What I've Learned

It's been awhile since I last blog. I've been a little busy between conferences, work, and an amazing vacation. But here are a few things I've learned these last few weeks:

• Nothing beats hanging out with fellow writers, those who can commiserate with you.
• I need to rework the opening chapter of my most recent story.
• Fans make the strangest requests to Nora Roberts because as fans they feel like she owes them something: attend my wedding, print out a copy of your book in advance for me (they'd even supply the paper), edit my manuscript, loan me money, and let me buy you for the day to hang out with my wife.
• I can never go back to flying coach again. EVER.
• I enjoy ouzo over ice.
• Never try to keep up with someone who is buying multi-rounds of shots.
  
• Never dance on a bar after aforementioned round of shots in your high-heeled shoes.
• Greeks know how to cook seafood, especially steamed mussels.
• Never eat at a restaurant that isn't thoroughly truthful about their menu even if their views are great.
• Donkeys can move a lot faster than they look.
• I look American no matter how hard I try otherwise to blend in Europe. :P
  
• Dodgy, savory, and fresh will be added to my vocabulary after hearing them spoken with such coolness by Australians. "The wind was fresh so I pulled my jacket close and continued down the dodgy alley to the hole in the wall which served some savory gyros."
  
• I still don't know the whole deal with No Country for Old Men even after reading the book and it depressed me all over again to boot.
  
• I love sunsets, especially Santorini's sunset which actually brought tears to my eyes.
• About 2500 years ago on the island of Delos were the first money changers. Visitors could exchange currency on this island to purchase goods. After the inhabitants and buildings were destroyed, it wasn't until the 15th Century that money changers were used again.
• On Delos, they had running water, clean drinking water, and toilets. Greeks, Assyrians, Egyptians, and other immigrants lived and worked together on this small island.
• Also, on Delos they had a large theater outside of which stood statues of the wealthy families who sponsored the performances that year. People would bribe to get the best seats. I guess things haven't changed that much.
• If the columns of the Parthenon met about several thousand feet in the air (the columns are all angled slightly in), then it would form a pyramid shape.
  
• I feel the greatest sense of peace when I'm around a body of water.