tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61145213289815849102024-03-05T10:28:33.221-08:00Scribbles from a midnight diaryTravel photos, veterinary medicine, Cambodia, pop culture, life in Los Angeles and other things that make up my brain soup.movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.comBlogger405125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-46155482902397622612012-06-13T17:34:00.000-07:002012-06-13T17:47:47.009-07:00The Billboards of SunsetSunset is one of the main boulevards that run through Los Angeles. I don't often venture down here because it tends to be crowded, expensive and I'm embarrassed to park my 97 Chrysler in the valet parking lots. But today I wanted to do something a little different so I hiked all the way from Runyon Canyon and if you don't know where that is, I assure you it was a VERY long walk. <br />
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I should have taken photos of the people that I saw but I'm really not good at that. I'm much better at taking pictures of the billboards because they stay still and they don't think I'm asking them for money. <br />
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First up, we have the Whisky A Go-Go. I've been here once, a couple of years ago to see a friend of mine play. It's pretty small but as far as venues go, it is legendary. The Doors were the house band here many many years ago, Janis Joplin deep throated her lyrics up on its stage and there were plenty of other famous names who have followed. <br />
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The Whiskey is currently plastered with ads for the new movie Rock of Ages. Tom Cruise is cast as the aging rocker, Stacee Jaxx. I'm really mad about this. I like Tom as an actor but c'mon, he ain't no Stacee! <br />
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The new Pixar movie is called BRAVE. Don't know much about it except it features a Scottish lass who thinks she can kick some ass. Ho hum. Don't know if I'll see this one. I'm all for girl power but this one could be a rental. But then again, it IS Pixar and they made me love clown fish and green ogres. </div>
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The Pink Dot is a strange fixture on Sunset. It sticks out like a candy lollipop among the grey cement. I've never been inside and since it really is just a convenience store, I don't think I'll be taking a trip there anytime soon. </div>
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The billboard above advertises a comedy central show. I'm kinda diggin' Jordan Peele. I think he's pretty funny and maybe one of these days, I'll actually watch the Peele and Key show. </div>
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Who says there aren't third acts? Oh Joey, you have survived again. This is one show that I have never watched--in fact, I wasn't even sure that it made it to another season. </div>
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Matt looks quite happy. One of these days, I too hope to sit in a pool wearing a tux with a script on my lap. Then I will know that I have made it.</div>
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Anger Management? Never watched it. You're probably getting the impression that I don't watch a lot of tv and that impression is largely correct. </div>
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Charlie Sheen just looks creepier and creepier. He looks like that perverted uncle that you try to keep your kids away from. I feel like I need to wash my hands just from looking at this billboard. </div>
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But Stryper is playing at House of Blues on June 22. Get your tickets now!</div>
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There are plenty of ridiculous ideas for tv shows but I couldn't believe my ears when I heard there was a reality show about long term storage facilities. Wow. Someone definitely slept with someone else to get this idea greenlit. If you haven't seen it, the show is about people who bet on the contents of abandoned storage lockers. It is exciting as it sounds. </div>
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What do they really expect to find? They get excited when they find old tools for godsakes! What would be really cool is if they found a dead body or a severed head. Or maybe just some intestines and they had to figure out if they were human or animal. </div>
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I can't believe that I am not a showrunner. </div>
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When did abs become so important for all those men who want to feel superficially proud of themselves? </div>
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And why does Calvin Klein feel the need to plaster some half-naked guy with his legs wide open on Sunset Boulevard? </div>
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What if some 11 year old from was on vacation from Kansas and she saw this provocative advertising while walking down the boulevard with her parents? It might suddenly usher her into puberty and then her parents would have to deal with all those awkward conversations when they all really wanted to discuss was how much Brittney enjoyed the teacup ride at Disneyland. </div>
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I don't wear Calvins anymore. I don't look like the guy on the front of the package and that depresses me a little. They really need to start putting fat hairy guys on the front. That way, the underwear buyers can feel much better about themselves when they look in the mirror and strike a ninja pose. </div>
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True Blood Season 5 has started! </div>
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But I'm still watching Season 4 because I'm cheap and I don't get HBO and the last season has only recently been released on DVD through netflix. I've watched two episodes so far and .... not a lot has happened. That's okay. I'll keep on watching because I'm a sucker for blood, sex and good looking people who occasionally get naked. </div>
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Sookie is still annoying and I don't care if she is a fairy, she deserves to get drained of all her blood and then locked away until the series is over. </div>
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Must have crossed over to West Hollywood. This looks like a condom for clowns. Gay clowns but clowns nonetheless. If clowns had sex and wanted to be safe. </div>
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It took me six hours roundtrip for this hike. Not sure if I'll be doing it again anytime soon ...<br />
<br />movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com18900 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA34.090482947397767 -118.385753631591834.087195447397768 -118.3906891315918 34.093770447397766 -118.38081813159179tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-80064251654079001782012-06-07T11:09:00.000-07:002012-06-07T11:09:53.672-07:00The strange natural beauty of Mono Lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Several years ago, I remember seeing some photos of weird stone formations in a lake and after finding out that the lake was in California, I was determined to visit it someday. </div>
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Last week, during an impromptu road trip, I got the chance. </div>
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Mono Lake is in the northern part of California, east of Yosemite. It is very unique because it contains "tufas" which are essentially limestone pillars. These pillars are formed when underwater springs rich in calcium mix with the alkaline lake water and precipitates form. When the level of the lake drops (which it has over the past fifty years), the tufas are exposed. </div>
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If you're still confused about where this place is, I have provided a map. It takes about five or six hours to get there from Los Angeles. </div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mono+Lake,+Mono,+CA&aq=0&oq=mono+lake&sll=34.165447,-118.372029&sspn=0.011842,0.022724&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Mono+Lake&ll=38.007059,-119.012259&spn=0.360878,0.727158&t=m&z=11&output=embed" width="425"></iframe></div>
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mono+Lake,+Mono,+CA&aq=0&oq=mono+lake&sll=34.165447,-118.372029&sspn=0.011842,0.022724&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Mono+Lake&ll=38.007059,-119.012259&spn=0.360878,0.727158&t=m&z=11" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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I have never seen anything like this place. Beautiful, serene, almost alien. The largest congregation of tufas are on the south coast of the lake which is where the photos below were taken. I can imagine that dawn would be a great time to visit and the motivation to get great pictures would definitely make me get out of bed at 5am and slog my way down to the water's edge. Bishop is the nearest town and there are plenty of hotels to choose from. I suggest LaQuinta because you can make your own Belgian waffles for breakfast and they allow dogs. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ2-mabD-tbpyl3euHQjTDAISlX6AqZOdIEw2UHR_4O2WQ9nfTIvEbC9rDa88wkF-nnIukR5ZfNM-K5N4V_9W9dlczM5sF_GXW0QG5gHiJ6XtGDhD7tm0oao1oLnUaqKr3oa41e4dxqs/s1600/amono1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ2-mabD-tbpyl3euHQjTDAISlX6AqZOdIEw2UHR_4O2WQ9nfTIvEbC9rDa88wkF-nnIukR5ZfNM-K5N4V_9W9dlczM5sF_GXW0QG5gHiJ6XtGDhD7tm0oao1oLnUaqKr3oa41e4dxqs/s320/amono1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJ9Y9KnMzv23FSh4EYFCTZCuIseCwqr-kSHVAK3tDJK3isGoIIqpYa-A7qly5uGssHNMRk8oPFyFB80O4bfYazH_xEJcq4oZd27uATyiu1v3T_cAJjqtbAQjaDpUKZpXsdzMDSsualHQ/s1600/amono11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJ9Y9KnMzv23FSh4EYFCTZCuIseCwqr-kSHVAK3tDJK3isGoIIqpYa-A7qly5uGssHNMRk8oPFyFB80O4bfYazH_xEJcq4oZd27uATyiu1v3T_cAJjqtbAQjaDpUKZpXsdzMDSsualHQ/s320/amono11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Wc8YNLwKcULxSn0VjJtptrNIT_Yim93Umf2zjPVVPlWmiB0Yntc9ZPAMK7Tfv907iUgBoiejQE35bG3g9yzOmHNEs0PGscqs6Vk2tGMqoteETi-pTr_yleEbLWYeGQ7DzZW10YgQsd8/s1600/amono12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Wc8YNLwKcULxSn0VjJtptrNIT_Yim93Umf2zjPVVPlWmiB0Yntc9ZPAMK7Tfv907iUgBoiejQE35bG3g9yzOmHNEs0PGscqs6Vk2tGMqoteETi-pTr_yleEbLWYeGQ7DzZW10YgQsd8/s320/amono12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you're up in that area, there are a couple of other attractions. The ancient Bristlecone forest is nearby which has trees that are several thousand years old. (Photos to be posted later). Bodie, an deserted mining town, is north of Mono Lake but I didn't have time to check it out. I've also heard that the road isn't good and I would likely need a car newer than a 1997 Chrysler convertible to make the trek. There is also Mammoth skiing area if you like playing around in the white stuff. <br />
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This is a great area of California and I can't wait to get back.movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-67776516599245229792012-06-05T17:24:00.001-07:002012-06-05T17:24:25.314-07:00Handsome boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UUFLz7K74kVnwFEFKD662c8x4yE_-TSXQuhgp_7i-VQZzBVQhygtjTYbdxqc3odmQ2iCJa01ZsqM7ogp5xb9lyWt3NteuNLiEJ9j6Lr01MlIvizGXD4WKuYIba3Fk-mNfUBVS6g1hlo/s1600/achan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UUFLz7K74kVnwFEFKD662c8x4yE_-TSXQuhgp_7i-VQZzBVQhygtjTYbdxqc3odmQ2iCJa01ZsqM7ogp5xb9lyWt3NteuNLiEJ9j6Lr01MlIvizGXD4WKuYIba3Fk-mNfUBVS6g1hlo/s320/achan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm trying out a new program for black and white photos called Silver Efex Pro 2 and it produces some pretty amazing results. <br />
<br />
Here is Chan who is my pain-in-the-ass Pekingese who requires walking at 6am. If he could walk himself, he would be perfect! <br />
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<br />movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-31384931662835685832012-05-28T19:52:00.000-07:002012-05-29T06:43:34.755-07:00Helping Cambodia is like buying a beautiful broken mug<br />
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Last November, I was in Cambodia for about three weeks doing work for the Savong Foundation which I created to help a community in the northern part of that country. </div>
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A few days before I made the long trip back home, I met a lady who was trying to make a business by selling
Cambodian pottery. She had a few samples
for me to look at and I was very impressed at the quality and care that had gone
into shaping each piece. Since I love to
drink coffee out of large mugs, I thought it would be perfect to have her make
a custom design for my morning caffeine ritual. </div>
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She was thrilled to have a new customer and I was excited about
taking home a souvenir from a country that I had grown to love over the past
couple of years. We sat down and I told
her everything that I wanted: </div>
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The size. </div>
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The shape. </div>
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The colour. </div>
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And I wanted Khmer writing all over it. I didn’t really care what the writing
said. I just wanted it to be covered in the
beautiful Cambodian script. </div>
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She smiled and nodded and took notes and I was convinced
that she understood everything that I said.
I asked her how much and she told me $20. It seemed a bit high (keep in mind that many
Cambodians make $50/month or less) but I was happy to support her fledgling
business. I was told that it would be
ready at least a day before I was scheduled to leave and we agreed on a time
and place for the pick-up. In my mind,
everything seemed very clear and simple.
