The only pic from my birthday

I love that I dragged my heavy ass camera out for my birthday but only had one photo taken. I always do that. This is my friend Alpha and I. She and I worked together at WB in LA. She took a photography class and inspired me to take one. Now she lives in Atlanta and is the casting director for Tyler Perry's studio. She kicks butt.

ATL so far

Atlanta's suburbs must be THE most convenient places to live in the world. I swear to God (and I don't swear...or believe in God...but I always capitalize the "G" juuuust in case). I've never seen so many shopping plazas. Every year I come home there are more and more.

Got in late Friday night. My poor parents picked me up at the airport at 1:30am. They're troopers. I've been shopping my ass off. I actually feel normal-sized here vs. HK where I feel like the girls in the stores look at me and think, "The baby in her tummy must be ready to come out any day!" So I'm like a kid in a candy store here.

Went to the movies with my dad. One of my favorite things to do. And he still insists on paying.

Went to a girls gift exchange and had great food and conversation(thanks again, Haywood).

Then last night a bunch of people came out to celebrate my birthday with me. It felt really good. I didn't get much one-on-one time with everyone but at least got to say hello and catch up quickly and give/get hugs and see their faces. I'll be here for awhile so I'll get more QT with everyone.

Switching gears - The company I work for is so unorganized. There have been about 6 different events where they've given me the wrong information or something to that effect. Then yesterday I received an email that said they accidently put over $12,000 into my checking account. They were only supposed to put in about $950 to reimburse me for my November expense report. I tried the "Thanks for the birthday present" response but no-go. So now I have to write a $12,000 check and FedEx it to the accountant.

Then today another accountant gave me a wrong credit card number and caused a whole long confusing chain of emails. Then the HR chick told me that I have vision insurance if I'm in the states. So I went to the eye doctor today for a much-needed exam and new glasses and they said they couldn't find me listed with my insurance. Sure enough...after calling the HR woman she said, "Oops. I was wrong...you don't have vision insurance." So $600 later I left the doctor's office.

Then the travel agent gave me wrong information that caused about an hour's extra work for me.

It just never stops with these people. It's a multi-billion (with a B) dollar company. You think they'd have the best people working for them. Of course, I'M working for them and I'm a lazy piece of shit so I guess that's their "thing".

Back to birthday - I received a sweet email from a guy named Aaron that I had a crush on in high school...then briefly dated in LA when we were both there. Then he left after 9/11 and moved back to ATL and has been here ever since. I replied to his email last night and gave him my number and he already called me today. Ohhhhhh yeeeahhhhh. Will have to tell my parents I'm "spending the night at a friend's house" one night soon ;)

Also got a sweet email from the 40-year old Swiss/Persian guy from Hanoi, Pascal. I don't know how he or Aaron knew my exact birthday. Usually I'm obnoxious and tell people but I didn't do that with them. I love those surprise birthday emails you get every year. Makes up for the assholes that forget.

Random

I was walking up the escalator the other day and an old Chinese street musician man was playing his jinghu and the song sounded really familiar. After listening a minute I realized he was playing "Oh, Susannah". A Southern folk song?

"Oh, Susannah!
O don't you cry for me
For I've come from AAAAlabama with
A banjo on my kneeeee"

I thought that was so random but fun at the same time. I sang it the rest of the day and now that I've typed it out it's back in my head.

Tokyo Trip

Went to Tokyo this past weekend for our company's Christmas party. Very quick trip. Got there Thursday evening and left Saturday morning. Thursday night I got to meet Izumi, Yuko and Chihoko - 3 secretaries at various proficiency levels of English. But they were all good enough so that they understood most of what I was saying.

Izumi and I have been talking via email for quite awhile so I was excited to meet her. I wasn't sure what the custom was in Japan for introducing yourself. Handshake? Would she want to hug? I thought I'd wait for her to make a move.

Well, she sort of just stood there and I went in for the hug and then she stuck out her hand but I was already in there so then I kissed right by her cheek and tried to go to the other side because I've been doing that for the past month with all my Euro friends in HK.

It was the most awkward hello ever. I joked about it with her and told her I'm all messed up with the different cultures I've been encountering lately that I don't know how the hell to physically say, "Nice to meet you" anymore. We laughed.

They took me to Inakaya for dinner and as soon as we walked in I thought, "Waaaait a minute...I'VE been HERE before!" It's the same restaurant my cousin took me to 4 years ago when I visited him in Tokyo. Cracked me up.

Then Yoko Ono walked in!




This is my Blackberry picture of her. She's past the British dude in the white hat. I almost went up to her to introduce myself as Paul R. is good friends with her but I thought I'd just let her eat in peace.

Peace is what she's all about after all.








During dinner the girls and I were getting to know each other which meant that I was doing most of the talking as they can only ask basic questions in English and then I had to carry the conversation most of the time.

Izumi and I were getting along great and I thought, "we're not so different" until her reply to a question I asked slapped me in the face and made me realize that she and I are on totally different life wavelengths.

Me: "So do you always want to be a secretary or do you want to have another type of job?"

Izumi: [thinks for a few seconds, then] "Mmmmm...I think I'll stay secretary because it gives me time for my housework."

