Posted: April 9th, 2011 | Author: Shawn | Filed under: blah blah blah, travel | No Comments »
I really like horror movies. And I really like to travel. And I think the two are related. Or more specifically, the enjoyment of each comes from a similar source.
When people ask me why I like horror movies or traveling I respond with such informative feedback as, “It’s cool and junk” but there’s perhaps a smidge more to it than that. There is a common element between the two for me, which I hadn’t considered until now. And no, the common element is not screaming people or giant bats. Well, maybe yea, it is those things too, but that’s not my point here. Bear with me here and tell me if my logic sounds legit.
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Posted: December 10th, 2010 | Author: Shawn | Filed under: blah blah blah | 3 Comments »
I get up this morning and roll straight into my good old routine. Pretty normal stuff really. Kettle, cereal, and then I settle in to eat while reading my news and email. I’m going to make a fantastic senior citizen. After the news, my thoughts turn to routines and how easily they become part of my day. As a dork that is generally traveling, or thinking about traveling, I find it interesting how I set up routines in the disposable days of a traveler.
Spooning cereal into my mouth like a sugar starved automaton, I consider why I construct routines in most aspects of my life. More specifically, why I have routines at all, and why I always seem to have them. Even when I’m only in a place or situation for a couple days, I quickly fall into little repeated patterns and habits. Fortunately, research has shown that most of us are quite habitual, so I don’t feel too bonkers.
For example, earlier this year I was spending a week in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: October 1st, 2010 | Author: Shawn | Filed under: blah blah blah | No Comments »
I know everyone has a one second attention span for spiels like this, so let me makes this as brief as possible. Seriously though, this is interesting! Kiva is 5 years old this month and they’re having a cool promotion.
- In short, Kiva works by you making interest free micro-loans. You loan a developing world entrepreneur $25, they pay it back, you loan it out again, and again, and again. All simply from that original $25!
- It takes about 20 seconds, or 4 clicks, to make a loan.
- The pay back rate on the 55 loans I have made is exactly 100%!
- Cambodia and Peru have received the majority of my loans. Where will you focus on?
I firmly believe that there’s infinitely more value in helping someone to help themselves than in giving them a free handout. Strong local economies in developing nations creates a trickle down effect of improved living conditions for everyone there.
Right now, Kiva is having a promotion where people who refer 5 new lenders get themselves $25 worth of lending credit. The $25 is a bonus, but I’m also just eager to introduce 5 new people to Kiva. Having been a member for 4 years now, I can say that I find it completely rewarding. So odds are you might too, yea? If you have any questions whatsoever please don’t hesitate to email me, or put them in the comments. Here is my Kiva profile page if you want to see more of how my Kiva experience has gone.
If you are interested in loaning $25 to a struggling entrepreneur in a developing nation then please send me your email address. I will send you a referral email from the Kiva website. You’ll never miss the $25, but the various people you loan it to will certainly notice it. Thank you!
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//shawn
Posted: August 30th, 2010 | Author: Shawn | Filed under: blah blah blah | 2 Comments »
This is the predominantly factual story of how I was very nearly murdered to death, in Reykjavik, by Yoko Ono. I would consider this a cautionary tale for anyone who doesn’t personally know Yoko, or for anyone who occasionally enjoys going outdoors. Or I guess both of those types of people, but I can’t imagine such a person. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: August 26th, 2010 | Author: Shawn | Filed under: blah blah blah | 6 Comments »
China and I are not cool. Or more accurately, China is the current scapegoat for my travel conscience. I firmly believe that how I spend my money needs to try and match my ethical standards. Really, the only feedback you have into products or places is your money. No corporation or government goes on to Facebook and randomly checks how many members the anti-whoever groups have. Why would they care? The only statistic they want or need to know is money. All of the rhetoric and slogans in the world are barely a murmur compared to the sound of cash. So when you choose to travel to a country, you contribute your money to their community and government, and in turn you’re endorsing them and their policies. That is why I will not visit China — I strongly disagree with the Chinese government’s policies and tactics and will not support them with my hard earned money. Things are always a bit more complicated though, aren’t they? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: August 13th, 2010 | Author: Shawn | Filed under: blah blah blah, web | No Comments »
The original purpose of postcards has obviously been long since antiquated by Facebook, Skype, Foursquare and of course email. However, there’s definitely still plenty of great reasons to stick with this old traveling tradition. As a born again postcard sender, I’ve compiled a glorious list bemoaning the questionable benefits of sending and receiving postcards.
To even further alienate you from my point, I’m going to give some unfortunate sucker the chance to experience the joy of receiving some real postcards first hand. The unfortunate part being that the postcards will be from me. Plus they may possibly have genuine boogers stuck to them. Here’s how you too can possibly become the maligned nemesis of your postal carrier… Read the rest of this entry »
