Day 544 - Aussie Relations

This afternoon Jaco & I took a little drive outside of Hermanus. A few towns down the road is Gansbaai or Goose Bay. It is here you'll come if you ever have the desire to climb into a cage & hang out in icy cold waters & see a Great White Shark up close & personal. For those of you saying, 'Why on Earth would anyone ever want to that?' I understand. For those of you saying, 'Sweet! Hook me up!' I also understand. I was part of the latter group, until, while travelling in South Africa for the first time, I saw an article in the newspaper about a man from the UK who was shark cage diving when the cage he was in detached from the boat. As you don't actually dive, but only snorkel on these tours, he had no oxygen supply. He had a life or death *or death* decision to make. Do I sink to the bottom of the ocean & be crushed & die of oxygen depravation? Or do I swim for it & risk being torn to shreds & eaten alive by the ocean's scariest creature? 


He used up one of his nine lives & survived the incident, miraculously! They also feed the sharks when they do the dives. They tie some 'food' onto a rope & toss it into the water. When the shark comes along, they give it a little tug towards the boat to draw the shark in closer & closer. The video I watched showed the shark lazily making an attempt to grab the snack put in front of him. Not the roaring psychotic Jaws scene I was expecting. In any case, I don't really know how wise it is to make a carnivorous shark associate people with food. (That said, I did dive with sharks in St. Maarten, although they don't have a reputation for eating people!) Needless to say I kept the $400 or so in my pocket & didn't do the dive. If you want to, Gansbaai is where you can come to do it. 


So we drove through Gansbaai & up to Franskraal. I was in Franskraal in 2005, also the first time I was in SA. It's a sleep little town with no street lights & only a shop or two. It is a lot bigger than what I remembered, so I'm not sure if it's grown a lot or I just didn't realize it was that big when I was here before. In any case, we drove around, looking at all the lovely holiday homes. We stopped by the beach, watched the fishermen tending to their poles & catches. I snapped a few pics of the water & waves & then it was starting to get dark, so we headed for home.


When we came into the yard, we could hear a few more voices. Jaco's Aunt & Uncle & cousin were visiting. It is his Dad's Sister & Brother-in-Law, who live up the west coast, close to where Jaco's Sister & Brother-in-Law used to live. His cousin currently lives in Australia. We had a lovely dinner & entertaining conversation until 2300 or so when we all started yawning - triggering the other to yawn & then the other... So we said farewell for the night & see you in the morning...


Lekker slaap,
xxxxMaria

 Waves, wind & water

 Peaceful place

Sleepy little town

Day 380 - Film Roll B & Cesar Millan

It's amazing what a bit more sleep can do for one's constitution! I felt so much better! Thank you! Today was our second marathon day of films, although we were leaving early to head home. To go to another show! Well, at least I was!

Our films started at 0900 again & we were in the big theatre. We headed out just past 0830 to make sure we got a good seat. Luckily we also got a good parking spot! Our film roll went as follows:
1. Rush Hour Dream - 5 minutes long. This was the first film made by the Latin American/German fellow. He is a businessman who falls asleep on the train to work & wakes up in a dream on top of a mountain with a paraglide getup inside his briefcase. So he paraglides down to work. Very cool!
2. Last Paradise - 37 minutes long. This was another of my favourites. Mr. Neeson was the film maker, from New Zealand, and his film told us about the birth of adventure sports in New Zealand. We traveled back in time to when these adventurers were much younger & how they came to be today. We saw AJ Hackett, the inventor of the bungee jump, and the footage of him illegally jumping off the Eiffel Tower (!). We saw kitesurfing, surfing with jet skis & jet boats... It was a fantastic film! We saw Mr. Neeson on the street later today & I wanted to compliment him on his wonderful film, but he seemed to be in a rush. Next time.
3. L'eau Qui Fait Tourner La Roue - 19 minutes long. This film showed us the story of an old man who runs a sawmill, as well as his electricity from the energy of the stream that runs through his farm. He had quite a sense of humour & although he moved a little slower in his old age, he still spent his days working in the sawmill. It was quite interesting to say the least.
4. Treasure of the Lisu - 30 minutes long. Taking place in rural China, we were told the story of a Grandfather who makes a traditional stringed instrument by hand. He wants to pass the tradition along to his children & grandchildren, but they have little interest in learning. It was a very educational film, but also quite sad, as I feel regret in not learning the crafts my Granny used to do - knit, crochet, baking 'her' dishes, sewing, canning... all those things Grannys do so well!
5. Living The Dream - 3 minutes long. A super short film about a die-hard rock climber. He lives very 'basic' & takes us on a journey of the moment he wakes up to the moment he climbs. This includes trying to start his old car, it failing, and then he skateboards with his dog to the climbing spot. Cute film.
6. A Cry From The Top Of The World - 46 minutes long. Certainly not a feel good flick. We were told the tragic story of the climbers who perished on K2 in 2008. The events that would turn into warning signs that were dismissed & the 11 people who lost their lives. Bone chilling & petrifying, this wasn't a favourite, but nonetheless, a story well worth telling. Still makes me shudder.

