Colosseum

Today I began my conquest of Rome just to find out how difficult it really is. First off, a hard lesson learned is that parking is practically impossible. This means that conquering is to be done on foot as I’m fresh out of a Vespa.
I think I walked about a million miles today. I left the abode at 11 this morning and didn’t make it back until well past 8PM! Makes me wonder how the Romans could stand those annoying lace up sandals while plodding along the cobblestone roads. No wonder the enemy didn’t get far – they had to get where they were going on foot! To make travels more difficult are the crowds. This being the last Sunday of the year Rome was crawling with people. I think every single country on this planet was represented. Then there is the language confusion that could throw off the most prepared of armies. The Pilipino waiter at the café today didn’t speak a lick of English – totally threw me for a loop. He did however speak great Italian. Huh??

The real ace up the sleeve of the Roman Empire’s longevity are the distractions. Whether it be a historical attraction, a monument, a building with elaborate architecture, the interesting people, the lavish store windows the distractions are everywhere making ones journey that much longer.


Of course there is also the legendary army with the feathered helmets and leather skirts to contend with. Though I did run into Julius Caesar and I must say he seemed pretty affable to me. All this is exhausting and overwhelming, but fear not, though it may have to be 5:00 some place to crack a beer, one does not need an excuse to stop for a cappuccino in Rome.

Today I set out to conquer the Colosseum. And though it took me all day to do so, as I was distracted by other buildings on my way, I must say it was well worth the exhaustion. I’ve seen the site a billion times at least but for some reason as time passes I seem to rekindle a lost appreciation for things. Be it that I’m getting older and softer or that maybe not having such great sites at my fingertips cures one of that habit of taking things for granted. Though I do not remember ever visiting the inside the of the Colosseum I will admit I am glad I finally did. Seating 55,000 people and comprised of 80 archways, it’s an amazing piece of architectural genius and I just couldn’t stop taking pictures of it.

On the way back how could I miss seeing the majestic Altar to the Nation. Italians always do things to an extreme and though we aren’t known for our patriotism this building should prove otherwise. Topped with a huge bronze statue of a warrior on horseback and flanked by chariots with winged horses, with it’s eternally burning torches it’s homage of respect to all our armed forces and our great nation.

Headed back up the hill towards my vehicle I cross paths with the lavish U.S. Embassy and I can’t help but feel a wee bit malincolic thinking about the family of friends I left behind, their preparations for the New Year and that I’m miss the cheer. End then, what do I encounter if not Excelsior Hotel, made famous by Fellini’s Dolce Vita! Makes you want to do as Anita Egbergh, don a black cocktail dress and head for a quick swim in the Fontana di Trevi.

So, Ave Cesare! I’ve got three more days to go and I’m already exhausted!

S.P.Q.R

Senatus Populusque Romanus...when in Rome, do as the Romans – they say. Well, I’ve been in Rome for a day and a half now and I can’t say I did much at all. I got about ten hours of sleep the first night trying to catch up on my jet lag and sleep depravation. I’m not sure if Romans do that. I spent the most part of my day in my brand new snowflake PJs. Sure was relaxing but doesn’t sound too Roman either. Whatever. Actually I’ll attest it to being pretty anti-Roman seeing that here everyone is always dressed to the nines in this city, or I should say country. My family and I haven’t even gotten around to exchanging our Christmas gifts. We can’t seem to all get on the same schedule. It’s mostly my brother who, as apparently young Romans do, spends the better part of the night into the wee morning out partying. I for one, not being young or Roman, refuse to stay up waiting for him in order to open gifts. This morning I had to let him in at 3AM. Kids! After all, Christmas day is his birthday so we are sort of forced to wait. No biggie really since we aren’t very stressed over this, nor are we Romans. Not every Italian is a Roman. But every Roman is an Italian. Here I go again digressing.

One thing I did do since I’ve been here was to get all dolled up, go out for dinner and an aperitif followed by a concert. Apparently that was pretty Roman. The restaurant was bustling. The bars (Italians like to frequent very classy bars before dinner for an aperitif and some munchies) were populated by beautiful people with colorful drinks. The show turned out to be the Roman classical orchestra playing some of Strauss’s best works that usually ring in the New Year, it was sold out. And, dulcis in fundo, I have eaten tons of cheese and meats and willfully admit to consuming copious amounts of red wine since I’ve been here. That HAS TO BE somewhat Roman I’d say!

