Wednesday, April 4, 2018

I is Iconic

I'm continuing on my goal to finish the alphabet list challenge. The goal is to work through the alphabet, pick a letter, then write about five favorite things that begin with that letter.

An today's letter is I, and I is Iconic. There are many Incredible words that begin with I. I like Intrepid, Interesting, Intriguing, and Independent. I also like Innocence, Idealistic, and Iridescent. I love Intelligence and Illumination and Illustrious.

Sometimes, I'm Impulsive, Introspective, and feel better when I follow my Instincts. Sometimes, I can be Inquisitive, Imaginative, and Incorrigible. I highly value Ingenuity and Integrity. And I'm very fond of Intercourse. It's Important to have dialogue and debates when Interacting with others. It makes for Invigorating Interjections.

I love the sound of the words Iota, Isosceles, Ingénue, and Idiosyncrasy. I especially love hearing the Spanish soccer announcer call out "Inglaterra!", which sounds much more exotic and mysterious than England.

Which brings me to the places I'd like to see that begins with I: Ireland, Italy, India, and Iceland.

I used to want to see Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Then I saw a very disturbing and disgusting report during the Rio 2016 Olympics that revealed that the beach water is full of high levels of "fecal coliform bacteria"--That's crap! Poop! The city sewer dumps directly into the sea! Why? Brazil? Why? I don't care how picturesque a beach looks or how many sexy people are sunbathing if the beach and water are full of crap! It's just a big old toilet! An outhouse! Blah!

I still shudder at the thought of swimming in Rio ever since I saw that disturbing pollution report. And now, every time I hear that famous classic song, The Girl from Ipanema, I cringe and think, "I hope she washed her hands and took a shower and didn't go to that filthy, dirty beach!"

But let's mentally bleach our thoughts and move on to more pleasant and better things.

I'm a little indecisive about Israel. I'd love to see it for the important historical value. But I fear I may not like the politics and religious conflicts and violence that seem so common there. I still want to see it though. The remnants of the Temple and the Site of where Jesus was crucified and the location of his resurrection are interesting.

But honestly, I want to see The Tomb of Abraham, located in the city of Hebron. Also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs, the Cave of the Patriarchs is the burial site of three of the Old Testament's notable figures/couples: Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah. I just want to see Abraham's resting place. The others are just a big bonus.

And I also want to see and experience the modern city of Tel Aviv. Yes, yes, Jerusalem and Nazareth and Bethlehem would be on my list, but I love Mediterranean beaches, and I also want to see the Dead Sea and the River Jordan. And I would love to sample the local cuisine.

I have a few fave foods that begin with I, like Icebox cakes and Icebox pies and Irish Cream. I also love Iced Tea and Iced Coffee, so long as they're sweet. I don't understand how people can drink tea or coffee black. That's just harsh and bitter and awful to me!

But food is a good way to begin my list of top five favorite things that begin with the letter I:

1. Ice Cream

I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream!


I love ice cream! By itself, in a cone, part of a sundae, a banana split, an ice cream cake, or even as a milkshake. Ice cream is a sweet dream come true! It is my guilty pleasure. I once ate two quarts of pistachio ice cream by myself. The power had gone out and the ice cream was melting. I don't like to waste food, so I ate it all. It was delicious! And it was also the only thing that I ate that day.

My favorite flavor is Neapolitan--the one with the vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors packaged side by side. I also love pistachio and the cookies and cream flavors. Actually, I love all flavors, except for mint chocolate--it reminds me too much of toothpaste.

I'm sorry but mint belongs in toothpaste and mouth washes, NOT ice cream! Chocolate is better on its own. It don't need no partner nor backup singers to shine! And while we're talking about things that DON'T belong with ice cream, add to the No list: Frozen Yogurt and Sherbet. Frozen yogurt and sherbet are NOT ice cream! Frozen Yogurt and Sherbet are delightful frozen treats.

Things that do belong in the ice cream category: Gelato? Yes. Gelato is rich and so smooth! Frozen custard? Always! Frozen custard is the best tasting type of ice cream! Ice cream is a treat. I like ice cream all year, any time, no matter what the season, even in winter! And vanilla ice cream is my favorite creamer/topping for my coffee, and I love it on top of warm apple pie or a hot waffle! And ice cream is amazing on cake!


2. Iguazu Falls

I want to see the Iguazu Falls, located between Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, the largest waterfall system in the world! There's just something magical and enthralling about waterfalls. It would be an adventure just trying to get there to that remote location.