We took a break for lunch at this point. I'm glad, as that last film was pretty crazy. I used to want to climb Everest one day. But after that, I'm over it. I'll respect the mountain from base camp. Thanks. We met Karen & her friends, Carmen & Wayne, & had lunch at Magpie & Stump. We had just ate there two days ago, but Karen had her heart set on Mexican cuisine. Fine by me, I enjoy it! Jaco doesn't eat lunch, so he was even easier to please! We talked about our favourite films & why or why not, along with a wide variety of other topics. Such as - grocery shopping & the attitudes of shoppers, cat skiing safety & safety inductions, cruise ships, snowboarding, old cars... It was a great way to spend lunch! We nearly missed our afternoon films from all the talking! We raced back to the theatre & managed to catch the films just in time. Here's what we watched:
7. Salt - 28 minutes long. No, it's not about Angelina Jolie. It's about a photographer who ventures to Lake Eyre in Australia. He spends several months camping on this lake. The imagery is fabulous. Beautiful skies - both day & night, humour & plenty of solitude, this was another favourite. The simplicity & the beauty of pretty much nothing - I was happy to have experienced Salt.
8. Daredevils: The Human Bird - 48 minutes long. This was the last film we watched before leaving Banff. We missed 3 films. This film is one of 4 in a series on humans who do crazy things. You can google or YouTube for The Human Spider, The Ice Man & Skywalker. The Human Bird was about a young 30-something fellow who does Proximity Wingsuit Flying. What's that? Think of a flying squirrel or a basejumper. Either one is pretty crazy! This guy jumps out of a helicopter & 'flys' down the side of the Matterhorn. Yeah, the one in Switzerland. He flies within 5 feet of the surface of the mountain. It's crazy & not for the faint of heart. Yeesh.

On that adrenaline rush of a note, we left for home. I had a ticket to Cesar Millan tonight. Jaco wanted to accompany me, but the tickets were double the price & he didn't want to pay that much. I had an early-bird discount. (The only time I'm early - when I can get a good deal!) I also thought he was flying home today, so I would have taken him to the airport & then left for the show. But now he's staying longer! (YAY!) So, off I went to the city.

I didn't sit where my ticket stated, as I was late (!) & the show had just started. I managed to sit in a better seat, with the row all to myself. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time! Cesar was hilarious! I had n idea he was so funny! I was in stitches for the better part of the night! He did a great job imitating dogs, puppies & their crazy owners. Of course, I learned a fair bit too, so that was great! I've got a long ways to go to get my girls in order! Oh well. One day at a time!

He had several local people bring their dogs on stage & explain what the issue was. In a matter of mere minutes, he had a dog that was obsessed with food lie down next to 3 plates with steak, chicken & salmon & IGNORE the plates! He also had a dog obsessed with dog toys (balls) (Hello Valentina!) & in a few more mere minutes he was able to put the ball between the dogs legs & lay a 'chuckit' across the dogs legs. The dog just looked around & could have cared less! Amazing!!!

