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Nov 29 2025 
Slices of Life, #16
“People robbed of their past seem to make the most fervent picture takers, at home and abroad. “As humans, we’re born naked and will leave with nothing,” yet another monk speaks.”
with gratitude to Linh Dinh at Postcards from the End.
Bill Gates, Primo Levi and Max Beckmann in Vietnam — Nov 13, 2025.
Just before 5AM, I got a… Continue reading
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Nov 12 2025 
Slices of Life, #15
“No life is boring if properly recounted. His given name, Quyết Chiến, means Determined to Fight. Quyết Thắng means Determined to Win.”
with gratitude to Linh Dinh at Postcards from the End.
Nguyễn Quyết Chiến — Nov 05, 2025.
An extraordinary story imperfectly told is better than one simply ignored. I will now tell you about a Vietnamese-American in Oklahoma.… Continue reading
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Nov 04 2025 
Slices of Life, #14
“I walked past a McDonald’s, Starbucks, 7-11 and Kentucky Fried Chicken, all lined up, cheek to cheek. America’s icons will survive its collapse.”
with gratitude to Linh Dinh at Postcards from the End.
Go There! — Oct 29, 2025.
Walking a couple miles, I got a last look at everything, that square with the serene stupa and Tibetan temple, KTM… Continue reading
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Oct 31 2025 
Slices of Nepal, #4
“The whisper turns out to be a touch. We are all so bereft of friends and companions, especially those among us who have lots of ‘friends.’”
with gratitude to Linh Dinh at Postcards from the End.
Rather Not Be in New Youk! — Oct 26, 2025.
Going from Phonsavan to Luang Prabang, I sat next to an Italian lady on… Continue reading
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Oct 26 2025 
Slices of Nepal, #3
“Suddenly, there were more cars, fewer shops, little foot traffic and no history. The car, television and, now, cellphone make being nowhere not just possible, but desirable.”
with gratitude to Linh Dinh at Postcards from the End.
Could Have Been, Can Be and Will Be Much Worse — Oct 22, 2025.
Should have rung one of those bells five or… Continue reading
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Oct 25 2025 
Slices of Nepal, #2
“Those without reverence are wannabe demons. Faith plus heritage can accomplish wonders.”
with gratitude to Linh Dinh at Postcards from the End.
Gods, Demons and Wannabe Demons — Oct 20, 2025.
Yesterday was the start of Tihar, Nepal’s festival of lights. In India, it’s called Diwali. As a newly converted Hindu, there’s no way I was going to miss this,… Continue reading
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Oct 24 2025 
Slices of Nepal
“Deracinated is a beautiful word said the Hoi Polloi to the unwashed dog.”
with gratitude to Linh Dinh at Postcards from the End.
Peak Self-Indulgence — Oct 17, 2025.
Before arriving, I reread this astounding passage from Pico Iyer’s Video Night in Kathmandu, “Nepal’s prodigious versatility was most apparent, however, in the smorgasbord of its menus, which could easily have put… Continue reading
