Christmas Season is here.....

....and I am at once enthralled and disgusted by it.

The cards have been sent out, and the present are bought - the cookies and pies have been baked - the lights are up - the tree is decorated (sans a star) - so why am I so weary?

Could it be the lack of deceit? Now that the kids don't believe in Santa - the whole mystique of the season is gone. No more conspiring to find out their secret desires. No more sneaking around to purchase gifts. I suppose I could pretend that Christmas has something to do with the birth of Christ - but that has been scientifically disproved. How about celebrating ancient traditions? Well, traditions have not always served me well. And despite all my interest in archeology - I really don't give a hoot about ancient rituals....

Should I be thankful for all that I have? I do believe that my choices had a lot more to do with what I have than another's goodwill or blessings... Plus didn't we cover that at thanksgiving? So why should I be merry?

Perhaps I am being too cogitative - it could be that I am merely over worked. But then again - it could be that blasted star. It must be the star!

Christmas list...

So if anyone is looking to be Santa this year....

1- Wine cooler - not a very large one - but at least a dozen bottles or so ... Stainless steel

2- New rock shoes... yes I know I just got my Katanas - and I still love them - however the sole is peeling off

3- Women of climbing calendar

4 - Participation in the National Geographic Genographic Project

5 - Crash Pad

6 - A ski trip (preferably in the Rockies...)

7 - That cabin I found online on our Arizona property


That should do it.

Laal's Birthday...

So, Laal turned thirteen last week...

The birthday party was a blast - everyone had a lot of fun. We had a LaserTag party. The kids as well as the Parents ended up playing. The high scorer was one of the Moms. Cool! That is, till we got the $300.00 price tag for the party.... and this after the $900.00 bed we bought her for her birthday. 6 more years till the bleeding stops...at least partially...

Well - I do like the Futon though - very hight tech - metal futon that folds two ways - length wise into a sofa and width wise into a lounger. I have to admit that I would love to own one had I been in her situation. And now Kit wants one too.

Back from Chile..

Just got back from the two week Chile/ Easter Island vacation trip.

The trip was a blast - drove all the way from Santiago to Arica (about 2000 km) and back. Well, Ken drove really. But we had some interesting times... Will file a trip report of sorts later. Then flew o Easter Island, then back to Santiago and home.

My car has a busted water pump - so - it's in the shop again. So - here I am at home - updating my blog. The kids started school today. Since my car was in the shop, I had to drive Ken's car to drop them off. However, he forgot to leave his keys at home. So, I had to borrow Marshes car to drop the kids off. Now - I await the Enterprise car rental place to pick me up - so I can resume life...

It's Kit's first day of middle school - and he was all excited. Of course, we had missed the orientation due to the trip - and were running late due to the car bungle - so things didn't start out as smoothly as we'd hoped. I hope they have a relatively decent day. Laal was a bit more organized - she got her schedule from Naomi - who is in her class.

Spoke to Sabrina - she did not sound happy - things did not go very smoothly while I was out I guess. I guess she got a taste of what I have to deal with on a daily basis...Oh well.

And I await the Enterprise man...

Hectic weekend, Vanity Fair...

Barkha's Bed and Breakfast was back in commission over the weekend. The Burmese Doctor was in town. So, I got home Friday at 7:00 and cooked some curry for all. Chicken with Spinach Curry, Curried potatoes and some rice. All went well, I guess.... Slept in Saturday - but had to make an appearance for Dinner Sat. Night. As usual, the B family was challenged by prospects of ordering at a Thai restaurant....Whining and mumblings ensued...More cooking on Sunday...Poha and some Fresh Peach muffins for breakfast - and Italian for dinner. Some home made Vegan pesto rottelli, Spaghetti marinara, White bean bruchettas and Sausage. ok - I am getting hungry now...

On the up side, finally got to watch Mira Nair's Vanity Fair. Very well done I think - the costumes and the sets were beautiful. Reese Witherspoon makes a very convincing Becky Sharp. The colors in the movie were so beautiful - I almost got inspired by the opening sequence enough to resume my peacock paintings... Yeah, yeah - I've read all the critiques of the movie - the characters were not developed enough, the movie was too summarized etc. - but you try and stuff Thackeray into a two hour slot... I can't imagine anyone who has already read the book to not be able to relate to the characters and follow the story line. For those who have not - it does not matter. All in all - I liked the movie.

