Rasmenia, Author at Rasmenian Detritus – Page 9 of 42

And The Winners Are…

June 20, 2013November 23, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

Just pretend that I read the title of this post in a big, booming voice, complete with the melodramatic flourish of a sparkly Academy Award presenter.Last week, I asked those among you who were willing to share your travel stories; the pain, jackassery and frustration that erupted when a pleasant vacation is what you had in mind. Quite often the trip we've planned has nothing to do with the adventure we actually experience.That's what I wanted and some of you delivered. Now it's my turn to deliver.Here's what I promised you last week:- I’ll give the best story signed copies of both of my books, Human Detritus and Broken Abroad.- Second place, I’ll give you a signed copy of Broken Abroad.- Third, a signed copy of Human Detritus.I've read these little stories over & over again. From Morocco to Barcelona to Oklahoma to Greece to Scotland. I laughed about police interrogations, mistaken identity & camping trips gone awry. I also...

I’ll Give You Free Books if You Give Me a Little Story

June 13, 2013November 23, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

Some of the most memorable trips we take are the ones that go horribly wrong. We plan on an exciting adventure, or a relaxing getaway, only to end up injured, sick, lost, or in the midst of an absurd comedy of errors.Maybe we get an adventure we never expected and are forever changed.I've told you some of my travel stories, Internet. Some happy and absurd, others much more angry and frustrated. I've just released another book, Broken Abroad, which is all about change, travel, comedy and anguish.I'm sure you've got plenty of your own travel stories filled with pain, jackassery and odd things. So, why not share them and receive a small reward?- In the comments below, give a brief story (no more than 200 words) about your travels gone wrong. The most awkward, hilarious, painful and frustrating stuff. You might get a free book for it.- I'll give the best story signed copies of both of my books, Human...

8 Reasons Why French TV Sucks

June 4, 2013November 23, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

I admit it. I'm a TV junkie. Okay, well... that's not accurate. I detest TV, but am addicted to various TV series. I've been this way ever since the first time I saw this:httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoILzi5thYgDon't even get me started on my movie problem.Now, it's worse. TV has become so much better. The writing is tighter. The production value is higher. Many of the actors are more skilled. There's more networks. Even with handful of channels, there's probably something on. Reruns of an old sitcom. News. A documentary. A ridiculously censored version of an otherwise great movie.When I lived in the States, there was something on at any time of day. Maybe not something I felt like watching, but there was always something.But, now... now I live in France. And French TV sucks. Here's why: 1. IT'S FULL OF CANCELLED SHOWS (THAT WERE CANCELLED FOR SUCKING)French networks can cheaply acquire forgotten TV shows. So, they do. The result is several lousy shows on...

Turn Out the Lights

May 21, 2013 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

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Broken Abroad

April 29, 2013November 23, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

Soon."BROKEN ABROAD is a collection of stories about nine different Americans in Europe. They are not searching for traces of their ancestors. They're searching for themselves, for the meaning of home and the road forward. A woman cuts the resemblance to her mother away from her flesh. A grieving sister tries to honor her twin brother, whose ashes she carries in her pocket. Survivors of a mass shooting find refuge in a fairy tale. These are stories of the lost, damaged and grief-stricken who have run far away from home, to another country, only to find that life and death will follow them everywhere."BROKEN ABROAD will be available some time in May. You will be able to download it on your shiny Kindle. You'll be able to hold the dead-tree version in your fleshy hands. Of course, I will again be making signed copies available for sale right here, over on the Books tab. As soon as I know more about...

Ciao For Now, Argentina

April 23, 2013December 2, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

For our last full day in Salta & our final free day in Argentina, we'd planned another tour. This one, however, was a bit different. This time, our guide & driver were two separate people. We rode in a little bus rather than a pickup truck, would be making fewer stops & wouldn't be hanging out in any strange, tiny outposts with mummies or singing gauchos.Instead, we'd sit in our comfy seats while our guide pointed out all the cool shit on the side of the road, the cool shit we'd see later & various stories about the area. Then we'd go check out a winery before being set loose to run amok in the town of Cafayate.Like our previous tour, we made a few stops to check out the scenery & take photos. The only problem with making these stops is that Olivier is part monkey & cannot resist the urge to climb on rocks & things, so he'd...