Arrival In Singapore Turns Naked Feet Into Pressing Issue

Since arriving in Singapore on Thursday, we’ve settled into a temporary flat, sorted our visa situation, and realized that my new job will require grown up clothes. The kind of clothes that are currently locked away in storage until we find a home. The kind of clothes that weren’t a part of my backpacking wardrobe. Thus we headed out on the most painful and hopeless shopping trip ever. After four hours, I came back with a single shirt and no work pants while still wearing a pair of sandals. If anyone has tips on shopping in Singapore, please advise.

Elderly Presidential Candidate Thinks He’s Running For Mayor

Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska

Originally uploaded by J Medkeff

In what the children of most elderly Americans would patiently refer to as a “senior moment”, John McCain has chosen the governor of Alaska as his running mate. That’s right, for Vice President of America. A former beauty queen, avid hunter, and right wing anachronism, she’s taken some strong and sometimes controversial stances on big issues like where to build bridges and the whole “shooting wolves out of helicopters” issue. Other credentials according to the American Media include a son with Downs Syndrome (??), another heading off to war, an NRA membership, and no foreign policy experience. At a time where the country is entangled in a hopeless war, hated by most of the world, and is facing some tough economic times ahead, this is exactly what America is looking for. In a mayor. On television. If you’re one of the muppets waiving a McCain flag over this announcement, please explain.

These Guys Are Gods

Spent our last night in Koh Tao watching these guys twirl fire at a club on the beach. It was mind blowing. Currently sitting in our temporary place in Singapore watching the Olympics and feeling like I spent the past three months walking here. More on the arrival tomorrow. In the meantime, check these guys out by clicking the box above.

Decision Made To Keep Living Like This Until Thursday

Another Day On The Moon

We’ve just spent the past two weeks with some very lucky kids who are having the time of their lives in Southeast Asia, and some brilliant adults who’ve bucked their corporate jobs, gotten their dive certifications and moved to tropical islands to spend their days getting paid to dive. Ironically, a disproportionate number of people here have left jobs like mine which seems like a sign of a sign that’s yet to come into focus at the very least.  Don’t get me wrong, I have some exciting stuff ahead of me in Singapore that I’m not about to turn my back on anytime soon. It’s just an interesting thought to toy with and a gorgeous option to know is out there in case it’s what we really want in the end. Everyone needs a lifeboat. Ours looks very comfortable.

My Wife Is A Diver

That’s right. She’s not just a diver, but an advanced diver. A diver who dives at night, a diver who navigates through all kinds of water, a diver who dives deep and shallow, in all kinds of weather. That’s right. She’s pretty impressive.
Went for three dives yesterday and all reminded me how much I’d love to be out on the ocean for a living. Maybe it’s the way I grew up, maybe it’s just a human truth that we’d all rather be on vacation. Whatever it is, I’m toying with the idea of getting my Dive Master’s part-time when we get to Singapore. Part personal challenge, part professional parachute. I might never use it, but it could set the stage for sabbatical number two. You never know.

A Wonderful Tonight

After some diving, we came back to Koh Tao in time to spend the evening sitting in the sand, surrounded by torches and good people, with the wind tickling our faces and this song playing over the speakers. Quit your jobs people. Take the money they gave you and do something that makes you happy.  A friendly “Aarrgh!” to all of you and good night.

Still Paradise Despite Splash Of Cold Water

A peculiar past couple of days. Went for two dives, came back with the worst cold I’ve ever had, woke up the next day to news that someone I really adore had passed away, all while sitting in a tropical paradise with lots to look forward to. A lot of mixed stimulus in the air which kind of did my head in.  At the core of it, I’m not very good at dealing with death and even worse at dealing with colds. But with my sinuses clearing and so many gestures of good will towards the guy who always reminded me to “stay cynical”, the world looks like a pretty bright place.  If that makes any sense at all.

Full Moon On Another Island

“You’re 29?!” said the shocked and amazed 19 year old we met next to a fire in Laos. He was on the wild phase most people his age in the UK schedule carefully before heading off to University. We’ve met some pretty intrepid Brits on our trip, but I got the feeling that he’d never travel like this again. He had just finished telling C about the flat in Liverpool street that his parents had bought him and was peeved by the fact that she wasn’t impressed. When name dropping his university, it turned out C went there too. He was not happy. Out of ammunition in his quest to swoon my wife, he asked how old we were. His face turned white. “29 years old? What are you DOING here?”

At the time, this was just a funny comment from a spoiled kid. We just smiled, sipped our Lao Lao and continued warming ourselves by the fire. Then, last night at the full moon party on Koh Phangan, I realized that he may have had a point. Most of the people we’ve met while traveling in Southeast Asia have been in their early twenties, and last night’s party felt more like their bag than ours. I had a great time, might even do it again, but if I could have dialed down the “spring break 2008″ factor, I probably would have. More on how travel has made me feel my age another time.

Sadly, my favorite part of the night was the boat ride from Koh Tao to Koh Phagnan which makes me sound like an early retiree. The sun had just set and the view of Koh Tao was stunning.

On the island, the scene was what you’d expect: An enormous party in the sand with about 20,000 people, most between the ages of 17 and 21, behaving like… well… people between the ages of 17 and 21. The DJs were pretty good, the buckets of (???) were drinkable-ish, and we met some great characters (who didn’t ask our age) to party with. The night closed with people shagging in the water while savage party goers pissed in their direction from the shore. Ah to be young.

The morning after had us arriving back in Koh Tao at 6:30, wrecked more from exhaustion than anything else and then crashing into bed. C has what seems like a nasty cold which means I’m going to go dive on my own tomorrow, sleep in this hammock today and then we’ll put this all behind us and start diving together the day after that. Very civilized. Very grown up. -ish.

Muay Thai. Muy Awesome.