Learning From Isolation

A new mantra: "staying alive and celebrating good times." Two classic disco tunes mixed into one good phrase.

Sometimes having what is not ideal in life, for example a job that does not satisfy, is enough to teach you just what you really want in life. For me I've realized that I could really enjoy a job where I could speak my heart and be heard on a daily basis. Perhaps something along the lines of social worker (given the right conditions, of course). I've learned as well (and this I learned as early as high school) that free time is much more enjoyable when contrasted with a day's worth (or week's worth) of hard work. All of a sudden getting to sit down and watch a movie, make art, or read a book is one hell of a luxury. But when a job is too easy there is little distinguishing the two and then all of it turns to a kind of mush.

I am very happy to be alive and to have the luxury of being able to celebrate good times. It was my birthday this weekend and I saw some good buddies and had some good food. I heard from a lot of old friends and was grateful for each contact that was made: thank you. I will never take for granted the value and meaning of a good friendship for they are what make life enjoyable and, in some tough cases, tolerable.

For my own birthday present I bought myself a pair of the new 360 Nike shoes for an unearthly amount of money. They'd better be good or else I will have to return them--I've decided that my knees are important enough to invest on, in part thanks to my parents' concern. I don't really know why I am telling you all this, but I figure at least it's a humane detail of conversation. As for "Ted's Trips," I will continue to post photos, like this one, that I took in Kyoto. It's nice to reflect on the past as, it too, has a reality in the present and adds richness to life.