Crazy Aunt Club – I’ve Been Inducted!

It’s official.  I have evolved (or degraded) into the quirky, eccentric aunt everyone either wants or dreads or somewhere-in-between.  You know, the non-conforming aunt with no children, who has no social restraints imposed by fellow parents or schools or society to behave in a respectable and modest fashion.

Post Sangria and Pre-Moonshine in Spain

The one who travels, downs hot spicy snail juice or homemade moonshine on a ranch in the Spanish Sierra Nevadas (a whole blog entry itself!), dabbles in belly dance, karaoke, dancing on bars…ahem… the one who wears sequined Converse shoes and starts up a conversation with just about anyone on just about any topic.

Zorbing in Rotorua, New Zealand

The oldest person anyone knows who goes zorbing, jetboating and luge-ing in New Zealand. (Except for my mom! but that’s a whole ‘nuther story) Some of my more carefree moments won’t be shared here 😛 And what’s worse – said aunt has photographic documentation of said antics. Mon dieu!

When Common Sense Dictates, I Rarely Take Notes

Why am I sharing this? Because, you see, I have no shame. Or at least a deficiency.  There was a shortage when I was born. It was the late 60s…need I say more? *shrug* What can one do? In my case, I embrace it and chuckle at the rufflings of polite society. I think it skips generations…those who have nutty aunts and uncles experience such emotional trauma from the outbursts and activities of these relations that they identify early on how they do not want to be  😀

Halloween Belly Dancing Zombie at Cafe Aroma-I know, shameless

I think my sister’s kids are young enough not to recognize my eccentricities…at least, not to be embarrassed by them – yet.  My brother’s boys, on the other hand, are both teens and, though they smiled politely when they came to see me belly dancing at my regular gig, I’m certain they must have been cringing that an over 40 woman who is related to them by blood was baring her midriff and actually jiggling in public! For shame!!! At least I don’t shimmy over to the tables soliciting tips to be tucked in my skirt 😉 One saving grace. Well, maybe one other saving grace…I was on a volunteer stint whilst in Thailand so in between drinking “buckets” of booze and doing the bump with trannies, I was fulfilling philanthropic functions 😀

Slogging Through Monsoon Waters in Thailand

On my recent trip to Spain, as my friends predicted, I definitely outdistanced my 19-year-old nephew, Leon, both in touring stamina and sleeplessness.  I think he actually enjoyed my company and my aimless yet persistent pace as I showed him my favorite sights, sounds, tastes and introduced him to my favorite friends in Seville and Barcelona.  He did express his preference not to enter the Museo de l’Erotica when my curiosity led me to their door. OK, OK, I know when to stop my pernicious pursuits to save his mortification. However, at one time, whilst on a bike tour, we sat with another tour-er and he casually asked Leon if he enjoyed traveling with his aunt.  To my immense relief, Leon replied with a wry smile that he did (he knows some diplomacy!) though he said that I am a little crazy. Ha!  I supressed the urge to do a victory arm pump, but I did smile broadly.  So it’s official.  I don’t mind…I sort of wish I had had a crazy aunt or uncle when growing up. Then maybe I would have had a different perspective on how such behavior appears, and would comport myself in a more sophisticated, respectful manner…naahhh.

Dancing with Trannies in Thailand-I love how I'm wearing spectacles & a bun!