Me: "..."

I was so ready for bed by the end of dinner as I didn't get any sleep the night before but the girls wanted to get a drink. I couldn't refuse. They were so sweet and wanted to show me a good time. So we went to The Oak Door in the hotel I was staying in. That was quite the hip place. Filled with white banker boys that are only in town for a few days and are getting wasted. My ass was grabbed on the way to the bathroom. I slapped his arm and he called me fiesty in his British accent. I wanted to kick his little ass (he was only about 5'4").

Friday I put on my conservative suit and worked at the bank. My voice was almost gone and I was starting to feel like shit. Great. It felt a bit strange to be sitting in that office. Not just because there were various people on the phone at all times speaking Japanese but because I hadn't worn a suit to my job at a bank in about 10 years.

Izumi took me around to various offices and introduced me to a bunch of different people that I've been emailing with. She was such a trooper. Had to listen to me answer the same 3 basic questions about 15 different times.

Got dressed up for the party which started at 7pm. I really had no idea what to expect. I got there at 7:07pm...walked into a HUGE room (you could hold the Oscars in there - well, almost) and there was the Chairman of the company on stage giving a speech and EVERYONE WAS ALREADY THERE AND IN THEIR SEATS.

Oops.

I felt like such an asshole. I've never been to something like that where it starts at EXACTLY 7pm. Now I know. Be on time to the party in Japan.

I thought I'd stay in the background until he was done speaking and then he said, "Randy will speak about the funds..." and my cousin started to stand up. So I thought, "Here's my chance" and I started walking fast to my table (all the way up front with my cousin). I'm about half-way there and the Chairman says, "Just kidding, Randy. You'll be up in a minute."

Doah.

I had already committed so I just kept going and sat at an empty seat at our table. Turns out I sat in the Chairman's seat. Lovely.

I apologized to my cousin but it wasn't a big deal. Phew.

Listened to some financial speeches in Japanese. Then my cousin gave a speech and had a Japanese interpreter. I felt so bad for that chick because he gave her about 2 paragraphs of info about private equity funds with no time to practice beforehand.

They gave out prizes for a couple hours (I didn't win, damnit) and then it was over. They had photographers there so below are a few photos.

















Izumi, Me and Diaa. He's the head of the IT department and flew to HK to set up my computer. He's really sweet.

















My cousin Randy, the big wig, giving his speech (there were hundreds of people there)

















Akiko (she's hysTERRRRical), David Nishida (very nice guy - big wig exec), Yuko, Chihoko and Izumi

















Me and my new Japanese peeps. Every other picture from the party had someone giving the peace sign with their fingers. Hundreds of people there and I was the only white girl. I love it. When I walked up to get my name tag they shouted, "Ahh, Stacey-san!"

Had a great time. I feel much more connected to the company now. Their names aren't so foreign to me. I have a better understanding of how awesome my cousin is and how much he's really accomplished. Have had an insane cold all week. Am prayyyying it goes away by the time I fly home this Friday. I have a 20+ hour journey with 2 connections. Ugh. But am SO looking forward to being at home for 3 weeks! Yay! Christmas!

5:01 Club - 12/2/07

Junk cruise was a blast!!! I knew there were cool things to do in HK like this but I just didn't have the people to do them with before. What a great group of people. So laid back and nice and fun to be around. It's just an easy time. It was probably 75 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze. So perfect. We were all commenting on how we couldn't believe it was December and all of our friends from home were in cold weather.

There were only two caucasian girls on the boat. Me and Sara. Sara's boyfriend, Dominic was there so I got ALL the guy attention. It was so much fun! At one point I had five guys sitting around me. I was fucking loooooving it.

There were the following guys:

Alex, 21, Scottish - ADORABLE and in love with me for some reason. He was calling me "honey" and "sweetie" all day/night. He has 1,000 funny stories and tells them well. Plays on the rugby team.

Matt, 31, British - I've mentioned him before. VERY cool guy but I'm just not attracted to him - damnit! I can tell he likes me too. Argh. Beat him in arm wrestling at the pub that night (he only used 2 fingers though).

Jason, 26, British - Has lived in HK for 6 years teaching English. Plays on another rugby team. Totally cute and sweet guy.

Leo, 25, British - HOT but of course too young. We were eyeing each other the whole time. Very attracted to him. Was bummed when I found out his age. On the same rugby team with Jason.

Jonathan, 32?, Scottish - "President". Love this guy. He has the energy of an 8-year old. On the rugby team with Alex (they lost the day before to Jason & Leo's team).

The night before they had gone out late night after their big, final rugby match dressed up as either Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera and went bar hopping. They had endless stories. Why do British guys like dressing up as women so much?

We had six hours on the boat with good music and plenty to drink and eat...then we hung out at a bar until about 11pm. Alex - being 21 - still doesn't know how to handle his liquor so by 11pm we were having to babysit him so we called it a night. Plus, 11 hours of hanging out with each other was enough. I could tell that Matt and Leo were hanging around to see if either one of them could get "special alone time" with me but I wasn't into it. I'm not attracted to Matt and Leo's too young. Although, if I keep seeing him every Friday then I might change my mind :) Gotta take it slow since I'm new to the group.

