travel-elsewhere

[travel-elsewhere]

A difference between American and Irish is that the Irish will not speak up until it’s almost too late and the Americans will speak right up until it’s too late.

[travel-elsewhere]

2k18 Product Review

Part time traveler, part time wander-er, full time student, overall overweight clutz reporting in. Each year I like to post some of the best things I’ve bought that year in order to help out fellow travelers/clutz’s/students. 

Apple Airpods: Use- Daily. These little suckers hold up and are well worth the cost. They’re sturdy to hold up to rainshowers, sweat, running, and constant dropping. With their carrying case acting as a portable charger, I rarely run out of battery. Even when that happens, popping them into the charger for five minutes gives me another hours worth of charging. While it’s not noise canceling (meaning one can hear the constant roar of a jet engine) it still holds quite a lot of umph. The speaker on it is clear and crisp so one can have concise phone conversations. Although people will look at you when you have your hair down and they can’t see the airpod. 

Tile Sport: Use: Weekly- part of daily pack. All accessories I own need to be water resistant and drop proof. Tile Sport fits that category well. With the added comfort I know wherever my wallet is, it’s a great investment. Tile often has pack discounts and has a bluetooth connection. Lost Wallet? Call it on your phone. Lost phone? Call it on your tile. It’s a great two way system- Particularly for blind-Emily-who-can’t-find-her-glasses-and-needs-light. It’s useful internationally and the more tiles near by, the more wide of a network. Really, I haven’t lost my wallet yet though I did lose the tile again. I’m tempted to get Tile Thin to place on my passport. 

Lush Ultrabland Use: As needed. Omg. This product. Yes. There’s nothing more annoying than having a fifteen minute nighttime bathroom routine. Traveling creates some entertaining bathroom situations (no toilet, no mirror, shower but no bath) so whatever routine  needed needs to be inventive and TSA approved. Lush’s Ulstrabland only takes a smigen of water to wash away all the dirt, makeup, and sweat off. It also leaves the skin feeling hydrated, warm, and ready for a good nights rest. A wash cloth is preferred, but not necessary. I’ve had good results with wiping off the product with bath tissue, or paper towels. A wash cloth is softer.. 

Ray Band Bronze Sunglasses: Use: When it’s sunny.  This was a bit of an expensive for me. At the time in California, I was tired of squinting and was espically tired or attempting to distinguish items through scratched glasses. Ray Band comes at a hefty price with multiple rewards.  The frames are sturdy, rust resistent (good for when accidently going into the ocean with them) and has enough of a tint to block out most of the sun with not so much of a tint to look like secret service. I highly recommend purchasing a good, sturdy, slightly fashionable pair of sunglasses. This will made it easy for the city look while it being a utility in the country. 

Amazon’s Lavender Moquito soap: use: daily in hot climates. TSA regulations are ever so strict forcing me to get creative on the packed liquids. Bug Spray is one of those necessary items but I’ll be dammed if I buy it every time I am in a new country, and I’ll be ever more dammed for paying for checked luggage. However, any bug that bites sees my plump skin as a walking buffet. This product is applied whlist in the shower and does a fantastic job of telling the bugs to bugger off. It has a bit of a lavender smell and has about a month’s worth of washes in the bar. Even though soap can be melted into liquid, TSA considers bars of soap to be Solid’s. But Jam is a big no... Anyways, grab this product if you have lots of bug bites. 

Packing Cubes: Use: When Traveling. Honestly, these are the best. I had a set of Eagle Creek Packing cubes that went missing during the move. Eagle Creek’s boasts compression and the exact measurement needed for their bags I was wandering around REI looking for my replacements and was shocked at their expense. One Medium and one Large for $50?! Rei Co-op packing cubes were one small, medium, large, and x-large for the same price. Plus, they had a cool space theme that matched the make-up kit I  picked up.  I bought both Eagle Creek and Co-Op and took them for a test drive. Using the same amount of stuff, I found the co-op to hold more items and had a better zipper situation- important when stuffing the cubes to the brim. At this point, I’m not promoting any specific brand but the idea of the packing cube itself. I can’t travel without one (or three!) anymore. 

