HAPPY NEWS (car talk)

one less reason to feel anxious about returning to NY.... my friends, Mary and Ricardo got my car inspected! here is a link to the photo I will try to post the photo on our blog later..
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/352903788_aca1ab4701.jpg?v=0

I have been dreading returning to cold, snow and ice and 2 uninspected cars. My friend mary sent me a link to photos of her cutie pie daughter and family photos and among the photos was Ricardo with a thumbs up standing by my grafitti car, with the caption "it passed!" sigh. wow. smile. wipe a tear. yea! I love knowing that colorful car can continue to serve me happily while surprising others. I really thought I would be driving it to car cemetary.

I have not driven once in Venezuela we walk tons and use public transportation. Under sunny skies without deadlines I can do this. I am someone who has been driving since before it was legal and It is no secret I am a car addict. But when it is this easy to walk and use public transportation, minus the job thing, I dont miss it much. However, I do miss it more than a cell phone. And everyone knows what a cell phone addict I am in the States. I have no phone here, no time piece, no problem. I find that very liberating. I have been so intensely connected to my cell phone I never thought I could live without it.
EASY!

I will be able to return to the cold and bask in the warmth of my inspected cozy car.
do NOT underestimate how good this feels. People with new cars have no idea the struggle to inspect old cars and the system is much harder now. I hate car payments! I believe in keeping a car as long as it runs!
despite the lack of environmental laws with exhaust and the trash problem, I love seeing all the old cars in Venezuela. it is very common to see many cars from the 70s and 80s. and believe me I get tons of punches for "punch bug no punch back" from zarha, and they are ALL old bugs. Reference the photo we posted of "nun in a bug" what I like about that photo is the traditional nun in full habit in an old bug, thats a classic! The old style bug is very popular here and I dont think I have even seen a new one. I have only seen one PT crusier the whole time in Venezuela, SUVS in richie rich areas those are more popular than the others, but they certainly dont dominate.

I can ramble about this car thing but the most important point...Thank you FRIENDS!
love yous
ps andy is probably reading this news on the blog becuase we have classes at different times today and he will check blog before I can give him the news!
cheers!

Paragliding and CIA (both make me sick)

we went paragliding and Bush wants the CIA "to pay more attention to Venezuela"
here is a link to an article by Eva Golinger about that. http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=2196

It is so irritating how the Bush dynasty corrupts everything. Venezuela is a country where 75% of the population voted and Chavez democratically won 64% of that vote. He is making drastic positive changes for regular poor and working people. He is challenging monopolies and the elite neo-liberal agenda. Check out the difference between so called Free Trade (FTAA) and ALBA, the Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America (that I am proud to have been given a Spanish name after) http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1100

Washington politics makes me sick like paragliding did. At least para gliding was beautiful and dreamy. I was surprised I felt sick. luckily I did not have to take the advice of my pilot and turn my head "far left" to puke. Its important to go with the wind on that I guess. It was exhilarating jumping/running off the mountain and then the wind just lifted us away. I was really excited when Zarha got lifted off, I was so proud of how adventurous and brave she is. I am so glad she is my kid. She can accompany me on all the adventures. I love her! And she didn't feel sick! it was actually a smooth ride. We turned and circled and dropped a bit thou. The guide told me the motion is similar to boating so if you tend to get sick on boats you would get sick paragliding. I dont normally feel sick on boats, but I did throw up on my uncles boat once when i was a kid. Normally I am fine on boats and I LOVE flying in planes. I was a little disappointed with my stomach, I mean, I never get sick in my frequent flying dreams. hmmm. Well I controlled the sick urge and the flight was dramatic and spectacular, but I wouldn't need to do it again. Initially I thought I would take the course to learn to pilot the glider and now that dream is dead.

I have been trying to curb my sick feelings about the war in Iraq and the bush government and the lack of control we have to stop the violence and greed that is causing such turbulence all around the world. I think I WILL puke about that. I cant and shouldn't hold back. Maybe we need a puke in at the white house. The puke house.
puke snow balls or puke pies in the face of all the politicians that keep supporting these policies and cant stand up for peace or justice. puke on them.

OK I guess I am still feeling a little sick. I do find beauty in the people that educate themselves and act to change things. You inspire me, lets get sick together so we can start feeling better.
I will be ready to puke in Washington in February. Look forward to seeing you then
love in all the sickness