I didn't get to take that many pictures because I only had my Blackberry but below are some pictures from when we docked and FEASTED on fresh seafood for only $20/person. It was right as the sun was setting...gorgeous.

And what was even better was they didn't do the peer pressure shit with the drinking. So I got to have a relaxed time and drink at my own pace. Which was much faster than it should of been but still in control.



















My new friend Sara in the middle, her boyfriend Dominic on the left, Jonathan on the right (In the hotel robe - Alex brought a huge SUITCASE on the boat with all sorts of stuff in it. It was hilaaaarious. Hotel slippers, a panda bear hat, robes, a superman blanket...on and on...he just kept pulling new things out of it every hour.)





















That's Leo resting on Jonathan. Jason is on the far right.





















Such a feast! I ran into Sara today when I was grabbing lunch. She and I live about a 2-minute walk apart so this is the 2nd time I've run into her during lunch. She said that her man's going to email her more pictures so I'll post them when I get them from her.

Was SO tired today and had forgotten about a GYN appointment I had at 10:30am. Always nice to show up to the doctor's office hungover. But it was just to get a BC Pill prescription. What was great is that in HK the pharmacy is inside the doctor's office. So you get your medicine immediately. SO much easier!

Picked up my new size 6 gray Theory suit and the pants fit a tiiiiiny bit better. They're wearable for the business trip this weekend. Still gotta a bit more to go though. Gotta get the booty down a tad. Spinning class has become my 2nd home. Such a great workout and it doesn't bother my knees. Halelujah!

And I FINALLY found size 9 shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A place called "Sole Town". Ohhhh yeeeeahh.... So now I'm set! Bought a Vivienne Tam dress for the Christmas party which I shouldn't have but I couldn't find a cheap one that was appropriate and in my size. I REALLY TRIED I SWEAR!!!! Here's a picture but it's crappy and looks sort of freaky on the mannequin and doesn't do it justice. I love it!

5:01 Club - 11/30/07

It feels like I'm part of the group now. They've always been welcoming but it just takes a few times to hang out with new people before you're comfortable with them and vice versa.

THIS time I REALLY planned on not staying out late. I did much better than last weekend with French Guy Benjamin however I still sucked down more drinks/shooters than I was supposed to.

You see, I had made an appointment with a Chinese doctor to discuss Eastern treatment options for my anxiety, knee joint pain, allergies, etc. today at noon. So I thought it might not be the best idea to be totally hungover for that. Plus, I've been wanting to do this for years and it's important to me.

You'd think that would be enough to motivate me to not drink that much. But nooooOOOOOOOoooooo. The problem is the ringleader, or President as he deemed himself, Jonathan. He's charming as hell and you just can't say no to the guy. We started out at a bar called Tivo. Good thing about HK is they serve you free appetizers at the posh bars. Yes, I just used the word posh. The appetizers are the size of a dime but they're FREE so I shouldn't bitch. Aren't we supposed to not complain anymore and wear a Lance Armstrong-esque bracelet and inflict pain on ourselves whenever we do complain now? I heard that's like...the thing.

Anyway...had a couple drinks at Tivo and then I should've gone home. But Jonathan turned on the charm so I went to the next place...Stormies. Stormies cracks me up. It's so cheesy. They play cheesy music, have cheesy expats pouring out into the street, etc. You're allowed to drink in the street in HK. Waiters come to you and everything. So cars can't drive in the expat bar area, Lan Kwai Fong. It's like spring break for 30-year old finance people every weekend. I just decided to let go of the fact that it's sort of loser-ish and dorky and just had fun instead.

I talked a lot with Matt. Matt grew up in HK and London. He's a very cool guy, smart, funny, laid-back. Loves the witty back-and-forth convo but can also talk about serious stuff. Looks-wise I'm on the fence with him. He has one of those gummy smiles. I hate gummy smiles. And he's generally attractive but I'm not drawn to him yet. Jonathan keeps asking me what I think about him. Last night I told him to just chill...that I think he's a cool guy and I'm trying to get to know him.

After Stormies we went to Le Jardin. I love this place. Tons of plants and it's upstairs. Feels like an oasis from the city. Did a kamikaze shot and drank a beer there. And I had a beer at Stormies. So 5 drinks total. Could've done better. But I wasn't that hungover today. And I had a great meeting with the doctor. I now have Chinese herbal shit I'm supposed to drink 2x/day.

All the 5:01'ers are going on a junk cruise tomorrow so we'll be stuck on a boat together for 6 hours. I'm scared but also excited. We leave at noon. Drink for a few hours. Park the boat somewhere and eat at a really small, local place with good, fresh food. Then it's back on the boat for another few hours of drinking. Then we'll be back on land at about 6pm on a Sunday and will be totally wasted lookin' for trouble.

Lord.

Favorite Asian Girl Comment Today

I was in a store today where the girls compliment you a lot and tell you you're skinny so you'll buy their really expensive clothes. And, as usual, they only had sizes 0, 2 & 4 on the rack. So I had to once again ask if they had my size in the back. I used what is now my signature joke that always gets a reaction:

"Do you have this in the back in, you know...big, fat, American girl sizes?" (I puff out my cheeks and move from side-to-side acting like I'm the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.)

