la vida es un carnaval *british/french/dutch style*

So I'm packing to see three caribbean islands and loaded up on all kindsa swimsuits (oy), books, bug wipes and sunscreen.

I've learned the bug wipes lesson the hard way in Costa Rica *death to noseeums!* it took MONTHS for the itching to stop. And learning that lesson saved me in County Connemara *death to midges* - I missed a small strip on my arm and those bastards got me still! ugh

We're staying at b&bish places that are WAY more expensive then I ever thought I'd be comfortable paying. Still...the more we travel the less appealing mega resorts are to us.
Our most favorite experiences have been at the smaller places with people who can take time to give you advice or just talk a little. The BEST coffee are served at these places too! I blame middle of nowhere Spain Basque region for making me a coffee convert.

I would say that I'll never again do all inclusive but Jamie's parents want to do the "worst offender of all-inclusives" - a cruise ship -  to Hawaii here in a few months.

We couldn't convince them otherwise. For me, the food is one of the best things about traveling! I don't want to be caged in AND eat stupid boring cruise ship food! ok...i'll stop being a brat now. His parents want to go, we'll go. 

Plus -  that's months away...we got Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Barth's to see. squeeeeeee!

And since I don't know any British or French or Dutch island music, we're playing some Celia Cruz...cause Cuba's at least closer to where we're going...why not. Plus I officially reach my mid-30's next week. Even more cause to celebrate!

between hope and what’s real

Finished A Notorious Countess Confesses . Slow start but caught on.

Really my favorite part was the dialogue with the old dying woman.

I love old people. I volunteered at a retirement home just so I could hear their stories.
 I didn't know it would be so depressing though.
They have pictures of their family everywhere but you ask when the last time they've seen them and it had been years.

There was one lady, that only spoke Spanish, who wouldn't stop weeping. The nurses didn't know why. So I sat next to her, reached for her hand and asked her what was wrong -
 ...it was like she'd never been touched before.
She looked at my hand and traced my fingers like she'd never seen one before.
I wondered when the last time somebody had touched her in an unclinical way? She said she didn't know why she was crying and I couldn't understand what else she said.  So all I could think of to say was "think of a good memory and hold on to that". I didn't know what else to say...  it was just so heartbreaking.

Still... if I could make a living at listening to old people's stories I'd so do it. I mean it's history - alive and right there in front of you!... and they are disregarded. It's shameful.

I so miss my grandparents, they had the best stories and a true love story.
Total opposite of what Slaid Cleaves is saying here but I'm in a Slaid Cleaves mood and this is just such an AMAZING song.
Pretty bleak yes and maybe I'm just weird but I hear this song and it makes me grateful for what I have...

New love like a diamond
Like a twinkling star
But it’s a whole lot of heartache
To get to where we are
‘Cause every man is a myth
Every woman a dream
Watch your little heart get crushed
When the truth gets in between

Every bond is a bond to sorrow
Your blue sky turns grey
Everything you love will be taken away

Cry for your mama
Cry for your dad
Cry for everything you know they never had

Lyin’ in the bed you made
Aw, but you were so young
Say a prayer, put your head down
Gotta prove your mama wrong
There’s no poison like a dream
When it all comes undone
Don’t you know that in the end
You’re not fooling anyone

Every bond is a bond to sorrow
Your blue sky turns grey
Everything you love will be taken away

Cry for your mama
Cry for your dad
Cry for everything you know they never had
You know they never had

Between the rum and the glass
Between the teeth and the tongue
Come December when the lights go out
You know you can’t count on anyone
Between a dream and a lie
Between hope and what’s real
After so many years of ‘Let’s work it out’
You’d think there’d be some kind of deal

Cry for your mama
Cry for your dad
Cry for everything you know they never had
Cry for your mama
Cry for your dad
Cry for everything you know they never had
The love they never had
Cry, Cry

my rt15 recap & stragglers

Wow these last few days!!

Thursday
Went to the RT convention

• Pictionary with a whole buncha authors I've never heard of. Wanna know why? Cause it was an inspy authors! Christian, and Amish and the like. HA! Still...I'm not going to knock it. A good story's a good story. I'll give the books a go...why not!
• Next was a group of panelists at the other end of the spectrum - they called it the "Art of Funny Smut" Christina Lauren, Clayton, Chase and Probst. Pretty sure I've read all of them. All were really funny. I like their books and like them more now seeing who wrote them. Apparently event coordinators underestimated their draw cause there were way too many people in the small room and it was hot (not in a good way)!
• YA Fantasy - Cremer, Lu, Aguirre, Pierce, Westerfeld- I've read Lu's Legend and Westerfelds Uglies. It does make it better if you've read what they're talking about. I'm certainly more interested in Andrea Cremer just by hearing what she has to say though. It's on the list. 
• Paranormal - JClare, KCole, CHarris, DJones and GShowalter - This was the one I was most excited about as Kresley is my favorite. This was a great panel. I tried reading Harris's Sookie books but lost interest. I might try her again just cause she was hilarious. And good to know that Kresley never responds to any fan mail. She's very busy. I think she maybe could've said it a little differently? cause I think she might've offended some? I get it though.  
• Ended with Eloisa James, Sylvia Day and DJones - I love EJames books and learned interesting tidbits, both SDay and DJones were interesting...it's just by this time I think everyone was just straight up tired.  

I think I'd go for one day (maybe two?) again. It's worth going. I just don't see myself going for a week! I was beat by the end of just that day. 

Friday

I had a shit day at work so was totally in a drinking mood. We uber'd to see Jason Boland. He was awesome as always (his hair's gone gray? how'd that happen?)  but it turns out there's no uber to pick us up where we are when he's done!
Jamie finds a couple who's fine with us sharing their cab. It turns out they're from Arkansas and like to talk just as much as we do so we essentially kidnap them to our house. Next thing we know it's 3:30 in the morning and we have basic strangers staying with us in our guest room. 

Saturday

We take our new friends to breakfast and  back to their hotel with the promise to visit them when we head their way.

 I really thought I'd try to make it to the RT Fan day, but this was me all day yesterday instead:

So yep I've run the gamut of new memories/experiences these last couple of days - either way I'd say I've totally lived - it was quite grand. 

i'm out now though...chores and stuff.