Georgia Aquarium

This is the Georgia Aquarium (that's Chad posing in front of it). Note that there are no people around. That's because we took the picture during closing hours. Normally there would be a long queue of people trying to get into the aquarium. In fact, there are so many people that want to visit the aquarium every day that you have to buy tickets in advance (online) and even then, you are given a timeslot of when you can enter. If Marc didn't warn me beforehand, Chad and I might not have been able to visit the aquarium at all!


Don't worry, there are better fish than these!


These are piranhas. These fish are psychos... unlike most other fish that swim around aimlessly, piranhas stay very still (which is why I was able to take a reasonably clear shot of this one). We were hoping that it would be feeding time when we got to their tank so that we could see them in a frenzy, but sadly it didn't happen (shucks!).


This is a catfish. Why did I post this picture? Because its his belly that we see. I took this picture underneath him (or her)! In some parts of the aquarium, you're actually walking underneath the tanks (more on this later). So the ceiling is full of fish swimming around. Our pictures don't really do it justice because in some of the shots Chad and I took, the fish look like they're simply hanging from the ceiling like stuffed animals. You really have to see them move around above you to fully appreciate it.


This picture was taken in outer space. Just kidding! These crabs are huge! There is no point of reference to gauge the size of these things, but according to the description, these crabs can grow as large as a car! These weren't that large though. Their bodies must have been the size of volleyballs, and their legs are about just over a foot long each. If you think their scary, just think of all the aligi in their bodies and all the meat in their legs... Yummy!


Starfish sticking to the glass. I think it looks cool that they seem to be holding hands. Do they do this naturally or was it just a coincidence?


They may look like large dolphins, but they are actually beluga whales. Aside from that... well, they are in effect large dolphins!


This is one of my favourite places in the aquarium. Underneath their largest tank, there is a tunnel made of a strong glass-like material (I say this because glass wouldn't be able to withstand the weight of the water) where you get to 'walk' in the bottom the ocean. Its so nice to see the multitudes of sea creatures swimming around above and around you. Below are some of me and Chad's Jacque Costeau moments...


A Whale Shark.


A Manta Ray


A Hammerhead Shark


This tank simulates a barrier reef. This is definitely one of the most colorful tanks on display. I particularly like the various Regal Blue Tangs swimming around... the type of fish Dory is from Finding Nemo!


No, that is not a movie screen... thats the biggest aquarium glass I have ever seen. This is my favourite place in the aquarium. That large fish is a whale shark, but there are other smaller schools of fish swimming around. Watching fish is so relaxing, I could stay here all day! No wonder dentists have them in their waiting rooms!

There is definitely more to the aquarium of course, but these were my highlights.

One thing I forgot to mention about the aquarium is that it is very kid-friendly. There are so many interactive pools where kids and even curious adults can touch the sea creatures, such as mantas and crabs. Chad was able to touch a shark! There are even viewing areas only kids can access (I say this because I tried going into one of them and came out with an aching back!) and an activity centre.

All in all, the trip to the aquarium was really good. It made me forget my fender bender earlier during the day (see an earlier post), and gave me more than one gasp of breath, especially when I saw that huge viewing area. I would love to go here again and again, especially when I have kids and when the crowds thin out.

La Vita e Bella!

Stone Mountain

Welcome to Stone Mountain Park!


Stone Mountain... probably Atlanta's most prominent natural landmark. It is exactly what its called... a mountain made of one solid piece of stone (granite, I think) 825 feet high. Its surrounded by forests and lakes, and is a place to go camping during the summer. There are two ways to the top of the mountain... by foot and by cablecar. Cablecar is easier but more expensive, and you probably have a better view as you go up (I haven't used the cablecar yet so I wouldn't know). However, I have walked up and down the mountain, and I think thats a better way to experience the mountain. Chad and I didn't go up.


Here is a closeup of the carving. Those 3 men are Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and Lt. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Heroes of the confederation, though I do not know enough american history to know what each of them did. The carving may not look large in the pictures, but it is quite huge up close. It's supposed to be larger than a (american) football field. There is an impressive laser show in the summer, which 'traces' the carving, among other things.


For perspective, theres the cable car in relation to the carving. Take note, the cable car can hold approximately 20 or more people, so its a pretty large cable car in itself.


That's me in a 'reflective' pose.

