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!

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.