The Gates of New York

Simply stunning. A day of snow, cold, eating, coffee and some of the most incredible saffron colored artwork I've ever seen...

pictures soon!

What we'll be doing for that all important last week in this U.S. of A

Weds. (yesterday;) Drive to Vermont for selling of house by Penny Battison. Return and consume some tasty brews at Delaney's in New Haven.

Thurs. Finish packing, train to NYC. Wander around some gates and people watch. Catch up with Anna of Colorado fame, Carinne of Boston fame, and a decent cup of espresso (finally).

Fri. Drop off alcohol (and other worldly possessions) at Mother's place, drive to providence to rendevououiaouiues with Sammo, Peter and Mary (I hear there are cookies waiting), then head up to New Hampshire for a weekend of hiking, drinking and the occasional word edgewise.

Mon: Swing through Beantown and distribute hugs, kisses and enrollment forms to the locals. Return to mother's place, sleep and eat.

Tues: Africa, all aboard!

Our friend the Malaria Pill

Mefloquine, also known as Lariam, is the malaria pill we were prescribed for our trip to Africa. Taken once a week, it warns that if children vomit within 30 minutes of taking the pill they need to take another.

Here are some side effects from a handy website:

upset stomach
vomiting
diarrhea
stomach pain
loss of appetite
muscle pain
dizziness
loss of balance
ringing in ears
headache
sleepiness
difficulty falling or staying asleep
unusual dreams

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

tingling in your fingers or toes
difficulty walking
seizures
shaking of arms or legs that you cannot control
nervousness or extreme worry
depression
changes in mood
panic attack
forgetfulness
confusion
hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
violent behavior
losing touch with reality
feeling that others want to harm you
thoughts of hurting or killing yourself
rash
Mefloquine may cause other side effects. You may continue to experience side effects for some time after you take your last dose. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

In other words, it will drive you crazy. But of course, the question is... what happens if you're already gone?

How does a couple who looks like this...

end up looking like this? (besides switching sides)

So first you take your mefloquine after a hearty meal of burgers and fries...

...and you realize that mefloquine affects different people differently...

...and your girlfriend looks at you like this...

and suddenly you look like this!

Another look at the effects of mefloquine, our lovely malaria pill of choice.

Anyone who's been wondering what we've been up to should take a look at this useful illustration of the crime scene we've been working on...

The Near Life Experience Cast: (Clockwise) Zephir, Jeff, Sam, Mary and Peter

Jephir's Italian Cobb: Any packaged herb lettuce mix, carrots, morrocan cured olives, green beans and asparagus tips tossed in a tomato feta dressing. Topped with crumbled bacon, hard boiled eggs, parmesan cheese and avocado. Mmmmm!

Zephir enjoying her salad with the traditional Blini (Dixie peach juice and any mixer sparkling wine - in this case an Italian prosecco called Rotari). This is what we do with a morning off. It's probably for the best that we spend most of our time working, otherwise we'd weigh about 600 lbs. (combined, of course).

Back on the blog...

Been more than a bit absent as of late - working, working, drinking, etc. Wish I could blame it on lack of internet access, but it has more to do with difficulties making time and collecting my thoughts. Life is so much different when you're trekking than when fiscal concerns tether you down in one spot for a bit.

Driving to work last week I encountered my first existential moment in quite a while. Not paralysing in any way, just that creeping realization that the frames of my reality aren't as firm as they seem, that the curtain is fraying around the edges.


That said, life is otherwise pretty good. Working at a liquor store has opened doors to a lifestyle of gustatory spectacle, as well as how it can only provide an adjunct to an otherwise healthy lifestyle.


And we're back!