Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Galapagos: Part 1
One of the great things about my job is that I get to go to some pretty cool places. Recently, I was fortunate enough to go to the Galapagos. For those of you who are wondering why would an HIV guy need to go to the Galapagos for work, let me tell you that the Galapagos Province has an alarming rise in the rate of STIs and HIV, particularly for such a small community. Additionally, we are supporting the Provincial Department of Education in rolling out comprehensive sexually education in the government schools.
In between meetings (I was working after all) I was able to take in some of the sights. Luckily the islands aren't that big so I was able to get a good flavour for things.
Below is a set I took with a water proof disposable camera of a snorkeling trip I took of the coast of San Cristobal.
In between meetings (I was working after all) I was able to take in some of the sights. Luckily the islands aren't that big so I was able to get a good flavour for things.
Below is a set I took with a water proof disposable camera of a snorkeling trip I took of the coast of San Cristobal.
Need vs. Want
Do we get what we deserve? Do we deserve what we want? And who the hell gets to decide that!?
The nuances between need and want are pretty hard to distinguish sometimes, but at the end of the day it is all a matter of perspective. If we live in a meritocracy life may actually be a bit simpler. You get what you work for. However, that doesn't really mean that you get what you, or even worse you may not get what you want.
But in our soulless, consumeristic, corporate driven, disposable, pseudo-democratic society we don't necessarily get either.
You get what you are given, and you grow to like it. Either that or you wallow in the misery of knowing that no matter how what you do, things don't always get better.
So do we stop trying? Or do we scamper on hoping for the best?
The nuances between need and want are pretty hard to distinguish sometimes, but at the end of the day it is all a matter of perspective. If we live in a meritocracy life may actually be a bit simpler. You get what you work for. However, that doesn't really mean that you get what you, or even worse you may not get what you want.
But in our soulless, consumeristic, corporate driven, disposable, pseudo-democratic society we don't necessarily get either.
You get what you are given, and you grow to like it. Either that or you wallow in the misery of knowing that no matter how what you do, things don't always get better.
So do we stop trying? Or do we scamper on hoping for the best?
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Cornwall: The British Southwest
After 3 years in the UK, and barely having crossed the M25, I thought it was high time I explored my adoptive country a bit more. So using the excuse of the Mika concert at the Eden Project, Norman, Peanut, and I rented a car and headed west for the weekend.
Cornwall seems to have a unique culture, spectacular landscape and mild climate. We definitely were not in London any more. To be honest it was cute, but it's not like I am rushing to head out there again. Glad I saw, but it's been scratched off the list. Granted the ice cream was delish.
It was über-white with an underlying hint of in-bredness that reminded me too much of the U.S. rural south. And the hetero-centrist B&B (just how many times do I need to be asked about my wife?), did not add to my feelings of exclusion. Something I really did not understand was how were people splashing about on the beach (though at least it had sand and not pebbles) when the water was barely above arctic!
But weather was good, concert was grand, and it felt nice to be out of London, but not on a work trip. And Peanut love the flowers!
Cornwall seems to have a unique culture, spectacular landscape and mild climate. We definitely were not in London any more. To be honest it was cute, but it's not like I am rushing to head out there again. Glad I saw, but it's been scratched off the list. Granted the ice cream was delish.
It was über-white with an underlying hint of in-bredness that reminded me too much of the U.S. rural south. And the hetero-centrist B&B (just how many times do I need to be asked about my wife?), did not add to my feelings of exclusion. Something I really did not understand was how were people splashing about on the beach (though at least it had sand and not pebbles) when the water was barely above arctic!
But weather was good, concert was grand, and it felt nice to be out of London, but not on a work trip. And Peanut love the flowers!
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Oh God Where Has the Time Gone!?
Freaking 'ell! it's July. It's July 2010. I turn 34 in a couple of weeks. Damn. How did that happen? Nothing is like it was supposed to be at this stage in my life. I'm single. I'm broke.
On the positive side I have been to more countries than your average Puerto Rican (36 by my last count). I've been able to see and do more than most. On the negative side, I am still sleeping alone at night. I am still living paycheck-to-paycheck. And I have no clue where my life is heading.
Aren't things supposed to be easier the older we get? When does life wisdom kick in?
The clock is ticking. Will I ever have any children?
On the positive side I have been to more countries than your average Puerto Rican (36 by my last count). I've been able to see and do more than most. On the negative side, I am still sleeping alone at night. I am still living paycheck-to-paycheck. And I have no clue where my life is heading.
Aren't things supposed to be easier the older we get? When does life wisdom kick in?
The clock is ticking. Will I ever have any children?
Thursday, July 01, 2010
The cycles of life
It fascinates me how the older I get the more confused I seem to become. Every time I think I know what I want and where I am handed, something comes along to screw that up. Leaving me a confused and wounded mess, retreating into my shell and wondering what went wrong.
This seems to happen to me every few years. I think life throws me these little hiccups when I get to cocky...when I get too comfortable and settled. It's like the fates are trying to say, "this is not for you, so don't get used to it."
But the big question is, what DOES the future hold?
I wish there wasn't so much of a disconnect between what I want and what I get. I guess the old cliché - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger - holds, but shit at this rate I'll be stronger than the Hulk by the time this is all done.
This seems to happen to me every few years. I think life throws me these little hiccups when I get to cocky...when I get too comfortable and settled. It's like the fates are trying to say, "this is not for you, so don't get used to it."
But the big question is, what DOES the future hold?
I wish there wasn't so much of a disconnect between what I want and what I get. I guess the old cliché - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger - holds, but shit at this rate I'll be stronger than the Hulk by the time this is all done.
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