Still No Bones

10:03am: A poem... sort of... but not really..
I no longer wish to create.
I no longer wish to write.
I don't want song, or word.
I have no need for art.

I am sounding out my request to any God that will listen.

Give me a foreign beach.
Give me a sunset.
Give me a hand to hold on to.

I wish my life to be poetry.
Every action a song.

I want my days to be the paper I spread my ink upon.
I want 'lost' to mean 'home'.

I want the salt water on my cheeks to be the sea.

Give me mountain tops.
Give me blistered feet.
Give me a mouth that knows my own, like voice.

Make me a villager.
Make me a vagabond.
I no longer wish to be a warrior.

I am sounding my request out to the universe, like a lighthouse.
Come to me.

Make me forget.
Make me forgotten.
Make me to be overlooked.
Make my days count.

Make my days count.

Let this life be poetry.

Give me someone to read it.
Give me someone to understand.

Give me someone to add a verse.

10:37am: Word
http://blog.atribecallednext.com/2009/03/31/brooklyn-superhero-supply-co/

12:40pm: Possibly done. Possibly in progress.
I am learning the art of forgetting.
I am learning the art of letting go.

I am rising. I smash at you like high tide. Reminiscing about our tidal waves and yard arms, wrapped around our throats like business suit neckties. You see, I got lost, one more time, in our complicated little world and remembered that womb is not synonymous with fuck. But rather with mother. And we played house together awhile. While the moon peeled off half it's dress. And I laughed at your 3rd grade poetry. And we regretted nothing, like Edith Piaf, on your couch, in the dark, entering worlds we'd torn apart.

It is worth mentioning that you were the first to ask me to your bed, rather than taken to mine, which proved prophecy wrong and wrong and wrong.

I was waiting for the kiss, like crimson stains, to ask me to say. But we muted them with burgundy.

I was willing to pay.
I was willing to show you.

But instead, we let wine separate us and bottle us up in action we didn't take, corking something perfect now, with the lie that it will be better in time. And I bought it.

Like hands raised in prayer.

And kissed oceans off of your cheeks, one.. salty.. drop.. at a time.

That was our crime.

And you. You came back, figuring you could pollute my stream. A virus set about my heart, freezing me like cold wet days when the wind cuts like goodbye. Come to sound yourself like a siren. But I can't hear your song. It no longer plays on my ears. I have forced it back into the foam that crests the waves and have drown myself in flesh and flesh.

So go ahead. Go ahead.

And we. We would have our night and it would drive you to an assumptive dissidence. Our harmony corrupted. Now an awkward, fumbling minor chord. Bleating like a lamb to slaughter.

I never wanted your soul.

I just wanted you not to leave right after we'd arrived.

Which is becoming less and less true as I run out the lines on my face and hands.

I wanted one, just one, to be there in the morning and then gone.

But I am folly.

And Gods teeth shake like parishioners in a collapsing church as I find my way back to the bullshit poet I've become.

Consider these words like mercury, temperature rising.

And how I have made mistakes.

In darkened deserts. In hands on small of backs. In rain littered parking lots. Fireside. Ringside. In cold, cold water. In cleverness. In repeated attempts. In repeated attempts. Inrepeatedattempts.

I have made mistakes.

But take me in spite of my faults, Love.

Just until dawn. But be careful. Dawn breaks so easily. So lay quiet with me.

When the sun fills this echo chamber it will translate all this rich to ruin. My staggering meter to a retched stumble. And how should I finish? With a dying fall as my mentor would have me? Ragged claws and turpentine? No.

You see, I am more now than I was before.

And yet, I have never been what I could be.

Don't.

Don't let go.

Lest I forget.

1:54pm: Neil Gaiman Link
http://infinitecanvas.appjet.net/view?name=The%20Day%20the%20Saucers%20Came

enjoy..

2:03pm: Wow.. wow... really nice little movie..

9:42pm: Link
So.. very.. good..

http://cgi.fark.com/cgi/fark/vidplayer.pl?IDLink=3953635

12:45am: Wouldn't Chest
Turn the wheel into the sun. Forget the stars. Forget the wind. Forget the way the waves are weeping. I am not coming home.

We are never again what we once were. And I am not sorry for it.

Some of them end before the music can even start. And we are left somehow, like monks, pinching book spines like vertebrae. Seeing if we can find our ability to
Stand.
Up.
In words.

Most days.

I am only words.

But some days, I am more.

Some days, the thought of those ivory temples run me up masts..

I am stretched out. Arms wide. Accepting the storm. Ragged.
(Stronger for it. Unafraid to unravel more.)
Inventing time. Investing it back.
Some days. I am yards of cloth, fighting history.

And when my sea is calm:
Puff your cheeks and blow on my spine.
For motion.

I am still.

I am calm.

I am still calm.

I am still calmly waiting.

It's worth mentioning that we never made love.

Now. Everything is different.

I am listening to an organ grinder, playing my heart on his sleeve. Taking light from my future and shedding it on my past. Saying, "What happened? Where did you go?"

And I try to answer back but find my throat dry and only able to mutter, "I can't feel you, Lord. I can't feel you."

