Musings from Budapest

The day after Thanksgiving, sunshine on the tip of Nép Sziget, an island in the Danube. After yesterday's anxiety, a little perspective about my residency stuff. I sip tea that's too hot to drink, watch a fisherman casting into the current, and trace my location on Budapest's riverscape. A peaceful moment soaking up vitamin D while recovering from my cold and reflecting on last night's surprisingly good holiday gathering.

Thanksgiving abroad, low key panic attack after I get a cryptic email about my residency permit reporting requirement. No clear instructions, a looming deadline, and my mind spirals. Why did I even hit record?

Walk to the grocery store on Thanksgiving Eve—or just Wednesday in Hungary. Hunting for cranberry sauce ingredients cuz I became "the cranberry sauce guy" at last year's holiday dinner. Lingering cold symptoms and musings about single mothers with twins. And what about that magica Hungarian supermarket technology that somehow knows exactly what fruit I'm weighing without scanning.

Project cycles. A producing partnership, battery died. Anxiety over projects ending and uncertainty. Then my brain peters out. Turns out the battery was foreshadowing... But that's the real. That's how it goes sometimes...

Doc style, mundane. No deep thoughts. No stellar observations. Just shopping in Hungary, via a quick trip to the mall across the street from my building. I pick up takeout, chat with the cafeteria gal, and snag fresh bread and Hungarian lager at the grocery store. I jaywalk, navigate escalators, and share updates about my documentary project—all while recording the everyday adventure of life abroad.

I have a really weird recurring dream and today, you're gonna hear all about it.

Every wanted to know what it sounds like to be a struggling Hungarian learner? Dive right in, suckers!

Discussed the surprise snowfall on November 22nd. Recalled past expatriation experiences in Hungary and living in LA. More on the challenges of forming a community abroad. A few notes on integrating into local culture. This damn a lingering chest cold.

November 20, 2024

I have a cold and am sympathizing about RFK Jr.'s voice struggles. Left a year ago. Thing about life changes and life outside the comfort zone.

I made an app using ChatGPT. Got me thinking about AI’s broader societal implications, where I deftly dismiss the alarmist point of view. Just ask Ben Affleck.