The Rain In Spain..

Two days in a row? I must be catching something... That, or I just really didn't do anything I was supposed to today. *laugh* That sounds a lot more likely.

I had my third Hindi class today - am progressing quite nicely. It's easier to learn knowing a few other languages to draw reference from, and it encourages me to expand in terms of linguistics. (And maybe improve my spelling.) I forgot to mention that there is a new student in our class - a 71 year old woman who has moved here after her husband died to be close to her grand daughter. She's from like, Texas or something. And my god. Even I have limits to my patience, and when she mentioned for the 10th time that the last language she learned was latin, I wanted to suggest she go carpe diem and get the hell out. I mean, I'm all for helping out, but I think it might be a linguistic impossibility to eliminate a Texas accent to speak Hindi. It's like friggin' "My Fair Lady" Bollywood style. I'm not trying to be mean, I swear, she's really sweet and kind, but I can only take so much more of her before I suggest her to Bernard Shaw for an update.

After that my mother and I went and did a little reconnaisance of the places we're taking the attaches wives in February. I'm taking my half to this wonderful jewlery store called Silverline. You sit on the floors and they bring you tea and big boxes of jewlery, of any kind you ask. I got into a really interesting conversation with this young kid, he's a jewlery designer (and graduate of some American Gemology Institute.. ) and the only Indian person I have seen yet with a facial piercing. (his eyebrow). He showed me all these really amazing pieces that he was designing, and my god.. they were stunning. My favorite was this 14k gold wire necklace with taurmalines strung on it... And I never knew that saphires came in so many colors! My mother bought me a pair of saphire earrings for my birthday, all these little drops coming down from one point - they are truly stunning. At any rate, they agreed to host us for this party, and said that with that amount of people, I can have commission in jewlery. Considering the pieces I'm looking at will set me back a couple hundred.. It's a good start. *laugh*

I got home from that, and I went to the bookstore for a cup of tea and to read my new books. I love this little cafe (Mr. Almost Poshlust and I have been there before!!) it's at the top of the market, so when you sit outside you have a lovely vantage point. So I had a fresh lime soda and made friends with my waiter, who said I had beautiful Hindi! Yay! It's working! *smile* Unfortunately, my time was spoiled by these obscene (litterally) Indian women smoking and swearing. Honestly. They were in about their mid-twenties or so, and the smoke wasn't the only reason the air was blue out there. They were playing "Sexy 20 Questions" (I kid you not) and the language was unbelieveable. Roselyn, my cook, says they think it makes them more American, more new age. Honestly.. I was embarrassed for them. It was a shame. Not because they were Indian, or anything like that. But because they were so rude and disgusting. I wanted to tell them to shut the hell up. This poor older Indian lady looked like she was going to cry. But,

now I'm home, listening to a little Radiohead and smelling my lovely mother hen cook whipping up something awesome for dinner. I think I'm happy today. *smile*

Hope everyone is well. Missing you all, despite everything. Take care!

Am I A Bad Person For Laughing?

See, if my days weren't so eventful, I would have more time to write about them. Isn't that a funny thing. At least you all know I'm living to the fullest here, even when the fullest is just reading book upon book.

This week, or the past four days.. has actually entailed filling out form after form, so that I can work here. Incredible the ammount of forms. I have to get my regular security clearance, then after a few months here, I'll get my Top Secret Security Clearance. No shit - it's actually called that. And I'll work in a place where they actually own those red "Top Secret" stamps. But for now.. I'll just work in plain old secret places. What a downer. ;-)

On top of that, I've been filling out forms to get cards for the Australian High Comm. bar, the British medical centre and the American bar. We're all friendly with them I guess, we all share barstools. *shrug* I'm sure there are amenities to each that I'll enjoy using. For now.. it's just another form.

