Still alive and kicking!

It's been a very long time since I've posted here. For those of you who know me well, this should be no surprise. My attention span can handle only so much, and I lose interest in things as quickly as they become interesting. Not that I don't like writing or keeping in touch (far from it!), but my moods swing as wildly at times as do the branches of a tree in a hurricane.

So, I've recently began anew with some intensive writing. Projects over the past couple years have come and gone. I've had a lot of great ideas, invested a lot of time into them, and watched them fizzle to nothing either out of loss of interest, inspiration, or just not knowing the direction I'd like them to go. However, believe it or not, I've finally found my niche. I truly believe I've found something substantial enough, with great market potential, to see in print someday. Now for the hard part – tackling the bulk of the writing. But seriously, there's potential here. I've woken from a months-long dry spell and am inspired like I've never been.

Aside from this most recent, I got married. This is a major change, but it's been a nice change all in all.

Work is still slow. Actually, it's depressingly so. Making ends meet has been a struggle for several months, and it shows no sign of an end to this nightmare. So despite what you hear on the news or from those blindly optimistic souls out there barking "the economy is getting better," don't be a fool! Besides the stock market's rebound and the fact that people aren't being laid off as frequently, nothing has changed much in the past year. The economic situation, globally, is in a very dangerous state. It's nothing to worry much about if you're smart enough to recognize it and live accordingly, but don't be swayed by those naysayers who want everyone to think it's improving. I have students, friends and associates in virtually every sector who can confirm it.

Back to my update. Sorry for the rant...

I bought an Apple computer recently. It's awesome! I'm still learning how to make it do everything I need it to, and have months – literally – of work ahead transferring everything over from my old Windows machine, but I'm happy to have risen above the clouds that separate Hades (everything Microsoft) and the heavens (anything not Windows-based). :D

Until next time...

Luxury Simplified

There are moments when I realize that I'm truly blessed to be in the place, in this career, that I've fallen into. Although the financial havoc that the economy has wreaked on me has certainly been pervading my thoughts and moods of late, forcing me more and more into reclusion - out of solely economic necessity - in some ways this has been a blessing in disguise. It has dished me a mixed plate of sweet and sour frugality, a lesson I hope that will inspire lifelong wisdom in my financial affairs. And in doing so, it's reminded me of the beauty, the comfort and serenity that accompany simplicity. It's also helped me discover an even deeper appreciation for the finer, more meaningful things in life: a good night's sleep, an afternoon buried in a thrilling read, naps, playing tirelessly with Maiya, writing until my hands moan of soreness; and how much the splurging on a cup of the finest espresso tastes so heavenly.

It's times like this that I have to take a step back and be grateful. Although work is frighteningly slow, I do still have a job (many here can't say the same). I have my health, a comfortable place to call home, ample food and clothing, and a darling companion in Maiya.

Most of all, however, it's days like today that I owe the largest debt of gratitude. Spooning handmade tiramisu into my mouth, meshed with splashes of the finest cappuccino my tastes buds have ever made acquaintance with, thumbing sluggishly through a novel, Sade and Miles Davis gracing my ears with their warm serenades - being able to sit here in this cozy little haven of a coffee shop on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon makes me happy to be alive. What better way to spend this time than in such simple luxury?

The wheels on the bus go round n' round

I've been meaning to update this for several days, but have found many excuses not to.

The past couple weeks have been both good and bad, but in no way really bad. The economic crisis has taken a serious toll on so many here. Even my work has been affected by it, resulting in some serious penny-pinching. And with all the extra free time I've been afforded, I had a little relapse of carpal tunnel.

On the brighter side, I've been doing a lot of reading and writing. A friend suggested a really cool blog that takes letter submissions. I wrote a couple for it. And now I've decided that I like the idea so much, I've started one of my own, for my own and anyone else's amusement. Check it out: http://onymousletters.blospot.com .

