Photos

I know, my blog is not well organized. Really, I need one topic, to write more often, and break down the days. I blame the effort involved. It requires me to pre-think topics, arrange photos, and create a flowing story. I can barely do one by itself, let alone all three together!

But fear not, I've seen the error of my ways and will attempt to correct; but until such corrections are made, prepare for more randomness!!!

First, I wanted to share a photo from "Tent Movie" which I've now determined is a sitcom. Sure, it has a name (something like Sana'a Al Something), but I usually don't stick around long enough to figure it out. In today's episode, a lost daughter was found! Apparently she was either kidnapped (most likely) or ran away. I'm hoping she ran away, just so we can have an episode on stoning; the side plot shows her living happily in a tent with another man. To the right is the father engaging in a debate, he's most likely to instigate any future stonings (don't they all!). Note: they're in a tent. To the left is mommy dearest talking to her daugther (mom is far left). Mom tries to save them all, and generally knows what's best for everyone, but she's pretty much ignored. Note: they're OUTSIDE a tent.

Next is a photo of my refrigerator in my little hotel room. Who needs ice trays? Yes, I've been forced to live off of TV dinners and fast food. It's horrible. I'm dying to find my own place and break out the crockpot (mmmm, lamb stew!). Of course, that means I'll have to find one rated to 240v. I think my buddy Danny will give me his, so long as I share some of my food....


One of the most difficult aspects of living here is shopping. The food has few preservatives, which means it goes bad VERY quickly. Milk generally lasts only about a 3-5 days, which means planning a meal down to the very nitty-gritty. To the left are two sizes of milk containers (though you can find the 3/4 gal size too). The right one is for one-person consumption - something you'd see at a fast food joint. The larger is like a 1/4 of a gallon - I still don't know how much milk I drink in a 5 day period... sometimes I crave it, sometimes not. I've wasted quite a bit.... and it's pretty much ALL WHOLE (it's tasty and comes from Saudi). Very few low-fat options. Even the bread only lasts a few days. They ship stuff in from the US, but it's usually hard from frostbite. Ah, and the tea in front of the picture is just my daily wake up. I have a friend in the UK willing to ship me some better stuff. I'm VERY much looking forward to it... I like it black. The tea here is much better than what you find in the States (Lipton is actually GOOD and comes in multiple flavors), but it's all still rather questionable.

I've begun research on my Halloween costume. I was invited to a party, and told there's a costume contest. Now, for those of you that don't know, I'm QUITE the fan of costumed events! My HLP (heterosexual life partner), Laura, and I used to attend Pirate Festivals and Oktoberfests if simply for the pleasure of dressing in period costume. There's Laura and I to the left. Ugh, I should never be a blonde again, and thank God for Lasik! sniff sniff... oofta Laura, oofta. (side note: Missouri has a TON of great wineries if you're ever passing through - there are at least 20 within a 2 hour drive of St Louis - I recommend Heinrichhaus! - near the St James Winery - he gives a great lecture on why icewine can't be grown in the US... and he wears lederhosen)

This being my first "coming out" in Bahrain Western Society, I feel it's required I win any type of costume contest - if only to make my mark. So, this year, I plan to go as ... (please, no copying of ideas)... Dot from Spaceballs!! (insert evil laugh: hahahaha!!) Of course, being in my late 20's (ick!) I plan to make the costume a bit more attractive; I've already ordered $60 worth of gold body paint! The idea was really my co-worker, Danny's. I had suggested C3PO, and he suggested Dot. We spent most of the afternoon researching ... I have yet to decide if I will be on skates.

Don't worry, your tax dollars are not being wasted. We've also planned to start a Garmin/GPS initiative. I make maps ... call it cartography... call it GIS.... it's all quite the same. Paper, points, lines... and a pretty background! I feel like a monkey could do my job; but I don't want to prove it because he'd probably show me up. Anyways, back to the GPS bit - there's really no way to get around Bahrain. It's landmarks, mostly temples: the Grand Mosque, the Irish Mosque (because it's green, not because it's Catholic); and then there are other hotels or restaurants, but nothing else. So, Danny and I are going to create a Bahrain roadmap and GPS upload! Quite exciting I think. It'll be mostly based on landmarks (there are no road signs), but it'll point out all of the gas stations, restaurants, police substations, etc. Those little items you need to know, but can't make out just by glance sometimes. If anything, it'll keep ME from getting lost!

Stay tuned for: New Apartment. I found the PERFECT place...