Some days I am lost.

Is it fair, when asked what happened, to say, "She did. Calliope happened to me."?

Start the music. Let the carousel turn. I am not coming home.

Is it fair to say that I am better now. But not always better for it.

I am walking a tightrope of strength and..

Something else. Something else entirely.

Now, I am tired. I am at a loss for words. I am sinking into the oldest crimes in the oldest ways and creating my own wooden chest. You are on it. Carved. Etched. Playing in my mind like laughter on the really cold days. Your fingerprints matching the grain. A petal for each flower I picked trying to fix it.

And this is how it will end. It was this way before it even began. When we found our faults on the back of each others lips with our tongues.

Thank you for teaching me the opposite side of love.

And this is how I will end it.

I will be words. And action. And learn to touch with passion. Learn to make love, like sounds strung together. Masterful. Seamless. As to seem less important. like lyrics. Like an aria. Rising and falling like tides to my mast. Lips pressed and cheeks puffed. And arms outstretched like a horizon to sail into.

And all wonderful happy lies.

I will be more. In hopes of forgetting that briefly.. I once more allowed myself to be less.

And found my self wondering, If it was me who slipped through your fingers... or you who slipped through mine...

I once allowed myself to seem less.

I guess...

I just needed to get you off my chest.

12:55pm: Link
http://www.aooa.co.uk/THE%20PHONE.swf

Love this one.

10:50am: Yay
You all make me sing and dance...

http://www.neticons.net/music_life/

10:35am: The Hong Kong Weekend
So, I am most proud of the fact that Brett, Autumn, and I stepped out of our comfort zone and became friends with a group of locals who have turned out to be some of my closest friends...

This last weekend began with me going to Hong Kong by myself. I needed to get pages added to my passport at the American consulate. Afterwards I just went walkabout. I made my way to a 50's diner where I tried my first Asian American Diner meal. It was something like a hamburger and tasty.

Then I wandered to Cat Street. If you want to find bizarre knick knacks.. this is the place. It is a series of kiosks manned by locals selling anything from broken cameras to ancient coins. Think more 'rough' than 'diamond'.

The gem of the day was finding this window on a random street in Central.



Perfect like a theme for the trip.. Maybe the rest of my life..

The next day found Brett, Autumn, and I meeting Monkie, Lemon, Dora, Kevin, and Perry at the Hong Kong Ferry terminal.

We went to our hostel in Causeway Bay and checked in then we took the subway to Prince Edward station.



I call this Gweipo in Hong Kong.

Finally, Monkie lead us through back streets and alleyways. We went into a building and got into one of those old style lifts you see in movies and went to a indoor bouldering gym. It was incredible.



This is me learning ceiling work and loving it.

We were supposed to camp and climb but Hong Kong was really stormy. I wouldn't change a minute though. It was about the journey. Not the destination.

And here are the usual suspects, in no particular order...



Me and Lemon.



Kevin looking surly.



Perry.. SUCK IN THAT GUT!



Brett and Autumn.



Dora the fashionista.



And last but not least.. Monkie.

We left the gym and headed to a sushi restaurant. On the way.. I was given a very painful gift.

We watched a few moments of a Chinese funeral. They were burning paper objects and money. An old woman dressed in white, openly wept. I am grateful for the reminder. It stays with me. I hope someday to love like that. I hope not to waste my time..

Sorry. Back to the fun stuff.

At dinner, we Gweilo made everyone laugh so hard that the next day Lemon said her abs were killing her..

I am glad to know that their are parts of China I will miss like crazy..

That night we went to the bar district and just sat and talked until way to late..



The next morning we headed to an island off the coast of Hong Kong by Ferry.



We spent the day hiking and wishing it were dry enough to climb.



I did try fresh clams, right off the rocks. We also found a little store and tried greenbean and milk drink. it wasn't bad. It tasted like greenbeans and sweet milk...

The island was amazing..



We did manage to do some bouldering at the top of the mountain..



And then we headed home for rest..

I am soon to come home, America. I miss you all. Early August. Between now and then, I am going to a secret garden in Macau with the gang, and then to climb Mount Kinabalu with Brett in Malaysia. I'll keep you posted.

See you sooner than later.

Don't run for trains.

Love,
Sean

11:35pm: Do you remember? Standing before the horizon. Swept and colored with limitless possibility. Your hand in mine. Fused together, like steel. We thought we were invincible.

Do you remember? The whispers as we fought against the cold. Pressing against one and other for warmth. Figuring out that, innocently, our bodies fit.

Do you remember? Losing balance and falling into my lap. My hands finding their way instinctively into your hair and getting lost. Tangled and tied like tongues and lament? Letting you cry and shushing my assurance that, "Now you are safe."

Do you remember? You called me a guardian angel once. I took off my halo. Rubbed off some of the tarnish and fixed it back on, crooked.

My horizon was as high as my halo then. And also crooked.

Do you remember? Promise and promise and promise. Poetry. Wine. The smells as you first arrived. The blankets. Like a Technicolor landscape, muted by candles.

Do you remember finding confession in the bottom of the wine glass?