I have been to this city more times than I can count. Yet it’s always different. It’s no wonder they call it the Eternal City. Tomorrow I plan on doing as the Romans and mingling. Hopefully I’ll have pictures to document it. Have faith. No one has ever conquered Rome. You can’t expect me to do it in one day!

Ba Hum Bug!

So I'm officially doing nothing at work today. And tomorrow looks like it will be along the same lines.
Why?, you may wonder.
And I'll tell you the answer is simple....

Because it's the day before the last day of the week
Because it's the last work week of 2007
Because most of my clients are busy streamlining inventory and aren't buying
Because I still have last minute shopping to do and need to get it done
Because I'm expecting guests that I don't really care for but still have to clean
Because my mind is already here but I haven't packed yet
Because Santa is visiting the office this afternoon and I'll already be gone
Because the office has spent a ton of money on the children's party but doesn't give out bonuses
Because I've had it with this mind numbing job and this volatile industry
Because I'm a Gemini and if left idle or we get dragged along for long enough we eventually get to a point where...we just don't give a phuck!

Want to guess if I've reached the end of the line?

Wish List

I put up my Christmas tree this weekend. It wasn't really in my plans but I tripped over it while tooling around in the basement and I figured that if your Christmas tree jumps out and grabs your foot it's a sign that shouldn't be ignored. Thing is, may very well be my last Christmas here and frankly speaking being the Grinch is probably not a good attitude to have. So I set up a nice cheese/crackers platter and grabbed a bottle of wine and to the jazzed up tunes of the Transiberian Orchestra began to string up lights and decorations. I remember reading some place that if you squint at your tree you'll be able to tell if your decorating is balanced. Well we each have our methods to ensure a well decorated tree and trust me if I tell you that everything looks magnificent after a bottle of wine. In true Christmas spirit I found myself wondering about gifts. I'm so sick of getting the same old sweaters and dust collecting gadgets under the tree. I wish people would pay better attention to others and spent their money more wisely. Heck I don't remember the last time I wrote my letter to Santa and I sure as heck never read anything that said I was too old to start now. And so it began.

Dear Santa,
It's been a while since I sent you a list. I'm sorry I've been out of touch for so long. Truth of the matter is in all these years I trusted you knew what I truly wished to unwrap under the glitzy tree. Last year I will admit I much loved the pearl ensemble I received from mom and dad. But, though I do much enjoy cooking when I'm inspired, I wasn't too impressed by the potato masher. What are people thinking?? So as you can see, you did quite well for a while but maybe this year you'll accept a little help. You know I'm not one of many demands really. I'll actually gladly accept receiving nothing. But should I find a box or two under the tree please let it be something I have a use for. First of all let's get one thing straight, though my life style doesn't permit me to wear it often, jewelery is always acceptable. I am a girl after all. Mainly however, as you well know Dear Santa,l I'm a pretty active person and though asking you for a dive computer I've wanted for many years doesn't seem realistic any close observer can see that my wish list could include items such as;

* A ski helmet as I plan on venturing the mountains often this year;
* Long johns and wool socks because one pair of each just isn't cutting it;
* Winter riding gloves as frozen and chapped hands can't stop a runaway horse;
* A winter blanket for my horse because he's had a brand new on for two weeks and his paddock buddies put a huge hole in it;
* A heart rate monitor to ensure I'm working at 80% or above while spinning so I can't slack off;
* I don't want a new one but a resuscitation technique for my iPod shuffle that died last week as all other attempts have failed;
* An iTunes gift certificate because I'm bored of the music I have;
* rain pants that won't smell like rotting fish after a day at sea;

Half way through my list something struck. Might have been the bottle of wine pooping on my imaginary letter but I suddenly realized that surely I could USE any of the items on my selfish list but there wasn't one I really NEEDED. I can exercise without an iPod, I'll just use my old MP3 player. I can work without winter riding gloves, just like I did last winter. I can buy my own ski helmet because it's the smart thing to do. Christmas lists should be about need as opposed to want because we sure do all spend a lot of money for silly gifts. Looking back on this past year all I can say is that it's taken a toll on just about everyone that surrounds me, so at the risk of sounding cheesy what I really want from jolly old Santa is some serenity.

