Category Archive: birthday

He didn’t really need to kick that yak in the jaw

I opened my eyes this morning to clouds on the forested slopes of the lower Himalaya across the river valley from my balcony. India has been what they promised, a swirl of mango… Continue reading →

Beefy blues and birthday bliss

I blame the teenager for the first part. He was just so likable. I’d worked all day to stay aware of the tidal pull towards a bad mood, unnecessary and outdated, and here… Continue reading →

Small surprises

I’m going to let you in on a little surprise. Not super exciting, but something unexpected by those around me. See, today is my birthday. (That’s not the surprise.) That means that a… Continue reading →

A home for Alvaro

“My daughter is a musician,” were Alvaro’s proud words as we shared a taxi into Caracas. He was the program coordinator for the Witness for Peace delegation that I had come to Venezuela… Continue reading →

Weirdos in the woods…gotta love ’em.

What is it about redwood trees? “Tree hugger” used to be a term of mockery, perhaps still is in certain misguided areas, but anyone who spends enough time around redwood trees will see… Continue reading →

Should I go to Venezuela?

Should I go to Venezuela?   The most volatile nation in South America, it’s on my List of Places Too Dangerous to Travel in Without Appropriate Precaution or Assistance. What, you don’t have… Continue reading →

Memories from one of the Ten Most Ethical Destinations

I came of age in a two week ceremony of illicit rum, charismatic tarantulas, and a desperate wispy crush on a lithe girl named Molly. She broke my heart with innocence, but still… Continue reading →

Is that a good start or a bad one? Jungle Birthday Part 2.

I’ll just come out and say it: I was wearing flip flops. Old ones. This may surprise you, given that I was hiking six hours each way to spend the night in the… Continue reading →

Just your average jungle birthday

I’m not sure when midnight snuck by in the near-perfect darkness to officially begin my birthday, but I’m guessing it had already started when I got up, back sore from the bare wood… Continue reading →

Happy rebirthday, it’s gonna change you life.

When I turned 32 a couple weeks ago it wasn’t a big deal, I was happy with a good navratan korma. But K’s birthday yesterday…now that was a big deal. She turned….dumdumDUM…27! Warning:… Continue reading →