Being Mirranda - Trapped in Marocco P1

So I'm a researcher yes. I had this one horrible month tracking around Europe working on a political story for an American newspaper. My boss, you know 'the dragon lady', red hair red lips and skin like old yellowing rubber, green snake like eyes and the temperament of a disturbed hornets nest. Well she called me in London and had me jump on a plane to Marrakesh for some sound bite from an very well known French CEO, well let's call him MR X. Lets just say I'd so had enough of jumping on long hall flights at all hours of the day and night to get three sentences of info and a photo to satisfy the dragon lady's writing success. We arrived for our scheduled stop over in Casablanca when all hell broke loose. Well not really all hell, just my own personal corner of hell. My bags including my laptop, lost. My boss on the phone yelling in my ear, apparently Mr X's people had called to decline comment and he had gone into hiding. And to top it all off my connecting flight was canceled due to some problem with the plane's engine. Just wonderful. After a few phone calls, and luckily finding i had packed my company credit cards in my carry on bag with my passport, the dragon lady ordered me a new company laptop to meet me in three days at the airport in Casablanca with a fresh company uniform and press id in time for a new flight to Marrakesh. True i could have taken another airline, buss or train but without a laptop and company wardrobe I'd just be sitting around without any prospect of finding Mr X or my much loved lost luggage. This all took just a few hours too many. I've never been able to sleep on planes and exhaustion was creeping in around me. I stumbled to the Cash exchange in the airport lobby and filled my purse with company credit. They would only see the credit to cash transaction on my card records so i could spend the cash as i please, and all i wanted at the time was a fresh change of clothes a stiff drink and a long sleep. I don't speak Arabic or french so using a little badly pronounced high school Spanish i managed to tell a friendly taxi driver i wanted clothes. We drove through a very new metropolitan area of Casablanca, if it wasn't for the street signs we could have been anywhere. Sky rises and glass shop fronts advertised expensive goods and services. A beautiful mosque the only reminder of the cities past. We drove around for a short time till the taxi stopped outside what was clearly an out of my price range boutique. I managed to explain that it was much to expensive and we drove out of the shiny glass city into an older section of Casablanca. The streets here where lined with tall classical European style white buildings, cafes and not yet opened restaurants. We stopped outside a smaller boutique withblue jeans in the window. Yes this is what i was after, jeans and some t-shirts, simple easy. The taxi driver, a short round middle aged man, with a full mustache and dark brown hair, freckled olive skin, who tolled me in so many words his name was Kamal, smiled as i asked him to wait and tossed a handful of cash in his lap. The bright shop was small, it had two long racks of clothing, bottoms on the left and tops on the right, shoes lined up on the floor under the racks with change rooms in the back. The young woman working in the shop only spoke Arabic so i made do with pointing and smiling. I really should have picked up a language guide in a bookstore before i left London. I left the store with a happy horde of clothing, three pairs of shoes (black stilettos, white joggers and some wooden wedges) three pairs of jeans, one pair of long black dress pants, four modest t-shirts, a nice dusky rose collard business jacket, and a long simple black well cut backless evening dress. The Girl in the shop was very pleased, i would be too if someone came in off the street and brought out half my stock. She didn't even have the dress i bought on show. She brought it out from the back room as it was just my size, and well it was gorgeous, fit me just perfectly and the fabric was so soft to touch it was like wearing an extra skin. My purse was feeling significantly lighter as i got back into the taxi and tolled Kamal as carefully as i could in my broken Spanish that i needed underwear as well. He drove me around the corner to another boutique where i picked up a few pairs of simple cotton underpants and plain bras. Much to the dissatisfaction of the woman behind the counter who had seen all my clothes shopping and tried to sell me the most expensive raunchy bit of lace in the whole shop, before realizing i had no idea what she was saying and leaving my to point and smile in peace. Shopping done i was dead on my feet, sleep and drink was all i could say to Kamal. We wove through the paved streets till we came to an older restaurant bar with an upstairs hotel. Kamal helped me with my shopping and was gracious enough to help me check in and carry my bags to my new room. I paid him with a tip, whatever he asked, he could have walked off with the entire contents of my purse if he had wanted, i was so dizzy and tired. I locked the door, dropped the bags at my feet, kicked of my sandals and fell face down on the bed, curled myself in a comfortable ball and fell asleep.......

Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda

You will be glad i'm sure that this will be my last reading list entry for a while. I've been feeling much better this afternoon, if i had more than a few minuets tonight you would be reading the last installment of 'Speechless'. But as it is, i was just as miserable this morning as i've been all week so i've got a great book for you. The complete eight book edition of 'Deltora Quest' by Emily Rodda, i've had it on my mind since i read 'The crimson Chalice'. Emily Rodda is another wonderful childrens writer. I started this series when i was 14 but could never get my hands on the last books until now. Although for an adult these books can seem a little predictable and repetitive, i found it really enjoyable. We follow our young Hero Leif on a fantastic adventure to rid the kingdom of Deltora from the evil rule of the Shadow lord. He takes with him the trusted Barda, they meet a wild girl called Jasmin and her bird Kree. Together the trio travel all the land meeting new friends, and defeating extraordinary monsters and spellbound evils, collecting the precious stones that make up the magical Belt of Deltora. There is a great twist in the end, you do see it coming but Emily plays well on your doubts and spins the story around wonderfully before she concludes. It's just good fun: monsters, pirates, witches, lost tribes, soldiers, magic enchantments everywhere, and all in the midst of a secret revolution. I recommenced it as a fun bit of light reading for Adults and a imaginative adventure for young teens. A perfect bed time book for the kids. Will defiantly read it again, thanks Emily.

V for Vendetta - A novalization by Steve Moore of the screan play by the Wachowiski brothers

So you've probably all seen the movie. Brilliant as it is my husband saw this being sold on a street corner and thought it'd cheer me up (still being trapped at home with the worlds worst headache, how infuriating!). When they say "Novelization of the Script" they are not kidding. It is word for word the movie, down to the smallest of details. As a book in itself it doesn't really tickle me. Admittedly it does give quite a bit more insight into Detective Finch's inner workings, but the characters seam to be lacking flesh, they remain shallow copies of the movie. Like 2d images walking around the real world, they feel just not quite right. I suppose in away that's irrelevant as the true hero of this tale is not a person but an idea. The idea of course being FREEDOM "Remember remember, the 5th of November, the gunpowder treason and plot, i know of no reason, why the gunpowder treason, should ever be forgot." For those few people out there who know nothing of this truly glorious tale, it follows a young woman called Evey Hammond, an aging Detective Finch, several questionable political party members, and a mysterious vernaculary gifted masked Hero. Following the historic tale of Guy Fawkes in a bid to rid England from a tyrannic goverment, ruling under the cruel iron eyes of the supreme High Chancellor. A twisted tale of great truth, unyielding evil, true beauty and revenge. Book or movie this is an absolute MUST for all, although i would defiantly recommend the movie over the book, i may read it again some time long into the future when my DVD becomes scratched beyond recognition, or save it for my children for that time when watching old movies becomes "so uncool" but it just doesn't do full justice to the idea behind the tale.............and you say i never give bad reviews.

