Time flies when you’re on cloud nine.
SONG INSPIRATION
This month’s blog is inspired by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s single, Industry Baby.
ICELAND – A TWO-PART LIMITED SERIES
Visiting Iceland was a spiritual experience. It’s unrelenting, pristine beauty captivated me every hour of every day whether I was strolling through Reykjavik, riding the backroads of random farms, or hiking on 40-year-old lava flows. Life willing, I will definitely return, if for nothing else, then to conduct a writing retreat – gaining inspiration from the Icelandic countryside (or even Reykjavik) – and marvel at its crisp, volcanic landscapes.
Work
The impetus for my travel to Iceland was field work. I helped collect data for a project on a specific lava flow. The work portion of the trip was a week, which included a 5-day field campaign. Field work has never been my strong suit. It can be arduous, uncomfortable, and nerve wrecking. Yet, on this trip, I found myself confident and capable. It was one of the better, if not, the best field experiences I’ve had. No doubt the weather played a major role in that – it wasn’t hot or humid. And the rain and midges were minimal (and much less than I anticipated thankfully). I also had superb gear which kept me as comfortable as possible in the wind and rain. As a result, I was able to focus on observing the lava texture, flow morphology, and – most importantly – collecting samples. I learned how to better sample and use a handheld LIBS. OK, enough nerd talk. I’m going down a rabbit hole.
Pleasure
After field work, I stayed an additional week in Iceland for fun. How dare I travel to Iceland and not explore! Field work gave me a chance to explore the natural and rugged aspects of the country and it crossed off all of the expected off-roading, hiking, Ring Road travel, etc. that people have come to expect others to do while visiting Iceland. Not that I care what others think with respect to MY travels. Nevertheless, the remaining week was spent largely in and around Reykjavik. I watched Thor (an appropriate choice that continues a tradition of watching a movie whenever I visit another country), participated in a palate pleasing food tour, visited a famous hot spring, experienced a frigid whale watching expedition, and took a bus tour of the Golden Circle. Not to mention, I had plenty of delicious meals at trendy restaurants. I also incorporated leisure days with no scheduled activities which were reserved for lounging around the hotel or taking a stroll through town.
POST-TRAVEL CLARITY
One thing I love about travel is the state of mind that comes with being away from the day-to-day routine. It’ll take months for me to process one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. But I did spend a lot of time on the trip (and since I’ve returned) reflecting on my career, social priorities, familial obligations, and the trajectory of my life. Many of these realizations have been brewing for the past few months, but there’s nothing like removing yourself from a situation that helps you see things more clearly. I realized I want writing to be an integral part of my existence. I realized I want to become a global citizen and share spectacular places with friends and family. I realized that family is a choice, not just blood, and I want my family to evolve as I get older. Some of these ideas will become clearer and more concise as I reflect on my journey and I look forward to sharing them in depth.
FALL 2022
The end of summer is nigh. I already have a busy line-up this fall including a few invited talks, guest lecturing (which involves an extended stay out of state), a conference, plenty of travel, and papers to write and submit for publication. To say nothing of the novel I aim to complete and the apartment I need to pack. This fall promises to keep me quite busy, but I’m here for it. There’s much to be excited about at the personal level and I’m not going to shy away from it.
CURRENT SHOWS
Recently finished: Beastars (s1); Columbo (s1); Law & Order: SVU (s23); Modern Family (s11); Squid Game; The Chair
Currently watching: Beastars (s2); Columbo (s2); Ms. Marvel
Currently reading: Wine for Dummies
Thank you for reading! My next blog is scheduled for Thursday, August 25th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 