New Leaves

I used to know quite a bit about global politics. Then, I went to graduate school, where I drifted into domestic politics, half purposefully, half because it seemed like I didn't have a lot of other options (which, in hindsight, probably wasn't true). I don't regret the decision to focus on domestic issues in my academic career, but the upshot is that my knowledge of international affairs and foreign policy has rotted away like so much flesh on an old zombie (just finished reading World War Z).

I've never had much of the travel bug, but this insular focus has largely squashed the little one that I did have. So, along with my newfound commitment to happiness, I think I want to commit to pursuing adventure. I am dissatisfied with my satisfaction. I have never sought dangerous, adrenaline-inducing activity. Rather, I have preferred to spend my leisure time in more comfortable confines. I have preferred movies to real life and comfortable chairs in air conditioned living rooms to hard ground after a long hike in a foreign or domestic wilderness.

This preference sucks. I don't like it. I'm tired of siphoning my adventure from other people's fantasies.

So, combining these two desires (to be less America-centric and to be more adventurous)...I might go to South America for spring break.