Security here, as I may or may not have mentioned, is pretty tight compared to anything else I've experienced. Everytime you enter the compound you have to go in through one gate, then are stopped, and your car is searched for.. whatever they want basically. They look underneath with mirrors, they check the engine, stuff like that. Well. I went to the American Embassy in a car the other day.. and I've never seen anything like it. They wave you into the containment area (in your car) and a huge concrete block raises in front of the gate. (So you can't plow through I suppose). They do all the same stuff that they do at the Canadian gate (mirrors, under the hood, under the body, look inside the car), then they take a swab of you gas tank, one of the perimeter of your car, one of your steering wheel, and one of your hands. And you have to wait until the chemical anylisis comes back. Then the concrete barrier drops, the road spikes retract, and you roll in. And this is in India.

God Bless Canada.

Everything is well here, everyone busy with work and school and such. I'm waiting, like I said, for my security clearance; to start work. It's been nice to have the time off, but I wouldn't mind doing something just a little more constructive. It's been a titch insecure in Delhi lately, so I basically have to take my driver or my bodyguard brother with me wherever I go, which isn't conducive to spending hours in tea shops or book stores or art museums. To tell the truth, I'm feeling a bit claustrophobic in the compound. But when my dad is adamant about not going out alone, even in the day time.. You know he knows something. (Last year an Australian woman was killed with a screwdriver to the eye - what can I do but listen?) So for now, I'm a little limited in my movements. It's somewhat difficult to live on compound. I know I make it sound like club med, and granted, it really is beautiful. But there are some drawbacks. All house phones are tapped, and everything is listened to. Our house has many listening posts and cameras, even our internet is screened. All the staff (domestic, and the ones that work on the general compound) are all paid to inform on actions and whereabouts, stuff like that. It's harder for my family, because we're basically the only military here - everyone else is civilian. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but for now.. I feel really.. odd about it.

Hindi classes are going well, I can write about 100 words in script, and my vocabulary is expanding rapidly. Given, its expanding in strange directions (I know all the colours and animals.. but not how to say spoon or swear) and my greatest knowledge is in the shopping vocabulary department.. But hey. It's all usefull. *smile* I've only got two other people in my class, so we go along pretty quickly. Really, the only challenge for me is getting up at 6 to make it there on time.

The family is well - My dad is really busy right now, some gov't official wants to come visit, and he's been given the relatively arduous task of organizing the security portion, figuring out if its safe. They also want to go to Bande Ache, so it'll be pretty crazy. We'll see. He won't let his daughter into the streets, but will he let an elected member of parliament? Hmm. I'll keep you updated.

Now for a little Delhi.. humour? I'm not sure. As you know, there are quite a few working poor here, some working at begging. The worst (for me, and I'm not sure why) are the little kid acrobats. They draw mustaches or freckles on thier faces and do back flips around you - it makes me really uncomfortable. So we were in Kahn market, and a bunch of Chinese tourists were getting off a bus to wander the market, and a gaggle of these little acrobats ran up and started performing in front of them. So generally, in such a situation, one would assume that if you were going to watch, you would give them money after the performance. Perhaps thats a western notion. Because the Chinese people began throwing cookies at them. Like performing bears or something. The little kids kinda stopped, looked to their mother, who kinda shrugged, and they kept performing. To which the Chinese people responded by digging deeper into their purses and bags... and began throwing toiletries at them. Mini-lotions, hand sanitizers, packages of Kleenex and lip balm, basically whatever you'd find in your purse. I'll leave it up to you to decided whether or not it's funny - personally I gave it a painful laugh, on of those "Oh my god I shouldn't be laughing because this is horrible but was that really a package of mints?"

Ok everyone, I'm sure I have more forms to fill out, certify that I'm really blonde, really Canadian or naturally beautiful, something like that. I miss you all, hope you're all doing well.

Ciao!

A rooster in hand..

Hello Everyone!! A million apologies for the lag in updating my blog. I promise I’ll be more diligent about it – My jetlag is finally gone and I’m into some routine at least, so I’ve got plenty of time to do this.. and don’t let me try and tell you otherwise!!

