Found a cool quote:
"Soldier, ask not, now or ever, where to war your banners go.
Anarch's Legions all surround us. Strike, and do not count the blow."
Not as long as the St. Crispin's Day speech in Shakespeare (Henry V?), but still very cool quote.
Looked him up on Wikipedia. He wrote a lot of Science Fiction and Fantasy in the '60's, '70's, '80's, and '90's. Besides a lot of solo books, he wrote 2 series from 9 to 15 books each. I have only read one of his books, about 40 years ago.
1. The Dragon Knight series. I just mention this because I have read The Dragon and the George, probably when it first came out and there were no other books in the series. I think it is a fantasy series that takes place in England.
2. The Childe Cycle. This is where the quote comes from. It is a 23rd century science fiction series. I mention it because I think he gets space life right in one respect (as I read the Wikipedia page.) I am always interested when I read a story that I think gets space life "right," as compared to Star Trek, Star Wars, etc.
For example, in Niven's universe (The Mote in God's Eye, etc.) travel never gets past the light speed barrier, except by using wormholes. I think that is the way it will be in Heaven. We won't be travelling between Solar Systems, unless we want a 20 - 100 year vacation. I think we will be using wormholes, which will actually be 4th+ dimensional Angels transporting us from spot to spot. Anyway, we'll see how far off the mark I am (grin.)
Another way Niven gets it right, I think, is that when traveling in space, ships speed up half the way, creating one gravity. Then, they turn the ship 180 degrees and decelerate the other half of the way, which maintains their one gravity. (I also like the Mote books because there is an Arab guy who doesn't drink alcohol like a lot of the crew. So, he is a coffee expert and people are always going to his cabin to get good coffee, of which he always has a good supply.)
But, in this series of books, I think the author gets "trade" correct. Transporting anything between solar systems is expensive and it will always be cheaper to make it locally, on planet. In this series, interstellar trade is solely personal service contracts, whether it be from a free world (where each person can choose a contract) or a totalitarian world, where the government sells contracts of its people.
Mike
Ruminating From (halfway to) Nepal
Monday, June 26, 2017
Friday, June 23, 2017
I Left My Heart (and good tacos) . . . In San Francisco
I read a review about a good Mexican place here in Bangkok. I looked it up and it is actually a chain of small eateries called Sunrise Tacos. And, there is one in Terminal 21. So, I went and tried it out. It wasn't very good. The tacos didn't taste quite right - not bad, just not right. I went another time and tried the Nachos. They were better, but still not that good. I probably won't go back. They are expensive. They use the VAT in Thailand. At most places you just pay the prices listed as the VAT is already factored in. At Sunrise Tacos you pay the added 7% VAT plus a 10% surcharge. I think it is mainly for tourists.
Anyway, while I was eating there, I noticed the Golden Gate bridge. Each floor of Terminal 21 is labeled with a city name. I just noticed they have appropriate decorations. The 4th floor where Sunrise Tacos is is the San Francisco level.
They also have a restaurant with a (fake) cable car you can eat in (the 4th floor is all restaurants.) For some reason they also have a giant Oscar. I don't know why. The Academy Awards are in Los Angeles - just one of the quirks of Thailand.
Namaste from (halfway to) Nepal
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Hair Of The Dog
Well, I returned to the scene of the crime (Terminal 21). It has been a few weeks and everything has healed, except my left arm. It has mostly healed, although I still can't put my left hand behind my back. I guess I better not get arrested. It could be painful.
Also, pulling upward is painful. I will have to get this looked at when I get to Nepal. Then, I can set up a medical regimen once I settle. But, it is mostly o.k. I can now sleep on my left side w/o pain and I can put on my back pack, things I couldn't do the first 2 weeks. Also, I can do curls fine and I can support my wait as long as I keep my arm straight. Hmmmm, I wonder if this is what a rotater cuff injury is (that you hear baseball players get)?
