Dearest Silly Hearts,
Most tests cause anxiety. The taste test, however, that's a good one. Well, when chocolate is examined. Almost always, at least. So I've done some testing for you and for me.
I think I sampled this Chocolate Tea (Numi Organic Chocolate Pu-erh) years ago. "Pu-erh is an ancient healing tea picked from 500-year old organic wild tea trees in Yunnan, China." Fair Labor.
The svelt/hello beautiful chocolate drink is a local creation, very healthy for a chocolate product, high in the good stuff (protein), low in the bad (sugar, fats).
As for the Puerh, well, I have cheap taste. This one tastes a bit too snooty. I can't love it. It's a little strong, gritty, but rich and smooth. The flavor is more down the lines of black licorice than cocoa. I like it, and I'm happy to support this high quality, expensive ($10 for the box) product, but I don't love the taste. Yet, this one's unique, warming, and an earth-human friendly product. We'll give it an 8 on a 1-10 scale. 10 is best.
The svelte is surprisingly good, considering it's surprisingly and relatively healthy. Tastes like good ole fashioned chocolate milk to be combined with oatmeal cookies. But the container's too small to make for a sufficient meal substitute. It won't fill ya up. Maybe three would, and that'd cost ya $6. I'll give it a 7.
Last but most, I'm here (back) in Bali, on a chocolate factory too. HEAVEN! My "tour" consisted of getting geared up to remain in one room and taste approximately 30 samples of chocolate -- all off the charts (15+) in terms of richness, sweetness, orgasmic-ness. I think I found my happy place.
Be well, and keep things sweet, my dears.
Dear Silliest of Silly Ones,
May this post find you smiling about something, anything.
And now, I'll bring back some photos from Bali.
Can you believe this voluptuous woman was once a tree? Incredible artists, those Balinese wood carvers. Debra and your Rare One, this one's for you. I just thought you'd appreciate it as much as I do. Or more.
Young, talented dancers. Holli, for you, for the love of dance.
For our dear friend, Janie Junebug. The quote behind me: "If we never stress, then we will never succeed."
I'll stop here.
Take good care of YOU!
Til next time.
Dear Sillies,
This post is dedicated to Al Penwasser (for reasons that defy explanation).
Bali isn't all harmony and rainbows, there's also cock fighting. When I listened to these men teach about the cock fight, I found my hands moving towards my midsection, to protect my tender nether regions...The cock fight - that one doesn't sit easily. Right? Guys, imagine your cocks trapped in cages until they're ready to do battle against other cocks! People gamble on the cock they want to win, and/or the one they themselves raised! Imagine the humiliation of your cock being publicly beaten by another man's cock. Men, and not their more peace-loving female counterparts, are all about the cock fight.
"Do they always fight to the death?" I asked, cringing.
"No, not always. We stop it sometimes."
Phew! "Oh that's good." I really don't like the idea of a dead cock.
Look at the sweet, staunch and proud dark cock on the right. And then look at mean Whitey, ready to pounce on him. (Kinda symbolic. Right?)
This tradition goes back thousands of years. It's outlawed in many countries, but not Indonesia.
After a fight, the beaten cock is cooked and devoured.
In that sense, though I hate to admit it, I likely supported the cock fight. (I ate lots of delicious chicken.)
What are your thoughts and/or feelings about THE COCK FIGHT, my friends? Would you raise your, or someone else's, cock for such an endeavor?