The Crimson Chalice by Victor Canning

I know i should be writing some fantastic short stories for you to loose yourself in, but my head is pounding away and i just can't clear it enough to create. I do hope you find some solace in these short reviews, i have found reading the only bearable activity at the moment. My mother knows i'm an absolute sucker for Arthurian legend and stumbled across this wonderful book and posted it snail mail for my pleasure. I am sad to say that although i have heard of Victor Canning, until yesterday i had never the pleasure of reading his works. This is a seriously good book. Set in 450AD during the Saxon's arrival in Britain and the demise of the Roman rule we follow a wealthy young Roman girl, a well educated British slave and several well trained animals. With a little bit of religion and Celtic magic they travel across Brittan avoiding the murderous Saxons, Devious Pirates and a few treacherous clans men, bringing into the world the beginning of Aurturo Pen dragon, and his protector Merlin. Really one of the most interesting Adventures i've ever read. In this book i can see the foundations for so many of the modern (and not so modern) Magical adventures that have been put to paper. I would recommend this book as a must read to all those who love mystic Fables like "The Deltora Quest" or those fabulous "Dragon Master" novels i'm yet to read but hearing good things about. Even if your not into the whole Magic set, this book gives a remarkable look at those early times in Brittan before car's and freeways or roads for that mater, indeed even before decent shoes for walking. It's an easy read with no wishy washy language and some simple but well worded characters, and real true to life sweaty uncomfortable awkward and impoverished undertakings. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 16 (some smutty bits) as a literary must.

speachless part 2

I am in a cool white room now, i haven't opened my eyes for fear of the light but the whiteness burns through them still. I am so numb, i can still feel a dull ache in my body, well at least the half of it with any feeling, but its bearable thanks to a large dose of morphine. A while ago, after being surrounded by poking prodding doctors and nurses and pushed on and off and ex-ray bed, my brother Jake was with me. He tolled me he was alright and dad was on his way to the hospital. Then i was lifted onto a soft bed and left alone. I wish there was somebody here, i know i can't talk to them and i'd be too afraid to open my eyes, but still any company would be better than the beeping machines above my left shoulder. What i wouldn't give to shut them off! Beep...Beep...Beep YAY thrilling stuff aughh i wish the morphine would numb my brain and put me into a nice deep sleep. I am drowsy and it's making my feel dizzy. I wonder if this is how mum felt before she died, it's been ten years since she died. She was on a hike with her sister over the ridge, and some idiot lit a fire just outside of her campsite. They brought her into the hospital with smoke inhalation and third degree burns, she was sedated and being monitored but she didn't last the night. My aunt died a few hours later on the bed next to her. None of us got to say good by, the hospital didn't find out who they where to call us till late the next day. Only dad went to identify the body's, he didn't speak more than a few words for almost two years afterwords. I don't want to go like that, i have so much more i want to do, and i don't want to hurt my dad. I do wish someone would tell me whats wrong with me, it's really frustrating. Maybe they'll tell dad in the room when he gets here and i can listen in....this morphine is really good........i'm so tired....mum, no?........i.......sorry Jake....don't want to die.......

The short second life of Bree Tanner - Stephanie Meyer

So I've been having some really bad headaches lately, the sound of my children fussing and any form of electronic noise seems to send my head into a deep dark melodramatic mind numbing paracetamol proof ball of badness, aughhh. I've been reading allot more and it seams to keep the beast quiet. Yesterday i stumbled to my bookshelf and picked up this eclipse novella. Bree Tanner is a new born vampire from Victoria's short lived army, you'll remember her character from Eclipse we meet her just before she is killed by the malicious Jane, a member of the Volturi guard. It's an interesting story, poor Bree seams to have gone through alot of pain since her birth to get to this point in the story, and i am glad she goes out on a high note.. well higher than the rest of her story. As always with Stephanie Meyer the story is well written and the Characters are truley alive. I would not say this book is a must read, but for Twilight junkies like myself it's a wonderful addition to the world she has created. I would love to read more about Fred, a reclusive vampire with special skills who somehow (i'll not give everything away) survives past the end of the book. He seams rather deep and genuine. I'd love to see a nice thick book dated sometime after breaking dawn...Hint hint (please Stephanie i know you'd love to write it)..And it was great to get a little back ground on Riley; a one year old vampire who seams to just appear into the battle scene of Eclipse. For all other Twilight lovers out there give it a read, you'll really feel for Bree and she gives a fantastic perspective into the mind of a new born vampire that we just don't get with Bella's special mind blocking powers.

Autumn Bridge by Takashi Matsuoka

I just finished Autumn Bridge by Takashi Matsuoka. It's a collection of beautiful Japanese historic type love stories, the next book after Cloud of Sparrows. This exquisite tale follows the blood line of a wealthy Japanese family of Lords and Nobles through six centuries of marriage, love, war and political executions. Before reaching Lord Genji and a young American rose Emily Gibson who arrives in Japan 1867 as a christian missionary. Its a truly superb tale, the setting changes seamlessly though the ages to show the passing of time. All the characters from the elegant noblewomen to the Haughty princes are lovingly written, the story lines are well sewn together, to give the full effect as each characters flaws and values spread before you. The bad guys are never wholly evil, and the good guys are never knights in shiny armor. It can get a little choppy between the past and present movements of the book and some behaviors take a while to relate. But all in all i would (an have) read this again and recommend it to anyone who likes well written complex love stories with a bit of magic and ninja type sword fighting or has an itch for anything historic and anthropological.

Speechless, part 1.

The last thing i remember, i was driving my brother home from a soccer game. Then the screaming as a loaded bus speed through a set of traffic lights, slamming into the drivers side of my poor red Toyota hatch back. Colors streamed before my eyes, a mess of red yellow and green. Then everything went black. I was soft and far away from my body, lifted out of the blackness and into the bright white above it all. For a moment i hung there, light and empty i felt like i had become nothingness, lest than dust. Searing pain rattled in my head and brought me back here, to my body. I want to cry out, to move to feel breath in my ridged body, feel anything but the pain. What is going on? I can sort of hear if i concentrate, sirens loud coming closer. My brother is calling me, "Jake! Jake! are you ok? JAKE? what's wrong? UGH!" i can not make a sound, my lips are heavy and they will not open, i can not even blink. I can here different voices now, new strong voices, two men and one woman, checking my reactions, searching for signs of life, calling for a gurney. They're all together now "1-2-3 UP" No don't lift me, somethings wrong, no i can't call out. Stop lifting me, the pain, it hurts! your hurting me! STOP. C-r-a-c-k. What was that! No! No! STOP the pain has gone from my legs. I CAN NOT FEEL THEM, STOP! NO!...no no it's to late. I can hear them loud now, we must be inside somewhere. They heard the crack, they are checking my pants to see, yes i'm all dirty. They say they'll have to take me for ex-ray's. The woman is opening my eyes now to check again for reactions. I can see her, shes pretty, thin with red hair, please give me some pain killers PLEASE! Oh god i'm going to die, i'm already dead, i can see that now, her face is so sad, i wont make it. She seams a little more hopeful now? maybe i can move my eyes if i try really hard. To the right YES! ok now, left, YES! oh the pain is worse HELP ME! Wheres Jake, I'd forgotten Jake. Is he OK? Please someone tell me! He can't be too bad, he spoke to me before. They are talking hurriedly, my mind is spinning and i can't understand them. The sirens have stopped now, i can hear more clearly. I can hear doors opening and metal somewhere beneath me squeaking, i must be on a stretcher. Bright white lights burn my blurry vision can i close my eyes again? My lids are so heavy and the pain is blazing wild if i can just close my eyes, Yes! closed, oh the coolness of the black behind my eye lids. Still the pain rages out of control won't some one please help me?...........................................................

City of Beasts - Isabel Allende

I have just finished "City of Beasts" by Isabel Allende.
A very Adventurous story about a young boy called Alex Cold who sets off into the deepest and darkest parts of the Amazon with his grandmother. Sounds a bit childish i know but i found it very intriguing, that part of my mind that always lights up around anthropology found this book both stimulating and fantastic. Isabel's characters are quite fantastic in themselves; an old pipe smoking, vodka drinking, hard as nails grandmother, a mountain climbing flute playing boy, a girl who talks to the spirit elders, a load of gun blazing bad guys and supernatural natives. What could be more fun. The plot gets very obvious early into the piece which can make some of the rare slow parts of the story seem endless. But her writing as always is easy and comfortable making he flow of the main story and the underling story lines seamless. The depth she gives the Amazon setting is incredibly real. Dirty, hot and dangerous at every turn, running wild with magical natives and mythical monsters. An easy read (got through it in 6hours or so) and thoroughly enjoyable would recommend it to anyone and anyone's children.

