101 tower is apparently the tallest in the world, woohoo, go taiwan - dec. 2004

I'm obsessed with knitting ponchos - Ali's birthday gift - Dec. 2004

We drove through the worst storm to hit southwestern Ireland in 60 years to get here, AFTER running 26.2 miles' and getting into a car accident - Dingle Peninsula, Ireland - Oct 2004

At least Yankee Stadium has better beer than the Mets - Sept 2004

IM

monday at work,
stuck in a mental fog, a foggy haze, a mental haze, a funk,
staring at the computer screen all day,
heart beating in my throat, irregular and strong...why won't it stop beating,
pulse strangely slow, yet racing

why is it that all i can think about is him,
and now I realize why my heart was racing

he's no fool, to know, that the crush is mutual,
thus crushes reciprocate, over IM no less, so high school!
we flirt more openly - divulging secrets of childhood, family

the subtleties and flirtatiousness over IM is maddening,
I relish the daily IMs, and he the goodbye IMs,
the thrill of being on a conference call, when I know he's on,
he's excited that he doesn't recognize my voice, but rather, only the IM voice

phone call out of the blue, I am unprepared to cross the line,
i sound halting, non-chalant, aloof - why do I always do that,
my heart is ill at ease from that ending,
couldn't help myself but to IM him, but am glad I did,
engrossed in this new discovery,
anxious and yet excited for the day,
it transcends the ether

Sat. afternoon parties at PS1 - Sept. 2004

Capturing the dusk hues of that lovely, warm east village light - Roof of 713 East 9th, NY - July 2004

Coney Island

It might have been all those margaritas and glasses of wine, or that third gin and tonic, or the combination thereof. I met up with Paul, an old friend who was in town, at No Malace Palace, remember flirting with a red-headed boy at the bar, and have vague memories of breaking down crying because we were talking about matters to serious for that time of night and that level of intoxication - how embarrassing. I faintly remember stumbling into Lakeside Lounge to take pics in the photo booth, then going home.

I pried myself out of bed at around 3 pm, and forced myself to meet Ali at the F stop - she seemed to be moving at lightening speed compared to me. I couldn't handle more than a slow shuffle at this point. Nothing like an hour and a half subway ride (on the F*ckin Forever no less) to Coney Island to cure ones Fourth of July hangover.

Several times I thought I would vomit on the train. Once there, Ali ate a Nate's hot dog while I continued to be nauseous for another hour or so. Then, miraculously, because I thought the moment would never come, I felt better. It was like this wave of relief that washed over me.

That night, we ate sushi on my balcony, watched the fireworks from the corner of 9th and C, and enjoyed the balmy weather. Ali went home and I intended to clean and settle in for a relaxing evening at home. No such luck. Paul calls, he and Pete and Nellie wanted to go dancing. I end up going out drinking & dancing at Bob's till 5 a.m.

Tong Hua Jie Night Market

One of the first nightmarkets in the older district of Taipei, near my grandmother's apartment.
The only things that are good here are - reflexology (a.k.a. foot/leg massages that really hurt), dohua tang (sweet tofu & peanut soup), oya jian (taiwanese oyster fry), chinese medicine soup, watch repair & cheap Calvin Kline boxer briefs for women, everything else here is crap.

I'm obsessed w/ photographing every possible angle and view from the entrance - Zhong Zheng Jinian Tang, Taiwan - June 2003

Walking home from an Oakenfold after-hours - Meat Packing District, NY - June 2004 (as if the meat packing were a city)

New and old juxtaposed, along my running route from Taida University back to grandma's apartment - Jia Xing Jie and 101 Tower, Taipei - June 2004

Knitting into the new year

it's a good 13 or 16 hrs for most of you folks, but...happy new year from taiwan!

i wish i could be drunk dialing y'all instead, but given the fact that i'm typing an email at midnight gives you a hint that i'm not out partyin' it up......had shabu shabu hot pot, then shopped till i dropped, now knitting at grandma's house & listening to firecrackers go off. heh.

wishing everyone love and happiness, and no puking, in the new year

-anlih