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A day before leaving, I contacted the woman because I had
not yet heard from her. Everything was
fine she said but the mug wasn’t ready.
She assured me that it would be ready before my flight. I was a little worried about this because I
had other last minute things to do besides picking up a souvenir but Cambodians
are such gracious and happy people, I told her that it wasn’t a problem and we
would meet the morning of my departure. </div>
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I couldn’t wait to see the mug. The delay only increased my excitement. On my previous trips, I had taken a few
souvenirs back with me but this was something I could use every morning and in
my mind’s eye, I saw exactly what it was going to look like. </div>
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At the agreed upon time, I anxiously awaited the woman’s
arrival. She was late but not by too
much time. After spending three weeks in
Cambodia, I was quite familiar with how fluid appointment times were and since
I was still on Cambodian time, it really didn’t bother me. She greeted with a huge smile and proudly pulled
four mugs out of a large shopping bag. I
took a look at each one. </div>
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None of them looked like what I had described to her. None of them.
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I picked each one up.
There was no doubt that they were all beautiful. Handmade.
Rustic stain. And on the bottom
was a Khmer signature. They were large
but not the giant size that I had requested. I
was disappointed but the woman was beaming with a smile and in some weird way,
I felt like I couldn’t disappoint <i>her</i>. </div>
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“I’ll take this one” and picked up the one that had an
elephant head for a handle. </div>
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“Would you like to take all of them?”</div>
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Did you ever read those books when you were a kid that gave
you a choice at the end of the page? If
you chose one thing, it would send you off to a certain page and if you chose
something else, you would flip to a different page? The flow of the story would change depending
on your decisions so you could read the entire book a couple of times and have
several different versions. </div>
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I felt like there were several different ways I could answer
pottery lady and each answer would take me to a different outcome. </div>
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For example: </div>
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“You can take all your mugs and stick them where the sun don’t
shine!” Although this may have required
some Khmer translation, the emotion behind the words would have gotten my point
across. </div>
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Or</div>
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“Are you kidding me?
I gave you EXACT details on what I wanted for a mug and not only did you
NOT do what I wanted, you are trying to sell me FOUR mugs that cost as much as
a luxury meal in Los Angeles!”</div>
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Or</div>
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“Well, I’ll take one but it isn’t really what I wanted so I’ll
pay you $10 for it.”</div>
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Or</div>
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“They’re all so beautiful but I only need one. Here’s $20.
I wish you the best luck for your business.” </div>
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I chose the latter and handed over my money. She was thankful and she told me that she
hoped she would see me again when I returned to her country. I assured her that I would keep my eye out
for her—and buy my pottery somewhere else.</div>
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Actually, I only thought that last part. C'mon, I'm a polite Canadian. </div>
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Despite my crappy packing skills (I just throw everything in
and hope for the best), the mug managed to make its way across the Pacific in
one piece. I’m not sure if I was so
lucky but I was at least happy to stuff fast food down my gullet once again and
have a really long hot shower. You have
no idea how luxurious a hot shower is until you’ve been deprived for three
weeks. </div>
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Several days after arrival, I pulled my mug out of the
suitcase, cleaned it up and poured some steamy hot brew into it while I was
weeding through my morning emails.
Moments later, I noticed that the coffee that was supposed to be inside the container was now outside of it and dripping onto the floor. I snatched up the mug and lo and behold, the
beautiful souvenir that was supposed to be useful and meet my design
expectations was clearly leaking from a defective seam in the bottom. </div>
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The older I get the more patient I get. I think it’s from all those years working
with animals. I have learned that the
more upset I am, the worse it gets for me and anger really doesn’t improve a situation. Ten years ago, I probably would have thrown
the mug against the wall and stomped on all the pieces. Instead, I calmly emptied the remaining coffee into the
sink, rinsed out the residue, cleaned up my desk and poured some stain remover
onto the carpet. I dried the mug and
contemplated its fate. I wasn’t going to
throw it away; I paid $20 for the damn thing.
In the end, I stuck some pencils and pens in it and proclaimed it my Cambodian
homemade pencil and pen holder. </div>
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And actually, I kinda like it. It is far prettier than the hazy piece of glassware
that I used before and as a pencil and pen holder, it hasn’t disappointed me at
all. </div>
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Working in Cambodia is very much like the story of this
mug. The Cambodian people are wonderful
and NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) such as The Savong Foundation want to
see them succeed. Yes, we can do lots of
planning to make everything perfect but everything seems to cost more and take
longer than what it should. And the end
result is usually not what was expected.
Should we be frustrated and angry and give up? Of course not because that doesn’t help
anyone. A better approach is to be
flexible, open and explore other possibilities within this unique culture and then
something good will usually happen. Therein lies the reward and everyone goes home
happy even if it means using a big Korean Starbucks mug for their morning brew.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2o_TKkAQ7GV2H0horHyOgTt0oOYc424YBsC7SIp7k5naedn5Kw3Ed7t2EPHteCnygH9CNQ4i9tFC2dE1sGB9aAvXAjRao8PoGEpqPgoDnu7BnYeUljJXpr2EHLLQEYYt2XQGZAEqP7c/s1600/IMG_0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2o_TKkAQ7GV2H0horHyOgTt0oOYc424YBsC7SIp7k5naedn5Kw3Ed7t2EPHteCnygH9CNQ4i9tFC2dE1sGB9aAvXAjRao8PoGEpqPgoDnu7BnYeUljJXpr2EHLLQEYYt2XQGZAEqP7c/s320/IMG_0912.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Savong Foundation is dedicated to helping the communities
of northern Cambodia. Please visit us at
our website <a href="http://www.savongfoundation.org/">www.savongfoundation.org</a>
for more information. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhFHiJUHWBHTZnFOaytZOr9DR43WTGItTfvr0R-TvlQiXJTqtKX0O4Mq93cYdA2C5f9nwvulJMf4mcTEii-3MT-ft6OLh1ahIuLFguDPUwfms9cnUmQ8TgejPybKtIPZH14qWkOUY-UA/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhFHiJUHWBHTZnFOaytZOr9DR43WTGItTfvr0R-TvlQiXJTqtKX0O4Mq93cYdA2C5f9nwvulJMf4mcTEii-3MT-ft6OLh1ahIuLFguDPUwfms9cnUmQ8TgejPybKtIPZH14qWkOUY-UA/s320/IMG_0919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-36601963331951785652012-05-22T21:37:00.000-07:002012-05-22T21:45:24.983-07:00How to be an international hero<br />
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The Savong Foundation is a 501(c)3 registered charity based in Los Angeles, California. Its mission is to support projects in northern Cambodia which includes the Savong School, the Savong Orphan Center, the Student Center as well as outreach projects in the community. <br />
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I'm very proud to write that we just had our first year anniversary and what a year it has been! </div>
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We have worked with people all over the world and have been involved in projects that range from finding sponsors for the children at the orphan center to installing a solar panel at the school. Earlier this year, we opened the student center which is home to ten "big kids" who attend the local high school and university. And on the horizon is extending the dental hygiene program implemented by the Angkor Hospital for Children so that more people are aware of the health benefits of a great smile. </div>
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But like all charities, we can't do our work without you. </div>
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We count on your support to help spread the word about the
foundation and raise money for our projects. We are a small charity but we work hard in making sure that the donated funds go towards the people who are much less fortunate than ourselves. None of our board members take a salary and we cover all our travelling expenses to Cambodia with our own money. </div>
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Would you like to join our family? Here's how: </div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Follow us on facebook </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/savongfoundation" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">http://www.facebook.com/savongfoundation</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Mention us on twitter @savongfoundn</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Buy from our store </span><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/savong" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">http://www.zazzle.com/savong</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Set up a birthday wish </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/savongfoundation/app_2318966938" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">http://www.facebook.com/savongfoundation/app_2318966938</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Make a monthly tax deductible donation through
Razoo </span><a href="http://www.razoo.com/story/Savongfoundation" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">http://www.razoo.com/story/Savongfoundation</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Sell your items on eBay and donate some of the
profits </span><a href="http://donations.ebay.com/charity.jsp?NP_ID=46695" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">http://donations.ebay.com/charity.jsp?NP_ID=46695</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Donate $10 to the new student center </span><a href="http://www.razoo.com/story/The10fundraiser" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">http://www.razoo.com/story/The10fundraiser</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Join our cause to support Cambodian </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/movievet/Documents/Documents/SAVONG%20FOUNDATION/youth%20%20http:/www.causes.com/causes/650509-support-cambodian-youth" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">youth http://www.causes.com/causes/650509-support-cambodian-youth</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Sponsor a child at the orphan center or a student at the student center. Email me at phil@savongfoundation.org for more details. </span></li>
</ul>
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And of course, if you go to Cambodia, you can see everything for yourself!</div>
