My most sincerest of apologies to any readers who have been stuck in rapture for an update over the last few days. I’m pretty sure that the list is contained to my parents (love ya!), my cats (via my parents) and an Elvis Presley impersonator based in New Jersey.

I’ve made my way back to Salzburg, Austria, and my trip has begun to have a twisted déjà vu effect of sorts. The city is full of tourists, as it will be eternally for years to come. I’m working at the same Irish Pub as I was two years ago, with a similar mix of Austrian ‘party boys’ (self-titled) and Austrian beauties. The river runs from the south to the north, and Germany is still but a 15€ cab-ride away.

And yet, it’s ever important to remember that the only constant is change. Things are different. They always are. At this point, I’ll mirror great words sent to me by a very influential friend of mine:

Find enjoyment in transience. We make every effort to keep things as they are, because human beings, alone, lament transience. Yet no matter how we grieve or protest, there is no way to impede the flow of anything. If we but see things as they are and flow with them, we may find enjoyment in transience. Because human life is transient, all manner of figures are woven into its fabric.
–Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds

The truth is that things are a bit different, despite their similarities. Almost all of the staff at the pub has flipped over, and a city that used to seem so foreign, so unknown to me, now seems like an old friend.

Life of late has been more adminstrative than anything else. I’ve secured a job, although I am far from having a schedule that is either predictable or trustworthy. I’ve procured a cell phone (aka handy) and already have a dozen or so contacts for partying and lake excursions. Finding a flat, however, has been a difficult venture. At the moment I am couch surfing with a former co-worker, and I am ever-grateful for his hospitality. My flat search to date has consisted of promises made and reneged, and thus other opportunities missed by short days. I remain optimistic.

As for the summer to come, I am in the process of laying out some pretty awesome short-term goals. In a couple of days I plan to ride the train south to Croatia to hang out with a good friend from back home. I’m debating a Ryan Air flight to Dublin for a few nights. I intend to book a reservation at Salzburg’s esteemed Ikarus Restaurant at Hangar 7. Check out the culinary/Ikarus Restaurant section. I’m also going to rock out at fm4′s Frequency Festival. Take a look at the bill. Suggestions are welcome.

Last but not least, I have full intentions of tandem paragliding this summer. I may be afraid of heights, but I can’t help but be jealous of birds. We compromise.

I’m officially guilty of wearing three-quarter length pants. Please don’t hate the player, hate the game.