Sugar N Spice

Hablo Espanol Un Poco

Preparations for the trip to Madrid continue. I went to Borders yesterday, set to purchase the Pimsleur Conversational Spanish cd's, but they only had a single copy of Pimsleur's Basic Spanish, which has six fewer lessons than the Conversational Spanish set. I was a little disappointed, but the Basic Spanish set would have to suffice because I've got lots of work to do. I tried taking Spanish twice in college and had to drop it both times because I just couldn't get it. I ended up taking Arabic. Much simpler.

Of course, I could just go back to the Walmart in Laurel for a little practice where the box of almost every DVD player/recorder was turned Spanish side out this past Sunday. I was like WTF?! I don't know enough Spanish for them to turn the products in that direction. If I'd had my camera with me, I would have taken a picture to post here. I was shocked. But, if I know anything about the Beltway, I should be speaking like a pro in a matter of weeks. I listened to the first 30 minute lesson twice this morning. Oh well, at least this will give me something to keep my mind occupied rather than constantly yelling and cursing at the idiots who are cruising the Beltway reading the newspaper, eating breakfast, putting on makeup, bathing their dogs, ironing shirts, peeling potatoes, flossing their teeth, polishing shoes and curling their hair...okay, the last few aren't really things I've seen people doing, but they may as well be as slowly as they drive. Damn that Beltway! Damn it to hell! It took me an hour and a half to get to work this morning.

Anyway, do you guys have any suggestions on any other language programs besides Pimsleur that I could use once I'm done with it? --SUGAR

Madrid for an SNS Extravaganza!?

I think I've narrowed down where I'm going for my international trip, and it looks like I won't be going alone afterall. Spice told me last night that she was down for an October trip and she "suggested" Madrid. I don't really care where I end up, I just want to hit the road! So, I did some preliminary searching and the flight and hotel will only cost about $1000 for a five night stay, but as I mentioned to Spice this morning, maybe we shouldn't book the hotel with the flight, so we can maybe stay in some different places during the trip. You know? Venture out. She was half-asleep, so I'll talk to her more about it this afternoon, but what do you guys think? Madrid for the first stamp in my passport? --SUGAR

I Need a Stamp in My Passport!

I feel like going on a trip. Something nice and maybe even a bit exotic, but definitely international and not Caribbean (I don't count the Bahamas as international...sorry). Where should I go? Before any of you mean asses leave "Hell" as a comment, pull yourself together and raise up out of here if that's how you feel. Anyway, I keep thinking about Mumbai (formerly Bombay) after reading the Northwest Airlines article about it a few months ago while traveling for work. I was deliciously enticed by the article and I'm wondering if that should be the first stamp in my passport. I've had that thing for almost two years now and nary a stamp to show. It's time. Where have you guys been? Any suggestions? Most of my friends haven't been on any real international trips (remember I don't count most of the Caribbean), so their scope is just as limited as mine. I got my passport two years ago because myself and a couple of friends were going to go with Spice to France. She had to go for her job and she wasn't too enthused about going alone, so she thought it would be a good trip for the girls. Without getting into the details, we all had a horrible argument before any of us booked anything, so she went alone, and got horribly sick while she was there...talk about feeling guilty! Anyway, she and I have been kind of tossing around the idea of going someplace international, but we haven't firmed anything up yet.

So, now I'm actually thinking about going someplace alone. I know it would be scary and my parents and most of my friends would die at the thought of me going someplace like Mumbai alone, but what do you guys think? Would that be just too pitiful (and crazy with all of the freaks that might try me), or would it be a little wild and adventurous? I've traveled stateside alone several times (Lord knows, Salt Lake City, Utah might as well be international the way those Morons Mormons act...), but thousands of miles away is a whole nother thing.....I don't want to be the topstory on the network news because I've been nabbed by some terrorists or some such craziness. --SUGAR

Viva Las Vegas!

