Additional SUP DATES

Because I'm a little bit bored and giddy and feel like communicating into the abyss.

1. Over the summer, I rated speaking tests for a certain ESL proficiency exam. One of the tasks was for the test taker to describe a picture for a minute. Before each rating session, I had to go through a calibration process where I rated past speaking tests. Every time I did the calibration, the picture described was of a banana stand where people were buying bananas. There were huge stacks of big, yellow bananas and lots of people standing around weighing them, judging them, peeling them, and eating them. Listening to people describe the picture over and over, saying things like "the bananas are so good", "people want the bananas for a snack", "bananas are very good for you", "the best fruit in the world is the banana", I would inevitably really want a banana by the end of the calibration process. I started buying bananas again because of this picture and sometimes I'd eat two after listening to how great bananas are. I just ate a banana and I think of that picture every time I have one. In a small way, it changed my life.

2. I've taken aerobics classes in the U.S.A., Romania, China, and now Turkey. No offense to the other places, but America sure knows how to work up a good sweat and I am convinced that I'll never find a replacement for Freestyle Martial Arts Kickboxing. I know my country is one of the most overweight, which makes it weird that we have, in my opinion, the best workouts. I challenge the world to make me change my mind.

3. I've also had haircuts in all of those previously mentioned countries. My first haircut in Turkey was by far my favorite. It was from a man with long dread locks folded back into a thick pony tail. His scissors changed color depending on the way the light hit them and he had to hoist up a huge wall mirror each time he wanted me to see the back of my hair. All I could do was smile and nod with sincerity.

4. There's a symphony here that plays classical music concerts every Friday for 5 lira (about $2.50). I've gone twice and it is now my preferred Friday evening activity. I've decided that I'm too old and quiet for loud bars. At least that's how I feel most days.

5. I'm surrounded by wonderful people who are deeply interested (and thoroughly knowledgeable) in language, art, literature, and history. Things that, like most things, I am only superficially interested in. I have to remind myself regularly that I'm not dumb in all ways. Just some ways.