A gray grey day...

Today it's so grey and dusty that it's hard not to feel bummed out. I'm a little happy about this though, as it means I'm not dying of heat exhaustion in my apartment.

Anyway, I woke up this morning and really missed my dog. I miss family and friends too, but generally they don't cover me with doggy kisses or snuggle in my lap, or follow me around or look as cute and snuggly as McGregor does.

I finished reading "Bellwether" by Connie Willis yesterday. An excellent book. Oddly enough, it contained a great deal about sheep. Apparently sheep are quite stupid. This is a good thing to remember if I ever get caught in a herd of startled, scared sheep when I'm in the countryside.

I started reading "A book of common prayer" by Joan Didion. I'm finishing up some reading on co-ops and I'll go get my computer later today.

My gloomy mood was somewhat helped by the fact that I saw a horrible video featuring Enrique Iglesias and Lionel Ritchie. I just sat and laughed for about 2 minutes.

Once I get my computer, I can get back to work. My translator is coming over tonight and we're going to look at the countryside route. I wish I had Buddhism class tonight, but the lama has gone to the countryside. So no class.

Another saying bites the dust...

I've always liked the saying "Do what you love, and the money will follow."

Well, for me, it's just not true. I've been doing what I love for a while, and the money is not following....

unless it's following very, very slowly....

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So I did do some reading, so today is not a total write-off. My computer is still at the shop.

I wanted to do more work, but I was lying on my couch, under blankets, and I started watching a show about a tiger trainer. It was very moving. Then I did more reading, but someone was using a jackhammer in my neighborhood and it started grating on my already fragile nerves.

I just want today to be over. When I have a shitty day, I just want it to end so I can go to bed.

Can someone tell me a good way to post photos on the Net? I would use SCP, but then my mom can't look at them.

I need something simple, that an idiot can use. I found some place that scans photos, so I'll be able to put them up.

And today, I'm starting to realize that I don't think I can go to Taiwan. I want to, but it just might not be realistic. Maybe I should just stay in Mongolia.

I have my baby back!!

My computer is back and it looks like the engineer did a great job. Everything seems to be working faster and he restored a bunch of programs that were screwed after my computer had a virus last year.

In other news, I've decided that things are just screwy today. The pipes in my apartment quick for a while and then spewed out some rust. The cable on my tv quit for a while. I saw two dead dogs laying in a pile of garbage.

It's just that sort of day.

Near to my heart today...

http://www.ifaw.org/page.asp?unitid=848

Was thinking about the dogs in Mongolia. Mongolians like dogs and keep some as pets. However, there are a lot of strays here. They are not scary looking dogs and don't look as mangy as some of the dogs you see in Latin American or hotter climates.
However, a lot of the dogs are not doing well. For example, a poor, sweet little puppy has been wandering around all day in the playground near my house, following kids around. The poor thing just looks lost and has a distended belly. It's very sad.

Mongolians do not have cats. They don't like cats and a cat would not be useful for a nomad.

The dogs in the countryside are supposed to be more fierce since they are guard dogs. I had to have rabies shots to come here. I was worried that I might have to get airlifted to China if I got bit by a dog, but Ingrid assures me that all villages have medication for rabies. Even if you have the rabies shots, you have to have a couple more shots if you've been bitten.

Anyway, I'm feeling sad for the dogs today. I love dogs.

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When Mongolians party, the rest of Asia locks its doors.

-Chinese proverb

Can't sleep...

Do you ever have those moments where you wonder "How did I get here?"

I had one of those tonight. Doki, my translator, came over and I was discussing the countryside trip, and talking to her about visiting various villages and renting a Russian jeep etc.

And after she left, I just thought, "What the hell am I doing, and how did I end up here?"

Not bad of course, just strange.