That usually results in a little hand-to-mouth-hee-hee but the reply from the girl today was classic. She lit up and started knodding her head and said:

"Oh yes! This clothes from Germany so they big and fit you."

I haven't felt that beastly in quite awhile. Ahhhhh, yeahhhh. Asia's awesome.

Old Guy = Done

I had felt bad about just emailing Old Guy Tony back instead of giving him the respect of a call back. Fuck it though. I haven't known him that long and he was being Mr. Obsessive. So I suppose that makes his name now Obsessive Old Guy Tony. Glad I don't have to type about him much anymore because that's a goddamn long name.

He sent a sweet email and all is well now. So glad that's over with.

It's a little scary how so many moments in my life involving men have a "Sex & the City" reference (And I mean scary because it's the only show I reference. Did I not watch anything else from '98-'04?) but I kept thinking about the time Samantha had an old guy after her...bought her jewelry...was upfront about everything. So she thought, "Hell yeah!"

And then she saw his ass.

I can't have sex with an ass like that either. [shudder]

Not that mine is perfection but my man's gotta have a good ass.

Like this:


Not that you needed a photo, but....well....sure you did.


















On another note...terrible story in the news about a little girl that was murdered in Texas. Very, very sad story. But, was anyone else disturbed by this rendering of her?




It looks like a fucked up version of Michelle Tanner from "Full House" with neanderthal teeth and a swollen tongue.

Vietnam Photos

I believe I sent this link to everyone who reads this thing but just in case...here's a link to my Vietnam photos. I'll be posting more photos here as soon as my friggin' camera is fixed (hopefully this week).

Note to self: Do NOT drop camera on concrete. Concrete hurts camera. Bad.

Saturday night

It took everything in me to make it to dinner with Grace Saturday night. But I made it. We've been trying to get together for 2 months and I didn't want to bail on her.

She took me to this Vietnamese restaurant that felt sort of like a cafeteria but really good food. Then we went to a new club. Her friend is part owner. Rooftop. Very cool. I met this girl, Han, that's from Hanoi so we talked about Vietnam, etc. She was one of the most beautiful women I've ever met. And what was crazy is that she looks EXACTLY like my friend Adria in NY. I texted Adria that I found her Asian doppleganger.

I love how travel opens you up to meeting that many more people. If I hadn't gone to Vietnam then I wouldn't have had as much to talk about with this girl.

A bunch of Grace's friends came to celebrate a birthday. It was all these Asian women that, like Grace, grew up in England or Scotland or Australia. So they're the odd ones out being Asian but having accents. Several short caucasian men accompanied them. That was an epiphany. Short men would have a FIELD day in Asia. SO many more choices. I had heels on so was probably 5'8" and I was towering over everyone except one guy. Cracked me up.

Grace is interesting. The most blunt person I've ever met. Which I like. But she's a little fucked up b/c her mom is fucked up and has a bit of a chip on her shoulder but I enjoyed hanging out with her and she'll be a fun girl to hang out with occassionally here. She knows very hip, rich, cool people so could be fun. Also, she knows the out of the way restaurants that are more local which will be GREAT to learn about.

I had two drinks at the rooftop bar and had to call it a night. They all went to see Boy George DJ (although they weren't 100% sure he was going to make it due to his recent incident) but I couldn't do it. Damnit. How random/cool would it be to see him DJ? Oh well...

I'll just have to go watch Benjamin :) sidebar: my favorite moment was when we woke up in the morning and we faced each other and he said, "Hello" in his French accent and smiled. I was a goner....

5:01 Club - 11/23/07

This was the 2nd time I'd been out with the 5:01 Club and I'm a bit scared. It was Sara, myself and a bunch of guys. These guys remind me SOOOOOO much of the guys I hung out with in LA. There's a guy that's very social, smart, charming and is the ringleader named Jonathan. He's just like Chip. Then there's a guy that's reeeally into drinking, is totally loveable and likes to do stupid stuff when he's drunk like drink a shot of Sambuca and light his mouth on fire, named Matt. He's like Skids.

Then there were some other guys. One - totally cute but only 25. Then another one - 21 yrs old - that looked so classicly British with his eyes that drooped at the corners named ???. Can't remember.

I got the same peer pressure shit from them that I used to get from Chip, et. al. Tried to get me to do a Jager bomb but I got out of that one. Finally succombed to a lemon/vodka shooter while they did something much more heinous.

Sara and I had a pact that we weren't going to let each other get drunk. Her boyfriend was coming in town the next day and she didn't want to be a corpse for him (he lives in London and she's contemplating moving there. I hope that happens so she can be my friend there) and I wanted to work out the next day and well...just not be hungover.

I made her stick to the pact. I.....did not.

Sara went home and me and the boys and two girls they picked up went to a small dance club called Gecko. HK is cool in that during the day you'll pass by these tiny alleyways and not think anything of them. Then at night all of a sudden there's a bar or club down there. The discovery is fun.

On the way there I had a good chat with the cute 25-year old. He's Aussie. I'm lovin' these accents. I started to think, "Well, 25 isn't thaaaaat young is it?"

