Creatures of Disdain

One thing I really don't like about this part of the world are the very many truly frightening organisms. My last night in Bangkok was essentially spoilt when a rat crawled past my foot as I tucked into an Egg Pattai. The little fucker nearly ruined the day. The Mosquito's are also a major concern. Scouse ankles are seemingly an exotic delicacy to these little guys, they haven't left mine alone since I got here. I was waiting for the boat earlier with two Chilean girls when I spotted what I thought was a specialist bird...oh no, wait a minute, that's just a massive, massive, fucking fly. Jesus Christ. Then there was the Moth that looked like a flying loaf of bread...these basards are going to keep me on my toes for sure. I guess it cant all be plain sailing.

Who knows though, maybe I'll learn to love the little critters, perhaps I'll experience some kind of Jeff Goldbloom metamorphisis and fly into the mountains with them, making an ultimate peace. Doubt it like.

Until next time

After a long, hectic day Bangkok trade comes to a close, as does my stay in Thailand's capital. Stalls fold, shutters drop and workers enjoy cold beers on steps. The warm smell of cooked meat pervades the rickety streets and there is an unusual calmness where night meets day.

My stay here has been a good one. The city has oodles of character and being very much a city dweller, I feel comfortable here. Traffics jams, girls bang and things don't always smell entirely healthy, but its all essential to the rich tapestry that is Bangkok. On this last evening the frenetic energy the place usually effuses has died down a little and I reflect upon things with a wry smile.

The guest house I have stayed in Lumphu House, just a stones throw from the main tourist spot Kaosan Road, has been friendly and accommodating. I would recommend anyone passing through to stop here. The street's are crowded with opportunist sellers; of course the locals are out to make a quick buck where they can; but once you acclimatise the place is more manageable than I had anticipated.

I take a boat taxi to the main shopping plaza, rain drizzles and the river laps gently against the banks. At face value the soaked wooden vehicle appears adverse but I'm very much at ease. Strangely I've always found comfort in the cold and wet (within reason), I could ride this boat until tomorrow if I didn't have t leave. Tonight I'll be heading to the tropical southern islands exchanging the thick blanket of dust and smoke for clear oceanic air. I imagine at least a part of me will miss the eye level smog.

However In two weeks time I will be heading back to this largely undeveloped residence. That shall be a good day.

Travelling Alone

The reaction I got when telling friends and acquaitances that I was going travelling by myself around Asia was, by the most part, largely negative. Some thought I was crazy, I got the impression some thought it was a bit wierd...others, I detected, thought I was embarking on a life as a sex tourist, indulging in Eleven year old boys around the Orient. I would like to suggest that none of the above is true.

Sole travelling, I am discovering, has its up sides and down, like everything in life. I have already seen the benefits of the freedom it allows. I have stayed an extra night in Bangkok than I had originally planned because I wanted to; no consulting with anyone, no other opinion on the matter. I also get to decide where I go next, and I can change that plan at the drop of a hat, should I wish to. In that sense I feel truly emancipated.

Travelling alone makes you plunge deep into thought which can be a good and bad thing. Great in that I have become super observant and analytical of all that I see, and there is plentiful time for peaceful reflection which is fantastic for my writing. However it's bad in the sense that you can easily begin overthinking things. 'Did I make a show of myself last night? Am I managing my money okay? Is the cleaner really plotting to kidnap me and feed me to her children in a non traditional Thai dish?' It would be nice at times to have someone close at hand for a second opinion in order to stave off narcicistic thoughts.

However I am quite comfortable on the periphery. I have very much enjoyed meeting new people here, illuminating and being illuminated, for an hour or two say, but when it comes to long periods of time I would much rather be alone than with someone who I dont deem atleast an eight out of ten in the personality stakes. I have no great desire to paint my face, buy an 'I love Kaosan Road' T-shirt and become part of the young, touring conglomerate. No thanks. However If I was to meet some people who I thouroughly identified with, and with whom I got on with exceptionally well, then ofcourse it would be nice to stay in their company for a prolonged period and perhaps even become life long friends.

Although travelling alone isnt all about meeting new people, especially if your doing it for the first time. I would say it's more about meeting yourself. For the first time in my life I will be experiencing a prolonged departure from my native city, Liverpool. In taking this step there will be no cultural crutch to lean on, no people, things or places reminding me of how I ought to act or behave. Right here is a blank canvas crying out to be painted. I see this trip not as an opportunity to invent or fabricate a new personality but as a chance to foster the charachter traits within that I am most fond of, traits that I want to move forward with in my life, and thus not becoming somebody new but to become a better version of who I am. Seminal, hippy shit right there I hear you say...but that's how I feel about this whole thing! I'll let you know how I get on with it.

