LeahAndMark.com

I’m done with my job!  I’m in Arizona!!  That’s all for now!

I seem to have gone a bit off the reservation here. I’ll get back to ‘normal’ photo sizes sometime. It’s just that the recent review of everything China + general upheaval at work = me wanting to escape. Except it’s more different (or just different) than it has ever been. I blame Leah.

Whereas just a few years ago (pre-Leah) I was more than content to never leave the U.S. - I didn’t even have a passport enabling me to leave. But now? Now the world has opened up. And while there is always that urge to just run off and go - to leave unprepared is… there’s just more that we have to do before we can really leave, finishing our next steps in school being the primary factor. More than wanting to be ex-pats wherever we go, we want to immerse in that society and help. So our goal isn’t to simply escape. It’s to go somewhere else and help things there. While it may come off as a bit messianic… it’s closer to following a deep interest - which I am still only beginning to internalize - Leah’s been at this game far longer than I have.

This was lunch at the edge of Tiger Leaping Gorge - after we had hiked 2 hours thru the 24 bends (a steep series of switchbacks) and eventually arrived at the next main guesthouse on the mountain side. I feel like… I feel like I have been reminded that people (bosses/work) are always going to be there and jobs are primarily not for us. While some of us are fortunate enough to be in a position where we live to work - the rest of us are stuck working to live. The switch many don’t make (or are unable to) is to get to that live to work point where they are doing what they truly want/purpose in life and all that. Not merely receiving a paycheck large enough that it enables us to… buy things that distract us with the illusion of satisfaction.

Lately I’ve been dwelling on things as they are (work) and when you have no other focus - inconsequential things and people start to weigh heavily - and I let this happen to me in the last month, as shown by my recent string of vague/emo/moody posts. My situation isn’t even that bad - not nearly worth mentioning when I put it in perspective. But without a clear view of the situation, and only being focused on the now - I really allowed everything not important to sideline me and push me back to those far too internal thoughts of panic, worry, and woe.

Today is Friday, August 1st, 2008.

I’ve started pulling all of the video that we took in China off of our camcorder. And now watching it all - we didn’t really film too much. Well, relatively speaking. At least not enough for what I want! I would’ve recorded the whole month that we were there if I could. But I guess I’ll have to settle for 8 hours of video. (It’s really only around 4 hours.)

As I may have mentioned earlier - this week is China week on the Travel Channel (obviously since the Beijing Olympics are just around the corner) - and tonight they showed Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations episode which begins in Shanghai, then moves east and north thru Lijiang and up to Shangri-La.

At the beginning of this episode Anthony makes a statement along the lines of ’saying you’ve been to China is like saying you’ve been to the planet Earth - it’s that big’. Looking back at our trip - it’s hard not to think that we missed a lot, that there was so much more to see. I wish that I hadn’t been so tired on some of those days and that we would’ve continued to keep moving instead of getting what I’m sure was much needed rest. Even with the 4,000 photos and hours of video - it feels like there was so much more to see, more to eat, and more people to befriend.

We’ve been so busy since we got back that only every now and then do we remember how great our trip was.

But let’s get to today’s show! I love Leah and I honestly would never have gone on this trip if I hadn’t ever met her. This is arguably my first real ‘video’ that I’ve put together, so I hope you like it - oh. It just finished processing on YouTube and wow - the quality is really low compared to how it plays on my computer… but still. It plays like you’re watching a montage real from what could be Leah’s Travel Show. The video starts in Shangri-La and some of the temples there, then goes a little thru TIger Leaping Gorge, then down to Guilin/Yangshuo area where you can see the farms and Karst peaks, Leah hawking wares at the Beijing Dirt market, and then finishes up with us at the Great Wall of China. Oh, and that’s actual Yak Butter Tea that the gentleman is preparing for us in the Zhongdian market.

*Edit - I originally had this uploaded to YouTube but the quality was worse than… worse. So Now it’s uploaded from Fliggo.com - MUCH better + I added some color adjustment.

This is my disconcerted face. Why am I disconcerted? Because on the way to dinner this evening, I hit a girl on a bike with my car. Yikes!!!

Fortunately, she was okay… I stopped the car and Mark got out to check on her and I popped my head out to see if she really was okay and if she needed a ride somewhere. I feel awful about it! She said it was her fault… and I guess she was technically biking down the wrong side of the road, coming down Memorial on the sidewalk by the cemetery. And I was turning from Boulevard onto Memorial, so at least I wasn’t flying down the road or anything. But still! I hit her! With my car! And she thunked onto my hood!

I was all shook up after that. I had planned on getting some horchata at Mi Barrio, but after the mini-collision, I decided to have a margarita instead.  And make Mark drive home.

I hope I don’t ever hit anyone ever again! EVER. It’s not a good feeling. =( I hope she’s really okay.

So we were watching Samantha Brown’s travel show - and this episode was China. We used to watch her shows and would be relatively entertained. This one? Painful. Maybe it’s from watching too many episodes with Anthony Bourdain and his cynicism, or mock excitement or just… maybe it was the fact that Samantha Brown seemed to think that everything was amazing, or ancient/centuries old. Or just… wrong. While I have generally always appreciated most of her shows in the past, this one was almost unbearable.

