Silly Transactions

Some people might think so anyway.

Four years ago when we were planning our last trip to Italy, I really was intrigued by Rosetta Stone. The cost was just too high for what I knew would be a whim. To get the full set was somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 Franklins and I just couldn't justify that price.

So this time with some stash money whispering in my ear, my interest was peaked once again. Of course the itch grew worse while I was researching for the trip because nearly every site had a Rosetta Stone ad on the side. I clicked on the link a few weeks ago and saw that they now offer a 12 month online access offer at a reduced price over purchasing the program. Looking a little further indicated that the software also had an app for the IPad and IPhone. When I had just about decided to splurge I realized the 12 month offer had a drop down arrow. Hit the arrow and the deal was sealed. It was a three month subscription for $129.

I'm normally not one to blow money, but I figured for $129 I would certainly give it a try.

A few weeks into it and I can say I really do like it. Although I certainly won't be very proficient by the time we go in two weeks, I do think I will be able to pick out several words. And it's actually been kinda fun.

The only thing I could say that it needs is the ability to practice pronunciation when you are driving. There are no options to practice during times when you cannot keep your eyes on the software.

I'm almost finished with Lesson 1 out of 5.

Wish I had started sooner.

Why

That's all I really want to know.

Why?

>

But even if you could give me an answer I know that nothing can explain your actions. Nothing. No rationale, no reason, no excuse, there would be nothing you could tell me that would make your actions understandable.

But I want to know why.

What are the things that run through your head when you take such an action that can never be fixed, that will not leave bodies lying in the wake of your final selfish act? Is there not even one instance of thinking of what your actions will do to those around you? Are you so self-absorbed in your ultimate selfish act that you deliberately blind yourself to aftermath of destruction? Do you look around and think about exactly WHO it is you are hurting?

Did you not see the image of that young man, who had fought for his own life only five years ago, who bravely struggled to overcome a deadly disease only to have you decide to hurt him more deeply and lasting than the battle scars of a deadly disease?

Did you not see that bright hopeful young woman just finding herself in this world? Didn't you even consider how your ghastly action could extinguish that bright glow in her eyes? That your actions would possible change her inner beauty forever and that it could even be likely that you would leave her with the same emptiness that your own childhood left you with?

Was THIS the legacy you wanted to leave for your very own children? THIS?

To know that their father decided that ending his life, for whatever reason was more important than sparing his very own children a lifetime of despair. To know his final act was not one of courage, but the most selfish destructible act one person could commit.

So explain to me WHY, just WHY?

Tell me.

And I will hit you across the face as hard as my wimpy arms could and I would scream at you and tell you that you are the most selfish SOB I have ever met. That you have no excuse, no rationale, no RIGHT to do this to your family.

Nothing you have done in your life will ever EVER counterbalance your last goddamned selfish act.

You had no right to do this to them, I don't care what kind of pain, depression, moment of weakness existed. You had no right.

Bastards

Sixty Years - Five Weeks

Today my sister turned sixty.

Of course I'm the baby of the family so hitting the big 6-0 mark must be rubbed in thoroughly and well.

And five weeks from this morning we'll both be landing in Venice. Again.

The first time we did this was four years ago, just a couple weeks after I turned fifty. (Yes, I do realize you can probably do the math here. ). So it only seems fitting that we will celebrate her sixtieth in the same manner. Last time it was just three of us my nephew and I researched and researched where we wanted to go. This time my niece will also go, so it will be fun showing a newby around Italy now that we're old pros.

We are going to the same places, even staying at the same places as last time except for Venice because our flat was already rented. But this time we are adding a few more days, I only wish it could be a few more weeks.

Itinerary:

Indy to NY to Venice.

Venice to Volterra (Tuscany). Staying at our agriturismo, an olive farm where our hostess will conduct a private pasta class with my nephew taking pictures. One day trip to Sienna.

Volterra to Manarola. (Cinque Terre). A hiking town on the coast of the Mediterranean.

Manarola to the top of the Spanish Steps. A lovely private Bed and Breakfast owned by a classy lady from Philadelphia who once owned a dress shop in the same location

Day trip to Pompeii escorted by our good looking Italian driver we had the last time. Oh,oh,oh, those Italian men! Who cares if I'm old enough to be his mother?

So Happy Birthday to my sister. Love ya Heidi.