The juggler

What does a 9-6 job, five days a week do to me?
It makes me too tired to do anything afer that because:
- The feet hurts from standing too much. So all I wanna do is sit.
- After all the dispensing and mind boggling problems to solve, I just want to be brainless after work.
- I couldn't be bothered about what I have been eating. So, adding more kg.
- Question myself when I get home: Did I give the correct drug to the patient? I hope so *prays*

On my days off, I just want to rot at home and do minimal walking.

Thats why there seems to be a lack of photos.
I haven't brought out my camera once to take pictures of this place eventhough I have been here for a month already.

On a brighter note,
Pictures will start popping real soon...like in two weeks time....
The job needs stamina, but its really like being in heaven, working with angels to shoot arrows at the earthlings to give them life... well, at least a longer life to live XD

Im only a student. Looking at the real pharmacist working, time will never be enough to finish everything daily because the pharmacist is needed at the front counter, the dispensary, the admin work, the shop floor, the private consultations, the services, CD reg, stock check.... n so on...

In conclusion, the right answer to this question will be:
Why do you want to be a pharmacist?

Because I am a professional multitasker :)

Perspective

A little bit of comic relief: I looked out my living room window this morning and this is what I saw. Momentarily boggling, for sure ~.^

Have you tried Dynamic Viewing yet? Five new views in all. Use the blue tab at the top of the view page to check them all out .

Done

Some things take time to finish, like the new building at corner of Lækjargata and Austurstræti (right there on this amazing interactive map of our pretty city.) It replicates the one that burned down in 2007, which was one of the oldest in our city. (From the picture in the last link you can see that the new building was raised up a whole level, which actually suites the sightline just fine.) We're all happy to see this corner, which anyone who has visited Reykjavík will have passed by at least once, looking fine and shiny again.

In my response to a reader's comment in the last post, I put myself in the awkward position of having to back my words up with action and find something slightly unique relating to Iceland to present to visitors. And here it is: just about as random and bizarre a connection as you could imagine between Iceland and California. Thanks to a local woman, another FBI manhunt is done.

On an artistic note, please treat yourself to some true beauty by watching part 1 of the latest Weird Girls Project video, this time set to the evocative Love the Earth score by Imogen Heap. Producer, Concept Artist and Artistic Director Kitty Von-Sometime has once again created a work of art (be sure to view it full screen and then watch more of her work offered in the Vimeo menu, with soundtracks by some of Iceland's best musicians.)

Have you tried Dynamic Viewing yet? Five new views in all. Use the blue tab at the top of the view page to check them all out : )

Baby me

I was always the fat one AND chubby, with sugarcane arms.

Also the first to get bitten by mosquitoes... up till now.

Good thing is: I haven't lost the smile :D

Nesstofa

Seltjarnarnes is one of my favorite spots to go for an easy seaside stroll (or midnight golf) as well as for an almost guaranteed great photo or two. This shot, taken at midnight on a lovely June evening, is of Nesstofa, a 1760's fusion of Danish architectural expertise and Icelandic esthetics. It currently houses the Medical History Museum of Iceland and has recently been the focus of an archeological investigation.

For anyone coming here I highly recommend you pick up a copy of the very popular 25 Beautiful Walks of the Greater Reykjavik Area, which I had the pleasure to translate into English, and which includes a wonderful and detailed description of the nature and history of this area (and the website selling it online, nammi.is, is pretty cool itself, though of course you can also find it in all bookstores here on the island.)

Have you tried Dynamic Viewing yet? Five new views in all. Use the blue tab at the top of the view page to check them all out : )

Boys in Girls Dresses

We lived in Hong Kong from when I was aged 5 to 7.  One day my Dad, who liked taking photos, asked the three of us boys to pose for photos in front of the electric fire.  Stephen (eldest) dressed in his scout uniform. Alan (middle) dressed in his cub uniform.  Peter (me, the ikkle one) wasn't in either of those organisations.  I was 6 years old. And I wanted to wear a dress.

Hong Kong - back then

So I did. Christ knows where I found the thing, but I wore it. The design of the dress could probably attract a pretty solid case of crimes against humanity at the Hague nowadays.  I wore it with a doily on my head.  It is perhaps the most embarrassing picture in the history of mankind (or was - more later).  My dad took my photo nonetheless, and into one of our photo albums it later went.

Evil Big Bros

My brothers, quite naturally, took the piss out of me mercilessly. My dad was in the army. He was not an educated man: he had been placed first into foster care aged 8, then when he ran away, into the "Cottage Homes" orphanage near Portsmouth. The orphanage was later the subject of all sorts of child cruelty claims through this period (see here).  He left school at 15 with no qualifications at all and literally no where to go.  He did a motor apprenticeship and joined the army - there he served 23 years, fought in three armed conflicts, and made the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Mutti and Dad

My father was however a very intelligent and kind man. "Don't be so silly" were pretty much the words I think he used to my big brothers, as they tried to mock me in my dress.  "Some grown men dress up as women and make money out of it. One is called Danny La Rue.  There's nothing wrong with it at all." This was 1977.  Silence followed.  My brothers shut up.

ME! On holiday in Camargue, aged 7

Amazing

What my Dad did that day, was in my opinion nothing short of amazing.  I firmly believe nothing can influence your child's sexuality.  I happen to be gay: I realised it when I was about 13 or 14.  Whatever the cause, to me personally it's as natural as being right or left handed - we are simply that way - fight or suppress it as much as you like.

I wasn't "girly" as a child; I was happy and balanced, had really good (both male and female) friends and was enormously comfortable in my skin.  I was never picked on: I was the popular golden haired boy at school and outside. I was known as the Cheshire Cat I smiled so much.

In a similar vein to your sexuality, for whatever reason some guys (straight and gay) obviously like to cross-dress. Personally, I can't say I have ever felt a pressing need to wear women's clothes again since this time.  If people do, good luck to them.  I do wish that a few more parents could have been as wonderful as my dad was if their children wish to dress up as many do.  He showed sensitivity and inclusion, made me feel loved, and tried to reinforce to both me and my brothers that it was okay to be different.
 
Is my lack of transvestism because of Dad? I'm no child psychologist, but I totally doubt it.  I think I would have done it, or not done it, regardless.  What I do know is that by behaving differently he could have turned a happy child into a miserable one for no reason whatsoever.  Dad died in March 2000 suddenly of a heart attack whilst training for the London marathon, aged 60.  I love him for many reasons, but this episode sticks so clearly in my mind.

Society has the problem

If you get the chance, watch "Ma Vie en Rose" - a French DVD about a little cross-dressing boy.  You rapidly realise he does not have the problem - society and more specifically his family does.  His parents come close to wrecking a young life for fear of what others think.  The movie is actually superb; and without spoiling the end, very redeeming and uplifting.

Oh and the famous photo? I stole it out of the album and ripped it up at 15.  I was worried it revealed early gay inclinations (totally confusing sexual orientation with transvestism, obv).  What a shame, I could have posted it now and had a laugh with all you guys.  It really WAS awful!

Marry you/ I want you

From him:

To him: