An armless book, teaching and art.

I've been reading "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" by Aron Ralston. He's the guy that got trapped in the mountains and sawed off his own right arm to get free. The book is very uncomfortable to read, and somewhat ghoulish.

He alternates talking about what he is going through while he is trapped with no water and no warm clothing for six days with his life and climbing/outdoor adventuring leading up to this. Now I am by no means an expert at any of these sports. Sailing, I'm pretty good, but climbing...raw beginner would be generous. That said, this guy was a disaster waiting to happen. Please please please don't let any of my kids grow up to be like this. I know I worried my Mom and Dad with some of the sports I chose to try, and some of the things I did, but this guy shows profoundly poor judgement and a near moronic faith in his immortality. Till he gets pinned.

He has at least successfully made a career out of the ordeal, and as I haven't finished the book, I am not sure what conclusions he is going to draw.

uuuurrrnnnngh.

The private language lessons are proving interesting, as much because of the specialised vocabulary and material I am having to research. With a private, we can tailor the course more specifically to the client's need. I have a banker selling mortgages...bone up on banking terms, someone who works in a lab, a mechanical engineer, and a sculptor ceramicist and painter. I have been looking up the tools and processes for doing bronze work and clay. As the books he brought me so that I could see what he does are in Castillian, that is extra fun. It is educational.

The elder daughter has to do something or other about another sculptor, Giacometti. We found a cool site from the Museum of Modern Art and had a troll through that, but as all the girl knew was his last name and that he was a sculptor, I can only hope we have the right guy. Without a functioning printer, we are rather limited in what she can bring in. Ah well, she is learning something anyway.

The kids had a good time up on the terrace with Chuck, he was moderately interested in fetching the stick they were throwing for him...and doing his goofy gallop around up there to their delight. He's doing alright and settling in well.

The elder child has also picked up Pride and Prejudice, and was enjoying it, but thinks it would be better as a read aloud book, easier to grasp with some tonal clues. Maybe a good idea, and a change from Ramona which we have been reading lately. She was debating reading the armless guy. I advised her strongly against it. It is quite gross. Blah. I'll finish it, but he even had the wherewithal to take pictures of himself, and part of the process, and his hand still trapped once he had severed it. Sorry if that is altogether too much information, but OMG.

Glad it isn't me. I'm happy doing a little walking, trotting along with the dogs and the kids. Sailing a bit.....where were we this time last year...lets see....Black Cay, just North of George Town on Great Exuma. Lovely spot, no one else there, two beautiful beaches and some of the cruisers have set up a beach combed shack. We found about thirty sand-dollars while snorkeling and lots of lovely goodies on the beach.

Life sure changes fast. Now I am in a village in Spain, with a dog, kids in school, the man's working full time, and I'm teaching English, all in another language.

*whew*