Something's Wrong With This Pyramid-Da Ling

I'm a PRINCE OF A PAUPER

hOVERING OVER THE WASTELAND OF mine

Forever looking upward, but seeking seeking downward motions

Into Dantes Inferno one must go to discover the dissonance of soul

Huberance

在线英语家教

在线英语家教

Ah................................ no.  Just web-squatting.  Not really though because the domain's paid.  However,  I'm lacking the capital to get a proper web-host.  So I'll guess I'll be sitting at the station until this comes to pass.  I will write a Christmas post.  When the girlfriend and I sold all of our crap after the coup and the bullshit bomb that went off by our apt. in Bangkok, we moved on to Vietnam,  That sale included my computer with lots of music on it.  So today is the first that I get to enjoy Steve Earle's Copperhead Road CD, especially the brilliant Christmas tribute "Nothing But a Child".  It's a wee bit cold here in Northern Thailand, but I have the the feeling I would freeze to death catching a burst off Lake Michigan. Hey, perhaps that wouldn't be so bad considering my elderly auntie pays $127 a pill for her cancer treatment.  Talkin' about taking the piss out of life. Lights are up and, hey sometimes even in my head.

The Magpie Mag's Funeral was Today!

The new domain is up for the most part, but it should be better in a day or so.
Everything will be directed  to www.bamboomagpie.com.

This is only a drill.

No need to get into the fallout shelter just yet.

I've got a cobra working on my juggler.
I think she loves me.
I thinks she loves loves me to death.

Paying Hommage to the Twilight Zone

Unbeknownst to me last week as I was torrenting season one of the Twilight Zone, an auspicious event was upon the world. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Twilight Zone; a cinematic series of stories that take a deep dive into the human psyche. The episodes play to the subdued recesses and deep lunar crevices of the pinkish mass that leads us away from the sing-song of temporal existence. Therefore, the viewer, or voyeur, gets their popcorn treat into a peak of the Zone that takes one into the extreme life matter that cannot be understood, and just perhaps, should never be. Thrilling? No. More like being enthralled by a spider's web that's been missed by a thorough cleaning. And so, we, pull up a chair and peek through the Zone's window and think...
and think...What does it all mean overall- this hoopla OVER a person's travels through the physical and mental; both consciously and subconsciously as we, the one, are seeming actors existing in a life, in a time and place, that's not uniquely our own. With each instinctual move our hands are at play. Though it may be the toss of the proverbial coin, or a laying of of the cards, it's most likely the end to a culmination of a series of events that have transpired over the course of the actions taken knowingly or unwittingly on our watch. As gargoyles do as they must, the finality of everything that ever was is the realization that one can never know what everything is, has been, or ever will be. And that to me is...

The Magpie- Dead but trying.

Well, it's one year on and because this is hardly the main focus in my life, the wayside is where it's at. The Magpie was envisioned in Seoul, Korea by a few who have gone on, some successfully and some have not. The Magpie is a tribute, in a sense, to that memory, much like the dog that died in peace on my neighbour's driveway yesterday. And I missed that because my mobile was off, and when I finally received it thought it was another excursion to the chicken ranch. Speaking of dogs, it's a bit lonely round these parts without Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum. They left without notice at the beckon call of their poverty stricken owners that hopefully found new digs. I'm not a big fan of horror movies and these days it's much easier to just enjoy the fleeting moments of life, much like the baby frog that inhabits my lower bathroom. Ignorant as I am, I don't know if it's poisonous or not, but it seems to like it there. Other than that, had a wonderful conversation with a monk the other day after a long ride in the Northern Thai countryside. I'm not one for tooling around but with my new sunglasses everything was greener than green so how could one not feel more positive. Happy birthday to The Magpie and may she morph into the unknown.

Closest I'm going to get to a Sgt. Rock celluloid in my lifetime. Tarentino strikes gold in this feel-good "Die Nazi scum Die!" action-film. A harbinger?

A salute to all the hardworking Congressmen on hiatus!

Designing your own congressional Nascar-esque costume can be easier than you might think. All it takes is a little time and some imagination. Start by deciding exactly what you would like to be for the congressional hearings on health care reform . Once you have made this decision your next step would be to collect the necessary materials to design the perfect costume. Be sure and allow yourself enough time to work on the costume, that way if you end up missing an important item you still have time to go out and pick it up. Waiting for the last minute is not a good idea.



"We're not starting from scratch," Kucinich said. "We're starting in a ditch. And the ditch is that Americans are being driven into poverty by a health care system that is for-profit."

