Perspective

You know what will shake away those blues? Go to another country with absolutely no plan and no knowledge of the language. Oh, it helps if it is an impoverished country, because man that will teach you humility. I am so focused on myself that it's shameful.

Cambodia was amazing. A learning lesson, heartwenching, but an amazing country.

Failure

I wish I could talk more with world travellers. Because I thought you'd find out more about yourself in the process of travelling. You're supposed to grow and find great people and new experiences.

All I'm feeling is sadness right now. I haven't grown. I stayed with family instead of carving out my own path. I've let people make decisions for me and tell me how to live and made the same mistakes I was making in the past.

Two months abroad and less than 2 weeks until I leave and I feel dejected and depressed at myself.

I want a chance to truly fly on my own.

I'm Alive!

Oh, how I wanted to post a travel blog. But here in Thailand I find that a computer with an internet connection is hard to come by.

So before I start backlogging my journeys, I just wanted to thank my friends who put up with me for the two weeks I was in the Bay area before I left.

Fun times were had, especially by me, and especially for my birthday weekend.
So! A short list of things I recommend:

The California Academy of Sciences now does Thursday Night tickets for the 21 and older crowd. No strollers, no kids, and alcohol bars! I love sipping wine and watching fish in a giant aquarium.

Roccapulco for dancing! Please don't mix it with shots, then the dancing becomes difficult.

Vertigo Bar for Sunday Night Rockband night! I'm actualy surprised at the level of Expert players that keep getting better as they drink! What??


I never felt bored or lonely while I was back, so thanks to you my friends!

Vintage Thailand

I am leaving for Thailand at the beginning of next month, and if I didn't have so many things to do by Monday I would be showing a lot more enthusiam about.

But I do have time to share some photos my father took while he was there in the 70's. There were a ton, but these are my favorites. It's a shame his 35mm doesn't work anymore.






There's my dad.



His Royal Highness the King and the Queen of Thailand.



The scanner really ate the pictures, but what can ya do?







My mom's in this picture. I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY MET.














I'm excited! I hope I don't fall into my lazy ways there and miss out on everything.

Love Sucks

For the first time in 3 years I'm flying solo on the day that most single's dread: Valentine's Day. Surprisingly, I embrace this holiday, partner or not. Sure, there are arguments from both sides on how this is just commercialism at it's worst; that the idea of setting aside one day a year to show your love is absurd.

But I love it. There are many people I can show my love to; family, friends, and pets. I think it's a fantastic holiday because honestly, without today many people just wouldn't spring for flowers and sweets without a reason. Of course I would prefer a relationship where affection was showed sporatically and without reason. But c'mon... we're talking about guys here. I've witnessed the breed and can draw my own conclusions by now.


And what is sad is that the best Valentine's Day I've ever had I spent single and alone. My parents drove up to State College to visit my sister while I stayed home. I was still in high school. There was a "Love Sucks" marathon on AMC, and they played vampire movies all day. So me any my cat just curled up on the couch and watched vampire movies all day. It was the best.

So much so that every following year I watch avampire movie on Valentine's Day. Let's continue the tradition!

So Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Let's hope your love sucks.

Why Did You Bother?

In Ontario there is a store called The Tofu Store. They sell a whole bunch of delicious tofu treats from Vietnam.

Overheard in line:

Daughter: What are you going to get?
Old Mother: Tofu.

....

AND NOTHING ELSE WAS SAID.

Free!

Over ten years after having my braces removed, today I finally got them to remove the wire they placed on the back of my teeth.

What I didn't anticipate, however, was that there was a book of photos in my former orthodontist's waiting room. And guess what I found in the front of the book! Eleven year old T!!!

Some old scars resurfaced.

OH THOSE GLASSES. THE BRACES. OHHHHH WHYYYYYYY HAS THAT THING BEEN THERE FOR THE LAST DECADE?!?!

A Year of Life in Motion

Resolution -

Learn from my past mistakes. Do not repeat them.