I was barely buzzed at this point and not in the mood for a oon-chuh-oon-chuh dance club scene. I walked in. It was crowded as hell. I couldn't find the 25-year old. Turned around and left.

Was going to head home and then I saw Jonathan chowin' down on a hot dog. He said something that made me change my mind (can't remember at this point) and I turned around and headed back inside.

Went to the bar with the 21-year Brit guy and this HOT guy chatted us up. He bought our drinks. His name is Benjamin. I'm in love with Benjamin. He's 27, French, former model but finance guy now and has lived in HK for about 15 years.

I no longer hate French accents :)

He and I chatted all night. The 5:01 clubbers left. I didn't notice. Except for one time when the 21-year old was sitting behind us and he lit my fucking hair on fire. I smelled it but never thought it'd be me and thank GOD Benjamin saw it and put it out. The 21-year old was trying desperately to hook up with - anyone - and I suppose was annoyed I wasn't giving him attention.

Benjamin DJ's at Gecko so we talked about DJ'ing. I surprise myself sometimes at how I can talk about a subject I know nothing about for a really long time.

Benjamin brought me to this other dance club that reminded me of NY. We walked right past all the suckers waiting in line. Love when that happens. It's so pathetic but I felt very cool hanging out with him because he knows everybody.

We were there until about...ohhhhh, 5am. Then went BACK to Gecko and ran into more people that he knows. Then finally we left and I thought we would just go our separate ways because he had just broken up with his girfriend 4 days earlier. They dated for 2 years. But he wanted to come back to my place to hang out some more.

At this point I was exhausted but wanted to get the most time with him that I could. He's just a really gentle-natured person. Smart. And I couldn't stop staring at him. SO beautiful! PERFECT physique too. Of COURSE he just broke up with someone. I swear...

He spent the night and we fooled around a bit but nothing major. We didn't go to bed until about 6:30am/7am. He left around 2:30pm on Saturday.

I was so fucked up. Stayed in bed the rest of the day. Then had to meet up with this girl Grace that my friend Brett hooked me up with....

Old Guy

I didn't know how to respond to Tony's email. Plus, I was really busy with work and had social engagements at night so I didn't have time to sit and compose a thoughtful reply.

So I let 2 days go by without responding which isn't THAT long and I get this email from him:

I'm not sure whether you have received this email (see bottom), as I have been anxiously awaiting your reply. You have occupied my fancy and my soul. I know that you have probably been very busy with plans for London and your immediate work there... When are you returning to Atlanta and for how long?

I'm like, "Back OFF! Jesus."

Given that this is my reaction tells me that I'm no longer interested in him at all. I went out that night with the 5:01 club (another story for the next post) and was hungover the whole next day, then went straight to dinner with someone and out again. Then Sunday morning I get a call. Caller ID says "Anonymous" which is does a LOT on this phone (which I hate).

It's Tony.

I forgot I had given all of them my number so they could get in touch with me when they were in HK. It was 11am and I had been sleeping (rough weekend) so I was out of it. I said I was sorry I hadn't returned his email but it overwhelmed me a bit and I've been busy the past few days and didn't want to just send a quick reply. I asked if I could call him back. Got his number.

And then sent him an email.

I'm such a coward but he's just turned me off SO much that I don't even want to talk with him. I sent the following reply:

I did get your email but I was truly busy with work and had evening plans for a few days in a row. So I've been going non-stop and haven't had a chance to respond. I suppose I also put it off a bit because I didn't know how to respond.

This is such a wonderful email you sent me. But I must admit it did scare me off and overwhelm me. I don't know if you really heard me in my first email but friendship is all I can offer at this point. I'm not comfortable with anything else. In these long-distance situations I have to listen to my instincts and my heart. If you were consuming my thoughts then I would have to listen to that, and I suspect I would've had a different reaction to your email. But that's not what's happening on my end. I'm so sorry to say this because I don't want to hurt you but I just want to be honest. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your openness and sincerity. Unfortunately, I don't come across too many men that are able to reveal themselves like you are. But again, like I said in my first email, I'm not up for just having fun and I don't want to get involved with someone that doesn't live near me. In the days since you left I've only grown more certain of this.

I'm sorry I took the coward's way out and emailed you vs. calling you back. You deserve more than that.

Hopefully I wasn't too harsh but I'm not going to string this guy along when I really don't want to see him again. Hopefully he'll get it now and stop pursuing me.

HK Story #1

Figured I'd change the title of these blog posts since I'm back in HK now.

So I meet up with the three Canadians - Tony, Mina and Bud - for dinner (Hee hee..."Bud"). We had a GREAT time. About 6 hours long. Went to a Turkish restaurant and ate decent food, sucked a bunch of apple tobacco out of a hookah, etc. Tony sat across from me and everytime our eyes would meet it was very intense. It was hard to look away.

At the end of the night I descended into the subway and thought, "I wonder if he's going to come after me." I sent he and Mina a link to my Vietnam photos and got the following response from Tony (edited to just good parts):

I had a premonition to want to come after you as soon as I was in the hotel, feeling that you were still close by. My regret, not having done so!!!