Easter Island, Can't Wait!

Two weeks and two days to the Chile trip.... and I can't wait to get away....Gotta go check out the Moai!

Work is so....ooo dragging... and I haven't been able to climb as much as I'd like to. Or go to work out as often as I'd like to. Or do anything generally fun... I need a vacation.

Well - what I really am looking for is to run away... (Playing Norah Jones' Come away with me as writing this). Reality is - this one person is getting on my nerves at work - and It is affecting me. I have absolutely no patience for misery - so chances are - I will do what I always do - run away.....

Jobs are easy to come by - and in keeping with my principle of "leaving all trails as good or better than when you found it", I should move on. So - when I get back from my trip, I will contact some head hunters...Then again - by the time I get back from vacation, perhaps I wont feel like running away.

24

Ok - so I am hooked on this show Big Time!!!!!

It all started with Ken trying to record old re-runs of Season One. He could never quite get the beginning so I bought him Season one for Father's day. And then we started watching it. And I was hooked.... I've been staying up late begging "One more Episode" ever since....

So, I got Season Two for my birthday - and now I've been through two bad days with Jack. Can't wait to see Season Three, Four, Five....

It has been so long since they made one of the good ol American Hero based action drama - I am so sick of the politically correct liberal feel good bullshit leading men - it's good to see someone playing a part that includes the male genitalia....What ever happened to the America good - the rest of the world bad? You would have thought that after 9/11 there would be more 90s style action movies - but instead we've been getting more of Brokeback Mountain! So - Bauer Rules! I love 24 - thank god for Fox!

mmmmmmm.....Jack Bauer...

My brother's Visit....

After 18 years of living in the USA, my brother came to visit me.

He was only here for 4 days. His company sent him over on a business trip, so he convinced them to let him come visit me. I think the trip was generally a good one. The kids had a good time with him - They only have one maternal uncle and they never really get to see him - unless we go and visit. And - he gave them one thing that can make any kid's day - money!

So - we didn't really do much but shop. Apparently, he could not go home without bringing His wife and kids specific things that they had asked for. So, we shopped - pretty much all the time he was here. After the malls closed, we hung out and talked. The family is pretty much the same - high maintenance as ever. Everyone has issues and opinions. Everyone disapproves of things someone else is doing. The fine art of minding your own business totally escapes Indians. I have no clue why one needs to have an opinion about other people’s choices in spouses, friends, hobbies, career choices, clothing etc, etc... But they do. Ask any one in my family - they will tell you very clearly why they don't approve of someone else in the family's wife, the fact that they like to dance, the clothes that they wear, the fact that they married people from a specific part of the country, their taste in friends, etc. etc.

Well - all I have to say is that the short and very mall-ish visit reminded me why I left the Country....Every one is generally very sweet - but cannot stop complaining about the most irrelevant and mundane things - constantly!

The trouble is - he really liked the US - so it looks like he actually might want to immigrate.... My American dream has the potential of turning into an Indian nightmare...

New shoes!

So - I got these new pair of La Sportiva Katana shoes - and they Rock! I am able to stick to stuff a lot better - and the fact that I am wearing 1 shoes size smaller than my street shoes really helps!

I climbed reasonably well last Wednesday - I was pretty much sticking to everything I put my foot on. Too bad my hands couldn't stick quite as well... I did go back on Thursday, climbed reasonably well - but started peeling off pretty early in the night. After three flappers, I gave up and went home...Had to skip climbing over the weekend - partially because it was Father's day and partially to give my hands a break. I ended up painting the kitchen instead. I am not so sure that the kitchen looks better. Will have to wait and see after the Family room is painted.

Lifeguard camp and such...

This week the kids started the Junior lifeguard camp. They seem to be doing well so far. It's only two days into it but they seem to like it a lot. About time they spent some time outdoors...

Ken went on his Everglades/ Florida trail walkabout again. Finished it this time - 33 miles or so in three days. Almost died of dehydration ( I do exaggerate a bit). But, he did lose about 10 lbs. Bastard! It took me two months to lose 3 lbs. And now he's climbing better too...

