Far East Cynic

Its all about choices……

Made early on: This is why I love Dilbert- I wish I could think up stuff like this!

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O kaeri nasai…….

And…..were back. For what its worth-despite all the drawbacks that come with living in Shopping Mall USA, the state of Alabama has some pretty good state parks-and a good system to run them. However-under the heading of important safety tip-don’t try going to a certain state park when they are

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Out of sight……..

The S.O. and I are heading to the lake for a couple of nights. No computer or crackberry Blackberry will accompany me. Cell phone will be in the car and will only get turned on once a day. I need a break from it all.

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This deserves a long reply………

Because some things need context and explanation and its better to do it over here-than to try to explain it over there. To some degree all the upset over having a photo exercise with Air Force One over the New York City is manufactured outrage-on both sides of the political

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Cinco de mayo……

I’m not so sure celebrating a Mexican victory-when swine flu comes from there-is such a great thing to do. Nonetheless-those tequila shooters schnitzengrubers will wipe you out!

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Takyuu

Is the word for Ping Pong in Japanese. The S.O. and I have been talking about getting a Ping Pong table ever since we went to Tapoco Lodge last summer. We had looked through catalogs and at the local sports stores and also at Sears. For the kind of table

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Why I watch Bloomberg TV…..

Because its the only glimpse of Singapore I’m going to get any time soon. Its the same reason I watch CNBC when it covers Asian Markets. It’s also a chance to see this fine little slice of tuna:

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Uru run

You never know how good you have something till its gone. I’ve posted before about the Sunday night TV show in Japan called Uru run. Which is a show where someone who is generally a young actor goes to a homestay abroad and learns all kind of things. The name

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Why I feel strongly…..

About what a huge mistake it was to invade Iraq. Because this is the future-and its not worth the price we paid, and are continuing to pay: I don’t think Americans yet recognize that we’re not going to like the long-term result in Iraq. The best-case scenario is probably the

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The land of no smiles…….

There is an interesting photo essay at Foreign Policy about life inside Kita Chosen ( North Korea). It is worth going to see.  Renowned documentary photographer Tomas van Houtryve entered North Korea by posing as a businessman looking to open a chocolate factory. Despite 24-hour surveillance by North Korean minders,

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