An Audience of One

Dearest Rachel – The other day, I got an email from someone, rather out of the blue, who had either been reading these letters or watching the videos I’ve been attaching to the ones I’ve sent you while I’ve been traveling; it wasn’t entirely clear to me as to which, since they referenced the channelContinue reading “An Audience of One”

That’s How They Get You

Dearest Rachel – Technically, this is something I’d consider to be old news by now, having happened a week or so ago, but since it happened after your departure, it would still probably be news to you. You might remember those companies that would offer a DNA analysis service back in the day; I thinkContinue reading “That’s How They Get You”

Speaking Of Signs…

Dearest Rachel – It was just yesterday that I was telling you about literal yard signs, and how they serve as a means to determine who to vote for (and who not to, as well) based on what we know about the neighbors who support this or that candidate. The signs (or is it justContinue reading “Speaking Of Signs…”

There Will Be Signs

Dearest Rachel – They say that “all politics is local,” and that’s something we’re about to deal with come next Tuesday, when we’re to vote for the mayor, village trustees and the local school board. Granted, there’s something to be said about holding an election on April 1st, of all days, but for the moment,Continue reading “There Will Be Signs”

Wheels and Feet

Dearest Rachel – So, yesterday had me bringing in the car to the dealership to have it looked at. Officially, I was only overdue for an oil change, but there are places I can go where that can be done quicker and more efficiently, in my opinion (although I can’t necessarily speak for ‘cheaper’; evenContinue reading “Wheels and Feet”

When the People Are Dying

Dearest Rachel – This is definitely not one of the tunes we swapped between us when we were courting after I graduated from college, but it’s true that at least one of Tonio K’s songs was in that lineup. This one has way too much social commentary to be considered a love song, to sayContinue reading “When the People Are Dying”

Home Made Posters

Dearest Rachel – For all that they were (to a certain extent: we met there, we were young there, and while it may have been challenging at times, it’s hard to deny how much those first two obviate the third item) arguably the best days of our lives, I don’t think I talk all thatContinue reading “Home Made Posters”

Seoul

Dearest Rachel – To be fair, I’m aware that, like General MacArthur, we’ll actually be coming ashore at Incheon, not Seoul. But since my excursion involves heading to the capital, rather than hanging around near the port, I might as well focus on it, don’t you think? Even history aside, it’s more important, given whatContinue reading “Seoul”

Subic Bay

Dearest Rachel – The way this itinerary works, one might think that, for each country we visit, we’re required to stop in at least two locations, which have to be as close together as possible. It doesn’t seem to be absolutely necessary that it be so; we can cover a reasonable distance (I was goingContinue reading “Subic Bay”

Bali

Dearest Rachel – As mentioned yesterday, our next stop will take us a short hop over from Lombok to Bali. Unlike today, which didn’t actually even start until early afternoon (the gangway wasn’t lowered until after 2pm), we’ll be arriving at Bali by seven in the morning. My excursion, however, being a literal day atContinue reading “Bali”

The Hundred Kilo Coup

Dearest Rachel – Another weekend, another day and a half of fasting, with all the attendant effects. Some of them are good – even intended, which I’ll get to eventually – but some of them can be a real test of willpower. I actually felt slightly bad on Saturday night when one of the guysContinue reading “The Hundred Kilo Coup”

Trying to Reel Me Back

Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure when I’m going to have time to put this together for you. I actually got a full night’s sleep – until past seven, in fact – but that means I’m running rather a bit late for the men’s Bible study this morning. To add to that, Kerstin and IContinue reading “Trying to Reel Me Back”

Never the Target Audience

Dearest Rachel – There was another thing that came to mind for a topic to discuss with you yesterday morning as I was working out, but since I had the actual events of the day (and the attitude associated with them) to describe to you already, I set it aside for the time. But sinceContinue reading “Never the Target Audience”

Merchandising Dreams

Dearest Rachel – There are some days when I have a letter to write you begun in my head – I may even start to put it down in the cloud to post the next day (assuming there’s a time in the afternoon when I don’t simply decide to hang out in the family roomContinue reading “Merchandising Dreams”