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<div>
On behalf of the Savong Foundation, I sincerely thank you for all your support. </div>
<div>
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<div>
Phil Caldwell<br />
CEO Savong Foundation<br />
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<br /></div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-23215322720603346712012-05-22T20:41:00.002-07:002012-05-22T20:42:54.443-07:00My Dream JobHave you heard? <br />
<br />
NBC has a new show this fall about a grumpy veterinarian! I would be perfect! <br />
<br />
Well, not for the main character because the show has already been cast and Justin Kirk gets to play the smarmy vet. <br />
<br />
But they might need a consultant for the show. A living breathing real life veterinarian who has suffered for years in the trenches of animal care. And that, my friends, would be me. <br />
<br />
A job that combines veterinary medicine, television, comedy and extra money? I can't think of anything better. <br />
<br />
Check it out. What do you think? <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/animal-practice/">http://www.nbc.com/animal-practice/</a><br />
<br />
Mr. Greenblatt, have your people call me people. Stat!movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-91615612771230425402012-05-01T23:11:00.003-07:002012-05-01T23:18:13.687-07:00Sign of the timesThis was a sign that I happened to see in an upscale neighborhood.<br />
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Dang, these neighborhood watch people are hard-core! </div>
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You sure don't want to be caught buying ice tea or skittles in this 'hood. Or you gonna pay, brother, you gonna pay. </div>
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<br /></div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-85376438789071513032012-05-01T22:38:00.000-07:002012-05-01T22:42:03.630-07:00Memories of SavannahI was in Savannah, Georgia last week for a veterinary seminar. I learned the proper way to amputate a penis. <br />
<br />
But enough of the exciting stuff. <br />
<br />
Savannah is one of my favourite places in the world. There is something really charming about a place where strangers say hello as they pass on the street, people dress up for church, kids fly kites in the park and the beautiful squares are filled with old trees draped with Spanish moss. <br />
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And you can drink beer or liquor in public places. Score for the homeless drunks! <br />
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The food is great too if you like large portions of the really fattening stuff. I usually try to make it to Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room for some fried chicken, black eyed peas and collards but I missed my chance this visit. Something to look forward to next time. <br />
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As always, I had some observations as I was strolling around town. And I strolled A LOT. Most of my time (when I wasn't learning about medicine and surgery) was spent walking around town and I didn't once get bored. There was always so much to see and it was all free. <br />
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So these were some of the thoughts that filled my head ...<br />
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<li> Paula Deen's restaurant is overrated but if you are a woman older than 60 and LOVE Paula, then you should probably eat there. </li>
</ul>
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<li style="text-align: left;">If you sit long enough in one of the squares, someone will eventually sit down and talk with you and the conversation will likely revolve around God and money. </li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">The Hilton deSoto is a terrible eyesore in the historic district and it's criminal that a beautiful old hotel was demolished on the same site. </li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">I am not a fan of soft shell crabs. When I ate them, I kept thinking that they weren't that good and their lives were in vain. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oPRZ0_xCMmn_keCFSVueSaWE2U0B1h8UAcajiL7898bbmwJcDB0_FNgdIZzRD9_0UhRNGgoEoCIrxhbDLKFZb-L0C5GrHgjSDy90T_aP9dZc7qT1I4jMt99g_1d57TrdvitO-tX3wPg/s1600/apink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oPRZ0_xCMmn_keCFSVueSaWE2U0B1h8UAcajiL7898bbmwJcDB0_FNgdIZzRD9_0UhRNGgoEoCIrxhbDLKFZb-L0C5GrHgjSDy90T_aP9dZc7qT1I4jMt99g_1d57TrdvitO-tX3wPg/s320/apink.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Savannah is a place where a lot of wives drag their reluctant husbands. And sometimes their even more reluctant teenage sons. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3kzPOMJq-34x9qtn7TggYUagdH5M0bw09H7hBqdg07qh51p-i7CfYYMHRknDJzM_7k0xzk0ouGDW6y1SWLZ3szqtRqqWSEae5aRor6QRNfQDjUWH79robqskS9t6dOtKqJRzMxQ_9kg/s1600/asign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3kzPOMJq-34x9qtn7TggYUagdH5M0bw09H7hBqdg07qh51p-i7CfYYMHRknDJzM_7k0xzk0ouGDW6y1SWLZ3szqtRqqWSEae5aRor6QRNfQDjUWH79robqskS9t6dOtKqJRzMxQ_9kg/s320/asign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>I've seen Miss Chablis and she truly cannot lip sync to save her life. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGv0SWA2zdKHIvCGtB0Y-xOJo1I4x_Lazi3R8dZb_-DYdqg3HxatMpOXQ_nz3mfEVI6z6EngvkZP3153dz07GV2G_GH8-zMM3NDf6AnyUpqJ-ktpjIxjO4y8ASJW6Dm4-dEpwdOoy31E/s1600/aisaac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGv0SWA2zdKHIvCGtB0Y-xOJo1I4x_Lazi3R8dZb_-DYdqg3HxatMpOXQ_nz3mfEVI6z6EngvkZP3153dz07GV2G_GH8-zMM3NDf6AnyUpqJ-ktpjIxjO4y8ASJW6Dm4-dEpwdOoy31E/s320/aisaac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>How is it possible that two different taxi drivers tried to rip me off? For the record, it's a $28 flat fee from the historic district to the airport. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge01J4aYKLWu17HHVFYhzq11OJ_EiWPBFowl1x6pzcKj_Xym9BZqzQJnnxFFCfwa-et0J9q8KlPjC9prdJb_NhLoILZbxIL_3Y7gggh_1mA5kqOvPLTlDYNco_Q078dPT-z3WWJx03s5Y/s1600/astatue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge01J4aYKLWu17HHVFYhzq11OJ_EiWPBFowl1x6pzcKj_Xym9BZqzQJnnxFFCfwa-et0J9q8KlPjC9prdJb_NhLoILZbxIL_3Y7gggh_1mA5kqOvPLTlDYNco_Q078dPT-z3WWJx03s5Y/s320/astatue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Five Guys Burger and Fries make really good burgers that probably taste a lot better when it's 2am and you're still drunk. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3XfLGJdF-QZeTQa0CQuoaeUbrn3aDImOrXCtomJzM-gxHARO4L-GQH8eOfKEbB80DvVJX0J_SLgu0yK2qoD6GYve7YqC2fklHb6JJxJMkP2a4cHB7se2Z4dWNsHSusO2n5B7v8HPrtI/s1600/aface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3XfLGJdF-QZeTQa0CQuoaeUbrn3aDImOrXCtomJzM-gxHARO4L-GQH8eOfKEbB80DvVJX0J_SLgu0yK2qoD6GYve7YqC2fklHb6JJxJMkP2a4cHB7se2Z4dWNsHSusO2n5B7v8HPrtI/s320/aface.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>They should put a bench in the same place where Forrest Gump sat. It would be crazy popular. </li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOd2HFKGnnXCPjNhAsLedWvDQTgk4JXtMH0M_7QXc2N908B-d4B8AnAhXpEoOUqKn8KP5srVDFrV2Cc2tDuH6dzxaZtO7S-Rd0ygV1wopqadlAAGMOlkjvXjOQ78KLQY3yHu1nY-RPM8/s1600/afairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOd2HFKGnnXCPjNhAsLedWvDQTgk4JXtMH0M_7QXc2N908B-d4B8AnAhXpEoOUqKn8KP5srVDFrV2Cc2tDuH6dzxaZtO7S-Rd0ygV1wopqadlAAGMOlkjvXjOQ78KLQY3yHu1nY-RPM8/s320/afairy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Savannah at night is truly scary. I was so freaked out the first night I woke up in a cold sweat thinking that some entity was in my room and staring at me. I'm not convinced that it didn't happen. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9kRUSLZ6L5Zuu9DYsCkN1AEieu3vqujCzXhgV2lMFzD5nFWk8kk6zR5mg0rx2i1mwhFElAB2Kp1iM_bw2gVjYxma_JForqHRmdMOREe5H7FZfpRkRR1xkcmbTv4OILBRa9MSlOsfFHs/s1600/asidewalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9kRUSLZ6L5Zuu9DYsCkN1AEieu3vqujCzXhgV2lMFzD5nFWk8kk6zR5mg0rx2i1mwhFElAB2Kp1iM_bw2gVjYxma_JForqHRmdMOREe5H7FZfpRkRR1xkcmbTv4OILBRa9MSlOsfFHs/s320/asidewalk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Fried green tomatoes are much better than they sound. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7B-TULzgDSJ9wGcEc8dy-WI-wvp6Q91waQF7bpN_95-PejWJJ2qehauVXjEx7HDWT9oKc7AoidMJ9SroChJ1ksJzd3ti5OFK1JLuSzZ03JBmRjw7VTwnCNQL_3hqC0V6_MizZPBcoGU/s1600/acyclos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7B-TULzgDSJ9wGcEc8dy-WI-wvp6Q91waQF7bpN_95-PejWJJ2qehauVXjEx7HDWT9oKc7AoidMJ9SroChJ1ksJzd3ti5OFK1JLuSzZ03JBmRjw7VTwnCNQL_3hqC0V6_MizZPBcoGU/s320/acyclos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>There are four types of people in Savannah; SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) students, tourists, homeless looking people who may or may not be homeless and rich looking business people who may or may not be rich business people. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32-hnIX_JWoWjEA2xOOvXoLDIRJxpM7CqhW3vrO_MDnEkV9p-w_iHdBum-L0zIJc-R435V3FxgIRtvDsc50Rd1RXbWm5ZsGVgFqtFxnhhKwp5aDiXqMko5F7pu05JJgILvoL5QlA-UYg/s1600/aflorence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32-hnIX_JWoWjEA2xOOvXoLDIRJxpM7CqhW3vrO_MDnEkV9p-w_iHdBum-L0zIJc-R435V3FxgIRtvDsc50Rd1RXbWm5ZsGVgFqtFxnhhKwp5aDiXqMko5F7pu05JJgILvoL5QlA-UYg/s320/aflorence.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>Don't put Savannah Bee Honey in your carry-on luggage. They will take it away. Bastards. </li>
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<li>Is is so wrong that I saw a powder blue seersucker suit and wanted to buy it? </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy4L0oVu_kObc7tJ-1xiEu5pV3CXiO7YPVl6c7Z5JKxcvyDmthgQoPGnt3Ey8_cjwjQs7STYrWwmmgD-yN5jMvE9shTUx5sty1cqyUlBtcuH3aAZjzDAQastEDIf1poBKRX0-LtSZWyQ/s1600/asign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy4L0oVu_kObc7tJ-1xiEu5pV3CXiO7YPVl6c7Z5JKxcvyDmthgQoPGnt3Ey8_cjwjQs7STYrWwmmgD-yN5jMvE9shTUx5sty1cqyUlBtcuH3aAZjzDAQastEDIf1poBKRX0-LtSZWyQ/s320/asign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Leopold's ice cream was my most exciting discovery on this trip. </li>
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If you have never been to Savannah, I strongly encourage you to go. Make sure you stay at a B&B (and be prepared to pay for it) and eat lots and walk lots and try to meet as many interesting people as you can. </div>
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And have fun!<br />
<br />movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0Savannah, GA, USA32.0835407 -81.099834231.8682837 -81.4156912 32.2987977 -80.78397720000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-34506374151989691932012-04-18T15:55:00.001-07:002012-05-01T22:42:11.668-07:00Retro Dominican RepublicThis is my attempt at a retro grunge style of photo. <br />
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Not sure it really worked but hey, it was fun putting it all together. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PPPCspkCDltNtv9ItEi8oTbzZDRSH7RwyrfCSO0qYPSJBqLv2K2Di8VvMv0gaimIejfsrmgqRcC_mHseuZBy2PxOTmWsT3nCZ6X80huFUW0fBUoCVM2JfhsUslOn5aqFGShUukvki5o/s1600/aisland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PPPCspkCDltNtv9ItEi8oTbzZDRSH7RwyrfCSO0qYPSJBqLv2K2Di8VvMv0gaimIejfsrmgqRcC_mHseuZBy2PxOTmWsT3nCZ6X80huFUW0fBUoCVM2JfhsUslOn5aqFGShUukvki5o/s320/aisland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Photoshop is the best time waster ever!<br />
<br />movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-25539072122203420622012-04-12T11:49:00.000-07:002012-04-12T11:50:35.497-07:00A Dominican MagicianIn case you've ever wondered if it is possible to punch screwdrivers up your nose, I have something to say: <br />
