I forgot I had a few additional photos on my iPhone: Gotta love that nightly rate: If you’ve ever smelled durian (sao rieng), you understand why it’s banned from the taxis in Singapore: My strange dessert at the hawker center in Singapore: Sometimes these weird desserts are good – like I have a strange affinity [...]

Here’s a video of the dreaded aloo lurking around the fish pond:  [From what I can tell online, the aloo is some type of monitor lizard:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monitor_lizard]

Vietnam’s national soccer team beat Thailand to win the Suzuki Cup last night – apparently the first time Vietnam has ever won it and Thailand had been big favorites to win, etc., etc.  Anyway, for about 5 hours after the game last night, this is what was going on in the streets: I think the [...]

My friend Sharla brought Roberto Bolano’s book 2666 – actually a 3-volume set – to me when she was here a couple of weeks ago.  I finished it on our trip to Bali and I have to say that it is incredible.  Very heavy subject matter – loosely (except for book 2) related to the [...]

We’re back from our trip – got back about 5:30 this afternoon. We had a great trip, but were both beat when we got back. Thao headed home to her place and I am about to go to bed myself as soon as I finish this post. Here are some photos and commentary: Thao in [...]

We got to Singapore last night – and so far I would say you can keep it. It feels very sanitized after Bali – and especially after living in Vietnam. It is too crowded. Saigon is obviously crowded too, but this is a different kind of crowded. Not as interesting – kind of like being [...]

Hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas! We made it to Bali no problem and are having a great time. The resort is incredible and it’s beautiful here. About 90 degrees. Maybe more. So doesn’t feel like Christmas, but it’s nice. We have been chillin’ at the resort so far, but are about to take [...]

Tomorrow’s the day.  Thao and Dr. Dre and I will be chillin’ in Indonesia, bus stop full of fly beeyotches and skeezers. We fly from HCMC to Singapore tomorrow morning at 9:20am.  Have about a 7-hour layover in Singapore.  Neither of us have ever been there so we’re going to take a train/taxi/etc. into the [...]

[I think the above title will ensure that this post becomes my most heavily trafficked to date - so far (to my neverending bafflement) it's been the post about Vietnamese lessons, noodling catfish, and rednecks.]

I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without posting something on the blog. The longer I wait, the less inclined I am to want to post – kind of like exercise. Speaking of which, I have started exercising regularly again – not sure what was going on with me in that regard for a [...]