The Agonist - Agonist Travel Journals

Birding And Photos

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:50:39 -0700

If the weather holds I am going to the bird sanctuary (I know it's technically not 'birding' but really now!) on the river tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed and hopefully we'll get some great photos out of it.

Life Is Strange

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:13:00 -0700

Just had to write up another quick post. You know, life is just strange. Perhaps I am semi-charmed. For years and years all I can remember is that I wanted to live somewhere and learn Chinese. I wanted to live in and be in Asia--which for me symbolizes the future. Aside from all that 'Pacific Century' hokum the establishment guardians--who've never been here, no less--pine on and on about.

About this time last year my marriage had fallen apart, my professional life was a disaster and I was personally lost. I didn't know what I wanted to do, to be, when I grew up. At 36 years old to boot. But I knew I wanted to be in Asia. At least, that was my hope, my prayer at the time. However, the Almighty, I have been told, has three answers to prayers: "yes, no and not yet."

Somehow what I wanted didn't work out and I ended up in Istanbul--a magical place I mourn for frequently--and then more disaster struck and I came home. I ended up in Austin and found a 'real' job again. And now, six or seven months later I am in Singapore having a conversation with the lady who runs the hotel I am staying in until my flat is ready in my garbled 'Amo' version of Chinese and it struck me: "what the fuck am I doing here--and how cool is this?"

Life isn't easy or fair. And when I measure the scales of fairness in regards to my own I realize mine isn't fair either. It's been more than fair to me. And for that I am truly grateful. La?

Today's Misadventures

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:58:13 -0700

Fisherman's sandals (it's the wooden heels that getcha!) and wet Singapore mornings along the sidewalks made mostly of tile is not a good combination. After dashing across the street like a lithe cat I stepped onto the tiled-sidewalk, slipped and fell on my ass. In front of about twenty people no less! Of course I stood up and took a bow after my fall, but the lesson is: be more careful.

Second, when eating lunch with the boss make sure to be careful with one's chopsticks and not fling red-pepper noodles all over his new white shirt.

Just a few few suggestions, learned the hard way.

Happy Fourth of July everyone I'm going out on the town with my co-workers tonight--wish me luck!

Note to Self

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:47:35 -0700

Note to self: when speaking with Aussies remember, it's not summer. They live under the equator, therefore it is winter.

Duh!

Humor

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:05:19 -0700

Two humorous anecdotes for today and then it is off to bed for me.

First, I need to get a haircut and I am terrified. I got a couple of haircuts in Korea whilst living there and let's just say because I don't have coarse black hair my cuts didn't turn out so well. I asked our director where his wife gets her hair done--but sadly the place had recently closed. So, I'll be calling the concierge of one of the nicer hotels in town for ideas.

Second: doing business in Japan is strange. First, most of it is done via email because spoken language over the phone is just plain hard. So, when addressing men I usually add "-san" at the end of his last name. It's an honorific equivalent to 'sir.' Well, today I had a Japanese man ask me to please refer to him by his first name, as he preferred the 'American style.' Just interesting, no?

That's all for me. Happy Fourth of July everyone. I'll be working tomorrow as we cover 7 time zones and half the population of the planet here in our Singapore office; so life goes on. Have a beer and some bar-b-cued ribs for me, please! I'll be thinking about all of you while I eat roast duck or some such.

PNG

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:17:13 -0700

Well, I haven't been there yet, PNG that is, but I've called. I had to make a few sales calls to PNG today. Go figure. Certainly easier to deal with than the Indians!

More Photos Up

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:46:38 -0700

More photos up at Flickr.

Wiped Out

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:36:54 -0700

I am absolutely wiped out. I'll have more tomorrow, er, later tonight for you folks stateside. Have I mentioned the food? It's really great. More pics coming tomorrow too. I took quite a few on the walk home. One quick note: I loved Istanbul and pine to go back at some point. Needless to say, however, the vibe here is quite different, but oddly similar in ways too. Perhaps it is the fact that both cities lie athwart two great straits--Malacca and the Bosporus.

And everyone adds a 'la' to the end of everything here, la?

Blue Skies Now Gray

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:40:47 -0700

There were nothing but blue skies for miles this morning, but the rain just rolled in and it is gray. Big booming tropical thunderheads to boot. I guess I shouldn't be surprised as I am only 90 miles north of the equator. Maybe I'll make it south of the line soon!

Singapore Pics

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:43:22 -0700

Some new Singapore pics are up here if you are so inclined.

And hey, Maub, I'll get into India real soon. Promise.

Arrived

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:08:44 -0700

What a strange place Singapore is. Modern, but traditional. I had breakfast on the sidewalk--and I have no idea what I ate--and bought a pack of smokes. With the photos of the dissected nasty lungs on the front of the pack I don't see myself smoking long here.

The people are very polite. Everyone says, "good morning," unlike traveling in China. The city is very orderly. Very modern. Our view from the office is stupendous--the Straits of Malacca are right out my window.

A new world, at least for me. Here's the view from my office follows the jump

On The Way To Singapore

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:35:16 -0700

Well, I pulled it all off. Packed, moved, finalized all my local affairs and narrowed my entire life down into one big suitcase, one garment bag and one small carry-on. I like to travel light. Even more, I like adventure. And I have to say this one is really different than all the rest. There is a purpose. A goal. A project. I'm not just wandering, to wander. I'm excited. I've waited many years for an opportunity like this and I cannot wait to share the joys, the ups, the downs and the inevitable misadventures with you all.

So, until I arrive, stay well. Singapore, here I come!

Singapore

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:21:26 -0700

I'd like some suggestions from y'all as to what you want me to cover and/or write about whilst in Singapore. Obviously, politics, due to employment reasons, is way off limits, but as to the region at large: Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc . . I'm game for anything. I'm even hoping of making a trip to Burma, so suggestions welcome.

Movers

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:30:40 -0700

I hate moving. I hate packing. I hate crap like this. And that is what I am doing all day. Moving. Up the stairs and then down the stairs filling up the big truck and headed to storage. Ahhh, what joy!

Sunday Morning Color

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:47:14 -0700

This was taken between Yazd and Tabas in the Dasht-e-Kavir in Iran. Just another one of my favorite photos.