Anyway, I saw Wonder Woman while I was there. It was a good movie, although she was basically Jesus in a mini skirt. It is amazing the number of movies that have a Jesus figure in it. The world wants a savior. However, they want one on its own terms and they want a savior that understands mankind deserves a savior. Unfortunately, we don't. But, we got one anyway.
Rode a bus for the first time that I have been in Asia while I was Kuala Lumpur. Their buses are like the ones in the United States. The ones in Thailand are hugely different. I want to ride some this week. It will increase my mobility and decrease the number of stairs I have to go down.
Namaste From (half way to) Nepal
Also, pulling upward is painful. I will have to get this looked at when I get to Nepal. Then, I can set up a medical regimen once I settle. But, it is mostly o.k. I can now sleep on my left side w/o pain and I can put on my back pack, things I couldn't do the first 2 weeks. Also, I can do curls fine and I can support my wait as long as I keep my arm straight. Hmmmm, I wonder if this is what a rotater cuff injury is (that you hear baseball players get)?
Anyway, I saw Wonder Woman while I was there. It was a good movie, although she was basically Jesus in a mini skirt. It is amazing the number of movies that have a Jesus figure in it. The world wants a savior. However, they want one on its own terms and they want a savior that understands mankind deserves a savior. Unfortunately, we don't. But, we got one anyway.
Rode a bus for the first time that I have been in Asia while I was Kuala Lumpur. Their buses are like the ones in the United States. The ones in Thailand are hugely different. I want to ride some this week. It will increase my mobility and decrease the number of stairs I have to go down.
Namaste From (half way to) Nepal
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Home, Sweet Home . . . Twice Removed
Got back to Bangkok Tuesday night. Travelling through airports you already have been through is much nicer. Left my hotel 6 hours before the flight for the 1 hour taxi ride. So, I got to do everything leisurely while enjoy games on my tablet and enjoy Starbucks.
Got to use my first squatty potty. Malaysia has a large number of Muslims and some of them consider western toilets unsanitary. So, even though the airport was newer, each bathroom had 1 squatty potty stall. The others were occupied and I had to urinate. I didn't actually squat, though. That still counts, right? Right?
So, 2 more months until Nepal. But, even that won't really be home. Like Moses (Ex 2:22), I will still be a "Stranger in a strange land." I won't be truly home until I get to heaven. Only 2 more trips to make:
Thailand ---> Nepal ---> Heaven
Got to use my first squatty potty. Malaysia has a large number of Muslims and some of them consider western toilets unsanitary. So, even though the airport was newer, each bathroom had 1 squatty potty stall. The others were occupied and I had to urinate. I didn't actually squat, though. That still counts, right? Right?
So, 2 more months until Nepal. But, even that won't really be home. Like Moses (Ex 2:22), I will still be a "Stranger in a strange land." I won't be truly home until I get to heaven. Only 2 more trips to make:
Thailand ---> Nepal ---> Heaven
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Laundry
Did my laundry and noticed a couple of things.
(1) The washers here automatically dispense detergent, softener, and sanitizer for free. That is really nice. Notice point #5 in the picture. Btw, it costs about $1.40 to wash and I paid $1.40 to dry, although it appears I could have dried with less time and saved 20 or 40 cents.
(2) They had a change machine that gave tokens for paper money. I have not yet seen any change dispensers in Thailand that will accept paper money.
They have machines in Thailand that take change and will give change in return. But, if you need change for paper money, you have to go to a teller. In fact, that is how I get change for the laundry in my building. The office never has change. So, I often get 10 x 10 baht coins for a 100 baht bill whenever I ride the BTS skytrain, even though I use a card that I just flash to get on.
Just another little difference betwixt here and there.
Namaste From (halfway to) Nepal
(1) The washers here automatically dispense detergent, softener, and sanitizer for free. That is really nice. Notice point #5 in the picture. Btw, it costs about $1.40 to wash and I paid $1.40 to dry, although it appears I could have dried with less time and saved 20 or 40 cents.