Funny aside:

# AN OBITUARY Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 -year- old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Tylenol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Obama's Picture

I'm not the most hot-oped guy in the world. Thanks to the swirly Pale Blue Dot for putting me into proper perspective. But I have to tell you simply, that these close two picticions (word-frickin-up) don't adequately describe the current, clear and present situation. The one that's making it's round rounds on the blogosphere is less than coherent.
Times are not easy. Very tough in did. 17 years after H. Clinton even tried to breach the topic of universal health-care, Americans are still trying to grasp the plight before them. But at the moment the corporatist mechanism is going to shut it down. But one CAN make a DIFFERENCE by chewing the peace, writing and so forth.

Movie Critic! Moi?

So getting back into the the thick of things and as an addition to my new sidebar, I feel as though I shall become a movie a critic. Ive watched the following over the last month and needless to say-have my opinions. BTW I don't watch Tv so if you have any lost issues of "Little House on the Pairie" or "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" let me know. I haven't listed them all because some were just too terrible mention. They are:
The Hangover
Angels and Demons
Sunshine
The Air I Breathe
Mr. Brooks
Slumdog Millionare
Laurel Canyon
Warriors
Beverely Hills Cop
Plague town
Bruno
Gran Torino
Public Enemies
The Reader
Battle in Seattle
I love you man.
Duplicity
Nostradamus 2012
Watchmen
Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo
Road Trip Beer Pong
Surviellance
South Park Season 13 episodes 1-7
Letters from Iwo Jima
Terminator Salvation
The Wrestler
the Strangers

Let me think before I write. I'm watching Bullock's "The Proposal" at the moment. Last night I tossed it when she was shamelessly (she's the producer shhhhhhhh!" touting Starbuck's canisters. Does this go hand in hand with "Battle in Seattle"? We shall see. Off to make home movies...

Mot NYE- Takes a while.

So we drive in the rain and make our way to Tulips, a western-style restaurant juxtaposed with the nefarious massage parlor atop. He’s not happy as I order side dishes in the all but vacant surroundings (echo echo). Memories surge forth as I light a cigarette and muse them, the surroundings. I’d been here many times after working at the Uni, and sometimes meeting up with G-man, Dutch fish philanderer. And wandered around the corner to a non-descript open-air VN-res, a place where even the PM of VN would view live animals to eat. I manage a smile when I recall going into the men’s room only to be greeted by a charging boar. The ladies room was much more pleasant.
And so I say to Trung “What’s up?” As I gingerly eye the Ao Yai 20-something massaging the front door and hold tight until she’d captured my leer. He notices and comes out of his mounrer, and as if it was his last helping hand, calls her to him. He asks in Vn (know enough to know) if she had a boyfriend, she say know and then proceeds to ask if I can be hers. To which she responds, “Yes”. Crazy, simply crazy that was. “I’m gonna take a walk because I’m just traveling through”.

Tulips is a microbrew (9,000VND small, 16 or 18 big 500ml located at the far-side of Bach Dang street by the second bridge. In my opinion, other than their full on fish menu, a few western dishes, it’s the best microbrews, light of dark, you’ll find outside PDX. You can’t go wrong. Be sure to say hi to guy the guy in the toupee, he’s a regular and I wouldn’t want you to get anything wrong.

Change

I've been busy. Coupla of things I'm working on as I work through PSTVD (Post Traumatic Vietnamese Disorder) and settle into a sleepy town. I've got a lot to write, but at the moment I'm catching up on movies, and songs and hey even books during my 2+ hiatus that I've missed living in the heart of darkness. Don't get me wrong, Vietnam is an enchanted land so my supposed-ed lost time did not go to waste. No regrets. Vietnam's changing and so am I. So as part of the reinvention that I'm configuring, I'll leave you with this.

Oops- you did it again!

Made a wrong turn while surfing the net? Thought so. Don't feel bad it happens to the best as well as the worst of us. I don't know what it is today, but I keep getting hit on by people that are looking for another publication. What gives? I mean, no-one visits this blog. It's like hitting the dead end in blogs. Forget your frickin' bit-map or something? I mean, how in cyber-world could I be related in any way to the search for:
Sure beats the hell outta me. In other words it must be a slow kinda day as evidenced by the feline that placed her spoils at my back door in the form of strewn feathers, severed head and and other miscellaneous bits from some unfortunate pigeon. The Gods must be crazy because there wasn't even enough to make a decent pigeon soup. Huh. Still, considering the the latest swine-flu hysteria, I was a bit taken aback . Apparently, a one Miss Kitty was a tad bit angered by the the absence of her usual tuna fish tribute and was making a point, well taken. After all, who wants to anger Bastet, the fearsome ancient Egyptian Cat Goddess. Even I can do basic math.

Bastet

"Devouring Lady" (from bas, to devour, with feminine ending)

Bast is first and foremost a protectress; specifically of the royal house and the Two Lands. Later she got the life-preserving goddess of joy and protector of women. However, Bast's original role did not include the "cat as sex symbol" archetype. Worshiped in the Delta city of Bubastis and usually depicted as a cat or in human form with the head of a cat, Bast was seen as a protector of cats and those who cared for them.

