Week 8: Work Hard, Play Hard

I have a sneaking suspicion that the karaoke joint across the alley from my house is a "hugging" establishment. On the occasion that I come home at 4 am (which has become quite frequent as of late), I would see people leave the place in various states of disarray. The fact that the place is still open at 4 am in Hanoi of all places (where the local authorities' draconian measures to crack down on "social ills" has completely wiped out Hanoi social life after midnight) speaks volumes. Also, I haven't heard the usual warbling (akin to the sound of stuck pigs shrieking to the tune of "Oops, I did it again") usually emitted from karaoke bars. A silent karaoke bar open at 4 am? Hmmmm, suspicious to me.

Speaking of nightlife, I've been going out a whole lot lately. Been hanging out with N, a fellow Fulbrighter; S, a University of Hawaii MBA student doing his internship; L, a former Fulbrighter now working in Hanoi; and C, a UCSD grad student. To be honest, I haven't gone out this much since my old Chicago days--I don't know how long I can keep this up. I mean, going out on BOTH Friday and Saturday nights? Going out on WEEKDAYS? Insane. (I think I'm getting too old for this.) Anyways, we usually frequent this hiphop bar called The Toilet (No joke. Its Vietnam's stab at postmodern bar concepts), and any place with music conducive to energetic dancing and mild debauchery. To my credit, I still manage to be in the National Library at 9 AM the next morning. Have posted pics of C and L on a typical night out.

My newly-acquired social life does NOT, however preclude diligent execution of work tasks. Have been digitizing the newspaper issues at the National Library, and its going to take longer than anticipated. I didn't anticipate having to photoshop each and every picture (if anyone knows a faster way to do this, please help!!!!). Hopefully I can finish digitizing by the end of the month so that I can get started on other things. Freaked out a little last week, as I realized that my advisor will be coming to Vietnam in early Dec and I damn well better have some good work to show him....

Have to go. I'm babysitting One Dollar this week, and must stop her before she shreds all my delicates. More next week.