(2) They had a change machine that gave tokens for paper money. I have not yet seen any change dispensers in Thailand that will accept paper money.
They have machines in Thailand that take change and will give change in return. But, if you need change for paper money, you have to go to a teller. In fact, that is how I get change for the laundry in my building. The office never has change. So, I often get 10 x 10 baht coins for a 100 baht bill whenever I ride the BTS skytrain, even though I use a card that I just flash to get on.
Just another little difference betwixt here and there.
Namaste From (halfway to) Nepal
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Walking To The Train Station (LRT)
I looked on the map and saw train icons. It turns out Kuala Lumpur has a skytrain like Bangkok does. Being a smaller city, it is more organized. Instead of long lines going here there, they use a hub and spoke system with a central hub that also connects with other public transport. And, the closest station is only about 4 blocks away (400 meters).
First I head north 2 blocks. I pass over a creek. From the bridge you can see the homes and apartments below. Notice all the cars. It is just like the U.S, unlike Thailand. Notice that the residential streets are wider than in Thailand, more like the U.S. Also, there is plenty of greenery. Bangkok seems to be one giant slab of cement and asphalt. It is definitely about 10 degrees cooler here. I can't wait for Kathmandu, which basically has Orange County weather.
After those 2 blocks I turn west for 2 blocks. These 2 blocks are commercial with stores on both sides. There is a 7 - 11 on the left first block. It was handy because it had an ATM machine and I got some cash. The two big trees are a circle that divides the 2 blocks. Also, on the right, back in the second block, you can see the sign for another 7 - 11. (Can't have too many 7 - 11's!) Also, notice all the cars. You don't see this in Bangkok.
Here is a picture of the circle. The number of cars is growing faster than parking. Double parking is rampant, especially at outdoor restaurants, where can you can see your car when someone needs to leave.
This is the second block, this time from the right side.
Namaste From (halfway to) Nepal
First I head north 2 blocks. I pass over a creek. From the bridge you can see the homes and apartments below. Notice all the cars. It is just like the U.S, unlike Thailand. Notice that the residential streets are wider than in Thailand, more like the U.S. Also, there is plenty of greenery. Bangkok seems to be one giant slab of cement and asphalt. It is definitely about 10 degrees cooler here. I can't wait for Kathmandu, which basically has Orange County weather.
After those 2 blocks I turn west for 2 blocks. These 2 blocks are commercial with stores on both sides. There is a 7 - 11 on the left first block. It was handy because it had an ATM machine and I got some cash. The two big trees are a circle that divides the 2 blocks. Also, on the right, back in the second block, you can see the sign for another 7 - 11. (Can't have too many 7 - 11's!) Also, notice all the cars. You don't see this in Bangkok.
Here is a picture of the circle. The number of cars is growing faster than parking. Double parking is rampant, especially at outdoor restaurants, where can you can see your car when someone needs to leave.
This is the second block, this time from the right side.
Namaste From (halfway to) Nepal
Kaw Kaw Burgers
Across the street and down a block is another strip mall.
Out on the sidewalk is a local eatery known as Kaw Kaw Burgers. They opened about 6 - 10 years ago. When they opened, the line was about 150 meters long with a wait time of 3 - 4 burgers. Now they have many eateries so they aren't crowded.
Basically, they serve a hamburger with a fresh, hand made patty. Just think of the types of patties we make when we grill and compare those to McDonald's thin, frozen patties. This is a single patty lamb baconator burger with cheese fries with ice and bottled water ($5.50.)
You can get 1, 2, or 3 patties. You can get ground beef, chicken, or Lamb. You can have cheese and/or bacon added. This is a double patty beef baconator ($4.00.)
Suffering my poor life style (Half way to) Nepal
Out on the sidewalk is a local eatery known as Kaw Kaw Burgers. They opened about 6 - 10 years ago. When they opened, the line was about 150 meters long with a wait time of 3 - 4 burgers. Now they have many eateries so they aren't crowded.
