thought we could all (i guess that's me and my readership of 1) use a happy picture. this is somewhere along the coast of the coromandel peninsula in new zealand. happier times, happier place (at least for me). i remember driving to the tip of the peninsula. the last several miles were on unpaved roads. yet there were people who lived out there, and there was even a hostel out there. but i camped. set up my wee tent at a campsite on the beach. it was glorious. fell asleep and awoke to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. it was scary, though, because with all the flaps closed, it sounded like the water was washing up inches away. but it wasn't. it stayed at the same place all night, give or take a few feet what with the tides and all. ahh, i have been so garrulous as of late. please forgive.