Strike the perfect dance/life balance

This video brought tears to my eyes. Something about it is just so touching; It has what I feel is the perfect balance of silliness, community and adventure that a good life requires, all summed up into a happy little jig.

Oh, and the "Demilitarized Zone, Korea" scene is totally my favorite.


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

*Thanks for the link, Becky!

All is Quiet on the Doggy Front

Today was an excellent day. Why? Because on my way home from the gym this morning I took my usual exciting route through the parking lot, and THE DOG! The ferocious, snarling, terrifying German shepherd that always acts as though it is about to eat through the wrought-iron gate and gobble my innards? That dog DIDN'T BARK AT ME TODAY. She didn't even bother to stand up, she just lied there while I meandered by offering her my usual "Hi, Puppy! Hello there, you!" Which means that I frequent the gym often enough that she doesn't think I'm going to steal her dead squirrel skeleton or whatever. Which also means that I can now officially call myself a regular-worker-outer, which certainly pleases me.

See that, body? You can ache and burn as much as you'd like, but my will power is still kicking your ass. Literally.

'Twill be Twittered

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What you've all not been waiting for!

Here we go again ...

I felt the need to drop off the face of the blogosphere for a few months after returning from India, not because I didn't want to update anyone on my life, but ... well, sort of because I didn't have a whole lot that I wanted to say that wasn't ONLY about what I'd been doing the past half a year. And I was lazy. Let's not discount that. But here I am again, for whatever reason (maybe it's the delicious omelet I made for breakfast that I really feel like talking about*), and I think I will finally respond to those of you who wanted to hear about THE BIG RETURN. How did it go? How was the reverse culture shock? Did I get you your very own guru?!?

It would be accurate to say that I was thrilled to be back. It would also be accurate to say that it really sucked. For the first few days my pupils were so enlarged by the excitement I felt at things like Chipotle and honest-to-gosh grocery stores that I considered wearing strong-prescription glasses so I didn't look like I was on E. But gradually, the novelty of open roads and the peace and quiet of Denver's suburbs wore off and I felt pretty lonely. Really lonely. Where are the cows? The honking? The thrill of a swerving rickshaw? Okay, now I'm just being melodramatic. I missed my friends. I missed a feeling of belonging. I hated the fact that nothing had changed while I was gone. I mean, I changed so much -- how is it that the world didn't change along with me? And so goes the plight of many-a-traveler, so I'm told.

Now it has been four months. FOUR months! The reverse culture-shock has subsided and I am now settled in Chicago. Yay Chicago! I love it here. I do miss the open skies of Colorado, though. Once you get used to that, it's hard to live under low-hanging clouds and not have sun all but a few days a year.

My next endeavors: getting cats. And a Wii. Just so I can complete the becoming-a-hermit circuit.

*My omelet included the following ingredients: Eggs. Milk. Fresh chopped tomatoes, asparagus and shallots. Brie and goat cheese. It happens to be Mother's Day, and I've been treating myself so well I'm wondering if I've actually got children I should be aware of.

India: I've Attached the Same ... Isn't It?

Here it is, folks -- my attempt at a video recap of my time in India. I don't know why it's quite so pixelated but when I learn more about such things I'll work on fixing that. Until then, my apologies and enjoy!

India: I've Attached the Same ... Isn't It?

For a more introspective look at things, my friend Nate put together an interview-style documentary of our experience in India that's a whole lot better than mine.

India Voices: The Director's Cut