Basically, they serve a hamburger with a fresh, hand made patty. Just think of the types of patties we make when we grill and compare those to McDonald's thin, frozen patties. This is a single patty lamb baconator burger with cheese fries with ice and bottled water ($5.50.)
You can get 1, 2, or 3 patties. You can get ground beef, chicken, or Lamb. You can have cheese and/or bacon added. This is a double patty beef baconator ($4.00.)
Suffering my poor life style (Half way to) Nepal
My Malaysian Hotel Area
Malaysia has many similarities and differences compared to Thailand.
Both societies are very industrious. However, Thais seem more fatalistic and content. Malaysians are more serious and strive for upper mobility. I could live in either society and be happy.
Anyway, my hotel is in a string of 4 strip malls. There are 3 such hotels in this long strip. This is not a tourist area. I have only seen 1 or 2 westerners in the 10 days I have been here. Although the local people seem to stare at me a lot, they all are friendly. Since they can speak English pretty well, we have had some interesting conversations.
(1) This is from the western end.
(2) This is from a bench right on the corner.
(3) This is looking North from the corner. Lots and lots of private cars. At night the parking is all full because of the many restaurants in the strip.,
(4) This is halfway up, still looking North. Notice the water refilling station on the right. They seem good enough for Malaysians (and Thais). But, you never know if the filter is ever changed, so many westerners, like me, don't use them.
(5) Still looking North, very near my hotel entrance. The restaurants freely use sidewalks, parkways, and parking spots to expand to have more room for cooking and customers.
(6) Same spot as the previous picture, but looking the other way (south). I have eaten a few meals at that restaurant.
(C) I always have the chicken and rice. I leave the sauce and brown stuff on the upper right. I eat the chicken, rice and egg, and the fried peanuts on the lower right.
(7) Just past the restaurant is the laundromat.
(8) At night they stick tables and chairs everywhere.
(9) There is even an extra seller that comes by with his truck food stand.
This is my first time using Imgur to host the pictures and it seems to work well.
Namaste From a detour (halway to) Nepal
- Both hot.
- Both are cheaper
- Both have Grab Taxi
- Both have Tesco delivery
- Both have cheap phone service
- Both have cheap taxis and elevated trains
- Both Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur have decent water - bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth; tap water for showers, washing hands, laundry, and dish washing.
Both societies are very industrious. However, Thais seem more fatalistic and content. Malaysians are more serious and strive for upper mobility. I could live in either society and be happy.
Anyway, my hotel is in a string of 4 strip malls. There are 3 such hotels in this long strip. This is not a tourist area. I have only seen 1 or 2 westerners in the 10 days I have been here. Although the local people seem to stare at me a lot, they all are friendly. Since they can speak English pretty well, we have had some interesting conversations.
(1) This is from the western end.
(2) This is from a bench right on the corner.
(3) This is looking North from the corner. Lots and lots of private cars. At night the parking is all full because of the many restaurants in the strip.,
(4) This is halfway up, still looking North. Notice the water refilling station on the right. They seem good enough for Malaysians (and Thais). But, you never know if the filter is ever changed, so many westerners, like me, don't use them.
(5) Still looking North, very near my hotel entrance. The restaurants freely use sidewalks, parkways, and parking spots to expand to have more room for cooking and customers.
(6) Same spot as the previous picture, but looking the other way (south). I have eaten a few meals at that restaurant.
(C) I always have the chicken and rice. I leave the sauce and brown stuff on the upper right. I eat the chicken, rice and egg, and the fried peanuts on the lower right.
(7) Just past the restaurant is the laundromat.
(8) At night they stick tables and chairs everywhere.
(9) There is even an extra seller that comes by with his truck food stand.
This is my first time using Imgur to host the pictures and it seems to work well.
Namaste From a detour (halway to) Nepal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)