But as beautiful and stunning the jungle and waterfalls might be, I have to keep in mind that this is the wild, and there is danger everywhere. I've got to watch out for bullet ants, poisonous spiders, and deadly vipers. Then there are the ferocious piranhas, anacondas, caimans, and jaguars. I have to be sure not to fall into the water or get lost in the jungle. Better yet, I must surround myself with slow moving tourists, the kind the predators go after while I run away really fast.

But worst of all has to be the world's most vicious predator: Candiru, the tiny catfish that swims up your urethra and lodges itself inside your bladder! That's right! This fish swims up your pee hole and lodges itself inside of your genitals! This parasite is often found feeding inside other fishes' gills. It feeds on blood! So it'll probably feed on the blood vessels inside your jewels! Gah!

But even with all these dangers, I still want to go see Iguazu Falls. I want to witness and experience nature's majesty and awesomeness. I just have to remember not to fall in the water and to wear a spring suit to block off critical body access to any hungry candiru looking for a home and a meal! Go somewhere else, Candiru! These genitals are for authorized personnel only!


3. Islands

I love islands, especially the beautiful, warm tropical ones with great beaches and stunning vistas. My favorites are the ones full of gorgeous landscapes, vibrant flowers, delicious fruits and veggies, and are full of dazzling wildlife with no deadly nor poisonous predators present at all.

Some of the most magnificent places I've been to are delightful islands with stunning beaches and dazzling waterfalls. They're the special places where I've witnessed such glorious sunrises and beheld such riveting sunsets. I've seen some of the most wondrous starry nights on remote, ravishing islands.

I've had an amazing time enjoying the waterfalls, hiking through jungles, trekking up mountains, and playing in the surf and sand. And I love the laid back island atmosphere and the welcoming, wonderful locals. Terrific tropical islands are a precious paradise to me.


When I can't escape to a tropical island in real life, I like to close my eyes and pretend that I am on a tropical beach island getaway. It helps to set the mood by having umbrella drinks on hand and island music playing. I'd sit in a beach chair, sip a cool drink, listen to music, and close my eyes and imagine myself on an enchanting tropical island paradise. It's a fantastic way to relax when I can't do the real thing.


4. Indiana

I love Indiana! Jones, not the state. Truthfully, I consider the original Indiana Jones trilogy to be awesome! That fourth sequel was a horrific and gawd awful mess that is best forgotten! So I will not speak of that atrocity here.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) got my attention. I was hooked the moment Indiana Jones swapped that golden idol and triggered the huge boulder booby trap that chased him out of the temple. The use of the Biblical Ark of the Covenant was very imaginative.

The Temple of Doom (1984) had my fave Indiana character, Short Round!



He cracked me up throughout the whole movie. That feast scene is more hilarious with Short Round's and Willie's faces, their reaction to the food.


Also, they made riding in a mine cart look like fun.


The Last Crusade (1989) is also hilarious. I especially love the depiction and dynamics of Indiana Jones and his father. Also, we get to see some awesome Indiana history, like how he got his style. I like that the story took a Biblical theme, combined it with history--ancient and recent--and ran with it to create an entertaining story. The shots of the desert and ruins are fantastic!

Indiana Jones made being an academic (and archaeologist) really cool! After watching Raiders of the Lost Ark, my two brothers and I went hunting for ancient temples and ruins and hidden treasure. Didn't find any, but we still had a blast searching the woods. And we'd play Indiana Jones, treasure hunter, for many years to come.

One of my favorite things to do while babysitting my nieces and nephews was to introduce them to Indiana Jones. Then I'd watch them have fun pretending to hunt for treasure or escaping booby trapped ruins.

As for the state of Indiana, I'm not sure what to say or think. Not that I have anything against the state of Indiana. I've passed through once on my way to Chicago. The traffic was just awful! I don't really know what there is to see in Indiana. Yes, it is the home of the Colts, and if I recall correctly, The Jackson Five lived there. And The Middle sitcom takes place in Indiana.

Of course, there is the famous Indianapolis 500 car race. But to be honest, I'm not really excited to see cars going round and round in circles for hours on end. That just sounds boring. If I want to see cars racing, I want to see them actually race on real roads through cities, like the Monaco Grand Prix, or off road, like the Baja 1000 in the desert.

But if the Indianapolis 500 ever incorporated some changes, like adding a few new super vehicles and flames and made their drivers and cars more fashionable:


I'd definitely watch that race!


5. Itinerant

It means Traveler or Traveling from place to place, wandering, roaming, and roving.

It's a great big world, and I want to see it all. It's fun and exciting to see new places, meet new people, try new foods, experience different cultures, and trek in new landscapes. I grew up on the remote coast, a small rural village on the frontier, in the middle of nowhere. As soon as I found out that there was a much bigger world out there, I couldn't wait to leave the farm and head out to see that big world.


