Je sui une legionnaire

OK, my French still sucks. But I just wanted to quickly update my blog. I am in my 2nd month of basic training in the French Foreign Legion, and all is well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, and please leave some comments or email me so I know there's another world outside of here.

Beaucoup love from Castelnaudary, France.

Path of most resistance

(Actually currently Dimanche 15 Octobre 2006, 1230)

As a child, I read these books called "Choose Your Own Adventure". While it was obvious most of the time as to which action to choose, sometimes it was not.

And even though my personal journey is far from complete, I am choosing an action that may seem illogical, and ill-advised. It may also seem impulsive, but it is not.

I am not running from anyone or anything. I am choosing to try something that people only daydream about. There are absolutely no guarantees I will succeed, and there will definitely be good times and bad times even if I do. But at the end, I can look at myself in the mirror and know that I didn't do the easy way.

Choose your own adventure, indeed.

Legio Patria Nostra.

Exquisitely sublime...

There were times at Kaewsamrit Muay Thai when I asked myself why I was placing myself in such pain and discomfort. Why as a "tourist" and not a professional fighter, hell...not even a gifted amateur, I was training like I was getting ready for a fight.

Because it was worth every stinking, sweating, aching moment. There's something that just transcends physical discomfort, and makes the whole experience sublime. I have experienced it in swimming and cycling, but never as a boxer. To try to put it into words seems to cheapen the experience...so I'll leave it at that.

My friends and family...do try to challenge yourself, and not just physically, in every way and at every opportunity.

Arete.

I am off to France on Emirates Airline this Friday at 0230. Next update will be whenever I can figure out the French keyboard.

Muay Thai "mini-camp" in Bangkok

So I decided to check myself into a Muay Thai camp. It's like a mental asylum, except with more sweat. 0600-0900 training in the morning, followed by breakfast/lunch, then another session in the afternoon from 1500-1800. I don't even know about this point if I'll be able to last the 6 days of training that I've committed to.

IF I can handle the stress load, I think I'll get myself to a pretty good fitness level. Not to mention just have the opportunity to just train and not worry about anything else, which I've always enjoyed. Probably have some new bruises. Definitely some new friends. And most definitely an appreciation for a new and higher level of PAIN.

Peace!

So this coup d'etat turned out to be rather boring. Not a whole lot of excitement. For the sake of the Thai people and country, I'm glad it was accomplished without bloodshed. But as an adventure-craving goofball, I do feel somewhat (albeit conflicted) disappointed.

Congrats to BC and JC on the new addition to their family.

Word.

COUP D'ETAT

Surreal. Even though I know that 5-6km away armored vehicles and troops festooned with weaponery surround government buildings, it doesn't seem any different where I am in Bangkok. Another new experience for me. Not quite what I

Seems to be an unofficial holiday today. Very few people on the road, whether on wheels or on foot, much less than usual. In general, the Thai's I've encountered seemed to be subdued.

It's very quiet.

Too quiet.

1 Month

Hard to believe it's already been a month, but also hard to believe it's only been a month.

Waiting on some paperwork to clear up so I can venture forth. In the mean time, I'm trying to keep myself entertained with a bout of tummy trouble. While it sucks, there's no way I'm going to let a bit of intestinal discomfort get in the way of tasting culinary treats and delights.

Currently awaiting developments for the next part(s) of my journey.

Waiting sucks, but what can you do?

Read this.

Then read this.

Now THIS is a wheelie.
Big weekend for MotoGP in Australia. American Nicky Hayden, currently the World Championship points leader, wins pole today. Watching all these Thai's ride around on their 125cc motor-scooters in Bangkok...they've gotta watch MotoGP. Rossi 3rd...it's going to be a good race tomorrow.

Pondering the rain in Bangkok

A big congratulations (and about freakin' time!) to my friends "ES" and "AS" on their engagement. They are very good friends, and great people...I wish them the best in their future together.

It's raining in Bangkok. Feels good, and doesn't make the city feel dreary at all. In fact, the rain seems to shine everything up a bit. Not a bad thing in my estimation.

I went to the Bangkok Fight Club last night. First rule is...I'm not allowed to talk about it. Second rule is...just follow the link already.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences at The Inn Crowd hostel in Singapore. Clean, good location (meaning easy access to mass transit and food), and a great staff. One of the best parts about traveling is meeting people from other places, and talking with them about their lives and experiences. Singaporeans (duh), Japanese, Chinese, Brits, Yanks, Aussies, Irish, Germans, Austrians, Australians, Norweigians, and other assorted fellow travelers sharing their tales, ice cream, snacks, and drinks. If any of y'all ever plan on traveling to Singapore, I'd suggest staying there. Much easier to meet people than the sterile environments you tend to find at hotels and other more, um..."upper-end" establishments.

Go #46 Il dottore! Go! ! ! ! ! ! !

Need to go find some books to read. Anybody have any recommendations?

Back from Singapore

My mistaken impression of Singapore was that of a modern and vibrant city, but perhaps a bit sterile...oh how wrong I was.

