Thoughts before departing

Not about Cambodia, though. Just inspired by conversations I had here. Was talking with Miwa. Eric, if your African connection allows you to view this, I know you will freak out when you realize she used to work at Messhuga's, which was so much crazy fun back in the day, although many reports say it sucks now. Oh well, remember and forge on.
During the conversation we ended up talking about blogs, and I remembered going to a site that I reached somehow through Hoops' site. Benjamin, Hoops, somebody knows The Git. Not sure who. Or, you can go to my favorite story on the site: the Ballad of Carl Wilson. Anyway, just an example of something great found through these blogs. Might put a permanent link on it.
One last thing, has anyone got the scoop on these 911 photos? Interesting, just don't know what the story is behind them coming out. Worth a look if you have time.

A wonderful quote from the beer I was drinking the other day. Hilarious. I chuckled and drank one more, and then I was done. Also, found a funny review of the beer by a guy who knows more about beer than I do. Click on the pic to read it. Pretty funny. Oh, Cambodia. I take your challenge.

“Klang Beer is carefully brewed using the most advanced brewing technology available. It is brewed to the highest possible standard for beer drinkers the world over. Klang Beer is a perfect drink for all kinds of celebration and it can be savoured at any time of day. Mind you, it’s a very strong beer but go ahead and take the challenge! After all, it is specially brewed for you."

Siem Rape

or at least that is what it should be called. The place is infested with tourists and reeks of commercialism. I seriously preferred Phnom Penh. I doubt I will be back unless someone just begs me to go with them, but I doubt it.
Once I got over that, the place was ok, but I wasn't that excited about it. There were a few "wow" moments, but I still think Tikal was prettier.
I guess the coolest thing about Angkor and the surrounding temples, which is actually kind of sad, is the fact that these ruins are really in ruins. So, you walk among things that are completely deteriorating, which lends the place a bit of mystery.
Now everyone can lambast me for not loving Angkor, but all the better. I leave this place for those package tour folks to revisit year after year. That said, the people in Siem Reap are great.
That is my superficial report over this slow connection.

wrong, but so funny

Look carefully at the sign the boy is carrying. Laugh. Explanation below.

April 2004: This image, which was widely circulated on the internet, shows a U.S. Marine posing for a photo with two Iraqi children while holding a sign reading "Lcpl Boudreauk killed my Dad then he knocked up my sister". Boudreauk claims that this image was tampered with from the original, in which the sign read "Welcome Marines". A military investigation into potential wrong-doing was inconclusive. It remains unclear if this image is authentic.
Got this from an interesting look at image manipulation by someone at Dartmouth.

I stink

Well, if only I had a digital camera....
Dare to dream. Anyway, I would post the photos now, but they are on a roll of film. Today I went and rolled around in the trash and shit. Well, not rolled, but walked on it. Went to a dump where people live and work. they pick up trash and haul it off to factories to be recycled. Some is burned. Smoke is everywhere, as well as all the trash you can imagine and more, plus loads of what I assume is cow shit. Horrible conditions for these people, and I cannot imagine what kind of health problems they must have, especially the children. They are there working as well.
So, I interviewed one guy working for an NGO that is trying to provide education to the children and vocational training to the adults. Many come from the countryside and have no other way to make a living. I was there for a total of about 2 hours, but only mayube 45 minutes in the trash. the rest of the time was just next to it where the NGO is housed.
So, that is what I am doing in Phnom Penh. Pretty crazy to many, but I am having a blast. I go back tomorrow and try to finish. Wish me luck.

Mr. President, are you reading this?

Probably not. It is exactly what he needs to have a look at though. This week Doonesbury has been right on, so I thought I would post them.....Gary Trudeau can't sue me, right????? I didn't make these...he did, and you can go to his site here. Always sketched about what I can just rip off of other pages.
Anyway, enjoy. I am off to an undisclosed location that is not Thailand. Will follow up on that later. Hoops, you happy?