been in deep socially with spooky folks now ...

[Sri Lanky]

Some of us are attracting powerful dark energies and forces at this time. At the same time we are coming in contact with others like us. The process is accelerating.

[db36046]

All you have to do is be in the wrong place at the wrong time and be seen there by the wrong people. If you aren't one of theirs, they will assume that you are either the enemy or really stupid. If you aren't really stupid (it doesn't take long to figure out) you can become really dead, really quick - or really slow, depending on their mood.

And about the hat, Fenrico, we used to call them "Sombreros de Paja Toquilla" back home in Ecuador, where they are actually made. My friends who wove them used to get about US $0.25 apiece for them. The companies that bought them resold them in the US and elsewhere for around US $40.

They got called "Panama" hats because when the Gringos were chopping their way through the jungle in Panama as an alternative to going all the way around Tierra del Fuego to get to California (back before the Canal was dug) they could buy those pretty white tropical lifesavers there, from trailside vendors.

Nice hat, by the way. Does it stop bullets?

[friendlyskies]

I'm 99% sure that I was approached by spooky types on at least a couple of occasions, but since I'm a professional stoner and kind of goofy, I guess I didn't pass whatever the test was. So no lucrative CIA work for me. Oh well. For all the times I've been accused of working for the CIA over the years, I feel like they at least owe me dinner or a Starbucks gift card. Something.

[St John Smythe]

dick tracy

And incidentally, I hate to be forced to revisit a fellow's observational faux pas especially when he's being so charmingly effervescent but that's a Panama (straw) not a fedora (felt) "like wot Dick Tracy's got". A white felt fedora would be gauche in the extreme whereas a half-decent Panama is a tropical necessity, as any fule kno.

The gentleman is to be applauded for his sartorial elegance, what what?

[coldharvest]

dick tracy

And incidentally, I hate to be forced to revisit a fellow's observational faux pas especially when he's being so charmingly effervescent but that's a Panama (straw) not a fedora (felt) "like wot Dick Tracy's got". A white felt fedora would be gauche in the extreme whereas a half-decent Panama is a tropical necessity, as any fule kno.

The gentleman is to be applauded for his sartorial elegance, what what?

most decidedly

[Fenrisco]

Thank you kindly, gentlemen; appreciated.

My friends who wove them used to get about US $0.25 apiece for them. The companies that bought them resold them in the US and elsewhere for around US $40.

Indeed. And you're lucky to get stung for only forty bucks, check out this guy's prices for the finer weaves (mine wasn't from him, of course): http://www.brentblack.com/

Does it stop bullets?

I suppose it must, I haven't been bothered by any lately.

[db36046]

Oh my doodness. Those are some pricey hats. The Fair Trade scam finally made it to the Panama Hat market.

A couple of notes: The "weavers" in his pictures are a whole lot nicer dressed and upscale than any actual weavers I have ever seen. Interesting.
The picture of the Río Tomebamba was beautiful, brings back many fond memories. If that picture is recent, nothing has changed since I left Cuenca many long years ago.

Just like with the Free Trade coffee scam, if people (generally weak-minded but well-meaning liberal American movie stars who just want to help the poor growers/pickers/weavers by cutting out the evil middle-man) are willing to pay that kind of money, then that's the price. I could fly to Cuenca, stay in a nice hotel, buy a hat from the source, and fly home for less than what he's charging for one hat.

[Fansy]

[el3so]

Nice shoop Fansy but why you keep hatin' on the hat?

[Fansy]

why not

[babihutan]

It's all about 'the look' . I apparently look like I'm up to no good to some people in foreign lands, and have been suspected of shady intentions by government/police. And for some reason Mexican dudes always want to fight me, only in Mexico though. Just keep smiling and play neutral/uninformed especially in conflict zones.

[Sri Lanky]

If you have the ability to infiltrate...then you know you have it.

; )

[Fenrisco]

Hatters gonna hat.

[Fenrisco]

I was going to use that as my avatar but can't get the damn thing below 12K. Oh well, maybe on Facebook.