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Yes, it is possible and here is the proof. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsVctyqepzQCGucNKz5uipdl4MLsuHKd1nB_LjHj6bXlbEyk-f16cOtJNvNNMZ9J8c997YSVc2gAKXwMzpBZIamwDQnwael0MXTqrb0hti2B0SuHnxEMFqrzuqhfRoBJiQ8zCUW4pyNc/s1600/amagic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsVctyqepzQCGucNKz5uipdl4MLsuHKd1nB_LjHj6bXlbEyk-f16cOtJNvNNMZ9J8c997YSVc2gAKXwMzpBZIamwDQnwael0MXTqrb0hti2B0SuHnxEMFqrzuqhfRoBJiQ8zCUW4pyNc/s320/amagic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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While we were drinking rum and eating fish on the beach, I paid for this travelling magician to show us some tricks. I didn't expect him to pull out two screwdrivers and promptly whack them into his sinuses. This what not something I wanted to see since my stomach was already feeling a little queasy from all the beachy sun and sea time. <br />
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He also swallowed two bullets and regurgitated them back up. Pretty impressive but I probably could do that if I really tried. And Steve-O did that with live goldfish so I felt like I had seen it before. <br />
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And he also threaded a lot of string through his nose which I thought was a bit of a filler act. <br />
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He did something with fire too. I think he juggled it or something. I normally would remember but there was a girl beside me and she was very distracting. And not in a good way. <br />
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If you want to see him, he's pretty easy to find. Just keep your eye out for him along the Sosua Beach in the Dominican Republic. According to my dad, he's been walking around there for at least the past ten years, possibly longer. <br />
<br />movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-9482799899456280862012-04-11T17:34:00.000-07:002012-04-11T18:17:10.653-07:00The Domincan Republic: Photoshopped!More photos from the island paradise ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkEpsJ1nNEk5j40iSNloSI58DTQ82JUu2QYC1cDje1tggQzGqY4Fqoc1H-uRheMF0qyDhCkUmXN0yuKXECrgPPkxujUqrR_7DTwHXnhMT061o3jhyphenhyphen01B0G6nPZjA3b1VTYpoqgPDLC34/s1600/aDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkEpsJ1nNEk5j40iSNloSI58DTQ82JUu2QYC1cDje1tggQzGqY4Fqoc1H-uRheMF0qyDhCkUmXN0yuKXECrgPPkxujUqrR_7DTwHXnhMT061o3jhyphenhyphen01B0G6nPZjA3b1VTYpoqgPDLC34/s320/aDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTe312FuImVxYirvH2vsu-DHFzaNJwm05roBNW_2yMB_TJ0F5YYE5CTgcCuVWs8tyoy-Kt4yo3opt5Z3H_Edki5A1wyqN7aRNhVCFDrxSX3IAmpWuILjRbl60EoKPBkedfsBAnqu_kW8/s1600/adomin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTe312FuImVxYirvH2vsu-DHFzaNJwm05roBNW_2yMB_TJ0F5YYE5CTgcCuVWs8tyoy-Kt4yo3opt5Z3H_Edki5A1wyqN7aRNhVCFDrxSX3IAmpWuILjRbl60EoKPBkedfsBAnqu_kW8/s320/adomin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb43xrYvNiGRLZteJ5tlzc1Xq5D4WKhYb3KvaSXhk-kz2RpOlNrjUUbnnXzpBtVYsGSY2f5iTNsG7AiIB76U3MfKto20JkRdfYxDuyfGSBisDeWUsC7LX89knd3nBXtoiUG6ePNU5er5Q/s1600/alaboca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb43xrYvNiGRLZteJ5tlzc1Xq5D4WKhYb3KvaSXhk-kz2RpOlNrjUUbnnXzpBtVYsGSY2f5iTNsG7AiIB76U3MfKto20JkRdfYxDuyfGSBisDeWUsC7LX89knd3nBXtoiUG6ePNU5er5Q/s320/alaboca.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-83484432755974322802012-04-10T21:26:00.002-07:002012-04-10T21:30:22.395-07:00Memories of the Dominican RepublicA couple of weeks ago, I was down in the Dominican Republic which is one half of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. <br />
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There are many great things about this country but most tourists remember the long stretches of relatively deserted beaches ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wE3Qvn5BdTEtSwz3-EbZL1xNEAPNLTYYBBrTysz6fcWuoPWl7JE_gQtrrRO3xEWbs6DOeg34v6jXUbpVE2QQ3DSMOSNcQZOLZnacWvBftT3S6eFxFOpS4C4aZdxbE-hKEz7O4qL6bZg/s1600/aocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wE3Qvn5BdTEtSwz3-EbZL1xNEAPNLTYYBBrTysz6fcWuoPWl7JE_gQtrrRO3xEWbs6DOeg34v6jXUbpVE2QQ3DSMOSNcQZOLZnacWvBftT3S6eFxFOpS4C4aZdxbE-hKEz7O4qL6bZg/s320/aocean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Did I go a little overboard on the photshop? Hmmm, yeah, should have pulled back on the saturation a little bit but the colors are still pretty dramatic. </span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYsH5tlvhIUj9lU9Xkr4f9Wqm-jnJp46AQObswSuEFSa9XzE8ALAmrF5NpERnwh-ydBThmLCaWrBb2g3UGSCvkb2zHi98y58ALz3q2Q6kk6sHZtPVlWCkDhFI6Da9hWjmdHDb0iomuQs/s1600/awalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYsH5tlvhIUj9lU9Xkr4f9Wqm-jnJp46AQObswSuEFSa9XzE8ALAmrF5NpERnwh-ydBThmLCaWrBb2g3UGSCvkb2zHi98y58ALz3q2Q6kk6sHZtPVlWCkDhFI6Da9hWjmdHDb0iomuQs/s320/awalk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my dad and not some random guy wearing trousers on the beach. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKcgUrvZiKS_QANRwlskBRhGW_H_ht7eY2g2a9fu9PMWT3sJRiKzPn8oAX4CXwLsiIbJYGZrdKD2woPsXpXu2LbDkVMsIJGUoEztLFt5B9qwq0ZA8IZOxUYdyECSFi8Xxfsp5zWR6I7w/s1600/abeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKcgUrvZiKS_QANRwlskBRhGW_H_ht7eY2g2a9fu9PMWT3sJRiKzPn8oAX4CXwLsiIbJYGZrdKD2woPsXpXu2LbDkVMsIJGUoEztLFt5B9qwq0ZA8IZOxUYdyECSFi8Xxfsp5zWR6I7w/s320/abeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDcQYdqxS5tWbxZ-7OYfqq_C6FpbTjAKRhykx3usA4KVg7zU3fQwgTwXWpCDdjnwPEBTJgVYdUnz_uycrfbgkLWWbVANUC0Ltfns_VzTWxwTone08n9FoVaKzyHJ8DyZOaPjJEC4BwkI/s1600/adadbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDcQYdqxS5tWbxZ-7OYfqq_C6FpbTjAKRhykx3usA4KVg7zU3fQwgTwXWpCDdjnwPEBTJgVYdUnz_uycrfbgkLWWbVANUC0Ltfns_VzTWxwTone08n9FoVaKzyHJ8DyZOaPjJEC4BwkI/s320/adadbeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At one of the restaurants, this dog was patiently waiting for the leftovers. Fish bones? No problem! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEOaKFTZzMhGAmVG-gbl4pm-tBP41hw1bxQmuJqofPhLrb4m6TxMcCyPhis-GSHIPYHWUOHyWMH3EUE-k9ZR-_LmxYNUItd8tR7ld9DzGMIwSH75x-WjbXNMFIYAvif9KjXCr38N6TeY/s1600/adog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEOaKFTZzMhGAmVG-gbl4pm-tBP41hw1bxQmuJqofPhLrb4m6TxMcCyPhis-GSHIPYHWUOHyWMH3EUE-k9ZR-_LmxYNUItd8tR7ld9DzGMIwSH75x-WjbXNMFIYAvif9KjXCr38N6TeY/s320/adog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Okay, yes, I take pictures of flowers ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv3Ai0s4EeReArnb1uFh_xgfsDGceielrv1WWA-OcVDmLp0RTCSpovGWd72laDuHBNZJsjTLkvTb-vwSMdGP9xpS6tiIdT1iNufAjd3msg2M4NgscQaL-QV9s3PuXZPszv4gQpByDpmI/s1600/aflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv3Ai0s4EeReArnb1uFh_xgfsDGceielrv1WWA-OcVDmLp0RTCSpovGWd72laDuHBNZJsjTLkvTb-vwSMdGP9xpS6tiIdT1iNufAjd3msg2M4NgscQaL-QV9s3PuXZPszv4gQpByDpmI/s320/aflower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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... and weirdly shaped structures that are difficult to tell if they are plant or animal. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn4d1lbE2pK-l1FQecVkpOcrVDCVCi00TgoLFYXkGUMWP5voowTA8cVK6m8j78nKEViZoeXZYRO-nvgp2_lcOR6-Zfw9OGVdE8E8XA850SHXm3whbtlGaD92OL_bUnE4K7y99SCCwHhA/s1600/aseed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn4d1lbE2pK-l1FQecVkpOcrVDCVCi00TgoLFYXkGUMWP5voowTA8cVK6m8j78nKEViZoeXZYRO-nvgp2_lcOR6-Zfw9OGVdE8E8XA850SHXm3whbtlGaD92OL_bUnE4K7y99SCCwHhA/s320/aseed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset over Sosua Beach. Sosua is on the north coast just adjacent to the big city of Puerto Plata. As the sun goes down, most people's blood alcohol goes up. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoBySGiIh0crM22uVBGKNUe5xPlvDyEcj4KqfwqR_Vf_ZMpOD6c8H7VuYQL7MhZuOchuI5-SdwmizowOUdS8Kf6_ifGOAsJaQ7D0PgSWBB5OKa6gCaaLmxdu58OesNH-XfZydd1gkDw8/s1600/asunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoBySGiIh0crM22uVBGKNUe5xPlvDyEcj4KqfwqR_Vf_ZMpOD6c8H7VuYQL7MhZuOchuI5-SdwmizowOUdS8Kf6_ifGOAsJaQ7D0PgSWBB5OKa6gCaaLmxdu58OesNH-XfZydd1gkDw8/s320/asunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want to get it all out, then nothing should stop you. No matter where you are. </div>
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In this case, we were on the top of the mountain in Puerto Plata otherwise known as the National Park of Isabella de Torres. There is a large Jesus here with outstretched arms, kinda like in Rio, but on a much smaller scale. </div>
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This little guy was just hamming it up for my camera. I luv taking pictures of kids. </div>
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Lillies. Just because. Much less expressive than kids but they still possess a certain quiet charm. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo3kwjSJV7lIiUQLNwmgvLpEnCLSABFM2Vncbe_oXOx9qHNyNq0X1n94YNTz5xmo7yuU-LoiJ0-sSXN8DE_sHa4NUVu2V0otVu0IpQK63ffJkKawDUE2ydV61HcOOtU_WAr6OejkDrxw/s1600/alilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo3kwjSJV7lIiUQLNwmgvLpEnCLSABFM2Vncbe_oXOx9qHNyNq0X1n94YNTz5xmo7yuU-LoiJ0-sSXN8DE_sHa4NUVu2V0otVu0IpQK63ffJkKawDUE2ydV61HcOOtU_WAr6OejkDrxw/s320/alilly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my tourist shot at the top of the mountain. Great views. Something a little different than just lying like a roast chicken on a beach. </div>
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I'm looking a little pasty. And that's because I bought 200SPF sunblock by mistake. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRizqjsS_fUE2rweqhvfYGzRzORuPcLD6rWSaGzCxNeUp_ZFxMEy7z4Pe-L9qpk1JddA9682iTF2GBIYh3nOhoJ8JgJivo7hVvIx5QztFAKxA_KG2-3HUoIFNobtab1k_N5beyZt0SinY/s1600/aphil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRizqjsS_fUE2rweqhvfYGzRzORuPcLD6rWSaGzCxNeUp_ZFxMEy7z4Pe-L9qpk1JddA9682iTF2GBIYh3nOhoJ8JgJivo7hVvIx5QztFAKxA_KG2-3HUoIFNobtab1k_N5beyZt0SinY/s320/aphil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a very large rock on a beach. It's an amazing photo, isn't it? </div>
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I said that because there really isn't anything else to say about it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1PRLk1WtYT4c_cA_JyZYCEdVcXdHODI1iAb6d_v8jdtm9E_75HZE09C3HeXL5CjY1mRS5PmvdxIj6_eOidCbIFL5jGZaPlcKCx9yQdZpkcwE6KOYzwXpCRw63qzXfjKynTIrblDpqwI/s1600/arock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1PRLk1WtYT4c_cA_JyZYCEdVcXdHODI1iAb6d_v8jdtm9E_75HZE09C3HeXL5CjY1mRS5PmvdxIj6_eOidCbIFL5jGZaPlcKCx9yQdZpkcwE6KOYzwXpCRw63qzXfjKynTIrblDpqwI/s320/arock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shells. I took the time to edit this photo so I'm going to include it in the collection, damnit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyCvVhAJ9579Ip53Xm01FIepfyMzgByYUjkDPl6mojxt4MuLSkXrKDJ2ElFjDwah96TV76DwI_aABZM_vcqamT7PMmpk8ZGZfa8CG3E73FCltHMOWo0RVF8x6szYrSn3DnG_Y28Y2XTQ/s1600/ashells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyCvVhAJ9579Ip53Xm01FIepfyMzgByYUjkDPl6mojxt4MuLSkXrKDJ2ElFjDwah96TV76DwI_aABZM_vcqamT7PMmpk8ZGZfa8CG3E73FCltHMOWo0RVF8x6szYrSn3DnG_Y28Y2XTQ/s320/ashells.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These pictures were taken at La Boca which is a little hidden away from the usual tourist destinations. Every time I've been here, it has always been deserted or almost deserted. Great body surfing if you're into that kinda stuff. </div>
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And there is a small restaurant here that serves the best fish I've ever tasted (not including sushi which is in a class by itself) . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCYEz5tkmMxe86YBZUSc0DG8aswVc8Cc_NRl_hakScGs2F_KjlOAm9tCwxfXPIKF5eI3Cm9ZfSi7pM11a0NygECjoyVpWRheD6gLYQkl9AvlwnUSYCN7ikzqW0hm-N9wDcuM-tmaUlVk/s1600/alog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCYEz5tkmMxe86YBZUSc0DG8aswVc8Cc_NRl_hakScGs2F_KjlOAm9tCwxfXPIKF5eI3Cm9ZfSi7pM11a0NygECjoyVpWRheD6gLYQkl9AvlwnUSYCN7ikzqW0hm-N9wDcuM-tmaUlVk/s320/alog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pinas! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOouJ49G7Y6OX9rr4jM108gt-zoZ1WhlN4n8qv162oJJiUNSD3UTIp3d18mswsXdOnmSOrc4WRf1VECVf8Ly0kU389xDN-5adC_lM5LyyJ1dK41dRORhteZRYPGCUFtosTWogIhOhvd7g/s1600/apineapples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOouJ49G7Y6OX9rr4jM108gt-zoZ1WhlN4n8qv162oJJiUNSD3UTIp3d18mswsXdOnmSOrc4WRf1VECVf8Ly0kU389xDN-5adC_lM5LyyJ1dK41dRORhteZRYPGCUFtosTWogIhOhvd7g/s320/apineapples.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are more photos on their way and I promise you they are way more interesting. At least I hope so.<br />
