Myanmar police block aid workers, food piles up

Earlier this year I did a couple of articles about the horror show which is Myanmar. The nation is completely crippled by a corrupt and extremely violent dictatorship known as the Junta government. When rich nations are hit by natural disasters, i.e. the US, chaos can accrue. Yet when natural disasters strike a nation like Myanmar it's not chaotic, it's a systematic genocide. The privileged over there are about to get new privileges in the form of aid relief donations. They are not only blocking aid from coming in from foreign nations or switching the labels on the aid to say the names of generals in order to win favor with the people they are oppressing, but in many cases they are simply stealing the goods and stockpiling them for their private armies.

I am never in favor of the US getting militarily involved in nations outside of their borders, but I am happy to report that the US is the leading nation in pressuring this self appointed government into making change. China and India, on the other hand, are acting negligently and must be seen as a big part of the problem in this 3rd world nation. China has so much influence in their neighbor country that they could easily put an end to the Junta with pressure or just a lack of support, but China says this is an Myanmar internal issue -- so then stop doing so much business and trade with this government.

The world has put blinders on when it comes to this nation for long enough. I am happy to see the US responding to this issue with serious diligence and some real diplomacy. We need other wealthy nations to get on board. They want freedom to vote, they want to form a government that is absent of military tyranny. We don't need to fight their battle for them, but we must try to find ways to help their cause.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE TITLE TO READ MORE NEWS FROM MYANMAR

Hot Babes Vegas Delivery

Just a last thought about my time back in the USA. I am still considering publishing the toroid sex tales of our host's household pet, but while I was going through some of my photos I came across this random shot we took on the Vegas strip. Time after time, when I tell people I live in Bangkok I get this kind of smirking grin from them. "Bangkok, right," they might say. "I hear it's pretty wild over there." Now I'm not going to say that we don't have a red light district that would rival any major city in the world -- we do, but it is such a small part of the life here that it seldom comes into my thoughts. First of all, our prostitute area is basically down town. Now like most big cities down town is a terrible place to try to get in and out of by car, therefor I seldom venture down there. It is great that our tourists have a place to find the kind of nightlife entertainment they are looking for and it is all right there surrounding the hotels that they frequent. It really has been the tourist industry that loured the prostitutes here. By the way, it's not just Thai girls working down there. The largest growing group of women working the sex for sale zone is Russian, followed of course by Burmese, and Cambodian. Where tourists are throwing money around to have a good time you will usually find 3 things: prostitutes, alcohol, and gambling. Actually Bangkok only has 2 of the 3 vices offered.

So what am I rambling about? Well here's the thing. In truth Bangkok is a very tame city over all. Certainly there are massage parlors, men's spas, and hair cut places that offer sex for cash. In the suburbs, where I live and work, these places are available but they are so woven into the fabric of the city that you -- unless you are looking for them -- won't notice them. Now down town is different, giant massage parlors, discos, strip bars, and very overt prostitution is a bit jarring when you first see it. But in truth Las Vegas Nevada has prostitution down to such a science that it is literally served up to you right at your hotel room.

If you look at the photo from above it basically is saying hot babes sent directly to you. Now we can all wink at each other and say, so a little strip tease in your room -- harmless. But of course everyone knows the strip is just the initial service. All other services cost a lot more and will be negotiated once the performer is in the room. If you have ever walked on the strip in Vegas you will no doubt have been handed a card with photos of beautiful call girls who are also available direct to your door.

I know Bangkok has prostitution, but it's just so distant to those of us who live and work here. I just want people in the US to remember they also have sex for cash in their own country. Hey, what tourists on vacation from their job with the man want to spend their money on is their business. I could care less. I guess I just get a little touchy about the idea that Bangkok Thailand is some kind of morally bankrupt city of sin. If you want to see the other side of life in Thailand, check out ECHO POOL, a novel I wrote with no bar girls or prostitutes in it.