The old woman & the trash collector - the end

The old woman did as she had promised giving Reish more money than he had seen in all his years as a garbage collector. "My dear Reish, please do not entertain any ideas about Dadhija, she tolled me before she left that you had grown too fond of her. Dadhija loves my son and will not leave him for anyone. I will call for you when enough time has passed, and should she become heavy with child and the child be born healthy i will fulfill my other promises and more. Please go now, i suggested you find yourself better lodgings and try for a better position, so that when you have been given my other gifts you are ready to find a suitable wife." Reish silently washed his hands and was lead to the door by Naajy. His heart was thick with a liquid pain that was slowly spreading throuh his body, he said goodbye to Naajy promising to call on him with an address as soon as possible. His feet dragged as he walked through the city to his accommodation in a small shanty town. Everyone was surprised o see him as he had been gone so long they had thought him dead. But the landlady's daughter had collected all his things just in case before his bed was given to someone else. It was to late in the day to walk to find other accommodation. But poor heartbroken Reish suddenly remembered he had a grate deal of money in his pockets. It was a good thing he still looked so raggedy and poor, or someone could have easily robbed him. He took an in town bus, and found a room at a cheep hotel where he locked the door and curled up into a ball on the soft clean bed to morn his heart. When morning came Reish felt much better. After all he had enjoyed his time with Dadhija, and now he could look forward to enjoying his future wife. He got out of bed with fresh resolution and had a lovely long shower in his private bathroom, a luxury he had never had in all his life. He dreaded as well as could be managed then went to the busy market. He needed a new home, one fit for a wife, and to get that he would need a new job with a boss to sign off on the lease and to get a job he would need a clean set of new clothes and some English man's shoes. He found a tailor and was soon fixed up in a clean English suit and black shoes, something he could never have afforded had he saved all his money for ten years or more. Then he went to a barber and had a professional shave and a new hair cut, he had done these for himself for so long that the professional cut made him feel as if he owned the world. Self confidence radiated off him. And that was a good thing to or he would never had found a new job with his lack of education. While at the barbers he asked about any job opening he had heard of. The barber just so happened to shave a factory manager every morning and knew that they where looking for a floor man to oversee the workers breaks and take care in case of any accidents. He marched up to the factory bold as bras, after all the worst they could do was say no, and the worst jog he could find was the very one he had been doing for longer than he cared to imagine. Thankful of the barber, he asked for the factory manager by name. The manager was so impressed by Reish's confidence and polite manner he gave him the job on the spot. Reish was given a tour of the factory before signing a six month contract containing the details of all his duties. Reish could not believe his luck, what a morning, to think he had originally said no to the old woman, if she had not persisted, he would never be a floor manager with a sixmonth contract three times his yearly income on top of the cash in his pockets and the chance to have a family. That brought his mind around to the cash in his pocket. He could not be walking arround like this all day. He traveling around town looking for a small apartment he could call home and found one in the business are of the city. It was not the best place for a family, It had three small rooms one for cooking, eating and entertaining, another for sleeping and holding his clothes, and on small bathroom with running water and a toilet. But the landlord was happy to sign it to him strait away so he took it willingly, having the lease contract curried to his new boss. It was returned signed finalized and paid in cash within the hour and he now had a place to call home. He took all his old belonging from his pockets. It was strange to think that odd assortment off combs, oils, and soaps was all he had from his past life. Still he had to much cash in his pocket. He walked through the business district untill he came to a bank where he signed a new account to his house and job and filled it with almost all the cash, leaving enough to buy some furniture and finance himself for the next three months. He went shopping and ordered furniture to be sent to his address, and brought a nice secondhand watch and an alarm clock to keep him on time. He had never had need to watch the time before and so had to get the shop keeper to teach him. He took another bus to the blue house and left his new details with Naajy before heading home happily exhausted for a sleep, tomorrow was his first day at the factory. Over the next four months Riesh worked hard, he learnt on the job and his manager was very impressed. One day Naajy sent a message that he would visit him at home for dinner. Reish had no skill in the kitchen so ordered a lovely meal from a shop near by and greeted his old friend at his front door after work. The two men happily fell to talking catching up on all the gossip like old times. Naajy was curious to know what had happened to his once sad and ragged friend over the last few months. To see Reish now you would not be looking at the same man, his skin had lightened from being out of the sun, his thin form had swelled well with nourishing food and kinder work, he looked more hansom than ever before, and lighter like the weight of desperation had flown from his shoulders. Reish was keen to know of the old woman and her daughter in-law Dadhija. Naajy reported that just as the old woman had hoped Dadhija was now four months pregnant and her husband was non the wiser to what had brought it on. The old woman was failing faster now and all where worried she would go before the baby came. That brought Naajy to the reason of his visit. He handed Reish a business card. "This man is a tutor, my mistress will be paying him to teach you to read and write as well as mathematics, English and some business and economics. He will arrive after you finish work each day to take your lessons, i have been instructed to tell you to pay him nothing while he is in your service, and should he behave poorly or treat you badly to pass a message to me at once. It is said he is the best in the city but my mistress worries you would be looked down upon." This was happy news to Reish, another step in his plan to find a family and keep them in comfortable style, although his present position allowed him to keep his accommodations and other expenses without touching the original payment from the old woman it would not be enough to educate his children and keep a wife well dressed and in preferable accommodations. When the tutor arrived the next day he was so happy to be actually helping someone, instead of aiding wealthy children who he found rather rude, and Reish was so eager (even though he struggled) to soak up the information that they got on better than old friends. Just before the end of his six month contract Naajy again came for a visit. This time he brought the business card of a rather well known exporter. The old woman and the exporter had been great friends in another time and had called on him to find Reish a well paid position. Reish signed a new contract and went to work for the exporter as his personal assistant. Having a comfortably higher salary he could now afford to lease larger accommodation in nicer part of town. He found a small two bed room house with a small courtyard, lounge, separate kitchen and a bathroom with a large bathtub and separate toilet. Just right for securing a wife. But still he waited, he had no family to speak for him in engagement negotiations and wanted to see what else the old lady had in mind for him. Three more months passed and an invitation arrived for Reish to dine with the old woman in her grand blue house. He arrived on time and found the old woman alone in her lounge. He thanked her deeply for all she had done. Just as he where about to fall to a low bow the sound of a baby crying draw his attention to the dinning room. There sitting by the table was Dadhija and Hakesh holding a beautiful baby boy. The old woman smiled. "No Reish, what i have done for you is merely a drop of and in the desert of happiness you have brought to our life's, dine with us as my friend Hakesh need know nothing but i have more for you and wish to talk when they have left us." Dinner was a pleasant affair, Dadhija politely asked of Reish's comings and goings and Hakesh cooed at his beautiful boy unable to lift his shining eyes from those of his sons for more than a second. When the food was done the happy family thanked their host and rushed home, greedy for more time with their child. Reish and the old woman retreated to the lounge for tea. "My dear Reish, see how you have blessed us all, my Son has not touch a bottle of wine in all these months, and Dadhija is a glow, singing with happiness. I will die contented, as long as i hold true to my promise i will be a happy woman in the next life." "than you again." Answered Reish, "It is all your doing, you know i had no real choice in the matter, but i am happy for it." "Those are kind words Reish, but he would not be such a hansom boy without you. I have already paid you a large sum to your bank account, enough for a decent dowry and to set you up for at least one year in reasonable style. Also i hear you have been working very hard. My old friend is much impressed and tells me he will be giving you a higher position in the next few days, but let him surprise you, he will be sad not to tell you himself. I have invited a lovely young woman and her parents to dimmer one week from today, that will be enough time for my friend to surprise you i think. You will come i hope, and if you are well pleased with the woman you meet i will arrange the wedding myself but you will need to pay the dowry in good show for her father. You will come wont you Reish?" Yes he did come, and that is how my father and mother met and where married early the next year. The old woman died soon after and left a significant amount of money to my father who used it to buy a new house and start his own export business. Naajy was hired as my fathers second in command and was well rewarded for those kind words which had changed my fathers fate. In my parents second year of marriage i was born and soon after came my two sisters and younger brother. We went to the best schools and when my farther died had enough money left over to continue our education and living in Australia. Naajy now owns the business, and in a few weeks i will join him as his second in command. The end.

