Author Archives: Verla Viera

Indagatrix. Say hello to Washington State’s most recently licensed private investigator. Several of my friends and family have asked how they should refer to me. Gumshoe and dick seem to be the early favorites, thought my podiatrist would probably find … Continue reading →

congé—permission to leave; a formal bow on departure; a farewell (con-ZHAY)congee—a rice porridge typical in some Asian diets (CON-jee) court marshal—officer who performs duties in the courthouse and/or courtroomcourt martial—military trialcourt Marcia—trial for a Brady

I’m safe and sound back from Ethiopia. Before I left, I was inoculated to the tune of well over $500 at the King County Public Health Department Travel Clinic. I’m assuming the shots worked; I think I’d know by now … Continue reading →

From the Lonely Planet Ethiopian Amharic Phrasebook: “Colonial powers were shameless in their efforts to conquer Ethiopia, even resorting to a tactic of mistranslating state documents. In 1889, Ethiopia’s Emperor Menelik II signed the Treaty of Wechale with the Italian … Continue reading →

I always like to watch TV while I’m in other countries. It interests me to see what kind of shows are played and in what languages. On one Eastern European trip, I got to watch Who Wants to be a … Continue reading →