Jay Patel and Aditya

JWise Photo of the Day

Aditya on his birthday and Jay Patel in Bombay, India

This is 1-year-old Aditya on his first birthday visiting with his uncle Jay Patel in Bombay, India. Jay’s own birthday just happened yesterday, he turned 28. You might remember our good friend Jay from old postings on my website, many years ago. For the love of pani puri, Jay left America and followed some crazy dream that someday he would fly airplanes. Well, as a matter of fact, he’s going to do just that. Jay has taken a copilot position with Jet Airways. After a long delay looking for the perfect job – now he has it. So, marriage must be just around the corner, right? Look, ladies, he is sooooo good with babies, I think he needs five or six.

You are missed by many people over here Jay, all of who wish you well. Happy birthday wishes to you, and a BIG Happy Birthday to you too, Aditya!!!

With Friends Like These

JWise Photo of the Day

Mike Devarennes in the hospital

Our friend Mike Devarennes is in the hospital with a blood clot in his lower left leg. He is wearing one of those gowns with the open backside, exposing his butt, and next to him is his pee bottle. So what’s a friend to do? Take photos of the guy looking stupid, that’s what. You can believe me that I tried getting a photo of that backside but he wasn’t budging. Maybe I can sneak another photo when he gets his surprise colonoscopy.

What Are You Wearing?

JWise Photo of the Day

This is Caroline Wise wearing her new dress our friend Sonal Patel brought back from India

Earlier this month our friend Sonal Patel returned from India, she came bearing gifts. Caroline loves Indian fashion for its bright colors, extravagant needlework, modesty, and femininity. Sonal presented her with two outfits, this is the first one Caroline donned along with some new jewelry we bought for her, also new from India. The whispy white and blue thing around her neck is the…um…it is the Indian scarf-wrap-hang-in-front-dupatta and the long blue shirt-dress is a some-Indian-word-I-can’t-remember-thingy, below must be pants, but could be pajama too, or is that a lungi, I mean dhoti, or is the entire ensemble a Salwar Kameez? I must admit there is an initial awkwardness walking into public places with my insecurity telling me that intolerant people wonder why is this woman wearing such an outfit. But, that feeling passes quickly as I reaffirm my pride that my wife has the guts to be comfortable with what she likes and is not afraid of being unique to herself and not a clone as many of the women we encounter typically are. Now if only she would get a little yappy dog to really make herself stand out.

Transmission Broke?

JWise Photo of the Day

A street side mannequin welcoming drivers to stop by and have their transmission fixed here.

You are driving down the street when all of a sudden your transmission breaks? Good thing the Transmission Mannequin is on duty and ready to help! Did your car’s muffler die? Drive around the corner and Mr. Muffler stands at the ready with his Cadillac muffler body and Honda muffler head to bring silence to your noisy jalopy. Makes me wonder if butchers wouldn’t attract more business by having meat people mannequins baking in the sun welcoming the carnivorous.

Cool Cash on a Hot Day

JWise Photo of the Day

It used to be that Phoenix was one of the hottest places in America and at 113 degrees, we should be, but more and more across America other cities are competing with this desert city for the claim of hottest spot.

Phoenix, a city of hot days, cactus, swimming pools, pharmacies, Mexican food, and now fast cash and payday loan sharks. Almost as prolific as fast food, these small shops sprout up all over the valley offering those hurting for cash to come in and add insult upon their injury. I have heard from time to time that certain politicians would like to shut these down as some have been known to charge people up to 25% interest, but then what’s wrong with that? Haven’t they read the small print on credit cards, miss a payment and you will be charged prime plus 19.99% to equal but not exceed 29.99%? I see, only banks should be able to rip people off.