<br />movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-48380106047251044682012-03-14T20:09:00.000-07:002012-05-01T22:43:30.699-07:00The Trouble with KONYDoesn’t KONY2012 suddenly feel like KONY2011? <br />
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I finally broke down this week and watched the video that
apparently 3 billion people had watched last week. In case you have managed to avoid the tsunami
of media manipulation, I have decided to break down the video into much smaller
pieces: </div>
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THIS IS AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME</div>
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Really cool music that makes you think something important
is about to happen. </div>
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Introduction of Gavin, the filmmaker’s son. It’s not clear why this kid is in this video
except for middle aged mothers to say, “damn, I wish my son was that cute”. </div>
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Cut to brutal interview of scared African teenager wishing
he were dead. This is serious
folks. YOU MUST PAY ATTENTION so get off
your damn playstation for two seconds (actually 30 minutes) and listen up! But the cute blonde SoCal kid will be coming
back in a minute so don’t fret. </div>
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Cute kid is back! Dad
says that Kony is a very bad man. Kinda
like Darth Vader from Star Wars. When
dad asks him what cute kid should do about the situation, cute kid replies, “we
should stop him”. This is the
implication; if a seven year old can figure it out (even though he was probably
coached by daddy to say everything), then all you morons watching this video
can figure it out too. KONY MUST BE
STOPPED! </div>
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The details of how, when, why
and all that crap will be explained later—all in vague but exciting terms. The point is to keep the message simple for
easier ADD teenage digestion. </div>
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Lots of cheering.
Young people. Ra Ra Ra. Kinda like a cheerleading squad on Capitol
Hill. If we are going to do something,
we must make a lot of noise and do it together.
A bunch of littles can make a big difference! And it worked (kinda). Special forces were sent to help the Ugandan
Army (with their own questionable history) in an attempt to find world criminal
#1. </div>
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At this point, the filmmakers should have inserted some
porn. Because I’m pretty sure that some
of the 14 year olds stopped watching, clicked the share button and went back to their playstations. </div>
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But for those still watching…this isn’t enough. We are going to “target” (a word which seems
strangely inappropriate considering the subject) celebrities and policy
makers. Really important celebrities like Rhianna who sings
about rough sex and Angelina Jolie whose name is always mentioned when the
international community needs help. This
will bring AWARENESS and make KONY a CELEBRITY –even though the actual victims
of Kony desire no such thing. </div>
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More young people running around and cheering. An introduction to the awesomely cool ACTION
KIT that was funded from all those heartfelt donations. It includes STICKERS and POSTERS and a cheap
bracelet that probably cost 5 cents for you AND a friend so you can pass it
on. Because this is all about passing it
on. And then on April 20<sup>th</sup>,
all these do-gooding 14 year olds are going to blanket their cities in KONY
2012 posters (God help us all) so that everyone can be even more aware that
KONY exists. </div>
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Cut back to cute kid. </div>
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“ I’m gonna be like you dad.”</div>
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“In what way son?” </div>
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“I’m gonna make millions by asking teenage kids for their
lunch money while travelling the world AND making use of my USC film degree.” </div>
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“Dare to dream, son.”
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I think we can all agree that Kony is a very bad person and
has done some very evil deeds and deserves to be punished. The problem I have is that the filmmakers are
building awareness and raising some SERIOUS cash so that they can raise more
awareness and raise more cash and raise more awareness … and well, at least
they are consistent with their mission statement. But as a CEO of a third world foundation, it
makes me a little sick to see that so much money is squandered on making films
and paying salaries and transportation costs and building “ACTION KITS” and
making people aware without any real consequence. It all just seems like a slick Hollywood
machine and the people who really need help—the victims of Kony’s atrocities—are
given a disproportionate percentage of money and support. And after watching the video, I couldn’t help
but get the feeling that the film was as much about smugfaced Jason Russell and
his cloying kid as it was about the plight in Africa. </div>
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I have watched
several of the interviews with the filmmakers over the past week and they are
in a very intense spotlight. To answer
their critics, they have even made another film but quite frankly, I think they
are digging themselves into a deeper and deeper hole. I’m sure they didn’t expect THIS much attention
and I’m curious to find out whether the momentum will carry through and make
their “Cover the night” party a success.
Will Kony be caught because of this?
I’m not sure it really matters.
There will always be evil people in the world. The focus should be on helping the good. <br />
<br /></div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-68081029036840187902012-03-07T18:10:00.001-08:002012-03-07T18:10:53.628-08:00FILTER FORGEIt's amazing what kind of crap you can find when you're surfing the internet. In some cases, it is worthwhile crap or at least, interesting crap so I usually find myself exploring further and at least giving the crap a 30 day trial. <br />
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Today, I came across filterforge and to be very fair, this program is not garbage and I highly recommend it if you use photoshop. As you may know, the filters in photoshop are very limited (and most of the time a complete waste of time) but with photoshop, the filter possibilities seem endless and most of the time, they are pretty freakin' cool. <br />
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I played around with a couple of them this afternoon and turned some photos into tricked out wonders. I decided to make a collection of some countries that I have visited. <br />
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First up, we have Cambodia of course, my latest obsession. I have always loved this photo. It came together at the end of the day when two monks were wandering around the famous Ta Prohm temple. The original photo isn't quite in focus so the photo is improved when it is "disguised" with a little filter magic. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR5eWqvtD3_nV7LkMy7lK30M9R3_PFK1Aou5pXxc0u-3yCng2OJjnqrakMl5uidDNsAE_xi0fCfWXdLPG8Q7SMB0x49x_Rvmk-wVB0x6fHTiOZvIFf3dlmxXdDP7U2T5OWKkl1HV-Dj8/s1600/acambodia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR5eWqvtD3_nV7LkMy7lK30M9R3_PFK1Aou5pXxc0u-3yCng2OJjnqrakMl5uidDNsAE_xi0fCfWXdLPG8Q7SMB0x49x_Rvmk-wVB0x6fHTiOZvIFf3dlmxXdDP7U2T5OWKkl1HV-Dj8/s320/acambodia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next up, we have Canada. This is Lake Belwood situated about an hour outside of Toronto and on a warm August morning, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world--in my opinion, of course. Summer doesn't last long here; by the middle of September, it's all over till the following June. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVtJklO4nPuANNHAZeKjVPjMb-vogo9Ki-dkeBx-lnjaH-WC0E-OduU2ic72zadqy0pn4fFvUt1tCkS7N6uTnul1moBY6OF-ul_Y6uvaRPYzg56QM9vHyjdKB22EQo2pLGNWJaf-RN9I/s1600/CANADA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVtJklO4nPuANNHAZeKjVPjMb-vogo9Ki-dkeBx-lnjaH-WC0E-OduU2ic72zadqy0pn4fFvUt1tCkS7N6uTnul1moBY6OF-ul_Y6uvaRPYzg56QM9vHyjdKB22EQo2pLGNWJaf-RN9I/s320/CANADA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The DR, as most people like to call it. An island paradise where the people are friendly, the beers are cold and the music is hot. If you come here, you'll spend some lazy days unless you get diarrhea and then you're running a lot to the bathroom. Bring some pepto and don't drink the tap water! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXTggpLHcpV6POfqYNKMpv3fh5Om_O0mEMPCi4n20wLuS8LrfJ6W6FsBFX7A6IYI2QrAKRhyphenhyphenwe6-ucB99CqDKjgD_OTcvGHR16uZ1dsLZHUPmlMTcafEy4BVosLku8Xr8VjQ7V2Ui2I4/s1600/DOMINICAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXTggpLHcpV6POfqYNKMpv3fh5Om_O0mEMPCi4n20wLuS8LrfJ6W6FsBFX7A6IYI2QrAKRhyphenhyphenwe6-ucB99CqDKjgD_OTcvGHR16uZ1dsLZHUPmlMTcafEy4BVosLku8Xr8VjQ7V2Ui2I4/s320/DOMINICAN.jpg" width="320" /></a>. </div>
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I really miss France. I lived outside of Paris for a year just before I entered University and I fell in love with the whole country. One of my favorite spots is Mont St. Michel which is the large Abby situated in the northwest corner of France in an area called Normandie. In the picture below, the large red splotches are actually poppies. Not the best use of filterfoge (it looks like an impressionist painting that was left out in the rain) but it took me quite a while to do so I'm putting it here. </div>
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You can check out filterforge at <a href="http://www.filterforge.com/">www.filterforge.com</a>. And yes, they do have a free trial. </div>
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<br /></div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-1488499667914600022012-02-28T22:02:00.000-08:002012-02-28T22:05:31.764-08:00POPWATCH: At the Oscars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGOQsbCkxP82L4FoxmDf9wxUYOxB_t41wZfN5elKDN_I9ypvfe0Q36eHSjJrDyV8Xp-xowe-Id0PzHwqFPQWmmbTaQYJIIc_9TmdXd06Kf2Fux-5Aw3BGupMsO2XNWtNlVvO9W91NcN4/s1600/IMG_0560%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGOQsbCkxP82L4FoxmDf9wxUYOxB_t41wZfN5elKDN_I9ypvfe0Q36eHSjJrDyV8Xp-xowe-Id0PzHwqFPQWmmbTaQYJIIc_9TmdXd06Kf2Fux-5Aw3BGupMsO2XNWtNlVvO9W91NcN4/s320/IMG_0560%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This year, I attended a very swanky Oscar event at Universal Studios. It was very very exclusive but as long as you could afford $200 and a suit or a dress (whichever was appropriate), then you were exclusive enough. </div>
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The money raised went towards MEND which helps people get out of poverty in Los Angeles so you didn't have to feel too guilty about spending an evening oogling stars who are much better looking than yourself. </div>
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I had a great time and I would do it again. </div>
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So here's my rundown of my random observations about the event and the movies that surrounded it. It was a depressing year for movies, wasn't it? Except for Bridesmaids. I'm sooooo looking forward to some good ol' popcorn movies. Anyone going to see The Hunger Games? </div>
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Anyhoo, here we go ...</div>
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*Have you seen The Artist?
