Yes, I am late. No, you probably did not notice.

I have been star struck, amazed. I am looking for the word, warmed by the sunshine, just the right temperature, but your eyes cannot adjust to the brightness. You want to see, but the sun won’t let you. Stuck in, what feels like, eternal bliss.

Like a rose, this ephemeral state usually does not last long. But the sun has shone this week, strongly.

Consequently I am here, flabbergasted by the length, brightness and warmth of this light. In Buddhist philosophy, this would be the moment where laymen experience suffering as they cling onto that moment. But I don’t even need to cling, I am sitting here in the sun, unable to open my eyes, locked down.

So please excuse the shortness of these states by I am speaking to you with squinting eyes, which is very hard to do for a metaphysical entity.

The crossroads sees a lot of vehicles and people passing by. Some are determined, some are old friends that come by multiple times a day. Some are new, confused. Some are resting before taking on the next road. The crossroads is impartial. It provides choices to different scenarios, outcomes and even timelines. Despite this heavy burden, the crossroads is not valued much.

Various types would tell you that it is just another necessary thing to have in this world. Purists would disagree. I feel humbled by the crossroads, its power and energy.

If looking at a village, new or old, the centre is a crossroads. There will be streets and alleys, paths and benches, all crossing over in that one spot. It is the centre of life. It joins and parts. So forgive me, I am in awe of the crossroads.

This past week I have been winding, winding myself along one of the most beautiful spots on this weird ball floating in space. Curve after curve, no end in sights. Unless! There it was, a crossroad. 3 decisions to have, one to be made. By me? Many would say so. But I am a dreamer, so the crossroads decided for me.

So in life, when winding around corner and curve, up and down, through beauty and vileness, go look for that crossroads and stop winding for a second. Maybe it will bless you with one of the three decision that it will determine on your behalf.

All day long, on the chaise-longue.

Your dear Papa Shanghai is still out of office, enjoying life’s abundance of spirits. Nonetheless, a new feature in this food stall we call papashanghai.com is cooking on the back burner. But as every soup connoisseur will tell you, it needs to simmer. Stay tuned however for the updates, which will arrive very shortly.

It’s summer. Enjoy the weather, enjoy your company. Enjoy the moments of multitude and solitude.