Singapore is indeed modern and vibrant, but it is such a melting pot of cultures and people, it's far from sterile. Highly recommended...for such a small place, it has a vast array of options in dining, cultural experiences, accomodations, and entertainment. And shoppping, it was astonishing how many malls and markets they managed to fit onto the island. But before I sound like a marketing brochure...

The "English" most Singaporeans' speak is horrendous. Total inconsistent pronunciations and annunciations. I simply could not understand it most of the time, especially when there were no context clues. Baffling...and I had thought due to its English-influenced (as in the UK) history, the Singaporeans' "Singlish" (as they call it) would be more inline with the "Queen's English." Oh how wrong I was...again. You'd think I'd know better by now.

For pure entertainment value...here's a conversation I had while dining at a hawker food court:

man: "You wanta finished not eating." (note the absence of a question mark)
me: "Huh?" (as I was standing up to get more chili sauce from a stall 10ft away)
me: "I'm not done eating yet. Please do not clear my dishes away." (walking away)
man: "You donna." (starting clearing away my not even 25% completed dinner)
me: "Whoa partner! I'm just getting some chili sauce" (my Texan friends would be proud)
man: (continues loading my plates onto his tray without pause)

Thankfully at this point someone nearby translated for the gentleman what I said (I think), and he left my food alone. So despite English being the lingua franca of Singapore, I was usually better off pointing and grunting, or speaking Chinese. Good times.

Tropical jungle in the middle of Singapore - MacRitchie Reservoir. You can see skyscrapers in the background. Pretty dense foliage...you can almost imagine not being in the middle of 4 millions people in 270 square miles. Almost...


Pulau (or Pilau) Ubin, a small (3.9 sq mi) island on the NE end of Singapore. Just across the narrow straits is Malaysia. This pic was taken from a tiny, deserted beach on the north end of the island.

And 2 action pics from fights at the Lumpini Muay Thai Stadium in Bangkok, prior to going to Singapore. I miss training Muay Thai.


I had these two seafood "items" in Pattaya, also prior to going to Singapore...can someone identify them? I think the top one is called "slipper lobster", but I have no idea on the second one. Whatever they were...they were delicious.

Dave in Singapore

Currently in Singapore, scheduled to be here until next Monday.  And of course my Finn Air flight was still in Helsinki when I arrived at the airport, as a matter of fact...that plane may not have even arrived in Bangkok yet due to some "technical difficulties".  Thought that only happens with television programming.  Thankfully I was rebooked on a Swiss Air flight right away.  And to add to that...the day I get to Singapore it's raining.

Could be worse I guess...at least I found my hostel pretty easily.  Off to do some exploring of Singapore tomorrow.

Dave in Bangkok

I find that I'm really not a good tourist.

I don't especially like taking pictures, and I really don't like sight-seeing. Go figure. I just like being there and chilling.

Walking around Bangkok has been fun though. Confusing traffic patterns, unfamiliar streets = LOST. I think I've walked more in the past 5 days than I have in the past year.

Did get to have some fruit I've never had before (see pic above)...dragon fruit. It's kinda like a kiwi in texture, but with bright red or white flesh. Or maybe I like it just because I was born in the year of the Dragon. But it is really good...ok, I'm drooling now.

Need more feathers

I'm in Bangkok.

 

Thailand.

 

A completely different continent.

 

The sight, smell, and sounds are overwhelming due to their unfamiliarity.

 

What the hell was I thinking!?!?!

 

Oh yeah...this is fun.  I don't think I've been this out of my element since doing the BOSS field course last year.  I have a goofy grin a mile...err...excuse me, a kilometer (since I'm no longer in the US) wide.

 

Give me MORE!

 

*For all y'all Muay Thai fans...I ran by Lumpini Stadium today.  I'll have to catch a fight there one of these nights.

My butt is flat...

From sitting on an airplane seat for 16 hours or so in the previous 18 hours.

Aside from sleeping and reading...the flight from LAX to Taipei was uneventful. One more flight to go, from Taipei to Bangkok...this time on a 777. First time for me on one of Boeing's newer products...and I'm oddly excited about flying over deep ocean floors on a plane with only two engines. Maybe I shouldn't have watched "Castaway" before leaving. One more flight to go...only about 4 hours this time.

On y va.

Life altering events

Every time I tell someone that I voluntarily put my current existence "on hold" to go do some exploring of the world, I get the "I wish I could do that" line.  Well...you can.  You just have to suck it up and give up some (if not all) of the comforts of your present life and environment.  It's been a crazy four months since I jumped off the cliff, metaphorically-speaking...and I'm still trying to learn how to fly before I run into terra firma.  Do chickens actually know how to fly?

"Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken." - Tyler Durden/Chuck Palahniuk

About 48 hours to go before I hop a flight to Thailand.

Remember, it's not the fall that kills ya...it's the sudden deceleration.

Live it up.

Email access will be sporadic.  Please feel free to contact me via the comment section of the blog...hope everyone is well...take care!

Doh! Landis B Sample also "non-negative" - does anybody care?

Sigh...

