NDCO – On Idleness & Architecture

‘It is all well and easy for me to characterise the Lao as fun-loving layabouts, but I’d like to delve a little further into why this might appear to be the case.’

As promised, a new article over at the Newcastle Day Co-op. While you’re at it check out the other stellar pieces part of the latest publication.

I’m still here

It’s 2011, I’m still in Laos, still working at Vientiane Times, still earning my minuscule Lao wage. December passed me by in a haze of continual celebration, and I’m only now emerging from the festive season.

2010 was quite a year, one which for me was divided straight down the middle as pre- and post- my move to Southeast Asia. I still haven’t got my head fully around some of my experiences.

So, while the Internet encourages speed-of-thought (often beaten to the punch by speed-of-typing on, say, Twitter) and on-the-spot judgements, meaning most end-of-year lists arrive in early December, I’ve chosen to take time out and reflect.

I’m planning a few re-cap posts – including one on my ill-fated trip to the Philippines last year and, yep, some best of 2010 lists (ahem, a blogger’s gotta blog!) – in the coming weeks.

Also, I’ll have a piece up on the new-look and reinvigorated Newcastle Day Co-op within the next few days.

Stay tuned, loyal readers.