And in following my horoscope's suggestion; Gemini: You won't get what you want if you don't ask. This goes for your holiday wish-list, too, you know!" I am modifying my Christmas list and posting in hopes that for once the horoscope is right.

Dear Santa,

Please disregard my previous letter. After giving it some thought, here is what I really really need for Christmas.

* I wish the Madame Butterfly the ability to reach her weight loss goals and move on from thoughts of betrayal and frustration brought on by her ex loser boyfriend. Oh and meeting a young strapping well to do man might surely help too. It would surely help us friends that surround her as we are sick of hearing it.

* I wish Uncle Fester the final realization that his weight gain is an issue he needs to deal with or he will die. There is no other nicer way of putting it, I'm sorry.

* I wish lobster guy the complete recovery of his knee and no more injuries. Not even a paper cut! Oh, and a part time day job would be good too, before he loses his sanity. Thanks!

* I wish the NerdKing a painless healing of all those ailments he refuses to talk to me about. Because I know he's broken and in pain but too stubborn to ask for help.

* I wish Kit achieve his dream of marriage, a family and a CEO position because I know I am not the one that can offer that to him as they aren't my goals and may never be.

* I wish Cali-girl a new job that pays her well because she had the balls to recognize it was time to pioneer west in order to avoid rotting in draby small town.

* I wish the DQ sentimental serenity and a resolution of his relationship issues. Shit or get off the pot, they say. And though I may not ever be the one he wants, I hope he figures it out soon. Letting me know one way or the other would be great too.

* I wish for myself the absolute and final disappearance of the immigration anvil over my head. I'm so sick of holding my breath on this issue and forking out money for paperwork and attorneys. I just-want-it gone! I just need a break. One break! Oh, and the materialization of a new job where I can use my mind instead of lose it would also be much appreciated.

Looking forward to the 25th and in particular to a serene 2008. I know I can count on you Santa. Please don't let me down.

With much love,

Ed

Eeeergh!!!

I have the office Christmas party to attent to tonight. Since I have a designated driver for my ride home I figured I'd hitch a ride to the party with my friend and co-worker JN who was going to be in town picking up her date for the night. I should've known it was a bad idea.

JN: "Hum yeah! The party starts at 6:00. You need to be at A's house at 5:00!"
Me: "Five o'clock?? Means I have to be ready by 4:30. Why so early??"
JN: "We'll I"m heading into town to pick up A. I'll change at her house and then we'll head over to Jen's house where I'll drop off my truck and my stuff for the night. We'll have a couple of drinks at Jen's and then hitch a ride to the party with Jimmy."
Me: "What the....I thought we were all meeting at A's house for a few drinks and heading over to the party from there. Straight shot you know."
JN: "Nah man. This works out best because then I don't have to drive my truck into town. We can then hitch a ride with Jimmy and then we can cab it back and then...."
Me: "Ok, never mind. Forget it. I'll drive over.
JN: "What do you mean? Why can't you come with us? We'll just head to A's. Be ready by 4.30....."

I'm so not OK with all this fussing around. Despite it being a laid back party, open bar and casual attire, I don't want to have to get ready hours before hand and then head to two different homes. I just want to get ready and head to the party. A few minutes go by and lightbulb goes up in my head so I send an email.

My email: Brandon, what are your plans for tonight?
Brandon's email: I'm headed into town at 5:45 or so to pick up my girlfriend. Need a ride?
My email: "Sure do. I'll be at the Pub ready to go any time after 5:45."
Brandon's email:Sweet! See you then!

See my first mistake was getting involved in plans with a bunch of women. Brandon had the right idea. Just how I like it. Linear! Simple! Clean! Makes total sense. Women are just too complicated.

Mi casa es...a qui!