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[travel-elsewhere]

Hope She Doesn’t Notice

[travel-elsewhere]

This writing on adventures, internal and external, is an effort to maintain my voice, to contain memories, and to strengthen my writing. A lot of this is first wave writing, it needs multiple layers of editing.

It’s been a journey getting to this spot, feeling comfortable speaking my own voice. I may live an arbitrary life, one I’m learning every day.

Flew down from San Jose yesterday. Mom and Dad picked me up, it was a smooth pick up and we went to bobs burgers. It’s a Burbank staple- I had a cheeseburger with fries. We drove home just in time for me to go to my dentist appointment. On the elevator trip upstairs, i met a gentleman 60 years my senior named Lou. As we were waiting for our names to be called, Lou talked about his career working for rocketdine industry. He was one of the leaders in computer engineering helping create areonautical communications that continues to help and expand air traveling. It was an inspiration just being in his presence though I’m afraid I appeared to be a bit pompous. What he was talking about is the best thing I’m fascinated with. How people like Lou helped inspire and develop technologies we can not live without. Within the span of 50 years, we have radically changed our culture, our very dependency.

The dentist was an interesting expierence. Dr. Chung was really excited to work with me because his two kids just got accepted into imperial college in London. He was really excited, and really proud. I thought he was going to just come in and zip out, like he usually does. Dr. Chung is the highest doctor in that office. He has multiple office assistants and hygienists. I thought this session would make sure my mouth guard would fit.. the last meeting the other doctor dentist lady insisted I get a mouth guard because I was grinding my teeth in my sleep. Chung placed my mouth guard in and informed me that the mouth guard wasn’t just for grinding teeth. It was to help me restructure my jaw. Turns out my jaw is out of alignment which is a partial reason why I am grinding my teeth. I must admit, I felt a bit defeated coming home. Here I am, 26 years years old, wearing glasses, 100lbs overweight, anexity driven, and now the proud owner of a mouth guard. Sexy, no?

Came home to find mom napping and dad on YouTube. We went to Costco an hour later. It was odd, we went over there in good moods, we were joking about their wedding and laughing. Then, suddenly, half way through Costco they got into some large argument leading to mom crying and a really awkward car ride home. I don’t know what instagated the blowout and still don’t know what happened. Mom was still mad dad all the way up until dinner. I think she was still mad.

Took a sleeping pill that night to try and have a good nights sleep with the new mouth guard. This proved disadvantageous as it was filled with waking up gasping and continuing to have lucid dreams. Mom woke me up this morning after a weird dream and I decided going on a walk with mom and Shirley around the lake. It was a really nice walk but I was still under the drug, loopy and just a hair too slow. Our 1.26 mile walk took just under an hour. Still sleepy I dropped civiche on the floor and yelled at dad.

It wasn’t because I was mad at dad. It’s because I felt useless, and fat, and kinda overwhelming in the aspects of my life. Watching The West a Wing and Grace and Frankie today and looking at swim suit options for my North Carolina trip.

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floating between San Jose and Burbank

There’s something magical about airports. Everyone in transition, importing and exporting simultaneous. Thousands of miles apart comes together in this port. Airplanes wait patiently, waiting to be filled with passengers, baggage, and useful amenities.

It’s where state, federal, and international coincide to allow safe transportation. The whole thou-shalt-not-bring water into the terminal is a little aggressive, espically when the cost of water is twice as expensive as it is outside the airport. There is a price to pay for safety.

Hung out with Henry last night, probably the last time for a year or so. It was good to see him although I worry about his choices. Then again, we never bounced back after the October blow up. It’s almost been a year and I’m still wrapping my brain around how to move on from it. We’ll see where the next five or six years go. Ended up having an awful migraine and went to bed early. These migraines are getting intense, the second one this week. I’m still not sure what the cause is. A guess might be stress or some form of extreme dehydration.

So here I am, in transition. In one week, I’ll be at the Los Angeles Airport waiting to fly to North Carolina to see Jess. Ten days of being Emily, of Jess being Jess. She’s waiting right now to see if she gets a job at Best Buy, a job she financially needs. I have a lot of respect and admiration for Jess, and a deep sense of curiosity. Typically when I see people, I can “see” threads pulling them one way or another. A string of some sort pulling them towards a larger ball. With Jess, I can’t see that. And that fascinates me. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t matter, she’s the best in any phase. Maybe because she’s seen my flaws and loves me for them.

