• It is not the best (or most romantic) way to spend Valentine’s Day, I know.  Christa is in Chiang Mai with Sarah.  I’m in Bangkok with Anna.  Our first wonderful week in Thailand was spent at the beach.  Our second week was spent at our company conference at a resort just outside of Chiang Mai. …

    ·

  • Here’s some beach pictures…  Live vicariously–without the sunburn! p.s. Regarding beach reading…I made a bit of a mental error with Hornby’s About a Boy.  Some of you probably caught that, but were too polite to mention it.  I’ve even seen the movie and I forgot about the fact that the entire story hinges on a…

    ·

  • Suffice it to say we’re here at the beach in Prachuap, Thailand…and IT (pause) IS (pause)… AWESOME!  (That was a Chris Farley "awesome" by the way–god rest his soul.) Our second story bungalow apartment overlooks the blue sparkling hues of the pool and (more importantly) the Gulf of Thailand which sits a mere 30 yards…

    ·

  • Made it to Chengdu with no problems.  Today we will be in Bangkok, Thailand!

    ·

  • Xining?  (Yes, that’s snow outside our window.) Or… Thailand? You decide.  (I do apologize because I realize many of you are stuck in the awful throes of frigid winter with no sign of spring in sight.  I feel for you.  Please don’t be spiteful and pray for sunburn.  Please?)

    ·

  • OK, it’s not really 3 days until Thailand, it’s 4, but we’re heading to Chengdu in 3 so that’s my new countdown figure.  Xining has been cold, hands-getting-numb-inside-gloves cold lately.  There is a dusting of snow on the ground outside.  Our friends living in Jianzha couldn’t make the bus trip to Xining yesterday because the…

    ·

  •   Mr. Roboto 3/4 pose   Still allowed a representative number of candles. What a slouch though! Extraordinary likenesses I think   An unrelated picture of Anna and a cat

    ·

  • Today is my birthday.  No, really it’s OK if you forgot.  I wasn’t expecting presents.  Cards maybe, but not big ones.  A postcard is fine, really.  (I’m joking, folks.) When it comes to remembering, recognizing, and commemorating others’ birthdays through the giving of gifts–I am THE WORST!   I hit the necessary relationships–wife, children, parents, but…

    ·

  • In my opinion if your vacation doesn’t involve some quality time with a good book you haven’t actually HAD a vacation.  So as I ponder warm beaches, lapping waves, and coastal blue skies, I make paperback plans.  When you are reclining on a beach 5 hours south of Bangkok, you need to have quality, chill-out…

    ·

  • Itinerary:(Starting Jan. 30th – I’ve left off the other dates for my own sanity’s sake.  Believe me, you don’t want to know time frames…) Xining to Chengdu – Flight Chengdu to Bangkok  – Flight – (Drop off new passport application) Bangkok to Prachuap – Van – Beach!!! Prachuap to Bangkok – Van Bangkok to Chiang…

    ·