I wish we did go up the mountain because the view is spectacular, especially on a clear day such as the day we went. Chad and I didn't want to spend money to pay for the cablecar ride, and the queue was horrendous. It's defintely worth going to if you are in the Atlanta area.

Next stop on the tour... the Georgia Aquarium!

La Vita e Bella!

World of Coke

During Chad's first day in Atlanta, we immediately went downtown from the airport as I was not able to take him there before. First stop... the World of Coke!


This is the World of Coke... a museum dedicated to that famous drink (not the drug!). Coke was first created in Atlanta, and the Coca Cola company still has their headquarters a few blocks away. The World of Coke is located in downtown Atlanta, in the area known as the Underground. This is where Atlanta started and grew from a town along the railway route to the growing city it is today.


This is me in front of a bottling machine. Its fake, of course. It just moves empty and full bottles around while making strange sounds. Still, its very interesting. Along the walls, you can read about the history of coke, how it was formulated and first sold, as well as the different bottle designs and machines used for creating them.


Chad and I posing with the Coca Cola polar bear, the one who normally appears in the Christmas and winter Coke commercials. We just couldn't resist! Aside from the history of Coke, the museum showcases the different advertisements of Coke through the years. Coke really hasn't changed much over the years, and it really is their marketing which keeps sales up.


Thats one big can of Coke! In the museum, you can try almost all of the different drinks Coca Cola makes around the world. From Powerade to Sprite to a Lychee soda from Thailand, you can sample it all. I don't think the Philippines doesn't have its own drink, although as far as I know, our famous Coke Litro bottle is displayed somewhere!


An even bigger can of Coke! I don't know what it is that interests me about these larger than life models. I even have one picture of me beside an enormous glass of Coke, but I think these pictures are enough. Besides, I rarely drink soda these days!

Is it actually worth going to the Coke museum? I think the older you are, the better you can appreciate the exhibit, especially if you grew up drinking Coke. There is only so much you can learn about soda, and there is far less educational value here than going to an art or history museum. As a tourist, it's worth going if you are in Atlanta. But if you are a resident (or a semi resident like me), then once is enough, because they don't update the museum. Hopefully all of that will change as I hear that they are building a new Coke museum next to the Georgia Aquarium.

Next stop, Stone Mountain!

La Vita e Bella!

Fatigued

This is the first time in a very long time that I have been hit by jetlag.

As I was sitting on the train from the airport to Horsley, the fatigue suddenly crept in on me like a ton of bricks. Normally after a trip, I would go straight to work, time permitting. As I arrived at 7:30 AM in Gatwick, there was plenty of time during the rest of the day to catch up on the pile of paper on my desk. But this time, I could not wait to get home, despite having slept for most of the 8 hour flight from Atlanta to London. When I got to the flat, I simply took a quick shower and then went to sleep for a few hours!

Wherever I go, no matter what hour of the day I arrive, I try to maximize my time to the fullest. I go straight to the mall to meet friends, or straight to work if its a business trip. I cram as many activities as I can, especially when time is of the essence.

In other words, I work to live.

However, this is what happens when you work hard and play harder straight for about a week and a half. Basketball, karting, moving, sightseeing, shopping, working... the whole week was a flurry of activities. So it really isn't surprising for my body to complain and demand that I get enough rest. Even now as I type this entry, I still feel like I need another 10 hours of sleep which is strange because this is a time in which I would be awake anyway in either side of the Atlantic.

Maybe I'm just getting old, and it is not fatigue, but age creeping up on me... Nah!

Yes, I'm tired, but in a good way, for I am tired not from working, but from living!

La Vita e Bella!

Thank You

As I leave Atlanta later today, I must mention the following people...

Chad, who kept me company in Atlanta. He drove me crazy when he was around, but I would have been even crazier if he wasn't.

My officemates, who always make me feel appreciated whenever I am around.

Marc & Libay, who we watched Formula 1, who helped me move my stuff into storage, and who we went karting with.

Art and his family, who have kept my things safe and sound for the past 2 years.

Ritchie and Lee, who invited me to their wedding and made me one of the groomsmen.

Arvin & Claire, Syd, and Loi, who (along with the newlyweds) made the trip to Washington DC so incredibly worth it.

Tito Peter and Tita Jennifer, who let me stay in their house and let me use their car in Washington.

And to the others who aren't mentioned but who I met in Atlanta and Washington (you know who you guys and gals are)...

THANK YOU.

I have been rejuvenated by your company and have been reminded of the reasons of why we live, learn, and love.

