Hello Everyone

It is Sunday, June 24 at about Noon, so you are probably all asleep on the other side of the world. I am doing laundry! Exciting huh? I am also following the sox on the web. It is good when they play on the west coast at night, because it is morning here. Unfortunately, it is not on ESPN. By the way, the TV here is not so good. ESPN is ok, but lots of soccer and Formula 1. Occassional NBA and MBL. I have 4 HBO channels and they all suck. Singapore has media police, so they cleanse the programs. I have watched a couple of old Sopranos and they edit the violence. The movies are all old. I watched Born of the 4th of July the other day.

They do have movie theaters with recent movies. Ocean's 13 is playing down the road. What do Singaporeans do? Well, it appears that they eat and shop. Everywhere you go there are shopping malls and eating places. It is amazing. Yet they are all skinny. I have been trying to eat like a local. The folks I work with appreciate my sense of culinary adventure. They have had me join their lunch group. The eating establishments come in about 3 types. The cheapest (really cheap) are the "Hawker stands". These are large buildings with numerous stands (kind of like downtown during a festival). They are typically not airconditioned, but you can get a great meal for about 3-4Sing$, which is about 2-2.50US$. If they are airconditioned, it might be a bit more expensive. This is the second version. Then there are the restaurants, which as you might expect vary dramatically, from casual and cheap to fancy and expensive. I also have taken a few meals at the bar at the American Club :-)

I am off to Kuala Lumpur tonight for a 3 day "Islamic Investing" conference. It should be interesting to see how I am welcomed at an Islamic Investing conference. Needless to say, I will not be wearing my GWB button. Islamic investing is unique because it is against Islamic law to pay or receive interest. If you want to buy stocks, they have to be companies that have been approved by a Sharia board based on the company not having too much debt on its balance sheet and other factors.

It is just over a week before Lauren and the kids arrive. I know they are going to have an emotional week. All you friends have been so great. Lauren has been writing to me about all the get togethers she and the kids have been having. We will miss you all, but will be back as often as possible. Of course, visits are always welcome!!

Sorry to have no pictures, but my kids are the ones with the digital camera. More pictures after they arrive. Here are one or two from home that my mother-in-law sent me.

Making it a dialogue, not a monologue

Hey Jed,

Great job keeping the blog fresh. I'm writing this to encourage others to send you guys notes, too, keeping it two-way.

80 degrees at 2:00 a.m. tonight in Singapore; looking like it'll be steamy tomorrow-stay cool.

Updates from Newburyport:
Pioneer League decided to send the redrafting proposal back to a new committee to maybe resubmit a modified plan later in the fiscal year/season.

The Kelley end of year/life is playing out hot and heavy these last few weeks. Trying to do my part: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3237220979188143025 .

Will you be able to vote in our mayoral election?

Maybe you can send us some Durian via Fed Ex?

What kind of Internet service will you be getting at home? Something akin to the speeds of DSL or CableModem? I was just thinking it'd be fun for you and us all here if you got Skype to make free international "calls"; my Skype account is "pjalajas". (By the way, one of my favorite Skype Live programs is "charles-is-on" and his "Sing" show; it's sometimes on in the evening Los Angeles time.)

That's it for now.

Take care,
Pete

Durian

Today I tried the infamous fruit of southeast asia called a durian. Durians are in a pod like shell and when they are opened, they stink to high heaven. However, many locals love the taste. Many public places, such as hotels, do not allow durians inside. My colleague Leow Cheng Ling brought in a durian that was already "shelled" and enclosed in tupperware. Still, when she opened it, there was that famous odor. Some have explained it as rotting flesh. To me, it was not terrible. Definitely not good, but not as bad as I was expecting. I was hesitant, but knew I had to try some if I was going to make the grade in the office. I tried it and the taste was hard to explain. Not really that strong, but it lasts in your mouth for a long time. So, even though I did not find it that bad, it got worse later as it remained. For those who don't believe I tried it, here is the proof.

Thailand

I went off to Bangkok for business. I had to fly on Sunday, so I left earlier in the day so I could explore a bit. I went down to the river and hired a "long tail" boat for an hour. It was 800 baht, about 23 US$. The driver took me down the river and then back into the canals. The canals were lined with shacks on stilts where folks lived. There were many children swimming in the brown, dirty water that had tons of litter and also big swimming lizards! I saw one that was about 3-4 feet long. Don't know what it was, but don't want to find out. The kids were yelling and waving at me. There were also many people fishing. It was quite the ride. Lots of poverty, but I get the sense that the Thai are happy people. Certainly friendly.

Later, as I walked near my hotel, a cabbie offered to take me, for 30 baht, to a special massage parlor. All customers are asked if they want anything "extra". I declined. Bangkok is very spread out. It is large and dirty. I saw one father helping his young son pee in the gutter of one of the main streets. Lots of stray dogs and cats.

We did have a great lunch at a Thai restaurant. Noodles, curry, soft shell crab... very good.

Coming home this weekend for business in Boston next week. Looking forward to it. Is anyone reading this?

Jed