Sorry for missing Wednesday's post my computer is a little sick at the moment and the doctor says she will be back to perfect working order in a few days.

The Old Woman & the Trash Collector, Reish -1972 part 3

Naajy's face showed at once he had been listening, and Reish was not angry. He knew Naajy was a gossip, and what could be more enticing news than a Garbage collector having tea with a high woman, and in his own house too. But Naajy was a good man, and had no mind to spread harsh news, especially about his friends or mistress. They walked in silence to Naajy's room, before sitting on the floor with the door closed, so Reish could talk openly. In the silent walk Reish's mind had cleared leaving just a few questions, he needed advice. "Naajy? you heard everything?" "Yes my friend, forgive me." "yes you are forgiven, i am forever in your debt, thank you for all your kindness. But now i need help, i can not understand my mind." "I am listening." "Do you think it is so wrong to lay with another mans wife?" "Yes, i would, though you will not lay as lovers. But to aid her husband and mother in-law." "Is it true that they are so gravely grieved?" "Yes, the whole family is saddened. Her son Hakesh has become drunk and miserable, his piers do not respect him. His wife Dadhija has lost her speech in sadness, her voice is only heard in her tears, it is sad for one so beautiful to cry as she does. And the old Woman is getting closer to the end of this life every moment, she refuses to go without a grand child and it worsens her pain." "I see, Naajy, and if i was to lighten their suffering, would it be right to acept payment?" "I can not see how in easing their suffering you should not ease you own." "So you would say yes?" "I have seen Dadhija with my own eyes. I would give my right foot to be given the opportunity before you." "I think i must have more time, i will sleep now and give an answer in the morning." "very well," said Naajy, "I still have work to do, i will leave you now, sleep as you like." And with that he left Reish to his thoughts. Rish slept uneasily, he was very tempted by the old woman's offer, but not sure if he could live with himself afterward. By morning Reish had decided against the money, it just didn't sit well with him. He was brought by Naajy to breakfast with the old woman, where he sadly tolled her of his decision. She was not pleased, her face fell for a moment and her eyes warmed with water. But then her face lightened. "Dear Reish, i see that you are an honorable man. I am saddened by your decision, but wont you stay for lunch, i have a guest arriving shortly who was looking forward to meeting you." "A guest?" "Yes, Naajy!" Naajy entered the dining room through the kitchen door. "Naajy, bring a good bottle of my husbands drink from the cabinet and two glasses." Naajy quickly opened the doors of a nearby cabinet and brought a large bottle of wine and two glasses. The old woman took them and pored out the cloudy red liquid. "Have a drink Reish, to show no love has been lost between us." She handed him the large glass and bid him to drink to the bottom. A bell sounded in the front hall and Naajy left to tend to it. "Another glass Reish?" Asked the old woman. The drink was sweet and smelled of flowers, but was strong, his blood was already running warm. Before he could refuse another large glass was being lifted to his mouth with the aid of the old woman's own hand, Reish drank out of politeness. Naajy reentered and announced the entrance of Dadhija. Reish's eyes went wild, and his heart hammered like it was no-longer in his chest. Dadhija was truly beautiful, her eyes where dark and smoldering, her face was pale and gentle with small features and full ruby red lips. Dadhija's long soft black hair ran to her waist, the smell of Jasmin filled the room as she entered. The curves of her body where easily seen through the light yellow silk sari that sat perfectly making her look as if she was aglow. Or perhaps Reish's eyes were servilely affected by the strong wine, whatever the reason Reishs small amount of resolution stuttered then died permanently from his mind. the old woman and Dadhija spoke quietly to each other glancing at Reish from time to time while plying him with more wine. When at last the bottle was empty Dadhija took Resh by the hand and led him into a grand bathroom. Reish was lost in the wine, a childish smile on his face he bought he was dreaming. Dadhija filled a bath with warm water, flavoring the water with cinnamon, milk and honey. She undressed Reish and helped him into the bath. Reish's senses where on overdrive, he felt giddy and heavy with drink. Dadhija slowly washed Reish in the bath, then dried him gently is a soft towel. She led him into a well furnished bed room and sat him in his towel on the bed. She undid her silk sari and let it flow to the floor, exposing her beautiful soft curvaceous form. "Will you have me? Or will you make me beg?" Her voice sounded like gentle music to Reish's ears. His lips trembled and finally his mouth managed to form a word, one word "Yes."
Dadhija stayed with her mother in-law for four days. She and Reish stayed hidden in from all but the old woman who would bring them meals. Reish was treated like a prince, hand fed expensive sweets and fruits and plied with wine, giving into Dadhija all day. On the fifth day Reish awoke alone. Naajy quietly entered the room with a tray of food and tolled Reish of Dadhija's departure. Reish dressed and tried to lighten his heart, but he had given his poor miserable heart to the beautiful Dadhija. He was again brought to eat with the old woman...............................

