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!

quarters

Argentina vs. Germany
Italy vs. Ukraine
-----------------
Brazil vs. France
England vs. Portugal

I don't think anyone thought Ukraine would be further
along than Spain
at this point. I know I didn't. Let's see how
unbiased the refs are
when Argentina takes on the home team. But all I'm
hoping for at this
point is better football. (and for Brazil to beat
Italy in the final)

I'm 1/2 Italian (Azzurri)

that's why. But if Italy and Brazil keep playing with all cylinders misfiring like they have I don't think I'll be smiling for long...

I love my mother

and am now officially only rooting for another Italy-Brazil final (same as 1994)

the possibilities

Group order:
1. 4 points, Italy +2 Goal differential
2. 3 points, Czech Republic +1
3. 3 points, Ghana +0
4. 1 point, USA -3

IF Italy beats the Czech Republic, and the USA beats Ghana, the USA advances
IF the Czech Republic draws Italy, and USA beats Ghana 5-0, the USA advances.
IF the Czech Republic beats Italy 3-0, and USA beats Ghana 3-0, the USA advances.
Actually, that's it, the USA MUST win, and so must Italy. Any other option requires... Dr. Plum in the Library with the Candlestick?

DEMAND

Water and sand,
warmth hand in hand,
life and time beyond demand,
firm sturdy rock to stand.
Laughter echoing empty mosque walls,
tears hiding inside hollow false balls,
long and broken shadowy halls,
private sins which lead to great falls.
Trees and sun,
not three but one,
together victory won,
burdens light though a ton.
Rocks and ice,
fried noodles and fried rice,
unending maze of ropes requiring mice,
a drug that is simply dubbed a spice.
Sadness and pain,
unwashed by acid rain,
corruption an unblemished stain,
can't wait to leave again.
Words and not lies,
truth and not size,
longing for deep eyes,
all trapped inside the world dies.
Freedom a step away,
knowledge on public display,
but fear requires many to stay.
Too bad, goodbye I say.
Water and sand,
holding the hand,
my life your demand,
together we shall stand.

KNOCKING

Prayers long cried,
everyday I tried,
searching - never lied.
Why? Why denied?

Moments captured in light,
darkness every night,
so often wrong, but somehow right,
once blind, now possessing sight.

A solid bet,
desires unmet,
not in store to get,
not dead yet.

Worlds I don't belong,
can't sing the song,
the choice not wrong,
trust still somehow strong.

Return unto me,
the hope that set me free,
the fire that helps me see,
the memory of nails, blood and a tree.

I see you.
You are true.
The door I enter through.
Before time you knew.

latest wc thoughts

Germany and Ecuador are through (goodbye Poland and Costa Rica)
Holland and Argentina (sayonara Serbia&Montenegro y Cote d'Ivoire)
    *funny, but here in Indo Ivory Coast is literally called Beach Tusk...
The U.S. MUST beat Italy.  Yeah, right.  And 'we' need Ghana to beat the Czechs.  I'm hearing empty hallways and crickets chirping.
England got through - if Rooney doesn't break his foot and they don't waste another 478 opportunities passing to Crouch (resulting in 1 (one) goal) then they could be a dangerous team.  Oh, except Lampard missed all 7 of his shots by a wide margin too.  Hope he's using a little extra practice time on that this week.

Oh, I'm trying to be nice, but the U.S. looked lost.  If they get it together against Italy, and Ghana wins, then each team has 3 points and then every team who wins their last match controls their destiny.  But, as I thought at the outset, if the Czechs are on (which they are) then they and Italy take the group. 

Brazil tomorrow - they need to shine.  Right now Argentina, Spain, Czech and Brazil are my semi's, with Italy, England, Germany (home team advantage) and Holland my quarters.  Of course, depending on match-ups after the 3rd game I'll break it down how it should/could/won't actually turn out.

in case you were wondering...

2006 06 15 006
Originally uploaded by kjshoemaker.

... why I picked yellow, green and blue for my blog colors... (Brasilia)

and not so world cup news

On the pitch
Originally uploaded by kjshoemaker.

what happens when foreigners from around the world get together on one team? International relations, that's what.

Playing with the big guns

Playing with the big guns
Originally uploaded by kjshoemaker.

er... i mean... don't play with guns, kids!

the world cup so far

Germany scored a lot, and had two defensive lapses that the opponent pounced on. Not a good sign, necessarily.
England, Sweden, Portugal... all playing uninspired so far.
Argentina looked good against a tough looking Ivory Coast team. Holland better be ready for them.
Australia got 3 goals in the last 7 minutes against Japan. Unbelievable. If they get it going early this team has a lot of heart and a lot of defensive prowess.
Guus Hiddink can coach. Watch out for Russia for the next 4 years.
The U.S. was no match for the Czechs. As feared they played healthy and dominated the skill side of the ball. The U.S. is athletic, good at possession, but lacks the one or two top notch stars that a team needs and opponents fear. Italy, Brazil, England, Spain, Czech, Germany, Portugal, Argentina and Holland all have them. Without you can go pretty far, but never reach the top of the mountain. Rare air.

Brazil looked beatable, but they also looked bored. Italy was solid. Korea has a spark of electricity in their play. I'm only watching Spain vs. Ukraine tonight. Apparently my dad's father was from the Kiev area, so you know who I'm rooting for in that one (and thankfully it's the early game)... and... wow. Spain is to Ukraine as the Czech Republic is to America. I can only hope that second place in each group is available... wow. 4-0 Spain.