I admit it. This picture was taken a few years ago, but I think I still look vaguely like that. Depends on the day (and the time of day). And today, just before I uploaded this picture, an Indonesian English student told me how much she liked my nose. I heard that a lot in Indonesia. Apparently, a large nose like mine is a good …
Read the full story »Thoughts about the Movie “Mr. Nobody”
Sunday August 17, 2014
A lot of activity at 7-11 this morning. That’s mainly because it’s Sunday. For most people, it is their only day off, so people get up early and go out to do things. Plus, there are people still awake from a Saturday night at the clubs. I’m not sure how late this 7-11 is open, but from the disaster area around me, …
Talking Movies: Locke and Last Train Home
Saturday August 16, 2014
(Spoilers)
I have the movie Locke on my mind this morning. I enjoyed it. It’s a very thoughtful movie – something that you could discuss afterwards for a long time. At least, I could. I forget about most movies almost before they’re over. Movies like this stick with me.
My one complaint – if I had to come up with one – is that …
Pop Culture Thoughts
Friday August 15, 2014
7-11 Cebu
Not much on my mind first thing this morning. Jeepneys are going by and filling up with customers. I can’t say with any confidence who all these people are and where they are going. Many are students. That is clear. Others are going to work, but I have no idea what kind of work. It’s not like Bay Street in Toronto …
Early Morning Thoughts Over Coffee
Thursday August 14, 2014
6:30 a.m.
Not much going on at the 7-11 this morning. When I came in, all the chairs and benches were still up on the table. I had to clear my own table first and I learned how heavy these friggin’ chairs are. They’re made of square steel tubes welded together. Built to last. The music is blasting like a night club. I’ve …
Jeepney Workers and Beggars
6:10 a.m. 7-11 in Cebu
Got an awesome night of sleep last night. I woke up fully refreshed and feeling great, but I still have ghost images in my left eye. Who knows? It might be a permanent part of my life now. It doesn’t affect distance vision all that much. A very annoying side-effect is that my prescription glasses are now all wonky for my …
A New Internet Cafe in Cebu
There is a crazy homeless dude outside the 7-11 window this morning. He’s got dirty rasta-style locks of hair going down to his waist. Black skin from the layers of dirt. Wearing one flip-flop on his right foot. Holding two flip-flops in his hands. I haven’t seen this guy too often. I saw him yesterday, and he nearly ran right into me. That’s one thing …
A Neighborhood in Downtown Cebu
This morning, I came into the 7-11 to find the place almost completely empty. Unfortunately, there were four customers in line at the counter – worse, they were 4 senior citizen customers! Oh, man, did the 7-11 clerks take a long time to finish dealing with them. They used not only ID to get the senior citizen discount but also some special 7-11 discount card. …
Thoughts from a 7-11 in Cebu
It’s 7 in the morning and I’m sitting at one of many neighborhood 7-11’s in Cebu City. It’s like I’m back in Taiwan. But not really. In fact, being at a 7-11 tends to heighten some local characteristics, as I can compare it to the 7-11s in Taiwan. As you can probably guess, in every comparison, the Filipino version comes up short.
My biggest complaint (as …