Do you remember racing against the sky in the belly of a whale that swam like tides over each step? Our granite walkways. Like cathedral halls. Leading to the altar we'd sacrifice ourselves to this moment. Right now.

Do you remember that we once drank from the spring of one and other in fall and began to glow like fireflies at dusk. Lighting up the tree line in spite of ourselves. A fireworks display to commemorate our dance..

Do you remember pushing the limits of what we could be and me finding no fault as I took wave after wave of assault? I wanted only to be carried off the field, on my shield, just once for you. carrying your favor between my gritted teeth.

Do you remember? I sent laughs as I saw that they were needed. I sent what I could. I sent starry eyes that marveled at how I used pen and ink and called them words. A palindrome. A misstep. A haiku. A lie or two. And truth wrapped up in shiny metaphor.

Do you remember honest moments where the corners of my eyes shown like diamonds beneath moons growing heavy eyelids. Old and warn. All I wanted was to take up some space in your heart.

Do you remember synasthesia, moments, resolution, lies, easier words then goodbye?

I can't seem to remember what I tried so hard to forget. And now I am sad for it.

I am binding my hands with posies to the wall I built around that one. Last. Time.

And remembering this word.

2:43pm: Hiking the New Territories..
Not much in the way of adventure blog updates lately. Sorry about that. I have been super busy with work and rock climbing. But last weekend Brett, Autumn, and I decided to hike 7 miles of the New Territories. It was an amazing but truly bizarre trip. I woke up late and had to ride the ferry to Hong Kong alone where Brett and Autumn were waiting for me. In the Hong Kong port the local fishermen were demonstrating. It took awhile to find a banner on one of the fishing barges that was in English but it said something about gas prices and tax breaks for local fishermen.


They were pulling the boats infront of the ferries and it took me a solid hour to finally make my way to immigration..



Once in Hong Kong we slowly made our way out to the New Territories. NT is a remote section of Hong Kong. Not many folks go there. Even fewer go to Ham Tin. Which is the beach we were headed to. The only way to it is a bus you pic up on this road.



heh..

and then a 7 mile trek through the jungle.

The hike was amazing. It was an overcast rainy day. Slight drizzle. Cool breeze and great friends. We wound our way down the mountain and through two small fishing villages.



The landscape changed every hundred feet from dense jungle, to mountain, to meadows, to villages..



As we passed one village the rain began to pick up. We moved on, showing no sign of turning back. We had a goal. An old man said "Chising Gweilo" as we went by which means "Crazy White Guys".

We made our way to the second summit and started down. One second? Gorgeous view. Slight drizzle.



The next? Down pour!



And we are talking soaked to the core in seconds rain. Like Seattle would say, "Damn. That is some rain." Rain.

We pressed on. Laughing. The rain felt like a baptism.

The trail began to flood and the water turned into a river but we knew we had to see the beach..



So, at the bottom of the trail, about a mile from the beach we found this sign.



And this was the path..



Now we are responsible hikers.. and we put safety first.. and you know me Ma.. Law and Order every time.. Ah hell.. we crossed it..



We needed to see the beach.

So the next leg of the journey had us dodging some of the biggest, scarriest, gnarliest spiders I have ever scene. We had to duck and run under the webs and we were encountering them every few feet..



We finally made it to Ham Tin, where we were greeted by a laid back vishing village, complete with a small store to restock, camping hippies, and a pack of really kick ass beach dogs..



The rain let up for a bit while we were at the bottom.. We hung out to try and let our clothes dry a bit and eat some food. Then we decided we should get a move on as we were more than likely doing the last mile or two in the dark and didn't want to face the spiders in a low visiblity situation..

So we headed out.. It was mostly uneventful up to the OX that decided not to let me past. He actually took a small swipe at me. Finally Brett had the good sense to just make alot of noise and the ox moved on..



(Look! It's my nephew Tristan!)

So, at the top we caught the bus into Mong Kok and had dinner. Brett and Autumn stayed in HK and I headed back to Macau.

It was an amazing day. This weekend I am going climbing on a real rock sport climb route! Should be fun.

I love and miss you all and will be home sooner than later!!!

5:00pm: Written for a friend far away..
The sun had not shown its face for a few days. But this morning he greeted me with angel kisses. A snow storm of tiny floating messages danced through the beam of light from my window to my bed. A path I walked the night before alone. And I watched as he said, "Wake up, Sleepy head. It will be over before you know it. So take in this hug from the world. It is your own. And dance the dance of knowing. Because somewhere far away, someone is thinking of you. Right now. And you of them. And they know it and you know it and in some places built of poetry and ink that is the same as kissing on the wind. So write your song, Sailorboy, and listen to the seagulls. They know best."

And I made my way to a place that tries to be French in China. And had crepes. And now I will go to the beach. Pray until my hands are chalk white and my arms scream for release. Come to some agreement with a rock that is older but not as stubborn as I. And learn that we can bottle memories. But not in photographs. But in poetry. In hopes. In potential. And in potential energy.

I am sending you the taste of foreign salt water in the air. I am sending you the sting of good sweat in your eyes. I am sending you kisses on the wind. I am sending you potential energy. I said hello to the sun today. He said to tell you he'd see you soon..