Kit's planning to go with Ken on a shorter hike next time, around fallish.

I bought these new pair of slinky climbing shoes - MadRocks Hottie - and don't you know it - they are too big! I hate it... I was supposed to be climbing a lot better in them - but they seem too lose for me. I can't stick to anything! And I can't exchange them - since I bought them at the REI in Atlanta...Darn it! So - I went online and ordered a pair of Katanas - LaSportiva. Looking forward to them (1 whole size smaller than my street shoes - so no chance of them being too big). Will report on those when they come in. I can't wait - I am convinced that the new shoes will solve all my climbing problems...

Laal got contact lenses - so no more four eyes. She is loving it so far. Oh, she also got her hair cut a bit - makes her look a bit older. :( my little girl is growing up....

Memorial Day Climbing trip...

We did it!

Drove up to the Pigeon Mountain area over the Memorial day weekend - and climbed! We didn't get to the climbing are till late Saturday afternoon - but we were able to setup for three different routes and get some quality time on the rock. We ran into a local - Basil - who had climbed the area for the last 4 years - so we did pretty good. I think the first climb was just a 5.8 (Guzzler) - a crack climb. It took me a while to get used to climbing outdoors at first. But after the first climb, we didn't have any trouble. The second climb was on the same face - a bit harder (5.9 I think). It was fun. The third one was a harder climb - 5.10. I did the climb all the way up to the difficult part - a huge boulder on top of the face - and just couldn't reach the first hold to get over the bouldery part.

After the climb, we drove over to the blue hole and took a dip into the chilly blue waters. Camped over night and did two more routes the next morning.

More pictures to come soon..

The dreaded semester is over!

The dreaded semester is over! I am taking the summer off...

Going climbing over the Memorial Day weekend - Lost Wall, Georgia.

Can't wait... Hopefully, it won't be swamped. The kids are off school, and so am I. So, it's a perfect opportunity to get out. Some climbing, some camping, life is looking good. I finished a 5.10 last night at the gym - feeling real good. Especially since I have been so climbing bad lately.

Kit has a birthday - fairly good. His new obsession is this game - World of Warcraft. Supposedly the most addicting game online today. And I allowed my 11 year old to play it. I wonder if it's a good call...

Laal's getting "noticed" at school. A few kids following her around... Of course, I had to intervene and report the incident to the Principal. Next is the junior lifeguard camp. Will have to wait and see what transpires over the summer...

Time flies...

This semester has been a bear...

Taking 12 credits and working full time and still pretending to be a mother from time to time. Takes a toll on you. Climbing has been cut way back - and I am so on a plateau. I did join a gym though - and have been going religiously. So I feel some of the strength coming back.

Let's see - we have a summer trip planned - to Chile and Easter Island. That should be good. Planning to go climbing Memorial Day weekend - not sure where yet. North East if I can talk Mary to come join us. Else Arizona property.

Oh yes - Ken's father passed away and so did his aunt. A couple of chapters end in our lives. So - the begining of the year was a bit somber - a bit reflective. So we planned that trip to Easter Island that we've been procrastinating about all this time. Life's too short to wait around...

Ken bought a new Motocycle. It's a Honda VTX1300 - a cruiser. I've missed riding on a bike since the kids. Can you say Mid-life-crisis? But you've got to do what you've got to do. The Stanleys had a new baby boy - Nicola. They will be in their 60s when the little guy graduates from highschool. We've got a motorcycle.

Hopefully I will write more frequently from now on. But time has this nasty habit of alternately either sitting very still, or slipping right away....

Another year...

Oh - let's see - I wrote this letter to my family summing up the achievements for 2005....

Ken went on a walk about in the everglades - came back early - cause the trail was all under water...He published a book...not on the NY bestsellers list yet - but it's something.

Laal - puberty is in full force - pimples and mood swings and all. She is still a very sweet little girl though. She loves dragons, wants to grow up to be an artist...

Kit is also inching his way into puberty. Growing up fast - soon to be 11. Still a math wiz.

Me - still school - still work. Climbing a little better. Went climbing in the Red Rock Canyon in November. Did pretty good - even though only climbed a few routes and pretty basic ones at that. I need to get out more..