as if it isn't evident...

after three weeks of reading my daily blogs...well, those of you crazy enough to follow...you have probably figured out the majority of my passions:

travel...food...culture...history

human connection is strengthened through these four topics. by traveling even outside of your neighborhood (house, even) you encounter different foods, culture and histories of people or places. it really does make you a better human being.

when i travel, i like to think that i can relate to some individuals in faraway places. sometimes the neighbor's house may be as faraway as you can get from reality, that's cool. as long as you interact on a humble and human level, everyone can relate.

unfortunately, this isn't always the case. stereotypes and prejudices are much more pervasive than we think; everyone is raised with them, making it inescapable or unavoidable at times. i will be the first to admit that Asians are some of the most racist and judgmental people on the earth (Koreans and Vietnamese are the worst...see what i mean ;), but that is rooted in each respective culture. for nations to remain strong, this is an integral part of nationalistic pride; some countries aren't open-minded enough to understand interracial relationships...and our country lives and dies by the flag...what's the difference? mostly, it's any widely held dogma to which everyone adheres. whatever makes you the sleeping giant that no one should fuck with...more power to ya.

so all of you will have to bear with me when i blog about travel and past incidences. as Margaret Cho once said, "I am some sort of a shit magnet. Wherever I go, I just attract it." i guess with every Anthropology degree that is handed out, you get a can of Teflon. i just spray it on and the shit slides off...

therefore, the person who i am today has definitely been shaped and molded by the trips i have taken...even if i may come out of it smelling like poo :) now, if that makes me a freak, then at least i can be the most comfortable freak to be around...and hopefully funny as hell because Laura can tell you i am way more amusing in person. maybe it's the pained facial expressions...

it's been a great three weeks...i've brought two of the rings to the blog and am appreciative of the readers who complement this verbal circus with a third! let the smack talkin' begin!

oh...and to everyone who is going on vacation...YOU SUCK!