Sure we did our share of touristy things that you just have to get out of the way - but come on - when Samantha Brown is asking for the price of a rickshaw ride thru the hutongs and is told it’s approximately $25 - AND she says, “I think that’s a good deal” - it’s just embarassing. Anyone who pays that much is clearly the epitome of an American tourist that’s just looking to get ripped off.

When she shows up at one of the most touristy spots of the Great Wall of China - and laments on how if she just sits still and takes it all in that maybe she can feel the centuries of history and blah blah blah - does she realize that she’s sitting on a completely reconstructed portion - which is about as real as any of the replicas built in Las Vegas?

Ok. I know that the same people who watch Samantha Brown are probably the same people who prefer Rachel Ray over Anthony Bourdain. So okay. I’ll just leave it alone. At least watching this poor show did cause me to go through our China photos/video again and start working on them and uploading them to Flickr in a more complete manner.

We visited before the Olympics on purpose - because the country is changing rapidly and Beijing in particular is going to be very different after the Olympics in a few weeks. But that won’t stop us from going back and enjoying everything we can. China is a BIG place and there’s no stopping it. We had a great time and I’m sure we’ll revisit all of this again, a little at a time.

Finally tonight. Here are some clips I threw together of our trip.

This weekend was tiring in the best of ways. Let’s do a basic list/rundown. Friday evening we made our way over to the Castleberry Hill district for part of the ArtWalk - Leah’s nonprofit that she works for was having a gallery showing (the kids work with some local artists and make some pieces - which they eventually auction off) and so that’s what we did that night - like old people, we took a nap right when we got home so we could wake up and make it to the event.

Actually, we came home late Thursday evening after the wedding um, convention? show? exhibition? what do you call those things? (This was a nicer one held by the Weddings Atlanta magazine - and cost $10 per person - but we grabbed several free bags and other junk and technically, made our money back in um, promotional junk - and I’m sure half of it we’ll throw out, the other half, we’ll use.) SO. We got home late Thursday evening and noticed that Three-Four kept going to the litter box - over and over again - and then after check the box - he wasn’t actually going. After a little longer and after noticing some blood coming out of him - Leah and I rushed him down to animal hospital in Decatur for the checkup. Basically - nothing too bad, and most likely a UTI - so that was good.

We’ve been fortunate that we haven’t had a problem with either of the cats - ever - healthwise. This is the first time we’ve ever really had to do anything like this - and it looks like the medicine has been working and Three-Four’s been doing a lot better.

Now. Since they’re house cats and we honestly don’t really have a reason to take them to the Vet - we haven’t experienced anything like what we experienced over the past few days. Essentially - when Three-Four came back home, his scent was completely different and One-Two (his brother) didn’t recognize him at all - and started hissing and growling and attacking Three-Four. Freaked us out since we’ve never had to deal with this.

We separated them that night and it still carried over to the morning. Now, while some of you pet owners out there might be used to this - we aren’t and it was more than bothering us and we felt really bad for Three-Four. I mean, he’s kind of hurt/healing AND he has to deal with his brother attacking him. AND we could tell that it was kind of making him feel bad ’cause he’d continually try to go up to One-Two (when we would try to see if it was still going on) and kind of say hi - but One-Two would again hiss/growl/attack.

Fortunately, Leah bought some scent wipes, and then some pheromones that actually DID help. Immediately it calmed down One-Two and then the wipes helped One-Two deal with taking the ‘Vet’ scent off of Three-Four (she wiped both of them down.) They were still tense over this weekend, but it’s slowly been getting better. They’ve even done their usual cuddling/sleeping wrapped up thing - but we watch any playfighting for signs that it’s turning into real fighting - like it did earlier this weekend.

Saturday hit us like Awesome. Breakfast at Carroll Street Cafe in Cabbagetown:

Honestly some of my favorite shrimp & grits in all of Atlanta - they have a spicy grilled flavor.

Leah and I went to OutBack Bikes in L5P to have a kickstand installed on her bike - and on the way back we stopped by the WFRG 89.3 radio station block party. We arrived a little early but we were there for some african rhythm drumming and some rather good spoken word poetry.

THEN we decided to go for a run. Well, I decided to run while Leah rode her bike alonside me. Now. It has been REALLY Humid all weekend. Impressively humid - in the same way I would want it to be 120 degrees outside in Phoenix, AZ. when people would visit there, this weekend was equally as humid as I would want for any visitor to the deep south and to um, show off the hot humid summers here. Anyways. I ran 4 miles and Leah biked alonside. Needless to say - by the time I got back I looked as if I had stood under a shower.

And then here’s where things made an unexpected turn. Instead of taking the hard earned Saturday afternoon nap, after messaging with people on Twitter - we decided to make our way down to the Cypress Pint & Plate Pig Roast - and meet up with our Twelp friends! We had originally planned on just stopping by and maybe having a drink or two. Almost 4 hours later it was definitely more than 1 drink and closer to 5 or 6 - they had these $2 vodka drinks which were kind of good in a drinking cheap dimetapp medicine sort of way.