La Vita e Bella!

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Ritchie Lacson

I have just gotten back from a wonderful weekend in Washington DC, where I attended the wedding of Ritchie and Lee. I must write about it but not at this moment as fatigue has finally caught up to me. But I would like to use this entry to congratulate the newlyweds...


Congratulations, and may you grow old together! The Lord certainly has blessed your union in marraige and I know that the two of you are perfect for each other! :)

La Vita e Bella!

Karting

Its always fun to go karting. Every year, whenever I am in Atlanta, I make it a point to go karting with Marc at Andretti Speedlabs. This year was even better as Chad (an even more avid karter than me) was with us.

I remember 5 years ago when Chad first came to Atlanta... we did not have time to race in Andretti, so he could only look at the track. 5 years is a long time to wait to race on a track, but it was worth it!

After Marc briefed us on the course and the racing line, it was time to put on our balaclavas and our helmets and head towards our karts and onto the race track.

It is such a different experience to race karts as opposed to simply watching them. The sense of speed is not fully captured if you are a bystander. It may look like smooth racing, but only when you are taking in too much speed into the first corner, pressing the brake and then the gas and feeling the engine rumble beside you, all the while steering the kart do you realize how difficult karting is. They may not be as fast as cars but since you are so low to the ground, the sense of speed is enhanced, and it is very easy to get carried away.

As usual, the competitor in me was unleashed, and drove every lap as hard as I could, my lap times going lower and lower as I kept pushing the boundaries of myself and the kart. My goal was to complete a lap in under 31 seconds, and I accomplished that, even almost getting down to 29 seconds. Fractions of a second is almost an eternity in motorsport, and it will take a lot of practice if I want to consistently lower my lap times.

If there is anyone that doubts that karting or any other motorsport is not demanding physically, they should try karting. A typical session last approximately 10 minutes, good for about 17 laps. During that time, especially if you are pushing yourself to the limit on every lap, your body and mind is active... the mind is actively seeking the racing line, and you are physically trying to steer the kart into it. At the end of the session, it is not uncommon for your neck and arms to hurt, as well as the shoulders too. And thats only after 10 minutes! What more the endurance races that Marc joins, where they race for 30 minutes or more?

If only karting were as affordable in the UK as it is in Atlanta, I would be on the track more often...

Life is Beautiful!

Sliding Doors

Have you ever had a moment in which you had to make a split second decision, only to end up with dire consequences? This is my story.

Over the past weekend, I had to rent a truck to move my personal items from a friends house into public storage. Everything went according to schedule, even better in fact. There were no hassles renting the truck, traffic was good, and we were able to load and unload everything in record time.

The final task that I had to do was to refuel the truck before returning it. I drove the truck into the gas station and proceeded to fill it up with gas. This did not take too long as I did not use up too much gas. I wanted to drive out of the station, but there was a van in front of me that was still filling up. I looked around and thought that there was enough space to maneouver around it.

Boy, was I wrong! Actually, I almost made it. I was really careful turning the truck, and I cleared almost all 16 feet of it. It was the last half foot that got me. I didn't even feel the truck bump the van, I just heard it.

Crack! (insert expletive here)

I immediately set the handbrake on the truck, got out, and inspected the damage with the driver of the van. It wasn't too bad. The left rear corner of the truck had clipped the right rear corner of the van. Since I stopped the truck immediately after contact, the truck and the van were stuck together. After some discussion and analysis with the van driver, we both decided that the least damaging way to separate each other was for her to drive her van a few inches forward. So she did... slowly. It still did not prevent the taillamp from breaking, but at least the van and the truck were separated. Fortunately, I bought insurance for the truck when I rented it (yet another split second decision, this time for the better). There was nothing more we could do, so we traded information so that the insurance companies could handle the situation.

Despite this incident, it did not prevent me from driving to the Georgia Aquarium and enjoying the rest of my day. After all, there is no use in worrying about the past. Besides, the damage could have been worse, and people could have been hurt. At the end of the day, the worst that could happen is for my insurance premium to go up.

If only I had waited a few more minutes for the van to drive away, I wouldn't have bumped into it and I wouldn't have had to endure extra hassle.

We all have those moments in which we make a split second decision that changes our life forever. Some we can take back, and some are permanent. The best thing we can do is accept the consequences of our actions and make up for our mistakes.

