Culture Shock

It's the winter holiday season and I'm feeling full of both holiday cheer and frustration. The holiday cheer ... well, because I'm seeing my family on vacation ...Holiday cheer because the weather in San Antonio (Texas) is just gorgeous (big skies, cold but not too cold, crisp air)...Holiday cheer because one my photos has received some recognition.

And...

Frustration because I let my driver's license expire and there is simply no way to get around this city easily without a license to drive! Frustration because my inability to drive has meant not getting out with my camera to take photos. Frustration because I really don't think it's that safe to walk around with my Nikon D200 in my neighborhood (to clarify, I think I would be safe in body, but that someone would likely watch to see where my camera lives ...) Frustration at coming back to the U.S. to see that there actually seem to be even more shockingly obese people than I remember ever seeing before (hello! mandatory nutrition classes for all k-12 students!). Frustration at the shockingly bad service just about everywhere I've been so far (yes, the folks sure are friendly in Texas, but please, bad service with a smile and a chat just doesn't do it for me!)

Frustration that we all have to wait til next year to hope that enough people have a clue to elect someone with a vision for compassion and the strength to lead us out of this mess.

I'll try and post something actually more cheerful soon, but until then, please do take a moment to watch the video below.