And I've done it. I've been living and exploring the big world for a long time now. And it's still pretty amazing. I've seen some spectacular sights, felt some astounding things, experienced some extraordinary places, and met many fascinating people. And there's still so much more to see and explore.


But the biggest surprise for me is the realization that I'm not just looking for adventure anymore. I'm actually looking for something special, something that feels right, something wonderful.

I didn't realize it back then, because I was too young, too rash, too blinded to realize that the place where I grew up was pretty special and amazing in its own way. I didn't appreciate it then. I didn't know how until I saw the big world and developed a frame of reference, something to compare home to.

And now that I'm older, and hopefully much wiser, I realize now that there really is no place like home. And I was very lucky and blessed to have grown up in a small, rural, remote coastal community. Home was (and still is) a very beautiful and relaxing place.

When I first left home, I was still a teen, eager to see the big cities and check out the big world. I soaked up as much of the urban and local culture as I could. I didn't tell anyone about my small village upbringing, though it was obvious from my naivety and ignorance of urban life that I wasn't from the city.

Nowadays, I'm pretty proud of my rural roots. I gladly acknowledge that I grew up as a farm boy in a rural, frontier village. And I'm also a beach boy from the remote coast who still revels in pristine blue waters and loves the fresh mountain air.

When I first moved to the city, I was lucky to have met some urban friends who took me under their wing and taught me to be street smart. And I learned how to survive and thrive in the big city from them. And I've adapted those skills and used them to explore the bigger world and travel to far off places that I had once only read about in books and magazines, or seen in movies and on tv. The world is such a magnificent and wondrous place. And I want to see and experience it all.


And there it is, my top five favorite things that begin with the letter I, the things that have left an Impression and that I find are Important and have an Impact. What about you? What are your five favorite things that begin with the letter I? Inquiring minds want to know!


Related Links

A list
B all that you can B
Consumption
What you C is what you get, the beginning
What you C is what you get, the middle
What you C is what you get, the end
D lighted
Essential
F is for Fun
G is Great
H is Heavenly
I is Iconic
Brought to you by the letter S
U doing that thing U do
Zing Zing Zoom

22 comments:

  1. I wish I had had the itch to travel to see the wonderful things that you have seen... I think I was put off by friends and relatives returning from their holidays with food poisoning, or worse!
    My five 'I' things?
    ICE CREAM!!!
    Italic calligraphy
    Indigo
    Igloos
    ...and the Ice hotel in Sweden fascinates me.... plus I would love to see the Northern lights.
    Sx

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    1. Scarlet, Growing up in small rural, remote coast made me want to see the whole world. I was just excited at the thought of all those different places, terrains, environments, people, food, culture, and art! And I'm still amazed at the wonders of the world!

      Ice cream is awesome! And so are igloos! When I tried to get my blizzard bound friends to build one, they looked at me like I was crazy. So that's still a goal I'm working towards: Building an igloo!

      Those snow ice palaces are fantastic! I'd love to see the gorgeous auroras, too!

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  2. Excellent!

    1. Ice Cream. I make my own, most often vanilla but sometimes coconut or cocoa.

    2 & 3. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly, so that's a twofer!

    4. Intaglio printing. Real printing with metal plates like God intended.

    5. Indianapolis 500.

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    1. LX, It looks like we all love ice cream! That's amazing that you make your own. And there's just something wonderful about vanilla.

      The music choice is excellent, and I do admire those old, traditional printing methods. The wood ones blow my mind, because someone actually carved it!

      I went to three smaller regional stock car races, like baby versions of the Indy 500. It was loud! And the food was expensive and awful. But the beer was really cheap! I love the vistas of car races like the Monaco Grand Prix and the Baja 1000. The views are fantastic! Plus, they remind me of those Wacky Races cartoons!

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    2. Oh dear GOd, LẌ linked the two hour version ... pass the bong please :)

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    3. I have incense to set the mood and snacks in case someone gets hungry!

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  3. Ice Cream!! Yes, please. Now that I live so close to the places were indigo was made, it's become one of my real favorite "I" words! I've been fortunate to travel a lot in my life and had never lost my sense of wonder and excitement during those times. Now it seems that I have to psych myself up about traveling again and then, once the journey has begun all the joy and wonderment returns and I, thankfully once again, just go with the flow and relax and enjoy.

    When you speak of your past as having come from a small town, I hear the Journey song as background to the narrative! LOL For some reason in my mind you're from coastal Texas! Maybe it was the hat and the green elf shorts over at MJ's place! ;~) xoxox

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    1. Savannah, We all scream for ice cream! I can never get indigo right. I always call it purple, since it always looks like purple to me. I do love navy blue! Traveling is fun, like you said, once you go with the flow. Being flexible leads to good times and adventure.

