Global Ignorance Is Bliss: Thinking Locally

I have a confession to make: I am ridiculously well versed on current events, but believe that following so many things so emotionally, yet powerlessly,  actually takes away from my energy and daily enjoyment. Something I have been trying this year, especially since beginning my second round of travels the last half of January, is
Read More …

The Law of Diminishing Returns: Finding the Balance

When is enough enough? When is something quality or excellent? Is there even really such thing as perfection? Does the level of effort put into a project always have to be high? These are questions I ask myself when working projects. Unfortunately, my actions don’t always correlate with my answers. Finding a healthy balance in
Read More …

The Southeast Asia Oreo Diet®1

Lose inches FAST! Drop pounds NOW! Eat anything available including a daily dose of Oreos®! For a limited time only, this diet is available COMPLETELY FREE! Willing subjects are needed to validate this revolutionary diet! Here are the steps:

Travel to SE Asia2, finding accomodation2 in rural areas.
Get a good night’s sleep every night.
Walk everywhere—to the
Read More …

The Upside of Traveling Alone

Have you ever had a once-in-a-lifetime experience, something so funny or profound that it could never be repeated, and immediately afterward wished a friend were there to share it? Me, too. Traveling with another has to be the best way to build a better friendship, share interesting memories, and look out for the safety and
Read More …

Cash in Your Lottery Ticket!

I won the lottery when I was born an American. Most readers here are probably winners, too. Many Americans, however, never realize the value of their winnings. Have you cashed in your ticket or have you taken for granted your potential as an American citizen?
There is no other country that infuses its citizens with such
Read More …

Old People Wisdom, Hawaii

If there is anything I am certain of in this life, it is the ability of old people to occasionally, and usually inadvertently, speak precious gems of wisdom. While in Hilo, Hawaii, I heard two such gems.
Robert, my 64 year old host, said “People think money is the only pathway to their objectives, but ingenuity
Read More …

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
Read More …

Live Comfortably On $1,100 Per Month

Since I decided to leave my job and travel indefinitely, I’ve gotten a lot of confused looks and interesting responses when talking about my plans. One of the most asked questions is if I’ve won the lottery or if I’m a millionaire. No and no.
Somewhere along the way, society has put  in our minds that
Read More …

High Quality Problems

While deciding to stay in my profession or to leave, I struggled daily for months with the pros and cons. Now that I have officially completed my last day, I am still conflicted. Easily, this was (and is) the most difficult and lengthy decision of my life. Taking a step back from it all, anyone
Read More …