The Old Woman & the Trash Collector, Reish -1972 part 2

Naajy entered the lounge and gave Reish his hand to lead him away from the Old Woman. As Reish raised his head, the old woman saw his hansom face, surprised by his gentle eyes she looked him over, noticing for the first time his strong hands and masculine build. An idea started to form in her head. Naajy lead Reish back to his room and brought rice and water for him. Reish suddenly realized how long it had been since he had eaten and filled his belly happily, as Naajy explain all that had happened to bring him inside the blue house. Naajy bade Reish to sleep for a while more, that he would be well enough to leave at the next brake in the rain, so as not to irritate the old woman. Leaving Reish to sleep he returned to his mistress. The old woman bade Naajy to sit by her and tell all he knew of his friend. Surprised but respectful he sat for an hour and delivered Reish's history to his mistress. When he had finished the old woman asked Naajy to bring Reish to talk to her before he left. Reish slept soundly until Naajy woke him for the evening meal. He hadn't expected to be asked to eat with Naajy's mistress, but followed him into a dinning room and was seated next to the old woman at the beautiful English style table. Naajy served their meal and pored drinks before his mistress bid him to leave. Curious Naajy hid himself in the lounge where her could still make out their conversation. Reish sat in silence eating his well prepared meal. It had been a long time since he had eaten anything other than rice and the food was incredible to his taste. Satisfied he had eaten well, the old Woman decided it was time to talk. "Naajy speaks very highly of you Reish, i wonder what you have done to earn his praise?" Reish was lost for words, his face blushed with gratitude and he wondered how he would ever return the favor to his good friend. "I do not know." was all he could whisper, so intimidated by speaking to such a high woman. "Well, i have a.....business offer for you. One that would give you means to higher your station in life, and also i believe what i would need in return you may enjoy giving. You see, i have a son, a beautiful daughter in-law, and yet as the years pass i still have not one grandchild to my name." Reish was confused, for what could he do to give her son children? "My daughter in-law will be coming to stay with me for some days while my son is away. She is a lovely girl you know, long silky hair, dark cat like eyes, and skin like the sun. You would...enjoy her i think?" Reish's mind was in uproar, visit with another mans wife!"I would pay you well, and i can also find you a tutor to further your education, get you a good job, and enough dowry for a good wife, but you will have to give me grand children." Shock and fear burned bright red into Reish's face, like he had been stung by a wasp. "Do i offend you?" Asked the old woman. "I...I...yes, you mean well for your son, but..It's not right to...his wife....she would never agree...I am no one...no family..dark skin...dirty feet....for her to lay with me?...and your son would know....I do not even know if i will be better than he....I have not done...that before....I can not." Reish's lips could not keep up with his head, he lowered his face in shame and sat in silence. "You have not been with a woman before?" "I am no one what woman could want me?" "It is true women want someone to support a family, and your job is not... ideal..but that can be changed." "She would never do it... who am i to her?" "It is not who you are...it's what you can give, you are an attractive young man. Naajy tells me the people respect you because you are kind and polite. This is what i want in a grand child. You have no family to shame, and you would like a wife?" "Yes i have dreamed often of a wife, but still i don't see why your daughter in-law will agree." "Do you think i am the only one longing to see children? My daughter in law has grown sad, she is often at my door for a shoulder to cry on, it hurts her as it hurts me. This is all she wants in the world, she will come with joy in her heart." Reish could find no more reason to disagree, he tried to organize the thoughts in his head but they would not stay still long enough for him to sting them into words. Luckily Naajy entered with sweets and tea, he cleared the table slowly before leaving the room once more. It gave Reish time enough to breath but still he had no answer. He drank his tea quickly, hoping to escape, but the rain was still heavy and the sun had left the sky. The old woman interrupted his thoughts "Stay another night here with Naajy before you give me an answer in the morning." It was more of a command than a suggestion. Having finished his tea, Reish left the table and found Naajy on his way to the bed room...........................................

The Old Woman & the Trash Collector, Reish -1972

My father's name was Reish, he told me this story when i was a young boy before we left India. I do not remember India well, as i have been here in Australia since i was eight years old, my father died and my mother took me to live with her Aussie sister. But here is what i remember. Before my Farther met my mother he worked as a garbage collector in Bombay (now known as Mumbai) He had a trolley constructed of bamboo polls and old bicycle wheels, and he would tow it around the streets to collect the garbage. Each house hold would pay him a small sum of money at the end of the week. Eventually he took over the route of an older garbage collector through the rich side of town. It was always important to him to look clean, and even though his clothes where old and torn in places he kept them well washed and did his hair with oil. My mother says he was always an attractive young man, with a hansom face and strong features. If he had been well educated and of a higher caste he would have never been a garbage collector. But as it was, it was his good fortune to walk the streets. After some weeks on the garbage route in the rich end of town, Reish got to know many of the servants who brought the rubbish from the houses to him. Naajy was the manservant of an old woman who lived in a grand blue house with a large courtyard of red stone. He was a gossip and always looking for other male company. Reish often got quite lonely, having no wife and no family he looked forward to talking with Naajy and often stopped to eat his lunch with him. They each had a small bowel of rice often my fathers only daily meal. Naajy spoke of his quiet life in the blue house. The old lady was often very sick, her husband had died two years ago and left his money for her. She had one son Hakesh who was married but he could not give his wife children. Hakesh would ofen come to see his mother in a drunken rage, blaming his wife Dadhija's family for deceiving him of her child bearing talents before their engagement. The old woman often tolled Naajy in private that her son had many lovers before he had settled to marry, and none of them had conceived while with him. The old Woman desperately wanted grandchildren, She would not give into death until she had herd their feet on the pavement and seen their smiles. But death was drawing closer by the day, and it broke her spirit to see her wish unfulfilled. Naajy was such a gossip he knew what everyone in the neighborhood was up to and loved to fill Reish in on everything. It was good for Reish who was quite shy, just to be able to sit and listen and enjoy the company. My Mother says My farther was always a quiet man, i remember him being kind, and gentle. But he could be very rough when he needed to be, I remember when i was six he once beet a man who was slapping a woman flower seller in the street. He then brought all the flowers the seller had, and paid for a cup of tea to calm her nerves. I always wondered at where he learned such generosity and kindness, growing up on the streets of Bombay you'd be lucky to make it from one day to the next. During the monsoon season My Farther would still carry out his collection. He had no choice, he had to eat and pay for his bed and soap. When he wasn't being half drowned by the rain he was dizzy with the heat. Naajy had no time to talk as guests had come to stay at the blue house, so Reish was lonely too. The rice was no longer sustaining him and the weather beat on his body harder than any cat'o'nine tails. He slipped in the water and mud on the streets, giving his legs and arms bruises, the water filled his cart and weighed down his load. It so happened that one such horrible day Reish slipped in the mud outside the blue house and knocked over his cart. A wheel broke free of it's bamboo constraints and the entire load turned on it's side crushing Reish under it's weight. A particularly thick bamboo pole came loose and hit him square on the head knocking poor Reish unconscious. Naajy just stepped outside the courtyard to hand the rubbish to Reish and saw his friend laying as if dead in the street. he rushed to him and found him still breathing pulled his body out of the garbage and sat him against the red brick courtyard wall. Naajy raced inside covered with a little of the rubbish from Reish's trolley. His Mistress was shocked at the state of him and scolded him for his smell. Naajy begged an apology then tolled the Old Women of his kind natured friend. The old lady was sorry for scolding her manservant, she bid Naajy to take his friend to his room and let him lay until he was capable of leaving. Naajy thanked his mistress with a deep bow and rushed to bring Reish out of the rain and into his dry room. Reish slept for two days, Naajy washed him in his sleep and clothed him in fresh cotton. When at last Reish woke he was clean an comfortable in a strange clean room on his own. Reish got out of the bed, confused and worried. He walked through the comfortable house, it was so richly decorated, beautiful carpets on the floors, ornate English furniture lining all the walls, and the air was cooled by wooden fans hanging from the ceiling. Reish had never been in such a palace, he was becoming more nevus and worried by the second. He stumbled into a lounge area where a well dressed elderly lady was taking her tea. Reish fell to the floor in a low bow, uttering apologies as quickly as he could, shaking from head to toe. Naajy was in the courtyard trimming the Jasmin vines and was completely oblivious to his friend awakening. The old woman was angry at first not wanting to be disturbed by some unknown ruffian. But then she remembered Naajy's guest and realized the confusion. She smiled and spoke kindly to Reish telling him where he was and calling to Naajy through an open window. Reish was still in shock and remained where he was glued to the floor head down in his bow.........................

Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

I have decided to add a few notes on books i am currently reading during those days when i am simply too busy/exhausted to sit for 2hours and type up a story. I hope you won't consider it lazy, but between my research assignments, traveling husband, children, diet/exercise (yuck), guests and household chores some days time just slips away.....

I am currently half way through Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I am very much enjoying the language, and Emily's easy writing style. But i have to say i feel almost no sympathy for any of her overly dramatic characters. It's very hard to envision yourself in a story where you just want your hand to slip through the pages and give all involved a good slap. I don't mind Ellen (aka: Nelly) the house keeper, but i do find her quite self-righteous and simple; she could have been a real hero in the story. But instead we are stuck with the devious Heathcliff, hoping (pointlessly) he does something to better his attitude. I wish i had a chance to read it in high school, i would have really liked Catherine, she reminds me of myself at 16. But now i just want to give her a good shake and tell her to "Get a grip!" I hope it ends better than it started.