Strange as it may seem, my feelings for you are incredibly strong, I felt it the first time I made eye contact with you on that first plane ride to Ho Yan. Am I really a fool given our age difference? I've never dated anyone with a wide age gap. What are your feelings? Is it just me? Anyway, I hope to continue communicating with you, of course only if you are comfortable with that.

You seem to be a most beautiful individual!!

With affection,
Tony

The age difference he's referring to?

Yeah.

He's proooobably about 65-years old. I never found out the exact number.

I've NEVER been attracted to a man that old before but there's a first time for everything. Given that I had just had drama with Pascal in Hanoi and a year earlier had long-distance drama with Toronto Joe that dragged on and on...and given the fact that he's...like....OLD....and I want to find a guy to settle down with and maybe have a baby or two...this ain't gonna work.

I replied with a very honest email basically saying that his age and location were big factors and if I thought I could just "have fun" with him then I'd say, "Let's do this." But I know I'd get attached to him as it's a pretty intense connection. And I don't need that heartache. Been there, done that. So I asked that we just remain friends for now but said I definitely wanted to keep in touch.

In the days b/n sending that email to him and his reply my feelings have pretty much dissolved completely. It was a fleeting connection in my mind.

Then I get THIS email from him last night:

My thanks to you for being so candid in your assessment of your feelings. I so wish that I had run to you when we parted and you were there alone on the platform. I would have put my arms around you and held you so tight and laughed together.

I am sorry that your 2 recent relationships have not worked out and you are at a fragile state at this time. Please be secure that I don't make it a desire to ever hurt or injure minds or body. Like you, I don't take my feelings lightly or those of others, It has been very rare, as a matter of fact you are only the second person that I've fallen for with total confidence. When I met you and our eyes made contact it wasn't just a casual encounter, my heart felt it, no words were exchanged.

I believe in destiny, in a Higher Being, in One that is capable of making things happen given circumstances, personal faith and love for mankind. When I was with you, a mere couple of times and in the company of others, I didn't see a 32 year old, after all what is age? I saw a mature intelligent individual that I can have conversations with, be proud to have at my side in any setting, and enjoy the ultimate human experience of the sense of touch in a most delicate, soft and romantic manner where we are both at ease with full confidence that the other cares, loves and their world is totally entwined, to taste, smell and be fulfilled in the other's joys and accomplishments, support failures and ill health. We do live a world apart, take it slow? Meet somewhere in between Atlanta and Toronto? In Europe? I am willing. I understand that you want to settle down. A life fulfilled as prescribed by nature is something we all yearn for, why shouldn't you have it? I support your goals.

This connection is a great gift, for me it transcends age, race, nationality, religious differences and distances. The world is so finite, nothing becomes a barrier. If just friendship is what all this will turn out to be, at least I can say that it is the most special with a sense of purity and dedicated love for the other.

On the other hand, if just some fun is what you'd like to try for now, with someone you'd trust and meet so often, I am open too, I just don't want to end it before we've had a chance to meet again.

I hope I didn't scare you off with my rambling!! For now, I look at your picture with admiration!

With warm feelings,
Tony

Uhhhhh. Wow.

"you are only the second person that I've fallen for with total confidence."

???? Holy shit!

"I hope I didn't scare you off with my rambling!!"

Gee, you think?!

"On the other hand, if just some fun is what you'd like to try for now..."

I said the exact OPPOSITE in my email to him. That that's not what I want.

And I so feel like Carrie Bradshaw right now in the episode where she thinks she's too bitter for romance. That email did nothing but creep me out. Of course, if it were a guy I was really into then maybe it would be different but this guy. No. There was a "connection" and I was very attracted to him but the age thing just stops it cold. Even though he's a good looking guy and looks really damn good for his age. Eh... If he hadn't left the next day I probably would've tried it out but since he's gone I need to say good riddance.

So now I have to write him again and tell this guy that I'm not interested.

HELP!

Oh yeah, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Vietnam Story #5

Hoi An is a wonderful town. It's one of the few spots in Vietnam that during the war both sides agreed to leave it alone. So the buildings are just great. And unlike Hanoi, they don't allow cars in certain areas so it's much less hectic.

I had a kick ass room right on China Beach. Couldn't get over the fact that I was laying out on China Beach. I kept looking for Dana Delaney and Marg Helgenberger. Waited for helicopters that never came.

I explored a lot of the old houses and a couple museums. Bought some art. GREAT art there. Took some pretty decent pictures.

Back up to the flight from Hanoi to Hoi An. There was a man on my flight. He and I locked eyes very intensely. He said something to me but I didn't hear him and just laughed and looked away. And that was it.

So my 2nd night in Hoi An I pick a restaurant out of a long list...get a table...and he's sitting right next to me. We looked at each other and just smiled. He was traveling with a married couple and they're all neighbors back in Toronto. So we proceed to have a great dinner. Tony - the guy - is hitting on me and that became the overlying theme of the evening. They're all very nice, sassy, fun people. Found out they were going to be traveling to Hong Kong the next week so we exchanged information and promised to have dinner when they were there.

Meanwhile, during this trip I was texting with Pascal. We tried doing dirty texts (I started it and he was more than enthused) but then I lost cell service...damnit. Haha...

