Bucket List

Besides feeling rejuvenated, getting in shape, and seeing more of the world, a big part of why I left the security of employment was to line-through neglected items on my “bucket list.” Nearly everyone has one of these life “to do” lists with the hopes and goals he wishes to accomplish in life, whether saved
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Travel Discrimination: Might Save Your Life!

Have you ever walked down a street, changing directions when you saw someone that gave you a bad feeling? Afterward, did you realize what you did is arguably sexist, racist, ageist, or some kind of cultural discrimination? In Central and Southeast Asia, I have had many such situations and am convinced that demographic discrimination (profiling)
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Secrets to Making Memories

Have you ever been to an exotic location, visited a famous landmark, or tried some new food, only to be disappointed? Do all the churches and statues and bridges you’ve seen start blending in after a while? If so, then this post is for you! I have been thinking about this topic throughout my travels,
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Top-10 Reasons to Stay at a Hostel

Have you ever stayed in a low-end hotel or hostel that made you vow to never again “go cheap”? I’m talking about cockroaches on the bed, sharing a room with smelly snoring strangers, bathrooms with foul odors and misplaced bodily fluids in the open, rude staff, old building, and bad location. I’ve been there, and
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Petition to be Honorary American MNCCI Representative

July 30, 2009 The Honorable Council Members Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry MNCCI Building, Mahatma Ghandi Street Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 17011 Subject: Addition to Honorary MNCCI Representatives Roster Dear MNCCI Council Members: On behalf of the United States of America, I humbly request inclusion as an Honorary Representative to the Mongolian National Chamber of
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ABCs of Mongolia: 26 Things I Learned

Disclaimer: I spent a little over two weeks in Mongolia. I arrived knowing close to nothing about the country. To presume that any of the information in this post or in my Mongolia pictures is 100% error-free fact is simply ridiculous. If you have questions, feel free to ask knowing that I am by no
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Open Job Application for Japanese Car Namer Position

Dear Japanese Auto Manufacturers, I write this letter in hopes of obtaining employment as a Car Name Selector. I will bring enthusiasm, maturity, and creativity to the position. During recent travels through Japan, it has become obvious that Japanese automobile manufacturers have a poor record at choosing names for domestically sold vehicles. I have seen
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Best Story Yet! …on the way

I’m writing a major article about a fascinating adventure I had this week. We’re talking about people named Nephi, Enoch, and Anna Zella, satellite internet, homemade cheese, 4 wives, 38 kids, 17 kids, tight jeans, Crocs, ATVs, dynamite, homeschooling, high school volleyball, female CPAs, professors, and medical doctors, tactical hideouts, off-the-grid living, water tanks that
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Radical Fringe Group Busted During Depression Protest!

This evening on my drive home from photographing the next Treasure Hunt, I rolled up to a stop sign, where an unruly gang of smiling do-gooders was staging a protest. They had picket signs with flowers and happy thoughts drawn. Easily it was the happiest unorganized group of people I’ve ever seen, clearly on the
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Being Original Is Nearly Impossible

I keep an electronic document of my ideas.  Instead of maintaining a diary of my feelings or a journal of major events in my life, I like to record ideas. This document I keep is several pages long, single-spaced, and fairly concise. I have well over a hundred creative inventions and business ventures written down,
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