I was pretty pooped by the time I got home, what a weekend! Here's to a good night's rest & a relaxing day tomorrow! Sleep well!

xxxxMJV&O

 Explaining how to get your puppy started on the right paw!

Food obsession 

 Ignoring temptations!

Getting over the toy obsession

Day 213 - Cowboys & Ice Cream Cake

Mmmm, I LOVE my new curtains! I picked up some plain white canvas curtains at Ikea the other day & they are perfect! They filter just enough light out to keep things dark... More sleep for me! Yay! Now, if only I could get to bed at a decent hour, I wouldn't have to worry about sleeping in the daylight hours! Nobody's perfect & I'm a bit like Garfield. I don't do mornings.


I woke up to a loud banging on the door... It was Dieter! And Jim! The are both cowboys from different continents. Dieter (Dee-tur) is from Germany, but has lived in North America for many years. Jim is from Australia & is here for a few months to work on a few ranches. Dieter used to keep his horses out at the ranch & that is how we met. On the exterior is this rough, tough cowboy who likes a good argument. If you're not in the right frame of mind, he'll catch you off guard. But under that tough exterior is a pussycat. He's got a big heart &  he always brightens my day when he stops in for a visit.


Jim was here a few years back & has returned for the summer. He is very quiet & soft spoken - quite the opposite of Dieter! He is a very kind man & quite generous too! He's coming out next week to help Mom build a bit of fence! Should prove interesting, I'm positive of that!


After the cowboys left, I started working on Mom's day planner for her. She has me do the menial, mindless parts, which take up too much time & allow her to do the creative bit. I don't mind. I need some experience in the program & it makes me feel useful! 


Today was Joe's birthday at EVIC & I had Mom pick him up an ice cream cake from DQ yesterday. We took it down shortly before the centre closed & lo & behold, the big boss was there too! Great! More to eat cake! Dave, one of the CO's & a very good friend of mine, also stopped by to grab a slice & wish Joe happy birthday. Dave barely got the last morsel in his mouth when he had to run out the door on a call! 


I walked the dogs home & went back to work on the day planner. I spoke with Ami's parents in California... Ami is super busy & I haven't had any luck tracking her down... Here's hoping tomorrow I will! Her parents are wonderful people & I only wish I could have made it there for a visit! One day! 


I chatted briefly with a few other friends & then, of course, Jaco phoned. We had a great chat tonight & guess who's going to see Michael Buble! Yup! What a guy! It will be a great date night for us! Last time he was here, we went to Keith Urban. I reckon it has just become a tradition! 


I spent the rest of the night trying to order my wigs. Argh. Only slightly frustrating. I have no idea what the actual colours will look like, but fingers crossed they will be fun! It's super late now, so I'm going to keep it short... 


Lekker slaap & big hugs!
Maria & Valentina
xxxxxx

Jim & Dieter - the Aussie & the German - I'm sure there's a joke about that... 

Happy 29th Birthday Joe!

Seriously at work

Mom enjoying her cake

Joe's birthday @ EVIC

Walking my wieners!

Crossing the road with 2 wieners

Finding the sunny spot

Day 103 - Red Devil. Want Some?

Hey Everyone! 


I hope this finds you well & enjoying life! Valentina & I are having a ball over here! She has been very clingy as of late... Not sure why. Perhaps she thinks I'm going to leave her behind again soon! She enjoyed her day shredding everything I gave her. Including a disposable camera. I really didn't imagine she could put it into that many little pieces!


Well, you're probably wondering where the title 'Red Devil' comes from. Last night, shortly before I went to bed, I had the brainwave to look up the CHOP method of chemotherapy. This is the method the Doctor in Tijuana is wanting to use on me. Without boring you too much with the 'minor' details, one of the drugs is nicknamed 'Red Devil' or 'Red Death'. Sounds great, eh? Not quite something I'm ready to sign up for! It also causes cardiac toxicity. Even better! Render my heart weak for the rest of my life! FYI, it was discovered in Italy. I stand corrected. Not everything in Italy is wonderful!


