No post in over a month?

That's right, I've been busy.


Too busy to send us an update? You know some people actually read this, don't you?


Yes, I know, and I apologize. I was in Vegas a couple weeks ago on business. I hadn't been back since I left that sand pit four years ago. I took this photo with my phone when we left.


That long?


Yes. I went for a trade show. Digital Signage Expo.


And what else?


I moved apartments, I now live in the south hills of Pittsburgh. Not too thrilled about that but at least it's close to work.


How close?


Across the street. You can't beat that.


No, you can't. Anyway, you need to be better about posting to your blog.


I will.

The sun's out. But it's still freakin' cold.

Sometimes we forget that things aren't always as they seem.


Today, I had to head downtown for a biometrics testing appointment with the fine folks at the USCIC (former INS). The sun was shining, downtown was bustling. And then I opened the glass door.


Sweet Jesus! It was about 32 degrees. Now for those of you smart folk who use the metric system, 32 degrees Fahrenheit is 0 degrees Celsius. 0 as in freezing. 


I guess the somewhat roundabout point I'm trying to make is that not everything is always as it seems. Much like that whole "Don't judge a book by its cover" thing.


Anyway, time for me to button up and head on home. Have yourselves a great weekend.

I find myself questioning my mortality

Not questioning it in the way in which I wonder if it will happen, for verily I know it shall, some day. But I question it in that as I age - as we all inevitably do - I start thinking about what I shall leave behind. Yes, there's my share of crap in the land fills, but I mean in terms of my legacy. I have no children. I have no son to pass on my family heritage and history to. Daughters are evil. They grow up, they marry, they switch names and that's that. I am my father's only son. My uncle (on my father's side) passed away a couple years ago. He, too, had no kids. So no pressure, but the family line ends with me.

Am I buckling under societal pressures to produce an heir?

I do not wish to marry. That stress would kill me. And I do not wish to attach the rest of my life to another person like that. Children are different. We create them and raise them and spank them. A spouse is disposal. Children are not.

I raised this prickly issue with my father - who, bless, is fairly old-fashioned in his general thinking. But realizing that I am pretty forward thinking, he makes an effort. We spoke about my maybe adopting a small human, to wish he said, "Son, you know as well as I do that you will not love it as much as you would your own child." He's right.

I think I need  drink.

My First Post For 2012

I can't contain my excitement. I'm overcome with joy and I might just cry.

OK, enough of that nonsense. So here we are, 2012. Another year, another round of resolutions bound to be broken. Not being a pessimist, just being realistic. Hell, I broke mine on January 1st. Am I upset? Hardly. It obviously wasn't meant to be.

But all that said, I've decided on some other things I can work on this year. Liek being more social. This is feasible - if I meet people I feel like being social with. I'm finding that whole west coast "fakeness" seems to be spreading to the east coast. And that makes me sad.

To the douche I met the other night: No, I do not think that the fact I speak three languages, have traveled the globe, lived abroad, and attended a hoity toity college makes me better than everyone else. YOU, sir, however, do seem to think that I think that. Truth is, if you continue to wallow in your own insecurities and shortcomings, you shall surely drown. And not even my well-spoken, well-traveled, well-educated hand can save you. Why do you feel threatened by my accomplishments? I have worked damned hard for them, and worked even harder to get where I am today. Why do you insist on being a grey cloud? Big deal, I've seen the world. It makes me appreciate what I have even more. I'm educated. That makes me want to explore out of my comfort zone and learn and experience new things. Why does this threaten you? I remain perplexed.

Either way, douche bags aside, this year I am quite ambitious in what I want to achieve. I love my job and hope to get even better at it. I work with several talented, passionate, driven folks and that makes all the difference. I want to go back to South Africa in March for my sister's and father's birthdays. March marks a 7-year absence from the Dark Continent. And so much has happened. AIDS and famine still prevail, but my sister has married, given birth to two little humans, bought a house, and had a white picket fence erected. My father has continued his on-again-off-again dalience with the woman he cheated on my mother with. Whatever, as long as he's happy. My other sister graduated high school, and celebrated her 21st. My younger brother dropped out of high school, and also celebrated his 21st. My mother still refuses to work and believes a man should look after her. Perhaps 2012 will be the year she learns to use a computer. Perhaps not.

