Look! He's traveling and adventurous! How Daring!
Unfortunately for you, they’ve given me permission to speak and write.
The people who hired me call me an English teacher, because my mother tongue is American (there is a difference between the two). If I had been born Russian or Tunisian this would all be much, much different. But for now Thailand has been kind enough to host me for one year, from May 21 to sometime after next March. After that date customs will find me. Customs will detain me. Customs will tickle me until I lie for them.
Until then my bed and notebooks will be in a room at St. Gabriel’s College in Bangkok. Krungtep. The City of Angels and stray dogs that sing at night.
I practice writing. (Practice — I said. Practice.) Loyola College graduated me with a degree in writing, which shows just how depressed our higher education system has become. At any given time the beard you see to your left may or may not exist, depending on factors of humidity and what GQ says.
My goals? Somebody once told me to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable (is that cliche, yet? GQ? Que tal, amigos?) But I try to write and be funny because I don’t know what else to do.
Always remember, failure at either builds character. Boats and boats full of character.