For anybody who cares (lol), I was out of commission last week attending a convention in Las Vegas. I'd never been before, so my mind was running wild with expectation. I didn't get to live it up as I would have had I been there with friends, but I still had an okay time. I went to see the Cirque Du Soleil show, "KA" and it was okay. I was told repeatedly, after the fact, that I should have gone to see "O", but whatever. I slept through most of it, for anyone who's planning a trip there and trying to decide which shows to see. It could have been that I was tired, or it could have been that I wanted to slap a mutha after two of the performers started making hand-puppets in the shadows, during the show....you'd have to see it to understand what I'm talking about, and to believe it.

Oh, before I send you on a photo journey, you'll notice amongst the photos below, a sort of Barry Manilow hell. I stayed at a Hilton Grand Vacations Club, which was  right next door to the Las Vegas Hilton, where Barry Manilow's show is performed and slap me if I'm lying, but there's a Barry Manilow store. I swear! Anyway, enough of my jibber jabber, feast your eyes on a few of the candid moments I captured while in fabulous "Sin City".

  What trip to Vegas would be complete without a photo of Elvis?

  Just because YOU think there are enough wedding chapels in Vegas already, doesn't mean there are. Another one's on the way.

  Mini Barry Manilows...I think they're paper dolls.

  Barry Manilow handbags....yeah......

  Barry Manilow Margarita Mix.

  And, another shot of Clay Aiken's daddy, I mean, Barry Manilow.

I lost waaaaaay more money than I had planned.

  Who knew the plumbing industry's terms for urinating and shitting really is #1 and #2???? Really bad idea by one of the contractors at the Las Vegas Convention Center to put up this sign.

  Beautiful blown glass on the ceiling of the conservatory at the Bellagio.

  A LOT more money than I'd planned to lose.

  Some Asian restaurant in the shopping area of the MGM Grand. Anybody else get the joke?

  "KA" is playing at the MGM Grand.

  And, so that it can never be said that Ernest Angley is the biggest horse's ass to show up on Sugar N Spice. --SUGAR

The Long Road Back

Well, my time here in the land of the Klan has come to an end. My mother keeps trying to convince me to leave tomorrow morning, but I need to get out of here. My lawyer friend called me last night and suggested we do the Master Cleanse again to get the year started off right and I think she's on to something. I need to get my mind right for that long road back to physical fitness as well. I need to lose about 20 pounds and they aren't going to come off as long as I keep sitting around talking about it. I'm ready to get back into a solid regiment. This isn't some New Year's resolution thing because I don't make them. Haven't for years, but it is a matter of it being a time for renewal. This year hasn't been the best, and although some things in my life are REALLY taking off, it is time to take a hard look at some other things and make some changes. Starting with this extra 20.

So, enjoy the rest of your afternoon and pray for my safe passage on I-95 and my safe passage through seven days of nothing more than a spicy lemonade concoction and laxative tea that is the Master Cleanse. We did it once before back in 2005 and I damn near had to be committed to an insane asylum. I was seeing visions of cheeseburgers everywhere I turned!!! It's gonna be a rough week. It is recommended that you do it for 14 days, but there's no way I'll be able to make it that long. Just making it through 7 is tough enough. Damn! Why am I so apt to self-torture!!!? --SUGAR

On the Road Again...

On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again.

Well, I'm about to hit the road and I can't get Willie Nelson out of my head, so I decided I'd post a few bars(see above) of one of the best traveling songs ever! To read the rest of the lyrics, check here. Anyway, I'm heading South on 95 as soon as my finger hits "save" on this page and I'm excited. I haven't been home since May and it should be fun...despite the dismal atmosphere surrounding my aunt's death. It will be nice to see family members that I haven't seen in over ten years!!

Have a great Thanksgiving and be safe! I would be very sad if something terrible happened to any of you lurkers.:-) Pray for my safe passage along one of the most drug infested interstate corridors in the country!! Ta Ta!! --SUGAR