Standing Among Giants

This day last year I heard one of my favourite sounds so far. It was of glaciers crackling and ice-falls tumbling down some of the tallest peaks of the Himalayas. Terrifying, beautiful, and humbling all at once.

The Everest Base Camp trek chewed me up and spat me out but as with most challenging but rewarding undertakings, the hardships have faded leaving the most glorious moments to shine for stunning recollection.

There is something so very special about reaching such a spectacular location by foot, one painful step at a time. A sense of achievement and vistas burned into my retinas to keep. To witness such a rugged and unforgiving landscape. I said I would never want to do it again. I want to do it again.

Plates

Trying to relate to this fervent passion people have for inanimate objects and their desire for possession is an exhausting and futile effort for me. It's not that I am apathetic toward the idea of material achievement, but rather thrive on connection and experience. A car is simply a vehicle I use, it's not an expression of who I am. I like my clothes to be flattering and fun to wear, but they do not meter what is in my heart. Nothing that money can buy will ever truly speak of me. It's my smile, my writing, my humour that will tell my story. My love. Even if these are less tangible extensions of being.

Staedtler

Rules aren't so bad. You might be surprised to find freedom within guidelines, unbound by the chains that are grey areas. With clear direction comes ease, and a positive challenge to get creative.

Salt

As the sun sets on the hotter months, my tan will soon fade as quickly as Autumn approaches. In a first for me - I will be sad to say Goodbye to Summer. I have spent more time on the beach and in the water than ever before. And it's been wonderful.

Disclaimer: I am still, as always excited about the impending Winter. Oh! My conflicted heart!

Tonight I was struck with a craving to listen to Decoder Ring's 2002 EP release. How delicious, what a trip down memory lane! I recall being absolutely enchanted when I first heard Ether, the single that lead me to the band in the first place.

Upon rediscovering this old favourite record, I can completely appreciate how I fell so hard for the likes of Battles and more recently Tycho. Gorgeous!

Decoder Ring - Ether

Muscle Memory

I dream of early mornings, the chilled air steeped in reminiscence. I think not in cities but in food.

Chapati with pickles and curd.
Masala Dosa.
Steamed pork buns.
Guilin Rice Noodles.
Buff Momos and Balep.
Thali.

Chai. Chai. Chai.

Then there were spicy breakfast pizzas, fried bean curd, beer if you fancy. Heck, I'll even take the Nescafé!

As my senses are awakened by the tastes I so readily recall, the sounds come crashing in. And now I am immersed in the technicolour world I long for. I always beg; take me back! Yet it seems I almost visit whenever I please.

Firefly

We are each navigating our own obstacle course that is this big, bad world. I choose to walk on the bright side, life is better illuminated.