Well, the days’re getting longer, anyway. Brighter just sounded better, and fits today because we have blue skies and SUN for the first time in what seems like two weeks (but it hasn’t been that long). The solstice is behind us and christians around world are run amok trying to celebrate this christmas thing.
I guess the main update from my last couple posts is that I’ve been extremely busy. I’m not quite working “full-time” hours, but I’ve been working plenty and there have definitely been some 12-14 hour days along with some four-hour days. Whatever it is, it’s felt like working close to too much and I’m gonna at least need to stop with the long day thing.
I think it got to me, actually, as I’ve been ill with some strangeness for the past four days. I have some slight, dull, general pain discomfort in my abdominal area. Dunno if it’s inflamed intestine, or my appendix about to burst, or a tumor or what. It’s not so much painful uncomfortable just sitting here, more like when walking around or sleeping I feel it. It’s not really pain. Nothing shooting or stabing and for it to approach pain, I have to push on my belly. It’s not enough to get me to run to the doctor. Other than the gut pain, I’ve had a fever and some accompanying dizzyness. But no respiratory discomfort at all. The only other thing is some pain in the back-top of my eyeballs and a slight headache and pressure in the ears. The head stuff and fever have been lessening and as of today I haven’t taken any ibuprofen to quell the fever for well over 24 hours. It’s probably the strangest bit of illness I’ve had in a long while. Maybe my qi just needs to be redirected and harmonized with a bit of the old acupuncture.
In some of my recent fever-induced delusional moments, usually while unable to sleep at 3 am, I’ve been contemplating my next adventure. I am itching. Itching to get out of town! This is mainly because I’m doing so well at the moment that I’ll have my small amount of travel debt AND my new Mac paid off really quickly, paving the way to fill my travel fund coffers once again.
This time I’m thinking about something involving a motorcycle. I’ve been thinking about another bike for years and years. I guess when I was a bit feverish I decided, what the f#ck? Stop thinking about it and do it … I’m not sure of how or where or what yet, but I had this motorbike thought a lot when I was in Europe. After thinking about it more over the past few days, especially in my more clear moments, I think it might involve buying a new bike, potentially the new BMW F800 GS. It’s an interesting bike to me because their F650 GS seems a bit small and parts of it weak, and the R1200 GS is an awesome bike, but it’s heavy and way more power than I’ll ever need. The difference in price between the 650 ($7,100) and 1200 ($16,000+) is more than double, and hopefully the 800 will come in-between, closer to the 650. (Especially since it looks like they are discontinuing the 650 for 2008?)
Anyway, I think I’d buy the bike and do some traveling in the USA, which is what I wanted to do in 2008. Get the bike broken in, maybe ride to Alaska or something. Do some wwoofing. Continue to freelance when I can get some decent work (i.e. after I’ve saved a bit and don’t need to work my ass off, I’ll become more selective.) Then maybe do a massive adventure ride to the southern tip of South America. Maybe live in Cancun Playa del Carmen or somewhere else for a bit and work. (I’d have my Mac with me everywhere, of course!) Shipping the bike to Europe is an option as it’s not horribly expensive. (It’s not exactly cheap, though.)
What about the farming thing? It sounded like I was totally committed to that? I still am extremely interested in it. But I’ve honestly been shifted so far away from that being back in the city. I miss wwoofing and that life. And I also feel like I’m not quite ready to settle down. I think while I’ve got the patience to work, it would be great to do something else I’ve been thinking about for years (the motorcycle thing) while I’ve got the definite cash-flow.
Anyhow, all this could change in a week or a month, so don’t hold me to it.
I am, however, going on a week-long trip to Phoenix at the end of January. I’m gonna do the Grand Canyon hike again with Paul, Heather and friends. It’s been two years since I’ve done it and it will be great to see folks down there. I’ll also engage in some business meetings, so that’ll work out too …
Hmmm, let’s see. What else to report … My new Mac still doesn’t have Leopard installed (reports are not good for Adobe apps). I’ve got health insurance. My Apple stock has soared over 450% in value from when I bought it. I’m afraid of Americans and this next election is going to be scary. I do miss my family and xmas day is just another day to me!
My last-living grandparent passed away today. Marion Wilson, my dad’s mom. She lived to be 89-years-old and had what I imagine to be a nice, long, quiet life. She was a perennial housewife, raised four children and for all I know, didn’t have any formal employment ever in her life. The time I spent with her mainly consisted of us watching soap-operas and lightly chatting about school, family and the nice girls I should be meeting. We also occasionally went to movie matinees and lunch at Captain D’s. I remember her reading a lot, mostly Danielle Steele romance type novels if my memory serves me right. When I was a kid, I spent many hours at her place, snitching licorice candies and playing with my favorite toy at her house - a Lite-Brite.
The new satellites seem to be a better design. And maybe there’s some small stands I can get or something. Anyhow. If you’re ever in the market for a small system, I highly recommend it. It makes working long hours a pleasure.