Maco and family Nung and family

Maco

Now I had to put up one last set of photos about America. We spent a wonderful afternoon with my good friend Maco, his wife and their lovely daughter. He was a wonderful host as he grilled up some hamburgers and brots and we had wine and beer and yes even a little bit of pie. It was kind of fun because we were celebrating the NEW YEAR for Cambodia and Thailand which is on the same day, but we were doing it American style.

Later in the afternoon we were visited by my close friend Nung and his family. Now Nung is Thai, but lives just down the block from Maco so it was great that they could slip over before they headed to the Thai temple to celebrate.

Even Vietnam was represented as Nhu and Dave came along with us to round out the South East Asian experience.

It was great seeing everyone. Nung's brother, Bui, was one of my closest friends when I lived in Denver. Bui was the kind of guy who you didn't call on the phone and chat with, he was the kind of guy who just showed up at my house, let himself in, and started making noodles for himself, me, and anyone else he'd invited over to my place. He was happiest with a couple of beers in him and may have been one of the most honest men I was ever around. In truth Bui really didn't take care of himself so much, but he always was trying to help others. He passed away this last year from cancer and it was not surprising that all of the soccer players who he'd devoted his time to for years came to his funeral. He was the kind of guy who had patience in a sports world consumed with immediate results, Bui offered his athletes a kind word, and an opportunity to work at it again and again. Losing Bui was very hard on everyone who knew him. He is missed, and especially in a gathering like this where there was food and ice cold beer, I could almost hear his laughter.

This day was another reminder to me of the hardest part of living in Thailand, being away fro the friends I spent my time with in Denver. I was blessed with a great group of friends, and sadly a lot of them I didn't find the time to go see. I wish I had more days to track more of them down.

Well, it's time to get back to my life in Thailand. Still, this was a great trip and one I will not soon be forgetting.

Proud Daddy

What is Greg babbling about?

Proud Mommy

Nung, Nick, and I

The final day in Denver

Well all good things must come to an end I guess. Denver has been a wonderful stop during our journey. Now it is time for us to head back to Bangkok, so I put together a little video footage of our last day in the mile high city. First we went to meet my good friend and once business partner Dan Dinner at his country club. Dan is one of the guys who really taught me about life and business, and it was marvelous just to see him fit and doing so well.

After our visit with him we went down town for a lunch on the 16Th street mall and then we just cruised around the city a bit taking shots of different land marks such as: Tattered Cover Book Store, the train station, the Broncos stadium which used to be Mile High but is now some corporate thing, and lots of other famous places around down town. Then we went back to the Augustine mansion to wile away our day walking around the pond, sipping wine on the back patio, and then cooking a feast to enjoy for our last supper.

We really had a great time in Denver, seeing friends and family and a few familiar sights. Thanks to everyone who either hosted us, met with us, or put up with us during our visit.

Miracle Buerger

Eli,Dave, Michelle, Karen, and Steve -- the Buergers.

Young Mr. Eli Buerger will forever be known as Miracle. Why is that? Well it's because over a decade ago, that's ten years for my readers in the southern states (just kidding Speedy), the doctors told Karen and Steve -- my first cousins -- that children were out of the question. In fact it was this news that set them on the path to financial success. I mean imagine a double income family, no kids, and not even having to spend on birth control. HELLO SUCCESS! It probably explains the giant house they live in out in the suburbs of Denver close to Boulder, it's truly a beautiful place and now it is the happy home it longed to be. Eli has brought a miracle to the Buerger family. As they say, "God works in mysterious ways," especially while in Mexico pounding tequila shots 'ey Steve!

So please watch this short photo slide to see Mr. Eli's www.siminoe.com premier. He loves the camera!

One Denver day

Teo, Greg, Nan and Sim

Denver is the kind of city that it is easy to find a lot to do. It has so much going on most weekends it's easy to get lost in the chaos. I lived in Denver for close to 15 years and in that time I went through a ski phase, mountain bike phase, volleyball phase, Frisbee stint, weight lifting kick, jogging, kick boxing, and well lots of other adventures. One thing Denver has an abundance of is recreation. If you're into sports or into watching sports its hard to imagine a town with more going on than the mile high city.

