Very Random Thoughts

You know you’ve been in Riga too long when you look at the weather for the day and, on seeing that the projected temp is 23 C (that’s 74 F), your reaction is "Oh, drat. It's going to be hot."

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The government in all its bureaucracy is... well... unfathomable sometimes. You know, it does the stupidest things? The current case in point is my little standard-issue, three month calendar - the sort that shows three two-sided month papers hung on a cardboard back (which, "with proper care... can be used indefinitely," as it itself tells me). *rolls eyes* Anyway, it came to my attention that, lacking a pretty picture like most calendars have, each month has an inane little saying at the bottom. If you weren't looking, you'd miss it. But I have plenty of time to do things like study my ugly government calendar. The sayings currently displayed are:

July: Give full consideration to all. (How... high-minded... for a calendar...)
June: Look at upward mobility. (In case you're considering leaving your current stimulating job...)
And my personal fave, May: Are reasonable accommodations available? (I do not even want to think of what prompted that one...)

Ya gotta wonder...

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I’m currently considering writing an inspirational song entitled, “Ramen in Any Language,” as a tribute to my cheap dinner.

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Most people around here speak English and if they find out that you speak English, they’ll insist on using it. Sometimes I humor them. Despite their general skill with the language, there is one almost universal and very funny mistake. By way of explanation: Their word for “please” is “ludzu.” But this word does extra duty. It’s also “you’re welcome,” “here you go,” “go ahead,” a polite way to get someone’s attention, and a way to answer the phone. And German and Russian both have a similar word. It might (quite logically) seem to your average Latvian that this is the common usage in all languages…. But it’s still amusing to thank someone and have them reply with a smile, a shrug, and “Please.”