Last night as I was walking back to my guest house, a young Thai lady said “Hello!” to me. I gave her a tired smile and a half-wave in response (it was late). Insulted, she said to me, “You think you are very good looking!” I said, “Uh?” She said, “I don’t! I don’t think you are very good looking!” This has completely endeared her to me in my memory.
I was walking past a group of tuk-tuk drivers who were kicking a plastic Takraw ball around in a circle (Sepak Takraw is that kick volleyball sport–volleyball without using your hands.) They physically pulled me in and made me join them. Every kick I made was greeted with cheers. My confidence grew and I tried a jumping, behind-the-leg kick and sent their ball sailing over a fence.
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February 17, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Lauren
Oh, Tom. Still making friends everywhere you go.
February 17, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Marc
You’re a real prick, Maresca. You know that, right?
On a related note, this blog is starting to make me seriously jealous of your little undertaking.
A real prick.
February 17, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Brian
You’re ok looking, fella.
February 18, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Lauren
Happy birthday, Tom! Wish I were there. Mostly because it’s really cold here, but also because I want to buy you a thirty-cent birthday cake.
February 19, 2007 at 3:19 am
Marc
Aw, man…is it Tom’s birthday? If I’d-a known that, I would have been much nicer to you, buddy. At least a little nicer, anyway.
You’re not really a prick. Even if I thought you were, I shouldn’t have said it out loud, right? So, for all intents and purposes, you’re not one.
Anyways…Happy Birthday, pal.
Try not to ruin anyone else’s day, as your gift to them on your special day. I bet the Buddhists would really appreciate that.
PS - You know what would be cool? If you stayed long enough in Thailand, and practiced hard enough, you could become the first American Sepak Takraw player to crack the Thai National team. You then bring your knowledge and success back to America and start up a Sepak Takraw school. Kids through High School, of course. There’s more, of course.
Get crackin’.
February 19, 2007 at 7:01 am
Lauren
Here are the drinks Emmy and I used to toast your birthday tonight. I’m sure it’s obvious which drink belongs to whom.
February 19, 2007 at 7:01 am
Lauren
What! No picture links?
Sigh.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/395057713_362f7c40e8_o.jpg
February 19, 2007 at 7:14 am
Emily
HAPPY F-ING BIRTHDAY you loser, I am very upset that you are not here for us to spill drinks on as we toast your special day a little too enthusiastically. I hope someone else spills a drink on you instead, and you smile. I will continue to follow your progress avidly…miss you though
February 19, 2007 at 7:17 am
Thomas
I am just doing my best to spread USA-style goodwill throughout the world.
Thanks for the birthday wishes everybody!! I raise a glass of coconut milk (nature’s electrolyte drink) to you.
I don’t know how to make enable picture links? I will try to figure it out.
PS Thai whiskey and I are no longer on speaking terms.
February 19, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Lauren
Did you throwed up?
February 20, 2007 at 9:08 am
Thomas
NO WAY. It is just a far too inexpensive impairer of an already suspect judgment.