Home (or somewhere where I feel it)

Memory

We were supposed to meet in 2012.  "At this exact place."  What a fine memory that is, and I hope that you haven't forgotten it. 

Respect

Top 10

I've been fortunate in my life to have had opportunities to take advantage of things and to have gone to some rather remarkable places.

But with every new adventure, about five more lurk behind as "the next big thing."  Here are the top ten that I can't stop thinking about:

1) Iceland. 
I don't know why, but it just seems like an other-worldly place of extreme geological mysteries and beautiful, beautiful nature and people who believe in fairies and have interesting naming traditions.  I want to go backpacking for a week and just lose myself.

2) Morocco
Yes, it's cliche, I know.  But dammit, I love the idea of spices and markets and color and the exotic. 

3) Georgia
We all know that it's not a vacation or adventure for me if I can't speak some Slav, even in places that may not appreciate the Slav.  The pictures I've seen from friends who've travelled there look amazing.  I want to go.

4) Montana
Big skies, cowboys, rugged nature, national parks, rodeos. America.  As much as I have been able to travel to different places, I'm always so impressed with my own country and the natural beauty that awaits here at home.  I'd love to see this part of the country and feel again as I do when outside in Arizona that this is such a fascinating and diverse land in which I live.

5) Italy
A wee bit embarrassed I have never been.  This one seems rather easy to rectify, and people tell me I won't be disappointed.

6) Mexico
I've been to Mexico, but not real Mexico, not really.  The culture, the vibrancy, the food, the music, and the machismo and yet the sensitivity.  Hmm. Perhaps it's not Mexico that I long for, as much as it is a good margarita and a nice boy from the Southwest with a Spanish last name. 

7) Kazakhstan
I've dreamt of you for years, with your wide open steppes waiting to for me to ride across you on the back of a horse.  You are better than any cigarette or beer ad can promise me, I know it.  And I've known too many people to call you home temporarily to not stop by.

8) Serbia
Or really, anywhere that is the former Yugoslavia.  I will retire to your beaches, your medieval cities, your mountain villages and make friends with locals, who will teach me how to cook in the old tradition with healthy ingredients bought from the local market or grown at home.  Or I'll hole up in some ancient castle, awaiting destiny.  I want you, and I don't want to share.

9) New Orleans
On a technicality, I've been to Louisiana, so I can't list the state, but I've wanted to go to New Orleans for such a long, long time and each time I get near, you have some natural disaster that takes over.  I want to drive along the bayous and listen to zydeco and enjoy Cajun food and culture.  I am so fascinated with this place that it has at times taken me over.  But yet, I haven't been able to make this happen. 

10) The Caribbean
Everyone goes, everyone relaxes.  Why not me?

If in the next few years I can get to one or two of those listed here, I'll consider myself very lucky indeed.  I also realize that tomorrow I might have a completely different list.  That's a bit of the fun of it.

Again With This

You can't go home again.

Somewhere, There is Russia...

I am excited to see what the other side looks like, if I can get myself there.

What kid wouldn't want to play with this?

Can't Keep Away

Some Days Are Better Than Others

At Close Range

My World

Waking Up Early

and watching a certain syndicated television talk show that has an eerily familiar story. Maybe one day I'll get it right, but it's nice to know that I'm not the only one!

Looking In/Looking Out

Last Days