8:36am: Lantau Trip
So, my boy Brett and I shoved off to Hong Kong to get some more rock climbing gear and to go walk about. We wound up crossing all over Hong Kong to track down what we needed and then headed to Lantau to see the Big Buddah. We took the MTR out and caught the Sky Cab up to The Buddah.



The view was amazing. We passed the bay, the airport, a number of waterfalls, and then decided that we needed to do the hike up. It boasts a 10 hour day. I think we can do it in 8.





Once at the top we admired the 15 year old statue. Honestly? It was a bit to touristy for us. Like Disney meets Buddhism. But it was still impressive. And beautiful.



Afterwards, we hiked "Wisdom Trail" and found this hidden pagoda off the path.



Once finished with our walk about, Brett and I caught some grub and took the ferry back to Macau.



Good day. Can't wait to try out the new gear..

6:23pm: Behold! The Yangshou post!
Soooo.. alot to catch up on. This may be a long post. Feel free to skim if you like. So my birthday was May 3rd. I decided that I wanted to have a wild adventure outing that turned into an insanely rad boys trip. The gang that wound up going was Brett, Bronson, Mikey, Rob, and myself. Kyle was missed but short of him, these are some of my closest friends in Macau. Amazing trip. Troopers and die hards, the whole lot. So, Mikey and I went to Hong Kong and I splurged on myself. I got a new digital camera. 10 megapix, waterproof, all the bells and whistles and an amazing backpack as I am dead set on being a full time bum once I get done with this contract. Then we went to the airport and caught the flight to Guilin. The first stop on our trip.



Once there, we caught a long bus ride to our VERY MEAGER accommodations. Scary place, the Aviation
Hotel. The highlight of the bus ride was the little boy in front of me who was fascinated with the white guy.



Mikey and I found a small bar where we ate like kings (curry. drinks. dessert. noodles.) for about $10 American.



The next morning we again ate like rich folk at a beautiful little restaurant called the Natural Cafe that we read about in my Rough Guide. Afterwards we went to the Bus Depot to meet Rob and Brett. They were arriving after a 16 hour bus ride. Poor bastards. We also found out that Bronson had missed the bus and was going to wander around Zhuihai until 11 am the next day to catch his 16 hour bus ride. I told you. Troopers. It meant alot that they went through that to be on this trip with me.

So. We pick up the boys and as we are trying to figure out the next move, a cabbie approaches us and asks if we want to see any of the tours on this little flier. Rob says, "No thanks. We aren't interested in a tour right now is that a roller coaster?" all in one breath. We all looked at the picture and the next thing spoken was, "Take us there." A cab ride later we were in the middle of no where China where we find out that our roller coaster is more of a trolley to a cave tour. And what an incredible tour! We bought a ticket for our cabbie because he was cool... and that way he couldn't steal our stuff... besides.. what is $3 among friends?





Look closely, Tim. Abbott is in this picture. Right next to me.

The tour took us deep into a cave where we saw turtles and took a boat ride on an underground river.








(and here is a picture of my nephew Tristan!)



On our way back we found out that Rob hadn't eaten since noon the day before so we stopped to get a bag of strawberries from a road side. We each got one. Rob ate the rest. Then told us he was allergic to strawberries. The swelling was mild.. Jackass.

We had some dinner and then caught a bus to Yangshou. Most of our activities were scheduled in Yangshou. Once off the bus we were again approached by a guy named Larry who turned out to be a very creepy Godsend. He was a little too buddy buddy and really wanted us to go to a "sauna" with him but once we got past that he was cool enough. He owned a hostel with clean-ish, cheap rooms and booked everything we wanted to do, including transportation, for freakin' pennies.

We wound up having a scare. Michael thought he left his wallet in Guilin. Turned out he had it all along. I am recording this here so everyone involved in the trip will remember to never let him live it down.

That night we watched Brett and Mikey drink snake wine. Which is basically alcohol fermented with dead snakes and mixed with snake blood. Yum. Mikey and Brett are now that proud parents of Hepatitis A B and C!

Kidding..

Nasty..

Then I freaked some street vendors out with coin magic. Worked like a charm. They quit trying to sell me shit as I was in league with the devil.

Then the gay bar.. ask me later..

We spent a good portion of the trip on 'Bronson watch' as we hadn't met up with him yet. He managed to get in touch with us and wound up meeting up with us in the early morning. Armed with only some crackers and the sleep he got on the bus, he jumped in for the days adventures, full tilt. Hard core, Bronson!

Then bed. The next morning we took a bicycle tour to the Yangshou river.



Where we rode bamboo rafts down the river to the Great Water Cave!





The relaxing boat ride lasted about four minutes.



Then a lady on a boat sold us water guns.. The next two hours turned into a water fight and us bribing our guides with beer to let us row the boats.. Madness!!

Once at the cave, it was too dark for pics. We also played in a mud pit. I have pictures of this as prints. I'll see what I can do to post one soon. We also had a tour guide named Cassie with the word Fouhau on her pants. we found out, much to her dismay, that it means sugar daddy. We spent the rest of the tour being mildly obnoxious but really cute Americans. She had fun. We laughed alot and hijacked her megaphone.

