Walk like a camel

I am leaving for vacation in two weeks. Yes. Yes. Yes. Serious f'in vacation.
I'm flying to Italy and then will be traveling with a good friend to Marrakesh, Morocco to spend a few days with some camels in the desert. Then, back to Italy and into Rome. I was super excited about Rome, but I haven't even thought a minute about that aspect of the trip since Morocco was decided on last week.

My google history reads:
"How to ride a camel"
"What to wear while riding a camel"
"How not to fall off a camel"
"Falling in style"

My YouTube history reads:
"Walking though Erg Chibbi"
"Sahara desert"
"Walking up sand dune"

I'm really interested in clothing I need to be packing. Especially the shoes. A woman is always concerned about the shoes. I don't spend much time in the desert being I live in the Gulf Coast (wasn't that a hurricane I just went though 6 weeks ago?), so I was interested to see the footwear people were wearing while hiking through sand dunes. Sandals seem appropriate as the sand can flow freely. But that seems awful dirty. What about athletic shoes? They seem cumbersome and full of sand. Equally dirty and a pain. Looks like most of the tourists were going the sneaker route. Humm...what to do.

Yesterday I was in the middle eastern part of town to get my eyebrows done (I have them threaded as opposed to waxing or other forms of eyebrow torture). As I was driving, I noticed the clothing stores and decided to stop in and pick up something appropriate for the culture I would be going to. While it's not summertime and I don't have to worry about showing too much leg, I still wanted something nice on hand. While the store was more Indian than Northern Africa, I found what I was looking for. I had never tried on traditional sarees and always wondered what they were all about. In case you're wondering...remarkably comfortable. Although the pants were a bit of a surprise. Think huge drawsting waist, made like maternity pants with a genie twist. I could have literally fit another person in the front of my pants. I don't understanding the reasoning of having a 55 inch waist on an otherwise normal pair of pants. But I will say they was pretty freaking comfortable once they weren't falling off. The caftans are beautiful! I found one with some sequins at the neck and a pretty print on the fabric. It was polyester which kind of concerned me, not much breathing in any heat. Oh well, it fit the bill and it's lovely.

Into the fray

I am eating up political coverage like cinnamon ice cream. I might as well admit from the start I am a typical moderate Republican and get a laugh out of radical types from either side.

This morning, I was reading Politico's "The Arena" section. Today's question was "What issue, other than the economy, needs more attention during the final days of the campagin?" I liked Craig Shirley's comment, who, according to his Arena comment, is a "Reagan biographer and president of Shirley and Banister Public Affairs".

Please find Mr. Shirley's comment below:

"Getting a reliable plumber is downright impossible. And a good contractor. And reliable cable and satellite service and don't get me started on babysitting. And what about the dry cleaner who keeps putting too much starch in my shirts? And why aren't there more good youth soccer coaches? And by the way, my neighbor's kid plays his music too loud.

All these vital services and problems should be nationalized and brought under the control of "The One."

Hey, it worked in the Soviet Union, didn't it?

"The One" should immediately address himself to all the material, familial, moral and spritual needs of Americans, right down to federalizing our trash pickup, making sure our children get three nutricious and balanced meals from the four basic food groups while a federal bureaucrat monitors each family to ensure they get to bed at a reasonable hour, but only after brushing thoroughly.

What he should propose is a Cabinet level Department of Anxiety Elimination for starters."The One" can lead us to the Promised Land where we can all catch a moonbeam in our hands. If we all just wish hard enough, click our heels together, and remember that mediocrity is a virtue, then "The One" will teach all of us to just get along.

Because he will save us. From ourselves."

Source: 16 Oct 2008, www.politico.com/arena/


I got a laugh on his moonbeam comment. After I catch the moonbeam, will it carry me away from the socialism that is coming? No?! Oh crap. Back to clicking my heels three times and going back to Kansas. Maybe a tornado will drop me in a capitalitist land.

I grew up in Kansas City.
Thank God for Texas.

Just so you know...

I like to jump around. Not in a House of Pain kind of way, although that is fun...but more so what you will find here will cover lots of things. If you disagree, that's cool. Just be respectful.

A bit about your writer and my expectations: I like opinions.  I like respectful disagreement. I like humor. I like to learn. I don't like to be sold. My experience is that is how most people prefer to engage in life.

That being said,

Listen, pay attention, and have fun.