Where do I start? I can’t believe I left off so long ago… My father got back from Sri Lanka on Saturday.. happy to be home, but sad to be back to everyday things. I’m sure it didn’t help that my mother and him had to attend two luncheons one after the other. He seemed like he’d be content to just sleep for a while.

Saturday night a bunch of us got invitations to a club opening in Gorgon, it’s about ½ an hour outside Delhi.. so about an hour away from the embassy. I was invited to B-block, another part of the compound, for a little party they were having there, and it was really amazing. There is a tour of Delhi called 7 cities; it literally visits the 7 different cities that Delhi is/was made up of. And all the people that had recently finished the tour were at this party, a long with a few of my friends. It was lovely. There was a lady there who sings jazz at coffee houses, musicians, historians, it was a blast. Unfortunately, the night degenerated from there when the Marines arrived and started shot gunning beer. Ah.. Americans.

Monday was my first Hindi class.. A strange, though not unenjoyable event. Taught by a Finnish lady named Ini (go figure) it’s a pretty lovely class. Given, there are only 2 of us in it (a lady that speaks Farsi and I..) but we take it in some old Colonial bygone era house and are served great masala chai and cucumber sandwiches – perhaps the greatest coming together of all things British and Indian. I’m learning quickly, and can even write my own name and pick out a few things from the newspaper already. Plus, those all too useful phrases like “That’s too expensive”, “Shut up” and “Watch the road, not me”.

Tuesday was pretty lax, as Wednesday is Indian Republic day here and nobody works, so the kids were all looking forward to a day off. My mother is organizing another program, all of Asia’s Defense Attaché’s are here next month, and she has to entertain their wives. So our friend Ruth and my mother and father and I all went to Old Delhi to try and make up a little tour for them to see the best parts.

Every time I think I may not like India, or that I’ve seen it all.. I inevitably find my way to Old Delhi. It seems like no matter how many times I’ve been there, how many times I’ve walked by the same shops.. It’s more magical than the first time. Because we were with Ruth, she wanted to show us her favorite things, so we got to see a different part than we usually see.

We walked down Jain street, which was really beautiful. All the old family houses have still really been kept up to shape, or as much as you can in Old Delhi. They are truly beautiful, their front entrances are all painted and the marble work is just exquisite. At the end of the street is the Jain temple. It’s an interesting religion.. Though very difficult to follow I imagine. They believe in doing no harm to any living animal.. bug.. anything. They don’t eat carrots because pulling them out of the ground is too traumatic to the bugs that live around them, and most of them wear surgical masks so they don’t accidentally suck in any bugs while walking about town. It’s like the enth degree of vegetarianism I think. At any rate, it was really beautiful.

We had lunch at a little kind of hole in the wall… It was amazing. According to Ruth, Gandhi has eaten there, as well a many other important figures. Frankly I was most amused by the twinkling grape lights, but hey. ;-) The food was amazing.. Stuffed paranthas of potato, paneer (kind of like cottage cheese) and mixed veg, with these amazing sauces and dips. My favorite was this semi-spicy curry type one with hunks of cold banana.. It was so good. We had some tea, and carried on. Our huge lunch for 4 people cost us 3 dollars.

After that we were almost on our way out, but not before somebody asked if I was my dad’s younger Didi (sister) and a fine young gentleman had asked me to be his bride while holding a rooster in the other hand. Metaphor? Perhaps.

Wednesday the 26th was Republic Day, so it was fairly quiet. My parents had to go to a Parade in the morning (get this – the amount of Indian Army they have just on parade.. is more than double the army we have in Canada. JUST on parade.). Originally my brother and sister and I were supposed to go as well, but the security warnings got too high and we had to stay home. Luckily, everyone returned in one piece. Everyone was home on the compound, so it was nice to see everyone in the park and walking dogs and running and roller lading. What did I do on the 26th of January? Well, I went for a swim in the outdoor pool at about 11, then came home and suntanned on the upper deck of our house for 4 hours or so, then came in and watched Layton Hewitt move through to the semi-finals in quite the victory. I have never spent a better January 26th. I may have even got a little sunburn…

Other than that.. Not too much for the rest of the week. I have Hindi again on Friday morning, then my parents are having a cocktail party that same night (not that the two have anything to do with each other..) then it’s the weekend again. Where is the time going??

