I almost made a citizen's arrest today....

My instinct was right again. I think that's three for three in the past week.
Long story short, a lying thief's fate was more or less in my hands today, and I gave him a second chance.
I knew he was sketchy and loopy when he came in, so not only did I keep an eye on him but I asked Charlie to as well. Trying to steal our boots, he threw an expired ID and credit card with no funds at me as if he was paying, and bolted when I told him to wait several times.
I ran his card, knowing it would be declined, and it was. I looked at his new shoes, and decided they were pretty flashy for someone with no money...and noticed that they were a size 11, which he told me his shoe size was 9 [before he tried to grab boots].
I went in the back room to see if his ID was really him at some time or another, and googled "Laird Solsa, Incline."
What I found was that he was indeed Laird, and had also been in a high speed chase a few years ago at age 45 on methamphetamines and weed. He also, at one point, had a $25,000 warrant out for his arrest. I called Public Safety and the police to help me find this guy.
I was livid.
No one bamboozles Kari Langslet!
Anyways, we ended up getting the guy who told the police and me lie after lie after lie. The police officer, a very strong woman, put him in cuffs and was ready to take him to jail. Everyone wanted him to go to jail. He kept looking at me, pleading with his lying eyes. The officer then said that she couldn't arrest him because not only was she not present for the crime, but we had the boots back in our possession and their value did not exceed $400. She wanted to take him to jail, but told me I would have to do a citizen's arrest in order to do so.
I thought about it.
I looked at this sad, creepy, lying, grungy old man...
...and I couldn't do it.
I just couldn't.
I would feel awful.
I was shaken up but took the boots back, $36 from his wallet as if he was paying for a one day boot rental, and told him that he was never allowed in the shop again.
He looked me in the eye, thanked me, and public safety escorted him off the premises.

Everyone should get a second chance. I hope, although I know it's doubtful, that he will realize his errs and fix his life. He is on probation after all, and this could have really screwed him over. I hope he gets his life back on track. I also hope that he will do something good for someone else in return.

I hope.

This also made me wonder; my instinct has been telling me that something bad might happen to me in Israel. The only thing I can't figure out is if it's my actual instinct or just everyone's words floating around my head telling me not to go.
I trust my instinct, but I need to find out if it's my actual instinct.
As of now, my Middle East trip is still on. Should stuff go down, my Plan B is to go stay in the tree-houses in Turkey for a couple weeks and read....meditate.

Have a good day guys!

Debate.

I knew and know full well what I'm getting into by going to the Middle East. I know that Iran has [or will have by December] nukes and plans on attacking Israel, its capitol and airports, thus prompting the US to attack Muslim holy cities and create a world of total chaos. This chaos according to the Koran, in turn, would cause God to 'fix it all;' similar to the Christian idea of the second coming of Christ minus the chaos. Google the '12th Imam' of the Shiite [sect of] Muslims.

I have a strong sense of foreboding. People keep telling me not to go, but damnit, I want to. I HAVE to. This may be my only chance. Putting my selfish desires aside, I don't want this crazy WWIII business to happen. I don't want millions upon millions of people and historical sights to be destroyed by religious fanaticism, no matter the specific religion. The Iranian president said he expects war to break out in spring or summer...of THIS year. Now, basically. When I will be there, basically.

I hope for the sake of millions of innocent people that this doesn't happen.
I leave in three weeks, and will be watching the news. I will do whatever I can do to get the hell out of there should anything go down.

On a side note, I have met, dined, bathed and been in the company of many Muslim people in my life. I have had nothing but amazing experiences with these people.
Sad.

I'll upload photos of my trip to Carmel when I have a chance!

Officially Getting Old....

Yes, another birthday has come and gone. On St. Paddy's day I turned (ick!) 25.
Shucks.
Tuesday night I went out for a little 'Beat The Clock' action at T-Club, dressed in a Kelly green coat, cherry red lipstick, and matching red hat and shoes just to confuse all the colorblind people in town.
It was a good night.
When we got back from the bar, Jeff gave me the best birthday presents ever! A Diana F+ camera [Holga pinhole camera] and the Playmobil Egyptian ship with a shooting torch! Both I've wanted for days, so sue me if I still enjoy toys made for five year olds...
That flame spear shooter is so accurate that I managed to shoot Mr. Solberg in the forehead twice...ahahahhahaha.
On my actual birthday I went to work and donned a faux mustache, side burns, goatee, and changed my nametag to Jafar. Don't ask.
After I opted for a pajama/slumber party with four of my friends rather than go out. Way cheaper that way, not to mention all the Texans in town for spring break mixed with green beer equals unnecessary fights.
It was good.
Alas, I am a quarter century old.
Shoot.
Today I'm off to my beautiful hometown of Carmel, California. I haven't been home in a couple years, and now is the time!
PS. Yesterday was rollerskate at work day! Yeeee!

Tentative Itinerary...

...for Israel/Jordan/Egypt.
I have decided not to visit Lebanon, as Annie will be flying into Rome around May 15th, and I am on a time crunch. Instead, I am focusing on Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. I don't really like to plan, but because I have limited time to explore these places, as well as a limited budget, I have to.

