvar/Budweiser feud is a good one, along with The Velvet Revolution and aspects of Prague under communisim.

CZECH BOYS

One of the funniest aspects of my experience here is observing the Czech men and their mating behavior. I've never seen such a type of posturing before, but these guys have this adorable swagger...they walk with such swing and almost dance when they talk to eachother. Then, when they attempt to communicate with women, well me, they swing their hips, put their hand on one hip, swing again and then sort of...wink! As if to say..."you want me, don't you?" I swear, I just start laughing. Then, it's kisses in the air, head swing. Or just a blatant, "hey, want to go with me somewhere?" Priceless. The other night Otto left me at the bar for about 5 minutes and the bartender jumped on the opportunity immediately and put a beer in front of me, offered me part of his spliff and then blew me a kiss. O came back and the guy says, "I just stole your girlfriend..." I said "I am not his girlfriend" and we all started laughing. That was that. He just wanted to steal me away. Rich! I've also had a crush on one of the barmen at Chateau since I started going there, he looks a lot like Guy Pierce, the Aussie actor. Anyway, I was walking down the street today and he runs up behind me and says "are you off for an afternoon stroll to go and have an afternoon beer?" I almost had a heart attack. So, Petre and I have a stroll and a chat and now I can leave because I have wanted to talk to him for 2 weeks. So cute, and yet, so Czech. He just talked all about himself and him this and he that and I thought "wow, he was much more iteresting when he just blew me kisses and served me beer! Hehehehe.

GYPSIES

Last night I got my first taste of the gypsy element that permeates Europe. I was with some American students on Wencealas Square and one cute Czech boy who (was way too young for me, but cute...) and he is studying in the states and playing hockey. Anyway, I was sitting with Ondre, Tim and Josh and this scrappy dude in a pink shirt sits down and startes talking to us in some weired jibberish. Ondre says "oh yeah, he's a gypsy." Fair enough. The next thing I know, he is trying to rifle through my bag and I slapped his hand and said "if you guys don't tell this dude to make tracks, I am going to choke him." He was told to leave and good, because I REALLY would have choked him. I must be really careful in Italy because I hear that the gypsies will literally throw their baby at you and when you go to catch it, the other accomplice tries to rob you. Nifty! Not this girl!

So, it's my last time here at Bohemia Bagel, I picked up some supplies today and will go grab one more beer at Chateau, stare at the barmen for an hour or so, then head back to the A & O where I will pack and spend the rest of my night with Alex at the downstairs bar. I suppose I can breakdown and have an A bomb tonight. Must be done. Wow, I really shed a few tears today, but I am ready to get to Berlin and on with my journey. I will be back my dear readeres...mark my words right now.

LATERS!

Otto...The Great

2006-07-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

This is the last night I will see my darling Otto, and I´m already having separation anxiety. I was also thinking that it might be beneficial to clarify our relationship. He is not a boyfriend, but rather I have decided to cannonize him to Murphy-hood. That´s right, I did not think it was possible, but indeed I have met a Czech Murphy and this means BFF´s for life. If I never see him again, which I hope isn´t the case, he really made my time here so much richer than I could have ever imagined. Wow, can´t believe I´m leaving. Crazy.

Speaking of leaving, I finally figured out my train situation for Berlin, I leave Friday around 1 p.m. and arrive around 6:30. I will be staying with a friend´s cousin for a few days then checking into City Stay Hostel for about 5 nights for the Love Parade. The hostel is right by the big TV tower in the middle of all the action and my first order of business will be to get myself a proper kebab and a big beer. Yum.

Off to do laundry at Otto´s mom´s house then to Chateau to watch the Germany-Italy match. It´s all Deutchland now, I say for purely selfish reasons. BETTER PARTY!!!
Otto leaves tomorrow afternoon, and while I am totally and completely gutted, I´m stoked that he gets to lay on the beach in Croatia and chill out. I would have gone with him, but Berlin bekons and must be done. At least this time I will be able to walk! Whoo Hoo! I´ve also realized that I can burn my film to CD, so I will do that tomorrow and hopefully upload some photos. I have to get one of O with the chicken, I don´t even have one of him at all! Ee-gads! Note to self...

Well, that´s it, I´m eternally frustrated with these keyboards. LATERS!

Gutted

2006-07-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

ugh. well, England just lost to Portugal in overtime, penatly kicks and now I must watch for depressed/angry english boys on their stag nights. They were literally crying. I was in the Town Square trying to watch but I got hit on the side of the head with a soccer ball, and almost was douced with a full pint of Gambrinus, so I decided it best to run to Chateau, where I am loved and treated like a princess. All the barmen love me there, probably because I tip. Must run and meet Otto at some stage, he is leaving for his Gran's house in the country shortly and then meeting his mom in Croatia for 2 weeks. Ho, hum. Hard to lose my new BFF, but life on the road is hard. LATERS!