I’m settling in alright – I still get that feeling where I wake up and I’m not sure where I am, but that’s fading too. Like any city, and lifestyle, there’s a rhythm that you have to catch on to.. It’s just taking me a little while to adapt to this one. It’s nice to be back with family again.. Trying sometimes, but mostly just nice. I didn’t realize how much I missed them. My brother sleepwalks (and talks, and eats, and drinks.. it’s really quite amazing…) and I forgot how nice it is to have him wake you up for a chat at two in the morning. Kind of.

Alright, I’ve got to run, and get my day started, whatever it may hold. I trust everyone is well, know that I miss you and you’re always in my heart. Take care everyone.. talk to you soon!

Back to reality..

I can't believe that I'm at the end of my first week back in Delhi and this is my first real blog. I'm ashamed, I'm regretful.. I'm tired! I thought the jetlag (with the nine million time changes) might have reset my clock enough by now.. But apparently not. Instead with every breakfast of scrambled eggs I eat... I'm distinctly craving steak and potatoes. Apparently my stomach clock hasn't reset itself either. *laugh*

So, the day after I got here we were already off to the races. My mother has been organizing Mrs. Martin's portion of the visit here, so we got to meet the Prime Minister and his wife at a reception on Tuesday. It was.. dry (in terms of content.. not in terms of the copious ammounts of alcohol served to copious ammounts of desperate looking people), but informative. (Doesn't that kind of read... "Dry.. but dry." ?) Mr. Martin was well spoken, very everyman-ish. It was somewhat humourous that all the members of parliament that he brought just 'happened" to be Indian members of parliament. Given, the token older white woman and young white male were there.. but they were, funny enough, from the opposition. Coincidence? I think not.

The only remotely entertaining part of the evening was when my brother (my bodyguard.. *laugh*) and I stepped out onto the balcony as they opened the huge french doors, and a platoon of pigeons flew in to this high security ballroom. It was pandemonium, that my brother and I could just stand and stare at. Mostly they were just running to cover all the food. *chuckle*

My father recieved an award (presented in absentia to my mother) for his work in helping head up the DART team in Sri Lanka, so it was worthwhile to see her go and accept that. She's worked so hard on this program to entertain Mrs. Martin while she was here, it was nice she got to meet the PM.

Other than that.. Not too many exciting things happening! My mother and I went to INA market yesterday to get produce and shrimp. Anybody who has read previous tales about India will know that INA is a wet market.. They have these lovely little slopeing sidewalks that meet in the middle with a drain.. To drain all the blood and guts that come from the halaal butchers. It smells so strongly of blood and fish and meet, you'd want to faint.. but you wouldn't want to land on the sidewalk. On the up side, we bought just about every vegetable imaginable (brocolli, 10 pounds potatoes, cauliflower, green pepper, red pepper, green onions, red onions, cucumber, tomatoes, garlic.. and a lot of everything!) and it only came to 200 rupees. (about 6 dollars.) So there's the upside, the veggie market is nice... But you're only ever a few steps away from the meat. We were standing looking at spices, and there was a goose being killed.. and all I could think was that he sounded like he was quacking "Not me, not me!". *shudder*

So far.. those have been my adventures! I've made potatoe soup this morning.. (Much to my cook's surprise.. I'm pretty sure she thought I'd never seen a precut veggie in my life..) and I've got to get ready to start my day. Love to you all, I'll try and make this more or a habit! Talk to you soon.

Buy a Penthouse, get a Porsch, buy an Apartment, get an Audi!