So there you have it! Another slow day in Northern Thailand as the rain falls, frogs manage to hop around the kitchen unabated, cockroaches rummage through an empty Somtam container, jing joks race along the walls and the soi dogs Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb stand watch out front. Quant à moi, let the beasts rule downstairs, I'll stay upstairs.

Big Buddha Day

Photo MTS
Reluctantly, I have to refrain from drinking as well as my aforementioned smoking habit for 3 months. It's gonna be tough, but I'll buy a guitar and learn some new songs. Photo by "A #1 Psychic from Berkely, MI.
I spoke with Allen Ginsburg many moons ago, and when asked if he could be anything, at anytime on history, what would he be.? He didn't beat a moment longer and said "James Dean...without a driver's license. Keep an eye on the moon. God bless America.

What's going on? East-West New Year #Môt

Before you read what I write please take a time-out to watch my All-time R&B favorite Marvin Gaye. As an aside, Lem Barney and Mel Farr "Superstar" sung backup on the original of" What's going on. Brother?" Both were rookies of the year in '67(Lions! Yes, you've done it and can do it again.) The only sportperson's autograph I ever got was Lem's.



So my brother Larry Larry bo barry banana fana fo fary mee mi mo marry. Gary!... is getting married today to a wonderful Vietnamese woman, spent the last two Christmases with them so I should know what a lucky guy the off-broadway New York cabbie's last fare is. I'm feeling a bit outta sort. Had a minor fall (stitches) no sympathy needed save it for Ryan O'Neil. Farrah? May I call you Farrah? You're girl-next-door mystic image that deflowered many a virgin man created many stains and I hope that you live for eternity.Bless you R.I.P.

So as I was saying I staggered to Ton Son Nhat Airport to catch the New Year's flight to Danang. Get to the booth, booked online with Jetstar (in-country it's either Jetstar, VN air or two others for people that have money, and was greeted with "Hi,Mark. Going to Danang?" Not really into conspiracy theories but I go with it. I wait in the lounge and since I was in VN for too long,I started smoking, a habit that continues to plague my existence. Wait. Board the plane seated in-between incessant Vn men acting like nervous Nelly on a bad day.

As soon as we hit Danang the plane hit a full-force gale. I smiled. Landed. Most people head to Hoi an but no the motorbike driver was waiting and with his poncho we headed to Tran Phu street. Went to my old apartment building and the hotel in front said they were full and placed a call to to the massage hotel a few door s down. Signed up to the one-eyed man (every hotel is $10-15 or more on that street as per it all depends on the ?"

So my father (80) crashes his 1920's kit car the other day after blacking out. I'm like thinking this is part of the of Adder series until he starts pissing blood and have to rally the troops. Frickin' frickin' frickin'.

So download my things unto the concrete encasement of a 50's block falling fainting bleak deary room and saunter over to the outback patio. I'm thinking in the cold rain and unyielding wind that if I have daughter her name will be Caledonia because it's been twenty years and and I think about her everyday. Madness.

I see Trung. We embrace as old friends do and sit. Simultaneously. mama and papa get into a bit of a rift about some lost receipts according to my pidgin Vn and then clarified by my friend. At first I thought the former VC was on my ass about a $ of returnables. Like many couples in Danang t hey fought or rather forced to fight on opposing sides and came back into life. Don't get me wrong when I lived in the hood she was very very kind to me. Trung asks me if a need a girl? I say I don't know I'm headed to Yim's place. The phone ring's and it's Larry, drunk off his ass , and he says "Are you gay? No, really it's okay." I look at the rain, then at Trung, and start mumbling something about a girl in the Philippines. We head to lunch before the bottles start flying.

Whos's the poet in the sidebar---Oh yeah Maddox----" she covers the city like a ..."

Brother. The biggest luck ever. You two deserve it. Blood. Mark "a coupla days" Simic.

"I go out walking after midnight Out in the moonlight just like we used to do I'm always walking after midnight searching for you..." Patsy Cline

Pali Incantation

So as part of my layover (temporary or permanent) I've affixed myself with a new tattoo, quite scabby now. Hopefully, this will encourage young people all over America to do the same. God knows we need a bit of energy flowing through the stymied system that keeps people out of jobs and into the cold darkened streets of destitution.

Unpacking!

I've been busy traveling a bit and have finally started my New Year with a new job in Northern Thailand.

I came across this photo yesterday when it dropped out of one of the few remaining books I still carry around. It was taken when I had to do a visa run into Laos about six years ago and crossed over into the capital Vientiane.

I told the driver of a beater taxi with the noxious carbon monoxide cloud, both outside and inside the vehicle, to take me to the center of town. And that he did. Above is the roundabout that is the center of town.