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Happy 4th of July!! Happy Independence day!!! Happy day where people took a stand against unlawful taxation and created this beautiful nation!!

Sipping on a mint julep continuing my West Wing marathon. Sitting next to the open window in my favorite brown leather chair. A perfect summer breeze crinkles the palm trees and birds of paradise. The sun twinkles, it’s a good day. Sometimes the sun can be fierce and unforgivable. Not today.

It’s the fourth so everybody is wearing red, white, and blue. I am sporting blue jeans rolled up half way, a white tank with the american flag sporting, “stronger together”, and an american flag bikini top. Red toe nails to complete the look. Just waiting to head down to a fireworks show dad has been helping set up. I’m secretly hoping we can get tacos along the way.

Went to the immigration consulate yesterday to get my biometrics scanned. Dropped off the formal application in the mail yesterday. Now to do the long, fantastic, wait to see if i’ve been approved or not. If not, I wonder if i could still accept Galway…

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Three weeks since I’ve quit my job. I knew it was hard and I knew it was like a storm smashing against a rock, demanding sand. Yet, I persisted. I persisted during payroll, throughout the constant interruptions. I screamed when I got placed on a three month probation because of communication issues, yet I stayed. I roared when they hired another person above me, causing the weight of the totem pole to bear more weight than designed, yet I stayed. I said no more when, for the uptinth time, my supervisor did what she did best. It’s been three weeks of running, meditating, attempting to focus on the positive in life. It’s been met with marginal success. I’ve felt like a plant repotted the California salted soil. Three weeks later, on payday, I woke up in sweats dreaming how I went to work and did payroll. It took about ten panicky minutes to realize I was not late doing payroll, and that in fact I would never be late again. 

Chilling here at my brother’s house. He’s moved back into the first house he stayed at when he moved up to San Jose. It’s a nice, two story, four bedroom, three bath house that has everything standard American houses have, including a back yard. They’ve turned it into a classy bachelor’s pad/ fraternity house complete with kegs, multiple flat screen tv’s, pipes, and dogs. To my surprise, it’s not dirty. It’s not clean, but then again it didn’t echo the psycho theme song upon entry. 

Henry’s out at day camp today, probably gone all day. Dakota and I are hanging out in the house. His roommate- landlords son- appears to be pretty chill. He lives in the master bedroom with his girlfriend who is currently out fishing in Alaska. He seems like he’s got his shit together and was very nice in offering me beer and a sleeping pad. His other roommate is...well.. not ready to leave Neverland yet. Maybe it’s because of his psychology degree, or because he does something about mentality. Not sure, but he drank half a handle of vodka last night and has at least two pounds of weed. I”m not sure but i get the impression he’s running from something. Maybe from himself, maybe from his reality? Maybe he views the world the same way I view books. Once you’ve destructrialized them, you can’t go back to seeing the item as a whole. Must be hard for being around other human beings. 

Went to Walmart then back to sleep until around noon. Been watching a lot of the West Wing and eating a lot. Mcdonalds sausage mcmuffin, hashbrown, bugles, flaming hot munchies, pineapple, and cheetos. Drinking a coffee right now and thinking about chiplote for dinner. Did great for the two weeks, curse you fourth of july. I should be taking Dakota out for a walk but i’m feeling more content to stay here and do nothing. Took a nap today, it’s the second one in three weeks. I’ve been exhausted still from work, family, and the visa stress. 

I’m pretty burnt out from planning, meaning that I’m really tired of making plans and then they do not get accomplished or I get blamed for the plans. So I’m laying low. Hopefully we can go to that BBQ place and the disterally again. Looks like tomorrow we are heading up to San Fransisco to meet his girlfriend. Maybe on Sunday we can go to the beach. 

Still dream wander about Sarah. 

[travel-elsewhere]

Happy July!

Frolics in California continue. Attempting expievences and ideas, trying to change for the positive. The positive for me, not for anybody else.

