hn42.

hey all. it's been some time, and i've been getting shit for not writing, so i think it's about time for some news, some thoughts, and well, some more useless blog entry-ness. oh and there are new photos, so check it out.

first and foremost, i am busy. finally. for the first time in months, i have a completely full schedule. the worm project is underway, although moving slowly than expected. i guess i made the mistake that may cost us the project, by not thinking ecologically. you see, reproduction rates depends on population density, and when we bought the worms, i ignored that. instead of putting all the worms in one bed to reproduce and then separate them out, i split the small quantity we bought between 4 beds, and now the worms are not multiplying as fast as necessary. and if we can't sell the first fertilizer before the rains, we can't get the pulp stored, and then the product will drop in quality, and well, you get the point. but i think its still ok to be optimistic.

two, the renewable energy project is moving along. my counterpart will be at an all expenses paid workshop on the beach all week, learning about turbine maintenance. the week after we have a meeting with a local NGO to discuss the details and costs, and I think we have two organizations to back us up. it seems like this may work. i think.

three, this coming monday about ten of us volunteers will meet with the local organization that manages Celaque, the national park, and hopefully we can start a permanent partnership and collaborate on the management of the park and its buffer zone. i may poop my pants if this works, because well, opportunity of a life time.

four, well, there's lots more. i'm back to mapping fincas for producers, doing one or two every day that i dont have something else going on. its a pain, walking coffee farms on mountain slopes, getting sweaty and scratched up, but every time is an opportunity to get to know people, and learn something new. like for example, right now is chikirin season (they're like cicadas), and they're everywhere, and they excrete water at high pressure, so if you walk around coffee farms right now, you always feel a drizzle. i had no idea until a farmer told me. go figure. walking around gettin urinated on doesnt sound like fun, but its kinda refreshing.

i am also looking into starting a garden project, but i dont even want to go into that.

and finally, the horse. ruso is awesome. as we speak, or i write, or whatever, his bit is being fashioned at a nearby blacksmith's and so by next week, or two weeks or so, he will be bit trained and ready to go faster and longer distances. right now though, all i can say, is he's just like me. hotheaded, stubborn, and quick to act. but i like that. i wouldn't have it any other way.

and in terms of life, well i think im happy. in fact, i know i'm happy. and that's all that really matters. i'm broke, i live a simple life, and for the first time in years i'm calm, not stressed, and really happy. so. you know, in terms of the ups and downs of peace corps, i'm pretty damn up.