It's All in the Comments (and Other Randoms)

Do you ever read a blog post and it's good, but then you start reading the comments afterwards and before you know it, a half an hour has passed by because the comments are just as, or sometimes more, entertaining than the post itself? I recently had this happen and I thought it would be funny to respond to the comments here. The original post was written by Birchie and can be found here. Funny enough, it was about state flags which is interesting enough, but sometimes people add side notes, and that is what I wanted to touch on. 

For example, Nance brought up that the Ohio flag was the only one shaped like a pennant and apparently is a bitch to fold (like fitted sheets, she said). I remember having to fold the US flag for my Mom, who was a postmaster, and you would be in some deep doodoo if it touched the floor, because then we were supposed to burn it. But it had to be in perfect triangles, like a folded note from high school. Are you old enough to remember passing notes in HS, and folding them like a US flag? If so, big hug to you! 

Nance also said (sorry to out you Nance!) that the Ohio State flag would be improved if a nipple was added, which Birchie had talked about as a controversy to the Virginia flag (which I never had heard about. Side note, who remembers the Janet Jackson half time incident!??) I mean, wouldn't every flag be enhanced by adding a nipple? On the CA flag, it would be on the bear, I imagine, as a random floating nipple would just be weird. I did go and look at the Virginia flag and I see no issue with the nipple, I feel that it is quite tasteful. Of course, it is also quite tasteful on the bear. 

Made by Gemini; not the real CA flag😁

MG talked about the Montana flag and how there are words in Spanish on it, and she wondered why. I am guessing that since the state name itself is a Spanish word, that may have something to do with it? Without Google, that is my guess. Can anyone name all of the states in the US that are Spanish words?? Ready? GO!

Engie mentioned a dude with a podcast about flags whose name is Roman Mars and I need to know: is that really his real name?! Actually, did you know that you can tell the difference between Greek gods and Roman ones because the Roman ones all have planet names!? So Neptune = Roman and Poseidon = Greek. I just learned that, despite my Mom being a fan of Greek mythology. So maybe I learned it a long time ago and the forgot it and am now relearning it? Who knows. The joys of forgetting. You forget that you forgot and then you get to "learn something new" again, over and over! 

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In other random news, I spent some time in some of the smaller towns in Türkiye and it once again reminded me of why I like going to one place or country for a longer time rather than trying to jam pack in a bunch of different places into one trip. Getting out of the big main cities and away from the main tourist attractions really does give you a different take on the same place. I am not saying that if you ever go to Türkiye, you should skip Istanbul or Cappadocia, but try some of the smaller towns on the turquoise coast, or maybe the Eastern part of the country and you'll see a different side than you normally would. I think I may have to do an entire post on this, as also even the touristy places have hidden sides. Cappadocia is not just about the balloons!!

...and the sun beat down upon my head...

Speaking of Cappadocia, long story short, I didn't wear a hat and it was sunny and went for a treeless hike and I burned the part on my hair. I am very good at applying sunscreen and I did do it but normally I wear a hat and so the lily white top of my head is protected. In this case, it wasn't and I am like a kid with lice (does your head itch now?) and I can't stop fidgeting with the dry skin! 

Speaking of lice, I am contemplating doing some hiking in Scotland but I hate midges and they are pretty much a staple in the summer. I think that the way my schedule is going to work out, summer would be when I am there but I am trying to figure out how to be midge free. Have you ever experienced midges? Do you have any anti-midge tricks?

Speaking of summer, I am having a first world problem where I try to decide what to do but I have a list about a mile long and many of the items are outdoor and the summer is only so long! I want to do them all but...see above where I talk about how I like soaking in one destination or place for a while. I am torn. My life is so hard! Do you ever have trouble narrowing down where to go when you travel? 

Speaking of life being hard, I have had a lot of questions about how other people abroad treat me when they learn about where I am from. I will say that I have had no issues, and in the last day alone, I have had to show my passport a few times, so people know where I am from! Some people have joked that they shouldn't be talking to me (British guy) or that they were going to put an extra charge on a tour (Turkish guy) but I have had no real ill will towards me. I had an interesting conversation with a Russian woman about our respective leaders though! That was fun! 

Okay, your turn! Here are all of the questions; feel free to answer any or all!

Are you old enough to remember passing notes in HS, and folding them like a US flag?

Do you remember the Janet Jackson half time incident!??

Would every flag be enhanced by adding a nipple?

Can you name all of the states in the US that are Spanish words?

Did you know that all of the Roman Gods have planet names!?

Have you ever experienced midges? 

Do you have any anti-midge tricks?

Do you ever have trouble narrowing down where to go when you travel?