Even though the UCI acted a little unprofessionally in releasing the result of A Sample before confirmation via B Sample, and that there's an appeal process...I think it's safe to say that professional cycling lost some of its luster.

But in the grand scheme of things...it's just a sport. Entertainment.

Far more important things happening in the world.

T-Day

August 16th 9:10pm...I start on my loooonnnng flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Scheduled to arrive at about noon on the 18th...TWO days later.

Can't believe it's already been 4 months since I left behind my job, an income, and any semblance of a "normal" life.

Good times.

Non, je ne regrette rien.

Books and thoughts

Long time since my last update. Not too much happening right now. I'm in Texas right now. I'll be leaving for Thailand mid-August.

I just sold a couple of books. Got an amount of US currency which could be referred to by those in my generation as "chump change". By which you could infer that I would be the physical manifestation of said "chump". I enjoyed reading those books, and I hope someone will enjoy them as well in the future...as long as they didn't pay very much for them.

Amazing how dreams and ideals can cost so much to one, and yet be worth so little to another.

And another note: way to go Floyd.*

Definition: "The Floyd" - To be completely and utterly humiliated/humbled and yet rise from the ashes like a Phoenix, much to the amazement of fellow human beings.
Example: Stage 16 and 17, 2006 Tour de France

*Edit 8/1/06 - maybe not "way to go Floyd", pending the B sample result of his blood test post-Stage 17...the A sample tested "non negative" for an irregular testosterone to epitestosterone ratio, which could indicate doping.

Sigh...

Passing the time

I passed my National Registry EMT-B written test. Although there was never really any doubt (ahem), it's still nice to see the words "pass" next to your name. I'm planning on getting registered as an EMT-B in Texas, and will try to do some volunteer shifts in hospital ER's and ambulances in Dallas and Houston in the coming months. More training, more learning...it never stops. Reminds me of a favorite quote: "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity".

I have been training with Rick Roufus (6x world kickboxing champion) for the last couple of years. I've had a lot of time to train recently, something about not having a job. Among the other things I'll miss in Arizona, I'll definitely miss working up a sweat with Rick.

Thanks big guy.

Yes, I am THAT fast.

Done

Finished. Completed. Done. Over.

Of course, it'll be about 4-6 weeks until the score from our National Registry Exam are available. Waiting sucks. But the knowledge and experience from the last four weeks I will remember for a long time to come.

Reducing a shoulder dislocation? Delivering a baby? Making a traction splint from a hiking pole, rope, and towels? Bring it on.

This guy may not make it though.

Studying hard...or hardly studying?

Sir. We're like EMT's or something...can we help you? Don't mind the blood.

Instructors Hovey and Erica singing about our grades.

Instructor Brian demonstrating proper baby-delivering techniques.

Improvised litter day...having a little fun.

Rapid extraction from vehicles.

Cheers!

Let the testing begin!

I feel like my head is going to explode.  Thankfully, I'm managed to retain most of the information we have been learning the previous 3.5 weeks.  I hope.  Can't believe I'm almost done with the course.  Hope whoever is reading this (is ANYBODY reading this?) is well...and let me know how you're doing.

Course is kicking my butt

Lots of studying this weekend. Course is getting harder and harder every day. Scenario's are more complicated, rescues are more difficult, and the instructors are more demanding. Two more weeks to go. In the mean time...here's my home.

And here's me. Mom, it's just practice...I'm ok!

ER Rookie

DId my first ER rotation today.  Lost a patient.  Don't know what else to say.  Please take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Update from Lander, WY

A little update from Lander, WY.  We just finished our first week here at the WMI Wilderness EMT course.  The amount of information I have absorbed in the last five days is incredible.  The instruction and information is quite thorough, and my classmates are quite a diverse bunch.  Have an ER rotation tomorrow in Riverton, and I'm quite looking forward to that...I feel oddly competent, even though I'm still a neophyte.  I have no idea what has been happening in the world this past week, we are pretty much cut off from everything other than the course, and it doesn't bother me in the least bit.

My next major "MOO"-ve

Feel free to "MOO"-ave about the country. This is (hopefully) everything I need for next 5 weeks.





Next images will be from Denver...if there's actually anything interesting in the airport. *edit* Nada. I could have taken a picture of the young lady sitting next to me on the airplane who got sick on the approach to Denver, but I don't think she would have appreciated it.

Flapping away

The list of things I used to possess is finally longer than the list of things I currently possess. Very cathartic, I believe is the proper term. Leaving for Wyoming tomorrow morning. Knowledge awaits in the land of yellow stone. I just got another SD memory card, and will try to take some pictures of the supposedly very pictoresque setting of the Wilderness EMT course. Internet connections may be a bit tough to come by, but I'll see what I can do.

I'm a blogger!

Expanding horizons, seeking knowledge, searching for challenges, testing oneself. Grand goals, perhaps, but a path that one needs to take, one step at a time.

Rubbish. My life should be way more simple than a bunch of cliches. I leave this Thursday, May 11th, for Lander, Wyoming. I start my Wilderness EMT course on Monday, May 15th.
What comes after that? Who cares? Just as long as there's a smile involved.