Later in the year, I'd like to go somewhere I have never been before. Like maybe Iceland. Or Peru. Somewhere cheap and off the beaten track. And yes, I know Iceland is not cheap, but airfare deals can be found.

I want to listen more, and talk less. I want to tone down my cynicism because everyone has something important to offer (as I start to foam at the mouth). I want to give more, maybe get involved in a volunteer venture.

This year I want to get a car. I need to be mobile.

Like I said, 2012 is going to be the year I take myself out of my comfort zone, do more with less. Let's see if any of it comes to fruition.

After a 2-month hiatus...

"So, REJ, You've been kinda busy huh?"

Yup, you could say that.

"Is that why you have a picture of a roller coaster posted here?"

Yes. It's called a metaphor.

"A little 'first thought', don't you think? A roller coaster? Seriously?"

I didn't ask for your opinion.

"Well I offered it anyway."

I noticed.

"So tell your hungry readers what you've been doing during your hiatus."

I got a new job with a cool little tech company. I got sued and charged with 'Disorderly Conduct'. I was going to head home for Christmas but now it looks like I'm not. And my cat got fleas.

"Fleas? Wow, that sucks. Wait, sued and charged? YOU?"

Yes, I don't want to talk about it.

"And that's your right. Ah, ok, now I see the roller coaster metaphor for your life thing."

You're a smart one, voice in my head. Keep it up.

When Fido is not wet-nose healthy

Take him to your local church where, for a few shekels, the church person shall mutter a few words and kazam, just like that, your dog DOG can be blessed by GOD.

It truly is amazing what money buys you these days.

Kingdom of Bahrain

                         Bahrain International Airport




Dear Customs Official,

This short note is to let you know that I shall soon be arriving via a commercial aircraft from perhaps eight different stop-overs to arrive at your podunk island. I do not anticipate my luggage arriving with me on that flight so I am asking in advance that you give my bulging hand luggage free passage through customs.

I realize you may not have ever seen some of the items in my hand luggage, like the razor and shaving cream. People around the world have been known to use these two items together for removing hair from one's body. Don't get too excited by the shiny silver can. It is not an Al-Queda-approved detonation device! It is, in fact, AXE deodorant. Please feel free to use some, under your arms, around your torso, down your pants, and on your dry cracked feet.

The look of surprise at my under-pigmented skin is not appreciated. I'm from Africa, we don't tolerate racism - anymore. Once, back in high school, I erected a basic stand to raise funds for black children who had fallen victim to the abuse of white supremists. After not making any money the first day, I returned the following day, full of hope, only to find that my stand had been beaten down and destroyed.

Since it will more than likely be hotter in your airport than it is at the center of the sun, I shall be wearing cargo shorts, flip-flops and a t-shirt. In your experienced opinion, would I be showing too much flesh? I wouldn't want to have my ankles smacked with a dry stick by one of your religious police officers.

Do not be surprised by the fact that I am not being followed by a herd of desert goats as I pass through your venerated establishment. I realize many visitors to your fine country prefer to travel with their livestock, but I shall be leaving mine back on the arid farm as I find they get very bored very quickly on the plane and as such tend to cause havoc. I do not want to be labeled, "that white tourist with the roudy goats". I may, however, be traveling with my pet cat. No, this is not intended to be a future meal, but, in fact, is being transported (with a valid international health certificate, in both English and Arabic) to keep me company during my stay in your fine country. Please refrain from licking your lips or offering me coins when I do finally let the cat out the bag!

Do you have taxi automobiles outside your world-class international airport? Or should I attempt to pre-arrange a ride via wooden cart drawn by a donkey? Where would I find one of these?

I thank you in advance and look forward with trepidation to my trip.

Regards,

T. Raveler