....So i have now completed Wuthering Heights. It was very a intriguing read. Owing to the fact that i found the characters shallow minded and Heathcliff particularly repulsing, and i just could not relate to them at all, it took me longer than expected to finish. The ending is both surprising and incredibly moving, redeeming the story of its depressing melancholy. Although i will not be reading it again any time soon, i am bound to pick it up and happily revisit it's complex sadness one rainy day. I am glad i have read it, the characters although coarse and quite pathetic are very well written and whole in my mind. I would recommend this book for Intellectual Teenagers and all those interested in the complexity of the English language.

side note - Mobile Bones

I had a nightmare last night about my husband being killed in Thailand by soldiers and left to rot in the desert while being eaten by GIANT Pelicans. Then his sun bleached bones calling me to say. "Hi beautiful, i'm running a bit late i'm just bones now i've got no flesh but if you could buy me a plane ticket i'll be home in three days." Weirdest dream ever, and terrifying. My husbands not in Thailand for a start and i'm pretty sure pelicans are not man eaters. Is there even a desert in Thailand? Oh well, here is my story made up of my dream. I love Thailand it's a beautiful place and have nothing in particular against their military this was just part of my weird dream. I hope you enjoy.

Mobile Bones

"Hello my beautiful lady.....good, good....I'll be home soon.....Yes i love you too...She said daddy today! wow I can't believe i'm not there...Ok, I miss you, i'll call you when i reach the airport...I love you, have a good night" I hung up my phone. My wife was worried again, she's all ways worrying. I wish i didn't have to go on these long overseas business trips. It's hard being away from her and our sweet baby daughter. I miss out on so much, my wife's birthday, our anniversary, valentines day, an my daughters first steps, first birthday. I was there for her first teeth, but My wife says she's talking now so there is yet another moment in her life without me. My wife doesn't sleep without me at home, especially now. She keeps having this recurring nightmare where a skeleton calls her on the mobile and tells her that he's coming back with my bones. I miss her so much, she's allot of fun and great in bed, it's so lonely in my empty rundown hotel room, all i can think about is her. But i'll see her in three days. I've spent the last three months organizing an engineering contract for a tiny village in a very hard to get to piece of Thailand. It's a 12hour buss ride from the airport to get even close, and then you have to take a four wheel drive through banana plantations 6hours east to get to this tiny little village in the mountains. The people have been fantastic and the food is wonderful. The French group who buy the bananas built the tiny hotel i'm in, about 20years ago for their business representatives to have somewhere to stay, but now it's open for tourists, not that they get many this far from the
city. I had one last meeting with a local land owner to sign off on the very last contract and i was done. It was with a light heart that i dressed in a clean white shirt and classic black suit. Soon i would be home with my wife and baby, soon my wife's warm body would be pressed against my skin, and her lips soft, gentle and hungry on mine. Soon, but not soon enough.
I packed up my suit case, ready to start for the airport as soon as i returned. Locked my hotel door and waited for the elevator. The Thai army had come out in force in the area during the last few days. A rebel militant group where supposed to be hiding just out of the village. The owner of the noodle stand where i usually ate my dinner, had tolled me of rummers a group of foreigners had been laundering them funds and ammunition. This put me a little at unease, and rightly so. The Thai police took extra care looking over my documents every time we me in the street, if i put one foot out of line, it would be very likely i would not see my wife and baby for a long long time. There is one pretty thick and fast rule i follow when i'm traveling. Don't mess with a man holding a gun. I got out of the elevator and stepped into the smoky lobby. The villages only karaoke bar was on the lobby floor of the hotel, and it was well used by the older men who love to smoke and drink while pretty Thai girls giggled along to bopy 80's style American pop music. Not that i could blame them, there was little else to distract them after a long humid day in the plantations. Outside the air was thick with dust, another humid sweaty day. The air was so close with the dust coming off the main road it was almost painful to breath. The monsoon season mustn't be far off, i was glad to be leaving before the rain. I hailed a motorbike driver for a lift. The last land owner was known as Mr Chin. Mr Chin had once been a very successful business man in Hong Kong but had got into some trouble with a few triads and had fled to Thailand. He had done very well for himself, and this last contract would only add to his already huge fortune. But he was still uncomfortable around the city's so he lived a reasonably simple existence on a large property about 20mins north of the village. This was the brief i was given by my manager before i had left Australia three months ago. Mr Chin was also very keen on the idea, a sure bet, so i had left him till last so i could hurry home. We where stopped three times on the roads by soldiers who wanted to check my papers. Things must have been tacking a turn fot the worse, i had never seen so much camouflage blocking the roads before. There was an extra man waiting to check my papers at Mr Chins gate.My motorcyclist was not allowed entry, so i paid him to wait while another security agent drove me on the back of a golf cart up the long paved driveway. The house was huge, it reminded me of an old plantation estate i had seen in Louisiana. Big regency style, white wash, with huge pillars holding up the front veranda, everything screaming of grandeur and old money. Though it looked only five or ten years old. I wondered what my manager thought was a simple existence, if this was supposed to be reasonably so. I was greeted at the door by a butler and led to a wonderfully furnished lounge area. Shortly Mr Chin arrived and greeted me with a cautious hand shake. He was taller that i'd have thought, with graying hair and rough pitted skin, he must have had some terrible acne in his youth. He spoke with an American accent, his voice strong and rough but with a brisk polite business manner. He wore a light cotton grey suit perfectly made for this humid climate. Tea was brought for us and we sat for a few hours discussing the finer points of the contract. His butler entered a few times bringing various drinks and removing empty glasses, he had a strange air about him, like he was uncomfortable, fidgety, and wishing me to leave. It put a chill down my spine to notice it, although i was completely at ease with Mr Chin. After being plied with drinks for so many hours i needed to use the men's room. I was directed along a white hallway to the third door on the left. I had been to eager to get home, and my wife was on my mind, i accidentally took the third door on the right. As i swung the door open i glanced upon 6 badly dressed Thais sitting around a table drinking a dark liquor and smoking moodily. I quickly excused myself and closed the door behind me, re-running the directions and opening the door on my left to a nice white tiled bathroom. I did not notice the sound of men running out of the other door to Mr Chin. I finished my toilet and opened the door to leave. Mr Chin was waiting in the hall. "I here you've met some friends of mine?" It took a moment for me to understand who he was talking about, certainly i had seen some men but we had not been introduced. "Oh, Not really, my mind was a little muddled with the directions, you see i'm eager to get home to my wife, I'm leaving for the airport this evening, i simply opened the wrong door." He looked quite satisfied with this answer, and why not he had been working with my company for years. But was still hesitant "I do not mean to be...impolite, but these friends of mine are not meant to be seen." came his measured reply. "Consider me blind." Was all i could think to answer. I had no notion