This was really a sign at the Dubai airport, advertising the new towers they were building. But hurry folks, it's only valid until the end of the year! Also, there was a sign for the McArabia, grilled koftka, availible in a meal. Wow.

So, I'm here, safe and sound, nearly completely unpacked and still a little jetlagged. I'm going to have a little nap this afternoon, then it's off to meet the Prime Minister.. of Canada! Funny hey? I travel half way around the world.. to meet him here. I laughed. I'll give Paul all of your regards, I'm sure. *smile*

Things here are just as I remembered. The weather is very cool, and definately warrants a sweater. The nights are pretty chilly, not as bad as minus 40.. by hey. I'll take it. Not too much going on these next few days. I start my Hindi lessons on Friday, so watch out!

I miss you all, hope everyone is well!

Home?

Hello all! Just a very very fast note to let you know I'm here safe and sound, without much help from Air Canada, the French, de Gaulle airport, Royal Bank and the student Science envoy to Dubai. In that order! And interesting trip, nontheless, and will update soon. Just wanted to let everyone know (I know you're worried) that I'm safe and sound in Delhi, and running hard from jetlag. Much love to everyone, I miss you all already. Talk soon!

Curtain Call

Well ladies and germs, this officially concludes (for now!) the North American portion of our tour. Tomorrow morning, 9 am, I lift off on my way back to my family, and strangly enough.. away from my family.

To everyone out there who has tuned in, taken part and helped produce these amazing past couple of years.. thank you. I'm not sure what to say, who to thank - it's been such a rewarding and wonderful journey. How could I possibly say thank you to everyone who deserves it?

The Gibbons family.. what can I say? You've become a second family above and beyond what I could ever imagine. From birthdays and communions to Christmas and Easter... it's been nothing short of phenonmenal. I have never felt so welcomed, so loved, by any other group of people than I feel I have been by you. You truly have become another family for me, and no piddly ocean will stop that feeling. I become speechless when I even attempt to describe how much you mean to me - and from a woman who can extoll on just about anything - I do believe that is a very deep compliment. Thank-you.. simply.. thank-you.

Camote, my dearest. There is little left to be said that hasn't been sobbed, whispered, laughed or yelled. You are a friend above friends. For the past 2 years of friendship, nothing short of a novel could adequetly describe it. Please - keep writing, keep thinking - You are a mentor as well as a friend.. the two combined still knock me flat. For everything - Thank-you.

Mr. Poshlust. You are half my heart, my mind, my soul. There are slices of you in my wardrobe, my book collection, my art, my very body, my life. You are an inextricable vein that runs throughout just about every memory I hold dear. You are the reason that I believe in a god, and the reason I believe in myself. You never were an Almost. I love you, and I will see you in 9 months to continue our adventure together.

The curtains are falling, and my packing is not done. For those who have obviously been omitted.. Know that you are in my heart, in my soul, and in my memories. I take you everywhere, and will miss you always. Be kind to each other, take care of your mothers, and don't forget me. I'll see you all in September. Love to all of you.. Goodnight!

You Say Goodbye..

I've never had to say so many good-byes in one week. I suppose, in a way, it's a mark of good friends, that you have to say so long to so many people. This week.. I wish I had fewer friends, because I'm a mess, and in serious peril of running out of water proof mascara.

Camote took me out for dinner last night to our spot, Flavours. We had a wonderful dinner in our regualr seats, and as always had a good laugh. I'm pretty sure I ate more than him... but what else is new? Our waitress was really sweet, with the nicest Polish accent I've ever heard. Given, everyone there is Polish, and upon passing by the side kitchen door, I spotted a little Polish baba in house slippers peeling onions.

It was hard to say good-bye. Aquaintences I have many, close friends.. are few and far between. I can't believe I've known Camote for almost 2 years now.. Then again, I can't believe I'm 20 years old. It's getting harder and harder to leave people the older I get.. I'm so exhausted from saying good-bye.. and last night was the worst.

