I Confess: NOT My Relative

It was just after seven o'clock in the morning. I will not say where I was, or what I was there for. I was waiting for my number to be called, when I noticed a tall, slender man. I noticed, first, his attire: white t-shirt, fuschia and gray board shorts, socks and Nike flipflops - quite out of place for where we were. Next, that he was rather handsome, with a very well defined jaw, square shoulders, smiling eyes behind his highway patrol type sunglasses, and unequivocally cocky gait. I figured he would be older than me. He was with his mother. I think she was his mother, she was quite tender and comforting toward him. He had a tattoo on his right arm, the bottom portion of it peeking through the bottom of his sleeve. When he spoke, which he did most of the time and rather obnoxiously as well, he sounded unimpressive to say the least. Our numbers were called simultaneously, so for a moment we stood next to each other at the counter. I cannot deny this: that he had an intimidating air about him. 

I sat back down while my transaction was being processed. A young lady next to me whispered "Is that [such-and-such-a-name]?"

I don't know, I answered. Now, thinking she was naming a famous actor/singer, I asked her Who is [such-and-such-a-name]?

She replied, dumbfounded by my ignorance, "[Such-and-such]'s son..."

I still did not recognize the name, and was feeling rather ignoramous at this point. So I waited about three minutes before I continued with my very curious, at this point, query. And who is [Such-and-such]?

This time she actually gawked at me, and answered with disbelief, "The [such-and-such] massacre?..."

As soon as I could, I Googled [such-and-such-a-name]. This was the very same fellow I saw, with the same bottom portioned tattoo, and the smiling eyes.

Except, unless pictures just don't show it, he looks much older in person, perhaps even ten years older than he looks in this photo. 

We're not related. I repeat, he is NOT my relative. 

Don't Drink the Water

Ah, the pristine, clean, water of  the pool...

Cool, refreshing, despite the aroma of chlorine...

Safe for even the strongest and most sensitive men...

Just make sure you do NOT drink the water!

Water in the ears is a whole other story.

Dear Palomino,


I tried to reach you at work, but you must not have recognized the pink kitty characters that showed up on your caller ID.

We made it to Taiwan high on Dramamine and whiskey, which might have made things seem small. Like this elevator; Netty and I barely fit in it!

Just going to do some light shopping before we get on the final leg of our journey.

Yes, that's our gate, number C3 for EVA Airlines.

By the way, the flight attendant told me EVA means "evergreen". Go figure!

Don't forget to take pictures of my tulips.

What time is it?

What day is it?

Five-Star Scotty

I Confess: Healthy Diet

I received some unhealthy news from the doctor. My cholesterol level is past the healthy range. So this morning I went to gym and did legs. Because it is the hardest, and my least favorite exercises. Because squats and lunges raise my heart rate, make me perspire, and leave me sucking the air for oxygen when the last repetition is complete.

When I came home, drenched in sweat, weak, and starving, I resisted the urge to fry up a batch of bacon and eggs, and made this instead.

The Coffeemate does say "fat free"...

And it was totally delish!

Oh, but I'm still totally hungry...

Drasted cholesterol!

A DSLR Party

In Truk we don't have huge family dinners every night. But we do come up with reasons to have them as often as we can. This night's reason: the digital single reflex lens camera, DSLR camera. It's all the rave even on this remote global spec of an island.

There were actually five cameras, the fifth one of course was taking this picture. The Canon with the external flash is Dr. J's. The other Canon belongs to MJ's Mom.

Before any shooting began, Paco loosens up with a beverage. 

*Turn around Paco, the camera is ready.*

 

Miko's Mom tries Dr. J's 70-300mm zoom lens. She owns a Nikon, but explores the feel of a Canon.

Ah, the beverage is working...

That's how Paco, the model found his smile.

Soon enough, cameras were left on the table unattended. A little too much beverage perhaps?

Definitely too much beverage. Miko's Dad's cup ran dry, he eventually used it as a lens hood.

Dr. J's camera... Where's the photog?

Playing the keyboards in Miko's room.

Singing a lullaby to Kyle and MJ.

Thank you verrrr much!

Flash out.

I Confess: Twelve Things

1. It's Ash Wednesday. Day one of forty, during which I have sworn off restaurant food, soda, and candy.
2. Girlfriend, I need a brow wax!
3. In the next forty days I will log on to Facebook only five times, because I have also sworn off FB to only one time a week.
4. Is that a gray hair?!
5. I just got home from an eye exam. I was told that my eyes are abnormally small, which puts me at a higher risk for glaucoma. 
6. But the good news is that I don't have to get new glasses. That'll save me a few bucks!
7. I think that is a gray hair!
8. Oh, in case you're not Catholic, that is not a bruise on my forehead, nor is it dirt. It's ash, a symbol of our origin (the creation of Adam). It's supposed to be in the form of a cross, but my habit of brushing my bangs aside has worn it off.
9. I need a hair cut.
10. And a brow wax.
11. That most definitely is a gray hair!
12. I'm having FB withdrawal syndrome already.

The Little Bear

Seeing Mateo with Five-Star made me think of the story of Goldilocks. I don't know why. It just did.

Baby Bear saw his empty bowl, and began to cry. "Somebody has been tasting my porridge, and has eaten it every bit!" he wailed.

 

Baby Bear began crying harder than before. "Somebody has been sitting in my chair and has broken it all to pieces!" he sobbed.

 All this time Baby Bear had been staring hard at his own little bed. Finally he found his voice and piped up, "Somebody has been tumbling in my bed, and here she is!"