Man, do I suck as a blogger

No post since March 2013. Jeez. That's really terrible. I am sorry I have neglected y'all. 

I am currently in Turkey for market research, headed to Russia next week. Both are new countries for me, so that's exciting. Both are being threatened by terrorist activity, which is unsettling. Turkey is a target for folks that are pissed about Syria. Russia is a target for folks that are pissed about Russian's activities in various countries/areas near Sochi. And I am an innocent market researcher stuck in the middle. 

My plan is to lay low, get my work done, and get out. 

And to stop watching CNN. In the last year or so, CNN has really shifted focus so it's now covering terrorist crap nearly non-stop. Can't I get an uplifting episode of "Inside Africa" or something? Even a Grey's Anatomy with English subtitles would do. I need some fluff. 

I will say that Turkey—and Istanbul, to be precise—has been beautiful thus far. Food has been great. People have been gracious. 

I'm a bit nervous about Russia. It's supposed to be COLD (read: zero degrees daytime high). And I'm not sure about the food. Or the mafia. Maybe they'll be so busy readying for Sochi that they'll leave business people in Moscow and St. Petersburg alone. We shall see...

XOXOX
e.

Bright lights, Chengdu city

We went out to a historic shopping district in Chengdu last night. Saw some amazing sights and a show with traditional dancers, including a "changing faces" dance that's drawn from the regional opera. And ate some locale fare including spicy hot dumplings in chili oil and kung pao chicken (the real deal).

I can't stay and chat because pandas await today. For now, here are some pretty pictures.

 

 

 

 

More here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25768433@N02/sets/72157632963512939/ 

Can do...Chengdu

First morning in Chengdu--so far, so good. It's about 70 degrees out, smoggy but at least it's sunny and warm. I strolled around the neighborhood near the hotel and did some people- and sight-watching.

 
 

 

 

Here are some more pics for your perusal: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25768433@N02/sets/72157632960664564/

 

 

Cheers from Chengdu!

e. 

Kung Fu Panda, Leedy Remix

I am on my way to China. But not just China...tier 2 China. This means Chengdu--home of pandas and spicy, spicy food--and Dalian--home of dumplings and a stone's throw from North Korea. Adventure!

I will aim to blog a bit while I am away. Not much to share yet, as I am 3 hours into my 22 hour journey. Tomorrow, Chendgu!

More soon,
e.





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Greg makes the most amazing roast turkey

A picture of the turkey is worth 1,000 words.

But tasting said turkey was 1000x better.

Ah, thank you Lord for sending me a husband that can cook like gangbusters.

Incredible? Why, thank you

Here I am fulfilling my Halloween destiny.

Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?

We've lost another of man's best friends. The Carratos lost their crazy-but-beloved dog Layla. Ah, 2012, why do you have to be so cruel when it comes to the pets?

This makes 5 since I've been paying attention: Django, Lita, Thor, Midge, and now Layla.

Last time I posted about this, I included a dog video to cheer you (and me) up. This time, I think I'll include a video just for Layla. This is the New Orleans jazz funeral march version of your namesake song.

(Note: to skip straight to the music, skip to 2:55...Clapton takes a while to set this up.)

RIP doggie friend.

Oh, and the rain starts tomorrow. In earnest.