Yesterday, June 30, was a good day. I scheduled my visa appoitmant . Tuesday 1pm. I'm trying to make sure all of my ducks are in a row. I'm not sure if I am to receive some documentation from the university via mail. They speak about carrier service. Today is going to be spent figuring out if I need return or single service. With this dong, day, lengthy process I am learning that I work best reading the material once , stepping away from the reading, and read it again, then a third time. it's best to understand in multiple lights. I'm printing out everything to make sure all the ducks are fluffed, preened, documented , and is ready to walk through immigration

Went talking with Aunt Shirley. She wants to drive to New Mexico the day afterthe 4th.. I was thinking on hanging out with henry. looks like mom is going to Drive with Aunt Shirley and I'm going with henry. Need to book plane tickets today. Dad came along with the impression he was going to be alpha male , but all he did was work on the puzzle. Shirley loves the hallmark channel, God, and Jigsaw puzzles.Oh and grocery coupons. Not in that order. I was the one that offered to drive and I still feel a little bad about mom taking the responsibility just because I want to hang out with henry. Money is starting to become an interesting concept.I'm not blowing through money but am not sure how I will be able to survive until the end of September. Anyways, thats another thought for another day.

We then went to pick up Hollywood Bowl tickets and then went to pick up stix. I really am trying to lose weight. Last week was not as goodas the week before. Beer, fried food,weed, chips, and so on . I still think I'm doing decent , the weigh in tommorow will see. I had shrimp and vegetables and a bite of chow Mein. Followed by two scoops of ice cream in a waffle cone. well.. I'm trying. A mentor said we are all elastic. A colleague once said we should all flaunt the curves we have.

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Adventures in Wand er land

Today was an interesting day.Yet another day not fu filling yesterday's promise to work out.It seems like some plateau or,-fear. I did go with my father to a place called New Directions for youth. It's an afterschool progam centered to give intercity kids positive opportunities.My dad teaches electronics , robotics, and basic computer information.' It was cool to see him feel like he made a difference. We worked on a basic circuit board learning about electrons.

Money was transferred to Northern Ireland today. Effective September 3rd, I have a place tocall my own.Well,a roommate named Ann but still-this is the first time I was able to call the location and the amenities. It's furnished and I'll try not to over decorate it. Now to get that visa and to use my summertime wisely. Sometimes the wisest use is to do nothing at all.

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“A writer is a person who cares what words mean, what they say, how they say it. Writers know words are their way towards truth and freedom, and so they use them with care, with thought, with fear, with delight. By using words well they strengthen their souls. Story-tellers and poets spend their lives learning that skill and art of using words well. And their words make the souls of their readers stronger, brighter, deeper.”

— Ursula K. Le Guin (via wordpainting)

[travel-elsewhere]

Six sunsets until Sunset blvd.

When I started this blog chapters ago, I had every intent on keeping track of my travels. Alas, life and work and friends and laughter came into scene. May, 2017. Graduation. A floundering Alumuna. This was the first time that money and another person influenced my decision. Was it a good one? Yes, because it was the one that was made. It was that decision that had me cease traveling for the foreseeable future. It had me commit to staying in one location, attempting to make it work . Yes. Back and forth to Los Angeles occured, visiting family and friends. Soon, family unveiled and friends disappeared.

Traveling isn’t just a relocation from position a to position b. It’s a journey expierenced by the individual. It’s a sensory wanderland. It’s where the odds of unpredictability and spontaneity skyrocket. It’s where one is one with the universe. When we are home, and the dust is settled, a routine nestles under that one worn blanket one simply can’t toss because some aunt made it eins ago. Let there be different weather! Let the rain pour down on the cobblestones forcing shelter in a pub, on trivia night. Let the sun twinkle- inspiring a food truck festival, marrying sweet pork and Philadelphia cheese steaks together forever. Even in traveling, in a journey, a routine is made. Coffee at 9am, language regardless. Train tickets, passport stamps, blah blah car. 

Six more sunsets until my plane ticket is scanned, inigiting a new journey. Los Angeles to San Jose to North Carolina to Los Angeles  to London to Belgium to Dawlish to London to Dublin. Three months to get my Irish shit together.

Six more sunsets to say Farewell, Juneau

And then, a journey.

