Far away friends.

Crater Walkers Gunung Bromo, originally uploaded by Hueystar.

Nothing warms my heart more then knowing i have some of the best friends in the world. I am lucky to know and have more then just one, and don't ask me to pick just one as my favourite either. Each individual is unique and beautiful in their own way. They do all have some important traits in commen though. Honesty, yes brutal honesty, even when you don't want to hear it or are not ready to hear. They may talk behind your back about things but they will also tell you to your face. The truth sometimes stings but our friends can see things that we sometimes don't see or don't want to see. I may curse them for a couple of days, but nothing is richer then someone who can tell you like it is.
Being there is another one, it doesn't help if your friend isn't there emotionally for you when things are rough, or if you want to have a good laugh. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are there 24/7, but the ability to check in with you via skype, email, tea breaks, or parties. Spending quality time and reaffirming your care for each other in good conversation makes me feel like i will already live longer then most people (that's what science says!).
And lastly, balance. A balance in the relationship where you can listen and not judge, if you don't listen and only judge.. then it get's really one sided. We are all not perfect in our relationships but a real friend will have these traits, and if they don't then we can forgive them when they realize they may not be living to their true potential.

What do you think of when you hear the word "Escapism"?

Untitled, originally uploaded by Oliver Bryce Yates.

The population dilemma

Mother_trailer from Tiroir A Films on Vimeo.

I had just finished reading American novelist Jonathan Franzen 's newer book "Freedom", and then interestingly i came upon this documentary that deals with population growth as environmental and educational issue, which is something that the book's main character tries to champion passionately, yet not so successfully. The correlation between education and how many children we have hopefully decide to have is something that is easily proven through out the world. The connection between more people and the destruction of the earth by needing more 'things', is also something we can see very plainly. It will be interesting to see if this issue will become an environmental, or even a government platform in the next decade.
It is in our nature to procreate, but it is also in our nature to take care of our children and not destroy our mother earth. The balance of all life is key. How is this sensitive issue going to be addressed?