This reminds me of the movie 'Sliding Doors'. I remember watching it years ago in Louies THX while on a date (quite a memorable one, I should add). It stars Gwyneth Paltrow and is about how her character's life branched to different paths simply by missing the train by the littlest of margins (in other words, what could have been). Both paths had their ups and downs, but the moral of the movie was that no matter which path she took, she still ended up with the man she loved.

I personally do not believe in fate nor do I believe that we have predetermined events in our lives, but if we are given a second chance, we should make good use of it and not committ the same mistakes!

La Vita e Bella!

Malaysian Grand Prix Analysis

For many people, Renault was the star of Sepang. A one-two finish by Fisichella and Alonso capped off a wonderful weekend by the French team. While other manufacturers were hampered by engine and/or mechanical problems, they were the most reliable team of the weekend.

But the question that came to my mind after this weekend was if Jenson will be able to win his first grand prix this year.

Looking at the result table, Jenson came in third behind both Renaults. Pretty good result, but when you see the actual time gap between him and Alonso, the picture becomes clearer. The Honda powered vehicle was simply not fast enough to match the pace of the R26. According to the post race interviews, he was driving each lap at the limit, meaning thats just about as fast as the RA007 could go. That is simply not fast enough to win a grand prix. They clearly have to improve on the aerodynamics of the car if they even want to match Renaults pace.

So, can he win? I think he can, but he will have to do it from pole position. He will have to lead the race from the opening lap, set a blistering pace, and hope that Renault, Ferrari, and Mclaren trip over each other into the first corner. This is easier said than done, as the launch control system of the Honda is not as advanced as the one of Renault. In fact, Renault can actually run qualifying on a heavier fuel load because they can make up places during the start of the race, outdragging opponents into the first corner.

It is still early into the season though, so anything can happen!

Week into a Weekend

Its Monday, and I'm still trying to recover from everything I did over the weekend. As this was my only weekend in Atlanta, I crammed in as many activities as I could. Not even a flu virus could stop me.

I was able to play basketball with friends, rent a public storage space and move my things into it, pick up my brother from the airport, go to Underground Atlanta, the Coke Museum, Stone Mountain, and Georgia Aquarium, and even watch Formula 1 in the middle of the night!

I must record these thoughts quickly before the details escape me.

La Vita e Bella!

Atlanta, Here I Come!

The Dirrty South... the Land where the Playas play. Its time for my annual pilgrimage to my adopted US hometown!

This is supposed to be a business trip, but after everything I have went through so far this year, this will be a much needed break from routine.

Time to catch up with friends, stock up on goods for the coming year, watch basketball on TNT, and eat Hooters chicken wings!

Its those simple pleasures that I miss about living in the USA.

It will be a whirlwind of a week!

Life Is Beeeyooootiful!

Smiles Go a Long Way

Wherever we go, strangers will often approach us for directions, the time, or to take their picture. But I noticed that this happened more frequently to me whenever I was in the company of others than if I was alone. I often wondered why that was. After much analysis (yes, I think too much), I have reached a conclusion.

I now know the real reason. It's because I smile more often when around others!

So now, wherever I am, even if I am alone, I make the effort to smile. Not some psychotic smile like the Joker... just a subtle smile, no teeth, just enough to make both ends of the lips point upward. It does make a difference!

The picture taken above was during one of my walks around London. There happened to be a St. Patricks day celebration in Trafalgar square, so a lot of Irish were milling about. I was taking pictures of the celebrations when I felt a tap on my shoulder. A group of irish lasses wanted me to take their picture. Imagine that! It could have been the smile on my face, or the fact that I was using a professional looking digital SLR camera. In any case, I took their picture, and we went our separate ways into the crowd. That's the first time its ever happened to me, and I really do attribute it to simply smiling.

So, smile! It may be difficult to begin with, but after the first, the rest of them come easily!

La Vita e Bella!

Inspiration is Infectious... and I Will Spread It

I live life with no regrets. I just learn from each adversity and take the lessons that I have been given. I've done the crimes, I've done my time. But I wouldn't go back and change a thing; I would go through each of my pains and joys again without hesitation, for we wouldn't know what true happiness is unless we go through hardship. The highs and lows go hand in hand; the trick is remembering that there are more highs than lows, and to focus less on the low points. I used to be a pessimist, but being around other pessimists has turned me into an optimist... or a realist to be more exact. Hope for the best but expect the worst!

