Advances in laundry

The weekend wasn't as productive as I'd hoped. But I did find a vodaphone place that offers prepaid mobile broadband. I took it for a test drive this wknd and it seems to be working well but I will know for sure after today when I take the jump drive version in to exchange it for a SIM card version and see if my computer is compatible with this crazy technology they have going over here. It would be so much easier to have it in my room! Fingers crossed.

In other news, I did laundry again folks and I need to report that I've added two very important cycles to my intricate hand washing system: "Agitate" and "Tumble." Keep in mind that I was already doing the "Soak" and "Rinse" cycles (actually a double soak but it's probably too fancy a system to lay it out properly here) and that means I've got full scale washing going on. And I've cut my time as well so that's exciting. Of course, now that the storm clouds of the fall seem ever present I'm not sure just how my clothes will get dry once we enter the rain season months but I guess I can figure that out later.

Also, I need to report that there is an attack fly in my apartment. When I leave the balcony door open an ocassional fly buzzes in but usually wanders off later. I normally enjoy watching their frenzied speed the longer they are in the apartment and looking to get out. But this bug...he's been here for 2 days now. Everytime I open the door for him to leave, he stays right put. Plus, he enjoys dive bombing me whenever I sit down. At the computer. To write notes. On the toilet. Constant harassment. I think he's trying to encourage me to get out in the field more.

I went to the hospital on Saturday because someone told me that the undertaker from Zebug has a shop there. I also figured while I was there I might be able to hit someone up for a conversation about how I can get in on some funeral action. The hospital was pretty empty but a man was kind enough to point the way to the funeral shop down the road from the hospital. It was, of course, closed. But I took down the number and I'm calling him today. I'm also revisiting the hospitalif the storm doesn't come. Why do I care about walking in a storm? Well because yours truly still has laundry drying and the clean shirt I am wearing is white. I am not going to show up for a potential interview looking like I was in a wet t-shirt contest. Then again - maybe I'd get some answers...

I also went back to Tapie's (the cafe with all of the old dudes for those of you who pay attention to these things). The place was crowded with men. I walked right in and ordered an "Iced Tea Peach" (that's how they say it here) and got the eye, in varying degrees from all of the dudes. Some were of the stink-eye variety, some evil-eye, some the ogle eye. I wrote some notes in my journal and beat it once it looked like I gained enough street cred for staying as long as I did. I think it's the kind of place though, that would warm to you if you continued going. I noticed a few expats there chatting with the locals like it was no big deal.

I've also made contact with the editor of Gozo News and I'm hoping to arrange an interview with him today. He too told me that they ring special bells for funerals so I really need to figure out which ones they are. He also told me where the public registry office is so I can look up some historic documentation. Hopefully his interview will prove to be as helpful.

And that's about it for now. I'd better pull in that laundry. At least it's not dripping wet anymore.