My dearest Camote- please know that you really have changed my life. You are my confidante, my sounding board, my teacher, my conscience... And my friend. Thank-you for everything, and here is to many more years of love and laughter. Please take care of yourself, and I'll see you in about a year.

Off to bed. I don't have any more sobs left. Take care everyone, talk soon.

But what you don't see.. is I'm wearing sunglasses.

Stella

One of those days..

Have you ever had a day that turned out just how you wanted it.. and you never knew at the start that that's what you wanted? I had one of those days today, one of those perfect, unplanned days, that's everything you never knew you wanted.

Chatted to my mum for a bit this morning, drove Mr. A.P. to work and tried to fall back asleep.. No luck, so I blogged and caught up on e-mails and such. I went to lay down and watch The Daily Show for a half hour.. and ended up sleeping for a good 2 hours and didn't get up until 12:30. My beautiful downstairs neighbor called, and we went shopping with my gift certificate, then had a fantastic lunch together. Roasted artichoke dip and delish veggies and fries at the vegetarian cafe next door to my favorite store. We had a fantastic chat, just relaxed and ate and enjoyed ourselves.

We then went to pick up Mr. Almost Poshlust and saw "Sideways" at the movie theatre. (I swear.. I've seen more films in the past 2 weeks than I have in the past two years.) It was amazing, and once again, I do recommend it. (Funny enough, the only film I've panned in my blog was Farenheit 9/11.. and it won the biggest viewers choice award there is a couple days ago.) Paul Giamatti has the most expressive eyes I have ever seen. The movie was made all the more humerous by the fact that we had a crumpet of old ladies behind us, who alternately giggled or gasped everytime the f-word was said. They kept up a running narration for so long ("He's opening the door.. he has a book.. he put his keys in the bowl.." ) that I thought for sure one of them must be blind. I dismissed this notion when 6 sets of eyes bugged out of their heads when a naked Thomas Hayden Church came running on screen. I really do think that it was just as funny watching them silently howl and giggle as watching the movie.

After that, we came home and relaxed in bed, then ate nacho's and rice noodle Kraft Dinner. All in all.. pretty much the most fantastic day I've never asked for.

Yup, this means it's time to leave..

Dave, Stella, Camote

No really, he killed the snake with a four wood..

Dave.. Oh Dave.

Please God, let that ceiling hold one more night..

Mr. Almost Poshlust

I think their job is being cool...

Matt and Colleen

Hey.. Wake Up.. This is Funny.

Stella and Camote

The Prettiest Gals..

Andrea and Isabella

Bye-Bye Birdie..

With far far less stress than last time, we had our first, very sucessful party this Saturday night. Friends and pseudo family came out in force to say good-bye (20 people in our tiny apartment!) and it was just lovely. Looking around my apartment, I've never been so proud of the group of people I gladly call friends. Photographers, band members, viola teachers, parents, actors, singers, readers.. The list goes on. We ate, we drank, we made completely merry, and I couldn't possibly forget the night if I tried. The next morning, our house just looked so..loved. Wine glasses everyone, food eaten, forgotten e-mail addresses and baby bibs. You could still almost see everyone laughing and smiling and drinking. Thank you for the wonderful gift certificate to Artworks, it will be spent promptly and wildly unwisely. Again, thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday, you truly are the best friends a lady could wish for.

Of course, it was a little sad. It was even worse on Sunday evening to say goodbye to Mr. Almost Poshlust's family, where I managed to hold everything in until his mother started crying. I mean, I'm a smooth operator no doubt.. (right) but when she starts crying, I'm toast. Then to say goodbye to the little girls.. And Arlene. I just about choked. I can't imagine not being there anymore for family gatherings, to see the kids get bigger every time I walk through the door... *sigh* Well, the perks are that the kids will have good things to take to show and tell. There's nothing more I would have liked at that age then to get snail mail from another country.. Hopefully they'll feel the same!! They got me this beautiful journal and a huge gift certificate to Nokomis, my all time favorite store.. Which I will promptly spend today.