Those who do not know me would think that I play it safe; yet to my closest friends, I am the biggest risk taker on the planet! As long as I believe my intentions are pure, then it is always worth the risk! Life is a journey, and I will enjoy it to its fullest, even if I stumble and fall along the way (and I have stumbled many times, and fallen very hard).

I will go the extra mile for friends and family; I will be there for them as they have been for me.

My strength lies in my values, my faith in God, the belief that Love Conquers All, and the fact that I do not waver from these core values, no matter how bleak the situation is or no matter what temptations come.

The picture and the paragraphs are lifted from my Friendster profile (credit goes to my brother who took my picture).

I used to be really bitter about Friendster (the reasons of which will not be mentioned here). But then I thought, what better way to turn my own life around by writing my own creed, my principles and beliefs for everyone to see. And so I wrote, and the result is what you have read above.

The best part was when I got a message from an old friend telling me that she was really inspired by my profile. She liked it so much that she used it in her own blog.

If I can inspire one, then I can inspire more... as long as I live my life according to my creed, then I know I'm living it right.

La Vita e Bella!

I Must Have Been a Brazilian in a Past Life

First Bossanova, then Capoeira, and now Samba!

After much procrastination, I was finally able to attend my first Samba class yesterday. Conveniently located just outside London Waterloo Station, the London School of Samba was where I went with a few friends. We were late, so we skipped the warmup and dived straight in, joining the back of the group. We were all first-timers, so our moves were ackward and forced compared to the regulars who who looked so natural dancing to the beat. But we did our best and marched along. Even if we didn't know the exact steps, the samba beat was enough to make our feet tap in unison with the rest.

Our teacher suggested that we sit out of the advanced session, but were encouraged to watch. The teacher knew best, as the advance session was more difficult. The students had to make their own routine and improvise in front of the whole class! The best part was watching the last part of the class, a freestyle session where everyone could dance whatever samba steps they wanted to. The dance studio turned into a mini Carnival, with people dancing all around the place, a celebration of samba.

Dance is such an intense form of self expression, and by participating and watching the class, I have been really inspired to learn how to loosen up and dance... not just samba, but the other dances as well!

After the dance class, we attended the music class. This was equally fun! There were several instruments to choose, from large bass drums to tiny bells (I didn't know what the names of the instruments were). I picked a medium sized drum to start, and it was a pretty good choice. I had a few pointers from a fellow drummer, and before we knew it, the class was underway.

The band was held together by a conductor, and he was clearly passionate about the music, although I don't know how he could hear everything considering that he was probably the only one in the room without earplugs! Yes, earplugs were a requirement. If you have seen a Carnival festival or have heard samba music before, you will know why. Since we could not hear his voice (or our own voices for that matter), he motioned to his orchestra using hand gestures and his whistle. Even with the earplugs, my ears are still rang with the beat of the Samba drums many hours after the class ended!

It was definitely worth the trip to London on a Sunday, and it is something that I will continue to do as long as I can.

I really must go to Brazil one day. Their culture is hypnotic, drawing me in like a fish to bait. Even if previous plans were cancelled (honeymoon was supposed to be there), it does not mean that I won't go in the future!

La Vita e Bella!

As the Wheels Turn

Formula 1. Its back in 2006, and its better than ever.

Schumacher, Alonso, Raikonnen, Button... familiar faces, familiar names, back for some intense wheel-to-wheel racing. And if the first race recently concluded in Bahrain is any indicuation, this will be an absolute cracker of a season!

Over the next 8 months, on 18 selected weekends, the Formula 1 season will unfold. The worlds most expensive sport will travel the world, from Asia to North America, from Japan to Brazil, and I will do my best to watch each and every one of them on television... and if I am lucky, I will be able to watch yet another one in person (Italy and Spain are my top choices).

These are the moments that I do not mind acting like a kid. To hear the scream of those engines, to see daring overtaking maneouvers, gives me a thrill that reaches to the innermost childhood root of my soul. Yes, I am young at heart and will always be.

I love being passionate, even to my interests and hobbies.

La Vita e Bella!

More than a Haircut

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the girl cutting my hair today was hitting on me.

I get my haircut in Beijing Hair Salon, in the middle of Chinatown. Not surprisingly, its staff are all chinese, which is good because I would never let a non-asian cut my hair. There's a certain way of cutting fine asian hair that (no offense), alot of non-asians don't know. This is the second time Nicole cut my hair. I requested her because I was particularly pleased with my haircut the first time. She remembered that it had been two months since she cut my hair! Good memory considering the amount of customers that she sees everyday!