After the cave we rode the bikes home in a down pour. I should take this moment to explain that about 2 hours of our time in Yangshou was spent dry. The rest was spent in rain that would make Seattle go, "Damn! That is some rain!" Gorgeous!

Once home we dried off and headed out to fish and see the Camarand fishing. A fisherman takes these large birds with rings around there necks out into the water where the dive for fish. He retrieves the fish and lets the birds eat every seventh fish. Watching this was amazing. The fish moved like black shadows under the water and the fisherman could row his bamboo raft at impossible speeds.





The next morning came early. We rose at 5 am to catch our hot air balloon!!



This was a true highlight in the trip. It was breathtaking and terrifying. We all sat in quiet fear and awe as we took in the scenery. We white knuckled the basket and quietly realized that we were trusting our lives to wicker that was less than six feet from a HUGE flame. I would do it again in a second. Such an amazing experience.



We were forced to land early in a small farm because of the rain. We had a van come fetch us and headed home for lunch and then off to rock climb.

I am hooked. This trip clenched it. I am going to be a top notch climber. Mark me. It is such a battle and nurturing relationship all at once. Just you and the rock.



This was where we adopted Tracey. She was along for the rock climbing tour and then hung out with us until she had to leave. She teaches English in China and is planning to come visit her boys early June.



At this point Rob had to leave us to begin his oh so long journey back to reality. We saw him off had some dinner and spent a night on the town. We were supposed to take a boat tour up the river that night but we had all had it. We figured we'd be asleep inside five minutes of leaving so we napped and walked about in Yangshou.

The next morning we rented scooters and toured the countryside. This was such a good choice. It was amazing to see REAL China. It was a solid way to end the trip.



Mike and I split up from the gang and had Larry drive us on a creepy back route to the airport where we flew back to Hong Kong, took a late ferry back to Macau, caught a cab home, went to sleep at 2 am and woke for work at 8 the next day... whew!

So, the next week, I found myself in touch with a great group of guys who run a climbing wall here in Macau. They told me that if I got my own gear, they'd teach me to climb. Fools!

Brett and I promptly headed to Hong Kong for gear. But first we took a quick pit stop to do some surfing.. heh..



Mikey met us in Mong Kok and we went to the climbing store. A nice gentlemen helped me pick gear , gave me a discount, took my 1000 Hong Kong Dollars and walked out the front door. I was hustled!! Oh well. Good on him. I wish him nothing but pain and misery but I was stupid enough to give him my money so there ya have it. So, I dropped another 1000 on shoes, a chalk bag, and a harness, which is 1/3 what I would pay in the states.

So, we headed home.

The next day I had an amazing experience at work. A father, mother, and little girl walked up to the ride. The mother explained to me in broken English that they could only afford one ticket and could the girl ride alone? My supervisor said no. She was too young and needed an 11 year old or older to ride with her. The mother explained this to the daughter who began to cry. These are not tantrum tears, mind you. These were heartbroken tears. I looked at my supervisor and said, "Kent? I'm taking her." Kent could see I wasn't going to budge and said he was off to check ticket sales and wouldn't be back for 20 minutes. I told the mother to get a ticket quickly and off we went. This little girl was charming. She laughed and waved and blushed every time I called her little princess. At the end of the ride she asked her mother if I would pick her up so she could hug me and kiss me cheek. Best gondola guest I have ever had!

Last. I almost feel like this story is a post in itself. But as to not make folks wait anymore.. I have found a group of people here that make me feel at home. And there isn't an American in the bunch. The gang that I hooked up with to climb are amazing. I first met Cyrus. Then Monkie. Both of them are absolutely POETRY to watch on a rock. Their is a large climbing tower next to the Venetian. I met with them after getting my gear and the promptly set to teaching me to climb routes I was not skilled enough to climb. Amazing good time. Monkie, Lemon, Cyrus, Roger, and Kevin all speak English very well. The others help with aid of Monkie to translate. I am quickly picking up Madarin out of necessity. We have such a good time. They all call me the stubborn Gweilo. I hear shouts of "relax!" on a regular basis. But I am learning quickly. They took me out to Coloane with them to go bouldering last weekend. It was amazing. I am so sore.




I get regular phone calls in broken English saying, "Sean Man. Meet us at tower half pass seven. Climb tonight."

Every single one of them is chiseled and strong. They assure me I will be the same in two months.

I am so sad to have met them with only 2 and a half months to go. It is am amazing group of people and I am trying to get everything from them I can. It took this long to find my people. Funny. We speak the same language and half the time we can't understand a word each other is saying. Thank God I found them. I was going nuts..

Kevin spent 12 years in LA and he and Monkie are the two I feel closest to. Kevin and I commiserated over a lack of good Mexican food in Macau today. Maybe they can come climb with me in the states. They are sad to know I leave so soon. It is nice to finally be a little sad to go.



This is my Macau family.

Well, that is all for this entry. May be awhile before I go on another big trip. We'll see. In the mean time, I'll keep everyone posted on my climbing exploits.

