Well aloha all! So since Friday I have been nursing a messed up left foot. The official title of the injury is metalasalgia (I think I spelled it right) and basically it's a dislocation of the joint in my middle toe. So that means I'm out of serious working out for a week at least.

While this has been trying and somewhat heartbreaking, I have decided instead of being my usual mopey ol' self, I'm determined to have a damn good time. That's why as of now, I've had a few drinks and am preparing for a half moon party (in the middle of the jungle no less!) in Hadrin here.

Descartes eloquently stated that "I think therefore I am" and this sums up one of the major issues in philosophy, i.e. the mind body problem. Often discredited as being wrong on almost all accounts, I can't help but recognize what Descartes was trying to get at. I think there is a universal feeling that there is a seperation between our mental and physical states. This is why monks can undergo extreme physical pain in favour of their spiritual/mental bliss. I think that my major issue has been trying to focus on my physical issues (what kind of shape I'm in) and have used this to ignore what kind of mental state I'm in.

Therefore my decision (as of now at least) is to put off my Muay Thai training for a little while. I was finding that it seemed more like a job than anything else, and what's the point of a vacation if you feel like your working? So, I think the my solution, as trite as it may sound, is to go find myself and finally listen to what everyone has been telling me. There's always a time and place to get in shape, and admittedly Calgary has some of the best Muay Thai in the world (see the Mike Miles link). However, there is only so much time (and money) where I can truly explore what it is to be...Josh.

This all being said, the current goal is to get out of Koh Phangan and go meet some interesting folk and have all those "life experiences" that everyone raves about. I think that if I keep pushing myself physically, I will only experience more pain and anguish. This is a sign that I will injure myself further and probably to a greater extent. So I'm off to go party in the jungle, meet crazy people and have some damn fun.

This all being said, I sure as hell use the word "and" way too much; therefore I need a better connective for sentences. I'm speaking to you, you writers (Ian...). As well, I'm scared as hell about drugs out here, I keep hearing horror stories about people being tossed in jail for even passing a joint (60,000 baht bribe, I don't think so!), so if I ever see one I'll probably run off into the bushes screaming.

I hope all is well with everyone who cares to read my rather busy blog, and please e-mail if you have anything that might help me in my adventures (or spiritually, or whatever!). Things are getting better and all it required was a paradigm shift of my consciousness (only!). Hell, I use brackets too much as well (too many ideas, so little space). Adios and see you on the other side.