I’m not traveling, so — at one level of specificity — it could be said to be typical. The flow of my routine is more or less as usual for recent weeks. Then again, at another level of specificity, it could be said to be a day filled with completely unique experiences never before had (precisely as I’m having them) by anyone, anywhere, at any time in the history of the world. I guess I prefer to look at things in the latter way.
What’s the story behind your nickname?
Unfortunately, it’s just the most common abbreviation of my proper name.
For the balance of this year: Uttarakhand (India) and Laos are the biggies, and then a number of shorter, closer, and more impromptu stops.
Of late, I’ve thought it would be fun to learn to make some of my Chinese favorites — e.g. Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁,) Twice-Cooked Pork (回锅肉,) and Sesame Chicken (芝麻鸡.)
Dogs or cats?
I prefer either to humans, generally speaking. I prefer dogs when feeling the need for affection, but cats when I want my space. Since the latter is more often my state of being, I guess a slight edge to cats.
Reading, thinking, and learning.
The second half of the question is quicker and simpler to answer. Things bother me because I — through conditioning and petty impulses — allow them to bother me. I neither blame external circumstances, nor accept that said externalities can be responsible for my state of mind. I could remain unbothered by the things that bother me, with enough work to break engrained patterns. I should also note that I could choose to be bothered by a great many happenings that don’t bother or offend me in the slightest.
As for what bothers me, the list — sadly — remains many. That said, I don’t think it’s wise to broadcast the things that get under one’s skin out into the universe. Just like I wouldn’t announce if I had a gimpy knee or a weak jaw to a general audience that might include those who wish me ill. It just seems strategically unwise.
If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?
It would need to be someone who wouldn’t be put off or demoralized by my primitive cooking skills. So, not anyone particularly fancy or famous.
Whenever I want. Now that I’m all grow’d up.
But I do tend toward the lark end of the lark – owl continuum.
What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?
The need for the world to be a certain sort of way.
It’s the only thing I can think of that letting go of would contribute to increased harmony.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 