So while I was visiting my old stomping grounds, we put together a simple Sunday that was certainly a day to remember. We started with breakfast at Centennial airport where we watched the planes coming and going, then hit some driving range golf balls, then off to Red Rocks for some sun shine, and we wrapped up our Sunday with a down town evening which was highlighted with a NUGGETS NBA game.

It was awesome!

Our Denver Hosts Matteo, Nhu, Dave and Chili

Nhu welcomed us into her home after we survived the blizzardy roads. It was wonderful to be out of the car, once I pried my fingers off the wheel. It had been a while since I'd driven in snow and I must say my nerves, especially because I was too cheap to pay for the rental car's rental insurance, were frayed. But the Augustines were amazing hosts. A good friend once told me that health is wealth and I can't disagree, but since I'm a starving writer I do have a belief that wealth is having wonderful friends who will take you in and not complain if you drink their wine and coffee -- you know the good stuff -- and sleep in their guest bedroom for 6 nights because you can't afford American hotel rates. Well, I have not got a fortune of my own to compare this to anything, but I have been blessed with magnificent friendships and I think it is better. Think of it this way, if I had wealth then I'd have pride which would not allow me to sleep at my friend's home. But, I'm basically destitute so this takes away a man's pride and replaces it with need. Having need allows special and magnanimous people, such as the Augustines, to give. We all know how wonderful it is to give. So yes it is true that we were freeloading while staying with our good friends; however, I like to think of it as, instead of freeloading, as giveoffering (offering them an opportunity to give).
It was a magnificent stay. In my next article we will have the inside scoop of DENVER, more photos of friends and the SECRET SEX LIFE OF CHILI the dog! Two Bangkok kids running around in Denver, what could be more interesting. So come see what trouble we managed to find.

Dave and Nan eager for the food.

Teo welcomes us.

Things to love about America

Well far too much has been said about my dislike of one of America's staple foods, Mexican, so I think it is important that I balance this negative stuff with all of the many things that I absolutely loved about my visit to the good young USA. Yes American, you're country is hasn't broken 300 years so it should never be referred to as old. China has vases in their cupboards older than 231 years. Besides, I think it is more fun being the new kids on the block, the upstarts instead of the empire, but perceptions are only as true as those who believe them. Enough of that.

I really loved my journey to the US. Here are some photos of why. I'll start with the Nebraska leg of my trip, which was followed by a journey to Colorado's Rockies which were experiencing a spring blizzard, and of course our one night run out to Vegas.

all my girls at the Kearney art Museum

my mom and daughter and I watching a the sand hill cranes in Nebraska

All the Paris I need, Paris Paris


Vegas strip

snowy vail pass, and I was too cheap to take the rental insurance




Nan relaxin by the pools

Biff and Lake one growing up and one growing -- well we are all getting older

I Still Hate Mexican Food

So I did get a comment on my I hate Mexican food article that made some very valid points about the quality and popularity of Mexican dishes. They said I may have just eaten at a bad restaurant and that I can't judge all Mexican food by one location. I'm open minded, so we tried again.
I now LOATH Mexican food. I can't understand how they believe sour is spicy. Tabasco sauce is nothing but vinegar and vinegar just should not be blended with anything other than a salad. I did enjoy the onions, but when they are caked in dried rice it fails to hold their natural flavor. Over all, frying the taste out of the good stuff and coating it with bland cheeses and less than tasty sauces, just doesn't work for me.
But what really bugged me is this: $47.00 for two people to eat food that can't be enjoyed. That is close to 2,000 baht for fatty, bland food. Ouch!

This was the best I could do to eat this. The food seems to become heavier and heavier once it enters your stomach and then it begins to expand expediently until you find your entire body bloating and stretching like a balloon being pumped full of helium.