Get your shoes and chalk bag out Big Bri. We are going to live in a climbing gym when I get back.

Love you all!

10:59pm: Not a big post..
So, I went to Hong Kong last weekend. It was an awesome time. Not much to report really. We went to go surfing but the ocean was PLACID. Not a wave in sight. I have never seen a beach so calm. So, we jumped off cliffs and provoked a GIANT jellyfish instead. Then we ate lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. Then off to a mall. I picked up some books. Jessenia bought me a few as a way early birthday present. Then Bronson, Aubrey, Brett, and I went for a crazy late night hike. We kept going thinking the trail had to end eventually until Aubrey finally had the good sense to make us turn back. We alpha male men begrudgingly agreed. Thank God we did. We made it back around 10:30 pm. Then off to dinner at Outback and home. It was the closest to being out with my peeps I'd felt in awhile. I miss and love all of you. Here are pics:

Cliff jumping:





Jellyfish:



Hike:

12:35am: More pics
I promised more pics from Thailand.. Here they are.

I also went to Hong Kong and had a great time. I will post pics and an update in the next day or so.

Airport:



Muah Thai Match:



Making Thai Sugar:



Floating Market:





Bridge on the River Kwae:



The Gang:



Chicken Island:



Me on a Sand Bar:



A Mermaid!:



Krabi Sunset:





Stalactites hang on tight. Stalagmites might poke you in the butt.. from below..


More adventures to come.

12:11am: Yeah...
This pretty much sums it up.

3:12am: Loooooong travel post.
So, I love the fact that I miss work as much as I do to do freakishly cool stuff like this trip. So, I went to Hong Kong with Kyle and Coleen. We saw Ocean Park which is Hong Kongs seaworld. Then we ate at Bubba Gumps on the top of Victoria Peak which is the tallest peak in the territories. It was a great day. The only bad thing was my camera was left in a taxi and I am without pictures for that adventure. I'll go back. Hong Kong is to easy to run away to on the weekends. But Mikey was super nice enough to loan me his camera for the next trip.

So, we left early in the morning and flew into Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangkok is interesting. Gotta be honest. It was amazing to be there but the shopping/nightlife/prostitute scene is not up my alley. I was enamored with the beautiful shrines and temples.

Max and Bret and I promptly caught a cab to the snake farm. This is where they milk snakes (Oh grow up Tim!) for venom. Interesting joint.



Then we did the night life thing. See the paragraph above. One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble...

So, the next day we headed out for a tour of REAL Bangkok. We saw how Thai sugar is made.
The went to the bridge over the river Kwae. Brandon? You would have loved this.

(Side note. Max and Desiree took pictures as well. I will post missing pictures as soon as I get them.)

It was sobering and strangely beautiful.

Then off to the floating market. Imagine a canal. Now add hundreds of tiny gondolas with trinkets, food, clothes, etc.. That is the floating market. Being in the action was a bit overwhelming and smacked of latenight Bangkok. But once I found my way to a bench on the canal side where I could just sit and watch life happen I was charmed. It was a enchanting thing to watch with "Guilo" eyes.



Then we went to the Tiger Temple. We paid to get in and followed a canyon down to a quiet little oasis where we were greeted by monks in orange robes calmly walking amongst a pride of sleeping tigers. We waited in line and then were taken by the hand up to these amazing beasts and allowed to pet them... unreal..



This was me napping with the sweet kitties. A humbling experience. Just to be so close to something that beautiful...

Then we went to a gem market and back to our little hotel.

The next day we had breakfast where we hung out with our little wild cat friend with a missing paw. We fed him sausage and named him Mr. Nubbins. Then we flew to Krabi and then road a ferry over to our wonderful little island of Railey.




I could live here. Seriously. If I ever vanish, got to Krabi and search the hammocks.


We spent the first day on the beach. Max, Brett, and I promptly grabbed a 3 person Kayak and headed for Tonsai bay. On the way back we decided we needed to "shoot the needle". This means row the kayak through a very narrow gap in the coral cliff that looked dangerous from afar but deadly up close. We lived. And we are all three better men for having done it. Legends will be told about our daring.. Mark me.


After dinner we headed to our bungalows. On the way Max was followed by three little frogs. They loved him and stuck strangely to his heels. It was strange and strangely cool..



After a few drinks we went to sleep. A big day ahead of us.

In the morning we caught the boat to Au Nan. We then came upon the magnificent beasts...



And had a wonderful trek through the jungle. Unreal. These beasts have a gracefulness all there own. Crystal and I sat with a quiet respect on the massive elephant. We watched as he snapped branches off of trees with his trunk and walked up and down ridiculously steep hills. Amazing creatures. They have such personality.



Once back we were able to feed them bananas and then we had fresh fruit and water. In the little cabana I was able to take another picture of my nephew Tristan!



(Okay okay.. this is Lily.)

That afternoon we caught a boat out to chicken island and spent the afternoon snorkeling and watching the sunset. We ate dinner by moonlight on the bow of the ship and were almost lost to the sea by a rogue wave. At that point I would have been ready to go. It was yet another perfect day. Well. Almost perfect.

