I'd say, "It can't happen here!" but the poor teachers in Egypt and Libya were probably saying the same thing, until it happened. Nothing bad ever happens -- until something bad happens, as Grandma X used to say.
Nonetheless, things seems to be under control here. The King made Saturday a public holiday, as well as making plans to give out $35 billion in public aid. They've already started construction on a new,bigger English Language Center behind the existing ELC building.
Yet minor disruptions persist in my otherwise tranquil sunny existence --
I was riding my bike last weekend down a quiet residential street and a little kid started running after me throwing rocks. A little kid -- maybe 6 or 7. Given the poor aim and the small size of the rocks, I just ignored him.
But he kept it up, running after me shouting for nearly the entire block.
Not particularly angry or anything, I nonetheless decided to teach him a lesson in diplomatic relations, and got off my bike and ran screaming back up the street after him. Bellowing like a madman, I sprinted after him and his friends, who ran as fast as their little legs would carry them towards the nearest mosque.
Satisfied, I got back on my bicycle.
They came out again, throwing more rocks -- again, at age 6 or 7, you probably can't throw a rock big enough to hurt me, and my hat and wraparound Oakleys protected my head and eyes -- so I got off the bike again and ran screaming straight at them. Again they scurried away.
I learned these strategies dealing with stray dogs in Russia.
Strategically, this was not a good idea at all, I admit. Their brothers or fathers could be nearby and decide to teach ME a lesson in diplomatic relations.
But in fact a guy in a nearby shop came out, laughing a bit at the spectacle, which he seemed to understand was a joke.
8 comments:
Glad this ended well. Thanks for the laugh.
Considering stray dogs in Russia, it also works just to stay sternly "Go Away" in whatever language you have available, BUT running at them seems much more entertaining!
With all the noise going on in Libya, I forgot you're relatively close to the action. I'm glad it's all pretty calm where you are but would I be right in saying that the standard of living in SA is generally quite good? or not?
I'm due to go to Egypt for a holiday next month and I have no reservations about going, I'm even a little depressed that it's calmed down somewhat :(
btw: the new blog design looks sexy...
yeah, standard of living isn't bad, but given all the oil money, not nearly as good as you might think. Most of the money goes into the pockets of the numerous Princes.
I second the thumbs-up on the new design.
Maybe I was lucky, but no Russian dogs ever charged me. Usually they just looked sad and mopey. I'm glad I was never forced to run and scream at them.
Glad to hear that all is peaceful in the Kingdom. I was wondering if there were any murmurs of uprisings in your neck of the woods.
man, if you only knew how long I fucked around fine-tuning the design. I like that backround but there's like a little knothole thing to the right of the text box that really annoys me. . .
I don't see any knot thing ... chill out. :)
sorry, i meant to the left of the text box, on the black slash thing there. . .
Ah, OK, I see it now. Adds to the design, really (no one else will notice it). PS: on my blog roll, I was teased by a new blog post, "Part of the Problem; or, Yankee Go Home!" and then it went away. Were you drunk blogging and thought better of it? 'Cause now I'm really curious.
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