As you all know, the elections are over. I really didn't have much faith that Obama was going to take the cake, so it was a truly joyous day when he won. I don't know why I was so happy, other than the fact that I have nothing but disregard for Emperor Bush and his cronies. I watched his acceptance speech three times, and it moved me more than I ever could have expected. I guess you could say it restored much of the faith I lost in the U.S. and where it's been heading. "Yes, we can!"

Music Mania

I got back late last night from Taichung. Spent Saturday evening at the main stage of the Taichung Jazz Festival. The show kicked off with an amazing group -- the Barry Likumahuwa Project -- from Indonesia. They were all pretty young, but both talented and entertaining. The next set featured a jam session from a jazz band from Thailand, with Barry Likumahuwa and his guitarist joining them for an hour of jazz jams.

The night finished off with Trio 3, those legendary old guys from the good ol' US of A. Their mastery is indescribable, and they were showmen, playing a full set of tunes with no talking in between. And Andrew Cyrille's drum solo was hands down, the best drum solo I've ever seen or heard. Even some of my idols -- Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, Lars Ulrich, to name a few -- would have stood in amazement.

This weekend is ICRT's Rocktober Scream, a battle of the bands finale at Danshui. I doubt it will be anything in comparison to last weekend's jazz festival, but a little rock n' roll goes a long way as well. :)

A First for Everything

Today I was walking, on my way to the MRT station, passing Mackay Hospital. A young woman saw me and asked me for directions to an address nearby. Granted, this is a bustling place, with locals young and old coming and going, and taxi drivers waiting at the curb for their next fares.

Unshaven, baggy jeans, sporting my foreignness, I was taken aback -- she chose to ask ME, in Chinese mind you, for directions! She wasn't a foreigner looking for a friendly English speaker to help her out. She didn't ask my name or number, or anything else about me. Judging by her accent, she wasn't an overseas Chinese either. She was Taiwanese, and she asked me, of all the people moving about and standing around, to give her directions. In Chinese. Talk about irony...

Dengue Fever, and Jazz Festivities

Out on my back balcony I have a mosquito problem. Every time I go out to do laundry, I'm swatting those little bastards left and right. Not only are they mosquitoes, but those pesky little "zebra-striped" buggers -- thin, super-fast, "smarter" than the average clumsy ones I usually catch in my hands. I've heard time and time again people here say that they can make one sick. Unbeknownst to me, I've not yet become sick from their bites. But, damn, do they itch like hell!

Just the other day a friend told me they are the carriers of Dengue fever. I'd never checked it out myself, but sure enough, those are dangerous little things. And they live out near my balcony, trying to feed on me every time I go out there. I'll be sure to wear more, and better arm myself from now on.

This weekend kicks off the Taichung Jazz Festival, armed with a wide assortment of jazz greats, young and old, from around the world. This is going to be a fantastic event I'll be certain to attend -- with or without dengue fever. ;)

Check it out:
http://www.jazzfestival.com.tw/2008jazz/index.asp?language=en

On Aging...

Some things I'm learning day by day:

The excitement and busy-ness of crowded places -- department stores, night markets, sardine-can-like Taipei buses -- has lost all its appeal. The elbow to elbow bustle wears me down!

Late nights out, without the sipping, can and most likely will cause a hangover. And these can last for days after adding up the brown bottles.

Dating is not fun. It, too, has a hangover effect, but on the bank statement.

Writing agents, despite being nice and encouraging, can be mean, cruel SOBs.

There are few things that a vodka lime can't cure.

Wit combined with a sense of humor, an acute ear, good manners, and a sincere smile, can charm even the most so(m)ber sourpuss.

The eyes always tell.

Humidity is not a friend.

A good friend is not afraid to be frank, even if it hurts like hell.

A cup of good tea, good music, and a good book equate to greatness.

Sometimes it "just is." In these times, the only logical response might be "WTF?".

Even if she's not always right, Mom always knows best.