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yep, the spiders are bigger here. not quite tarantula size, but defniitely close. apparently they pack a real bite. but don't expect to find them in your shoes. they are very shy & it took weeks looking for them for me to see one. there are lots of spider holes. they dot the lawn & gardens around the house. note the size of the spider hole (lower right).

i mentioned i would list what i miss & don't miss.
this is not about specific people & there is no order to the lists.
some you'll disagree with some you'll nod. perhaps some you may not have thought of,
but here goes..
I DON'T MISS:
> the weather from september to may.
> TV. i haven't watched 10 minutes in the past month.
> the underlying societal tension generated by overworked, financially strapped, deadline driven,
underslept, brittle, crime phobic, advertising bombarded, free time starved people.
> the labelling, categorizing & classifying people based on their job, income & what they drive.
> pollution; the numerous examples of waste & excess.
> commuting. i know i worked at home, but how did 90,000 kms get on my 3-yr-old car?
> the sense that the system i was in was too big & structured for me to make a difference.
> the struggle to get 4 friends together.
> never having enough time.
SURPRISINGLY, I DON'T MISS:
> hot water. although i've learned homes built in the last 10 years do have it.
> nightclubs & the promotions business.
> my music collection.
> staying up late.
> convenience. w/ more personal time, one simply needs to plan just a bit.
> rules & laws, many times a day i witness something & say: "you couldn't do that in canada", then realize its just a silly little thing. it seems so many rules are for the lowest common denominator & curtail the lifestyles of so many people with common sense.
WHAT I DO MISS:
> friends & family.
> drinkable tap water & inexpensive, plentiful, variety of groceries.
> smooth roads, my car & my motorbike.
> toronto's wealth of inexpensive, diversed, excellent restaurants.
> high speed internet connection.
> good, reliable customer service for anything.
> fruit without many/large seeds.
> a shop i can drop my computers off for repairs.
> access to communities for just about any interest.

what i do to stay connected to the outside world? besides email & family phone calls, i listen to CBC radio 1 online, BBC radio is here in antigua & i gather news online.
i must mention my latest incredible find... although i am not a user of an iPod, i have begun downloading podcasts from the apple iTunes store. politics, science, technology, current events, entertainment, comedy are all available FREE, by simply downloading & playing on my computer. no commercials. thousands to choose from. it is a goldmine. i'd be happy to recommend some excellent podcasts. just email me.

well gotta run. next time: a little geography lesson, in case you aren't sure where i am.

SUGAR APPLES
POMEGRANET, LEMONS