The next day, Brett and I decided to go rock climbing. This was incredible and easily my favorite part of the trip. I am hooked!



We did 5 climbs. Each progressively more difficult. by the last I was spent but also determined. I told our guide not to let me down until I'd made it. It took some coaching and a few falls but I made it. I felt like I owned the world. My arms were so spent I couldn't open my water bottle but the top of that climb was mine! It was truly a spiritual journey for me. You would have been proud of me Roshi Tammy.



That night we drove back to the airport. Our flight was delayed. We got into Bangkok at midnight. We needed to be be back by 5 am. The hotel was an hour away. So I convinced the crew to sleep in the airport. Is was strangely fun. I don't know.. one of those things you learn to love as a traveler. The next morning we flew home.



I spent the last night in Krabi sitting on the beach.. getting quietly choked up. I know how blessed I am. I am so very lucky. I admit this and send gratitude to the world. I still wish you were here with me. I miss you. All of you.

So many other little things. The nights sitting on the beach with a gem colored cocktail. Deciding that a bamboo tattoo is not worth the risk of hepatitis. Jogging in sweltering humidity across the island with Brett. Brett leaping for the top hold of a poorly crafted climbing wall and promptly breaking it loose and crashing his drunk ass to the ground..

This trip was magic..



Next big trip will be for my brithday. Stay tuned.

I love you all so much..

Uncle Traveling Sean

P.S. Again, I will add an entry of more photos soon...

1:18am: So, I had an interesting weekend. I started off by enjoying a hike to the giant statue of Ama on Coloane Island. Ama is the goddess of the sea. Macau and particularly Taipa has always been a fishing community. Coloane was actually notorious for piracy. How kick ass is that? I fit right in. On the hike we passed through a petting zoo where we got to see some goats ramming heads. Check out the MySpace video of it..

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=30014113

Then up, up, up..



Once at the top we were graced with a beautiful statue and a view of HacSau beach. HacSau is a black sand beach. (Looks like you will get to see two black sand beaches in your life Mom.)





Ama is beautiful. And huge. It is hard to understand from the picture just how big that statue really is. I would be as tall as one of the panels at the bottom.

Near the statue is this gorgeous monastery.



We went in and had a look around. It was amazing. You can by doves and turtles there to set free.



We finished the day off by dining at an amazing Portugese restauran in Macau.

The next day I shoved off to Hong Kong. I went walkabout and found my way to the Temple of 10,000 Buddahs. This Monastery boasts an impressive 12,800 buddahs as well as a 9 story pagoda. On the way up I was greeted by this guy.



(This is a picture of my nephew Tristan with a Buddah. Okay! It's a wild monkey!)

Here are some other pics of the monastery.









I finished the day off with a walk at the beach and a wander through the street markets of the new territories.



Once back I came down with the Hong Kong flu and spent a week in bed. But I am feeling much better and have more journeys planned for the coming week. After that? Thailand!!

I have to say.. I have found a joy in the fact that I am spending my early 30's cheating the system. Wish you were here. yes. You.

See it on my wrist?

Happy Easter, Neverland!!

10:43pm: Zelda! Link..
So, a travel update to come soon. I have been sick as a dog.. So just take your long overdue link of the week for now..

http://www.dothetest.co.uk/

12:19am: More travel!
So, it has been a bit and I have mostly been working. Most of my adventures have been on the main island of Macau. Finding new hiking trails and jazz clubs and such. But I did get out to Zuihai. Amazing fun! Imagine a swap meet with endless treasures for pennies. Now make it a city. That is Zuihai.



One of the best parts though, was the go karts. On the bottom floor of a parking garage is a go kart track. Poorly ventilated. Dangerously dark. Ridiculously fun! It felt like Tokyo Drift meets Taladega Nights. We Guilo took the place over and had a field day. The carts get going pretty fast and you are armed with only a helmet and your wits. Serious boy fun took place.



The following weekend found us in China. Over lunch I said to Mikey that we should go. A few hours later Mikey, Colleen, and I were on a Ferry.



Once in Hong Kong we promptly got lost. A local desperately tried to get us to our hotel but only succeeded in getting us more lost. We finally gave in and caught a cab. The driver spoke English very well and had us at the Tatami Hampton Hotel in no time.. Sounds fancy right? See the picture..



I've slept in bigger tents. It was perfect! We felt like bad ass travelers. So then we hit the town. We did a market walk in Mong Kok. Oh grow up Tim.. We saw a bird market where old men sit with birds in cages and feed them crickets with chopsticks. And a Flower market. Tons of stalls with flowers of all kinds.. beautiful. A fish market with rare exotic aquarium fish, ladies market (see the description of Zuihai), the night district market. Too cool. Tons of stuff. Bizarre knicknacks. This is the place to go if you are looking for a cursed left handed egg beater or a Mogwai. And then to the jade market. Past the temple and past the fortune tellers. Very fun night.



I was brave with street food. I will never know exactly what I ate that night and I think I'll be glad for that..



The next day took us to this place!!



We caught the Disney Resort Subway Line and went to see the mouse!!