As I'm on my way back to Hong Kong I have a layover in Hanoi. I'm sitting in the Hanoi airport in some crappy restaurant eating a crappy burger. They're playing the most random American songs. At one point I was singing along to "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar". I laughed out loud to no one.

I emailed Pascal from there and he said to let him know the weather report in Hong Kong because he thinks he needs to visit me...

I was so excited! I got much more attached to him than I planned on though. Which worried me as he's such a playboy. But I was trying to keep it cool in my head.

Didn't hear from him by Thursday re: any definite plans. So I thought, "Shit, he's bailing." I emailed him a link to some article as a ploy to get info out of him. He replied but didn't mention anything about coming to HK.

So I called him out on it. Said I felt like a big idiot because he said he was coming and now he's obviously not. I said "maybe you're not as over your ex-girlfriend as I thought?" Asked him to mail me my watch, etc.

He replied saying that he was so sorry and to please forgive him but he thought he could handle everything but he's now figured out that he can't and he's stuck and he's sorry. I said that was okay and I understood.

Then I proceeded to go out that night and get SHITFACED. Had a great time though with my new friend Sara (not as cool as the first Sarah). I sent Pascal a drunk email blasting him out. Said that if he knew he was bailing on me he should've let me know. That's fucked up and fuck him and blah, blah. Told him that he's 40 years old and need to be a man. I'm a nice person and I don't deserve this shit. I don't care who you are in your home country. You can't treat people this way.

Now most men my age would run screaming for the hills after an email like that. But Pascal had done the same thing as me - gone out and got shitfaced - and replied saying that he really likes me, more and more, especially after this email...it's good to let it out...blah, blah. He suggested we see each other in December.

After much hazy-hungover reflection the following day AND after having a VERY enlightening conversation with his friend Martin over IM I decided to make up with him and we could be friends. After a few email exchanges that was the end result and he said, "You'll never be alone as I humbly think you've found a soulmate in me."

Love the conclusion.

So then the Hoi An guy comes into town and I'm having dinner with he and the other 2 Canadians that night. My head/heart were still spinning from the Pascal drama....

Vietnam Story #4

I went to Halong Bay for 2 days. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place. The beauty is indescribable. That word looks misspelled. "Indescribeable"? "Indescribeable"? I hate the English language sometimes.

After two days on the boat with me and 3 other couples and a handful of Vietnamese help that slept on the floor in the dining room...I was feeling a bit lonely.

I was back in Hanoi and it was my last night there before I was leaving for Hoi An. I was eating dinner by myself and decided to send Pascal an email. I told him that I had a wonderful time in Halong Bay and although I would love to get together for a drink that night I wanted it to be as friends because I thought our sexual styles were just too different.

He sent an immediate reply (older men are good about that) saying that it was "cool babe" and that he was having a "laid back drinks meeting with the Canadian Trade Commissioner". Right. Me too actually...but my meeting is with the Ambassador to China. Jesus. He wanted me to join them. Martin was going to be there too.

So I did. It was a crazy location. Right on Ho Tay Lake (they call it West Lake). Basically the Beverly Hills of Hanoi. Gorgeous. Although the cab driver got lost on the way there and we ended up in a PRETTY SCARY area...but I made it eventually and when I arrived Pascal was immediately all over me.

Mentioned about 5 times how he knew I'd find the place on my own without any help even though it was really tough to find. I met the Canandian dude, said hi to Martin and met the owner of the club. It was brand new. I must say, I felt very hip and cool.

The Canadian guy left and the rest of us decided that we needed food. We went to Vines which is a really good restaurant. Great atmosphere. Pascal kept insisting on knowing what I thought was so different about our sexual styles. I had to keep putting him off. But of course I was getting the ego boost of a lifetime.

We got drunk. Went back to Pascal's place. Martin and I walked one block to Ho Tay Lake and he showed me the exact spot where John McCain was shot down. We were standing there at about 2am. Drunk. It's pitch black and we're at the edge of the lake. Peace and quiet in this absolutely beautiful area. And I was trying to envision it being a war zone where the worst moment in John McCain's life was about to begin.

Continued to hang out at Pascal's. He went on and on about how he wanted me to meet his mother. His mother is picky about women but would love me. Finally Martin passed out and Pascal and I had a very honest conversation and I told him I didn't like the way he kissed. He asked me how I liked to be kissed and changed for me and it was great!

So we had a WOOOOOONDERFUL night! GOD I needed that. He's a male slut but I put that thought out of my mind because he was so good. It was an emotional evening too. Not just sex. Great experience.

I left in a hurry the next morning as we were counting the minutes until I had to leave to catch my flight. I left my watch and some jewelry there. He texted me saying as much and said I could either pick it up during my connection on my way back to HK in a few days or he could bring it to HK himself. I opted for the latter.

Vietnam Story #3

Martin and Pascal introduce themselves to me and look like they're in their 40's and seem nice enough so I chat them up.

Pascal's face was just lit up when he was talking with me. After about 10 minutes Pascal starts in with the compliments.

