Only recently have I thought about why.  I do this with English and Georgian speakers so it is not related to a specific language.  It is actually related to me being so damn quiet.  I have realized that if I [...]]]> I have found myself starting any new conversation with someone with the phrase ‘so’.

Only recently have I thought about why.  I do this with English and Georgian speakers so it is not related to a specific language.  It is actually related to me being so damn quiet.  I have realized that if I say ‘so’ and pause for a second, this gives the person I am talking to a chance to realize I am about to say something.  They then have the ability to turn up their hearing aides and focus on what I am about to say.  It may be annoying, but it does seem to be effective.

When we next talk and you hear me using the word so to start a new conversation, please understand that I have not turned into a valley girl!  I am doing it to warn you that I am about to speak.

This summer, I watched all six movies of Star Wars from Episode I to Episode VI.  I will admit that I fast forwarded a lot through the first two episodes (e.g., pod racing, anytime Anakin and Padame were together, etc).  Watching Episode IV after [...]]]> I never though I would do it, but I did.

This summer, I watched all six movies of Star Wars from Episode I to Episode VI.  I will admit that I fast forwarded a lot through the first two episodes (e.g., pod racing, anytime Anakin and Padame were together, etc).  Watching Episode IV after watching the first three was interesting – mostly concerning what Obi-wan tells Luke about his father and the force.  Most of the special additions to the movies (keep in mind that this is the DVD versions, not the new Blu-ray versions that are coming out with more changes) were not necessary or just felt weird.  The ewok song at the end is completely different.  After Darth Vaders dies and comes back as a blue glowing Anakin, it is the Anakin from Episode II and III and not the old Anakin that we see when Vader takes off his mask.

I have also watched the Robot Chicken Star Wars specials several times (1, 2, and 3) and kept these in mind while watching the movies.  I found myself laughing during random parts in the movie because of the scenes I remember from Robot Chicken.  Here are a couple sample clips:

Would I recommend you sit through all six episodes?  Only if you are sick and have absolutely nothing else going on.  I think your time would be better suited watching the Lord of the Rings extended editions.  Ironically, the three movies in TLOR is about the same length of time as the six episodes of Star Wars.

The display on the back is acting up by showing different variations of horizontal lines.  Unfortunately, these lines also appear on the photos.  From what I have read online, this problem is due [...]]]> For about the past month or so my camera has been having a problem that has been sadly getting increasingly worse.

The display on the back is acting up by showing different variations of horizontal lines.  Unfortunately, these lines also appear on the photos.  From what I have read online, this problem is due to the image sensor.  And also from what I have read online, it is not worth spending the money to get it fixed for it will cost as much as, if not more, than a new camera.

So until I can figure out the proper place to smack the camera to fix the problem or until I buy a new camera, the pictures are going to few are far between.  Below are some examples of the bad pictures just in case you think the drugs are effecting my vision.

Blue line down the middle

Zura, the grandfather

There are six family members in the house: the grandparents; the husband and wife; and two teenage boys.  Also, there is a 7-year old cat, a 10 month old dog, two cows, chickens, and one giant rabbit.

Zura is the grandfather.  He is [...]]]> Time to introduce you to the family.

Zura, the grandfather

There are six family members in the house: the grandparents; the husband and wife; and two teenage boys.  Also, there is a 7-year old cat, a 10 month old dog, two cows, chickens, and one giant rabbit.

Zura is the grandfather.  He is a sweet old man and is trying to learn some English.  Unfortunately, his eye site is very bad and his hearing is also not the best.  Apparently he has had four surgeries on his eyes, but he still sits about a foot away from the TV so he can watch his favorite spanish soap opera or news.  He lived in the hills until about 60 years ago when he built this house and settled down with a family.

Jujuna is Zura’s wife.  She definitely wears the pants in the family.  She runs a little shop that is in the corner of the property.  When she does not have customers, she is busy working in the garden, making bread, making dinner, and who knows what else I do not see.

Malkazi is Zura’s and Jujuna’s son.  He was a weightlifter when he was younger and now teaches weightlifting in town three days a week.  When he is at home, he is always working in the garden with the grapes, bees, or whatever else needs attention at the time.

Nana is Malkazi’s wife.  She is the number two pants wearer in the house.  She is very kind and loves to laugh.  She teaches fourth grade at Chala and knows some English.  She loves that I want to help her with cooking, dishes, cleaning, etc and I think she hopes her boys will start to help her like I do.

Nana and Malkazi

Zura is the oldest son.  He will be entering the 12th grade and wants to go on to study architecture.  Like his mom, he loves to kid and laugh.  Unfortunately, he is lazy and somehow gets away with not doing much around the house.  He has a ‘girlfriend’ from a neighboring village that he texts and talks to on the phone all of the time.  I give him a hard time for it and his parents appreciate it.  However, Nana did not appreciate it when I told them that I started dating when I was 15.

Lasha is the second son.  He will be entering the 10th grade and does everything around the house.  He works in the garden, he takes care of the bees, and he helps fix stuff around the house.  Unfortunately for Zura, Lasha also knows how to fight/wrestle, so Lasha always wins.

Jessie is the young wiener dog.  She loves to have attention and always wants to be in your lap.  The cat, which has no name, is 7 years old and is a typical cat.  Unfortunately for the cat, Jessie loves to play with it.  The cat will let it go on for a little while before it breaks out the claws and starts hissing to make it known that enough is enough.

Jessie

No-named cat

The house is about 58 years old.  In the back of the house are the cow pens, chicken coops, fire pit for making bread, and the four containers in the ground that hold about 2000L of wine.  Grape vines are everywhere.  They also have strawberries, cherries (this is the first time I have seen a cherry tree with cherries on it), apples, pears, melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, various greens and herbs, sun flowers, and mushrooms.

View the slideshow of the family and their house.

While I was asking Drew a question, a person walked into the restaurant to ask for money.  Drew looked at the person and stated IDAHO!  The person did not know what to make of this and just walked away.

I was [...]]]> Amy, Drew and I were at dinner tonight and had a good laugh.

While I was asking Drew a question, a person walked into the restaurant to ask for money.  Drew looked at the person and stated IDAHO!  The person did not know what to make of this and just walked away.

I was even confused and asked Drew what he said to the person.  He indicated that he was just answering my question, but looking at the guy while he did it.

We all busted up laughing.  We learned a new ‘Georgian’ word that makes people leave you alone.  IDAHO!

Dear Lazy Bums –

I thought I would give you a few helpful hints to help you enjoy my exquisite writing prowess.