I think most people are saying that it’s a good but not a great
movie. Is it Best Picture material? Well, if you compare it to The Descendants,
then you’re comparing Godiva chocolate to shit-on-a-stick. </div>
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*Yes, I will admit it that Angelina’s posturing was a little
strange but in my books, she can do no wrong.
She is talented, beautiful and a great humanitarian and she can stick
out any body part she wants wherever she wants.
And as someone else said, maybe she was just trying to air something
out. </div>
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*Meryl Streep had the funniest line of the night with her “whatever”
acceptance speech. She obviously has a
great sense of humor even if “Iron Lady” didn’t. </div>
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*Billy Crystal is a great host. Everyone knows that. He is far better than Ricky Gervass who is a
mean-spirited fat British unfunny dwarf.
(You can dish it out Ricky but can you take
it?) I think Billy should host every
year but occasionally let NPH do it for variety’s sake. </div>
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*For the first time ever, I watched the shorts. Most of them were good but I can’t understand
why something like “Time Freak” made it onto the list. It looked like something a bunch of drunk
college students put together which, I suppose, is not necessarily a bad
thing. My choice for the Live Action
Short was Tube Atlantic about a dying guy shooting up seagulls. No, it definitely wasn’t PETA friendly but it
was very bizarrely amusing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Hugo is a little overrated.
I know I’m being picky when I say that it didn’t make any sense that NO ONE
in this PARISIAN movie spoke French.
They all had British accents and sometimes very bad ones. And Hugo didn’t know whose story it was
telling. Was it about the old man? Or was it about the little kid? It wasn’t a family movie. If I were eight, I would have fallen asleep
after the first ten minutes or peed in my pants so I got to go home. In fact, at my age, I nearly did the latter
but I didn’t want to clean up the mess. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Okay, I’m going back at The Descendants. Not sure what the point of this movie was except
give me the desire to stick needles into my eyes. And if they wanted to make it more
depressing, they really couldn’t have.
They even threw in a confused old Iady who thought she was off to visit
Queen Elizabeth instead of her daughter who was in a coma. I did
like the stoner surfer dude. He made the
movie watchable. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Mara Rooney should have won for Best Actress. This was a very complex violent role and she
pulled it off perfectly. And she wasn’t
afraid to really bare it all (literally).
The movie was good too but I have a hard time believing that you can put
on a wig and sunglasses and waltz into a bank and withdraw several billion dollars
no matter how tech savvy you are. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Bridesmaids. Yep, it
was a good one and actually ENTERTAINING which a lot of the Best Picture
nominees failed at. Potty humor is
really undervalued in our society. We
should have more films where women do disgusting things. And I think Kristin Wiig is pretty damn
amazing. I was first introduced to her
in Knocked Up and she had the funniest five minutes even with very few words. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*They really should have had the dog from The Artist up on
stage at the Oscars. Hollywood people
are suckers for animals and in my profession, that’s a good thing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Why does Jennifer Lopez always think she is attending the Miami
Beach Hot Body contest? As much as I admire
the heavy lifting that her dresses do, I still don’t think it’s appropriate to
pull that kinda shit at the Oscars.
Cover up a little bit, there J.Lo.
We know you have the boobies but you’re distracting us from what comes
out of your mouth. (Is that the
point?) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*The older kid from The Tree of Life should have won
something. I don’t care what they needed
to call it. Young Actor’s Award or something? I don’t know how old he was but he did a
remGarkable job in a very haunting movie that everyone seemed to love or
hate. I loved it but I think I could
have done without the dinosaurs and the cosmos and other ridiculous imagery
that only made the movie feel pretentious.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*I don’t think anyone got “played off” by music at the
Oscars this year. I wonder what the
Academy told the winners so that they kept within their allotted time. They must have threatened them with winged
monkeys or something. I was impressed
that they kept the show running right on schedule. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Doesn’t it suck when you defy million to one odds and
receive a nomination for Best Supporting Actress and then you show up on the
red carpet wearing something that looks like a billowing tent? Melissa, you really needed to talk to Joan Rivers
before you made that choice. That plastic
old bitch would have told you like it is.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*How many times did the cameras cut to George Clooney during
the telecast? Yes, he is good looking but
so are the hundreds of other people in that room. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*My favorite for Best Picture was the quirky Midnight In
Paris. It had a quiet charm and I
thought it was far more magical than the heavy handed Hugo. I didn’t entirely trust the set-up; there is
no way that the main characters would have ever gotten engaged in the first
place (he was a dreamer and she was a raging bitch) but I was carried away about
the romance and Woody Allen did for Paris what he has done for New York in his
previous pictures. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Whatever happened to the musical numbers? Sometimes
it’s good to have something really disastrously bad so that people have
something to talk about the next day other than the women who tried too hard on
the red carpet. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*I like Emma Stone. I
really really like her. She looks like
she is enjoying her time in the spotlight and she isn’t afraid to act her
age. The Help was just a so-so movie but
perhaps the fact that I watched it on an 8 inch screen while flying over the
Pacific had something to do with my attitude.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And last but not least, I didn’t do very well with my
voting ballot. Trying to think like an
old white guy is actually very difficult.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can't wait till next year. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until then, we should all make love in the firmament. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ciao baby! </div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-46388844267492604832012-02-21T18:24:00.000-08:002012-02-21T18:24:33.036-08:00The incredible street art of San FranciscoOn a recent trip to the city by the bay, I did a couple of walking tours and snapped a couple of pictures along the way. <br />
<br />
I can't really remember where I walked. I think I was down in the Mission District and the Haight-Ashbury area. I do remember how painful my feet were at the end of the day. Six hours of straight walking in lousy athletic shoes takes its toll. <br />
<br />
So here's my portfolio. <br />
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<br />movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-7145932968506378562012-02-14T21:54:00.000-08:002012-02-14T21:54:05.911-08:00The opening of the Savong Student Center!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I'm very pleased to announce that the students are finally moving in!<br />
<br />
The Savong Student Center (or Centre if you're English, Canadian or Cambodian or pretty much anything else besides American) will be a home for ten older students who are attending the local high school or university. These are great kids and they are blessed to have such an opportunity. <br />
<br />
Only five out of the ten students have sponsors to cover their living expenses so we are still looking for generous donors. $40/month will cover the basic expenses such as food. If you are willing to donate more, then we are always looking for sponsors willing to cover the cost of education which is about $360/year for a high school student and about $400/year for a university student. The university students are also given a laptop which costs about $600. <br />
<br />
But I assure you, even the smallest donation will be put to good use. <br />
<br />
The best way to donate is through the Razoo page: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.razoo.com/story/savongfoundation">www.razoo.com/story/savongfoundation</a><br />
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Here is a video which was taken of the center while it was still under construction in November 2011. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/TkGJ1VC6baQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Thank you everyone. The Savong Foundation is very pleased to be a part of these students' lives! </span>
</div>
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<br />movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-20583996015610344132012-02-08T20:53:00.001-08:002012-02-09T22:23:01.806-08:00In San Francisco<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/oguk45/ScribblesFromAMidnightDiary02?authkey=Gv1sRgCKyOle7Aut-UDw#5707182576884553810"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiOOR802axfyw6O1D70PUR26E2P4_RpEmGHZ2hfgQPwGl-CI7t8DfPMgbp0S69XBYl9KOGPOLOChRFnRYgJClTuaeVpTvX88cIO7iwrvItRwJEBN7fFZeow93lCyoBXGCKHJmiwcLmG0/s288/0.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="246" /></a></center><center><br /></center><br />
For a couple of days, I'm up at the city by the bay. <br />
<br />
Today I walked three billion miles. No exaggeration. My feet are tingling and my knee hurts like hell. Where is the Advil damnit. <br />
<br />
I'm not sure why homeless people enjoy talking to me. Maybe it's because I stop and listen when they call out. Even though I don't give them money, they wish me a good day and sometimes I get a "God bless" which is really funny coming from them. <br />
<br />
I saw a homeless person dragging a suitcase. I thought that was much more tasteful than a shopping cart. And it's probably easier to organize all that homeless stuff. How did I know she was homeless? No one that dirty is gonna be taking a trip. And even if she had a ticket, there would be no way that Southwest Airlines would let her on a plane. <br />
<br />
I made it to the Haight-Ashbury district. This place has really seen its day. Tourists and wasted looking poseurs with dreds. Get a freakin' job. The hippie life didn't work. And no, I don't want a bud. <br />
<br />
I did like the Red Victorian though. The universal center of peace love and happiness. Maybe one day I'll stay there and listen to "me and Bobby McGee". Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose. <br />
<center><br /></center><center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/oguk45/ScribblesFromAMidnightDiary02?authkey=Gv1sRgCKyOle7Aut-UDw#5707182664358684514"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVsLSffRQTGmn096P8hZZFxKooY4qJvnpi7tNVO_nxJ1HdthQhsld7roJk3ixmbtcAiaF96tYsChCpr6P-JhP-4dRLsfKzan3t_MrBkja5takXa06F2uMiWKldij3FUTVSxA04tCLWac/s288/1.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="219" /></a></center><center><br /></center><br />
Overall I like San Francisco. I don't like the fact that the museum of modern art is closed on wednesdays but that's because I tried to go there on a Wednesday. <br />
<br />
The gift shop was open. You can browse books and buy artistic egg holders. And I learned about Banksy. <br />
<br />
Exit through the gift shop. <br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonemovievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-37975358735911989232012-01-26T22:37:00.000-08:002012-01-26T22:37:38.872-08:00The BEBE BillboardI was out walking my dog and I came across this bus billboard advertising the clothing line bebe. <br />
<br />
Strangely enough, the two women started talking to me. I know, weird huh? But strange things happen in North Hollywood. <br />
<br />
And this is what they said. <br />
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<br /></div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-3786393240756668902012-01-19T19:32:00.000-08:002012-01-19T19:33:33.144-08:00Movies that SHOCK!What does it take for a filmmaker to shock an audience these
days? Well, it depends on the audience
of course. I was shocked by that crazy
documentary <b>Jesus Camp</b> which is about
youngsters learning about scriptures but
I suppose there are people who could watch it and wonder what all the fuss was
about. <b>Toddlers and Tiaras</b>, the show on the TLC cable station, shocks me
when I take the time to watch it but if you’re a mother of one of those
toddlers, it obviously seems quite normal to dress a five year old up like a
dimestore hooker.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I still get shocked and some of my favorite movies are
the ones that have shocked me the most.