I remember doing some smalltalk with her last time... nothing much, just the usual 'are you chinese?' banter that I usually get. I wasn't sure what to talk about this time (I love chatting to the people who cut my hair, girl or gay) so I stayed silent. She then spoke up halfway through the haircut...

"You are Filipino, right? I remember."
"Yeah, I am"
"You look Chinese"
"Yeah, alot of people tell me that"
"Do you live here in London?"
"No, I live outside London... I have to take the train. And you?"
"I live here in central London... very convenient"
"Isn't that expensive, to live in the city?"
"I share with some friends, so its ok. Do you work in London?"
"No, I work outside of London, thats why I live there too"
"Oh I see. Is it your day off today?"
"Yes... I only work Monday to Friday, so I have the weekend off. You?"
"I work 6 days a week, I only have Sunday off... you're so lucky!"

Hmmm.... I thought most people only worked 5 days, so I stayed quiet after that. But that didn't stop her from continuing our conversation.

"Do you like chinese food?"
"Yes, I do"
"How about dimsum?"
"Yes, I like eating dimsum"
"Ooh, there's a nice place to eat dimsum... very close by. The New China Restaurant"
"Ok, I'll keep that in mind" *smile*

At this point, my haircut was finished, so I stood up. She then pointed to the coat rack and asked me which one was my coat. I pointed to it, and as she took it off its hanger, she made a comment about it, saying that it was going to snow today and that my coat was too thin for it. I smiled and made a surprised face, and she responded by telling me that she was just kidding (another flirty moment). I thanked her for my coat and went to the cashier to pay. After paying, I looked back at the salon. She waved and smiled at me, so I waved back and smiled back as I left.

I carried that smile with me the rest of the day!

That is not typical salon girl behaviour. I know it looks routine by my description, but trust me, I am absolutely positive she wanted me to ask her out. If she really did, would I ask her out? Nah... She was cute, but not my type. It was a nice feeling though, to be flirted at and (semi) flirt back!

La Vita e Bella!

Write to Read

As far back as I could remember, I loved to write. But of course, it stemmed from a love of reading.

I started reading the Hardy Boys back in grade 2. My dad had one lying around the house... "The Mystery of the Spiral Bridge". I must have read almost all of the adventures of Frank and Joe Hardy on hardback edition. The school library had a huge collection of them, and I think I would finish two of them per week. Of course, I cannot remember even a single plot of these books. All I can remember was reading them instead of reviewing for the quarterly exams. No matter; according to my guidance counselor I was in the top 3 of my class (Or so she said, at least)!

Speaking of quarterly exams, I must have been such a nerd in grade school. For each good grade that I got each quarter, I got to buy a book of my choice. A book! Where some would probably choose He Man figures or Transformers, I chose my own adventures. What a gimmick that was for some time... being able to star in your own story and make your own choices! Do you want to take the high road? Turn to page 87. To take the low road, turn to page 45. The seemingly endless possibilities! I used to mark my choices with each of my fingers, hoping that I would reach an ending before my ten fingers were used up. I wanted to reach each and every one of the 28 endings!

I'm not sure when or how I outgrew those novels. I think it was when it got too complicated, when I needed a paper, pen, and a set of dice to fight through monsters and track my health and inventory. It was fun while it lasted but got tiresome in the end. I needed stimulant for my brain. So I moved on to some 'grown up' material. Inspired by book to movie adaptations, I started reading Tom Clancy, John Grisham, and Michael Crichton. Admittedly, some of these were way over my head, especially the Tom Clancy books.

Today, my appetite for reading has diminished greatly. I still read books, but just the occasional popular novel or self help book or two. I rarely read a book without reading a glowing glowing recommendation first. The last book I read on impulse was "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" simply because the cover looked interesting. It was one of the worst books I have ever read (and I know at least one other person who agrees with me)!

What I read the most these days though, are my own little essays. They are a reminder to myself of who I am, my philosophies, my thoughts, my beliefs. Reading about good memories makes me smile; reading about bad ones makes me think of what I did to get myself out of it. Its incredibly good therapy to read back and recall how I felt in the past. I can see how mature I have grown (or not!) since then. And reading simply about myself helps unearth even more memories, such as the ones mentioned above.

In other words, I inspire myself. This is why I love to write.

A bit narcissistic maybe, but who cares? I used to write for just one person, but now I write for everyone.