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I'm going to Livingstone, Zambia and Arusha, Tanzania soon and was wondering if you have any recommendations for good restaurants, bars, cafes I should go to. I know you've spent a lot of time both places.

Livingstone: best breakfast/lunch/coffee is at Kubu Cafe. Wifi there too. Get their cinnamon banana muffin, and their veggie burger. Olga’s is good for Italian (but Zambian Italian, keep in mind). Golden Leaf is good Indian and lots of veggie options. Hippos is a good pizza spot and popular with backpackers but I don’t know if it’s still open. Avani is perfect for sundowners, good bar scene, right on the Zambezi so you can watch the sunset over Vic Falls.

Arusha: Fifi’s and Africafe both have great coffee and cakes and lunch and wifi. Fig & Olive for your expat bar scene and live music. Veggie Garden has spectacular brunch, beautiful garden and views of Mt Meru and Kili on a clear day. Get avocado fries and mango chutney at Pepe’s (their pizza is decent too). Blue Heron has a lovely bakery and good lunch and dinner, plus charming spot. Via Via and Le Patio are good bars, young crowd.

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Before and After Back in the States

With a little over a month safe within the United States, two weeks at a standard 8-5 desk job, I find my adventure radar pleasantly turned on low frequency for the moment. I am not pinging for a response, I am not seeking anything. Possibly this is what internal peace feels like. 

Coming home was intense. From leaving Lausanne in a huge thunder and lighting storm, causing the Geneva airport to be in a big ball of mess. Computers down created chaotic check in. Made it through security with ten minutes to spare. I waved happily goodbye and haven’t looked back. It took about 2 hours to get through customs in the United Kingdom, due to the Turkey airport attack two days prior. Met up with Alethe and we drove to our wonderful adventure. 

We stayed at a former dairy farm. The tenements couldn’t afford to keep cows and horses so they re converted their fields for people. Lush grass, ultimate freedom. The portable bathrooms were very clean and there was a lovely pub at the end of the road. The best part was the tennants were the most friendly people on earth and their son very good looking. We started a fire by just plopping down wood and lighting it up, no fire ring, no safety measures. We also had afternoon tea, in the middle of a field, alone, in the rain. 

Alethe took me on an antique train adventure where we hopped on old locomotives and visited four restored train stations. This is where Downton abbey train scenes were filmed. It also happened to be the same day they were having their summer food festival. Alethe bought scotch, I bought cider and fudge. 

The next day we visited Brighton, England’s version of Jersey Shore. We visited this beautiful old  Indian style palace. Lots of pineapples and one of the state of the arts kitchen. We visited the beach and lamented. 

The third day toured around the campsite and visited a 1930′s style house (mansion) where we walked around. The grounds were the best part.  I zipped through the house, Alethe strolled. I cam to a room where there was a working type writer so i stayed and typed and typed while grandmas would come in with glossed over eyes, telling me their lives as a typists and their stories. It would have been fun to stay there pernametly as a writer and type down those stories of the people they walked through. Oh man, I fell in love with West Hoathley, England. I want to go back. 

Alethe then drove me to the airport, we said so long and an uneventuful flight back to Los Angeles; the true calm before the storm. There was 100% bliss walking through customs and getting through the “US citizen” line. IT was a breeze.  

Mom and dad Picked me up, we had inn n out. They explained to me the car situation. I did errands the next day. The following day I went to disneyland with Sarah, Kim Jenni, Dee Dee and Jeff. It  was wonderful going with them and having a blast, despite the deep jetlag I was feeling. We rode all our favorite and saw the nighttime firework show. No characters, it just didn’t  feel right. I met up with Carly, my high school friend in the military who was on leave. It’s always an adventure with her. This time it was meeting up with gear heads and watching them fix their lotuses. Met up with Cheryl, my god sister and talked, John, my ex, stuart and Tamara, Had Sushi wtih the gang, saw Becky and her new apartment,  and then traveled to Flagstaff, Arizona to see Sean. 

