funny things

"Dude, what IS that thing???"
A really, REALLY hairy caterpillar

"I was HUNG-ry!"
Seriously, when ants are this big I fear for the future of humanity...
"So, what are you two humans having to drink? I'll have another Heinekin, please."

Friends & Orangutangs

No monkey business here!!!Ben & Kelly, me, Caitlyn & John (the last of my good friends here who are about to leave... :-(

Orangutangs

Seriously, a lot of shots with momma & baby:

radiant Phuket sunsets (again)

i've returned from here almost 2 months ago???
sigh...

Plagiarists

disgusting and ineffective profiting from the hard work of others; learning nothing; learning that taking is better than giving to the world something new and something beautiful. Lies, betrayal... foolisheness. And yet original thought diminishes as the past is forgotten anyway and acceptance grows and tools magnify. Perhaps this too is just a carbon copy, stolen from someone more intelligent than I - a more marvelous poet that spoke in truth and understanding and wisdom that the thieves cannot possess or are far too lazy to. Darkened and dull minds shall destroy nations and prove their unworth before the world. And such is a lesson that tears and cries and shouts may be too late to redeem.

Semeru

Climbing to peaks unknown with weary legs… weary mind…
companions pushing forth, seeking higher heights and greater
glories – inside my heart just seeks solace in the arms of the creator of
all spread out before me. Breathing and pressing, tuning everything
out just to focus for one step more, the aches and pains reminding that
death is not yet to come – unwelcome and unwanted for a time, two
times, half a time yet.

Rest found in frozen valleys beneath coughing volcano,
huddled next to the tiniest of fires that cook a semi-processed
artificial meat that tastes so good, crushing almonds to add to the flavor.
Cramped in a junior tent, three big guys find sleep at early hours
for the sun is lost and there is little left but recuperation needed
– at least for one. Rising early – ten hours later – the chill
remains but hands are no longer numb, and neither is the heart and mind that
has thawed and has begun to prepare itself for the long road ahead.
Truly, the means justify the ends, and freedom is found not in the ash
at our feet, but the road left in our dust.

who's afraid of elephants?

apparently I am.

a little bit.

sometimes.

come on, they're a little bit scary.

and cute.

DISTANT

Does one hear the betrayals sounds at the coming of
pattered feet? Speak softly and beware curious words that tell not what
burns desires but crushes the bones. Echoes resound softly in pale
moonlit skies, determined to rationalize histories that are not to be
repeated, but the downward spirals so ensure – to what end? Creation
dawned and so must set – does not all life give birth unto death itself?
No beginning does not have an end – so this heart surely recalls,
remembers, and resounds in the hollow chambers of sweet sadness where tears
are never dried, where laughter is never heard, and smiles are distant
memories in distant places in distant lives.

Things that make me have red fingers

mangosteen (not) on a log
Originally uploaded by kjshoemaker.

Mangosteen: sweet white fruit. inky red sticky protective shell that stains (badly!!!) :-)

So, if you want all my other photos on flickr, better click on this fruity picture and go register or something... sorry. Otherwise there are a lot here, and more to come! :-)

Things that make me laugh

pooh {+10}


Pirates of the Caribbean Statues (Davey Jones version):

School field trips:

VITAPORN!!!! (the restaurant, of course...)

HORRIBLE, UNBELIEVABLE, SHOCKING t-shirts (you should have heard my dumbfounded commentary on this shirt; my friend is very sad she didn't video it instead of taking this photo...)

French foreheads in Italian chests

not making fun of idols or anything...

Where? What? Huh???

3.5 weeks. No "Hello Mr."'s. Checked off the list. :-)

Penang
[coming soon]
Bangkok

Phuket

Kuala Lumpur

Bali

Malang

Bad medicine?

Expired drugs story?
To be fair, if the doctors here knew how to use them all, AND they didn't sit around for long periods of time, AND if was noted that correct meds were prescribed hand over fist to very injured and sick people post-tsunami it might be an objective article.

IndoLaken

Ever been to InterLaken (spell) in Switzerland?
800 meters up, pretty lake (just one, sorry), and a nice chill is a sublime change of pace from 100 degrees and humidity percentage

Champions of the World

ITALIA!
ITALIA!
ITALIA!

4:30 AM

Early in the morning here, I witnessed an astounding display of passion and excitement for a country 1/3 of the world away. When Italy scored a goal after 119 minutes of tension, drama, and potential make or break moments, every single one of us (at least) 1000 people - who had watched on a huge (30’x40’) screen - jumped up and screamed with excitement and joy because it was just one of those moments where you do exactly that.

4th of July beach BBQ

Steak, burgers, deviled eggs, potato salad, and watermelon... Mmmmmmmmm...
All with an excellent view!