A little bit of this..

A friend astutely pointed out to me that while we posted with stupendous regularity a few months ago when we first started the blog, we have since then been steadily dwindling with our efforts. Truer words have not been spoken. One of my resolutions this year is to post with more regularity..at least 2 per month is the goal. There's a niggling thought in the back of my head that blog posts are supposed to be inspired by spontaneity but I am going to quietly squish it.

That's really the only resolution on my list thus far..oh also, that I will attempt to shop less. It's not like I'm a raging shopaholic, but it's definitely a vice. Everyone should be allowed one, don't you think? If we were all traipsing about being images of perfection, it would probably be a bit sketchy and dead-smack in the middle of yawnsville.

Anyway, the reason I have been slow with the posting and such is because I just got back from a very fun trip to the Everglades National Park and Key West in Florida to escape the 40F weather that has been plaguing us the past month or so. I absolutely loathe the cold, and can never have enough sunshine. I don't know if its an urban legend that dismal, cold weather depresses you, but I can be a strong argument in support. It was a relief to be in better weather..although Florida chose to have a cold front come in just the day before we landed..so much for feeling welcome. We didn't bitch alone, since we were traveling with another couple with a similar love for nature, beaches and good weather. Two of us in the party walked about with our cameras and spent quality time with seaweed, driftwood, birds, gators and twigs. The other two are firm believers of 'people pictures' and so this didn't go down too well. However, when I got back and siphoned the pics off my camera, there were 30+ 'people pictures' out of about 200. I think that's a good ratio all things considered. Speaking of photographs, a resolution I should probably add to my list is to use my snazzy camera more. I really enjoy being a photographer and don't know why I fall behind..I guess one can only commit to 4 hobbies simultaneously. Someone should pay me for being an overachieving hobbyist..I'd be rolling in the green. The problem is, I get very caught up experimenting with my pictures on Photoshop, and this is not the best use of one's time when there's actual work to be done. Sigh. Why do I have this compulsion to be an independent earner and why didn't I marry a rich bloke instead of an intelligent, handsome, funny, caring one? Note to self: Following heart not in best interest of hobbies and vices.

4 years since said decision, 10 years since the hoo-haa and much excitement for the new millennium and a week until the year changes, again. I wonder what this one's going to be like..

Hare Krishna!

My most favourite question to be asked is "Are you Indian?". There is probably not a more Indian looking person than me. I'm tempted to always say..no, I'm Japanese..can't you tell? Also, it's almost always followed by "I LUUURRRRVE INDIA". No kidding. I'm glad you found the need to make me feel good about my racial status and motherland, but really, you are not obliged to say that. I'll talk to you even if you hate it. Plus, half these people have never been to India. All they know of it is Bollywood, Yoga - albeit some far removed form invented by someone definitely not Indian, and fantastical thoughts of snake charmers and elephants. Most recently however, I met the best of them all. Read on..

Walking through the French Market in New Orleans, I was stopped by an a white guy (AWG), who said -

AWG: Are you Indian?
Me: (Mental sigh) What gave me away?? I wore jeans and everything!
AWG: Ha-ha, a funny Indian. OMG, I LOVE India!(Whips the hood off his hoodie and announces) "I'm a Monk!"
Me: Oh, okay.
AWG: (Whips out a book with a picture of Krishna, and some title that read - "Realizing that you can become Indian by shaving your head and carrying a book with a picture of Krishna"..or something to that effect) Are you interested in purchasing this lovely book on Kreeshna?
Me: No, thank you.
AWG: Will you accept to support me in my cause of self-realization?
Me: Not really, thank you.
AWG: Will you just give me some money?
Me: (Walking away)Definitely not, thank you.

Oh for more such honest men in the world.