Otherwise, this weekend we just spent relaxing in bed, eating party leftovers and talking. We watched Napoleon Dynamite on Sunday.. I do recommend it. It might be the saddest comedy that I've ever watched, and yet I loved him so much I really would date him. Swear. He was the cutest thing since lunchables. Please see it. *smile* Also watched Garden State, which I also enjoyed. Zach Braff really is a talented guy, and a great actor. Anyone who's ever taken an anti depressant must see this movie. Well.. the rest of the world should too. If just for the pet cemetary scene.

This week itself is fairly busy, as can be expected. I'm still trying to get packed and organized with as little trouble as possible, and it's getting harder. How am I supposed to fit my life in 170 pounds of luggage, a small carry-on and a purse? Lord help me and the baggage handlers from slipped discs.

Hope everyone is well, I'll keep updating as much as I can, then we'll be silent from the 15th to the 19th as I make my way and attempt to sleep off the jetlag. Thinking of you all, and again, thank you to everyone for Saturday and Sunday night. I've never felt more loved.

What?!

Believe it or not.. this is my last weekend here. I can barely think it, it makes me so sad. Sad to leave here.. Excited to be with my family again. I just hate that it's my last weekend.. Weekends are so precious to Mr. Almost Poshlust and I.. and this is our last one together for a long time. How did that happen?

We've got a relaxing day planned tomorrow, then tomorrow night we're having a little soiree, very relaxed little get together of our friends to say goodbye all in one go. It's easier that way, then I don't have to try and see everybody in the little week that I have left. That one is reserved for Mr. A.P, and soaking up as much of him as I can.

I guess I really don't have too much to say.. Just wanted to let you all know that I'll soon be posting from India! I'll keep everything as updated as I can, but I know for a fact service is bad there.. Hope all of you are enjoying the new year! Will talk more soon.

Line Learning

So I never knew this, and thought maybe somebody else would find this interesting. We all know a group of fish is a school.. but did you know a group of rhinocerous is a "crash"? Or that a bunch of porcupines is called a "prickle"? Or that a lot of owls is called a "parliament"? I things you learn in line at Chapters never cease to amaze me.

A Great Winter Dessert

Gluten Free Vegan Apple Crisp

I really love this recipe. Since most apple crisps have oats (gluten) and wheat (gluten) its tough for me to find one that not only tastes good, but is easy to make. So, with a few trials and errors, I made one myself. Plus, with no eggs or butter, it's vegan safe. Which my downstairs neighbor appreciates.

5 cups sliced tart apples (granny smith are great)

2/3 cup of almonds

1 cup of graham flour

1 cup gluten free graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 cups of brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 cup of whey free margerine.

8" by 8" dish

1. Peel, core, slice apples; fairly thin.

2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

3. Add drops of margerine a pinch at a time and mix in with hands until crumbly.

4. Sprinkle mixture onto apples, mixing in with apples and over apples, pat down firmly.

5. Bake for 30-45minutes, until apples are tender and topping browned.

6. Serve with ice cream (soy ice cream for the vegans!) and enjoy!

Top Albums of 2004

In relatively no order..

The Roots - The Tipping Point

Beautifully hip hop, smart, sweet, hard and rock-out-able. A little bit softer than other albums and perhaps a tad more sensitive.

Best Track - "Star" & "Why"

CocoRosie - Maison de mon Reve

A romantic mix of hip-hopera and drippy sinks. Recorded by two sisters in a Paris bathroom, with rattling gold chains for percussion and occasionally what sounds like a toy cow. If I was organizing these by preference, this one would be first. An amazing, all too rare album.

Best Track - "By Your Side"

Savath and Savalas - Apropa't

Another Scott Heron alias (Prefuse 73 etc etc), very sexy, very foreign. Tailor made for kissing somebody who doesn't speak English, or smoking on the balcony on a hot day.

