Voodoo Child v. 17: Welcome to the One Woman Show

It's BlackFriday, and I have not really gotten out of my pajamas yet. I know it's almost 4PM, but shit, I'm chillin' right now in my slouchers. I've done some scanning of online shops seeking the cheapest that cheap can cheap. I have truly been surprised; some of the stuff i really like is cheap enough for me to buy...assuming of couse that I have the ends to back it all up.

I'm afraid that this year I'm going to have to limit the givin'. Life sucks like that. So I've cranked up the crochet factory mode and have started making presents. I'm done with...drum roll...one. Yah baby, I'm ahead by one!

After yesterday's feeding zone meal, I'm glad to be dining on leftovers (for I truly do love them so). I also had some good quality time with la familia, esp the cousins. You know how it is with cousins. You don't see them every so often, but you cram 'em all into a room and it's like we never left. So that's the kinda fun we had. 

I'm lovin the downtime right now. Perfect for just coming back from a major trip. I'm still sort of jet lagging, really. I still wake up at 5AM and try to figure out how to get to sleep. I am also trying to get my sleep schedule a little normal. I'm reading today...my favorite nerdalicious thing. I've been given books to digest. Damn.

The good news is that coming back on this week means that there's about 50% of the students gone. That is, they are all skipping this week to enjoy thanksgiving. Man, I wish I could have done that, but I have this needling thing called "Get Smart" that made me go to classes. I got TONS of work done, stuff I told myself I'd take home. But seriously who does work at home. I've tried. It's not fun.

The good news too is that we only have a few more weeks left to go. There's two more after this week, then it's 6 weeks of relative quiet. Then hell again! Voila! I wish that everyone had the ability to get up and leave their work/world for at the minimum for two weeks. If only to just leave and step away. I have to admit, it did wonders for my perspective. Even attitude.

SO here's today's list:  "Things You Learn While Travelling"

1. The liquid baggie thing is a pain in the ass. After my third time taking it out and showing it to the folks at the airport, I just left all liquids in my check in baggage. This is stupid.

2. Sometimes you have to suck it up and pay extra to make your life easier. Taxi or metro when you're dead tired and lugging baggage? Taxi wins every time.

3. It helps if you're nice. If you have shit-smellin' face, you'll probably get crap business. Just smile, say hello in the local language and move on. Honey versus vinegar, bright eyes.

4. Americans? Can spot them a mile away. They're the ones who are annoying, loud, and freakish. Germans, as I have stated on other blogs, are the ones in the sandals with black socks. Italians are the ones being really affectionate. I can't hate on that but it's so cute.

5. Europeans have it right. You sit down to enjoy your coffee. Don't just grab it and run. Sit down. Read the paper. Eat a croissant. Sip. Repeat.

6.  Slow down and stroll. Most of the time we're too busy to see ANYTHING. But if you slow down you'll see much more than you expected.

7. Take things for what they are. Don't get bent out of shape because you have to haul your ass up 5 flights of stairs to your place. Yes it sucked, but hey, we're in Paris, we're near everything we need and WE'RE NOT AT WORK! DUDE! SWEET!

8. Appreciate what you've left behind. Sure you want to get away, but nothing makes the heart grow fonder than getting out of town, doesn't it?

9. Send post cards. I giggle like a little yatch when I get post cards, so I try to send them whenever I'm out and about. Hopefully the Vatican's would have arrived by now, but since I sent one to my house here and it's not here yet, um, yah, you'll have to keep waiting for that bad boy.

10. Speak another language. This goes without saying, but everytime you make the effort you open up a whole other world like Aladdin.

That's it for now...we've got places to go (sales, bitches), and people to visit. Hope you had a good Bird Day, and that your food coma is much better than mine.

Peaces,

Voodoo