      Don't Stop Believin' is my fave Journey song! Love it! I live in coastal Texas now. It used to be a beach town. Now it's expanded into a small city with big city problems. But I can still get to the beach easy and there are still small beach towns less than half an hour away. Those small towns do feel like my small remote coastal, rural hometown, except these places have traffic lights and easy access to the big cities.

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  4. I have often been disappointed by ice-cream, so I don't tend to eat much of it now. But when I do find one I enjoy, I'll binge-eat it!

    My favourite five things beginning with I are inexplicably illusive - i.e. my mind's gone blank. But, here are five things beginning with I that I do like:

    Io - a moon of Jupiter
    Iapetus - a moon of Saturn
    Iacon - Capital city of Cybertron
    Iguanadontia - the clade of dinosaurs
    Imagination

    Now I have an urge to watch the first two Indiana Jones films. Thank you Eros!

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    1. IDV, I save ice cream for special treats, a reward for reaching a goal or making an accomplishment. Or if it's on sale, then it's just smart shopping and getting a great deal! And I do binge on faves, too! Currently, I love Pistachio and Cookies and Cream.

      I love your I list! Moons (and Autobot places) are awesome! So are dinosaurs! Imagination is a wonderful and amazing thing!

      Some people find Temple of Doom dark, but I think it's the most hilarious and has the most heart. But I hope you enjoy the first and second Indiana Jones films!

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  5. I am grossly behind in blog reading this week. I love ice cream too and in all forms... and it even goes nicely when eaten off the slab of a man!!!!! Good times! And when I was in Argentina, the Iguazu Falls, was the only thing I didn't get a chance to see. On our free day, it was between going to Colonia del Sacramento or the Iguazu Falls. We went to the first and were very pleased by it's interesting, very old world feel and beauty....but we missed seeing the falls. One day again I hope.

    And where would we be without imagination????

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    1. Maddie, Ice cream is treat that makes other things so much better!

      I would love to see Colonia del Sacramento, because I love history and architecture. Friends that have been to Argentina tell me that it's like Victorian/Gilded Age/High Class Old World charm in South America. So if I ever make it to Argentina, that's a place on my must see list, along with Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, and the Tomb of Eva Perón, where depending on how drunk I am, I may sing "Don't Cry For Me Argentina."

      Imagination is Essential and Amazing to the Human Experience!

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    2. I did get drunk and tried to sing Don't Cry For Me at the Casa Rosetta before getting thrown out. So far as Eva's grave, the fun part is trying to locate the grave. Oh sure you can read the map, but the fun part is exploring that cemetery and it's many architectural delights. And the cats!!!! You'll find her grave soon enough from the mur of the crowd.

      And speaking of ice cream we have a place here in new hope that has cool flavors like Rose, Violet petals and Bourbon and crème. I haven't had a bad flavor yet.

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    3. Maddie, Thanks for the neat tips on Eva's grave and the points of interest. I shall reserve singing "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" on the last day of the trip, in case the locals take offense to my singing and ban me from the country.

      Ooh. Your new ice cream flavors sound awesome! The most adventurous flavor I've tried is licorice, and I still can't decide if I like it or not!

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  6. Never had heared about Candiru - now it makes sense that some guys in the Amazon wear those horns over their parts ...

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    1. Mago, That Candiru is one vicious predator! If I lived in the Amazon, I'd be wearing a diving wetsuit, some biker shorts, a protective cup, and a chastity belt, along with a horn to keep that candiru away!

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    2. When you see the picture of the Candiru fish, they look slightly bigger than worms. I would think one would feel them getting up there...but alas, would be to later to grab the suckers. no pun intended. They can also apparently infect other parts of the body. Very ugly pictures and I haven't had brunch yet.

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    3. Maddie, That Candiru is one nasty parasite. I would not feel guilty if the candiru went extinct! The only other creature that I would love to see go extinct is the mosquito!

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    4. I'm sorry Eroswings, I thought about "favourite things that start with the letter "I", and I all I could come up was IDV and Icarus. Both persons, not things, GOd I am limited in my imagination, sorry.

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    5. No need for apologies, Mago! I've also had trouble with several letters during this project. But IDV and Icarus are perfectly wonderful examples of I names. It's not necessarily the quantity but quality that counts. And these are two very excellent examples of our fave I words!

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  7. I adored short round! He wasn't so good in the Goonies

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    1. John, There were way too many divas mugging for the camera in Goonies. Too many kids vying for the lead. Sloth was the standout in Goonies.

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