But wait! It gets better! I read on... Next up is bleomycin. (ABVD Chemo protocol) Take this little baby & it leaves you with oxygen toxicity. Meaning? Well, if I ever choose to scuba dive again... BAM. Dead as a door nail. General anaesthesia applies as well, although I think if the Anaesthetist knows of your bleomycin past, you can survive this one. No heart, no lungs, no hair, no taste buds, what's left?


So the 'C' in CHOP stands for cyclophosphamide. That's the same drug I was supposed to take & didn't. I read about it... It is a known carcinogen & can cause secondary cancers, especially of the bladder. Great! Wikipedia says to drink 3.5 liters of water per day to help. At least I would be keeping Purex Pillowy Soft in business a little longer!


The 'P' in CHOP stands for, ugh, Prednisone. The dreaded drug I feel made my condition worse than it was. I was reading & counting the side effects. 13. THIRTEEN!!!! That is ridiculous! Clearly something is not right with this picture. Why on earth should I ever have that many side effects from one little pill?!?!? That gives me thirteen more reasons to go back to the Doctor & get more pills!!!! Argh! My frustration is near the breaking point! Luckily I'm no longer on the drug & do not EVER plan to take it again. If I must do the CHOP, it will be the 'HO' protocol! :o) Hello Santa! 


I also discovered a location in Toronto where I can arrange to have a tumor sample sent to NY. Why? They can culture the tumor & then expose it to the potential chemotherapy my Oncologist wants me to use. They determine the cell death time & how well each chemo works. They compile a report & then I know which chemotherapy will be best suited for my body (is there one? at all?) & which will be ineffective. I'll find out tomorrow!


Okay, so while I'm typing this, I'm not paying much attention to what's happening around me. It's late, so the house is quiet. All of a sudden I hear a gentle thud behind me. It was the cat, Adios, jumping off the island behind me. He is busily licking his lips. Hmm... I study the countertop. There isn't anything scrumptious on the counter... Then I realize he's been licking the butter! Yuck! No wonder he's not losing weight! Gross!


Today I also reconnected with a ship mate I haven't spoken to in years! Five to be exact! Jenny & I worked together on the Grand Princess in 2005-2006. She is from Scotland, but last year she moved to Australia. Lo & behold, she fell in love & is now playing the visa game to get back to her beloved. We enjoyed a fantastic visit - it was just like I saw her last week! Of course she gave a big push for Jaco & I to pick Australia! Gladly! Over this weather any day!


Anyhow, I suppose I should hit the hay for the night... I have to head to Cochrane for blood work tomorrow. Apparently I'm doing an INR test tomorrow. They want to make sure my blood will clot & I won't die on them. Gravy. And there is a possibility that I will be doing a photo shoot in the afternoon! My dearest friend, Cody & his fiance, Kelsy, are making their way around this neck of the woods & they want some engagement photos done, as well as some optics shots for one of their sponsors. Cody has his own hunting show, http://www.live2hunt.com. I'm very proud of him for following his passion in life & achieving his goals & dreams. And I'm even more excited he's found someone who shares his passion & wants to spend the rest of her life with him! 


Thanks for checking in! 18 days until Mexico! Sadly, I realized tonight that I will most likely be flying back from Mexico on the day Jaco is joining his next ship. On our 1st anniversary! Pooh. Good thing we got married three times, so we can just pick the next date! :o) You see, I was thinking! There was a method to my madness! :o)


Lekker slaap,
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox


Sorry, no exciting photos for today... here's a glimpse at what Mom's Photo Booth has captured in the past year-ish...

Chatting with Jaco

Chatting with Jaco while brushing my teeth while taking my picture. Multi-Task!

Apparently the sun does shine in Canada!

Bad day at the office!

My lap cat, Adios

Mom's sexxy new do!

My personal neck warmer

3 cool cats. Mom2, Adios & Moi

Talking to Jaco while being mauled by Valentina. Perhaps Jaco was telepathically sending me kisses & Valentina interrupted the transfer?