Monday morning

It's a forgettable wet morning in Bangkok. I cannot sleep. At home I would toss and turn until dreams eventually found me but here I decide to go for a stroll; because I can. Disfigured cats and dogs trawl the sticky ground tirelessly attempting to escape the rain, cowering in the many nooks and crannies of the ramshackle streets. I light a cigarette, my only companion at this strange hour, and a fine friend at that. Drunken tourists amble about aimlessly, vigourless by the most part. I tread down a narrow back alley. It resembles the behind-the-scenes of an elaborate Hollywood set; the set being the popular Kaosan road. Workers bustle with faces as grey as the morning sky, simulteaneously closing down production and preparing for another labourious day. They dont think much of the tourists or there activities I dont think, although some are genuinely friendly when they take a shine to you. We seemingly lack the age old discipline and self control of this ancient people, or atleast I do, running about like a ten year old with beer running down my chin. In fairness I'm pretty sensible this moring. I order an American breakfast and listen to the broken conversations of people who only met a few hours previous. My sleeping pattern is yet to recover from the long flight, not that its military at the best of times. Hopefully I'll grab a few hours some time soon, before I rejoin the cut and thrust of the city. I could always just sit here and keep watching though.

My first night in Bangkok

My first night in Bangkok was absurd. I woke up this morning unable to see straight with a mouth like an ash tray. Im quickly learning that the locals must be respected....not a good idea terrorising them with a Super soker 5000 I found in the guest house then. Oriental booze flows and the many travellers gravitate toward one another in search of japery and folly. I bump into a Manchester couple who are leaving for home tomorrow. She makes a pun about The Hilsborough Disaster...strange ice breaker I thought? but they were okay. In fact we had a very amusing couple of hours with the aforementioned water pistol. She kind of ruined it though when she suggested we should have a threesome, much to the surprise of her boyfriend. I was entirely game ofcourse, game as a badger in fact, so long as I didnt have to touch his balls or anything, but I knew there was no chance he would let me get my hands on his pretty little partner so I bought them a shot and made an awkward but swift exit.

I find myself in a bar on an all conquering winning streak at the pool table. I've assumed the role of pantomime villain, mocking losers and goading challengers. Ive won eight in a row; I[m feeling strong. Irish nice guys and Thai prostitues get the same treatment in this Andy Kauffman-esque display. My curated arrogance knows no discrimination but the whores really hate me.

After suffering a loss to what I think was a lady boy, or atleast thats what Im telling myself, save losing to a woman, I stagger to my drink at a nearby table. My fans have left and the local girls refuse to speak to me, theyre not buying into my explanation that it was all theatre. I dont think they got it but I was amused. I stumble out of the bar and there[s Aussie Paul from hours earlier...where did you go maite?...well I kinda backdoored you when you started talking about secret American bunkers in Mexico. He was a pretty sound guy to be fair but there was no drink left in me. It was time for bed. I live and learn in this far away land and I look forward to tomorrow.

One way flight to Guernsey....

Having a good night guys?

Upping output and MF Doom

Okay so I've revamped the page and from now I'm going to post something every week, perhaps every day if I can summon the Hemingway within. Music video's, personal memoirs and photographs will now accompany the sporadic social commentary.

So as well as chocolate chip digestives and a love of cats, I've recently discovered this Hip Hop artist, MF Doom. Its quite surprising our paths haven't crossed sooner. Give it a whirl below and read on.

To any concerned non Hip Hop enthusiasts this BLOG isn't turning into a Rap forum, you can expect a Rock/Reggae/Punk/Electro-fiddle post next time around. However this guy is here on merit.

MF Doom's obscure word play and unconventional production technique has propelled him above the mediocrity of the contemporary Hip Hop landscape and directly into my heart. This track is called 'Doomsday' and is indicative of his unusual sound. Although not entirely familiar with his body of work his offerings since releasing this sensual piece a good few years back appear to me even more creative; his original style seeming to continuously evolve.

The London born New Yorker has a certain mystique to compliment his fine artistry. You may have noted the Spartan style mask that he dons in the video? This quirk was adopted in 2004 and he is very rarely pictured without it now. Some may argue this is a cheap, contrived gimmick but for me his alternativeness is genuine, his penchant for the bizarre reminiscent of ODB in his pomp. God bless his absurd soul.

Apparently his image has been largely influenced by Marvel comics. This Brooklyn hot shot is smashing up genres circa Iron man in Cold War America, his work encompassing Jazz, Funk and whatever else tickles his fancy. It's rumoured that he will be collaborating with Radiohead's Thom Yorke in the near future. The Avengers would be proud.