Depending on which day Annie flies into Rome, I'll either tack on a few days to Sinai or a couple days for Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. I decided to forgo staying in Haifa and Akko because accommodation in both places is out of my budget. Instead, I'm planning on day trips.

Here is my fifth revision of an itinerary;

4/21: London to Tel Aviv
4/22: Tel Aviv
4/23: TA
4/24: TA
4/25: TA to Nazareth
4/26: Nazareth
4/27: Naz, day trip to Haifa
4/28: Naz, day trip to Akko
4/29: Naz to Tiberias
4/30: Tiberias, or to Jerusalem
5/1: Jerusalem
5/2: Jerusalem, day trip to Bethlehem
5/3: Jerusalem, day trip or overnight stay to the Dead Sea
5/4: Jerusalem, or Dead Sea to Jerusalem [depending on if I spent the night]
5/5: Jerusalem
5/6: Jerusalem to Petra
5/7: Petra to Eilat
5/8: Eilat to Taba to Dahab/Wadi Gnai
5/9: Dahab to ST. Katherine's Monastery and Mt. Sinai
5/10: St. Katherine's to Cairo
5/11: Cairo, day trip to Alexandria
5/12: Cairo, day trip to the pyramids at Giza
5/13 or 5/15: Fly Cairo to Rome

Any tips, recommendations, or anything else would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Newwww Yooorrrrrk!

My flight was delayed two hours, but at least Knoblauch kept me company.



I looked out the window at the bright lights of the city as I descended into JFK airport with $150 in my pocket .
New York looked beautiful.
Danielle met me outside the baggage claim and we drove straight to a local bar in her town where it was $5 pitcher night.

I barely had a chance to blink before I was immersed in the Guido subculture.
Danielle's friends were very nice, even if one of the boys kept talking about his workout routine and NYPD status. All in all, it was a good night.
And yes, a did see a bit of fist pumping. What a welcome!
I stayed with Danielle's family in the suburbs; a beautiful family with a lovely home. I was immediately stuffed with amazing New York bagels, followed by a lunch of New York pizza.

Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous to step on my scale after all the ambrosia I've devoured this past week, haha.

My second night in New York, Danielle, Tina, Ashley and I made our way to the prestigious nightclub, Greenhouse. This club not only is posh and fun, but is eco-friendly with its flashing LED lights and efficiently flushing toilets. Usually the club is difficult to get into, but since the girls knew some male models and promoters, we walked right in and had free table/bottle service all night.

The next day, Danielle, Tina and I went vintage window shopping in SoHo, and discovered that New York has the most expensive vintage items I have ever seen, including in London. I saw a poncho I liked; $225. A pair of boots? $325.
I guess the shops can charge that much because people are willing to pay for it.
I much prefer flea markets.












Jeff and his friend Daryl ended up meeting me in Soho, and we ventured off to 5th Avenue to play at F*A*O and explore Central Park. We were going to go to a Man Man show at NYU, but it ended up selling out. Oh well.























On Friday I went to Canal Street to find a ridiculous gold chain for Brett, but it exceeded my $5 gold chain budget. I was so tired from the week, and feeling a little sick, so I had to pass on the Buddha Bar and clubbing for Danielle's friend's birthday, and went back to New Jersey with Jeff. I met his family, and we went out to an amazing restaurant called Veggie Heaven; I have never tasted better fake meat in my life! I could swear the Sesame Chicken was real chicken...I wish we had a place like this in Tahoe. We met up with some of his friends, and watched Daryl's TV show, The Tester.

Saturday, Jeff showed me around his hometown of Montclair. We visited the 911 memorial in Eagle rock, and looked at the panoramic entirety of New York City.





Following that, we went shopping, ate, met some of his friends, and stopped to pick up my suitcase.
With my suitcase in the boot, Jeff and I drove to Brooklyn for a crazy metal/grindcore show, and picked up his friend Alex in Hoboken on the way. We thought we were going to be late until we saw the venue closed and all the bands outside the door. After about an hour, the promoter showed up, opened the club, and the bands started setting up. What a perfect time to grab some Brazilian food!
mmmm, fried bananas....
The show ended up being crazy, and finished with Jeff's old band at 2:00AM. Ears still ringing, I got dropped off at JFK at 3:00AM for a 6AM flight, no sleep, no change of clothes; I was covered in Brooklyn.




I couldn't sleep on the plane because I sat next to a muffin woman. A muffin woman, you ask? I don't mean that this lady had delicious baked goods to give out. Oh, no. What I mean is, somehow she shoved her rather large bum in the seat while the rest of her expanded over each armrest into my lap and shoulders. My personal bubble got popped! Even though we were in Economy Plus with five inches more room, you wouldn't have known it. She wouldn't even get up when I had to use the bathroom; her husband would get up and I'd climb over her to get to the aisle. Apparently my climbing skills were impressive, and justifiably complemented, so I informed her that I am a monkey.
Stian picked me up at 12:15, 3:15 New York time. I was ecstatic to take a shower when I got home, and even happier to finally get some sleep after over 36 sleepless hours.

New York is a beautiful city, and I cannot wait to get back. For my friends that I did not see, especially Alex R., Alex B, Kendall and Sarah, maybe we'll reunite this summer? I didn't take many pictures, I don't know why, but at least there are a few posted above.

Only a month left until my next adventure in London and the Middle East.I cannot wait!