Whereami

Slowly but surely

Getting some new pictures added. Uploading is taking forever because even the "high speed" internet places can't offer much more than slightly above dialup speed.

But that's good for everyone because it forces me to avoid posting most of the lesser pictures. Right??

Either way, new pictures (now available at larger 1024 x 768 sizes) will be here. Just click on "all sizes" to the left of each picture to see the largest version (please note - strangely, you have to have Macromedia Flash installed before you can select to see all sizes). Also, if you happen to be a proud owner a 30" monitor and want me to email you a link to a...drumroll please - 2304 x 1728 original version of a specific picture (like this one), just lemme know.

All non-proud 30" monitor owners need not apply.

And of course - thanks to everyone who accepted a Flickr invite from me - I'm currently at about 3% of this month's uploading capacity!

So which one is it

I've been doing a little research on The Beach (good starting point here) and so far here's what I've found...

The Beach that Alex Garland wrote about (excellent so far - the first 50 pages give a great description of life in Thailand) was based near Ko Samui and Ko Phangen (where I currently am)
, but the filming was done in Phi Phi Ley (specifically Maya Bay. Also, some waterfall scenes were shot in the Khao Yai National Park), all of which are closer to Phuket (where I'm heading in 10 days or so). The last major difference is the small town of Krabi doubled for Bangkok.

Which begs the question - is it possible to get to the actual beach that Garland was talking about or is the location of the island in the book just made up (I've been wondering about a few other things in the book - ex: that you can pick up a jellyfish without it hurting - as long as it only touches your palms)? Then again, there's probably a reason they call it fiction...

And to quote Leo: It’s where you are now – finding and experiencing things on your own that will make you happy.

Stateside advice

From a globe-trotting friend, currently based out of Phila, PA:

Me: So dude, how do I pick up the foreign women (not exactly phrased like that orginally)?
Him: Prove the ugly American persona wrong, lead them on adventures, take an interest in their country and have some drinks....rinse, repeat.

We'll see what happens.

Where to?

Update #: 17
Currently: Caught in middle of hearing the Simpsons to the left of me and techno to the right.
Recently: Hung out with a few peeps from SAS in Koh Phangan, Thailand.

Still here in Koh Phangan. It's smaller than Ko Samui, or at least it feels that way. Everything's a little quieter (and cheaper) so it's a welcome change. Trying to decide where I should head next - if Phuket will just be more of the same (which wouldn't be terrible) or if I'm ready to brave Bangkok yet.

From there I'm hoping to get into Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia (which according to Ben is mostly safe). Off to do some research - lemme know if you have any suggestions.

Back to the Future

Over the last couple of days, for whatever reason, the crowds at Koh Phangan have really started to thin out (maybe it's because there's not a full, or half, moon party in sight - or maybe it's because rainy season is on its way)...and the more the people leave, the more it feels like I'm going back to a time when the island was a little more virgin.

Conversations start up quicker, it's actually possible to recognize a person or two, and the beaches are practically empty for most of the day. (I was the only one walking on Haat Rin - the main beach - this morning...and it was 10:00am!)

Not sure where I'm going with this, other than - the last couple of days have been noticably more pleasant. Now if I just had some friends to share all this peace and quiet with me :)

Unstuck in Time

Felt a little bit like Billy Pilgram today during my 12 hour commute from Koh Phangan to Phuket. I spent most of my time in a state of semi-consciousness being awoken by strange people in strange places so that I could switch vehicles and continue on to a place I only hoped I was heading (at one point I was crammed on a mini bus trying to sleep while the couple next to me cursed at each other in three different languages).

But I'm here - and not that tired anymore (but still starving) just trying to decide where to stay. I think I'm gonna leave the main area as soon as I get some food and head to Karon Beach. Phuket and Patong are making me a little sick to my stomach (scroll to the bottom to read about the shooting range, mini golf, and go kart racing)

30 minutes for six freakin photos!

And I only added 12 :) Here they are. update: found a slightly faster connection - got about 20 new photos added today (up to around 70 in total) update #2: Added comments (and a link to some writing from Ben) here,

Messing with the locals

Right now I'm wearing a black t-shirt with a picture of a tuk-tuk printed in white. Below the picture there are two things written in Thai...one is "tuk-tuk", the other is "thailand".
Here's an example of what's happened today whenever a tuk-tuk driver tries to get me for a ride...

Them: Hey man! Tuk-tuk?!
Me: (pointing to my shirt) Yes, Tuk-tuk.
Them: (realizing what my shirt says) Ha ha! Tuk-Tuk!!!

Ok, maybe it's only 2 exlamation points funny...

Regardless, good times are shared by all - and the best part is, by the time they stop laughing, I'm far enough away that they can't hassle me anymore.

Best 160 Baht I've spent yet.

ps: I'd like to think they're laughing with me.

All consumption, so little production

Man, did I luck out with the books I brought with me as well as the ones I've picked up along the way (speaking of which...books are f-ing expensive overseas...I've spent more on a single book than I have on a place to sleep a couple of times). So far they've all been nothing but excellent...now if I could just do a little more writing.

also...insert small rant for ebooks...i'm running out of room with all these damn paperbacks. sure, not having to worry about batteries is nice, but i'd trade that benefit in a second if i could have all my books be the size of just one...someday.

Books:
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs - ever wonder why we watched Saved by the Bell?
Hackers and Painters Good read for non-hackers/painters too (like me :)
Slaughterhouse 5 Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
The Beach Set near Ko Samui not Phuket.
The Autobiography of Betrand Russell (vol 1,3)
(couldn't find a good link, and also haven't found vol 2 yet)

On-Line:
How to Be Creative. Printer friendly version here. (zipped file). Other formats here.
The Long Tail Death to the Mass Market!
What the Bubble Got Right by the same author as Hackers and Painters.

and that's not even including my inbox.

We Buy Everything!

A few days ago, I bought two t-shirts that turned out to be the wrong size so I figured it'd be easy to sell them to the small "We Buy Everything" stores that line the streets in Bangkok. After getting turned down rather quickly at the first couple stops, I found out why at the third.

After looking at the tags, the lady said "I no take...made in Thailand." To which I replied that she herself was made in Thailand, what was wrong with that? The shirts were brand new, I just bought the wrong size.

"No buy, I no buy anything from Thailand."

Oh well, too late now :)