"Stacey's a cool babe."
"Martin, isn't she beautiful?" (Martin is forced to reply)
"You've got a nice ass."
"You're down to earth. I like that."
"Stacey is a cool babe." (he likes to repeat himself when he's been drinking)

What's funny is that his delivery just made me laugh. They told me I had NO IDEA what I had walked into with the two of them. Pascal is basically a huge stud in Switzerland (where he's from) and grew up with tons of money, etc. He didn't reveal these things in an obnoxious way and only after we knew each other better.

Pascal makes us switch seats so that I'm in the middle. He makes me kiss him on the cheek. This is after about 30 minutes maximum from the first hello. And what's funny is that it seemed sort of natural.

I was enjoying all of the attention. Martin said I remind him of Natalie Wood. I'll take that! We were all talking about newspapers and I commented on my disappointment that Rupert Murdoch has taken over the WSJ and Pascal now thinks I'm a genius. Meanwhile, I hardly read the WSJ. I just throw that comment out there to seem smart. Guess it works.

Martin went to the bathroom and I knew I was in trouble. Alone with Pascal. He tried to kiss me but I said no. I just met the guy. I really, really planned on not spending the night with him because it was that time of the month and I just wasn't all prepared down there. Plus, he was just SO sure of himself and SO blunt about it all that my stubborn ass didn't want to give him the satisfaction of another easy score.

Cut to 2 hours later and my stubborn ass is getting spanked by a guy named Pascal.

Going back to the bar though...I finally let him kiss me and I hated the way he kissed. Jackhammer tongue. Yuck. So invasive and not intimate at all. The man is 40 years old so I figure he's probably set in his ways so I was disappointed as I was really attracted to him. And since he was such an interesting guy and I wanted to hook up I decided "what the hell".

He came back to my hotel which was a $20/night hotel. This guy grew up with a rich father, private jet, the whole bit. Has been a very successful investment banker himself, virtually saving two European nations' economies from collapsing...and he's in my $20/night room and loved it "because he was with me".

I've never been complimented so much in my life. Toronto Joe is a close 2nd. He loves everything about me, including my body, and the way he says it cracks me up. It's like I'm a medical specimen and he's evaluating my body:

"Nice ass"
"Great tits"
"Great pussy"
"I like your body. You're a woman. Not some skinny ass model."
"You have graceful hands"

For some reason with this guy it doesn't bother me. Although I was uncomfortable the entire night because I hated his kissing. I would literally pull my head back everytime he went in to kiss me. The rest was fine. He's the best cuddler in the world. So I just layed there trying to enjoy his petting my head, etc. but really was just praying for the sun to come up.

Because he's so freaking brilliant, fun, interesting, worldly and adores me I thought I'd ask him to breakfast. So we do that and when we part ways he asks me to please call him when I'm back in town as I was heading out the next day to Halong Bay for 2 days.

I didn't plan on calling him...

My favorite picture of Hanoi

 

Vietnam Story #2

My first night in Hanoi I went to a restaurant near Hoan Kiem Lake called Bobby Chinn's. I happened to walk in behind a group of 5 men in their 50's/60's. They were boisterous and having a good time. The hostess looked at them and me and said, "5?" One of the men said, "Join us! Come on!"

I thought, "What the hell?" and decided to join them. As we were seated at the table I found out that 3 of the men were Vietnam War vets and were visiting Vietnam for the first time since the war. They were shooting a documentary. One of the producers is Edward Tick, PhD who wrote the book "War and the Soul" and is one of the foremost authorities on PTSD.

The man that invited me to join them tells me that the day before he had visited the exact spot where he had been shot down. Said it was quite a heavy experience.

Then the man next to me leans over and says very sweetly that if it's alright with me they might have to ask me to excuse myself because they had reserved that night for the really deep, tough talk about their Vietnam War experience. I couldn't believe how sensitive they were being to MY feelings. I'm just some random girl.

They decided to switch tables to get better shooting angles and I pulled the producers aside and said that I'd feel more comfortable letting them do their thing. I don't need to be involved. This is their time to work through everything and I didn't want to do anything that would impede that progress.

They were so sweet and talked with me for about 5 minutes making sure I was okay about it. They said the one guy that had invited me to join them and kept talking with me was using me as a distraction because he was afraid to really delve in. The wives weren't even allowed that night. I felt so bad for him because I'll never be able to imagine how hard that night was going to be for him. But hopefully equally as therapeutic as well.

Oy. So I went to sit at the bar and that's when I met Pascal and Martin.

Vietnam Story #1

My tour guide on the boat in Halong Bay was a sweet guy. I could tell he didn't know how to react to a woman traveling alone. He tried to get different couples on the boat to sit with me and I had to explain to him that I was fine by myself. Especially since the other couples didn't speak English.

He chatted me up the 2nd day. Asked if I had a boyfriend. Then said I looked like the girl from "Knocked Up". Haha...

Asked me what my job was and I told him. He said, "Ah, you be Chief Executive Officer someday. Impossible is nothing!"

Impossible is nothing, indeed, Mike.

I'm home

Finally. After lugging my 66 lbs. suitcase up 66 stairs to my apartment. It feels good to be home. My bed is still unmade just as I left it. I can crawl right in and go to sleep. So excited to get settled. The picture above was supposed to be a picture of me looking relieved to be home and not traveling but then it turned into "How hot can I look?"

I'm so vain...