Whenever I travel I play a very simple and quite personal game. I always conclude every visit to a new place asking myself "Would you live here?" Of the over 30 countries I have visited only very few have qualified with a positive response. Of these few most, if not all, are located in the great dark continent of Africa. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised by the realization that all in all I could seriously consider moving and living in the last place I visited. Not to say that this small (but rapidly growing) beach town is representative of all of Mexico that I have actually never had the chance to visit. Then again, my forethought on relocation doesn't have to do with the entire country but with one itty bitty stretch of beach that would so fit my life style. I can't even sit here and explain it. All I can say is I was born with salt water in my veins. The only time I feel complete and energized is near the beach. A beach bum is who I am to the core. Waking up in the early morning for a quick run on the beach as the sun is rising, home for a shower and a coffee on the fly before heading to work donning not much more than beach attire and flip flops is how I dream of existing. Then it would be like summer vacation every day in the old days. I guess it doesn't hurt the cause to also have met a boy that spoke with ardor about his work and living there. A permanently sunburned Gringo from a good family, well read, well traveled, passionate about diving and the Ocean proved that you can be 30 plus and live happily day to day.

The friends I went to visit did it. Granted they are in their mid twenties when all is still possible. In any case, they packed up their stuff, crossed the Atlantic and took a relatively calculated risk. Now they live in a nice size apartment that needs a little TLC but wake up every morning to Ocean views. They have a hammock on their terrace. They've learned another language. They consider temperatures in the 80s to be relatively chilly. They drag a cooler and a towel down the road to the beach after work to relax. One works a grunt job helping run a dive center. The other has found his niche in the real estate market selling properties to the gringos. On weekends they explore new places. Together they dream big. "You should pack up your stuff and move here with us!" they repeated with great conviction and I found myself wondering why not? I was born a gypsy. I've up and packed my bags every half a decade or so and moved to another country, city or continent and started over. It's never been heart wrenching at times but in the process I've established life long friendships. They say that home is where the heart is. With my family spread across the globe I've tried to keep my heart in my chest and I can't help but wonder what is it that keeps me here.

Job: This is a nobrainer. I have yet to figure out what my dream job would be. I'm of the idea that few and far between are lucky enough to wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work that day. It may happen to me some day but so far I've been cursed with tedious dead end jobs and no end in sight. Every day it's the same stuff, the same people, the same dickhead clients, the same answers. At this point it barely even pays my bills but at this stage in my battle with immigration I don't really have many choices. The land of opportunity is a bit of a myth to me.

Family: One of the most difficult questions for me to answer is "where is home". I don't really know. I am not sure I actually have a home. I didn't grow up in one place or neighborhood. My home is where my family happens to be and at any given point that could be in more than one country/continent/city. Though moving south would increase my travel time to visit my family by a few hours, they obviously aren't the reason I'm here nor the reason I work so hard at staying here.

DQ: Ah yes! Of course! Though my most favorite emotionally repressed diversion has become somewhat of a small element of this equation I'm inclined to conclude that any permanent travel plans on my part wouldn't phase him much. Not to say that he would be upset about it for a little while. Heck I'll even go out on a limb and say he may even be sad for like...a whole week. He's the kind of guy equipped with the emotional 'on/off'' switch and he doesn't get attached much to women. A few days would go by and he'd be back fighting his windmills. I won't deny that I'm somewhat saddened by the thought that he wouldn't lose much sleep over me but that's a guy for you.

Friendships: I've had the luck of being able to forge global friendships that have lasted over decades. People come and go. Some I miss more than others but with today's means of communication it's almost as if they never left. Living here I've also met some very nice people but to go as far as saying that they would deter me from packing up and leaving is a far stretch. They can always come and visit or vice versa. Sadder though is the idea that they would probably miss my weekly presence at the bar probably a lot more than the DQ.

Furry Critter: Without him I go nowhere. That's final. I guess there could come a point in time where I may need to find him a new home. Lord knows it would certainly help my bank account by a lot but unless I absolutely cannot pack him into a trailer and tow him where I'm going he's here to stay. Horses have many meanings to people. And every horse is different. I was lucky enough to find one that fits me. He's like my four legged furry child. He's my pet, my friend, my favorite waste of time and money. Without him my wallet might be fatter but my soul would be hollow.

All in all when taken individually there isn't much to keep me anchored, so what keeps me here? I'm a bit like a helium balloon in a wind storm. Rebelling wildly but bound to a string that I hope is secured until the day I voluntarily decide to sever it. See, despite loving the feeling of sand on my toes, sun on my face and picturesque morning views being very enticing and my gypsy ways that fear settling (the grass is always greener elsewhere they say) I want the decision to move to be a conscious one and not a forced one. I am thankful for being reminded that I do have tons of worldly opportunities, however in hindsight I don't really want any of them. Ironic isn't it?