Week 9: Quarantines, Collisions, and Cads

I was about to go to sleep when I received an email from my friend Larissa, who told me to get off my butt and write another post already!!! So Larissa, here it is. Love you, sweet pea...

Have been in an exceedingly good mood as of late. I like my present mantra of "Work hard, play hard," which not only keeps me productive, but also allows for recreational activities as well. I just hope my liver can handle this type of schedule as well...

Freaking out about the bird flu. I missed a really important workshop at the US embassy on what to do if the avian flu pandemic ever happened (didn't get the email--must remedy this immediately). Instead, got all the info from L, over some really potent cocktails at Le Maquis. The only drug that even remotely works against bird flu is Tamiflu, which makes it damned-near impossible to procure in Vietnam. Must try to find a way to get some of this stuff--that's what an entire extended family full of doctors are for!! Other than military evacuation, other options discussed included self-quarantine, which means stockpiling 60 days worth of water and canned provisions. Locking myself in my house for 60 days--I think I would die of boredom first. I suppose it would be bearable if there was internet, tv, a shortwave radio, skincare, and maybe a group of friends to be quarantined with....

Crazy thing happened on Saturday night. My oldest friend in Vietnam Anh Tang and his fiancee came to pick me up for dinner. On our way to the restaurant, some guy cut in front of Anh Tang's motorbike and clipped it, causing Anh Tang and his fiancee to tumble into the street. The guy turned around, saw what he did, and tried to speed off. Anh Tang reacted immediately--he got up, booked it after the guy, and actually caught up with him. I don't think I've ever seen anyone run so fast! After taking the guy's keys away, we assessed the damage on the sidewalk. The accident scraped up Anh Tang's motorbike and busted his signal light. (Thank god nobody was physically injured.) The guy didn't even once apologize--instead, he said he had no money to pay for the damages and begged us not to call the cops. He reeked of alcohol, and slurred his words even as he made lame excuses about a loved one in the hospital. I pointed out that any decent human being would have stopped, not try to run off and shirk all responsibility. The guy eventually paid the damages, and left, but I can't help notice that the incident has somehow added a modicum of misanthropy to my increasingly cynical view of Vietnam...

Lost my phone last Friday. I was out dancing with a my sister, Javier, and a group of friends at the Apocalypse Now club (no joke). I followed my usual custom of taking only my cell, a tube of lipgloss, and some money, which all fit nicely in my pockets. During the course of the night, I noticed my cell was gone. Looked EVERYWHERE, but no phone. Someone either picked my pocket, or it fell out during the energetic dancing. The next day, I called my number--and some guy answered! I told him that he had my phone, and that I wanted it back. I asked him how much he wanted for it, and the guy hung up on me!! I hope that the horrible person that took my phone will get his one day--I totally believe in cosmic justice. So irritating--having to spend money on something you already bought!!! (I have since replaced the phone.)

Must go to bed. Long day at work tomorrow. More next week...