How many other things are we missing

I had to read this article three times to understand how to connect Niger to Reader's Digest to Joshua Bell, but it was worth the effort. Now I know that genius lies in unexpected places such as blogs. :) Your ability to extract meaning and something beautiful from what most people pass by and ordinary is unparalleled - keep up the good work!

although some of the stuff you go on and on about is sometimes très irritating
sometimes you are right on- which is why I reading, for those little rays of
sunshine you send my way.

this was a good one. I was in New York City in May, for the first time, and was struck
by the quality of music I heard on the streets. My problem wasn't stopping to listen, it was making myself move so that I could take in the city - and yes I gave everyone who played for me some money . . more than pennies

I also stop to smell roses, enjoy beautiful architecture, have conversations with people, take the street food, read the plaques, ask questions . . I do it all FOR ME

tropicalguide from has written 112 comments

Andy, you have been right on in your personal posts since arriving in Phillipines. I am over 60, grew up in the library and my folks bought Reader's Digest every month, I learned all about how dangerous Saddam would become from a 1981 article in the Digest. As for your hate mail, expect it, your website is YOUR virtual home, delete or store em if you wish, tell a far left hatemonger you 'love' him or her for being so concerned about you!!! As for meeting those of other nationalities on the road (like the young Swede) who despise "America" so be it. I counter them with a sense of humor, when worse comes to worse I act really stupid (as y mentor used to alugh, easy for me, acting crazy in tight situations even easier) and let them feel superior for a few minutes, if I become triggered (angry) I do my best to get away pronto from such persons, they are at best mediocre egomaniacs with an inferiority complex , as well, such persons,, for me, are toxic people. Alcohol was toxic enough. I have as well over years learned to associate with 'sober' people, not just alkies in recovery, but non drinkers and social drinking friends who know I can't imbibe and don't care, mostly locals, I live in El Salvador as you know, Arturo and I in Pana, and my US Citizen mentor in Guate City (I was mainly a Guat City expat, city boy) used to read the La Pura Verdad, The Plain Truth magazine in Spanish, had free mail subscription and we were discussing their articles about events, in Guatemala in the late 1980s and early 1990s, that are coming to pass now. I'm a long term ex pat, you travel constantly, does not matter one damn bit, the both of us have been into Hell and made U turns, I know what really is in my heart and soul, I am just not as gooda writer as you are, nor have your tech savvy, but time to learn, got a lot to say for my own self.
Besides Glenn Beck and others on FOX News, a few opened minded( left or right don't matter to me..right or wrong does!) local, Guatemalan and International on line buddies and friends I am not alone. Thanks. Read you every day, like I used to read the Digest every month without fail.

Sober and free today
saludos de Donald Lee
San Salvador, El Salvador

'politically incorrect to the max, dude!'

'I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person.'

Asiabill from has written 253 comments

Such is life when lived for the future or anchored in the past more than living and enjoying life's moments in the present. It's a weird and difficult struggle for humans to focus their attention, emotions and thoughts at the present past or future as it seems that living a quality lifestyle requires some sort of harmony between all three. Of course anyone who chooses to live mostly in either the past, the present or the future will be missing something in life as all three are necessary for me, anyway.

has written 71 comments

Scott Life should not only be a journey of learning it should be fun. Yesterday in Reno Nevada a tomato throwing game went on. They do this in Spain once a year and Reno decided it was time to jump in the fun too. Everyone had goggles and I do not know many tomatoes but it was halarious. NOW Andy, do you remember when your mom sent you and Jerry to garden to gather the last of tomatoes with a huge waygon and baskets. You never brought even one tomato back but the Fuller boys and Graham boys had the time of their life. The fresh smell of overripe tomatoes everywhere and much laughing and hollering. Your mom did not have the heart to stop the hurling tomatoes and even got splatterd with one herself. This was life at its best in a little town in Indiana and I am betting the people of Reno felt the same way.