I have put together a list of these movies and why, at least from my
perspective, they seem so memorable. The
list is in no particular order. If you
haven’t seen some of the titles, I caution that you need an open mind even to
get through some of them. They are
definitely NOT for all tastes. You have
been warned. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Blue Velvet (1986) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This used to be my favorite movie of all time. It still is on my top ten list and bounces
around on that list depending on my random cinematic moods. It’s a story revolving around a severed ear,
some very bad gangsters, two innocent teenagers (who don’t really look like
teenagers) and a beautiful nightclub singer who gets abused (and sometimes
likes it). The best part about this
movie is how the director David Lynch directs the clash between the innocence
and evil. And it’s pure evil. The kind of evil that makes you think that
something very very bad is going to happen to the main characters. Favorite scene: Isabella Rossellini makes Kyle MacLachlan
strip naked while she threatens him with a knife. Not exactly shocking by itself but what comes
after certainly is. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Pink Flamingos (1972)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there is one movie that should get the most shocks per
minute of screentime, I would like to vote for this one. John Waters created this low budget
masterpiece by using a cast of friends who apparently weren’t afraid of doing
anything. Pervert with a turkey neck
tied to penis? Got it. Singing asshole? Got it.
Drag queen eating dog shit? Okay,
hasn’t everyone scene that scene? Even
Mr. Waters is apparently tired of explaining that yes, that scene did actually
happen and Divine did call up a doctor’s office just to make sure that he
wouldn’t die of some sort of canine parasite.
I am amazed that I can’t think of another recent film that has this many
jaw dropping moments. There is even
bestiality. Strangely enough, none of it
seems gratuitous. In some ways, it just
looks like a group of friends got together and shot a lot of crazy shit with a
camera. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Hustler White (1996) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This film seems like a documentary but isn’t; the film
borrows its beginning from Sunset Boulevard where the narrator is face down
dead in the water. This film follows the
journey of a Hollywood hustler who is part of a very seedy, twisted and most of
the time, outrageous underbelly of LA’s sex scene. Extremely graphic, this is the type of film
that you would only dare your most open and closest friends to watch because
anyone else would probably never talk to you again for suggesting it. The star is Tony Ward, who seems strangely
comfortable in this strange world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Henry: Portrait of a
Serial Killer (1986)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We see so much violence on tv and in the movies these days
that it takes A LOT of brutality to get through our jaded exteriors. But this movie seems to do it. Based on the true story of serial killer,
Henry Lee Lucas, we follow Henry as he casually kills people without any real
motive. He simply seems compelled to do
it. And he does it without any sense of
regret. The opening scenes of the dead
bodies in macabre tableaux are bad enough (especially the one of the half naked
girl at the sink with a glass bottle embedded in her head) but it only gets
more shocking with the torture of a naked woman while her husband and son are
unceremoniously killed. And the whole
scene is filmed by Henry’s accomplice, Otis.
Such raw evil is chilling; these victims could have been your mother or
your father or your child. Henry:
Portrait of a Serial Killer shows us how cheap human life can be. To add to the horror, Henry gets away with it
in the end. His real life inspiration
wasn’t so lucky. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">A Clockwork Orange (1971)
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I saw this movie for the first time with a church
group. Admittedly, it wasn’t an older
church group, we were all “youths” and someone brought along this gem for a
“movie night”. Obviously, we didn’t have
any older supervision that night and I suppose all of us were too shocked or
intrigued or at that age, turned on, to turn the blasphemy off. If you’re not familiar with the story, it
tells the tale of a very bad adolescent who is part of a violent gang and in
one of the more gruesome scenes, they rape a woman and permanently maim her
husband all to the joyous melodies of “Singing in the Rain”. Weird indeed. The leader subsequently enters
therapy—pretty much desensitization to violent images while his eyes are held
open—and you might think that he would be cured. But you would be wrong. Sexually and violently graphic, the acting
and directing elevate it beyond a simple exploitation film. Why is called A Clockwork Orange? I have no idea. One of the great movies of the Golden Age of
cinema. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Anatomy of Hell (2004) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now we have a little French film. A little French film that is filled with such
disgusting and nauseating images that it’s best if you haven’t eaten a meal for
several hours. I’m not really sure of
the plot. I suppose it revolves around a
woman who tries to kill herself but then is rescued by a gay man who is
intrigued and repulsed by her sexuality.
Makes sense so far, doesn’t it?
Oh well, it’s French and that explains a lot. To its credit, it pushes a lot of boundaries that
most filmmakers wouldn’t even want to approach and in my opinion, doesn’t
deserve the 4/10 rating on the IMDB website.
If anything, this film will make you realize that there is always
something out there that will shock an audience, no matter how open minded they
are. And believe it or not, this
filmmaker is a woman, the one and only, Catherine Breillat. </div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-41895167707761133912012-01-17T19:18:00.000-08:002012-01-17T19:18:38.817-08:00musical me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxkyOS6atM8bA7JDYhnIU4-Iea26t4c9jujPnzXQp1qJBDbzSzCAvwuJ_0ibQ3IU7x9fqQAOhH0vBzbLmUvoX-FjrdoBfIz-YMDVBDwAYWjRFMCacFyYRm0RW9pA3D6bq4bJQ693Vau4/s1600/philmusic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxkyOS6atM8bA7JDYhnIU4-Iea26t4c9jujPnzXQp1qJBDbzSzCAvwuJ_0ibQ3IU7x9fqQAOhH0vBzbLmUvoX-FjrdoBfIz-YMDVBDwAYWjRFMCacFyYRm0RW9pA3D6bq4bJQ693Vau4/s320/philmusic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You could say I'm in photoshop training. <br />
<br />
I'm giving myself an E for effort. The right ideas are there but it just didn't come together the way I wanted it to. <br />
<br />
Oh well. Next project!movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-27418553249157882342012-01-08T20:17:00.000-08:002012-01-08T20:20:12.144-08:00Year end thoughts for The Savong Foundation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB4gEpWKCvgvW4qSZfFaehGHjKUAGi3uJoMGGYR34yP5eAEGa1tIR2NhFuHQTWA1Qau4hl4mSPNzkcn2GEzE7etUiIoMau30XDRFdKLlqLKpeCH73GTfQRxevYY8gmIIpPbOQTxdda1k/s1600/aphil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB4gEpWKCvgvW4qSZfFaehGHjKUAGi3uJoMGGYR34yP5eAEGa1tIR2NhFuHQTWA1Qau4hl4mSPNzkcn2GEzE7etUiIoMau30XDRFdKLlqLKpeCH73GTfQRxevYY8gmIIpPbOQTxdda1k/s320/aphil.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was the best year ever for the Savong Foundation!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can say that with 100% honesty since the Savong Foundation
became official on May 4, 2011. On that
day, we received our 501(c)(3) paperwork from the United States Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) which allows American contributions to be tax
deductible. This process took nine
months from start to finish and involved a lot of fun paperwork with
interesting challenges like “Show us proof that you are not funding terrorist organizations within
Cambodia.” I wanted to write that all of
the children promised me that they would never ever build nuclear weapons at
the SOC (Savong Orphan Center) but from what I hear, the IRS
does not have a sense of humor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Cambodia, it seems that progress can be a slow painful
process. Savong doesn’t subscribe to
that philosophy because in 2011, it seemed like his projects were evolving at a
rapid pace. At the Savong School, a new
outdoor classroom was built and free Korean instruction was added to the
curriculum. (English and Japanese were
already being taught). Three of the
older students (Pomsen, Orong and Seyha) signed up for University and they
received their tuitions, living expenses, a laptop and a small amount of
spending money thanks to generous donations from their international
sponsors. Savong also made the decision
to go back to school because he clearly does not have enough to do in his spare
time despite the fact that he welcomed a new baby into the world. (A big welcome to Lucky!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a short downtime, the Medical Clinic at the SOC was
back up and running. Dr. Phin Sopheak leads
the helm and she sees about fifteen patients a day at no charge from the
surrounding community as well as from the SOC.
Also at the SOC, a full time guardian, Nan, was hired and the child
safety policy was implemented (you can read about it here <a href="http://www.savong.com/ChildSafety/tabid/173/Default.aspx">http://www.savong.com/ChildSafety/tabid/173/Default.aspx</a>).
The care, well being and happiness of the children at the SOC are always
a top priority and if you have ever visited this care center, you know that
they deserve the best! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Construction of the new student center began this year and
we are still doing some finishing touches.
This will be the home for the older students (ranging in age from 15 to 24)
who are attending the local high school or the university. All the land and construction costs (which
were considerable since Siem Reap is just not as cheap as you might think) came
from private donations. We hope to get
the students into this facility by January or February at the latest. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, the most fun I had this year was the trip to
Cambodia in mid November. I was there
for a couple of weeks with the treasurer of the foundation, Eddie Lamborn. I say “fun” but for most of the visit, it was
all about business and there never enough hours in our days. Savong was gracious with his time and we
discussed current projects and future ambitions. We had a great discussion about needs and
wants and Savong was very helpful in teaching us about the Cambodian
culture. That knowledge is essential; if
you want to help a population of people, the first step is understanding
them. And Cambodians are not
Americans. Or Australians. Or British.
That seems obvious but it is amazing how ingrained the Western culture
can be and without even realizing it, visitors such as ourselves can make
judgements which are misinformed or worse, just plain wrong. In other words, I learned that working in
Cambodia means leaving a lot of cultural baggage at home where it belongs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is in store for 2012?
The main focus for the foundation at this point is getting the student
center operational and making sure that the students learn as much at school as
they do outside of school. We do not
want to make them into adults who are dependent on outside help but instead
want to foster their independence while working as a team with the other
students. When we were in Cambodia, we
interviewed all of them and I’m excited about all the potential they hold. There is no question in my mind that they
have what it takes to make the most of the wonderful opportunities that they
have been given. Beyond the student
center, there are some other exciting projects on the horizon which will be
discussed with Savong, Duncan (in New Zealand) and the foundation. We are working hard on improving the website
(stay tuned!) and a fundraiser dinner is in the works for February. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As always, I want to say a huge (HUGE) thanks to all of
you. Your commitment, financial or
otherwise, is much appreciated and without your help, there is no way that we
could do the things that we do. I had no
idea that the foundation would take up as much time as it does but it is worth
it because the kids are worth it. If you
haven’t been to Cambodia yet, I hope you do someday because you will see what I
mean first hand. For those who have been
to the Kingdom of Wonder, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The foundation is dedicated to making their
lives better and we will do so with both accountability and transparency. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please continue with us on our journey. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a great 2012!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phil Caldwell</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CEO The Savong Foundation</div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-9016993663068932082012-01-01T18:29:00.000-08:002012-01-01T18:29:25.272-08:00Apologies to Morro Bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEn7h6oGmUxvUumoNm-n57eX6VPl4_xy8jZdY84OIeFRxtBM8tddtQDVUcRC6oTH-5wgsbwWUbPIoiFxAiqmBr-1z4kLPz5Cagw8B-KMePAkL6rATs64_kPpI0PyfPUtLr_zhX-lCYOM/s1600/amono.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEn7h6oGmUxvUumoNm-n57eX6VPl4_xy8jZdY84OIeFRxtBM8tddtQDVUcRC6oTH-5wgsbwWUbPIoiFxAiqmBr-1z4kLPz5Cagw8B-KMePAkL6rATs64_kPpI0PyfPUtLr_zhX-lCYOM/s320/amono.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There is a big mistake with this picture which you might not immediately catch. <br />
<br />
Oh Happy New Year and all that. I hope 2012 in a good one and the Mayans are wrong and everyone gets what they deserve--good or bad. Moving on ...<br />
<br />
I took this picture in the fall and I guess it has been a while--or maybe my memory isn't very good--because I could have sworn this place was called Mono Bay. So I photoshopped it with a big mono bay sign which is unfortunate because it is called Morro Bay. <br />
<br />
But I have better things to do with my time than play on photoshop (cleaning, doing laundry, walking dog, shower, eat and plan world domination, not necessarily in that order ...) so I have decided to leave it as is. It didn't take me long to do but still, I think I hear my dog peeing on the carpet ...<br />
<br />
Morro Bay is a great spot to visit. Not sure I would want to live there (it's a little too sleepy for me) but it is very picturesque and they had some pretty good chowder on the docks. It's on the coast, north of Los Angeles on the way to San Francisco.movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-13288191666293943642011-12-29T08:35:00.001-08:002011-12-29T08:35:43.629-08:00Photoshop fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfGuknpH8G8m1BkFVm0d3a04boSjYYNcqCTM-ZLGcGZ92-QGgyYVqy_MjSuV4hvK5ubxRJczKKgZzHxxo69iemk2Zl2JKOjkagBXMMMROve0SqJM4QO9WFSdTNKY6-ztye6PO-E-mWh4/s1600/asign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfGuknpH8G8m1BkFVm0d3a04boSjYYNcqCTM-ZLGcGZ92-QGgyYVqy_MjSuV4hvK5ubxRJczKKgZzHxxo69iemk2Zl2JKOjkagBXMMMROve0SqJM4QO9WFSdTNKY6-ztye6PO-E-mWh4/s320/asign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This sign is at the entrance to the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114521328981584910.post-3062820617550828922011-12-27T23:07:00.000-08:002011-12-27T23:09:10.315-08:00Karaoke in CambodiaThere were many great experiences while I was in Cambodia
but the one that took me by surprise was my first visit to a Karaoke club.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That night, I was with my Cambodian friend. We had just finished a good dinner and he
asked me what I wanted to do with what was left of the evening. I remember telling him that I wanted to go
somewhere quiet and talk. Maybe with
some music. But nothing too loud. My days in Cambodia were very busy and by
8pm, I was usually sleeping standing up.
