Annual Post

Evidently posting on here has become an annual event. So here we go: my annual blog post for 2013.

The search for the perfect notebook continues...

The Habana Notebook

Nice to see that I'm consistently inconsistent with blogging. Also nice to see al the new features on blogger. Now if only I could find the motiviation to write something worthwhile.....

Malaise

All is quiet around the apartment this morning. Too quiet, actually. For some reason or another I can'tseem to get going; I feel "blah" overall and am deeply fatigued, despite the solid sleep last night. The usual three cups of coffee have only been of limited benefit and I'm tempted to put on another pot, which I'll probably do in a bit. First up is a brisk walk around the neighborhood to see if that clears out the physical and mental fog plaguing me this morning.....

Recent Events

What an eventful last few days. I returned from Honduras last Thursday and was immediately swept up into the drama that was Hurricane Irene (which included working the weekend), battled a wretched summer cold (from which I'm just now beginning to recover), and today sorted out everything needed for classes which also began this week. At this rate, I'm going to soon need another vacation.

I went to Honduras earlier this month to celebrate my birthday with some friends there.  The main event was a fiesta complete with lots of traditional foods and entertainment provided by a mariachi band that lived up to their reputation of being one of the better ones in the Copan area (partly due to their hotshot accordian player being both present and sober). Friends wanted it to be a memorable occasion and they certainly succeeded. What a wonderful way to spend ones 21st, 30th, 35th, 40th birthday.

Update

Over a year since my last post. Remarkable just how quickly time passes....

At any rate, all is well with me. A few changes have occurred since my last update which I may get around to discussing at some point in the near future....

Completion

I am happy to report that the masters degree is finally finished. All that remains is to deliver the five copies of the thesis to the Registrar first thing Monday morning along with all the associated paper work, the last step which will bring this endeavor to a welcome and satsifying end. This is long overdue. I should have finished it up in 2007 upon completion of my research, but alas became distracted at that time with work and sundry other things and before I knew it, three years had passed before I began to consider seriously the data analysis and writing. Sure, at various points along the way I tinkered with this or that, wrote a paragraph or page here or there....but the serious work didn't begin until May of this year. Despite the distractions and delays, it's a great feeling to have this thing behind me.

Panang Curry

Panang curry(with beef and topped with fresh diced chilies and Kaffir lime leaves) from a few nights ago. Served with steamed rice and lightly wilted watercress (cooked with garlic and tomatoes).

Monday Blurb

Off on sick leave today due to pesky allergies. Something wicked is blooming and I would love to discover what and kill it. I hope too the rain and showers will soon clear the air of whatever nefarious pollen has done me a mischief.

I have given a lot of thought lately as to where I am in life and where I want to be. For quite some time now I haven't been entirely happy with the present state of things and have recently resolved to make some changes for the better. I've explored some options and put a few things in motion so if all goes well, 2010 will be a year of change, of calculated risk in pursuit of greater happiness.

Travel Bug

One would think that having spent a good part of December in Honduras, followed by a long week there in February, the travel bug would be cured for the time being. Unhappily (only from a certain point of view) such is not the case. The urge to travel abroad has returned stronger than ever. I want nothing more than to strap on the hiking sandals, throw on the backpack, and disappear for a while into some little corner of the world. It is there where my soul is the happiest.