I so desperately want Accordion Guy’s life. Or at least a life as cool as his. Of course, I strongly suspect that a life as cool as his depends on not living in Ashgabat. I’m reading his archives, though, and trying to see if I can get some of the cool to rub off on me.

Living here has just been getting me down. I never get used to this place – to not being able to make friends with Turkmen citizens in case I endanger them, to the pictures of the president, to the extraordinary challenges of trying to do good work here.

Also, I think my eyes are getting worse. I’ll get an eye test when I’m home.

Anyhow, I am taking steps to make my life more like something good. For one thing, I emailed Heather Corinna about volunteering for Scarleteen, probably the best site on the web for sexuality information. I have loved the site for years – I’m not sure why it never occurred to me before that I could offer my help. I mean, I do have an MPH and experience in sexuality education. Anyway, she wrote back and I’m working on a piece for them and it’s all good. That will make me feel like I am doing something to combat the impact of George W and also give me a project to absorb myself in when I need something to do. I can’t tell you what I’m working on, because I want to write under my real name, but it’s nicely challenging and exactly the kind of thing I tend to be good at.

Kir is in search of a hobby. He’s decided that having no interests is a problem. I, for one, do not want him to turn out like my dad who is the black hole of gift ides because his only activity is playing chess. And he doesn’t like decorative chess boards or pieces. Anyone have ideas for Kir? (Maybe I’ll suggest the accordion.) Actually, the accordion isn’t such a bad idea. You can buy them here, I know how to find a guy who could teach him, and Kir likes playing music – he played trombone and tuba in high school. And unlike the piano, it can be shipped easily.

<<|>>

You might have missed...
I’m not sure my ego has ever cycled as fast as it has lately. - 15 July 2004
shots - 12 July 2004
But that was long ago, and in another country. - 22 June 2004
I was getting bored with linear thought… - 09 June 2004
You told him we slept together before marriage? - 20 May 2004

USAID is one of many donors for the project I work for. The views expressed herein are the author’s own views and do not necessarily reflect those of the author’s employer or especially those of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. And I mean it. I probably give the US government heart attacks.