I wasn’t in the mood for anything too exciting but my mood apparently
didn’t matter since my friend knew exactly what he wanted to do all along. And he wanted to sing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pulled up to the karaoke building and the first thing I noticed
was that there were large numbers of very young, well dressed women lounging
around at the entrance. They gave me
some curious looks and the first thing I thought was that my friend was taking
me on a side trip to a brothel. In
Cambodia, sometimes it is fun to see where things will go so I dutifully
followed my friend up some large stairs where a sturdy older woman who kinda
reminded me of a worn-out gym school teacher ushered us into a smallish room. She talked to my friend briefly in Khmer, sprayed
some air freshener which was probably called Mist of Cheap Cambodian Whore and she
left.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The room was not in good shape but when the lights were
lowered, it didn’t really matter. There
were large stains on the carpet, there were dark patches of suspected mold on
the walls and the fabric couches had tears and cigarette burns. But the room was nonetheless inviting. There was a large TV screen, some coffee
tables where beer and snacks were efficiently laid out and a large pool table. Neon lights were begging us to be “Happy,
Happy, Happy!” I plunked myself down on
the couch and waited for the next thing to happen.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I soon found out, the karaoke rooms are private. Apparently fights would break out if too many
Asians were competing over the same song book.
I can’t imagine someone kicking someone else’s ass over a Brittney Spear’s
song but I suppose anything is possible on this side of the world. But when I say private, I don’t mean that
there aren’t other people. Two younger
girls dressed in uniform came in and started setting up the karaoke
machine. Another girl came in and
started to open the beer. A friend of my
friend arrived and I thought that everyone was there that was going to be
there. But boy, was I wrong. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The door opened and about twenty very scantily clad women
were paraded into the room. I didn’t
dare ask how old the youngest was (maybe I should have) but the oldest didn’t
look any older than 21. Now I’m not exaggerating when I say that they
were all beautiful. Cambodian women have
a very exotic look and at that age, they are stunning. Dressed in their cocktail dresses, it was like
I was suddenly the judge on a Miss Cambodia pageant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have to pick one”, my friend said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re kidding me”, I replied. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t really sure what the protocol was here. My first thought was what in the hell was I
getting myself into? My second thought
was that I only had about $20 in my pocket and I had no idea how much the girl
was going to cost. Or the Karaoke room. And my third thought was there was no way I
could choose. I have a hard time deciding
what clothes to wear in the morning.
There was no way I could pick out something as serious as a fake date
for an evening. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I looked down the lineup.
Some of the girls looked at me but most acted very indifferent. Very cool.
Very professional like they had seen everything (and maybe had done
everything) a million times before I had gotten there. I wanted someone who looked fun and there
were a couple that caught my eye. I
figured that if I were going to be in this awkward situation, I wanted someone
who I could joke around with and dance with and …</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How about that one?” I said to my friend. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s ugly”, he said without hesitation. I later found out that none of them could
speak English so I guess the insult landed on deaf ears. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then you pick out one for me.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I obviously wasn’t good at picking out choice Cambodian meat
(which was how they were presented and NOT how I felt about them) so I decided
to leave it to someone who had apparently better taste. My friend went over, grabbed one by the hand
and brought her back to sit with me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbV5gUfV7noCYJgKsjgKBuia6CFl32-QjwdWcLAMWTuXLn3eG_Zf8c8X1yM6MqBG_J2KBi0XyKFt4I867UQj0dVfcnHb25AWNb6EzyW2JIbTiPuaDOuDdFY7QlVW8SMC3ev1fRH0jmjyM/s1600/IMG_3041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbV5gUfV7noCYJgKsjgKBuia6CFl32-QjwdWcLAMWTuXLn3eG_Zf8c8X1yM6MqBG_J2KBi0XyKFt4I867UQj0dVfcnHb25AWNb6EzyW2JIbTiPuaDOuDdFY7QlVW8SMC3ev1fRH0jmjyM/s320/IMG_3041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She
looked at me, smiled very shyly and clasped her hands on her lap. I asked her what her name was and she, of
course, had no clue what I was saying. This
was going to be tough but then I remembered that my iPhone had a little app
that translates English into Khmer. I
pulled out the phone and tapped away. I
found out her name was … something. I
can’t remember what she said but I have a hard enough time remembering names
anyway. Then I asked her everything on
the app. Where she lived. The directions to the airport. I counted from 1 to 10 and told her that it
was a sunny day. She smiled and laughed
but I think deep down inside she thought I was a moron and was probably hoping
that I had more than $20 in my pocket. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a nervous drinker.
Whenever I’m in strange situations, I tend to drink more than I should. This isn’t by design but it does loosen me up
and calms my nerves. In this situation,
the funny thing was that every time I took a drink, my date had to drink
too. And we had to clink the glasses and
stare into each other’s eyes like we were madly in love or something. The
other funny thing was that the beer was bottomless. In other words, as soon as the glass was
emptied by a mouthful, a host rushed over and filled it back up. So you never know how much beer you’re
drinking. Very smart for the karaoke
business but no so smart for the dumb foreigners who don’t have an off switch
for drinking. If there is alcohol in
front of me, I tend to drink it. And it
can be any alcohol. Strong or weak. Whisky or wine. I’ll suck it down. Thankfully in this case, it was Angkor Beer
which is great tasting and not especially strong. At least initially. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The music was fired up and the lyrics scrolled across the
screen. My friend jumped up and belted
out an obvious Khmer love song. If you
have ever been to an Asian karaoke bar, you know what I mean when I say that
the karaoke videos are amusing even by themselves. You really don’t need the added entertainment
of hearing your friends trying to hold a note.
The actors in these cheesy videos are required to have two “looks”; they
either look they are in complete lust with each other or they look like they
have been torn apart and this forsaken love has left them tortured forever. And the backgrounds seem so arbitrary. I remember looking at one video in my drunken
stupor and thinking, “why in the hell are these lovers in Istanbul?” Recognizing that the background was indeed Istanbul
was a proud accomplishment for me at that hour in the evening and I mentally
patted myself on my back. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got the feeling that my date was hungry because the host
came over with some packages of “something” and my date looked at me with big
eyes and pointed at the snack. I nodded
yes and she eagerly ripped it open and spilled the contents on the plate. I wasn’t sure what they were. Small and round and moist and very pale. She stabbed one with a toothpick and aimed it
at my mouth. I opened up (like a good
little baby) and she stuck it in. I’m
not sure how to describe the taste. A
little garlicky. Maybe a little
fishy? It was soft and squishy. An acquired taste which I quickly acquired
because she proceeded to stick more down my gullet at every opportunity. I think she was being polite. She was starving and didn’t want to make it
look like she was eating without me. The
host came over with some more snacks but these ones didn’t look as
appetizing. In fact, they looked like
larvae in tomato sauce. Did I eat them
as my date forced them upon me? Hell
yes! I really can’t say no. I simply made a mental note to be on high alert for any intestinal grumblings.
Getting hit with EBD (Explosive Butt Disease) in Cambodia can happen at
any moment but usually there are at least some initial warning signs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You don’t have to ask me twice to sing especially with a
group of people who don’t speak English or barely know it. I went through the songbook and picked out
songs that I would never sing in a million years back home. Kesha.
Yes, I will admit it. I sang
Kesha because what happens in Cambodia stays in Cambodia unless you spill all
your guts out on a public blog. I think I did
it pretty well because it got everyone up dancing and if you can’t dance to
Kesha, then you really haven’t drunk enough.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the evening was winding down, I got the nagging feeling
that I actually had to pay my date. I
was certainly not under the illusion that I was so charming and attractive that
I was going to get away with a freebie.
And getting mouth fed like a baby bird and getting smiled at every five
seconds was not going to be cheap. I
pulled out my wallet. Yep, the $20 was
still there and sadly had not multiplied itself since I had last checked. I snuck over to my friend and asked him how
much I should tip. He told me not more
than $5 and $3 was appropriate if I didn’t have enough money. I looked over at my date. She was with me for about three hours and my
friend was asking me to give her less money than what it costs to buy a venti
frap at Starbucks. I couldn’t do
it. I felt like she deserved more for
putting up with my goofy crap. I asked
my friend for change and he gave me two $10 bills and I went back to my date
and gave her one of them. She folded it
up. Clasped her hands together. Gave me a polite bow and disappeared out the
door. As quickly as that, she was gone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a weird way, I felt cheated. (Maybe she did too?) I think I half expected her to give me her
email address or exchange phone numbers.
Or give me a big kiss. Or whisper
in my ear what she could have done for more money. Leaving like that was like getting a band aid
ripped off. The lights came up and the
illusion was over. I remember the same
feeling at my high school dances. Okay,
everyone go home. The party is over and
pretend like you don’t know each other again.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we were leaving I saw my ex-fake-date by the front
door. I looked at her and she looked at
me. She didn’t look down and held my gaze. But I couldn’t interpret it. Was she being polite? Was she as curious about me as I was about
her? Was she just being professional and
giving me a last taste before hooking up with the next guy that came around? I don’t know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the fact that she made me linger one last time probably
means she is just being good at what she does.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even so, I wish her well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwWLYU75W5uMqSxDJfUqfuTTtWwUWytPGT6aWjvXV_fFSFQyJzcyHoWR773o-cWhrFWY6-2arlia_97xw5E7g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>movievethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07663615305992515648noreply@blogger.com0