Crazy Leg Syndrome

I was very lonely for a little while when I first arrived in Tokyo. I stayed in a hostel with nobody I knew. Hostels have a unique way of throwing people together and crossing the trails of unlikely souls. I found myself in a strange kitchen making tea. A Japanese man in his forties came in with a young Canadian man. Conversation bubbled up and before I could figure out what was going on we were equally enthralled by each others philosophies. I spoke of some thoughts that had been swirling in my mind, observations on our generation. The unbelievable power of perception. The extent to which we seem to have forgotten our interpretation controls our happiness.

It's a very roundabout way of verifying yet another cheesy cliche... you have the power to change everything. Have faith and patience and the world is at your feet. Karma loves you.

I'm ashamed to say I don't remember their names, but the Japanese man was kind enough to draw me something from Japanese culture which matched my ideas quite perfectly. I keep the piece of paper in my wallet to remind me of perspective to this very day.

The syntax may be funny but nothing is lost in translation.

The drawing is one a good friend I met through couch surfing did on the back of a Tiffin wrapper. He was illustrating the hilarity of trekking the Andes. It was drawn on Inisheer late Summer 2009. I was quite literally crying with laughter as he told the story.

It's funny how we keep certain objects to hand at all times. These items make me smile or inspire me!

Happy New Year
Love, Ms Alternative