I hate Mexican food

You know when people say spicy in the United States, where I am currently traveling, I often hear them follow this up with 'Mexican food you mean' and for years I would nod along and say 'Yeah I guess it is spicy.'

Well, during our journey over here we decided to try a Mexican restaurant while driving through the snowy mountains in Colorado. We asked the waiter, spicy please and please don't spare the peppers. But when our food came out it was so disappointing that we picked at if for a few minutes and then I ran back to our car to get our THAI ground peppers and THAI hot sauce. After we covered their fried dried beans, tasteless cheese, fried to rock like chunks of rice, and flower tortilla made of, you guessed it tasteless flower, with hot sauce we were then able to gag it down.

We tried three or four dishes, but failed to find even one that would qualify as tasty or spicy. I believe the reason people think it is spicy is simply based on appearance. They put big green chilies on the plate and wink at each other and say, 'very spicy you be careful there gringo and chinky girl' but in truth these are just for show. And what is really amazing is when they bring you a sour vinegary sauce and claim that this is HOT SAUCE. My over all take on the food is salty, bland, sour, and vinegary, and well not my style at all. Mexican fans, you want to taste some peppers that actually have flavor and that could actually clear your nose, come on over to Thailand where we pack more punch in one fingernail sized pepper than your jalapenos pack in a pound.

I will say that Mexican restaurants do have one very delicious item on the menu, and I believe it was called a Cadillac Margaretta. Other than the rim of salt which was a bit disgusting, the drink was fabulous.

Bangkok Airport's Helpful Sign

I was in Bangkok's new international airport this last week as I am currently traveling in the United states during my summer break from school. I thought this sign really was kind of funny. I mean talk about emergency exit and the need to find one! If I ever have fire coming out of my ass I hope I find a sign like this so that I can get the EXIT PLAN I need.

For some foreigners who are accustom to eating potatoes and boiled meats, Thai food with it's spicy peppers and so forth can create a little fire down below. I guess this sign was created for them. Thai people are so helpful.

A Head Gash is No Cash in Thailand

The other day, actually its been a few weeks ago but I've been too lazy to write about it, I returned home after a very long and exhausting day of work. I was in a bit of a bad mood as I had just found a pimple on my chin. Now I'm old, and so for me to get a pimple on my chin is kind of rare. The thing is, it's damn hot in Thailand this time of year. I mean damn in the literal definition like borderline hell conditions. Most days it's about 90 + and we have 70% humidity but it just won't rain! But, like an idiot, I play basketball and badminton nearly every day in the middle of the afternoon and drench myself with perspiration. So this time of year you see blemishes sprouting on everyone -- who can battle all this heat. I mean I get a facial treatment every weekend, but still my skin is not impervious to these zit fertile conditions.

Where was I? Coming home, and I got out of my truck and was sort of looking at my zit in the side mirror of my truck. Then my favorite little kid was hanging in the doorway of our building playing with the maid, she is partially terrified of the tall goofy Farang and partially loves to wave and say 'Hello' before hiding her face in her mother's bosom. She's only about 1 and a half or so, so just cute as a button. The maid was lowering the sun screen which guards the front door in the late afternoon and this screen, basically a pipe with a tarp attached, came down right in front of me and CRACKED me on the head.

I had no idea I was hurt until the baby started crying. "It's okay honey," I said, trying to joke with her and tease her into a smile; and I almost had her there when a big streak of crimson ran down my forehead and into my eye. "Ahhhh," I yelled, "WHAAAAA" she cried. Both of us scrambled for out rooms.

Now, I have a hard head. I've tested this fact far too many times in my rather idiotic and violent youth. But still I was a little woozy on my way to my apartment. BUT, this is Thailand so you think I could sue over such a thing, Americans I know you do, but think again. Here it is truly walker or customer beware and so common sense rules. I walked into the pipe, it sucks and it hurt like a pipe to the head, but it was really my fault so no pay out will be forth coming.

Oh well, take a look at the idiot's head.

PLAY ME