Details, Details

Here it is 2006 now. I've been busy travelling most of January and in February also for work. I think of the five plus months we've been in New York, I've been on the road for half that time. And the beat goes on as my department is moving quite a few responsibilities over to my group. As a result, I'll be super-busy until at least the end of March.

This makes me daydream about a big vacation. Vietnam with my folks is out due to the bird flu. I feel like I should be immune by now given that I got sick twice in three weeks due to my travel to SF, LA and Dublin. Aisha and I are scoping out either the Bahamas or Greece. I prefer the latter as I'd rather visit a people and their culture versus a resort environment. I also have a passion for antiquities and architecture. That should be a degree program or seminar series at some liberal arts college.

Aisha is busy with school, work and volunteering at the Fall '06 Fashion Week so I hardly see her. I'm amazed at her energy level. I've tried to spoil Mochi with as much outdoor activity as I can given that when I'm not around he doesn't get much excercise. I've found a few unofficial off-leash areas at the park near our apartment. Fuggedaboutit regarding offleash walks in Central Park. Even if I get there before 9am when it's legal, it's not that much better than the park closer to my home. That's because of all the fences that make probably at least 80% of the green areas in the Park inaccessible. Did I mention how disappointed I am with Central Park? Of course I have.

I'm starting to get comfortable in New York and it's starting to feel like home. I don't miss Berkeley that much anymore (though I do wish to return eventually) and New York is becoming the norm by which I mentally measure my existence against now. The winter has been extremely mild with temps in the 60s on some days. Too easy. I miss the snow, though. It's the only thing that makes Central Park worthwhile. When Aisha and I were scoping out the City early last year, we visited Christo's The Gates exhibit at the Park. It was ok. The next day it snowed and we were exploring the Upper West and East Sides on foot and stopped by the Park again. This time the contrast created by the orange Gates against the white snow was stunning.

This will be the second Valentine's I will spending apart from Aisha in upstate NY. What a crapola (it's like a crayola, but made of crap). She's handling it well. I'm not.