Working life

It's funny.  When I'm walking around the streets of KL, I have so much going through my head lately that you'd think I'd have plenty to say.  But then for some reason, I sit down in the internet cafe and suddenly I go brain dead.  Ok, maybe not brain dead, just too vacant and lazy to bother writing anything...  Maybe just uninspired.  Or maybe just too disorganized. 
I've been reading a lot since getting here which has been nice.  Sure, I could do that anywhere, why do I need to be in Malaysia?  Uh, no real good reason, but then again, suppose you wanted to take a year off and just read all those books you've had lined up on your to do list?  Where would be the best place to do it?  Hmm, probably some place nice, comfortable, with lots of amenities, and above all else, somewhere cheap!  Unfortnately KL isn't the cheapest place I've been, but then again this isn't where I'd go if I was going to take a year off and just read.  I'd probably go to some remote hill top where there were no distractions...  As expensive as it is here, it is cheaper than home.  If you look at the Big Mac factor, a double cheese burger value meal here is only 7.15 RM -- that's just over two dollars.  Back home it would be at least three something.  Movies are only about three dollars and if I wanted to live real spartain like, I could have stayed in a dorm bed for three dollars a night too -- originally I did, but then after two nights sharing a room with some of the sketchiest bunkmates I've run into I upgraded to a private room for twice that amount.  Actually the two main expenses I've hit are going out to clubs which charge obnoxious covers (and which I haven't frequented for just that reason) and buying books.  Frequent trips to starbucks to escape the heat also have a way of adding up...
The time has finally come for me to leave it all behind though.  I've long since sorted out all the annoyances of getting my visa and tonight I head up to Bangladesh.  I know one of the main reasons I left home to travel around the world was my, err, shall we call it "reluctance" to work, but I'm looking forward to what I'm sure will be an interesting experience.  As I've never done anything like this before, I hope to learn a lot even though I have no idea quite what it is I should expect to learn...
At any rate, I don't think I'll be going on line much while I'm in Bangladesh for two reasons.  First I imagine I'll be busy working and second I don't expect the barge I stay on will have much of an internet connection -- somewhat ironic considering the barge will be carrying about 8 kilometers of fiber optic cable...
Ok, I'm going to go soak up my last few hours of western civilization. 
Take care,
Jf

More than meets the eye...

Transformers.  Robots in disguise...

Malaysia rocks -- I just saw Transformers in a theater (i.e. completely legally) for three bucks and before it was released in the states =)  I don't care what the critics were saying.  So what if it would only ever appeal to twenty/thirty something guys who grew up with the toys -- it was awesome!!!!  It actually came out last Friday but then I was in a small town in the hills with no movie theater. 

Now I'm in Kuala Lumpur.  Very metropolitan.  I spent the morning getting all the things I need for my work visa application but didn't get to the embassy early enough to drop it off so I'll have to do that tomorrow.  Then I hung out at the twin towers -- didn't go up though (I'll stop by early tomorrow morning and see if I can get a ticket to visit the sky bridge).  I was amazed by how american the mall seemed.  Reminded me of 900 North Michigan (or is it 600...) in Chicago.  There was a Chile's, California Pizza Kitchen, Auntie Annes and pretty much all the upscale clothing stores you'd expect to see all over the Magnificent Mile. 

The hills were a nice break from the heat.  It was actually cold at night.  Unfortunately now my body has to adjust back to the heat and humidity. 

Not really too much else to say.  I'm a bit tired and need to get to bed so I can get up early and head back to the embassy.  Not sure exactly when I'll be leaving for bangladesh, but it sounds like it'll be soon. 

Happy 4th everybody back home.  Enjoy your day off -- I know I will =)