So, if the polls are so close, why don't they divide America in half, and give half to each main candidate?
Then eeeeeverybody be happy! Hmm.
It is interesting to watch the machinations from a different country, but still an unsettling thing.
Me? Well, I don't think I'd vote Bush, if I had the choice.
I think Greg the Bunny would be my pick.
(And hey, has that show been canned? I hope not!! Greg the Bunny rocks.)

Ahh, sweet Saint Ella of the Divine Voice (for she is a saint to me), won't you sing a man into being for me?

I have been singing along to your voice for a while now, and whilst being a most romantic voice (yours, not mine!), he is still as elusive as that foggy day in London town.

But there will always be your voice, Ella, and for now, daydreams will simply have to do. It's not all that unbearable, really... ;)

Have been enjoying time with my Grandma in the rural NZ town of Gore.
(Yes, "Gore".)
It has been pleasant, and not bloody in the slightest. We have been imbibing copious amounts of "Lady Grey" tea (nicer than Earl Grey, we think!), drinking wine with every tasty meal, talking late into the night, and taxing our brains with cryptic crossword puzzles, among other things.

1-across: "It is true, there is no stomach on the handyman." (8)

Grandma is one of those wonderful ladies who has the mental alertness of someone half her age (she's an 80-something) - the eyesight and the knees are becoming a hinderance to her confidence and activity, but all other systems are "go". I only wish I could magically fix the knees and improve the vision. So does she!

Nonetheless, it has been a good time thus far, and I only wish that visiting her was as easy as stepping through my wardrobe door back home, to emerge from the cupboard door in her hallway, in Gore.

When is someone going to be considerate enough to make step-through portals that work?
Doors are all very well and fine, but if the rooms are right next to each other, I think that's cheating really.

Love you lots, Grandma!
xxx

By the way, #1 across =

CRYPTIC SPOILER!
CRYPTIC SPOILER!
CRYPTIC SPOILER!
CRYPTIC SPOILER!
CRYPTIC SPOILER!

;)

"Factotum."

So I am getting my back seen to (having wrenched it on the weekend), by Oleg the cool Latvian osteo/chiro/deep tissue massage genius, and we were talking about martial arts.
Turns out that when he was a younger lad in his Latvian days, it was forbidden to learn Karate in Latvia, by the government of the time. (I am assuming this meant the Soviet one.) So he and several of his buddies would sneak into the forest to "practice Karate" in the darkness. (To be caught at it would have meant a spell in jail, and certain privileges being revoked!)

I really liked the imagery of it all..
And for extra value, Yoga had been banned as well... (Karate was banned "in case they should utilise it in rebellious acts against the government" ?!!), Yoga was seen as being some kind of "non-acceptable" religion!

I think the bans happened in the late seventies, early eighties, but it's okay now. Well, yoga became popular, and I'm assuming it's okay to do the karate thing too.
But imagine that! Once upon a time, Latvian doctors sneaked into the woods to practise forbidden Karate. (Although I think Kung Fu has a more mysterious ring... ;) )

****

Grandma back from Canada. I love my Grandma, she is cool. Wonder if she brought me back a Mountie as per request? Suspect not, as the horse might have been a bit of a problem for the Customs Officials.
Going to visit her soon. Yay Grandma!

Achievements of today:
Successfully belched "Elvis Lives".
My Flat and I call it a draw in the battle for tidiness.
Caught up with friends, and have just finished an enjoying conversation along the "coincidences and remembering people one has known, who have since moved on, and esoteric beliefs", sort of line.
Rediscovered a cosy old jumper, which I am currently wearing. I think it was pleased to see me, as I haven't worn it this year until now, even though it's technically "mid spring" here!
A cold night still, so the 'leccy blankie has been set to 3, and I am awaiting the perfection of toasty warm sheets.

Also, my chess game needs more work in order to thump yesterday's opponent of marginal skill who has only fluked more wins than I, through sheer stupidity and luck! You know who you are - or maybe not, that might take too much effort!
;p
Still, I think my opening "loser pawn being attacked by 'face hugger' Alien" gambit is pretty good.
And when my bishop announces that "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!" in a squeaky little voice, you can just tell it's going to be an intellectually challenging game.
Next time.. next time I get you GOOD, and show you up for the looooser chess player that you ought to be!
;)
Sleep, sleep with disturbing little dreams, my pretties...
I am off to enjoy crisply warmed sheets of goodness.
Goodnight!

The stereoslides turned out great!
A shame the same cannot be said for the scanning of them... ah well! Save another couple of grand, and I might even be able to afford a decent slide scanner myself.
As it is, heeeeeere's ANDY!

Heh. :)
The last achievement for today, besides posting this, was the satisfaction of making and eating cheese toasties. And now I shall go to bed.

Goodnight!