That is one mighty fine looking belly button

One of the aspects of long distance drives I love is the opportunity to think/talk to myself uninterrupted for a nice long stretch. In between belting out (badly) my favorite tuneage, I also spend a fair amount of time chewing on issues that I usually don't have the time to worry/reason through in my day to day life. It is totally nerdy of me, but good emotional outlet.

Since this long distance drive was to visit the Old People, I spent a lot of time reflecting on the life I've had with them.

Several years ago, I heard a report about a study of successful African-American women. The researchers had a broad definition of "success" and had conducted extensive interviews with many women from many walks of life and back grounds. The one common denominator they found was that the women who were "successful" all could point to at least one adult in their lives, as they were growing up, they knew loved them unconditionally.

Unconditional love. The one factor that was the difference between achieving one's life goals and not.

Despite my tough days in the lab, and the tense period after my escape, I've been pretty sheltered all my life. I can thank the Old People for that. I've been given opportunities and advantages, and largely, I can thank the Old People for that too. I remember, shortly after they took me in, the president was shot. The Old Woman told me, "Even if you shot the president, we would still love you. We might not pay for your attorney, but we would still love you."

Even today, as I pretend to be a fully functioning human in the world, I rely on their unconditional love. It has made all the difference. And, because of their love, I'm able to love and be loved by others. So, ya'll have them to thank too.

Bonus Wordless: 50 years, and still necessary

Wordless: No Alien is Gettin' Me!

Why

I always feel a bit, well, let down, from some of my wordless posts. . . . like I ought to explain.

The Oracle . . . it was a xmas gift from ESK (evil side kick). She went a-huntin' on ebay for a fez. One, because I once expressed a desire to have a fez and ESK totally knows that her life is better if I get what I want. And two, who doesn't love a monkey in a fez? Apparently, fezzes were difficult to come by. But, she did find a woman who makes animal themed head gear for children . . . there were negotiations . . . and VOILA! the monkey hat with a fez was created just for me. I have it on my coffee table and consult it regularly about very important issues . . . like what to have for dinner and why brown cows don't give chocolate milk.

And yesterday's wordless? Funny you should ask. I baby sat my favorite child last night. Baby sat her alone . . . with no other humans watching that I didn't teach her mutual grooming or anything. I brought the twisty balloon kit with me . . . and it kept her occupied THE ENTIRE EVENING until bedtime. She loved pumping up the balloons . . . and then twisting them randomly and then assigning names to them. I totally envisioned that this must have been what the judeo-christian god must have done during that big week.

And, yes, she insisted on taking all 25 to bed with her. That might be the reason I'm not asked to come back as the "adult in charge" again. Sigh. You humans and your weird issues with sleeping with a zoo of balloon animals. Or, the supper of popcorn and chocolate milk I fed her. One of the two.

Wordless: best two dollars I've ever spent

Wordless: Oracle

Wordless: Not Quite Wordless

This is the Toad. He was born on Easter Sunday 17 years ago. He is the most loving creature you will ever find. And, when I say loving . . . I mean LOVING. He demands that all who enter our home kiss his head. I'm pretty sure he's having a "relationship" with one of my monkey slippers. (Yes, just one . . . he must not be into twins.)

Over the years, his loving ways have earned him the nickname "the whore."

Because Toad is old, and confused, we feed him this nutritional supplement everyday. He loves it. He will hold the tube in his paws to keep us from taking it away from him. He thinks all products in tubes is his stuff. We literally have to fight him off when we brush our teeth. So, of course, we refer to it as Toad's Crack.

You know what that makes him now . . . Yep, a Crack Whore.

Wordless: my mood lately

Wordless: Happy Birthday to Me!

Wordless: Before and After Oscar the Bold

Wordless: Winken, Blinken, and Nod

Wordless: waiting, waiting, damn birds . . .where did they go?

Wordless: Thanks for the Weed Santa!!!

Wordless: 4 . . .3 . . . 2 . . . HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Just a couple of things

First, the wordless picture for this week . . . I love this picture. I personally think it's the best picture I've ever taken. I was driving back from the airport from my excursion with the Chick when I saw Santa on a motorcycle ahead. I dodged and weaved my way through the traffic and several lights to get even with him. I pulled up my camera and snapped a picture without really looking. It only captured his hat. So, I managed to get back even with Santa, and was able to get the picture, while traveling at least 50 miles an hour. I also love that I captured him waving at me. I've tried to use this picture as proof that I'm in tight with the dude, but the Phenom isn't buying it.

Second, just a general note to the general public. I lived up to my end of the bargain and curbed my excessive use of profanity around your young children . . . so how about you humans cover your mouths when you cough and hack in a crowded area, eh? I don't want your germs. Monkeys are particularly susceptible to human germs. And a snot-ridden monkey isn't exactly what any of you want to see on the highways this holiday season. Because, then I stop worrying about my use of profanity around your children.

Wordless: Because 'round here, christmas falls during deer season . . . .

Wordless: The Exotic Pet Guacamole

The Picture

The wordless wednesday picture I posted this week was taken over the weekend in NYC. One of our goals was to make it over to Strawberry Fields in Central Park. We actually spent a lot of time in the park, as the weather was perfect for walking about and seeing the world. We also had a very good bloody mary at the Boat House restaurant. Besides me taking pictures as we wandered, The Chick also shot video footage -- and narrated it for the friends we were thinking about.

We saw some really wonderful street performers on our way from the Park to MoMA. They obviously worked hard to perfect their performance and I hope make enough money that they can live. We enjoyed the show and donated accordingly.

MoMA was crowded. We saw lots of young folks on dates and tourist families and older women trying to attract attention from young men. We also saw lots of inconsiderate behavior and pseudo-intellectualizm. We started getting a tad punching and snarky in our observations.

We met up with our dinner companions -- a broadway actress and a chick who works in the fashion industry. We had great margaritas at a whole in the wall mexican place. And, they indulged our tourism and took us to seek time square after dark.

I do believe that the favorite parts of the trip for the Chick were riding on the Subway and getting Vulcanized at the hotel.

And, as we were leaving Sunday, it was snowing. We southern monkeys rarely see snow - so, there was much glee.

You'll see more pictures posted on Wordless Wednesday in the coming weeks because I got some really good pictures . . . . especially appropriate for the season.

Wordless Wednesday: Imagine Peace

Wordless: I see you