That was a good time.

Those are tickets that Lauren won - for the Poison concert. Yes. Poison.

AND STILL. The Saturday was not over. We had to leave Cypress to go over to our friend Jolene’s house and make an appearance at her party.

At this party we met an awesome couple from India - Madhura & Ramit. Oh yes. Leah worked her All-Things-International-But-Especially-Asian/India Charm and now hangout time with these two awesome people is imminent. PLUS. We HAVE to make friends with people from everywhere - how else can we take over the world?

If you must know - while we both drank healthy amounts at Cypress, I slowed down long enough to drive while Leah drank to the end, and then when we got to this party, Leah stopped and I started back up. Still. Guitar Hero ensued and new friends were made. What more could you ask for from any party? Oh yeah, Leah also impressed people with her cork trickery.

And since THIS POST marks the new record for LONGEST POST EVER (screen length-wise) - I’ll end it soon. And even though all this fun was had at the price of some missed assignment points for school, and a VERY tired and sleepy Sunday - it was much more beneficial than that nap we had originally planned on taking last Saturday afternoon. And just think. This doesn’t even cover the Feeble Flobbler Flapjack Fiesta that we went t this Sunday morning - but I guess I’ll cover that tomorrow + everything else.

Goodnight.

On this past week:

This past week was almost good. It wasn’t bad at all and there are many, many things that went on. However, I will not truly know how good this week was until next week. And while the recent ambiguity/vagueness of my post can only mean a few things (as in, there are a few things that I cannot talk about on this public blog and most of my waking and dreaming hours are occupied with thoughts of one of these things.) So may, just maybe I’ll be able to actually speak about the heavy-block-subject that currently takes up all of the space in my head.

On my mental health:

Oh. um. I’m sure I’m fine. Back and forth all the time and stubbornly difficult, but I’m sure I’m fine. Possibly Maybe.

I’ve taken up some learning projects recently. SQL + Visual Basic + Crystal Reports + Lean Six Sigma + School Junk. I would describe it as being on a rigorous self-education program. Amazon is great! Especially since I joined their ‘Prime’ program and get um, some free/next day shipping and other junk like that. And while I would like to buy the books the Day Of by just going to Barnes & Noble - the prices on Amazon are ALWAYS cheaper. At least I only ever have to wait 2 days for delivery. Still. Across the board, dramatic increases in skill/ability/knowledge/usability. We’re going all out here because I’m betting on myself. And it’s increasingly getting to the point where I question whether or not I’m crazy for really thinking that I can do anything.

I need a wide open space. Even if it’s in my head.

Aw, our kitties love getting Reiki sessions!  They purrrrr and purrrrrrrr and soak it up.  Happy.

So, today, Mark and I are braving a Wedding Thing with my mom.  It is some event where there are lots of vendors selling Wedding Stuff.  And you can win free things and eat free cake and drink free cocktails, which is the main reason I decided to go.  I’m trying to keep a safe distance from the crazy Wedding People/Industry/Insanity.  But today we might be diving right into the middle of it…  which could be interesting.  So I asked Mark to bring the camera.  Of course.

The people we’ve booked already have been awesome.  But there have been lots of other vendors who… well, let’s just say they cater to a different kind of couple.  Or basically just the bride.  Or the bride’s mom.  And it’s all about “Oh, we can make your dream day come true, and you are going to feel so special and pretty and everyone will love you forever because you will have the BEST wedding day in the history of all time!”

Now, I’m a happy and enthusiastic person.  Most of the time.  But that’s because I’m sincerely happy and enthusiastic about lots of things.  And unless you’re someone I know and love, I don’t get all that jazzed about the minute details of your wedding.  So these uber-excited vendors sort of scare me.  Especially when they e-mail me 3 times in one day and call me at work and try to convince me that my “Special Day” should be entrusted to their loving care.

We have a totally great photographer.  We have laid-back yet very professional DJs.  We have a nice, helpful, chill coordinator.  My dress is being made by a super cool Seattle designer gal, Chrissy Wai-Ching.  (Oh, and I went without the bodice stitching, in case you were wondering.  Now- if y’all know of some really awesome jewelry-makers, let me know.  Preferably independent crafty peoples.)

Everything else… except maybe the cake… is basically up to my mom.  Of course we’ll give input, but I’m letting her gather info/ideas for the decor, invites, flowers, etc.  Cuz she’s good at that stuff - much better than I am at decorating and whatnot.  And because I really don’t want to deal with anymore Flowery Happy Princess-Making Vendors.  Our wedding will be meaningful, special, awesome, fun, memorable… but not a Princess Fairyland $100,000 affair.

And so today, we head off to Wedding CrazyLand.  I hope we emerge alive and intact.  Wish us luck.

P.S.  Nope, it didn’t hurt to get my tragus pierced!  It just hurts a little if I forget about it and poke my ear.  But there aren’t really nerves in that part - try pinching yours really hard, and you’ll see what I mean.