of asking questions, it's not my job, and as far as i was concerned questions where dangers. Do not mess with a man holding a gun. That was enough, Mr Chin smiled "I am happy to do business with such a sensible man." He led me back to the lounge and without another word signed the contract at lit himself a huge Cuban cigar. I thanked him and filed the contract into my brief case. We shook hands politely and the butler led me out the front door to the security man waiting by the golf cart. When we got to the gate the motorcyclist was still there waiting. I jumped on the back and we headed back into the village. The road was clear for the first 10minuets on the way back. But then a huge truck roared by covered with militants waving guns, i saw the 6 men sitting in the back, they waved in recognition and i gestured back. I was not comfortable with this exchange at all, i thrust a handful of money at the motorcyclist and told him to go faster. We arrived at the hotel in good time. The Thai army had seemed to mobilize, they weren't walking the streets in ones and twos anymore, but in large groups. Tanks had arrived and where patrolling the streets. Thank god i was leaving. I rushed to my hotel room to nervous to take the slow elevator, i raced up the stairs to my room, unlocked it, grabbed my suitcase of the bed and raced back downstairs to the reception desk eager to check out. I settled my bill and gave a small tip. There was a man who would taxi me the six hour drive to the buss stop in a four wheel drive if i gave him enough money for a good time girl and a few beers when we arrived. I found him in his usual position, on his back under a rundown car. "Up for a good time girl Mano?" I don't know what his real name was, but everyone called him Mano, he seamed to like it. "Yes Mr Aussie, I go change, 5 minuets." "2 minuets and i'll pay for the petrol too." "Yes, very good." Was his reply as he hurtled into a nearby room stripping as he went. They all called me Mr. Aussie, they didn't see many Australians all the way up here and they thought my non American accent was very funny. A few local taxi drivers would imitate me whenever the picked me up. It was very strange to hear an Aussie accent played over broken Thai English, i must remember to try it out for my wife when i get home. We drove out of
town in good speed, the dust fell behind us the further way we got. We turned to head around a corner but where stopped by a road block set up by the Thai solders. I silently handed over my papers, frustrated at the delay. I needed to get home. The solder read through my papers then mumbled something in the local language. Mano's face went a little pale, my hear skipped a beat, what could it be, the police and solders have read those same papers often enough. An Officer came to examine my papers again mumbling something barely audible. This time Mano's face was green. "Excuse me sir." It was the Officer. "We should talk, please step out of the car." And so i did. "What seams to be the problem?" "Where are you going?" "I'm headed to the bus station to get to the airport." This seamed to be the wrong answer, i could feel it, i was in trouble, but for what? "Do you know sir, a Mr Chin." Ahh realization dawned on me. Defiantly big trouble. "Not really, his is a Landowner my engineering firm will be doing business with." "Is it true sir, that you met with him not 1 hour ago. "Well yes, i delivered a contract to him for my firm, he was the last land owner in this area i needed to sign." "And have you met him or his....friends
before?" "No, That was the first time i have seen him, and i have yet to meet any of his friends." Blood was rising to my face, please god i need to get home, i have done nothing. The Officer conferred with the solider beside him. "A local motorcyclist says he saw you wave to a group of militants known to Mr Chin upon leaving his residence?" "Well i did wave at some men who waved to me on the road on the way back to the village after meeting Mr Chin, but i have no notion of who they are." Dam Motorcyclist! The officer was not happy with that answer but he had nothing to rebut it he simply said "very well you may continue." And i got int he car with Mano who sped away as if the devil was lapping at the wheels. "What you do for that trouble, Mr Aussie?" "I have done nothing, it's just some misunderstanding." Mano turned to me, his face drawn in very serious "Thai soldiers don't have misunderstandings." It sounded like a threat, fear raked through my body. we did not speak again until we reached the buss station. "I hope you make it back to Australia, your a nice man with family, keep to you self, OK!" Was all Mano would say to me a paid him and unloaded my bags to wait for the next bus. I didn't have long to wait, the timing had worked out well even with the delay, the buss would be there in 15minuets. No one else was waiting yet, the locals always seamed to just appear at the same time as the buss. Five minuets after Mano disappeared into a bar two army jeeps laden with solders came crawling over the roads. I tried to make myself as inconspicuous as possible. One stopped right in front of me. I was tempted to run, but what would be the point. Three soldiers got out just a meter from where i was sitting. Suddenly the turd and grabbed me, i tried to fight but m ore solders got out and pinned my legs together dragging me into the jeep. The Officer i had met before blind folded me and tied me up as we drove away leaving my luggage by the road. Hopefully Mano would find them and somehow find someone to help me. We drove for hours until we came to a beach. I could smell the salty brine of the air and hear the waves on the sand. The pulled me out of the jeep hands and feet tied with plastic cords. They sat me down beside someone and removed my blindfold. I looked about me, on my left was Mr Chin and on his left was his butler. "I am sorry, i did not think they would hurt you, you are Australian and we have only some small business together." "I do not understand." Was all i could manage through my gritted teeth. Anger was burning my eyes, my heart seething with pain, what would become of my beautiful wife, my lovely little family. Surly this was not a legal situation, i was going to die here. "Why Me!" Came screeching out through my lungs. "I have done nothing!" The Officer leered at me. "You are financing this, you are providing Mr Chin with access to all he needs to help his friends overthrow the government. You will be made an example of, and no Australian consulate is here to plead for your guilty life." No i do not want to die. But it was too late the solders surrounded us and opened fire. They drove away leaving our corpses to rot on the sand. Many weeks passed, animal insects and great birds feasted on our rotting flesh. The sand and the sun bleaching our bones and the ties washing away our blood. One day a group of tours came
walking in the sad enjoying the sunlight. A small boy dug in the sand and let out a scream in horror. His mother came luckily for us she was an Archaeologist on a second honey moon with her husband and kids. She careful excavated the sand from our bones and the fragments of clothing tired around us. I had left all my id in my brief case next to the buss stop. But in anticipation i had but my mobile phone in my sunglasses case which had sealed it against the elements. She opened it carefully, many of the tourists watching by now. The battery was flat, so she removed the sim card and placed it in her own phone. My wife's number was saved to the sim as home and so she called. It was just as my wife had dreamed. She had been hospitalized with stress when i disappeared, crying endlessly and telling her visions to anyone who would listen. It just happened that the doctor attending her was looking after her incoming calls when who's number should show up on the caller id but mine. The doctor handed the phone to my wife, "Hello" "Ahh Hello, i just found this phone..um i was wondering to who it belonged to?"My Wife's eyes swelled with tears, "My husband, is he with you?" "Well......I think i have found his bones, we should really get them back to you...." My wife screamed with pain and the doctor took the phone while the nurses sedated her. And so it was my bones had called her on the phone to come home. She killed herself shortly afterwords. Overdosed on heart medication. My daughter was raised by my mother. We watch over her every day.

