If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. Dolly Parton

I really do not mind rain normally, but a bad day compounded with unseasonable rain breaks me down. I often have bad days. (I mostly have amazing days making me a prime candidate for a bipolar diagnosis.) Consequently, it intrigues me to find what the common factor is for my bad days. With the use of all my deductive skills I try to uncover the lowest common denominator. In depth profiles of my diet, environment, activities, time of the month, etc. spill some light onto what puts me in a dark place.

I woke up and it was clear today would not be a good day. My bike, cell phone, and debit card broke and it was raining. I took out the trash out but the truck never came. Analyze. Analyze. Analyze. Then my msn correspondent and former sexy-time tutor put in the final damper on my rainy day. I was clinging to the comfort that this lousy day was going to teach me what makes me grumpy, when he took that away by blatantly pinpointing the primary reason I get mopy. He truthfully told me that I need positive attention or I fall into my well of self-pity. It is so dark in my well that I need a man 10000km away to tell me where I am. Then it rains.

Improving oneself.

Research shows that learning a new skill is good for the brain and can prevent deterioration that causes Alzheimer’s and other forgetting diseases. Below is a list of some new things I want to learn. Oh, and in case you think you’re too old to bother learning something new, you’re wrong. Clinically, the older you are, the more important learning is for the brain and if my great aunt started learning English at 78 years of age, I’m sure you’re not too old to take up knitting.

1. Lock picking
2. Sign Language
3. Flamenco Dancing
4. Photography
5. Dutch

Too practical.

Influence for this article: Woody Allen’s ‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’
Outcome of this article: Why do I need to have a measurable outcome… isn’t that the problem?

Okay, here’s the deal. I am too focused on getting somewhere in life. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t chosen a career path and spouse at age 12. In fact, I don’t know what I’m going to be doing 18 months from now. However, I am focused on moving forward and I feel guilty when my actions do not contribute to this goal. I cannot lounge about juggling a soccer ball, unless I’m aware that I’m gaining hand-eye coordination and an appreciation of the world’s favorite pastime. Why is it that some people can be satisfied (and even productive by my standards) wandering through life and only half-heartedly ceasing the opportunities given them? A 40% unemployment in Fresno, California makes me sad, because a group of people that value money making are lost, but a 40% unemployment in Granada, Spain makes me rejoice, because a transient creative community is bursting with artistic expression and love that isn’t restricted by the capitalist norm. Perhaps it’s time I start wolfing on a sustainable island hippy farm... I could fill out my ‘alternative experience’ column of my med school application.