Saturday, July 25, 2009

好久不見

You'll have to forgive the absence. It's not that I didn't stop thinking about you, or forget that you love to check up on my life. It's merely that sometimes I get so fed up with these technological doodads, and working all day on them means spending an hour or two writing about my life is, quite honestly, the last thing I want to do. So, can you really blame me if, in my spare time, I want to slip away for a month or two?

Not only that, I have been quite busy. Work, while being on overload, has not been the most preoccupying component of my life at the moment. My Chinese classes take the winning spot for that role. Essentially, I went from a lovely old grandmother of a teacher that never gave homework, optional exams that carried no real weight and bought us dinner and presents on occasion to a teacher that assigns us homework every day (the horror!), administers daily quizzes and gives us tests that I am sure would challenge a native speaker. Upon leaving class, I am inundated in Chinese Characters. So, I am sorry, less time for you.

I am sure you're wondering about the weekends. Surely can't a compromise be reach in that department? Well, yes and no. For you see, about three months ago, when I stopped writing about Taiwan consistently, I purchased a new motorcycle after my previous one was so egregiously taken from my possession. In the past three months, I have racked up almost 4,000 kilometers on this new two-wheeler (mind you, I have no commute so this is all done on weekend trips), a feat which can only be accomplished if I have set aside a significant amount of time away from the computer.

The trips have been glorious. Mostly through winding country roads or along charming cliff sides. I have driven to the beach a few times and of course explored some of the stunning mountain tops. These trips have all been splendid, exhilarating, adventurous and fascinating, but not necessarily blog worthy. I have posted plenty on biking and hiking trips around Taipei and these recent months haven't necessarily stood out against my previous journeys.

Thus, I have taken a four pronged-approach in explaining my absence: too much computer time, excessive studying, a new motorcycle and trips not worthy of posting. However, good excuses often make for lousy apologies so I will make a deal with you. I will devote more time to writing if you devote more time to reading. Invite friends along- cook some popcorn and read some of the classic posts I have on my blog out loud to each other. I am sure you'll look crazy doing it, but the only person judging you will be the other person listening. And of course me.

From your out of touch blogger, with his sincerest regret, Michael.