The Sand Queen Part4

..............I lay back down on the bed, my body clean scented of the sweet aromatic waters in which i had bathed. Dressed in a fine white silk dress and well fed, breathing easily. Vilina was still asleep, the women had washed and dressed her as she lay. But how could she still sleep, surely her body was pained with hunger and thirst? He face was so pale in the yellow light it worried me that she would never wake. I shook her, calling her name but still she slept. I too was tired, and so comfortable that even in my worries my body softened into the bed, my eyelids fell, and i slipped deeply into sleep.
When i woke many hours later Vilina and i were alone in the comfortable room. The bath tub had been removed and fresh clothes where laid out on a table for me.Vilina was still sleeping, i tried again to wake her but to no effect. I dressed in the long purple silk dress, golden robe, and elegant white silk slippers that had been left for me. On the table was also a small brass bell. I rang it gently and one of the women in a red silk dress entered with wine and a plate of food. She waited with me as i ate and drank guiltily, would Vilina ever wake to eat? When i had finished i asked to see Prince Farhim. She whispered something in her strange wispy voice i did not understand, and another woman entered the room offering her hand to me. I took her hand, it was so soft like velvet and warm like the glow of a dieing fire. We left the lovely yellow room by the curtain and headed up another stair well to a huge golden gilded door way. The curtains on this room were thick and heavy with tiny golden bells sewn into ever inch of the fabric. From far away it would look like moving sunshine or brightly shifting sand, the sweet tinkle of the bells as we moved through the fabric would also warn the inhabitants of this room of guests. This room was almost twice the size of the yellow room. With the same wooden floor and beautiful drift wood furniture. Everything was gilded with gold, every piece of furniture, the heavy brass bowls burning more yellow light from the ceiling, even large sections of the floor. The whole place was draped with colored silks, they hing from the ceiling and covered the bed and chairs. A dense perfume of cardamon and star anise hung in the air. And a large window opened the roof up to the star light night sky. I suddenly wondered what time it was. Sitting amongst a pile of scrolls on the golden table was Prince Farhim. He rose to greet me, his beauty out shining that of the amazing room. He took me by the hand as the women left us. We sat on a soft couch where we could talk. I asked him about the time. He tolled me time had nor relevance where we were. He spoke of how he had seen me as a child playing in the palace gardens and had fallen in love with me. He had come to me every night for the past ten years to visit me in my dreams. He tolled of how he had seen half on my palace taken by the sea and had rushed across the desert in hope i was still alive. He had found Vilina and I unconscious slipping from some pieces of the wreckage into the sea and had bound us inside him and carried us as far as he could. He is sand, the desert, and the sand of Santinadi was all his kingdom. The gods had given him this place and the winds and dunes as subjects. The well he had led us to was the well of the gods. It held n elixir that would allow Vilina and i to live among him for a short time. We Spoke for many hours, food and wine was brought for us, while still he spoke. After some time he became silent, and we sat in the silence, my mind absorbing all he had said. I asked of Vilina, "Why wont she wake, we must have been here two days now, and still she sleeps?" His face drew in, a sadness glistened in his eyes. "that is a difficult question," he paused. "Do you love me?" I was shocked, after all i had not known him long. Wait yes i had known him almost all my life. looked at his face again, and my heart skipped madly. "Yes, yes i do, i have for so long, i didn't know you where real. Yes i love you." came my shaky reply. His smile beamed for a moment, and again my heart went wild. But then his face fell back into sadness. "Vilina id dieing, she would already be dead but i have put her to a deep restful sleep. If she had any chance of recovery she would have woken already, like you did. But her infection from the wound above her eye has taken over her body, if i stop her sleeping she will die." i gasped "No, not my Vilina!" we where born in the same year and had spent every living moment together. "She is already on deaths bed." Cam Farhim's whispered answer. "She must die. " Must?" why should anyone have to die. "you can not stay if she lives in this state, you are bound together by the waters from the well, if she stays sleeping soon you will both sleep and not wake. If i wake her so she can meet death, you can stay with me. Or i can return you back to the world, but there is nothing for you there, and she will still have to die." "NO it can not be, i must be with you and she must live." "No, she will die, it is for you to decide what happens to you." And with hat he released my hand from the warmth of his and left the room. Food and wine where brought for me and i settled to think. "There as to be away." My mind was racing.............

Ode to Stephenie Meyer

Sorry the last blog was so delayed. I was overwhelmingly lost in a few Stephenie Meyer books and didn't want her fantastic stories to become mine re written, as happens subconsciously when i'm so absorbed by a good story. She is fantastic, I am so jealous of the complexity of her writing; the way all her Ideas and characters are so fully formed, even the smallest has a life outside the story. I do wish she wouldn't favor the word "Chargin" as much as she does. It's such an irritating word with such a broad definition, and annoying to find it appear at least once in every chapter of her books. (Not that i can say much, I favor "beautiful" a little to often and it is so utterly nondescript) That's my only annoyance though. Her writing is unbelievably good and completely absorbing. To see the inner workings of her mind....Thank you Stephenie.

The Sand Queen Part3

........My eyes not could find a still place to rest, on we flew as sand. The air became thicker, and smells started to mix with the air. Burning wood and spices filled my thoughts. I came back to my body first i felt my nose burn with the strength of the spices, then my lungs warm with the heat in the air, my eyes stung in the smoke and my body bristled in the warmth around me. I blinked, and suddenly i could see. Vilina was still asleep crumpled in a ball beside me. The man from my dreams the voice of the sand, the person who had brought us to wherever we where was standing beside me, my hand still in his. "forgive me Madina, I am Prince Farhim, and this is the kingdom of Gesto, my kingdom, The kingdom of sand well hidden in Santinadi. You and your maiden are welcome here, let me take you to be washed and dressed." My voice caught in my thought, i looked about me. The palace was made of sand, towering walls decorated in murals and sculptures but all sand. Huge brass bowls of incense burned everywhere, breathing strange golden light and an overwhelming aromatic sent giving Gesto an unearthly quality. Prince Farhim summoned a man who appeared as if out of the ground to carry Vilina behind us. He led me by the hand, his warm and soft to the touch. We walked through many gateways and under huge ornate sand arches. I was silent is awe, glancing at his face every so often, not sure if this was just the continuation of my strange dream. His face shone with light, my heart shuddered when my eyes strayed to his mouth, suddenly longing to touch his face and be closer to his warmth. We enter a high stair well that wound round a tall tower, my feet soon gave out under me, not yet recovered from the day before. He caught me before i fell and whisked me into his warm arms, his savory smell washing over me. He carried me up the remaining stairs like i had no weight at all, his body soft and easy, unconsciously i leaned closed to him, my head to his chest. He had no heartbeat, i was startled but his smell and warmth drowned out any sense of fear. We reached the end of the stair well and entered a huge room. Bathed in the strange golden light that fell from the brass bowls handing from the ceiling the room looked warm and comforting. The floor was made of salt stained wood, washed white like the branches i often saw washed up on the shore of Derihana. There was a beautiful four posted bed made of the same wood at the far end of the room, and a large brass bathtub in the middle. Women is red silk dresses stood holding soft white towels, soap, glasses of drink, and large plates of fresh fruit and bowels of sweet cinnamon rice. Prince Farhim put me gently down on the bed, and Vilina was soon placed next to me strangely still asleep, I'd have thought the strong smell alone would have woken her. "You may call for me again when you are ready, let these ladies tend to you." The Prince addressed me as he left the room, a woman by the entry closing a heavy yellow curtain behind him. The women spoke so soft and low at first i could not hear them, their voices like a gentle wisp of wind across the beach. I could not understand the language they spoke but i could feel their meaning, like you hear a melody you have herd so many times that without words being sung you can here the lyrics in your mind. I rose so they could undress me, their fine fingers moving so quickly and carefully it was as if my clothes fell away on their own. They gave me water, and i drank deeply as their quick fingers ran over my body searching for wounds. This was a strange dream, if it was still a dream, maybe i had died, was i dead? No Vilina would not be sleeping, she would be standing beside me. I looked more attentively at the beautiful women around me, i had not really noticed them when i entered to deep in prince Farhim's sent. One was older then the rest, i don't know how old none of them looked like they had seen more then 20years. But she was defiantly the leader of the group, She stood by me with nothing in her hands, watching me calmly like a nurse. She never spoke but she instructed the others with quick small movements of her right hand. Pointing here or there with tiny gestures, I wanted to ask her if i was still asleep, and what would happen to me next, but her silence although gentle was also intimidating and i was in no manner able to summon enough self assurance to make any noise of my own. I was silently instructed to enter the bath. A stool was held for me so i could step in comfortable. My left foot sunk into the warm perfumed water, all the aches seamed to sink away from my toes. My right foot followed and soon my whole body sunk into the relieving warmth and comfort. I listened to the voices around me and sunk peacefully into their melody as graceful hands washed my body with scented soaps i thought where made from milk. I felt a short sting as salt was washed over the wound on my head, but my mind was so lost in the aromatics of the bath water i noticed little else. Fruit and rice where spooned into my mouth a little at a time, before it was washed down with some sweet wine. My face was smoothed with sugared scrubs, and softened with almond milk. I could feel my hair being softly stroked and arranged, before they poured the bath water over it rinsing something soft and heavily perfumed from its lengths. I felt utterly at peace, yes this was definitely a good dream, so sweet and quiet, an my prince was close by, all i had to do was call for him. What a dream..................