Best Track - "Te Quiero Pero Por Otro Lado"

Sarah Slean - Day One

If I was so inclined to be a groupie, I might have to follow Sarah around. Hip, funny, well dressed... Oh, and the girl can sing. This album has a couple stellar stand out singles (Day One) but gets better every listen. A mix of pop, rock, accoustic guitar, a little girl angst and some damn catchy music. Mr. Almost Poshlust's favorite album of the year. (I'm betting)

Best Track(s) - "Pilgram" & "Lucky Me"

Usher - Confessions

Ok. So I'm a little ashamed of this. But honestly.. It's a good booty shakin' time. And who doesn't love an album full of apologies? I know I listen to it when I want one. It really doesn't matter who it's coming from.

Best Track- "Bad Girls"

TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes

I don't know if there is a way to describe this album. Polished, incredible production (thanks to David Sitek - produced Yeah Yeah Yeah's), with this crazy inflection of soul that could only come out of two neighbors from Brooklyn. A strange almost barbershop quality with a beautiful man singing falsetto (always sets my heart on fire). Intelligent and strange, and ultimately beautiful.

Best Track - "Ambulance" & "Don't Love You" & "Wear You Out"

Leave me a message here and I can mail (snail mail!) you a custom made cd, just for you. *laugh* No really. Listen to these albums. You'll be all the better for it.

World Aid Unintentionally Feeds India's Poor

They have quite a bit of aid flowing into India and surrounding areas due to, of course, the much maligned tsunami. The aid workers are having a hard time directing aid to the victims of the tsunami, because they can't differentiate between the recently poor and the vestigally poor. So, as a direct effect, they're handing out aid to everyone, not just "those who need it". Call me crazy, but if I live in a hut selling 3 fish a day and you live on the side of the road begging three fish a day.. Does that much really seperate us from needing some shitty biscuits and bottled water? God damn. We're accidentally feeding a larger majority of the poor people than we intended. Only feed the ones that are tired, poor and wet. Forget the ones that are dry.

Waiting for the New Year..

So far.. So good.

I can't believe another year has come and gone... Does it officially qualify me as stodgy and old when I say that? Or do I have to start realizing my parents life advice was actually relevant before that happens? At any rate - it's 2005. One day down.. A bundle more to go.

Our new year was rung in in a suitably posh fashion. Mr. Almost Poshlust and I went to our local neighborhood restaurant (actually voted one of the years best new restaurants in Canada) Culina, where we had fantastic food and great company. We had our favorite, and actually our only, waitress there, Franc. We've never had anyone else, and I'm glad. I wish we could leave her million dollar tips, her service really is 1/2 the reason we go there. That.. and she's pretty. *chuckle* Mr. Almost Poshlust had a chocolate and blue cheese covered steak with dirty mashed potatoes, and I had scallops and cocoanut rice with sweet black bean sauce.Her and the staff bought us dessert, (warm chocolate fudge cake with cappuccino ice cream and sour cherry sauce.. ) and we left feeling happy and full. She left for Peru this morning at 6am.. so all the best to her!

We returned home at about 11:30 to watch home and garden television and doze in bed until 12, which we very nearly missed.. Had a couple of sips of champagne and promptly fell asleep. Mr. A.P. managed to get himself out of bed around 9, I on the otherhand dozed and dreamt until about noon, which was fabulous. We spent the rest of the day drinking champagne and eating chocolate and playing crib at the kitchen table, and watching the Godfather. I think an entirely posh and appropriate way to spend the first day of the year.

It really was an amazing year, and I do have Mr. A.P. to thank for it. I hope he realizes how much he means to me, and how lovely he's made my year. I'll be posting favorite music etc etc of 2004 soon, I just have to get it all in order!! *smile*

I hope everyone had a lovely New Years Eve, and I send a midnight kiss to all of you. Best of luck in 2005, will talk to you soon!