Hong Kong Disney is a trip. It has about 8 rides and a few shows.
Astroblasters, Space Mountain, Tarzan's Tree House, Jungle Cruise, Tea Cups, Dumbo, Rockets..



Very Quaint. Very fun.

I will say this though. HK Disney Jungle Cruise kicks California Disneys ass any day!



See what I mean?

And finally? Me with our Jungle Cruise Guide. I laughed so hard. It is the same old jokes but add an awesome accent. Comedic GOLD!



So, tomorrow is my day off and I plan to try and move into my new apartment. I'll post pics soon. It is gorgeous! Who knows what I will get up to afterwards...

Guess we'll see.

Goodnight Neverland!

2:46am: The Last of its kind...
I remember her hands turning the knitting needles like mercury. Beating yarn into fabric.And in her wisdom, she'd spin her words into gold. I studied each line on her brow for truth. Reading the creases like India ink. Dark. Permanent. Earned. And she hums along with the record, knowing each warm pop and crack like lyrics. Like history.

We skip generations like the songs on the album and I am more like her than I'll ever know. A vinyl copy. Pressed and shiny. But she was gone before such things began to stick.

She is like the smell in a well used kitchen, even when the oven is off.
An afterthought.
A sweet recollection of a melody you hum under your breath.
But I am drawn to her like warm covers.
Like a soft glow.
And me, mid-life, and still with wet wings.
And she prepares me for the world with these moments. Keeping each second accounted for.
One pearl stitch at a time.
We listen as the room melts to afternoon sepia. the song lifts and sways. Kissing my ankles like the tide. Stroking my face like wind.
The woman makes the music sweeter with each rock of her chair.

"Why does the album skip sometimes Grandma?"

She laughs. Doesn't look up.

"Because it is old and eventually it won't play anymore at all."

I knit my brow up like her blanket.

"Then why do you listen to it so much? Won't you use it up?"

She organizes her work, spreading it across her needle as she does the same with the words in her head. The album sings out to her.

"Because it tells the truth."

I listen harder. Looking for hidden words between the notes.

Nothing.

"It doesn't talk, Grandma."

She smiles at how little I know. Sad for me. And says,

"Yes it does."

"What does it say?"

And our game is done. I now have Grandmas eyes, smile, and attention all to myself. She sets her labor in her lap and fixes on me. I am now her project and she will knit me together with the same love.

"Listen. That part says that your friends won't forget who you are. Even when you do."

And they won't. And you will.

"Ah. This part says, You, My Love, are the prize. Not them. Remember that."

And I am.

"This part says that Men don't cry. But if she loves you. If she really loves you, she'll hold you when you do."

And she will.

"This part knows that God is not counting on us as much as we are counting on him. He knows we will let him down and loves us regardless. Remember this part of the song when you are a father."

And I will.

And Grandma sat quietly. Her fingers still seemed to be a blur of motion. Her mind, even faster.

"One day Grandma will quit playing too. I've already begun to skip."

And then we sat together. Quietly.

And sepia became blue. And blue became black.

And all at once, the music stopped. Replaced by a motor whir and a methodical thump.
A one legged tap dancer, facing finality.

"What do we do now, Grandma?"

We sat, listening to more time pass like music. Clickthump. Clickthump.

It was in this moment that I would finally se the jigsaw puzzle for the beautiful picture that it was.
All creases and landscape and hello goodbyes.

Grandma reached over and cast magic as the years in her hand settled the needle into the groove once more.

She answered all of my questions as the music whispered it's truth to me a new.

"We let the song play out."

"Why?"

"Because it's romantic."

2:33pm: Umm...
I just ran a trail on a mountain in Taipa.
Just wanted to tell someone.

2:04am: We'd sooner chew our tongues off than speak honestly. Filling our mouths with blood like a communion of self doubt. And on our hands we'll leave bite marks like infants. Showing our wounds when we hold our hands out for alms. Alms for the poor in spirit. The poor in practice. The poor in the corner of the room. And the little man sat crouched on the curb today, yanking the monkey by the leash to force it to do back flips. And I was reminded again of the world.

We have creases on our feet that match the road lines of any map. We know how to get there. We just forget. And lost is as much a destination as a terminal. And terminal is as much a destination as I can fear for these days...

Hmm.

I smelled at first like soap. And then like gasoline. And then like sweat. And now I wait. Like a baby. New and confused at why the world is so big and why it has to hurt sometimes.

I'll beat the dust off of the path with each stride and wash clean each sin with soap, gasoline, and sweat.

But forgive me if I never learn to breath alone. It is just not in me today.

Feeling less like a pack animal these days. And more like I have a shiny silver back and fierce red pride in my eyes.

Blood red colored glasses with which to see each turn before it comes.

And here.

Here we are sometimes.

Counting transgressions in threes. Pen poised above a name in the book, ready to strike it through with a sweep of ink and finality. Again and again and again.

Is it heroic to call myself a coward?

Be. In. Love.

All of you.

It is the incantation I will speak for you with every breath I exhale. For I want the best for my loved ones.

And my beloved.

Coward.