Quick apology

[blamebrampton]

Sorry for the delay in replying to comments on that last post, the threatening head cold has thoroughly intruded with malices, and my Darkfest fic continues to be almost as much trouble as an Icelandic bank.

You are all SO interesting and smart that I wanted to reply with my brain on, rather than off, so I'll be getting back to you in the next few days. But it has really given me loads to think about.

One thing I did manage over the weekend was going to the Horse Parade. The public arts festival that has been going on for the last week saw a selection of horses from a local stable taken through the back streets of Erko. I walked the route in reverse on my way to take some shots, and at every shady point along the way (it's a hot spring already) there were little groups gathered, asking "Have they come yet? Have you seen the horses?"

When they did appear, people cheered. And they joined the parade, wanting to be near the horses, touch a hand to their flanks. The green, sweaty smell of them was a friendly odour and the cars that came to those streets stopped and cut their engines, with many drivers stepping out of their vehicles to watch and pat and smile.

There will be photos in the next few days.

A couple of nice interaction moments, the heat has seen me break out my parasol, which is lime green. I was walking up to Newtown with it the other day and a girl with a burnt orange parasol was walking down to Erko. As we passed, we instinctively, simultaneously, gave a small half-curtsey and bob of the parasols before continuing on our ways, giggling.

Yesterday, at the horse parade, a man said to his daughter: "Do you like the sun umbrella?" and she replied, knowledgeably: "That's not an umbrella, Daddy, it's a parasol."

But today's was the best. A little old man came wandering down from King St as I wandered up. He gave me a great grin (which I took as appreciation for the push-up bra and low-cut top on a generous bust). "Ciao, bella! " he declared. "Is it too hot for you?" 

"Si! Molto calda!" I replied in my awful Italian, thrilled that he had instinctively spotted my desperate need for practice.

"Bene, bene, signorina," he replied laughing.

And since my Italian was exhausted, I replied "Oh that's just outrageous flattery, grazie! Piacere!" and continued up the road to my date with my lovely friend. At the gelateria.  I am in the Italian zone!

Comments

[pushdragon.livejournal.com]

Good luck with your fic. *sends creative vibes*

And your Italian. Though what does your feller think of your practising flirting in another language?? :-)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

He was at home playing Internet Spaceships, and the old chap was quite old, even by my standards.

The fic is actually going well, it's just taking a long time to write, because I have to keep pausing to sneeze. The Italian is a little gruesome, but you've met me, I can rely on the comedy of my miming skills in most situations, and will loudly call for diplomatic support in the others ;-)

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

Yay for the Italian zone! Not long now! :D I'm sending you good fic vibes. Which may turn out to be of useless quality since I can't seem to manage a single word myself today, but it's worth a shot!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear! It's Sunday, you are meant to be faffing about, go and find a gelateria!

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

Nah, I'm home sick, wallowing in self-pity and my inability to be amusing even to myself. :)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Not you, too! Damned illness, a curse upon it! OK, go off and watch the SNL Palin skits, they're amusing. The ones that contain her are just a little odd, she seems to be agreeing that she's not right for the job, which is just giving credence to my whole mad theory that she and McCain are secretly campaigning for Obama and Biden.

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

I know, what is it with everybody being sick?! Did you hear Shiv's voice post? I suppose we're just getting it out of the way before Italy. But since I have London and Barcelona before then I'd like to get well soon, pls thx.

SNL Palin it is then! Although, I have to say, even the skits scare me a little. ;)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

You could meet up with Shiv and compare mankiness ;-)

Yes, it is grossly unfair that you be ill when you have so much on. I send you wishes for wellness!

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

Ha, yes, that'd be a good theme for a first meeting. ;) We may manage that, though, depending on my schedule - I'm travelling with parents and sister and BIL, so it's not all up to me.

And thanks, sweetie! I send you some right back; you've been ill far longer than I have!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I have told my immune system that if it doesn't stop all this faffing about I will be attacking it with naturopaths. It has listened and is now concentrating on getting well before it is subjected to the ghastly taste of general Harbs.

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good one! Bet you wish you'd have thought of that sooner. ;)

[libby-drew.livejournal.com]

I must admit, the thought of you with a parasol is giving me goose bumps. I will have to explore this new kink in more detail. When I'm not dying. Ow.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It's my heavy-duty sun defence. There is no ozone layer here, and hats just aren't enough! I will bring it to Azkaban if I can make it and you can witness my twirl and flick opening technique, and the battering with the furled version should anyone be a ratbag.

STOP DYING. Get better! So we can hunt down whoever has unleashed pestilence on all of us and subdue them.

[silenceofcedars.livejournal.com]

I love seeing woman with parasols. I just came from the gelateria where I bought two flavors; pistachio and Nutella.

Auguri di pronta guarigione!

Pace,

Bubba

[frantic-mice.livejournal.com]

OMGILOVENUTELLASOMUCH!!!! *ded*


SRY about ur headcold DAAAAAAHLIN. *hugs*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

If I could only find the brand again, there was a chocolate spread when I was a little girl that was EVEN BETTER than Nutella, but I have been looking for it for about 20 years now, having realised that I hadn't seen it in a while. If I ever find it again, I'll buy you a jar, too .

Thanks for the hugs! Feeling better!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmmm gelati ...

I love pistachio, but I hate eating it because I enjoy looking at the colour so much.

And thank you, I am feeling considerably better!

[tomatoe18.livejournal.com]

"Si! Molto calda!" I replied in my awful Italian, thrilled that he had instinctively spotted my desperate need for practice.

Che carina! ♥

which I took as appreciation for the push-up bra and low-cut top on a generous bust)

Ma che scandaloso! XD

No wonder he was very concerned about you. ;)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It was a very hot day! Cleavage cooling zones were required!

[deensey.livejournal.com]

That friend of yours really is charming and wonderful

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

And a genius! She invented the chocolate sorbet milkshake!

[deensey.livejournal.com]

LOL. YES INVENTED.

[winnett.livejournal.com]

Ah, what cute stories. I love reading them.

I remember when I was in Assisi in 2004 this older Italian gentleman said something along the lines of "Bonita, Beautiful" and I was totally flattered, cause here I am this just into my 30s American tourist in tourist clothing being flattered by some old Italian guy. It was too fun.

[aldehyde.livejournal.com]

ahh parasol love! i, sadly, haven't used one in over 10 yrs! damn canadian weather..