Hikaru no Go

Just got back from a short solo trip to Bangkok where apparently all I did was look at birds... It was my first time in Thailand ever, and between my relaxation-focused itinerary and the semi-spontaneous meet-up plans on my first two nights (I stayed three), I got to at least familiarize myself with the basics of both train systems and the area around my hotel. I logged 20k–30k steps a day (with an average of 26k steps) but a lot of it was unnecessary walking from having no sense of direction and always getting lost haha! Now my camera roll is full of photos/videos of birds (and reptiles—which deserve their own separate post).

I'm still very new to travel so this is only my second solo trip ever and the first in a country/city I've never been in before. I feel some measure of regret for not eating, shopping, or exploring more, but I'm also pretty happy with the way I traveled—a way that is only possible when I'm by myself. And although I barely slept since I woke up at 3:30AM on Thursday to make my 7:30AM flight, I felt so light and free and open to organic interactions with strangers. (Well, as light and free as one can be when tethered to their phone and fully dependent on Google Maps and power banks. XD)

Maybe one day I'll post about the whole trip but for now—birds!!!

Pictures

I hope I didn't misidentify any of them:



I'm so pleased to be able to recognize the Asian koel call from Wingspan (the only call I internalized because it's so distinctive and familiar), so every time I heard it I felt like I was in Wingspan hahaha. I didn't see any though, I guess they stayed on the trees. ;___;

Did most of my bird-watching in Benchakitti Park and Lumpini Park where my main goal was to see monitor lizards (I only got to see them in Lumpini Park, but I'm not sure if time of day was a factor), but saw common mynas, pigeons/doves, and sparrows (no picture because they're that common) all over the city. :) I hope to see one of the temples if I get to visit again! I had to trim my itinerary so I wasn't overextending myself to make it to meet-ups, and one of the activities I cut off my list was Wat Pho (reclining Buddha). A reason to go back, I suppose. :) (I should make a list of the places I got recommended during the meet-ups too...)

1.
Boosting some initiatives that my oomfs are involved in:

For the rest of the year, Niq (guoldu) is donating 100% of his commission funds to the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition. He does great danmei/baihe-adjacent art (and has incredible range), you can commission him here.

ICE OUT Fundraiser: Heated Rivalry fandom fundraiser

WangXian Against ICE: MDZS fundraiser (the donation period is over, though)

2.
Misc. Links

The Sameer Project (Palestinian-led fundraiser): they recently announced that there's been a huge drop in donations in January, causing mutual aid groups to scale back their operations. They're specifically asking for donations toward the food and water campaign.

Queer Without Borders | Panorama Film Festival: international short films, free to watch on Youtube!

Reports from Unknown Places: short daily fictional reports. Don't you miss blogs? Also on Instagram (where the reports come with pictures/paintings)

The Slowdown: a podcast where they feature one poem a day. (I personally just read the transcripts and treat it like a blog.)

Yonezawa Yoshihiro On “Yaoi”: Why Did Girls Give Up Ordinary Love for Boys’ Love? (1991) - a translated article that has been rotting in my to-read list.


3.
Journaling:
I have been keeping up with my daily planner but can't be bothered to cross-post pics here... In lieu of 3 weeks' worth of journal spreads, here are some food-y ones instead:

2 pics

Because it's a daily journal and I'm too lazy to print photos (since most of my pictures are of food and the neighborhood egret), I've accidentally gotten a little better at drawing basic shapes, which is... good? It's kind of like getting regular drawing practice but without the pressure of a dedicated sketchbook since the main goal is personal note-taking.