Boy, that was an adventure on it’s own. Tired of playing tourist, I wanted a staycation and got a tourist vacation instead. The Grand Canyon during a supreme thunderstorm, Sadonna on a hot day and a long walk around NAU. Sean is doing..not so well. He thinks he’s in the rebound but I fear he’s diving deeper and deeper into despair. I’m glad I was there to listen and to help, and sometimes wonder If i really did help. We drank a lot and sadly had to end our adventure short with a phone call from Dad. He was upset that I was gone for long and made some alarming (and untrue) accusations. We left for LA a day early and I wrapped up things before flying to San Jose to see my brother. 

Henry seems to be doing great in Santa Cruz. he just moved into his new room in a house deep into the woods. He took me to a gaming bar, the next day three wonderful (and beautiful) wineries where we were the youngest people there by 30 years. We also visited his second favorite brewery.Henry had to work the next day, I had fun talking with some of his coworkers. The next day was a bit the same. Aptos BBQ was everything I desired in terms of American cuisine. Smokey, spicy, delciious. Mom and Dad drove up, picked me up and we started on our journey to Squeim, Washington where we spread Grandfather’s ashes along the beach. Rest in Peace, Grandpa. 

It was nice seeing Uncle Bill and Aunt Marilyn. It was good to catch up and it was a pretty good lunch at Black Bear Diner. Mom and I toured around the “town” while dad and Henry took naps after we parted. Squeim is a place where I spent a lot of winters, Grandpa stayed at a retirement home there and my Aunt Jill and Uncle Jim used to have a house there. We toured around, a lot had changed. Got our souvenirs and then drove to Seattle, dropping me off at the airport. 

Alaska felt like home. Los Angeles an extended leg of my trip. I got my boxes, unpacked, moved into my room with my beautiful new bed (FULL!) and immediately started my new job at UAS Helpdesk. It’s been bumpy, not the smooth sail I hoped for. The majority of my off time was spent with Kourtney before she flew down to Montana for Grad School. We had the big goodbye dinner on friday followed by a fire. 

It’s been nice reconnecting with friends and collegues and even meeting new people who arrived while I was away. I’m still learning the dynamic of work and the personal politics. I’m still figuring out my role at Pete and Carlene’s and I’m still figuring out..well.. me. I know a lot more about myself now. 

The frequent question I get is “what’s next?” 

The frequent answer I give is “I don’t know.” 

I have spent 11 months traveling around 11 countries, 5 states. I’m just getting into the swing of my new job before school starts. I’m learning how to hike. it’s a new adventure, slower, filled with time and patience. I’ll keep you updated. 

[travel-elsewhere]

[travel-elsewhere]

London bound!

I wish I could catch readers up on the transition adventures between expensive United Kingdom to even more expensive Switzerland, alas it shall remain a blank block. Currently based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the French speaking region, I have settled into a city larger than Coleraine, smaller than Los Angeles and am desperately attempting to cram a new language into this brain. Classes are going well, 7 total: Virginia Woolf (narration theory), conversational French, contemporary British poetry, world englishes, history of the book, King Arthur and Insults and Swearing. Got my grades back from Northern Ireland and all went really well. My GPA is back up and now only have 24 credits until graduation. The universe listened when I complained about NI being easy and gave me Lausanne. Each has an essay due at the same time, each with their own reading. Lausanne is the first place I've encountered substantially with Eastern Cultures. Their language and history depth is vast with different philosophy. It's like my dad always says, "the more you know, the more you know you don't know" just as I grasped American Western Culture... I've come to terms with that I am an American and will never not be American. This is perfectly fine. Spring break has come and I am sitting here in the Geneva Airport waiting for my plane to London Southend to which I will travel to Liverpool->great Victoria->Exeter. Should get there around 11pm tonight. With about 4 hours of sleep, I'm looking forward to crashing on the Exeter bus. Oh! And TEA! And a pint of English beer! Mmmmmmmmmmmm. Best, best best of all is seeing Alethe who is quite possibly one of the most fantastic people ever!! Can't wait

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There once was a man who got most of what he wanted. He used laughter to improve his charm so he could convince whomever to do whatever. He was also afraid. He learned weapons to protect himself and learned knowledge so no one could challenge him. He learned medicine to heal himself. He cared about people who could help him. He loved kind people, a hint jealous and more for they were useful. When something happened he didn't like, he asked or demanded it didn't happen again but did things they didn't like or demanded repetitively.